L I E) RAR.Y OF THE U N IVERSITY or ILLINOIS liUNois mi'jr'vi tm^ / y i ^^'- on various topics that cannot but prove interesting and acceptable to ..^t-ejur patrons. Messrs. J. Simpson, Dr. A. W. Hyde, E. Mathews, I'ltKFACK. N. D. Hillis, M. S. (ireeiK Mrs. Pliebe Button, and many others who have contributed to tlic work in Henderson County, have placed the patrons of tlie work under lasting obligations for \-alu- able matter rescued from oblivion, where it was surely tending. The biographical department contains the names and ])rivate sketches of nearly every person of im])ortance in the counties. A few persons, whose sketches we would be pleased to have presented, for various reasons refused or delayed furnishing us with the desired information, and in this matter only we feel that our work is incom- plete. However, in most of such cases we have obtained, in i*egard to the most important ])ersons, some items, and have woven them into the county or township sketches, so that, as we believe, we cannot })e accused of negligence, partiality or jjrejudice. LIST OF PORTRAITS. William Drury, Vashti Drury, J. M. Emerson, Fredrick Frick, B. C. Taliaferro, William Gayle, . Daniel Mowry, Samuel Careen, . James Heaton, J. S. Brokaw, Mary A. Brokaw, . Richard Kiddoo, Dennis Murto, J. F. CURTS, . Martin Bear, . Mrs. Martin Bear, Jacob Bear, SvjiuEL Mickey, George McPherren, Thomas Candor, . Dan W. Sedwick, . WiLLiAJi Hanna, J. C. Cabeen, S. P. Cabeen, John Cooper, . j. musgove, William Beaty, Joseph Glancey, c. schenck, Daniel Jones, George Curry, J. AV. KiMEL, M. C. Paul, C. D. Eltinge, James F. Peasley, . J. W. Brook, Mary C. Brook, 33 H. B. Fraziek, . 699 51 Charles E. Drew, . 717 69 R. A. McKinley, . . 735 87 A. J. Streeter, 753 105 A. P. Petrie, . 771 . 123 R. A. Lomax, . 789 141 William Lomax, . 807 . 159 B. C. COGHILL, . 825 177 G. W. Chandler, . 843 . 195 Alvah W. Paul, 861 213 Joseph Allen, . * . . 879 231 W. H. CORTELYOU, . 897 249 Lewis Duke, . 913 . 267 James Duke, 931 285 J. B. Patterson, . . 949 . 303 R. H. Barnes, . 967 321 P. D. Salter, . 985 339 David Rankin, 1003 357 F. M. Davidson, . . 1021 . 375 George H. Dixson, 1039 393 Joseph Dixson, . 1057 . 411 T. G. RiCHEY, . 1075 429 A. L. Porter, . 1093 . 447 John N. Bruen, 1111 465 I. J. Brook, . . . . . 1129 . 483 H. W. Whiteman, . '. 1147 501 Samuel Galbraith, . 1165 . 519 A. Wallbaum, 1183 537 William B. Dean, . 1201 . 555 William H. Gittings, . 1219 573 George C. Watson, . 1237 . 591 Isaac T. Harter, 1255 609 A. 0. McQuowN, . . 1273 . 627 William Mc^Millan, 1309 645 S. S. Hutchinson, . 1327 . 663 R. W. RlCIIEY, . 1345 681 INDEX. Abington Township 512 Accidents, Biggsville 1337 Adams, John B 740 Additional Matter 820 Additional Matter 1407 Agricultural Society 1330 Akin, James M 998 Aledo, Mercer County 539 Aledo Public Schools 564 " Aledo Weekly Record," 552 Allen, John S 204 Allen, Joseph 1282 Alyea, Thomas 99 Anderson, Joseph 505 Anderson, Alexander 987 Anderson, James 990 Anderson, William W 1405 Annegers, G. Henry 1 046 Annegers, Herman G., Jr 1049 Annegers, Herman G., Sr 1049 Ansley, Dr. J. M 738 Arthur, Martha 108(5 A Scrap of Ancient History 99 Associate Reformed Branch, Suez Township 630 Atkins, John H 1136 Attig, Nicholas 510 Bailey, John A 1391 Bailey, William Stuart 1042 Bainter, Peter C 1312 Bald Bluff Churches 1140 Bald Bluff Township 1142 Baker, Dr. Jacob Russell 529 Banking in Keithsburg 152 Barnes, J. E 1007 Barnes, Robert H 1128 Barnett, John 1192 Bassett, Isaac Newton 832 Bay, James E 293 Beal, Perry 1086 Bear, Jacob 293 Bear, Martin 287 Beard, Dr. E 1133 Beatv, Ely 1083 Beck, Robert C 1268 Beckett, Joseph 1314 Bedford Townshii) 1096 Bell, John 252 Bell, John , 263 Bell, Silas W 1397 Bell, William 1392 Bentley, James L 604 Beverlin, Thomas 293 Biggs, John 989 Biggsville Township 1315 Biggsville, Village of. 1332 Biographical, Bald Bluff 1151 Biographical, Bedford 1113 Biographical, Biggsville 1348 Biographical, Carman Township 1404 Biographical, Greenville 1079 Biographical, Honey Creek 1205 Biographical, Olena Township . . . 1035 Biographical, Oquawka 962 Biographical, South Henderson.. 1248 Biographical, Terra Haute 1280 Biographical, Walnut Grove 1174 Biographical — Abington Township 515 Duncan Township 498 Eliza Township 287 Greene Township 671 Keithsburg Township 118 Ohio Grove Township 444 Millersburg Township 205 Mercer Township 583 New Boston Township 72 North Henderson Township . 809 Perryton Township 324 Preemption Township 713 Richland Grove Township . . . 737 Rivoli TownshiiJ 763 Suez Township 634 Birdsall, Paul D 1354 Bishop, Edwin 289 Bi.ssell, Ammi 690 Black Hawk W^ar 23 Black, Albert 1048 Black, Sauniel Wilson 1048 Black, William 1048 Blue, George A . . . . .- 813 Boden, William N 1009 Boise, Milton S 618' Bolton, William 1312 Boone. George 248 Boone, Hopkins 659 Boone, Washington 607 Bopes, David 327 Boruff, Milton 506 Bowen, John 1136 Boyd, Joseph P "251 Boyd, John R 1383 Boyd, Martin 597 Boyd, William C 259 Bradford, W. W 336, Brady, John, Jr 242 Brain, William 326 Brainard, Charles H 1263 Brainard, Davis S 1002 Bras, Charles W Ill Braucht, Jacob 247 Braucht, John 503 Breckenridge, Hugh 748 Breckenridge, William (,' ()91 8 INDEX, Bredsford, Harrison 1390 Brewer, Louis Waldo 527 Bridger, G. W 116 Bridger, Henry T 644 Bridger, James 742 Bridgfprd, Oliver A 241 Bridgford, W. A 238 Britt, Zelota 1119 Brock, John W 984 Brokaw, Abram 1122 Brokaw, Josiah 1139 Brook, Isaiah J 1254 Brook, James William » . . . . 1054 Brook, John A 1189 Brooks, Benjamin F 1012 Brooks, Isaac 782 Brouse, Charles AV 1396 Brown, Allen S 811 Brown, Benjamin F 809 Brown, Harrison 637 Brown, John H 451 Brown, Joshua H 643 Brown, Loami 622 Brown, Samuel 622 Brownlee, David S 650 Brownlee, James H 648 Brownlee, William C 461 Briggs, William 723 Bristol, C. Beecher 738 Bruen, John N 1248 Bruen, Stephen H 1295 Bruington, George 648 Bruington, Gus 643 Bryan, William P 1311 Bryans, David 1081 Bullock, John V 529 Burgett, Frederick P 154 Business of Aledo 548 Butler, James H 1123 Butler, Jesse 1289 Cabeen, Hon. Robert J 525 Cabeen, John W 445 Cabeen, Samuel 445 Cabeen, Samuel P 444 Cabeen, Thomas B 153 Cable, Richland Grove Township 737 Calhoun, Henry G 180 Campbell, Alexander 202 Campbell, Dr. James A 616 Campbell, Matthew S 639 Campbell, Robert 647 Campbell, John 1088 Campbell, Jolin 1395 Campbells, The 199 Cameron, Peter 725 Candor, Capt. Daniel M 334 Candor, Josiah 334 Candor, Thomas 446 Cannum, Mark 603 Carman Township 1401 Carothers, Andrew, Jr 1046 Carothers, Andrew, Sr 1046 Carothers, Jacob 1046 Carothers, John, Jr 1051 Cartwright, George 1213 Carver, Jesse 720 Carver, Redding L 720 Castle, Edward M 504 Caswell, James A 1005 Cemeteries, Walnut Grove 1171 Cemeteries of Ohio Grove Town- ship 443 Cemetery of Greene Township . . . 668 Cemetery of Suez Township 632 Chandler, George W 1285 Chandler, John T 1305 Chard, William J 1187 Chidester, Nelson 745 Chidester, Sidney 100 Childs, Augustus B 823 Chowning, Dr. John P 264 Church, Beard 472 Churches in Greenville 1072 Churches of Bedford 1098 Churches of Biggsville 1339 Churches of Oquawka 954 Churches of Aledo 575 Churches of Duncan Township. . . 495 Churches of Millersburg 217 Churches of New Boston 86 Churches of Rivoli Township. . . . 755 Churches, South Henderson 1236 Churches, Terre Haute Tp 1279 Churches, Walnut Grove 1167 Circuit Court of Henderson county 883 Cisna, Zilile 1406 Cistern Tragedy 1402 Clark, Lemuel T 1155 Clark, James G 739 Clark, Samuel 737 Clark, Sarah 737 Clarke, David Andrew 719 Clarke, G. R 20 Clover, Cornelius 1207 Cluff, John W 1209 Cochran, William 1089 Cofiian, Martin L 605 Cole, William Anderson 620 Coleman, John 780 Collins, J. H 510 Collins, William P 674 Commissioners' Record 56 Constitutional Conventions 908 Cook, Henry C 188 Cool, George M 616 Cooper, David H 329 Cooper, Hamlet 329 Cooper, Levi 338 Cooper, Ephraim 1155 Cooper, John 1151 Cooper, John 1215 Cooper, R 991 Company E, 9th Regiment 701 Company A and G, 13th Regiment 788 Company I, 17th Regiment 730 Company C, 26th Infantry 703 Company G, 27th Regiment 787 Company C, 36th Regiment 729 Company A, 37th Regiment 729 Company B, 65th Regiment 853 INDEX. 9 Company D, 83d Regiment 794 Company D, 83d Regiment 854 Company G, 124th Regiment 794 Company G, 124th Regiment 850 Company B, 126th Regiment 795 Company B, 126th Regiment 858 Company F, 140th Regiment 796 Company F, 140th Regiment 859 Company C, 11th Cavah-y 859 Company H, 11th Cavalry 860 Connell, James H 833 Connolly, William 722 Conway, Joseph 721 Correll Richard H 1188 Cortelyou, R. V 1128 Cortelyou, William H 1135 Corns, Warner 344 County Officers, Henderson county 899 Cowden, George Henry 1369 Cowden, Isaac B 1043 Cox, Richard 744 Cox, John G 1118 Crabs, George D 325 Cramer, R. S 112 Crane, J. H 244 Crane, Robert W 1210 Creighton, Samuel M 460 Crenshaw, J. W 1299 Crime in Greenville 1068 Criswell, Dr. M 333 Cronch, W. A. M 1083 Crosby, Edwin T 680 Crownover, Robert 1213 Cullison, William B 778 Cummins, Thomas S 190 Cumming, John 1007 Cunningham, James 1006 Curry, George 1037 Curry, William 1214 Curts, John 1036 Dallas City 1204 Damp, Michael 341 Darrah, Charles B 1088 David, Dr. E. B 619 Davidson, Francis Marion 1189 Davis, Abner 964 Davis, Abner 1054 Davis, Andrew J 1055 Davison, D. A 260 Dean, James Henry 1044 Dean, William B 1207 Deceased otficers, Henderson Co. 1198 Deets, Joseph 819 Dehaven, Alfred 1409 Delany, William 1 195 Democratic Press in Aledo 554 Denison Family 73 Deiiison, Henry W 92 Descrijition of Mercer County. ... 31 Detwiler, Charlds W " 622 Detwiler, Lewis Cass 621 Dilley, John Webster 620 Dilley, William 458 Dingwell, John 647 Discoveries 17 Ditto, John W 522 Ditto, George W 1153 Dixson, George H 1177 Dixson, Joseph 1176 Doak, Daniel F 174 Doak, William 345 Dool, John .- 262 Dool, Robert 343 Doughty, Lucien B 613 Doughty. Thomas L 103 Ooughty, T. H Ill Douglass, Samuel C 1352 Douglass, Andrew J 517 Drew, Charles E 1055 Duke, James 1082 Duke, Lewis 1082 Duncan, John C 1380 Durling, A 1119 Downey, Joseph A 259 Downing, John 265 Drury, C'ourtney 94 Drury, Silas 289 Drury, William 93 Dryden, Cary 252 Duncan, Jonathan 454 Duncan Township 492 Dunlap, Isaac N 593 Dunn, Henry 498 Dynn, John 191 Dunn, J. M 336 Durston, ( 'harles F 597 Durston, Samuel L 775 Durston, Sidnej^ 774 Fames, Thadeus 1000 Early Courts 820 Early History of Richland Grove Township 732 Earlv Settlement of Greene Tpi . . 656 Early Settlement of Suez Tp 623 Early Settlements 45 Early Settlement Biggsville 1318 Early Settlements of Henderson county 867 Early Settlers of (ii-eenville 1065 Early schools. South Henderson. 1233 Eckley, George 738 Edgar, Richard S 247 Edmunds, Marion 1308 Edmunds, Oliver 1284 Education in Perryton Township . 347 Educational, Greenville 1070 Education in Henderson countv. • 1196 Edwards, Nicholas :..:... 590 Edwards, Adoniram 1194 Edwards, Thomas R 1358 Efforts to move County Seat 910 Egbert, W. W 261 Eightv-fourth Reg. 111. Inf. 363 Election — Ohio Grove Township . 439 Eliza Township 269 EUett, Benjamin D 172 Emerson, Dr. Edward L 780 Emerson, James M ' 822 Emerson, Oliver P 175 l<:n.erson, William S 179 10 INDEX. Engle, Charlef* Episcopal Church Episodes — Greene Townsliip. . . . Epperly, William Evangelical Lutlieran Church. . . . Evans, George M Evans, Hamilton Evans, John Evans, John, Jr Everett, Samuel F Fair, William Faran John Feather, James Fehx, M. F Felton, Herchel Felton, J. B Fender, Jonas Fifty-ninth Infantry Filler, Jacob C Finch, William Findlev, Mitchell M Findley, William A Fires in Greene Townshij) First Settlers in Duncan Township Fisk, H.W Flack, Thomas S Fleharty Family Flehartv, Bennett E Fleharty, Govert S Flehartv, H. C Fleharty, J. Q. A Fleharty, Rev. J. J. Fleharty, S. F Flehartv, Stephen W Fleharty, S. W., Wm. I)., Mary A.. and William Fleharty, William L Fleming, Marshall Flory, Moses K Foote, George M Forbes, John Ford. J. L Forsyth, Elijah Fort, John B Forty-tifth Infantry Forward, Isaac Foster. Robert Foster, John R Foster, William A Foulkes, Richard Frazier, Jesse A^ Frazier, Hugh B Frazier, Mis*s Amanda E Frew, William B Frick, Clarence Frick, Frederick Froehlich, G. F. W Fuller, Jefferson Fuller, William (Taddis, Robert W Galbraith, Franklin Galljraith, Samuel Garber, Leonard Gardner, John C Garrett, Richard 741 711 (565 499 734 641 10P,5 1405 lOoO 719 1088 255 480 617 234 343 500 1062 1085 1314 1001 1008 662 493 338 1154 802 809 805 804 804 805 805 803 806 804 116 675 1182 1307 1186 480 1052 1060 1266 728 1378 1389 1O80 671 673 354 607 192 516 996 234 ()38 1053 1258 1258 507 (588 819 Garrett, William C 775 Garretson, P. S 130O Gaunt, Jonathan 332 Gayle, William 128 Gearhart, David 1126 Geiger, John ^ . . 586 Genung, Joseph 1283 Geology of Gi-eene Township. . . . 652 Gibb, James 1355 Gibb, Paul D 1383 Gibson, Sanuiel C 1195 Gilmore, Edwin 241 Gilmore Familv 588 Gilmore, J. G."^. 326 Gilmore, J. M 244 Gilmore, Joseph C 511 Gilmore, Robert M 1351 Gingles, James 342 Gilbert, John G 688 Gillespie, William C ()90 Gittings, Clarence R 1298 Gittings, Benjamin Berrv 1206 Gittings, AViliiam K. . . .' 1206 Gladman, William H 834 Gladstone 1243 Glancey, John 292 Glancev, Joseph 515 Glenn,"Robert K. X 1389 Glover, Allen F 184 Goding, Joseph A 676 Goempler, Peter 1009 Goodnight, John 1124 Gordou, Daniel M 13(il Gordon, Miles 1384 Gore, George 117 Gorman, James 337 Graham, James 459 Graham, William F 639 Graham, Albert INI 1276 Graham, Andrew G 1376 Graham, David 1373 Graham, Russell 1398 Graham, William B 1376 Gray, George 336 Green Bower Nurserv 669 Green, Charles W. . .' 988 Greene Township 652 Greenville Township 1064 Greenwood, Thomas J 64-1 Greer, Minerva A 518 Griffin Brothers' Tile Works, Rich- land Grove Township 734 Griffin, John 695 Griffith, Edward 233 Groom, Peter 1 123 Gruwell, Benjamin F 174 Gufty, Theodore 346 Gustin, Lemuel 479 Guthrie, Jacob 474 Guthrie, Robert 678 Habits and Customs of Pioneers. . 36 Haflher, Charles 1006 Hageman, James 1116 Hail, Eugene A 983 Halsey, James H 1 155 INDEX. 11 Halstead, (.'• B 327 Hainill, Adam B 10815 Hamilton, Robert 470 Hamilton, B. F 1301 Hamlet, Perrvton TuwHshij) 317 Hammock, William II 1275 Hammond, William 720 Hand, Lewis H lOOS Hanna, D. C 1408 Hanna, John 1408 Hanna, William 978 Hardin, Alvis. 190 Hardin, Benjamin L 179 Harison, W. H 22 Harris, Nancy 1153 Harriott, Van R 676 Harronn, J. E 570 Harter, Isaac F 1404 Hartley, Jose])h 1085 Hartman, Frederick 328 Hartson, John L 108 Harvey, J. F 230 Hawkins, John J 188 Hazelwood, James H 1127 Heaton, James 185 Heaton, William II 140 Hedges, Cyrus 1268 Hedges, Thornton 12(58 Helwig, John.. 203 Henderson, William. ' 457 Henry, John 525 Ilenrv, Wesley 521 Herbert, J. N 1313 Heriford, John 467 Hevener, Solomon 1407 Hicks, Robert 725 Hindman, Daniel T 600 Hist(jrical Society ()6 History of Henderson County. . . • 863 Hite, John \. ... 1155 Hixson, Winfield S 1121 Hoagland, Francis A 677 Hodson, Robert 993 Holmes, George W 1391 Holmes, Stephen 1397 Holmes, Louis D 615 Holmes, William Henry 600 Holister, Lee 325 Hoisted, David M 193 Honev Creek Township 1199 Hopkins, William T 1404 Hospitality, Walnut Grove 1162 Howard, Thomas Andrew 1208 Howe, Lucien B 240 Hoye, Rev. John F 621 Hufi'man, Henry 256 Hugenschntz, John Henry 1048 Humbert, Robert ' 191 Humes, Joseph H 813 Humphrey, John C 192 Hunter, James M 1308 Hunter, Samuel 1308 Huston, Matthew 1135 Huston, Walter 1118 Hu.ston,W. 1120 Hutchinson, Benjamin 1087 Hutchinson, James C 1366 Hutchinson, Robert M ]39() Hutchinson, William John 1250 Indian Implements 29 I.0.( ).F., Rivoli Township 761 Irvin, Dr. George 611 Ives, Gideon Ill Jackson, Isom 115 Jackson, Thomas J 115 Jamison, George M 1349 Jamison, James W 1349 Jamison, John 1350 Jamison, John C 1348 Jamison, William R 1350 Jamison, AVilson B 1350 Jenne, Lansing K 204 Jennings, Jefi'erson H 1084 Jewel, Zachariah 264 Johnson, Aaron 1127 Johnson, J. M 1120 Johnston, Dr. D. R 615 Johnston, John Y 721 Johnston, John Y 722 Johnston, Lorimer 635 Johnston, M. H 814 Johnston, Peter W 816 Johnston, Thomas L 722 Jones, Daniel 747 Jones, Milton M 523 Jones, Orson 747 Jordan, Capt. John A 741 Journalism, Biggsville -. . . 1337 Keithsburg Township 118 Kellogg, James 521 Kellogg, James A 477 Kellv, Potter 724 Kellv, Henrv L 1388 Kelly, Samuel 199 Kemp, Jesse 1262 Kemp, John 1212 Kendall, A 330 Kennedv, Matthew K 679 Kes.sel, John 1010 Kiddoo, John S 243 Kiddoo, Richard 236 Kiddoo, William 243 Kiddoo, William 233 Kimel, Henry 601 King, Jacob R 1207 King, Joseph S 1138 Kinsley, Samuel 516 Kirliy, Joseph 1213 Kirbv, Risdon Henry 1212 Kirlin, David 102 Kitzmiller, Frank E. . . . 679 Knox, James E 1387 Knox, Asa 235 Krause, Jacob 689 Laffertv, James H 649 Lalfertv, John 642 LaflertV, John B 639 Lafierty, William A 639 Lair, Joseph 605 Laird, John 1 154 12 INDEX. Lakes, Eliza Township 283 Lambert, Francis 288 Landers, John W 521 Landi-eth, Lewis 509 Landreth, Thomas 251 Larue, William B 824 La Salle 18 Lathrop, Urban D 695 Latter Day Saints, 220 Laut, George D 1195 Leary, Thomas 680 Lee, Graham 331 Lee, James M 651 Leech, John Humphries 294 Leinbach, Daniel 1136 Lemon, Francis 614 Lemon, W. R 266 Leuze, George 507 Lewis, William 109 Likely, Thomas 636 Linell, Joseph S 1012 Literary Relic 935 Little, David W 723 Livingston, David H ; . 499 Lloyd, Eenijah 173 Lloyd, James 503 Logan, Jasper 1215 Logan, John 1208 Lomax Family, The 1205 Longshore, James H 260 Looser, Jacob 110 Lorimer, William A. . . . •• 594 Louden, William R 1294 Lovitt, John W., Sr 1294 Lovitt, O. F 1313 Lovitt, Price 1294 Lovitt, William J 1283 Lunblad, Joseph Oscar 606 Lunn, Charles Elsworth 500 Lutz, O. C 113 Lynn, Alexander Wright 1270 Lynn, Samuel W 1262 Mack, Daniel 727 Maddux, Thomas 599 Main, William Riley 51 7 Maley, William M 1079 Manners and Customs of Indians 28 Mannon, James M 96 Marder, Michael 506 Mardock, Michael 506 Markee, Jesse 611 Marlatt, Thomas 189 Marquette 18 Marquis, Samuel 832 Marrow, John A 640 Marsden, Thomas 1406 Marsden, William H 1 285 Marsden, William W 1406 Marsh, Mordecai L 595 Marsh, William A 253 Marshall, Alexander 1047 Marshall, Elisha L 835 Marshall, James A 1047 Marshall, John 1047 Marshall, Robert 1047 Marshall, Robert W -. 1051 Marshall, William 1047 Marston, Nathaniel 1045 Martin, Andrew W 1352 Martin, Charles A 1272 ^lartin. Judge Preston 1371 Martin, Mrs. Eliza 296 Martin, N. R 1193 Martin, Robert J 1360 Martin, William F 1401 Mason, John 292 Masonic, Preemption Township. . 712 Masonic, Sagetown 1232 Mascmry in Ocjuawka 953 Masons, Rivoli Township 760 Mathers, George W 1393 Mathers, Joseph 1190 Mathers, Robert 1191 Mathews, James 1300 Mauk, Henrv W 647 Mauk, John' 642 Maxwell, John A 777 Maxwell, Thomas J 1351 Mavgie, Joseph H 1287 Mayhew, D. S 508 Maynard, Lewis P 1303 Mc Arthur, Alexander 593 Mc Bride, Alexander 477 McBride, James 450 McBride, John F. 617 McCallister, Harrv F 995 McCartnev, David W 1191 McChesneV, William H 1267 * McClannahan, William S 692 McClellen, John 455 McClellen, Richard C 643 McClun, J. B 1407 McClure, Warren B 528 McCreight, John W 678 McCurdy, George 1157 ]McCutchan, Dr. James F. C 651 McDill, John 1355 McDill, John C 1264 McDill, Robert 1356 McDill, Samuel 1380 McDonald, Hugh. 1085 McDougall, John H 1394 McFarland, Alexander 1269 McFarland, John 1011 McGee, John 478 McGinnis, John T 242 McGuffin, John G 565 McHard, William 346 Mclntire, John B 473 Mclntire, Moses 473 McKee, John 1379 McKee, Joseph 604 McKee, William 603 McKim, Frank 1395 McKim, Marvin 1305 McKinley, Robert A 1371 McKinney. John, Sr 824 McKinnie, Dr. Ebenezer L 648 McLain, Aaron H 1393 McT..aughlin, James R 639 liSDEX. 13 McLaughlin, John J^ (550 McMilhin, Robert T 1084 Mc:\Iillan, William 1302 MoMullen, ^hijor 740 McMurry, Thomas i:)12 McPherren, George 449 McPherren, Jesse W 012 ]\lcQuo\vn, Arthur 1308 Mc(2uo\vn. Isaac 1307 MeCiuown; John II 1384 McWhorter. Tyler 018 Mekemsen, Andrew 1 204 Mekemson, Joseph Scott 1205 Mercer County Agricultural Board. 489 Mercer County Poor Farm 481 Mercer Township .' . 581 Merritt, J. Y 290 Merryman, Albert I) 740 Merryman, David 1) 740 Merryman, Henry 739 Merryman, Timo'thv D 785 Mertz, Charles A . /. 200 Methodist Episcopal Church, Pre- emption 709 Methodist Ej^iscopal Church, Suez Township 034 Methodist Episcopal Church, Swe- dona 734 Michener, Joseph M 1398 Mickey, Robert 1374 Mickey, Samuel 1154 Miller, Abraham 48 Miller, G.D 344 Miller, William M 258 Millersburg Township 205 Milligan, David 470 Milligan, Joseph H 1394 Milliken, Wesley 1181 Mills, Eliza Township 277 Mills, John 1299 Mifls, Myron H 1079 Moirs, The 988 Montgomery, James 1377 Montgomery, John 333 Montgomery, John H 1182 Moore, Beet 1211 Moore, George 288 Moore, Joseph B 598 Morey, Benjamin F 091 Morford, John T 818 Morgan, George 1304 Morgan, Thomas 1304 Morgan, William P 643 Morris, Edwin 698 iMorris, George W 097 Morris, John 098 Morris, William 1154 Morrow, James K 251 Mowry, Daniel 740 Murray, David B 1150 Murray, William T 109 Musgove, James 1082 Murto, Dennis 202 Natural History 68 Neglev, Jacob S 1314 Nelson, Alexander P 1359 Nelson, Alfred W 815 Nelson, George C 1280 Nelson, J. C 1282 Nesl:)itt, Henry 006 Nevius, John S 1127 Nevius, S. P 1122 Nevius, William 1 452 New Boston Township 72 Newsjiapers of Henderson county 895 Newspapers of Keithsburg 137 Ni.-hols, Isaac 1059 Nichols, Peter 1059 Nichols, Thomas 1052 Nigger Ridge, Greene Township.. 62 I Ninety-first Regiment 1089 ' Noble Family .^. 183 Noble, Daniel 274 I Noble, D.F 290 ' Noble, D. J 95 Noble, Ira 296 ; Noble, L. D 297 Noble, Mrs. Harriet 296 I Noonan, Timothy 262 i North Henderson Township 796 Noted Criminal Trials 915 Odd-Fellows of Millersburg 221 Odd-Fellows, North Henderson . . 799 Odd-Fellows of Oquawka 951 Odendahl, Frederick 1005 Ogle, Jasper 528 Ogle, Jcseph D. . ; 528 Ogle, Lewis F 527 Ohio Grove Township 424 Old Settlers, South Hender.son. . . 1228 Olena Township 1020 Olena tragedy 1231 O'Learv, Cornelius 154 Oliver." S. A 266 One Hundred and Second Regi- ment 380 One hundred and eighteenth Regi- ment 1091 One hundred and thirty-eighth Regiment 1095 Oquawka and Washington Plank Road 943 Oquawka Historical Societj' 947 Oquawka Incorporated 938 Oquawka Township 919 Organizations in Greene Township 665 Organization of Duncan Township 497 Organization of Eliza Township.. 281 Organization of Greene Township 660 Organization of Henderson county 865 Organization of Keithsburg Tp. . . 165 Organization of Mercer Township 49 Organization of Millersburg Tp . . 227 Organization of Preemption Tp . . 713 Organization of Suez Township. . 626 Orth, C. S 197 Ott, Edward 189 Otto, Julius E 725 Page, James 638 Painter, Charles T 1288 14 INDEX, Pardee, David 176 Park, Cephas 995 Park, Russell 684 Parkerson, Robert C 478 Parks, John 475 Patterson, J. B 962 Patterson, James 997 Patterson, Moses 471 Patterson, William T 453 Paul, John 1214 Paul, M. A 1306 Paul, Melzav C 1290 Pearson, John E 1390 Pease, A 649 Pease, John A 649 Pease, Joseph 649 Pease, Martin 648 Peasley, James F 1281 Peasley, John S 1035 Peasley, Moses 1280 Pence, John A 1011 Pence, Robert 1209 Pence, Thomas F 1288 Pendarvis, Lemuel A 11 89 Pendarvis, William G 1188 Penny, W. H 1122 Pepper, Hon. John C 607 Pepper, John C 834 Pepper, William 456 Perry ton Township 298 Peterman, Jacob C 1010 Peterson, Peter 470 Petrie, Cornelius L 773 Petrie, Hon. Alexander P 767 Pfanstiehl, A. A 1114 Phelps, Nelson H 1156 Phel])s, Stejihen l^umner 966 Physicians, Walnut Grove 1164 Pickup, G.W 266 Pinkerton, Albert M 678 Pinkerton, George W 695 Pinkerton, John C 687 Pinkerton, Joseph 686 Pinkerton, Wallace W 693 Pinkerton, William M 683 Pioneer Log Cabin 41 Pioneer Settlements of Millersburg 207 Pioneers of Bedford 1102 Plat of Oquawka 936 Plummer, Samuel G 1365 Pogue, Eleazer , 1000 Pogue, John 1174 Pogne, William G 1176 Political Parties 886 Pollock, James 1043 Pollock, Samuel 518 Poor Farm 91 1 Porter, Alexander L 1253 Postlewait, Matthew S 779 Potter's Clav in Greene Township 654 Poull, Jacob 1408 Powley, James P 116 Pratt, John 97 Pratt, John 297 Prentiss, S.V 92 Prouty, AVilliam M. 102 Preemption Township 704 Presbyterian ( 'hurch, Suez 032 Public Improvement, Biggsville. . 1329 Public Improvements, Keithsburg 166 Putney, Ira, Jr 1042 Quaintance, James S, 739 Railroads 62 Railroads 904 Ramsev, James H 616 Randall, Roswell P 1038 Randall, Stephen 113 Range, William L 198 Rankin David 1178 Rankin, James F 1179 Rankin, Samuel S 1180 Rankin, Thomas 1180 Ransom, Asa W 637 Rathbun, Dr. John B 781 Refinery, Gladstone 1246 Regan, Hugh 1397 Relics, South Henderson 1223 Religion in Keith.sburg 148 Religious, Lomax 1203 Religious Meetings, Eliza Tp 284 Religious, Ohio Grove Townshiji. 442 Remarkable Family 1278 Renwick, Andrew 1252 Republican Partv in Mercer County 60 Retherfcrd, William ' 509 Retzer, Jacob 1302 Revolutionary Heroes 1410 Reynolds, Gov 25 Revnolds, Hugh A 1088 Reynolds, Hugh R 138(5 Revnolds, J. W^arren 778 Revnolds, William D 188 Rezner, Eli 1388 Rice, John H 1157 Rice, William C .999 Richey, Cornelius Springer 828 Richey, R. W 994 Richey, T. G 1185 Richland Grove Township 732 Riddell, S. H 255 Riggs, H. M 238 Riggs, William H 229 Rivoli Township 742 Roads, Eliza Township 281 Robb, Thomas S 455 Roberts, Henry H 100 Robinson, George L. F 686 Robinson, William 1306 Roderick, M. L 1302 Rodman, Robert 1050 Rodman, William H 1050 Rogers, W. A 1307 Rose, Hiram 981 Rosenberry, Dr. James S 742 Rosenbum, Andrew J 777 Rowley, John 1153 Rubert, John 261 Ruberts, R. W 1297 Rujile, Samuel H 987 Russell, A 1153 INDEX. 16 Kuissell, Samuel E Rural Places in Eliza Township. . Ryason, James Sage, Gideon Salter, John Salter, Paul D Sapp, George B Schell, Charles F Schenck, Cornelius Schenck Family Schenck, William J Schirmer, Herman Schlotz, Justice Schmitt, John Schools of Biggsville Schools of Eliza Township Schools of Greene Township Schools of Keithsburg Schools of Millersburg Schools of New Boston Schools of ( )lena Township Schools of Oquawka Schools of Preemption Township. Schools of Rivoli Township Schools, Walnut Grove Schrader, August Scott, Notley Scott, Samuel Scudder, Lyman H Seastone, John Seat of Justice, fiercer County . . . Seaton, Duncan Seaton, John Seaton, John J Secret Orders, Terre Haute Tp . . . Secret Societies of New Boston . . . Sedwick, Dan. W Sedwick, George W Seventh Illinf>is Cavalry Seventli Missouri Cavalry Seventy-eighth Infantry Sexton, John G Sexton, Roswell C Shafer, Aaron P Sharer, Christian Shaw, Clinton Shaw, Lee W Shearer, George A Shearer, Nicholas Sheese, Samuel Sherer, A. A Sheriff, Paul Sherrard, David Shevler, Dr. James H Shields, William Shingledecker, P. D . .' Shook, Dykeman Shook, George W Shook, James Short, Abner ' Short, Isaac C Shroyer, A. P Signor, George H Signer, Willard I Simmons, Samuel (i89 282 1271 127-1 13()9 1372 203 1009 111(5 lll.'^ IIIU 1002 1002 108.5 1338 284 ()07 144 228 85 1031 9.59 713 749 1163 293 817 197 114 110 572 523 459 524 1278 89 (134 620 1096 1141 1063 774 694 258 468 776 1210 634 472 500 254 173 739 726 291 263 13.59 13-58 1187 1379 1353 786 117 12.57 1210 Simonson, Garret 112(5 Simpson, Jonathan 9(55 Simpson, William H 640 Sixteenth Illinois Infantry 1017 Sloan, Adam 1385 Sloan Family 1296 Sloan, Henderson 12(i(> Sloan, James 1357 Sloan, James 1397 Slocumb, Charles G 203 Smith, Alfred H 337 Smith, Alexander M 1010 Smith, Asa 991 Smith, D.C.C 467 Smith, Eli W 1370 Smith,.George 727 Smith, Hugh, 194 Smith, John B 693 Smith, Lucius E 698 Smith, Nathan P 784 Smith, Samuel H 1087 Smith, Stephen 745 Smith, Thomas C 1002 Smith, Warren L 697 Smith, William E 11.57 Smith, William H. H 477 Societies of Aledo -581 Societies of Keithsburg 155 Soldiers of Eliza Township : . 282 Soldiers' Monument 837 Soldiers' Monument 1410 South Henderson Townshii) 1216 Southern, Charles W 696 Spangler, Jacob 1080 Sparrow, Charles 1209 Speculators. Eliza Township 279 Spicer, Reuben H. Sr 763 Spicer, Thomas 638 Sprowl, Samuel 475 Stanley, Wyett 1120 Steam Mill, Greene Township. . . . 670 Steele, Cyrus W 1041 Steele, David A 246 Stephens, Prof. Alex 569 St. Joseph Catholic Church 711 Stevens, John H 1045 Stewart, James G 1375 Stewart, Samuel M 1365 Stewart, William L 644 .Stone Quarry, Gladstone 1247 Storms and Floods 945 Stratton, J. D 254 Streeter, Hon. Alson J 769 Strong, Luke 616 Stuart, William. 685 Suez Postofflce 626 Suez Township 623 Swafibrd, Jacob H. , 99 Swanson, John •. . 1 156 Swartwout, Cornelius 331 Swezy, Jerome A 187 Taliaferro, C. W 1081 Talliaferro, Benjamin Coleman. . . 830 Tenth Illinois Infantry 1013 Terre Haute Township 1277 10 INDEX. Terry, William Tharp Family Thar}). William Thede, C. F Thirtieth Regiment Thomas, Isaac Thompson, Benjamin F Thompson, William P Thornton, H.W Thornton, J. D Timber in Eliza Township Tolman, James Gary Towns of Henderson county Townsley, Benjamin F Townsley's Tile and Brick Factory Tracy, Victoria CM /. Tragedies in Keithsburg Trask, Andrew Trask, E. H Turnbull, Rev. Thomas B Tweed, Hiram Sylvester Tweed, John Twelfth Illinois Cavalry Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry. . Udolpho, Rufus Unangst, Jacob Wilson United Brethren, Richland United Presbyterians, Suez Town- ship '. Valentine, William Van Arsdale, S. B Vance, James Vance, William R Vandalsem, W. C A^an Doren, William J Van Tuyl, W. E. B Vater, George Vaughn, Charles Venable, Joseph Vernon, Caleb Vernon, James Vetter, Michael Villages of Millersburg Village of Swedona Viola, Greene Township Viola Vineyard Vogt, George H Volkel, Fred Voorhees, Henry D Voorhees, Jaques Wade, Josephus Wadleigh, Luke Wagy, Abraham Wagy, Lemuel Wait, F. G Wait, Meigs Walker, William C Wallace, William B Wallbaum, August Walnut Grove Township 09G 1125 1132 608 791 1385 621 1192 235 245 282 1276 887 594 583 783 162 638 1303 617 1270 1263 1139 1019 1269 605 734 629 257 1134 524 474 335 1194 1377 503 1211 182 505 239 328 211 733 661 668 1152 508 1119 1131 176 992 1056 1059 330 324 1405 . 1387 1261 1157 Walter, George 343 Walters, John 1156 War of 1812 1410 War Record of Greene Township. 670 Watson, Abram 746 Watson, Hezekiah 1392 WeUster, Hammond 458 Werts, George W 469 West End Creamery, Miller.sburg 583 White, James R 1007 White, Snowden K 605 Whitehall, Thomas 526 Whiteman, Henrv Miller 1259 Whiteman, David A 1398 Whitham, Kenneth M 608 Whiting, George W 197 Whitsitt, John 715 Wiegand, William 1386 Wild animals, Walnut Grove. . .. 1159 Wilkins, Samuel 1378 Williams, James M 1290 Willis, J. M 621 Willits, Dr. T 97 Willits, Isaiah 171 Willits, Levi 583 Willits, Mary D 101 Willits, Milton L 96 Willits, Mrs. Sarah G 527 Willitt, Thomas 114 Wilitts, Thomas 254 Willits, Thomas T 836 Willits, William M 523 Wilmerton, William 714 Wilson, David 741 Wilson, James McCormick 829 Wilson, John A 1353 Wilson, William A 94 Winchester, W. A 526 Winders, William 596 Wirt, Martin 176 Wolf, George S 823 Wolfe, Jacob 181 Wolff, Reuben S 1152 Wood, J. W 246 Wood, Newton 1409 Wood, W. A 345 Woodard, Alonzo 1275 Woodhams, T. G 786 Woods, Alexander M 608 Woods, James H 1409 Woods, Richard H 1087 Woodside, Hugh G 1137 Wordin, Charles C 599 Wright, George A 607 Wright, James C 596 Wvcofl; J. P 192 York, Charles 240 Young, Jacob and H. V 1125 Zentmire, Wilson P 257 HISTORY OF Mercer and Henderson Counties. DISCOVERIES AND EXPLORATIONS. That our readers may have a full understanding of the history of Mercer and Henderson counties, it will be necessary to take them back, not merely to the time of their earliest settlement by the whites, but a time far anterior to that. This part of the State of Illinois has at different periods been in the possession and under the dominion of various persons and powers, whose acts play an important part in the history of this section. Of com-se we fully realize that, to the present population, the present history will prove much more interesting than that which precedes, but as the foundation of the house is much less appreciated by the occupants and is yet one of its very important parts, so that part of history which forms the basis for what follows must necessarily be of the utmost value as a foundation or root on which to develop the complete work. Though but a little more than half a century has passed since the soil of this part of the Mississippi valley was occupied and cultivated by white men, three times that length of time had elapsed since its first discovery. During that 150 years it was occupied by various tribes of Indians, and was under the dominion of several powerful governments, who contended for its possession with varying success, with but little apparent design of occupation other than for the purpose of trading with the original owners, in furs and such other natural products as they could easily gather, and their simple and indolent habits required. Indeed the fur trade seems to have been not only the chief object, but eventually to have led to the peopling of the country with those who added to the industry of fur catching that of agriculture. The first white men to visit Illinois with a view of making extended explorations were Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette, their travels in this state beginning in 1673. Joliet was born at Quebec in 1645, and educated for a priest of the 2 18 HISTORY OF IVIEECER AJTO HENDERSON COUNTIES. Roman Catholic Cliiircli, but at the time of which we write liacl aban- doned his profession, and at the age of twenty-eight was engaged in the fur trade. Father Marquette was born in France in 1637. He was also a priest of the same church and of the order of Jesuits. It was with a view to promulgate the doctrines of his church that he left comparative comfort in his native country, crossed the Atlantic and braved the western wilderness, hundreds of miles beyond the boundaries of civili- zation, to convert the Lidians to the faith he professed, m which, by his kindness, he made many endurmg friendships. These two men, with their several objects in view, set out from the Jesuit Mission on the Strait of Mackinaw with five other French com- panions on their journey. May IT, 1763, their objective point being the Mississippi river, of which they had but a vague idea. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, they reached Green Bay, on the west side of the lake, and the mouth of Fox river, in Wisconsin. Up this river they pushed their canoes as far as the depth of the water would permit. Having reached the head waters of the Fox, it was but a few miles to the waters of the Wisconsin, which flows thence into the Mississippi. Across this stretch of prairie they carried their small boats and scanty outfits, and again launched them. On the 17th of June, just one month after their embarkation at the Mackinaw, they found themselves on the broad bosom of the Father of Waters (mean- ing of the Indian words composing the name Mississippi), Down the river they glided rapidly and easily, touching frequently at difiFerent points on either shore, and doubtless the soil of these counties was pressed, for the first time by white men, by the feet of Joliet and Mar- quette and their companions. On landing at one place their journal shows that they went ashore and remained several days with the natives. This could not have been far from this part of the river's course — probably near Rock Island on the west side. They were treated kindly by the Indians, and given all the supplies at their dis- posal for the further prosecution of their explorations. They continued their course until they came near the mouth of the Arkansas river, where, finding Indians who showed some signs of hostility, they deemed it expedient to return. They now entered the mouth of the Illinois river, up which they toiled to Lake Michigan, whose western shore they followed to Green Bay, where they arrived the latter part of September. In this journey they had spent about four months and traveled nearly 3,000 miles. Joliet had accomplished his purpose of discovering a route to the great water thoroughfares and opening up friendly relations with the inhabitants along their shores, and Father DISCOVERIES AJSTD EXPLORATIONS. 19 Marquette had made known the gospel to those with whom his brief visits brought him in contact. Tlie formal occupation of the Mississippi and Illinois valleys was. accomplished in 168(>, in the name of the French, by Robert La Salle,, who came, with about thirty followers, for the purpose of buildmg forts; on the Illinois river at different points, and establishing trading points. with the natives in the name and for the benefit of the French govern- ment, which he represented. Even at this early date the English and French were disputing the rights of each other to the trade of these valleys, and this ex|)edition was watched with suspicious eyes by the former. JSTot only so, but the entei-prise which bid fair to be popular and profitable was jealously viewed by the order of Jesuits, who had been excluded from it, and their rivals of the Recollet order selected as spiritual counsel and companions. Of the last was father Hennepin,, after whom, 150 years later, was named a town on the Illinois river. Owing to these, and unfaithful members of the expedition, treacherous guides and hostile Indians, with many unforseen mishaps, the story of La Salle's travels sounds more like fiction than truth. Often, almost alone, he traveled for many days through the wilderness in the dead of winter and almost without a mouthful of food. His forts and trading posts were built and destroyed and rebuilt by turns, until at last, liaving^ formally taken possession of the country and traversed the Illinois river fi-om Lake Michigan, the Kankakee to its junction therewith, and the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, he was basely assassinated by his own followers in January, 1687. In taking possession of the country he gave it the name of his reigning monarch and called it Louisiana, so that what is now Mercer and Henderson counties and Illinois was once called by that name. Yery much that would be interesting to the general reader concern- ing La Salle's voyages must necessarily be omitted, as our work has not so much to do with the State of Illinois and the great water-courses exj^lored by him as with the locality under immediate consideration. Father Hennepin, whose name has already been mentioned, made by La Salle's order an excursion from the mouth of the Illinois up the Mississippi as far as the Falls of St. Anthony, and may have touched at points bordering on this section. Henry Tonti, one of La Salle's companions, figures largely in the early explorations of this part of the country. He spent over twenty years in establishing posts and build- ing fortifications for their jjrotection. Under his command was all of the territory from the Allegheny to the Rocky Mountains, and from the Gulf of Mexico as far north as imagination could carry. Although the French had, as noted, taken possession of this large 20 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. tract of country, it was not an undisputed occupation. The English, having settled the Atlantic coast, were gradually pushing their settle- ments toward the west, and finding the fur trade a profitable source of revenue to individual enterprise and also to the government, disputed with the French who inhabited the shores of the great lakes, the right to the monopoly. To carry out their plans it became necessary for either to enlist the Indians in their schemes, as from them they were to derive their profit. Accordingly, the natives of the Alleghenies and the Ohio valley were naturally arrayed against each other and many and blood}*- wars were the consequence. In the mother countries the French and English were engaged from time to time in combat, which naturally extended to the colonies of America, and thus were the strug- gles for the fur trade, which might otherwise have been confined to active competition, transformed into long-continued and bloody conflict. These wars in history are termed the French and Lidian wars, and lasted for a period of more than fifty years. At last, in 1763, at a treaty between these nations, all that jDortion of the Mississippi valley east of the river was ceded to England, and thus for a time, until the war of the revolution, this section of country remained a pro\'ince *of ■Great Britain. The great struggle of the colonists, commencing in 1775 and ending with their independence in 1783, though mostly confined to the shores of the Atlantic were not wholly so, for while a fierce conflict was going ■on at the east, the valleys of the Mississippi, Wabash and Ohio were receiving some attention from both the English and Americans. At the beginning of that war the whole northwest was in the possession of the British. The brilliant achievements which wrested these beautiful valleys from English rule were brought about by Gen. George Rogers Clarke, of Virginia. He well understood the relations existing between the Indians and the mother country, and though the natives had been stirred up to jealousy by the rapid encroachments of white settlers upon their domain, he wisely judged that if the British posts and forts could be wrested from them, the subjugation of the Indians would be a com- paratively easy matter. Accordingly he applied to the authorities of Yirginia for men and means for the accomplishing of the enterprise, and though they could at that time ill be spared, they were granted, and Clarke set out upon the undertaking. Though many hardships conse- quent upon hunger and fatigue had to be endured, the whole line of forts, including Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes, was taken with scarcely a show of resistance, the inhabitants of the posts apparently being desirous of coming under the new government. In February, 1777, DISCOVERIES AND EXPLORATIONS. 21 Yincennes was taken, and thus hostilities for this region, not only between the Americans and English, but for the time being between the Americans and Indians were terminated, and the possession of the northwest made secure. But for these brilliant strokes of Gen. Clarke it is hard to conceive what would have been the history of this part of the country. Possibly a union of all the tribes from Maine to Florida might have been effected, which in conjunction with foreign foes, though then somewhat discouraged, would have retained possession of the whole Mississippi valley even to this time. The close of the war of independence left this portion of the country under the government of the United States, and as a part of Virginia. In 1778, the legislature of Virginia formed, from the ter- ritory under that dominion, all of the country now embraced in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, the county of Illinois, so that what is now embraced in Mercer and Henderson counties was once a part of Virginia. Illinois continued a part of Virginia until March 1, 1784, when that state ceded it with all other territory north of the Ohio river to the United States. In 1787, the whole country under consideration was, by an ordinance passed by the government, set apart and named the Northwestern Ter- ritory. After a while the territory was divided into smaller territories, and what is now the state of Illinois fell into that portion called Indiana Territory as one of its counties, with its old name of 1778 — Illinois county. In 1809, the country now known as Illinois and Wisconsin was erected into a separate territory with the name of Illinois Territory. The population of this vast region was then only about half that of Mercer and somewhat less than Henderson county, being all told 9,000. Many of the oldest citizens of this region, but then residents of other states, doubtless remember, if not the event itself, many incidents of as early a date. Now there are 102 counties in the State of Illinois, few of which contain a smaller population than did both these gi'eat states only seventy-iive years ago, one of which has residing within its limits a population sixty times as great. At the time of which we write, the territory was divided into two coimties — St. Clair and Randolph. Though the valley of the Mississippi was a part of the United States, and though it belonged to the government, it was occupied almost exclusively by the Indians, and they claimed it as their rightful possession in which to live and derive support, not from the cultivation of its soil, but from its natural products. In 1804 William Henry HaiTison, authoiized by the general government, made a treaty with 22 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the chiefs and head men of the Sac and Fox nations who were then the occupants of all this region, whereby all the country on both sides of the Mississippi and including all the country west of the Illinois, was given up to the government for purposes of settlement by the whites. Out of this treaty, a number of years later, gi-ew what is knowTi as the Black Hawk war. GENERAL HARRISON. In 1816 all that portion of the state between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and extending from the mouth of the latter about 170 miles north, and including the counties of which we now write, was surveyed by the government and subsequently set apart as bounties to .soldiers of the regular army who had served in the war with Great Britain, and which had just preceded the date just given. The whole tract contained 207 entu'e townships and several fractions. These land grants or bounties became a kind of currency in this part of the coun- try, and were used not only by actual settlers in making homes for themselves, but large numbers were bought by speculators for a trifling part of their face value. From misunderstandings as to their real value and of their validity, many claims were put in jeopardy, and much litigation in regard to the land titles in the parts of the counties embraced by the military tract have been the result. Whoever has held successfully a disputed title in the Bounty lands, from bitter expe- rience has learned the history of these land schemes and speculations better than any but the attorneys engaged in unravelling them can know or care to learn. BLACK HAWK WAK, 23 In 1818 the territory now embraced in Illinois became a separate organization and was admitted into the Union as a State. As yet but fifteen counties had been formed in the state and all of these in the southern part. None had been formed in the militarj' tract, nor indeed was there much necessity for such organizations, as there was scarcely a family permanently established. However, a few years later, Pike county, embracing all of the wiklerness of Warren, Mercer, Henderson and a number of other counties, was organized. From and after the Black Hawk war, settlements were quite rapid west of the Illinois river, and new counties were accordingly as rapidly authorized. The army which went forward to suppress the uprising of the Indians under that chief in 1832 had much to do in settling the section between the mouth of the Illinois and Rock Island. It was then discovered by many of the soldiery that the garden of Illinois lay ^long that line of march. Many of them profited by their exj^erience by themselves selecting homes in the section under consideration. Information sent by others to friends in the east and south brought many more, so that in 1825 the county of Warren, embracing all ot the territory now included in Warren and Henderson, and Mercer with its present limits, were formed and attached to Peoria for political pur- poses. Subsequently, Warren county was organized and Mercer was attached to Warren for a few years. In 1835 Mercer was organized, and in 1841 Henderson with its present limits was cut off fi-om the west side of Warren and immediately organized. This then brings us to the consideration of the several counties as separate organizations, and as such we shall refer to them as separate items of historical interest. BLACK HAWK WAR. Though this was not the battle-field of the Indian troubles, yet its proximity to the scenes of the struggle makes the Black Hawk war a peculiarly interesting topic for consideration ; indeed this portion of the valley of tlie Mississippi was the home of the Indian. On its banks and those of the Edwards, Pope and Henderson rivers, and the smaller streams of the two counties, he built his wigwam, hunted game and fished in their waters. This country was dear to him and for it, though not in it, he made his last desperate struggle. The rich mines of lead at and in the vicinity of Galena had for some time been worked. That section, about fifteen miles square, had been bought b}^ the government in 1804, and its occupation by the whites had been the source of some ill-feeling on the part of tlie Indians, which was resented by the whites. In 1825 or thereabouts real trouble began to show itself and conflicts between the two races 24 HISTOEY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. were common. At this time the number of miners had increased to more than 1,500 and they were not always careful to avoid crossing the Indian claims, nor were they always particular about holding sacred the rights of Indians to their property, or of shooting their game or stealing their ponies, and it finally came about that an Indian's scalp was considered as much of a trophy as was a white man's to an Indian. These gi'owing animosities finally culminated in an attack by the Winnebago Indians on the 30th of July, 1827, on two keel-boats which were passing up the Mississippi river with supj^lies for Fort Snelling. Several of the crew were killed and others wounded. The state gov- ernment being a23prised of the outbreak ordered forward, to the threat-^ ened portion of the state, military to quell the hostiles. The whole country roundabout was in confusion and alarm, and settlers throughout the northern part of the state fled to distant points where had been erected fortifications for safety. At G-alena 3,000 people, men w(3men and children from the surrounding country were gathered for protection. Several hundred men at Galena were armed and equipped, and in Sangamon and Morgan, counties a regiment was formed and sent forward, but before they arnved the Indians had been driven far north and some of the leaders captured. Hardly had the excitement occasioned by this outbreak died out, however, until trouble began with the Sac and Fox tribes. The leaders and chiefs of these were Keokuk and Black Hawk, whose names have been perpetuated in different localities in this vicinity by places which bear their names. These men were not friends ; had they been, the war which was soon to follow might have been a much more serious affair than it proved. Keokuk was loyal to the government and con- trolled much the larger portion of the people, though they were anx- ious for war, and in accordance with the stipulations of a preceding treaty he with a majority of the two tribes remained on the west side of the Mississippi river. Black Hawk, however, claiming that the treaty alluded to was void, crossed the river with 300 warriors in the spring of 1831 with a view of occupying his former home near where the city of Kock Island now stands. Here had these people lived for more than a hundred years and this was the principal town of the Sac nation. According to one provision of the treaty the Indians had a right to occupy the lands until wanted by the government for actual settlement, and though the Indians had been ordered to vacate them no actual settlers were very near — in all of Mercer and Henderson counties perhaps not more than five or six families, and in the whole county of Rock Island not one. However, in those times people liv- BLACK HAWK WAR. 25 ing within forty miles of each other were neighbors, and the two races could not well exist within twice the distance without encroaching on each other. Doubtless both parties were much to blame in bringing about this final conflict, and doubtless both were anxious that the final test should be made. It is not our province to discuss causes or details, but simply relate facts that seem to have a close connection with the territory whose history we set out to write. On the 30th of April, 1831, a petition signed by forty persons was- sent to the executive of Illinois representing that the Indians had done much damage to their property, and that their lives and homes were in constant danger. John Reynolds was then Governor of Illinois and believing from this petition and other information received, that Black Hawk was determined to retain possession of the dis- puted territory to the detriment of the state, resolved to expel him. He accordingly made a call for volunteers. In a very short time 700 militia were assembled at Beardstown on the Illinois river ready to take up the line of march toward the camp of Black Hawk. Before moving, however, Gen. Gaines, who was then stationed at St. Louis, passed up the river to Rock Island in command of a regiment of United States troops, with the hope of returning the Indians to the west side of the river without the necessity of calling upon the militia. The Indians were obstinate and refused to move, and according to previous arrangement the volunteers from Beards- town were advised to go forward, which they did with much enthu- siasm, their numbers having in the meantime been swelled to twice the original call. The brigade was accompanied by Governor RejTiolds ; and Joseph Duncan, whose name appears on the records of Mercer and Henderson as a large land-holder in the early times of this section, was appointed brigadier-general. On the 15th of June, this, the largest body of military that had ever been seen in the state, left their encampment at Rushville, just west of the Illinois river, and marched to within a few miles of the Sac village. This line of march took them directly through the central part of Mercer county, and the exact route is still known and pointed out, it being on the old Indian trail (which was nearly on the Henderson and Warren county line) and extending through Mercer county northward between Aledo and Joy. Wlien the Indians found that the government and state were in earnest, and that they were nearly surrounded with bristling bayonets and cannon, and were about to be cut oft", they took the alarm, and the night before the intended attack escaped to the west side of the river. Doubtless their retreat was known and could have been cut oif, but Gen, Gaines was. '26 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. • anxious that tlie affair slioulcl end witliout bloodslied. The soldiery were somewliat disappointed, and in a sjiirit of revenge burned theu* town, though the wigwams and cabins were needed to protect them- selves from the rain whicli was falling incessantly. Thus bloodlesslv terminated the campaign, but the war was not yet at an end. Black Hawk had promised to submit to the government of the country and to the counsel of the friendly chiefs, but he still had the defiant will which ere long must needs break out in the act which did not terminate so favorably to him and his braves. During the fol- lowing \vinter he was busy inciting the Indians to hostility, and by spiing had succeeded in raising a force of 500. His headquarters weVe at the site of old Fort Madison, just on the west side of the Mis- :sissippi. From thence they proceeded up the river on horses, the women and children in canoes, to a point just opposite the present town of Oquawka. Here they were met by White Cloud, the prophet, who, at a council held at the place named, advised them to go forward and cross the river, and that numerous other tribes would sm'ely join them in a war against the whites. Accordingly the Indians crossed the IVIississippi at Rock Island and ascended the Rock river to the <30untry still occupied by the Winnebagos, near its source. Couriers were sent to warn them to return, but with no eftect. The attitude of Black Hawk looked so alarming that the settlers of the whole of the north half of the state fled precipitately to the southern part and to tlie more thickly settled portions of Indiana. Governor Reynolds at once called for volunteers to meet at Beards- town. About 2,000 men assembled upon this call, and on the 27tli of April the army started on their march to Oquawka, where they were joined by two companies from Shelby county. Here the army encamped for several days awaiting supplies and provisions, which were furnished them from Rock Island and St. Louis. As soon as they could be supplied, baggage wagons were loaded and all was got in readiness for a march to Dixon, where they had been informed the •enemy was encamped. When the army was ready to start a letter was brought from Gen. Atkinson, who commanded several companies of the regular army at Fort Armstrong, that Black Hawk had •descended the Rock river, and requesting the governor to march immediately with troops to Fort Ai-mstrong. The army was then put in motion and moved to the mouth of Rock river, where they were received into the serA-ice of the United States, and Gen. Atkinson .assumed command. The volunteers now took up their course along Rock river toward Dixon, where they were joined a few days later by Gen. Atkinson and BLACK HAWK WAR. 27 the regulars. From this point Majors Stilhnan an.d Bailey had been detailed to protect the pioneer border, and having as yet seen but little service they were anxious to go farther up the river to reconnoitre. Accordingly orders were given to proceed up the river for this purpose, and with nearly 300 men they advanced about thirty miles, whei-e they captured a few Indians and pursued some others, who had fled, into the very ambush of Black Ilawk, who with only about forty warriors put them to flight and killed several of them. The retreat was as inglorious as it was confusing ; ammunition, food, horses and wagons were left in the precipitate flight, and the fugitives did not stop running until they arrived at Dixon, in squads of from two or three to a dozen. The war was now fully inaugurated, and the next day the army started for the held of action. They found the ground strewn with their comrades in a horribly mutilated condition, with heads and limbs sundered from the bodies and hearts plucked out. The fragments were g;atliered together and buried in one common graxe on the spot. The Indians had fled, well knowing that the fury of the whites would be fully aroused upon the discovery of the atrocious deeds. The Government now sent Gen. Scott with 1,000 United States troojDS to superintend operations in the future campaigns. New levies of troops were made and sent foi"ward by the State. On the 6th of June Black Hawk made an attack with about 150 warriors on the fort at Apple river, near Galena. There were only twenty-five men in the fort, but they defended it mth desperation for fifteen hours, and the Indians were finally compelled to retire, the only damage sustained being the loss of one man, the burning of the houses of the callage, iind the destruction of other property. Other conflicts followed rapidly in succession between bands ol Indians and detachments of American troops, but as the engagements ■did not occur in the ^^cinity of the counties of which we write, we shall but mention them. The battle at Kellogg's Grove, and other conflicts in the northern portion of Illinois and the southern part of Wisconsin occuri'ed during the months of June and July. At last, about the first of August, the Indians were completely hemmed in at a point on the Mississippi called Bad Axe, where they were driven into the river, many being killed and many others being drowned in the attempt to gain the opposite shore. The loss of the Indians was not far short of 300, and near 100 more were wounded and taken prisoners. The war -vartually ended with the battle of Bad Axe, a,nd the further pursuit of the hostiles was not deemed necessary. Many of the names of those engaged in the war, such as Anderson, 'Turney, Ewing, Breese, Dement, Ford, Duncan, Dodge and Lincoln, 28 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES, afterward became noted in the history of the state and of the nation. Among the many who distinguished themselves, none made a more brilliant record than did Gen. James D. Henry, of Springfield, after whom has been named an adjoining county. A few weeks subsequent to the battle of Bad Axe, Black Hawk and the Prophet were captured by some friendly Indians and turned over to the United States authorities. They were held in custody for about one year, when they were set at liberty ; subsequently Black Hawk settled down in Lee county, Iowa, for a short period, and then moved to the vicinity of the Des Moines, twenty miles above its mouth. In 1838 he contracted a disease which ended his life when he had attained the age of seventy-two years. Abraham Miller, formerly a resident of Mercer county, says, in a letter to the Historical Society of Mercer county, that he frequently saw Black Hawk after his expulsion from this section, in the neighborhood of New Boston, where, Mr. Miller says. Black Hawk's daughter lies buried. Quite a number of citizens of Mercer and Henderson counties yet survive who were per- sonally acquainted with this great chief, notably amongst whom is Colonel Patterson of Oquawka, whose intimacy with him and his his- tory we shall notice at length on a subsequent page. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS. The Indians inhabiting this portion of the state at the time of the advent of the white settler, and for many years previous, were the Sac and Fox nations, and consisted of the Ottawa, Kickapoo, Chippewa, Shawnee, Mascoutin, Piankeshaw aud Pottawottamie tribes. They had obtained possession of this part of the State by conquest from other tribes who had lived here before the occupation by these nations. The Sacs and Foxes were at the beginning of the present century indeed but one nation in reality, intermarrying, living, hunting and fighting together as an individual nation. As their history is so closely connected with this section, doubtless many of our younger readers, whose fathers and mothers and elderly friends have recollec- tions reaching back to the closing scenes of the Indian's last years on the east side of the Mississippi and their final departure, will be inter- ested to read something relating to their modes of life. Before the arrival of the Europeans and their intercourse with them, their manners, implements of agriculture, hunting and war, were much more rude than after contact with the more enlightened whites. They were at first found in possession of the most simple utensils ; the flint dart, of which many have been found along the timber lands of the streams, were the points for the arrows, which, shot from the bow, brought down the game which was their principal subsistence. The MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS. 29 "boys as soon as they were strong enough were given this instrument, and their education consisted in its use and the knowledge of the habits of the animals it was designed to destroy. This, too, was their instrument of warfare. For the different pur- poses different shaj^ed points were used. Some were fashioned with "barbs at the base, so that the arrows having entered the object would not be easily withdrawn, which, possibly were used for shooting hsh ; some were made broad at the base, and were no doubt designed to make a large wound, and were j^erhaps used for the slaying of the larger animals and in war ; and yet others were e\'idently intended for small game, and where it was not desirable to injure the flesh more than absolutely necessary. Of these three principal varieties cuts are here given, but there were numerous modifications of these, as can be seen by reference to the collections in the possession of a number of persons 30 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. in this section. For knives and axes tliej also used flint and granite stones fashioned into proper shapes. Mr. Tvler McWhorter has in his vahiable and extensive cabinet a very large number of these and other implements used by these people. These rude implements Were, after the fur trade was established, gradually superseded by knives and guns procured from the ti-aders in exchange for furs, and many of the. Indians soon became as skillful in the use of the rifle as the white men, and afterward made effectual and savage use of it against the race by whom it had been supplied. However, when our fathers and grandfathers found these people here tiiey were still anything but cultured in their ways. Their houses consisted of a few poles ten or fifteen feet in length, planted in the ground in circular form and approaching each other at the top, and covered with the skins of animals. In the winter the fire was kindled in the middle of the area inside and the smoke found its way out at the top, where an opening had been left. At this fire they cooked their food by roasting animars flesh held on the ends of sharp- ened sticks, and by baking cakes of meal that had been made by breaking the grains with stones on flat, heated stones. A common food was made by boiling the carcass of an animal with kernels of corn and such vegetables as they could And. Abraham Miller, an early settler at the town of Millersburg, relates that he saw Black Hawk and a few of his friends regale themselves on a stew prepared from a polecat thrown into the kettle without any dressing whatever. Skins of ani- mals taken in the chase constituted their beds, and around the smoul- dering embers of the camp-flre they smoked their pipes and recounted there the incidents of the chase or war, and slept the long winter nights upon these primitive couches. The business of the Indian was to kill game and spear fish, while that of the wife was to till the soil in summer, gather and chop the wood for the fires and do the drudgery for the simple household. Cleanliness was by no means essential to respectability, neither did the clothing nor the person of the Indian receive so many ablutions but that all these events in his life could be easily remembered. Marriage with them was not even a matter of form, unless it be considered in the light of a bargain and sale, for such it really was, ponies, and bear and deer skins being almost always given in exchange for wives. In general they had but few children. The women were treated as slaves and were subject in consequence of exposure to many and severe attacks of sickness. The stories found in novels of the wooing of the dusky maiden by the noble warrior or daring hunter, and of their tender attachment for DESCRIPTION. 31. their wives and children, are in the main very mnch overdrawn, A few rare exceptions are known. It is said tliat Black Hawk was a most devoted husband, and was, throughout his long life, trae to his marital relations. The amusements of the Indians were the war dance, athletic sports, and the narration of their hunting and war experiences, but in none of these did the females take any part. Though hltliy in their habits, to the extreme they were nevertheless proud, and were fond of decorating their dirty bodies with paint, feathers, and such bits of ribbons and beads as they could obtain. After its introduction by the whites the Indians grew very fond of whisky, and drunkenness became much more common with them than with their pale brethren. Sometimes when a fresh supply of liquor was obtained, a whole band, with the exception of two or three, who' were required to remain sober for the pm^jose of keeping the rest from murdering each other, would get on a grand big drunk, which would not end until the whisky was all gone or they got beyond the power of locomotion. DESCRIPTION. Mercer county lies on the northwestern border of the state and em- braces a little more than fifteen townships, or about 550 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Rock Island county, on the east by Henry . and Ivn(3x, on the south by Warren and Henderson, and on the west by the middle of the Mississippi river. The fourth principal meridian passes along the eastern border, and it embraces townships 13, 14 and 15 north, and ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, and a part of 5 and 6 west. It is inter- sected from the east to the west, through the northern portion, by Edwards river, which, near the western border, changes its course, and running in a southwesterly direction, empties into the Mississippi about a mile and a half below New Boston. A few miles south of the Edwards is Pope creek, which passes through the county in the same direction, and enters the Mississippi at Keithsburg. In addition to these there are in the northwest, Eliza creek, which empties into Swan lake, and Camp creek, a tributary of the Edwards. South of these is- North Pope, a tributary of Pope creek, and in the southeast are North Henderson and Duck creeks. These, together with some smaller, streams, furnish an abundant supply of water. A large portion of the county is prairie, while along the borders of the streams are the so-called barrens. The soil of the prairie is a deej) black or chocolate colored loam, with a yellow or dark brown clay subsoil. The soil of the barrens is similar to that of the prairie, only lighter colored and of 32 HISTORY OF MEECEK AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. less depth, while along the upper part of the slope it is of a light brown or yellowish color, owing to the character of the subsoil, wliich comes near the surface. In some portions of the barrens there is but a thin covering of the soil, and in these places it is quite light colored. The most extensive allu^^al deposit is along the Mississippi bottom. This extends along the whole western border of the county, with a varied width of from two to five miles. Of this, that portion which is situated on the northwest and extends as far south as ISTew Boston, is much cut up by swamps, lakes and bays. Thi-ough a large portion of these bottom lands there are one or more low ridges of sand. The soil of this sandy portion is of but little value, there being but few seasons when it is wet enough to produce. In other portions the soil is a deep black loam and very productive. ISTarrow alluvial belts are also found along nearly all the water-courses, the soil of which is very dark colored, but more or less intermingled with sand and peb- bles. Coal of a good quality is found in various parts ; the veins are ft-om three to five feet thick. The mines furnish a large amount of good coal. The seam furnishing the largest portion of the coal of this county extends over most of the northeastern half of the county, but is most extensively mined in the townships of Greene, Rivoli, Rich- land Grove and Preemption. In the township sketches, devoted to these townships, will be found more extended notices of these mines. The soil of this county is well adapted to agricultural purposes, and is in nearly every part of the county productive of large crops of corn, oats and hay. Wheat is not much raised. Formerly, spring wheat was grown to a considerable extent, but of late years its cultivation has gi-eatly decreased. Recently, considerable attention has been given to producing winter wheat. The land along or near the water-courses, though of a lighter character, is valuable for the production of fi'uit. Nearly all the lands along the streams were formerly heavily timbered, but here the first settlers built their cabins, and in consequence of habits acquired in their eastern and southern homes, much of the orig- inal forest has disappeared. In the early times coal was not used for fuel ; indeed it was scarcely known to exist, and its value as a fuel was overlooked for a number of years. Fencing and house-building also required much timber, and so the once heavily timbered portions of the county now resemble much more than formerly the open prairies wliich lie beside them. The kinds of timber most abundant are white, bmT, black, red and laurel oak, red and white elm, blue and white ash, hickory, maple, wild cherry, and occasionally a black walnut. In the bottoms are also locust, sycamore, cottonwood, box alder, wild plum A SCRAP OF ANCIENT HISTORY. 35 and crab-apple, and occasionally pecans and buckeyes. Grape vines and other climbers are abundant. In later years the hand of man has added niany varieties of fruit and ornamental trees, which thrive apparently as though in their native soil. Tlie osage orange grows well here, and many of the most tasty farms are now fenced with this shrub. The climate is rather cold for it, however, and its fruit scarcely ever comes to perfection. In the larger rivers, especially near their moutlis, are abundant supplies of fish, and formerly in the timber along their banks were found many wild animals, such as deer, squirrels, raccoons, turkeys and chickens. The game has almost all vanished from before the face of the white man. The description of the county will be given more in detail in the several township sketches. A SCRAP OF ANCIENT HISTORY. The following, written nearly half a century ago, by a visitor to this section, will doubtless prove interesting to many readers. It is from Augustus Mitchell's description of Illinois in 183Y. "Mercer county is situated in the northern part of the Military Bounty tract. It lies north of Warren, south of Rock Island, west of Henry, and east of Louisa and Musquitine counties, *Wisconsin terri- tory, from which it is separated by the Mississippi river. The town of Mercer is located in the exact geograj^hical center and with the express view of becoming the county seat of Mercer county. It is situated midway between Pope and Edwards rivers, which run through the county parallel to each other, and at this point are not more than five miles apart. The site is healthy and elevated, com- manding a beautiful view of the surrounding country, which is as rich and as well adapted to the culture of wheat, and indeed of all kinds of grain, as any in the state. The county is settling rapidly with a moral, industrious and enterprising po]3ulation. The water-power afibrded by Pope and Edwards rivers is equal to that of any county in the state : a circumstance of much importance, not only for fur- nishing lumber for building, but for the erection of grain and fiouring mills. There is one saw mill now in operation within two and one- half miles of Mercer, and several others will be built the approaching season, also within a few miles of the town. The situation of Mercer admits of the convenient access to the timber, stone and stone coal of both Pope and Edwards rivers and their branches. Mercer is situa- ted about fourteen miles from New Boston, on the Mississippi, at which there is an excellent landing. It is also on the direct route from the *Now Iowa. 36 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. latter place to Hennepin, and from Oqiiawka to Rock Island. ITew Boston, the seat of justice, is the only other town in the county, and is situated at the upper Yellow bank, just above Edwards river, nearly opposite the mouth of the Lower Iowa, a considerable stream of the Wisconsin territory. This place has a good landing and a fine harbor, and when the opposite territory becomes settled it cannot fail to become a town of considerable importance, as it will be the commercial entre- pot of a large extent of fertile country." HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS. Perhaps most of the grown people of this section have some knowl- edge, either by actual observation or from the lips of the few worthy pioneers who still linger on the shores of time, of the early modes of life which obtained during most of the first quarter of a century of its history. But the last original settler will soon have left us, and then these things, but for the historian's pen, would become but matters of tradition. Even now, amongst the younger class, the stories of the early hardships, trials and triumphs of this worthy class of heroic men and women, are not so very fully realized, and in the near future an account of what were once considered ' ' afflictions grievous to be borne," will, without doubt, prove interesting reading to the grand- children of those whose voices will have been hushed, and whose weary bodies will have been lain away in the soil they first turned to the sun. How they came. — A single instance would almost answer for the history of the emigration of all of the early settlers to this section. We will give it in substance, though not exactly in the words of one who came to this country in 1838 : Far across the dense woodlands of Indiana, near where Ohio's broad waters roll onward to join the Mississippi in its course to the great ocean, among the graceful forest trees, and gushing springs and fertile fields of Ohio, rests in quiet beauty a shady hillside, a bright green valley, and a dancing water-brook. Near the lane which passes this spot and crosses the little stream of water just beyond, may be seen a fine old farm house surrounded with towering elms and fronted with Evergreens of dififerent varieties. But not with this place, as it. exists to-day, has our narrative to do. True, the surroundings have changed but little in half a century. The trees are much larger, and the house has been so metamorphosed that its former occupant would not recognize it ; but the hillside and the brook, the valley and the forest, present the same appearance as when forty-odd years ago the scene which we are about to describe might have been witnessed. HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS. 3T It was no uncommon occurrence that was taking place there, but because of its being a usual circumstance it becomes of the gi-eater importance and is described the more minutely. To the parties con- cerned, however, it was a matter of the greatest moment. The family who had for years occupied this place had caught a glimpse of the wonderful countiy in the Bounty tract, one of the number having the year before made a trip to the new State of Illinois and brought back glowing accounts of the broad prairies, the fine belts of timber, the richness of the soil, the abundance of game, and the many other real and fancied advantages to the emigrant bold enough to face the dan- gers and privations incident to a pioneer life. The matter had been talked over for many months. The children talked it over and won- dered at the length of the journey, the exciting incidents of the trip,, and the novel scenes that awaited them in their new home, little com- prehending the hardships to which they would be subjected. The . mother and wife had said but little, but naturally shrank from the trial of leaving relatives, friends and home, and taking up her abode in the wilderness. She could scarcely reconcile herself to the life of priva- tion, and perhaps danger, that awaited her and those she loved. But the father argued that the little farm on which they lived, and rented by the year, but barely gave them a support ; that the prospect, a& much as he liked his neighbors, and much as he prized the social and other privileges, was very feeble for an independence. He was advanc- ing in vears, and the children would soon arrive at manhood and wom- anhood with no provision for old age for himself and wife, and with nothing for the young folks vtdth which to begin life. And so it was decided to remove to what seemed to be the land of promise. Accordingly, their plans had been announced to their neighbors, a sale had been made of what they found to be superfluous articles, though perhaps with a \aew to realize a little ready money, with which to make a substantial start in their new location and to liquidate a few debts that had been contracted at the stores, and all was ready for the journey. The wagon had been backed to the front door the evening before^ and the cows, and a few sheep, that they had concluded to take with them, and which had been reserved from the sale, had been penned up, that they might not stray away before the hour at which they were wanted to begin the journey. Tlie morning had arrived, the candles were lighted, the fire in the fireplace was crackling, and the kettle boil- ing, preparatory to taking the last meal in the house. The breakfast was dispatched in an unusually short time, and then commenced the exciting process of packing up. Bedsteads were knocked to pieces, 38 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. bed-clotlies were thrown in all directions, and things in general pre- sented a confused appearance. The children seemed to enjoj the ex- citement, the mother hastened about, but on her face was a look of dejection ; but the father and husband moved around with a finn gait, attending to the work of preparation with no sign that beti'ayed the feeling of reluctance with which he was leaving the place that he had for so many years called home, though doubtless much of his cheerfulness was assumed for the effect that his demeanor might have on the other, members of the family. Soon the household effects and the simpler class of farming uten- sils were stowed away in the wagon, the bows to support the wagon cover were put in their staples, and the white cover stretched on and tied. Then the oxen were hitched to the wagon, the sheep and cows turned into the road, and all were ready to start. Numerous relatives and friends by this time had gathered to bid them good-by, looking on in the meantime with mingled feelings of sorrow and wonder. When at last the moment for starting came, the wife broke into weeping ; and though the husband showed no outward signs of regret, when he bid his nearest friends farewell his hand shook a little and his voice was huskv. Such a trip as lay before these adventurers would now be consid- ered comparatively a trivial undertaking, but at the time of whicli we write it was of a more serious nature. It would well compare with the embarkation of the hundred pilgrims, who left their native shores two hundred years earlier to make their way across the boundless deep, to find a home in the new world. Indeed, the hardships of the wilder- ness road which lay before were greater than those experienced by the emigrants of the Maj^ower. The length of time required to complete the journey was almost as great. The mother and the youngest children rode in the wagon, while the father and oldest boy trudged along on foot to guide the oxen and attend to the stock. It would be interesting to listen to the account of all the incidents of their long and tedious joiarney, but time and space forbids more than brief allusions. The roads, even in Ohio and Indi- ana, were but poor, and after crossing the Wabash, consisted of mere trails across prairies, through sloughs, fording creeks and ferrying rivers. There were but few bridges across the streams then, especially on this side of the Wabash, and after some days out some of the streams were found to be so swollen by recent rains that the emigrants were compelled to go into camp for several days to wait for the flood to subside. On one such occasion they became so impatient that, put- ting into the stream before it had fallen sufficiently, they all came near HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS. 39 losing their lives. At another place, where there was a prospect of having to stay several days, a raft was constructed of timbers cut and prepared on the spot, and lashed together with bed cords. On this they crossed to the other side, bringing over the last wheel of the wagon after a whole day's work, thus camping only a few hundred feet from their camping place of the night before. Their little stock ot provisions soon gave out, but they did not suffer for lack of food, as the timber was full of game and the rifle supplied them with plenty of meat. The cattle easily subsisted upon the grass that grew along the road. However, the journey was a wearisome one, and all were well pleased when at length it was completed. Finally, at the close of a weary day, the company came to a halt, not with a design of locating at this stopping place, but, knowing tliat they must be in the vicinity of the point toward which they had been traveling, they concluded to camp a few days and look around. Accordingly, arrangements for more than an ordinary stop were made, and our pioneer the next day started out on foot to select a location for his future home, leaving his family in camp. After a few day's search, he had fully made up his mind, and the camp was removed to the spot selected for the future home, provided the land was not already the property of some one else. It was yet early spring and they at once set about planting some corn and other vegetables, even before the land they were breaking had been secured, living in the meantime in the now empty box of the wagon. After the crop was planted, the father made his way to the land office, and secured the cpiarter on which he had pitched his tent. By fall, a cabin was erected, and thus began the new life of one of the many brave families who at that early date came to this country to seek an independence and a home. Doubtless many of the earliest settlers will recognize the expe- riences of this family thus far as that of their own, and many of the younger people will imagine they have heard the story before, as told by father or mother, who may long since have been laid to rest in the little cemetery at Sugar Grove or the Yellow Banks, near the great river. The experiences of the first emigrants were so similar that a rep- etition of them destroys the novelty ; but it could never destroy the charm or lose the interest, while at the same time it renders the faith- ful description the more valuable, applying as it does, to so many cases. With the change of the name of the state from which the family came, and the addition or suppression of a few more details which marked their journey, no doubt the narrative might be made to fit the emigra- 40 fflSTOEY OF MEECER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. tion to this section of a majority of its early occupants. A few brouglit horses, which drew the gi-eat prairie schooner wagon, and not infre- quently a horse and an ox did duty in the same team. A single ox or a single horse has drawn to this country all of the worldly wealth pos- sessed by some of what have proved its most worthy citizens. The First Dwellings. — Judge Gilmore, whose recollection of the early features of the country are probably as correct as any, gives us the pen picture of the pioneer cabin which follows. The pioneer cabins were nearly all built after the same pattern, the plans and specifications being very simple indeed. The building site was a spot in the edge of the grove, so as to be near the patch of prairie designed to be cultivated, and within the shelter of the grove for the protection of themselves and stock from the cold winds of winter. This was considered a colder climate than that from which most of them had come, and protection from its inclemencies was a matter for serious consideration. The very first cabins were constructed from logs entirely undressed, the small difterence in length being considered no disadvantage to looks or utility. The trees selected for the purpose were generally a foot or less in diameter. From these logs were cut, usually about sixteen feet in length. In both ends of the logs notches were cut to receive the notches cut in each other, so that in their building up they would lie close one upon the other, in the manner of a rail pen. When the pen was built to the height of six or seven feet, a portion of one or two logs on one side would be removed for a window ; another opening would be made for a door, and another for the stick and mud chimney, which would be built outside as a kind of an addition to the house. In winter the windows consisted of greased paper pasted over the opening mentioned. In summer none were needed. The door was usually made from boards that had been fashioned from a straight grained tree by no other tool than the ax. The latch was a liome-made affair, similar to those still to be seen on farm gates. A little above the latch a small auger hole was bored through the door, and through this hung a thong of buckskin attached to the latch, by which it could be lifted from the outside by pulling the string. The floor of the dwelling in very many instances was the earth. The hearth of the fire place, where the cooking was done, was made of such flat stones as could be found in their natural state. A little later bricks for this purpose, and in a few instances for entire chimneys, were made by tramping mud in a box with the bare feet and burning a few hundred of them at a time. Abraham Miller, formerly of Mercer county, but now in Oregon, wi-ites that he made the fii-st bricks ever HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS. 41 used in Mercer county, and that the mud for them was mixed with his bare feet. The cabins were covered with boards riven from straight grained trees the full length of one side of the building, and held in their places by the weight of the bodies of small trees. The cracks between the logs composing the sides of the cabin were filled with wedge shaped pieces .of wood called "chinks," and these were daubed over with mud, the hands in many cases being used as the trowel. Abraham Miller says that the young men were particular to leave finger marks on this kind of work, as it was a sure road into the good graces of the maidens, who held this sign of industry and democracy in high repute. -liUrf^r^:^^ A PIONEER LOG CABIN. In the construction of these simple dwellings the only tools em- ployed were an ax, a saw and an auger, and in ^-ery many cases only the ax. Not a nail or any piece of iron was used, and not a pane of glass; neither paint nor plaster were available. Decorations, such as pictures or brackets for the walls, would have been a great curiosit)^ In their place festoons of corn for the next year's planting hung from poles in the upper space of the cabins. The trusty rifle lay in two wooden hooks over the door or fire place, and from pegs near the chimney often hung bits of venison that were being dried for future use, and was called "jerk." These were the decora- tions of grandfather's house. 42 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The pioneer cabin has seen its day, however, and is now a thing of the past. It has been superseded by the more pretentious hewed log- house of two or more rooms, and this in turn has given place to the fine frame and brick dwellings which dot the prairies and groves all over. A few of the ancient cabins are still doing service as pig-sties or hen houses, and the modern traveler would hardly dream that once^ they were the dwellings of large and happy families. We give in this connection a view of a cabin still standing in Eliza township, Mercer county, though the artist has had to draw somewhat on imagination for the surroundings, as the once pioneer mansion now serves the ignoble purpose of sheltering the chickens. Ancient House Furniture. — -Perhaps in nothing has there been a greater change than in the furniture, botli ornamental and useful, with which the houses of this county have been supplied. Any one curious enough to make a list of the numberless articles now considered indis- pensable to a well furnished house, will be surprised to find that scarcely an article now in use was in the early times of this section even known. And so also the few utensils and ornaments used by our grandmothers would be curiosities now. Sewing machines only began to come intO' use here in about 1S60, and now scarcely a family is without one. Grandmother Dennison, of Keithsburg, says all of the clothing in use by the family was made by the skillful and industrious fingers of the^ housewife with the needle and thimble. Not only so, but even the cloth of which the clothes were made was a home manufacture. Each family kept a few sheep, and from these the wool was sheared, washed, picked, carded, spun, woven, dyed and cut, in many instances, all at home. ISTone of the young ladies of to-day know what a "wool pickin'" is. The last one was had years ago. The picking of the particles of dirt and burs from the fleece was a very tedious process, and in the early times it was customary for the matron of the family to call in the help of all the young and middle aged ladies foi* some miles around to assist in this work. These invitations were gladly accepted, for the picking always ended with a frolic at night, to which the young ladies' beaux were invited. So in the making up of clothing, there were in use the big sheep shears, the cards, which were two insti'uments much resembling the instruments used for currying horses at the present day, the spinning- wheel, the hand loom and the dye kettle. None of these remain in use, but occasionally one may be found in the garret of the house of an old settler. Many of the early settlers were skillful in the use of some of the: HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS. 43 simplest tools of the shoemaker, and could turn out a decent, but rough pair of shoes from leather that they had themselves tanned from the skins of animals that they had themselves reared. Even the lasts and the pegs were of home manufactiwe. The simple kits of tools used in the manufacture of leather and shoes were, however, soon superseded by the tan yards and the professional shoemaker, and they in turn have had their time and are almost extinct. The few pelts that are now taken from the cattle are sent to the great cities and tanned by improved processes, made into shoes by machines driven by steam, and shipped back to us in nice green boxes containing a dozen pairs of all sizes and qualities. The culinary implements were as rude and simple as it is possible to conceive. The old Dutch oven for baking bread, a skillet and an iron pot, that hung from a wooden hook in the great wide chimney, were about all that were considered necessary for baking, frying and boiling. There was not a stove in the county until about 1845, and, therefore, the fireplace, extending almost across one end of the cabin, was the only source of heat in the winter, and also answered all the demands of cooking. Even the first cook stoves were simple affairs- compared to those in present use, and were constructed with a double purpose of heating and cooking. In a letter from Abraham Miller, he says: "Our early crops were mainly corn, wheat, oats, flax for home use, and the most useful vege- tables of all kinds, all of which did remarkably well. We raised melons in abundance. The only market point for the county was New Boston, then only known as Dennison's Landing and wood yard, at upper Yellow Sand Banks, on the Mississippi river. The first store or trading post was there in 1834, and was kept by a man by the name of Irvin, who was. very exact, both in a commercial and moral point of view. He was a seceder by profession. So correct was he in his views of the Sabbath that he penned up his rooster on that day, that he might not disturb the holy day. Tliis is neither jest nor hoax. I only men- tion it to show that, in those early times and among backwoods settlers, religious rites, according to each order, were strictly observed. Prices of produce were very low. Wheat was not more than forty cents per bushel, and this was the highest priced article, proportionately, that the fanner had to sell. In those days we were all new beginners and had but little surplus to market. We raised our own hogs and hominy, killed deer, wild turkeys, prairie hens, caught fish and found wild bees. We had to get what little groceries we had with raccoon and deer skins, and frequently the best of us did without any. We were inured to anything from hard times down, and small privations were not noted. 44 inSTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Our wives and daughters could spin and weave, and wear the product of their own industry. We drank parched com or pea coffee until we got to raising wheat and rye enough to answer the purpose. We drank tea made from sycamore chips. A favorite tea was made of red-root leaves, sweated under a Dutch oven, rolled between the two hands and dried. When drawn and sweetened with well scummed honey, your readers are assured it was not bad to take. This tea we called grub hyson. An early merchant of New Boston, after the discovery of this tea, caught at the idea, and when his black tea ran short in the store, tradition says, he sold many a pound of red-root leaves. "The men and boys could wear buckskin breeches; and a coon- skin cap, with the tail dangling behind the head as an ornament thereto, was not a novel sight. We were all poor, but on a social equality. We hardly had an idea of what aristocracy was. With the greatest of pleasure I yet look back on those good old times as my golden days, when all around was clothed in the wild, yet gorgeous robes of nature, and while its half-forgotten scenery plays about and flits across mem- ory's path, imagination paints the flush of youth where age as well as grief have coursed bitter tears down its lachrymal furrows. Despite this, for the moment, the blood of boyhood rushes through the sunken veins and makes the aged young. "We had our backwoods mechanic in almost every farmer and farmer's boy, who learned early in life, and who turned his hand to anything necessary for carrying on our backwoods operations, both in wood and iron. But as the country grew up mechanics of almost all kinds dropped in, but it was only npon a small scale that they were patronized, or that they expected patronage, as they generally added to their mechanical skill agricultural industries, and pursued their trades •only at odd times."" The wool picking has been alluded to. It had its corresponding diversion for the young men in the corn husking, or "shuckin'," as it was called. It was common, not only in the early days, but until with- in a score of years, to break the ears from the stalks as they stood in the field, and haul them to the vicinity of the barn and then invite all the young men to come in on some afternoon or evening to strip them of their husks. Thus a wearisome task for the single handed fanner, requiring weeks of labor, would be performed in a single evening. The husking bee would usually end with a sumptuous supper, and fre- quently with a spree, to which the young ladies had been previously invited. Other pastimes of the olden time, some of which are but barely obsolete, were the quiltings, which partook of features of the wool pickings, the singing schools, the spellings, wolf hunts, house and EAKLY SEITLEMENT. 45 iDarn raisings. At all of these the joung people took great interest and manifested their skill according to the adaptation of age or sex for such amusements. The Fourth of July was, fifty years ago, kept more as a reminder of its origin than it is to-day, and some of the early celebrations were ^rand affairs. There was less of show and noise than to-day, but of all that goes to make up a grand holiday, and that conduces to a hearty rejoicing oji account of our country's independence, was present in full force. The people were more democratic in their habits and thoughts, and consequently a gathering of the kind embraced all the citizens of the county. Not unfrequently a revolutionary hero honored the scene with his presence, and exhibited himself in the evolutions and drill learned by necessity in his country's birth. EARLY SETTUiMENT. The Eastern, Middle and Southern states, from which the early -settlers came, were densely covered with a vigorous growth of timber. A patch of prairie was a curiosity east or south of the center of Li- diana. Tlie avocations of the pioneer in the east and south had been, for the first half of his manhood, to cut down the giant trees of the forest, roll the logs together and burn them. With the unpleasant remembrances of log rolling, brush burning and stump grubbing, it seems a little strange that the prairies of the Mississippi valley and the tiibutaries thereto were not the very first to claim tlie early settler's attention. Here were open farms ready for the plow. Not a stump, or a root, or a stone, was in the way of immediate successful cultiva- tion. The oldest and most carefully cultivated fields of Ohio, Indiana ■or Kentucky, from which most of the first settlers came, were not as clear of obstacles to the agriculturist's implements as were the prairies of Mercer county. Then where shall we seek for the reasons for the neglect of the more generous soil of the prairie and the preference for groves and the poorer soil bordering thereon ? We must not forget that times have ■greatly changed within a half century. Irriplements that could not be used'on rough and stumpy grounds are a modern invention. Corn planters, grain diills, reapers and cultivators were invented after the prairies began to be cultivated, and their uses admissable. These machines were not invented for the rough lands of the east, but for the broad, level fields of the western states. Again, we must keep in mind, habits of thought and action are not very easily changed. In parts of the old world implements of ^agriculture have not changed, much in some thousands of years. Tlie 46 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. pioneers of this county were used to a wooded countiy. Thej were used to having stake and ridered fences ; houses and barns made of logs ; used to having large, blazing fires of wood in the large chimney place in the winter, and used to wasting large quantities of fine logs by burning in great heaps every year. So when they came here, with all these habits and predispositions, it must naturally have occurred to- them that the supply of wood was limited and everyone sought for a good piece of timber, which should adjoin another piece ^of prairie, whether that prairie was of the best or not. So we find all of the first settlers hugging close to the water-courses upon whose banks grew the only reminder of their former southern or eastern homes. One need not in this respect be told the early history of any locality in the state. Tlie same rule governed all over, and Mercer county was. no exception. Of course, navigation had something to do with settling the shores of such streams as were large enough to allow the steamboat to ply back and forth upon its waters. Steamboats began running along the Missis8ipj)i in 1823, and to this circumstance, doubtless, we can trace very many of the first settlements in the valley. The vicin- ity of New Boston was permanently occupied first by parties who sup- plied the boats with wood, and this, indeed, was the very first settle- ment made by white men in the county. It was in the year 182 Y that the Dennison family came to that point to supply the boats with fuel, and in the plat of the town of New Boston they as proprietors reserve the right to the monoi3oly of that trade, and of running a ferry. The Dennisons were a large and respectable family, who had come origi- nally from Indiana, but had lived a year in Sangamon county. These were the first to make what is now embraced in Mercer county a permanent home. Tlirough the influence of this family others came in, a year or two later, and settled in the immediate neighbor- hood. Indians were still plenty on this side of the river and some of them were quite unfriendly to the encroaching settler, though they endeavored to keep up a show of ft-iendship with the government. This hostile disposition on the part of the Indians made it not only desirable, but imperative, that settlers should keep within a reasonable distance of each other, and of the river, and for this reason, more than any other, no settlements were made far up the Edwards or Pope rivers until after the Indians had been removed in 1832. Among the earliest records of Warren county we find the names of parties who voted once or twice in this vicinity, but of whose identity all other trace seems to have been lost. Tlie earliest settler cannot now even remember the names. These were probably steamboat men,, hunters or laborers, who possibly may have been here but a few days.. EABLY SETTLEltlENT. 47 In those times the ballot was not guarded so closely but that a man could have deposited his ballot, even if he had not been in the precinct the prescribed number of days. The names of such cut no figure in the history of the county, and need not be even repeated here. We have to do especially with those who came here to reside, to subdue the forest and the soil, to provide for families who have since made themselves known and felt in the community, who founded society and moulded opinions, and who, in a general way, have left their mark upon the county. They are yet known, or if departed, they are remembered for their bravery, their endurance of hardships, their virtue and honor. Of such we desire to wi'ite, and of such we desire to perpetuate the memories. The Dennison family came originally from Ohio, and lived a short time in Indiana. In 1826 they came to Sangamon county in this state and stayed about a year, and in the year above named came to tlie vicinity of New Boston. For two years the Dennisons and Shaunces, who at that time lived a few miles farther north, and the Yanatas at Keithsburgh, were almost the sole occupants of the county. In 1830 the census reports show Mercer county as having a population of only twenty-seven persons, and these nearly all belonged to the two families named. In 1831 the Indian troubles began, and did not end until the fall of 1832, and of course no additions were made during that time, nor indeed for a year or so after, when confidence in the peaceful solu- tion of the troubles was fully restored. Tlie year 1834: brought a number of settlers, not only to the Den- nison neighborhood, but to other portions of the county. In tlie spring of the year named, several persons from Indiana came in and took claims, planted sod corn, and went back in the fall and brought out their families. Among those worthy of record were Josej^h Glancey, "Wm. Drury, William, ISTewton J. and Joshua Willits, Isaac Drury, Joseph, John S. and Lewis Noble. Several of the names mentioned will be found in future pages with extensive and numerous notices, as they proved to be valuable acquisi- tions to the then new but growing community. Jesse Willits was after- ward first probate judge, with his appointment from the governor. His name appears on the poll book as the first man to deposit a ballot, after the county was organized in 1835. Silas Drury was the first sheriif, and Isaac Drury was one of the fii"st county commissioners. Other prominent settlers in the west end of the county (and then con- sidered in reality the same neighborhood), were John Long, first school commissioner, Wm. I. Ne^dus, Eli Reynolds, a physician, and Isaac Dawson, a carpenter. 48 HISTORY OF JfERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. In the meantime a new and distinct settlement was forming, some ten miles up the Edwards river, at a point then and for years afterward known as the Sugar Grove settlement, and after the organization of the county, called the Sugar Grove precinct. A large family, consisting of four brothers, John, Isaac, George and Abraham Miller, with several rel- atives and friends, settled at this point in 1834, completely surrounding the grove. The Miller family was originally from Crab Orchard, Tennessee, whence they had removed to near Ci-a"w^ordsville, Indiana, in about 1820. From that place several members of the family came on here, in the latter part of April, 1834, bringing ^\nth them several yoke of oxen and some agricultural implements, for the purpose of making claims and of planting sod corn. All but Abraham Miller, Junior (son of George Miller), and his wife and wife's sister, returned to Indiana and came out subsequently. Abraham Miller, Jun., proved to be a- man of much note in public affairs of this county, and indeed the whole family was, for ten years or more, during their sojourn here, an influential one. Abraham Miller remained with the growing crops, built a cabin, and became the first permanent settler of the grove, and indeed of a radius of ten or twelve miles. Several other families, some relatives and others mere acquaintances, followed these during the next season, so that by the time the county was organized in 1835, it was found most convenient to divide the county into two precincts : the one at New Boston, which had just been laid out and given that name, instead of Dennison's Landing, and the Sugar Grove precinct. By the fall of 1835 there were probably about sixty inhabitants in and about the Grove, and between 200 and 250 in the whole county. The groves along the Edwards river were gradually being occupied by settlers, who pushed farther and farther toward its source. In the spring of 1835 a distinct settlement, known as the Richland settle- ment, or Farlow's Grove, was begun. Tliis was not in what is now known as Richland Grove township, but in reality along the north side of the Edwards, in what is now Preemption township. John Farlow and family, who settled on section 22, came from Indiana in the spring of 1835, and settled as stated. In the fall of the same year Hopkins Boone, now a resident of Viola, occupied section 34. Mr. Boone, with his family, came from Pennsylvania. This was the farthest from the mouth of the river that any one had yet settled, and indeed at that time there was not a family residing between that point and the Pock river, nor for many miles to the east, and but one family on the south, between that and Monmouth. The next spring (1836) Rev. John Montgomery, a Presbyterian minister, and James ORGANIZATION OF MERCER CONUTY. 49" Boone, came out from Pennsylvania and located in the Richland neigh- borhood. Gabriel Barkley, Rev. Joseph Jones, a Baptist minister, and C. Miller, came the same year from Indiana and settled in the vicinity of Farlow's Grove. Thus have we ti'aced the main settlements of the Edwards valley, from the mouth of that river to near the eastern line of the county. In the same way the banks of Pope creek were being occupied, but not quite so rapidly, nor were the neighborhoods quite so distinct, but were considered somewhat as branches of the three principal settle- ments named. Up the North Hefiderson, from the ^dcinity of Oquawka, the pioneer was gradually extending his domain, until the banks of these streams were lined on either side, where grew the native forests, with the pioneer's cabins and the pioneer's patches of corn and other crops. As the settlements grew older and more populous they gradually divided in interest, and centers began to form at points which at the first were considered as being in the same neighborhood, and thus two or more new neighborhoods were by common consent, and by conven- ience, formed from one. Keithsburg and Eliza, on the west side of the county, separated their interests from New Boston. Ohio Grove, farther iqj the Pope, and North Henderson, became more dis- tinct and held less close relations with Sugar Grove or the Miller neighborhood. Most of these places had for their centers either a post office or a voting place, and in some cases a church organization was the distinctive feature. ORGANIZATION OF MERCER COUNTY. By the year 1835 the territory now embraced within the limits of Mercer county had received quite a number of permanent settlers. The Black Hawk war had ended three years previously, and the excite- ment caused thereby had almost all passed away. Information had been spread abroad that this country, so lately overrun b}' the Indians, and about which comparatively little was known, was one of the most desirable for settlement in the west. Accordingly, emigrants began to find their way up the Mississippi and overland, from the more thickly settled portions of Ohio, in search of cheap homes ; some in search of good hunting grounds, the game having begun to be scarce in their former haunts. So they came, some on horseback, some on foot, some up the river on boats, and some in wagons, bringing with them all their worldly goods, and their families. Nearly all were poor, but nearly all came with the one pui-pose of securing an independence and a home for their families, which could not be obtained in the older sections of 50 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the country, where land had already become comparatively dear. The iu'st settlements were made along the Mississippi river, and from thence they gradually spread outward and followed the smaller rivers toward their sources. By the date named, there were jjrobably forty or fifty families in the territory designed for Mercer county. The act of the legislature organizing the county was passed January 31, 1835. By a provision of the act, an election was directed to be . held on the first Monday of April, 1835, in the town of New Boston, at the house of Eli Keynolds, and at the house of Geo. Miller, for county oflicers. James Irvin, George Piper and Benjamin Yanata, or any two of them, were to be judges at New Boston, and George Mil- ler, David Shaunce and Ebenezer Gi'esswell, or any two of them, at the house of George Miller. New Boston was designated as the tem- porary county seat. The following is an exact copy of the act, as will be found on page 156 of the session laws for the year 1835, and as it will be deemed a historical relic by many, we think it advisable to give it entire. AN ACT TO ORGANIZE MERCER COUNTY. Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois represented in the general assembly, That on the first Monday of A]3ril next, between the hours of eight o'clock in the morning and seven o'clock in the evening, an election shall be held in the town of New Boston, at the house of Eli Reynolds, and the house of George Miller, in the county of Mercer, for three county commissioners, one sheriff, and one coroner, for said county, who shall continue in ofl&ce until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. Sec 2. That James Irvin, George Pi^^er and Benjamin Vanata, or any two of them, shall be judges of the election to be held at the town of New Boston, and George Miller, David *Shonce and Ebenezer Cresswell, or any two of them, shall be judges of the election to be held at the house of George Miller. Said judges shall be authorized to appoint two clerks at each precinct, and said judges and clerks shall be qualified in the same manner as judges and clerks of elections are now required by law, and said elections shall in every respect be conducted in conformity with the election laws of this state. Sec 3. Until the county seat of said county of Mercer shall be located, it shall be the duty of the county commissioner's court of said county to procure a suitable house at New Boston, and the several courts shall be held at New Boston until suitable buildings are furnished at the county seat thereinafter to be located, and the said town of New Boston is hereby declared the temporary seat of said county of Mercer until the same shall be permanently located by law. Sec 4. Said county of Mercer is hereby declared to be organized, with such corporate powers as belong to other counties in this state. This act to be in force from and after its passage. Approved January 31, 1835. The act was passed at Yandalia, which was at that date the capital of the state, to and fi-om which the legislator of the olden time, unlike * Shaunce. VASHTI DRURY. U. OF IL .. UB. ORGAinZATION OF MERCER COUNTY. 53 his more aristocratic successor who may travel in the palace cars, jour- neyed to and fro on liorseback, with his changes of raiment strapped on behind his saddle. The act of organization was completed on the 6th day of April of the same year by the election of officers, as provided in the law. Two voting places were designated. The one precinct embracing the terri- tory in the west part of the county, and the other the eastern settle- ments. At the election in the New Boston precinct there were thirty- five votes cast for Edward Willett for coroner ; twenty-five and twelve votes respectively for Silas Drury and John Long for sherift'; and twenty-four, thirty-three,. sixteen and thirty votes, respectively, for Isaac Drury, • Abraham Miller, Joseph Noble and Erastus Dennison for county commissioners. Jesse Willits, Benjamin Yanata and Samuel Piper were the judges, and William C. Townsend and Ephraim Gil- more acted as clerks. At tlie Miller precinct, Isaac Drury, Joseph Noble, Erastus Dennison and Abraham Miller received five, nine, thirteen and twelve votes, respectively, for commissioners ; John Long received six, and Silas' Drury seven, votes for sheriff", and Edward Willett received thirteen votes for coroner. David Shaunce and Ebe- nezer Cresswell acted as judges, and John and Abraham Miller as clerks. The result of the election can be seen by the reader without recapitulation. We cannot think of a more interesting item of history than the list of names of those who took part in the election tliat day, as showing wlio were the residents, heads of families and politicians of Mercer county in 1835. A number of the names figure prominently in the history of the county, some drop out of sight in a very few years, and a very few, with whitening heads and bent forms, are still with us to tell the stoiy of the early times, waiting only a little while when they will follow on to a new and better country beyond the river of time. As the list is short we give it entire, as recorded on the poll book of the two precincts. There may have been a few others entitled to vote, but if there were their names are not now remembered. Jesse Willits, Samuel Piper, Benjamin Yanata, Hamilton Christie, Newton Willitts, John Long, Silas Drmy, Lewis Noble, William Drury, George Fisher, Joseph Leonard, William Jackson, William Willitts, John Hall, Elias Fisher, William Wilson, John Kester, James H. Barnes, William J. Nevius, Joseph Dennison, William Pool, Adam W. Richie, John Richardson, W. Dennison, John Reynolds, Edward Willett, William Dennison, Joseph Noble, Joseph Glancy, Isaac Drury, M. Leeper, Jesse Kester, Robert Reynolds, E. S. Dennison, Ephraim Gilmore, William C. Townsend. Second precinct — John W. 4 54 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Dennison, David Shaunce, Eli Reynolds, Isaac Dawson, John Farlow, John Shaunce, George Miller, Ebenezer Creswell, Abraham Miller, Sen., John Miller, A. Miller, Jun., Harrison W. Riggs, George Miller, Jun. One week after the first election was held (April 13, 1835) the commissioner's court, corresponding in later times to the board of supervisors, met at New Boston and transacted the first public business. The court consisted of the recently elected commissioners, Isaac Drury, Abraham Miller and Erastus Dennison. The first business was to ajjpoint a clerk, which they did in the person of William C. Townsend. Ephraim Gilmore was then appointed treasurer, John Long, school commissioner, Harrison W. Riggs, judge of election in first, and Isaac Miller in second precinct. William Demiison was granted a license to run a ferry at New Boston, on the Mississippi river, for which Dennison had to pay four dollars tax. In his license he was allowed to charge for ferriage for 1835 : for each four-horse wagon, $1.50 ; two-horse wagon, $1 ; man and horse, 50c ; one horse, 18f c ; cattle, each, 18f c ; sheep and hogs, each, 6^c ; each footman, ISf c (it will be noticed that it was somewhat cheaper for a man to send his horse across alone); each yoke of work cattle, 50c (cheaper to send them separately). The county was laid off into four road districts, of which Abraham Miller was designated as supervisor of first, Lewis Noble of second, Jesse Kester of third, and James H. Bane of fourth. Ordered that a tax of $1.20 be levied on each quarter section of taxable land in the county. Tlie above embraced all of the business of the first day. On the second day, Tuesday morning at eight o'clock, the court, consisting of the commissioners, the clerk, and Silas Drury, sheriff, met and transacted additional important business. The following per- sons were selected as grand jurors for the first term of circuit court in Mercer county : George Miller, Isaac Miller, John Farlow, Jesse Wil- lits, John Hill, Mark Willits, David Shaunce, Lewis Noble, Daniel Pinkley, John W. Dennison, William Willitts, Joseph Glancey, John Reynolds, George Blake, Benjamin Yanata, John Long, James Irvin, Wesley Wicks, Ephraim Gilmore, John Kester, Jesse Kester, Thomas Morgan and John Bates. And for petit jurors : John Miller, Isaac Miller, George Miller, Abraham Miller, Isaac Dawson, William W. Wilson, John Shaunce, Isaac Drury, Wm. H. Dennison, Joseph Noble, Joseph A. Dennison, William Drury, Harrison W. Riggs, William Jackson, Robert Reynolds, Newton Willits, Joseph Leonard, Joshua Willits, James H. Bane, Eli Reynolds, John P. Reynolds, Drury Rey- nolds, Christopher Shuck, John Rankins. This, with the addition of levying a tax of one-half of one per cent on certain personal pi'ojv erty, embraced all the business of the special term. ORGANIZATION OF M^ROEK COUNTY. 55 At the fii'st regular term, which was held June 1, 1835, though the first appointed clerk had recorded, as the first item, that he had taken the oath and given bond, he failed to get the bond approved, and so at the regular meeting it was found necessary to appoint -. a new clerk, in the person of William Drury, upon which Mr Towjisend resigned. Mr, Drury did not experience the trouble in giving security, as did his predecessor, E. S. Dennison and Joseph Leonard going on the bond in the sum of $1,000. Mr. Drury made a good clerk and served until succeeded by Abaham Miller in October 1837. Mr. Drury, in signing his name to all of his legal documents, makes a peculiar flourish be- neath his signature, which cannot be described without an engraving, and indeed which could'not be easily imitated. Judge Gilmore is our authority for a story that has been received for more than forty years as genuine history, that when Miller was elected to succeed- Drury, he was found one day sitting on the sand bank barefooted trying to cut the figure in the sand with his great toe. The e^ddence in the record bear- ing on the case is quite strong. Tlie fij'st two or three times that Miller signs his name to the record there is an evident, but fruitless, attempt to imitate Drury's flourish, but after that it is entirely abandoned. In the Recorder's oflice is a relic that marks its author as a boss mechanic. It consists of a blank book of home manufacture, arid to William Drury is given the credit of its cbnstruction. It is one of tlie first record books, and its description is worthy of a place here. The book consists of about one hundred pages of foolscap paper. This the maker evidently ruled himself with columns to suit his convenience, and also headed in a proper maimer. The cord for binding the leaves together seems to have been a fishing line, or some other equally sti-ong cord. The sides are two oak boards, evidently rived fi-om a straight- grained tree and dressed down with a draw shave ; or if with the axe, must have been by an exceedingly skillful hand. The sides are then covered with paper that seems to have been a window blind. The back and corners are buckskin, doubtless taken from the body of some deer shot by the rifle of the bookmaker and tamied by himself. The book is in excellent preservation, as are all the old records of Mercer comity, which show that our first officers were not only men of ability and taste, but that they exercised proper care of what was entrusted to their keeping. Mr. Miller doubtless had in his soul real genius, and though he could not imitate Drury's flourish, has left evidences of his invention and artistic skill upon the records. In one of the records we find the title page decorated with red, black and yellow colors, the artist's hand revealing itself in gaudy colors and finely displayed printing, of which the following is as nearly a copy as our type will represent : 56 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES, Count Y, COMI S S I O N E Rs R EOOR, D Vol. I ORGANIZATION OF MERCER COUNTY. 57 In another record, Mr. Miller makes a further display of his skill in the use of the brush. The law required that the owners of stock should mark the same by a cut of .some kind in one of the ears of the animal. Some chose as their mark a slit in the right, some a crop from the left ear, and the crops, slits and quarters of either ear were varied to suit the taste of the owner. To make these distinctions legal, it was neces- sary to have a description of the same recorded in a book used for the "recording of marks of animals." The common method with record- ers is to write the description, appending the name of the owner, with date of entry, but Mr. Miller, finding this a good opportunity for the display of his genius, paints in the margin of the record the whole animal, with the particular ear, minus the crop, pointing directly to the name of the man who mutilated it. The first business transacted at this term of court was the granting of a license to Eli Reynolds to vend gi'oceries in New Boston, tor which privilege he had to pay into the treasury of the county 87-| cents. The first road established by authority of the county was ordered at this term. Tlie road was from New Boston toward Rock Island, and was designated by stakes driven in the prairie and trees blazed through the timber. The road was viewed by Ephraim Gilmore, Harrison W. Riggs and Lewis Noble, for which ser^dces they received in the aggre- gate the sum of $8. Of course it is not a profane pun, but simply a coincidence of euphony, that at this meeting the board ordered that a writ of ad quod dmn-rmva be granted to Silas B. Hubbard to enquire and ascertain what damages may be sustained by building a mill and dam on Edwards river. An ad quod davi-imm was also granted to Charles Jack in regard to damages for a mill dam on same river. Tlie county at this session was laid oft' into two justice districts. Tlie New Boston district embraced all that part of the county lying west of the middle of township 4, and the balance of the county embraced the Sugar Grove district. The state road fi-om Knoxville to New Boston was at this session endorsed. For a number of terms the most of the business of the court con- sisted in authorizing roads, and the surveyor was the ofiicer of greatest importance. The first report by the commissioners made March 9, 1837, is interesting, as compared with similar reports at present. It is given •entire : ,58 HISTOKY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. 1836. Receipts. $ cts. Mar. 7, Remaining in the treasury 4 47^ Revenue from the state 400 00 Tax on personal property .' 58 61 Road tax 922 38 Received for licenses 35 00 Interest on notes 12 25 1,432 71f To amount paid on county orders for county purposes, 439 51 ^ Balance in treasury 993 20 The above balance included notes for $950, leaving $43.20 cash on hand. The regular election of county officers occurred August 3, 1835. At this election William Drury was elected recorder, Ephriam Gilmore, surveyor, E. G'eswell and Abner Arrasmith were elected justices of the peace, and John Miller and Wesley* Arrasmith, constables. The elec- tion of justices and constables was found to be illegal, and a special election was held October 5, for the purpose of electing two justices and two constables for New Boston and one justice and one constable for Sugar Grove precinct. To these offices Joshua Willits and Lewis Noble were elected justices, and Newton I. Willits and William B. Wilson constables, for New Boston, and Abraham Miller, Jun., and John Miller were elected justice and constable, respectively, for Sugar Grove. An idea of some of the difficulties that our primitive officers had to , qontend with in administering justice, may be easily gained from the i following, in Mr. Abraham Miller's own words: "The first lawsuit ever instituted in the Sugar Grove precinct was by an old Yankee plaintiff (B. Lloyd), who from that time onward kept his neighbors warmed up to more than fever heat with vexatious lawsuits, as far as his neighbor- hood dealings or business transactions were extended. An excuse for a lawsuit was a sufficient warrant for a 'pitch in.' Sometimes they were civil, sometimes criminal, and sometimes for a supposed trespass. .This first suit was the first ever tried before me, and the court was without practice, precedent or law. Tliere was then but one copy of the statutes of Illinois in Mercer county, and that was in the hands of the county clerk (Wm. Drury) at New Boston, and could not be loaned. The justice begged time to get up the papers till law could be procured, . but pur plaintiff was so rampant for litigation that but little or no time could be given. The poor justice was therefore doomed to saddle 'old gray,' throw a bed quilt around him, and ride some twelve miles over the prairie on a cold, snowy day, with a bleak northwest wind on the side of the court's face, to Dan Edgington's, a justice of the peace in Rock Island county, to borrow a statute. Tlie loan of this- ORGANIZATION OF MERCER COUNTY. 59 could only be procured for three days, and it would be needless to say that the homesti'etch of that day's travel was speedily performed. For the three days' grace allowed in the loan, this backwoods justice, now a law-student, plied all his powers, manual and mental. Day and night were spent in poring over this precious volume to discover the duties enjoined upon a justice of the peace, and short notes were taken for ftiture reference. Being rather expert with the pen, a summary statute of Abe's own was compiled, published and issued from the press (not, bless you, reader, from a printing press, but from the com- pulsoiy press of necessity), and fit for use in the short space of three days and nights. This backwoods edition, comprised of the general duties of justice and constable, was destined to become as useful and familiar as household words in a family. During the night part of his labor, the second or third night, the court, becoming very drowsy, upset an inkstand, emptying its sable contents upon a good part of a page of the borrowed statutes. Seizing the book, the obliterated part was saved from entire ruin by licking the ink from the same with the tongue. The book was returned within the specified time, with many backwoods thanks and humble apologies for the accident of the old ink horn, all of which were most courteously accepted by Dan, who was every inch of him a backwoods gentleman, and a ftill pardon granted and gi'a- ciously accepted. " It is needless to add that tlie Yankee plaintiff got ample justice, as did many others who brought their grievances to this court; for, whatever may have been his peculiarities, he is not accused of any of the peculiar methods that obtain in some high and low courts of a later day. August 1, 1836, the first election for members of congress and leg- islature in which the voters of Mercer county took part was held. Of the sixty-seven votes cast for congressman, John T. Stuart received fifty-three and William L. May fourteen. Elijah Charles and James Craig received the highest number of votes for representatives in the state legislature. At that election James H. Bane, Hiram Hardie and James Burleigh were elected county commissioners, and Daniel Pinck- ley sherift'. As we have seen, the county was divided into two precincts, or dis- tricts, but soon settlements made in the eastern part of the county, far up the Edwards river, called for fiirtlier division. At the regular meeting of the newly elected commissioners, September 5, 1836, that portion of the count}^ east of a line running due north and south, one mile east of the line dividing ranges two and three west, was erected into a new precinct. Tliis, it will be seen, embraced all of what are now known as Richland Grove, Rivoli and North Henderson town- 60 HISTORY OF MEECER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. ships, and nearly all of Preemption, Green and Suez. The name of Hichland was given to this district. One of the commissioners, Hiram Hardie, was a citizen of the district. Besides him there were about one dozen voters. A year later, "September 5, 1837, Richland precinct was divided, forming a new election and justice's district out of all that portion of Kichland lying south of the line, separating townships 14 and 15, and lea\'ing Richland with a little less than two congressional townships. Tlie settlements to be provided for were mostly those along Pope creek and the new -precinct was called by that name. Pope creek was now settling rapidly. A year later a new district was found necessary in the southern middle part of the county, and so at the meeting of the board, March 9, 1838, it was ordered that all that part of Sugar Grove lying south of an east and west line equally di^dding township 14 be organized and called Ohio precinct. Edwards precinct was formed March 9, 1839, from what are now all of Preemp- tion, the north half of Green, the northeast quarter of Mercer, and the east half of Perryton. At the same meeting Eliza precinct was estab- lished, and was composed of the territory which now lies within Eliza township. Keithsburg precinct was formed by the commissioners Jmie 1, 1840, and comprised the territory now embraced in Abington and Keithsburg townships. This provided, as was supposed, all parts of the county with convenient polling places, and with local offices for the government of the different neighborhoods, and these divisions thus remained intact until the adoption of township organization, after which each congressional township, with the exception of the fractional town- ships of the western portions of Eliza and Xew Boston, were organized separately. The convenience of this method is apparent. Congres- sional townships, by act of congress, are separate school townships, and cannot be changed to suit any other boundaries by any state or local enactment. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN MERCER COUNTY. Prior to the passage of what is known as the '"' Kansas and Nebras- ka Act of 1854," Mercer county was a whig county in politics. The democratic party was in a minority of some two or three hundred. Tlie anti-slavery feeling was strong in both of the old parties, and there were quite a number of voters who were abolitionists or free- soilers, and who would vote for the abolition or ti-ee-soil candidates when an opportunity occurred ; but the most of these, in all except presidential elections, voted and acted with the other political parties. Wlien the ''Kansas and Nebraska Act" was passed in May, 1854, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN MERCER COUNTY. 61 it created such an excitement and alarm, that a large number of the people, of both of the old parties, were readj to unite with the free- soilers and abolitionists in the formation of a new party, to resist the aggressive policy of the pro-slavery party, which controlled the two dominant political parties of the United States. Meetings were called as early as June 9, 1854, in two at least of the townships of the county, and resolutions passed in opposition to the ''Kansas-Nebraska Act," and calling for a united effort of all persons opposed to the extension of slavery in the territories, to form a political party to stay the aggress- ive pro-slavery legislation. Leading citizens of the county conferred with each other ; and a convention of all persons in the county, of all political parties, who were opposed to the "Kansas-Nebraska Act" and the extension of slav- ery in the territories, to meet at Millersburg for the purpose of organ- izing a new political anti-slavery party. Tlie convention assembled in Millersburg pursuant to the call, in the summer of 1854, and was represented by delegates from all parts of the county, and from all of the old political parties. John Collins, an old settler, and life-long democrat, was elected president of the conven- tion. A committee of nine was appointed to draft resolutions and arti- cles of organization. The committee was composed of Judge E. Gil- more, a whig and old resident of the county, who had filled many important offices, and who is now (1882) residing in Aledo ; James H. Reed, a whig, who was afterward successively editor of the "Oquaw- ka Plaindealer," the "Aledo Weekly Record" and the "Monmouth Atlas," and who died in Monmouth ; L. W. Myers, an abolitionist, then a young man, who is now and has been for a number of years, editor of the " Wappello Republican," Iowa ; Isaac N. Bassett, a whig, who is still living, a lawyer in Aledo ; John W. Miles, a whig, after- ward quartermaster of the 17th reg. 111. Vol. Inf., who died in 1863 ; Harvey S. Senter, a whig, who filled various offices in the county, and has since died in Aledo ; Tyler McWhorter, a democrat, now resident near Aledo ; Samuel Miller, an abolitionist, who has been dead several years ; J. R. Whitham, abolitionist, now residing near Aledo. There was an animated controversy in the committee room, and at one time it seemed impossible for the committee to agree ; but finally resolutions and a platform were agreed upon that was satisfactoiy to all, and a unanimous report made to the convention, which was adopted, and the organization of the republican party of Mercer county was completed. The exact date of this convention cannot now be ascer- tained, but it is believed to have been the fu'st county convention of the kind held in the state. 62 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. There had not at least been any convention called for a similar pur- pose in any of the adjoining counties, and Mercer county is properly entitled to the credit of being the pioneer county in the formation of the republican party. Tlie greater part of the whigs in the county approved of the platform, and at once became active members of the new party. Some of the political leaders in the whig party, however,, approved the formation of the new party. John S. Thompson and Lewis W. Tliompson (both lawyers, and one clerk of the county court in Keithsburg), were at first violently opposed to the new party organi- zation, but another year gave the party such recognition throughout the state and United States that they, with other opponents, ceased their opposition, and became warm supporters of the party. The abolitionists and free-soilers, with a considerable number of the democrats, were incorporated into the new party, which was, from the commencement, strong in numbers. In the presidential election in 1856, Fremont received 1,141 votes ; Buchanan, 769 ; and Filmore, 140. Tlie Filmore vote doubtless represented the whigs who reftised to act with the republican party. In 1860, Lincoln received 1,808 votes, and all the democratic candidates received 1,193 votes, the majority being 615, and the majority has never been less than that since, at any presi- dential election. I. N. Basseti. THE CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY RAILROAD. As stated on another page, the first settlements of this region were made along the water-courses, and narrow belts of timber skirting the same, and to the fact of tlie existence of these natural features can be traced nearly every improvement in the whole State of Illinois prior to about 1850. Even as early as 1840 almost all the timber tracts were occupied by settlers, and it was then supposed by many, that finther development of the country, if made at aU, would be by a poorer class of herdsmen and other employes of the more fortunate inhabitants of better favored portions of the country. The Mississippi was of course the great thoroughfare of business and travel on the west, and the Illi- nois river on the east, and between these was a barren, trackless waste. Whole townships, and indeed almost whole counties, were without a single inliabitant, and though the soil was known to be excellent, every- body supposed that a century would elapse before it could be made available for any pui'pose. Indeed, it was difficult to see that with the lack of fuel and building timber it could ever be more than a grand herding ground for stock owned by those who had been so foi-timate as to secure homes and strips of woodland along the courses of the streama of water. THE CHICAGO, BUKLLNGTON AND QUENCY RAILROAD. QS It will not do to say that railroads, which eventually redeemed the best country that lay under the sun from absolute uselessness, had not been dreamed of, for from 1835 until 1840 they had been the dream of politicians, speculators and emigrants, but, as all supposed, they had all been awakened by a crash in financial matters in 1838-40 to the reality that such entei-prises were a luxury not to be enjoyed by this portion of the world. For now they began to argue that the country was about settled up, and the small traflic that would come to such an enterprise would not be sufficient to sustain it, and that population must necessa- rily precede such improvement. The more modem idea of such roads as the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy is, to make the improvement first, and tlie population and the traffic immediately follow, and it is now well understood that nothing in the natural features of the country have ever tended so much to its development as the opening up of these means of ti'avel and commerce. At the risk of seeming to write in the interest of railroads, or for the purpose of manufacturing sentiment, we venture the remark that, as far as can now be seen, the opinions of the early settlers that the great prairies of this section, only for the advent of the railroad, were sound, and that improvement of Illinois to-day would have been but little in advance of what might have been seen in 1850. The water- courses had exerted all their influence in settling and developing the country, and as has been noted, that influence extended back but a few miles, and now the railroads begin and complete their work where the other left it unfinished. It is interesting to note the changes that have come to this portion of the country since the advent of the railroad system which now pre- vails so universally, and while it is not claimed that railroads have done everything, it is doubtless true that much of the present prosperity and greatness of the country are due to their influence. The railroads have brought better prices for grain, and reliable markets for it ; consequently, these sui-plus profits in agriculture have brought to the farmer hundreds of comforts of which tlie pioneers knew but little by experience, and scarcely hoped to make their own. The railroads themselves have been a miracle of growth and improvement. A notable example of this is to be found in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, which passes through the entire length of both Mercer and Henderson counties. From a small, unimportant line of thirteen miles, a little more than twenty-five years ago, it has grown to include in its organization lines amounting to 3,500 miles, its facilities for transit in the meantime increasing in proportion. The nucleus for this great enterprise was a line extending from 64 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Aurora to a point now known as Turner Junction, thirteen miles nearly northeast. Aurora was a small village then, and the other end of the line was nothing, so it will be seen how insignificant this beginning was. However, a charter had been granted to what was known as the Aurora Branch company for a line from Aurora to Mendota, a distance •of fifty-eight miles. These two lines were consolidated under the name of the Chicago & Aurora railroad, their connection with Chicago being by way of the Galena branch from Turner Junction. Another charter had been granted to what was styled the Central Military Tract road, extending from Mendota to Galesburg, in about the center of the northern part of the Bounty lands. On July 9, 1856, this last named, with the Chicago & Aurora road, consolidated under the name of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, thus giving a line of 151 miles. The company had taken a lease of the Peoria & Oquawka road and had advanced considerable money to aid in completing the line from Galesburg to Burlington. This gave them a through line to the last named place. The Peoria & Oquawka company failed to pay the indebtedness, the mortgage securing the money loaned was foreclosed, and thus another line was added to the already fast growing enterprise. The company then built a track of their own from Aurora to Chicago and made running arrangements with a line then in operation fi-om Galesburg to Quincy, 100 miles distant. In 1864 the Quincy road came into possession of the company, thus making the three termini indicated in the name of the corporation. From that time to the pres- ent, branches have been built or bought in quick succession, until a map of tke same looks like a picture of a great occiput, with its long arms stretching out in all directions over the vast plains of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. By the time this will be in print a di- rect line will have been completed to Denver in Colorado. When we take into consideration the wonderful growth of these states, and the great probability of still greater development, we are led to wonder what the future of this enterprise is to be. The branch that most interests our readers, however,- is that now known as the Galva and Keithsburg extension, from Galva to Glad- stone. Originally this was three distinct enterprises, tlie main one from Galva to New Boston being called the American Central railroad. This road was built by the company named, but equipped by the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy, and finally passed, with the short branches I)etween Gladstone and Keithsburg and New Boston and Keithsburg, into the possession of the present owners. The road enters Mercer county on the east at Windsor, and takes a nearly du-ect westerly course through the tc»wnships of Pivoli, Green, ROCK ISLAND AND MERCER COUNTY RAILROAD. 65 Mercer and Millersburg, and then deflecting somewliat toward the south, it reaches the town of New Boston, in the soutliwest corner of the township b}^ the same name. From tlience it foHows the course of the Mississippi river south, through the townships of Keithsburg, Bald Bluff and Oquawka, to Oquawka, finally reaching the main line at Gladstone. Tlie main line passes through the townships of Biggsville, South Henderson and Warren, in a westerly direction. The direct branch from Burlington to Quincy passes through three toMTiships of Henderson : Warren, Honey Ci-eek and Dallas. The local enterprises complete and in prospect will be noticed on another page. THE ROCK ISLAND AND MERCER COUNTY RAILROAD. A line of railroad of a good deal of local importance is the one indicated by the above title, extending from Rock Island in a southerly direction to the town of Cable, in Richland township. The road is twenty-six miles in length, including a run of four miles of the Chicago & Rock Island road, from Milan to Rock Island. The line was pro- jected by R. R. Cable (vice president of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific), P. L. and Ben. T. Cable, for the pui-pose of reaching the great coal fields of Richland township, and by these gentlemen built and made ready ibr the use of the coal company organized and owned by the same parties. The cost of the road, including grading, ties, iron, etc., was about $18,000 per mile, or about $300,000. The coal company mentioned has tiirnished the rolling stock and put the line in operation, not only for caiTying coal but for the trans- portation of merchandise and grain from and to the little towns that have since sprung up all along the line. Passenger coaches are attached to all the trains for the accommodation of the traveling public. The mails and express matter are also sent over this line, so that tliis entei'prise has not only been the means of bringing the coal deposits to market, but has also given a considerable section of country through which it lies postal, commercial, telegraphic and traveling facilities. The road passes through the town of Preemption, and nearly through that of Richland Grove, in this county, and is highly appre- ciated by the citizens of the northeastern part of the county. The coal company, of which an extended notice is given in the his- tory of Richland township, mines and transports from 90,000 to 100,000 tons of coal yearly. 66 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. MERCER COUNTY SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Mr. Tjler McWliorter and James H. Connell, Esq., furnish us data for the following : . This society was organized in Aledo February 19, 1878, under the name of Mercer County Scientific Association. At this meeting were present Tyler McWhorter, W. J. Pepper, J. H. Connell, I. N. Bassett, J. V. Frazier and W. A. Marsh. Mr. McWliorter presided, and Mr. Connell served as secretary. A constitution and by-laws were adopted; a number of invitations issued to others to attend the next meeting, and adjourned to March 5, 1878, to which time election of officers was postponed. The objects and piu'poses of this organization may be briefly stated as follows : Diiferent individuals of our county were more or less interested in scientiiic investigation, but were isolated from each other, and had few opportunities for interviews, or to profit by each other's study, or line of thought. The native flora and fauna of our county ; the carboniferous fossils, in connection with our seams of coal ; the implements and relics found in connection with the numerous ancient mounds in various parts of the coimty; these, and other kindred subjects had elicited the atten- tion of many of our citizens. Already many private collections of sci- entific interest had been made by difterent individuals of the county, and it was thought that persons whose minds are directed to scientific investigation should associate themselves together, so as to have an interchange of ideas, and enjoy the advantages of each other's re- search. It was believed that, with such an organization, a more gen eral interest might be elicited to investigate and attain to a higher com- prehension of nature. While we have social organizations, with large expenditures, in support of our various churches, it would seem that we should also have some organizations to encourage thought and stimulate investiga- tion in those important questions of science that are so directly related to the progress of the present age. It was for these reasons that many of our citizens felt that many advantages might be enjoyed by banding themselves together in such a society. Another purpose of the society was to make up a cabinet, or scientific collection, of such specimens relating to the natural sciences as might be contributed by its members, or others. The meetings of the society are held quarterly, on the first Tuesday of March, June, September and December of each year. On March 5, 1878, the adjourned meeting was held, and ten names MERCER COUNTY SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 67' were added to the roll of members. Organization was completed by the election of the following officers : president, Dr. J. Y. Frazier, of Yiola; vice president, I. N. Bassett, Esq., of Aledo; secretary, J. H. Coimell, of Aledo ; treasurer, W. J. Pepper, of Keithsburg ; trustees, six years, Tyler McWhorter, Aledo ; four years, W. J. Pepper, Keiths- bm-g ; two years, J. C. Pepper, Aledo. Tlie presidents of the society to date, each holding one year, are as follows : Dr. J. Y. Frazier, Yiola ; I. N. Bassett, Aledo ; E. L. Larkin, New Windsor; Tyler McWhorter, Aledo ; and John Geiger, now serv- ing in that capacity. James H. Connell was elected secretary at the first meeting, and was reelected annually until March, 1882, when Alex. McAi'thur was elected. The cabinet of the society is very interesting, and includes several hundred specimens — geological, fossil, mineral, etc. The largest do- nations were made by the following persons: geological, etc., by Tyler McWhorter; shells, by W. A.. Marsh; mineral, etc., by J. H. Connell; miscellaneous, by J. C. Pepper and W. J. Pepper; birds, by W. B. Crapnell. The following papers have been read before the association : Cli- matic Changes and their Eesultant Periods, Dr. J. Y. Frazier ; Metric System of Weights and Measures, J. K. Wylie ; The Domain of Sci- entific Investigation and Thought, I. N. Bassett ; The Mississippi River: Its Geological History, Tyler McWhorter; Future Punishment; from Etlmical Scripture, E. L. Larkin ; Probable Origin of Life on the Globe, John Geiger ; Shall we Impoverish the Fertility of the Earth, T. McWliorter ; Utility of the Stars, W. J. Pepper ; Antiquity of Man, T. McWhorter; Ciystalography, J. R. W.ylie ; Electricity, R. H. Spi- cer, Sr. ; Conchology, W. A. Marsh ; Inclination of the Earth's Axis, T. McWhorter ; Force, E. L. Larkin ; Flesh Eating, John Geiger ; Flesh Eating, Joseph McCoy ; Population and its Distribution, C. Y. Shove ; Motion, E. L. Larkin ; The Birds and Animals we are Losing and Gaining, W. B. Crapnell ; Hygiene of Soil Waters, Dr. J. Y. Fra- zier ; Embryology, J. R. Wylie ; Axial Rotation, John Geiger ; People of North America, E. L. Larkin ; Biology, T. McWhorter ; The Sur- face or Economic of our Prairies, Graham Lee ; Imperfections of Hu- man Knowledge, Tyler McWliorter ; The Planet Yenus, J. C. Pepper ; The Coming Man, Tyler McWhorter ; Conscience Man's True Guide, J. Geiger ; Progress in Science, I. N. Bassett ; Some Observations on the Rocky Mountains, J. H. Connell ; Silver Coinage, John Geiger ; Protoplasm and Life, I. N. Bassett ; Scientific Instruments, E. L. Larkin ; 68 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Improved Socialism, John Geiger ; Changes of Organic Life with the Advance of Civnlization, Tyler McWliorter. In December, 1879, the name was changed to the "Mercer County Scientific and Historical Society," the object being to gather up notes on the history of Mercer county. John Geiger, I. N. Bassett, Graham Lee and C. S. Richey were appointed a committee to receive all that had been prepared. May 1, 1880, the committee reported that they had received a considerable amount of historic matter from different sources, which was given into, the custody of the society. In 1882 the society turned all papers in their hands over to Prof H. H. Hill, to be embodied in this book, Tlie membership roll contained the following names: Tyler Mc- Whorter, Aledo ; J. V. Frazier, Viola ; W. A. Marsh, Millersburg tp. ; I. N. Bassett, Aledo ; W. J. Pepper, Millersburg t|3. ; J. H. Connell, now of Pueblo, Col. ; J. C. Pepper. J. R. AVylie, Aledo ; E. L. Larkin, New Windsor ; W. B. Crapnell, l^ew Boston tp. (died 1881) ; C. A. Ballard, Kew Boston ; W. C. Galloway, Joseph McCoy, John Geiger, Aledo ; John B. Holland, Keithsburg ; Thos. Shaver, Tennessee Roll- ing Mills, Ky. ; Geo. P. Graham, Paola, Kan. ; F. D. Rathbun, New Windsor; R. H. Spicer, Sr., Viola; C. F. Durston, J. M. Wilson, W. A. Lorimer, B. F. Brock, Alex. Stephens, D. T. Hindman, Horace Bigelow, L. B. Morey, Alex. McArthur, Aledo ; C. S. Oith, William Griffin (died 1882), E. L. Marshall, Keithsburg ; C. V. Shove, E. L. McKinnie, G. L. F. Robinson, Viola ; L. C, Gilmore, E. B. David, Miss A. E. Frazier, B. C. Taliaferro, D. R. Johnston, Aledo ; P. F. Warner, Havana, Ills.; Graham Lee, Hamlet; C. H. Gran, Alpha,. Henry county ; J. F. McCiitcheon, Noi-wood ; A. P. Willits, T. B. Cabeen, Keithsburg. Honorary member : Lieut. F. S. Bassett, U. S. Navy. Such is the history, objects and membership of this society, which has already accomplished a work of which its members may feel proud, and has but laid the foundation of a grand and most commendable effort in the advancement of scientific research. And fi'om the pro- gressive character of the men composing its membership we may safely predict for the society a glorious future, and a name that will be known wherever science is made a special study, NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES, ILLINOIS, BY WILLIAM A. MARSH. PdlcEontolog y . — ^The principal geological formations that occur in Mercer and Henderson counties which contain fossils are, the coal measures and the St. Louis group, Keokuk limestone, Burlington lime- JAMES M. EMERSON ( de-ce-ased) NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. . 71 stone, and Kinderhook group, of the lower carboniferous system. Tlie number of species of fossil flora found within the limits of these two counties is very small compared with other sections, but our fossil fauna will compare favorably with any section of the state, at least as far as the number of species is concerned, although they are not found in as good a state of preservation as might be desired. Tlie whole number of fossil species that have come under my observation, in collecting among the difterent formations of the two counties, is about 400 species, divided as follows : coal measure flora, twenty-five species ; coal meas- ure fauna, 250 species ; lower carboniferous, 125 species. Tlie most remarkable and interesting forms are the crinoiden of the lower car- boniferous, and the different forms of the genus Productus, belonging to the Brachiopoda. Mammals. — Tlie mammalian fauna of these two counties is almost the exact coimterpaii; of all prairie sections. The time was when the larger forms of life abounded ; when the deer, elk, buffalo, beaver, etc., made the prairies their home. The coming of the white man, attended by all the circumstances of j)rogress, has driven these larger forms from the country, and now the smaller kmds alone retain a foot- ing. They are American buffalo, beaver, red deer, gray wolf, prairie wolf, gray fox, otter, mink, weasel, skunk, wild cat, opossum, raccoon, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, black squirrel, flying squirrel, chipmunk, gray prairie squirrel, striped prairie squirrel, woodchuck, striped badger, rabbit, brown rat (introduced), white-footed wood mouse, white- footed prairie mouse, long-tailed jumping mouse, prairie meadow mouse, wood meadow mouse, long-haired meadow mouse, shrew mole, star nose mole, muski'at, house mouse (introduced), long-eared bat. The number of species of birds, as far as I have been able to iden- tify them, will reach about 180 species, embracing forty-one families. This includes those that remain with us the year round, those that are known to visit us through the spring and summer season, and those that tarry with us a short time during their migrations through' the country from north to south. Tlie number of fish species thus far identified as occurring in the Mississippi river, its lakes and sloughs, and the small streams flowing into it, through the counties of Mercer and Henderson, is about seven- ty-seven species. Besides the fish used for food, this list includes the dog fish, the eel, the gar pike, the alligator gar, the spoon-bill, the spotted sturgeon, and the leech lamprey. The snakes are : blowing viper, hog-nosed snake, red-bellied water snake, Holbrook's water snake, ribbon snake, Faireye's garter snake, 5 72 _ HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. racer, summer green snake, king snake, corn snake, spotted adder, ground snake, timber rattlesnake (now extinct), prairie rattlesnake. The Batrachians are : fi'ogs, four species ; tree frogs, three species ; toads, one species ; salamanders, seven species ; lizards, four s^^ecies ; turtles, ten species. The molluscan fauna of Mercer and Henderson numbers 137 acknowledged species. Seven years of careful study and collecting in this particular branch leads me to believe that very few, if any, new forms will be likely to' be found. They may be classed as follows : unionidse, sixty-eight species ; corbiculadse, twelve species ; viviparidse, seven species ; vulvatidae, one species ; strepomatidse, one species ; rissoidee, six species ; helicidse, twenty-five species ; limnaeidse, ibur- teen species ; ancylinae, three species. It will be observed that the per cent of land shells is very small in comparison to the water shells. The absence of timber, the frequent overflowing of our water-courses, and the great number of swine running in the timbered sections, has liad a tendency to nearly destroy this interesting class of moUusks. The flora of Mercer and Henderson counties presents a study of very great interest to the botanist. Over 800 species have been iden- tified, including indigenous and introduced species, as existing in the two counties. The woody plants, including the trees, shrubs and woody climbers, number about 120 species. The filices or ferns, twelve species. The grasses, including the juncacese or rush family, and the cyperacese or sedge grass family, number 180 species. Among the ti'ue grasses may be found some of the most valuable and interesting species found in the United States, and a few of the most obnoxious kinds. It would be a pleasant task to present lists of some of the most interesting orders of our plants, but as the number is so great, it would be almost impossible to list them in a brief report like this. NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. The township of New Boston embraces congressional township 14 north, and ranges 5 and 6 west, extending to the Mississippi river. The eastern part is undulating and contains a depth and richness of soil unexcelled in the county. The western part of the township is level, containing a narrow strip of sandy soil, in some places almost destitute of vegetation ; between this strip and the undulating region of the east the bottom land is extremely fertile and produces heavy crops. The minerals, as far as known, are limited in kind and quantity, I)eing wholly comjirised in a stone quarry at the mouth of the Edwards NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 73 river. Tlie drainage is excellent. The swamp lands so common to some localities are almost wholly, wanting here. The Edwards river flows through the township, entering on section 1 and passing out on section 33. In the western part are several small lakes, of which Bald Eagle, Eliza and Swan lakes are the principal ones. The township is well supplied with timber in the eastern pait and along the river bot- tom, the kinds being oak, maple, walnut, sycamore, and similar decid- uous trees. The township has a somewhat interesting railroad history, to which we shall refer more fully farther on. The Galva and Keithsburg branch of the Qiicago, Burlington & Quincy enters the township on section 24 and takes a diagonal course to the town of Kew Boston, a branch running to Keithsburg from a j^oint on section 27, thereby giv- ing a southern outlet and southern connections. This, in brief, is a description of the town to-day, Avith its happy, inde23endent, self-reliant people. Let us turn back to earlier days and trace the work of the hardy pioneers, who bravely struggled to reclaim the land fi*om its native wildness, and plant here the institutions of the more favored east. To Mr. William Denison and his son John W. belong the honor of planting the first settlement in the township, as well as in the county. They were Pennsylvanians, and came directly fi'om Wayne county, Indiana, ha\dng previously lived for a short time in Ohio. They set- tled near the site of the present town of ]^ew Boston in 1827, and there lived in close and friendly relations with the Indians who at that time fi'equented the place. The \dcinity offered many attractions to the Indians in the shape of hunting and fishing ; and, indeed, at the pres- ent time it has more than a local celebrity in this I'espect. H. W. Denison, a son of John W. Denison, born in 1832, was the first white child born in Mercer county. He is still a resident of New Boston, as is also his mother. Let the reader pause here a moment and call to aid his imagination in picturing a settlement of this kind. On the one hand a boundless waste of prairie, covered with tall waving grass, which sinks and rises with a billowy motion, as far as the eye can reach. On the other hand the great Father of Waters, spread out in silent majesty, or lashed to fury by the untrammeled winds which sometimes sweep over the plains from the west. Here was to be found the savage in his native wildness. Here he smoked his j)ipe of peace or hallooed his wild war-dance. And here was started the first settlement of what was to be, at a future time, one of the myriads of fair towns that dot the broad State of Illinois. The elder Denison had several children besides John W. , mention- 74 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. ed above. Among them were Erastiis, James, Joseph, Ezra, Newton and Ehner. Tlie family of Denisons, indi\ddiiany and collectively, occupied the greater portion of the region bordering on the river, including what is now the town of New Boston. During the Black Hawk war of 1832, the Denisons left the county, but returned alter the close of hostilities. Their being enabled to leave the county uninjured was due wholly to the warning of fiiendly Indians. Tlie first of these warnings were not heeded, but at last those Indians with whom they were friendly came and told them that, as they seemed determined to stay and be killed, it was thought best to let the friendly Indians kill tliem decently. The family concluded that they would take an excursion in preference to stajdng at home, even though the staying would secure "decent" killing by their friends. The story is told that, after they had left, their Indian friends gathered up all the articles that had been left in the hurry and excitement of the occasion and placed them in the deserted cabin, marking the spot with such signs as would deter other marauding parties fi'om committing any dep- redations. These articles were found on the return of tlie family, all in good order and nothing missing. A detailed account of the dangers and narrow escapes is given elsewhere. Mr. Denison's recollections of the manners, customs and traits of the Indians in this \dcimty, are curious and interesting. Though exceedhigly cruel after the actual commencement of hostilities, they invariably abstained from any preliminary bloodshedding. Wlien Black Hawk was passing his warriors up the Mississippi, previous to the last campaign of 1832, he came ashore, stopped at Mr. Denison's house, partook of their hospitality, and guarded the house until the last canoe had passed up the river. Tliey were capable of the strongest sentiments of fi'iendship, and held in lasting remembrance any act of kindness, rewarding the same, sometimes, after the lapse of years. They were strictly honest with those whom they considered honest, and though the Denison family Hved among them for years they never suffered a loss from theft or other depredation committed by them. Immediately after the death of an Indian, the family and friends went into mourning for a length of time proportioned to the -dignity of the deceased, which continued day and night until the appointed time had expired. When the sick became conscious of approaching death, they usually selected their own burial place, which was located gener- ally on some commanding eminence, thus enabling the spirit to have a commanding view of the surrounding country, with its more or less busy scenes of warfare or fi-iendly intercourse. In burying the dead, a small amount of food was deposited with the body to last the spirit a NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 75 year. This was repeated until the relation of body and spirit was suj> posed to be totally severed ; usually till about the third year. A stran- ger was disposed of by being wi-apped in bark and hoisted among the branches of some commanding tree. From this fact doubtless arose the supposition that this style was a mode of burial among some of the ti'ibes. Black Hawk is described as a short, thick-set individual, who was the war chief, while his associate, Keokuk, was a peace chief. Although knowing the superior power of the whites, he made war relying on the help of the Great Spirit to sustain the right. He was taught by bitter ex])erience, as many another has been, the time when "right shall ti'iumph over might " is still in the future. From Mrs. Margaret Denison, widow of John W. Denison, who was one of the original settlers at the Upper Yellow Banks, we liave derived the following information, here given almost in her own words : William Denison, and his son John W. Denison, with their fam- ilies, came from Conners\dlle, Ind., to Springfield, 111., in 1826. In 1827 both families came to this county, arriving on the 20th of April, and made settlement at New Boston. They were the first white settlers in Mercer county. A week aftei-ward John Vannatta arrived and lo- cated his home on the present site of Keithsburg. His brother Benja- min came two or three years later to the same place. The Denisons pitched their home on the river bank, half a mile below New Boston, where they started and kept a wood yard for supplying steamboats. They lived opposite the old gra^-eyard. William Denison made a claim in that place, and John Denison took the present site of New Boston. Until the Black Hawk war they planted their garden close to where Dr. Willits' house stands, in rear of the Union hotel. The soil was a rich mold on which vegetables flourished ; but it was blown off by the winds, and is now only a bleak sand ridge. The Indians called this locality "Upper Yellow Banks." From the time of their settlement here till the spring of 1831. the Denisons lived in perfect peace with the Sacs and Foxes. Only occasionally did a Winnebago Indian show himself in these parts. The men of this tiibe were large, tall, broad-shouldered, and superior in stature to the Sacs and Foxes, and spoke a difterent dialect. The Indians dwelt here in great numbers. In the spring of 1831 the fi-iendly Indians, who belonged to Keo- kuk's band, told the whites at the Upper Yellow Banks that there was going to be war, and urged them to depart to a place of safety among their own people, or to go with them and they would secure them from harm. Keokuk was living on the Iowa river ; he said he tvas going to 76 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. build a town, and tried to persuade them to come to his settlement, promising to give them foil protection, but they declined to go, feeling that, if they must leave their homes, it would be better to be among their kindred race. The only settlers at this place at that time were the Denisons, and Daniel S. Witter and wdfe, and his liired man, named Twis't. A cap- tain coming down the river ti"om Rock Island brought word that an outbreak was imminent, and all these persons were taken on board his steamer and carried to Nauvoo. After a sojourn there of two months they returned, but found their com, which was up large enough to be cultivated when they went away, all destroyed, and not an ear was raised that jeav. Witter and Twist never came back. The latter had taken a claim and was cutting wood. Concerning the troubles of this year, it is recorded in the Atlas Map of Mercer county, that after the whites "had been moved to Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, the ti'iendly or 'pet' Indians assembled on the deserted premises, gathered up all the articles of their liiends that had been left in the hurry and excitement of the occasion, stored them safely away in the loft of the house, closed the doors securely, and put a mark upon them well understood by the tribes. Wlien the family returned home not an article was missing." Against this recreation of fancy stands the trustworthy statement of old Mother Denison, that they left behind a part of their movable effects, as dishes, books, soap, chairs, chickens, and that such goods as they could they buried ; but the despoilers carried off everything. Her lady's saddle was found with the plush covering taken oft" and the skirts cut into strips. Mrs. Denison complained to Keokuk of the loss of this, and when he went to St. Louis, he bought another and gave her. At that time there was not business enough on the upper Mississippi to call for a special class of boats. The ftn-nishing of wood to these boats was a considerable business. About $3 per cord was paid. The Denisons all conversed readily in the Indian language, having learned it after their settlement on the river. The Indians could talk but little in English. Early in 1832 a council of war was held at New Boston. This was attended by Black Hawk, Keokuk, and some 3,000 followers. Black Hawk came down the Mississippi, and Keokuk down the Iowa river, on which he was living. New Boston was a central point, and the general rendezvous on grave or mirthful occasions. The council was held on the site of the town, beneath some scattering trees. Tlie Denisons were present and heard the speeches of the two chiefs. Keokuk spoke first. His counsel was pacific. He told his people that a war with the NEW BOSTON TOAVNSHIP. 77 whites would be wasteful, hopeless, disastrous ; that they were as numerous as the trees of the Mississippi valley, and could not be con- quered. Black Hawk sullenly closed his ears with his fingers, and refused to hear what was said. He followed in a speech for war. He said the whites had stolen his land ; that his father was buried at Rock Island, and his desire was to be laid among his ancestors. These two men were strikingly dissimilar in personal appearance. Keokuk was large, of fine person, noble bearing, neat in dress, and went appareled like a white man, in fine blue broadcloth. Black Hawk was a heavy set man, not tidy like Keokuk, and wrapped his muscular form in his blanket, though sometimes he was seen to wear a coat. Once more the Denisons were urged by their red friends to aban- don their home. They were told that war was decided upon, and that to remain was to court certain death. They were on familiar and friendly terms with the savages, and their experiences of the year before did not make them hasty subjects of fright. When they asked why the war was not begun when threatened the first time, the Indians replied that they were not ready then ; that they submitted to the situ- ation to gain tiine ; but that they were now fully prepared for war. The Denisons hesitated about departing three or four days, and all the while the Indians showed a truly anxious interest in their safety and did not relax their exertions to induce them to go away to a white set- tlement. Keokuk, who was employing all his influence to prevent his followers from joining the war party, promised them protection if they would come and live with him. Appearing still to be determined not to forsake their homes, an Indian calling himself Captain Pepo, who seemed to have a solemn concern about their respectable extermination^ came to them and with all the fidelity of a fi-iend urged them to go, telling them that the young warriors who would come would roughly insult and barbarously murder and mutilate them, and that to save them from so painful and humiliating treatment, if they would not leave for a place of safety, ''he would come and kill them decently P"* After tliis, discovering moccasin tracks among their garden-beds, they concluded tliat the savages were prowling around, and thought it no longer safe to tarry in the neighborhood. They were living about half a mile down the river, where the woody ard was, and opposite where the graveyard now is. Taking most of their goods, they began their removal one morning, and went down to Pence's Fort, which consisted of some block-houses, and was situated four miles northeast of Oquawka. Having at the time nearly 150 cords of wood at the yard, the two sons of the senior Denison, William and Erastus, were left behind to 78 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. €ord up what was not piled, and to sell as mucli as they could to the steamboats. In the turn that affairs took, this wood was all lost. . A Frenchman by the name of Pentacosa, who called himself Coty, had a trading house at New Boston, and that evening the young Den- isons went up to stay with him. In the night the Indians surrounded the premises and assaulted the building ; the three inmates escaped by the back way, and gliding swiftly but cautiously down to the edge of the river, followed along precipitately under the bank, the Indians coming behmd and whooping with vengeance. The fleeing men waded the Edwards at the mouth, and then struck for Pope creek, at a point where it was spanned by a foot-log, five miles distant. At this point a dog in pursuit closed up witli them and Erastus Denison shot him. The Indians were last heard here, about a quarter of a mile back, and it is supposed they threw up the chase at the creek. The party con- tinued their flight apprehensive of pursuit until ' ' Coty " ga^-e out and was secreted by his companions in the tall grass, in a sink or basin. The two men now went forward as rapidly as the thxrkness of night would allow," and arrived at Pence's at two in tl.ie morning, ha^^ng accomplished the flight of sixteen miles since nightfall. At daylight the men at the stockade turned out to go for the Frenchman, and when he had been safely brought in they went up the river together in boats to the Upper Yellow Banks, and brought away all his goods from the trading post. Two squaws were found sitting in the house, having been stationed there to take care of the place and prevent its being despoiled. After peace was made and the families returned, the Indians affected to have much sport in telling the Denison boys that in their flight they made the brush crack as if they had been bucks. Not being satisfied with their confinement at the fort, the Denisons, a week later, went to Monmouth to stay. John Denison bought a house and a small piece of ground, and lived there through the summer. In the fall they came back to New Boston in time to put up hay for winter. William Denison returned to his old place on the river, but John went back two miles, where he made a ffirm. Mrs. Denison had three small children, and that fall she stayed alone with the children in her house a week, while her husband went back to Monmouth to get his corn and potatoes. Mother Denison was a brave woman and felt no alarm, though she heard the guns of the Indian hunters as they were fowling, and her husband's absence was prolonged several days beyond expectation: The same day that the Denisons left the Upper Yellow Banks, Benjamin Vannatta, who was living at Keithsburg, loaded up his goods NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 79 :at night and drove out on the prairie and remained in a low place, going from there next day to the fort. Just before hostilities ended a party of seven Indians penetrated the country as far as Little York, and creeping up on a young man named Martin, who was mowing on the prairie, all fired upon him at once and shot him dead. They aftei-ward said that they could have killed many more, but being acquainted with them, and having been fed and warmed by them, they were deterred from taking their lives. Unfortunately, Martin was a stranger who had never had the privilege of bestowing a favor. A company of rangers was raised that summer at Monmouth, and this command scoured the country between Oquawka, New Boston and Monmouth. A detachment of these was sent out after this prowl- ing band and pursued them so close that they threw away everything in their flight, and escaped across the Mississippi. When Black Hawk returned from his tour to Washington, he had the candor to tell his people that Keokuk was right in his estimate of the strength and number of the whites, and assured them that instead of being as numerous as the trees of the Mississippi valley they were as numberless as the trees and the leaves together. William Denison had a very handsome daughter by the name of Julia, about flfteen years old, for whom the savages conceived a great fancy and to buy whom they exhausted every means. Mother Den- ison cannot remember the offers that were made by her savage admirers, but thinks that they at one time brought thirty ponies. They came several times to urge a bargain. That young lady is now the wife of Judge Ephraim Gilmore, of Aledo. I^ancy Denison, daughter of John Denison (now Mrs. William Willett, of Keithsburg), was another white child whom the savages were bent on possessing, and several times attempted to kidnap. The squaws would pick her up and wrap her in a blanket, but before they could get away the vigilant watch dog would discover their movements, and assailing them furiously, compel them to leave her. They were often at the house, and by making much of her, and gi^^ng her presents, had artfully won her childish confidence so that she was greatly pleased at the prospect of going with them. She learned to converse in the Indian as early as in her own tongue. All the Indians drank whisky. When they went on a spree two or more kept sober to take care of the others. When any got trouble- some and ungovernable, these would bind them till they recovered themselves. Mrs. Denison is living in New Boston at the age of eighty. In 1833 Wm. Drury came to this vicinity and made a claim near 80 HISTORY OF 'MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the bluifs. At the first glance he felt convinced he had found "God's- country, " and he has never felt that he made a mistake in so estimating it. At that time there were but four distinct white families in the township. Very soon after this, as the richness of the soil became tested, set- tlers began to come in rapidly. At about the same time land specula- tors from the east also turned their attention to this locality. The inordinate cupidity of these speculators often involved them in bitter contests with the settlers. As soon as the lands were sui-veyed and came into market, the settlers, in order to compete more successfiilly with the speculators, were in the habit of forming a ring around the land office, and endeavoring to keep out the "land sharks, " as they were called, by physical strength. Nearly all the land sold in this locality, was sold from the government land office in Galena. The settlers usually ap- pointed some one person to attend the land sale and bid off the several lots upon which they had made claims. The settlements mere made principally along the river, the settlement of the upland country being regarded as an absurdity. In 1834 Wm. Wilson made a settlement. During this year the number of settlers increased so rapidly as to cause great inconvenience in some parts of the country on account of the great extent of territory embraced in the jurisdiction of Warren county. In September of this year, 1834, the town of New Boston was laid out (the first of any in the county). The land, as has been previous- ly stated, was owned originally by Wm. Denison. He sold out his claim, or two-thirds of it, to Elijah lies, of Springfield, and Edward Bur- rail, of Massachusetts. An honor attaches to it of more than usual importance from the fact that the surveying was done by Abraham Lincoln, the Martyr President of the United States. The site possessed peculiar natural advantages, and had been known as the upper Yellow Banks, the Lower Yellow Banks being located at Oquawka. To say that site was more favorable for a city than any other point for miles either way is certainly no discredit to the larger cities that have since been founded and hold populations largely in excess of New Boston. Situ- ated opposite the mouth of the Iowa river, which is a navigable stream for some distance ; located on high banks, without the inconvenience of bluffs in the rear ; with Sturgeon Bay as a safe and commodious har- bor ; a rich agricultural country surrounding it, and no large city with- in a great distance ; what more natural than to suppose it simply a question of time when it should be the city of the west ! The thought- ful reader will undoubtedly satisfy himself why these expectations were: not fulfilled as he peruses the subsequent history. NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 81 111 1835 the legislature passed an act erecting tlie new county of Mercer, and appointing New Boston as the tempoaiy county seat. By the provisions of the act an election was directed to be held on the first Monday in April, 1835, in the town of New Boston at the house of Eli Reynolds. Thirty seven votes were deposited for county officers. S. y. Prentiss located here during this year, as did also Mr. Ed. Drury and M. L. Willits. They are all living in the township at present and have been since their settlement here. About 1835 a school was organized at the blufl" about four miles east of New Boston. This was also the first school-house in Mercer countv. The first school teacher was the Hon. Geo. W. Julian, since that time almost countless numbers of teachers have been engaged in the work in the town ; but perhaps the most prominent and deserving of mention is the name of Simeon P. Smith. Hardly a man now living in the vicinity but knows personally or by hearsay of his good work as an educator. Of him Dr. Thomas Willitts says : "Among the aims and interests of human life, opening wide the avenues to independent thought " and efficient intellectuality is paramount, and he who has been successful as an educator, is most truly a benefactor. Having lived long, and been an interested observer of human pro- gress in many of its phases, I can most conscienciously say that no other instance has come under my notice in which so much was achieved in common schools in the same time (short or long) as was done by^ my friend Simeon L. Smith in the town of New Boston and vicinity (begining about forty years since), in awakening the latent possibilities of the infant mind. The causes and reasons for his singular and marked success in school were no doubt many ; perhaps some that were peculiar and purely intellectual. But he seemed to form a clear and correct judgment quickly of the capacity of each pupil, and of their home discipline, and was so intensely earnest himself tliat his feeling and action seemed contagious. He seemed to know just what a pupil could do, or should do, and was careful to know that it was done, or to requii-e a suitable reason why it was not. If one in a class failed, he seemed to know whether idleness or ina- bility was the cause, and promptly used the appropriate remedy. Even- ings, mornings, Saturdays ; indeed, any unoccupied time the class, or the pupil, or any number that he deemed required awakening aid, were called to the residence of some employer, his boarding place, or the school- house, where the appropriate exercises, instructions or questions were presented. Prompt and absolute obedience of every scholar seemed a prerequisite, and understanding every principle in the branches x'^ «• S2 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. taught himself, knew the cause of faihire or embarrassment, and lifted or led the pupil so gently into the light that he was impressed that he had found it himself Scholars thus energized went on and up to gi-eater and more successful eiforts, opening wider the way to greater at- tainments in the more advanced and progressive series of scholarly developements. Every pupil under his teaching for a few years is now ■easily distinguished from the mass in this, that they are good spellers, good readers, and prompt, ready and accurate mathematicians, all achieved by a thorough, clear, and logical mental analysis of tlie problem, ever making their own rules, and never committing those of another. Of his religious sentiments I can say that he was an admirer of puritanic rigidity in the observances of an ideal straight edge, as a guide in re- ligious and moral dut,ies. If not an apologist for its bigotry of the inspira- tional claim for or of the bible, he said or cared little, but ever observed, applauded and advocated the clearly marked moral duties as expressed by the life and precepts of Jesus, with little or no respect for the cere- monies and formalities of the churches, regarding them as figments ot ■catholicity that the world would be the better for losing. Johnson IS^oble settled in the township in this year, 1835. Mr. Ephraim Gilmore was the first assessor and treasurer, appointed April 13, 1835. He was also the first surveyor and first postmaster. The following settlements were made in 1836. John W. Ditto, who settled on S. E. J Sec. 27, having previously made the claim in March of the same year. His was the only house out on the prairie except Joseph Denison's on the S. W. ^ Sec. 34, which was built the same spring. John Denison was living in the timber out on the Edward's Flats, having settled there on his return after the Black Hawk war in the autumn of 1832. John Pratt, Milton L. Willits, Isaac Lutz, James M. Mannon, Gilbert Ives, and Harley Ives, also made settlements in this year. During this year a somewhat animated discussion arose in regard to the removal of the county seat. New Boston being situated at the ex- treme west of the county lacked a central location, an item of great im- portance in the days of horseback conveyances, and this fact was strongly urged as sufficient grounds for the removal of the county ofiices to a more accessible point. Those who favored its retention did so on the grounds that as New Boston was the town of the county, and always destined to be, so far as could be ascertained at that time, nothing could be more appropriate than to let the county seat remain. In 1837 the legislature enacted a law by which Wm. Mc.Murty, ot Knox county ; Thomas Spragins, of Jo. Da^dess ; and John S. Stephen- son, of Ogle, were appointed a commission to locate a permanent seat NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 85 of justice. The provisions of the act required that the proprietors of the place selected should donate to the county lots equal to at least twenty acres, the proceeds of the sale of which should be used in the erection of public buildings. The commissioners fixed the site at Millersburg on theKE. iSec. 3, T. 14, R 4. Dissatisfaction still existing, the question of its removal was agitated still further, iintil the legislature, in 1839, authorized an election to be held in April of that year, to decide its location by vote ; providing, however, that, if it resulted in locating it at New Boston, the proprietors "should donate not less than two acres of land and the sum of four thousand dollars in money," the money to be paid in four semi-annual installments. The effort was unsuccessful. The matter did not stop ; but, as the topic is a matter of county history, we we will return to our settlements of the year 1836 and 1837. Lots in New Boston were held at high figures in these earlier times, prices ranging from $200 to $700. The lot where the old "Druiy Warehouse" stands brought $900. James S. Thompson settled and commenced business in New Boston in 1836, and from that time until his death, 1868, was closely connected in public and private life with the welfare of the community. In 1837 John Kobeits, J. C. Sloan, N. N. Larrance and John Davas settled in the township. In 1838 Isaac Lutz came to this township, and began the erection of a grist mill on Edwards river, on section 1. Tliis mill has been kept up ever since, and is still running and doing good work. It belongs to some of the heirs of Isaac Lutz. Elias PuUen, E. A. Crapnell and Joseph Alyea, with their families, settled in the towhship in this year. Elias Pullen settled on section 9, E. A. Crapnell on section 14, and Joseph Alyea in town, which at that time contained twelve or fifteen buildings. This was four years after the survey and plat of the town was made ; and, although the town was laid out, only a small portion had been subdivided into lots. This, together with the fact that the majority of the proprietors were non-residents and held their property at high figures, partially accounts for the slow growth of the town. In 1839 Jacob Beard settled on section 9, and Charles and Christian Kader settled on section 27. Tlie settlements up to this time had been located mostly along the rivers Mississippi and Edwards ; but from this time forward the settlements increased rapidly in number and take a wider range. In 1840 Dr. Mark Willits settled in New Boston, the fii-st resident doctor of the place. He is still living in the town at tliis date, April, 1882, and has had S4: HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. a wide and extensive practice almost continually during his long sojourn in the county. Drs. Hereld, Shiner and Howey were early physicians. Mr. M. Poffenbarger settled in the town in 1840. In 1845 the first newspaper in tlie county was established at New Boston, under the name of the "New Boston Advertiser." The name and management were changed several times, being successive!}^ "The Yeoman of the Prairie Land," the "New Boston Broadhorn," "The Golden Age," "The New Boston Nonpareil," "The New Boston Ke- porter," and lastly, the "New Boston Herald," the last number of the latter being published in 1872, C. A. Ballard, editor. The township was organized'in 1852 ; and the first supervisor from New Boston was I. N. Bassett ; the first town clerk, Thomas Alyea ; the first justice, G. W. Warner. The following have been supervisors for the township : I. N. Bassett, one year ; Sidney Chidester, one year ; Amos Prouty, one year ; Wil- liam Drury, one year; John Eoberts, five years; D. J. Noble, two years ; Thomas Martin, four years ; Walter Pryne, one year ; William A. Wilson, twelve years. Mr. Wilson is supervisor at the present time. The following is a list of the town clerks : Thomas Alyea, one year ; B. Thomas, one year ; Isaiah Alyea, one year ; G. B. Tyler, one year ; Simeon Sheldon, one year ; J. E. Griflin, six years ; A. F. Waterman, two years ; D. T. Hindman, one year ; George Lytic, one year ; C. A. Ballard, three years ; K. S. Scudder, two years ; T. H. Doughty, eight years. The justices of the peace have been : G. W. Warner, sixteen years ; J. C. Swaftbrd, two years ; Amos Prouty, fourteen years ; John Sharp, four years ; C. W. Bras, twelve years ; W. C. Austin, eight years ; John Roberts, four years. The village of New Boston is situated on a part of sections 31 and 32. It received an addition, known as Turner's Addition, in 1856, and in 1859 was incorporated under a special charter, having at that time about YOO inhabitants. At the breaking out of the war in 1861, New Boston responded promptly to the call, and was always ready to aid the cause with men or money. To say there were none who sympathized with the South, would, of course, be an exaggeration ; but the town may justly feel proud of her war record. We give elsewhere a detailed history of company "G," 27th regiment. Tlie whole interest of the town, during the four years of this bloody struggle, seemed centered in the welfare of her "boys in blue" and the success of the Union forces. Shortly before the war, in May, 1859, the township held an election NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 85 to vote for or against a subscription of $18,000 to aid in the construc- tion of the Western Air Line railway. The bonds were voted, but the road was never completed. In June, 1868, another election was held to vote for or against a subscription of $18,000 to aid in the con- struction of the American Central Railway Company. One hundred and eighty-four (184) votes were polled for the subscription and three (3) against. The township bonds were to run ten years, bearing ten per cent interest. In June, 1879, the unpaid bonds were refunded at a lower rate of interest, and there now remains but $5,500 indebtedness against the township, a mere trifle when her magniflcent resources are taken into consideration. The village of New Boston voted bonds to the amount of $30,000, running twenty years and bearing seven per cent interest, for the same purpose. All these bonds were voted with the understanding that the road was to be extended to Fort Wayne, thus making connections with the eastern seaboard lines, and westward to Council Bluffs. The reac- tion in railroad speculation set in before the road was completed, and the company soon foimd themselves in want of capital, being finally compelled to sell the road to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road Company, by which company it is now owned and operated. Had the road been completed as projected, crossing the Mississippi at its present western terminus, there is hardly a doubt that New Boston would to-day have been one of the most thriving cities in the west. At the present time a new road is surveyed from Rock Island south- ward, crossing the Mississippi at or near New Boston, and making con- nections through to Kansas City. Should this road be completed, the future prospects of the town are indeed bright. SCHOOLS. The first school was held in a log cabin out at the blufl', and pre- sided over by the Hon. George W. Julian, in 1834 or 1835. The township was finally divided into eight districts, each supporting school for six or more months each year. The only graded school is the New Boston public school, it being divided into five departments. The first school-house built in the city district still stands in a rather dilapidated condition on lot 1, block 3. At the last census there were 517 school children in the township, disti'ict No. 5 furnishing 312. The religious sentiment of the people is quite diversified, a large number being in opposition to the orthodox church. Of the three or more church organizations, but one, the Methodist, supports a resident pastor. 86 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOCIETY. This society was organized in July, 1838, at the residence of Emily Burleigh, with the following members, viz : Joseph Alyea, Thorlea Alyea, Tliomas Alyea, Mary Alyea, Dr. Edmond Harrell, Butler, Emily Burleigh- — 7. New Boston at that time was in what was called the Mercer Mission. Tliere were so many appointments that the preacher was compelled to preach almost daily, ha\ing but two or three rest days in a month. The tu'st resident preacher was George Smith, who was pastor over the society. The first meetmgs of the class were held at the residence of Emily Burleigh, but after Joseph Alyea had built his house in the toAvn of New Boston, the meetings were moved to that point. Mr. Smith remained with the church but one year, and but little is remem- bered concerning him. Henry Summers was the presiding elder at the time of organization. The next year Thomas M. Kirkpatrick was the preacher in charge. This was about the year 1839, The preacher in those times had to be economical. He was allowed for that year, $75 for table ex]3enses, and $100 salary, and a trifle for ti-aveling exiDcnses. He also remained a year, and accomplished a good work. He was fol- lowed by Brothers McMurtry, Wilson and Burr. Brothers Doughty and Boss at this time were local preachers, and as the circuit was very large, most of the work devolved upon them. In 1866 the society built the parsonage on lots 7, 8 and 9, block 4, in Tliompson's addition. It cost about $1,500. The church building, in which the congregation lias since worshiped, was erected in 1876, on lots 2, 3 and 4, block 13, in Thompson's addition. At the time of its erection it was the best in the county, and it still remains one of the best. Its cost was nearly $6,000. The present board of trustees con- sists of T. H. Bras, J. T. Bell, E. Stevens, John Stevens, W. A. Wil- son, Eli Ci-aft and Thomas Alyea. The last named has been trustee, with the exception of one year, since 1845, and class leader thirty-four years. Three of the members of the first class, Emily Burleigh, Mary Willits and Thomas Alyea, are yet alive and members of the church, having been engaged in the good work forty-four years. Tlie present pastor of the church is Rev. G. B. Snedecker. The church, like most organizations of such long existence, has had its ups and downs, sometimes in the valley of humiliation and sometimes on the. mountain's top, as on the mount of transfiguration ; but always has its course been forward, and the good it has accomplished cannot be compared with anything in this world. Only eternity will reveal the amount of treasure gathered on earth and stored in tlie Master's gran- HON, FREDERICK FR I CK (deceased) NEW BOSTON TOWTS'SHIP, 89 -eries above. [To Mr. Thomas Alyea we are indebted for the notes from wliich the foregoing has been written. — Ed.] BAPTIST SOCIETY. The Baptist society was organized in 1844 by Ekler Hovej, with the following members, viz : "William Denison and wife, James Denison and wife, Harrison Smith and wife, M. Poft'enbai'ger and wife, E. A. Crapnell and "wdfe, William Crapnell, William Noble and wife, Mr. and Mrs. McChesnej, and Miss Williamson. In 1845 a church building was commenced on lot 5, block 13, and completed in 1848. Elder ITovej is described as a man of great mental powers, and one thorouglily in earnest in his work. Although a man well advanced in years at the time he began his labors in the place, he remained as resi- dent pastor for live years after its o*i"ganization. The building being situated on sandy foundation, was at length com- pletely undermined by the action of the wind, and fell down about 1859. The last resident pastor was Elder Brimhall, who remained a year or two. The society has had no resident pastor since 1851, but has kept up the organization, and also a Sunday school, holding meetings at present in the to^vn hall. It is hoped at some future time to see the scciety in a flourishing condition. PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY. This society was organized in February, 1857, mth the follomng members, viz : Mrs. Eva Nevius, Mrs. Joseph Kane, Mrs. M. J. Edwards, Mrs. Sarah Poftenbarger, Mrs. M. J. McLaughlin, Mr. G. W. Crabb. The first and only church building the society has had was begun about 1868. It is a large, commodious structure, and cost, when completed, $6,620.17. The first pastor was Kev. S. G. Hair. The church has had no resident pastor for some years, the last one being the Rev. William Gay. At the present writing, no meetings are held, but the society still keeps up its organization, and the few members left hope at some future time to see the church resume its old position, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD - FELLOWS. . In the latter part of the year 1855 a few members of the societj' of Odd-Fellows determined to establish a working lodge of the order in ''New Boston, and the following facts have been presented by M. Cham- berlin, D.D.G.M. : The mystic number (five) made Application for a dispensation. The Grand Master, by authority of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Illinois, issued a charter dated October 12, a.d. 6 90 HISTOEY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. 1855, granting the disj^ensation. Monday evening, November 20, A.D. 1855, a meeting was held with District Deputy Grand Master Kelley in the chair. Past Grand Sweeny acting as grand marshah By order of Grand Master Kelley, the grand marshal presented Charles H. Bell, M. M. Prentiss, John L. Hartson, Mark J. O'Brien and W. T. Power, who were dnly obligated, and the grand master declared the lodge duly instituted under the name and title of "JS^ew Boston Lodge, No. 188, I.O.O.R After election and installment of officers. Brothers J. C. Bell and Daniel Hines were admitted by card, H. W. Denison and B. Milliken were initiated, and J. S. Thompson petitioned for membership. The meeting was regularly held on Monday evening of each week. During the late rebellion the membership was reduced very nearly to the magic number, several brothers being enlisted as soldiers. The form of one now lies moldering away to kindred dust in southern soil — a tear to his memory. All credit is due to the few members who held their meetmgs, paid the capitation tax, and held their representa- tion in the Grand Lodge. Several lodges in the state became defunct during the war. After peace was again restored No. 188 increased in membership, and in October, 1865, the brothers were very arduous in their endeavors to secure a home for themselves. Cheerfully each brother donated to the building fund, and on the evening of May 21, 1866, the lodge met in their new hall, si^e 27x40 feet, lodge room carpeted and well fur- nished, and no one regrets the extra effort to secure a home, but with honest pride they can feel that they are beneath "the shadow of their own vine." The membership enrolled from organization up to April 1, 1882, is 178. The number of brothers buried by the lodge has been nine. The amount of relief paid, $1,456.40 (this amount was paid by the lodge and the members by individual donation). Charity abideth in the heart of every good and true Odd-Fellow. It is within the knowl- edge of members of our order that the relief extended by them, under their teachings, has been the means, under providence, of bringing within the church many who to-day would have been aliens from the household of faith. Many of the brothers cheerfully donated in honor to the Wiley monumeut fund ; also to the Lincoln monument fund, not forgetting oin* worthy and honorable G.R.S. ; to his memory, we have a name in the Ridgley Monument Fund. Of the members at the organization of our lodge, only one, Brother Daniel Hines, now holds a membership. Connected with the order is the Rebekah Degree. This degree associates the wives of Odd-Fellows with tliem in the high and NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 91 important work of "\asiting the sick, relieving the distressed, burying the dead, and educating the orphan, " ARCHER ENCAMPMENT No. 70, I.O.O.F. This is the liome of the patriarch, the evergreen retreat of Odd- Fellowship, supported by the three pillars of Faith, Hope and Charity, and here we have the tables of law, likewise the lesson as taught in the golden rule. A weary pilgrim can here find rest, eat at our table and drink of our pure water. Hospitality to the stranger is a pure prm- ciple within the heart of every true patriarch encampment. No. 70 was instituted December, 1866. The number of patriarchs em'olled up to April 1, 1882, was eighty-two. Several of the patriarchs, instituted a new encampment, others changed their residence, and like our subordinate lodge, the time came when there were but one or two more members than the original number ; but like the ancient Patriarch Abraham, the father of the faithful, our trust was in God, and to-day our tent is enlarged for the increase of membership. ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS. A dispensation and charter were issued to New Boston Lodge No. 59, in the latter part of 1848. The history from that time to 1853 is somewhat obscure, owing to the fact that in 1851 the records were burned ; also, all books, papers, furniture, etc. In 1852 a new dispensation was granted, and the following officers duly installed : John E. Willits, W.M.; George Ralston, S.W.; Wil- liam Wilson, Jr., J.W. ; Elias Willits, Treas. ; Daniel Winslow, Sec; E. J. Denison, S.D. ; M. Pofi'enbarger, J.D. ; Josiah Marfield, Tyler. In October, 1853, a new charter was issued and the following named individuals duly elected and installed as officers, viz : J. E. Denison, W.M.; E. Harrell, S.W.; A. Gingles, J.W.; R. Thomas, Treas.; G. W. Warner, Sec; Elias Willits, S.D. ; John Hoover, J.D. ; Josiah Maxfield, Tyler. The lodge has had a prosperous existence, and to-day is one of the strongest and most efficient in the state. The misfortune of losing the records by fire is more to be deplored, from the fact that the Grand Lodge of the state has also lost the records covering about the same facts. The lodge has always been noted for its activity, and during the somewhat lengthy period of its existence has had no serious dissen- sions. Something over 200 members have been admitted since the re- organization, and at present the membership is sixty-seven, with the following corps of officers : George Lytle, W.M. ; Ed. L. Willits^ 92 HISTORY OF irEECEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. S.W. ; A. Imber, J.W. ; John Fry, Treas. ; W. C. Austin, Sec. ; J. J. Mason, S.D. ; ]S^. W. Gibson, J.f). ; S. Swartwout, Tyler. BIOGRAPHICAL. Henry W. Denison was born in Mercer county, Illinois, March 16, 1832, being the iirst white child born in the county. His father, • John W. , together with his grandfather, William, formed the first set- tlement in the county, which was in the year 1827. He is the youngest child of Jolm W. and Margaret (Swaiibrd) Denison. His folks came overland mth teams from Wayne county, Indiana, with Indians on all sides of them, reaching Mercer county without losing any of their family. They ever afterward lived on friendly terms with the Indians. One of the Indian warriors once remarked that if they killed them they would do it easy, which meant that they would never do anything more than whip them. He has been mostly engaged in farnimg and stock- raising. His chances for obtaining an education were limited to what he could obtain from Simeon P. Smith, who taught his first school in Henry's father's kitchen. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows since the first organization of that society in Kew Boston. He was either the first or second one taken into the lodge. He does not know whether he or B. Milliken, of Yiola, was first, as the}^ both came in at the first meeting. He has held all the ofiices in his lodge at various times. He was always a democrat until 1872. From that time to the present he has been a "greenbacker." He was married to Miss Turana C. Moore, daughter of John S. and Hannah Moore. Mrs. Denison was born February 17th, 1841. They have had six children, in the following order : Carrie (dead), Sally (married to Herbert Good), Alice (married to John Fuller), Maggie (dead), Willie (dead), and Freddie. Stanton V. Prentiss, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, May 10, 1826, and is the fifth child of Stanton and Susannah (Brookheart) Prentiss. His parents came west and settled at Warsaw, in Hancock county, where they remained until 1833. While living at that point, they were often compelled to leave their farai, and fiee to Fort Edwards for safety from the Indians, as this was at the time when Black Hawk was making his raids up and down the Missis- sippi. In 1833 they came to Mercer county, where they have lived ever since, with the exception of a short time in Rock Island county, and two years spent in California. He has always been engaged in farm- ing and raising stock, the latter very extensively. During the period between 1852 and 1857, he also ran a dry goods and grocery store. His means of attaining an education were very limited ; however, he NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 93 « managed to get a common school education between the intervals of farming. He owns 1,000 acres of land on Bay Island, all in one body and nnder fence, forming the largest pasture in the county, and the largest body owned by any one person. In politics he has always been a republican. He was married to Miss Hannah E. Creveston in May, 1865. They have two children ; Park and Don. They are both living and at home with their parents. Mr. Prentiss' mother died in 1852 at New Boston, and his father in 1875. WiLLiiV^i Drury, the subject of this sketch, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, September 17, 1809, and removed to Wayne county in 1811, with his parents, where Mr. Drury remained until he attained the age of manhood. The family were subject to all the privations of pio- neer life as well as the alarms of savage warfare, and during the troubles in 1812 they often had to retreat to the block-houses for pro- tection.. Mr. Drury's education was limited to a common school, but he attained education enough to teach several terms of school before he came west. In 1833 Mr. Drury came to Illinois to look at the country, and for the lirst time saw real prairie land — quite a curiosity to one who has been reared in a wooded country. Mr. Drury determined to make this his home, made a selection, and in 183-1 returned and made a claim, and settled down at the foot of the blutis, near where he now resides. Through his influence several families came with him. So disgusted with things were they, that they threatened a dissolution of friendship with him if he did not desist in speaking in praise of the country. In 1840 Mr. Drury returned to Indiana, and was married, July 1, to Miss Yashti Lewis, daughter of Caleb and Polly (Willits) Lewis. Mrs. Drury's father served as a member of the legislature a number of times. Immediately after the organization of Mercer county in 1835, Mr. Drury was elected to All the office of county recorder a number of consecutive years. In 1836 he was elected county clerk, in conjunction with the former office. While holding these offices Mr. Drury furnished all his own stationery and met his office expenses out of his own private means. Li 1836 he commenced a small trade in dry goods and groceries in partnership with Levi Willits, nnder the firm name of Drury & Willits. Tliey furnished the people with all necessaries that were required. They bought pork, grain and other products, and shipped them to St. Louis. They did the first pork pack- ing in the comity. They continued business until 1848, when they sold out to Courtney Drury and James S. Thompson, who formed a partner- ship under the name of Thompson & Drury. Mr. Drury spent about a year, after the sale of his interest, in settling up his business, when, in 1850, he started a small cash store, which he conducted until 1853> 94 HISTORY OF MIERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. • when, on account of failing liealtli, he soki out his interest, and has since given his attention to the management of his large estate, and to the importation and raising of fine stock, and the banking business. In 1871, in partnership with other wealthy men of the county, he assisted in organizing a Fanner's Xational Bank, at Keithsburg, of which he is a large stockliolder and president. Mr. Drury says he has made it a practice all his life, that at the end of each year liis income shall be greater than his expenses. He thinks this accounts for his large estate, and not to any mental gift. This he would recommend to all young men staiting in life. Mr. Drury was among the first settlers of the coimt;^\ He was well acquainted with Black Hawk and Keokuk, the two noted Indian chiefs. Courtney Drury was born in Wa^Tie county. Indiana. November 23, 1820. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, \vith AVilliam AYillits and family, in the fall of 1 834. He remained ^vith them for some time, and then sold goods for the firm of Drury tfe AVillits. In 1842 he returned to his old home in Indiana, and went to school that fall and winter. He was married April 12, 1842, to Ruth AVillits, and removed to Mercer county, Illinois, in the fall of the same year. That winter he bought eighty acres of land, partly imjjroved. He sold his farm in the winter of 1845, and the follo^ving spring moved to the village of ISTew Boston, Mr. Drury lost his ^^•ife February, 1847. He then returned to the State of Indiana, and spent the most of that summer there ; then returned to ]S^ew Boston, and, with James S. Thompson, purchased the mercantile establishment of Drury (k AA^llits. The new :finn conducted the trade of tliis house for eight years, at the end of which time they sold out, and Mr. Drury bought land near the village of New Boston, which he improved, and has engaged in farming and «tock raising ever since. Mr. Drury has made a specialty of breeding fine horses, and has had some of the best stock ever kept or o^vned in ZMercer county. He has a passion for a fine horse, and gratifies it. "WiLLLv:^! A. AYiLSON, farmer, -v^as born in Shelby county, Indiana, August 1.S, 1831. The family removed to Mercer county in the fall of 1834, and settled in Eliza township. Mr. AVilson's education was limited to a common school, as in those early times the advantages offered were few and rude ; however, he acquired considerable of a "business education, especially in arithmetic, as that was a favorite study of his. "When twenty-two years of age he commenced farming for himself on a small scale. His father wanted him to take a horse when starting out, but he refused to do so ; but by persuasion he accepted a ten dollar biU. He rented three years, when he found he had money enough to buy eighty acres of land lying in New Boston NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 95 township. He lived with his brother-in-law, Richard Shields, and tilled his small farm until 1857, when he was married to Miss Kate Woodward, daughter of Joel and Keziah "Woodward. A year after his marriage he sold his farm for $2,500, and bought another in Mer- cer township for $3,500, where he lived until 1861. Mr. AVilson has always dealt considerably in live stock while farming. In 1861, in response to the country's call for troops, Mr. Wilson enlisted in the 102d Yol. Inf., and was elected second lieutenant of Company K, and before going into active service was promoted to first lieutenant. His first engagement with the enemy was at Gallatin, Tennessee, after which he was elected captain of his company by a unanimous vote. Keturning home from the war in 1864, he sold his farm in Mercer township for $7,000, and again bought a farm of 120 acres in 'New Boston township, which he has increased to 420 acres in IS^ew Boston township, and 402 acres in Eliza. They have had eleven children : Jay, Ed., Dick, Ressa, Gen. Phil. Sheridan, John S., Harvey, Louie, Grace, Bert. M. and Frank M, Grace and Louie are deceased. The rest are in good health and at home with their parents. Mr. Wilson's mother still sur^-ives at the age of eighty-seven, and is in good health. D. J. XoBLE is the ninth child of a family of twelve children. He was born May 1, 1818, in Fayette county, Indiana. His parents, Lewis and Elizabeth (Burgess) Xoble, came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1835, and settled on Sec. 16, in New Boston township, where they lived until their death. His father gave D. J. seventy acres of Sec. 16, and to this he added the N. W. i of Sec. 22 and the K E. I of Sec. 21. He has a large and commodious residence and is comfort- ably situated. Besides making a competency for himself he has helped each of his sons to a good home. He has the benefits of only a common school education, owing to the many disadvantages aftbrded in youth. He has been engaged in farming from boyhood up. He has always taken an active part in temperance, and has been a meni- I>er of the Methodist church since 1840. He has held all the oflices in his church at various times. In politics he has always been a republi- can. He was married July 5, 1840, to Miss Sally Rader, daughter of Abraham and Catharine Rader. She was born March 4, 1818. They have had ten children, nine of whom are li\-ing : Melissa, married to Frederick Fleming ; John N. , married to Mary HiH, and lives in Da- kota; Leroy, married to Miss Rachel Hollingsworth ; David L., dead ; Harvey, married to Miss Luella Bowden ; ]S"atlian, married to Miss Alida Pryne ; Sarah E., married to J. A. Goding ; Dora, mamed to Meh^ill Danford ; Robert, married to Miss lola Holingsworth, and James, who lives at home with his parents. 96 HISTORY OF jVEERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Melton L. Willits, farmer, son of Reuben and Mary Willits, was bom in Wayne county, Indiana, November 13, 1826. He came west .witli bis grandfather, Isaac Willits, in tbe spring of 1836, and settled in ]S"ew Boston township, where he has lived ever since, with the ex- ception of three years spent in California. He crossed the plains in the summer of 1850, and returned in the spring of 1853 to New Bos- ton, and started a lumber yard in partnership with Anderson Kirlin. They continued business until fall, when they dissolved, and Mr. Wil- lits started a grocery store, which he continued till the spring of 1854, when he traded his grocery in part payment on geventy-six acres of land five miles northeast of New Boston, where he has been engaged in farming ever since. He was married October 25, 1854, to Miss Sarah J. Kirlin. They have had ten children : Horace G., bom July 31, 1855 ; Mary L., December 23, 1856 ; Homer C, January 8, 185^8 ; Lavina H., March 25, 1859 ; Ehas M., December 13, 1860 ; William E., September 23, 1862 ; Minnie D., March 3, 1864 ; Frede- rick, June 22, 1866 ; Paith, November 6, 1867 ; Sarah J., February 8, 1869. His wafe died February 13, 1869 ; Mary L., October 31, 1857; Sarah J., Marcli 17, 1869 ; Ruth, August 26, 1869 ; Frederick, Jan- uary 5, 1873 ; William R., October 25, 1879. His oldest son, Horace G., married Miss Ida McGrew ; Clinton, to Miss Adda Ividdoo ; La- vina, to Levi Lewis. The other two remain at home with their father. Mr. Willits' education was limited in youth but improved by study in later life. He was one of the pupils of Simeon P. Smith, one of the first and best teachers of the county. His early youth was spent in farming until eighteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter's- trade, at which he worked for six years. He has always been an active temperance man. In politics he is a republican. He has at present 513 acres of Mercer county's best land situated in New Boston township. We cannot expect in a short sketch to do justice to onje who has re- sided in the county near forty six years, but glean a few facts iii which the readers of this work will feel a deep interest. Such a person is Jaivces M. Mannon, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, Septem- ber 16, 1823. He resided in his native state until thirteen years of age and th^n came west to Mercer county, and with his parents settled in Eliza township, where he lived until he attained the days of manhood. He took such chances as were offered in those early times for acquiring a common school education. By much reading and general study he has become well infonned on all the leading questions of the day. April 6, 1849, he was married to Miss Rebecca daughter of Patrick Shirkey. After bemg married some nine years, his companion was called away to- NEW BOSTON TO^\TSrSHIP. 9T the silent tomb, September 5, 1857. He married his present wife, Sarah J. Moore, January 6, 1859. She is a daughter of George and Jemima Moore, of New Boston township. Their children are Bertha. B., George M., James M., Levi E., and Charles N. Mrs. Mannon's grandfather, Robert Moore, served in the war of 1776 — and he and hi& two sons, Thomas and James, served in the war of 1812. Colonel Man- non started out in life as tiller of the soil which business he followed some fifteen years, when he was elected sheriff of Mercer county on tlie re- publican ticket. In 1858, after serving his term as sheriff, he was elected circuit clerk and county recorder, which positions he held for two years. In response to the call of the government for troops to put down the re- bellion of the southern states, he enlisted in the 102d 111. Vol. Inf., and was elected captain of company K, afterward major, and later, lieu- tenant colonel. He was in all of the fighting in Sherman's march to the sea coast, until the siege of Atlanta, when pressed by home interests he resigned and came home. Soon after joining his family he com- menced mercantile business in New Boston in partnership with Anthony Burdick under the firm name of Burdick and Mannon. They did a large business for some three years when Mr. Mannon purchased tlie interest of Mr. Burdick and continued the business two years longer. He then sold off his stock of goods and bought a farm five miles northeast of New Boston, where he resides at present, comfortably situated. He commenced his business life with only eighty dollars. Mr. Mannon has always been an active republican and taken considerable interest in advocating its principles, and canndng into effect the doctrines advo- cated by that party. John Pratt, butcher, was born m Union county, Indiana, in 1829. He is the oldest son of Begin and Mary (Long) Pratt. His parents came ' to Mercer county in 1836, and are therefore among the earliest settlers of the county. He was engaged in farming and carpentering until 1876, since which time he has been engaged in the butcher's trade. In 1869 he joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which body he has been a member ever since. He has held numerous oflices in his lodge at various times. Li politics he is a democrat. His' father lived in Mercer county until June 6, 1880, when he was called away to a bet- ter land. His mother is still living at the age of seventy-fi^'fe, and maintains good health. Of the representative men of Mercer county the name of none occupies a more honorable ]3lace in the list than that of Dr. Thojl\s WiLLiTs, of New Boston. He was a pioneer in his profession as well as a pioneer settler, and has been a practitioner fifty-six years. His nativity was in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1805. It was there 98 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. his parents, James and Amy (Allison) Willits, who had emigrated from Pennsylvania, were married. At the age of twenty he started ont from home with the design of going to St. Louis, but stopped at Montezuma, Parke county, Indiana, where he began the practice of medicine. In three or four years he returned to his fatlier's home, which had meantime been removed to Richmond, Indiana. He remained there till 1837, and then came west and settled in Warren, now Hen- derson, county, this state, on the line between that and Mercer. There he entered 500 acres of land, which property is now known as the Mickey farm. Having enclosed a large tract, he gave his attention for a few years to raising stock for market ; but after hauling to New Boston he could obtain only $1.50 per hundred for the hind quarters of neat animals and $1 for fore quarters, while pork brought but $1.25, all in store pay, and corn could not be sold at any price. Not pleased with this state of tilings, in 1840 he decided to quit farming, and moved to New Boston and continued his practice. In 1850 he was elected a representative to the legislature from Mercer county and served one term. While a member of that body the charter for the Illinois Central railroad was passed, and he made a strenuous but futile effort to fix the percentage which the company should be obliged to pay into the state treasury at ten per cent of their gross earnings, instead of seven. The doctor voted first for president for John Quincy Adams, but fell into line with the opposite party in the Jackson cam- . paign of 1828, and since that time has been an old school democrat. In controversy he has upheld the principles of his party, but never with hope of oflice or aspiration for it. With the exception of a division of the Sons of Temperance, which he organized in New Boston, he has not been connected with any of the secret orders which are now so com- mon. To the extent that his example could give force to his convictions, he has encouraged the temperance cause, and under no circumstances could he ever have fallen to such depths of humiliation as to counte- nance or tolerate drunkenness or any patronage of the rum tratfic. Dr. Willits was married in early life to Mrs. Catherine Libby, formerly Miss Ainsworth, and five children were the fruits of this union. The eldest, Elmira, died in infancy ; Leroy lives in New Boston township ; Yiola,' who was the wife of Russell Scudder, died over twenty years ago ; Celeste is now Mrs. William A. Anderson, of Chicago ; and Kate is the wife of Thomas Manning of the same city. We regret our ina- bility to give a more extended notice of one who has figured so largely in the useful aftairs of this locality, and who, by universal consent, has been of so much service and benefit to the public at large as Dr. Willits. A man of liberal education and correct understanding, whose NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 99 Ijnowledge covers a wide range, Mercer county lias never had a better type of tlie old school practitioner and gentleman than he. As a con- versationalist he is tluent, entertaining and instructive, with pleasing powers of description. Jacob H. Swofford was born in Henry county, Indiana, April 8, 1829. His parents were born in Kortli Carolina. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, August 10, 1837. He was a common laborer for a time, and then learned the printing business, which he followed for ten years. Since leaving off the printing business he has engaged in various avocations. He was married November 16, 1854, to Annie, daughter of John and Mary Shuff. They are the parents of •eleven children, eight of whom are living. The family have resided in the village of New Boston for man}- years. Hakley Ives, farmer, was born in Connecticut, January 15, 1803. He is the third child of Caleb and Sarah (Booth) Ives. He came over- land, and settled near Oquawka, in Henderson county, in 1836, where be lived two years, when he moved to Mercer county, and settled one mile east of New Boston, where he has lived ever since. During the early part of his life he was engaged in farming, and working at the cooper trade, being the first cooper in the county. In 1827 he was married to Miss Ruth Ives, daughter of Gideon and Charlotte (Hall) Ives. They have had five children born to them : Gilbert H., who is married to Miss Mary A Scudder, a daughter of Ennis Scudder ; Mar- tha W., dead ; Gideon, at home with his parents; Emery K., married to Miss Mary E. Hartsock ; Caroline, married to John W. Histed. Mrs. Ives has always been a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Ives has always been an active temperance man. In politics he is a demo- crat. At ])resent, Mr. Ives is seventy-nine years of age and in splen- did health and very active. Financially he is in good circumstances. Thomas Alyea, druggist, was born at Miamitown, Ohio, Septem- ber 21, 1821. His father, Joseph Alyea, from New Jersey, was three times married. By his first wife he had two children ; by his second, Margaret Love, mother of our subject, four were born ; and by the last, eight : three sons and five daughters. The family moved from Mr. Alyea's birthplace to Fairfield, Franklin county, Indiana, where his mother died when he was eight years old. In 1838 a second removal brought them to New Boston where Mr. Alyea has resided continuously until the present time. In 1845 he went to Mount Morris Seminary in Ogle county and attended school there one year. He was the second vender of drugs in New Boston, and opened in 1853 the iirst exclusive drug store, which he has conducted since. From 1847 to 1853 he was selling dry goods, and from 1854 till now he has been 100 HISTORY OF MEECEK AND HENDEESON COUNTIES. engaged in tlie ice business. On the 28tli of June, 1849, he was mar- ried to Miss Sarah A. , daughter of John and Amelia C. Signor. The same year he was elected county surveyor, and held that office one teniL of two years. He still devotes a little attention to surveying, and has in his possession the old field notes procured by Judge Gilmore nearly fifty years ago. He was the first town clerk after the adoption of town- ship organization, and has filled the same position in the town of Kew Boston. A leading member of the Methodist church for many years, he has held official connection in the responsible positions of trustee thirty years, class-leader twenty-five years, and sexton, recording steward and Sunday school superintendent, also, for long periods. He was the first treasurer of the American Bible Society in this county.. He has shown himself active and useful in the temperance movement, and has belonged to about all the organizations in !New Boston. He- was bred politically in the whig party, and cast his first vote for Henry^ Clay in 1811. He has maintained his fidelity to the republican party since its organization. Mr. and Mrs. Alyea have been the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are dead. The survivors are : Thomas Edmund, a physician, living at Princeville ; Willard Hem-y, Florence Luella, and Lilv Belle. Sidney Chidstee, farmer, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, April 1, 1816. He is the fourth child of Hezekiah and Lyda Chidster. He worked with his father at the carpenter's trade until twenty-two- years of age, when he came west and settled in Mercer county, where he has lived ever since. Being one of the early settlers of the county, he had to endure all the hardships connected with pioneer life. His edu- cation was limited to a common school course. In politics Mr. Chidster had always been a republican until 1875, when he joined the party known as the greenback party, of which he has since been a member. He was elected school trustee in 18-45, and served twenty-five years consec- utively. In 1847 he was elected justice of the peace, and served three years. In 1849 he was elected county associate justice for the term of three years. He was the first supervisor of Xew Boston township, and served as chairman of that board. In later years, he has served ten years as township collector. He has always been an active temperance man. In March, 1842, he was married to Miss Rachel Stewart, daughter of William and Nancy Stewart. She was born m Trumbull county, Ohio, August 10, 1823. They have had three children : Wil- liam and Lyda, who are at home, and Rachel, who is married to Milton F. Weeden. August 10, 1853, Mr. Chidster was called to mourn the^ loss of his beloved wife. Henky H. Robeets, lumber merchant, was born in England,. NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP. 101 August 11, 1819. He is next to the youngest child of James and Elizabeth Roberts, who came to America in 1828, landing at Boston, Massachusetts, where they lived until 1836. Mr. Roberts lived in Indiana two years before coming to Mercer county. He built a card- ing machine in New Boston township, which was the first in the county. This he ran for two years, when he removed to Eliza township, entered 120 acres of land and bought eighty acres more, and went to farming. He remained in this business until 1856, when he went to New Boston and built a large three-story brick carriage and wagon factory in part- nership with Joe Graham, forming the firm of Graham & Roberts. They continued business until 1860, when Mr. Roberts bought Graham If ^!< JAMES HEATON. KEITHSBUKG TOWNSHIP. 179 Miss Emilj D., daugliter of John M. Nicholson, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, February 18, 1833. In 1853 he peraia- nently located in Keithsburg and engaged in the livery business, following the same thrrmgh life. He died at St. Anthony's Falls, Minnesota, August 1, 1868, where he had gone with a view of improv- ing his health. While there he was accompanied by his wife who brought back his remains to Keithsburg for interment. Besides an affectionate and sori*owing wife, he left two living children. Two are deceased. The two living are John M. and Mary J. The former, born October 20, 1855, was married November 24, 1880, to Miss Mol- lie E. Cummins, a daughter of T. S. Cummins, Esq. Me died Janu- ary 18, 1880, of consumption. Mr. Wade's only surviving child, Mary J., was born in Keithsburg, January 13, 1861, and is living with her mother, and by the pleasant sunshine of her presence renders home very happy and agreeable. Mr. Wade's mother died in Keiths- burg, January 20, 1882, and was at tlie time of her death the oldest person living in the town. Among the few early settlers of Keithsburg township still remain- ing we find Mr. Ben.tajvon L. Haedin. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, April 29, 1818, and is a son of Tliomas and Polly Wilson Hardin. He was raised on a farm witli only the advantages of a pioneer log cabin school, but where he enjoyed the means of fully developing his muscular powers in the tall tiriiber of Indiana. December 24, 1840, he married Miss Minerva, daughter of James Gibson, Esq., of Indianapolis, Indiana, and the next year emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled near where he now (1882) lives in the township of Keithsburg. After his first settlement in the new country he realized tlie lack of religious worship and soon engaged the services of a Methodist preacher to hold meetings at his cabin, which was continued till a more suitable place could be provided. Sufiice it say that to his energy and untiring zeal is largely due the prosperity of the church in this township. Mr. Hardin has reared a family of nine children, all living : William, now farming in Iowa ; Joseph W. , now farming in Iowa ; James A. , also farming in Iowa ; John P., at home ; Alvis, on a farm in Keithsburg ; Thomas, Lava, Perry and Frank, at home. Mr. Hardin's farm of 360 acres is located in Sees. 11 and 12, T. 13, K. 5. Among the early settlers wlio came to Mercer county, Plinois, may be mentioned the name of William S. EivrERSON, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 15, 1822. He is the fourth child of Edward and Sarah (Swaford) Emerson, living with his parents until twenty-two years of age, when he commenced farming for himself on 11 180 HISTOKY OF MEROEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. a small scale, in which business he has been engaged ever since, having accumulated considerable property, 160 acres in section 11, ninety acres in section 10, and forty-eight acres in section 10 of the new survey. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, during the year of 1844, leaving his parents and his native state for the purpose of securing him a home in the valley of the Mississippi, where so many have accumulated wealth from its fertile soil. November 13, 1845, he was married to Delila Hurst, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, February 15, 1828. They have had seven children, five of whom are living and two dead : Edward L. was born August 18, 1846 ; William E., February 10, 1850 ; Francis M., May 8, 1852 ; Lynden, August 19, 1857 ; Thomas H., April 16, 1861 ; Nettie F., October 22, 1865 ; Ida May, June 25, 1870. Edward L. is married to Miss Ella Gailey, and is at present practicing medicine in New Windsor, Mercer county. Lynden is married to Miss Emma Wirt, and is engaged in farming. Francis M. and Nettie are dead. Thomas and Ida remain at home with their parents. In politics Mr. Emerson has always been a republican. He has been a member of the Christian church since twenty-two years of age. Heney G. Calhoun, fourth in a family of ten children, by Thomas and Jane (Gray) Calhoun, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 31, 1820. He was reared on his father's farm, obtained a common school education, learned the cooper's trade, and after working at that three or four winters took up with carpentering. In 1844 he left the home of his childhood and embarking at Wheeling came by river to Keithsburg, landing here on the tiftli of April. He worked three years at carpentry, and meantime, June 10, 1846, was married to Miss Sarah J. Brown, who died ten months afterward, leaving twin daughters, one of which lived a year, while the other, Sarah Jane, is yet li%ang and is the wife of William S. McCormick, of Oliio Grove township. From 1847 to 1849 Mr. Calhoun was clerking for Messrs. Noble & Gayle. After that he was in the employ of Abram Rife for some time, and while engaged with him was married again to Mi's. Julia A. Hubbell, November 29, 1849. In October of the same year he opened the Calhoun house and conducted it over two years, and in the same time he improved a farm of eighty acres near the town. In 1853 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace and was appointed deputy recorder, and also held the appointment of notary public. He was thus engaged in public business for eight years. September 30, 1861, he enlisted in company G, 30th 111. Vol., and was elected and connnissioned first lieutenant of his comjtany. He was taken prisoner September 1, ls62, at Brittain's Lane, Temiessee, and having been KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP. 181 paroled on the 16tli he resigned and came home broken do^vn in health. iSince that time he has been yariously engaged in building, clerking, book-keeping and canvassing. Mr. Calhoun is prominent in the JVIasonic order. In December, 1850, he was made a Mason in Robert Eurns Lodge, No. 113, A.F.A.M., and hi October, 1851, he took the chapter degrees in Horeb Chapter, No. 4, R.A.M., at Knox^'ille, and in June, 1880, the degrees in Galesburg Commandery, No. 8. He has iilled all the offices in the lodge and the chapter, and has been a repre- sentative to the grand lodge at two different periods, first in .1856 and at a subsequent time four consecutive years, in each of which last he held the appointment of district deputy grand master. He was also a member of one of the standing committees seven or eight years from the expiration of his service as representative. Mr. Calhoun was -originally a whig. On the dissolution of that party he, with the Hon. •John S. Thompson, was the first to take active measures looking toward the organization of the republican party in Keithsburg township, and he is still as ardent as ever for the success of the same party. By his second marriage he has two daughters : Josephine Louisa and Augusta Belle. The latter is the wife of C. A. Mertz. Jacob Wolfe was born in the State of Maryland, near Harper's Perry, October 10, 1792. His parents moved to the State of Ohio in 1798 and settled twelve miles south of Dayton, near Germantown. May Yount, his wife, was born in the State of North Carolina May 9, 1797, near the Shallow Ford on the Yadkin river. Her parents iremoved to Ohio and settled in the same neighborhood. They were married in the State of Ohio in 1814, moved to Indiana in 1822, and raised a family of nine children. The mother died October 19, 1838, ^nd the father August 23, 1881. W. Wolfe, son of the above, was born in the State of Ohio, July 22, 1816, and his wife, Rebecca Marlatt, in the State of Virginia, November 14, 1810. They were married in Wayne county Octr>ber 19, 1839. In 1844 they moved to Mercer county, Illinois, landing here on the 23d of October. At that time there was but one house on what w^as called the Prairie road froni Henderson Grove to the bluff, and that was a small frame. There was then only a track where the horses walked, and prairie grass was as high as the horses' backs. There were then only a few families in the bottom, and not a house could be seen from the bluff to Iveithsbui-g. At that time there was not what could be properly called a house where Keithsburg now is. He says the first time he was in town he saw Bill Brewer shooting ducks where now stands the Birch building^ owned by T. B. Cabeen and occupied as a drug store. There was then ■only one small frame house ])artly finished and sided half way up. 182 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The town improved, and built up smartly in a short time. He recollects being present at the first triol of any importance that was had in the place. The newly-elected justice, by the name of Garner, was the court. The parties to tlie suit were G. Mossman, plaintitf, and I. Lakey and I. Eaynolds, defendants. The attorneys were B. C. Taliaferro, for the plaintitf, and C. M. Harris, of Oquawka, for the defendants. In the course of the trial there was some trouble as to the admissibility of some evidence. The attorneys argued their points before the court. Wlien one of them would get through, the court would admit the evidence. Then the other attorney would make a speech showing the case in a different light, when the court would exclude the e\ddence. It went on so for some time, when the attorneys as well as the court became much excited and one of the attorneys used some pretty short talk. The court then said "he'd be d d, if he did not shut up, heVl fine him for contempt." The legal man told the court to "fine and be d d, for the court wouldn't have sense enough to collect the fine." He says New Boston was a town when he came here. He went over to see the town and the Mississippi. There was quite a crowd there, and every man carried a gun and was followed by one or more dogs. Most of the men wore the coon-skin cap with the tail hanging down the back. After Mr. Wolfe had been here some time he thought he would look around some and see the country. He was anxious to see some timber. These bluffs were com- paratively bare of timber at that time. The first growth had been cut oft', and he was told of Sugar Grove, north of Aledo, wdiich was repre- sented as nice timber as heart could wish, so he sti'uck out for the grove. On the road to this settlement were then the cabins of H. Riggs, Eb. Cresswell and N. Edwards. The last named is north of the road and is still standing. Another was unoccupied. At the grove he found the Millers, and they were anxious to sell out. They had the Oregon fever badly, but he did not like the location. Mr. Wolfe finally bought in the bottom where he now lives. Prominent among the young business men of this town, who have by industry and good management succeeded in making a pleasant home and building up a prosperous business, may be mentioned Mr. Joseph Venable. He was born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, April 2, 1843. In 1856, in company with his mother and her family, he em- barked on the sailing vessel New Australia for America. Soon after their arrival they settled in Mercer county, Illinois. At the age of twenty he commenced work as an apprentice with Mr. Charles Clark, in the shop he now owns, and in which lie keeps six steady workmen and is turning out a superior class of wagons, carriages and other farm KEITHSBrRG TOWNSHIP. 183 machinery. ]S"ovember 16, 1865, lie was niarried to Miss Sarah Kremer, a native of Pennsylvania. They have a family of three chil- dren, Frederick L. , Harry C. and Joseph C. He is a member of Mercer Lodge, No. 210, I.O.O.F., and also of the encampment. The Xoble Fajviily. — Mrs. Harriet W. Xoble, who is the widow of James A. jS^oble, was born in Danville, Columbia county, Pennsyl- vania, September 22, 1830. She is the daughter of Frederick and Nancy A. Frick. She was married to Mr. Noble June 26, 1849. They had born to them seven children (Alice F. and Harry F. dead). The livdng are Kate A., Ida J., Hattie N., James L. and M. Adella. Kate, the eldest child, is postmistress at Keithsburg, and has served in that capacity for about twelve years, and it may not be out of place to say, in this connection, that in every particular she has been a model officer. The ability with which Miss Noble has tilled her important place of trust proves, beyond the possibility of a doubt, that woman is qualiiied as well as man to hold positions of responsibility. Hattie has been deputy postmistress for a good many years, and slie, also, in connection with another lady, carries on a millinery establishment. Tlie home of Mrs. Noble and family is a pleasant and desirable one. Mr. Noble died March 3, 1862, which placed the responsibility of rearing their family of small children upon the mother, and the result proves that she was equal to the emergency. Mrs. Noble is a member of the Pres- byterian church. Among the business men of Mercer county none occupies a more truly honorable position than Wiilliajvi Gayle. The thoughtless masses bestow hasty credit upon men who have only climbed the hill of fortune ; but it may be necessary to pass down the sharp declivity on the other side, in the face of all who know them, to discover the pro- portion of pure gold in their characters. Mr. Gayle is a conspicuous example of that class who have trod the wine-press of business pros- perity and adversity, and whose rugged qualities of integrity and fortitude have been proven by severe trial. He is a native of Frank- fort. Kentucky, where he was born August 16, 1819. of parents descended from purely English ancestry, that settled in this country prior to the Revolution. In the autumn of 1845 he formed a partner- ship with James A. Noble, with whom he had been co-clerk in Louisville, and this tirm of Noble S: Gayle brought a stock goods at once to Oquawka and opened out in trade. The following spring they divided their business, and Mr. Gayle came to Keithsburg with half their stock and began selling goods on the first day of May. This shortly proved to be a superior location, and the next tall the senior partner came here from (3quaw^ka and the business was consolidated 184 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. in this place. Earlj in 1850 Mr. Noble withdrew, and his place wa& taken by Mr. Gayle's brotlier-in-law, K. H. Alvis, of Henderson, Kentucky, who was a partner two years. Before his retirement,, B. F. Wilson, who had been clerking in the house a number of years, .was given a small interest and continued with Mr. Gayle until the crash of 185Y, when the latter failed with assets five-fold greater than; his liabilities'. The exceeding stringency of aftairs caused his com- plete financial ruin. Declining all otfers of assistance, he at once engaged in clerking, first in St. Louis and afterward in Keithsburg,. and was so employed until 1871 when lie again started in trade on his own account, and is now firmly established and doing a large business. in grain, flour, coal, lime and cement. Mr. Gayle was liberally educated, chiefly under the private tuition of his father, George Gayle, who was a scholar of scientific and classical attainments. He is a man who enjoys an unconscious exaltation in being always kind and accommodating to all men. September 7, 1851, he was married to. Miss Margaret A. Ungles, who has been the mother of ten children by this marriage, four of whom are living. xVllen F. Glover, tailor, oldest child of Silas and Mary (Rob- ertson) Glover, is a native of Abbeville, South Carolina, where he was born June 17, 18'23. At the age of ten he emigrated with his father's family to ( )hio. At Fairhaven he learned the tailor's trade, and in 1842 he left the state and the following year settled at Oquawka. In the spring of 18-I-0 he removed to Keithsburg, and next year was married to Miss Sarah L., youngest daughter of Jesse and Christinia Brewer. Her birthplace was Wayne county, Indiana, where she was. born in 1827. Her parents were originally from North Carolina, and came to tliis county in 1835 and settled on the farm now owned by Solomon Wolf, nortlieast of Keithsburg. This wife died without issue in 1850, and three years afterward he was married a second time to Miss Minerva Catlin, who bore him six children and died in 1873. In 1854: Mr. Glover removed to A¥isconsin, staying there two years. During some eighteen years after his return he was tending grocery store as clerk ; since that time he has worked at his trade. About eight years ago lie united with the Methodist church and is now one of the stewards. He has been a member of Mercer Lodge, No. 210, I.O.O.F. ; he has passed all the chairs and been representative to the grand lodge. In 1864 he was "raised'"' in Eobert Burns Lodge, No. 113, A.F.A.M., and has been Secretary of that lodge since. Ho has been elected to the otfices of assessor and justice of the peace ; the latter proving distasteful he resigned it. He affiliates politically with the republicans. His children have been Irene, who died at the KEITHSBURG TOAVNSHIP. 185 age of nineeten ; Emma ; Ida, now Mrs. Seth Chandler ; Cliarlie, George, and Bell (dead). John Heaton was born at Xenia, Oliio, ISTovember 2, 1804. His father was John, son of Jonah Heaton of Bryant's Station, Kentucky, who was from Connecticut, and who, history says, made the first gun ever manufactured in the former state. Jonah's son John was edu- cated by his uncle Daniel, and was a prominent man in his county, holding the office of county commissioner and justice of the peace for twenty-two consecutive years. James Heaton worked at and thor- oughly learned the trade of his father, that of a blacksmith and gun- smith. In the spring of 1826 (May 25), he was married to Miss Nancy Henry, daughter of William Henry, who was a first cousin to Patrick Henry, of Virginia. It may be proper here to state that while Patrick was a democrat of the Jefferson school, William was a federalist and did not sympathize with him as his descendants have done. Mrs. Heaton is . a woman of great practical ability and native good sense, who believes that the patent of r^al royalty belongs to those wlio do right and live by industry. They have lived a long and useful life. Fifty-six years have they passed together, and in this time reared a large family of children : John, of Red Bluff, California, the eldest, and William Henry, the second child, now of Keithsburg, being the only sons of six born to them now living. George died in Texas at the age of forty-three ; James at the age of eleven ; Chauncy, when eight months old ; and his twin brother Oliver at the same age. Their six daughters are all living. These are : Sarah Salisbury, at Ped Oak, Iowa ; Maria Adair, in Hutchinson county, Dakota ; Marienne Phares, at Keithsburg (with whom Mr. and Mrs. Heaton make their home) ; Margaret Hanna, at Fort Scott, Kansas ; Mattie Hanna, at Oquawka ; and Sippie Wolff, at Clarinda, Iowa. Mr. Heaton was a great lover of stock, and when first married fenced a tract of 3,000 acres on the head of the Little Miami river in Clark county, Ohio, where he kept in pasture several thousand head of cattle. In 1836 he came to Edgar county, Illinois, and engaged in business. In 1842 he moved to the New Purchase in Iowa. In the fall of 1843 he came to Henderson county, Illinois, opposite the then small town of Bur- lington. In the spring of that year he settled on a farm on the Elli- son, in Warren county, and the same season bought the farm where the toAvn of Ellison now stands. In the fall of 1848, wanting better facilities for schooling his children, lie came to Keithsburg, where he lived till the spring of 1852, when he moved to Bald Blufi". There he and his boys made a large farm and gratified tluit old love of stock by raising cattle, hogs and horses. In 1868 William went to Abingdon, 186 HISTOKY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Knox county, and tlie next year George went to Texas. It was then that he gave np the farm and moved to Keithsburg, where he now has a pleasant home and varies his exercise every day "vvith a walk down towTi. He is perhaps the best known man in the county. He has always lived a quiet, unassuming life, has worked hard and aimed to deal fairly with all who have had intercourse with him. He is in religion a predestinarian Baptist, in politics a democrat, havmg cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson in 1828, and adhered to that school ever since. Like most of the early settlers, Mr. Heaton's home was the abode of hospitality, and friend or stranger who came his way was alike welcome to share its refreshments. In his old age he still I'etains his love of society, and enjoys recounting the incidents and adventures of the past. This worthy couple are never haj^pier than when their house is full of their children and grandchildren, of whom they have a great number. From youth to asie this wedded pair Have journeyed on together — Not always gentle was tlie wind, Nor always bland the weather ; Yet few and light have been their cares, And light and few their crosses, And God has shown his pitying face Amid their griefs and losses. Oh, sore the travel and the toil To reach the ro^^eate i)resent. Had no att'ection cheered the way And made the journey pleasant. What if the cheek has lost its bloom. The eye its olden lustre — AVhat if the locks are thinned and blanched Which on the temples cluster — Still hope is fresh and hearts are young. And love is unabated, And men and angels hail to-day The married and the mated. The loveliest thing on earth is love, The loveliest and the purest ; The dearest thing on earth is love, The dearest and the surest ; And not alone is heavenly sweet The honey of its kisses : The very tears of love are sweet. Its very pangs are blisses ; And they who love with love the best, The fondest and the strongest — Love with the loveliest love of all — Are thev who love the longest. KEITHSBUEG TOAVNSHIP. 187 Ah ! Love's dear veterans well deserve Our greetin.Lrs and our praises, Since where we looked for Winter's snows They point to Sprinp:'s sweet daisies ; Since, when the sea is smooth and fair, Or black the tide is flowing, Through all the voyage of the years They keep their fond hearts glowing ; Since, though the frame may show the trace Of many a blight and fever, The teeming vineyards of the soul Are fresh and green as ever ; Since, through the long sweet married days Their faith and fervor proving, They make a noble thing of life, A godlike thing of loving. Oh, happy, true and honored pair! Oh, ever leal and loyal ! We pay you willing court to-day, For love has made you royal ! All gentle thoughts and hopes are yours. All wishes sweet and tender — What richer tributes can we bring, What worthier homage render? God's cherubs still your steps attend, His peace your fond hearts strengthen, As o'er the sky above your heads The evening shadows lengthen ; And when the night comes on, at last, And brings its welcome slumber, Sweet angels from the wondrous host Which none may name or number, Shall lead your still united souls Through shining arch and portal. To gardens fair and pastures green. Where love shall be immortal ! Jerome A. Swezy, deceased, was born in Goshen, Orange county, New York, August 15, 1815. He removed to Quincy, Illinois, in an €arlj day, and was there married to Miss Mary J. Atkinson October 12, 1813. He removed to Oquawka in 1816, where he engaged in merchandising |till 1850, when he started on an overland trip to Cali- fornia taking with him two four-horse teams and tweh-e men. He remained in California till the following December, when he started home via the Isthmus, on a passenger steamer. At Grenada, Central America, he was taken down with a severe fever and remained there till the following June. When he reached his home he was still in feeble health, and with a view to improving it, went with his wife 188 . HISTORY OF FIERCER A^'D HENDERSON COUNTIES. to his boyhood liome in Xew York. In 1852, having regained his health, he returned and settled in Keithsburg. During his thirty years residence here, he was in business as book-keeper, shipper, lumber and real estate dealer. He died March 26, 1882. His wife and six children survive him. The latter are: Emma, wife of C. T. Combs; Jessie C. ; Somerville E., wife of H. C. Cook, whose biography follows ; Hattie E. ; Georgia A. ;■ and Huber. Heney Chalmers Cook was born in McConnellsburg, Pennsyh'ania, February 7, 1856, where he grew to manhood. He served an appren- ticeship of three years in the office of the "Fulton Republican" at McConnellsburg. In 1876 he came to Illinois and for three years worked at his trade of printer at Princeton. In the spring of 1879 he- came to Keithsburg, where he engaged as foreman in the ""News" office for W. H. Heaton. In June, 1881, he formed a partnership with R. "Wolfe and started the ' ' Keithsburg Times. '' In December follow- ing he sold his interest to his partner and returned to his fonner place in the "]Srews" office. August 19, 1880, he was united in marriage ■v\nth Miss Swezy. They have one child, Michael Jerome, born September 14, 1881. William D. Reynolds, stock dealer, was born in Pennsylvania, September 14, 1841. His parents, William C. and Catharine A. (Tiger) Reynolds, removed to Mercer county in 1846, and settled in Ohio Grove township, where they early became identified with the affairs of the county. Mr. Reynolds, Sr., remained here till the spring of 1882. when he sold out and went to reside with his daughter in Iowa. Young William received his education at the pioneer schools of this county's early history, as well as a thorough knowledge of farm labor. In 1861 he responded to the President's call for men to pre- serve the honor of their country's flag and became a member of com-^ pany A. 30th reg. 111. Vol. Inf During the service he was t^nce wounded, first at Belmont, Missouri, and afterward at Fort Donelson, and was soon after discharged on account of disability. He was married February 11, 1869, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Lewis and Maria Sponsler, a native of Pennsylvania, who^ came to Mercer county in 1860. They are the parents of six cliildren living: Maud E., Qara A., Lora E. (died March 22, 1882), Lewis G., Guss, Glenn, and Lucy. Mr. Re^Tiolds is now a resident of the town of Keithsburg, but expects to remove to his farm of 160 acres in Edwards county, Kansas. John J. Hawkins, retired farmer, was born in Bath county, Ken- tucky, September 7, 1829, and is the sou of Thomas and Malinda Hawkins. In 1847 they came to Illinois and settled in Abington town- KKITHSi;rK(T ToWNSHII'. 181> ship, Mercer county, where he engaged in farming. December 1, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Maria E., daughter of Russell "Wordin, Esq., an early settler of Mercer county. She was born in the State of New York, June 7, 1831. They are the parents of tln-ee children, as follows : Lucy, wife of Mr. A. P. AVinslow, who is a conductor on the Central Pacilic railroad and resides at Ogden. Utah ; Alvis T., and Albert D., on the farm near Keithsburg. They are both members of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Hawkins is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113, Illinois C'liapter, No. IT, and Gales- burg Commandery, No. 8. A few years after his marriage Mr. Hawkins removed to the north part of Henderson county, where he lived till 1878, when he took up his residence in Keithsburg. By hard work and honest industry he has accumulated, besides his town property, 466 acres of farming land. Edward Ott, blacksmith, was born in Henderson county, Illinois, March 23, 181-8, and was left an orphan when about eleven years old. In December, 1862, when but a little over fourteen years of age, he enlisted in the war for the L^nion as a member of the 12th Illinois cavalry and followed the fortunes of war till May, 1866. On returning home he engaged in the butcher business, but soon after turned his attention to learning the trade of blacksmitli and permanently located in Keithsburg. February 26, 1875, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Hall, of Henderson county, Illinois. They have two children : Mary C. and William C. Thomas Marlatt, retired farmer, was born in Wavne countv, Indiana, September 12, 1824. His father was a farmer and reared his children !o that hardy and honorable occupation. Mr. Marlatt obtained such an education as the common schools of his boyhood days aftbrded. At the age of twenty-one he began for himself at farming. In 1849 he came to Mercer county, where he permanently located and engaged in farming and stock raising. February 2, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline, daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Ellis) Dryden. Slie was born in Highland county, Ohio,. September 4, 1834, and came to Mercer county in 1853. They are the parents of Alta I., Adella Y., Jessie F., and two children deceased. On August 17, 1870, Mr. Marlatt met with a painful mis- fortune, this being no less than the instant loss of his eyesight, caused by a kick in his face from a mule. The following year he gave up farming and took up his residence in Keithsburg, where he is now (1882) enjoying the comforts of a very pleasant home. Early in life he became a member of the United Brethren church ; in 1853 was licensed to preach, and is now a member of Illinois annual conference. 190 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. His parents are of English and German ancestry, and were born in Burkley county, Virginia. The father, Thomas Marlatt, was born in April, 1792, and the mother, Miss Elizabeth Bellar, in 1799. They reared a family of twelye children : seyen sons and fiye daughters. In 1823 they remoyed to Wayne county, Indiana, where they resided till the time of their death after a life of industry and usefulness. He died in March, 1877, and she in March, 1875. They were consistent mem- bers of the United Brethren church. Thomas S. Cummins, justice of the peace, notary, and insurance agent, Iveithsburg, was born February 23, 1836, in ISTew Concord, Muskingum county, Ohio, and was the son of Dayid R. and Sarah (Speer) Cummins. In 1851 the family sold their home and embarked at AVIieeling, Virginia, and came by riyer transportation to Keiths- burg, arriving in ^April. They liyed that summer in Ohio Groye township, where Mr. Cummins had an uncle, Richard Cummins, who had emigi-ated as early as 1836 and was one of the first settlers. Most of the family fell sick of the ague, and getting dissatisfied with the country, returned in the fall to Ohio. They remained there but two weeks, wlien they turned their faces again to the west and came to Granyille, Putnam county, Blinois. Next summer their experience with ague was repeated, and when autunm came they were so much disheartened by the gloomy situation and prospect that they went back again to their old home in Ohio, where they remained till 1851. That year they came to Keithsburg, this time by team, and Mr. Cummins has liyed in Mercer county since. He was engaged from that time till 1866 as warehouseman and shipping clerk. From that year till 1873 he was constable ; he was then elected justice of the 'peace and has held the ofiice continuously until this time. He has been notary public since 1871 ; township clerk since 1873, excepting in the year 1877, and yillage clerk the last two years. In 1871 he began doing an insurance business, and now represents the Home company of New York. His marriage with Miss Martha Knight was celebrated September 3, 1857. Their two daughters are Mary Etta and Maggie Belle. The former is the widow of John M. Wade, recently deceased ; she and her mother are communicants in tlie Methodist church. Mr. Cummins has always taken much interest in local politics and is a liberal-minded ■democrat. Auyis Hardin was born in Mercer county, Illinois, September 20, 1852. He is the son of B. F. and Minerya Hardin. He was married to Miss Nettie Doak January 1, 1882. Mrs. Hardin is the daughter of Matthew and Sarali A. Doak. Mr. Hardin is a farmer. KEITHSBUEG TOAVNSHIV. 191 In the fall of 1S53 Ciiaklp:s J. Soepson came from Ohio and perma- nently located in the village of Keithsbiirg, where he now enjoys the comforts of a pleasant home. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, Feb. ruary 22, 1823. He is a son of Aaron and Hannah (Smith) Simpson, who were natives of New Jersey, and are of Scotch and English ances- try. He was bred a farmer. May 2, 1841:, he married Barbara, daughter of John and Dorothea (Mowen) Beaver. She was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1827. In 1860 Mr. Simi> son began the practice of veterinai-y surgery in which he has had good success. They have four children, Laura, Daniel A., who has a brilliant war record, William B., and Pauline G. wife of E. Loosley. Mr. Simp- son is a member of the I.O.O.F., lodge No. 210. John Dl"nk, butcher, was born in Pennsylvania February 1, 1814, and is a son of Amos and Catherine (Cameron) Dunn. In 1853 he with his parents embarked on the steamer New York at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for Keithsburg, Illinois, and made the entire trip without change. They at once went to Ohio Grove township where they pur- chased a farm and began to make a home for themselves. They first camped out till they could build a cabin. Here John grew up to man- hood with but little means of obtaining an education. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company G, l02d 111. Vol. Inf., and for the next three years devoted his time in the defense of his country's flag. At the battle of Kesacca, Georgia, he was wounded in the hips and was placed in the hospital for treatment, from which he was discharged June 22, 1865, and returned to Keithsburg. March 21, 1867, he was imited in mar- riage to Miss Maria McPherren, who was born in Suez township, Mercer county, March 1, 1843. They are the parents of Catharine R., Amos D., and Thomas, and three deceased. After his marriage Mr. Dunn en- gaged in farming, but on account of his wound disabling him for farm labor he abandoned forming and bought an interest in a coal mine and five years later sold out and came to Keithsburg, where he still resides engaged in the butcher business. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., lodge No. 210. BoBERT C. Humbert, merchant, is a son of Emanuel and Frances (McReynolds) Humbert ; was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, Jan- uary 26, 1831 ; removed with his parents to Fountain county, Indiana, when about three years of age, where at the age of sixteen he became an apprentice as bricklayer and plasterer. In 1853 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and engaged in working at his trade in Keithsburg till 1857, when he became a merchant in the dry goods line, following the business till 1864. At that time Mr. -Humbert arranged to go west as far as Montana. His object was partly speculative but more particularly 192 HISTORY OF MEKCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. for the benefit of an invalid brother-in-law, George Gore, who was suf- fering with that dreaded disease consumption, who while there regained his health. On their way out they purchased a stock of goods which they afterward lost, being attacked by Indians and robbed. The next year Mr. Humbert returned to his home in Keithsburg where he has since had a continuous residence, except three years spent on his faym in Henderson county. ]S"ovember 26, 1857, Mr. Humbert was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of Philip -Gore, Esq., an early settler of this county. She was born in Maryland, January -31, 18B9. They are the j^arents of seven children: Harry P., George C, Edward E., James F. , Fannie D. , Bart G. , and Pobert R. Mr. Humbert is a mem- ber of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113, Illinois Chapter, No. 17, and Galesburg Commandary, No. 8. John C. Humphrey, harness maker, is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and was born February 12, 1827. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of his native state. In 1854 he made a trip to California, where he remained nearly three years. Soon after his return home he came to Keithsburg, and in company with Mr. Samuel Evans, engaged in the business he now follows. September 2, 1858, he married Miss Amanda, daughter of Jacob Wolf, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, who with her j^arents came to Illinois in 1856. They are the parents of eight children: Mary, Harry W., Willis M., Ida, Ernest L., Mark J., Edward F., and Eva B. Clarence S. Frick, grain dealer, is a son of Benjamin P. and Annie E. (Stewart) Frick, who are well known and prominently con- nected in this county. He was born in Columbia county, Pennsyh'ania, January 2, 1848, and came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1855, with his parents. His education was principally obtained in Keithsburg, though he attended several terms of high school in Monmouth, Illinois. In 1872 he engaged in merchandising and grain buying in Keithsburg under the firm name of C. A. Frick & Bros. He was also for a time connected with the Farmers' National Bank, of this j^lace, as book- keeper. In 1881 he began his present business of buying and shipping grain. February 2, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Ellett, a daughter of Benjamin D. and Orjjha (Myers) Ellett, early settlers of Keithsburg. They have one child, George Henry, born February 17, 1879. Mr. Frick is a member of Mercer Lodge, No. 210, LO.O.F. Captain Wycolf 's father was born in Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1793, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife was a Miss Susan Peairs. Soon after his marriage he removed to KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP. ' 193 Muskingum county, Ohio, where he reared a family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters. He died in 1857, and his old and hon- ored wife is still (1882) living at her old home in Ohio. Our subject. Captain J. P. Wycoff, is eldest son and second child. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, September 18, 1819, and was reared on the farm with but limited educational advantages. December 23. 181:0, he was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Davis, of the same county. Her parents were Samuel and Mary (Geyer) Davis, who were also natives of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The year after his mar- riage Mr. Wycoif removed to Allen county, near Fort Wayne*, Indiana, and settled in the tall timber, and there hewed out for himself a home on land previously entered by his father. In 1855 he bought a farm in Sec. 11, T. 13, R. 5, Keithsburg township, and in 1856 sold his home in Indiana and moved to his new home, which he has since built up to be one of the most pleasant in the county, and contains 260 acres. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in company G, 102d reg. 111. Vol. Inf., to which he was at once elected captain, but in December of the same year was forced to resign on account of sickness. Mr. Wycolf has been a member of the Presbyterian church since the age of seventeen and an elder for the past thirty years. He has one son (an only child), Albert P., born January 1, 1842. His means for ob- taining an education were quite limited, but by extensive reading, and being a close observer, he has gained a good business education. October 17, 1861, he was married to Miss Myra, daughter of George and Nancy (Maxfield) Jay. She was born in Mercer county, Illinois, November 29, 1843, and is one of this county's literary ladies. They have a family of three interesting children: Earl J., Lura D., and Ethlin Fern. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church ^nd take an active part in its affairs. To the S(jldier who dared death that a great nation with all its legitimate institutions might live, not only belongs praise, but the . gratitude of a whole people. The pages of future history will not shine with examples of generalshijj alone, but the captain, liis subordinates and privates, who fought in the thickest carnage, will lend their light to future heroes. Captain David M. Holsted, son of David and Nancy (xlllshaver) Hoisted, was born in Oneida county, New York, July 10, 1832. He resided on a farm till fifteen years of age, receiving a common school education. He early engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1850 he became foreman of the Cleve- land A: Ohio Railroad Construction Company, and soon after became a contractor. In 1856 he came to Illinois. In 1861, when war's cruel tongue called for soldiery, he, in company with Col. R. G. 194 " HISTOEY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Ingersoll, recruited the lltli reg. 111. cavalry, Col. Ingersoll receiving- the command. In 1882 Mr. Hoisted aided in raising the 85th reg. 111. Vol. Inf., whose commander was Col. Moore. Mr. Hoisted volun- teered as 1st lieutenant. For heroic conduct at the battle of Stone river, Gov. Yates commissioned him captain. At the battle of Chick- amauga he was wounded, necessitating his resignation. For four months he was unable to feed himself; for one year he was imable to step up six inches high, and disabled for work a year longer. After regaining his health he resumed contracting, this time on the Toledo, P6oria & Warsaw railroad. In 1873 he came to Keithsburg, and, in company with J. K. Hornish, contracted to build the Keiths- burg & Eastern narrow-gauge railroad, wdiicli, on account of the financial crash of 1873, is yet unbuilt. In 18.57 he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and now holds his mem- bership in Mason Lodge, 143. He is also a member of the encamp- ment at Keithsburg, and a member of the Order of the Red Cross organization of Faiiiield, Iowa. Mr. Hoisted was married March 28, 1849, to Miss Eveline L., daughter of Orrin Fen ton, Esq., of Cleve- land, Ohio. They have one child living. Miss Lottie. Hugh Saqth Scott, farmer, was born in "Washington county, Vir- ginia, July 20, 1807, and is the son of Samuel and Jane (Hutton) Scott. He was reared a farmer. His education was received in the pioneer schools of Virginia. September 18, 1828, a few months after obtaining majority he was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of James and Jane (Clark) Lion, also a native of the same county. Soon after marriage they emigrated to Indiana, and settled in Fountain county, remaining there until 1856. In that year they again removed, this time to find a final resting place in Mercer county, where he settled on a farm previously purchased of Mr. Gavle. While a resident of Indiana, in 1845, Mr. Scott's fi'iends put him forward as a candidate on the democratic ticket for representative in the state legislature, to which office he was elected by a large majority. As an evidence of his popularity, the township in which he resided, that usually gave a democratic majority of about 80, gave him the compliment of 144 majority. Fie was also twice elected county assessor and once county collector of Fountain county. He has also held numerous other offices of honor and trust, among which have been that of supervisor of Keithsburg township, and also of justice of the peace for eight years. He has been prominently identified with the Methodist church of Keithsburg since his residence here. Of his large family, Samuel, Jane, wife of Robert Campbell, of Fountain county, Indiana, Lilburn J. S. BROKAW KEITHSBUEG TOWNSHIP. 197 "S., Angeline T., Julia C., wife of C. Dryden, Howard and Florilla, ^ife of William Stewart, are living. Susan is deceased. Samuel Scott, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Hugh S. and 'Sarah (Lion) Scott. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, November 21, 1829, and was reared principally at farming. He received the best education obtainable in the early schools of his native «tate. Early in life he made clerking his business for tive years, and spent two years in the state auditor's ofhce at IndianajDolis. In 1855 he came to Mercer county and engaged in farming, making that his permanent business. October 1, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E., daughter of John McH. and Margaret (Cramer) Wilson, a native of Michigan, who came to Mercer county when .about •six months old. She was born August 26, 1836. They are the parents of tive children, viz: Ctuv C, Edgar S., Carrie W., John McH. , and Hugh M. Mr. Scott is a member of the masonic fraternit}^ and holds his membership in Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113. He is a live, energetic business man, and one whom it would be well for our young men to pattern after. Mr. C. S. Orth, who was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in 1835, educated at Franklin and Marshall colleges, at Mercersburg, in the same state, emigrated to Iowa City in 1857 ; came the next year to Keithsburg where he located in general merchandising in com- pany with N. B. Cox. In 1862 the latter was replaced by J. P. Reed, who died in 1866 ; afterward Mr. Orth continued in the same line •of trade with M. A. Weaver as partner, and in 1877 he closed up his business in the place. He is now in trade at Bedford and Clarinda, Iowa, but his family reside in Keithsburg. He has been closely iden- tified with the history and devotedly attached to tlie interests of this place since he settled here, and a public-spirited supporter of every worthy undertaking. He was president of the town board one year, and for seven years from 1874 was a director of the public school, a position in which he won credit and popularity for very efficient and acknowledged valuable services. In the railroad questions which have agitated the people of this section, he has taken a full share of interest and exhibited his well-known vigilance and activity. He has some- times directed his infiuence and energies against these as well as other enterprises, and time has generally confirmed his judgment and fore- sight. His marriage W'ith Miss Fanny M., daughter of Abram B. Sheriif, a pioneer settler of Mercer county, took place in 1863. They are the parents of eight living children. George W. Whiting, boot and shoe dealer, was born in Cam- bridgeshire, England, September 27, 1831, and was the eldest son of 12 198 HISTORY OF IMERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. William and Sarah (Gothard) AVhitiiig. His father was a native of Iladnam, England, where he was born June 12, 1814, and his mother was born in the same place June IT, 1815. This couple was joined in marriage May 11, 1833. In 1837 the family emigrated to the United States, in the sailing vessel Xeptune, and having settled at Lockport, New York, Mr. Whiting's father began manufacturing boots and shoes in a small way. By close attention to his trade his business grew into a large manufacturing house in which, after a few years, he employed from thirty to forty men. In 1854 he lost his property by fire, and in October of the same year he brought his family to Mercer county, where he arrived on the 23d of the month. He settled in Keithsburg and died in this place September 26, 1879. His wife preceded him to her final rest January 18, 1877. The subject of this notice remained at home with his father and learned the shoe- maker's trade. In March, 1855, he also came to Keithsburg with liia newly-married wife, and at once engaged in the boot and shoe trade, which he has built up to its present prosperous condition. His. marriage with Miss Sarah A. Wilson occurred in Lockport, New York, September 7. 1854. She was born at Saratoga May 1, 1835. Mr. Wliiting ranks with the foremost and most public spirited men of hia township, and his family is justly esteemed for their social qualities and literary tastes. William L. Range is a son of Cliristian and Louisa (Block) Range, and was born and reared a Hessian, in what is now a province of Prussia. His father was a baker bA' trade, and he was reared to that business. His education was principally obtained in the common, schools. September 24, 1858, he was married to Miss Caroline Nagle, a native of the same place. On the 4th of October following they left their native home to seek one in America, and after a perilous voyage of three months on the sailing vessel Aristiezer, landed in New York January 4, 1859. During their last four weeks on the sea they were reduced almost to a point of starvation, the ship having gone out of her course during the terrible storms that prevailed in the early part of the voyage. After landing in New York they at once came on to Rock Island, Illinois, wdiere they remained about one year, when they came to Mercer county, and soon after permanently located in Keithsburg and established a bakery and restaurant, making the same their business through life. They are the parents of five children : Karl A. W. C, Lewis W., Emma A., Eda L., and AVilliam F. They are members of the Lutheran Church of Rock Island, where the older ones of the. children have been sent to be educated and confirmed. KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP. 199 Mr. Kange was born November 24, 1834, and Mrs Range December 19, 1832. He is a member of Mercer Lodge, Xo. 210, I.O.O.F. Dr. Samuel Kelley, physician and surgeon, is a native of New Jersey, though lie was reared in Ohio, his parents moving to Cincinnati when he was quite young. He was born February 17, 1812, and at the age of about twenty began the study of law at Lexington, Ken- tucky, and was admitted to the bar at Lafayette, Lidiana, where he had read law for nine months with Hon. John Petit and Hon. Godlove Orth, in 1841. After practicing law a short time he turned his atten- tion to the study of medicine, which he successfully practiced in Ohio and Indiana, the last twelve years prior to 1859 being spent in the latter state. In Fountain county he was united in marriage with Miss Frances E., daughter of Mr. David Parrott, September 6, 1849. In 1859 Dr. Kelley came to Mercer county, Illinois, where he has con- tinued in the practice of his profession, and has been a citizen of Keithsburg, where he is enjo}ang the society of his many warm friends. He has one son, Wilber, born in Fountain county, Indiana, October 27, 1858. He is a graduate of the Physicians and Surgeons Medical College of Keokuk, Iowa, where he received his diploma February 28, 1882. According to well authenticated tradition the Campbells were Scotch Highlanders connected with the House of Argyle. During the period of religious persecution they fled to the north of Ireland where John Campbell was born, reared and married, and where to him his children were born. In the spring of 1849 he with his wife Catherine (McKee) emigrated to the United States, sailing in the Gerti'ude. After landing on the American shores they at once came on to Illinois, settlmg in Rock Island, where Mr. Campbell died from sun stroke in 1851. Mrs. Campbell died in 1857, leaving a family of eight children. Hugh Campbell, the eldest son, was born in county Down, Ireland, April 7. 1831. Soon after settling in Rock Island he became an apprentice to a wagon and carriage maker. After completing the trade in 1860 he came to Keithsburg with a view of following his trade in this place, which, however, was abandoned at tlie outbreak of the rebellion in 1861, when he enlisted in company I, 17th 111. Vol. Inf. After following the fortunes of war three years and going safely through a number of hard fought battles he was honorably discharged and returned to Keithsburg, where he permanently settled and engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages. October 3, 1867, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary C. Ball, widow of Lieut. L. T. Ball, of- company H, 84th 111. Yol. Inf., killed in the late war Deceniber 31, 1862. Mr. Campbell has been for a number of vears a member of the eitv council, and his 200 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. good judement and thoroiigli business principles have won for him many warm friends. Two other sons of John Campbell, John and Will- iam, are extensive farmers of Otoe county, Nebraska, the latter of whom was elected in 1881 state senator on the republican ticket. Samuel was killed at Atlanta, Georgia. Alexander's sketch appears elsewhere in this work. There were also three daughters : Mary, widow of William Collins ; Elizabeth, widow of William Walker, who is now the mother of eight sons ; and Jane, wife of Samuel Warnock. The first two are now residents of Nebraska, the last of Kansas. Their father was born August 14, 1799, and their grandfather, Hugh Camp- bell, September 22, 1755. Charles A. Mertz, lumber dealer, was born in the kingdom of Bavaria, January 30, 1844. His father died when he was four years old, and in 1854 the widowed mother, taking her little family, came to America in the sailing vessel Magdalin, and settled in Rochester, New York. After a short residence there they went to Wisconsin. In 1861 our subject returned to New York, and in January, 1853, enlisted in company G, 159tli N. Y. Vols., being a recruit in that regiment. The first considerable battle in which he was a partici- pant was that of the Wilderness ; then followed in ra])id succession Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Paumunky Eiver, Cold Harbor, and the battle in front of Petersburg, up to August 25th, in all of which he was engaged. On the last date he was captured at Reams' station on the Weldon railroad with 2,600 others. He was confined first at Petersburg, then removed to Libby prison, and from there to Belle Isle. In the last two places he spent three months. He was taken next to Salisbury, where he remained till February, 1865, when there began a general perambulation of prisoners in that region of the Con- federacy on account of the movements of Gen. Sherman's army. From Salisbury he went to Columbia and stayed there two weeks ; then about as much time was passed in Cliarleston ; a stop of a few days was made in Raleigh ; and then the detatchment went on to Jamestown, North Carolina, where Mr. Mertz and eight others made their successful escape from a camp of 8,000 by wading neck deep in water past the rebel sentinel and swimming the rest of the way for a mile. From thence his progress to the Union lines was a repetition of the experience of every escaped prisoner : he was fed and piloted by negroes, and he hid and wandered about in racking fear and anxiety for three long weeks, and traveled 240 miles when the squad struck the 16th N. Y. cavalry in the neighborhood of Burkesville Junction, Virginia. When Mr. Mertz was captured he weighed 165 pounds ; when he got back into the Union camp his weight was 98 pounds. His prison life forms a chapter KEITHSBUKG TOWNSHIP. 201 of thnlling experiences and terrible sufferings, while he was the helpless witness of the most atrocious diabolism in the treatment of Union prisoners that ever blackened the page of human history. Wlien the 159th was mustered out in May, 1865, Mr. Mertz was transferred to company H, lOtli N. Y. Inf., in which he completed his term of service and was discharged at New York city in August following. He came directly to Mercer county, but shortly after went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania and stayed a little while, after which he went west in the employ of the Union Pacific Railway Company. In 1871 he returned to this county and settled in Keithsburg, engaging in tlie furniture trade mth C. C. Wordin, the present gentlemanly clerk of the county court. In May, 1880, he embarked in the lumber business with his brother, their place of trade being on the corner Washington and Third streets. Besides a saw-mill here they have another on the Iowa side above ]N^ew Boston. October 27, 1873, he celebrated his nup- tials with Augusta Belle, daughter of H. G. Calhoun. She was born in Keithsburg, November 29, 1862. They have one child, Ora B., born September 13, 1874. Mr. Mertz is a member of Eobert Burns Lodge, No. 113, Illinois Chapter, No. 17, and Galesburg Commandery, No. 8. Lewis L. Mertz, brother of the above, was born also in Bavaria, February 11, 1847, and emigrated to this country with the rest of the familv. On February 1, 1864, he enlisted at Rochester, New^ York, in Battery L, 1st N. Y. Light Artillery, and served until mustered out at Elmira, June 19, 1865. Beginning with the battle of the Wilderness, he fought throughout the campaign following up to the smTender of Lee. At the age of tw^elve he entered the AVoodbury Engine Works, where he learned the trade of an engineer, which he has followed in difterent places, but particularly in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. In December, 1865, he came to Keithsburg and sold furniture with his brother a short while ; in 1867 he engaged with a surveying party on the L^nion Pacific railway ; in 1868 he went into the gold mines of Montana, where he remained nearly four years. He was married to Miss Janet, daughter of Daniel Keith, July 6, 1871. She was born in this place in September, 1849. They settled on a farm of 320 acres in Boone county, Iowa, and lived there six years. In May, 1880, Mr. Mertz removed with his family to Keithsburg, where he has since been engaged in the furniture and lumber business. He is a Royal Ai'ch Mason. His four children are: Sibyl J., Jacob R., William B., Elizabeth M. The father of these brothers was named John J. Mertz, and was a native of Bavaria, where he was bom in the ^^ear 1800. In early life he learned the trade of a cooper, but later he became quite wealthy, and engaged 202 HISTORY OF >rERCER -V>,'D HENDERSON COUNTIES. .in farming. In the Eevolution of 1848, lie lost his property by sign- ing with other men, and in the same year died. The mother, Mather Mina (Watchter), born in 1805, has her home with her children in this place. Dennis Murto, merchant, was born in Sligo county, Ireland, Jan- uary 1, 1882, and is the third son of a family of six children whose father died early in life, leaving them to the care of their widowed mother, who soon after sold out her interest there and went to England, where she remained till August 1860. She then came to America, bringing her three daughters. Dennis, the subject of this notice, left England in a full clipper American sailing vessel, the Martha Greenleaf, and' after a voyage of nineteen weeks arrived in jSTew Orleans April 4, 1858. He at once pushed on up the Missis- sippi river to Davenport, Iowa, but soon returned to Oquawka, lUinois, and liu'ed out to work for Mr. C. AY. Harris, beorinnino; at $10 per month, and remained for three years. He was also for a short time engaged in driving stage and carrying the mail fi-om Sage- town to Keithsburg. On August 14, 1862, being refused a place in the ranks of the' armv in the war for the Union, he started for California, from where he returned to Keithsburg in October, 1865, and at once engaged as a day laborer. In 1874, in company with his brother, he began the mercantile business in the grocery line, and in 1880 he become sole owner of his present prosperous business. Besides his town property he owns two good farms in Mercer county. December 6, 1865, he married Miss Bridget Gilrain, a native of Ire- land, by whom he has one child, Mary Rose. Alexander Ca3ipbell was born June 22, 1846, in countv Down, Ireland, from whence three years later he came with his parents to America and settled in Eock Island, lUinois. In the early part of the late war, though only sixteen years of age, he enlisted in company D, lltli Iowa Inf., and carried a gun three years. At the end of this time he re-enlisted and was chosen color-bearer, and carried the old flao- to the end of the war, when he was honorablv discharged, having served his country as a soldier four years before he was twenty-one. On the 23d of July, 1864, in front of Atlanta, his brother Samuel was killed while fighting by his side. After his return from the war Mr. Campbell came to Keithsburg and learned the trade of wagon and carriage making, which business he followed until 1878, when he was appointed mail agent on the Galva and Keithsburg route of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, which position he has since held. December 16, 1870, he was united' in marriage "with Sarah A., daughter of John and Hannah (Wilson) Xe^^us, early settlers KEITHSBURG TOWNSIIII'. 203 of Mercer county. She was born in Ohio, February 19, 1848, but was reared in Keithsburg. Tliey haye a family of tiye children : Daisy L., "Walter C, Maud G., Mabel X. and Harry L. Dr. George B. Sapp, dentist, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, July 23, 1832. He receiyed the greater part of his education in a log 8chool-hj a committee appointed for the purpose. Iris Lodge, No. 267, I.O.O.F., was organized December 13, 1858, by William L. Green, James McJenkins, J. W. Close, John S. Moore and O. C. Allen, over the old store of O. A. Bridgford. J. W. Close is the only living charter member, as known by the 222 HISTORY OF ]MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. lodge at the present time. The first otfieers of the lodge were as follows: X.G., AV. L. Green; Y.G., J. W. Close; Sec, James McJenkins; Treas., J. S. Moore. The first members of Iris Lodge had a pretty hard struggle to keep life in the organization ; for, when the lodge was yet young, a number of the members were called away to the army, which left only about a qnorum, and it was a hard matter to get all out at once. But by hard work they pulled through. The brethren never forgot those who were called away to help in the sup- pression of rebellion, and showed their interest in the absent ones by paying all back dues, and in gaining help. The first death in the lodge was that of Lewis Trimble, and the whole number of deaths since the lodge was organized is five. The progress of the lodge, since the close of the war, has been very rapid, increasing from the five charter members to an average of forty members in good standing, and from a state of bankruptcy to a surplus of $1,500. The society now owns their own hall, which is very neat and attractive, and claims as a mem- bership the best men that society afibrds. The present officers of the lodge are as follows : KG., C. C. Brown; Y.G., W. W. Wakeland ; Sec. , J. U. Roberts ; Treas. , J. N. Close. The number of members at present is forty-five. The society has occupied one building almost all the time, and it cost $500. The lodge is now in a prosperous condition, and is one of the ablest lodges in the county. Millersburg public schools is one of the institutions in which her people take great pride, and it is well that they should feel proud of an institution that can prepare her sons and daughters to become men and women among men and women. About the first, if not the very first, school taught in Millersburg, was kept in IL W. Thornton's law oflice by a man named Bell, in 1838. After this, school was held in the court-house till 1844, when the first house for school purposes was erected. Harry Scenter, David Felton, Hiram Hardie, Mrs. H. W. Thornton, David Lloyd, Charles Winchip and Joseph McChesney were pioneer teachers of Millersburg, some of whom taught both in the rural districts and in town. The first school building was used for school purposes till 1862, when the present spacious brick school-house was erected, with four departments. Tlie present principal is Prof. Daniel Farmer, of Normal, Illinois. A word complimenting the sys- tematic course of instruction is not out of ])lace. Students are fitted here for teachers without further drill. The other village in the township is Joy, located on the Keithsburg division of the Chicago, Burlington ct Quincy railroad. It was laid out in 1869 by L. W. Thompson and William Ungles, on section 19, The first business house in the place was a store of general mer- ]S[ILLERSP>URG TOWNSHIP. 223 -chandise, kept by C, S. Ricliey, and the tirst drug store bj John Moss. The tirst bhicksmith to locate here was Joseph Hughes. The tirst religious meetings in the town were held by the Presbyterians, Metho- dists, and Later Day Saints, in the school-house. The population of the town is about 150. It has two stores : one kept by J. H. Crane ; the other by J. T. Cxalloway ; both have a good trade. One wagon •shop is run by Joseph Hughes, and one blacksmith shop by G. W. Cook. The hotel is kept by J. W. Wood. The tirst hotel ever kept in the village was by (). F. Green. The village is quite a shipping point. The railroad established a station here the same vear the village was laid out. For some time the business of the station was almost nothing; the people had become so accustomed to take their produce to the river that it seemed hard to get out of the old ruts. The tirst station agent was H. N. McNeil. The present agent is Hiram Standish ; he came here in 1870, and took hold of the business for both the company and the farmers ; his object was to bring to this point the shipping both of grain and live stock that properly belonged here. In ISSl there were loaded at this place 196 cars of stock and 7-1 of grain ; the number of cattle shipped was 1,338; of hogs, 7,678, To bring the business of the surrounding country here the agent received the produce from the producer and shipped it. At that time there were no buyers here. J. H. Crane is the present grain merchant. The post-ofhce now at Joy was first established in 18-17, and named High Point. Geoi-ge Scott was the first postmaster, and kept the otfice at his home, where Edward Gritfith now resides. The next appointed postmaster was Samuel Eayle, who kept the otfice one year, when it was given again to George Scott. In 1865 Peter Spangler was appointed postmaster and held the otfice till 1870, when it was moved to Joy, and the name changed from High Point to that of Joy, and the otfice given to O. F. Green. In 1871 J. T. McGinnis was made postmaster. The present postmaster is J. H. Crane, appointed in 1878, but has kept the otfice since 1873. Joy has one church, the Methodist Episco})al. It was organized in 1874 by Rev. Head. Previous to this time they had irregular preaching at the school-house at Joy and at the brick church two miles southeast of the villaije. The societv was oro-anized with the follow- ing named members :• J. W. Wood and wife, W. P. Zentmire and wife, AVilliam Kiddoo and wife, Richard Edgar and wife, Eliza Kiddoo, K. II. Dav and wife, Frank More and wife, and Aug-usta Mavs. The society now numbers forty members. In 1877 it built its first and present churcli edifice, a frame, at an outlay- of $1,800. The trustees 224 HISTORY OF SfERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. at present are : William Kidcloo, P. P. Zentmire and J. M. Shingle- decker. The stewards are : J. M. Sliingiedecker and Mrs. Ma^^s, The class-leader is W. P. Zentmire. The ministers who have labored here are : J. J. Walters, instrumental in bringing about the building of the church ; M. Morey, and W. B. Frizell, present pastor in charge. The society has lost by removals several of its valuable members. A Sunday-school was organized shortly after the church organiza- tion was effected, which has since been in operation, and now numbers forty scholars. W. P. Zentmire is the present superintendent. Both the church and Sunday-school are in a prosperous condition. In addition to those church societies in the town of Millersburg and the village of Joy, there are the Seventh Day Adventists church at the Marsh school-house in the southeast part of the township ; the Peniel church, four miles south of Millersburg, and the free Presby- terian church, familiarly known as the old brick church a half mile south of the Peniel church. The Seventh Dav Adventists are of recent date in Millersburg township, being as late as 1871 ; though there was a society of this, belief much earlier in Aledo, with Elder Andrews as pastor, who came to the Marsh school-house previous to 1871, and preached for the benefit of the members of the church li^ans; in that commuiiitv, at irregular intervals. The societ\^ was organized with about thirty com- municants, and at this time numbers twenty members. The society has been very much affected by the unsettled condition of the popu- lation. The first officers were : J. E. Witliam, elder ; C. Dreyden, deacon ; J. C. Middaugh, clerk. The present officers are : elder, same as the first ; clerk, Mary Miller. The society is flourishing, and proposes to erect a church-house for worship at the earliest possible period. The Presbyterian congregation, known as the Peniel class, was organized into a distinct society in 1871. From the early settlement of the township there were several of this faith in this community, but not sufficient for sometime lo support an inde])endent society ;: hence they held their membership at Millersburg. For several years they had preaching at the Pleasant Hill school-house, two miles east of Joy, and occasionally held meetings in the brick church one mile south. In 1871 the organization was effected by forty-five members, who were dismissed from the Millersburg society for that purpose. They met at the brick church and proceeded to form themselves intO' a society, and forthwith adopted measures for the erection of a church edifice, which was completed in 1872, at an outlay of $4,500. This is MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 225- by far tlie finest eliiircli in tlie township. It is a frame structure 40x60, witli a seating capacity for 300 persons. J. Downing donated the ground for the church and cemetery. In aiklition to tliis a par- sonage was built at an outlay of $1,600, Edwin Gilmore donating the ground on which it stands, one-fourth mile north of the church. This society and the one at Millersburg employ the same pastor ; hence it is not necessary to repeat the names of the ministers who have labored here since the organization was effected ; nor before, as they will be found in the list of ministers in connection with the society at Millers- burii-. The first elders of the society were : J. Downing, William Miller, J. T. McGinnis and John Love. A few years after there were two more added to this number: Richard Kiddoo (deceased) and Henry Dool. The present eldership is the same. The largest mem- bership the society has had at any one time was 125 members, which has been reduced to 84 by removals. The society dedicated its building out of debt. Many of the friends of the church came on dedication day wdtli their pocketbooks, and went away surprised to think that no collection was taken. The Presbyterian element is largely predominant in the section surrounding this church. The society has kept, in connection wdth the church work, an interesting Sabbath-school. Until quite recently it was discontinued during the winter months, but now continues throughout the year. The present superintendent is William Jewel. The average attendance is 100. The brick church one and a half miles north of the south line of the towniship, and directly south of Millersburg, was the first church building erected in the township. It was built in 1847. It is in size 40 X 60, and is still standing. It was built not so much by subseription as bv contributions in work. The society was that of the Free Presby- terian faith. The leading members, and those who were instrumental in building the church, were the Kiddoo brothers, James, Richard, William and Jolni, and others of the neighbors whose names we failed to get, as the records are either lost or have been carried aw-ay. The brick were burned by Richard Kiddoo. The men who did the work were kept by the people who were interested in its erection. Rev. James Pogue was the first minister in charge. The first elder was James Kiddoo, who moved west a few years since. This society was an advocate of freedom, not at that time inherent with the other branches of Presbyterianism. The organization was kept uj:) till sometime during the war, when the principles of the denomina- tion, whose mission it was to demonstrate, became impressed upon the community ; , and the society having become reduced in its mem- bership by frecpient removals of its members, it united with the '226 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Methodist Episcopal church society now located at Joy, as the prin- ciples of freedom advocated by the two societies were one and the same. The society was reincorporated under the name of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, which held its meeting here regularly till the present church building was erected in Joy. Connected with the church is the first established cemetery in the • township, south of the Edwards. Here reposes the dust of several of the early settlers of the surrounding country. The lirst Sunday-school in this part of the township was organized at this church, about the time of its dedication, under the auspices of the American Sunday School Union, which was kept up till the Methodist Episcopal society ceased to hold meetings here. The only use now made of the church building, is for funeral services at the ■cemetery. The erection of this church, at the time it was effected, if we consider the financial circumstances of the community, and the durability of the building itself, clearly illustrates the character of the people of the surrounding community. Among the societies of the township, held at Millersburg, which clearly illustrates the progress of agriculture and stock raising is the •county fair. It was the first association of the kind in the county. The fair grounds were located southwest of Millersburg, adjoining the town, and originally consisted of three acres, and enlarged to nine, at the time of its removal to Aledo. The expenses were kept within the annual income. The labor necessary to make .the needed improvements was donated by the members of the association. Any one could become a member of the society by paying the fee of one dollar at each annual meeting. The sole interest of the society was manifested in behalf of the products of the county, and was con- ducted on strictly moral principles. Very little racing was permitted, and no gambling within the enclosure. Those who attended its amiual show of stock, agricultural products and woman's w^ares, say that a marked progress in each department was perceptible, and it is not unfrequentl}" the remark is made of the good social times enjoyed at the Millersburg fair. Tlie ladies of the county are equally entitled to their share of the praise for the success of the institution while at Millersburg. The officers of the association gave free of charge their services, without even charging up their expenses while conducting the business of the association. When the place of its annual meeting was moved to Aledo, the society was out of debt and had a surplus of twelve or fifteen hundred dollars in the bank. We now leave the history of the society to be continued in the history of Mercer township. MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 227 TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. In 1854 the people of Millersbnrg township met at the school-house near Edward Brady's corner, with Ephraim Gilmore, chairman, ap- pointed by L. B. Howe, and L. B. Howe, secretary. These temporary officers became the permanent officers for the year. The towniship was divided into three road districts : Xo. 1, north of the Edwards ; No. 2^ embraced the east half of the township, south of the Edwards ; No. 3, the west half of township, south of the Edwards. The following list of township officers, taken from the records, will prove of great interest as being a list of gentlemen, who at various times, were considered worthy of the votes of their constituents and well fitted for the offices to which they elected them : So 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 18.59 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 Supervisors. David Llovd M. L. Marsh James Haverfield. James Haverfield. J. T. McGinnis.... J. T. McGinnis J. T. McGinnis.... Ephraim Gilmore. A. P. Tavlor A. P. Tavlor J. T. McGinnis J. T. McGinnis J. T. McGinnis.... J. T. McGinnis.... Thos. Merriman . . J. T. McGinnis.... J. T. McGinnis R. H. Day R.H. Dav R.H.Day J. T. McGinnis.... J. E. Bay J. E. Bav J. T. McGinnis.... J. T. McGinnis.... J. W. Close J.W. Close J. W. Close S. H. Riddell Clerks. J. E. J. O. J. O. S.J. Wm. Wm. J. M. Wm. J. E. J. E. J. E. J. E. J. E. J. E. J. E. Bav Allen Allen Strattan A. Crane . Greene Nevius L. Greene,. Bav Bav Bav Bav Bav Bav Bav J. E. Bay J. E. Bay J. E. Bav J. E. Bav J. E.Bay John Brady John Brady John Brady John Brady John Brady Jcihn Brady John Brady John Brady J. G. Haverfield. Assessors. Benijah Llovd, Jr. R.W.Bay..'. J. T. McGinnis.... O. A. Bridgford ... W. A. Bridgford . . . James Kiddoo, Jr. James Haverfield . Wm. M. Brown.. . . Wm. M. Brown.. . . Wm. M. Brown.. . . L. B. Howe Johnson E. Beatv. J. E. Beaty ". . R.H.Day Collectors. J. R. Lemon W. A. Bridgford. W. A. Bridgford. W. L. Craue J. R. Lemon Wm. L. Greene.. Wm. L. Greene. Wm. L. Greene.. W. A.Bridgftjrd. W. A. Bridgford. W. A. Bridgford. J. E.Bay M. L. Detuler . . , J. H. Grady J. H. Grady Commissioners OF Highways. R. H. Day | John Brady. O. A. Bridgford... E. L. Emerson E. L. Emerson i Ed. Griffith Ed. Griffith 1 J. G. McCarnahan. ' J. A. Gilmore I J. E. Bav J. E. Bav J. E. Bav J. E. Bav J. E. Bav j J.E.Bay A. W. McClain.. W. A. Bridgford. W. A. Bridgford. John Love L. B. Childs t John Brady Jahn Bradv J. R. Wartwiek.. J. R. Wartwiek..! John Harvey W. R. Lemon I W. R. Lemon j W. C. Irwin i W. O. Dungau. (Ed. Brady, t J. W. Close. W. A. Marsh. J. W. Close. Ed. Brady. Richard Kiddoo. J. W. Close. Edw#rd Brady. R. Kiddoo. J. W. Close. Ed. Brady. R. Kiddoo. Tavlor Gilmore. Ed. Brady. S. A. Steele. Previous to 1S6S there were elected each year three commissioners of highways, whose names are as follows : 1854, J. Falls, S. Carnahan and Charles Griffith ; 1855, J. Falls, C. Griffith and O. A. Bridgford ; 1856, C. Griffith, J. P. Boyd and H. L. Marsh; 1857, C. Griffith, J. P. Boyd and James Kiddoo ; 1858, C. Griffith, A. Eddy and J. P. Marsh ; 1859, A. Eddy, Charles Griffith and William Brown ; 1860, William Brown, Ed. Brady and A. Eddy ; 1861 and 1862, same as in 1860; 1863, Ed. Brady, A. Eddy and D. Thatcher; 1864 and 1865, same as 1863 ; 1867, J. M. and R. H. Gilmore. 228 HISTORY OF IVCERCER AND HENDERSON COLTNTIES. Ill 1855 the vote as to whether or not the township organization shoukl he adopted, the result was 21 votes for and 19 against the organization. The following is a list of the justices of the township since 1835 : Ebenezer Creswell, appointed May 3, 1835 ; Abraham Miller, Octo- ber 5, 1835 ; Isaac Beson, April 30, 1838, refused to accept; Christian Routzong, 1838 ; Frank Miller, probate justice, 1838 ; Abraham Thorp, 1839 ; E. Gilmore, 1839 ; John Carnahan, 1839 ; Daniel Pink- lev, 1840 ; Joseph ^Y. Lloyd, 1841 ; William J. Phelps, 1842 ; Isaac McDaniel, 1848 ; Daniel Piiikley, 1843 ; Hiram Hardy, 1843 ; Charles Sulli\an, 1845 ; J. W. Wood, 1845 ; W. A. Bridgford, 1847 ; Charles Sulli\an, 1847 ; J. W. Wood, 1847 ; W. A. Bridgford, 1847 ; Lucian B. Howe, 1849 ; W. A. Bridgford, 1849 ; Ephraim Gilmore, Jr., 1849 ; W. A. Bridgford, 1851 ; W. A. Bridgford, 1858 ; W. L. Green, 1858 ; W. A. Bridgford, 1862 ; S. W. Galley, 1862 ; S. H. Pdddell, 18ii6 ; B. F. Brock^ 1866 ; Lucien B. How, 1869 ; W. A. Bridgford, 1870 ; O. F. Green, 1870 ; S. H. Riddell, 1870 ; Joseph Lyle, 1873 ; W. A. Bridgford, 1873; J. W.Wood, 1877; S. H. Eiddell, 1877; W. A. Bridgford, 1881 ; I. W. Huckins, 1881. SCHOOLS. The free schools of Millersburg have kept pace with the progress of' the towmship. In 1841 the money paid out for teaching was -$124.86, that being the available school fund. At that time there were onlv three districts, one north of the Edwards and two south. The treasurer's report in 1863 shows seven districts ; 503 persons ■of school age in the township, with an attendance of 320. The amount; paid out for teaching, $1,134.42 ; highest wages paid per month was $30 ; lowest, $14. School fund, $1,600. The report of 1881 shows the same number of districts ; 580 children of school age, with an enrollment of 360 pupils; total days' attendance, 33,340; the school fund, $2,322.38 ; teachers' wages for the year, $2,259.80 ; incidental expenses of the schools, $382.82. Highest wages paid, $60 per month. Tlie improvements in roads have been no less rapid since 1835. The amount of road in the township is sixty miles, with an average width of three rods. In 1854 the road tax was ten cents on the one hundred dollars of taxable property; in 1856, twenty cents ; from 1856 to 1865, ten- cents; from 1865 to 1877, the levy was twenty cents on the one hundred dollars, when the roads passed under the commis sioners' law. In 1881 the lew was twentv cents on the one hundred dollars ; in 1882, twenty cents. MILLEESBURG TOWNSHIP. 229 The township elections were first held at the school-house near Ed- ward Brady's corner, but continued to be changed from here to Millers- burg, and then from Millersburg back to Brady's corner, as it is called, till 1879, then by vote the place of holding elections was settled perma- nently at Brady''s corner, and a town-hall built over the school-house for town and public purposes, except for dances, shows and such things that are considered to be detrimental to morality. The cost of the hall was $387, a part of which was made up by private subscription to secure the use of the building from entertainments of the character mentioned. The census report of 1880 gives the population as 1,071. The taxable property in the township in 1881 was valued at $-161,618. The real estate was valued at $328,1:10, town lots at $16,060, personal property at $117,148. The equalized value was $125,127. The tax money collected on the above assessment, for general state purposes and schools, $2,255.45 ; county purposes, $1,065.25 ; road tax $661.35 ; district school tax, $2,391 ; dog tax, $166. The township has one railroad, the Keithsburg & Galva division of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy. For voting a tax of $13,400 to the American Railroad Company, which built the road, a meeting was called in 1868, wdiicli carried by 114 votes for, to 27 against such donations. The bonds were issued in 1869, on ten years time. They ' have all been paid, the last in 1881, and the townshi]-) feels wise enough not to vote any more such taxes, as the following call-meetings show. In IS 70 a meeting was called with the expectations that the town- ship would vote an appropriation to the Rockford, Rock Island S: St. Louis Railroad Company, and for the donation there were 107 votes against 126. A second attempt was made to get the township to vote the tax, but with no better result thistiiiie; the votes when counted showed 106 for taxation and 117 against. In conclusion let us add, the present population of the township are a thrifty, energetic, well-to-do, and hospitable people. In agriculture and stock raising they are up with the times, and few laggards exist among them. For a more extensive histor}- of the prominent business men, farmers and stock raisers of the township, reference may be had to the biographical department of Millersburg township, where the personal and family history of almost all of them may be found. BIOGRAPHICAL. Among the pioneer settlers yet liWng is William H. Riggs, a farmer and stock raiser, a native of Kentucky, born in 1828, son of Thomas M. and Rebecca B. (Jenkins) Riggs, both of Kentucky. The 230 HISTOKY OF FLEECER A^^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. Riggs family came from Virginia to Kentucky, but are of Scotch descent, as also is the Jenkins family. Both tamilies emigrated to- America at an early period in the history of the colonies. William H. Eiggs' grandfather, Eichard Jenkins, came to Mercer county in 1836, and ^vas constable before the township organization. ' He died in Aledo. After his death his \yife returned to Kentucky. William H. located in Mercer county, where he now resides, in 1836, where he has been engaged in larming and stock dealing. His early educa- tion was limited, as the adyantages at that early period for education were few. When a young man he went one year to an academy at Galesburg. In 1851, he was married to Elizabeth Dungan, natiye of Indiana, born 1830, daughter of Benjamin and DeLabor Dungan, by occupation farmers. The former Ayas a carpenter by trade. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and came to Mercer county with the early settlers. By this marriage AVilliam H. Biggs- has one child, Thomas B., educated at Abingdon. He was married in 1872 to Loretta D. McClanahan, natiye of Mercer county, born in 1851, and daughter of James McClanahan, who came in 1837 and located in Mercer county, and now resides in Henderson. Thomas R. Riggs has, by this marriage, four children : Guy H., Robert A., Lillian (deceased), and James H. Tliomas B. liyes on the farm of his * father, and helps to carry on the business. Among the tine stock men of Millersburg township AVilliam H. Riggs has been known for many years. He imports the best of cattle from the noted fine stock locah- ties. While he makes cattle a specialty, both as to fine stock and feed cattle, he by no means keeps a poor grade of hogs and horses. His farm of 330 acres of plow land and seyenty acres of timber is second to none, as a stock farm, in the township. Mr. Riggs is a genius, doing almost all his own work whether it be smithing, car- penter work or otherwise. AVhile he has raised but one child of his own, seyeral orphans haye found under his roof a pleasant home, where they were the recipients of motherly and fatherly kindness. Tlie subject of this sketch, J. F. HARyEY, is a natiye of Indiana, " born in 1833, son of Beauchamp and Alargaret Haryey, both of Mary- land. They emigrated to Indiana and settled on White riyer about 1825. They were both members of the Christian church. The former died in 1874, as-ed sixty-three years, the latter now makes her home with her children. Mr. Haryey was married in 1866 to E. J. McClure, of Indiana, daughter of John and Sarah McClure. They came to Mercer county about 1847, and now liye in Abingdon town- ship. J. F. Haryey has, by this marriage, two children : Charley B. and George F. Mr. Haryey came to Illinoi*; in 1838 and located in :■:" :1 w^- RICHARD KIDDOO. MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 233 Champaign county. He then emigrated to Missouri, and aftei-ward came to Mercer county and h)cated where lie now resides. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He lias a farm of 125 acres, fairly improved and stocked with good grades. He served in the army, during the late war, from 1861 to 1865, a period of three years and ten months, in the IStli 111. Vol. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Britton's Lane ; went down the Mississippi with Grant to Watervalley and back to Memphis ; was in the siege of Vicksburg; was with Sherman on his march to the sea, then on the ocean, through the Carolinas, then to Richmond, Wash- ington and Louisville, where he was mustered out. During his term of service in the army he passed through ten of the southern states. Among the several old settlers and prominent gentlemen of Mercer county who have taken an active part in its development, we mention the name of Edwaed Griffith, who was bom November 13, 1834, in Hancock county, Indiana, and is the oldest child of Charles and Martha (Scott) Griffith. He came with his parents to Mercer county in 1839. As he was the oldest child he was so much needed at home that his education was limited to a common school. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age, when he started out in life for himself as a tiller of the soil. He purchased the S. ^ of the N. W. ^, Sec. 14, in Millersburg township. He remained on this place for seven years, when he sold out and bought the N. E. J, of Sec. 12, where he . remained for eight years, when he sold out and bought the S. W. ^ of Sec. 18, Millersburg township, where he resides at present. He has been very successful in accumulating considerable property. March 24, 1859, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Church, daughter of Thomas and Rachel Church. She was born March 25, 1838. Mr. Griffith has been a member of the order of Masons since 1869. William Kiddoo, farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Pennsylva- nia. His jjarents are Richard and Eliza Kiddoo. He came to Mercer county with his parents when a child, and was reared on the farm, re- ceiving only such educational training as the pioneer school of his neighborhood could furnish. He has always pursued the occupation of • his father. He takes great pride in keeping a good grade of stock of all kinds. He is introducing on his farm shorthorn cattle. He was married in 1864 to Mary Edgar, daughter of R. S. and Elizabeth Edgar. She is a native of Pennsylvania and came with her parents to Mercer county when a girl. By this union William Kiddoo has eight children : Henry G., Harry (de), Francis (de), Maggie M., Alvin A., Nettie B., Nora B., Mary V. He and wife are members of the Metho- 14 234 HISTORY OF MERCER AJN'D HEXDERS0:N^ COCXTIES. dist Episcopal cliiirch at Joy. He lias a farm of 330 acres of line land, located in the south part of the township. Jefferson Fuller, farmer, now resident of Millersburg township, near Joy, is a native of Maine, born in 1839, and came with his parents in 1842 to Mercer county, where he has since resided ; here he was reared on the farm. He enlisted in company I, ITth III. Vol., in 1861, in which regiment he served three vears, and then veteranized and was transferred to the 8th 111. Yol., and continued in the service till June, 1866. He was in tlie battles of Frederickton, Shiloh, Fort Donel- son ; in the siege of Vicksburg, Mobile, and numerous skirmishes in Texas. At Fort Donelson he received a slight wound, the only one received during his term of service. He was married in 1866 to Josephine Awbery, native of Kentucky, and daughter of Gabriel W. Awbery, of Kentucky, who served during the war in the federal army as a volunteer from his native state. In 1865 the southern sentiment becoming too warm for a federal soldier in his own state he came north. Mr. Fuller has bv this marriao-e two children: Mary O., and Dora E. His parents Jetierson and Tabitha (Libby) Fuller, located in Kew Bos- ton township, where the former still lives, his wife having died when their son Jefferson was a child. Jefferson Fuller, Jr. , raised four sons, three of whom were in the army. He and wife were members of the Baptist church. Jefferson Fuller, the subject of this sketch, began life for himself with such capital as nature supplied him, energy and muscle. He now owns a good farm of 100 acres, which he has well stocked. Da^-id and Lucinda (Baldwin) Felton, the parents of our subject, Herchel Feltox, came to Scott county, Illinois, in the latter part of 1840, where they remained till the following spring, when they came to Millersburg, Mercer county, where the former died in 1849, at the age of thirty-six years. The}' were both natives of Vermont : he of Tunbridge, Orange county ; she of Sharon, Windsor county. The parents of Da^-id Felton were Amos and Sarah Felton, both of Massa- chusetts. The parents of Lucinda Baldwin Felton were John and Lucinda (Clark) Baldwin. The former was born in 1783, the latter 1785. David Felton was by profession a school teacher, which busi- ' ness he followed till his death, clerking during the intervals between his schools. He was a member of the Congregational church, Mrs. Felton after the death of her husband returned to Vermont with her family, wliere she remained ten years. She now lives with her son Herchel, one mile east of Millersburg. Herchel was married in 1864 to Elizabetli Shafer, born in 1842, daughter of Aaron P. Shafer, whose history will ap]>ear on another page. By this marriage he has live , MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 235 ■children : Milo P., deceased, Anna E., Benjamin R., Liicinda B., and Hiram E. He and wife hold to the Missionary Baptist faith. He was born in ISil. in Millersbiirg township, where he now resides. His •early education was that of the common school. He enlisted August, 1S61, in company H, 37th 111. Yol. He was wounded at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 8, 1862, and was discharged the following Feb- ruary. Previous to his being wounded, he was in the battle of Pea Ridge. He held the office of sergeant in his comjjany. His brother, Aaron D., enlisted in company C, -Jrotli 111. Yol., and died shortly after he was mustered into the service. His brother Hiram died in 1875, at the age of thirty-five, at home with his mother. One of the old settlers of Millersburg township that remains is Asa -Knox, who came to Mercer county in 1842, and located where he now lives. In 1841 he took a claim in what is now Xew Boston township. Mr. Knox is a native of Maine, born in 1S14, and reared in the town -of Jay, New Hampshire. His parents were Moses and Susana Knox, natives of Dover, 'New Hampshire. They emigrated to Maine shortly after their marriage. He was by trade a shoemaker. About 1841 he and wife joined the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1841 he located in Millersburg township, where he died in 1858, at the age of seventy- five years ; his wife died in 1848, aged sixty-four years. Asa received no -literary training beyond the common school. Disliking the trade of his father he chose farming for a livelihood, which he has always fol- lowed. He was married in 1836 to Elmira Perkins, native of Fairfield, Maine, born in 1815, daughter of Daniel and Polly Perkins, both of whom resided in Maine till their death. By this marriage Mr. Knox has eight children: David P., Sumner B., James T., Asa D., Margarette, Elzina, Ellen M, (deceased), Elmira (deceased). Sumner B. and James T. served in the army during the late war. The former en- listed March 14, 1865, in the 83d 111. Yol., and was transferred to company E, 61st 111. Yol., and served eight • months. The latter enlisted in company I, 17th 111. Yol., and was in the battles of Fort Blakely, Spanish Fort, and Jackson, Mississippi, and served three years. They both now live in Millersburg township. Asa Knox and wife are members of the United Brethren church, at the Palestine con- gi-egation in Abington township. He has a farm of sixty acres, on wliich he keeps a good grade of farm stock. The subject of this sketch is a native of Bloomsburg, Pennsylva- nia; was born October 16, 1812, and is the son of Eli and Rachel Thornton, both of whom were of English descent and natives of Penn- sylvania. H. W. Th()rxt<)X*s early education was limited to tlie com- mon schools of the country at that time. In his eiu'liteenth year. 236 HISTORY OF AIERCER AND HENDERSON (X)UNTIES. Williani G, Hurley, Esq., a prominent lawyer in the county, gave- him the privilege of his office for study (and with whom he read law), and in 1S37 was admitted to practice in the courts of Columbia county. He came to Illinois and located in Millersburg in 1838, where for several years he followed his profession. In 1839 he was elected clerk of the county court, which office he resigned the following spring, being nominated and, in 1840, elected, with Hon. Thomas Drummond, now judge of the United States court in Chicago, to represent the ten northwest counties in the state legislature. In 18-42 he was elected recorder of the county to till a vacancy, and in 1844 re-elected for four years. At the end of the term the county seat was located at Keiths- burg. For six or eight years he engaged in selling goods and in improving his farm adjoining the town of Millersburg. In 1858 he was elected president of the Warsaw, Eock Island & Galena Kailroad Company, which position he held for ten years, and during his term of presidency secured the building of the line from Port Byron junction (six miles above Hock Island) to Savanna, a distance of forty-eight miles. After the completion of the road from Port BjTon to Savanna^ thirty-eight miles, Richard Irvin, senior member of the firm of Irvin & Brother, bankers, of New York, and financial agents of the Bank of Glasgow, Scotland, who furnished funds for the w^ork, gave him the following letter as a testimonial : " New York, April 25, 1866. " Dear Sir, — I have pleasure in stating it as my opinion that to your exertions in presenting plans and surveys for extending the Northern Illinois railroad from Savanna to Fort Byron, and in setting forth the feasibility and probable advan- tages of such extension, has it been owing that the work was undertaken and completed at a period of very high prices both of material and labor. Whatever benefit to your district of country has accrued, or may in future accrue, from the work referred to, you are fairly entitled, I should say, to great credit for thft active and intelligent part you took in forwarding it. " I remain, dear sir, vours trulv, " RICHARD IRVIN. "H. W. Thornton, Millersburg, 111." Mr. Thornton was married February 25, 1839, to Elizabeth F. ISTorbm-y, of Philadelphia, born December 19, 1816, daughter of Joseph B. and Rebecca M. Norbury, both natives of Pennsylvania. By this marriage they had seven children ; two died in infancy, one (Susan) at the age of twenty-one ; four are now living : Martha ]S^., Sarah E., IS'or- bury W., and George E. Since 1868 he has lived quietly on his farm, and in the same house he built forty-three years ago. Richard Kiddoo, deceased, was a native of Beaver (now Lawrence) county, Pennsylvania ; born April 25, 1816. His parents, James and Mary Kiddoo, were natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Millers- ISIILLERSBUKG TOWNSHIP. 23 T burg township, Illinois, some two (n* three j^ears after their son Richard. They located where Mrs. Bryant, formerly Mrs. John Kiddoo, now resides. Here they liyed out their days in the faith of the Presbyterian church. Richard Kiddoo was married October 12, 1837, to Eliza Yamiatta, native of Pennsylyania, born in 1821, and ■daughter of James and Betsy Vannatta, both of Pennsylvania. The former died in 1837, aged sixty-one years; the latter came "in 1844 to Mercer county, where she remained four years ; went to Jasper county, this state, and there died at the ripe old age of seventy- two years. They were of good family, well-to-do farmers, and honored members of the Presbj^terian church. By this marriage Richard Kiddoo raised a family of thirteen children : Mary (deceased), William, James, John (deceased), Nancy, Eliza, Martha (deceased), Thomas, Hannah, Amos F., Cyrus C, Adda, Caroline S. In 1845 with his family he came to Mercer county and located in Millersburg township, where he resided till his death, which occurred February 3, 1882. He came here with small means, which, combined judiciously with his good business judgment and industry, crowned his life with success. He never engaged in speculation but made his money by raising grain and feeding stock. He left his family a property valued at $50,000. To use the words of his neighbors, he accumulated wealth rapidly and practiced strict economy. But his economy was not of a close and penurious kind ; his family lived comfortably and he gave generously to every public benefit. He was a man of warm impulses and strong conA^ctions, and never inconsiderate of the convictions of others, a helper of the needy and a fi'iend to all. His great simplicity of character and moral integrity won the esteem of many and commanded the respect of all. If many who are disposed to complain of their surroundings would adopt his rules of life they would move more smoothly over life''s impediments. No man manifested greater interest in the upbuilding of Christianity and morality in the community than did Richard Kiddoo. ''It will not be regarded a disparagement to others who were helpful in the same direction, to say the high morality and marked religious character of this community are largely due to the influence and efforts of Richard Kiddoo.'" The •expression of all who knew him is that a good man* has gone out from among us. He and his ancesters so far back as we are able to •ascertain have been strict members of the Presbyterian church. His widows who was a coworker in all his undertakings to build up society, the church, and to make home happy and pleasant for all, still resides on the farm where they have lived since they came to Illinois. 238 HISTORY OF MEKCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Among the first settlers of Millersburg township was M. H. Riggs- and family. Thev located on section 30 as early as 1834. The sur- rounding country was then only a wilderness. He planted his first crop and fenced it afterward. Mr. Riggs is a native of Kentucky. He married in 1837 Julette Froman, daughter of Thomas and Dice- (Hichison) Froman, both of Virginia, but emigrated to Kentucky as pioneers, wdiere their daughter Julette was born and reared. They both died in Kentucky, members of the Baptist church. The oftspring of this marriage is: Thomas, Isaac, William, James, Filman, Wash- ington, Marion, Jasper, Clay. Mrs. Riggs lives on the old farm of 400 acres where they first located, and is the oldest settler living in the township at this time. Her son Marion resides with her. He was born and reared where he now- lives. In 1862 he enlisted in the 124th reg. 111. Yol. Inf , company G, and served three years and a few days. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, with Smith at Mobile, the taking of the Spanish fort. He returned home and was married in 1865 to Sarah A. Hubbard, native of Illinois and daughter of Willard and Xancy Hubbard, the former of Massachusetts, the latter, Kentucky. By this union Marion Riggs has three children: Julette, Xancy and Adda. He is a farmer, and keeps a good grade of farm stock, grade cattle and hogs and Cotswold sheep. In jjolitics he is a republican straight. W. A. Bridgford, farmer, is by birth a Kentuckian, born in 1810, and the son of W. J. and Elizabeth Bridgford, both of whom were natives of A^irginia and emigrated to Scott county, Kentucky, where our subject was born. In 1813 they moved to Ohio, where they both died, the former aged eighty-four, the latter thirty-six years. Mr. Bridgford was reared and educated in Ohio, where he resided till 1832, when he emigrated to Indiana, near Indianapolis, where he remained eight years, and tlien came to Illinois and located in Richland Grove township, where he remained till 1856, when he moved to Millers- burg, where he has since lived. He was married in 1839 to Xancy Workland, native of Kentucky and daughter of Charles and Permelia Workland. They have ten children, five of whom are living : Oliver A. , Malinda, Mary E., Martha and Laura, two of whom live in this county and three in Kansas. He has held the office of justice of the peace for about forty years and is now acting in that capacity. He also holds the ofiice of notary public. AYlien his present term expires he will have served in that ofiice sixteen years. He held the ofiice of collector eleven years. He belongs to both the secret orders, I.O.O.F and Masons. He sold goods in Millersburg from 1850 to 1860. The last few vears he has been engaged in farming. Previous to leaving Ohio. MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 239 he studied law and was admitted to the bar at Oxford in 1832, but never engaged in active practice. When he arrived in Mercer county his wealth in this world's goods for most part consisted of a team, and cow and' six sheep, lie now owns a farm of eighty acres in Mercer county, eighty acres in Kansas, and considerable town property. Among the early settlers of Millersburg is Mr. Ja:mes Vernon. He made his advent into this county when it was yet almost a wilder- ness. His parents, Joseph and Sarah Vernon, settled in Warren county, Ohio, in 1812, where their son James was born ; then moved to Preble county, Ohio, then to Shelby county, Indiana, where they lived out their natural lives. Mr. Joseph Vernon was a native of ISTew Jersey, his wife of South Carolina. James Vernon, disliking the vocation of his father, which was that of mechanic, in early life engaged in farm- ing, which he has pursued successfully till within the past few years, when he sold his land, resei'ving seventy-three acres for a home, and has virtually retired. In 1836 he married Eliza Duncan, native ot Virginia, and daughter of Buford and Fanny Duncan, both of Virginia and among the first settlers of Duncan township. This marriage was blessed with three children: Thomas A., Sarah F., and Viola I. He and family are members of the Latter Day Saints church, but very different to the church at Utali. They disapprove of the doctrine ot plurality of wives. Edward Brady, native of the "Buckeye" State, born in 1825, is the son of John, Sr., and Eliza Brady. The former is a native ot Ireland, born about 1792, and came to America in 1813. He located in Green county, Ohio, where he remained about twenty-live years, when he came, about 1842, to Mercer county and settled on the farm where his son John now resides, where he lived during the rest of his life. His wife, a native of New Jersey, is yet living, and is seventy- seven years old, hale and hearty for a person of her age. They raised a family of twelve children, live of whom now live in Mercer county. Edw^ard's early literary training was that of the common school. In 1848 he was married to Jane Gingles, native of Pennsylvania, born in 1827, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth Gingles, both of Penn- sylvania. They came to Mercer county in 1839 and settled in Perry- ton township, where he died in 1872. His wife, Elizabeth, is yet living. Edward Brady has by this union five children: James N., Clara E., Ella M., Nellie J. (deceased), and Eddie G. He and wife are Presbyterians and belong to the society at Peniel church. He has held the office of school treasurer in Millersburg towmship for the past twenty years, and has been severel times elected commissioner of highways. In politics he is a straight out republican. He has a 240 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. well-improved farm of sixty acres, where lie lias resided since he came to the county. He keeps a good grade of farm stock. LuciEN B. Howe is one of the early settlers of the township and county. He came here when the deer were yet plenty on the prairies of Mercer county. He was born in Vermont, shortly after which his parents, Ezekiel and Louisa, moved to Troy, New York, where he was reared and educated. His parents were natives of Massachusetts, and descendants of the pioneer tamilies. The Howe family at first, in America, consisted of three brothers who came from England to Massachusetts. Among their descendants is the great inventor of the Howe sewing machine. Lucien's father was a carpenter and joiner. He died in 1837, aged sixty-two years. His grandfather Howe fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. The subject of this sketch graduated at Union college, Schenectady, ISTew York, in 1840, at the age of twenty- six, in the classical course. Then read law with J. P. Abertson, at his home in New York; was admitted to the bar in 1841, and practiced in Troy two years, then he came to Mercer county and located at Millersburg, where he has since resided. He has held the otfice of justice of the peace two tenns. He is a chaiter member of the masonic lodge, at Aledo, and formerly a member at New Boston. He was married in 1846, to Martha King, a native of Massachusetts, and daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth King. They have six children, four of whom are now living : Charlotte A. , Otis M. , Cahdn K. , and David T. He has a farm of seventy acres and pursues his profession. In politics he is an old line democrat. Charles York emigrated with his father to Illinois, in the tall of 1843, and located in Keithsburg township, where they remained a short time when they bought a farm in Abington township, which they sold and then went to Henderson county, where his mother died. His father died in October, 1874, aged eighty-two years. Charles York was born in Kentuckv, in 1825, and is the eldest of a familv of six children. His early educational training was limited. For eighteen years after he came to Illinois he broke prairie. He was married in 1855 to Mary J. Landreth, native of Mercer county, and daughter of Zacharia and Elenor Landreth, both natives of Virginia and among the early settlers of Mercer county. By this union he has seven children living: Nancy E., Nettie, Alice, Olive, Eva, William L., and Linie. Mr. York and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Millersburg. He has given his entire attention to farming and stock raising, both of which he has made successful. He now owns three tarms in Mercer county, containing 432 acres. He brought with him and still retains the appreciation of a good horse, for which MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 241 Kentucky is so noted. He was assessor of Perrvton townsliip two years. Few men have been more successful tlian Mr. York. Capt. Oliver A. Bridgford is a native of Ohio, born in 1830, and is the son of W. A. and Nancv (Wakland) Bridgfol-d, whose sketch will appear in the biographical department of this township. Capt. Bridgford was educated in the common school, and came to Mercer countv in 181:3, one year after his lather. His earlv life, till he was nineteen years old, was spent on the farm. At that age he went to California on a gold hunt ; he went across the })lains with a team, remained in California two years, when he i-eturned by way of Cuba and ]^ew York, satisfied that gold was cheaper in Illinois than in the gold regions. In 1851 he settled in Millersburg, bought a half interest in his father's store, in which business he remained till 1861, when he raised Company I, 45th 111. Yol. , and entered the army, having been commissioned captain by Gov. Yates. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Fort Henry and Shiloli ; was wounded in the last named engagement. Having remained some time in the hospital at Savannah, he was furloughed home, and returned after forty days. At the end of twelve months after he entered the service, he resigned his commission because of disability to discharge the duties of his office, caused by the wound received at Shiloh, and was discharged from the service and returned to his home in Millersburg. In the fall of 1862 he was elected sheriif of Mercer county, and served tlie full term, and then he returned to his store in Millersburg, where he con- tinued till March, 1878. The following year he moved upon his farm near Joy, where he now resides, since which time he has given his farm his entire attention. Capt. Bridgford was married in February, 1852, to Miss Eliza A. McLain, native of Kentucky, born in 1833, and daughter of Joseph and Susan McLain, now residents of Millersburg. They have ten children, five living: Medora E., Clayton W., Minnie L., Archie G., Miles E. He owns a farm of 1,720 acres of land, all of which except eighty acres is in Mercer county. He raises thorough- bred cattle, Poland china hogs and Leicester sheep. He keeps on his farm 100 head of stock cattle, 200 hogs, 150 sheep, and horses to carry on his farm work. He is among, if not the largest, tax payers in Millersburg townsliip. He is a charter member of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Millersburg, only t\yo of whom are now living. Notwithstanding his disability from the wf )und received at Shiloh, lie receives no pen- sion, neither has he made ai^plication for one. Politically he is a republican. The parents of Edwin Gilmore, Judge Ephraim and Julia A. Gilmore, both of Ohio, came with the first settlers to Millersburg 242 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. township and located near the Peniel chin-ch. He was the coimtj surveyor at the tmie the country was being settled, and held the office of judge. He raised his family in Millersburg township, and is now a resident of Aledo. Edwin Gilmore was reared and educated on the farm. The advantages for obtaining an education at that early period in the settlement of this part of the county were few. He was born in 1S44, on the farm where he now lives, on section 21. In 1862 he enlisted in the service in Company C, 102d 111. Vol., and served till the war closed. He was on the skirmish line till he left Chattanooga, with Sherman's division on his" march to the sea. He was married in 1870 to Miss Mary A. Morrow, native of Pennsylvania, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Kiddoo) Morrow. They have three children : N'ellie, Burton, and Newton K. Mr. Gilmore and wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Peniel. He has a fine stock farm of 320' acres, and raises a good grade of cattle, sheep and hogs. John T. McGinnis, came to JMercer county in 1846, and located in Millersburg township. At that time the country was sparsely settled. Like most of the pioneers, he came with small pecuniary means, to- seek a home. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born 1821. His parents are William and Elizabeth McGinnis, both natives of Pennsyl- vania, his father of Irish, and liis mother of Scotch descent. They followed agriculture for a livelihood, and belonged to the United Presbyterian church. John T. received little literary training in his. early life, but was well bred in the characteristics of the people of the Quaker state, namely, energetic industry and honesty. Two years before his coming to Mercer county he was married to Margaret Kid- doo, of Pemisylvania, born in 1824, and daughter of James and Mary Kiddoo, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis's chil- dren are Mary E., Sarah, Emily, William, Alice, Maggie, Charlie E., and Cora S. He was justice of the peace before the township organiza- tion, and has held the office of supervisor fourteen years. He represented Mercer and Knox counties in the legislature during the sessions of 1874 and 1875. Apart from the offices mentioned he has been chosen to fill most of the offices of the township. Mr. McGinnis has a beautiful home of 100 acres, located on section 21. Here he lives a quiet farmer's life, while his accumulated capital is employed in other directions. He has never engaged in speculation, but kept his means employed where reasonable returns were certain. He was at one time stock holder in a bank at Keithsburg, and at this time owns an interest in the Farmer's Bank in Aledo, and also in one in Kansas. He and wife are members, of the Peniel Presbyterian church. Politically he is a republican. John Brady, Jr., is the son of John and Eliza Brady, whose history ^ilLLEKSBlKU 'RAVXSHIP. 24:2' will be found in connection with the sketch written of Edward Brady. John Brady, Jr., was born in Green county, Ohio, in lbi3S. He came witli his parents to Mercer county in 1 842. He received no educational training beyond the district sc]io(j1. He was reared to the business of fanning, which pursuit he has followed for a livelihood. In 1862, he enlisted in company D, 83d 111. Vol., and served till Jul}^ 1865, making his term of service two years and eleven months. He was with the army of the Cumberland, in the second battle fought at Fort Donel- son, and at Franklin, and Lawrenceburg. The remainder of the time he was kept chasing guerrillas. At Fort Donelson he was wounded. He was married in 1861 to Martha C. Gibson, daughter of George and Isreal Gibson, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of Ohio. They were among the first to locate in Warren county, Illinois, in 1832. The Indians had not quit the country. Among the slain by the Indians of Warren county was a brother to George Gibson. They were mem- bers of the Associate Presbyterian church. John Brady has four children : William, George P. , Harry (deceased), and Mary. They hold letters of membership in the Presb_yterian church. He has a well improved farm of 160 acres, and keeps a good grade of farm stock. He held the office of township clerk for several years, and is now com- missioner of public highways. In politics he is a republican. The subject of this sketch, William Kiddoo, is a native of Lawrence county (now Beaver county), Pennsylvania, where he was born in 183() ; came to Mercer county in 181:7, and located with his parents, James and Margaret Kiddoo, where his widow, now Mrs. Bryant, resides. He and Avife and parents w^ere members of the Presbyterian church. He married in 1853 Catharine Yance, native of Pennsylvania, born in 1834, and wlio came with her parents, W^illiam and Rachel (Yannatta) Yance, to Mercer county, and located in Keithsburg in 1836. They were members of the Presbyterian church. The former died in 1867, the latter now resides with her daughter Caroline, and is seventy-eight years old. William Kiddoo had by this marriage seven children : E. Yila, Nancy, Olive, Forbes M., Mary, William M., and Rachel E. He left his family in good circumstances. Like the rest of the Kiddoo family he was a man of exemplary habits, a good citizen, kind liusband and father. His widow^ married in 1871 Frank B. Brvant of Ohio, by whom she has three children: Laura B., Frank (deceased), and Archie H. John S. Kiddoo, deceased, emigrated from his native state, Penn- sylvania, to Illinois, in 1847. and located in Millersburg township, where he resided till his death in 1866, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. His parents were James and Mary Kiddoo, who emigrated 244 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. to Mercer county at the same time as their son John S. Their remains repose in the cemetery of the old brick church. John S. Kiddoo, was married in 1850 to Eliza Day. of Pennsylvania, born in 1821, and emi- grated with her parents, John and Mary Day, to Iowa, in 1836, and then to Mercer county in 1846, where they still reside. Her father, John Day, in early life was a boatman on the Mississippi river. He is a member of the United Brethren church, his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church. John S. Kiddoo had by this marriage six children: John. Robert (deceased), Mary (deceased), Alonzo, William (deceased), and Lizzie. John S. Kiddoo .and wife were members of the Free Presbyterian church, but both united with the Methodist Episcopal church a few years before his death. His wife still remains a member of the church. He beo-an in this county with small means : when he died left his family a property worth $8,000. Alonzo, son of John S. and Eliza Kiddoo, was born in 1860, near where he now resides, in Millersburg township. His early educational training was that of the common school of the neighborhood. He is by occupation a farmer. He was married in 1881, to Florence Shingledecker, born in 1858, and daughter of James and Caroline Shingledecker, both of Pennsylvania. They came to Mercer county in 1858, and located near Joy, where they have since resided. Both are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church at Joy. Alonzo Kiddoo and wife are members of the same church. They have a farm of 140 acres well stocked. In politics he votes the republican ticket. Mr. J. H. Crane located in Millersburg township in 1849. His early education was that of the common school. He began business for himself as a farmer, which he followed ten years, when he opened a store in Joy and engaged in shipping grain, both of which he still carries on. He is the son of Dr. John W. and Kuth Crane, of Ohio, early settlers of Fountain county, Indiana. J. H. Crane was born in 1837. His parents came to Mercer county in 1847, and located •on the old Bassett farm, where they died, his father in 1850, aged forty years, his mother in 1841. His parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His father by profession was a doctor, and ])racticed in Illinois till his death. Mr. Crane was married in 1861 to Sarah A. Griffith, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Charles and Martha Griffith. In 1861 he enlisted in the aiTny of the late war, in comj^any K, 102d 111. Vol. He was out twelve months, when he was discharged, because of ill health. He owns a line farm of 240 acres, and is present postmaster at Joy. Among the oldest citizens now living in Millersburg township is Mr. J. M. GiLMoRE. In 1840 he located in the village of Millersburg TVtILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 245 and kept hotel for two and a half years, then moved upon his farm east of the village, where he remained till seven years ago when he retin-ned to take up his residence in Millersburg, where he now resides. lie came to Mercer county with small means which, com- bined with unabating energy, has made him a successful farmer. He owns a fine farm of 354 acres of plow land and 100 acres of timber. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1814; his father of Pennsyl- vania and his mother of New Jersey. In 1847 they came and settled in Perryton township, Mercer county, where the former died in 1857, aged seventy-two. His wife, who is still living, is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. They raised a family of nine children, all of whom grew up to adult age. Three yet remain in Mercer county. J. M.'s early educational training was such as the common schools of his neighborhood could ftirnish. He served an apprenticeship to a tanner, and began immediately to raise the material for making leather instead of dressing it. He held the oflSce of county assessor for six years, and also the office of county treasurer for the same time. He was married in 1888 to Margaret Taylor, of Pemisylvania, born in 1815, daughter of Jacob and E. (Hoover) Taylor, both of Pennsylva- nia. By this union Mr. Gilmore had eight children, five of whom are now living: George M. (deceased), Eva C, Catharine (deceased), Taylor, Mary, Richard (deceased), Jannett, and Fanny A. George M. served three years in company E, 9tli 111. Inf.; was veteranized and promoted to steward. He was wounded at Fort Donelson, having his index finger on the left hand carried away by a ball. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and died of disease in the service two months before the war closed. Taylor served three j-ears in the 14tli 111. cavalry, and was commissioned hospital steward. He and wife are ardent supporters of Christianity and good morals, and belong to the Presbyterian church at Millersburg. In politics he has always been a democrat. J. D. Thornton is a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and born in 1828, and is a son of Eli and Abagail (Hittle) Thornton, both natives of Pennsylvania. J. D.'s early education was limited to the subscription school of his home. He learned the trade of blacksmith- ing in his father's shop. This he followed ten years, when he left the forge to enlist in the ser\ace of his country. He served in the army through the Mexican war. His soldierly qualities were soon recog- nized, and he was appointed to fill the first vacancy in Capt. Pember- ton's company, to which he belonged, which was the office of sergeant. He was with Scott when he made his campaign to the city of Mexico. Then he joined the U. S. marines and went to West Africa to suppress "246 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the slave trade. In lS«i2 he again enlisted in the 124th 111. Yol. Inf., company G, and served three years as sergeant. He was with Grant and in all the rear battles at Yicksbnrg, the siege of the Spanish Fort, -and the taking of Mobile, making in all seven years he has served his •country as a soldier. In 1849 he came to Illinois and settled at Millersburg where he has since resided. J. D. Thr)rnton was married in 1855 to Lucy Wharton, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Jacob and Martha Wharton. She died in 1871. He was married a second time to Letticia L. Carver, a native of Pennsvlvania, and dauo-hter of Jesse •Carver, a descendant of Gov. Carver, first governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Thornton has been a republican since the organization of the party. J. W. Wood is a native of Tennessee, born in 1810, and is the «on of Isaac and Elenor Wood, both of whom were natives of Virginia. They located in Indiana in 1822, where they died, the former in 1839, aged sixty years ; the latter in 1852, aged eighty-two years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and respected mem- bers of society. Isaac Wood by trade was a wheelwright, by profes- sion a local preacher. J. W. Wood emigrated to Indiana with his parents where he remained till 1842, when he came to Mercer county where he has since lived. He is a carpenter by trade, which he fol- lowed till within the few years past. He was first married in 1832 to Frances Reed, native of Indiana, daughter of Jacob and Mary Reed, of South Carolina. She died in 1869, aged fifty-eight years, leaving nine children, of whom the living are James R., Enos A., and Samuel S. He was married a second time to Mrs. M. C. Robinson, native of England, born in 1830, and daughter of George and Cath- arine Staftbrd, natives of England. J. AV. Wood has held the oflice of justice of the peace most of the time during his residence in Illinois, is now notary public, and served one term as constable. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Joy. In politics he votes the republican ticket. He keeps the only hotel in Joy. The subject of this sketch, David A. Steele, came to Mercer county with his parents, James and Mary Steele, in 1860. They located on section 29 in Millersburg township, where they both died, the former in 1856, at the age of sixty-five years ; the latter in 1868, aged seventy-six years. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and successful farmers, and members of the Presbyterian church. David was born in 1832, and reared and educated on the farm of his lather in the Quaker state. In 1859 he was married to Matilda Denison, native •of Illinois, and daughter of Joseph and Sarah Denison, both of whom were from Ohio. By this union he has ten children, seven of whom MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 247 are living: Elizabeth, William, Walter, Cora, Maud, Fred., and Asliel. He has a farm of 130 acres, well improved and fairly stocked with a good grade of farm stock. In ]iolitics he votes with the republican party. He is a man who takes great interest in supplying his children with literature to feed their minds. He has always lived a quiet life without seeking the notoriety of office. The subject of this sketch, James E. Bay, is the son of James and Hannah E. Bay, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Oliio at an early period of its settlement. They were farmers. The former was a soldier in the war of IS] 2, and emigrated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he died in 1843, aged fifty-two years ; the latter died in 1856, aged fifty-six years. J, E. Bay was born in 1829, in Guernsey county, and in 1851 came to Millersburg where he has since lived. He was married in 1860 to Mary Marsh, a native of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and daughter of John B. and Lydia (Porter) Marsh, the former of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. The former was a soldier in the war of 1812. He and family moved in 1848 to Illinois, where he died in 1864, aged seventy-three years ; his wife in 1834, aged thirty-six years. He was by trade a carriage trim- mer. He first emigrated to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from New Jersey. The Marsh family were formerly fi-om Scotland. J. E. Bay has by this union four children : H. M., John M., Fanny S., and Catharine M. Mr. Bay is a farmer and stock trader. He has several times been chosen by the voters of his township to fill various •offices. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church at Millers- burg. Mr. Bay and family are quiet and respectable citizens. Among the early settlers of this township is Pichard S. Edgar. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and came to Mercer county in 1851 and located in Millersburg township where he has since been a ■citizen. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, members of the Associate Presbyterian church, and died there, his father, Richard, in 1861 at the age of sixty-five years ; his mother. Margaret, in 1862, aged sixty years. R. S. Edgar was married in 1841 to Elizabeth A. Steele, daughter of James and Mary Steele, of Pennsylvania. They have three children : Margaret, James S. , and Mary A. He served three years in the late war as a soldier, in Company A, 30tli 111. Yol. Inf , during which service he lost his health and now receives a pension. He owns a well improved farm of thirty acres, and keeps a good grade of farm stock. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Joy. In politics he is a republican. Jacob Braucitt, son of David and Mary Braucht, was born in 1828 and is a native of Pennsylvaiua, as were his ])arents. They emigrated 248 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. to Ohio when their son Jacob was a mere child, where they resided the remainder of their lives. They were pioneer settlers of Ohio. Jacob remained in Ohio until he arrived at the age of twenty-three and then came to Mercer connty and located on section 19, Millersburg township, where he has since resided. He has pursued the occupation of farming, the vocation of his father. He married, in 1851, Christina Riter, a native of Germany and daughter of John F. and Machdalana Riter, who came to America in 1831 and located in Ohio, and after- ward to Mercer county, locating in Millersburg township. The latter died in 1871, aged seventy years. The former, John F. Riter, resides with his daughter, Christina. He served as a soldier in his native country, Germany. Jacob Braucht has by this marriage six children : Jemima, David W., Lucinda, Sarah (deceased), George, and Catharine. He has a fine farm of 227 acres, well improved and well stocked with the best of farm stock. No better stock, farm is to be found in this section. In politics he is a democrat. His parents and also his wife's parents were of the Lutheran faith. His wife's father, John F. Riter, still holds his membership in that church. Among the citizens and soldiers now resident of Millersburg town- ship is George Boone, native of Ohio, born in Medina county in 1837. His parents were Hezekiah and Sarah A. (Greene) Boone, the former of Pennsylvania, a great-nephew of Daniel Boone, the Kentucky hunter, the latter also of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Medina county with its early settlers with their parents, and were married there. They came to Mercer county in 1851. The latter, George's mother, died in 1857, aged thirty-eight years. Her remains repose in the Millersburg cemetery. The former is a tailor by trade and now lives at Fort Dodge, Nebraska, and is a member of the Lutheran church. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. George Boone came to Mercer county with his parents and located in this township, then went to Perryton township, where he resided for a time, and also for a while in Aledo. His early education was that of the common school. He first enlisted in Company I, 17th 111. Vol., served two years and was discharged because of ill health. In 1864 he, in com- pany with R. S. Osborne, raised a company for the 140th HI. Vol. Osborne was captain of the company, and George held the office of first lieutenant. The company was out seven months. He was in the battle of Fort Donelson and a part of the tw^o days' fight at Shiloh. During his second term of service the com|)anv was detailed to fight the guerrillas. He was married in 1865 to Mrs. Nancy J. FuUerton, daughter of Robert and Eliza Shearer. By this marriage George Boone has one child, Ella F. His wife bv her former husband has one MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 251 daughter, Marv A. Fullerton. lie lias a nicely improved farm of eighty acres, and a good grade of farm stock. Jaivies 3v. Morrow was born in 1S52, on the farm where he now resides. His parents, David and Elizabeth (Kiddoo) Morrow, were both natives of Pennsylvania. The latter was the daughter of James Kiddoo. David Morrow came to Mercer county witli his famil}^ in 1S4T and located in Millersburg township, where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1854, in his thirty-seventh year. His wife, mother of James K., died in 1872. They were married in 1846 and raised a family of four children, two sons and two daughters. They were quiet farmers and good citizens and members of the Presbyterian church. They left their children in good circumstances. Their son, James K., occupies the old homestead of 120 acres. He pursues the vocation of liis father. He keeps a good grade of farm stock. He has imbibed the republican spirit of his neighborhood. His early educational training was that of the common school. Dr. Jr)SEPH P. Boyd, deceased, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1826. His parents were James and Hester Boyd, both members of the Christian church. Dr. Boyd early exhibited a fondness for books, and at the age of sixteen entered the profession of school teaching, whicli he followed till he began reading medicine with Dr. James Puby at Abington, Indiana. He began the practice of his chosen profession at Bentonville, Lidiana, then went to Randolph county, where he remained two years, and then came to Millersburg in 1852, where he had a large practice. He began life for himself with limited means, but died in 1878, leaving his family in easy circumstances. He was married to Ellen Commons, daughter of William and Sarah Commons, who emigrated from England to America. The Commons family in England were members of the aristocracy. The offspring of this marriage were three children: William C, Sarah H., and Omer. He was a member of the masonic order at Aledo, and the Mercer County Medical Society. The community mourned his death as a great loss. He was a man respected for his ability and thorough going business ability. Thomas Landreth is a native of Owen county, Indiana, where he was born in 1842. His parents, Zacharia and Elonder (Fender), both natives of Virginia, settled in Owen county, Indiana, about 1825, where the subject of our sketch was reared and educated on the farm. In 1852 they came to Mercer county and located in Perrvton township, where the former died in 1872, aged sixty years ; the latter in 1875, aged sixty years. They were quiet, good farmers and earnest su])- porters of good society, and were members of the Missionary Baptist 15 ' 252 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSOiSr COrNTIES. cliurcli. Our subject came to Mercer county when a small boy with his parents. He had two brothers, Crisbj and Andrew, in the army in the late war. The former belonged to the 126th 111. Vol., and •died at La Grange, Temiessee, but a few months after his enlistment ; the latter died two days later at the same place. Mr. Landreth is a member of the I.O.O.F. at Millersburg. He was married in 1865, to Rachael Reed, a native of Mercer county, born in 1843, and a daugh- ter of Harper and Louisa (Drurv) Reed, early settlers in Mercer count}'. They have three children: Lillie M., William R., and ISTola L. He has a farm of ninety acres well suited to stock raising. He keeps a good article of farm stock. He and wife are members of the Mission- ary Baptist church. In politics he is a Greenbacker. Gary Dryden is a native of Ohio, born in 1840, and is a son of J. M. and Elizabeth (Ellis) Dryden, the former of Ohio, the latter of Yirginia. She carpe to Ohio with her parents when eleven years old. J. M. and Elizabeth Dryden came to Illinois in 1851, and located in Peoria county, where they remained till 1853, when they came to Mer- cer county. In 1855 they went to Iowa, but returned to Mercer county in 1864, where the former died in 1872, aged sixty-eight years ; the latter is living in Keithsburg, this county, and is seventy-four years old. Oary Dryden accompanied his jjarents, first to Peoria county, then to Mercer county and to Iowa, and returned in 1858 to Mercer county, where he has since lived. He has pursued the occupation of farming all his life, except three years and one month he served in the army. He enlisted in 1861 in company G, 27th 111. Vol. He was a non-com- missioned officer all the time of his service, and was in the battle of Belmont, siege of Island No. 10, the numerous skirmishes around Cor- inth, battle of Stone River, Chickamauga, siege of Knoxville, Res- aca, Georgia, and Kenesaw Mountain, where he was wounded and taken to the hospital, where he remained till after his term of enlist- ment expired. In 1867 he was married to Catharine Wolfe, native of Illinois and daughter of Solomon and Evaline (Marlatt) Wolfe, both of Indiana, and came to Mercer county with its early settlers. Mr. Dry- den by this marriage has four children: Eva (deceased), Mary, Fred- erick, Nellie L. He and his wife are members of the Seventh Day Advent church, at the Marsh school-house. He lias a farm of 160 acres of fine land, well improved, located near the south line of the township, upon which he keeps a good grade of all kinds of farm stock. John Bell is a son of John and Mary (Clifford) Bell, b(^th of Ire- land. He was born in Ohio in 184S, and came with his parents to Illinois in 1862. He was reared on the farnL His early education MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. • 253 was sucli as he could get in the district schooh He was married in 18S1 to Florence S. Adams, native of Illinois, born in 1858, and daugh- ter (.)f Samuel and Mary Adams, of Kentucky. They came to Rock Island county, Illinois, with its early settlers, and now reside in Eliza township, Mercer county. The former is a member of the Latter Day Saints church. Mr. Bell has by this marriage one child, Harry Earl. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Aledo ; his wife is a member of the Latter Day Saints church. He has a farm of 160 acres of line land fairly stocked. Politically he is a democrat. The subject of this sketch, William A. Marsh, is by birth a native -of New York, born in 1833, son of M. L. and Eliza Marsh, both of New York. They came to Mercer county in 1853, and are now resi- dents of Aledo, where the former is justice of the peace. M. L. Marsh is by vocation a farmer. He first settled in Illinois, in Millersburg township, where he now owns a farm of 150 acres. He and wife first moved to New York city, where their son, William A., was born : then to Buftalo, New York ; from there to Licking county, Ohio ; then to Illinois, where they have since resided. William A.\s early education was that of the common school and two years as a student in a graded school. He accom2:)anied his parents in all their removals till they located in Mercer county, and then he located on the farm where he has since resided. While he has jxirsued the vocation of farming for a livelihood, he has by no means given all his time and thought to n:!aking the farm pay, but is one of the most active members of the Mercer County Historical and Scientific Society, the truth of which his lai-ge collection of well-arranged specimens of shells, woods, grasses and Indian implements demonstrate without further question. No one, we have good reason to believe, has added more to the conchology and botany of Mercer county than Mr. Marsh. So large is his collection in these two sciences, and that of Indian implements, that one who has any taste in either of these directions could spend months in his cabinet with both pleasure and ])rofit. The proficiency Mr. Marsh has acquired in these branches of science clearly shows that success depends upon the amount of labor we give to one thing, and not to the num- ber of branches we take up. Mr. Marsh was married in 1855 to Mary J. Patterson, of Licking cc)unty, Ohio, born in 1837, daughter of Wilson and Isa Patterson, both of Pennsylvania. They emigrated in 1835 to Mercer county, where they are both living. They are members of the predestinarian Baptist church, and farmers by occu- pation. Mr. Marsh has nine children : Phili}), Eliza, Francis L. (deceased), Mary J., Isa R., William A., Frederick A., Wilson, and Estella E. Mr. Marsli has a good farm of 240 acres, well improved 254 niST<:>RY of mercer and HE^"T)ERSON COrXTIES. and fairly stocked with .a good grade of farm stock. In politics he votes for the man, not for the party. A. A. Sherer, the subject of this history, is a native of Pennsyl- vania, Lawi-ence connty, bom in 1839. His parents were Robert and Eliza Sherer, both of Pemisylvania. The latter died in 1841 ; the former was married a second time in 18-43, and came to Mercer county in 1853, where he died in 1861, aged fifty-six years. His business was that of stock dealing. At the time of his death he owned 600 acres of land. He was a devoted Christian and member of the Presbyterian church, as was also both his wives. His second wife now lives in Joy. Robert Sherer did much to improve the stock of horses in the county. No one carried oft" more first premiums fi-om the county fairs than he. A. A. Sherer came to Mercer county with his father. His early educa- tion was limited to the district school. He was reared to the business of the farm, which he has always followed. He was married in 1861 to Hannah Church, native of Blinois, born in 1841, daughter of Thomas and Rachel Church, both of Indiana, and earlv settlers of Xew Boston township. Tliey were prominent farmers and respected citizens of the community where they resided. Tlie former died, 1859, aged forty-eight years; the latter in 1871, aged seventy-three years. Mr. Sherer has by this marriage seven children : Ella M. , Willie T. (deceased), Robert C, Jane E., Adda P. (deceased), Rachel C, and Frank E. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian feith and hold their membership with the congregation at the Peniel church ; and also his two eldest children have embraced Christianity in the same church. Mr. Sherer has a fine stock farm three miles south of Millers- burg, which consists of 420 acres. He deals in both stock and fat cattle. His herd of sheep is of the Leicester stock; hogs, Poland China. He follows in the footsteps of his father as to class of stock he keeps. The Wilitts family came from Pennsylvania to Mercer county among its early settlers ; but at the present wi-iting but few of the once large family resident remain. Thomas Wilitts was born in Columbia county, Tennessee, in 1804. His parents, Xathaniel and Sarah AYilitts, were natives of Pennsvlvania, where thev lived out their lives. His mother lived to the ripe old age of 60 ; his father died ten years younger. His vocation was that of a shoemaker. Thomas came to Mercer county in 1854 and settled in Duncan township, where he now owns a farm, and lived there till the winter of 1881-2, when he retired from active farm life and took up his abode in Millersburg. In 1828 he was married to Margaret Taylor, of his native state. She was born in 1810, and is a daughter of Christopher Kahler, a native of Germany. MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 255 Tliej had twelve children, eight of whom are now living: "William, Townsend, practicing physician in Philadelphia ; Horace, Charles, Korman, Thomas, Maggie, and Chester. His four sons, Norman, Chester, Charles, and Horace, were soldiers in the late war. The tirst served as quartermaster; the second, in the 102d reg. 111. Yol. Inf., was out three years, and was with. Sherman on his march to the sea ; the third served eight months in the 9th 111. cavalry ; the fourth served six months in the 27th reg. Ill, Yol. Inf. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Millersburg. In politics he is a straight out republican. S. H. KiDDELL is a native of Clinton county, Ohio, born in 1840, and came to Mercer county with his parents, Humphrey and Mary (Mori) Riddell, in 1855. His father was a native of Maryland, his mother of Pennsylvania. The former emigrated from his native state to Pennsylvania, where he was married, and emigrated to Ohio in 1836, where he remained till he came to Mercer county. He died in 1871, at the ripe age of seventy years. His wife now resides in Aledo and is sixty-four years old. He was by trade a shoemaker, by voc^ation a, farmer, and superintended the county farm for ten years. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The early literary training of S. H. Riddell was that of the common school. He began a collegiate course at Delaware, Ohio, but owing to his ill health it had to be abandoned. From the age of twelve he was reared on the farm, which business he followed for himself only three years. In 1861 he was married to Sarah F. Yernon, born in 1813, daughter of James and Eliza Yernon, whose history will appear elsewhere. Mr. Riddell by this union has five children : Jennett, James (deceased), Frank A., Milo A., and Thomas Y. In 1865 he engaged in the mercantile business in Millersburg, which he carried on till 1871. Since that time he has been employed as clerk, and is now engaged by W. W. Egbert. He now holds the otfices of notary public and super- visor, and has filled most of the townshij) offices. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge. John Farax came to Millersburg in 1855, where he has since resided. He is by trade a plasterer, which trade he followed till 1879, when he engaged in the grocery business. In 1882 he bought the store of J. D, Strattan, and now is engaged in general merchandise. In connection with his store he keeps the postoffice. Mr. Faran is a native of Dearborn county, Indiana, born in 1832, son of John and Stinche Faran. The former was a native of Ireland. He first located in Cincinnati, where he was married, and then came to Indiana and 256 HISTOKY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. settled in Dearborn county, where his son John was born. The wife of the latter was a native of Ohio. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal chnrch. The former died in 1835, at the age of thirty-eight years. The latter then moved to Topeka, Kansas, where she died in 1867. Mr. Faran was married in 1857 to Harriet Riddell, daughter of Humphrey and Mary Riddell, whose history will appear in the sketch of S. H. Riddell. By this marriage he has three children : Je.neva J., Ida, and Howard. Mr. Faran is one of the men now living in Millers- burg who was instrumental in driving the saloons from the village and stopping the whisky traffic. He now has a good business, with an increasing trade. Henry Huffman, farmer and stock-raiser, Aledo, was born in Pennsylvania in 1824, and is the son of Henry and Charity (Feazel) Huffnum, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, and resided in Washington county. The former died in 1827, aged forty-iive years, and the latter in 1845, aged tiftv-two vears. Thev were farmers and members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were quiet, well-to-dO' and highly-respected people in their community. Henry Huffman came to Mercer County in the fall of 1854, and located in Iveithsburg, where he resided till the following spring, when he located on section 25, Millersburg township, where he has since lived. He was married in 1854 to Mary Witherspoon, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1831. daughter of John and Margaret (Kennedy) Witherspoon. They were members of the Presbvterian church, known as Seceders. Thev were peaceable farmers and highly respected citizens. Mr. Huffman has six children : John (deceased), Maison B., Samuel L, Willie E. and Dora A. (twins), and George W. He and wife are members of the United Pres- byterian church. He has a farm of 208 acres of fine farming land, located one-half mile from the east line of Millersburg township and four miles from the county seat. He keeps a good grade of all kinds of farm stock. Among the business men of Millersburg is J. D. Strattan, native of Clinton county, Ohio, born in 1839. His parents were David and Harriet (Hinman) Strattan ; the former of Lynchburg county, Virginia, the latter of Connecticut, near Xew Salem. They came to Mercer county and located at Millersburg in 1855, then emigrated to West Liberty, Iowa, where the former died in 1867, aged seventy-four years. The latter then m(:)ved to Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where she died in 1880, at the age of seventy-three years. David Strattan was by piv)fession a merchant and did business in Cincinnati as early as 1812-13. He sold goods both at Millersburg and West Liberty, Iowa, where he resided at the time of his death. David Strattan and wife were members of the MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 257 Hicksite Friends. J. D.'s literary education was that of the common school. He learned the business of merchandise with his father. He began business for himself as a merchant in 1863, in Millersburg, at which he continued till 1882, with the exception of one and a half years, during which time he engaged in farming. In 1881 he and Lunn established in Millersburg a creamery, to which he now gives all his time and attention. He was married in 1862 to Fanny E. Merrimar, native of Maine, born in 1843, daughter of Thomas and Mary E. Merri- man, who came to Illinois about 1814. By this marriage he had six children, three of whom are living : Ora A. , Frank P. , and Cleoi-ge C. The mother of these died in 1880. He was married a second time to Adella Y. Turner, native of Illinois, daughter of John H. and Mary" J. Turner. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Millersburg. William Valentine is the son of Absalom and Susan Valentine, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio when a child, with his parents. The latter is a native of Ohio. They emigrated to Mercer county in 1855, having spent the winter of 1854-5 in Lawrence county, Illinois. They located in Mercer county, where Absalom Valentine died, in 1864, aged sixty-two years. His wife is now living with her son William, and is seventy-four years old. She is an old sol- dier of the cross in the Methodist Episcopal clmrch, and holds her membership at Joy. William Valentine received but a meager literary education such as he was able to obtain during the winter months, in the district school of his neighborhood. He was reared to the vtucation of farming, which he has followed. He was born in Ohio m 1837, and came with his parents to Mercer county in 1855, where he has since resided. He enlisted in the service of his country in 1862, in company K, 102d 111. Vol., and served till the close of the war, and was mustered out June 6, 1865. He was in the battles of Resaca, Georgia, at the siege of Atlanta, and with Sherman, on his march to the sea, at Goldsborough, and Savannah, and from there to Richmond, and Washington. He was married in 1869 to Easter Bell, daughter of John and Margaret Bell. By this marriage he has one child, Ben- jamin H. He has a farm of 120 acres of line land, and keeps a good grade of farm stock. Wilson P. Zentisiire's parents, Da\ad and Dianna (Minick) Zent- mire, emigrated from their native state, Ohio, where their son, Wilson P., was born, to Illinois, in 1855, and located in Abington township, Mer- cer county, where the}^ resided nine years. They then moved to Millersburg township, where the former died in 1870, aged sixty years, the latter in 1869, aged forty-nine years. He was a carpenter and 258 HISTORY OF jSIERCEE AXD HE^TDERSOX COUiS'TIES. farmer. The Zentmires family emigrated to America from Germany at an early time. Wilson P. came to Mercer county with his parents, when eight years old. His early education was such as the common schools of that time could furnish. He has 2:iven his entire time to farming. He was married in 1868, to Miss Xancy Ividdoo, daughter of Richard and Eliza (Vannatta) Kiddoo, whose sketch will appear in the work. They have five children ; Harry, Hattie, Eay (deceased), Velly (deceased), and Tuse. He owns a tine stock farm of 160 acres, and keeps a good grade of farm stock. In 1881 he had his house on section 33, burned, loss $2,200, $1,300 of which was covered by insur- ance. Politically he is a republican. "William M. Miller, farmer and teacher, is one of the early teachers in Millersburff. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1829. His early educational training was that of the common school of his home, and ten months at an academy. Five years previous to his coming to Illinois, which was in 1855, he began teaching in his native state, when he was in his nineteenth year, and has taught school eighteen years in Millersburg township, lodging at the same house all this time, making twenty-three years he has spent in the profession. His parents, James and Mary (McCreary) Miller, were natives of the Quaker state. The former died in 1881, aged seventy-seven years, the latter is yet living and is in her seventy-third year. His parents were well-to-do farmers, and members of the Westiield Presb^-terian churcli. His father came from Ireland; his mother's family, the McCrearys, em- igrated to Pennsylvania in its early settlement. Mr. Miller was mar- ried in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth Galawav. native of Ohio. She came with her parents to Mercer count}' in 185-1 and located in Millersburg towaiship. Her parents were natives of Ohio. They had pre^-iously emigrated to Kansas. There the father died in 187-1, aged sixty-three years. The mother is still living. Mr. Miller by this marriage has a family of eight children : Mary J., Laura B., Eva S., Granville S., Jessie S,, John G., Mattie P., and Lizzie L. He and family, except the three youngest, are members of the Presb^-ferian faith. His present occupation is that of farming. He has a fine farm of eighty acres, on which he keeps a good grade of farm stock. In politics he is a republican. Aaron P. Shaker is a native of New York state, born in 1811, son of Adam and Hellena Shafer, both of ISTew York. He was by occupa- tion a farmer. For a number of ^^ears he held the office of colonel of the state militia. Both were members of the Baptist church. They were reared, educated and spent their lives without emigrating from their native state. Their son, Aaron P. , was reared on the fiirm with MILLERSBL'RG TOWNSHIP. • 259 «uch educational advantages as the pioneer schools of his boyhood could furnish, which were limited. He lived on the farm till he arrived at the age of twenty-three. He was then engaged for a time as clerk in a store, then began in the mercantile business in Xew York for himself, which he followed for a time when he sold out his business and bought a farm which he sold and came to Illinois in 1856, and located in Millersburg, where he has since resided. Here he learned the wagonmaker's trade and has carried on a shop since 1856. He was married in 1841 to Eliza Davis, of New York, born in 1818, daughter of John S. and Elizabeth Davis, both of IS'ew York. They were well- to-do farmers. Mr. Shafer has by this marriage two children : Elizabeth, now Mrs. Felton, and Annie A. Their mother died in 1816. He has since remained unmarried. He is a member of the Baptist church, and a republican in politics. William C. Buyd, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Indiana in 1847, and is the son of Dr. Joseph P. and Ellen (Commons) Boyd, ■whose history will appear in the sketches of Millersburg township. William C^ came to Mercer county with his father when a mere boy. His educational training was that of the village school at Millersburg. During his boyhood his father was engaged more or less in stock raising, for which AVilliam C. formed a liking and has chosen for a livelihood. He lives one mile west of Millersburg, near the line between Millersburg and Duncan townships, on a part of the farm owned by his father, which consists of 640 acres, and is yet undivided between his thi-ee children. William C. Boyd was married in 1873 to Emma Longshore, native of Indiana, born in 1853, and came to Mercer county with her parents, J. H. and Sally (Hadley) Longshore. Mr. Boyd has by this marriage two children : Archie L. and Edna. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Millersburg. In politics he is a republican. Joseph A. Downey is the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Wilson) DowTiev, both of whom are natives of Ireland. He first located in Pennsylvania where he w^orked upon the railroad f(^r seAeral years, then came to Mercer county where he rented land for a while, and now owns a fine farm of 419 acres in Millersburg township, where he resides. He was married in Philadelphia and has a family of eleven children: Joseph A., John, Mary (deceased), William, Wilson, Andrew, Martha, Annie (deceased), Moses, George (deceased), and Harry. Joseph, the eldest of his father's family, is a native of Mercer county, born in 1858. He was married in 1881 to Mary McGinnis, of Mercer county, daughter of John J. McGimiis now a resident of Duncan township, Mercer county. Joseph A. lives on the farm of his father 260 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. and keeps a good grade of farm stock. His early educational training- was tliat of the common scliool. He was reared on the farm and this business he has always followed. James H. Longshore was formerly from Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania. He first emigrated from his native state to Ohio' Clinton county, where he remained till 1852, then he moved to Indiana, where he remained seven years, when he came to Mercer county and located in Millersburg, where he has since remained, pursuing the trade of his choosing for a livelihood. He was born in 1823. His parents, James and Sarah Longshore, remained in their native state all their lives. His father was a wagon builder by trade. The religion of his parents was that of the Hicksite Quakers. Mr. J. H. Longshore's early educational training was such as the common schools of his time could ftirnish. When a boy he learned his trade with his father. In 1849 he was married to Sally Hadley, of Clinton county, Ohio, whose- birth dates to 1842. She is the daughter of William and Susanna Hadley, both of whom are natives of Virginia. They came to Ohio quite early, where they both departed this life, the former at the age of fifty years, the latter at eighty-seven years. Both were members of the orthodox Friend's church. By this marriage Mr. Longshore has. four children: Alvin E., now in California, Emma B., Carrie, and Howard. In politics his principles are those advocated by the republi- can party. He was one of those men who came to Millersburg in the zenith of its prospects of prosperity and yet remains, having secured a. good run of trade in his line. D. A. Davison was born in 1833, in the State of Pennsylvania. His parents were Moses and Elizabeth Davison, both of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to AVells county, in 1843. There they died, the former in 1880, aged seventy-seven years ; the latter in 1864, aged fifty-seven years. The former was a farmer, miller and millwright. D. A. came from Pennsj^vania to Mercer county in 1859, and located in New Bos- ton township, where he remained two years, then moved to Keithsburg two years. In 1866 he located in Millersburg township, where he now resides, near the south line. He was married in 1860 to Evaline \Yolfe, a native of Indiana, born in 1842, and daughter of Solomon and. Evaline (Marlatt) Wolfe. They came to Illinois in 1846. They are both natives of Indiana, and are now citizens of Abington township, Mercer county, and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Davison has by this marriage twelve children : Ida (deceased). May, Cora, Kalph, Walter, Edward (deceased), Albert, Clarence, Morgan, Grace, Rose, and Maud. Mi-. Davison enlisted in 1862 in tlie late war, in company G, 124th 111. Vol. Inf., served three years, and was MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP. 261 in the following engagements: Fort Gibson, Brownsville, Jackson^ Clunnpion Hills, Black river, siege of Vicksburg, numerous skirmishes^ and at Spanish Fort. He lives on a fine farm of 32<) acres. W. W. Egbert is a native of Stark county, Illinois. His parents, James C. and Catharine (Swank) Egbert, the former a native of ISTew Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania, came witli the early settlers to- Stark county, where our subject was born in 1S54. There his father departed this life in 1863, aged thirty-six years. W. W. Egbert received a fair common school education and live terms at Hedding college. He first began business for himself as druggist in partnership with Dr. D. J. Perry at West Jersey, Illinois. In 1876 he brought a stock of drugs to Millersburg and opened a store. In 1878 he engaged in general merchandise in which business he is at present. He has a good trade. In 1878 his store was burned; loss $2,000, $1,000 of which was paid by the insurance company. He was married in 1877 to Miss Margaret M. Green, native of Illinois, daughter of W. L. and Rebecca E. Green, both' of Pennsylvania, and came to Mercer county in 1854. The former was by trade a carver and gilder. He held the- office of justice of the peace for several years, was in the mercantile business vntli H. W. Thornton, and was for a time postmaster at Millersburg. He enlisted in the army in 1861 in the* Irotli 111. Vol. Inf., in company I, as second lieutenant. He was in the battle of Shiloh, and died of wounds in 1862, while in the service. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. His widow now receives a pension and resides in Millersburg. She was at one time postmistress at Millers- burg for about fifteen years. W. W. Egbert has by this marriage two children : William C. and Frederick W. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Millersburg. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Among the well-to-do citizens and farmers of Millersburg township is John Hubert, born in New York in 1838, and son of John and Magdalena (Chat) Rubert, the former a native of France, the latter of New York, and of German descent. John Jr.'s father died when he was an infant ; his mother died when he was fourteen years old, aged thirty-seven years. She came to Chicago in 1843, where she resided for a time, when she removed to Peoria county. John's parents were members of the Christian church. Mr. Rubert's early education was limited. He came to Mercer county in 1858 and located near New Windsor, where he remained till 1861, when he enlisted in the army in August of that year, in company A, 3()th 111. Yol. Inf , and served till December, 1862, He was in the battle of Belmont and bombard- ment of Fort Henry. At Fort Donelson he was taken prisoner, and '262 HISTORY OF MERCER A^SD HENDERSON COUNTIES. taken first to Memphis wliere he remained six weeks, then to Mobile, then to Tuscaloosa, from whence he was sent t(j parole camp at St. Louis, and discharged December, 1862. He returned home and located in Millersburg township in 1863, where he now resides. In 1863 he was married to Miss E. J. Hughes, of Pennsylvania, born in 1842, and daugliter of Joseph and Elizabeth Hughes, the former of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. They came to Mercer county in 1857 and located in Millersburg township, where both now reside. He is a wagon maker b}' trade and carries on a shop in the callage of Joy. Both are members of the Seventh Day Advent church at Marsh school-house. John Rubert has by this marriage three children : Bertha E. (deceased), Joseph B., John C, and Jennie E. He and wife are members of the Seventh Day Advent church. He owns a well-improved farm of eighty acres, fairly stocked with a good grade of stock. One of the early families yet resident in Millersburg towhship is the Dool family. Of that family now resident of this township is John Dool. His father, Robert Dool, was a native of Ireland (Antrim county), and came to America in 1819, landing in Pennsylvania, where he remained two years when he moved to Ohio, and died in 1829, aged forty-two years, leaving a wife and eight children to mourn his loss. His ^\dfe, Margaret (Spears) Dool, was a native of Ireland ; her parents were John and Mary (Hannah) Spears, who came to Ameiica in 1824 and settled in Ohio, where they both died. Robert DooFs children were named as follows: William S., Henry and Hannah (twins), Rosanna, Margaret, Mary, John, Thomas. Robert Dool and AN-ife were farmers both in Ireland and America, and were members of the Presbyterian church. His wife, who still survives, lives mth her daughter on the farm of her son John, and is now eighty-eight years old. John Dool was born in 1826 in Harrison county, Ohio, where he remained till 1858, when he came to Mercer county with his mother and her eight children. Here he has since resided. He was married in 1863 to Sarah Haverfield, daughter of James and Mary Haverfield, the former .of Ohio, the latter of Ireland. The former died in 1862, aged sixty-two years, while in the service of the 9th 111. Yol. Inf The latter died in 1857. They were both members of the United Presby- terian church. By his marriage John Dool has four children : Anna L., James I., William H., and Robert B. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He has a farm of 120 acres of fine farm- ing land, well improved and fairly stocked, and fifteen acres of timber. In politics he is a democrat. Timothy Noonan, farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Tipperary MILLERSBUKG TOWNSHIP. . 263 county, Ireland, born in 1837, and came to America with liis parents, Daniel and Ellen Xoonan, both (jf Tipperary county, Ireland, in 1859. They first located for a time in Massachusetts ; tlien came to Mercer county. • Both were members of the Eoman Catholic church. The former died in 1878, aged ninety-live years ; the latter, his wife, lives in the village of Millersburg, and is ninety-two years old, hale and hearty for one twenty years her junior. Timothy Noonan learned the trade of his father, which was that of shoemaker. He and his father carried on a shoe shoj) for a time in the village of Millersburg. In 1859 he made a trip to the Rocky Mountains, and was gone nearly one yccir, when he returned to Millersburg and opened a shoe shop, but soon left the sliop for the farm where he now resides, some three miles west of Aledo. He was married in 1860 to Sarah McGinnis, born in 1839, and daughter of Thomas and Mary McGinnis, both of Ireland. They first located in Pennsylvania ; then moved to Keithsburg, Mercer county, when their daughter Sarah was seven years old. The foniier died in 1863 ; the latter in 1872. Both were of the Eoman Catholic faith. By this marriage Mr. Noonan has six children: Thomas F., William, John L., Eddy H., Mary J., and an infant. He and wife are members of the same church as their parents. He has a fine farm of 240 acres, well improved and well stocked. P. D. Shingledecker, Aledo, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1852, son of John and Sarah Shingledecker, both of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Mercer county in 1852, remained one year, and returned to their native state, where they spent the remainder of their days. The former died in 1858, at the age of fifty-two ; the latter in 1872, aged fifty-one years. They were members of the Presbyterian faith. P. D.'s early education was that of the common school. He came to Illinois in 1862, staid five years and returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained seven years, when he came again to Mercer county, where he now resides. He was married in 1872 to Rachel Richards, of Whitesides county, Illinois, born in 1858, daughter of George and Eliza Richards, both of Illinois. The latter died in 1864, and was a member of the Presbyterian church ; the former is now living in Colo- rado. Mr. Shingledecker is a man of steady habits and industrious turn. He keeps a good grade of farm stock, but raises grain to sell rather than t<:) teed. John Bell, farmer and stock raiser, Aledo, was born in 1805, is a native of Ireland, and came to America in 1841. His parents were Benjamin and Ann Bell, both of whom were Presbyterians. Mr. Bell first landed at Philadelphia, and proceeded to Ohio, where he remained till 1863, when he came and settled in Millersburg township, on tlie '264 . HISTORY OF ilEECER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. farm of 360 acres where he now resides. He was married to Margaret Clifford, nati^-e of Ireland, and daughter of John and Mary Clifford, of Ireland, both of whom came to America in 1S41. They were farmers and members of the Presbyterian chnrch. Mr. Bell by this 'marriage has six children: Mary, John C, Easter, George, Aim, and Jane. His wife is of the Presbyterian faith. In politics he is strictly a democrat. He keeps on his farm a- good grade of farm stock. His farm is the result of his own labor, economy and business ability. Zachariah Jewel, the subject of this sketch, is a natiye of Harrison c-ounty, Ohio, born in 1824. He was reared on the farm in his natiye state, where he resided till 1873 when he came to Mercer county where he now resides. During the late war he was a member of the Harrison County Home Guards, and was called out to driye Morgan from the state. He was married in 184T to Mary Dool, native of Ohio, daughter of Robert and Margaret Dool. By this marriage he has seven chil- dren: Margaret A., iSTancy E., James W., Rebecca J., Hannah L., Mary O., John AV. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Peniel. Mr. Jewel's parents were James and jS^ancy (Spring) Jewel, both of whom came to' Harrison county, Ohio, from their native state, Virginia. They were pioneer settlers of Harrison county, and still Teside in Ohio. They are farmers and members of the Baptist ■church. Dr. John P. Chowning, Millersburg, was born January 21, 1843, in the town of Payson, Adams county, Illinois. His parents, Thomas J. and Louisa (Holman) Chowning, were nati^'es of Tennessee, of Scotch descent. They emigrated to Adams county in 1840, and located •on a farm near Pavson. In 1850 thev removed to Adair county. Mis- souri, but returned to Adams county, after an absence of three years, where they remained till the close of the rebellion. They are at present living in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Chowning was the oldest of nine children, eight of whom are still living. After completing the common school studies he spent two years in the academy of his native town. The rebellion having broken out he enlisted August 7, 1862, in Company E, 84th 111. Vol., in which he served till the close of the second days' fight at Chickamauga, when he was taken prisoner. He was taken to Richmond, Virginia, and confined in what was known as ''Castle Pemberton," for one and one-half months, after which he was removed to Danville, Virginia, where he remained four and one- half months, from thence to Andersonville, Georgia, where for seven months he was subjected to scenes of cruelty and suffering that beggar description. On the night of October 1, ls64, while being transferred from Andersonville to Charleston, South Carolina, he escaped with one MILLEKSBURG TOWNSHIP. 265 of his fellow prisoners, by jumping from the train while in motion. Reduced by starvation and disease to a mere skeleton, the tendons of of his limbs contracted till he was literally compelled to walk on tip toe by the aid of a "walking stick." After a perilous journey of eighteen days, through an enemy's country, subsisting on sweet pota- toes and such other edibles as were obtainable, he at last reached the Union lines, then at Atlanta, Georgia. Through the kindness of Gen. Stanley he was at once detailed as a clerk in the diWsion hospital, where he remained till the close of the war. In the fall of .186i he ■entered the Iowa Wesleyan University, from which he graduated in 1869, defraying his expenses by teaching during the winter months and working at the carpenter's trade during the summer vacations. In the spring of 1870 he commenced the study of medicine, with Dr. E. L. Marshall, of Keithsburg, Illinois, as preceptor. He con- tinued his medical studies, teaching in the meantime ; was j^rincipal of the schools in Keithsburg and Barry, Illinois, respectively. During the winter of 1872-3 he attended lectures at Rush medical college. Locating at Millersburg, he practiced two years and six months, wdien he again attended lectures at Bellvue hospital medical college, New- York, from which he received the degree . of M. D. Dr. Chowning was married to Florence, daughter of A. B. and Anna Sheriff", in 1871; her father a native of Pennsylvania, her mother of Ohio. By this marriage they have four children : Florence M., William M., Josephine, and Eva. They are both members of the Metliodist Episcopal church. The doctor is a member ctf the masonic fraternity ; is also a member of military tract medical society. John Downing, Aledo', is a native of Belmont county, Ohio, born in 1 81:0, son of John and Ellen Downing ; former, native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. They came to Mercer county in 1864, and located one and a half miles east of where their son John now resides, and where they both died ; the former in 1873, at the age of seventy-two ; the latter in 1871, at the age of sixty-eight years. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and their remains repose in the cemetery of the Peniel church. John Downing came to Mercer county with his parents. He was married in 1863 to Rachel J. Campbell, native of Belmont county, Ohio, daughter of John and Jane Campbell, both of Ohio, and are now residents of their native state. Mr. Downing has by this union live children: Jane E., Maggie L., Robert L., Birdie S., and John C. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He served in company K, 102d 111. Vol., was mustered into the service in 1862, served six months, and was discharged because of ill health. He moved upon the farm where he now lives in 1877. His farni con- 266 HISTORY OF MERCER A^'D HENDERSON COUNTIES. tains 150 acres, which cost $50 per acre. It is fairly improved and stocked with a good grade of cattle, hogs and horses. W. E. Lemon, Aledo, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1837, son of John and Eliza Lemon, both of Pennsylvania. They came to Mercer connty in 1867, and located in Aledo, where they resided till 1871, when they moved npon a farm, where the latter died in 1874, at the age of fifty-seven years, when the former returned to Aledo, where he now resides. Having sold his farm he now lives a retired life. He and wife were Presbyterians. W. P. was reared on the farm. His educational training was such as he could get in the district school. During the war he was a member of the home guards in his native state, and was ordered out once. He was married in 1868 to Alice Lair, native of Lidiana, and came to Mercer when she was a girl with her parents. She died in 1870, at the age of thirty years. He was married a second time to Julia A. Barcroft, of Ohio, daughter of William and Anna Barcroft, both of Ohio. By this last marriage he has three children : Frank, Lena, and Earl. Mr. Lemon has a fine stock farm of 120 acres, lying upon both sides of the railroad, three and a half miles west of Aledo. He keeps a high grade of cattle, sheep, liogs and horses, the latter of the Clidesdale and Norman stock. His sheep are of the Merino breed. He is a member of the Presby- terian church at Aledo. S. A. Oliver was born in 1855 in Henry county, Illinois, and is the son of Robert P. and Mary E. Oliver, both of Ohio, now citizens of Henry coimty. By vocation they are farmers. S. A. was reared and educated to the farm, which pursuit he has always followed. His early educational training was such as the common schools of his neighborhood could fiirnish. He was married in 1874 to Maggie Lyle, native of Henry county, Illinois, born in 1855, daughter of AVilliam and Margaret Lyle, both of Scotland. They came to Henry county with its early settlers. By this marriage Mr. r)liver has two children, twins : Marian and Mary. He came to Mercer county and located in 1879, where he now resides. He has a farm of eighty acres, fairly improved and stocked with a good grade of cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. Ct. "W. Pickup, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Iowa, born in 1848, and came with his parents, John and Mary E. Pickup, to Burlington. Iowa. They were natives of England, and emigrated to America in 1838. They both died during the cholera scourge of 1849, the former before G. W. was born. G. W.'s mother was a member of the Episcopal church. In 1861 he enlisted in company D, 7th 111. Vol., ninety days' men, then re-enlisted in com])any G, 10th 111. Vol., and served till July 4, 1865. He was in the siege of New Madrid; then ^M IWIiii »w . *» . f ; '■lA^ ELIZA TOWNSHIP. ' 269 went to Memphis ; was in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth ; witli Gen. E. A. Payne, who was sent to reinforce Nashville ; in 1863 was placed in Rosecrans' division ; was in the battles of Stone river, Chickamauga, and was with Sherman's division in his march to the sea, at Golds- borongh, and then went to Richmond, AVashington and Lonisville,. where he was mustered ont of the service July -i, 1S65. lie was: married in 1871 to Mary E. Griffith, of Mercer county, born in 1853, and daughter of Charles and IMartha Griffith ; the former of Indiana, the latter of Ireland. They came with the early settlers to Mercer county, and located in Millersburg township, where the former now resides, his wife having died in 1879, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Pickup by this marriage has one child, George A. He resides two miles south of Millersburg, on a farm of eighty acres, which is nicely improved and well stocked. In politics he is a republican. ELIZA TOWNSHIP. This is No. 15, in range 5, of the fourth principal meridian. Rock Island county bounds it on the north, and the Mississippi river on the west. A chain of irregular and abriij)t bluffs extends from north to south, through the center of the township, from the south line of section 32 to the northern boundary line between Eliza township and Rock Island county, at the northwest corner of section 6. Three creeks run in a southwesterly direction through the town, the principal one of- which is Eliza creek, whose source is in the N. E. ^ of Sec. 12, of Duncan township. Fed by small tributaries on both sides, it runs southwest through that township, crossing the eastern boundary line between the two townships in the N. E. J of Sec. 24 ; runs southwest to the center of section 23 ; thence northwest to the north section line between sections 15 and 22 ; thence southwest, crossing the west section line between sections 21 and 22, through sections 21, 29, 30, 25, and 36, and emptying into the head of lower Eliza lake. AVinters creek enters the township in the N. E. J of Sec. 25 ; flows soutliwest through sections 25 and 35. Glancy branch enters the township at the north- ern boundary line between Eliza township and Rock Island county, in section 5, and runs southwest through sections 5 and 7. These streams and their tributaries furnish ample supj)lies of water for stock at all seasons of the year. In the western part of the township, below the bluffs and between the river, are nestled numerous small lakes and ponds. The most prominent of the lakes are Upper Eliza, Glancy, and Swan, the largest 16 270 HISTORY OF aiEECER A^D HE^'DEESON COUNTIES. being Swan, part of which extends south into Xew Boston township ; this lake is two and a half miles long and a half mile wide, and, like all the rest, the water in tliis lake is clear and from four to five feet in depth. Upper Eliza is one mile long and a quarter mile wide, and from three to eight feet deep. Glancv extends north into Rock Island county, and is about two miles long, one-eighth mile in width, and from five to twenty feet in depth. These lakes and their tributaries are mostly skirted with timber and a species of willow commonly called buck brush. The timber consists of the various oaks, hickory, maple, sycamore, hockberry, buckeye, ■v\dld honey-locust, ash, walnut, and pecan, of which a fine young gi'owth is now growing. Grape and other wild climbers also abound along the banks of creeks and lakes. These lakes and tributaries abound in game and fish of fine flavor, and the business of fishing is carried on to some extent by paiHes who lease the grounds for that pui-jDose. Wild ducks and geese are also plentiful in seasons when they migrate from north to south, and vice versa. The soil of Eliza township is admirably adapted to agricultural purposes. The land lying on the southeast side of Eliza creek is mostly prairie, and is composed of rich black loam, with yellow and brown clay subsoil in places, which produces heavy crops of corn and other agricultural staples. The land lying north of the creek is undu- lating, and, near the blufi", quite hilly ; is mostly covered with timber, and is used for pasture, for which it supplies a fine growth of blue grass. The land on the blufi' and in the vicinitv of the river seems to have been the favorite abode of the ancient moimd builders, of which race of people we know but little at the present day. All along below and on the summit of these bluft's can be seen these mounds, the most noted of which are on sections 28 and 29, north of Jay Wilson's farm, Martin Bear place, on section 16, now occupied by Edwin Bishop's house, and on the east part of sections 19 and 30, the most prominent of which are on sections 19 and 30. All through the timber on these lands can be seen what appears to have been at one time a line of earth-works, thrown up for a defense, inside of which are hundreds of these mounds. Some of them measure forty feet at the base, and on top large oak trees, four feet in diameter, have grown. Many of these mounds have been opened by scientific men and curiosity seekers. In some of them have been found specimens of several grades of pottery, from the common clay to some artistically decorated and apparently glazed. Some curiously shaped pipes and axes have also been found, among which was a double edged one, having a round hole in the ELIZA TOWNSHIP. 271 center for an eye. The most important thing found in these mounds was a skeleton measuring nine feet in length. The bones taken from the mounds are all w^ll preserved. All that portion of land extending westward and nearest the river is of the ^nest quality, but owing to tlie exposure to overflow and the damp nature of the soil in seasons for planting, is not farmed. It is covered with a heavy growth of tall coarse grass which makes line j)asture for cattle, hundreds of which are grazed upon it annually and hundreds of tons of hay are made and stacked for winter use. The land nearer the bluff" is of the finest grade, the soil being from tive to ten feet deej), and susceptible of the highest state of cultivation, and in favorable seasons unaccompanied by overflow, has produced more corn per acre than any other land in the country; but in seasons of extreme rainy weather in the northern states, it is subject to ovei'flow, as was too truly the experience in that locality in the spring and fall of - 1881. After the farmers had planted their corn and it had grown a foot or more the land began to overflow, and in the course of a few days crops were completely submerged in a vast sea of water extending from the bluff' to the Mississippi. Crops of all kinds were completely destroyed. Many cattle, horses and hogs were drowned and those only were saved that could be brought out on flat-boats. The sudden and unexpected appearance of this flood was without a parallel to the oldest inhabitants. The water reached a height equal to that of 1851, soon subsided and disappeared. The inhabitants were at flrst discour- aged at the prospect for a crop that season, but they went to wqi"k replanting their corn hoping to be favored by a long season to mature the second crop ; the second })lanting germinated and grew and soon looked better than the flrst. The season of 1881 being unfavorable for corn throughout the state, proved the best in this locality on account of the peculiar adaptability of the soil. The crop raised that season was the best in the county, but when harvest time came and the farmers were about to realize the results of their labor, with corn at sixty cents per bushel, a repetition of what had taken place in the spring ensued ruining the crops and sweeping away horses, cattle, hay and fences. Xo portion of land could be seen anywhere. Unlike the previous overflow in the spring, the water was slow to pass off' and covered the land for two -months, during which time, drawn there by the excellent feeding, the wdld ducks swarmed in by the thousands, completely stripping the corn that was standing out in the water. Sportsmen came from all parts of the state, the reports of whose guns sounded to the old soldier like a distant skirmish line. It has been estimated that during that season forty thousand du«ks were killed and shipped from that place to the large cities. 272 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. FIRST SETTLEMENTS. The first early settlers of Eliza, with but few exceptions, came from Indiana and, in most instances, brought their families with them, making the journey through the open prairie and enduring all the hardships incident to the times. There being at that time a few trad- ing places at 'New Boston, that point was mostly aimed for on account of the freight and commercial advantages it then aftbrded. Another atti-action was the timber along the bluff. The majority of these people having been raised in and adjacent to timber in the former state, looked upon farming without the use of timber as impracticable, and without which they were unable to construct their rude log cabins and fence their farms. J. H. Witter was the first settler in Eliza township. He came from Indiana to Eliza in the spring of 1833 and settled on Witter's creek, then named for liim, but afterward changed to Winter, who was the next man to settle near the same place. Witter did not stay long in Eliza, but sold out and moved to Iowa. In the fall of that year David Sliaunce and family, accompanied by his son, John Shaunce, arrived. They entered the E. ^ of the S. E. |- of Sec. 29, but by mistake settled on a quarter of land in the W. -J of the S. W. J of Sec. 29, soon after which William Wilson and John Hill came. Wilson was from Indiana and Hill from Kentucky. Hill took a claim and built the best house then in the township, on the E. ^ of the S. E. J of Sec. 29, which land by right belonged to Shaunce. As soon as the mistake was discovered a difliculty between the parties ensued, causing a bitter enmity in both men. After considerable quarreling over the disputed land, Shaunce sold it to Mr. D. F. Noble on condition that he (Shaunce) should take possession of the place. Shaunce first tried to get Hill off the place by legal process, but failing in that he then undertook it by force, which was the cause of some heavy fist battles in the neighborhood. Hill, however, relin- quished his right to the property by moving off the premises, of which Noble took possession. Hill then bought a piece of land on section 31, where he lived for a short time, and sold out to Samuel Elliott and moved to Iowa. Shaunce's name is familiarly remembered by all the old settlers of the present time. His house was the radiating point. A traveler inquiring the way to a place was invariably told that the place inquired for was so far to or from Shaunce's. Shaunce was one of the first grand jurors chosen in the county, and also one of the first parties in a law suit. In the spring of 1834 Silas Drury and father, accompanied by a cousin, Charles Drury, and J. P. Reynolds, arrived. Silas Drury ELIZA TOWNSHIP. 273 entered a piece of land, where he built a cabin and lived until he sold out to Daniel Noble, when he moved to Rock Island county, town of Drurj, which bears his name. He then built a large mill on Copperas creek, familiarlv known to all the old settlers as Drury's mill. Mr. Drury's father, Charles Drury, and J. P. Eeynolds did not remain long in Illinois, but took passage on board a steamboat at New Boston on their way back to Indiana by way of Cincinnati. Reynolds return- ing the same season lived with Dr. Rejaiolds until the following spring of 1835, when he was married to Miss Hettie Elliott, formerly from Morgan county, Indiana. This was the first marriage in the township, which event is distinctly remembered from the circumstance that followed. Reynolds died in just four weeks after the wedding day, and was buried in Eliza cemetery. Charles Drury, returning in the fall of 1S35, was also married to Miss Nancy Prentice, wdio died eleven months after. He then moved to Rock Island county and studied medicine with Dr. Reynolds, after which he married Mrs. Eliza McGreeiv, moved back and practiced medicine throughout the township, living upon wdiat is known as the E. W. Mardock farm. He quit the practice of medicine in 1851 and moved to Oregon. In the fall of 183-1 Jesse AYillits and family, also from Indiana, settled on section 32, the place now owned by Frank Willits. Willits was the lirst probate judge, and one of the first justices of the peace ; also one of the first grand jurors chosen in 1835. He lived on the place where he first settled until the time of liis death m 1813. Dr. Mark Willits settled on the same piece of land with Jesse Willits, on section 32, which he sold after living upon the place one year. Dr. Mark Willits was also one of the first grand jurors chosen fi"om the township that year. Dr. Willits was a native of Indiana. Mark Mullen and famil}^ arrived late in the fall of that year and settled on section 7, where he built a cabin and small blacksmith shop, near the bluff, which is still standing. Mullen was the fii-st blacksmith in the towmship, and it is presumed he was not troubled much with compe- tition, as the nearest shop to him was at North Henderson, some thirty miles distant. Mullen lived but a short time on the place where he settled, and selling his place to Samuel Elliott he moved to Iowa. Isaac Dawson and William Jackson came next. Dawson settled on land now the August Schrader place, wdiicli he sold to Martin A. Cook in 1851, and moved to Iowa. Both men were from Montgomery county, Indiana. Jackson settled on Pope creek, near Keithsburg. Lewns Noble and family settled on section 32, where he built a house and improved a farm, which he afterward sold, and moved to Decatur county, Iowa. 274: HISTORY OF MERCEK AXD HENDERSON COrNTIES. The glowing accounts of the then far west sent back by those who had settled here, induced others to follow them, and the next one coming in the spring of 1S35 was John Drury and family. They settled on section 35, now kno^vn as the A. B. Cliilds place, on which he lived until the time of his death. Aaron Mannon then bought a piece of land on section 29, which is now owned by Harvey Mills. After Mannon bought the land he returned to Indiana for his family, leaving his son, who had come with him, in charge of the place. During his father's absence he built a house on section 30, which land he had entered soon after his first arrival with his father. His father returning in the following May, settled oh section 30, land now owned by AY. H. Mills. Abijah Wilson and Allen Wilson came in the summer of 1S35 ; they took up land on section 33, which they after- ward sold. Robert Childers settled on section 16, where he built a cabin, lived a short time, sold out and moved to Iowa. John and "William Fisher came in the fall and settled on section 18, the Joseph Bush place. John also bought land in section 23. William settled on the L'a Xoble place, at the foot of the blufi". Jesse L. Adams settled on section 19, from which place he moved to section 22, where he now resides. Eezin Pratt came from Indiana to Mercer county in 1S36. He first bought in section 30, and subsequently bought land adjoining. He then returned to Indiana the same season for his family. Pratt was the first postmaster in the township and had liis office in the house in which he lived. He was also the first justice of the peace. Daniel Xoble and family, accompanied by his son, D. F. Koble, and wife, came soon after Pratt. Thev rented land the first season of Jessie Willits, and the same year Daniel jS^oble bought some land from Silas Drury, and at the same time entered on sections 30, 18 and 19. He built a house on the S. E. J of Sec. 30 the same year. D. F. Noble first entered land in sections 31 and 20, which he afterward sold ; he also bought eighty acres in section 29 at the same time, as did David Shaunce, where he first settled. He afterward bought land in section 30, near the bluft", upon which there was a small house, in which he lived until 1881, at which time he built a fine new frame, near the site of the old one. Thomas Morgan, of Montgomery count}', Indiana, settled with his family on section 22. on which place he died in 1850. The place is now owned by Martin Bear, and occupied by his son Madrew. The first log cabin built upon the place is still standing in a good state of preservation. Morgan was buried in Eliza cemetery. Samuel Elliott bought the Mark Mullen place in 1836, in section 7. George Moore came in the spring and settled on the S. W. ^ of Sec. 30, which he sold in the spring to his brother John Moore, who came ELIZA TOWNSHIP. 275 during the previous winter. Moore started early in tlie winter to make the journey by boat, accompanied by his wife and a small child. When boarding the boat at Cincinnati he fell through a hatchway and was severely injured. On arriving at Fort Madison they found that they could not proceed farther by boat, owing to the river being frozen over at that point. They left the river at that place and began the balance of the journey on foot, through a wilderness of prairie grass and howlinai; wolves. The sufterinij-s thev endured on account of cold and hunger was intense, but after several days painful travel, tired and foot sore they finally arrived at the house of Joseph Glancey, where they stayed during the winter, and in the spring settled in Eliza on land bought of his brother George. John Moore seems to have been exceedingly unlucky, for in the spring of 1839, while in the timber s])litting rails, a tree fell upon him crippling him for life. But notwithstanding all the sufferings he had previously endured, he went to work and built a saw-mill on Eliza creek, the first of the kind in the township. Martin and Jacob Bear came next. They started from Indiana about April 16, in company with John Thompson, and Abraham Piatt. Thompson and Piatt were from Ohio, and settled in Walnut Grove, in Knox county, Illinois. The Bears' outfit consisted of four yoke of oxen hitched to an old fashioned Yirginia road wagon, heavily loaded, in consequence of which the journey was a slow and tedious one. Often the drivers had to unhitch their teams and carry their loads out of a slough on their backs, and often this interesting performance was repeated several times during each days' journey. Many times they would hitch all the oxen to one wagon to pull it through a slough, and when that failed then the inter- esting process of wading through the mud was resorted to. Mr. Jacob Bear's experience on the occasion as related by him must have been an exceedingly interesting one to him. Among the party there was a small child who was very fond of him, and when not in his company would continually cry for him, and as Mr. Bear's part of the programme was to drive the cattle, he was forced to strap the child to his back, in which manner they made the trip to Illinois together. The party arrived in Mercer county on the evening of May 10, 1836, having been twenty-four days on the road. Arriving at a point two miles below Pope creek, they went into camp for the night, on top of a liigh bluff. Tliey turned their cattle out to graze, built a fire and began preparations for supper. A heavy storm that had been threatening for a few hours before suddenly broke with great violence upon the party, putting out their fires and carrying away their tents, leaving them to sit all night in a drenching rain. As soon as daylight came, they moved forward to 276 HISTOET OF FIERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. ]Mi-s. T\"illiam "Willits", where a breakfast was prepai-ed for them, after which they continued their journey, reaching the place where thev settled and still own. George and Isaac Dawson, learning of their arrival in the neighborhood, concluded to frighten them, and accord- ingly prepared their toilets in tnie Indian style, painted their faces with blood root, and, to give them a more hideous look, they bedaubed theii- hail" with vellow clav. in wliich stvle thev suddenly rushed upon the emigrant paity. It is hai-dly necessiiry to add that the scheme had the desu-ed effect upon the pait}*. Maitin Bear bought his land of Thomas Morgan, on section 22, upon wliich he Kved until a few years since when he moved to Aledo. Jacob Bear still lives where he first settled, and has at different times since bought other lands adjoining. For the first few vears after coming to the counti-v, he lived with Ins brother Maitin. He first broke ten acres the fii'st season, and built a cabin neai- the site of which he has since built a large irame house. John Glancy settled in Eliza in 1S37. He still lives where he first settled, on section 7. He bought the land of Samuel Elliott, and from time to time bought lands adjoining it, and now owns one of the largest farms in the county. The Indians were plentiful here in the days of the fij'st early settlers. They were peaceful, however, and disposed to trade honorably with the whites. Thev belonged mostlv to Black Hawk's ti-ibe. Black Hawk himself was a frequent visitor to Mi". Silas Drury's cabin, where he was accustomed to stop to enjoy a night's rest on his cabin floor. Among Black Hawk's tribe was one lamiliarily known to the old settlers as Slim Jim, who was noted for his cunning, and of whom manv good stories are still told bv the sm-viving settlers. Jim lived in the bottoms below the bluff, but was quite fond of lounging about the settlers' cabins, and especially at Mark Mullen's. One day Jim came up out of the bottom and reported to Mullen that he had foimd a bee tree in the timber below, which, after considerable bartering, he succeeded in buying Jim's right in the tree for one dollar in silver. Then Mullen and Jim started to hunt for the tree, which they found as Jim had stated. MuUen then set to work chopping the tree, which was a large one. ]Mr. D. F. Xoble and John Pratt, beincr in the neighborhood, on hearing the noise went to where the paities were at work, and offered their assistance for a part of the honey. Thus reinforced the tree soon began to fall, and on its downward course fell against another near by, breaking off' a lai'ge limb, from the opening of which there fell out upon the snow a comb of honey, about the size of Jim's fist, which he quickly picked up and ate. Upon further examinati<.)n it was soon found that Jim had got all the honev the tree contained, besides a ^ood ELIZA TOWNSHIP. 277 joke on the parties present and a dollar in silver. Mullen concluded to keep cool about the matter and revenge himself in some other waj-. lie used to keep liquor for sale at his cabin, an article that Jim had a peculiar liking for. One day, not long after the bee-tree transaction, Jim's thirst for fire water became so great as to force him to pawn a iine new blanket to him for a quart of the ardent, which, if he failed to redeem in a speciiied time, was tp be the j^ropertj' of Mullen. When redemption day came around, Jim's cash account being short, he forfeited his right to the blanket. Jim took in the situation at once, but said nothing, and quietly w.ilking away was not seen about the place for many days after, and while the settlers were feeling alarmed lest some evil had befallen him he one day suddenly made his appear- ance, with a large powder horn filled with lead ore, which he took into Mullen's cabin and began to mold bullets from. This excited Mullen's curiosity greatly to know where Jim had found the ore. Upon inquiry Jim pointed across the river, and by signs and gestures conveyed the impression that the jjlace was quite a distance away. Mullen began at once to enter into negotiations with Jim to be conducted to the El Dorado. Mullen wished to start immediately for the place, but Jim, pointing to the ground, told Mullen that the place could not be reached in the winter season, but that they must wait until the grass grew in the spring, so the oxen could graze. This philosophical state- ment satisfied Mullen, and he took Jim and his squaw in the cabin with him, where they both enjoyed Mullen's hospitalities during the winter, but when spring came, and they were nearly ready to start for the promised land, Jim suddenly disappeared, and was not seen again for many years. MILLS. The first mill built in the township was by Rezin Pratt and John H. Mannon, about 1S3T. It was situated just above Daniel I^oble's, and was built about 1844, or 1845. This was a grist mill, and disappeared years ago. No other mill has since taken its place, owing to an insuffi- cient body of water of late years to run one. A saw mill, built by Eezin Pratt and E. Esley, stood on the same stream, a little below Mr. Noble's, and was built somewhat later ; no remains of it can be seen there now. The mill was a large one and was well patronized at the time. For a long time after this mill ceased running there was no other mill in the township, until about 1864, when a steam saw mill was erected by Jesse Bogart, which, for the want of patronage, did not do much business. A steam grist mill for grinding feed was staited on secti& ^- -<"; MARTIN BEAR ELIZA TOWNSHIP. 28Y camp-meeting ground was established near the site of it, where the people of the whole neighborhood congregated to worship and talk to familiar friends and acquaintances. In 1842 a kiln of brick was burned in the township, on the premises of Samuel Strauss, from which several houses in the neighborhood were built the same season. Eliza township has never yet sent a man to state prison for crime. BIOGRAPHICAL. Martin Bear, a retired farmer, now residing in Aledo, was born in ISTortljumberland county, Catawissa township, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1808, and moved with his father at an early date, to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he was raised and educated at a common school, and resided till his marriage with Miss Catherine Dodson, September 8,* 1831. In the same month they were married they emigrated to Cov- ington, Fountain county, Indiana, and after a residence of four years there they came to Mercer county in 1836, arriving May lOtli and settling near Eliza creek, in what is now Eliza township. Jacob Bear, his brother, then a single man, accompanied and settled near him. In 1835 Mr. Bear first came out to look at some land, and traveled pretty much all over northern and central Illinois, and bought a claim I'rom Thomas Morgan. In 1836 he went to Galena and entered the tract, with some other pieces to which he had obtained the choice immber. When Mr. Bear came out here in 1835, somewhere about the head of the Edwards river, night overtook him, and the darkness was not relieved by moon or stars. No house could be seen, so without anything to eat, he slipped the reins over his horse's head and sat down in the tall grass to hold his horse while he was grazing. He fell asleep, and in the morning when he awoke found that his horse had gotten away from him. After finding his horse he journeyed on and the following night reached Major Lloyd's at Camp creek a little below Millersburg. That was the only house around. Mr. Bear felt at home here. The major was bragging about the fat of the land, which the good housewife illustrated with a very fat coon for supper, the first Mr. Bear had ever tasted. Li early times Mr. Bear used to go to Spoon river to get his milling done, and to Knoxville to get his plows sharpened and general smithing done. When Mr. Bear first came here he found the following persons living in the neighborhood : Isaac Dawson, Esq., John Drury, Daniel Noble, D. F. Noble, Aaron Mannon, Elisha Essley, John Shaunce, Isaac Drury, William Fisher, Jesse L. Adams, all from Indiana; David Shaunce, from Carolina; Abijah Wilson, from Connecticut; John Shaunce and Thomas Morgan, from Oliio; 17 288 HISTORY OF MERCEK AKD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Martin Fisher (father of William Fisher), Jacob Bear and John Pratt, all from Indiana, in 1836. Thomas Miller came about 1837; ATilliam Retherford, in 1840 ; James Larue, about 181:2 ; J. J. Huston arrived about 181:7; Edwin Bishop, in 1850; William Irvin, about 1849. A. B. Chilas, still residing in the township, settled here June, 1838, at which time there were residing in the northern part of the township, John Glancey, AVilliam and John Fisher, Valentine BoruiF (and his sons, Feltv and John), Miles Bovd, and Martin Bear. In the northern part of the township was Daniel Strauss, who fell from a tree while gath- ering hickory-nuts, and was partly devoured bv hogs before found. John Shaunce lived near Boruif 's. Mr. Chilas was a blacksmith, and worked at his trade there ; was a smith in IN'ew Boston ; he sharpened ^ plows and shod horses for twenty miles around. Francis Lambert was born in the southern part of Ireland, in 1816, and moved to America with his father's family in 1840, landing first at St. Johns, Xew Bruns\\ack, where he resided for two years, and then went to New York, in which city he resided for ten years. Being of a roving disposition, he next went to Pennsylvania, where he staid one year ; then went to Tazewell county, Illinois, where after a short stay he started back to New York, but changed his mind when arriving at St. Louis, and started north for Galena, at which place he resided ten months. He then came to Eock Island, and from tliere to Buffalo, Iowa, and from there to Eliza, settling on section 10, where he made a farm and now resides. He was married in Iowa in 1844 to Miss Nancy Moore, who was a native of Ohio. Mr. Lambert was educated in this country, and has followed farming as an occupation. He began life poor, but by industry and close attention to business has attained an easier position in life. In politics Mr. Lambert is a democrat. George Moore, of New Boston township, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, October 5, 1807. He moved with his parents while young, from that state to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1814, where he was educated at a common school and afterward worked at the car- penter and wheelwi-ight trades until his marriage, when he moved to Mercer county, settling in Eliza, near where D. F. Noble now lives. Since his residence in the county he has followed farming. In April, 1852, Mr. Moore crossed the plains to Oregon, and was five months making the journey, in company with other parties. They stopped first at Yam Hill county, Oregon, and went from there to the southern part, where they stayed until February 20, then went back to Yam Hill county, where they stayed until October 7, and then started for home. Lea\'ing Port Louis, Oregon, on board a steamer they went by way of San^Francisco and the Isthmus of Darien to New York, then ELIZA TOAVKSIIIP. 289 up the Hudson to Buffalo, and from thence to Cliicago, reachinfy home December 8, 1853. George Moore's great-grandfjither was born on December 19, 1732. His grandmother was born February 24, 1766. Mrs. George Moore, wife of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ohio September 27, 1813. They have seven children, one of whom, Leslie G., died a soldier, at St. Louis, January l-i, 1862. He was a member of the 2d Iowa cavalry. Sarah Jane, Helen L., Araminta E., Cara, Eobert G, are living. Ella Clarissa is deceased. In religion Mr. Moore is a LTniversalist, and in politics a republican. Edwin Bishop was born in New Jersey October 29, 1815, and moved with his parents to this state November 13, 1850. They made the journey through by canal and steamboat up the Mississippi river, landing first at Muscatine, Iowa, where he stayed until December 2, 1850, when he settled in Eliza. He received a common school educa- tion in the former state, and learned the blacksmith trade, which he has followed during his residence in Eliza. He was married in Penn- sylvania August 31, 1837, to Miss Sallie Meeker, who was born in Crawford county, that state, in 1819. Mr. Bishop's father was an American and his mother Scotch. They left New Jersey in January, 1816, and moved to Pennsylvania. Mr. Bishop has from time to time filled all the various offices in this town, and has served as justice of the peace for twenty-four years, and is at present postmaster. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His family of children consists of Delilah, Isaiah, Harrison, Barbara A., Le\'i A., and Sarah (deceased). Silas Drury was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1808, and moved with his parents to "Wayne county, Indiana, in 1811, and from Wavne countv to Morgan countv in 1820, where he received a common school education and was brought up to farming. His father was English and his mother Welch. His grandfather was also English, and was born in London (Drury Lane, which bears the name of the family), where he was educated for a lawyer. After this he turned Quaker and moved to America, settling in Baltimore, Mary- land, where he followed legal writing as a profession. Silas Drury, the subject of the sketch, came fi'om Indiana to Mercer county in the spring of 1834, just after serving as a soldier in the Black Hawk war, which service he entered in 1832. He first settled in Eliza township, and was the first sheriff elected in the county, April 6, 1836, after which he moved to Rock Island county, Illinois, where he now resides. He has, since his residence in that county, held the office of justice of the peace, assessor, and several minor offices, for twenty-six consecu- tive years. Mr. Drury is a member of the masonic fraternity, and a 290 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. member of tlie Illinois City Lodge ; also a member of the Old Settlers' Association, of Eock Island county. In politics lie is a national. His business is farming and trading along the river. He was married in Eock Island county in 18-13 to Miss Malinda Bentley, by wliicb marriage tliey had four children : Silas, Sarah, Oscar, and Byron. J, y. Meritt, the subject of this sketch, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 5, 1828, and is the third child of a family of eight, all of whom are living except Aaron J., who died a soldier at Bardstown, Kentucky. He was a member of the 36th reg. 111. Yol. Inf. Moses, a merchant, resides in Appanoose county, Iowa. Eliza, wife of A. C. Eeynolds, whose husband is a farmer, also resides in that county. Mary, wife of Samuel Spangler, a farmer, resides in Whitesides county, Illinois, near Port Byron. Sarah Free also lives in that county. Mary M. Ivirlin lives in Mercer county, Illinois. John, a farmer, lives in Wayne county, Indiana. J. Y. Meritt's mother's maiden name was Margaret Trindall, and of Scotch-Irish descent ; was raised in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. His father, E. J. Meritt, was born and raised in Belmont county, Ohio, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. J. Y. Meritt received a common school education in Indiana, and was there raised to farming. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1848, and for the first few years worked at the carpenters' trade, which he picked up after coming to the state. He bought the land where he now resides in 1856, and on December 25 of that year was married to Miss Mary Prine, and in 1858 moved upon the place. His residence is marked by a large elm tree, the largest tree in Mercer county. J. Y. Meritt enlisted in the three }'ears' service in the late war in 1862, as a private in company K., 102d 111. Yol. Inf , and was afterward promoted to the captaincy of the company, and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. He was wounded at Averysborough, North Carolina, in March 1865. Unlike many who enlisted at that time, he served until the close of the war, in 1865, when he was mustered out of service after participating in the grand review at Washington, D.C. In politics Capt. 'Meritt is a republican. D. F. Noble was born in Fayette county, Indiana, February 9, 1813, and is the son of Daniel and Sarah Noble. His father is Scotch-English, and was born in North Carolina, August 22, 1787 ; his mother is German, and was born in Pennsylvania, January 20, 1788. His father left North Carolina with his parents at the age of six years, and went to Tennessee, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he moved to Ohio, where he was married in 1810 to Miss Barbara Fruit, soon after which he went ELIZA TOWNSHIP. 291 to Indiana, where lie resided until 1836 ; lie then moved to Mercer eoimtj, Illinois. He was drafted for a soldier in the war of 1812, but did not serve, owing to the termination of the war soon after his enrollment. His father was a soldier in the revolutionary war. On coming to this county Daniel ]Sroble first settled in Eliza township, where he remained until the time of his death in 1880, his wife having j^receded him in 1875. They were buried side by side in Eliza ceme- tery, which jAacG is marked by an appropriate monument. They had lived together sixty-five years. D. F. Noble, the subject of this sketch, is widely and favorably known, having from time to time served in all the various offices in this tow^nship. Soon after township organization he was elected supervisor of his town, which office he held for several years in succession ; he also served as justice of the peace, and was postmaster for twenty consecutive years when the salary of the office amounted to one dollar per year. After serving in that office for twenty years he received his twenty years' salary, amounting to $20 and a few cents. During the late war of the re- bellion he was appointed enrolling officer for Eliza and Millersburg townships. He has also served as school director for thirty-six con- secutive years. Mr. JSToble received a common school education in Indiana, and moved with his parents to Eliza in 1836, since which he has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He was married in Union county, Indiana, January 26, 1836, to Miss Sarah Pratt, who died in 1881 and was buried in Eliza cemetery. Eight cliildren have been born to them, six of whom are living. Miss Avarilla married Elislia L. Essley, to whom four cliildren were born ; Essley having died, Mrs. Essley married Michael Shannahan. Ira Noble married Miss Caroline Reed, who also died. The result of that marriage was ten children, two of whom died in infancy. Ira lives just a mile north of his fatlier's place. David Noble married Eliza Hampton, of Eock Island county, and they had five children, one of whom died while young. Miss Barbara E. lives with her father on the home place. J. F. Noble also lives at home. Edward H. was married to Miss C, A. Bean in 1881, and lives with his father and farms the place. William Shields was born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 9, 1819. He there received a common school education, and was also raised to farming. His father was a native of Westmoreland county, Virginia ; and his mother, of Kentucky. They moved to Hamilton county, Ohio, where they were married. William Shields came to Mercer county in the spring of 1840, and first settled in New Boston township, after which he moved to Eliza and settled on section 33, which land was then owned by Abijali Wilson, whose daughter Lucy 292 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. lie married April 12, 1849. His iatlier and mother following in the same fall, settled in New Boston township, in sight of their son's resi- dence. William Shields has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and also a Mason for thirty-two years ; he is a mem- ber of New Boston Lodge, No. 59. Out of a family of eight children only three are li\dng: Mariali Willits, Ira, and Jo. The two last named are living with their parents. John Glancey, a farmer and stock raiser, was born in York county, Penns^dvania, January 11, 1800. He moved with his brother fi-om that state to Indiana in 1820, where he received a common school education, and for a while after followed wool carding and cloth dressing. Joseph Glancey, his father, was Irish ; and his mother, whose maiden name was Maitli "Willits, was English and the second wife, his father having been twice married. Mr. Glancey was the sixth child of that family. His father's third wife was Lura Chambers. Mrs. John Glancey's father's name was Robert Moore, Scotch-Irish ; his mother's maiden name was Deborah Willitts, of English descent, and having formerly lived in York county, Pennsylvania, moved from that state to Ohio, and then to Indiana in 1812. Mrs. Glancey's father was married twice, and Mrs. Glancey is the seventh child of the second family. John Glancey, the subject of the sketch, came to Illinois and settled in Eliza in 1837, and still resides where he first settled. Mr. Glancey's name has been familiar to the public for many years. The most striking points in his character are his disposition to help others in their life struggles ; his generosity ; his animated and kind nature ; his earnestness in his neighbors' success ; and these have made for him friends everywhere, and he lives to see his bright dreams realized at the golden age of eightj-two. Mr. Glancey was elected first super- visor of his township ; he was also one of the first county commis- sioners. John Mason was born in Switzerland, December 8, 1812. Casper Mason, his father, was born in the same parish in 1Y87, as was also his grandfather, Casper, July 11, 1762. Jacob John Mason, son of Casper, was born in the same parish, October 28, 1722. Susana, wife of John Mason, was also born in the same parish. May 3, 1816. They were married January 10, 1834, by which marriage they had eight children : Jacob, Henry, Albert, August, Jacob John, and John. Two not named died in infancy. John Mason received a high school educa- tion in the parish, which school was controlled by the family. He also served as a soldier in the Zurich war before coming to this country. He left his native country for America June 20, 1847, and arrived at New York city July 21. After his arrival in this country he S]>ent ELIZA TOWNSHIP. 293 several years traveling from place to place, finally settling in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where be remained six years, from wliich place he moved to Wayne county, Indiana, where he stayed ten months. He then came to Illinois, settling on the Essley place. After a resi- dence of five years he moved where he now resides. Like many others of the first settlers, Mr. Mason's circumstances in life were exceedingly limited, but by industry and economy in his business he has managed to acquire a good farm, with plenty around him. Thomas Be^-erlin was born in Wayne county, Indiana, November 10, 18i3. His father was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, and his mother in Virginia. They were married in Indiana, and moved to this state in 1816. Thomas Beverlin received a common school educa- tion in this state, having come Vvdth his parents while young. His occupation is that of farming. He enlisted in the three years' service in the late war in 1862, in company K, 102d 111. Vol. Inf., commanded by Capt. J. Y. Meritt, and after serving for nearly three years was mustered out of the service in 1865, having been engaged in all the battles with his regiment. On arriving in Illinois Mr. Beverlin's father first settled in Rock Island countv and afterward in Eliza, Mercer county, on the place where Henry Brockett now lives, at which place he died August 8, 1878. His family consisted of eight children, of whom only two are now li\ang. Thomas Beverlin was married July 16, 1866, to Miss Mary L. Denison. Four children born to them are all living: Cmaranda, Fannie E., Estel, and Carrie. Mr. Beverlin is a member of the republican pa^ty, and also a member of the Masonic fraternity, Illinois City Lodge, Rock Island county. August Scheader, a native of Germany, was born in King county, Hanover, December 27, 1830. He was educated at a common school, and afterward learned the wheelwright trade, which he followed until he came ^vith his parents to America. The family first landed in New Orleans, where they remained a short time, and then moved to Mercer county, settling at ISTew Boston, where August? followed his trade for a while. After a residence of twelve years at New Boston he moved to Eliza, settling on the old Martin A. Cook farm, which he improved and still resides upon. Mr. Schrader was married in New Boston in 1851. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and also of the masonic lodge of that city. In politics he is a republican. Jacob Bear was born in Pickawav countv, Ohio, November 29, 1812. Peter Bear, his father, was a German, a native of Hamburg, who on first coming to America settled in Pennsylvania, after which he moved to Pickaway county, Ohio, about the year 1811. Catharine, his mother, was a native of Pennsvlvania also. Jacob Bear is the third 29-J: HISTORY OF MERCER A^il) HENDERSON COUNTIES. child of a fiimilj of eight, six of whom are still living. He came to 3Iercer coimty in company -w^tli his brother Martin in 1836, and immediately began improving a farm, upon which he broke ten acres the first year. He was married in 1844 to Miss Jemima Carson, of Morgan county, Ohio. His family are Clinton, Carlton, and Eolland. Clinton is at home. Carlton is at present absent from home. Eolland is deceased. Mr. Bear received a common school education in Indiana and was brought up to farming. He is now engaged in farming and stock raising. John Humphries Leech was born April 8, 1811, in Monroe coimty, now West Virginia. His parents were Chichester and Margaret Leech. His mother's maiden nailie was Humphries. Chichester Leech was born in Culpepper, Yirginia. His parents were Andrew and Elizabeth Leech. Chichester Leech was of English origin, his grandparents being among the first early settlers of America. Losing his father very young, his mother married one Burns and moved west to Monroe county. He had two uncles in the revolution, George and Valentine Leech, who entered that service at the age of sixteen and eighteen. They went to Georgia and were never after heard of. Margaret Humphries was the daughter of John and Catharine Hum- phries, whose name before marriage was Dickison. Her parents were from L-eland, but raised in America, near the Cow Pasture river in Virginia. John Humphries was raised in Ireland, near Dublin. His mother was the only daughter of Sir Toby Butler, lord mayor of Dublin. Young Humphries first landed in Pennsylvania, and from thence went to Virginia, where he became acquainted with and married Catharine Dickison, after which he moved to West Virginia. He there laid a warrant on 1,0(»0 acres of land, had the same surveyed and recorded at Richmond. He there made his home, and raised a familv of ten children, six bovs and four 2:irls, namelv : John, James, William, Samuel, Richard, Robert, Elizabeth, Isabel, Margaret, and Martha. John was a miller by trade, Robert a shoe- maker; the rest were all farmers. Samuel and Robert were in the war of 1812. Robert was present at the surrender of Hull in Canada. After the war he moved to Calloway county in 1818. Richard, follow- ing in 1820, settled in the same county where, after a short time, they were followed by their grandparents, accompanied by Isabel Carlton and husband, the rest of the family remaining in Virginia, where they died. William was elected hio-h sherift' of the countv where he was raised. Richard was elected county judge in Missouri, and was also there elected to the legislature of that state. In 1832 Chichester Leech and a family of nine children, all single but Samuel, started for Madi- ELIZA TOWNSHIP. 295 son county, Indiana, on which journey they lost one of the family. On the fourth morning of their journey they met thirty-five droves of hogs being driven from Kentucky to the markets of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Richmond. The journey was an exceedingly liazardous one, it having rained almost incessantly and the muddy roads were almost impassable. On the first day of December the party arrived at Henry Warner's, in Wayne county, where they went into a log cabin for the winter. Here they found times good; wheat 50 cents per bushel; corn, 37^-; pork, §3 per hundred; day's wages, 37^ cents; rail-making, 37|- cents per hundred. When the spring opened up the party started for Madison county, forty miles distant, which place they reached in a week's travel. J. IT. Leech at this time was twenty-two years old, and he concluded to begin life for himself, and accordingly apprenticed himself to C. T. Hoover, a cabinet maker of Pendleton. At this place in 1842 malarial fever was prevalent and the family suffered terriblv from its ravao;es, their father fallino; a victim to the malady in the spring of 1835. The family still stayed at Madison, where they experienced the financial crash of 1837. This caused a reverse in the familv affairs, endins: in e-reat financial difficultv to them. At this time J. II. Leech went into partnership with Samuel Dale, his old employer, bought his uncle's interest, and they carried on the business until 1839, when Leech entered the carpenter trade with Isaac Williams. In the fall of that year, money being scarce, they wound up that business, and from that time till 1842 they were en- gaged in fixing up their business preparatory to moving farther west, and in that fall they came to Illinois, first landing in Mercer county near where J. Y. Merritt now lives, on section 31. In the early part of 1839 Mr. Leech was married to Elener P. Sibley, by which mar- riage they have had eight children, as follows: James W., Marianna H., Leander M. (who was a member of the 9th Iowa cavalry), Corydon, Adolphus M., Sarah E., Virginia C. and Mary B. The Leeches are widely and favorably known throughout * Mercer county. They came to Mercer county in an early day, with but little means with which to begin life in the new country, but by energy and honest diligence have attained an enviable position in the community in which they live. The three brothers, William, Andrew, and J. H., live but a few miles apart in Eliza townsliip. William Leech was born in Monroe county, Virginia, in 1821, and came to this state at the age of twenty-one. He was married in Eliza township to Miss Eliza Spirling. Viewing his fine residence now one would hardly suppose that he came to this country with but half a dollar in his 296 HISTORY OF MERCER A>"D HENDERSON COIINTIES. pocket, yet .such was the case. Andrew Leech was born in Virginia, in 1819, and when he left that state for Indiana was but twelve years old. After his arrival in Mercer county he first bought eighty acres before he was married to Miss Matilda Spirling. His wife was born December 25, 1S30. From this union they had born to them : Daniel, AYilliam, Eliza J., Delphia A., George R., Mary E., Ulysses G., Susan F., and D. A. Leech. His daughter, Eliza J., married S. W. Anderson, who died October 22, 1873. Geoi-ge married Maggie Sloan December 26, 1878. Delphia died June 27, 1867. Mrs. Hariet Noble, widow of Jonathan Xoble, formerly a native of Indiana, was born in that state in 1821. He spent his youth in that state where he also received a part of his education, finishing in Illinois after his removal here Tvnth his parents. He was married in 1861 to Miss Harriet Irvin, a native of Pennsylvania. Eight children resulted in this union: Peter, George, Cora, Omar, Charles, Jennie, Beecher, and Henry, named in order. Mr. Xoble first began business with his father which he continued for some length of time, when he removed to Iowa where he purchased 160 acres of land near Iowa City. Then returning he was married and soon after bought a farm of 280 acres on sections 17 and 18, upon which Mrs. Xoble is now liWng, and which is superintended by the oldest son. Mr. Xoble was a hard- working, thorough business man, and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was a member of the masonic fraternity. Ira Xoble, son of D. F. Xoble, was born in Mercer county in 1839, and was married in 1860 to Miss Caroline Tteed, of the same county. She died December 28, 1878, leaving a large family of children, all of whom are residing at home with their father: Sarah, Eva, Blanch, Clarinda, Gertie, Avarilla, Tom, and Caroline. The two oldest, Fred and Flora, were twins and died while young. Mr. Noble is a repub- lican in politics, and a member of the masonic order of New Boston. Mrs. Eliza Martix, wife of the late sergeant J. Martin, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, and went from there to Burlington, Iowa, in company with her sister in 1859. Mrs. Martin has been twice married, first to Charles Sabin, after whose death, July 19, 1865, she married a second time to J. Martin, who was well and favorably known, especially among his army associates, whose friendship and esteem he merited. He was chosen first sergeant of his company, 124th Yol. Inf., and credibly distinguished himself in the battles of Eaymond, Jackson, Fort Gibson, Champion Hill, Fort Hill, Siege of Yicksburg, Browns- ville, Spanish Fort, Yazoo City, Benton, and was present with his regiment during the Meridian cam])aign. He served from the com- ELIZA TOWNSHIP. 297 mencement of the great struggle to its close in 1865. He died in 1870, leaving four children to lament his death: Albert J., Laura, Grant, and Jenny. Grant is superintending the farm. L. B. IS^OBLE, son of Lewis and Matilda Noble, was born in Eliza township in 1880. His great-grandfather was Irish and his great- grandmother English. They settled in A^irginia in an early day, where our subjects grandparents were born and raised near Lynchburg, and where his parents were also born. They moved from that state to Tennessee, then to Ohio and from there to Indiana, in an early day. Here they resided about twenty years, after which they moved to this state in 1834, and were among the first early settlers of the township. Immediately after arriving here he took a claim and began improving a farm upon which our subject was raised. L. B. Noble enlisted in the late war, in the 2Tth 111. Inf., in which he served three years. He was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain in 1864. After the close of the war he returned home and continued farming. In 1873 he was married to Miss Irabell Stephens, of Adams county, Iowa. By this marriage they had four children: Archer L., Elsie M., Don L., and Ethel J., all whom are residing at home. Joirx Pratt, son of John and Avarilla Pratt, and brother of Rezin Pratt, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1815. His father, a German by descent, and a native of Maryland, moved with his parents to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in a veiy early day, where he was married to Mrs. Avarilla Boner. Eleven children was the result of this union, all born in Pennsylvania. His father first moved to Union county, Indiana, in 1830, where they remained until 1838, at wliich time they moved to Mercer county, Illinois, first settling in Eliza townshij), on section 29, where he lived until they moved to his son Jonas' house in New Boston township. Here he died, his wife following seven years later. His oldest daughter, Eliza, died in 1839, and was the first death in Eliza township. They are all reposing in the Eliza Creek cemetery. Benjamin died in 1868, Lacey, in 1866, and Pezin in 1880. Jonah resides in New Boston township where he settled about the year 1852. Nancy, widow of Wesley Wicks, resides with her brother Jonah. Avarilla, wife of Elisha Essley, resides in Kansas. Tamar resides in New Boston. Annie, wife of John Dun- gan, in Kansas. The subject of this sketch was married in 1852 to Miss Nancy Fergason, by which marriage they have had nine children born to them. Sarah, the oldest, married Joel Woodward, a farmer, and they reside in Adams county, Iowa. Avarilla, wife of Oliver Essley, also resides in the same countv. Louis married Miss M. Mol- 298 HISTORY OF INfERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. inger, of Iowa. Maiy, wife of Henr j Taylor, resides in Adams coniity, Iowa. ]S[ancj, wife of John Jones, resides in Adams county, Iowa. Harvey, Malisse, Rutli, and Nellje are at home with their parents. Our subject began the busines of farming in Eliza township, on section 30, where he lived five vears and in 1853 bought a farm in section 36 and soon after eighty acres adjoining it, where he built a handsome residence and is now living in comfort and ease. His business has been farming and stock raising. PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. In writing a history of the town of Perryton, I have considered it desirable to embrace in it only those facts that at jDi'esent have no historical record in existence elsewhere, and which would otherwise be lost with the present generation. I have also endeavored, as far as possible, to place myself with the people who will occupy our places at the recurrence of our national centennial anniversary, and relate such things as will be of most interest to them, as well as our more imme- diate successors. Owing to the fact that the earlier settlers kept no wa-itten history or record or even regular accounts, and also to the fact that many of them have died or moved to distant localities, it has been very difficult to gather the facts herein recorded, and tliey must be my excuse for any errors of matter or data herein contained. I would here acknowledge my indebtedness to all those who have kindly furnished assistance in this historical record of the town of Per- ryton, and I would especially acknowledge my obligations to "William Doak, now living among us, and to Abraham Miller, Jr., who since 1847 has resided in Oregon. The physical features of the town that will not change with time, are only those that are affected by amount of prairie woodland and such features of water courses as would be affected by cultivation and by domestic animals. When the white man came he found tlie surface in the condition created by natural causes, or as affected by the annual prairie fires of the Indians. The better and more level land was prairie covered by a coat of mixed natural grasses and plants that grew in ' stools, each independently, to the hieight of eighteen to twenty-four inches ; some like the polar plant, or rosin weed, running up in alternate years to five or six feet. The ground seemed covered like a meadow, yet there was no sward as in blue grass, although the matting I'ERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 299 of roots below bound the soil very firmly, each plant growing by itself as a tuft. As a pasture and for hay, it would yield from one to two tons per acre, and most of the plants were eaten by stock, but when closely pastured were sure to die out, giving place, subsequentl}-, to the cultivated grasses. The broken grounds furnished the same grasses but in much less quantity, and in many places the coat was so light that the autumn fires were not hot enough to destroy certain kinds of timber in the most protected places, as on the south sides of ravines and creeks, and such as black oak and wdiite hickory. In some few places the more valuable white and burr oaks had established small groves. As it may in the future be desirable to know what part of the town once grew timber, I will in brief specify tracts which it occupied in 1845. In the fork of Camp creek, on sections 23 and 24 was some sixty acres of very fine w^iite oak, and there were forty acres of good mixed timber in the southeast corner of section 21. The land that lay betw;een the level and Camp creek on the north on sections 30 and 19, and a little on section 29 had large old white oak trees upon it. On the north side of the creek there was timber, white and burr oak, on KE., N.E. 18, on S.E., KW. IS; a little on S.E. of KW. 17, and N.E. ofX.E. 16. The broken ground in the southeast corner of the town had some scattering timber, mostly grown since the Indians had left; also most of section 24, and that part of sections 12, 13 and 14 that lay between the two large ravines up to the centre of section 12. The N. ^ of 19, S. ^ of 18, S. W. IT, and north to section 20 was more or less occupied by scattering young black oaks, or, as commonly called, blacks jacks, and white hickory ; also a small body of mixed timber on northeast corner of 16 and southeast corner of 9. In the early settlement of Perryton none of the woodland was con- sidered as of any value but that containing white and burr oak, and for that reason was the last entered or bought of the Government. The ravines (or sloughs, as called by early settlers) were covered with a dense growth of grass and weeds, rising often to the height of six to ten feet, and were the hiding places of deer and wolves. Wliere there -was sufficient water to create a channel, it was often not more than one or two feet wide and deep, even a mile from its source on the prairie. The channel being tortuous, and the bottom soil bound by very strong roots, it was only a channel for low water that apparently rarely changed or increased in size, the flood water running over the level bottoms without washing. Where now channels are washed twenty feet wide and six feet deep, the writer has stepped across the original channel without much eflbrt. 300 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. After tlie removal of the Indians, and previous to 18-16, tliej returned to liimt bj permission of tlie Indian agents. The last evidence of their visit was in that year. Besides their knives and arrow heads, of which numbers are still found, they left no mark save the great trail their tribes followed in cutting off the bend of the Mississippi to the west, in their navigations up and down the river. This trail entered the town on the south side of 31 ; thence along the divide to Camp creek, crossing at a ford in 19 ; then along the ridge through 20 and 17, and nearly diagonally through the north half of 9, southeast of 4, and northwest of 3. In 1845 there were still five or six distinct, deep worn paths tliroughout the entire distance, and were the guiding path to Rock Island and Oquawka, the two points where it left the river. It is said that the army pursued Black Hawk upon this ti'ail, and that Camp creek got its name from having been one of the camping places of the army. The pioneers found the country abounding in deer, wolves and prairie chickens, with many quails, turkeys, rabbits, and occasionally the wildcat and badger. The elk and buffalo had been- abundant at no very distant period, as attested by their liorns and skeletons, which were found all about this region even as late as 1845. As was the case everywhere in the prairie country, the earliest settlers made their claims adjacent to a body of timber suitable for fencing and building, and believed almost universally that farms could only be made by the few who were early enough to secure a tract, or take from the government land the scattering white oaks ; and it was for this reason that the best prairie land was the last selected. Although not strictly belonging to the history of the town of Perryton, the early settlement and history of Sugar Grove is so thoroughly inter- mixed, that no record of either can well be complete without encroach- ing somewhat on the domain of the other. The first settlement in this vicinity was at Sugar Grove, April 24, 1834. In the month of March, 1834, the following named persons left Montgomery county, Indiana, bound for the Mississippi river : Abraham Miller, Jr. , and family, consisting of self, wife, and wife's sister; George Miller, Sr., Abraham Miller, Sr., Isaac Miller, Jr., Jacob Miller, John Miller, Elias Moore, Ben. Welch, Dr. John Kester, William Shuck, Thomas Dauson, James Ivester, and William Moore. This company was fitted out with six ox teams, with breaking plows and other necessary farming utensils. They intended putting in crops and then returning for their families. George Miller, Sr., was selected as guide, because of his extensive experience as a pioneer, and he steered his trackless route through the boundless prairies for days and days, without the aid of a compass, consulting only the stars to guide him to his destination. This PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 301 company first landed at Sugar Grove, April 24, 1S34, and built a small cabin made of split linn logs, on the east side of the grove, on the claim of Abraham Miller, Sr. ; and under the protection of this rude cabin the entire company were sheltered until they had each broken .up and planted a piece of sod corn, interspersed with pumpkins and melons. Tlie wife of Abraham Miller, Jr., did the cooking for the entire colony. None of the crops were fenced that season, for as soon as planted they all started back to Indiana, with the exception of Abraham Miller and faiftily. At that time there were no other inhab- itants within a circuit of ten miles. Abraham Miller, Jr., with his family, remained in their cabin at Sugar Grove until the corn had got well out of the ground, when he removed to New Boston, where he remained until fall, and until the balance of the company returned with their families from Indiana. Of the original company of settlers at Sugar Grove, all but the Millers and Elias Moore went back to Indiana to remain, or settled in the vicinity of New Boston, while a few addi- , tions were made to this colony by several families that returned with them in the fall. After the corn crops were all gathered, cabins were built for the different families and preparations were made to settle down for the winter. As the nearest grist mills were on Spoon river, most of the meal for subsistence was procured by pounding the corn in improvised and rudely-constructed mortars. George Miller, Sr., father of Abraham Miller, Jr., to whom I am greatly indebted for many of these facts, emigrated to Oregon in 1847. In many respects he was a remarkable man, a noble type of the material out of which our early settlers were made. He was the father of twenty-four children, all of whom he lived to see grown men and women, and bought and gave to each of them a home. All of his chil- dren living, but one, are now in Oregon. He died in Oregon, Septem- ber 11, 1874, in his ninetieth year, and until a short time before his death was as vigorous as most men at forty-five. Nearly all of the Millers moved to Oregon about the same date. They were originally from the State of Tennessee, Crab Orchard, on Doe river, Carter county. They left there for Indiana in the fall of 1812, when the entire country embraced within the limits of that state was occupied by the Indians, and when pioneer life was one of constant danger. It 1834 they left Montgomery county, Indiana, for Mercer county, Illinois, which brings them to the time of our history. Of the four elder Millers who originally settled at Sugar Grove two were democrats in politics and two whigs ; two were pro-slavery and two anti-slavery ; two were Methodists and two old school predestinarian Baptists. The children followed their fathers in both politics and religion. Coming from 302 HISTORY OF MERCP:E AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Tennessee and pioneering in Indiana these early settlers were indepen- dent of most of the aids of civilized society ; their clothing was mostl^y home-made, from wool and flax ; a spring pole mortar pounded their meal; their axes built houses, fences and implements; their rifles repleted empty larders. Those who were the earliest settlers of the riclge south of Camp creek were from Pennsylvania and other eastern states, and being less practiced in the art of ])ionoering were subject to more privations and experienced more difiiculties in supplies of meat and bread. Mr. Perry says that they were obliged to go to Kickapoo, in Peoria county, for their milling in 1836, and to Henderson for black- smithing ; yet there must have been mills near Henderson, for William Doak relates an experience in going there to mill in the winter of 1837-8, when with two neighbors he made the trip with a wagon and three yoke of oxen. In order to pass two farms before a supply of corn for a grist could be obtained they were obliged to make a wide detour to the east, became lost in the night upon the trackless prairie, were obliged to break ice and ford streams, and only near morning, wet and frozen, they reached the second place, where they bought and shelled the last of their grist. Soon after the Millers settled at the Grove they made of a boulder a small grist mill, and upon it they and their neighbors ground their grain. About 1839 they built a saw mill on Edwards river, and the year after a grist mill, and shortly after this a flour mill was built on the "slough," where MiL^n now stands. The following description of the first grist mill ever erected in Mercer coimty will no doubt prove interesting to the readers of this history. It was built by the Millers at Sugar Grove, and was used for several years. They sawed off an oak log about three feet long, stood it on end. and placed coals of fire in the center of the top, burning out a hole in the shape of a basin, which they dressed out nicely to receive the corn. They then took a long pole and fastened the butt in or on the ground, set a forked stick in the ground and laid the pole in it, about the middle, something after the style of an old-fashioned well sweep. They then took another pole and fastened to the top of this, like a rope to the top of a well sweep. In the lower end of this pole was inserted an iron wedge, with the butt down. Then a hole was bored through this pole, about eighteen inches above the wedge, and a pm pu thi-ough it, which pin was seized with both hands and the pole worked up and down. Afterward the Millers found a stone of suitable grain, which they split open and made two good mill stones, twenty-two inches in diameter, which was an improve- ment on the first mill. Three of the Millers were blacksmiths and they made all their own mill irons when later they built a better grist mill and also a saw mill. :\ is MRS MARTIN BEAR . PERRYTON TOWIsSIIIP. 305 Previous to the settlement of Perry ton there was a road hiid out by Warren county, of which Mercer was then a part, from Monmouth to Chirk's Ferry, now Andahisia, on the Mississippi, which, like all the earlier roads, was laid with reference to fords and ridges, regardless of section lines. Probably but little of the original road is now a high- way, excepting that from the bluffs of Camp creek to section 9, Although this was the only laid out road, yet the nature of the prairie turf and the opportunity of selection of route in an open country made the traveling very good. Even the most spongy sloughs were covered with a soil firm enough to bear a loaded wagon. In a community where all were dependent upon labor that brought food in abundance but no money, all were equally rich, or rather equally poor. Fashion in fabric or style was unknown. Those who were able to work their own wool and flax into garments were the most independent, and the tow-cloth kersey and jeans of the house- wives' loom sufficed for nearly all their wants. Dependent upon each other, a Avarm heart and a ready hand were of vastly more value in a neighbor than worldly possessions. Every house was a tavern where the traveler found hospitality, and the rude log cabin never was so full as to shut out the belated wanderer. ISTo cftste of wealth or birth interfered with the social relations of those who made up a community. Illustration of the plainness of dress : A young man of this primitive period, courting the daughter of one of our earliest settlers, proposed to his sweetheart and her friend a walk of two miles across the prairie to a neighbor's, and, like all young men in like circumstances, aftected as much style as possible. The neighbor described the girls as clad in linsey dresses and sun-bonnets, each one hanging on the arm of the young man. lie was clad in very short tow pants, a white shirt, with a high and stiff collar, and a home-made straw hat, holding an umbrella over his head, his big feet, brown and bare, a very visible means of support. With the pioneer settler comes the pioneer preacher, usually a farmer. Knowing more of his Bible than any other book, he made up in spirit and earnestness what he lacked in education. Preaching in log cabins or groves, where the school-houses had not yet arisen, he always found an audience in the entire community. Denominational preferences, however strong, never prevented the attendance of all, no matter who preached. To show the plain style of one, a good old man, who most frequently preached in this neighborhood, in illustrating the doctrine of perseverance he said : " It is like the man who took a coon skin to the store, ah, and says he you may have this coon skin for flfty cents, ah, and the merchant said he did not want it for fifty cents, ah ; 18 306 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. then, says he, you may have it for twenty-five cents, ah, and the mer- chant said he did not want it for twenty-five cents, ah ; then the man says, you may have it for a bit, ah, and the merchant said he did not want it for a bit, ah ; then the man goes away and leaves it on the counter, ah, and the merchant runs after him with the coon skin, ah. So it is with religion ; when you have got it you can't sell it, nor give it away, nor lose it, ah ! " The fu'st religious services held in Sugar Grove was by a branch of the old-school Baj^tist church, of Henderson Grove, extended to Sugar Grove, and held once each month, lasting two days. This denomination was more commonly known by the name of hard-shell Baptists. Shortly afterward a church was regularly constituted at Sugar Grove, called the Edwards river church, in corres- pondence with the Spoon river association of old-school predestinarian Baptists. ■ Elder Joseph Jones was pastor of that church, and Abraham Miller, Jr., was ordained to a deaconship. There was no church build- ing, and the meetings were generally held at private houses, or in a log school-house, when one had been erected. At a more recent date the Methodists established a class at the house of John Miller, in Sugar Grove. They finally had a camp ground in the Grove, with yearly attendance. One of the original settlers says that there never was a temperance lecture delivered at the Grove from 1834 to 1846 ; and says further, that they had no habitual drunkards, idlers, fanatics or unneces- sary babblers, and no earthly use for temperance lecturers. In regard to postoflices I have not been able to ascertain, with any certainty, what were the earlier mail facilities. Previous to 1845 a post route had been established through this town, with an office at Millersburg. Letter postage cost twenty-five cents, just the price of a bushel of wheat. But little coiTesj)ondence was carried on. In 1847 our people succeeded in getting an office at James Gingles', it being the only office until the establishment of a route from Millersburg to Rock Island, when, in 1854, an office was created at Hamlet, at the house of Graham Lee, and removed in 185Y to- its present locality, the business place of Josiah Candor. Until 1839 there had been no school. In that year Miss Farwell (afterward married to William Doak) taught a school in a little 10x14 house, built by Jackson Woods, on the northwest of section 26. The ffi-st school-house was obtained by moving an old frame tenement house of J. Gmgles, from neai- the center of section 27 to the center of section 28, in the year 1849, and it was not until some years later a school- house was built on the north side of the town. Abraham Miller, Jr., claims to have taught the first school at the Grove, but is not positive. He did, however, teach the first school ever had in Mercer county, at or near New Boston. PEERYTON TOWNSHIP. 307 RecuiTing to the scarcity of money, which retarded the gro"wi:h of society and deprived the early settlers of many things, afterward con- sidered necessities, I will explain that it took all that was held, and all that could be borrowed, to enter the land which they desired for homes. "While the absolute necessaries of living, not obtainable from the farm, could be got from the few traders by barter, yet the prices j)aid previous to 1840 were not such as to induce the farmer to indulge in luxurious habits. Wheat at twenty-five cents ; corn, ten cents ; pork, dressed, one and a half to two cents ; good three year old stears and cows, from six to ten dollars. As near as can be ascertained, the first produce sent to market from our town was shipped by Abel Thompson, in a flat-boat from Xew Boston, in the fall of 1840, our respected fellow-townsman, William Doak, being one of the crew. Without serious difticulty they reached jS^ew Orleans in three months, and dis- posed of the cargo, consisting of wheat, potatoes, beans, sauer-kraut, cabbage, etc. , etc. , to such good advantage that AYilliam Doak and Paul Sherifi:', in the fall of 1841, built at Keithsburg a flat-boat, on the bank where Keithsburg now stands, and loading it mostly with their own produce, made a successful and profitable trijD to St. Louis. Their suc- cess in this venture so encouraged them and others, that the next fall they repeated the experiment, only to end disastrously, for being caught by the very early winter of 1842-3, they, with four other flat- boats, and three steamboats, were frozen up at a point called Quiver Island, fifteen miles above the mouth of the Illinois river. In order to relieve themselves they were obliged to cut a channel through fifteen miles of ice, in very cold weather, and such were the hardships endured, that of the forty stalwart men who began this task, but three were left to cut the last gorge and free the boats. The writer and the reader of this chapter can but regret that our indomitable neighbor Doak, one of the three iron-hearted men mentioned, should, even in front of St. Louis, his destination, have been wrecked in a dense fog to lose nearly all for which he had risked and endured so much. Speaking of the departure of the first flat-boat from New Boston, Mr. Doak relates that it was watched with intense interest by the large crowd that lined the shore, and when the boat cut loose and s'wung out into the stream, three rousing cheers were given in honor of the event, which was such an important era in the history of New Boston. In the fall of 1842, George and Isaac Miller, of Sugar Grove, built a boat at Keithsburg, and loaded it with produce with destination for New Orleans. Before tlie time of the introduction of flat-boats as a means of civil- ization, the first settlers depended upon their own resources for many of the articles of food which we at this day regard as among the necesities. 308 HISTORY OF MERCER A2s'I) HENDERSON COUNTIES. The crops raised by the pioneers of Perryton were mainly corn, oats, flax, and the most nseful vegetables. Melons were raised in abnndance. Flom- could be bought from off" the boats, at Denison's landing in ISSi at fom* dollars per barrel. But corn was principally used tor bread, and for meat they raised a few bogs, killed deer, turkeys, prairie chickens, and caught fish. One of the early settlers says that what' gro- ceries they used were mostly obtained in exchange for deer and coon skins, beesewax, etc. Coffee was made fi*om parched corn, peas and wheat. Red root leaves, swetted under a dutch oven, dried, and when drawn and sweetened with honey, was called "Grub Hyson, " and was considered a fine substitute for tea. Pork and corn dodgers was the principal food. From the flat-boat to the steamboat the ti-ansition was rapid, so that but few were built after the period mentioned here, and the increase in steamboats, keeping pace with the increase of commerce, markets were opened, and by 1845 business had its regular channels, and settlers were able to sell produce, although at the low price of: wheat, forty cents ; corn, ]3ure white for southern bread, ten to twelve and a half cents ; pork, one and a half to two cents. The trade of Perryton was almost exclusively with New Boston, until the building of the Chicago & Rock Island railroad, when the superior mducements offered gradu- ally withdrew the trade to Rock Island . Previous to 1845, I can learn of no attempt to organize a church within our limits, nor of public worship by regular appointment, excepting that previously mentioned in this record, and pertaining to the early settlement of Sugar Grove. The earliest carpentering was done in building houses and barns for McHard, Gingles and Bnrrall, by Andrew Gingles, a son of Robert Gingles and nephew of James Gingles. Philip Miller occasionally cut grindstones and gravestones, to add to a living obtained by his rifle and the rental of a small piece of land. The first blacksmith shop in town was kept by a man named Jones, on section 25, in 1846-T, and perhaps a little later, but between 1850 and 1860 there was no shop in town of any kind. About the latter date, a blacksmith shop was started on the northeast corner of section 11. George J. Miller, son of Abraham Miller, Jr., should prop- erly be entitled to the credit of first birth in this town, but shortly before his birth, Mr. Miller had moved his family temporarily to ]^ew Boston, where he was then teaching school. This was August 31, 1834. But the first birth at Sugar Grove was that of Eliza Miller, daughter of George Miller, Sr., in 1835. Eliza Miller is now living at Miller's Station, Linn county, Oregon, with her second husband, Philip V. Morris, and she is the mother of a large family of children. PERRYTON TOWKSIIIP. 309 "William Moore was the first man married ; lie married Miss Mary Miller, daughter of Isaac Miller, at Sugar Grove in 1835. The first death was a child about one year old, named Philip Farlow, son of John and Sarah Farlow ; died of croup. The earliest settlers on the ridge all planted such trees as they could get or raise, mostly seedlings. The first grafted fruit brought to the town was peddled out by a Mr. Kobinson, a nurseryman of Fulton county, but there was no general planting of ' good fruit until Mr. McWhorter established a nursery near Millersburg in 1846. The sauce depended upon by early settlers was mainly obtained from the crab-apple and plum thickets, which abounded in the vicinity of timber. These failing, the dish of '^ those" or "them molasses," was the ever present and only substitute for sauce. As common as the molasses dish, was the custom of making it a plural. In one instance this custom was broken by an uncourteous guest replying to his landlady's question : "■ ' Will you have some of these ? " by saying, ' ' I will take a few of her." One of our earlier settlers relates an account of the manner then in vogue of acquiring seedlings. On the occasion of a public parade, or muster day at Millersburg, at a time in the history of that village when it had assumed metropolitan airs, a peddler brought to town a lot of small and half green peaches, which he retailed out at a bit a dozen. The boys eagerly demolished the fruit and threw the seeds on the ground, while a certain economical settler gathered them up for seed. Fearing that he would not obtain enough, our thrifty farmer bon-owed a bit for the purpose of investing in peaches, with the view of obtaining the seed. Several years afterward he returned the morney thus borrowed. Wild grapes, blackberries and strawberries were used by the settlers for making pies and preserves, and wild hops answered the purpose of cultivated ones. The first fence in the town was built in 1835, on the piece of land broken by Abraham Miller, on the south side of section 33. This was done by piling sod, previously turned by a plow, and making a small ditch on the outside, the dirt from which was thrown inside the pile of sod. In 183 T Mr. Burrall, and perhaps Perry, made more sod fence, and began the making of rails, which afterward constituted the sole fencing material, until the unentered land was stripped of everything which would make a rail or pole. About 1850 the building of board fences commenced. The first efibrt at hedging was made by planting seed in 1848-9, and I think the oldest hedge is that of James Gingles, which was "set in" about 1852, when the date of hedge fencing first commenced. The Millers invented and manufactured a machine for fence ditching. This was the first machine of tlie kind ever used in 310 HISTORY OF MERCEK AA'D HEXDERSON COOfTIES. Mercer county. It was an improvement made on the original ditcliing plow, and was done by adding a bar with a flat underground lining or share that cut off the tier of sod from the bottom. They used three or four yoke of oxen, and thus a string of sod fence one hundred rods long was cut in a very short time. A few abortive efforts at drainmg by a machine cutting an open ditch, was made as early as 1848. Mole ditching began in 1860, and was prosecuted for many years with varying success, but was finally abandoned. The aggregate result of mole ditching has been advantageous. With the exception of a few rods to obtain water, and drain cellars, no tile has yet been laid. With regard to agricultural implements so much has been said and written that will go into history, that I forbear saying much more than that steel plows appeared in the Diamond plow in 18-14:, followed ra|> idly by the plow of the present model. Plows antedating the Diamond were but little better in their working than though of unhewn wood, our friable soil never leaving a mold-board until removed by hand. In 1850 the first reaper was introduced by Levi Cooper, and shortly before the separating thresher appeared. The first plow used for breaking prairie in Mercer county, was the old bar-share with a wooden mold. The Miller's invented a lever power and hung the plow on wheels, which the}^ used at Sugar Grove. It could be set to any depth, and be thrown out at will, and it would run without a holder. This simple invention was almost universally adopted throughout the county for breaking prairie. In this arrangement the driver was also the plowman, thereby saving one hand, besides doing much better work. For ground once broken, the early settlers had what was called the Bull plow, with a short iron mold in front, a few inches high, with the balance of the mold made of wood. Xext was the Carey plow, an improvement on the Bull plow. For tending corn when up, shovel plows, hoe harrows and one horse harrows were used. The Bull tongue was simply a narrow shovel, resembling the pattern after which it was named. The hoe-harrows were a number of small shovels set in a forked stick, in the shape of the letter ''A." The one-horse harrows were made in the same way, generally with wooden teeth, and made narrow, so as to run between corn rows. Xext followed the Scott Diamond plow. In early times it was peddled through Mercer county. The Diamond plow was simply a diamond square, cut out of a steel or iron mold the required size ; the lower square was sharpened out and served as the edge or share, and was set up in the required pitch, and served as share and mold-board, all solid. It was bent hollowing without any twist, and then bolted fast to a wooden upright, set in a beam like a shovel plow, but the mold PEERYTON TOWNSHIP. 311 did not set square like tlie shovel, but was set quartering so as to throw the dirt to the side of the furrow. This plow would scour completely. In the fall of 1835 John Black and family settled on section 36, and so far as ascertained was actually the first settler within the limits of the to^vnship propei". In March, 1836, a child was born to Black, which died at the age of five years. Perry says in 1836 Maj. Edward Burrall had twenty acres broken on the S.W. J of Sec. 28, now the property of David Blue, and that William Moore broke some land on southwest of 30, and put up the body of a log house. Philip Miller also built a log cabin and lived on the same section. In 1837 Ed. Bur- rall, Jr., and Alfred Perry, living on the west side of Sugar Grove, broke prairie for Maj. Burrall on S.W. j, 38, and for Dr. Perry on E. -g- of 28. Linus and A. Wood came upon the northeast of 26 and built a log house during the year. A. Perry and E. Burrall did the first farming on the ridge in Perryton, and during this year Dr. Perry came west and in the winter of 1837-8 built a log house near the timber on the northeast of 28. The crops raised this year were sold to the Geneso colony, at the price of one dollar for wheat and seventy-five cents for corn and potatoes. In 1838 Austin Wood moved his family to the house built by his son. Burrall built the first frame house on south- west of 28, for Sheldon Wooden as tenent. Dr. Perry died this year. There were no markets during this year, and the settlers went all the way to Kickapoo for milling. In 1839 James Gingles and William McHard, with their families, moved to Perryton, buying for $500 the claim of Dr. Perry to the west half of section 28. In this year Louisa Wood was married to Lyman Tenney. During this year the land sale occurred, and those who could raise the money entered a part or all of their claims. John Harris and J. Gingles moved into the township, as did also William Doak with his father and family. In 1840 William McIIard and James Gingles divided the Perry claim and each built a one and a half story frame house, about 16x24 feet, with two rooms below. These were regarded at the time as not only handsome and commodious but luxuri- ous. Previous to this time there had been but a home market for jjroduce, which was conducted mainly by barter. Drury and AVilletts, of New^ Boston, traded for some wheat allowing twenty -five cents per bushel in store goods. In 1 844 Hamlet Cooper stopjjed at Burrall's with his wife and seven children, a yoke of oxen and cart and cow and a calf. Out of money, he was induced to look at the prairie on the north side of Camp creek. It being a very bad season, witli the streams high, he camped on the banks of Camp creek, and swimming the creek, he examined the land and determined to make a claim 312 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. on section 9. Waiting two weeks for the water to fall so tliat he could cross the creek, he in the last of June moved up and made the Urst settlement on the north side of (Jamp creek. At that time there were living on the south side of Camp creek the following families, viz : John Black and Mr. Burroughs on section 36 ; Austin Wood and W. A. AVood on section 26 ; Daniel Ebner and William Doak on section 27; William McHard and James Gingles on section 28 ; Edward Burrall and Robert Gingles on section 29 ; Philip Miller and John Crooks on section 30 ; and Isaiah Lockliard on section 33. In the fall of 1815 Graham Lee and Henry Lee settled on the east side of section 9. Up to this time the settlements had been begun bv claims, and but few had been able to enter the whole amount of their claims, Edward Burrall and Philip Miller being the only known excep- tions. From this to 1850. excepting the lands held by military title, the best lands were taken up and entered, or bought at the land office, and by 1855 no lands were held by claims. The dates of settlements subsequent to 18-15 wdll be showTi by the records, and therefore aj-e omitted from this history which is only intended to cover ground that records will not reach. By general consent the year 1845 is considered by the present inhabitants to terminate the years of pioneer settlement. The climate in the early history of Perryton was subject to very severe changes from one extreme to another, with such suddenness as to surprise every one, and thjis often causing suffering, and even death, when the settlers were caught unprepared away from home on the boundless prairie. An early settler relates of a phenomenon in 1834, in the fall from the clouds of ii- hea^-y body of frost, in veins and in all manner of strange shapes. There would be a solid body of several rods in extent that killed all kinds of vegetation, and leading out of this body, in a zig-zag course, a narrow strip of the frost that left its mark like the course of a prairie fire. The wind, in the fall season of the year especially, w^ould veer about from the south to the northwest, piercing wdth the most intense cold, and the line, dry snow almost blinding and cutting like needles those exposed to its fury. A storm of this kind is remembered bv one of the earliest settlers at the Grove, in which some persons were caught away from home and perished by being frozen. Abraham Miller, Jr. , was once caught away from home on the prairie in a stinging nor'wester, and so badly frozen that for a time his life was despaired of. He was utterly helpless when found by his neighbors, who had become alarmed for his safety and organized a party of rescue ; the skin all peeled off from his face and hands, and the evil effects of this freezing followed him to the declining vears of a remarkably vigorous manhood. An old settler, describing from mem- PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 313 ory some of the disastrous eti'ects of a tierce hurricane which he wit- nessed in the north end of Mercer county in lS-J-1, says that the wliole neighborhood had scarcely a house left standino- for several miles. The main body of the hurricane was not more than three to five miles wide ; it took Mercer in 15 north, and in ran^-e 1 or 2, where it did the greatest damage. It came up hurriedly with a dark thunder cloud, accom])anied with a tierce dash of rain, with a dense fog or smoke. Two deaths and a large number slightly injured were the results so far as heard in Mercer county. One Howard Trego was killed by his house falling on him, but his wife and children escaped with only slight injuries. Among our first settlers there was scarcely ever any thought of going to law wath each other. A certain code of honor reigned supreme. If a neighbor did not pay his just debts as soon as able, his neighbors shamed him into paying, and if that fViiled the case was arbitrated, settled, and all hands went home satisfied and jovial over the result. If a man inclined to act dishonoi'able, social ostracism brought him around to a sense of the magnitude of his offense, and he w^as generally made to feel that the community would not receive on an equality any one tainted with the suspicion of dishonorable conduct. In the settlement of personal difficulties, growing out of insults and other indignities offered by one to another, a resort was generally had to a test of prowess in a fair stand-up and knock-down fight, the respective friends of the combatants seeing that fair play was had until one of the warriors cried, "Hold! enough!" If one of the parties was not considered able to combat a larger and more muscular opponent, sometimes a friend and sometimes an entire stranger would take his place in the ring. In those days a coward was reckoned among the contemptible things of earth, and if a man exhibited cowardice by drawing a weapon and threatening another, he was lucky to escaj)e the indignation of the bystanders with a whole body. Although the standard of honor adopted by our early settlers would liardly be regarded as just the thing at the present day, there was that about it which challenges our admiration in spite of the condemnation put upon it by modern civilization. The first justice of the peace in the Sugar Grove precincts was Abraham Miller, Jr. The first suit at law ever had was instituted by a man named B. Lloyd. An excuse for a lawsuit was a sufficient provo- cation generally for a free "pitch in." At the time of this first suit there was but one copy of the Illinois statutes in Mercer county, and that was in the hands of the' countv clerk at Kew Boston, "William Drury, and it could not be loaned. The justice begged time for 314 HISTORY OF ISrERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. preparation, but the plaintiff was rampant for litigation and would not listen to a proposition for postponement. So the justice was compelled to ride some twelve miles to Eock Island county, where he borrowed a statute of Daniel Edgington, Esq., which copy was reluctantly loaned with the solemn stipulation that it was to be returned in three days. During the time allowed him our justice pored over this book to ascertain the statutory duties enjoined upon his office, and in taking notes for future reference. The notes thus taken from the statutes constituted the edition from which our justice dispensed the law, and were used for a number of years by him, until he was fortunate enough to secure a printed edition. AVhen copying from the borrowed book, one night he went to sleep over his labor and upset the inkstand over the sacred volume, which so terrified him that he licked awav with his tongue until he had saved the blotted pages from entire obliter- ation. Recurring once more to the wild animals and game found by the earlier settlers of tliis region, as bearing upon the question of food, I will enumerate such as are suggested to my memory and spoken of by the pioneers. Deer were in great abundance, wild turkeys, prairie chickens, scpiirrels (the gray and the large fox), pheasants, partridges or quails, and the curlew and plover. There were plenty of wild geese and ducks, pellicans, swans, coons, rabbits, large wolves, and the prairie wolf or cayota. The large wolf and the small frequently crossed and the half breed made a very troublesome animal. AVildcats or catamounts, a chance panther, mostly in the heavily timbered bottoms, bears, though not plenty, raccoons, badgers, and opossums. There were ground squirrels, owls, hawks, eagles, turkey buzzards, parokeets, and large snow-white owls. Of fish there was an abundance of all fresh-water varieties, such as the catfish, pike, pickerel, bass, perch, drum, buffalo, red-horse, sucker, dog-fish, flying fish, sunfish, and salmon. Abraham Miller, Jr., says that he has killed with the gig in the Edwards river pike weighing fifty pounds, and that he built a fish-trap in the same river by which he secured barrels and barrels of fish, some of which he took to IvnoxWlle for sale. One method adopted by the settlers for trapping deer was by what was called fire-hunting, in a canoe. Of the domestic animals raised by the first settlers, it is a difficult matter to give anything like a pedigree. They were of various kinds and grades, such as the old pioneers happened to have on hand when they landed and settled down in their backwoods homes. At that early date but very little attention had been paid to blooded stock, and hogs and cattle were selected more on account of their qualities for PEERYTON TOWNSHIP. 315 picking their own living in the woods and on the prairies. George Miller, Sr., brought some fine brood mares with him to Sugar Grove, from Montgomery county, Indiana, in the fall of 1834. They were originally the foal of a Goliah dam, by a McKinney roan sire, crossed by a Smiling Call horse, then by a cross fi'om a Roanoke sire, and then next crossed with the Copper Bottom and the Flag. This stock was large, well proportioned, docile, and of line spirit, and well suited for the early settlers. One Joseph Ticlmor, a young man from Ohio, brought the first Berkshire hogs to Mercer county, and made quite a speculation out of them in the Sugar Grove settlements. George Miller, Sr., brought from Indiana with him a lot of hogs that were a cross between the large China and the large white Shaker hog; they were long, large, heavy-boned, and thought to be as easily fattened as the China. Abraham Miller killed one of this breed in the early history of the Sugar Grove settlement that weighed over five hundred pounds, and thinks he could have been made to weigh seven hundred. Later, a few pigs were introduced of the Byefield and Bedford stock. The Berkshire was regarded as a failure. The stock of cattle were a mixed breed, between the old scrub and the Durham, Patton, etc. They made fine, large work oxen, good milkers, and excellent beef The sheep w^ere of the commonest stock, and no more were kept than answered the purpose of making the necessary clothing. The little flocks of sheep w^ere highly esteemed by the pioneers, because of their usefulness in furnishing clothing, and they were carefully protected from the depredations of the wolves, as they seemed to have a strong hankering after mutton. This appetite resulted in the destruction of the entire race of the large wolves, and almost all of the prairie wolves, by the w^riter, whose serious loss in sheep compelled him to resort to an extensive use of strychnine, used in bait to accomplish their destruc- tion. After 1845 the wolves had become so thoroughly extinguished as to occasion no more losses or annoyance to owners of sheep. Deer were quite plentiful in the early history of Perryton, so much so as to furnish a large portion of the meat required for the table. Of the deer and their habits, much could be written wdiich would no doubt prove an interesting part of this record, but I will desist with the sim- ple relation a fight between two buck deer, witnessed by a pioneer near where the town of Millersburg now stands. When first noticed, they were plunging and pushing at each otlier, with horns interlocked and in a manner peculiar to these animals. Their horns could be heard rat- tling against each other quite distinctly for a distance of three hundred yards. They were both large bucks, one of them a monster of his species, and the struggle between them a fierce one. After watching 316 HISTORY OF aiERCEE AXD HENDERSON LOUXTIES. with deep interest for about one hour, our informant closed in to a dis- tance of about forty yards and awaited an opportunity to get a good square shot. From the extraordinary size of the larger buck he was satisfied that it was the same one that had acquired the designation of "The Town Buck" from the hunters in the settlement, because of his great size, and because of frequent yisits to the township, and suc- cessful efforts in always escaping. To capture such a prize would have been regarded as a great honor among the hunters, so our relator was watchiiil and wary. The bucks kept continually lunging at each other so that it was impossible to get a safe shot. Finally the smaller one broke away and ran oft' pursued by the larger. Knowing their habits, pursuit was given and the ' ' Town Buck " soon fell a victim to the rapacity of the hunter. The fame of this aft'air spread for a great distance, as the buck was one of the- largest ever seen by hunters who had grown gray in pioneer life. The tribes of Indians roaming about Mercer county in its first set- tlement were the Sacs and Foxes. The Fox tribe, about the time of the Black Hawk war, formed a union with the Sacs, and became a tribe known as the Fox and Sac. They were large, strong, active, brave and warlike, and used all of the weapons of Indian warfare with great skill. This tribe was formerly headed by the famous warrior Black Hawk. After the war known as the Black Hawk war, he was degraded from his chieftainship because of his counsel in favor of peace. Abraham Miller relates that he saw Black Hawk, with his twelye braves, who always accompanied him after his downfall, strike their evening camp on the bank of the Mississippi, at the mouth of Sturgeon Bay, near Xew Boston. They were on a last visit to the grave of Black Hawk's daughter, who was buried there in a grove of black oaks. For their evening meal they boiled a pole-cat which they did not even trouble themselves to take the hair oft', but the hair sim- mered to the surface of the stew. When sufticiently cooked, Black Hawk gave to each a share of the savory meal ; the first received the head, and so on until all were served. Black Hawk then wore about his neck a long string of silver medals, which had been presented to him by the government, and by English fur companies. Occasionally some few Miamis and Potawottomies wandered through the county, but not to remain. The headquarters of the AVinnebagos for the winter season was on the banks of tlie Mississippi, in Mercer county, a short distance above jS^ew Boston. They could there winter their loonies better than elsewhere, in consequence of the tall grass that grew along the bays. Sugar Grove was a great camping-ground for the Indians at one time, especially on the south side along Edwards riyer. PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 317 The Indian name of tliis was "Big Turtle river." When the Miller's first settled at the Grove, the Indians had a large encampment there for making sugar, with quite a large wigwam made of 2:»oles and covered with bark. The early history of Perryton, thus hastily and briefly written at moments of leisure, and under many adverse circumstances pertaining to lack of data and conflict of facts, will, I hope, possess the certain interest always attaching to the record of that which has passed away, never to return. It is the reflection rather of a period of pioneer life that long ago ceased to exist, the mirror of an irrevocable past, the grim romance of the adventurous life of the early settler. None of us who were living and moved in the scenes of pioneer settlement ever, in brightest anticipation, contemplated the possibility of such changes as have been brought by the advancing tide of civilization. Never in fondest dreams did the pioneer picture the transition that has actually taken place. The flelds have been made to bloom and yield most bountifully of the products which make nations prosperous, thus con- tributing to their happiness. Many of those who are now enjoying the fruits of the labors of the early pioneers have but little conception of what it cost in hardships and privations to open up the wilderness, and when they read of the trials encountered, the adventures endured, to accomplish this result, they can only realize it in the light of a pleasant romance. While the rising generation are amassing wealth in a life of comparative luxury, we, the earlier settlers yet living, experience a lively sense of gratitude in the thought that our hands contributed so materially to the building up of the present condition of prosperity and liajjpiness of those who are now occupying the beautiful homes and magnificent farms to be found in Perryton. [To the foregoing, contributed by Mr. Lee, we append a few notes relative to the organizations of the township. — Ed.] HAMLET. The village of Hamlet, located one mile south of the north line and three miles west of the east line of the township, was laid out on the land of Josiah and Capt. D. M. Candor, in 1868, and was christened Hamlet, in honor of Hamlet Cooper, now deceased, one of the very first of the pioneers to locate in this section of the country. The prog- ress of the village has been slow, owing to its proximity to Reynolds, the nearest railroad town, but it is one of those quiet country villages where the farmers in the community go for their mail and spend a short time in social converse. The first store erected in the place was that of Josiah and Capt. D. M. Candor, who dealt in general merchan- 318 HISTORY OF REERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. dise. The latter of the Candor brothers has at this writmg withdrawn from the firm ; the former jet continues in the business. Lloyd Girton opened the second store. The first blacksmith shop was opened here by Thomas Lewis. The business houses of the village are one harness shop, one store of general merchandise, by Josiah Candor, one drug store, by Dr. Criswell, one wagon and blacksmitli shop, by A. T. Hooples and D. M. Dumbell and son. The village has a good local trade, and has a population of about 125 persons. The postoffice now kept at Hamlet was first established in this neighborhood in 1851:. The office was first kept by Graham Lee, who held it till 1869, when it was moved to Hamlet, and Josiah Condor appointed postmaster. He has since continued to hold the office without cessation. The Presbyterian church of Hamlet was organized in 1870. Pre- vious to the organization here the members of this faith held their membership in the societies of the surrounding country, the greater part at Millersburg. The first members that constituted the church were thirty-two in number. The society was organized by Thomas M. Wilson, W. S. Dool, and T. R. Johnson. Previous to the organization they had preaching in the school-house one mile west of the village, but not regularly. Those present at the organization were : F. A. Sherer, moderator; William S. Dool, C. B. Bristol, Daniel Kelly, T. R. Johnson, and William W. Morehead. The elders were : Thomas Candor and J. M. Gilmore. Of the thirty-two members who consti- tuted the organization in the beginning, fifteen were dismissed from the society at Edgington Mills, Pock Island county ; thirteen from the Millersburg society; the remaining four were not members of any jjarticular society here at that time. The first elders appointed were : Cornelius Swartwout, J. S. Gilmore, and John Montgomery. The present elders are : William H. Wlieaton, D. M. Candor, and John Montgomery. The present membership is eighty-five. The society has a very neat frame church, 36x50, erected at a cost of $3,000. Since its organization it has supported and kept in operation a live Sunday school. The ministers who have labored here are T. M.Wilson and H. W. Fisk, since the organization; the former from 1870 to 1872; the latter from 1873, and is at this time pastor of this charge. The membership of this society represents most of the first families in this community. This is the only church organization in the village. There is another Presbyterian society in the township, south of Camp creek, known as the Perryton Presbyterian church society. This society was organized in 1871. The first meeting preliminary to the organization was held February 18 of the same year. It is connected PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 319 with the society at Hamlet. At the above meeting a committee was appointed, consisting of J. Harris, William Doak, and Cruser Gray, for the purpose of erecting a church-house. This committee located the church at Gingles' Corner, in conformity with the will of the mem- bers. The church is a neat, frame edifice, erected at a cost of $2, 100. It was dedicated in 1872, out of debt. The society at its organization numbered thirty communicants ; but from various causes, over which the church has no control, it now numbers only twelve active members. Its pastors are the same as those of the Hamlet society. Previous to effecting the organization, the people of this faith held their meetings at the school-house near by, but like the members of the societ}- at Hamlet, were members of the societies of the same faith at other places. The first members who constituted the society were Samuel and Frank McHard, Mrs. Jane Martha McHard, Martha Blue, Sarah Doak, Mary J. and J. Harris, Mary Guffy, Mary A. Bristow, and "William McHard, Sr. Tlie society supports a very good Sunday school. The only Baptist church in the township was located in 1871, near where the Methodist Episcopal church now stands. It was organized in 1869. Almost fi"om the first settlement of the township the Baptist people were represented, but built no church-house ; they held their meetings in private houses and school-houses, and held their member- ship principally at Edgington, in Rock Island county. Their first and only church building in the township was a frame, erected in 1869, two and a half miles east of Hamlet, where it held its meetings till 1879, when the society moved its building to Reynolds, Rock Island county, where the members of the society now hold their membership. The first minister of the society in Perryton township was John Tittering- ton. The cost of the church as erected in Perryton township was $3,000; size, 30x38. It always supijorted a live Sunday school in connection with the church. The Methodist Episcopal church, like the Presbyterian, came with the first settlers. They held their meetings in the pioneer days at private houses, and latfer at the school-house till 1869, when they built their present church-house two miles east of Hamlet. It cost $2,100, and in size is 30 X 44. At the time it was erected the society numbered thiity-six communicants, now numbers twelve. It has at various times lost man}- valuable members by removals, but the greatest loss was caused by the organization of a like society at Reynolds. The building committee were H. Ketzel, S. Honeycut and Holiday. The present pastor is Rev. J. Small; class leader, Albion Nichols ; trustees. 320 HISTORY OF ]MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. H. Ketzel, George Hauck, and Thomas Yannatta. Among its mem- bers have been and are many influential and prosperous citizens of Perryton, Among the organizations of Perryton township, none are more deservino- of mention than the Library Association of Hamlet. It was established in 1879, with a view of furnishing reading matter at a small cost to those who wished to invest in the enterprise. The iirst officers were : President, Graham Lee ; Secretary, Edward Hollister. Mr. Lee still holds the office of president, W. C. Vandalsem is present active secretary. The first directors were : D. M. Candor, H. W. Fisk, and P. W. Dumbell. The present directors are; P. W. Dumbell, H. W. Fisk, EHsha Lee, D. M. Candor. Librarian, Dr. M. Criswell. The association requires an admission fee of one dollar to become a member of the society, and after that each member pays an annual fee of fifty cents, and has the use of any book in the library without further charge. The income, up to. the present time, has been about $205, much of which has been raised by entertainments. The library now contains 213 volumes, all of which have been selected with great care. It requires three of the directors to place a volume on its shelves. The association is in a prosperous condition. The Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company was organized at Hamlet in 1878, under the insurance laws of Illinois. Josiah Can- dor and Graham Lee were the principal leaders in effecting the organ- ization. The first officers of the company were : Graham Lee, president, and Josiah Candor, treasurer. The subscribed capital was $02,01:6.65. The present board of directors is: Graham Lee (presi- dent), H. Ketzel (secretary), W. Wilmerton, J. I. Everett, G. D. Miller, David Mayhew, E. S. Montgomery, William Wait, J. B. McConnell, and G. Peate. The number of policies now out is 146, with an aggre- gate capital of $304,720. The company, during its organization has not met with a single loss, hence their insurance during the time has cost them nothing. This has proved the best system of insurance to the farmer of Hamlet and vicinity ever adopted by them. Township organization was efiected in 1855. The first town-meet- ing was held in 1855, at Gingles' corners. Graham Lee was appointed moderator, and S. D. Trego made clerk. In 1856 Wm. McIIard was made moderator, and S. D. Trego clerk of the meeting. At this meeting township organization was adopted and officers elected. The following is a list of all the officers elected to the present. The justices of the peace of Perryton township, so far as we were able to make u\) the list from the county records, are as follows : Edward Burrall, elected April 30, 1838, and resigned April 6, 1839 ; p ■t J« 5, ;. ,*■*** JACOB BEAR. PEERYTON TOWNSHIP. 323 William Moore, elected June, 1842; Joseph G. Gilmore, IS-tT; Edward Biirrall, 1847 ; C. G. Taylor, 1S49 ; J. G. Gilmore, 1858 ; Lee Ilolister, 1858 ; Lee Holister, 1862 ; J. G. Gilmore, 1862 ; J. G. Gilmore, 1870; Lee Holister, 1870; J. G. Gilmore, 1S7J:; Lee Holister, 1874; John Gingles, 1877 ; J. G. Gilmore, 1881. So OS Supervisor. Clerk. Assessor. Collector. 1856 Graham Lee Graham Lee J. C. Gihiif)re J. G. Gihnore J. C. Gilmore J. (i. Gihnore J (J Gihnrtre S D Trego William MeHard William McHard William MeHard William McHard William MeHard Aaron Thompson Aaron Thompson William MeHard H. J.Walter J. C. Gilmore. ,] Cx ririllTini'P 1857 S. D Trego 1858 S. D. Trego 1859 S D Trego William Clark ISfiO S. D. Trego William Clark. M'illiam Clark 18(U S. D. Trego 18G'' L W Hanes A\'illiMni C'l^flr 1803 L. W Hanes G D Crabs 1864 Wilham Doak L. W. Hanes G D Crabs 1865 A\'illiam Doak H. J \\'alter Charles York Josiah Candor Meitrs Wait . (; I) Grabs 1866 L V Willitts Theodore Guffv J M Gaily William MeHard 18G7 Thomas Love Thomas Love C, T) Cnil)'; 1868 ■ Frank Me Hard .John Gingles G. D. Crabs John Ball .'. Lee Holister Charles York David Bine David Blue 1869 G. D. Grabs J R Ball 1870 William Doak John Gingles 1871 William Doak (' C' Walters C Mf 1 11 tire 1872 William Doak G. D. Walter C B Hal«tead 1873 William Doak H. J. Walter David Blue C B Halstead 1874 G D Miller .John Gingles Theodore Guffy D. Blue TJavId T^lnp 1875 G. D. Miller L. Girton A .T Birrkett 1876 D. :M. Candor L. Girton D. Blue D. Blue D. Blue A.Kendall 1877 William Doak L. Girton J ITMrtmmi 1878 William Doak L. Girton 1879 William Doak L. Girton J McDonald 1880 G. D Miller M Criswell J. (i. Gilmore A. Kendall TTfOr'^o Hmtiio^'; 1881 G. D. iiiller G. D. Miller J. T. Hartman G. F. Hartman L. H. Cooper. 1882 A. Kendall The census report of 1880 gives the population of Perryton town- 'ship 987. The taxable property of 1881 was valued at |367,134; the real estate at $281,248; and personal property at $85,886. In 1881 there was collected taxes for general state purposes and schools, $2,091.60; county tax, $987.61 ; town, $191.61 ; road and bridge tax, $396.66; bond tax, $987.61; district school tax, $2,250.28; dog tax, $134. Perryton township is located along the north line of the county, and is bounded on the north by Kock Island county, on the east by Pre-emption, south by Mercer, and west by Duncan. It is divided into two sections by Camp creek, which enters the township on the south half of section 24, and flows west across and out of the town- ship on section 19. The country for some distance on either side of this creek is very broken ; but both north and south Perryton is a fine farming country. In the neighborhood of Hamlet, the country can- not, for farming purposes, be excelled by any locality in the county. It is peopled by a well-to-do class of farmers, who jjride themselves in having good improvements, and many of them have their farms so 19 324 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. beautified by fine buildings, groves and lawns, as to attract the atten- tion of lovers of the beautiful. The farm of Graham Lee is the most beautiful farm in the township, and justly merits the title, "The Ever- green Home." There are a number of farms both north and south of Camp creek that need to be mentioned, but the owners names of most of them will be found in the biographical department of the township. The stock of the township in every particular will compare with that of every other section of the county. BIOGRAPHICAL. Meigs Wait is a native of Switzerland county, Indiana, boi-n in 1826. His parents were Henry and Sophia (Wells) Wait, the former a nati^'e of Grand Isle county, Vermont, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812 at the battle of Plattsburg, and died February 9, 18S2, at the age of eighty-nine years. His father, Gardiner Wait, grandfather of Meigs, was ,a native of Wales, and came to America at an early date and settled in Grand Isle county, Yermont, and served in the Conthiental army as a soldier, and died about the year 1788. Henry Wait, by this marriage with Sophia Wells, raised a family of eight children : William, Sarah, Ruth, Rhoda, Harriet, Jacob, Lucretia, Lavina (deceased). Meigs Wait was married in Switzerland county, Indiana, in 1856, to Caroline Robinson, of Indiana, daughter of Thomas and Mary Robinson, and emigrated to Effingham county, Illinois, in 1864, where they both died. Mr. Wait has by this mar- riage two children: Frank G. and Katie, whose mother died in 1862. In 1863 Mr. Wait was married a second time, to Miss Edith Clark, of Pennsylvania, born in 1842, and daughter of William and Mary Clark, both of Pennsylvania. They came to Mercer county in 1853, and located near New Boston, where they remained only a few months, when they moved to Perryton township. There they both died, the former In 1882, aged seventy-seven years ; the later in 1875, aged sixty-six years, both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a local preacher. By this marriage Mr. Wait has seven children : Harry, Ernest, Daisy, Bertie, Marion, Guy, and Mark. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a beautiful and well improved farm of 400 acres, located at the north line of Mercer county, one mile west of Reynolds. He raises on his farm thorough- bred cattle, and feeds cattle for the market. His hogs are of the best breeds. He does the largest business in buying and shipping stock, es])ecially cattle, of any man in Perryton township. The Wait family came here as early settlers. They arc all well-to-do and highly respected citizens. PEREYTOX TOWNSHIP. 325 Lee Holister is a native of Connecticut, born in Litchfield county in 1S22, son of Horace and Sarali (Lee) Holister, both natives of Con- necticut. His mother died in Connecticut in 1830, aged thirty-nine years. His father came to Macoupin county, Illinois, in 1864, where he died in 1866, aged seventy-five years. He was by vocation a farmer. He and wife were members of the Congregational church. Mr. Lee Holister was reared in Connecticut where he remained till he was twenty-four years old. He then came to Illinois and located in Peoria county where he remained till 1856, when he came to Mercer county and located where he now resides. He was married in 1847 to Esther Barker, of Greene county, l^ew York, daughter of Charles and Armina (Smith) Barker, both of New York. They came to Peoria county, Illinois, in 1846, where they are yet residing; the former is noAv seventy -eight years old, the latter seventy-seven. Mr. LIulister has by this marriage four children : Minnie, Edward, Clara, and Alice. He and wife and three children are members of the Presbyterian church at Hamlet. He has a well improved farm of eighty acres, one-fourth of a mile west of the callage of Hamlet, and keeps a good grade of tarm stock. He has held the office of justice for the past eighteen years. George D. Crabs is a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, born Decembei- 11, 1824, and is a son of Philip and Sarah (Duffield) Crabs, both of Pennsvlvania : his father of Westmoreland countv, and mother of Cumberland county. They emigrated to Ohio with their parents, where they were married. The latter, Philip Crab's wife, died in Ohio in 1836, at the age of fifty-five years ; the former came to Pock Island county in 1858, and died there in 1878, at the age of seventy-five years. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, was wounded by the enemy in an engagement near Lake Erie ; at another time by one of the guards who accidentally hit him while shooting at a pig a negro was trying to force across his beat. By trade he w^as a carj^enter and joiner. His father was Abraham, born in 1767, and died February, 1836 ; his mother, Thankful Crabs, was born in August, 1775, and died in Sep- tember, 1814. G. D. Crabs received a fair educational training in his boyhood. He was reared to the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed for a livelihood till 1859 when he located in Mercer county where he now resides, and engaged in farming. He emigi-ated with his family in 1844, from Ohio to Rock Island county, where he resided till he located in Perry ton township. He was married July, 1850, to Sarah B. Ilazlitt, of New York, who was born in 1827, and is the daughter of Alexander and Sarah (McKay) Ilazlitt, bi^th of New Jersey. They emigrated to Illinois in 1838, and located in Rock Island county in 1839, where the father died in 1849, at the age of eighty-two ; the 326 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HEIiTDERSON COUISTTIES. motlier in 1842, at the age of fiftv-seven. Both were members of the Presbyterian chnrch. Mr. and Mrs. Crabs have a family of seven children : Armenia, Ida, Elda, Sarah J. , Emerson, Amy T. , and Fay. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He has a well improved farm of 120 acres, located one mile west of the village of Hamlet. His stock, consisting of ISTorman and Morgan horses and short horn cattle, is of the best grades. AViLLiAJsi Braix, the subject of this life sketch, is a native of Eng- land, born in 1807, son of John and Sarah Brain, who were born and reared in their native country and there died. Our subject's father was a boatman. AVilliam Brain came to America in 1832, stopped for a time in Connecticut, then went to New York where he remained till 183-1, when he returned to his native home. In 18-13 he returned to New York, remained five years, came to Illinois and located where he now resides. By trade he is both wagonmaker and carpenter. He has been married twice, first to Elizabeth Sproson, of England, in 1832, by whom he has three children: Sarah A., Anna, and Elizabeth. The mother of these died in 18(31. He was married again in l.'^62 to Mrs. Mary Hal stead, foniierly Miss Mary Cooper, and dauo-hter of Thomas and Ann Cooper. She is a native of England. Mr. Brain has a tine farm of 240 acres, well improved and well stocked. J. G. Gilmore's parents, Pobert and Elizabeth Gilmore, came to Illinois with the pioneers and located in AVarren county, eight miles northeast of Monmouth. The former was born in Chester county, the latter in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Jefferson county, Ohio, with their parents, where they were married. He was a tanner by trade, but followed farming exclusively in Illinois. In 1820 he was a member of the Ohio legislature, and at one time was colonel of the state militia, and held the office of captain in the war of 1812. He and ^vife were members of the Presb}i:erian church. J. G. was born in 1819, in JeiFerson county, Ohio, and came to Illinois with his parents when two years old. His early educational training was only such as the common schools of the pioneer districts of Illinois could furnish. He was reared on the farm. In 1839 he moved from Warren county to Mercer, where he has since resided, with the excep- tion of two years. In 1840 he moved to Iowa, where he remained one year, when he moved to Missouri, and stayed one year and returned in 1842 to Mercer county. He was married in December, 1843, to Alletta A. Brady, native of Ohio, born in 1822, daughter of John and Elizabeth Brady. By this marriage he has nine children : Elenor (deceased), Mar}^ Elizabeth, Lydia, Ann E., Pobert B., Arabella. Ephraim C, and Albert N. (deceased). He held the office of justice PEREYTON TOWNSHIP. 327 for nineteen rears without cessation, and was re-elected in 1881 for another term. He also tilled the office of supervisor for two years, the office of collector two years, and assessor in 1880. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Hamlet. He has a farm of eighty-one acres, well improved and fairly stocked. David Bopes is a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, bom in 1825, son of George and Sarah (Bauchard) Bopes. Both were natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in Pennsylvania and came to Illinois in 1836 and located in Rock Island county, near Edgington, when there were but few white 'settlers in that part of the country. The former died in 1838, at a comparatively early age ; his wife afterward moved to Mercer county, where she died in 1843. She was a zealous christian and member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a man respected for his integrity and other good qualities. David Bopes came with his parents to Bock Island county where he resided till 1858, when he located where he now resides. His early educational training was that of the pioneer schools of his neighborhood. He has always been engaged in farming, the voca- tion of his father. In 1854 he married Miss Sarah E. Titterington, a native of Boss county, Ohio, born in 1836, daughter of James and E. (Beal) Titterington, the former a native of England, and came to America when he was ten years old ; the latter born in Ross county, Ohio, and now a resident of Rock Island county, near Edgington. The former died in 1876, at the age of sixty-nine years. They located in Rock Island county iu 1839. Mr. and Mrs. David Bopes have six children living. He crossed the plains to California in 1849, and returned in 1851. Mr. Bopes has a farm of 480 acres of as line land as can be found in Mercer county. It is well improved with substan- tial buildings, and beau till ed by groves which he himself planted, He deals in cattle, feeding them for the market, and has his farm well stocked with good grades. He is a successful farmer. Among the soldier citizens of Perryton township is C. B. Halstead. He was born in Xew York in 1843, and son of Lewis M. and Mary J. (Cooper) Halstead. His father was a native of Xew York, and his mother of England. He lu-st emigrated to Michigan in 1838, where he married and returned to Xew York. In 1851 he came to Mercer county and located where his son C. B. now resides. Here he died in 1854, at the age of forty-two. He served three years in the U. S. dragoons. The date of his discharge is 1836. C. B. Halstead came to Mercer county with his lather when eight years old. His early education was limited to the common school. In 1861 he enlisted in company II, 61st 111. Vol. Inf , and served two years and live months. 328 HISTORY OF IVIEKCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. He was in the battles of Pea Eidge, Prairie Grove, and Vicksbnrg, after which he was discharged on acconnt of a wound received in the battle of Pea Ridge. He then returned home to the farm. Pie was married in 1870 to Elnora A. JSTeelv, of Illinois, born in 1851, in Stark county, daughter of Joseph and Plappy Xeely, both of Pennsyl- vania. They came to Stark county with its early settlers and moved to Mercer county. The father is now living in Hamlet, this township ; the mother died in 1879, at the age of 66. Mr. Halstead has four children: Dallas B., Eiley E., L. Benjamin. He is a member of the masonic lodge at Edgington, Illinois. He has a farm of 120 acres, and keeps a good grade of farm stock. Among the farmers and stock raisers of Perryton township is Michael Yetter, located on the north line of the township. He is of German birth, born in Hesse Darmstadt in 1830, and is a son of Peter and Mary Yetter. Thev lived out their lives in their native countrv. Tlie former died in 1862, aged sixty-four years ; the later in 1852, aged fifty-three years. They were members of the Presbyterian church ; by vocation they were farmers. Michael came to America and first located in New Jersey ; then moved to New York ; then to Rock Island county, where he remained till 1867, when he came to Mercer county, where he has a fine farm of 292 acres fairly improved and well stocked with good grades of cattle, sheep, hogs, and horses. He was married in 1856 to Elizabeth Yetter, of Germany, daughter of Lewis and Mary Yetter, both of Germany. The former died in Germany in 1840, at the age of forty-two ; the latter came to America in 1855 and located in Rock Island county, now lives in Duncan township, and is in her seventy-seventh year. By this marriage Michael has eight children : Catharine, Barbara, Mary, Elizabeth, Lewis, Michael, John, and Willie. He and wife are members of the German Presbyterian church. Frederick Hartman is a native of Germany, born in 1838, and is a son of Daniel and Barbary Hartman, both of Germany. They came to America in 1840 ; lived one year in Muscatine ; then moved to Buffalo Prairie, Rock Island county, where they lived for thirty years, when they moved to Perryton township, where their son Frederick now lives. They were farmers, and members of the German Presbyterian church. The father died in 1866, aged seventy-eight years; the mother in 1848. Frederick came to Mercer county in 1867, where he now resides. He was reared to the business of farming. His literary education was wholly German and taught him in his mother tongue. He was married in 1861 to Barbary Schweobel, of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, daughter of George and Margaret Schweobel, both of Ger- man v. They emigrated to Rock Island count v in 1849, and now live PEERYTON TOWNSHIP. 329 with their claugliter, Mrs. Frederick Hartman. They are both mem- bers of the German Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have six cliildren : IVIargaret, George, Thomas, John, Frederick, and Edward. He has a tine stock farm of 240 acres, well improved and well stocked. He and wife, like their parents, are members of the German Presbyterian church. HA]vrLET Cooper (deceased) was one r)f the pioneer settlers of Perry- ton township. He located here in 1844. At that time there was but little else here than wild grass and wild animals. He emigrated from England, his native country, about 1832, to New York, and then to Michigan, where lie resided six years, and then came to Perry ton township, where he died in 1847, at the age of forty-one years. In 1829 he was married to Mary A. Clark, of England. They raised a family of eight children: Thomas, AYilliam H., Charlotte A., John H., Lester H., Philip, Enoch, and Robert (deceased). The last named enlisted in company A, 9th 111. cavalry ; he was mustered into the service in 1801 and served one year, when he died at Keokuk, Iowa. "William II. and Lester H. enlisted in 1862, in company C, 102d m. Vol. Inf , and served till the close of the war. They were at the battle of Peach Tree creek, with Sherman on his march to the sea. Both were with the company all the time during their term of service. They passed through Richmond, to Washington, then to Chicago, where they were mustered out. William H. now resides in Kansas ; Lester H. on the farm, three-fourths of a mile west of the village of Hamlet. Lester H. received only a moderate educational training ; for several years he followed breaking prairie, when he took to the farm, but at present is engaged in keeping fine horses. He was married in 1876 to Mary J. jS^ichols, native of Illinois, daughter of Ephraim H. and Diana jSTichols, both of Ohio. They came to Illinois in 1854 and located in Hancock county ; they afterward came to Mercer county, but returned to Hancock county, where both are living. David H. Cooper was born in 1832, in the State of New York, and is a son of Levi and Lucy Cooper. He emigrated with his parents from New York when five years old, and came with his father in 1846 to Mercer county, where he has since resided. His early educational training was such as the pioneer schools of the west could furnish. He was reared to the business of farmino;, which he has since followed. He was married in 1855 to Sarah A. Brain, daughter of William and Betsey Brain. He has by this marriage seven cliildren : Clara, Lucy, Lewis (deceased), Willie J., Fanny E., Ella, and Levi. His wife is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. He resides on the farm of his father. He keeps a good grade of farm stock. In politics he is a republican. 330 HISTORY OF ilERCER AJ\'D HENDERSON COUNTIES. H. X. RosEBERRY is R native of iS^ew Jersey, born in 1827, son of Elijah and Nancy (Young) Roseberry, natives of K^ew Jersey. The mother died in 1829 ; the father came to Perryton township, Mercer county, where he died in 186-i, at the age of sixty-three years. He was a farmer and trader. H. X. came with his father to Mercer count V in 184U, and located where he now resides. He was married in 1859, to Ann Killon, a native of England, born in 18-12, who came to America with her god-father, in 1849. Her parents were James and and Mary Killon, of wliom the former died in 1869, the latter about 1812. Mr, and Mrs. Roseberry have seven children : Anna, Mary, Rebecca, Catharine, Hilda H., Stanton (the youngest not named). He has a fine farm of 190 acres located along the north line of the county in Perryton township. It is well improved and well stocked with good grades. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- cojial church. Since he settled in Mercer county he has seen the sea of tall, waving wild grass transformed into beautiful farms, ornamented with the maple and elm trees, and fine spacious barns and dwellings. F. G. Wait, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Indiana, born in 1857, son of Meigs and Caroline Wait. He was reared on the farm, and received a common school education. Excejjt one year, which he spent in a store, he has followed the business of farming. He was married in 1881 to Lizzie Asquitt, of Illinois, born in I860, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Webster) Asquitt, both of English birth, and emigrated to America about 1850. They are now residents of Reynolds, Rock Island county, Illinois. They are members of the Methodist Ej^iscopal church. He is a retired farmer. F. G. Wait has a weU improved farm of eighty acres, located two and a half miles east of Hamlet. He keeps a good grade of stock. A. Kendall is a native of Chautauqua county, New York, born in 1836, son of Ilazzard and Mary (Smith) Kendall, both of Connecticut. They emigrated to Pennsylvania, then to Kew York, then to Kane county, Illmois, then to Kendall county, Illinois, where the former now lives, his wife having died in 1838 in New York at the age of twenty-one years. Ebenezer Kendall, father of Hazzard Kendall, was a native of Scotland. The family, consisting of fijur brothers, came to America and settled, one in each of the following states (then colonies) : Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, and Connecticut. Levi Smith, maternal grandfather of A. Kendall, was a native of Gen- esee county, New York, and moved to Mercer county in 1840, locating at ALllersburg. A. Kendall was married in 1863 to Lucretia Wait, of Switzerland county, Indiana, born in 1863, and daughter of Henry and Sophia (Wells) Wait, both of Vermont. They came with their PERRYTOX TOWNSlill". 331 parents to Xeiiia, Ohio, where they were married, tlien to Switzerland county, wliere their daughter was horn; thej then moved to Rock Island county, where the father died in 1SS2, at the age of eighty-nine. He had served as a soldier in the war of 1S12. A. Kendall has four children : Lettie, Ida, Yiola, and Meigs AV. He has a farm of 212|- acres of tine farming land, fairly improved and well stocked with good grades of cattle, sheep and hogs. Cornelius Swartwout is a nati\'e of Saratoga county, New York, born in 1809, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Swartwout, both of ]S"ew York state. His father died in 1839 at the age of tift^'-six, and his mother in 1814. They w^ere Baptist people. The advent of the family into America, consisting of three brothers, was during the colonial times. Ail of them settled in Xew York. The Swartwout familv is of German descent. Cornelius received a common school education, such as could be obtained in the then almost pioneer schools of his boyhood days. He was taught the vocation of farming which he has always fol- lowed. He came to Illinois with his family in 1855 and located in Kock Island county, where he remained until 186U, when he came to Mercer county, where he now resides, three-fourths of a mile east of Hamlet, on his farm of 240 acres. He was married in 1839 to Lucinda Piatt, a native of Xew York and daugliter of Epenitis and Eve Piatt, both of Xew York and now living in their native state. They have six children: James, Elizabeth, Sarah, John, William, and Henry. The eldest enlisted in the army in 1862, in company B, 120th 111. Yol., and died in 1864. He and wife are members r»f the Presbyterian church. Grahasi Lee, the subject of this sketch, was born January 22, 1821, and is the son of Elisha and xllmyra (Scoville) Lee. His father is number 18,194 of the sixth generation of the family, Graham is num- ber 18,249. Elisha Lee was born August 27, 1794. This history is recorded in the chronological history of the Strong family, volume 11. The Lees trace their ancestrv to John Lee, born in 1621, a native of Ipswich, England, who came to America in 1834, in the ship Francis, under the care of William AVestwood. He located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he remained a short time when he moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where he married and became one of the per- manent men of the settlement. Graham Lee was born on the same farm as was his father, and in the same house, where he was reared to the age of twelve, when his father moved to town and engaged in the mercantile business. Here Graham received a fair education and but for indisposition of his eyes w^ould have begun a collegiate course. But not-withstanding his failure to enter college, a long life of continuous reading and careful obser\-ution has made him a well-posted man as to 332 HISTOKY OF FIERCER AJSiD HENDERSON COUNTIES. practical knowledge concerning business and national needs. At the age of nineteen he went to ISTew York to superintend the dairy farm of his father where he remained till he arrived at the age of twenty-one. In 1842 he went on a whaling voyage on the Pacific Coast with a view to improve his health, and spent two years on the coast of Alaska. In 1845 he, in company with his brother Henrj^, went to Ohio, purchased a flock of sheep, which they drove to Mercer connty, Illinois, the same year, to what is now Perryton township. They laid a claim on section 9, wdiicli is now owned by him. lie has made one of the most beautiful farms in Mercer county. In 1853 he was married to Mary A. Candor, born 1834, and a native of Union county, 'Pennsylvania. She came with lier parents, Thomas and Margaret (Montgomery) Candor, to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1837. They had nine children, two of whom are living: Elisha, born in 1856, and Panny, born September, 1865. Elisha was married December 18, 1881, to Lena Bopes, daughter of David Bo])es. He carries on the business of the farm for his father. Mr. Lee was elected vice-j^resident of the state board of agriculture in 1864, which position he held till 1870. At the organization of the institute for the feeble-minded of Illinois, he was appointed a member of the board, and with the exception of two years has held the position of president of the board since its organization. His wife, Mary A.,. died January 30, 1874. He was married a second time, to Anna S. Fisher, a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, born March 1, 1847. They have one child, Graham, born February 24, 1880. Mr. Lee was raised a Congregationalist, but is now a member of the Presbyterian church at Hamlet. Among the many successful farmers of Mercer county whose first capital to begin business with was muscle and will power is the subject of our sketch, Johathan Gaunt. He is a native of Lancashire county, England, and a son of James and Ann Gaunt. His father was a manu- facturer of cotton, and died in 1845, at the age of fifty-six years. His mother came to America with Jonathan in 1851, and settled in Rock Island county, where she lived for ten years, when she moved to Mercer county, where she died in 1879, at the age of eighty years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, her husband of the Episcopal church. . Jonathan partly learned the trade of his father. He lived with his mother till he arrived at the age of twenty, when he went to work for himself. He was married in 1862 to Emily Damp, a native of New York, born in 1841, daughter of Michael and Eliza Damp. They have five children : Fernando, Cicero, Lorenzo, Eliza, and Albert. • He has a fine stock farm of 52<) acres, well improved and well stocked PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 333 witli the best grades. He makes a specialty of raising horses to sell. In 1881 his sales of horses amounted to fSl,912. John Montgomisry is a descendant of one of the earliest pioneer families to locate in this part of the state. Among the pioneer preachers of northwestern Illinois is Rev. John Montgomery, his nncle. John Montgomery, onr subject, is a native of Rock Island county, born in 1838. Ilis parents were Daniel and Margaret S. Montgomerv, both of Montour county, Pennsylvania. They emigrated from their native state to Edgington, Rock Island county, in 183fi. They were of that class of Pennsylvania people who carried their morals with them., Both were devoted members of the Presbvterian church, and did much to establish a high degree of morality in the community where they resided. The father died in 1849, when he was fifty years old. The mother is now living in Milan, Rock Island county, and is in her seventy-third 3"ear. John Montgomery received a fair common school education, in addition to which he attended school at Dixon, Illinois, for some time. He was reared on the farm, which business he has always followed. He was married September, 1868, to Sarah J. Morris, native of Ohio, and daughter of William and Sarah Morris, both of Ohio, and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. By this marriage he has two children living: Maud M., born January 4, 1870, and Fanny L., September 6, 1871. His wife, Sarah J., died in 1874. He married again in 1876, Elizabeth Swartwout, born in 1842, a native of New York and a daughter of Cornelius and Lucinda Swartwout. By this second marriage he has three children : Lucinda, born March 6, 1877 ; James S., May 17, 1878 ; and William II., May 30, 1880. He and wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church at Hamlet. He first came to Perryton township in 1868, then returned to his native county and remained till 1882, when he again came to Perryton townsliip, and located on the old David Blue farm, where he owns 360 acres. He makes a specialty of fat cattle, in addition to which he does a good business in buying and shipping stock. He enlisted March, 1865, in company K, 68th 111. Vol., and served one year. The present practicing physician and druggist of Hamlet is Dr. M. CRiswTi:LL, a native of Pennsylvania ; was born in 1847, and is a son of Mathew and Sarah M. (Whitehill) Criswell, both of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Rock Island county, Illinois, in 1855, where they remained till 1878, when they came to Mercer county, where she died in 1864, aged fifty-one years. The father and his son Mathew now reside in the village of Hamlet. Dr. Criswell received a good common school education. In the study of medicine he graduated at Jefierson medical college, Philadelphia, with the class of 1876. The same year 334 IIISTiJEY OF MERGER A2vD IIEXDERSOX COUXTIES. lie located in Pre-emption townsliip, where lie remained till 1877, when he came to Hamlet. He was married in IS 79 to Anna C. Huyett, o Illinois, native of Eock Island county, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Harriette L. Huyett, of Pennsylvania. They located in Milan, Rock Island county, about 1850, where he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine. Dr. Criswell has by this marriage one child, Edith. He has a paying practice. The subject of this sketch Josiah Candor is a native of Columbia countv, Pemisvlvania, born in 1830, and is the son of Thomas and Margaret (Montgomery) Candor. He came to Mercer county with his parents. He was reared and educated on his father's farm in Ohio Grove township. In 1852 he went to Oregon and California, returned in 1851 and engaged in the mercantile business in Edgington, Rock Island county, where he remained till 1867, when he, in companj^ with his brother, Capt. D. M. Candor, opened a store of general mer- chandise in Hamlet, in wdiich business he continues. He has held the office of postmaster in Hamlet since 1868. He was married in 1857 to Mary E. Nichols, a native of Searsport, Maine. She was born in 1838 and is a daughter of AVoodburn and Olive (Sleeper) Xichols, both of Maine, who came to Mercer county in 1859 and located in Perryton township. The mother now lives with her son Albion, one mile south of Hamlet. Mr. and Mrs. Candor have six children : Mary C. , May, Robert A., Edwin II., Yessie O., and Herbert J. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He has a farm of 175 acres well improved, and adjoining Hamlet, on which he keeps a good grade of stock. He and his brother formerly dealt in stock buying and ship- ping. Previous to the building of the town of Reynolds, in Rock Island county, they carried on a trade in coal at Hamlet. He has been the school treasurer of the township for the past six years. Capt. Daniel M. Candor was born in Columbia county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1836, and came with his parents, Thomas and Margaret (Montgomery) Candor, to Mercer county when he was one year old. His early education was such as he could get in the pioneer schools of his neighborhood, with a two years' course in the academy at Macomb, Illinois. He remained on the farm with his parents till of age. He went to Pike's Peak in 1859, stayed two years, returned in 1860, and enlisted in 1861, in company A, 30th 111. Vol., and served a few days over four years. He first enlisted for three years, or during the war, and afterward veteranized at Vicksburg. He was in the following- engagements : Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, the skirmishes around Sliiloh, Prittin's Lane, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Mis- sissippi, Champion Hills, siege of Yicksbui'g, Kemiesaw Mountain, sieges PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. . 335 of Atlanta, Savannah, Cliavleston, Ealeigh, Bontonville, and Golds- borough, and then went to Washington by way of Richmond. He was commissioned captain of his company October 27, 1864, which commission he held till the company was mustered out of the service. Following the siege of Yicksburg he was promoted to the othce of orderly sergeant from the office of commissary sergeant. At the battle of Atlanta he received a wound in the head. His parents located in Ohio Grove township when they came to Mercer county, and. continued to reside there till 1S5P). His mother died in 1871, at the age of seventy-five years. His father, Thomas Candor, was married a second time, to Mary L. Boardman, and died in 1874, aged seventy-five years. Capt. Candor's parents, Margaret and Thomas, were both natives of Pennsylvania. Capt. Candor was married in 1868 to Emma J. Girton, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 18-42, and daughter of Baltis and Anna E. Girton, both of Bloomsbnrg, Pennsylvania. They came to Blinois in 1872, and now live in Hamlet. Mr. and Mrs. Candor have three children: Graham L., born in 1868, Thomas G., 1870, and Edna, in 1879. He has a well improved farm of 175 acres, adjoining Hamlet. He keeps a good grade of all kinds of stoc*k. He and his brother Josiah were partners in the mercantile business in Hamlet from 1867 to 1881. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Hamlet. Of those who look to Mercer county as their birth place and home is the subject of this sketch, W. C. Yaxdalsem. He was born in 1850. His parents were John and Hannah M. Vandalsem, both of Ohio, and came to Mercer county with the early settlers with their parents. They were married here. His mother's family located as early as 1832 in Warren county, and afterward came to Mercer county and settled near Pope creek. W. C.'s parents emigrated to Kansas in 1879, where they yet remain. His father is now fifty-nine years old, his mother fifty-seven years. They are both members of the Presbyterian clinrch. His father served in the army in company B, 83d 111. Vol., and was out three years, lacking one month. He was in the second battle fonght at Fort Donelson. after which his company was detailed to fight bushwhackers and guerillas. W. C. was -educated in the common school and reared on the farm. He was married in 1876 to Deborah Dunn, native of Illinois, born in 1852, and daughter of John G. and Lydia (Winans) Dunn, the former of Ohio, the latter of Kentucky. Her father died in 1857, at the age of thirty-five, her mother in 1864, aged about forty-four years, a devoted christian and member of the Methodist Episcopal church. W. C. has by this marriage three chil- dren : Glenn, Charley, and Bessie. His wife's people came to Mercer 336 HISTORY OF ilERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. county ill 1851, where tliey lived till tlieir deaths. Mr. Yfiiidalsem csms a fine farm of 128 acres, on which he keeps a high grade of stock. George Gray is a native of Switzerland county, Indiana, born in 1851, and is a son of Eobert and Marj Gray, both of Indiana. His father came to Illinois in 1867, then went to Iowa, and now resides in Barton county, Missouri. His mother died in Indiana. George came first to Eock Island county, Illinois, and lived with his uncle for some time. His educational training was such as he could get in the common school. He began life for himself with nature's capital, energy and muscle. He now has a fahn of 120 acres, located two miles southeast of Hamlet, in Perrytoii township. He keeps a good grade of stock. In 1879 he came to Mercer county and located. The same year he was married to Arabella Yandalsem, daughter of John and Hannah M. Yandalsem. They have one child, Grace. Of those whom we may term old resident settlers of Perryton town- ship is Mr. J. M. Dunn. He located here as early as 1851. He was born in the state of Kentucky in 1S21:.- His parents were James and Sarah Dumi, both of whom were natives of the '"corn cracker state." His father died in his native state in 1823, his mother emigrated A\-ith her family in 1831, to Clermont county, Ohio, where she died in 1852, at the age of sixty-two years. She was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. J. M. received only a meager education, such as the pioneer schools could give. He was reared a farmer, which busi- ness he has always followed. He returned to Ohio in 1855, where he was married to Elizabeth Huntington, born in 1826, and daughter of Abner and Rebecca Huntington, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The former died in 1877 at the good old age of seventy- seven years, the latter in 1876, aged seventy-one ; both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Dunn has by this marriage seven children: James A., John H., Benjamin F., George W., Emma C, Thomas H., Sarah (deceased), and Rebecca (deceased). He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a farm of 200 acres located one mile southeast of Hamlet, fairly improved. W. W. Bradford, the subject of this life sketch is a native of Swit- zerland county, Indiana, born in 1830. His parents were Eli and Mary A. Bradford ; the former of Canada, died March, 1876, at the age of seventy years ; the latter of Pennsylvania, died in 1872, at the age of sixty-two years and ten months. They were pioneer settlers of Indi- ana, ha%dng located in Switzerland county while the Indians were yet plenty. They were people of high moral integrity and members of the Baptist church. W. W. came to Mercer county in 1855, and located PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 337 east of Hamlet, where A. Kindall now resides. He returned to Indi- ana the following year and was married, and again came to Illinois where he lived till 1869, when he went to Henry county, and there remained till 1877, when he came to Mercer where he yet resides. His wife was Miss Maria P. Stephens, a native of Indiana and daughter of Eeuben and Mary Stephens, both of whom are natives of Kew York. They were early settlers of Switzerland county, Indiana. Her mother died in 1881 at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Her father still lives in Switzerland county, and is now ninety-three years old. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and well res- pected by all with whom they dealt. By occupation they were farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Bradford have by this marriage eight children : Bruce, Perry (deceased), Eddy (deceased), Elijah (deceased), Ida, Guy S., and "William F. He and wife are members of the Free Methodist church. He has a well improved stock farm of 320 acres. Alfred H. Smith is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1828, son of Charles and Margarette A. (Sungrain) Smith. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and served in Capt, Brady's United States volunteers in the war of 1812. He died in 1828. His mother was a native of Philadelphia, born in lSO-1, and died in Mercer county in 187'±. Her jjarents were, one from Switzerland, the other from Holland. She came to Mercer county in 1849. She was a member of the Presbyte- rian church. Alfred II. came to Mercer county with his mother. He was reared on the farm in which business he has continued. He was married in 1855 to Margaret Catchcart, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Mary (Brown) Catchcart, who came to Rock Island in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have ten children : Emma, Charles, Arthur, Adella, Dora, Retta, Harvey, Frederick, Charles, and Ulmer. He has a well improved farm of 2-10 acres and good grades of stock. He and wife are members of the Baptist church. His wife's father is a native of Pennsylvania, her mother of Donegal county, Ireland. Among the early settlers of Perryton township who have passed from this seething and ever-changing world of mingled bliss and joy to that more quiet home above is James Gorman. He located in Perry- ton township in 1842, where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1877 in the sevent^^-seventh year of his age. He was born in L"e- land in 1800 and came to America in 1837, locating in Pennsylvania, where he remained till 1842, when he emigrated to Illinois. By trade he was a linen weaver but farmed in America. He was married in Ireland to Sarah McAdam, daughter of Samuel and Sarah McAdam. James Gorman had by this marriage eight children : John (deceased), William, and James were born in Ireland ; Andrew, Sarah, and Samuel 338 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. (deceased), were born in tlie "Quaker state;" Elizabeth and Xanev were born in Perryton township. James and William enlisted in the army, the former in company C, the latter in company G, 102d 111. Vol. ; both went ont in 1862 and returned at the close ofthe war in 1868. James Gorman was a member of the Presbyterian church from early life till his death. His widow is a member of the same church. She now lives on the old homestead in the south half of Perr)i:on township where they located in 1842. Sarah and Andi'ew remain at home to comfort her in her old age. She is now seventy-seven years old. Levi Cooper was born in Statfbrdshire, England, in 1810. His parents were Thomas and Ann (Hashley) Cooper, both of England. His father was born in Staffordshire, September 3, 1774, and died at Hamlet, October 10, 1857. His mother was born October 1, 1787, and died October 20, 1838. They were married in their native country and emigrated to America in 1832, and located in Canada, where they remained five years, when they moved to Lewis county, New York. In 184(i they emigrated to Michigan, and came to Plinois in 1846 and located in Perryton township, Mercer county, where they spent their declining years. Thomas Cooper was a tailor by trade. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, both in England and America. Levi Cooper came to America with his father, and made the same removals. He was by trade a brick and tile maker, which busi- ness he followed in England, and in America one year, after which he engaged in the business of well-digging, till he located on the farm. This last business he pursued till- he retired from active life. He now owns a farm of 320 acres second to none in location and quality in Perryton township. He was married in 1839 to Lucy Sproston, of England, who was born in 1807, and was the daughter of John and Sarah Sproston. They came to America in 1832, located in Canada, and emigrated to Perryton township, Mercer county, in 1866. Her father died at Hamlet, April 21, 1864, aged eighty-five years, her mother in England, about 1808. By this marriage Mr. Cooper has four children: David H., Sarah, Betsy E., and Hiram L. His wife, Lucy Sproston, died in 1876. He is a member of the "VVesleyan Methodist church ; his wife was a member of the same. Since the death of his wife he has left his farm and now lives with his son-in-law, C. Taylor. His two sons live on his farm. Mr. Cooper is a man wlio is well respected by all who know him. H. W. FiSK, the subject of this sketch, a native of Orange county, !N"ew York, was born in 1833, and is the son of Jonathan and Susan (Williams) Fisk, both of Massachusetts. His father was a mechanic /: \ /^"XAJlJ c% ^^B^^^^^^^X pi-:rrvt()N township. 341 and died in 1853 at tlie age of sixty-three; liis mother died in 1841 at tlie age (^f fit'tj-one ; both were members of the Presbyterian church. His father was one of the ruling eklers in the society of which he was a member. The Fisk family is of Saxon descent. They came to America soon after the May flower brought the pilgrims to the rocky coast of Massachusetts. li. W. Fisk graduated at Waveland, Indiana, in the class of 1859. He then took up the profession of teaching, wdiich he followed till 1864, when he was licensed to preach, by the Vincennes presbyter3\ In 1806 he was ordained a minister of the gospel by the same presbytery. He was appointed home missionary, in which position he labored till 1870, when he was called to the Bue- lah charge in Rock Island county where he remained two years. In 1872 he was called to the Hamlet charge, where he has since labored, ])reaching both at Hamlet and at the Perryton church four miles south. He was married in 1862 to Miss Mary Stevenson, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who was born in 1834, and is a daughter of John and Susan C. (Myres) Stevenson. Her father was a native of Ireland and her mother of Pennsylvania. Her mother died in 1857 at the age of forty- seven. Her father is now living and is in his seventy-second year. Both were devoted members of the Presbyterian church. Pev. Fisk has by this marriage three children : Charles E., Susan, and Emma. Michael Da^sip, deceased, and subject of this sketch, was born in 1814, in ISTew York, and was a son of Philip and Susan Damp, both of Germany. He came to Illinois about 1852, and first Itcated at Milan, where he engaged in the milling business. In 1854 he went to Moline, where he run "a mill, and paid the farmers of Pock Island county the first cash for wheat received in that section. Previous to his locating there they received their pay in goods. In 1858 he sold his mill at Moline and moved to Pope creek, where he again engaged in running a mill for about four years, when he quit the milling business and came to- Perryton township and engaged in farming. This lie followed till his death, i^rhich occurred in 1865. He was married to Eliza Kemp, of Xew York, who was born in 1818, and was a daughter of Michael and Sarah Kemp. Her parents were reared, educated, married, raised a family and died without emigrating from their native state. The Kemp family came to America from Germany, and located in New York in the early settlement of t1ie state. By this marriage he had eight chil- dren : Edward C, Emily, Amos (deceased), Julia (deceased), Melonia (deceased), Charlotta (deceased), and Cicero P. Of the three living children two are at home. Emily, now Mrs. Gaunt, lives in the east ]>art of Perryton township. Edward C. was nun-ried in 1875 to Eliza -Johnson, who died in 1879, leaving three children: Arthur, 'Elmer, 20 S42 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HEITOERSON COUNTIES. « and Isaac F. Cicero E. was born in 1860, and was married in Decem- ber, 1881, to Jnlia A. Howard, of Illinois, born in 1858, and dangliter of John and Marj Howai-d. Mr. Damp left his family in good circum- stances. His widow now resides about two miles south of Hamlet. Few, if any farms in Perryton are better improved. Jajvies Gingles, deceased, is justly entitled to the honor of being One of the pioneers of Perryton township. He came at the same time as did the McHards, in 1838, and settled south of Camp creek. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the year 1801, in Columbia county, where he was reared and educated to the business of farming. He remained in his native state till 1838, the time of his emigration to Perryton township. He resided here till his death, which occurred when he was in his seventy-second year. He was married in 1822 to Elizabeth Lackard, of Pennsylvania, born in 1805, and daughter of Robert and Jane Lackard, both of Pennsylvania. James Gingles, by this marriage, raised a family of eight children : Martha, Jane, Eliza- beth, A¥ashington, Margaret, Harriet (deceased), John, and Clinda, all of whom are married except Washington, and he remains at home with his mother, caring for her in her old age. She still resides on the old homestead, where they located when they first came to Perryton township. To use the language of a friend of the family: "Mr. Gin- gles was energetic and industrious. His character for sobriety, honesty, and integrity, was above reproach. Coming to this country when it was in its infancy, he endured every privation and hardship incident to a new country in its early settlement ; these he bore with manly forti- tude and Christian resignation. His well matured opinions and advice were sought for and readily given to the more recent settler. In times when money was scarce he often lent a helping hand to those who were in need or distress, thus fultilling the Christian maxim of doing good while we have time. . His door was ever open to the wayfarer and traveler, i^o one in need was turned away without being recipients of his hospitality. During the last hours of his earthly gxistence he had the sweetest solace and consolation of human existence by being surrounded by the children of his love, whom he had nurtured in the way of religion and truth, thus depriving death of more than half its terror, and illustrating the truth of that beautiful stanza : "Jesus can make a dying bed As soft as downy pillows are." His preference in religion was that of the Presbyterian teaching. He and his wife so impressed their earnestness and faith in Christianity upon t'lcir children, that they are all following in the footsteps of their parents. PEKRYTON TOWNSHIP. 343 Of tlie citizen soldiei*6 now residents of Mercer county, whom the county claims as her own by birth and education, is J. B. Felton. He was born in Millersburg township, in 1842, and is a son of David and Lucinda Fehon. He has Hved in Mercer county all his life except ten years. He received most of his education in the schools of Mercer county. In 1866 he was married to Charlotte A. Howe, daughter of L. B. Howe. She was born in 1847 in Mercer county. They have two children : Jenney F. and Clara E. He enlisted in the army in 1862, in Company G, 102d 111. Vol., and served till June, 1865. He was in the battle at Resacca, where he was wounded. He was in the hospital at Nashville from May, 1863, till November, 1864. During the remainder of his term of service he was in numerous skirmishes. He has not yet recovered from his woimd and draws a pension. He has a nicely improved farm of eighty acres. Robert Dool, a native of Ohio, was born in 1850, and is the son of Henry and Mary Dool, Ireland, who came to Ohio, where they remained for some time, when they came to Mercer county and located in Perryton township in 1853, where they resided till 1881, when they moved to Aledo to live a retired life and enjoj^ their declin- ing years. Both are members of the Presbyterian church. Robert was reared on the farm and educated in the district school. He was married in 1873 to Therssa Hayes, daughter of Henderson and Olive Hayes, both of Pennsylvania, but afterward of Ohio, settling in that state in 1848. His motlier died in 1852. His father is now living and a resident of Belmont county, Ohio. Mr. Dool has two children : Gertrude B. and Henry C. H. His wife's parents were members ot the Presbyterian church, as are he and wife, and hold their member- ship at Millersburg. He has a fine farm of 234 acres, well improved, and keeps a good class of ftirm stock, and feeds cattle for the market. George Walter, the subject of this sketch, was a native of Penn- svlvania and was born in 1812. He was a son of Henrv and Elizabeth Walter, both of ISTorthampton county, Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where they died. George was married in his native state in 1836, where he remained till he emi- grated to Illinois and located in Perryton township in 1859, where he died in 1872 on his farm, at the age of sixty-one. His widow now resides on the old place. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. They had ten children: Charles C, Henry J., David M., George D., Sarah E. (deceased), Mary E, (deceased), Martha R., William A., Hannah J., and Samuel W. (deceased). The homestead farm consists of a quarter section, which is undivided between the heirs. Henry J. was born in Montour county, Pennsylvania, in 1841, 344 HISTORY OF iMERCER A2^B HENDERSON COUNTIES. and came to Illinois with liis parents and now lives with his mother on the old homestead. He enlisted in the army in 1861 and served till November, 1862, when he was wounded at Brittin's Lane, and dis- charged from the service. He belonged to company C, 30th 111. Vol. Inf. He was in the battles of Belmont (Missouri), Fort Henry, and Fort Donelson, the siege of Corinth and Brittin's Lane. William A. was born in 1852 and resides on the old homestead with his mother. David M. enlisted in 1862 in company II, 81th 111. Yol. Inf , and was transferred to the marine brigade, served three 3^ears, and now lives in Ringgold county, Iowa. George D. enlisted in company H, 84th 111. Vol. Inf, and was transferred to the 21st 111. Vol. Inf. He now lives in Burlington, Iowa. Warner Corns, a native of Ohio, born 1821, is the son of Henry and Mary Corns, the former of Pennsylvania, the latter of Virginia. They emigrated to Ohio where they were married, and afterward came to Illinois in 1842, located in Rock Island county, where they remained one year. They came to Mercer county in 1843, and located where their son Warner now resides. The father died in 1880, aged eighty- three. The mother lives on the old homestead with her son Warner, and is now in her eighty-seventh year. Warner came to Illinois 'with his parents with whom he has always lived. He and his father together laid a claim on the farm where he now resides, and both improved the same. He enlisted in 1862 in company D, 33d 111. Vol. Inf., and served three years. He was iu the second battle of Fort Donelson and at Resacca. The remainder of liis term of service the company was detailed to fight bush-whackers and guerillas. He was married in 1854 to Amelia Gingles, daughter of Robert and Catharine Gingles. They came to Mercer 'county in 1839 and located in Perry- ton township. The former died in 1875, at the age of seventy-six years; the latter in 1880, aged seventy-nine years. Mr. Corns has four children : Mary C. (now the widow of James Huffman), Ellen M. and Thirza C. (twins). Ellen married Charles Fencedemancher and Thirza married Charles Snow, and Amanda is at home with her parents. Mr. C. has a farm of 120 acres and keeps a good grade of stock. Among the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Perry ton town- ship is G. D. Miller. He was born in 1824 and is a native of Kentucky, and son of William and Elizabeth Miller, of Kentucky. His father died in his native state in 1832, at the age of thirty-two years. In 1833 his mother emigrated to Crawford county, Ohio (now Wyandot county), where G. D. was reared on the form, receiving such educational instruction as the pioneer schools could furnish. His I'ERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 345 mother died in 1870, at the age of sixty-five, on tlie old liomestead in Ohio. His great-grandparents on his father's side came to America from across the sea : one from Germany, the other from Ireland. Mr. Miller came and located in Perryton township in 1852 where he now resides. Previous to his locating here he herded and fed cattle in the neighborhood of DeWitt county, this state, for several years. In 1852 he returned to Ohio where he was married to Sopliia Brady, born in 1827, and daughter of Samuel and Sarah Brady, the former of whom died in Ohio in 181:2, at the age of fifty -six years, and the latter in 1870, at the age of seventy years, Mr. Miller has ten children: Helen S., Minor D., Dow (deceased), Olive L., Calista, Sue, Emma, Iva M. (deceased), Clay, and Lonie. He has a fine stock farm of 700 acres located in the southeast quarter of Perryton township. He feeds and ships cattle and hogs. He raises shorthorns, draft horses, and the best grades of hogs and sheep. He is a member of the masonic lodge at Aledo. Among the early settlers of Perryton township was Austin AYood, the father of our subject (W. A. Wood) and his family. He located in Perryton township as early as 1837, having come to Peoria county in 1836: ^Y. A. Wood was born in* 1820, in the state of New York. His parents, Austin and Louisa Wood, were natives of Connecticut. His father died in 1864, at the age of seventy-seven years ; his mother in 1874, aged seventy -three years. They were both members of the . Methodist Episcopal church, and highly respected by those who knew them. W. A. was reared on the farm. His early education was received at the common school. He has pursued the business of his * father all his life. He owns a fine stock farm of 290 acres, fairly improved and well stocked. He was married in 1843 to Harriet S. Smith, of Xew York, daughter of Jesse Smith, who came to Mercer county in 1840. Mr. Wood has eight children: Saphrona, Walter, Louis, Burdick, Emerson, Charles, Bell, and Lena. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He lives in the south half of Perryton township, four and a half miles southeast of Hamlet. The veteran pioneer, William Doak, of Mercer county, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1816, and was brought up on a farm. His education was received in the pioneer log cabin school- house, with its slab seats and desks. In the fall of 1837 he emigrated to Mercer count}-, Illinois, first settling in Greene township, where he remained till the fall of 1839, when he removed to Perryton, where he permanently located on section 27, and actively engaged in fiirming and stock-raising, following the business successfully till the spring of 1882, when he gave up active labor and removed to Aledo, with a view 346 HISTORY OF IVfERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. of spending his declining years in quiet rest. He was married May 19, 1846, to Sarah P., daughter of Dr. M. Farwell. She is a native of New Hampshire, and came with her parents to Mercer county in 1842 and settled in Pre-emption township. They are the parents of three children: Nancy J., now Mrs. William McHard, William E., now a resident of Keithsburg township, and Alvah J., who now lives on the old homestead farm in Perryton township. For many of the incidents related of the early settlement of Perryton township reference may be had to the Perryton township history. He and wife are pioneer mem- bers of the Presbyterian church as well as pioneer settlers. His son, Alvah A., was born in Perryton township in 1854. He was reared on the farm. His educational training was that of the district school and a few terms in the academy at Aledo. He was married in 1880 to . Agnes Wallace, a native of Ohio, born in 1857, and a daughter of Joseph and Mary AYallace, both of Ohio, and came to Mercer county about 1860. A. J. Doak carries on the business of his father's farm. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. T. Glffy is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1829. He is the son of Alexander and Catharine Guffy, both of Penn- svlvania. His father went to California in 1848, where he died in 1857, at the age of fifty-six years. His mother now lives in Pennsylvania and is in her seventy-ninth year. Both were members of the Lutheran church, but his mother is at the present a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Guffy was reared a mechanic, and came to Mercer county in 1855, where he engaged in farming, •in which pursuit he is still occupied. He was married in 1857 to Margaret Gingles, daughter of James and Elizabeth Gingles. Mr. Guffy has by this marriage one child, Harriet C, who was married in 1881 to John C. Lanon, a native of Pennsylvania, and son of Daniel and Sarah Lanon. He came to Mercer county from Michigan. Mr. Guffy has a well-improved farm of sixty acres. His son-in-law lives with him and carries on the farm. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. The McHard family located in Perryton township in 1839. At that time there were but few settlers in this part of the country. Where William McHard located at the above-named date is now the finest part of Perryton township. In 1839 the surrounding country was a wild wilderness, over which the deer and wolves gamboled; the coo of the prairie chicken and the quack of the wild duck made the music in the balmy spring morning air. Among the names of the pioneers of Perryton township Ijelongs the name of Wilm.vai McHard. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1810, son of Joseph and PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 347 Sarah (Adams) McIIard, the former of Ireland, the latter of Scotland, both of whom died in Pennsylvania. William was brought up a wagonmaker. He was married in his native state in 1832, and came to Illinois seven years" later, and located in Perry ton township, where he engaged in farming, which pursuit he followed till his death, which ■>ccurred in IS TO, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife died in 1867, at the age of fifty-six years. They were both persons of high moral integrity and members of the Presbyterian church. His son, William McIIard, Jr., was born in 1842, and reared on the farm, receiving such educational instruction as the schools of his neighbor- hood could give. He was married in 1873 to Miss Nancy J. Doak, a native of Perryton townshij), born in 1845, and a daughter of William and Sarah P. Doak. By this marriage he has two children : Mary E. , and Sarah. He has a fine stock farm of 330 acres, located in the south half of the township, a part of which belonged to the old homestead of his father. He keeps a good grade of stock, and makes a specialty of feeding cattle. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Samuel McHard, son of William McHard, was born in 1833, is a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Perryton township with his father when six years old. He was reared on the farm and inured to all the privations of pioneer life. In 1862 he enlisted in the army, in com- pany G, 102d 111. Vol., served two years and nine months, one year of which time he held the office of corporal. He was in the following engagements: Resacca, Burnt Hickory, Marietta, Peach Tree creek, Atlanta, Savannah, and Raleigh, and nuinerous skirmishes. He was married in 1866 to Mary Richmond, native of Ohio, and daughter of Joseph and Susan Richmond. They came to Mercer county in 1853, and were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Samuel McHard has by this marriage six children: Franklin R., Susan L., Gertrude and Grace (twins)^ May, and William S. He and wife are members of the Perryton Presbyterian church. He has a farm of 200 acres, well improved and well stocked. He resides on the old home- stead where his father settled in 1839. EDUCATIOX. Contributed by Miss Amanda Frazier. The subject of education is so interwoven with the growth and progress of all enlightened communities that a full history of any people at the present day would be incomplete which omitted some mention of their public schools and other institutions of learning. It is a matter of regret that many of the records of tlie earlier schools of Mercer county have been lost by the carelessness or recklessness of a 348 HISTOEY OF ilERCEE AXD HENDERSON COUKTIES. former count v superintendent, as we are thus compelled to depend upon tradition, or the memories of the older settlers, for material from which to compile a sketch of our first school teachers and school- houses. Tlie original settlers of Mercer county were men of sterling worth, intelligent and enterpiising, and when plantmg their homes on these wild pi-airies more than fifty years ago were not unmindful of the needs of then- children ; and we find that as soon as three or four cabins were erected in any giyen locality, some provision was at once made to fur- nish the young people with some sort of school privileges. Sometimes it ^yas a small log cabin which furnished teacher and scholar shelter, and sometimes a small room or addition to one of the j)rairie cabins was all the room obtainable for school purposes. It is no disparagement to the people of those early days to say that in some instances the teachers were of an order quite in keeping with the school-room, cheap and unsatisfactory. There were no profes- sional teachers among the early pioneers ; but now and then a young settler, or the older son in some family, would undertake for small pay to ''keep" school during the winter, while some pioneer's daughter would fill the same office for the summer to half a dozen or half a score of pupils. We have in mind the case of one young lady, a settler's daughter, who taught one summer for fifty cents per week and boarded around among the patrons. There were but four families in the dis- trict, and but eight pupils enrolled. The education of the young lady spoken of was not at all complete, but then the requirements of that school were limited as to qualifications and advancement. The first school taught in Mercer county was held in a small log cabin erected on the claim of Erastus Dennison, about two miles east of the town of Xew Boston, near the present home of Mr. C. Rader. The teacher was Abram Miller, and the time the summer of 1833. Mrs. Ephraim Gilmore, now of Aledo, was one of the pupils in this pioneer school for a few weeks. Mr. Miller was a prominent character in the early settlement of the county, having been one of the principal actors in the organization of the county and the first county clerk. Abe, as he was familiarly called, had a strong dislike for the restraints of close-fitting garments, and it was no uncommon thing to see him marching to and from school in warm weather barefoot, with loose shirt and flowing pantaloons. This first school was attended by an average of about ten scholars, the total enrollment for the season reaching only about a dozen. The next year (1834), as near as we can learn, the first regular school-house was erected in Xew Boston town- ship, near the blufi", about three miles east of the present village of 4. PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 349 New" Boston, on tlie farm of William Willits. Abrani Miller or Joshua Willits tanglit liere in the witter of 1834-5. About the year 1835-6 George W. Julian, since a distinguished politician and member of congress from Indiana, wielded the birch in this, Mercer county's first regular school-house. The territory now constituting the county of Mercer was stricken off from Warren and organized into a separate county in 1835, and soon after the organization was effected we find that John Long was appointed, April 13, 1835, by the county commissioners' court to the office of school commissioner. While the county thus early in its history provided herself with the proper official machinery for the organization of a more perfect school system, yet we find but very indifi'erent progress in the character of teachers or the modes of instruction for a number of years. It appears that the school commissioner was also agent of the school lands, and the most of the reports fn^m several of the earlier school commissioners pertained to the care and disposal of the school lands, and little or nothing relating to teachers or schools. For nearly fifteen years after the appointment of Mr. Long, the school commissioner did not assume the duties of examiner of teach- ers. During these years the school board, consisting of the school trustees of the various precincts, were the board of examiners. These school trustees were not always elected on account of their educational qualifications, but rather for their sturdy business qualities, and for the further purpose of having them properly distributed over the precinct. As a matter of course the examination day, under such circum- stances, was an event in the career of the board which exhibited its dignified and ludicrous character, according to the particular qualifica- tions of the members of the given board. An incident connected with one of these examinations is related by a gentleman now living in the eastern portion of the county. Some thirty-five years ago, this gentleman, then a young man, just home from a medical college, was requested to be present on a certain day to hear the examination of a small class of teachers, and to assist in the exercises. He attended punctually at the time and place appointed, and found three candidates for certificates, one young lady and two young gentlemen. The three trustees, the regular school board, were also present, but not in a well organized condition for the duties before them. After some preliminary conversations of a general character with the candidates, the board retired to organize for the contest, and after a short caucus among themselves, they deputised one of their numbei" 350 HISTORY OF MERCER AIJD HENDERSON COUNTIES. * to request the young doctor to join the caucus, which he readily con- sented to do. The young gentleftian found the board to be composed of three sturdy and intelligent farmers, good, honest, capable men for all ordinary transactions, but honestly confessing their inability to per- form the duties required of them as examiners. They could "read, write, and cipher," but then the law required the teacher to j^ass exam- ination in geography and grammar, and these last branches of study were as Choctaw to them. At the request of the board the young doctor con- sented to conduct the examination, the board to hear the class and decide upon their qualifications. Hastily arranging a set of questions he began the examination, which was oral, except a few examples in written arithmetic. The board listened carefully to all the exercises, and when it was finished they again retired for consultation. After a short secret session the young doctor was again summoned in counsel, when one of the board acting as spokesman, said : "See here, we want you to go right straight through with this here thing. They all show a nice hand writin', and spell well enough and read and ciplier fustrate, but then that gography and grammar is all Injun to us. You see we dont't pretend to know anything about it, so you jist give us your hon- est opinion about the whole thing, and if you say they pass muster, why we will give them all their papers and let them bang away." To return to the main narrative, John Long served as school com- missioner until December 5, 1835, when "William I. Nevius was appointed as his successor. Mr. Nevius was reappointed in 1837, and again in 1838 and 1839, serving until June 6, 1840, when Ephraim Gilmore received the appointment. In 1841 the oftice became elective, and Ephraim Gilmore, was again selected to fill the position at an election held in August, 1841, and was re-elected annually for five years, his last election occurring on August 3, 1845. The next to fill the ofiice was Thomas Candor, who was chosen at the annual election on August 3, 1846. Mr. Candor served but one year when Benjamin D. Ellett was chosen his successor, August 5, 1847. From 1847 to 1865 the election for school commissioner was held bi-ennially, thereby giving the office a more permanent character. Mr. Ellett was suc- ceeded by Tyler McWhorter, who was elected November 6, 1849, and again on November 4, 1851. Mr. McWhorter was the first school commissioner who undertook the examination of teachers in this county, and to his administration, extending over a period of four years, is due the first real advancement in the character of teachers, as regards qualifications and modes of instruction. He was careful and pains-taking in all his ofticial acts and was especially watchful and thorough in his inquiries as to the fitness of candidates for certificates. PEREYTON TOWNSHIP. 351 The scarcity of well-qualified teachers at that time forced him to grant certificates, in some instances, where the candidate got the benefit of a "reasonable doubt" as to their entire fitness for the high office of teacher, but many able educators were placed in charge of schools dur- ing his term of oftice. Among these we will mention the names of Simeon Smith, David Felton, Resin Kile and Harvey S. Senter. After Mr. McWhorter comes John Ramse}^, who was elected November 8, 1853, followed by Norman P. Brown, who was elected on November 6, 1855. Mr. Brown was a practical and competent teacher, but so far as -we can learn, neither he nor Mr. Ramsey suc- ceeded in advancing the character of the schools of the county beyond the point attained by Mr. McWhorter at the time of his retirement from the ofiice in 1853. The successor of N. P. Brown was J. E. Harroun, who was elected November 6, 1857. The law had now clothed the commissioner with the full powers of superintendent and given him authority to visit schools. The personal visitation of schools gave to the new superintendent great advantages over his predecessors, as it enabled him to witness tlie every day work of the teacher in the school- room. It is not unfi-equently the case that a candidate for teacher will pass with a high grade after a most thorough examination, and yet prove unable to impart instruction, or unfit to govern in the school- room. These faults or failures the visiting superintendent could detect ■ and remedy, provided the visitations were made in the right spirit and conducted with proper care for the good of the people. The truth of history constrains us to say that the greatest good possible under the new order of things was not attained during the administration of sev- eral of the successors of Mr. Harroun. Too little practical instruction was imparted by the superintendent in these visitations, too much time was spent in the exhibitions of the proficiency of certain advanced classes, and in the making of fine speeches by the visiting official. The visitations, instead of securing the good to teachers and people as designed by the law makers, degenerated in some instances into the veriest routine, measured, we fear, more by the per diem allowed than by the benefits which should have accrued. Mr. Harroun filled the office for two years, and, by constant visita- tions and courteous treatment of the teachers of the county, inspired them, not only with the desire to excel in their calling, but with that esprit de corps which should ever prevail among professional educators in our common schools. It was during Mr. Harroun's administration that teachers institutes were organized, and the central .or county institute was first attempted. He was also the first to attempt the introduction of any form of school 352 HISTORY OF arEECEE AND HENDEESON COUNTIES. apparatus in the common schools of* our county, and although not always successful in convincing the patrons of their utility, he was enabled to scatter here and there a goodly number of these helps to study, giving an impulse to their use by explaining to teacher and jDupil, in the school-room, the manner in which they should be employed. Mr. Harroun was succeeded by Kev. James S. Poage, a prominent and deservedly popular Presbyterian minister, who was elected Novem- ber 8, 1869, and who served for two years. Mr. Poage was a highly educated gentleman, a Huent speaker and a most exemplary gentleman, but he was not a practical teacher, and while he made a creditable superintendent he did not succeed in advancing the character of the schools to that extent for which his learning and high character gave promise at the time he was elected. Amos T. Waterman was elected November 5, 1861, as the suc- cessor of Mr. Poage, and served for two years. Mr. Waterman had formerly been engaged in teaching, but was at the time of his service a young practicing attorney of more than ordinary brilliancy. His administration of the office was creditable to himself and serviceable to the educational interests of the people. His examinations were conducted with more than ordinary care, thus, securing a better grade of teachers, and giving a new impetus toward a higher excellence in teaching. Washington L. Campbell, the successor of Mr. Waterman, was elected November 6, 1863, and served for one term of two years, and was followed by Sylvenus B. Atwater, who was chosen at the election held November T, 1865, being one of the iirst of a long line of county officials who have claimed the suftrages of the people of Mercer on account of their services in the late war. Mr. Atwater was a practical teacher of fair reputation before he entered the military service, and returning a few months before the election from his three years' service in the 27tli reg. 111. Vol. Inf , after participating in all the battles, marches and victories in which that gallant regiment was engaged, he was promptly elected as county superintendent of schools for the term of four years, the term of the office having just been extended from two to four years. To Mr. Atwater the people of Mercer county owe a debt of gratitude for his heroic, but then most unpopular treatment of all school matters. He introduced a strict and searching system of examination of teachers, and insisted so strongly that his standard of fitness should be met that a large number of half-qualified teachers were either driven from the schools, pr induced to re-enter school as students themselves for the purpose of improving their education, and PERRYTOX TOWNSHIP. 353 their places were filled by a liiglier and better grade of teacliers. He was the first to attempt the task of expurging from the school-room the antiquated text-books of the grandfathers, and introducing in their stead a uniform system of books so graded as to meet the wants of the several pupils, thus enabling the teacher to separate his pupils into classes by grades of proficiency ; in fact, establishing grades in many district schools, going so far in this direction that in several instances wdiere the patrons refused to buy or order the purchase of new books, he furnished them out of his own private funds. AUhough partially successful in his etforts to secure a uniformity of text-books, there remained much' to be done in this direction after his four years' struggle was ended by the expiration of his offics. He labored assiduously to secure a black-board in every school-house, going so far as to carry his brush and slating into the remoter districts and painting the desired board with his own hands where the directors could not, or would not. get it done themselves. While Mr. Atwater won the hearty ill will of some would-be teachers and their friends by refusing certifi- cates to persons who had tauglit under other superintendents, and refusing like favors to new candidates who failed to pass his examina- tion, and while much discontent was engendered among the people in some localities on account of the increased expenses caused by his unceasing effbrts to secure new books and apparatus, and advancement of wages consequent upon the weeding out of poor and cheap teachers, yet impartial history will compel the admission that Mr. Atwater did more to advance the educational interest, and to place the common schools upon a higher plane of excellence than any person who had preceded him in that office. The successor of Mr. Atwater was Frederick Livingston, a graduate of Lombard college, of Galesburg, Illinois, and a teacher of some years' experience, who was elected November 2, 1869, and served for four years. His acknowledged learning, with a fair experience as a teacher, and courteous address, gave promise that in his election the schools of the county would be greatly benefited ; but his four years' service was a great disappointment to his friends and a misfortune to himself. Lacking in administrative ability, he soon lost his hold upon tlie afiections of the older teachers of the county, and the freedom with which he granted certificates to any and all applicants soon flooded the county with a new crop of teachers, many of whom were in no wise qualified for the duties of the school-room, thereby greatly imparing the standard of the schools generally throughout the county. During his administration many of the books and voucliers belonging to the office were lost or destroyed, including all the records of the school 354: HISTORY OF MERCER A^'D HENDERSON COUNTIES. ' ' lands, and nearly all books and papers pertaining to connty scliool funds. His bondsmen made good such loss of the public funds as was proven to have been lost or misused while in his charge. Mr. Living- ston was the first and only defaulter in this office in the history of the county. Mr. Livingston was the possessor of many qualities and graces calculated to win the confidence of the people and endear him to liis Mends, and we do not pen this sketch ^atliout a regret that one so liberally educated, so courteous and kind, and withal so well quali- fied for a useful life, should exhibit that lack of balance which caused the unfortunate miscarriage in his official acts. [The following sketch of Miss Frazier's career as a teacher and county superintendent, is furnished us by a gentleman who is interested in education, and wlio has been long familar with her work. — Ed.] During the administration of Mr. Livingston, our legislature en- acted a law making women eligible for all school offices, and at the first election held after the passage of this law, to-wit. in November, IS 73, Miss Amanda E. Frazier, of Mercer county, was one of the eleven ladies who were elected to the position of county superintendent of schools in Illinois. Miss Frazier was re-elected in November, ISTT, and at the expiration of her second term of office, was unanimously appointed by the board of supervisors in December, ISSl, to fill the vacancy then existing by reascm of the recent amendment to the stat- utes chauging the time of election for this and certain other county offices, from 1881 to 1882, and quadrenially thereafter. She is there- fore filling the ninth year of her incumbency of that office, a tact which speaks in no uncertain terms of the confidence and trust which the people of the county continue to repose in her capacity and official integrity. Miss Frazier has long been identified ^^^th the schools and school work of Mercer county, and deserves no small measure of praise for the earnest and well directed eftbrts she has expended to elevate the standard of public instruction in the county. Entering upon her career as a teacher, in 1862, after completing the academic course in Mon- mouth college, and while yet a mere girl, she developed a remarkable capacity for the government of pupils and for imparting instruction, and so complete was her success as teacher thus early in life, that dur- ing all the after years she gave to teaching she never was under the necessity of applying for a position, masmuch as applications for her services came to her unsouo:lit. After teaching a few terms Miss Frazier concluded to more fully quality herself for the profession which she had determined to follow, and with this view spent two years at the State Norma] Fniversity at Bloomingion. Illinois, and another PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 355 year at Lombard University, Galesburg, Illinois, when she resumed her professional career as teacher in the capacity of assistant to the principal of the graded schools of Aledo, where she remained four years, and was tendered the position for another year, but an unsolic- ited call from a larger constituency constrained her to decline the posi- tion of teacher for that of county superintendent, to which she was chosen, as before stated, in November, 1873. Miss Frazier entered upon her new wor^ with a determination to labor for the interest and advancement of the schools thus placed under her charge, and her first steps in this direction consisted in the adop- tion of a rigid system of examination of her teachers. It at once became apparent that to obtain a certificate to teach it was necessary for the candidate tcf be well qualified in all the branches which the law requires to be taught. No half-way work would fill the standard she had fixed upon, and as a consequence many incompetent teachers were dropped off the roll. To show something of her work in this department, the records show that in a single year out of 388 applicants examined for certificates, 219 were rejected, and but 151 accepted. To assist such as were willing to work for the position of teacher, she re-organized the Teachers' Institute of the county, whose sessions were held during the school year at various points in the county, and early in her official career organized a normal drill, holding the sessions annually during the summer vacation and continuing four weeks. Securing two or three prominent educators from abroad to co-o])erate with her in these nor- mal schools, the larffe classes annuallv in attendance were submitted to a thorough drill in all the branches required to be taught, and the best modes of teaching and government, with pronounced advantages to both the teachers and the schools. These teachers' meetings and drills have been marked features in her administration, and of their utility there can be no question. Miss Frazier is a woman possessed of many qualities which are peculiarly fitting for one in the position she occupied. Thoroughly qualified for her duties by a liberal education and experience in teach- ing, earnest, conscientious, and careful in her work, courteous and patient in her intercourse with the young and inexperienced candidates for teachers, though firm and unyielding when occasion required, and withal possessed with a strong personal magnetism which attracts while it does not repel, she has succeeded in impressing upon the schools of the county during these eight and a half years of her official life, much of her strong individuality of character, and secured many changes in the manner of examining and employing teachers, in the • methods of teaching and governing schools, and, in general, a marked 356 HISTORY OF ilERCER AND HENDERSON- COUNTIES. advancement toward a higher standard of education and instruction throughout the connty. The school lands of Mercer county came througli two general acts of congress; the first setting aside section 16 for school purposes in each congressional township in all the states and territories containing public lands, and the second turning over certain low, wet, and par- tially submerged lands for a like purpose. By the original act there were fifteen sections, beiijg one section in each of the fifteen townships, in all about 10,600 acres of very good lands available for school pur- poses. Some of these lands were among the best in the county for agricultural purposes, and the entire body of them were equal in native richness and availability for all agricultural and grazing ])urposes with the average lands in the county ; and if it had been ke'^^t out of the market and held a few years longer, until the "congress lands" were disposed of, when the price of all wild lands advanced from $5 to $10 an acre, the several townships in the county might have realized sufii- cient from the sales of their several school sections to haA^e assured them each a large and remunerative permanent fund. This, howe^'ei-, was not done, and the consequence is that these township funds are a mere skeleton of what they should and might have been, had a more far- seeing policy been adopted by the people and those having charge of these trusts. In those days the people were poor ; there was then no adequate state fund as now ; railroads, w^ith their vitalizing influence, had not yet approached our borders ; new settlers were dropping in but slowly, thus leaving the country but thinly populated, and making it a difficult matter, with the low price of all farm products, for those scattered neighbors to raise the means (as they were then compelled to do mainly from their own pockets) to defray the expense of a three- months' school in winter and two or three months in summer. To lighten their school expenses, and to secure for themselves some of the benefits from the lands donated by congress, the settlers of thirty years ago determined to dis])ose of these lands, and, in order to succeed, they were compelled to fix the schedule of prices at, or below, the price of congress land, and in some instances the price was very much below that of the government land. At these give-away prices, about twelve sections of this magnificent donation were disposed of during Mr. McWhorter's administration of the office of school commissioner from 1849 to 1851. To us of tlie present day the policy then ]3ursued regarding the school lands appears short-sighted and wasteful, and while no school officer is justly chargeable with blame for tlie part he took in disposing of these lands at such low prices, it is a matter of sincere regret that the public sentiment of that day compelled the GEORGE Mc PHERREN. PERKYTON TOWNSHIP. 359 sacrifice of such a magnificent public trust, in order to secure for them- selves the small proceeds obtained for that immediate present, when we realize that the paltry sums were obtained at the expense of a magnificent fund for their descendants in all time to come, had they but waited in patience a few years longer. The swamp lands belonging to Mercer county are situated in the immediate vicinity of the Mississippi river, and embrace several thou- sand acres. This land is loaded with great abundance in all the elements of plant food, but being subject to overfiow, is valuable mainly for grazing and meadows, and in seasons of very high waters much of it is not even valuable fin' these purposes. We have been unable to ascertain, even approximately, the acreage of these lands, as the reports of surveys were not in the proper oftice when we were there, but we find the people were in some hurry to get rid of these lands also, and that as early as 1857 the swamp land commissioner reported sales to the amount of $8,19-1-.T5, and that up to 1865 the sum total of 19,008.65 had been realized from the sales of these lands, and properly distributed to the several townships of the county, since which time there have been no further sales. There i-emain of these swamp lands ISO acres, situated in Eliza township, which have not been sold, and which are not situated far enough above low-water mark to make a promising investment. The township funds vary in amount in the difi'erent townships, the maximum being $2,910.90 in Keithsburg, and the minimum $1,186.26 in Green. The total permanent township funds for the fifteen town- ships is $29,918.70. The interest of these funds only is to be used t'nr the annual expenditure for schools in the townships where the funds belong. The permanent county fund is $2,168, which can never be diminished, the interest being annually distributed to the township treasurers together with the state ftmd. From the one small pioneer log cabin of 1833, with its ten or twelve pupils and barefi)Oted teacher, the school system of Mercer county has grown until the last log cabin has been abandoned, and four brick and 115 frame buildings, many of them stately and imposing structures, are required to accommodate the wants of our schools. During the last year 2,795 males and 2,587 females, in all 5,382 pupils, were enrolled, while 71 males and 161 females, a totiU of 232, were employed as teach<3rs. Of the 119 school-houses nine are graded schools, with a total of thirty-five teachers. When all the schools of the county are in session the least number of teachers required to carry on the work is 145 ; but the system, still too much in vogue in the country, of employing one teiWL'herfo)' the '21 ■'360 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. winter and another for the summer, increases the number of teachers^ from 145 actually required to 232 actually employed. During the past fiscal year there was collected from all sources for school purposes in the county, $53,698.43, and during the same period there was ex- pended in payment of teachers $34,219.11. Three new school-houses were erected during the past yeai*, at a total cost for buildings and grounds of $5,179.04. In point of excellence the schools of Mercer county will compare favorably with those of the most favored counties in the state. In a large number of the ungraded schools all the branches required for a first grade certificate are taught with such a degree of thoroughness as to enable many of our young men and women to step at once from the condition of pupil to the position of teacher. Our graded scliools are in a prosperous condition, and are gradually, but surely, improving in all that pertains to a thorough instruction in the common school branches, while a few of these schools give instruction in some of the higher branches belonging to an academical course. At the graded schools of Aledo and Viola, a well-chosen course of study has been adopted, and upon the completion of this course a certificate or diploma is conferred upon such pupils as pass examination with sufliciently high grade in all the studies prescribed. At the recent close of these scliools, Aledo and Yiola each conferred diplomas upon eight gradu- ates. In addition to our j)ublic schools the people of Mercer county have not been unmindful of a higher order of educational advantages, and hence from time to time during the earlier portion of our history attempts were made, most unsuccessful, to establish within our borders a collegiate institute. We find that as early as the year 1839 a charter was procured from the legislature for the "Millersburg Seminary of Learning." Millersburg was at that time the county seat, and we pre- sume that the attempt to secure a college at that point was intended to be a means of retaining the seat of justice at that place. Adequate means for so large an undertaking were not within the reach of the projectors of this enterprize at so early a day, and the undertaking was a failure. Later, in 1857, coincident with the establishment of Aledo as the county seat, two colleges were projected, and a charter for the "Aledo Collegiate Institute" was procured February 16, 1857. One of these colleges never rose above the foundation of the proposed build- ing. The other, acting under its charter, erected a rather imposing building which, though enclosed, was never finished throughout. Rev. Mr. AYilliams opened the first high school in the old court-house build- ing in 1862, and after rooms were finished in the new college he trans- PERRYTO]Sr TOWNSHIP. 361 ferred his classes to that building in the fall of 1863. After a struggle for existence against many difficulties he was succeeded by Prof. McKee in 1868. Prof McKee after continuing the school for a couple of years abandoned the undertaking, as the building was at that time considered unsafe, and the Aledo collegiate building was torn down and the building material sold. After Prof. McKee left, Prof. Henderson took up the work for some years, occupying the second story of the building known as Richey^s store, and in this building Prof Henderson was succeeded, in 1873, by Prof J. P. Wylie, assisted by his brother, J. M. Wylie. After teach- ing one year in this building the Wylie brothers determined to procure better accommodations, and by the sale of scholarships they were ena- bled to purchase block 132 on Maj)le street, where they erected a two- story academy building, 22x44 feet, exclusive of hall and stairway. This beautiful site and neat little building with the two young ener- getic teachers, attracted 102 students the first year. In 1879, J. P. Wylie became sole proprietor, J. M. Wylie having gone into the ministry of the P. G. church. At the present time, June, 1882, the academy under J. R. Wylie is quite prosperous. It contains a valu- able cabinet of geological and mineralogical specimens, many of which would do honor to any college, besides a good library and an abund- ance of school apparatus. The course of study in this academy embraces all the mathematics, including arithmetic, through plain and spherical trigonometry ; an English course of one and a half years ; drawing, book-keeping, physical geography. United States and ancient history, physiology ; two terms in zoology, natural philosophy and astronomy ; two years in latin or two years in German, elective. The above course requires three years for its completion. Over 500 students, mostly from Mercer county, have received more or less instruction in this institution. Some seventy teachers have been sent out, and twenty diplomas have been granted since 1877. In closing this sketch it seems appropriate to' make mention of a few of the old and tried teachers of the county, and such others as have, after teaching for a time, been elevated to positions of honor, profit or trust. Geo. W. Julian, who taught here in 1835-6, has since served long and faithfully as a member of congress. Harvey S. Sen- ter, who was a teacher as far back as 1813, was afterward successively clerk of the circuit court, member of the state board of equalization and state senator. Warren Shed was a colonel commanding the 30th reg. Geo. P. Graham was a member of the legislature after serving suc- cessfully as teacher. Prof. Joseph McChesney, a teacher thiity-five years ago, was for some time assistant state geologist, and was twice 362 HISTORY OF MEKCER ANU HKJVDERSON COUNTIES, api:)ointecl, under Abraham Lincoln, as consul to Glasgow, Scotland, and was afterward cliosen professor of national sciences in the Chicago university. B. F. Brock, subsequently district attorney, is now one of the leading lawyers of the county. J. K. Herbert, a teacher over twenty-five years ago, is a prominent lawyer in Washington, District of Columbia. N. P. Brown, J. E. Harroun, S. B. Atwater, and F. W. Livingston, were each chosen to the office of county superintendent of schools. C. S. Ricliey was for many years, and is at present, county surveyor. Rev. Mr. Jamieson, long a teacher, was afterward mis- sionary to Lidia. T. C. Swaford, a teacher of great success, was after- ward elected city superintendent of the schools of Monmouth. A. U. Barler, E. H. Jamieson, J. A. Goding, J. T. Johnston, and Alex. Stevens were old and successful principals of graded schools. Besides these, Simeon Smith, David Felton, Resin Kile, Cyrus A. Ballard, AVilliam IST. Graham, G. L. F. Robinson, AVilliam Miller, and Warren Biggart may be mentioned as old and successful teachers of a long and continued service in the county. From the long list of lady teachers who have served in tlie county, it is a task of no small difficulty to select names for honorable mention without making the list too long for the purpose of this history. There are, however, a few who are pre-eminent, by reason of their long ser- vice, excellent methods of instruction, and unquestioned fitness and success. Among those we will name Miss Ilattie and Miss Emma Hunting- ton, Miss Libbie Perkins, Miss Parney Harroun, Miss Mollie Walker, Miss Emma Stevens, Mrs. A. M. B. Young, Mrs. Melissa Flemming, Miss M. Jennie Marquis, Miss M. M. Burbank, Miss Maggie Clarke, Miss Tillie S. Frazier, Miss Mantie Henry, Miss Mary E. Wolfe, Miss Jo. H. Willits, Miss Abbie M. Burr, Miss Mattie M. Sloan, Miss Jen- nie Henderson, and Mrs. Irene Willits. Besides these there are a host of lady teachers of shorter experience, but abundantly qualified for their work and deserving the warmest commendation were this chapter not already extended beyond the limits at first designed by the author. Simeon P. Smith. — Politically Mr. Smith was identified with the old whig party, but was a radical abolitionist in sentiment. When Fremont and Buchanan were the opposing candidates he was asked on election day "to go and vote for Fremont electors," but declined, saying, "No ; I think I shall not vote to-day, but if I do it will be for Buchanan," giving as a reason that he was "opposed to any compro- mise with slavery," a thing the republican party seemed at that time PEERYTON TOWNSHIP. 363 willing to do, and he thought "the people of this coimtiy need four years more of democratic rule before they get their eyes opened." Mr. S. was exceedingly diffident in public, and never knowingl}^ placed himself where there was the remotest chance of his being called upon for a speech. Happening in Chicago one time when there was a meeting of the leading teachers of the state, he attended, but knowing no one there he took a seat as far back as possible, "to see and not be seen." Some one, however, seemed not only to know him, but to know he was there, for upon the election of officers he was chosen as one of the vice-presidents, all of whom were requested to "come forward and take a seat on the rostrum." Mr. S. did not respond, and it was found that he had quietly slipped out of the hall. The honors were too much for him. While none present were more interested in the cause of education he could not bear the unsought honors thrust upon him, and in self-defense was forced to retire. EIGHTY-FOURTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS INFANTRY. This splendid regiment was raised in the summer of 1862. Louis 11. Waters, of Macomb, formerly lieutenant colonel of the 28th Illinois, was asked by Gov. Yates to enlist one of four regiments required of Illinois under the president's call for 50,000 for a reserve force, and he promptly responded, addressing public meetings in Mercer, Henderson, Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Schuyler, Brown and Adams counties, and enrolling volunteers. Beginning about the middle of June recruits were first sent to Camp Butler, Springtield, but in the latter part of July the rendezvous was transferred to Quincy. In Mercer county John C. Pej)per and Luther T. Ball, of Keiths- burg, began late in July to raise a company. They employed a band, and in a short wlijile had the men ready. On August 13th a mass meeting was held at Sugar Grove and company H was organized, Pepper being elected captain and Ball first lieutenant. The following day the company, having 105 men enrolled, assembled at Keithsburg, where it embarked on a steamer for Quincy. When the organization was completed Henry E. Abercrombie was chosen second lieutenant. The company was mustered into the service with ninety-three enlisted men. Frederick Garternicht, of Oquawka, a German martinet, formerly lieutenant in the 2Sth Illinois, raised company G for this regiment. He began recruiting about the middle of June and was cordially assisted by his townsmen generally and by the following persons par- ticularly : William II. Fuller and Russell W. Caswell, of Oquawka, the Rev. Dr. David McDill, of Biggsville, and Edward Ray, of Young 364 HISTORY OF l^IERCER AND HP:NDERS0N COUNTIES. America (Kirkwood). As soon as enough were eni'olled squad drilling was commenced at Oquawka. On Monday evening, July 28, the com- pany was mustered in the court-house yard and brieflj^ addressed by the Revs. Hanson, Rutledge, and McDill, the latter, after his remarks, presenting each volunteer a copy of the New Testament. Capt. Garter- nicht shortly after, having about fifty men, marched them to Sagetown, and there taking the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad went to Quincy, where he went into camp, and continued recruiting until he brought the number of his company up to ninety. As long as the command was at that city Capt. Garternielit was regimental drill- master. He was commissioned captain of his company, and his associate officers were W. H. Fuller, first lieutenant, and R. W. Caswell, second lieutenant. Lieut^ Fuller was early detailed into the signal corps, and honorably discharged in May, 1864. Lieut. Caswell was promoted to adjutant. "When the first lieutenancy became vacant by the retirement of Fuller, in 1864, Charles Kaiser, who had been pro- moted after the organization of the company to 'corporal and then ser- geant, was commissioned to take that place. Company K was raised at Biggsville with unusual despatch, only a few days in the first part of August being required to secure over one hundred men. J. B. McGaw left his harvest in the field un stacked, and addressed himself with vigor to the work of raising the company, when the urgent necessities of the government were made known by the second call within little more than a month for 300,000 volunteers. His example of personal sacrifice and instant aid was followed in numerous cases. He was assisted at Biggsville by Dr. Alexander P. ^Nelson and Joseph Brown, and at Stringtown by Myron ]\Iills, who brought from that place a squad of about twenty. On Tuesday, August 12, he started to Quincy with 104 men. The first three nights after their arrival they slept under a tree in their summer clothing. At this place the men balloted for officers, and elected McGaw captain, Nelson, first lieutenant, and Mills, second lieutenant. The company was mus- tered in with ninety enlisted soldiers. About the middle of August the organization of the regiment was completed. Thomas Hamer was appointed lieutenant colonel, and Charles H. Morton, major. It was mustered into the United States service on the first of September, and at this rendezvous was uni- formed and armed with Enfield rifled muskets. One month's pay was advanced and one-fourth of the $100 bounty paid. On September 23d the regiment was put aboard the cars for Louisville, Kentucky, where it arrived the 26th, and was assigned to the tenth brigade, fourth di"\dsion, the former commanded by Col. AYilliam Grose, and the latter PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 365 by Gen. Nelson. The other regiments composing the brigade were "old regiments," 36tli Indiana, 23d Kentucky, 6th and 24th Ohio. Starting with the rest of the army in pursuit of Bragg, on October 1st, it did vigorous service and suffered bitter hardships on that disheart- ening campaign. It lay in hearing of the battle of Perrysville and chafed under a criminal restraint while struggling comrades were being slain in that unequal contest. . Company G was detached at the time and took part in the engagement. The regiment went to Danville and Ci-ab Orchard, and marched and counter-marched in that section, enduring what were great trials to fresh soldiers, for lack of food and rest and protection from snow and frosty and stormy weather. All the time they were near the enemy (Buell),. doing him the favor to follow close enough to oblige his army to keep up in compact order while retiring leisurely from the state with the immense stores he had gathered. The 84th went to Mount Yernon and from there to Somer- set. The marching was again hard and privation and suffering were great ; cold rains and heavy snows occurred ; men almost barefoot left bloody footprints; and scores went to the hospital. From Somerset the march was continued to Columbia, thence to Glasgow, and crossing into Tennessee moved to Gallatin and Silver Spi'ings, and halted, at last, for rest and recuperation, at the close of the month, three miles southeast of Nashville. This campaign wrecked many a strong soldier. The historian of the regiment, in depicting its severities, says: "It deprived us of more men than any battle in whicli we were engaged, it swept many into an early grave, it ruined the health of hundreds, but those who did endure its hardships were inured to the rough life of a soldier, and were seldom afterward sick or sore from hard marching. " The regiment now had 400 in line out of 951 sworn in at Quincy three months before. Gen. Rosecrans had relieved Buell of the command of the army, and at once undertook the reorganization of the shattered forces. The brigade with which tlie 84th was connected became the third brigade, second division, twenty-iirst corps. The division was commanded by Sooy Smith (who was relieved about the first of Decembar by Gen. John M. Palmer), and the corps by Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden. On the 26tli of December the army was put in motion, and soon struck the enemy, who was gradually pushed back on Murfreesboro. Having reached Stewart's creek on the 29th the command advanced in order of battle with light skirmishing, and at night had borne down within two rfiiles of the town. The left of the S4th was on the pike. In front was a cotton-field, at the southeast corner of wliich was the Cowan "Burnt house." Next day there was nothing but skirmishing, and the front 366 . HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COrXTIES. line was occupied by other troops. Being relieved on AVednesdaj morning, 31st, the brigade went a short distance to the rear. During the night the rebels had outflanked the right of the army, and at day- light they commenced a furious attack and drove the union troops in great disorder down upon the center. About nine o'clock the fugitives began straggling back to the turnpike with alarming stories of the disaster to the right wing. The third brigade was promptly formed, facing west, and one hundred yards in front of the pike. The 6th and 24th Ohio were disposed on the iirst line in the thick cedar woods. The roar of the nearing conflict grew louder. Stragglers, panic- stricken, rushed back till their numbers swelled into a tide of retreat that defied all efforts to stop it. Nearer comes the sound, and all know that the victorious foe is pushing his advantage with all his strength. The storm is imminent ; then it bursts upon the first line, and its fury is withstood briefly ; the men break in confusion, and the entreaties and imprecations of officers are unavailing to check the retreat. Over the second line they pour and are formed again about forty rods in the rear. Now comes the test of the 84tli, the 23d Kentucky, and the 36th Indiana. A lede-e of rock behind which thev lie gives them partial protection. Parson's and CockerelFs batteries are thun- dering behind them, throwing shell and grape shot over the men directly into the cedars in front, which are swarming with the exidtant enemy. Soon the rebels come out of the cedars in full view and in point blank range, and instantly the line springs up with a wild shout and pours a deadly volley into them. For an hour each side faces a shower of bullets, and the air throbs with the detonations of the union artillery. The rebels, repulsed, Anally take cover in the woods. Dur- ing the time a regiment came up the pike from the south and directed a cross-fire upon the federal troops. Being temporarily relieved from pressure the brigade changed front forward by a left half wheel, and opened on some rebels lying in the cotton-fleld, probably those who had been cross-flring, and on a heavy force approaching at this time from the right. The regiments on the right of the 84tli receive the enemy's enfilading Are with surprising fortitude, but at length, unable longer to endure it, fall back and leave this regiment exposed to the raking volleys from the rebels in the woods, who promptly envelop its flank. A desperate resistance was kept up in this place for an hour, and the foe had crept up within sixty yards. The right was now retired so as to face him squarely, but his steady advance in a semi- circle beginning soon to turn the left, the regiment bad to be with- drawn to the ledge. Here the 84th maintained its ground with the utmost gallantry another hour, after all the other troops had retired PEERYTON TOWNSHIP. 367 beyond tlie ])ike. At last the order was given and the left fell back ; the right, not having heard the command, remained, and some confu- sion was the result. While in this last position, and during the time it was falling back across the railroad, the regiment suffered heavy loss, twenty-iive being shot dead, besides a jjroportionately large num- ber wounded. The rebels advanced, but were met by the troops holding the line of the railroad, and their movement was checked. The Sith then formed in front of the track, but were exposed in this place to a rebel battery, and so the men were marched from the field into the woods a mile away, and there stacked arms to give rest to this bleeding battalion, after six long' hours of heroic fighting and sacrifice. New Year witnessed a comparative cessation of hostilities. On the 2d, Van Cleve\s division was thrown across the river, and the third brigade went over as a support. A slight breastwork of logs was made. Van Cleve received a sudden and vehement attack from Breck- enridge, and his division was driven back pell-mell. The rebels fol- lowed in splendid style, confident of easy victory ; but the 84th and the 6th Ohio, together with other troops, held their fire till they were within three hundred yards, then rising with a deafening yell, poured into them a destructive volley, after which each soldier loaded and fired at will, keeping up a murderous fire which thinned their crowded col- unms. The designs ol' the enemy had been antici})ated, and Gen. Rosecrans had massed fifty-eight guns on the opposite side of the river, and when the rebels reached the right place these opened with a salvo as if the universe had split, shaking the troubled hills and devouring the enemy with sickening destruction. The rebels fiiltered, and before they could break into full retreat the 8-ith and the 6th Ohio were o\er their works, charging with a slogan upon the reeling assailants. The rest of the brigade, Yan Cleve's division, and some other troops which had been hurrying over, now came up in the same gallant fasldon, retaking all the artillerj^ that had been lost and one gun of the famous Washington battery, belonging to the enemy. Rosecrans reported: "The firing was terrific and the havoc terrible." Bickham wrote: " The commander-in-chief hurled his batteries and his battalions together at the monstrous machines of Breckenridge, and destroyed them in forty minutes. Two thousand men or more, who had marched upon that field in haughty defiance, at three o'clock and forty minutes, were dead or mangled at four o'clock and thirty minutes." This engagement was decisive of the protracted contest and gave the union army Murfreesboro. Nothing could excel the patient fortitude and heroic conduct of the 84th throughout this memorable struggle, and it won merited encomiums from officers of high rank who were witnesses 368 HISTORY OF TVEERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. of its splendid courage. Its whole loss was as follows : Killed, 33 ; severely wounded, 11-i ; prisoners, 8. Thirty-one of the wounded died. Many not counted were slightly wounded. The regiment suffered thus terribly on that dreadful Wednesday. The loss of the whole army of 43,400 was 12,378. After the battle the 84th lay in the vicinity of Murfreesboro, changing place occasionally, and doing the ordinary duty of scouting, foraging, guarding provision trains, and working on fortifications. Early in February elections were held in the regiment to fill vacan- cies caused bv casualties and resignations; Lieuts. Ball and Aber- crombie, of company H, had been slain in the forefront of the battle, December 31, and now Private Peter McLain was voted first lieuten- ant, and Corporal J. IST. White, second lieutenant. May 12 the brigade moved to Cripple creek and lay there till June 24, when the forward movement was taken up for the possession of Tullahoma. "Upon the morning of the advance the rain commenced, and continued as if the very windows of heaven had been opened. For seventeen consecutive days the rain fell in remarkable quantity. No such stormy period had visited that country for twenty-six years past." So said the aimalist of the army of the Cumberland. Critten- den " had seventeen miles to march, over a road that had no bottom, and it took him four days to get over it. The infantry waded through mud for miles, that was from one to three feet in depth. They had to dismount their pieces and take their batteries forward from highland to highland." So said Eosecrans recently (1882). The rebel army having retreated to Chattanooga, dn July 8 this command went into regular camp near Manchester. Fatiguing work, toilsome marching, a scalding sun, and short rations were other features of this brief, but brilliant campaign, which might have been more complete in its results but for unfavorable weather and roads. The advance on Chattanooga began on the IGtli, and Crittenden's corps took the route across the mountains direct for that place. On the 25th the brigade (Grose's) reached the Sequatchie valley and camped near Dunlap, beneath the tall cliffs which look down from the west, and remained there till September 1. The march was then resumed down the valley, and during the evening and night of the 3d the divi- sion effected the passage of the Tennessee, and encamped at Shell- mound. On the 6th it had entered Lookout valley. On the 9th, Gen. Wood having made a reconnoisance in force in the direction of Chattanooga and reported the enemy giving up the gateway between the river and Point Lookout, Grose's brigade climbed the mountain, drove off the rebel outposts, moved forward to Summerville, thence PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 369 down tlie mountain on the other side, rejoining the division below, which had now passed around the point, and moved out across Chatta- nooga valley toward Rossville, under orders to follow the enemy closely and watch his movements. Let us return to trace those maneuvers which secured the entrance through this gateway and led to the battle in Chickamauga valley. Having reached the foot of the Cumberland mountains, various causes induced Gen. Rosecrans to delay a few days ; but when ready to con- tinue the advance by a ruse de guerre he caused Bragg to suppose tliat he intended to make the passage of the Tennessee above Chattanooga, and suddenly on the 29th began crossing the bulk of his army at Bridgeport, Caperton's ferry ten miles below, and Shellmound eight miles above. Thomas, with his corps, marched across the mountain- ous country, entering Lookout (or Wills') valley, and proceeded up to Cooper's and Stevens' gaps, occupied them on the 8th and 9th, and passed over Lookout mountain. McCook's corps moved on a parallel route to the right, going over Sand mountain, through Yalleys' Head, and ascending Lookout at Winston's gap. All the cavalry, except what was employed in the feint above Chattanooga, was sent to the head of the valley, with instructions to cross over to Alpine and make a show of strong force in tliat neighborhood. McCook was to follow it to the summit, display his troops to the best advantage, send a brigade or division down the mountain to back up the cavalry while threatening Rome, so as to give the appearance of a large force. Crit- tenden had been reserved to cross the base of Lookout immediately under the Point and next the river, as alrea.dy described. The demon- stration on Bragg's rear forced him into the open field to fight the decisive battle which Rosecrans and his lieutenants knew would inevit- ably take place for the possession of Chattanooga. Discovering the flank movement the rebel general hastily evacuated the city on the 9th, and retreated to Lafayette, twenty-two miles south, covering his base, and holding a position near enough to his antagonist to take any sud- den advantage. On the lltli Crittenden was ordered to Ringgold to feel forward for the enemy as far as Gordon's Mills. His report, as well as other information, left no doubt of the concentration of the rebel army at Lafayette to await re-inforcements, and Rosecrans learned with deep concern of Bragg's present attitude ; especially now that he himself must despair of help from Burnside, who had been sent on a cooperative expedition from Kentucky into East Tennessee with instructions to join him, but who at this crises "was hunting with 22,000 men at his back for Gen. Sam Jones who, with less than 6,000, was toling him oft' up into western Virginia." Rosecrans' main army 370 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. was dispersed from Einggold to Alpine, a distance of fifty-eight miles by practicable wagon route, and sixty-five by that subsequently taken by McCook (certainly a precarious situation), and the supreme en- deavor should be to concentrate and cover Chattanooga. The isolation of each coi'[3S was so perfect that the movement must necessarily be from the south, keeping in view the hold on the city. Crittenden could not move up the valley to Thomas without exposing Chattanooga and jeo])ardizing the army ; the latter could not march to the assist- ance of McCook without leaving Crittenden at the mercy of Bragg ; therefore all hope lay in the celerity of McCook, and the tardiness of Bragg. Recently (1882), Gen. Rosecrans said "this was the most anx- ious period of the whole campaign. " He had indeed risked a staggering responsibility. Crittenden was immediately ordered to march without delay to Gordon's Mills and to communicate with Gen. Thomas. His troops were there the next day. Pressing orders were dispatched to McCook to come by the road along the top of the mountain with all possible haste and join Thomas ; but acting on what he believed was reliable information that this route was im})racticable, he disregarded that part of his orders, and starting at midnight retraced his way through Winston\s gap. On the l-lth Gen. Crittenden was withdrawn to the southern extremity of Missionary ridge to avoid being cut off, and to communicate with Gen. Thomas, whose troops began to arrive the following day. Negley's division conti-onted two rebel divisions at Dry gap in Pigeon mountain, but declined battle after a brisk skirmish. Col. Wilder had encountered a large body at Einggold. The enemy's activity and boldness portended early fighting. Would McCook come before the blow would fall? He was still far away, toiling over rugged hills, rough roads, and through narrow passes, but making all the while prodigious exertions and good progress. From Winston's gap he moved down to Stevens' gap, and then followed the road taken by Thomas. Pour and a half days were spent in this circuitous march of forty -six miles. The summit route of seventeen miles would have con- sumed but a day and a half. This unfortunate but natural mistake cost the commanding general the choice of the battle field ; and no doubt the loss of his justly high military reputation, though not of his posi- tion, for that was already fated by his unfortunate misunderstandings with the war department, inflamed by his own rash correspondence, invited by the weakness of Halleck, and welcomed by the vindictive- ness of Stanton. On the 17th the rebels attempted to cross the Chickamauga at Gordon's mills, but were prevented by Crittenden, who had returned the same day from the foot of the ridge, McCook having just arrived PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 371 on the I'iglit. At evening on tlie IStli mutterings of conflict on the left foretold battle on the morrow. The rebel general was detected in massing overwhelming numbers on that flank to turn or crush it, and then to interpose his army between Kosecrans and Chattanooga. To check this maneuver the union general advanced his line to the left during the night by moving Thomas' corps from the center, leaving its place to be filled by McCook's. The alignment fi'om left to right by divisions was covered by Brannan, Baird, and Reynolds, of Thomas' corps ; Palmer, Van Cleve, and Wood, of Crittenden's corps ; and Davis and Sheridan, of McCook's corps, not yet established in position when the battle began on Saturday morning, the 10th. Negley's division, belonging to Thomas's corps, formed a defensive crochet at Owen's ford, farther to the right, and the cavalry was thrown forward on this flank to defend Missionary ridge. Johnson's division of McCook's corps was in reserve in rear of Thomas, and Crittenden's right held Gordon's mills. The reserve corps under Gordon Granger was lying at Rossville, four miles to the left and rear. Rosecrans' front was parallel to Chickamauga creek, extending from northeast to southwest, and lying diagonally across the Lafayette road leading to Chattanooga, with the left reaching nearly to the Ringgold road. The night had been one of activity in the federal army in changing positions and "forming lines. About ten o'clock the dropping fire of the skirmishers and the dee]) bass of the artillery announced the open- ing of the battle. Gen. Thomas had ordered a reconnoissance on the extreme left by Brannan's division, and Croxton's brigade encountered a strong detachment of the rebel Gen. Walker's (5orps in front and flank, and drove it in confusion over half a mile to a massed body concealed in the forest. The rebels fought savagely, and being reinforced by Cheatham's division, fell on the union troops with head- long weight. The whole division was at onc^ engaged ; its double lines struggled heroically to keep their places, but finally crumbled into disorder. Tlie enemy, still advancing in deep columns, rolled up against Baird like a huge wave ; and his deadly fire, though shattering their front lines, had no visible eft'ect in checking the foe. Swept by the remorseless tempest, this division was unable to stem its wrathful course, and gave way. Johnson, advancing now from his reserve position, struck the enemy in flank. Palmer's division came about this time to succor the struggling left, and Brannan's and Baird's divisions having been reformed. Gen. Thomas ordered the line to advcince. The movement was as unexpected to the re\)els as it was irresistible. They tried in vain to stand ; they })oured desolating showers of gullets, grape-shot, and canister into the daring columns, 372 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. but onward tliose invincible divisions went like a billow of the ocean. Witli frantic exertions officers tried to restore order and establish new lines, but as often as that was done the torrent of nnion victory swept them away like driftwood. Thomas' battalions stopped only when satisfied with having driven the exultant and confident foe nearly a mile over the ground they had lost, and taken cannons, caissons, and everything else that the enemy in his flight had left. The account of a rebel writer says this "fight was one of great desperation," that the rebels "exjDerienced fearful sacrifices," and that the union soldiers^ "pushed close upon the battery of the gallant Capt. Carnes and slew most of its horses and men," and the pieces "were therefore aban- doned to the enemy." Opportunely for the rebels, Cleburn dashed up to the rescue of their endangered right and engaged Palmer's division with his usual impetuosity. Now the tumult drifts along the quaking earth. Heavy flanking column's crowd the right ; Palmer is overlapped, and his line is in danger of being doubled up, when Van Cleve marches in to arrest the peril, but the dense battalions with which he grapples overcome him. Bragg is practicing his favorite plan of attack in commencing on one flank and hurling for- ward his divisions successively in search for a weak point, until the whole line is engaged. The tide of battle rolled heavily to the right, taking in Reynolds, who divided the pressure with Van Cleve, and covered his front with a terrific lead-storm ; but his division was shortly sundered in twain as if a hurricane had torn through his ranks. Davis was ordered up at the critical moment; and though his men struggled with raging energy, he could not long withstand the rebel momentum of increasing numbers. He gave back slowly till Wood arrived to swell the furious combat, when the enemy recoiled with heavy loss. At three o'clock Sheridan was ordered to leave Lytle's brigade to hold Gordon's mills, and with the rest of his division to move to the assistance of Wood and Davis. He was on the ground not too soon to save the former from disaster. The heavy sound which moves toward the right, shaking the deep woods, tells that the center has caught the storm. Gen. I^egley, who has been lying at Owen's ford all day, is ordered to march down to the Widow Glenn's to be in momentary readiness for action. He reported with his division at half-past four ; and as soon as it became certain that the battle was going against the union arms in that quarter, his fresh veterans rushed upon the foe with ardor and drove him back steadily till dark- ness put an end to the fighting. Brannan had also been sent from the left, and at night took a position to tlie right of Reynolds. The results of' the day were substantial success. The federal army PERRYTON TOWNSHIP. 373 had held its ground, and the rebel general was foiled. The union troops, outnumbered, had all been called into action except two brig- ades. The rebel army was reinfoi'ced by Buckner, recently from Knoxville ; by a detachment from Johnson's army in Mississippi ; and by another from Lee's army in Virginia. The battle-ground was heavy timber, so undergrown as to be an immense coppice. This was of great advantage to the rebels in massing and attacking, and of proportionate disadvantage to the federal side, allowing but small opportunity for the use of artillery. Every inch of ground was con- tested with obstinate valor. As often as one rebel line melted out of sight a fresh one took its place ; but the union soldiers fought without respite, without hope of aid, aware of the momentous character of the struggle, and that if they won the stake it must be with a costly libation of blood. So they received the surge of rebel strength and fury with surly front, and when overwhelmed and forced to give ground did so with dogged reluctance. By midnight the plans of the union commander for the morrow had been communicated to his corps commanders in a counsel at the Widow Glenn's house. Thomas was to maintain his present line, assisted by the divisions of Palmer and Johnson, with which he had been reinforced, and to hold Brannan in reserve. McCook, with the two divisions left him, was to close up to Thomas, with his right turned back to a strong position on Missionary ridge ; while Crittenden, with his remaining divisions, was to be posted in reserve at the junction of Thomas and McCook. On the rebel side the army was divided into two wings ; the right was given to Gen. Polk and the left to Gen. Longstreet, who had arrived with the rest of his corps at eleven o'clock that night. Polk was ordered to renew the battle at daylight, but owing to a dis- arrangement of his line he was prevented from making the attack until nearly nine o'clock. The morning opened sultry and oppressive. The fiery sky, as if it might reflect the bloody field below, was seen through a hazy, sulphurous canopy of battle-smoke, which enveloped hill, forest and glen, and the giants of war that lay among them. The union troops reposed on their arms, waiting for the first rude sound of con- flict to disturb the glory of the Sabbath day. Between sun and sun what onsets shall rock the earth! what valor amaze the world and mark the bounds of human courage and endurance ! Every man in those worn and battle-begrimed legions says mutely with his chieftain, this "day must be for the safety ofjiie army and the possession of Chattanooga." The first move of the enemy was to turn the left flank to secure Rosecrans' line of retreat. Palmer was in the front, near the center, and Grose's brigade was ordered to the left to meet the enemy, 374 HISTOKY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. wlio was crawling around on tlie tlank. The S4tli retired from their barricade of logs and rails with a feeling of reluctance. Col. Waters had been the first to recommend the building of such a protection, and this regiment the first to begin the parapet. In moving to its new position it was first apprized of the presence of the enemy by a shai-p volley from an ambuscade, which killed and wounded several. This was followed by rapid discharges, but in s]Ate of the severe fire the brigade formed in line. But being at once charged upon by a greatly superior force, it was driven in such confusion that detachments were separated and did not find their proper places during the day. Soon a deafening shout rises along the rebel ftY)nt, and the line dashes forward in a thundering charge that envelopes Thomas' position. The con- tending sides grapple in the herculean energies of despairing battle. An aid leaves Thomas' side and hurries oft' to Gen. Rosecrans, to ask that Neglay may be sent speedily. Thomas had been promised the return of this division early in the morning, and the order had been given for its transfer, but from some cause had but just started to move when the staft" officer galloped up. "There it goes," said Eosecrans, as at that instant it was seen in motion. In a few minutes another aid came flying from the left, saying that Gen. Thomas was hotly pressed and needed Brannan. "Tell Gen. Thomas our line is closing toward him, and to hold his ground at all hazards, and I will reinforce him, if necessarv, with the entire armv. Tell Gen. Brannan to obev Gen. Thomas' orders. " Gen. Yan Cleve, who has been lying behind AYood, is despatched in the same direction. Tlie battle is increasing in fury. Xegley, with his veterans at a swinging pace, is hurrj-ing to the relief of the suffering left. Yan Qeve follows rapidly. A cloud of smoke and perpetual fire roll from Thomas' solid front. Roaring batteries, double-shotted, pour the desolating iron into the frenzied foe, who is constantly replacing his dissolving ranks with fresh troops. Closer and more stubbornly they press, and deadlier grows the union fi!re. The line of conflict extends to the center. It is now eleven o'clock, and Longsti-eet assails the right fiercely. The rebels on Thomas' front, exhausted bv their own tremendous exertions and frightful losses, fall back, at length, demoralized, out of the reach of the field guns. Smart- ing under this bloody and signal repulse, they close up their bleeding, ghastly ranks, revise theif lines, strengthen them with reinforcements, and then the massive column is launched once more agsiinst the weakened line. In the meantime Gen. Thomas has ridden along tlie ranks, so that if it were necessary his presence should infuse new con- fidence, and his troops catch some of his own steadiness of character and lofty heroism. Maddened by the memory of their defeat, and THOMAS CANDOR. DECEASED EIGHTY-FOURTH REGIMP:XT. 377 tliirsting to avenge it, tliey advance with remorseless vigor under cover of a terrific cannonade from tlieir batteries. Thev meet again the same stern resistance and devouring fire wliicli before strewed the ground with tlieir dead. Right up they come till foeman looks foeman in eye, and the stormy lines interlock and and writhe in mortal embrace. The union troops, according to rebel authority, "withstood as long as human powers of endurance could bear up against such a pressure, then yielded and fell back." But not till two hours of raging slaughter told the story of their heroism. Retiring a little way a stand would be made till the courageous foe came and received full in his face that relentless fire which shriveled Ids wasting ranks. The batteries, changing from place to place, were served with great animation and accuracy. The enemy paused finally, and Gen. Thomas rested his right on Missionary ridge, covering the gap, his left on the Lafayette road, his center advanced, the line describing an arc of a circle. While this had been occurring, terrible work had been done on the right. Tlie commanding general had guarded carefully against a gap in his front, but was notified that Brannan was out of line, leaving Repiolds' right exposed. The situation was not comprehended by Gen. Thomas' aid who brought the information. Brannan was in echelon, that is, in rear, with his right extending beyond Reynolds' right. Gen. Rose- crans promptly sent an order to Wood to close up on Reynolds. As AVood's left connected with Brannan he understood the order was for him to support Reynolds by withdrawing ft'om the line and marching by the flank to his rear. Acting on this fatal mistake, without report- ing to the commanding general for further instructions, he moved to the left, and so opened a wide breach, lie was savagely attacked while executing this disastrous change, and his right brigade was. severely handled. It is like a break in a levee. There is a wild rush of rebels into this gap. Then twelve cannon enter. Brannan's right is hurled back. Van Cleve, at tliis juncture, marching to the left, is struck full and fair in fiank ; two batteries at the same time moving the same way are driven through two of his brigades. Half of the division instantly crumbles to atoms and goes like chaft' to Rossville. On the right of the gap are Davis and Sheridan. The division of the former, taken in front, flank and rear, completely disintegrates. The latter is overlapped on the right by Longstreet's mammoth line, now sweeping forward in a grand onslaught. Laibokl's brigade is carried away with Davis. Scorning to fly, Sheridan, with his two remaining brigades moving toward Reynolds, hurls a forlorn column with con- vulsive desperation against the massive front of the shouting foe. One trial is enough ; he is caught in flank ; then his troops hurry past ''2 §78 HISTORY OF MERCER AIJD HENDERSON COUNTIES. the Dry valley, and by a circuit arrive at Rossville, from whence^ at niglit, he leads them to the support of Thomas. Between the wreck- ing of Davis' and Sheridan's divisions, Lytle's brigade was shivered ; the brave leader fell dead in the arms of an aid, and his horse dashed away with the straggling, panic-stricken throng. Generals McCook -and Crittenden search in vain for the remnants of their commands, Which are scattered in twos and threes, scarcely the semblance of a formation anywhere. Guns, caissons, horses, wagons, and a bewil- dered, cursing multitude of fugitives obstruct the pass through Mission- ary ridge. These brave officers sicken at the tumult, but cannot stay the refluent tide, and are borne along by it till they arrive in Chatta- nooga. The commanding general, ignorant of the extent of the dis- aster, issued a few necessary orders, and despatched his chief-of-statf. Gen. Garfield, to Gen. Thomas, to ascertain the situation of his com- mand, and to communicate with him by telegraph at Chattanooga. Garfield performed the perilous journey over hills, through valleys and wild forests, heedless of lurking dangers, reached, Thomas, and sent the grateful intelligence to his chief that the left wing was holding its ground, and would do so to the last. Rosecrans in the meantime returned to Chattanooga, "to give orders for the security of the pontoon-brigade at Battle creek and Bridgeport, and to make prelimin- ary dispositions either to forward ammunition and supplies, should we hold our ground, or to withdraw the troops into good position." Having routed the right of the union army, the eager foe, elated , "with that success, and confident of dashing the remainder in pieces, about one o'clock fell upon Thomas with remarkable force. The divi- sions of Baird, Johnson, Palmer, Reynolds, Brannan, and Wood, two brigades of Negley's division, and one of Yan Cleve's were the troops left to hold the rebel army in check. The devoted union army was now assailed by more than three times its numbers. Kershaw assaulted Missionary Ridge in front and was fearfully repulsed. Finding this part of the line impregnable, heavy columns were projected against the flanks. The fierceness of the onsets, combined with the overwhelming weight of numbers, carried them back. Thomas' lines after that described nearly a complete circle, and Longstreet was in control of the main road to Chattanooga. An immense toil was closing around the stalwart hero. A sheet of deadly flame and fiery sleet encircled this last stronghold, while his own lines blazed with withering volleys that bespoke, under the circumstances, the loftiest moral defiance and grandeur. Undaunted, the union troops received the repeated and staggering assaults of the exasperated foe. It was not dismay that filled their hearts, but calm desperation. They stood witli their backs EIGHTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, 379 to the wall, and tliat wall was "the Rock of Chickamaiiga. " The enemy, determined upon destroying the army, at half-past three found a low gap in the ridge, flanking Thomas' right and directly in his rear. Sanguine of a swift and crushing victory, they hurried into it in great numbers. "The moment was critical," says Rosecrans. Twenty minutes more, and our right would have been turned, our position taken in reverse, and, probably, the army routed. Struggling with grim valor at all points to beat back the rampant foe, Thomas could spare no troops for this new and appalling danger. For the first time in his life his countenance and manner betray emotions of distressing anxiety. He knows that Granger is at Rossville, three miles away ; no time to send word ; at best, three miles against twenty minutes. Nothing but the providence of God can save the army. Nervously, painfully his eye sweeps the horizon. A cloud of dust is rising. Doubtful whether it can be friend or foe, he exclains to Capt. Johnson, of JSTegley's staff: "Find out what troops those are, moving upon me."' Bringing his glass to his eye, he watches intently the approach- ing column. On that han^s the fate of the army. Who can tell how ho}>e and fear fluctuate in that heart that is almost still ? The seconds throb with conscious importance. A small object comes into view. His lips almost break out with thanksgiving; it is the battle-flag of Granger. One more chance for hope. All day long Granger had listened to the thunder on the left, and had marked its ebb and flow as it grew " Nearer, clearer, deadlier than before " ; had paced up and down uneasily, wondering why orders to march did not come, every minute straining his eye for the sight of a stafi" oiflcer. It was an heroic occasion, and a hero was there. Something said : push for the front. "The God of batttles held that forlorn hope of the union army in his hand." "With the instinct of a true soldier and general," he ordered his trained but mostly new soldiers to move instantly. Two miles down the road he came upon a small body of the enemy, but he "well knew that at that stage of the conflict the battle was not there. " Leaving Col. Dan. C. McCook's brigade to take care of any force in that vicinity, he urged forward with pressing earn- estness and reported to Gen. Thomas. "The Rock of Chickamauga" simply pointed out the right. The soldierly eye of Granger took in the perilous and astounding situation at a glance, "and quick as thought he directed his advance brigade upon the enemy." Gen. Steadman, inspired no less than Gi'anger, with an enthusiastic couj) d' tf c7, and worth at that moment a thousand men, seized a regimental color, and dasliing to the head of the column, shouted the charge. 380 HISTORY OF ^rERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Language fails to describe the onslaught. As well as the leaders, every man is a giant. "Right on into the desolating lire thev pressed, reckless of numbers and of death, with a loud and thrilling shout. Over the batteries, over the astounded battalions of Hmdman thej went in a wild wave. It was marvelous, the charge of those two immortal brigades," and not less glorious than the charge of the light brigade at Balaklava. The trampled earth is strewed with the harvest of war ; the enemv is routed with great slaughter, and the stars and stn'pes are on the ridge. Renowned victory was wrung from the hands of the rebels, and, stung witli disappointment, Longstreet's veterans retm'ned in successive charges right up to the six guns planted in the gorge, fighting with the ferocity of despair. This was borne with firm courage bv Granger's shouting soldiers, who sent them reeling back each time, torn and bleeding, with a wild slogan that vied with the sanguinary uproar. It was madness to lavish their superb battalions in hopeless frenzy and onset, and in vain the rebel generals broke col- umn after column to pieces on this granite front. As the sun went down the last attempt was made on the invincible band. They had exhausted all their ammunition, even all that could be gathered from their fallen comrades, and it was with much solicitude that the prepara- tions for the last ^^igorous assault were watched by these fearless men who had stood in the deadly breach for hours. Should the triumphant reward for all their bloody sacrifice be torn away at the last moment { They are cominor now, and are so near that their mufiled tread is plainly heard. Tlie ringing command comes : ' ' Give them the cold steel!" Springing forward with fixed bayonets and a piercing yell, they rush upon the heels of the foe, who, struck with conster- nation, has broken and is fleeing in the wildest disorder. "Weak- ened by their desperate endeavors, the rebels give up this hope- less pomt after frightful carnage, and thankful relief comes to Granger's men, of whom a thousand, nearly a third of the number that went into the fight, either dead or wounded, lie stretched upon the field. Believing that the left had been weakened to reinforce the right, Bragg sent a column to attack in that quarter. Being informed of its approach. Gen. Thomas ordered Reynolds to move with his division to meet it, and pointing out the rebels, bade him "go in there." Facing about to save time, and mo\'ing by the rear rank, the battle-smoked and blood-stained warriors were given the order to charge. With bayonets lowered, they struck the double-quick, while a wild battle- shout sprang from their hoarse throats, and they pushed on over the enemy, taking more than a regiment prisoners. During the progress of all these exciting and decisive struggles a continuous battle had EIGHTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. 381 raged from flank to flank, the enemy crowding with billowy front against the union line, assailing Wood and Brennan with scarcely less vehemence than Granger, but remitting his fury sornewhat toward the left. The position was girdled by two lines ; as often as one delivered its Are it would step back a few paces, lie down and load, then rising, step again to the front and Are. So ended the battle of Chickamauga. The 20tli of September had given us a Wellington in Gen. Thomas. In gratitude the people with one voice said of the modest warrior : "This is the rock of Chickamauga.'" Henceforth he ranked among the greatest generals of the war. It had been a day, too, when heroes sprang from the ground. Let it ever be heroes' day. Illus- trious Granger ! Gallant Steadman ! Names forever bright on the scroll of their country's history. The union loss in men was 15,851, one-third of the army ; thirty- six guns, twenty caissons, 8,450 small arms, and 5,834 infantry accou- terments. The loss in prisoners was about 5,500, of whom nearly one-half were wounded ; against 2,003 captured. There were expended in the battle 2,650,000 rounds of musket cartridges and 7,325 rounds of cannon ammunition, being 12,675 rounds less of artillery, and 650,000 rounds more of musketry than at Stone River. Two divi- sions were routed and left the battlelield ; seven held their ground with the flnal assistance of Granger. During the night of the 20tli Gen. Thomas having been directed by Gen. Rosecrans to act according to his judgment, withdrew to Rossville, where he oflered the enemy battle all the following day, which was declined, and the next night he retired to Chattanooga. We now allude briefly to the individual part of the 84th in this battle. On Saturday morning Grose's brigade was ordered to make a reconnoissance forward, but being outflanked, escaped capture by the slightest chance. Very soon it went to the left, when Palmer's divi- sion was transferred. There it fought that day, and the next morning built breastworks, as previously mentioned. When the brigade was sent out to reconnoiter on the flank and ran upon the enemy in ambush, the 84th, being driven into a heavy thicket, was separated into three pieces which were lost from one another until night. Capt. Ervin commanded one detachment and succeeded in joining the brigade ; Capt. Higgins had another, and Col. Abaters the third. Each bore its full share of the hard flghting. The loss was 11 killed, 77 severely wounded, and 12 missing. About fifty were slightly wounded jmd remained with the regiment. Company G lost fourteen out of thirty that went to battle. The 84th continued its career of valiant service till the close of the 382 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COITNTIES. war, but s^^ace will not permit more tlian a cursory relation of its subsequently brilliant record. The reigment was shut up with the rest of the army in Chattanooga during the investment by Bragg. Wlien the army was re-organized there, the third brigade, second division, twenty-iirst army corps, to which the Sith belonged, became the third brigade, first division, fourth corps, and so con- tinued durino- the remainder of its active service. Gen. Palmer was soon called to the command of the 14tli corps, and was succeeded by Gen. Cruft in command of the division. On October 25tli, just prior to the change of commanders, the division was ordered to cross the Tennessee, and moving over the mountains to Shellmound, re-crossed the river, when the third brigade was sent to Wliiteside. On I>fovember Sdtth this division, with Geary's, of the 12th coi'ps, fresh from the Army of the Potomac, and Oster- hous', from the Army of the Tennessee, assaulted Lookout Mountain and drove the enemy in handsome style from that eternal stronghold. The 84th was on the extreme left of the line, and it was due to this fact that its loss was only three wounded, all of whom recovered. Wlien the enemy's main line gave way the regiment swung rapidly forward, and in twenty minutes took more prisoners than tliere were men in its ranks, and for this success received the thanks of Gen. Hooker on the spot. ISText day the stars and stripes floated from the summit of the mountain which had been a blazing citadel for weeks. The same day Plooker pushed across Chattanooga valley and ascended Missionary ridge at Possville, striking the rebel left and rear, while Sherman was battering their right, and at the same hour that Thomas made the splendid assault on the center, and the entire rebel army was routed with innnense loss of men and munitions of war. Having pursued to Pinggold, on the 29th the regiment, on its way back to camp at "VYliiteside, stopped on the battle-ground of Chickamauga and assisted in the sad but christian work of burrving the remains of the union dead, which the rebels, with characteristic inhumanity, had left in large numbers to decompose above the soil. A period of ordinary service followed until the Atlanta campaign. On May 4, 1S64, the 4th corps concentrated at Catoosa Springs and awaited the arrival of the 23d corps, which formed on its left. On the 7th the two marched south, when the right of the 4th connected with the left of the 14th at Tunnell hill, from which the rebels had been dislodged that morning. From this time till the 13th the regiment was before Rocky Face ridge, an impregnable natural stronghold, skirmishing most of the while, and once making a charge and driving the rebels out of tlieir rifle pits. The loss on the 9th was eleven killed EIGHTY-FOTJETH REGIMENT. 383 and wounded. The flank morement tlirongli Snake Creek gap, a pass through this ridge fifteen miles south, compelled the rebel araiy to fall back. The 84th advanced through Buzzard Roost gap, and passing Dalton, skirmished forward to Resacca, where it took part in the fighting on the 1-ttli and loth. On the 16th, the rebel army having retreated, the command went forward, skirmishing desultorily, some- times severely, down as far as Cassville, which was reached on the 19th. The army rested till the 23d, then moved on Dallas. On the 25th Thomas' army found the enemy in strong force at New Hope Church ; the following clay it was arrayed for steady work, and fi'om this time the regiment was in constant figliting for ten days. From the 7th to the lOtli, the 8'J:tli was encamped three miles south of Ack- wortli ; on the latter date the army moved forward to confront Johnson's intrenched line from Pine mountain to Kenesaw, and until the 18th the men were working their way up close to the enemy's breastworks by building successive lines of their own, under heavy fire, which did not relax day or night. After the 15th the contending sides were so close that all the firing was done from the main parapets. On the night of the 18th Johnson retired the fianks of his army, and next day the brigade was in advance feeling for the enemy. A part of the 84th was on the skirmish line and suff'ered severely, especially company G, which had two men killed and seven wounded. On the 21st the regiment had another killed and several more wounded. The rebel army retreated to the Chattahoochee on the night of July 2d, and the 84th followed in pursuit on the 3d, overtaking the enemy in the neighborhood of Sm^a-na camp-ground, when ' ' they celebrated their fourth of July by a noisy but not desperate battle." On the 10th the 4tli corps crossed the Chattahoochee, and after throwing up breastworks for use in case of need, rested till the 18th. Crossing Peach Tree creek on the 20tli, the regiment advanced on the skirmish line, charged the rebel skirmishers and took all in their front pris- oners. They moved their line forward 200 yards on the 21st, and were engaged nearly all day in sharp fighting. On the 22d, while the battle of Atlanta was in progress ©n the left, the 4th, 20th and 14th corps swung in upon Atlanta, closely investing the city on the north and northwest. On August 3d Capt. Dilworth, of comjDany F, with sixty-five men from the regiment, one-third belonging to com- pany K, made a brilliant sortie and captured all the skirmish posts in front of the brigade, including twenty-six prisoners, without the loss of a man. On tlie 5th a similar affair was planned by the brigade com- mander, and the skirmish line made an attempt to advance, but with ill success, and the 84th lost one killed and two severely wounded. 384 HISTORY OF >EERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. On the night of the 25th Gen. Sherman began his movement with the bulk of the army to strike and sever the West Point raih-oad south of Athmta. This was reached on the 28th, and the next day was spent in destroying several miles of it ; then on the 31st the Macon railroad was seized all the way from Eongh and Eeady to Jonesboro. At the last place Hardee's corps was fortified and made a sally against the loth corps which was easily repulsed. The following day the destruction of the railroad was continued, and in the afternoon the 14tli corps stormed Hardee's defenses and carried them with slight resistance, capturing a brigade and ten pieces. The setting in of night prevented the 4th corps from reaching the enemy's reai-, which would have compelled his surrender. As it was he escaped that night, simultaneously with the evacuatic)n of Atlanta by Hood. The 84th had one man killed and hve wounded on this expedition ; and from the beginning of the campaign twelve were killed and seventy wounded. Six of the latter died in hcjspital. It was estimated that the regiment built, from the time it encountered the enemy at Tunnel Hill, ten miles of breastworks. The 84th encamped at the close of the campaign with the rest of the corps three miles southeast of Atlanta. Wlien Hood started north to invade Tennessee, all the army except the 20th corps which was left to garrison the city and guard the bridges on the Chattahoochee, started in pursuit in the first week of October. The 4th corps marched to Chattanooga; from there it was transported by railroad to Athens, Alabama, where it awaited orders two days, and then marched north to Pulaski, Tennnessee. Gen. Sherman, about this time, turned from the pursuit of Hood back to Atlanta to set out on the march to the sea coast, and Gen. Thomas was left to watch and oppose his old antagonist. In the latter part of November the rebel army was in motion directly for aSTashville, and the 4th and 23d corps began immediately to fall back, either not able or not designing to keep much in advance of the enemy. On the 29th Columbia was abandoned, and while three divis- ions were moving toward Spring Hill, the rebels, by a forced march to cut them off, attacked the place which was defended by one division, but were repulsed. The heavy supply trains narrowly escaped capture. On the 30tli the retiring army was concentrated at Franklin, posted behind hastily constructed breastworks on the south side of the town, the line in the form of a crescent, the flanks resting on the Harpeth river. About four o'clock in the afternoon Hood threw his army upon this position, the chief weight against the center, with terrific energy. His men went over tlie first line of works in a furious charge, and EIGHTY-FOUKTII REGEVIENT. 385 pausing under a destructive fire long enough to organize for an assault on the second line, they advanced with blind impetuosity ; but the reserves having been brought up they failed to make a lodgment. At five o'clock the union troops advanced to retake the works, and now occurred one of the most despei-ate encounters of the war. The soldiers stood up within arm's length of one another and fought like madmen with bayonets and clubbed muskets. This was continued till darkness ended the frightful combat, when Hood, having failed of his purpose to break the center, which would have been fatal to the whole, withdrew. Union Joss, 1,500; rebel loss, 6,250. The first division was in a comparatively unexposed position, and not till the end of the fighting was the S4th on the front line, then it was deployed as skirmish- ers. Col. Waters and Adjutant Caswell were severely wounded, but afterward recovered ; these were the only persons serving with the regiment who were injured. At night the march was continued toward Nashville, and early next morning the head of the weary, bloody column reached that city. After two weeks of preparation Gen. Thomas was ready for the offensive, and on December 15th, moved against the enemy, turn- ing his left and forcing back his whole line. The battle was continued next day, and the rebel army disastrously routed. Pursuit was made by Wilson's cavalry and the 4th corps. The 23d corps also went as far as Columbia. When the shattered and demoralized army was across the Tennessee, the end of the campaign was announced, and the troops went into winter quarters. This was the completest union vic- tory of the war, not involving a surrender, for it practically destroyed the rebel army. In all these operations the S4th was with the fore- most actors, and shared the honors of the striking achievements. The 4tli corps was cantoned near Iluntsville, and this regiment was put on provost duty in the city. In March the corps was ordered to Knoxville, and on the 13th the first division was transferred by rail, the others following soon after. From there the command marched to Bull's gap, and was stationed six miles beyond, lying there till April 18th. On that day the troops were put on board the cars and sent to Nashville, where, on June 8, 1865, this war-worn regiment was mus- tered out of the service with 346 men out of 932 who had gone to the "greedy front of war" only thirty -two months before. Company G had thirty men ; all but five of these had been wounded. On the 9th the regiment started for Illinois, and arrived at Camp Butler, on the 12th. On the 16th it was paid oft' and disbanded. 386 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. THE OXE HUNDRED AXD SECOND REGIMENT ILLINOIS INFANTRY. " 'Tis midnight in the camp, 9 The tired soldiers sleep, and dream, perchance Of home, perchance of conflicts past, and others Coming on the morrow. Braves, sleep on ! Let the cool night winds soothe your slumbers deep. That you may rise refreshed. Your country looks To you, and such as you, to guard her honor From traitors' foul contaminating touch. Yet, one i$ vigilant ; With measured tread he paces on his beat — • The midnight sentinel. The moonbeams play Upon his burnished bayonet, and its rays Fall gently on a calm, sweet, upturned face, That smiles upon the soldier from its frame." E. H. N. Patterson, 1862. The war of the rebellion had been in progress something over a year when recruiting for the 102d regiment began ; but as more men enlisted from Mercer county in that organization than in any other, we assign it the largest space. Company C. — Frank Shedd commenced enlisting men on August 5, 1862, and on the 21st had eighty-nine enrolled. The company assembled at Berlin (Swedona) on the 26th, and taking wagons, went by the way of Oxford and Galesburg to Knoxville, and were assigned quarters in Camp McMurtry on the fair grounds. Ninety-six men went into camp, but ninety-two, including officers, were all that were mustered in. Shedd was elected captain, Almond Shaw, first lieu- tenant, and Watson C. Trego, second lieutenant. Alfred H. Trego was appointed first or orderly sergeant, Byron Jordan, second sergeant, George W. Gregg, third sergeant, George W. Allen, fourth sergeant, and Sampson M. Tenny, fifth sergeant. The corporals were Isaac N. Roberts, S. F. Fleharty, Rodney C. Manning, Henry Bridgford, Jacob Clause, Brainard Yance, Phoenix R. Briggs, and John Lippincott. Company E. — On August 7 a meeting was held at Brown's school- house in Xortli Henderson township, at which Dan. W. Sedwick en- listed eighteen men. Thomas Likely, of tlie same township (now of Norwood), was present and stated that he had enrolled eight men, and proposed to unite with Sedwick, which was done. By the Idth they had eighty-four. On that day the men met at the same place and organized by electing Likely captain, Sedwick, first lieutenant, and T. G. Brown, second lieutenant. The following were the non-com- missioned officers appointed : Sample B. Moore, first or orderly ser- geant; John Allison, AVilliam J. Abdill, Jonathan E. Lafierty, and ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGIMENT. 387 Albert Bridger, sergeants ; Thomas Simpson, Henrv M. Carmicliael, John Tidball, Lyman Bryant, Allen Dunn, Henry AV. Mauck, Robert (jrodfrey, and John T. Morfbrd, corporals. Some time in the last week of August Lieut. Sedwick started from Bridger's corners (now Suez) with thirty-two men, and going through Scott's grove, met Capt. Likely one mile south of that place with about the same number, from whence they proceeded in wagons through Galesburg to Knoxville, arriving there in the evening, where the rest of the company joined them. Company G. — This company was raised by Joseph P. Wycoff, assisted by Isaac McManus. David Lloyd had begun a company, but as he did not make it up his recruits, eight or ten in number, came into AVycoff's. Enlistments for this company were commenced in Keithsburg on the 6tli of August; on the 15th over one hundred were enrolled, and runners were sent out to notifv the men to meet on the ITth to organize. One hundred and twenty assembled at the opera house and Wycoff was elected captain. ()n the 19th the company embarked on a steamer for Burlington, where it arrived at midnight. The hotels were full and the men slept that night in a livery stable. Next day they took the cars and reached Knoxville, going into bar- racks on the north side of the fair ground. The organization of the company was next completed, the choice for first lieutenant falling on Isaac McManus, and that of second lieutenant on William H. Bridg- ford. The non-commissioned officers were also elected by the com- pany, Capt. Wycofi" promising to appoint whomsoever the men should declare were their preference. They were Luke P. Blackburn, Aaron G. Llenry, John C. Reynolds, John McHard, and Robert B. Seaton, sergeants ; and Wesley Hunt, Lemuel S. Gruffy, Elisha J. Grandstaif, Andrew J. Douglas, Richard H. Cabeen, John G. Poague; George W. Thomas, and Andrew J. Campbell, corporals. Company G went into camp with 120, rank and file; but 101 was the maximum number allowed, and the excess were distributed among other companies. Company K. — James M. Mannon, Sanderson II. Rodgers, and William A. Wilson raised this company in the month of August, and it was composed of men from the north part of the county, and chiefly from those residing in Eliza and Millersburg townships. It was organized in Aledo by the election of Mannon, captain, Rodgers, first lieutenant, and Wilson, second lieutenant. Late in the month the company went across the country by private conveyances to Knoxville, where the regiment was assembled and about ready to be organized. The original non-commissioned oflicers were : James Y. Merritt, orderly sergeant ; L. Yolney Willits, second sergeant (names of the 388 HISTOEY OF MERGER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. other sergeants unknown) ; and tlie following coi-porals : Peter Griffith, B. F. H. Reynolds, William AVinders, J. E. Pluston, Leander Officer, Eli Cook, Walter Smethers, and Allen Wilson. Other Comjxinies. — The foregoing companies belonged exclusively to Mercer county, if we except a very few in company C from Rock Island county. Company A was enlisted in the corners of Knox, Mer- cer, and Warren, and was credited to Knox, although of the eighty- eight enlisted soldiers forty-three were fi'om North BLenderson and six from Rivoli townships in this county. Capt. Roderick R. Harding, of Galesburg, who had served in the ITth 111. reg. from May, 1861, to May, 1862, associated Levi F. Gentry, of IS'orth Henderson, with himself, and the two together raised the company. Harding became captain on the organization of the company, Gentry, lirst lieutenant, and Charles M. Barnett. of Xortli Henderson, second lieutenant. The non-commissioned officers were : Robert W. Callaghan, Theodore H. Andrews, John Morrison, William BrowTi, and Adam N^. Tate, ser- geants; and AYilliam H. Black, Hugh French, Daniel B. Randall, Fielding E. Scott, John R. Holmes, Albert Talbot, Xealy Daggett, and George W. Miller, corporals. Company B was raised in Knox and Warren ; two enlistments were from Mercer. Companj- D was raised and organized in Knox county, to which one-half of the men belonged. SLxteen were from Fulton county, fourteen from Warren, seven from Henry, six from Mercer, and a few from other places. Company F was made up of Knox county men, with two from Mercer. Companies H and I belonged to the same county, but the latter had eight men from Henry. The Regiment. — The 102d regiment was raised by Col. William McMurtry, of Knox county, and the companies, as fast as they arrived at Knoxville, were rendezvoused on the fair grounds, where there were ample and convenient barracks. This camp of organization was named McMurtry in honor of the venerable and enthusiastic colonel. The several companies assembled between the 20th of August and the close of the month, and when the organization took place Franklin C. Smith, captain of company I, was elected lieutenant-colonel, and James M. Mannon, captain of company K, major. On the 2d of September the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States 931 strong. The men were uniformed, furnished with blankets, and regularly drilled; and the transition to camp life had all the features of noveltv until the rudiments of soldierlv trainino; were in course of easy mastery. ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGUVfENT. 389 On the 22d tlie ritrlit wing was transferred by rail to Peoria, and next daj the left followed. The regiment remained one week en- camped on the beautiful j)lateau overlooking Peoria lake from the north, when orders came to move to the seat of war in Kentucky. Buell's arm}' was intrenched around Louisville and Bragg was knock- ing at the gates of the city. Public apprehension was high, and the raw levies from Dlinois, Indiana, and Ohio, were poured upon the "Kentucky shore" in immense numbers. The 30th of September dawned gloomily, but it found the regiment lively with hope and ardor, and before the morning was hardly passed it was in motion through the streets in a drizzling rain toward the depot of the Logansport, Peoria ife Burlington railroad. Windows and balconies were crowded with old and young to get a view of the troops. Matronly women, total strangers, wiped their dimmed eyes as they watched the flower of the country's youth going to fields of blood and death. Next morning the regiment was in Logansport ; in the course of the day it passed through Lafayette, and toward evening reached Indianapolis, where were seen the first warlike signs : artillery in park and paroled pris- oners in squads. A night ride brought the command to Jeffersonville, where it disembarked before the beams of morning streaked the east- ern sky. Arms for the men, French rifled muskets, which had been brought unboxed from Peoria, were distributed during the day, and inferior as they were it cannot be said the soldiers were not as proud of their guns as the traditioiuil small boy of his new jacknife. Rumors of fighting across the river were soon afloat, and this was the first acquaintance with the "grapevine telegraph" — camp reports. At one o'' clock on the morning of the 3d, the long roll aroused the camp, and the men were ordered to prepare to march with three days' cooked rations. Very early the Ohio was crossed on an immense bridge constructed of flatboats, and the regiment marched into Louis- ville. Amidst the interested spectators on the street leading u]) from the river stood a tottering old man, whose thin white locks were the toys of the morning air. With uncovered head, and bony arms up- lifted to heaven, he appeared like a silent supernatural proj^het of the union. Without a spoken word, but in the most solemn and patri- archal manner did this patriotic Elijah call down upon the men press- ing forward to the defense of the government God's blessing and pro- tection. The regiment was brigaded with the 105th Illinois and the 79th Ohio, and placed under the command of Brig. Gen. William T. Ward, of Kentucky, and attached to Gen. Dumont's division. Not long afterward the 70th Indiana and the 129th Illinois were added. 390 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. At four o'clock in the afternoon this new conimand began the march to Frankfort, a march whose toils and pains will never fade from the memories of the jaded and exhausted men who pei'formed it. Only for the conditions was the distance great or the marching excessive. The weather was hot, the soldiers were overloaded, the country was suffering from extreme drouth, water was scarce, and parts of the pike were covered with a fine limestone dust that enveloped the column in a thick cloud. Haversacks were crowded with rations, cartridge boxes carried forty rounds, knaj)sacks contained extra clothing and blankets and other dispensable effects. Add to these a heavy musket, and the weight borne was too much for the endurance of nine-tenths of the soldiers in the field, old or new. To keep in ranks and march at a brisk pace encumbered with an unusual, ill-fitting, fretful load, was no ordinary hardship to raw recruits ; and long afterward when the men had become enured to war-like service, they reviewed the trials of this first march with a shudder. Inhalations of the finely-powdered dust excited and greatly aggravated thirst, and under the circumstances these sufferings of the men were the most painful of the whole service, and were the entering wedge to subsequent disabilities which sent many a poor fellow home a miserable wreck and many another to his long account. About midnight a small remnant of the command filed off into a swarded field fifteen miles from Louis^dlle, and were told to encamp. The brigade was disorganized, and the soldiers, prostrated with fatigue, were scattered along the line of march for a distance of ten miles. The road was strewn with blankets and clotliing thrown away with indifierence and relief. AVe believe it was never explained why our commanders forged ahead with such folly ; but the boys often jokingly charged it to that ever present factor, the double-barreled canteen. Probably orders had been given in Louisville for the brigade to march to a certain place that niglit. The 102d had not forgotten yet that Col. McMurtry declared at Knoxville his intention to " march us to glory or to death," and they could testify now that the promise was being relig- iously fulfilled, with the chances very much in tavor of the alternative. About all the men had straggled into cam]) by eleven o'clock next dav, and then the march was renewed. Fifteen more tedious miles were drawn out and we encamped late at night in the neighborhood of Shelbyville, where we lay in a plowed field under the burning sun until the afternoon of the 6th. In rapid time we marched to a new camp, two miles east of Shelbyville. On the 8th we were again in •motion, and the day was marked with the petty annoyances of starting and halting, and waiting in suspense, not knowing whether to sit or lie ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGIMENT. 391 down by the roadside or to stand and hold om* heavy loads. Through it all the sun poured down his blistering rays. Tliis was the worst day of any for dust ; fine as flour, in places it was two inches deep, and verily we had " a cloud by day," which veiled every object from view a few yards in front. To get drinking water the soldiers were glad to brush away the heavy, green scum with which stagnant pools were mantled, and thousands of canteens were supplied with filthier water, but a little pennyroyal introduced through the nozzle overcame the unfragrant odor ; and doubtless others were moved to the same thank- fulness as the soldier who expressed his satisfaction with the water hecause it was wet ! At nine at night, being suflered to bivouac, we gave ourselves up to the welcome embrace of mother earth, and stretched our aching limbs upon the s.oft soil. The hour of midnight made its hasty round, and brought with it oi-ders to resume the advance. A march of six miles, and then we were in Frankfort, at the bridge across the Kentucky river, where our cavalry had a skirmish and a few of the men were on guard. Toiling three-fourths of a mile, perhaps a mile, up the long, weary ascent east of the town, we at last reached the top and threw ourselves upon the naked sward for rest, just as the gleams of dayspring began to gild the eastern horizon. At nine o'' clock orders came to prepare for a forced march of forty-eight hours without knapsacks, and two days' rations were issued. What more '''-forced'''' than the experience of the last few days was needed? Happily, the order that would have put us in motion never came. With the end of this, our first march, we drop the mass of details lest our space should be taken up before we discover the spires of Atlanta, or the music of tlie ocean falls upon our ears at Savannah. At Frankfort the regiment was furnished with bell tents, drilling was continued, and standing at arms an hour or two in the morning before daybreak was practiced. On the evening of the 18th prepara- tions were made for a foi'ced march, and at midnight the brigade was called out and started for Lawrenceburg, sixteen miles distant. The object was to intercept the partisan John Morgan, who was retreating from Lexington before a federal force. The command halted by the way an hour and did not reach the destination till daylight, when it was found that the rebel chieftain had passed an hour and a half before. Marching back leisurely the troops reached their old quarters at seven in the evening, tired and foot-sore. A painful incident of history followed. Dissatisfaction with Col. McMurtry was gaining rapidly, and the demand for his retirement was strong. We remember the hollow square, the stirring speech from 392 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Gen. Ward counseling harmony and subordination, t!ie demand of the colonel for a vote to ascertain tlie feeling of the regiment towards him, and we see the large majority step out of ranks, whereupon he announces his intention to resign. Whatever defects he may have had they were those of old age. He had served in tlie Black Hawk war and was familiar with the obsolete tactics. He did not address himself with the alacrity of a young man to mastering the new, and this may have detracted from his popularity'. Perhaps he was regarded as responsible for the hard marching tliat had been done ; if so, it was unjust. He was honest and terribly in earnest. In his care for the men and his intercourse with them he was less remote and more alive to their welfare than any other who ever commanded them. His influ- ence went far in raising the regiment, and to this length, if no further, he served his country well. Sickness obliged him to go to the hospital, and from there he repaired to his home. The regiment saw no more of him except when he paid it a brief visit at Gallatin in February. On the 26th of October the brigade broke camp and began the march to Bowling Green. The distance of 150 miles was accomplished in ten days. Toward the last the dust was very troublesome again, scarcely less so than on the first march, and when the soldiers camped at night they were unrecognizable. At Bacon Creek numbers were sent back to Louisville sick, while others were left to come on by I'ail. While at Bowling Green Lieut. -Col. Smith was elected by the officers to the colonelcy, and Major Mannon rose to the next grade. Gen. jRosecrans reviewed our division there, and on the 11th of November the brigade left its camp at Lost river, and on the second day arrived at Scottsville, county seat of Allen county. Continuing southward on the 25th the division marched in the direction of Gallatin, Tennessee, and camped that night at the Rock House. Arriving there the next evening a camp was laid out for the 102d west of the town. On the 12th of December the regiment moved into winter quarters at Fort Thomas, which was situated close to the depot, and which the brigade, working in reliefs by regiments, had been throwing up since its arrival. On the 13th companies I, K and G were detailed for patrol and provost duty in the town, and the next day were cantoned in brick buildings on the public square. Company C was put on duty at Station creek, three miles below Gallatin, where they spent the winter guarding the railroad bridge. On the 11th of February com. panics D and F and a part of A were ordered into the town to increase the provost force. About New Year a mounted squad, composed of a detail of two men from each company, was organized, and placed under the command of Sergeant Edward Courtney, of company I, ^w r CAPT. DAN. W. SEDWICK ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGIMENT. 395 making twenty-one altogetlier. This was kept scouting until spring, and did much hard, efficient service. On the 14th of March the several companies were relieved by a detail from the 105th Illinois, and were reunited in the old camp to finish and garrison Fort Thomas. The rainy, gloomy winter was over, the darkest period of the war passed. With the fresh breath of spring came new life and gladness. Drilling was resumed with great energy, and most encouraging im^ provements were made in the health, and spirits, and skill, and tactical knowledge of the men. April 27 a detachment of 150 froAi the regiment was embarked on board the regular morning express train for Louisville, under the chief command of Col. B. J. Sweet, seconded by Col. Smith. Rebels were hovering near Franklin, twenty-seven miles above, and when that place was reached fifty soldiers were put off there in the belief that a skir- mish w^ould ensue. The train proceeded three or four miles farther, when it was stopped by a breach in the track, and a volley was received from a lot of rebel horsemen. The fire was instantly returned with deadly effect, and then the men sprang from the cars in pursuit, but the assailants disappeared in hot haste. Their loss was five killed and six wounded. Five of the 102d were wounded, two mortally. A little drummer boy on the train was wounded in the leg, which had to be amputated. This was the first baptism of fire. June 1 the brigade left its encampment at Gallatin and was trans- ported on the cars to Lavergne, fifteen miles south of Xashville ; and next day the 102d marched to Stewart's creek, six miles farther south, and nine miles north of Murfreesboro. Companies E, K, and G were posted on the creek at the railroad crossing ; company H was stationed at Overall's creek, adjacent to the Stone river battlefield ; and company B at Smyrna. The right wing was encamped at a small earthwork surmounting an eminence on Stewart's creek and overlook- ing the crossing of the Nashville and Murfreesboro turnpike. Wlien Gen. Bosecrans organized the Tullahoma campaign the dispersed forces at Nashville and elsewhere in the rear were formed into the reserve corps, under the command of Gen. Gordon Granger, who. at an early day, entrusted the protection of the railroad between Kasli- ville and Murfresboro exclusively to the 102d. Col. Smith was ordered to Lavergne with four companies, and, on August 19, companies C, E, G, and I marched to that i)lace, while the other six were stationed at stockades along the railroad. Thus disposed the regiment was required to do much hard duty, and it could not have been more satisfactorily performed. In addition to furnishing patrols, and men for a great variety of service besides, the companies at Lavergne began in October 28 B96 HISTORY OF MEECEE AND HENDEESON COUNTIES. to press horses from the disloyal for the pui-pose of mounting them- selves. Companies G and E were first mounted and equipped, next I, and then C ; all of which was accomplished by the first week in Xovember. A great deal of scouting was done in adjoining counties, and the service was fraught with just enough risk to make it fasci- nating. Exploits of these commands when hunting and chasing gue- rillas increased the zest and excitement, and furnished not a little inaterial for anecdote, and not a few thrilling personal adventures. By Christmas company B was mounted ; and another was partly so, when removal of the regiment stopped, the impressment of horses. Skillful management on the part of Col. Smith procured 225 of the breech- loading Spencer repeating rifles for these companies, and each man. was provided besides with a Colt's navy revolver. The mclement winter of 1863-4 was hardly passed when final orders came to march to the front. February 26 the 102d left its can- tonements and fell in with the rest of the brigade which had moved out from Nashville on the 24th. The weather was warm and balmy until the evening of the third day, when it began to rain ; through the fourth day it rained moderately, and was cold, and that night our camp was established on the naked creek bottom at Tullahoma. The tem- perature lowered, the stream rose and overspread a part of the ground ; blankets and equipments were submerged ; and the men were driven out of their tents. About one o'clock in the morning the writer started a fh-e, using a cracker box, and by the light was enabled to pick uj) the tiniest parts of tree tops. Piling on these twigs the fiames leaped up and danced a cheering and grateful invitation to the men who flocked from all parts of the brigade. It poured down the next forenoon, and 3,000 soldiers, wet, cold and hungry, stood shivering in the rainy camp. In the afternoon removal to high gi-ound and timber was taken, and by night, with the aid of huge fires, reasonable comfort and good feeling were restored. Trees groaned beneath the weight of ice and the ground froze hard. Long will the first brigade remember its sojourn at Tullahoma. On the eighth day the column crossed the Haccoon mountains, a spur of the Cumberland range, from Cowan, over the rockiest and roughest road in America, and camped on the other side at a place on the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad called Tantelon. The wagon train lay on the mountain all night and did not finish the passage till noon the next day. Stevenson was passed and Bridgeport reached March 7; the 8th we rested; the 9th we moved again; and the 10th, being the fourteenth day from Lavergne, the command reached the Wauhatchie valley, at the foot of the frowning western encampment of Lookout mountain. ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND- REGIMENT. 397 Here was made the most pleasant and beautiful camp the regiment ever had. Snugly concealed by an environment of towering eminences, and washed in rear by Lookout creek, it lacked nothing in natural scenery and -surroundings to give it an air of the most quiet pictur- esqueness. Its elaborate and tasteful decoration was due mainly to the eiforts of Lieut- A. H. Trego and Adjutant J. H. Snyder, gentlemen of the highest aesthetic endowment and culture. Space does not admit a description of the tall arches, elegant devices, military legends, the ornamented speaker's stand, and the chapel for religious worship. Camp life was not more agreeable anywhere than at this place ; but the stay of the regiment was one of hardening activity and preparation for the rigors of the approaching campaign : reviews, inspections, company and battalion drills, and evolutions by brigade and division. April 10 the last horses held by the mounted companies were turned over at .Chattanooga. The navy revolvers were surrendered, and an order came on the 29th to exchange the Spencer rifles for Springfield rifled muskets. This last order produced a gloomy shadow on the men's faces ; but as the time was short the change was never made. We anticipate a little to say that this arm gave the 102d great reputation in the amay. "Give way for the Spencer regiment," " Let these Spencers up, " and the like, were expressions often heard when the regiment was going up to relieve some other in a hot place on the front line. The rebels recognized the regiment by its fire, and often asked what kind of arms it had ; several times it was jocosely inquired if the boys "wound up their guns on Monday morning and fired all the week." The slow fact never dawned upon the sleepy authorities that this rifle was fit for an^'thing but the mounted service, and the idea pre- vailed that soldiers armed "with it would become addicted to laxity of aim and waste ammunition. The 102d demonstrated the senility of these fears. After the 11th and 12th army corps had been transferred from the east, Ward's brigade was attached to the former and numbered the first brigade of the first division. On the consolidation of those two corps in March, to form the 20th, it became the first brigade of the third division, and ever after retained that designation. On the 2d of May simultaneous movements of all parts of the army began. Ward's brigade camped that night at Gordon's mills. On the 4th it moved from there to the vicinity of Ringgold, and on the 6th to Leed's farm, near Nickajack Trace. Next day Taylor's ridge was crossed at Gordon's pass ; Gordon's Springs was left behind, and the command encamped near Villanow. On the lltli, follo\\dng up the movement through Snake Creek gap, begun by McPherson on the 9th, 398 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. we halted for the night in the narrow defile between two of the immense ridges of the mountains. After cutting a new road through the woods the brigade moved out the next day two miles to Sugai: Valley. The advance was resumed early on the morning of the 13th, and tlie command had gone but a short distance when it found itself in proximity to the enemy. During a brief halt here Gen. Kilpatrick, commanding the cavalry, was brought to the rear wounded. At intervals during the forenoon advances were made, and in the . afternoon the brigade was formed in line with a company from each regiment deployed as skirmishers. Then moving forward a short dis- tance the line halted, the skirmishers occupying the crest of a ridge in open timber in full view of the operations beyond, including the charge by the 15tli corps and capture of the enemy's rifle pits, a redoubt, and two cannon. Meantime, having moved some distance, about eight in the evening our division took a position on the right of the 14th corps and on the summit of the wooded ridge overlooking Camp creek, on the other side of which about eighty rods was the enemy, working with vigor to strengthen his position. Company G was ordered out as skirmishers and posted at the base of the hill. Early next morning company E was added, and then a bold advance was made to the stream. An attempt to outflank the line being discovered by Capt. Sedwick, he returned through great exposure to the reserve, and, advancing to the left, drove the rebels back. In the afternoon, while neighboring troops were engaged, our line was ordered forward to the brow of the hill as a feint. The move- ment unmasked the left of company I and a tremendous volley con- centrated upon it killed one, wounded two severely, and two slightly. The day was very hot. The skirmishers in theii* advanced position could not move without fatal danger, and their sufterings from heat and thirst were intense. The condition of the wounded, beyond the reach of help until darkness, was more aggravated. The casualties in com- pany G were : killed, John Gibson and Watson W. Hibbs ; wounded, Frederick Friebele, John Burnett (mortally), Lemuel S. Gruffy, William P. Irwin (died in hospital), William S. Pearson, William M. Bunting, John B. Felton, John Dunn, and William T. Todd (died in hospital). In company E the wounded were : Michael Oswalt (died in hospital), Jonathan P. Morrison, and Gilbert Zend. On the morning of Sunday, the 15th, the division was relieved and marched four miles to the left to join the rest of the corps, which had been ordered round the day before. A fortified hill on the Dalton road, north of Resacca, was selected for attack in the hope of piercing the line at that point. The enemy's breastworks, nearly 500 yards ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND EEGIMENT. 399 distant from where our troops could be massed for assault without dis- covery, stretched awav in the form of an arc upon the crest of a long, high hill covered with forest trees, hiding the position from view. A spur, lower than the main ridge, jutted out in front, and on this a lunette had been constnicted in which were planted four twelve-pound brass cannon. The brigade was marched up under cover of the heavy and tangled woods to the crown of the lofty ridge confronting this formidable position, and there organized for the assault, with the 70th Iftdiana in frout, the 102d next in order, followed by the 79th Ohio, and the 105th and 129th Illinois, closed en masse. At noon a low command was given and the column moved down the hill without a word, concealed by the timber and the heavy undergrowth, down trees helping to obstruct the ground, and pushed its way through with fixed bayonets. Debouching suddenly upon the open, plain. Gen, Ward gave the short, shrill command, "double quick," and with a bound and a prolonged yell the brigade sprang to the assault. At the same instant heavy skirmishing along the whole front and a brisk cannonade were begun to confuse the enemy and cover the charge. The rebels were taken by complete surprise, but responded at once with a terrible fire from the battery and the infantry posted behind. The smoke from the rebel position wrapped the hill in a lurid mantle, and the refrain from the artillery on both sides thun- dered above us. Men were dropping on every hand, but on and on with a continuous shout, like a thunderbolt of war, went the brigade. It seems but a minute and the broad valley is passed ; breath is short- ened and speed slackened, but the column presses up the hillside. Some stoop beneath while others push aside the boughs. The cheer has died out and the men, unable to see the foe, clench their teeth for deadly work. A moment more and the rebel guns, shotted with grape and canister, vomit their red flame into the faces of the advancing colunm. At the last discharge the men are so close that the hot breath of the angry cannon sways the line for an instant. Then, on our side is the first musket fired. A tremendous roar convulses the earth. A few of the rebel gunners flee, but the rest remain, like the heroes that they are, at their pieces, and with the obstinacy of despair vainly endeavor to beat back our men with their sponge-stafts ! But all save five are slaughtered ; these are taken prisoners by members of companies E and I. Many impelled by the boldness of ardor dash still deeper into the woods that cover the rebel intrenchments, and a few go quite up to them. At this juncture an unfortunate circumstance deprived us of a com- plete triumph to this magnificent charge. Gen. Ward being wounded 400 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. almost at the beginning* of the action the command devolved upon Col. Harrison of the 70th Indiana. • He lost his coolness and ordered a retreat. Through misunderstanding the second brigade, brought up for support, fired into us from the rear. These evil occurrences caused confusion, and some fell back while others remained. The rebels had retired ft'om their works, but rallied and returned. Had the situation of the breastworks been known to the men, or could they have been seen by most of them, the line would have been taken. But when the lunette was captured, no other works being in sight, it was supposed by the men generally that they were in possession of all the enemy had, and that the rebel infantry had ingloriously fled. This was their first battle, too, and they had no fixed and common idea as to what might be fouiid on the field, or what should be expected. With their experience a month later they would have carried the entire parapet in handsome style and completely broken through the enemy's line. The rebels having come back, they opened with sharp volleys, and our men, lying down behind logs and trees and under the redoubt, grimly resolved to hold all they had gained. The lines were but a few rods apart, and a galling fire was kept up by both sides during the- day and a part of the night ; but the foe was well protected, while our men were greatly exposed to raking shots from tlie right and the left, as well as from the front. When at the early stage the disorder was created, a part of tlie regiment was collected at the foot of the hill and marched to the left, where they took a share in a fierce engagement with Hood's corps, which charged our line and was disastrously repulsed. At ten o'clock that night we were relieved and fell back a short distance to the rear for rest. The casualties in the 102d were 18 killed, 76 wounded, and 1 missing. Six of the wounded soon after died. In this action the gallantry of both ofiicers and men received flattering notice next day in orders from Gen. Butterfield, and later, complimentary credit from the general of tlie army. Acts of indi- vidual heroism were numerous. Orderly sergeant John Morrison, of company A, who had been commissioned lieutenant but not mustered, and was wounded and afterward died, was much applauded for con- spicuous bravery. Color-sergeant R. L. Carver displayed most cour- ageous bearing and was seriously wounded. Tlie banner-bearer. Corporal P. F. Dillon, fell an instant later, pierced through the breast. Adjutant J. H. Snyder caught up the banner and bore it with impetu- ous gallantry into the earthwork and subsequently planted it on the parapet. Fifty bull lets riddled its folds and two struck the staff: Tlie colors of the 102d were the first raised over the works. Persistent OXE HUNDRED AJSTD SECOND REGIMENT. 401 valor slied luster on our flag. The desperate courage wliicli lield the position from noon until ten o'clock at night was not surpassed by the heroism which covered our arms with glory at Buena Yista or Cerro Gordo. That night Johnson withdrew his army across the Oostanaula, and Sherman followed close behind the next day. Our brigade was left to bury its dead. A long trench, embowered by soughing pines, was dug, and the fifty-one slain of the brigade were given tender sepulture in this common grave. A prayer was said, a few remarks were made by a white-haired chaplain, the grave was filled, and the brigade, as night was nearing, hastened to overtake the main army. " We marched on our wearisome way, And we strewed the wild hills of Resacca — God bless those who fell on that day." On the morning of the 27th we crossed the Coosawattee river and marched ten miles that day. The 18tli was hot and many straggled along the route of fifteen miles. Toward the close of the afternoon the enemy grew stubborn as he was closely pressed. Moving out very early next morning, the 19th, the brigade was shortly thrown into line of battle, with companies B and G fi"om the 102d in front as skir- mishers. The enemy was in plain sight, and after taking a shelling from a single field piece an hour and a half, and losing Samuel Har- vey, of company G, the brigade moved two miles to tlie right. As soon as this new ground was reached the rebels emerged from a dense woods on the opposite side of an extensive field, and advanced toward our line. With extreme energy a barricade of rails was made, while a battery on our right played upon them so effectively as to send them hurtling back whence they came. At 2 o'clock the order to advance was given, and we debouched into the cleared space and marched in columns by company up the rising ground. Banners were unfurled and fluttered proudly over the heads of the men, as with handsome precision they executed the movement. As far as could be seen in either direction nothing met the eye but this imposing pageant. Gen. Hooker and his staff remained near our brigade during the afternoon, and when the highest ground was reached we were halted in that position for some time, our commaiider watching from this favorable point the movements of the enemy. We were close on the foe and there was exj^ectation of a battle. Johnson had resolved to risk a general engagement at Cassville, and had his army strongly posted and intrenphed for that purpose, but later developments led him to adopt a different plan. Our skirmishers were thrown forward to a narrow strip of woods below us ; beyond this was another field 402 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. into which tlie rebels came. A battery in our immediate rear pitched a few shells over the tree tops where our skirmishers were sheltered, and as we had a view of the open ground on the other side, we pres- ently saw the rebels raisinsr the dust in retreat. They were followed by the skirmishers who disappeared in the timber which hid the enemy at the same time. At five oY-lock we advanced over the same ground to the edge of Cassville. After a brief halt the command fell back and went into camp near the place from which it last moved up. We slept that night under oi'ders from the commanding general for the whole army to close in upon Cassville at daylight, and "to attack the enemy wherever found." But he was in full retreat before that hour. Pausing a few days till the railroad was repaired w^e moved again at four o'clock on the morning of tlie 23d and crossed the Etowah. On the 24:th, continuing in the direction of Dallas, the command camped at Burnt Hickory, and at four o'clock on the afternoon of the 25th was brouglit up to support Geary's di\asion, which had struck the enemy in force at New Hope Church, and was under fire some hours. At dark the brigade was ordered to march over the fom- lines of our troops lying in front, and to attack the enemy vigorously. The 102d instantly began the forward movement, which was soon arrested by a member of Gen. Butterfield's staft' till the TOth Indiana could make connection with it. AVhen this was done Col. Smith renewed the advance until we came upon the skirmishers belonging to the second brigade (Col. Coburn), where he halted the regiment and ordered the men to lie down while preparations were making for the attack. It was discovered that we were separated from the TOth, and Col. Coburn at the same moment gave information that the enemy was not more than 200 yards in front, strongly posted and six lines deep. One of Gen. Buttei-field's stafi' appeared, and being notified of the situation directed Col. Smith to remain in that position, and, if possible, to find Col. Harrison. The latter was discovered some distance in the rear, and being temporarily in command of the brigade ordered the 102d to return, which it did, getting into position with the rest of the brigade about ten o'clock. It had begun to rain, the night was yery dark, and the command was hopelessly mixed up in the forest. The bursting rebel shells lighted up the woods with a gi-and and weird appearance. Fatigued and rationless the men sank down upon the wet ground. In his memoirs, speaking of this place, and events here. Gen. Sher- man says: " The woods were so dense and the resistance so spirited that Hooker could not carry the position, though the battle was noisy and prolonged far into the night. This point, ' New Hope, ' . . . was four miles northeast of Dallas, and Irom the bloody fighting there ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGIMENT. 403 for the next week was called by the soldiers ' Hell-Hole. ' The night was pitch-dark, it rained hard, and the convergence of our columns towai'd Dallas produced much confusion. I am sure similar confusion existed in the army opposed to us, for we were all mixed up. I slept on the ground, without cover, along side of a log, got little sleep, resolved at daylight to renew the battle, and to make a lodgment on the Dallas and Allatoona road, if possible, but the morning revealed a strong line of intrenchmcnts facing us, with a heavy force of infantry and guns. The battle was renewed, and without success." Descrip- tive of ^le style of iigliting, he continues : " All this time a continual battle was in progress by strong skirmish-lines, taking advantage of every species of cover, and both parties fortifying each night by riile- trenches, w'ith head-logs, many of which grew to be as formidable as iirst-class works of defense. Occasionally one party or tlie other would make a dash in the nature of a sally, but usually it sustained a repulse with great loss of life. I visited personally all parts of our lines nearly every day, was constantly within musket-range, and though the tire of musketry and cannon resounded day and night along the whole line, varying from six to ten miles, I rarely saw a dozen of the enemy at any one time, and these were always skirmishers, dodging from tree to tree, or behind logs on the ground, or who occasionally showed their heads above the hastily-constructed, but remarkably strong, rifle- trenches." Companies A and F were detailed to build breastworks, and before daylight the regiment was brought to the line and engaged with a will in the same task. A thick fog obscured everything ; still the enemy's sharp-shooters were able to annoy severely the working parties, and Capt. D. W. Sedwick was ordered forward with company E to drive them away. He advanced to within a few yards of the rebel breast- works before discovering his proximity to them, and before he could withdraw had several men wounded. Posting his company behind trees and logs the rebel marksmen could not long endure the intense and accurate fire of the Spencer rifles. Company E was relieved early by company C, and this at one in the afternoon by company K. Capt. Sedwick had seven men wounded that morning. Battery M, 1st New York artillery, had been brought up to our line and kept in constant activity two or three hours, and the rebels, to silence or check its firing, planted guns nearly opposite in their intrenchments. Information of this, coming to Col. Smith, he strengthened the skirmish-line with eight picked men, who were instructed to cover the guns, which could be seen through the foliage, with a torrent of lead, to prevent their use or removal. Gen. Hooker approved this and ordered that it be continued 404 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. with ^dgor, and at five o'clock the skirmishers were reinforced by twenty more marksmen. At eleven o'clock at night the rebels attempted to remove them, but were fi'ustrated by the terrible fire con- centrated on them from the Spencer rifles. The guns were held by occasional reliefs until the afternoon of the 27th, when the regiment was relieved by the 111th Pennsylvania. When the Spencers were gone the enemy got his battery off. Moving to the right half a mile and joining the brigade on the right of the coi-ps, we waited till after dark for orders, and then were placed behind breastworks, where we lay till the next morning, and were relieved by the T3d Ohio. Company F had one man wounded here just as the relief was taking place. The rebels opened on us warmlv as we retired, and we had not more than reached a location 300 vards in rear, for rest, when they showed awakened activity," and "several rounds of grape shot were fired by them, and the little iron crab apples barked the trees and rattled around so thickly it was mar- velous no one was hurt. " Finally, dropping a little farther to the rear, we camped for the night. Loss during the four days, 4 killed and 14 wounded. At ten at night on the 29th the 102d was ordered half a mile to the right to close a gap between the loth and 20th corps, and on the morn- ing of the 31st was relieved by the 129th Illinois, Col. Case. At noon of the 1st of June, being relieved by troops from the 15th corps, we moved with the brigade three miles to the left. Thus had passed a week in the " Hell-Hole, " and thus ended our share in "the drawn battle of New Hope churcli," so-called by Gen. Sherman. At noon on the 2d a rainy period, which extended to the last days of the month, began with a descending torrent. An hour later the brigade again took up the movement to the left, and proceeding two and a half miles was formed in order of battle in support of the 2d brigade, before which the enemy fell back stubbornly. The other regiments were more exposed and their loss was considerable. Brigade Surgeon Potter, of the 105th Illinois, was killed by a shell. The 3d was rainy ; the troops were out of rations ; another move was taken three miles to the left. Next day another short move was made. Then ■ on the 6th a march of five miles brought us to the Wet Tortugas^ where we raised a breastwork and lay in the rain till the 15th. Rations were short, and ox-tail soup and damaged ' ' hard tack " in request. At one in the afternoon the brigade was thrown forward, with the 102d on the skirmish-line, companies E, F, G and I deployed, the rest in reserve. Crossing an amj^le field the rebel skirmishers were driven from their outposts in the edge of the woods. Retreating to strong posts on ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGIMENT, 405 higher ground they held out a stubborn resistance, but our men pressed up under a brisk fire to within fifty yards, and at the next advance they drew off. The most important casualty was the wound received by Capt. Isaac McManus. This place was known as Golgotha church, and it was here that Col. Smith received a flesh wound on the l'6th, which sent him to the rear till the 10th of August, when he rejoined the regiment before Atlanta. The loss in the 102d during the two days' operations was thirteen wounded, including the officers named. Alluding to these operations Gen. Sherman says: "On the 15th we advanced our gen- eral lines, intending to attack at any weak point discovered between Kenesaw and Pine Mountain; but Pine Mountain was found to be abandoned, and Johnston had contracted his front somewhat, on a direct line, connecting Kenesaw with Lost Mountain. . . . On the 16th the general movement was continued, when Lost Mountain was abandoned bv the enemy." f t. We pause to give the general's description of how breastworks were built: "The enemy and ourselves used the same form of rifle-trench, varied according to the nature of the ground, viz : the trees and bushes ' were cut away for a hundi-ed yards or more in front, serving as an abatis or entanglement ; the parapets varied from four to six feet high, the dirt taken fi'om a ditch outside and fi*om a covered way inside, and this parapet was surmounted by a ' head-log, ' composed of the trunk of a tree from twelve to twenty inches at the butt, lying along the interior crest of the parapet and resting in notches cut in other trunks, which extended back, forming an inclined plane, in case the head-log should be knocked inward by a cannon-shot. The men of both armies became, extremely skillful in the construction of these works, because each man realized their value and importance to himself, so that it required no orders for their construction. As soon as a regiment or brigade gained a position within easy distance of a sally, it would set to work with a will, and would construct such a parapet in a single night." On the 17th the right of the army, composed of the 20th and 23d corps, the latter slightly refused on the flank, swung forward in a kind of grand left wheel in the direction of Marietta. It will not be for- gotten how Butterfield's division hunted its way through the low bushes and tangled timber to conceal its own movement; for, as Gen. Sherman explains, the enemy's "position gave him a perfect view over our field, and we had to proceed with due caution." On reaching open gi'ound we formed our camp, and lay here till the morning of the 19th, when the l^^igle sounded the "general," to "pack up our knapsacks and get ready to go. " It was here that we witnessed the shelling of a deep 406 HISTORY OF ISrERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. forest by a number of our batteries occupying two tiers H])on a lofty and extensive range, one liolding the crest, the other half way down the side on a ledge or shelf For adaptability to the purpose and the occa- sion the position was all that nature could have made it, and with so many guns in operation, all in full view, the effect heightened by the exhibition beyond, the sh"ai*p explosions of shells, and the white puffs of lurid smoke rising above the trees, whose tops were lower than our feet, as we stood on the summit, was such an incident in war's realities as is not often seen. The enemy was sullen, responding only occa- sionally with his field-pieces, but his sharp-shooters were active and did some execution. On the 19th the enemy, holding on to Kenesaw mountain, con- tracted his flanks to cover more completely Marietta and the railroad ; and the right wing moved forward in another grand swing eastwardly, our own division, and perhaps others, executing a variety of perplex- ing maneuvers through the dense pines, and under conflicting orders. The 102d was refused on the extreme right of the corps, and company C held the skirmish line this and the following day. The men worked till midnight building breastworks. To w^ork the whole night was a common occurrence. Rains continued frequent and excessive. On the night of the 20th the men had scarcely fallen to sleep when they were roused up and ordered to move. This time it was but a short distance and only to straighten the line. Again were the soldiers building breastworks until midnight ; before they were finished orders came to cease using the axes and to be ready to march at six in the morning. Tlie forenoon of the 21st was spent waiting in the rain for the order to move ; finally Gen. Hooker directed that the men be set to strengthening the works. From eleven o'clock of the 22d the day was full of surprises and lively operations, and tremulous throughout with impending battle, which fell just at evening upon the first division ("Williams'). At the former hour the brigade was formed for the support of the third brigade, Col. Wood, and we were under a chafing fire for several hours ; and in the meantime double-quicking across a plowed field to the timber, where we threw up a parapet of rails just behind Wood's men. The afternoon was passed in moving short intervals to the right and making barricades and traverses each time. The last one was finished at one o'clock next morning ; at four the command was relieved and soon moved a mile to the right ; at noon it moved still farther to the immediate vicinity of the Kulp house, some three miles due west from Marietta. Casualties in the 102 on the ^Oth and the 22d were one killed and fonr wounded. ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGIMENT. 407 We lay here a little retired from the main line until nightfall of the 26th. At that time the brigade relieved the front line and held it till the evening of the 29th, when it withdrew to the third line for rest, and its place was taken bv Wood's brigade. Gen. Butterfield was relieved this day and Gen. Ward succeeded to the command of the division. Col. Harrison assumed command of the brigade. We have reached the end of the month during which copious rains have scarcely intermitted for twenty-four hours at a time. At dark on the first of July we exchanged places with the second brigade, which was on the second line. The rebel chieftain having detected Gen. Sherman in the first stage of a movement for the possession of Kenesaw mountain and Marietta, similar to the one which gav^e him Atlanta, fell back sud- denly during the night of the 2d of July within his defenses on the north bank of the Chattahoochee. The commanding general had so well calculated the effect of his strategy that he was expecting the retreat and had issued orders, which were received that night, for the troops to be ready to march at daylight. Starting out in the morning, Capt. Sedwick in advance with companies E, F, G and B, as skirm- ishers, we took the road leading , to Marietta, and struck the enemy's rear-guard of cavalry a mile from the town. Capt. S. directed the movements of his command with his accustomed prudence, and kept up a running attack until he had driven them through the town, which he occupied an hour in advance of any other troops. From this time till the 6th we moved leisurly toward the Chattahoochee. We stopped that day within two miles of the river, and on the 8th began policing our camp under orders from brigade headquarters. At this place we got first sight of the church spires in Atlanta. By climbing trees we could see them plainly in the distance, and we strained our eyes for the largest view. The last of the enemy's forces crossed in the night of the 9th, and thenceforward the contending pickets were on opposite banks of the river. In front of our division the murderous fire between them ceased by mutual agreement. The foes basked within a stone's throw of one another ; occasionally they talked across, and always mani- fested the best of feeling. Swimming across from one to the other got to be a practice ; papers were exchanged, and trafiic in coffee and tobacco was carried on. The "Yanks" had the coffee and the "rebs" the "weed." Gen. Ward, distrustful of. this familiarity, forbade it in a special order. But the boys, tired of the constant strain, did not renew the firing. On the evening of the 17th we crossed the river at Paice's ferry 408 HISTORY OF IVIEECER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. and camped three miles on the other side. Next daj we went two and a half miles farther soutli, and at three on the morning of the 19th threw np breastworks. Having orders to occupy the range of hills south of Peach Tree creek, the brigade moved on the 20tli, and a little after noon it tiled along the northern base, the line of march for some distance being swept by the severe fire of the rebel skir- mishers. At length a halt was made, and the men threw themselves on the side of the hill under the scorching sun for a rest, and the cooks engaged in making cofiee on the creek bottom. This was our situation when, at half-past three, the order was given to fall in. In a few minutes word came from those at the top of the bill that the rebels were coming. At that instant a rider was seen coming down from the right, in rear of the line, at full speed, brandishing his sword. It was discovered to be Col. Harrison, and in a moment more was caught the command, "Foi-ward !" It was a magnificent sight to those who saw the "Old Iron Brigade" go up the hill that day in a counter onset. The engagement was fought mainly by the 20th corps. The forma- tion of the line on which the shock fell was in the following order beginning on the left : Kewton's division, 4tli corps ; Ward's, Geary's, and Williams' divisions, 20tli coi-ps ; and one brigade of Johnson's division, 14th corps. The 20th coips met the enemy without protec- tion of any kind ; the other commands fought behind light parapets. Tlie former also had not established its line, and was caught without a premonition while in the act of change ; the second (Geary's) division was but partly deployed, some of the regiments were closed eii masse^ drawing rations and cooking. The first (Harrison's) brigade was en- tirely on open ground, the right jind left flanks resting against wooded eminences. It was on the right of the divison and was arranged with the 102d on the right, and the T9th Ohio and the 129th Illinois in suc- cession toward the left. The 105th Illinois and the 70th Indiana were in the rear, but when the left of the brigade was hotly engaged they advanced and took part in the hand-to-hand combat. On the right of the 102d was a battery which opened the battle in our front as soon as the enemy debouched from the woods, and before the main line reached the summit. When the column halted on the ridge there was a sudden and tumultuous roar as if it had been the crack of doom. The open vista was swarming with the enemy advancing steadily with- out skirmishers, in the Russian style, in deep masses, and in easy musket range. In front of the 102d was a clump of trees and a stream ; the latter bent north across our line, forming a ravine having long slop- ing sides. The brigade lay across this ravine with its flanks resting ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGEVIENT. 409 above and overlooking the center. The stream turned the rebels off from the immediate front of the 102d, and this regiment was free to take an oblique and entilading fire which was directed to the left upon the crowded columns pressing the brigade in that quarter. ,The 79tli Ohio, on the left and the battery on the right, were obliged to concen- trate theirs on the same ground. The effect of this converging fire was appalling. The rebels went down by scores. Ragged gaps were torn through their ranks faster than the men could close up. They fire as they come bending down to catch the least of the storm and looking toward the torrent that comes from the Spencer rifles. Their flag bearers crowd to the front and press forward, waving their colors defiantly to encourage and animate men who move amidst rampant slaughter as if they had come to die. As flags go down they are picked up by new carriers who flaunt them and urge on with marvel- ous fortitude. The batter^-, the 102d and the 79th have wrapped the hill whereon they stand in lambent flame. With desperate energy the whole brigade is gathering the largest advantage on the first equal field. But what can check that surging, resistless assault? The col- umn has 23assed the line and the ordeal of our enfilading and plunging fire rolls on wildly to dash itself against the unsupported ranks of the 70th, the 105th, and the 129th. The shock would have overborne these regiments but for the terrible reduction of the enemy's numbers before the commingled encounter. At length, forced to yield the field, the bleeding, decimated remnant returns in precipitate disorder only to run again the gauntlet of that withering fire which broke the rebels' strength but could not daunt their courage. While the events we have described were taking place on the left, a threatening situation was developed on our right. Geary's division being unexpectedly assailed before it was well in position, the brigade connecting with Ward's division was forced back, and the rebels came upon our right flank, enfilading the line, momentarily captuiing the battery at the head of the 102d, and firing one or two ineffectual shots down our ranks. They were evidently about to fall upon our rear when an aid dashed up to Capt. Wilson who was commanding the regi- ment (Lieut. Col. Mannon being sick but on the field), and told him that if he remained in that position his command would be captured in less than five minutes. But no heed was given to this, and in a few minutes more the brigade that had given way was rallied and recovered its ground. The battery at one time in the hands of the foe, was taken down the hill under whip and spur, but was brought back to remain. The heavv work of this battle was done in an hour. Hood's and Hardee's corps were the assailing force. The carnage was fi-ightful. 410 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Taking into account the time and number engaged, and the number put hors de comhat^ it was the most sanguinary battle of the campaign. The field on our left front was covered with the slain, and it would have been no trouble to walk over it without stepping upon the ground. Gen. Sherman reported 500 rebels dead. In the hospital of the third division were over 600 wounded rebels, and most of them bore more than a single wound. The enemy's loss was estimated by Gen. Hooker at 6,000; our own loss was 1,907. The favorable position of the 102d shielded it from heavy loss. Two were killed and nine wounded. But it had done unexampled execution; 5,000 rounds of Spencer ammunition alone were estimated to have been used. The brigade captured three stands of colors. As soon as the fighting was over. Gen. Hooker sent word that the third division had saved the day, and thanked the first brigade for its gallant behavior. After the battle, when prisoners were taken and asked how many were left in their army, their sad answer was : ' ' Enough for another killing.'"' Hood having fallen back to Atlanta, on the 22d our lines were advanced and contracted around the devoted city, the first brigade occupying a place three-fourths of a mile east of the railroad. The 102d was warmly shelled until the evening of the 25th, and had two wounded. Advancing a hundred yards it was under fire twenty-four h'ours and one severely wounded. It then moved to the rear and right, taking a place in the second line, where it was shelled more vigorously than ever. During the progress of the battle on the 28th the division was ordered to the support of those engaged ; but this was countermanded and the troops marched back, the first brigade going into camp east of the railroad. On the following morning tlie division marched to the extreme right of the army and formed a line perpendicular to the rear to protect the flank. On the 2d of August, being relieved, it marched back, and next day was assigned a position on the left of the 14:th corps and just west of the railroad. The line was advanced a short distance on the 5th and the 13tli. Col. Smith rejoined the regiment on the 10th. On the 25th orders looking to the placing of the main body of the army south of Atlanta and directly upon Hood's communications were received, the defense of the Chattahoochee being assigned to the 20th corps. The signal for withdrawal, previously arranged, was for the field-bands to begin playing, as usual, about twilight, and close the evening performance with Yankee Doodle precisely at eight, when the columns were to move noiselessly out of the intrechments. The bugles sounded "retreat" at the customary hour of eight, and half WILLIAM HANNA. ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND KEGIMENT. 413 an hour later "tattoo." How impressive and tremulous those long strains ! Our brigade moved a mile to the rear and lay there till half past two in the morning. The pickets remained at their posts till near daylight. We reached the river just as day broke forth. In the afternoon of the 27th our brigade crossed to the north side of the river, and was separately disposed, the 102d being stationed behind a light parapet which the rebels once threw up on the heights. On the night of the 1st of September we lie in our bunks listening to the explosions in Atlanta. They tell their story. Next day the city is formally surrendered to Gen. "Ward ; and "Atlanta is ours and fairly won." The following from Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, the ablest com- mander in the confederacy, will be interesting to those who toiled and fought so valiantly against his consummate generalship ; and none who were arrayed against his own men will doubt the justness of his tribute to their military virtues. Alluding to the Atlanta campaign, he is reported to have said : ' ' There is nothing in the history of war that can equal many of the maneuvers of that important campaign. History does not record such marvelous ability to overcome obstacles and prepare the pathway for any army as were exhibited on many occasions by Gen. Sherman's engineers. It was just four days li-om the time they reached the Chattahoochee river and pointed out the standing timber to the vigorous axmen, before they had trains moving across the river over a substantial bridge several hundred feet long [and nearly a hundred feet high], but of unhewn timber. Again, in North Carolina, they marched nine miles a day and corduroyed every foot of the road, a feat never before approached in the history of army movements. Gen. Hampton came to me one day and said he had obstructed a cut in the North Carolina railroad in such a manner as to prevent Sherman's advance some week's ; but we were never able to discern that it any way interfered with his progress. I look upon the ability of the army under my command with its meager resources of everything to make successful warfare, to resist Sherman's march as well as it did, as an achievement worthy of their matchless valor and endurance. No soldiers ever suffered and endured more for their homes and country ; none ever fought harder or with greater bravery." We have already exceeded the space allotted to this sketch, and while aware that it is only an outline of the .history of the regiment, can barely skeletonize the remainder. On the 16th of September the brigade marched to Atlanta and camped one mile south of the city. From here Col. Harrison obtained 24 414 HISTOKY OF MEKCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. leave of absence and Col. Smith succeeded to the command of the brigade. Lieut. Col. Mannon having a short time before resigned on account of disability, Capt. W. A. Wilson, being the ranking line officer, assumed command of the regiment until he resigned in Octo- ber. Capt. II. H. Clay, of company D, succeeded, and was finally commissioned and mustered as major. On the 1st of October the brigade marched back to the Chatta- hoochee, where it lay cantoned until the 14th of November. The railroad north of the river was destroyed on the 12th, and the next day it was torn up on the south side. On the evening of the 13th and the moi"ning of the lltli the brigade was pulled into the river. At ten o'clock on the last day the command took up the march for Atlanta to plunge, on the morrow, into the unknown destinies. The soldiers felt that the destination was to be Savannah or Mobile ; but when our column pointed in the direction of Stone mountain about noon of the 15th, "Savannah" was the watchword ; though at this time the objective, owing to the contingencies of war, was not certainly fixed in the mind of the commanding general. There was a magical fascination in it, for all were sure that this expe- dition would be one of the renowned achievements of the war. We marched almost continuously until after dark on the 16th, the brigade being on detail the first day and night as train-guard. The 102d was in advance of the division on the 17th, and moved at day- light. Impressment of stock and provisions began by regular foraging parties. We marched on the 18th through the quiet, pleasant country village of Social Circle, and the railroad hamlet called Rutledge, and went into camp after dark. On the 19th Madison, county seat of Morgan county, was passed; and on the 20th the command started before daylight, the 102d in the advance. We camped at half-past three o'clock two miles north of Eatonton. We marched through this place next morning. It had rained the two previous nights, and rained all this day ;' the roads were very heavy ; still, no hardship in that ; the soldiers were living off the country ! Every man is now a traveling commissariat, carrying flour, meal, yams, preserves, molasses, fowls, mutton, choice cuts of undressed pork, etc. The men dash into houses hunting for soda, flour, meal, and choicer edibles. It would be an error to suppose that all the troops ran helter-skelter ; but then there were enough who went in this manner to get all the provisions that were needed. The 22d was a bleak, chilly day. Starting at ten o'clock, our column, at four in the afternoon, marched into the sleepy town of Milledgeville. The whites had mostly left, and the capital was in the ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGIMENT. 415. hands of the colored people. Sullen composure reigned. The army rested here the 23d. Officers, for a prank, collected in the hall of representatives, repealed the ordinance of secession, and solemnly declared the "sovereign" State of Georgia back in the union. Cross- ing the Oconee river on the morning of the 24th, we at once left the high, rolling country for the level, sandy, swampy region wliich stretches- hence to the coast. Camp was pitched at midnight. The division, guarded the wagon-train on the 25th. Roads were execrable ; teams; stalled in tlie mire ; progress was very slow. A burned bridge caused the train to park and the division to encamp only five miles forward from the bivouac of the night before. Skirmishing in front with Wheeler's cavalry. Some skirmishing on the 26th. The command halted early at night at Sandersville. The following of contrabands was becoming numerous. At sundown on the 27th the column was at Davisboro. Some light skirmishing was done, and a j)art of the corps was engaged in destroying the Georgia Central railroad. Soldiers in jubilant spirits. The march was resumed at eleven on the 28th, and the troops went into camp at night near the Ogeechee river. The 14th corps crossed tliat night on our road. Lying in camp on the 29th till two in the afternoon, the command crossed the river on a pontoon bridge ; march- ing five miles it bivouacked at the county-town of Louisville. The first and second divisions were tearing up the railroad, and our division was with the wagon-train. The 30th was passed in camp. December 1 the column moved five or six miles. A party of foragers had a running fight with the rebel cavalry, and three of the 102d were taken prisoners. On the 2d the first brigade was in the rear, and the troops had a night march of several hours. Millen, one of the rebel starWng- pens for union prisoners, was left to the right on the 3d. Tearing up of the Savannah & Augusta railroad gave employment to a number of brigades this day. The famous cypress swamps are reached. The 4th passed without incident, the column marching ten miles and halting after dark. The third division had the advance on the 5th, moved eight miles, and camped early in the afternoon. The rebels amused themselves felling trees across the road on the 6th. Full of the inspi- ration of our great leader, we marched 'round them. Found camp just as the bugle was blowing "retreat." On the 7tli the column, with the 102d in advance, moved on Springfield, county seat of Effingham county, wliich was reached without other opposition than the barricad- ing of roads. The brigade halted in the town, where it lay over all the next day. The forward movement was resumed after dark the 8th, the brigade taking the rear. The command was under motion during' the night and the next day until eight in the evening, and proceeded 416 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. eighteen miles. On the 10th the 102d was again the adv^ance. A little after noon we came up against the defenses of Savannah, and bivouacked on the line of investment four and a half miles from the •city. The line was corrected and permanently located on the 11th. The two things to absorb thought and energy now were subsistence -and a passage for attack over the swamp in front. Vast quantities of rice were stored on the river. Mills were put in operation, the negroes set to work, soldiers takmg a hand with them. Company I was sent seven miles up the Savannah river to an island called Red Knoll, where Several days were spent grinding corn and threshing rice. "Hard- tack " was issued on the 20th ; rice was almost the sole article of diet for ten days. The experiment of bridging the swamp was engaged in day and night, with the water from two to four feet deep, ftill of every obstruc- tion that could accumulate in a forest, and all underlain with a black, sticky mud. Working in the water at this season, and under the rebel guns, which "went hunting " for the boys with exasperating diligence, was hardly comfortable employment. It is scarcely worth the while to say that this was a practical failure. Some members of the regiment waded the swamp in the daytime and made an inspection of the rebel breastworks. On the morning of the 21st the 20th corps hoisted the stars and stripes over the city hall in Savannah ; and the holidays were bright and happy at loyal firesides when tidings of this ' ' Christmas gift " thrilled the great heart of the north. A short rest at Savannah, and our eagles point northward. The first foothold gained in South Carolina was obtained by cross- ing directly from the city. The 102d accomplished the initial move- ment on January 1, 1865. A halt was made at Cheves' plantation five miles north of the river, until the 4th, when the brigade moved forward a mile, establishing itself at the Hardee farm, known to some as Black Mingo. The road having been corduroyed out from the river, on the 17th the command moved from Hardeeville, twelve miles, and occupied a position on the Charleston & Savannah railroad. On the 29th this place in turn was left behind, and on the following day we an-ived at Robertsville, twenty-five miles farther inland. At this place on the 2d of February, as a part of the gi-eat army, we severed our communication with the outside world. From this date to our arrival at Goldsboro', March 24th, there is a hiatus in our own notes, and we depend exclusively on the reliable history of the 102d by our old comrade, sergeant major S. F. Fleharty, with what little aid our recollection can furnish. ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND KEGEVtENT. 417 On the departure from Robertsville the first brigade had the advance, the 105th IlL leading. On approaching Lawtonville in the afternoon, and when within a mile of the town, the enemy, holding a strip of timber, disputed our progress. The 70th, the 102d, and the 105th were formed in line of battle, while the 79th and the 129th were sent on a detour to the left, when the rebels were shortly routed. The 102d lost one man killed and two wounded. Moving from this place next day, we marched urgently until the morning of the 6th, when we crossed the Salkehatchie at Beaufort bridge, which was defended by a strong earthwork, from which the enemy had retired when routed by the 15th corps at Elvers' bridge below. The Charleston & Augusta railroad was the point of junction for the whole army, the two wings having set out from different bases, and our column was urged forward with spirit to make timely connection with the araiy of the Tennessee. The 7tli was cold, rainy, cheerless ; the troops corduroyed, crossed swamps, built bridges, and late in the evening struck the railroad at Graham. During the 8tli, 9th, and 10th we were destroying the road, and our brigade worked at different points from Graham to Williston, fifteen miles apart, Blackville being intermediate, and the command entering all three of the places. Tlie march was continued on the 11th ; the South Edisto was crossed the same day ; and the pine barrens and level country were succeeded by a bolder and more rugged surface. Camp that night was made on a tributary of the North Edisto. The weather was cold, and next morning the air was frosty and biting. Just as the sun was up the men plunged into the freezing current; it was not wide, but for a hundred rods they had to splash through shallow water before reacliing the other side of the swamp. On the morn- ing of the 13th the North Edisto was passed, the first brigade having the advance. The 70th Ind., the head of the column, had sliai-p skirmishing. Bivouac was made on the 14th at the junction of the Lexington and the Columbia and Augusta wagon roads. The leading division encountered heavy skirmishing on the 15th. Camp was made two miles south of Lexington and nine west of Columbia. Leaving the former to the right, the 16tli brought us within two or three miles of the city, and from our position on a range of high blufts which confine the Congaree, we had a bird's-eye view of the famed capital. At noon of the 17th we moved up to the Saluda river, and the brigade was sent out to watch for Cheatham's force. No enemy was seen, and moving again in the direction of the river, we camped in proximity to a wagon train, which was crossing all night. By noon 418 HISTORY OF FIERCER AXD HEXDERSON COUNTIES. of tlie IStli the last "white cover'"' was over and we had the right of wav, when we marched to within five miles of Broad river. On the evening of the 19th camp was pitched on the hills overlooking that stream. Orders were received here to cut down baggage, burn the wall tents, reserving only the "•flies," and to prepare to continue the campaign forty days. The brigade was again in the rear on the 20tli, waiting restlessly all day long for the immense wagon train to cross, and all the troops to pass whose turn it was to go ahead. Xiglit fell before we went over ; a mile back from the river we dozed in the cold air by blazing fires; "an hour and a half later the brigade refi'ain, 'Hail Columbia, Happy Land,"" aroused us, and we continued on after the slow-mo^dng column.'" A night march. No intermission till the night of the 21st. Winnsboro, in an elevated region, was reached at noon ; the column marched in review before Gens. Sherman and Slocum, and bivouacked two miles beyond the town. Arriving at Rocky Mount on the 22d, camp was made on the south bank of the Catawba ; but after many had rolled up cosily in their blankets beneath the "dog tents," an order was received to cross the river. Having got read5' and waited some hours for other troops to make the passage, our turn came at midnight, and we found a camping place a mile the other side. Breakfast was omitted on the morning of the 23d till the command had moved three miles to a place in the dense woods. Heavy rains commenced falling and continued until the night of the 25th ; the pontoon bridge was swept away, leaving the 14tli corps on the south side of the Catawba, which rises rapidly, and is a raging stream when up. Xearly a week's detention of the army of Georgia was the result. Gen. Sherman savs: "The roads were infamous, so I halted the 20th corps at Hanging Rock some days to allow time for the l-lth corps to get over." Advancing again on the 26th, and corduro}'ing, tlie brigade encamped before noon near Hanging Rock, a place of natural curiosity as well as of Vevolutionary interest. Lying there during the 27th, on the 28tli the march was continued in the direction of Clieraw, the soldiers corcluroying two-thirds of the way. This day the regimental foragers, under Capt. Wooley, captured the bank of Camden, which was secreted in the woods. It was dis- covered by Jesse McQuade, of company I, and Charles Hartsell, of company E. They were fired upon by men guarding it, and McQuade was severely wounded. Ilartsell notified the detachment and the cap- ture was made. There were four safes, and the treasure consisted of $700 in specie, $2,500 in bullion, and $35,000 in confederate bonds, besides the silver plate, jewelry, horses, mules, and wagons. The property was delivered by Capt. Wooley at corps headquarters. ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGIMENT. 419 McQiiade died in 1879, and is buried at Hoopeston, Yermillion county, Illinois. lie was one of the most daring spirits in the armv. Until March 3 the column was advancing on Chesterfield, It cor- duroyed several miles of wretched road that day, and passed through and camped a mile beyond the town. On the 4th a diversion was made on the Wadesboro road, and the third division crossed into Korth Carolina. Xo further move took jjlace till the 6th ; then at noon the division headed for Cheraw. Arrived there, it passed one of those fatiguing, comfortless nights waiting to cross the river, and when its turn had come it was nearly morning. This day Lieut. T. G. Brown, of company E, went out from the regiment before it broke camp in command of twenty men, and secured a lot of forage near Wadesboro, but was furiously set upon by 150 rebels, whereupon his party "issued their hams and meal quicker than any commissary could have done it." First a running, com- mingled fight ; then a stand was made, and the Spencers won. The ' ' bummers " not only held the rebels at bay, but followed and drove them. " We saw four of the poor devils that we had shot, one of them was not quite dead," WTote the lieutenant. Brown's loss was four captured and one veiy slightly wounded. They had an exciting and romantic time getting back to our army, as a rebel di\dsion had cut oft' their direct return ; but they found the 14th coi'ps at one o'clock in the morning, and overtook the 102d at eleven the next night. Tlie command marched eighteen miles from Cheraw and camped at Laurel Hill. The 8th was a rainy day, and the route lay through the solitary pine barrens. Camp was made five miles south of Lumber river. The bridge was burned, and the brigade, wet, cold, hungry, spent all the next day in fruitless waiting near that stream. The 10th was passed on the road from six in the morning till ten at night ; the journey of seven miles was varied between wading swamps and toil- ing through the mud in a crowded road. On the morning of the 11th the men made three miles of corduroy ; in the afternoon they sti'uck a plank road and marched twenty miles by ten o'clock, and arrived at Fayetteville. Moving again on the 13th the column was reviewed by Gen. Sher- man and crossed the Ca]3e Fear river. The 102d was sent forward on a reconnoissance. The foragers drove the rebels before the regiment, and the latter pitched camp five miles in advance. Reconnoitering was continued the next day, two other regiments being added to the force. Tlie foragers, with their usual enterprise and boldness, cleared several barricades of the rebels ; but at Silver Run, on the Raleigh road, the enemy defied their irregular, predatory attacks. Companies 420 HISTORY OF MERCER AJS'D HENDERSON COrNTIES. A, I, C, and E, of tlie 102d, were deployed and had a lively skirmish. A respectable force being developed, the party drew off at dark and returned to camp, a distance of nine miles. On the 15th the left wing (army of Georgia) advanced by this road, encountering feeble resistance at Silver creek, just north of whicli the brigade encamped, while the rain descended in torrents. There was heavy skkmishing in the evening by our cavalry. Indications prom- ised fighting, which came on the 16tli. "The troops moved early and soon found the enemy. "When about four miles south of Averysboro hea^^'- firing commenced in front. The first brigade, except the TOtli Indiana, which was the train-guard, was formed on the right of the road in line of battle, and preparations were made for an advance. Finally we moved by the left flank, crossed the road, and made a detour of about three-fourths of a mile to the left. Then moved to the front, the skirmishers becoming quickly engaged. As we advanced cautiously through the young pines to the edge of an open field, it was perceived that the brigade had completely fianked the rebel position. Not more than a hundred and twenty-five yards in advance they were visible in great numbers, running forward to their front line of works to re-inforce the rebels their engaged. At that instant a number of our men yelled out, ' Don't fire, they are our own men. ' For a mo- ment our line was undecided. It was thought barely possible that we had become bewildered and were about to charge our own troops. Many months of active campaigning had rendered the uniform of the opposing armies almost indistinguishable. Many of the rebels wore blue, and many of the federals, having worn out their blue, were dressed in citizen's gray. The enemy in the meantime had kept up a galling skirmisli fire, and heavy artillery and infantry firing was going on in the front, where the third brigade confronted their breastworks. Soon all doubts as to the identity of the rebels in our front were dis- pelled. The brigade raised a yell, and, as if by an intuitive percep- tion of the duty required, rushed forward, the 102d on the right, the 79th on our left, the 129th and the 105th in the second line. The rebels, completely surprised and outflanked, instantly broke. Yelling like wild men, the brigade swept magnificently forward, directly in rear of and parallel with the rebel line of works. Three pieces of a»tillery fell into our hands and many prisoners, recumbent in a trench behind their works, held up their hands and handkerchiefs begging for mercy. But the main body of the charging column rushed by them and continued on after the flying enemy, who abandoned blankets, haversacks, canteens, guns, cartridge boxes, everything that could impede their progress. Reaching heavy timber the pursuing column ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND KEGIMENT. 421 halted, reformed the line of battle, and rested for a time, keeping up a sharp skirmish fire with the enemy. ... At length, other troops having moved forward to our support, a general advance was made. The second line of rebel works was found abandoned, but as we approached the third, which was very strong, we were met by a rapid fire of musketry and artillery, the enemy throwing grape shot and shells. . . . Finally the brigade threw up breastworks a hundred and twenty-five yards from the enemy's line. Night came on with rain. It had been a day of excitement and fatigue. Cold and wet, we passed a miserable night. " The rebels retreated on Smithfield, in the darkness, over bottomless roads, leaving their dead and wounded in the houses around Averys- boro. One house contained sixteen of their dead ; in the town itself were found thirty wounded men. Gen. Sherman's report showed that the division captured "three -guns and 217 prisoners, of which 68 were wounded," and that "100 rebel dead were buried bv us." The casual- ties in the 102d were two killed and nineteen wounded. The division set out on the morning of the 18th to follow the main army, and were on the road all night, traveling only three miles between sunset and sunrise. The whole country was a quagmire. In the afternoon of the 19th, when the division was in rear with the wagon-train, Johnston's army assailed the 14th corps at Bentonville. The command was dispatched to its assistance, and formed on the extreme left and erected breastworks, but did not become engaged. Jolmston fell back on Smithfield on the night of the 21st. During that day Gen. Schofield's army was arriving at Goldsboro from New- bern ; and Gen. Terry, coming up from Wilmington, secured the crossing of the Neuse river and laid a pontoon bridge, thus completing the junction of the three armies. Our army concentrated at Golds- boro on the 23d and the 24th. The 102d marched into the town with the wagon-train at sunrise on the morning of the 24tli, and camped two miles noj'th of the village and constructed breastworks. The regiment lost during the campaign forty-four killed, wounded and captured. The march through Georgia extended over 300 miles and consumed twenty-six days ; the campaign of the Carolinas, more tedious, prolonged and difticult, covered fifty days and 425 miles actu- ally marched ! On the 5th of April special intelligence of the capture of Kichmond was received with exultant joy. On the 10th the army was put in motion for Raleigh, and at the end of the second day we were in bivouac around Smithfield. Next morning the surrender of Lee's army was announced and produced the most extravagant demonstra- 422 HISTOKY OF MERGER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. tions of rejoicing. Kaleigli was readied on the fourth, day, and orders were given to move the following morning, the 14th, at six o'clock, in pursuit of Johnston, who had departed with his forces the night before. Meantime the rebel general proposed an interview with Gen. Sherman, and the order was countermanded. While waiting for the ratification or rejection by the government at Washington of the arrangement formulated by the two chiefs, the startling news of the assassination of President Lincoln came, and after the violent shock a sadness as tender and noble as the gentle nature of the stricken gi-eat man overspread the stout-hearted army and deepened into painful gloom. The terms of the negotiation having been disapproved, on the 25th we moved out fifteen miles on the Holly Springs road. Johnston sur- rendered his forces, and we lay there till the 28th and then returned. On the 30th the line of march was taken up for Washington. Arriving at Richmond the 9th of May, we rested one day and on the 11th marched through the city, receiving from the people many kind attentions. On August 16 Adjutant J. H. Snyder, and Private W. O. Jones, of company I, mounted orderly, left the column to visit the Wilderness battle-ground, and fell, it is supposed, into the hands of bushwhackers, as no trace of them was ever obtained. , The adjutant was a man of genial nature, finely organized, of great personal worth and courage, and closely endeared to the regiment. His sad, mysterious end was a cruel shock to his admiring comrades. His companion was a superior soldier and young man. The army arrived at Alexandria on the 19th, and on the 24th entered Washington, 60,000 under arms, in all the panoply of war. "The pride and strength of the great west swept down Pennsylvania avenue." All daylong did "Sherman's army," marching in column by companies at half distance, surge past the reviewing stand with perfect alignments and soldierly bearing. The first brigade camped that night around the northeast corner stone of the District of Colum- bia. The grand review was over ; the war was over ; we were on the borderland of peace, sweet peace ; and we rested in triumph from our labors. Tlie regiment was discharged at Washington on the 6th of June, and on that day took the cars for Chicago. It was past midnight of the Tth when we rolled into Pittsburgh, but the wide-awake, generous, patriotic citizens of that city had been busy preparing refreshments for us. Marching to the city hall these were partaken of with keen relish and thankfulness. Noble and generous Pittsburgh. How vivid is that memory after eighteen years ! An-iving at Chicago on the 9tli, the ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND REGIMENT. 423 regiment was quartered at Camp Fry, and there, on the 14th, the mem- bers were paid off and disbanded, and they returned at once to the embrace of friends and tlie quiet walks of civil life. Some notice of Col. Isaac McManus, a brave and useful officer of the 102d, who has died since the disbandment of the regiment, is demanded in this connection. Col. McManus was a native of Indiana, but resided in Mercer county a number of years. He was a school-teacher by profession, and as such will be remembered by numerous citizens of the county who are advanced to middle life. He had traveled over a large extent of his native land and had filled his mind with practical knowledge. He had an aptitude for business, a liberal understanding, and much executive capacity. It was in politics and war that he made his mark as a public man, though he was cut off just at the rising of his power, when his splendid strength of character had laid the foundation for a strong public influence. By education a democrat, he followed the fortunes of his party and contended for its principles with his char- acteristic zeal and energy, up to a time when his partisanship was lost sight of in the army in the one absorbing consideration and employ- ment of patriotism. In the year 1862 his party, a majority of which, emboldened by much power in the state, was outspoken and active in opposition to the war, held a state convention in Peoria, to which he was an accredited delegate. The committee on resolutions submitted a majority and a minority report, the former demanding a withdrawal of the army to make room for compromise negotiations, while the latter insisted upon no compromise with traitors, but instead a vigor- ous prosecution of the war. McManus, with true chivalrous spirit, supported the latter, not having yet forgotten the recent sage and dying advice of his lamented party leader, Douglas, that "the short- est way now to peace is the most stupendous and unanimous prepara- tions for war. " Returning home he went to work, and by personal application and speeches assisted in raising company G, 102d reg., and was elected first lieutenant. He soon became captain and served with his company until he was wounded, as previously noticed, at Golgotha church, in Georgia, a rebel ball shattering the bone in his left arm and rendering that limb forever useless. He returned from the hospital to his home, and in the autumn of 1864 did much service for the union party in making political speeches. He was kept on detailed service awhile ; then he rejoined his regiment after the cam- paign of the Carolinas, with a commission as lieutenant colonel. He was never mustered, owing to the reduction of the regiment below the 424 HISTORY OF MERCER A2TO HENDERSON COUNTIES. minimum number, the offices of colonel and major being already filled. After the war lie entered with much enthusiasm into politics ; and being both a ready and forcible writer and speaker, he contributed largely to the success of his party in the exciting political campaigns of 1866 and 1868. After an able and thorough canvass in 1868 he was elected by a large majority of his republican supporters to repre- sent the 14tli district in the state senate. He was recognized in that body as a man of independent convictions and untiring industry, and was placed on some of the most important committees. He died of small-pox January 14, 18Y0, aged forty-three years. Col. McManus belonged to that class of men who make strong friends and strong enemies. His superlative energy made it impossible for his nature to consort with rest. He was ambitious and desired to be in action. Endowed witli a highly combative organization, his tastes found their legitimate activity in conflict. On the sanguinary field his daring amounted almost to recklessness. It seemed as though the breath of battle was a soft relief to his chafing, fiery soul. He was at home in the tempest ; his companions were the thunder and the lightning. In civil life his rugged, restless mind found a congenial theater in the political arena. [The history of the 102d regiment, as above, was written by Mr. E. S. Ricker, a member of that regiment who followed its fortunes throughout its brilHant career. He took ample notes during the whole time of his service, and we doubt if there is a man living more com- petent to write the record of this brave regiment. — Ed.] OHIO GEOVE TOWNSHIP. Long years ago the Indian chief, with his face -toward the setting sun, chanted the death-song of his people : " We, the rightful lords of yore, Are the rightful lords no more. Like the silver mists we fail ; Like the red leaves in the gale — Fail like shadows when the dawning Waves the black flag of the morning." Their history is not written in classic language ; it illumes no scroll ; it lives on few pages ; but in silent eloquence it speaks in a myriad of forms in their beautiful and significant names that still, and OHIO GKOVE TOWNSHIP, 425 will forever, linger upon mountain and in valley, lakes, rivers, states, counties, cities and villages. '' Mid the forests where they warred, There rings no hunter's shout ; But their name is on your waters — Ye may not wash it out." It is astonishing to the children of to-day to be reminded that on the lawn on which they play ; that in yonder grove of hardy oaks that now shelter those sleek kine ; that on yonder expanse now bloom- ing for the coming harvest ; that on yonder plat where all is hurry and bustle, and trade and music and fashion, a hundred years ago was the hunting-ground of the Fox, or the Sac, or the Potawatomie, or the bloody iield of contest between tribe and tribe of savage men ; that here, too, the green sod drank the life-blood of the white man spilled by the tomahawk of the bloodthirsty Indian ; that here the red man, proud and haughty from success in the hunt or battle, compelled his women to abject slavery, treating them as beasts of burden, and mere objects of convenience, never allowing them to join in the amusements, but permitted to sit with tlieir children as "spectators around the fires of war-dances or the horrid orgies after a victory," holding even tlieir lives at their weapons' points. Fifty years ago the Indian, somewhat tamed by contact with pioneer civilization, and by an aggressive and overpowering government, still lingered in his hunt- ing-grounds, mourned the hamlets of the dead warriors he must leave behind, or stayed to drink the "hemlock" furnished by his treacher- ous foemen, the wily and unprincipled among the pale-faces. Verily the white man kindled the fire that burned his own home and the passion that slaughtered his own household. An Indian trail extended across the northwest corner of Ohio Grove township, including sections 5, 6 and 7, crossing Pope creek in section 6. On section 5 in Indian Grove, some forty or fifty of the natives camped as late as about 1836 or 1837. They disappeared and nothing more was known of them for several years when a few returned, but to cast one long, lingering, last look upon the once unmo- lested spot they had been wont to call what we would term " home." Some are yet living who witnessed the dusky faces as they indulged in their ludicrous amusements and performed feats peculiar only to the race. The McBrides, Cabeens, Candors, Browns, Stephenses, Hardys, Dillys and McPherrens, have watched their antics and marked their cunning, Alexander Brown, according to his own story, gained his amusement for the first three winters of his residence here, in the camps of these red men. Trading was carried on between Indian and 426 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. white man in a way iisually amicable. The women of those days, too, had their experiences, which were not altogether agreeable. The boldness, yet with cunning, made the Indians fit subjects to be watched, and more than once was a woman made to tremble by their audacity. But they have gone, most of them, over the hills to their new hunting-grounds from whence they return, according to their own ideas, in spirit only. Another race, and far different, must fill with events the historic page. The march of empire is westward in America, as truly as it was in the orient. The spot to which these lines are limited was one of inviting char- acter. Its contents are circumscribed by an invisible boundry. It embraces what became when surveyed, all of T. 13 N. , R. 3 W. of the 4th P. M. It has Mercer township on its north, Abington township on its west, Warren county on its south, and Suez township on the east. Here were thirty-six square miles of earth, the tilling of wliich was destined to yield a harvest to the toiler. It would seem that earth had been gamboling and leaping at play when all became at once stationary, leaving the surface rolling and delectable. Here and there the waters of the ages have washed a gutter, a ditch, a creeklet, a creek which to-day forms nature's system of drainage, which rapidly carries the burden of the element hurrying on to the "father of waters." In the north of this plat is Pope creek, supposed to have derived its name from a man so so called. It runs through sections 4, 5 and 6. It is chiefly along this creek that the early emigrants hither chose frontier homes, for here was a fair growth of timber suitable for fuel and building purposes. In early times about one-ninth or four sections of the township were timber, consisting of red oak, white oak, black oak, burr oak, black walnut, white walnut, cherry, red elm, white elm, hickory, soft maple, sugar maple, hackberry, ash, cotton, sycamore, box-elder, etc. Through the centei* of the township is the tortuous stream, North Henderson creek. It has a number of small tributaries uniting and draining the central part of the township. It runs through sections 20 and 30, where it has on its either side. Hickory grove. In the southern part of the township is Duck creek. Kot so called because any feathered flocks, fond of water, frequent it, but from the fact that in 1833, an early day, William I, Nevius, James H. Bain and others made an exploring expedition from Warren county, Illinois, through this section of country. Arriving at this sti*eam tliey found it coated with ice. Nothing of that kind could turn a pioneer's march through a new country, so over the ice they started. Nature had not intended her crystal bridge to be completed and ready for use quite so soon. OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 427 The structure being yet somewhat weak, attraction of one particle for another was destroyed, and the party dragged down by gravitation to their waists in tlie cold element below. In the popular language of the day, they were "ducked," and some one of the party believing in names, christened the stream Duck creek. The party continued their exploration, and when the country was spied out returned to their families and cabin homes. The soil of this part of Mercer county is a rich, black loam of an average depth of about one foot. Coal and stone are present in small quantities, the former of which is inferior in quality and quantity. The soil in early days was very abundant in its production of wheat. William I. Nevius bought a piece of land, and in one crop paid for the land, all expenses connected with its cropping, and had a surplus fund besides. But when we mention this fact it should be remembered that land in those days did not command fifty dollars per acre, as it does to-day, hence that fact does not indicate failure in the ability of the soil still to produce abundant harvests. Says William I. Nevius: "corn is the chief product, which, in a good season, yields seventy bushels to the acre." He further says, "wheat is raised, but, from some indefinite cause, the quantity and quality is inferior to that of early years. " Grains, cereals, vegetables and fruits of great variety have long been produced from this fertile soil, and for pasturage it is second to none. Water of a superior, cold, pure quality is secured by digging from twelve to forty feet. With all these attractions and promises wisely did the early seeker /or such advantages and fortunes accept the proffered gifts of nature and settle upon this spot. No iron ribs had yet been supplied for this part of the old lady "Earth." No great massive iron monster came puffing and rumbling and rushing, hurrying land seekers over plain, among the hills, over stream, or through tunnel at the rate of thirty or fifty miles an hour. Not so came the sturdy, slow plodding, sure pioneer ; but with ox team or horse team, big wagon filled with his family and a very few pieces of furniture, home-made products of genius and a jack knife or an ax, he started to wend his way across endless prairie, through trackless forest, over unbridged stream, through almost bottomless swamp towards the setting sun, leaving here and there a camp fire burning or its ashes, and after a journey of four to seven weeks halting on this spot for a permanent home in the "great West." Instead of this journey many "drifted" down the Muskingum and Ohio rivers on flat boats, and slowly urged their way up the Miss- issippi river to Oquawka, and later to Keithsburg where they landed their families and goods, then walked or were hauled to their wild homes. 428 HISTOKY OF JVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The first comers were from Ohio. They settled near Pope creek, in the northern part of the township, giving to tlie grove of that sec- tion the name of their native state, Ohio. In after years the township was voted the combined appellation, "Ohio Grove." There were ex- plorations made by different ones prior to any settlement. Prior to 1835, a cabin had been thrown together on the northwest corner of Sec. 3, T. 13 K, K. 3 W. of the 4th P. M., but its builder is unknown. This rude hut gave shelter to those who had come to stay. It also be- came the seat of merchandise where William Mackey sold a few sim- ple goods such as a pioneer could buy. This was the first "store." September 21, 1835, there started from Muskingum count}^, Ohio, George McPherren, who had buried his wife in Ohio. In his family were: Mary, James, Susanna, Easter, Daniel, Nancy, Fannie, Sarah and George ; Benjamin Decker, the prospective husband of Miss Fannie McPherren; John Walker, husband of Easter McPherren. Some of the family taking sick, a short stay was made at Washington, Illinois. George McPheiTcn, Sr., accompanied by George Long and Matthew Finley pushed on to find a satisfactory location. Mr. Long aftei-ward located in Knox county, and Finley in Henderson. The family made another stay at Little York, where just previous Ilughy Martin had been killed by the Indians. Leaving some of the party at the fort, Mr. McPherren, John Walker, Benjamin Decker, and Daniel McPher- ren came to Mercer county and built a log house on the northeast quarter of section 4, in what is now Ohio Grove township. This "lone mansion" of the country was about 16x18, one story, one room. Some rough boards were hauled from Ebenezer CrisweH's saw mill, on Eliza creek, at least fifteen miles distant. This was used for floor. The roof was of clapboards, the window of greased paper. Nails had been brought with them, but were used as sparsely as possible. When ready for "dobbing" the weather was so cold that water had to be boiled for mixing the "mud." The following summer the mortar peeled oft" on account of its having frozen Avhen put on. The new log "castle" was occupied by the family of eight on Christmas day, 1835. This house was furnished with the old "continental bedstead" of two poles, one leg and two sides of the house and clapboards, etc. Stools served as chairs for a number of years. The other furniture, if it ex- isted, was fashioned to correspond. The house stood close to the sec- tion line, one fourth of a mile from the township line. The small log cabin before mentioned, about a mile to the east, was occupied by part of the family in order to hold the claim to the quarter on which it stO(xl. Thus were the first 2>ermanent settlers located after a journey of six weeks overland, with all the obstacles and hindrances incident ^^■SS- 'fmm i ^-^^e-t^ OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 431 to the times, and their waitings at different places ere a home was. found. Where are the McPherrens now ? The father sleeps beneath the sod where all must lie. Benjamin Decker is dead, but his wife, Fannie, owns a farm in Ohio Grove. James is near Keynolds, Sarah is in Iowa, Susanna died in Iowa, John Walker is dead, and his wife is Mrs. Boyer, near Viola. George, son of George, owns over 400 acres of land in Ohio Grove. In the same year, 1835, it is thought George Smith, Richard Rice, James Moore, and William Moore made their advent. John Moore- head, a native of Pennsylvania, but at that time resident of Muskingum county, Ohio, also settled in the McPherren neighborhood in 1835. He died in August, 1836, the first instance of mortality in this new settlement. He had lived on section 2. His wife survived him till 1862 or 1863. In their family were seven children, one of whom was buried in Warren county. The six were pioneers here. But two are living at this writing (May 12, 1882): Mrs. Ashford Hardy and Mrs. George Smith. Both are venerable ladies, examples of women of busy lives from the beginning to the present of this township's history. There may have been one or two others who came in this year, but if so they are unfortunately unknown to the writer. The year 1836 witnessed several additions to the little group of Ohio Grove. Ashford Hardy, born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1802, moved to Warren county, Illinois, in 1835, and in the following year bought the N. W. J of Sec. 1, T. 13, Mercer county. He married Sophia Moorehead in an early day. He also early purchased a quarter section in what is now Mercer township. He lived on his first purchase till his death, July 18, 1871. His children were: George, Sarah, Elizabeth, Koah, and Delilah. James McBride, having heard of the exceeding rich land and the immense quantities of it in Illinois, left Muskingum county, Ohio, early in April, 1836, embarking at AVlieeling. He was attracted to Rock Island by reports of the soil, etc., but upon arriving found prices so high, and having a friend, George Jay, at Keithsburg, he determined to land there, which he did. Mr. McBride camped on the N. W. I Sec. 4, T. 13, on May 10. He bought two quarters, the K W. 1 Sec. 4, and the N. E. i Sec. 5, T. 13 K, R. 3 W. of the 4th P. M. A small log square had been thrown together by some squatter. Here Mr. McBride brought his family by ox teams furnished by George McPherren and otliers of the few already here. In his family were wife and five children: John II., Almeda, James C., Elvira J., and Sarah E. Mr. McBride improved his fann, besides his milling enter- prise to be hereafter mentioned. He died November 14, 1847. 25 432 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Samuel Cabeen, with wife and six cliildreH, Tliomas B., J. W., S. P., R. J., R. B., and Sarah C, emigrated in 1836 overland, transporting themselves and goods in. a wagon drawn by a four-horse team. The S. W. I Sec. 6, was laid claim to and afterward bought. On this a cabin 18x22 was erected. A very low loft was provided for a bed- room for the "boys." The roof of clapboards, iloor of puncheon, chimney with back wall and jambs of dirt ; two doors. Also a six- light window, a rare expenditure, glass lights being •unfashionable in those days. Mr. Cabeen and George McPherren each had purchased a sash of six lights at Jack's mill, in Henderson county. This house of Mr. Cabeen's frequently gave shelter to fifteen or twenty persons, who also partook of the cookery of the hostess. The furniture of this house, too, was meager. Two continental bed-spreads down stairs, a bureau brought from the "East," stools in place of chairs, until the following year, when they were displaced by half a dozen split-bottom chairs, the luxury of that day, furnished for company when present, thus necessitating the use of the stools again. The log cabin served for four or five years, when it gave place to a hewn log house 18x18, almost two stories high. This subsequently received a frame addition, which stands to-day, a relic of the past. Sanniel Cabeen died May 1, 1856, his wife surviving him till December 6, 1871:. The children are spoken of elsewhere. Richard B. owns part of the homestead, his residence being somewhat of a contrast to the first cabin. . Joshua W. and Samuel P. improved large farms, becoming promi- nent in the county's welfare. William Dilley, now hale and hearty at the date of this writing, a wool carder by trade, shipped his carding machine from Ohio in 1836 to Oquawka, Illinois, by river, and in May of that year came, a young man, to blend his future with that of Mercer county. He remained for some time in the McPherren neighborhood, "boarding and work- ing around. " In that summer he raised a cabin on a piece of land in what became Green township, and there brought his machine. He married in 1837. He followed wool carding in Green township till 1848, when he sold and settled in what became Ohio Grove township. Here he has improved his farm in sections 1 and 2. John Wall and wife, a sister of the elder McPherren, were also very early settlers, living in a cabin on Pope creek. Both died in* the neighborhood. Another sturdy pioneer of 1836 was John H. Brown, who emi- grated with the Cabeens, bringing wife, Mary (McPherren) and six children: Alexander, George, John, Sarah J., James M., William. He bought no land for about eighteen months, living the first year OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 433 near New Boston, then near McClure's bridge, then entered eighty- acres in Ohio Grove in 1838. He was a poor man, but by his won- derful energy finally became the possessor of about a thousand acres. A small piece of the land now owned by William Brown was broken in 1836, on which stood a small log cabin. Says William Brown in that year, 1836, the nearest hog to our house was twenty-three miles dis- tant, so tliat pork was not a common dish for the first year's table. Alexander Brown kept a bachelor's hall for several years. He was the great ox driver of his day. Like his father, he has amassed a large farm. "A rolling stone gathers no moss." So thought the nucleus of pioneers who settled Ohio Grove. They had come to stay, and stay- ing attracted others. "In union there is strength." All put their hands to the wheel of industry, all aided one another. In trouble sympathy was universal ; in pleasure all participated. The year 1837 brought new neighbors and good citizens. In the fall of 1836 Thomas Candor and his brother, Robert Candor, made the trip from Pennsylvania to Rock Island, then into Mercer county on horse back. Thomas laid claim to the N. W. ^ of Sec. 6, T. 13 N., R. 3 W., also the S. W. J of Sec. 7, and cut his name in a large oak standing near what are known as Candor Springs. He then left orders with William Sherifi:', of Keithsburg, for the building of a cabin on his farm. The Candors then sold their horses and returned by water to Pennsylvania. Robert died in his native state. In the following year Thomas sold his tannery in Pennsylvania and moved his family of wife and rive children, John M., Robert, Josiah, Mary H., and Daniel M., with goods, by one big wagon and a spring wagon with two teams. A part of his goods he ghipped by river. East of the Illinois river he bought some stock which was driven through. Arrived in Mercer county, after a short stay in Keithsburg, the family rendezvoused in the log cabin ordered built by Thomas Candor the preceding year. The cabin was 18x18, two-story, the first built in the N. W. of T. 13, and it still stands a relic of bygone times. Could it speak it could tell of many pleasant family circles, friendly hospitalities, merry parties, sacred meetings, as well as burdens and disappointments, and pain and death, followed by tears of bereavement and loss. Mrs. Candor succumbed to the toils of frontier life, dying September 30, 1841, aged forty-two years. Thomas Candor, after a busy life devoted to the good of others as well as himself, died March 13, 1871. The old homestead, owned by Robert Candor, wears a far different aspect from that of forty years ago. In 1832 William I. Nevius emigrated to Warren county, Illinois, 434 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. via the rivers from Ohio. He brought a wife and young children, also some goods with about ten barrels of flour. Flour was a scarce article on the way, and many applications to buy were made but refused. For some reason the party was landed on the Iowa side of the river, near where Keokuk is, by reason of the rapids being so shal- low, being told they would be transferred by a special craft. No craft appeared. Finally leaving the family in the wilderness alone, Mr. Nevius secured passage in a skiff and started in search of some one to haul the family and goods to Monmouth, where his brothers-in-law resided, expecting that by his return all would be conveyed over the river. Finding no settlers he gave word to a man, owner of an infe- rior river craft, that he would push on to Monmouth if necessary to get conveyances. This man delivered the word to Mrs. Nevius, who had taken shelter in a shanty with her four sick children. Imagine yourself, good woman of this decade, in such circumstances ! The only cabin within miles. All weird and wild without, and lonely and desolate within, the shadow of night falling as a cloak over all. The real or fancied noise of the approach of wild and savage beasts, or more savage men ! The voice at the door calling for admittance and lodging, but sternly and resolutely refused by the heroine within. Anxious to cross the river Mrs. Nevius secured transportation of her goo(;Is. She first sent the flour over by the craftsman, who, going home for the night, refused to convey more that day. Next day another load of goods was taken across with the oldest child, small indeed then, to stay with the goods, and a similar postponement of the bal- ance of the work. The mother could see her goods and her child across the water, and must the child remain alone through night in such a place ? So said the craftsman. Fini^ly the woman prevailed and the family united on this side the river. In time Mr. Nevius returned with ox teams and all were taken to Monmouth. Settlement was first made near Atchison's church, on Cedar creek, in Warren county. In 1835 removal near New Boston was had in time to vote for the organization of Mercer county. In 1837 Mr. Nevius secured the W. ^ of N. E. i, and the E. i of k. W. i of Sec. 16, T. 3, and permanently located it. This he improved. He also bought land north of where Sunbeam is now. Here Mr. Nevius became identified with all the interests of Ohio Grove township. He was very handy with tools. Did general repairing for self and neighbors, whether carpentry, blacksmithing, or other repairing. He was a harness and shoemaker also. Mr. Nevius hauled the first apple trees of Mercer county from Hennepin, Bureau county, Illinois, with an ox team. He divided with the Cabeens and McPherrens. This OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. ' 435 was in 1837. Mr. Xevius' house was the first on the prairie. Mrs. Nevius still lives, the heroine of many a pioneer's struggle and a faith- ful helper in woman's work in Mercer county. Immigration continued steadily year by year. In 1838 William C. Brownlee came from New York, settling near Yiola, Mercer county, and in the following year located in Ohio Grove township, buying 240 acres on North Henderson creek. Here he still lives, one of the few survivors of those early pioneers. The Burnets must have arrived about this time or little later ; they owned land in the southern part of the township. In this year also came John Stephens, wife and six children : Edward, now of Keithsburg ; Peter, in Ohio Grove ; Han- nah, then Mrs. James Trusler, now of Iowa ; James W. (died about 1840); William J., of Iowa; Catharine (Mrs. James Walters). Mr. Stephens purchased the Yernon interest in the mill ; also 160 acres of land. He sold and in 1846 settled on the prairie, where his death occurred. His wife survived him, but is now dead. 1839 seems to have been a blank year. 1840, more fortunate, brought William T. Patterson. He had purchased a few simple goods, as linen shirt- bosoms, jewelry, etc., which he sold as he traveled to such as would buy, or would pay his lodging and board with his wares. He worked awhile for Capt. Bain in the distillery. The captain failing, he received nothing for his work. Before doing this he dug a cellar for Hemy Kimel. Thus "he worked around." He soon purchased eighty acres of land, for which he largely paid by building a sod fence. He farmed four or five years where Norwood is. It was not till 1847 that he bought and located permanently in Ohio Grove township, where he became owner of the E. -^ of Sec. 24. In 1842 Joseph Bobinson came from Quincy, Illinois, and is yet a resident. In 1843 Hammond Webster settled the S. E. ^ of Sec. 28. He died in 1845. In this year (1843) James Calhoun emigi*ated from Ohio. He brought his wife and nine children: David, William, John K., James H., Joseph C, Samuel C, Elizabeth, Franklin, and Alexander T. The family came via the river to Oquawka. Mr. Calhoun died July 15, 1847. James Emery and sons, James and Robert, must have come about this time. In 1845 came Nathaniel Partridge, a carpenter, and probably Levi Butterfield. James Graham had settled in Warren county in 1842, but in 1845 he located on N. W. ^ of Sec. 35, T. 13, Mercer county. This place he improved, and here he was identified with township affairs till his death, November 25, 1879. In 1848 John Seaton laid claim to the N. W. I of Sec. 19, first " squatting on it," and then pre-empting and finally buying it. He had lived the two years pre>dous in Warren county. Mr. Seaton improved 436 HISTORY OF MERCER AJTO HENDERSON COUNTIES. his farm building, the present residence, in 1861. He died July 21, 1881. The farm is now the property of George Seaton. 1849 brought William Pepper and Samuel Lafferty. The latter came to Mercer county in 1842, but returned to Ohio till 1846, when he settled in North Henderson, then in Suez, and finally Ohio Grove township, Mercer county, Illinois. He is now old and feeble; he, too, looks back to the time when he shot deer, and wolves howled about the place. In 1850, Thomas, Francis, and John McClellan made their advent. Thomas and John bought the Butterfield place, which afterward became the property of John alone. Jesse Mounts and family, John Smith and family, and others were early settlers ; all cannot be found. Settlement became more rapid. The advent of another ceased to be a novelty. Some begdn to feel crowded and moved away. Several went to Oregon ; some to California. In 1851 James Eobb, Jacob and Barnet Unangst became residents. Barnet Unangst moved his family of wife and eight children from New Jersey, a distance of i,100 or 1,200 miles, over the country, one team doing the work. They arrived after a journey of fifty-two days. They settled the N. E. ^ of Sec. 13, entered for them a little before by Jacob Unangst, who had preceded them. A shanty, 12x16, rough fencing lumber, one story, which was occupied January 2, 1852. The frame-work of this residence con- sisted of poles sunk in the ground in shed style. The furniture was : bedsteads of home make, blocks of saw-logs for stools, dry-goods box for table, and soon a table made of rough boards. Thus, even in 1851, did emigrants live and endure. The countiy at that time was thinly settled, there being but one house between Ohio Grove township and Keithsburg. It must have been about this time that John Cameron settled in the southwest of section 19, where he improved a farm. He died about 1858. His daughter, Mrs. Mary Seaton, now occupies the place. James Cameron is in DeKalb county ; John died about 1865 ; Sarah became Mrs. Samuel Criswell ; Peter is in Mercer county. In this year also came William R. McCreight. He purchased a farm of six acres of William M. Hayes. William M. Hayes became a resident here prior to this time, but the exact date cannot now be given. A biography of him may be found in the appropriate place. In 1852 came Thomas S. Robb and others. In 1853 Samuel M. Creighton, Joseph Laffierty, Col. Jonathan Duncan, the Kelloggs and Torbets arrived. Others, as the Findleys, Gilmores, Mclntires, McCutchans, Sprowls, Garrets, Shrulls, Chandlers, Shoemakers, Dittos, Nolands, Gustin, M. M. Cross, the Browns, Milligans, and a few others, may be considered as having become tolerably old settlers. It is impossible to find every one. Space will not admit of extended OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 437 notices of later settlers. Could those of to-day see those of fifty years ago at their work the fact of progress would be more evident to them by far than these lines can show. The ox-teams, slow but sure, were the stand-bys. Tlie people of this section did their milling at Jack's mills, or Criswell's mills, or sometimes hauled their grain above Moline or to RockwelFs mills. George McPherren and James McBride made the trip, twenty-one miles above Moline, to Cox's mills. Their load was thirty bushels of grain. Each furnished a horse. Ai'rived at Rock river, McPherren proposed to take the ferry. McBride, a jolly young fellow of high life, jocosely replied, " No ; lefs ford the stream and save our money for whisky." McPherren then proposed that James should ride the oif horse, to which the latter assented, and with which he immediately complied. In the bed of the stream lay the rocks, covered with their slippery film, which McPherren feared, but which McBride dared. Arrived in deep water the " ofi" " horse slipped, lost his balance, his foot over the tongue of the wagon, horse and rider down in the water. It required lively work for a few moments to right rider and horse, both of whom were in a dangerous position. The day was cold and freezing, and gladly would James McBride have warmed by a big fire place, with a bowl of bread and milk, instead of traveling in a robe of ice. After that he preferred the ferry. The distance was not often considered in a journey. George McPherren and Ephraim Johnson had made the trip to Oquawka. They were on their return with their ox-team. The winter storm began. The earth was soon mantled in her nightly gown. The air was full of the downy snow. Intense cold obtained. The party reached Bald bluff". Still the team pushed on as oxen did push, and hour after hour was traveled. Home surely could not be far, when, to their surprise and disappointment and danger, they found themselves again at Bald bluff". By this time McPherren's feet had somewhat frozen. Johnsoa opened the bosom of his shirt, and McPherren, placing one foot on each breast, gradually abstracted heat sufficient to warm the frozen members. Again the route homeward was resumed. They arrived after much suffering. These incidents but illustrate the journeys and experiences of many others. The elder George McPherren and William Dilley visited their old home in Ohio. They returned by way of the lakes to Chicago, from which place they walked a distance of 180 miles home. In six days the feat was accomplished. Similar trips have been made to Galena to the land sales. "Occasionally a farmer hauled his wheat to Chicago," says William I. Nevius, "bringing back a load of salt and other articles needed by 438 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the families. Tliej plodded on and on day after day tlirongli the prairie grass, fording creeks, some having their clothes so badly cut to pieces by the grass that they were compelled to change their iinmen- tionahJes 'hind-side before to appear decent in their own crowd, not caring for the outside world, as the face of a human save one of their own crowd was seldom seen on the way." Some of the present might say the expenses of those trips must have equaled the profits, but not so. Food was carried from home for the journey. It was that or starve, for there was only here and there a house (or one here and none there). But little chance offered for expenditure of money. Their wheat was sold for forty -five or fifty cents per bushel, then all returned as happy as lords. Long trips to mill soon became unnecessary. In the fall and winter of 1836 James McBride and Joseph Yernon built a saw-mill on Pope creek. This did the sawing for many years, but not the grinding. Yernon sold his share to John Stephens, who in turn sold it to Yan- scook. The site finally became the property of Henry Kimel, who erected a good fiouring-mill. This has given place to a far more exten- sive building and apparatus, now owned by James Kimel, although not on the same site as the old mill. The trades were represented by the elder George McPherren as cooper. His work was scattered far and near, and many pieces still remain in use to testify to the workmanship. William Nevius was cai^penter, shoemaker, and blacksmith. His work, too, was made to last and not for repairs. The works of these two men live after them. Since the war George Werts has been the village blacksmith. William Mackey kept the first store in 1836. John Stephens became the merchant in 1839. Since that day C. S. Richey and James Feather have sold goods, while the present firm is McCreight & Co. The first postma^er at Sunbeam was Samuel M. Dihel. Mary J. Williams, afterward Mrs. George McPherren, kept the postoifice for many years. Moses Mclntyre has been postmaster of Duck Creek since its estab- lishment. The first secular school kept in the township was taught in a barn belonging to Capt. Richard Rice. The teacher to whom this honor is due was Miss Ruth Conner. The time was 1839, hence it is evi- dent the early pioneers understood the necessity of education even for frontier life. It is said Miss Conner used to punish the children by putting them in the mangers of the stable when they desired other treatment than whipping. The first school-house was built on the S. W. \ of Sec. 4, in 1841. This was built by subscription and so sup- ported. It was not long before Thomas Candor and Samuel Cabeen OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 439 erected a log school edifice on the S. W. ^ of Sec. 7. As the popula- tion increased other schools were established. As circumstances im- proved the log building with its slab benches, etc., gave place to frame buildings. To-day nine good edifices give shelter to the bodies of manj children, while their minds are instructed by as many able teachers. The enumeration of 1881 showed 41:7 persons under twenty- one years of age. Besides the nine districts there are some partial dis- tricts. Emily Paine, now the widow of Nathaniel Brownlee, was the fij'st teacher at the Candor school. S. Hogan was a very early teacher. Perhaps no man has taught so long as E. Forsyth, who has been a teacher for over twenty years. He also taught for twenty years before coming to Illinois. ELECTIONS. The first election was held at the house of George McPherren, in the fall of 1836. For several years afterward voting was done at William I. Nevius' residence. The following is a list of the princi- pal ofticers of the township since its organization : 1855 18.56 18.57 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 Supervisor. James Burnet Samuel Cabeen Ashford Hard v William M. Hayes William M. Hayes William M.Hayes William M. Hayes William M. Hayes William M. Hayes William M. Hayes William M. Hayes William M. Hayes William M. Hayes William M. Hayes Horace N. Chandler Horace N. Chandler Robert Candor Horace N. Chandler T. S. Robb Horace N. Chandler T. S. Robb Horace N. Chandler Horace N. Chandler Horace N. Chandler Horace N. Chandler Horace X. Chandler Horace N. Chandler T. S.Robb Clerk. T. S. Robb Samuel Miller Samuel Miller E. Forsyth E. Forsvth E. Forsyth E. Forsvth E. Fonsyth E. Forsvth E. Forsyth E. Forsvth E. Forsvth E. Forsvth E. Forsvth E. Forsyth E. Forsvth E. Forsyth E. Forsvth E. Forsvth J. W. Sid well J. W. Sidwell E. Forsyth E. Forsvth E. Forsyth E. Forsyth E. Forsyth , E. Forsvth , E. Forsyth ASSE.SSOR. John W.Dihel J. W. Cabeen Horace Williams J. P. Gilmore J. P. Gilmore J. P. Gilmore J. B. Gilmore William I. Nevius . .. J. N. Markee J. P. Gilmore William I. Nevius. . . E. Forsvth E. Forsvth E. Forsyth Alexander Pollock . . E. Forsvth E. Forsyth E. Forsvth T. R. Gourlev E. Forsyth M. M. Cross J. W. Dillev J. W. Dillev J. W. Dilley J. S. Hamilton J. S. Hamilton D.J. B. RO.SS N. H. Guthrie Collector. Horace Williams. John H. McBride. Horace Williams. A. P. Brown. A. P. Brown. John H. McBride. John H. McBride. J. B. Gilmore. J. P. Gilmore. J. M. Hamilton. J. S. McCreight. J. S. McCreight. S. D. Paxton. S. D. Paxton. S. D. Paxton. S. D. Paxton. Joseph Cams. Josejih Cams. Joseph Cams. Jeseph Cams. Joseph Cams. Josrph Cams. J. S. Hamilton. J. S. McCreight. J. S. McCriight. J. S. McCrdght. J. S. McCreight. J. S. McCreight. The justices of the peace have been T. S. Eobb, Levi Butterfield, John W. Dihel, Andrew Cams, C. S. Richey, E. Forsyth, James Gra- ham, H. M. Chandler, William S. McCormick. The present are E. Forsvth, ar d William S. McCormick. 440 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The population of Ohio Grove township, according to the census of 1880, is : Male, 562 ; female, 494 ; total, 1,056. Assessed valua- tion of property, 1881, $442,275 ; real estate, $337,085 ; personal, $95,190. Equalized by state board : Real estate, $335,691 ; personal, $94,883 ; total, $430,574. The taxes for 1881 were : State, $2,284.23 ; county, $1,078.26; town, $260.13; road and bridge, $798.37; road, $647.93; bond, $2,004.01; coupon, $231.55; district school, $1,956.89; district road, $245.42 ; dog, $157.00. It must be rememb3red that tax valuation is far below real valuation of property. Although Ohio Grove has no railroad, she has aided the county in securing such a valuable convenience. In 1870 the township voted $7,000 toward building the American Central, since a branch of the Chicago, Burlington ife Quincy. Bonds were issued at ten per cent, payable in three payments. About 1880 the bonds were refunded at eight per cent. In 1881 one-third the debt was paid. At present writing there is in the hands of supervisor Robb sufficient to meet the second payment. This indicates the early liquidation of the whole debt. "Away back in bygone times, Buried mid the rubbish of forgotten things," are niany incidents which cannot be recorded. Some are not forgot- ten. In those days, as to-day, there was marriage and giving in mar- riage. No bell sounded the hour, no wedding march pealed from a hundred pipes ; but nature was full of music everywhere with cupid as chorister. Benjamin Decker was born in Muskingum county, Ohio. There he was raised to the toil of a farm and scenes rustic as himself. Fannie McPherren also grew to blooming and blushing womanhood under similar circumstances. That sprite, ever casting glances from one to another, sought to do his wiley work as usual. When the removal was talked of the maid wondered how it would be with Ben- jamin. Benjamin decided to accompany, instead of follow, his be- trothed ; hence we find him assisting in building the first permanent house in Ohio Grove. He made his home with the McPherrens. Spring of 1837 came, with its verdure and flowers and music from a thousand throats. As cooed the doves, so wooed Benjamin and Fannie, j^o nuptial knot had yet been tied in Ohio Grove. Such was actually to take place June 15, 1837, about 11 a.m., at the residence of the bride's father, George McPherren. Invitations were extended and answered by Ashford Hardy and wife, James Moorehead and wife Matilda, James McBride and wife Polly, Richard Rice and wife Jane, Eliza Moorehead, afterward wife of William Dilley, John H. OHIO CTRO^'E TOWNSHIP, 441 McBride and his sister Almeda (John isn't married yet), Thomas B. Cabeen, George and Sarah McPherren, and perhaps a few otliers. Rev. John Porter, of the United Presbyterian church, was present. The bride was dressed in white. No orange blossoms decked her hair ; she needed none. The groom was clad in brown. Rev. Porter pronounced the service that made these two hearts beat in unison, and the chords of whose lives Wbrated harmony for so many years. The service over, some of the guests retired to their homes, while others remained to partake of the wedding dinner prepared by the bride's own labor. The patron had prepared a long, narrow table made of slabs. The table was spread with the best the country would aiford. "White bread and butter, pork, pickles from New York, furnished by a neighbor, fish caught in Pope creek, dried apples and peaches brought from Ohio, dried apple pie and dried peach pie, home-made maple syrup and coffee ; no cakes and custards were indulged in. The style was simple, the couple were happy, and the guests retired to their homes to reflect and talk of the wedding, the ' ' match " and the pros- pects. The paternal roof gave shelter till the following fall, when housekeeping was begun at Bridger's corner. The log cabin stood in the brush, was very small, meagerly furnished with home-made furni- ture. The nearest neighbors were Indians, who numbered from three to five hundred. For two years this brave couple lived in such a wilderness, when they erected a log cabin of their own. In four years more they removed to their parent's home to keep house for him. Mr. Decker became an independent farmer. Death ended his career March 20, 1875. His faithful bride and wife survives him. She is the mother of ten children. James lived to manhood, then died ; Mary, Ester, Lucinda, Silas, Sarah A., Eva M., William L., George (dead). Spring seems to have been a favorable time for beginning a new life ; appropriately so, too. It was an April evening of 1840, when "William C. Brownlee dropped into esquire Nevius' house and inquired for the squire. The squire was away, but would be back at dusk ; so, also, would this young man. A-short journey was made by the young man. AVhen he returned the squire was at supper. The young man was accompanied by a young lady. Miss Mary A. Brownlee, a very distant relative. Conversation of a lively style was indulged in. As the squire finished his meal, young Brownlee produced a suspicious looking document, which soon explained itself Ceremony was actu- ally called for. The company was then gathered in the squire's smoke-house. The squire, with all the dignity of his office, adminis- tered the service. It was dark. The squire suggested the couple 442 HISTORY OF IVrERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. remain till the morning. The good wife of the squire then performed her part of the ceremony, and the twain were safely couched for the night. Thus occurred the smoke-house services, which have ever been a reminiscence of merriment to old and young. RELIGIOUS. Says William I. Ne\'ius in his notes: "The first public worship in Ohio Grove was enjoyed in the cabin of the elder George McPherren, and conducted by Rev. John Wallace, an Associate Reformed Presby- terian. The McPherrens were Methodists, but his door was open to all religious teachers. In 1837 Rev. John Montgomery, a mission- ary of the Old School Presbyterian denomination, visited the settle- ment, and held public worship at Mr. McPherren's for some time, then at the house of William I. Ne^^us, and little later at Thomas Candor's. The congregation in 1837 numbered about twenty persons. There were the McPherrens, George Smith and family, Ashford Hardy and family, Richard Rice and family, in 1836 ; William Moore and family, the Candors, Cabeens, McBrides, and Neviuses, in 1837. Rev. Wal- lace preached till as late as 1841.'" According to the researches of Elijah Forsyth, an Associate Re- formed (now U. P.) congregation was organized in 1842, consisting of Jane Rice, Elenor Moorehead, Phebe Smith, Sophia Hardy, William Moore, William McMichael, Ella McMichael, Josiah Moor, Samuel Moor, of Ohio Grove ; George Jay and Agnes Jay, of Keithsburg ; John, Elizabeth, Ann, Jane and Elenor Collins, of Twin grove. Ser- vices were held in the groves, at school-houses or in the barn of Wm. I. Nevius. For some time immediately previous to 1852, J. C. Porter ministered to this congregation one-fourth of the time. D. C. Cochran and Revs. Fulton, Morrow and Finley also labored here. May 5, 1852, the congregation was reorganized. Robert Miller and William M. Hayes were elected ruling elders ; Rev. J. C. Porter officiating. William M. Hayes, Robert M. Miller and George Smith, tiiistees. At a meeting of the session, William M. Hayes was elected clerk, which office he held till 1869. At that time the membership was forty- five. In 1853 sixteen joined by certificate and two on examination. From 1853 to 1859, Rev. M. Bigger labored as stated supply. In 1854 twenty-two joined on certificate and fourteen on examination ; in 1855, thirty-seven by certificate and eight on examination. In 1853 to 1855 a house of worship was erected at Sunbeam, 40x60 and twenty feet from floor to ceiling. This was largely the result of the liberality, untiring energy and perseverance of William M. Hayes, an honored member. In 1860 Rev. J. H. Nash became pastor. In 1877 Rev. OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 443 D. F. Mustard began his labors. The church numbered at one time 163 persons. Its present membership is about 100. The ruling elders have been, besides those named, J. H. McCreight, Elijah Forsyth, Samuel Wright, John Torbit, M. M. Cross, Alex Pollock, David Milligan, N. Reasoner, J. P. Finlev, and P. H. Guilinger. David Milligan, Elijah Forsyth and J. P. Finley are now in the congregation of Sunbeam. In 1848-9, Thomas Candor built the Candor Presbyter- ian church. Pev. Montgomery remained its minister till his death. This church is further noticed in the history of Abington township. The first Methodist services were held at McBride's by Rev. Burr. The school-house was next used as a church. In 1844 a great revival was conducted in George McPherren's barn. People came thirty miles, camping out. The McPherrens, McBrides, Browns, Moore- heads and others were members of the churcli. Horace Williams was class-leader, and able in his duty. George Williams also occupied the position early. An effort was made to build a churcli, Tjut failed. Finally George McPherren proposed to advance the money and build the church. His offer was accepted and the church, 35x45, built about 1860, at a cost of $1,400, without much of the labor reckoned. The house was dedicated by Elder Frank Smith, for years a laborer in the neighborhood. Other early preachers were William Hanly, Elder CuUis and others. Other early class-leaders were Peter Stephens and Abraham Crabtree. Just after the dedication the church enjoyed a great revival, receiving about sixty additions. The present board of stewards consists of George McPherren, Peter Stephens, George Wil- liams, Solomon Guthrie, William Frankleberry. Pev. Ayers is in charge. CEMETERIES. Three spots are especially dear to the early settlers of Ohio Grove. When the toils and hardships were over the pioneer was at rest. There was no "Cavendish Duke of Devonshire" with his five thousand ten- ants to follow a son to the grave. But family and neighbors equally royal followed their loved and respected to -burial. The plat known as McClure's Cemeterv, formerlv McPherren's, was donated for the purpose by the elder George McPherren. How sad and tearful were they who followed the remains of John Moorehead, deceased August 8, 1836, to the dedication of that sacred spot. This was the first funeral service in Ohio Grove. The first death of a pioneer; the beginning of that funeral march that has so oft been resumed in subse- quent years. The yard is dotted with graves. Here lie Ashford Hardy, George McPherren, Georg'e W. Stephens, John M. Walker, 444 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Tliomas Moorehead, Dorcas Mooreliead, Barnet Unangst and wife, Wm. Smith, Mrs. Wm. Dillev ; the 'Browns, Calhouns, Benjamin Decker, Bentlejs, Mclvees, Guthries and others. The Candor grave- yard was dedicated by the burial of Mrs. Thomas Candor. The ground was set apart for a cemetery by Thomas Candor. He now rests near his loved companion. Here too lie Samuel, and Joshua "VY., and Samuel P. Cabeen, and others of the families of that name. Judge Wm. G. Hayes, so long an honor to himself and his people, found a resting place here. Wm. I. Nevius, Henry Kimel, Capt. James Bur- net, John Seaton and wife, Wm. E,. McCreight, James H. McCi-eight, James McBride, Dennis Conner and wife Mary, Dr. A. B. Campbell, John Cameron ; the Websters, Williamses, Dittos, Joneses and others. The Ignited Presbyterian cemetery was so called from the donor of the ground, William Miller, a prominent member of the United Presbyterian church. Its sod covers the bodies of Robert and Samuel Miller, Nancy Miller, T. E. Home and Wm. G. Paxton. Thomas B. More of comj)any A, 30th 111. Vols., to whose memory is inscribed: " Death has been here, and borne away, A brother from our side, Just in the memory of liis day A brave young soldier died." Here too rest J. P. Paxton, James L. Paxton, Catharine Paxton, Wm. H. Ryan, Dorcas, wife of M. M. Cross, James G. Walker and others. Many a grave is unmarked by marble, therefore ye visitors Tread lightly, this is hallowed ground ; Tread reverently here ; Beneath this sod in silence sleeps the brave old pioneer: . Who never quailed in darkest hour, Whose heart ne'er felt a fear. Tread lightly then, and now bestow a tribute of a tear. Forever in the fiercest and the thickest of the fight The dusk and swarthy foeman felt the terror of his might. Bidding good-bye to the honored dead, we introduce the reader to the living, whose brief sketches following will grow of more importance as the years shall finish their probation. BIOGRAPHICAL. Sa^itel p. Cabeen (deceased), was among the old settlers of Mer- cer county, and among those men who have developed its resources and propagated within its boundaries progressive institutions. He came when the country was new ; when patience, industry and energy were required as qualities of the man whose life should eventually be OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 445 marked a "success." That Mr. Cabeen was successful many yet live to testify. Mr. Cabeen was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Jan- uary 18, 1820. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, with his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Wright) Cabeen. He was a young man fitted for his future by former training. He purchased land from time to time till he owned about 600 acres, the most of which he improved. In politics Mr. Cabeen was always strongly democratic, yet he never craved office. His religion was of the Universalist doctrine. • He was a good citizen, a kind father and a faithful husband. Mr. Cabeen died February 16, 1880, and is buried at the Candor graveyard. Mr. Cabeen was first married to Catherine Spencer, who died, leaving one child, Sarah E. He was next married August 17, 1854, to Catharine J. Thomas, daughter of Solomon and Matilda (Gabrel) Thomas. Mrs. Cabeen was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, .February 13, 1827. Three children have been born to them : Emma J., now Mrs. Jerred Irwin ; Arthur, and Samuel G. Joshua AV. Cabeen (deceased), son of Samuel and Elizabeth Cabeen, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, January 4, 1818, and emigrated west with his people. He was married February 8, 1872, to Rebecca N. Frick, daughter of Frederick and Nancy (Wilson) Frick, who have figured prominently in Abington township and in county affairs. Both were natives of Danville, Columbia (now Montour) county, Pennsyl- vania. They are fully noticed elsewhere. Mrs. Cabeen was born in Pennsylvania January 2, 1833, and came west with her parents. Mr. Cabeen settled where Mrs. Cabeen now lives. He secured a fine fann, and in 1873 erected a good, substantial dwelling. He died June 1, 1878, leaving wife and two chik'ren (Fred E. and Joshua D.) to mourn his loss. Hq is buried pt Candor graveyard. Samuel Cabeen (deceased), another of Mercer county's very early settlers. He was born in county Antrim, Ireland, 1788. He emi- grated to Philadelphia in 1808. His people were farmers and weavers. He was a general workman. He clerked in Bristol, Pennsylvania, for his brother. He was married to Elizabeth P. Wright, a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. In that year (1815) Mr. and Mrs. Cabeen moved to Muskingum county, Ohio, In 1836 he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois. His subsequent history is in the general history of Ohio Grove township. He died May 1, 1856, leaving his wife to survive him till December 6, 1874. He was a democrat, and loved to "argue politics. He was county school commissioner several years ; was justice of the peace in Ohio. He served in the war of 1812, in Gen. Izzard's division. Six children were born in Ohio : Thomas B., J. W., S. P., R. J., R. B., and Sarah C. Sarah C. died, aged fourteen 446 HISTORY OF ilERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. years. Richard B. Cabeen was born May 31, 1826, in Muskingum county, Ohio. His educational advantages were limited. His life has been one of farm toil. When twenty-four years of age he visited Cali- fornia two years and four months. He returned to the farm. He was married December 29, 1853, to Miss Jane G. Pinkerton, daughter of Joseph and Yiolet Pinkerton, of Green township. Mrs. Cabeen was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, October 22, 1835. Tliey settled on their present farm. In 1878 he built the present handsome dwelling. Children number nine : Joshua, Ella V., Alice J., Margaret P., Scott, Sarah E., and Richard F. Mr. Cabeen is democratic in politics. He is a successful farmer. Thomas Candor (deceased) was a type of the men who bra\^ed so much that this western wild might grow to usefulness. He was plain, honest, and progressive, looking not only to the rescue of the soil from its wild state, but also the upbuilding of the minds and souls of the rising generation, who now follow his teacliings, both precept and example. He was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, February 29, 1796. His father was a Scotchman, and his mother Irish. Farming was their occupation. Thomas was meagerly educated. In his youth he learned the tanning trade, which he afterward followed for some time. He was married to Margaret Montgomery, daughter of John Montgomery, whose brother was proprietor af Danville, Pennsylvania. Her brother. Rev. John Montgomery, was the first preacher in Mercer county, and Hopkins Boone, an old settler here, was a brother-in-law. The fall of 1836 Thomas and Robert Candor (brothers) made the trip from Pennsylvania to Mercer county on horseback. Having secured a land claim for the X. W. J See. 6, also S. W. ^ Sec. 7, he, in company with his brother Robert, sold their horses and returned to Pennsvl- vania by river. He sold his tannery, and in the fall of 1837 moved westward overland, bringing family of wife and five children : John M. , Robert, Josiah, Mary H., and Daniel M., and leaving one (Elizabeth) buried in Pennsylvania. Having arrived in Mercer county, after a short stay in Keithsburg the family moved into the little log house on their farm formerly entered. The house was partly built by William Sheritl', by order of Mr. Candor. Ere few years had passed Mrs. Candor died (September 30, 1841), leaving a family and friends to mourn their loss. Her burial was a dedication of the Candor ffravevard. Mr. Candor was next married to Mary L. Boardman, who died May 27, 1874. Mr. Candor died Mar^h 13, 1871, and was buried near his partner. From the laying out of Aledo he lived in town. He was a man fore- most in good works, yet a quiet, careful, non-speculative man. He never had a lawsuit with any man. He was an elder in the Presby- r'^^ m -*- •^ SAMUEL P. CABEEN (^ deceased] OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 449 teriau chiircli, and foremost in building the Candor cliurcli. His politics were wliig and republican. Of his family, John N. graduated at Princeton College, and, in the third year of his theological course at Princeton Theological Seminary, died in the twenty-fourth year of his age. He is buried at Danville, Pennsylvania. Josiali, Mary (the first wife of Graham Lee), Daniel M., and Robert. Robert Candor was born May 4, 1828, in Columbia county, Pennsylvania. He married Rebecca J., daughter of John and Anna (McGaughey) Linn. Her father was a native of Ohio, and her mother of Pennsylvania. Both came to Mercer county in 1839 and settled near A^iola. He died August 27, 1851. He was in the war of 1812. Mrs. Candor was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, April 2, 1829. After marriage Mr. Candor farmed in Rock Island county fourteen years, and was there justice of the peace. He sold and moved to Mercer county, Li 1872 he built a fine residence, 32x56, two-story. Both belong to the Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder. They have six children : John M. , Thoriias H., Ward L., Sarah (now Mrs. A. W. Hill), Maggie (now Mrs. W. S. Ross), and Mary L. George McPherren (deceased) was born in County Down, Ireland, February 1, 1781. He emigrated when eighteen years of age on account of the military commotion of those times. He settled in New Jersey, near the western line. There he learned the cooper trade, which he followed most of his life. He was married to Susannah "Walker, by whom he became the father of ten children : Mary, James^ Susannah, Easter, Daniel, Nancy, Fannie, Sarah, George, Jr., and Andrew. He enlisted in the war of 1812, and while in the campaign viewed different parts of the country. He determined to locate in Ohio, and moved to Muskingum county about 1814. There he followed his trade for about twenty-one years, also overseeing his farming interest, but is believed never to have plowed a furrow him- self. In Ohio, June 8, 1824, he buried his wife : a severe stroke to him. She lies in the cemetery at Rich Hill church. Mr. McPherren moved his family westward in 1835, starting September 21st, and settled in Mercer county, Illinois, in that part that afterward became Ohio Grove township. He died June 23, 1848, and was buried in the McClure graveyard. He forms a prominent figure in the history of the township ; hence we dismiss him here by saying that in politics he was a strong whig, in religion a Methodist, at his trade a good work- man, and at lieart a true man. His namesake and ninth child, George McPherren, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, August 22, 1820, hence was a pioneer youth of Mercer county, and still lives to aid in chronicling the events that go to make the history of Mercer county. 26 450 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. His life since his fifteenth year has been synchronous with the pulse of the country. His hand has done its share toward making the county what it is, but will soon leave his children to carry on the work he has so well impelled thus far. Mr. McPherren has 460 acres of land, well improved, and has given farms to his sons. He was first married October 1, 1844, to Harriet O. Williams, who died February 11, 1870, leaving seven children: Oliver, Nancy J., Henry, Sophia, Emma, Hannah, and Anna. He was next married April 5, 1871, to Mary J. "Williams, a sister to his former wife. She was the first postmistress of Sunbeam, and held the position many years, thus supporting her invalid parents. She died March 31, 1882. Both she and her sister, together with Mr. McPherren, have been for many years members of the Methodist church, uniting with that church about 1844. George H., son of George and Harriet McPherren, was born in Mercer county, Illinois, June 19, 1853. His life has been spent in Mercer county, mostly on the farm. He received a common school education. In 1877 he became a resident of Aledo. In 1882 he engaged in the meat business. May 1st of same year he associated himself with Samuel Brown, but has since sold to his partner. Mr. McPherren also has a farm of 160 acres of land, which he oversees. He was married December 24, 1871, to Miss Eliza A., daughter of Samuel Price. She was born in Pennsylvania, September 9, 1851. Her mother is now Mrs. E. J. Moore, but whose maiden name was Emily Klinefelter. Mr, McPherren has four children living: Emily O., William H., Maggie M., Frank and Freddie E. (twins), Freddie E. ha^^ng died at the age of seventeen months. James McBride (deceased) was one of the earliest and most honored of Mercer county's pioneers. His ancestry was Scotch, Irish, Welch and German. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was there raised. The war of 1812 found him a member of the light horse company. He was ^ngaged at Fort Meigs. There was a ditch before the fort, and into this bombs were rolled for the purpose of blowing up the fort. Mr. McBride accidently fell into the ditch, and a bomb was precipitated on him. Fortunately the captain rescued him just previous to the explosion, but he suffered afterward from the accident. He returned to Pennsylvania and maiTied Mary Houseman, then sixteen years of age, also a native of Pennsylvania and of Dutch descent. In 1816 they settled in Muskingum county, Ohio, ten miles east of Zanesville. His chief business was flat-boating, and he made six trips to New Orleans. He was captain for some time. In 1836 he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, coming from Wheeling, Yu-ginia, to Rock Island, via Ohio and Mississippi rivers, on flat-boats. He OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 451 arrived in Mercer county May lOtli, and camped on tlie N. W. ^ of Sec. 4, T. 13 N., K. 3. He bought two claims, $175 being the price paid for half a section with a little log house on it. His family con- sisted of wife and five children : John H. , Almeda, James C. , Elvira J. , and Sarah E. He died November 14, 1847, leaving his wife to survive him till March 17, 1879. Both were members of the Methodist church. In Illinois he confined himself to milling and farming. His life was quiet and unostentatious, loved by those who knew him, little educa- tion, but with a wonderful memory, careful and successful in business, democratic in politics. Of his children, James C. is in Colorado, but has his home in Aledo. John H., born April 8, 1821, has spent his life on the farm, mostly in Mercer county. He owns the old home- stead of 486 acres, on which he erected a handsome residence, and is a thrifty farmer. He is democratic and a single man. Elvira J. was born September 20, 1828. She was married June 27, 1850, to Dr. A. B. Campbell, a native of Ohio and a graduate of Columbia Medical College, where his brother was professor of surgery. He settled in Iveithsburg, being the second doctor of that place. He practiced fifteen years, and died June 4, 1860, leaving wife and two children : Maud, and Jake IL, who live with her brother, John H. JoHx PI. Browx (deceased) was one of the most sturdy pioneers of Mercer county. He was born in Seneca county, New York, Januaiy 3, 1797. He is said to have aided in the battle of Niagara in the war of 1812, assisting in guarding the bridge over Niagara river. He received a recompense for these services. His father was a revolu- tionaty soldier, receiving a land warrant for his services. The Browns were early settlers of Ohio. John H. was raised on the farm, but for some time was a brick moulder with his brothers. In 1815 he was married to Mary McPherren. In 1836 he moved to Mercer county, Illinois, where he became well known before his death, which occurred August 11, 1871. He was warm in the advocacy of his political doc- trine, always ready to talk whig and, later, republican principles. He came to Mercer county a poor man, but before his death he owned at one time a thousand acres of land. His wife Mary (McPherren) was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and lives with her daughter, Mrs. McCaw. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were long members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Mrs. Brown is now connected with the Chris- tain church. In their family are thirteen children : Alexander, George, John, Sarah J., James M., AVilliam, Daniel, all born in Muskingum county, Ohio ; and, born in Mercer county, Illinois, viz : Hugh, Benjamin L. , Josoas F. , Francis M. , Mary, Johannah. William Brown was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, May 6, 1832. He has 452 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. spent his life on the farm, having risen from poverty in a log cabin to a farmer and owner of 265 acres of land. He was married June 29, 1854, to Drusilla Libby, daughter of Rev. Thomas Libby, of Maine. She was born in Maine, June 3, 1832, and came to Mercer county, Illinois, about 1843. Her parents died here, and are buried in Suez township. Her father was a Baptist minister. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brown settled on forty acres in section 1, Ohio Grove town- ship. This Mr. Brown sold, then bought 200 acres in Suez township, which he also sold, and bought his present farm. They have had ten children, nine of whom are living : Warren, George, Hiram L. (dead), Alva C, William F., Joseph F. S., Marion W., Josiah F., Freddie M., and Thomas J. Alexander Brown, one of the wealthiest farmers of Ohio Grove township and the oldest son of John H. and Mary Brown, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, June 23, 1821. When a youth of lifteen he came to Mercer county. His labor was such as general farm work, but especially in driving ox-team, hauling saw logs in an early day, etc. That hard toil has proven a success is evident trom the fact that he now owns 591 acres of Mercer county land, well improved. In 1847 he visited his native place, and later Indiana, returning in 1849. For many years he kept bachelor's hall, not marrying till 1855, when Lucinda Saunders became his wife. She is a daughter of George Saunders, ' of Knox county, Illinois, and a native of Ohio. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brown lived in a hewn log cabin on the eighty acres on which his j)resent house stands. They have ten children,' living. William I. I^evius (deceased) was so identified with the history of Mercer county and is so often mentioned in connection with its history that it is necessary to give but few facts in a special sketch. His father, John W., and his mother, Mary (Roland) K^evius, were natives of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and were there married. They made their homes in Mercer county, Illinois, in 1837, living with their son William I. till the following year. In 1838 Mr. Nevius bought prop- erty in Millersburg, where he buried his wife, her deatli occurring April 14, 1847. He then made his home with his son till his death, October 12, 1854. Both rest in Millersburg cemetery. Mr. Nevius was for several years probate judge. His daughter, Mrs. Eliza Brady, resides in Millersburg. His son William I. was born August 9, 1801, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. AVhen young his parents moved to Greene county, Ohio, 1818. December 12, 1822, he was married to Miss Mary A. Currie, who died, leaving four daughters and one son. He was next married March 1, 1830, to Mary A. Pierce. She was born in Greene county, Ohio, April 25, 1807. William I. Nevius was but OHIO GEOVE TOWNSHIP. 453 meagerlv educated in books, but his bands were taught to do what mind might dictate. With tools he was handy. He learned the car- penter's trade, and this furnished him employment when not otherwise engaged. In 1832 he moved to Warren county, Illinois. In 1835 he settled in New Boston township, Mercer county, Illinois. In 1837 he changed his location to Ohio Grove township, where he improved land and lived till his death, June 10, 1877. "Peace hath her victories no less than war." In the conflict of life, as a man, as a pioneer, Mr. Nevius closed his life in victory. He was active in the welfare of his county. During the war he was deputy provost marshal. In politics he was whig and republican. He was a member of the United Presby- terian church at his death, but in earlier years was connected with the old school Presbyterian church. His sons Henry, John, and David M. served their country in the civil war, and William D. gave his life at Shiloli that his country might live, while David was drowned while crossing the C\imberland river at Clarksville, Tennessee. Mr. Nevius was the father of five children in his first family and nine children in his second famil3^ Mrs. Nevius lives, an active, strong-minded woman, and interesting to all around her. William T. Patterson, farmer, was born April 13, 1808, in parish of Ray, county Donegal, Ireland, nine miles from Londonderry. His father, Joseph Patterson, was owner of some of the Glabe land. He died there, aged eighty-seven years. Mr. Patterson's mother, Eleanor (Teas), was a native of parish of Teboyne, county Donegal, and her father, William Teas, was a tenant of Marquis of Ebercorn. William Teas Patterson left Ireland March 8, 1840, via London and Liverpool to New York, in the Robert Fulton steamboat and vessel Sheridan. He was four weeks on the journey. He came to Chicago, there hired a teamster for Henry county, Illinois, and then went to Nauvoo, where he staid over Sunday. He visited Joseph Smith, the Mormon, at his home, and heard Sydney Rigdon preach, and saw the sacrament administered. He peddled some time through this section. After remaining about two years in this section, he bought eighty acres of land, which he paid for largely in building sod fences. He subsequently sold and bought and improved a number of farms. July 19, 1846, he was married to Mrs. Sarah M. Brownlee, widow of Samuel L. Brownlee. Mrs. Brownlee had a family of four children by her first husband: Lemon, dead; Oliver F., in Iowa; Samantha, now Mrs. J. L. Henderson, of Kansas ; and Agnes M,, now Mrs. John Lawton, of Pennsylvania. Since her last marriage three child- ren have been born : Joseph II., dead ; David B., in Iowa ; Mary M., now Mrs. William Maxwell, of Kansas; Letitia E., now Mi-s. James 454 HISTORY OF :mercer axd hexdersox counties. C. Spicer, of Mercer county. Mr. Patterson lias given each child of age, eighty acres of land, or its equivalent, and owns 1.50 acres well improved himself He is a republican, and was iirst a freesoiler. He and wife are connected with the United Presbyterian church. JoxATHAx Duxc^vx (dcceased) was born near Baltimore, Maryland, Kovember 19, 1791, and was a son of Andi-ew and Ann (Smith) Dun- can. He received a liberal education for his time, supplemented bv healthy toil of the farm. He thus became vigorous in both mind and body. He became a carpenter by trade, and was the builder of the large hotel of fifty rooms at Mineral Springs, Pennsylvania. He also became extensively engaged in the wool business. He was at one time a large stockholder in a number of stage lines in Pennsylvania, owning a large farm where he fed his horses for the line. It was in 1815 when he moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania. He is familiarly known as Col. Duncan, having enlisted in the war of 1812, as lieutenant, and later, being promoted colonel. Very many of the colonel's best years were actively spent in Pennsylvania. There he lived till the year 1854. He liad made a trip to Illinois in 1853, purchasing 260 acres in sections 26 and 27, Ohio Grove township, Mercer county, Illinois. In 1854 he moved his family via the river to Keithsburg and thence to his farm. Here he lived till 1874. He improved his farm and became a factor in the county's progress. He was on intimate terms with the lamented Judge William M. Hayes, and made many friends by his good nature and industry. In politics he was always democratic, but sought no political emolument. In religion he was of the United Presbyterian faith. He aided in build- ing Sunbeam church. Mr. Duncan moved to Monmouth in 1874, to live in retirement. On September 10, 1876, while visiting his son. Dr. J. K. Duncan, at Des Moines, Iowa, death claimed him. He was buried at Monmouth, Illinois. Mr. Duncan was first married to Miss Letha Swearengen. She died, leaving four children. He was next married June 29, 1835, to Miss Agnes Leeper, daughter of Robert and Xancy Leeper, both of whom were born in York county, and died in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Duncan was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1815. She now resides with her son in Mercer county. Mr. Duncan's first family are : Wil- liam Duncan, of Mercer county ; Thomas, of Des Moines, Iowa ; Sarah, now Mrs. William McCanless, of Crescent, Iowa. Mr. McCan- less was a prominent man of Mercer county, having owned the land on which Aledo is built ; also, laid out the town. He was lieutenant in company A, 84th 111. Vol., and was killed at the battle of Chattanooga. Dr. Bazil Duncan was army surg-eon one year. He OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. . 455 is now dead. In tlie second family are : Robert, who served in tlie civil war in company F, ITtli 111. Vol., and was pi'omoted second lieu- tenant ; Dr. J. K. Duncan, who was in the naval service ; he was cap- tain of a gun on tlie gunboat "Fort Hyman ;" seizing an enemy's hot shell, thrown on board and endangering the lives of his men, he threw it into the river, suffering his hands and arms to be severely burned by the operation. For this feat he was promoted captain of the gun-boat. He took sick and was sent to Pensacola hospital, Florida. Being there at the time of the yellow fever scourge, and having studied medicine, he was retained as surgeon and physician three years, on a salary of $2,000. He is now of Nebraska. The otlier children are : Isophena, James, Andrew (dead), Nettie, Arnett, Charles, Frank and Ida. Arnett was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1850. He was married to Carrie, daughter of J. B. Gilmore. She was born near Oxford, Ohio. Arnett now owns 100 acres of the old homestead ; also, 160 acres besides, well improved. Thomas S. Robb, farmer, is a son of William and Mary (Livingston) Robb, the former of whom was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, 1775, and emigrated to America when a young man ; and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, and whose parents were Scotch. Both died in Penn- sylvania in 1845. In their family were nine children, who are now widely scattered. James and Thomas became identified with Mercer county, Illinois, interests in 1851 and 1852 respectively, and are to-day among the well to do. Thomas S. was born in Pennsylvania, August 16, 1825, and there married Martha A. Campbell, daughter of James Campbell. She is also a native of Pennsylvania, the date of her birth being May 10, 1830. In 1851 Mr. Robb was appointed by Gov. Johnson, of Pennsylvania, as commissioner to the World's Fair, held in London, England, in the year 1851. Besides performing his duties in London, Mr. Robb visited the principal cities of England, Scotland and France, before returning to his own country. Mr. Robb has served Ohio Grove township, as supervisor, for four different terms. John McClellan was born December 20, 1826, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. His father was Francis McClellan, also a native of Washington county, but whose father came from Donegal county, Ireland, about 1813, and died in Pennsylvania at the age of ninety- eight years. Margaret Brownlee, the mother of John, was also a native of Pennsylvania, but her parents were from Scotland. In the family of Francis and Margaret McClellan were eight children, all Pennsylvanians, of whom but three are living in Mercer county, viz, : Thomas, Francis and John. John emigrated to Illinois in 1850, 456 HISTORY OF MERCER A^STD HENDERSON COUNTIES. buying 100 acres of the land on whicli he now lives, being in sections 33 and 34, Ohio Grove township, Mercer county, Illinois. Mr. McClel- lan has improved the farm mostly himself, and owns 150 acres of land. He was married January 12, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Brownlee, daughter of William and Catharine (Hutchison) Brownlee, botli Peiin- sylvanians, but of Scotch descent. The Brownlees came to Mercer county in 1852. Mrs. McClellan was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1831. They have had five children : Francis, died August 22, 1866 ; Margaret, Renorick, Clara and Lawrence. WiLLiAJvr McCreight (deceased) was born N^ovember 27, 1818, in Adams county, Ohio, and was a son of Ephraim and Sarah (Cummins) McCreight, both from South Carolina. Mr. McCreight was raised on the farm. He acquired a very good education for his time and taught to some extent. He was somewhat a genius, able to use many tools and execute. In Ohio he was captain of a company of state militia. He drilled for the JMexican war, but was not called out. In the spring of 1851 he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, landing at Keiths- burg, April 1. He first rented from his brother-in-law, Judge William M. Hayes. About 1856 he purchased sixty acres of land which he improved. He afterward added another eighty acres. Mr. McCreight died July 11, 1869, and is buried in Candor graveyard. He had taught school here. He was a leading member of the United Presby- terian church from youth. In politics he was whig, abolitionist, and republican. He cast the only abolition vote cast in Ohio Grove town- ship at one election. He was honest, straightforward and of strong convictions. This made him perhaps second to none in influence among men. Mr. McCreight was mariied in 1843 to Polly Hayes, daughter of John and Martha Hayes, both natives of South Caro- lina. Mrs. McCreight was born in Adams county, Ohio, March 2, 1822. Three children were born in Ohio : Ira S., Leslie D., and Sel- don J. The family own the old homestead. Mr. McCreight's broth- ers, E. P. and Samuel, served in the civil war in company A, 30th 111. Yol. John S. in company G, 30th 111. YoL, and A. O. in company D, 83d 111. Yol. WiLLiA^i Pepper is a son of Charles and Susan Pepper ; was born in Cambridgeshire, England, May 2, 1822. His grandfather was butler to Pembrook College, Cambridge, and his father was also en- gaged in the same institution, and William Pepper spent many days with his father at the college. In 1832 the family set sail from St. Catharine docks, London, in the ship Thames, and after five weeks and three days, arrived in New York. They spent six weeks in New OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 457 York city and six weeks in Utica, New York, tlien settled in Oswego county, New York, where tliey resided eighteen or nineteen years and cleared a farm of forty acres from the big timber. In 1849 William Pepper came West to Mercer county, Illinois, but spent the following year in Wisconsin. He then returned to Mercer county and worked for Samuel Cabeen. March 3, 1852, he was married to Jane Martin, daughter of William ^and Susan (McClellan) Martin. The Martins w^ere very early settlers and are noticed elsewhere. Mrs. Pepper was born in Ohio, near Goshen, Indiana. After marriage Mr. Pepper lived one year in Keithsburg, then settled his present home farm of eighty-nine acres, March 1, 1853. He has improved his place, build- ing and re-building till he owns a pleasant place. Mr. and Mrs. Pep- per are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a free voter, voting for Lincoln's second term. AViLLiAM Henderson (deceased) was born in Greene county, Penn- sylvania, April 18, 1811. His parents, John and Margaret (Moore) Henderson, were natives of Pennsylvania. They moved to Guernsey county, Ohio, in the fall of 1811. John Henderson died about 1845, and his wife in 1859. They are buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery. Mr. H. was justice of the peace for twenty-(me years, with the excep- tion of two odd years. He was in the war of 1812. William Hen- derson, the subject of these memoirs, was the third child in a family of seven. He was but a few months old when his parents settled in Ohio. He was educated in the common schools of his time, but the farm occupied largely his life. As an additional means for gaining an honest and competent livelihood, he learned the shoemakers trade, which busied him when other labor was wanting. In 1834 he was married to Amelia M. Henderson. His wife died in 1840, leaving two children : Susannah C. and Margaret A. He was next married December 29, 1842, to Kose A. Dool, daughter of Robert and Mar- garet Dool. Her parents were natives of county Antrim, Ireland. Mrs. Henderson's birth occurred on board vessel in Belfast Bay May 3, 1819, before the vessel set sail that was to bring the family to America. Robert Dool died in Hari-ison county, Ohio. His Avife lives at the age of ninety years. Mr. Henderson emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1860^ renting a farm between New Boston and Aledo. In March, 1862, he purchased the farm in Ohio Grove tow^n- ship of 160 acres, being the S. W. J of Sec. 10. This he improved somewhat. He died March 20, 1877. He was buried in the United Presbyterian graveyard. Mr. Henderson was a man of life and good will to men. In politics he was whig, in whig times, then became a northern democrat. In Ohio he was several years deacon in the 458 HISTORY OF MERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. United Presbyterian cliurcli. In bis second family are nine cbildren : Robert enHsted in company A., 30tb reg. 111. Vol. Inf., and was trans- ferred to tbe engineer corps. He served tbe last sixteen months of the war. He was not nineteen years old when he enlisted. John and Jane received their educations at Monmonth Academy, and hold first grade certificates and command highest wages in teaching. William Tl. owns forty acres of the home farm. The other children are : Mattie, Bell (dead), Elizabeth, Henry and Mary. William Dilley, farmer, is one of the very few pioneers left to tell the story of the county's young days. Mr. Dilley was born October I, 1801, in Sussex county, New Jersey. He is the third in a family of nine children. His father and mother, Aaron and Jane (Storey) Dilley, were natives of New Jersey, and resided there till about 1818, when they removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, where they died. William Dilley worked on the farm till grown. He then worked in a woolen factory, carding, spinning, fulling, etc. May, of 1836, a desire for the west attracted him hither, and in that year he arrived in Mercer county, Illinois. He had shipped a carding machine to Oquawka via the river for his future use. He lived in Green town- ship till 1848, when he removed to his present home in Ohio Grove. Mr. Dilley was married in 1837 to Eliza Moorehead, daughter of John and Elenor Moorehead, early settlers of Mercer county. She was born November 24, 1816. Mr. Dilley owned 120 acres in Green township, which he sold. He bought 320 acres in Ohio Grove. He now owns 165 acres. Mrs. Dilley died April 18, 1877. She was the mother of nine children : Aaron S. , John W. (dead), Celesia, Mary, Samtha, Cyrus, Seth, Nellie, (infant dead). Cyrus left home several years ago and has not been heard of since. Aaron S. enlisted in the 9th 111. Yol., and John W. enlisted in the 84th 111. Yol. Each served about three years in the civil war. Mr. Dilley has been whig, abolitionist, and republican in politics. Hammond Webster (deceased) was born, raised and married in Massachusetts. Both he and his wife, Louisa Richardson, also a native of Massachusetts, were engaged in the famous Girard factories of Massachusetts. They moved to New York state. In 1843 they, emigrated to Ohio Grove township, Mercer county, Illinois, and pur- chased the S. E. i Sec. 28, and afterward added N. E. J Sec. 28. Mr. Webster died in 1845 and is buried in the Candor graveyard. His wife, at present writing (1882), survives him. He was justice of the peace several years. He was an old line whig. The children were : Albert, Theodore L., William, and Mariah (now Mrs. Robert Parkison). William Webster was born in New York, Alleghany county, June 1, OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 459 1831, and came west with his people. His father dying, left William to work and do for himself at fourteen years of age. He spent till twenty-five years of ao;e working round and renting a farm. He was married in 1858 to Julia A. Wing, daughter of Oliver and Julina (Harrington) Wing, both natives of Massacliusetts but who died in Ohio. Mrs. Webster was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, Xovem- ber 29, 1821. When twelve years old moved to Ohio, then came west to Mercer county. After marriage Mr. AYebster purchased his present farm, S. E. ^ See. 30, which he has earned with toil and so well im- proved. He has two children : Edith and Harriet L. In politics he is democratic. He has been ten years a school director. Jajvces Graham (deceased), was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, June 26, 1809, and was a son of John and Martha (Hutchi- son) Graham, both natives of Chester county, Pennsylvania. The Grahams were Pennsylvania frontier pioneers. James Graham was married Merch 4, 1835, to Mary Stewart, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Welsh) Stewait. She was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, May 10, 1814. Her father was born in county Armagh, Ireland, and emigrated when nine years old. He died in Virginia and is buried in Elizabeth town. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church. His wife died in Mercer county, and lies in Norwood ceme- tery. James Graham moved to Illinois in 1843, spending two years in AVarren county. In 1845 he settled in Ohio Grove township, Mer- cer county, where he bought the X. W. J of Sec. 35. This he improved. He died November 25, 1879. He was an elder in the United Presby- terian church. In politics he had been free-soiler, whig and republi- can. He at one time cast the only free-soil vote cast in Ohio Grove township. He was foremost in temperance work. His education was good, having taught in Pennsylvania and in Mercer county. He left a wife and six children to mourn his loss. Mrs. Graham resides at Alexis. Her children are: Calvin AV., of Kansas; Lenora J., now Mrs. A. L. Brownlee, of Iowa; Mary M. E., now Mrs. J. C. Graham, of Monmouth ; R. M., of Nebraska ; Emmet S., at home ; and Eva A., with her mother. Emmet S. was married October 19, 1876, to Miss Ella C. Boggs ; she was born in Warren county, Illinois, April 25, 1856. John Seaton (deceased) was born in Perthshire, Scotland, March 15, 1795, and was a son of Duncan and Margaret (Cameron) Seaton. His birthplace is the country village of Kiiliekrankie, famous as a field of battle in times gone by, and made immortal by the lines of AA^alter Scott. Mr. Seaton's grandfather and his wife's grandfather fought in the battle of Culloden. Mr. Seaton spent about forty-five years in 460 HISTORY OF AIERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Scotland. He was educated in the common schools of his conntiy. He learned the trade of carpentry and masonry, which he followed somewhat, as well as farming. He became anxious to try a new country ; hence in 1843 he left the land of Scott and Burns for Amer- ica. He sailed from Liverpool May 21 and landed in New York July 14. He settled first in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where he farmed two years. In 1845 he determined to emigrate still westward; accord- ingly he started for Galena, Illinois, via the river, but being taken sick he concluded to land at Oquawka, which he did in November of 1845. He spent the first winter in Mercer county ; then two years he farmed in Warren county. In 1848 he "squatted" on the N. W. J of Sec. 19, T. 13 N., K. 3 W., Mercer county, which he bought when it came into market. This he improved, and here he lived till his death, July 21, 1881. Mr. Seaton was a quiet, honest, plodding farmer, friendly to all and esteemed by all. He was a Presbyterian in reli- gious faith. In politics he cast his first vote for Henry Clay, and later was a strong republican. The country needs more such men. Mr. Seaton was first married in 1821 to Isabell McDonald, who died in 1824, leaving two children : Margaret, born June 22, 1822 ; and Duncan, born October 27, 1823. Mr. Seaton next married (1826) Miss Christian Seaton, probably a very distant relative. She was born January 10, 1800. She shared the toils of emigration and life in the new country, dying in Mercer county, Illinois, December 20, 1878. She was a consistent Christian, and a queen in her own house. She was the mother of six children : Eliza, born October 4, 1828, died July, 1847; John, born February 6, 1831; Robert, born March 25, 1834, enlisted in company G, 102d reg. 111. Vol. Inf., was second lieutenant, and died at Nashville, October 10, 1864, from a wound received July 22, 1864, at Atlanta ; he was a brave boy ; Daniel, born February 3, 1836, died May 14, 1866 ; George ; Susan, died in infancy. George Seaton, son of John Seaton, was born February 14, 1839, on the same farm as his father. He grew to be his father's constant help, as he took charge of his fYither's business for about twenty years. He was married February 26, 1874, to Miss Mary J. Brown, daughter of James Brown, of Warren county. She was born in Ireland, county Antrim, July 26, 1851, and is lineally descended from the Campbells, of Argyleshire, Scotland. They have four children. Mr. Seaton owns the old homestead and other land to the amount of about 500 acres. The new town of Seaton is laid out on his land, and he has built tlie first store. Samuel M. Creighton, farmer, was born January 18, 1831, in Ohio county, West Virginia. His father, John Creighton, was bc^rn in OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 461 1767, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. While yet a boy lie was a teamster in tlie revolution, and was drilled for a soldier. He was present at the battle of the Brandywine. He died in 1849, having buried his wife (Samuel's mother) in 1836. Both are buried at the church at the Forks of Wheeling. She was born about 1780. In the family were eleven children, of whom Samuel is the youngest. He, in company with his sister Elizabeth, emigrated to Brown county, Ohio ; then to Warren county, Illinois ; and in the fall of 1853 settled on section 35, Ohio Grove township, Mercer county, Illinois, on the James Graham place, one year ; then in 1854 he bought the IST. W. J of Sec. 33. This he has improved. In 1875 he built his present house at an expense of $2,100. Mr. Creighton is a radical republican; he cast his first vote for John P. Hale. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church. William C. Brownlee, farmer, is the namesake of his father, the Rev. W. C. Brownlee, D.D., of New York city. Dr. W. C. Brownlee was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was educated at the university of Glasgow, and was licensed to preach in Scotland in the faith of the covenanters. He was married in Scotland to Mariah McDougall, a native of Glasgow. He emigrated to America about 1804, and became a minister to a Seceder congregation in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania. He soon received a call to a Philadelphia Scotch-Presbyterian congregation, which he accepted about 1812. He afterward became Professor of Languages and Mathematics in Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Later he became collegiate pastor of the Dutch Reformed church, at the corner of Nassau and Liberty streets. New York city. He died in 1860, in his eighty-second year, having suffered many years from a stroke of the palsy. His wife died about 1850. In the f\miily were nine children: Dr. J. J. Brownlee (dead) was surgeon in the late war; John A. (dead) was of the firm of Brownlee, Homer & Co., St. Louis; David, a merchant of St. Louis; the girls, Mariah, Margaret, Jane, and Catharine, married prominent merchants in the east. William C. was born in Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania, September 3, 1815, and is the third child in the family. He w^as educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania and high school of New York city. In the spring of 1838 he left home and stayed with his relatives in Ohio a time, emigrating with them still westward. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled near Yiola, taking a claim of 160 acres. In 1840 he bought 240 acres in Ohio Grove town- ship, which he has improved. In that year he was married to Mary A. Brovmlee. She was born in Richland county, Ohio. She died April 3, 1876, and is buried at Norwood. She was the mother of six chil- 462 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSD HENDERSON COUNTIES. dren : William C, Jr., Francis, Mariali, Samuel, Alexander, and Harriet N. Mr. Brownlee was a whig, voted awhile for the democ- racy, but the war made him a republican. James Calhoun (deceased) was a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. He made a trip to Muskingum county about 1814, ])ur- chasing, and in part clearing, a farm. About 1816 he settled with his wife, Elizabeth (Carnahan) on his Ohio farm. His father hax-ing been in the revolutionary war, he was not afraid of the frontier. There nine chidren were born to them : David, William, John K., James H. , Joseph C. , Samuel C. , Elizabeth, Franklin, and Alexander T. Mr. Calhoun, besides farming in Ohio, was proprietor of a store and a steam mill. In 1843 the family emigrated via the Muskingum, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Oquawka and thence to Mercer county, where he farmed a short time in Suez township, then removed to New Boston, where he kept hotel for a number of years. He died July 15, 1847. His wife lived till November 22, 1878. Both were mem- bers of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Calhoun is a distant relative of the great John C. Calhoun. The children are scattered. David and William moved to Kansas ; the latter is dead. Joseph and Alexander live in Taylor county, Iowa \ James K., is of Aledo ; Sam- uel and James H., in Ohio Grove township. Samuel and Alexander served three years in company H., 84th 111. Yol., in the civil war. James H. was born August 5, 1826 ; has spent a life on the farm, owning 80 acres in Ohio Grove township. The family are, and have been, warm republicans. John K. was born February 24, 1824 ; was raised on the farm and educated in the common schools of his day. He came to Mercer county in 1843, with the family. In 1846 he returned to Ohio, where he lived till the fall of 1854, when he was married to Miss McClelland, native of Ohio ; and on the fol- lowing day started for his home in Mercer county, Illinois. He set- tled in section 5, Suez township, where he lived, raised his famih^ and buried his wife, her death oc<.--urring in 1872. In spring of 1882 he retired from active labor and moved to Aledo, Illinois. He is owner of 500 acres of good land. His children are: Elizabeth J., Martha A. (now Mrs. Kobert Hudleston), Mary B., William, (deceased). Barnet Unangst (deceased) was born in Warren county, New Jersey, March 28, 1810. His father, Jacob Unangst, was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and his mother, Elizabeth (Wil- son), was born in New Jersey. The family is of German descent. June 15, 1833, Barnet Unganst was married to Charity Smith, daugh- ter of Isaac and Jemima (Wheaton) Smith. She was born in Hunt- ington county, New Jersey, August 30, 1815. An extract from a OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 463 New Jersey paper is as follows: "The annual re-union of the great Smith family of New Jersey, held on Wednesday, in a beautiful grove of api:)letrees on the site of the old homestead of Zachariah Smith, of Peapack, was, perhaps, the biggest family gathering that has ever yet taken place. There were fully 3,000 persons present, all supposed to be lineally descended from, or connected with, the original John Schmidt, of Holland, who settled in Stanton, Huntington county, New Jersey, over 125 years ago, and changed his name to Smith, after he understood the ways of the country. He was a genial Dutch- man ; slow plodding, industrious, honest ; and the impress of his character is left on a good portion of his vast progeny to this day." After marriage Barnet and Charity Unangst lived in New Jersey till 1851, having eight children born to them : Pheby, born May 12, 1834, died April 19, 1836 ; John S., born September 12, 1836, died August 20, 1838 ; Godfrey H., born January 12, 1839 ; Ann E., born Novem- ber 21, 1840 ; Mary J., born November 30, 1842 ; Margaret, born July 13, 1845; Christiana, born September 3, 1847; Sarah C, born March 26, 1850. Two were born in Illinois : Jacob, born February 16, 1852, died December 14, 1854; and William H., born July 27, 1854. In 1851 the family sought a home in Illinois, and bought land in Ohio Grove township, Mercer county, coming o\'erland 1,200 or 1,300 miles, occupying about seven weeks in the journey. Here the Unangsts made their farm. Mr. Unangst was a quiet, congenial citi- zen. He died November 23, 1876, leaving his wife to survive him till August 12, 1881. Both were members of the Presbyterian church, and are buried at Norwood. Godfrey II., the third child, enlisted in company E, 102d 111., Vol., August 18, 1862, He was detached at Gallatin, Tennessee, for pioneer service, December 1, 1862, and trans- ferred to company K, 1st Peg. U. S. Yet. Eng. Vol., about Septem- ber 1, 1864. He was through the campaign from Nashville to Mur- freesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and in front of Nashville. He was discharged June 30, 1865, and returned to his home, where he resumed farm labor. He became manager of the farm on his father's disability, and now owns the old homestead in section 13. Ebenezer Graham, farmer, was born May 12, 1816, in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania. His parents, John and Martha (Hutchi- son) Graham, were natives of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but died in Washington count3^ John Graham emigrated from Ireland when a young man. He lived pn the frontier of Pennsylvania, at night resting in a fort. He was in the Indian wars. Ebenezer, the tenth and youngest child, lived in Pennsylvania till 1857. He was raised on a farm. His schooling is limited, yet such as was common to his 464 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSfD HENDERSON COUNTIES. day. He was married to Sarali A. McDowell, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1837. In 1857 Mr. Graham sold his farm and moved west, settling in Ohio Grove town- ship, Mercer county, where he has improved a good farm. He and wife have been members of the United Presbyterian church over forty-five years. He is a strong republican. In the family are two children: J. L., born in Pennsylvania; and Martha J. S., now Mrs. Dr. J. T. McCutc-han, of ISTorwood. M. M. Cross, farmer, was born in Adams county, Ohio, November 16, 1820, and is a son of William and Ann (Morrow) Cross. William Morrow was a native of Pennsylvania. He became a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1811 he moved to Adams county, Ohio. He was a farmer and miller and had learned the tanning business in his voung days. He died in ( )hio in 1848. His wife was a native of county Down, Ireland, and came when young to America; she died in Ohio . in 1856. In the family were three girls and three boys. M. M. Cross was reared on the farm. He was married to Dorcas Finley, daughter of William Finley, in 1856. In that same year Mr. Cross came to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in Ohio Grove township. He bought eighty acres of land ; to this he added more, then sold, but now owns 160 acres of fine land, with good improvements. Mr. Cross was raised a democrat but has long been a good republican. He was assessor some time and was road commissioner about fifteen years. His wife died March 2, 1856, leaving a family of five children : Lewis A., McDill I., Emma A., G-aton P., and Stewart E. Mr. Cross was next married to Paulina J. Walker, a native of Adams county, Ohio, and who came with her parents to Peoria county, Illinois, in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Cross are connected with the United Presbyterian church. McDill P., son of M. M. Cross, was born in Adams county, Ohio, February 25, 1856. He lived with his parents till marriage; he was married March 8, 1882, to Miss Abbie M. Kimel, daughter of J. W. and Mary (Burnet) Kimel. She was born in Mercer county, Ohio Grove township, March 12, 1863. Horace Nye Chandler is a son of Zachariah and Fannie (Bingham) Chandler. The Chandlers have been prominent figures in America for several generations. Benjamin Chandler was killed in the battle of Bennington in the revolution, as a "Green Mountain boy," and his sons, John, Joseph, Jesse, Benjamin, and Seth were in the same battte. Joseph was in the regular army under Gates, and afterward settled in Morgan county, Ohio. Dr. Jesse Chandler settled in Putnam county, Ohio, and his son, Dr. Ero Chandler, is now of Hancock county, Illinois. Benjamin died in Philadelphia. John raised six sons ; he died and is ^,:<%>-'1's*,^. ;i •>-" * OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 467 buried at Cliandlersville, Ohio. His sons were : Zacliariali, Martin, John, Samuel, Guy, and Stephen. Zachariah was born in Rutland county, Yermont ; he died in Muskingum county, Ohio, and is buried by his father. His wife, Fannie Bingham, was a native of New Hamp- shire ; she rests near her husband in Ohio. She was related to con- gressman Bingham, so long an Ohio statesman. She was a descendant of Miles Standish of the May Flower fame. She was a very intel- ligent woman, not only understanding, but able to teach. Her children received the larger part of their education from her wonderful fund of knowledge. Her children are : Seth, who died in California ; Horace [N"., of Mercer county; Mary (dead), Harriott (dead), Abigail (dead), Abigail (living), Fannie (dead), Eliza, and Nira. Horace N. Chandler was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, November 8, 1817. He was was raised to the toil of the farm. He attended the common schools, but received the larger part of his knowledge of government and public men from his mother. Being the only son at home, the duties of the house fell somewhat upon him, so that he lived with his parents and they with him till they died. He became the proprietor of the Ohio homestead. Mr. Chandler was married June 1, 1843, to Miss Anne E. Bevan, daughter of John and Mary (Blackburn) Bevan. Her father was a native of Monroe county, Ohio, and her mother ot Maryland. Mrs. Chandler was born in Monroe county, Ohio, October S, 1822. After marriage Mr. Chandler resided in Ohio till 1865, when he came west, arriving at Monmouth on the day on which the news ot Lincoln's assassination stung the heart of every true American. He bought, June 12, 1865, the James Kellogg farm, the S. W. J of Sec. 27 and W. ^ of S. E. ^ Sec. 27, Ohio Grove township, Mercer county, Hlinois, wdiere he lias since lived. He has improved the farm very materially. He has been supervisor for many terms. In politics he has been whig and republican, being a charter member of the latter party. The children of this union are: Darwin, Mary, Seth, John B., Harriott, and Homer. Darwin enlisted in the naval service under Com. Leroy Fisk, serving one year, till the war closed. Mary is now Mrs. J. K. Porter. Dr. C. C. Smith, son of Andrew and Jane (Craig) Smith, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, April 1, 1825. Jane Craig was born in county Monohon, Ireland, in 1790, and emigrated with her parents in 1794 to Pennsylvania. She died in Ohio, July 12, 1864. Andrew Smith was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and died in Ohio, August 31, 1875. His grandfather Smith was from Germany. Andrew Smith and wife were many years in the Associate Presbyterian church. In their family were six children: Anne, Lydia, C. C, Sarah J. (dead), 27 468 HISTORY OF IMERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Jolm, and Walter. The life of Dr. C. C. Smith has been one of unusual activity, from the fact that he has been obliged to fight his own battles in life. His education, liberal as it is, he acquired by his own efforts. His early years were spent in country air and his hands were inured to farm labor. He desired a professional life, and to fit him for this he was resolved first to be well read in general knowledge. He accordingly attended the common schools. He began teaching, which he followed at different times for a number of years. He attended Madison College at Antrim, Ohio, where he completed the course in mathematics, except surveying. He also pursued the Latin language to some extent. In 1848 he began to read medicine with a Dr. Davis. His preceptor dying he then read with Dr. R. G. Stephen- son, After reading more or less for four years he attended medical lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1852. He began the practice of medi- cine in Antrim, his home, first in partnership) with his preceptor, but Dr. Stephenson dying Dr. Smith continued his profession alone. In 1856 he located at Viola, Mea'cer county, Illinois, remaining two years or little more. He then practiced as long in Preemption. In the fall of 1861 he bought out Dr. Gilmore, of Sunbeam, and has since prac- ticed here. That he has been a successful practitioner is evident from the fact that he now owns seventy-two acres, with good house, etc., as his home place, eighty acres in section 10, and 160 acres in Iowa, all the reward of his practice. During the war the doctor was busy, doing much for the families of soldiers. The wounds he dressed without charge, and thus he did his duty at home. Late years he has circum- scribed his practice, on account of overwork. He has been an active worker in temperance work, also a member and an oflicer in the United Presbyterian church. He is a very strong republican. His first vote was for John P. Hale. Dr. Smith was married February 22, 1855, to Cordelia, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Work) Downerd. She was born in Guernsey county, Ohio. Her father was a German, her mother from county Donegal, Ireland. Dr. Smith has a family of six children living and two dead. Christian Sharer (deceased) was born on I^^ew Year day about 1800, in Herkimer county, New York. His people were of Dutch descent. His father was killed in the revolutionary war. Mr. Sharer was raised on a farm, but became interested in dairying, merchandis- ing, distilling and banking business, becoming quite wealthy. The panic of 1837 crippled him financially. He was married in ISTew York to Catharine Rasbach, by whom he had three children : John, George, and Edward M. In 1844 they moved to Licking county, Ohio. In 1854 they located in Moultrie county, Illinois, and a year afterward in OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 469 Stark county. In 1858 they moved to Mercer county, Illinois, where Mr. Sharer bought land in Suez township, and lived till his death, in June, 1861. His wife lives on the homestead. Edward M., the third child, was born May 3, 181:1, remained with his parents, and moved with them. He enlisted August 26, 1862, in company E, 102d El.YoL, and served in service of his country nearly three years, enduring all the hardships and enjoying the few pleasures incident to the career of his regiment. In the fall of 1868 he purchased 100 acres of land in the northeast part of section 2-1, Ohio Grove township. In 1876 or 18Y7 he built his present commodious house. He now has 180 acres in his farm, well improved. He was married February 23, 1869, to Martha Simpson, daughter of James and Anna (Goodman) Simpson, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Sharer was born in Pennsylvania.. Three of her brothers were in the • civil war, David P. being in company E, 102d Illinois, the others in Pennsylvania regiments. Mr. and Mrs. Sharer have five children : Alva, Willie, Edward, Charlie, and the babe. George W. Werts, blacksmith, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, April ■!, 18-11, and is a son of George and Margaret (Maple) Werts. His father was a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, and his mother of Ohio. Mr. Werts was raised on a farm, and when sixteen years old learned the blacksmith's trade, so that when Sumpter's cry of distress belched from mouths of cannon and called for America's yeomanry to relieve her he was used to toil and prepared to do his country's service. He enlisted August 22, 1862, in company I, 122d Ohio Vol. , under Capt. Gary. He was mustered in at Zanes ville, Ohio, as a private. For two years, more or less constantly, he bugled for his company. He became engaged in battle at Winchester ; Millroy, where his company became surrounded by the enemy ; Harper's Ferry; went into line at Williamsport, near Gettysburg, where he assisted in taking 1,500 prisoners. He was then in the effort to cut through Manassas gap to intercept Lee ; was then sent to New York to aid in quelling the riot. He fought at Locust Grove, then started with Grant for Richmond. May 4, 1864, he went into the battle of the Wilderness, where his company lost heavily ; took part at Spottsyl- vania Court-house, Cold Harbor, where his division received a compli- mentary order for taking the works of the enemy. He was then sent to the south side of Richmond to Butler's department, and was drawn in line to make a charge, but word came countermanding the order. He then united with the main army at Petersburg, and fought on the south side of the river. He accompanied Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley to protect Washington ; went through that campaign, and was 470 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. with Sheridan in his famous ride, and aided in "licking them out of their boots " at Cedar creek, where victory depended largely on the corps of which he was a member, the army having been generally routed by Early's forces when Sheridan arrived from Winchester. This corps was called by the rebels the Catholic cross corps. Mr. Werts assisted in the charge and taking of the works at Richmond ; followed the enemy to Sailors' run, taking 1,100 wagons and many prisoners ; then on to Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court-house. Mr. Werts' army career was one of unusual activity. He was mustered out at Washington. But twelve of his company remained able for duty. In 1865 he located at Sunbeam, Mercer county, Illinois, where he has since been the "village blacksmith." He was married October 3, 186.5, to Miss Mary Decker, daughter of Benjamin Decker, and a native of Mercer county. He has six children: Alpha M., Susie E., Clarence B., George W., Jr.; Ahmzo E., and Everet L. Peter Peterson, farmer, was born in Sweden June 27, 1826. In June, 1865, Mr. Peterson sailed for America, landing at New York city. He soon arrived at Rock Island. He spent eighteen months with the Bishop Hill colony in Henry county, Illinois, working at his trade of carpentering. He continued his trade in Fulton county, then one year at Galva. Being out of work, he overheard some persons talking of moving to Mercer county, Illinois, and he proposed to accompany them, which he did in 1859. Here he liVed with the Sharers for four years, working at his trade. August 18, 1862, he enlisted in company E., 102d reg. 111. Vol., under Capt. Likely and Col. McMurtrie. He served sixteen months. He was on detached duty mostly. At Chattanooga he stood in the river up to his ears in cold water for thirty-six hours continuously, which disabled him for duty and has crippled him for life. He returned to Mercer county, not being able to walk for some time. He managed to buy a small farm, and now has 140 acres and a good house. He was married first to Betsy Johnson, who died in Henry county, Illinois, leaving one child, Cathrina, now Mrs. Henry Crosby, of Yiola. He was next married to Catharine Johnson, January 26, 1869, and by her he has five children : Eddie, Maggie, John, Julia A., and Charlie. Mr. Peter- son is a thrifty farmer. Robert Hamilton, farmer, was born in Kentucky, October 8, 1811. His parents, Samuel and Jane (Smith) Hamilton, were natives of South Carolina. They moved to Kentucky early, and thence to Preble county, Ohio, where Samuel Hamilton died. His wife died in Indiana. Robert was raised in the stern schools of toil. When twenty years of age he learned the carpenter trade, which he has followed more or less OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 471 since. He also worked as a millwriglit for some j^ears. In the fall of 1880 lie located in Clinton county, Indiana, near Madison. He was there married to Miss Deborah Talbert. In 1855 he moved to Mercer count}', Illinois. Here he bought 150 acres of land, his present farm. This he has improved. In politics Mr. Hamilton was whig, in the days of that party. He is a strong republican. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church. He has a family of four children L *J living and one dead : William H., when under age, went to the war, and was out about two months; Perry S., Mary E., and Rose E. Moses Patterson, farmer, was born in Knox county, Illinois, June 13, 1811. His father, John M. Patterson, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1799, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. His mother, Sarah A. (Bell), was born in Delaware, Kent county, January 15, 1818. The grandfather of Moses was Col. Patterson of Pennsylvania militia, and the father was in both the Pennsylvania and Ohio militia. John M. Patterson became a resident of Ohio about 1815, and there married Margaret Stephens, who died leaving three children. He next married Sarah A. Bell. In 1836 he settled in Knox county, Illinois. He lived two years near Viola, Mercer county, then went to Rock Island county, thence to Henry county, where he buried his wife. She died March 25, 1865. He died in Warren county, June 18, 1873. He was a strictly moral man ; swearing was extremely odious to him. His religion was as he called it, "homespun." His wife was a Methodist. Moses Patterson left home at the age of seven- teen years, going to Pike's Peak, Colorado, in 1857. He returned to Illinois and joined some pf his schoolmates for the civil war. He enlisted at Rock Island March 12, 1862, in company B. 65th 111. Vol; Capt. R. S. Montgomery and Col. Daniel C^ameron, known as the "Montgomery guards.'' In March, 1861, he was transferred to engi- neer bat. 23d army corps, army of Ohio, in which he served till April 5, 1865. He took part in the battles on the Potomac the iirst summer and was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry together with the whole command of 1,100 men; was paroled and sent to Chicago. In March, 1863, he was sent to Lexington, Kentucky, and over to West Virginia. There he took part in the battles of that campaign, and assisted in tak- ing Ben. Coddle, the famous guerilla, and in breaking u]) his band, capturing 100 of his men. He then crossed the Cumberland moun- tains with Burnside, and experienced the twenty-two days' siege of Knoxville ; was twice at ZoUicoffer, then with Sherman at Chattanoogo and through to Atlanta. He returned with Thomas in pursuit of Hood ; was at Nashville and from there followed Hood to Corinth. He was engaged at Fort Fisher, Fort Anderson, and Wilmington, North 472 ■ HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Carolina, and was there relieved and sent home. He returned to Knox county, Illinois. September 7, 1869, he located where he lives, in Mercer county. lie owns 2-1:0 acres of land well improved. Mr. Pat- terson was married December 26, 1869, to Alice Hawkins, daughter of Augustus Hawkins, of Cameron, AVarren county, Illinois. She was born April 19, 1851. They have three children: Edwin A., Mary, and a babe. Nicholas Shearer, farmer, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 29, 1831. His parents, John and Mary Ann (Walters) Shearer were natives of Ohio. Thev moved to Indiana, and about. 1855 came to Mercer county, Illinois. They subsequently moved to Madison county, Iowa, where they died. Their family numbered thirteen chil- dren : James (dead), Nicholas, Jeremiah, Francis M., William D., Hugh P., Lucinda, Mary E., Martha, Melissa, John, Noah. Francis M. served in the late war in the 102d 111. Vol., and died of measles at Fort Donel son. Hugh P. and William D. enlisted in the 36th 111. A^oL, and died of measles at Paleigh, Missouri. Nicholas was raised on the farm ; in 1851 he came to Illinois ; here he worked for Wm. Stephens and esquire Nevius. In 1852 he returned to Indiana, and September 7, 1852, was married to Elizabeth McPherren, daughter of James and Jane (Shaw) McPherren. She was born in Muskingum county, Ohio. Her father and five brothers served in the civil war. One, George, was killed at Stone river. After marriage Mr. Shearer returned to Mercer county. For three or four years he rented a farm ; he then bought forty acres and began farming his own land. He now has 160 acres free from debt, and has made it all himself. He paid for the first forty acres by working by the month. He has four children liWng : Sarah J., Margaret A., Mary C, and Fannie. John is dead. Beard Church, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Mercer county, Illinois, December 20, 1842. His father, Thomas Church, was a native of Yirginia. He moved to Wayne county, Indiana, in an early day. He married Rachel A. Beard, a relative of the Hon. John Beard, of Indiana. About 1835, or a little later, Mr. Church moved to Mercer county, Illinois, and lived a short time in Duncan township. He then moved to Eliza township, and finally to New Boston, where he died about 1857. He was well known and highly regarded. He owned, at his death, about 400 acres of land, indicative of his success as a farmer. His wife survived till 1881, when she joined the departed. Six children were born to them : John L., born in Indiana, and died in Mercer county. Those born here are : Elizabeth, Hannah, Beard, Thomas, William W., and Pachel A. Beard is one of Mercer county's own children raised together with his home. A farmer, yet he spent OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP, 473 one year in Aledo as a grocery merchant. After this he bought a farm west of Aledo, but soon sold this and in 1877 bought in Ohio Grove township, where he owns 200 acres well improved ; his farm being the S. E. i and N. E. J of S. W. i Sec. 11. He was married October 20, 1864, to Miss Mary E. McGinnis, daughter of the Hon. John T, McGinnis, of Mei-cer county. She was born October 25, 1846. They have two children: Everett W., born September 24, 1865; and Frank M., born May 10, 1868. Mr. Church is republican in politics. Moses McLsttire was born in county Donegal, parish of Ray, seven miles southwest of Londonderry, Ireland, in 1830. His father, Jere- miah Mclntire, was born in Ireland, and died about 1839 ; and his mother, Sarah (Ross), also a native of Ireland, died (1841) in Ireland. They were of the Protestant faith, belonging to the Seceder church. Jeremiah was a millwright by trade, but followed farming mostly. They were parents of nine children : James sailed for Quebec and probably died there from ship fever ; Mathew died in Ireland ; John B. died in Warren county, Illinois ; William is in Iowa ; Jeremiah died in Abington township, Mercer county ; Sarah (now Mrs. James Friell), and Moses. William was here about 1835, while the Indians were bad. Moses Mclntire emigrated from Ireland in 1848. He came to New York, where he became porter in Brooks' dry goods establishment ; then was engaged in a white-lead factory. In 1852 he came to Warren county, Illinois. Here he followed carpentering several years in part, and ran a threshing machine in threshing season. He bought 160 acres of land in Warren county. This he sold, and purchased in 1862 eighty acres, the S. |- of N. E. J of Sec. 32, Ohio Grove townsnip. This farm he has well improved. He also has some timber. Mr. Mclntire was married, September 3, 1863, to Miss Matilda Watt, daughter of John and Jane Watt, of Pennsvlvania. She was born in MifHin county, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1842. They have eight children living and two dead. Mr. and Mrs. Mclntire are connected with the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Mclntire is a republican. He has been postmaster of Duck Creek office since 1862. He takes an inter- est in school affairs and all progressive movements for the county's good. John B. McIntire was born in county Donegal, Ireland, Mannor- Cunningham parish, twelve miles from Londonderry, in 1816. He is one of the progressive Protestants of Irish blood. He was married to Eleanor McElheney, also a native of the same place. Tliey sailed for America in 1847, settling on a farm near Brighton, Canada. In 1851 they moved to Warren county, Illinois, Sumner township, where they became land owners and are thrifty 'farmers. Both are members of the 474 HISTORY OF :NEER0EK and HENDERSON COUNTIES. United Presbyterian cliurdi. In the family are six cliildren living and live dead : Sarali and Bessie, born in Ireland ; Bessie died on the ocean, and Sarah died in Canada ; Moses died in Warren county, Illinois ; Margaret, also ; Ellen, Minnie, and William J. William J. McTntire was born July 30, 1848, near Brighton, Canada. He lived at home till about twenty-five years of age. When twenty-five years old, his father gave him eighty acres of land in Ohio Grove township. He sold his eighty and bought 110 acres of the S. W. ^ of Sec. 28, j)aying $4, 500. He has improved his place very much. He is naturally handy with tools, doing his own carpenter work, blacksmithing, etc. Mr. Mclntire was married, February 26, 1874, to Miss Bellzora Bullock, daughter of William Bullock. She was born in Mercer county, October 28, 1853. The children are : Ouy, and Glenn. A^ida is dead. Jacob Guthrie (deceased) was a native of Greene county, Pennsyl- vania. He came to Warren county, Illinois, in 1863, and the following year bought a farm of eighty acres in section 10, Ohio Grove township, Mercer county. He died October 7, 1871. He was justice of the peace and held other offices in Pennsylvania. His politics were demo- cratic. His wife died April 17, 1875. In the family wei'e eleven children. ISToah II. Guthrie, the fifth child of the above, was bom in Pennsylvania, March 6, 1842. His life was spent on the farm till the war. September, 1861, he enlisted in his country's service, in company F, 7th reg. West Virginia Vol. Inf , under Lieut. -Col. Kelley and Capt. Ben. Morris. Mr. Guthrie fought in eleven battles, the chief of which were Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bull Run, The Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court-House. At the last- named battle he was shot in the right leg, necessitating the removal of eight inches of the tibia. He was six months at Chester (Pa.) hospital. He was discharged December 17, 1864. Leaving the hospital, he came direct to Sunbeam, Mercer county, Illinois, to his parents. He subse- quently spent three years at the Soldiers' College, at Fulton, Blinois. In 1870 he took the census of eight townships of Mercer county. In the fall of 1870 he was elected sheriff of Mercer county, which office he filled two terms. In 1880 he took the census of Ohio Grove town- ship. He is a republican. Mr. Guthrie was married July 4, 1870, to Miss Delila Hardy, daughter of Ashford and Sophia Hardy. She was born in Mercer county, February 11, 1848. They have three children : Freddie, Edmund, and Grace. Mr. Guthrie owns a beauti- ful farm of 240 acres, well improved. William P. Vance, farmer, is a son of James and Sarah (Pearson) Vance, of Abington township, elsewhere noticed. AVilliam R. was OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP, 475 born in New Boston township, Mercer county, Illinois, September 20, 1847. He lias spent all liis time in Mercer county, except a short time in Iowa. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when he bought a farm in Abington township. In 1876 he moved to Ohio Grove township, where he bought 160 acres of the N. W. ^ of section 27. He was married January 7, 1875, to Jennie Brown, daughter of John Brown, of Mercer county, Illinois. She is a native of this county. They have one child, Olive B. Samuel Speowl, farmer, was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, June 29, 1822, and is a son of William and Rebecca (Baker) Sprowl, both natives of Virginia, and of Scotch descent. Rebecca Baker's grandfather was a wealthy Londoner. William and Rebecca Sprowl moved to Fayette county, Ohio, about 1842, where she died about 1845. She was born March 17, 1782. William was born January 8, 1775, and died November 17, 1872. He spent his aged years with his son Samuel. He was for many years a member of the United Presbyterian church. In the family were: William, born June 11, 1801 ; Elizabeth, born March 14, 1803 ; Polly, born March 7, 1805, died January 27, 1869 ; Rebecca, born October 21, 1807 ; John, born May 15, 1810 ; Martha, born May 27, 1812, died November 17, 1873 ; Anna P., born January 11, 1817 ; Sarah, born December 2, 1819, died January 4, 1874 ; Samuel ; Christiana, born February 8, 1825. Sam- uel Sprowl was raised on the farm in Ohio, in the log cabin, the forest and the field. Many a day has he worked with ax to clear the land for crops. . The school was three miles away, so that his advantages were very limited. In 1855 he emigrated to Illinois. He farmed a rented place one year. In 1856 he bought the S. E. J of section 22, at $12.50 per acre. This he has improved into a good farm. He now has 172 acres and house, and three lots in Aledo, where he lived for three years. He was married September 14, 1869, to Maggie Dixon, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Shaw) Dixon, both natives of Vir- ginia. Her father died May 29, 1879. Mrs. Sprowl was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, September 9, 1848. She was in Vir- ginia during the late war, and witnessed both northern and southern armies frequently, and heard the roar of battle. Two brothers were in the battle of Gettysburg, and her youngest brother was a guard at Libby prison. Mr. Sprowl has three children : John W., Samuel B. and Olive L. John Parks (deceased) was born in county Armagh, Ireland. He owned a small piece of land there, which he farmed. He was an Orangeman, and was engaged in the war of the Protestants against the Catholics. He was then married to Jane Brown, also a native of 476 HISTORY OF IMERCER AND HP:NDERS0N COUNTIES. that green isle. About 1848 thej sailed for America, and made their home in Adams coimtj, Ohio. In 1855 thej moved to Warren county, Illinois, and five years later to Mercer county, and settled the place now owned by Alexander Parks. He was a republican, casting his tirst vote for John C. Fremont. He died December 11, 1873, leaving a wife who survives him. His children are six : John, James, Samuel (dead), Alexander, Lizzie and Sarah. Samuel was a member of company G., 102d 111. Yol., under Capt. Wycoff; contracted con- sumption in the arm}', and died after his discharge. Alexander was born in Ireland, Marcli 17, 1842. He has spent his life on the farm, and owns the old homestead, which he has improved. He was married to Miss Jane Murphy, also a native of Ireland. Their farm is the S. i of S. ^Y. i of Sec. 32, T. 13 :N"., K. 3. He and all his brothers are republicans. David Milligan was born in Wasliington county, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1806. His father, John Milligan, was born in county. Donegal, Ireland, in 1754, and his mother, Jane (Kincaid), in Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania, in 1764. John Milligan left Ireland August 6, 1790, and after thirteen weeks' voyage landed at Newcastle. So nearly did the provisions give out that each man's allowance was but one pint of water and two tablespoonfuls of oat meal every twenty-four hours. AVhen they landed all were like skeletons and some ate till they died. John died August 2, 1839. His wife died in 1850. One son (Kobert) served in the war of 1812. David Milligan was raised on the farm in Pennsylvania. He was married Decem'ber 1, 1836, to Miss Rebecca Rollstin. She was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, ]^ovember 18, 1818. Her father, James Rollstin, was from Ireland. Mr. Milligan remained in Pennsylvania till 1866, when he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, arriving October 19th. He had learned to farm among the rocks, so found land here easy to cultivate. He became the owner of 479 acres of land in sections 28, 13, and 3, Ohio Grove township. He built three different houses. Thus he has aided in adding wealth to Mercer county. His wife died October 19, 1880, leaving him to mourn the loss of a dear companion. She was a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian church for forty-four years. She was the mother of eight children : Nancy, Jane (dead), John F., James P., Warren (dead), Rebecca M., Rachel M. (dead), and Elizabeth E. Mr. Milligan is a republican. He used to be democrat, whig and anti- mason. He has been connected with the United Presbyterian church since 1836. He sent one son to the civil war when the boy was nine- teen years old, viz.,' John F., who enlisted August 18, 1862, in com- pany C, 22d Penn. Cav., under Capt. G. T. Work and Col. Higgins. OHIO GKOVE TOWNSHU'. 477 He fought at Moorefield, Virginia, Fredericksburg, second battle of Winchester, Fisher's Ilill, Laurel Hill, Cedar Creek, and many skir- mishes. He was discliarged June 1, 1865. Alexander JVIcBride, farmer, was born near Belfast, Ireland, May 28, 1831. His parents, William and Margery (MclSTeil), were natives of county Down, Ireland. They owned a piece of the land known as the "land forever." Failure on account of being surety for his brother caused William McBride to emigrate to America, which he did about 1850, sailing from Belfast May 1st, and landing in New York June 1st ; soon settled in Muskingum county, Ohio. He died there June 11, 1861. In Ireland he was grand master of the Orange society many years. He was a quiet, inoifensive man, minding his own business, and respected by the community. He is buried at Bloomfield, Ohio. There were eight children : Jane, born in Ireland, Sarah (dead), Mary, Eliza A., Margery, Rachel, Nancy, and Alexander. They were of the United Presbyterian faith. Alexander (the fourth child) was general manager of home affairs. He was married December 25, 1857, to Sarah J. Wilson, daughter of Hugh Wilson. She was born in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1830. Alexander McBride was a hundred-day man in the late war; was in several skirmishes and at the battle of Harper's Ferry, in company B, 166th Oliio home guards. February 4, 1867, he left Ohio for Mercer county, Illinois. He lived a while in Suez township. In 1871 he bought 160 acres, the N. W. I of Sec. 36, in Ohio Grove township, on which he lives. He was pathmaster five years. He has a family of five children : Hugh W., Mary L., William T., Samuel H., and David L. He always votes for republican principles. He and wife are members of the United Pres- byterian church. James A. Kellogg was born in Crawfoi-d county, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1848. He emigrated with his people to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1852, and in the following year his father purchased 160 acres of hmd now owned by II. N. Chandler. Here James was raised. His people moved to Abington township, wliere they now reside. James is fairly educated, having lived handy to the school and enjoyed its advantages. He was married in 1873 to Miss Mary A. Vance, daughter of James and Sarah Vance, now of Abington township. Mrs. Kellogg is a native of Mercer county. Mr. Kellogg farmed some time in Abington township. In 1874 he occupied his present farm of eighty acres, being the E. ^ of N. W. ^, Sec. 28, Ohio Grove township. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg are members of the Presbyterian church. They have three children: Arthur L., Frank R., and Inis L. Wm. II. H. Smith, farmer, a son of William Smith, noticed in the 478 HISTORY OF iEEECER A2sD HENDERSON COUNTIES. history of Ohio Grove township, was bom July 2, 1840, in JMuskingiim coiintv, Ohio. He came with his people to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1847. His father dying "William went to live with his cousin, George A. Smith, till ten vears of as-e. He was then bound out to W. M. Miller, with whom he staid till the war broke out. He enlisted August 9, 1861, in company E, 9th 111. Vol. Inf., and took part in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Atlanta ; was taken sick and sent to Marietta, Georgia, and thence to Xashville, where he remained till the spring of 1865. He then rejoined his command at Pocataligo, Xorth Carolina. He then followed Johnston till the latter surrendered. Mr. Smith then went to Washington, and thence to Louisville, Kentucky, and was mustered out at Springheld, Illinois, July 25, 1865. He has since spent five years in the west. In 1870 he made his home in Mercer county. In 1881 he bought forty-eight acres of land, and is now settled on it. Mr. Smith was considerably injured in health in the war service. He was married November 30. 1878, to Xancy E., daughter of Stephen Xoland. They have two children: Stephen A., and Lura M. Mr. Smith is entirely republican. John McGee was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. When five years old he accompanied his parents to ]Muskingum county, Ohio. He was there raised and educated. He married Miss Margaret Irwin. In 1852 he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, settling for a time in Suez township. In 1869 he went to Iowa, then to Oregon, in the years 1874 and 1875. He returned to Iowa, and in the spring of 1881 he made his home in Kansas, with his son, David C. His wife died August 20, 1858, and is buried in the Candor gi-aveyard. She was a member of the United Presbyterian clnirch. In the family are seven children: Eichard H., D. C, B. W., Martha J. (died in Ohio), Harriet, Mary x\nn, and Sarah E. Richard H. was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, July 12, 1834. He enlisted August 13, 1862, in company E, 102d 111. Vol. He was sergeant for ten months. He was mostly detailed at headquarters. He was at the battle of Xash^-ille. His time was largely occupied in looking after the trains in the rear. He was discharged June 15, 1865, when he returned to Mercer county. His brother, D. C. McGee, was a member of company C, 50th 111. YoL, and was wounded severely at Altoona Pass. Also B. W. McGee spent a year in the service. Richard H. was married February 14, 1860, to Jessie C. Spence, of Howard county, Missouri. They have four children : Frank, Lizzie, John, and Clara. Robert C. Parkinson, farmer, was bom in Guernsey county, Ohio, IS^ovember 16, 1837, and is the son of Edward and Margaret (Clements) Parkinson, the former a native of Marvland and the latter of Ohio. OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP. 479 Mr. Parkinson's parents moved to Warren county, Illinois, in 1S56, and in 1859 settled in Mercer couiaty. Edward Parkinson died Febru- ary 13, 1860. He was born April 1, 1791. His wife was born March 5, 1796, and died September 9, 1866. He was in the war of 1812. His father was an Englishman and his mother of Germany. Her father was a native of Ireland and her mother of America. Both are buried at the Porter graveyard in Warren county, Illinois. Robert C. remained with his parents till they died. He received but little educa- tion except that afforded by the farm. He was married June 25, 1868, to Mariali Webster, daughter of Hammond and Louisa Webster. She was born in New York state February 28, 1840. After marriage Mr. Parkinson secured 100 acres of section 28, which he now owns, together with the N. E. J of Sec. 28. He was for three years road commis- sioner. They have had seven children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Webster's parents are noticed in connection with the sketch of Ham- mond Webster. Her mother, Mrs. Louisa Webster, after the death of her husband, was married October 12, 1845, to Joseph Robinson. Mr. Robinson was born in Alleghany county. New York, April 7, 1812. He left home when twenty-two years old, going to Weaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, and the same year to Quincy, Illinois. In 1842 he came to Mercer county. He has improved a good farm, and is now one of the county's oldest citizens. He has been school trustee and road commissioner. Lemuel Gitstin, farmer, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Diltz) Gus- tin, was born July 29, 1823. His parents settled in Madison county, Indiana, about 1845, and there died. Lemuel was raised on the farm and inured to all the toils and pleasures incident thereto. He is the oldest of eight children. In 1847 he was married to Catharine Noland, daughter of Stephen Noland. Her father, Stephen Noland, -was born in 1801, and raised in Kentucky near Cumberland mountain. He moved in a very early day to Wayne county, Indiana, where he lived on the twelve mile purchase when the Indians were bad. He was on the frontier in the war of 1812, and lived partly in a fort or block- house, traded with the Indians, etc. There is a stream in Indiana called Noland's fork, the name deriving from the Nolands. Mr. Noland and wife, Nancy E. (Adams), a native of Oliio, lived in Madi- son county, Indiana, from 1823 to 1856, when they settled in Mercer county, Illinois. Mrs. Noland died July 20, 1877. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Gustin came with the Nolands to Mercer county, Illinois, settling for a time in Eliza township. In 1868 they purchased sixty acres in section 2, Ohio Grove township, and have lived on it since. Mr. Gustin 480 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. has been justice of the peace ; he has been school director six years. He has six children living and two dead. Jaisies Feather, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Jacob and Mary (Siggens) Feather. Jacob Feather spoke the German tongue, his fatlier being a native of Germany, who emigrated early and fought in the revolution ; his wife receiving a pension for his services. Jacob died about 1851 in West Virginia. His wife is living at an advanced age. The family are: Susan, Mary (ciead), Ezekiel (dead), Jane, James, Sarah E., Sophia (dead), James, the subject of these notes, was born in West Virginia, October 17, 1839. There he was reared in the country and educated in the schools of his day. In 1856, he made his home in Iowa; remaining there three years. He worked around by the month in Warren county, Illinois ; was in the mercan- tile business in Monmouth four years. In 1868 he went to Missouri. In the meantime he owned the store at Sunbeam for two years. In 1869 he located permanently in Mercer county. Mr. Feather was first married, December T, 1865, to Miss Martha C. Hayes, daughter of the late Judge Wm. M. Hayes. She died in 1874. Mr. Feather was next married December 26, 1878, to Katy M. Gourley, daughter of Robert Gourley. She is a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Feather has one child by his first wife, Aurie L. Elijah Forsyth, son of William and Eleanor Forsyth, was born August 6, 1810, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. When he was four years of age his parents settled in Ohio. There Elijah was educated in the common schools and became a schoolmaster at the age of nineteen years, teaching twenty-two years in Ohio. He was married in Mus- kingum county, to Ann Daw^son, daughter of Thomas and Catharine Dawson, and a native of Ohio. In 1855, Mr. Forsyth emigrated over- land to Mercer county, bringing his family of seven children : John, William, Elijah Jr. , David, Mary, Eleanor, and Nancy J. He settled on the S. ^ of S. E. ^ Sec. 7, Ohio Grove township, which he purchased. He has since added some timber. For eighteen years he has taught, part of each year, in Mercer county. Peference to the official table will show his interest in public affairs and the trust placed in him by the people. He has been an elder in the United Presbyterian church for over twenty years. His father was a native of Pockbridge county, Virginia ; was in the war of 1812 ; died in Ohio in 1827. His mother died in 1835. Mr. Forsyth's son, John, was a member of the 102d reg. 111. Vol. in the civil war, and was promoted captain of a colored company. He served two years when he was discharged on account of sickness. MEKCER COUNTY POOR FARM AND INFIRMARY. 481 MERCER COUNTY POOR FARM AND INFIRMARY. CONTRIBUTED BY L. B. DOUGHTY. Among tlie public institutions of the county, tlie Poor Farm and Infirmary are specially worthy of mention, for they are a standing monument, evincing the practical generosity of our citizens. But in our search for material for this chapter, we have found the records so vague, incomplete and unsatisfactory, that we almost despaired of finding sufficient data to make our history of this institution complete or interesting. From William Wilmerton, Esq., of Preemption township, and Tyler McWhoiler, of Mercer, we have obtained some interesting facts, which will help us to, in some measure, fill the gaps we find in the public records. For years after the organization of our county, those unable to support themselves, and whose families or friends were unable to sup- port them, were cared for by the overseers of the poor of the several townships, who were appointed by the county commissioners. Some- times they were kept by contract ; sometimes they did what they could for themselves, and were partially provided for by the overseers. In many cases merchants provided them with the necessaries of life, taking their chances of having the bills allowed by the board. In all cases the county was expected to pay the bills for their maintenance, whether kept on contract, furnished by order of the overseer, or through pity (or cupidity) of the merchant. At each recurring session of the commissioners' court, pauper bills increased in number and grew in magnitude, and more and more care was necessary, and was exercised, to sift out and pay only those which were for the necessaries of life, cutting ofi" and rejecting any and all which bear the least taint of suspicion. For instance, some bills pre- sented would, perhaps, show that sugar enough had been furnished to a pauper in three months' time, to have lasted him or his family, for a year, and this would raise a suspicion in the minds of the commis- sioners, that perhaps something else than sugar had been furnished — an article for which it tvas known payment would be refused. Investi- gation would follow, which would generally result in the rejection of a part of the bill. We do not wish to make any invidious references, but esquire Wilmerton related a story to us, the other day, which comes to our mind in recording the above. Some years ago he received a large number of bills from a house in Rock Island, for collection, upon 482 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. parties living in Pre-emption and adjoining townships. One of these particularly attracted his attention, owing to the frequent charges for ''headache medicine" by the quart, half gallon and gallon ; this item occurring with alarming regularity, showing each and every visit to the city of the good old farmer against whom it was made. The 'squire was well acquainted with him, and had never known of his being subject to severe attacks of this disease, and his curiosity was aroused to know what this remedy was, and on his first visit to Rock Island he asked the maker of the bill to enlighten him. The dealer laughed, and for answer beckoned him into a back room and silently pointed to a barrel labeled "whisky.'" " Headache medicine " looked better on the bills ; but like the "sugar"" on the pauper bills, it looked suspicious. Again, most of the adjoining counties had provided poor-houses, and refused longer to support indigent persons unless they would become inmates thereof; and while there were many who were not too proud to receive their entire subsistence from the county, there were few who would willingly "go to the poor-house," as they had a false idea that this course was degrading. Rather than go where they could not only be better cared for, but would have an opportunity to do what they could for their own maintenance, they prepared to emigrate to some county not possessed of this bugbear, and not a few crossed the borders into our county and soon became a county charge. Under these circumstances, the commissioners in 1853 (E. Gilmore, Jr., county judge, and William Wilmerton and John Glancey, asso- ciate county justices of the peace), after much deliberation, decided to purchase a farm for the county, upon which might be erected suitable buildings for an infirmary. Mr. Wilmerton soon found what he thought would be a suitable farm, and a special meeting of the com- missioners was held at the court-house in Keithsburg, September 20, 1853, which is the first record we can find relating to the subject of a poor-house. At this meeting they ratified a provisional contract made by Mr. Wilmerton with John I. Clark and Gersham Yannatta, whereby the latter sold to the county 110 acres of land lying in the S. ^ of Sec. 33, T. 15, and in the N. i of Sec. 4, T. 14, both in Range 3, W. of the 4th P.M., the latter being timber land. The consideration was $1,400, and two orders were drawn at this meeting, for $700 each, in favor of Clark and Yannatta. The deed was made September 23, 1853, and acknowledged before W. A. Bridgford, J. P., of Millersburg, and was recorded January 12, 1854, by T. B, Cabeen, Recorder, in Book M of Deeds, pages 307 and 308. March 8, 1854, the county farm was leased to Joseph G. Gilmore t}ty9'':i--Z^^^ ^^<^^^^^<^^^^-^A^ MERCER COUNTY POOR FARM AND INFIRMARY. 485 for one year, but the terms of the lease are not given in the record. A part of the contract, however, was that lie should keep a pauper and his wife, named Golden ; and we lind that at the March session (1855) of the board of supervisors he was allowed $8.50 as balance due him on the contract. From the minutes of the June session of the board, of supervisors (1854), the first session after the adoption of township organization, we cop}' the following order : "It is ordered by the board, that Graham Lee, Elisha Miles, and Tyler McWlioi-ter be and are appointed a committee to examine the condition of the county farm and its requirements, with respect to accommodating all the paupers of the county." In September of the same year, Graham Lee was appointed agent for the county to lease the farm, etc. In March, 1856, Mr. Gilmore was paid $58.50 as balance due him on contract or lease. At the same term the board unanimously pass a resolution recommending to their successors the urgent necessity of improving the farm, so that it would " accommodate all the paupers in the county," this action being suggested by the large number of pauper claims presented at that session. At a special term in June, 1856, Graham Lee, Thomas Likely, and Tyler McWhorter were appointed a committee to prepare and report a plan for a poor-house, and as nearly as possible the cost of the same. They made their report at the same session, which was accepted, and McWhorter, Lee, and N. P. Partridge were appointed to make a design, advertise for and receive bids, and contract for the erection of the house. Said commissioners reported at the September meeting that they had received, on the 28th of August, five bids : two for brick and three for stone buildings ; that four of the bids had ranged from $4, 200, to $4,600; that the fifth was for $3,400 for a stone building; that this latter figure was deemed reasonable, but the bidder, Mr. Kalpli Growe, required partial payment in advance, and it was necessary to provide funds before closing the contract. Accordingly an arrangement was made with the drainage commissioner to borrow money from the swamp land fund. That the first payment had been made, and the work of excavating the cellar commenced ; that owing to the failure of the drainage commissioner to make collections, they were unable to get money for the second payment, whereby the work had been greatly hindered and delayed. They request the board to sanction their action, and to decide upon some definite system of managing the farm in future ; both of which requests we presume were granted, but we can 28 486 HISTORY OF aiERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. find no record" of any action beyond receiving and recording their report. Tliis, however, was the last year the farm was leased, as a whole, a steward or superintendent having since been employed. In March, 1857, Mr. J. G. Gilmore's lease terminated, and this time he owed the county $124.50. The county bought of him fourteen acres of land adjoining the poor-farm for $324.50, getting one year's time on the $200 balance, at ten per cent. They also appropriated $1,300 for prosecuting the work on the infirmary ; authorized the com- missioners to borrow $800 of the swamp land fund, and made provis- ions for the repayment of all sums heretofore borrowed from the fund. In September, 1858, a committee was appointed to visit the poor- farm and report. They suggested that the "steward" system be abol- ished, and that a competent man be employed to superintend the farm, under the direction of a standing committee in regard to improvements, purchase of stock, etc. This report was adopted, and a committee appointed who made a contract with Humphrey Riddell, at $350 per year, his term commencing March 8, 1859. Mr. Riddell was re-em- ployed from year to year for nine successive years, which fact attests his eminent fitness for the position, which was recognized by the board in an increase of his salary from time to time until instead of $350 they paid him $500 per year. This was, of course, in addition to the board and keeping of himself and family. "While upon the subject we will give the list of stewards and super- intendents in their order, so far as can be ascertained : Joseph G. Gilmore leased and managed the farm the first three years. It was then placed under the charge of committees, as before mentioned, who employed stewards to care for the inmates, etc. IVhile the building was in progress, Tyler McWliorter, as chairman of the building com- mittee, had the oversight of the farm, and Justus Southwell and "Wm. Clark held the stewardship under his administration. Then came Mr. Riddell for nine years; Samuel H. Darbyshire from 1868 to 1875; John W. Dihel from 1875 to 1880 ; and from February, 1880, to the present time, Mr. J. McWillis, who is now holding the position for the third term. His salary is $600, which is at least $400 less than should be paid. The building is well arranged and will accommodate comfortably about thirty inmates. A commodious wing accommodates the superin- tendent's family, and a frame kitchen was added to the building some years ago. What is known as the "old house "was put in tolerably decent repair, and is used for sleeping apartments when the main building is overcrowded, but it cannot be so used in extreme cold weather. MERCER COUNTY POOR FARM AND INFIRMARY. 487 The farm is provided with ample barns, granaries and tool houses ; is well stocked with horses, cattle and hogs ; has a large orchard and an abundance of small fniits. The inmates are all required to perform such labor as they are able or fitted for ; the women doing their own cooking, washing, ironing and chamber work, and a part of their own sewing; while the men work in the fields or about the barns. Discipline is necessarily very strict, but is seldom severe. Among them are the weak-minded, idiotic and insane ; and for the latter special provisions in the way of cages or barred windows and doors are a necessity. The position of suj^erintendent is one of great responsibility and of constant trials, vexations and watchfulness, and it is to the honor of each and all who have held the position that they have served year after year in that capacity. That any one of them has served one or more years to the entire satisfaction of evervbodv could not be expected ; that each has left tlie farm in better condition than he found it is most highly commendable. Since the completion of the building the number of inmates has averaged about thirty per year. The largest number ever upon the books at one time was fifty-four, during the administration of S. H. Darbyshire ; and evei-y available resource of the farm and infirmary were then taxed to the utmost. Among the present inmates are the following, who have been there for eight years or more, with date of entry : Dedimus Black, Aj^ril 5, 1859 ; Mrs. King, December 19, 1861 ; Logan Smithers, June 7, 1864 John Hall, December 30, 1865; Norman Powers, May 12, 1866 Sarah Albee, August 17, 1869; Elizabeth Krouse, October 2, 1871 Richard Bell, May 24, 1874. Whenever children are admitted it is the rule to advertise at once for homes for them, and where possible secure their adoption by good families. "Where this is not possible they are allowed to go and work for their board, or board and clothing, owing to their capabilities. February 1, 1865, forty acres adjoining the farm were purchased .of John Dellett, and on March 1, 1882, 200 acres were ])urcliased of Peter Blue, being the N. E. i, and the S. E. f of tlie N. W. J of Sec. 33, T. 15 K, E. 3 W. of the 4th P. M., for which they paid the sum of $10,000 cash. Small timber lots in Sec. 4, T. 14, R. 3, have been purchased at difiPerent times, and the farm now comprises 395 acres. One man is hired by the county, in addition to the superintendent, and what he cannot work advantageously with the resources at his command, is leased on good terms to responsible tenants. 488 HISTORY OF MEECEE AND HENDEESON COUNTIES. The farm is becoming nearer sulf-supporting year bj year, and has proven from the first a paying investment, to leave out all other con- siderations. It is true that it has not put an end to a deluge of pauper bills from the several townships at each recurring session of the board, but it has largely reduced them in number and amounts asked for, and the bills receive a close scrutiny and thorough investigation before being allowed. But so long as supervisors are allowed to assist pau- pers in their respective townships, at public expense, these bills must be paid ; and some of our supervisors seem to think their townships will be disgraced if they are represented by an inmate in the infirmary, and to prevent this will issue orders and indorse bills that aggregate much more than it would cost to keep the pauper where he or she most properly belong, at the county farm. The visitor to our county farm and infirmary will see no grand pile of masonry, erected with a view mainly for architectural efi:ect, but a large and substantial building, well adapted for the purpose erected. That improvements might now be added, or that a difterent plan might embody them if a building was now to be built, which would better the accommodations and lessen the labor, is readily conceded ; but it has and will for some years to c'ome furnish' ample accommodation for all who have been or may be consigned to its friendly shelter. It is situated three and one-half miles due north of Aledo. A beautiful drive leads to the house, the site for which was selected by an artistic eye. Inviting shade trees, the lawn, the orchard, the fruit, the waving grain on either side in summer, the well-filled granaries in winter, all present an inviting appearance ; nothing repulsive meets the eye. It is a home for the unfortunate and the imbecile : an insti- tution that is a credit to the generosity and liberality of the citizens of Mercer county. In addition to the gentlemen mentioned as furnishing data for the foregoing, we are indebted to county clerk C. C. Wordin for kind assistance in examining the records in his oflice, and a long, though fruitless, search for some reports which would have proven valuable could they have been found ; to superintendent J. Mc Willis for like assistance, and to numerous others for the pains taken in answering our numerous inquiries. In the name of the readers of this history we earnestly tliank each and all. MERCER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL BOARD. 489 MERCER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL BOARD. CONTRIBUTED BY L. B. DOUGHTY. In starting out for data for this sketch we were confronted with the to us startling fact that the first record book of the society, embracing the records from its first organization up to 1873, was missing. Secre- tary and ex-secretaries were appealed to, but no trace of the missing record has as vet been discovered. Here was a dilemma for which we were not prepared, and one that necessitates a mere sketch, which, while generally correct, is so incomplete and barren in detail as to be, •to us, at least, very unsatisfactory. An appeal to those who were prominent in the organization and during the first years of the society was made, and while all were willing to render assistance, not one was willing to trust his memory as to details of the beginning. Three men were mentioned as the first secretary ; two of them we have seen, and each thinks the other was the man, but neither is sure. Under these circumstances the reader will pardon us for any inaccuracies or omis- sions he mav discover. The society was organized in 1853, by prominent farmers in the county, for the encouragement and promotion of agricultural and mechanical pursuits. Among the organizers were Tyler McWhorter, Graham Lee, Joseph Trego, Dudley Willits, J. E. Bay, Walter Pryne, ElbVidge G. Howe, William Green, Cruser Gray, James and William P. Stroug, Washington Wolf, the Drurys, Nobles, and many others. We shall not attempt to give the officers ; we cannot learn with certainty who they were. Millersburg was chosen as the place for holding the exhibitions, and the citizens of that village purchased three acres of land of Elbridge G. Howe ; cleared it of the timber and undergrowth, and built a fence around it (three sides being fenced with the brush taken from the land, the front only being a substantial board fence), and the whole was donated to the society. The consideration was $50, and the deed was made, September 30, 1854, to "the treasurer of the Mercer County Agricultural Society and his successor in office." The exhibitions were held during the last of September or the first of October of each year, and have been a success from the start, the society always paying its premiums in full, and with but few excep- tions has had something left after so doing and meeting current expenses. The three acres soon became too small, and two more acres were purchased of Mr. Howe ; and when it was decided to add trotting to the 490 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. exhibition, eight acres were leased from II. W. Thornton, upon which a one-fourth mile track was prepared. Two features of our early fairs will bear mention, although both have long since lost a place on the programme. An agricultural address, often delivered by a professional politician, who perhaps knew no more about raising corn and potatoes than he did of Greek, was for awhile considered the main attraction ; and the equestrienne exhibi- tion was also relied upon as a drawing feature. It is needless to say that the latter was of the two the most popular, and drew by far the largest and most enthusiastic crowd. Owing to the excitement consequent to the breaking out of the war of the rebellion in 1861, no fair was held that year, but they were resumed in 1802, and have been held regularly ever since. When the railroad was completed to Aledo, in. 1869, the society decided to remove to that point, owing to the increased facilities for getting to aiid from the fair, and twenty-seven acres of ground were purchased of D. V. Reed, situated about one mile southwest of the business center of town, and the fair of 1869 was held on the new gi'ounds. During the first years of the society, membership tickets were sold at $1 each, and the ^Durchaser was presented with a badge which not only entitled him to admission during the fair, but also admitted all members of his family, except children, who were "of age." Under this plan gate receipts were always small in proportion to 'the number in attendance, and it was finally displaced by the regular ticket system, the purchaser of four twenty-five cent tickets being enti- tled to a certificate of membershi]), which latter gives him a vote in society, but will not admit him to the grounds. When the law was passed creating the state board of agriculture, our society reorganized under its provisions, under the name of the "Mercer County Agricultural Board," a*name it still bears. Substan- tial buildings, stalls, pens, etc., have been erected as the finances would warrant. The board during the past year paid the last of its indebtedness for land, and has kept other bills paid up. A fine exhi- bition hall is now in course of erection, in the shape of a Greek cross, which will cost about $2,000. On the grounds is a splendid one-third mile track, and fronting it a commodious amphitheater, built, how- ever, more for use than ornament. A sufiicient niimber of wells supply all the water required, and more hay is raised on the ground enclosing the track than is required to feed the stock bi'ought for exhibition. Gambling and the sale of intoxicants have ever been rigidly MERCER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL BOARD. 491 excluded, and many have favored the abolition of trotting or racing of any kind from the grounds. There was a time when this feature threatened to overshadow all else, and our fair became what so many others in the state had merged into — a three-days' horse-race, with a few implements and farm products as a kind of side-show. Taking warning, however, by the bankruptcy of neighboring societies, resulting largely from this course, our board adopted a happy medium, which has so far resulted to the best interests of the board, . financially, while satisfying all but the ultra advocates of either side. Trials of speed are reduced in number and almost entirely confined to hoises owned within the county, and the premiums are liberal without being excessive. Pre- miums on stock and farm products, together with manufactured articles of all kinds of home production have been advanced ; while machinery, farm implements, etc. , from foreign manufactories, are simply awarded a diploma. The ladies' department, including needle work, embroideries, samples of culinary skill and dairy work, have ever been an inter- esting, attractive and important feature of the exhibitions, and too much praise cannot be accorded to the ladies for their interest and unremitting eftbrts to make these departments attractive, and we can say of them what can be said of no other department : the display has always been full and large. In the exhibition of fine horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep, our fairs have never been surpassed in quality by the state fair, and some years scarcely equaled in quantity ; while in fruits, farm products, and vege- tables, our average display would be creditable at any state exhibition, and in exceptional years is never surpassed anywhere. - The board oft'er from $2,000 to $2,500 annually as premiums. All articles and animals are admitted free, except horses, entries for speed, and sweepstakes on all other stock. These pay an entrance fee of ten per cent on first premium, except entries for speed, which pay ten per cent on purses offered. Sheep, however, pay no entrance fee on sweep- stakes, as only a diploma is awarded in that class. We cannot give a list of the officers of the society from its organiza- tion, and must content ourselves with a mention of a few whom we know to have been prominently connected with it, while others who have perhaps been more prominent are necessarily omitted. In addition to those first mentioned are J. E. Harroun, A. J. Streeter, Henry Lee, David Calhoun, D. W. Sedwick, E. B. David, Joseph B. Lair, Samuel Wharton, C. F. Darston, J. U. David, A. P. Petrie, A. B. Swisher, James Feather, William I. Nevius, Robert Candor, 492 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. John Brad J, O. A. Bridgford, Walter Lloyd, L. B. Lloyd, J. M. Mannon, William Doak, G. D. Miller, John Whitsett, John A. Gilmore, D. T. Hindman, W. K. Fulton, D. H. Hayes, J. M. Warwick, M. L. Marsh, J. Taylor Gilmore, L. V. Willits, J. H. Piirdum, R. J. Cabeen, L. B. Howe, J. J. Huston ; and right here we will stop, for their name is legion. Robert Holloway has added much interest to the horse show for the past few years, by an exhibition of his fine imported horses, while William Drury is entitled to the same credit for a much longer period. As a fact worthy of record the fairs of the Mercer county agricul- tural boards hav^e been more uniformly successful in every way than any other fair in the state, and our exhibitions deservedly stand at the head, taking them as a whole, and have so stood for a number of years. For this proud position credit is due to the citizens of the county generally, who have ever shown their interest in its success by attending its exhibitions and contributing in every possible way toward its advancement. Wise selection of officers and careful management on their part has insured a sound financial basis upon which future im- provements may be safely inaugurated. The twenty-ninth annual fair of the board will be held on Septem- ber 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1882, at their grounds near Aledo. The fol- lowing are the officers for the current year : president, A. B. Swisher, Eliza ; vice-president, R. J. Cabeen, Keithsburg ; treasurer, E. B. David, Aledo ; secretary, J. F. Henderson, Aledo ; executive com- mittee, David Calhoun, Keithsburg; J. B. Lair, Aledo; G. D. Mil- ler, Aledo ; D. W. Sedwick, Suez ; J. U. David, New Windsor ; J. B. Chandler, Sunbeam ; Mrs. W. D. Fleharty, New Windsor ; Mrs. H. B. Frazier, Viola; Mrs. W. A. Lorimer, Aledo; Mrs. J. M. Man- non, New Boston ; general superintendent, Robert Candor, Aledo ; marshal, Samuel Wharton, Aledo ; marshal of the ring, John F. Harvey, Aledo. Capt. E. B. David, present treasurer, was for five years secretary of the board, and is now vice-president of the state board of agriculture for this district. DUNCAN TOWNSHIP. This township was named by the first settlers in honor of Buford Duncan, who was himself the first of all. The soil in this township is susceptible of a high grade of cultivation, being composed of rich, black loam. Camp creek, the principle stream, runs through the southeast portion, and Eliza creek forms in the northwest part of the township, DUNCAN TOWNSHIP. 493 and runs in a southwest course through Duncan and Eliza townships, emptying into Bald Eagle lake, live miles from New Boston. In places Camp creek is skirted with heavy timber along its banks, to which the various wild climbers cling for support. All along the banks of Camp, from Bald Eagle lake to its source, wherever shaded by tim- ber, was once the favorite camping ground of the red man, and hence the creek derives its name ; but they have long since disappeared with the advent of the few first white settlers. They have gone, but have not forgotten the place they once controlled, and those of them who still survive in lamentable tones portray their recollections of the home of their childhood ; that once delightful hunting ground. But time has wrought many changes since then ; where once was the site of the wigwam are now fields of waving corn. The old mill once in active operation upon its banks just west of Millersburg, has also disappeared, giving way to more powerful modern improvements, and not a vestige of it remains except the recollections of its former usefulness in grinding out its allowance to hungry settlers. Around it was a pleasant spot in summer time, when the woods were green around and the pond like a shield of polished silver, with the water flying in showers of spray over the huge, slowly turning wheel. But in winter, when the trees were bare and the snow lay piled in drifts upon the ground, a weary, desolate place was the mill of Camp creek. Where once could be seen one vast sea of unbroken prairie, well cultivated farms and handsome farm houses now meet the eye ; and dotted here and there with churches and school-houses on every hand, which note the progress that intellect and industry have made. This township is comprised of No. 15, R. 4 west of the 4th P. M., and is well supplied with coal ranging from two and a half to five feet in thickness. FIRST SETTLERS. The first settler in what is now Duncan township was Buford Duncan, as early as 1834 or 1836. The township took its name from this man. The next family to come was Duncan's son-in-law, James Yernon. William Epperly came also about the same time. These settled in the same neighborhood, on section 16, school land. The first school-house was built on some of this land, of which Duncan donated one acre. It was called the Duncan school-house then. Joseph King was another of the early comers. Pie settled farther south toward the line between Duncan and Millersburg, on section 23, now owned by J. C. Staley. From about 1837 arrivals were numer- ous. Among these later settlers were Ebenezer Bunting, Joseph K., 494 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Elbridge G., and Liician B. Howe (brotliers), Tyler McWhorter, and his brother-in-law, William S. Koe. The_y settled together. McWhorter started a nursery, made a handsome place, and hnally removed his nursery to his present location south of Aledo. [The following from an early resident of Duncan township (Tyler McWhorter, Esq.) will be read with interest. — Ed.] The first settler of this township was Buford Duncan, who located on section 16 in the year 1838. Buford Duncan came from Indiana. He was a man characterized for plainness of manners and the strictest honesty. He was already somewhat advanced in life and was the father of a considerable family of children, most of whom settled in the same neighborhood. Soon after Buford Duncan had located in the township, his brother, Braxton Duncan, located on section 17. Brax- ton Duncan was of a slender constitution and ,only survived a few years. Subsequently several persons connnected with the Duncan family located in the same neighborhood and formed a nucleus of what became known as "Duncan settlement." Among the early settlers of that neighborhood should be mentioned William Epperly and James Vernon. Buford Duncan has been dead many years. Among the early settlers ol' the township of Duncan was also Luman Castle, who located on the south boundary of the township (section 36) near the town of Millersburg. It was also at an early date that Joseph King located on the south side of section 33. It was near the same time that Robert Morris located on section 25. Robert Morris was from Scotland. He was a man of some mathematical education. In 1844 he was elected county surveyor. He also served as the first township treasurer of Duncan township, and held that position till the spring of 1846, when, being attracted to an overland adventure to California, he resigned his charge as township treasurer, and the writer of this sketch became his suc- cessor. Mr. Morris died in California. About the spring of 1844 Elbridge G. Howe and Lucian B. Howe made a location on the north part of section 33. It was in the summer of 1845 that the writer of this sketch, accompanied by a brother-inJaw (William S. Rowe), located on section 31. It was then the sole purpose of the writer, with the limited means at his command, to start a large experimental orchard in con- nection with the nursery business. The name chosen for the nursery was " Pome-Roy (Roy al Fruit) Nursery"; and by that name the neigh- borhood is still known. It is scarcely necessary to add that "Pome-Roy Nursery" subsequently produced the trees for most of the oldest bearing orchards of this county, and for some of the adjoining counties. At this early date very few public roads were yet laid out in the township. DUNCAN TOWNSHIP. 495 The few traveled roads wound tlieir way over the prairies, following the most favorable make of ground. The small number of domestic animals had very little effect in sup- pressing the free growth of the wild prairie grass which on all sides grew up and waved to the summer winds. For many years the early settlers could mow a full supply of hay on the open prairies, and when the frosts of autumn had killed the prairie grass it was with watchful care that the early settlers felt the necessity of protecting their prop- erty from the sweeping destruction of prairie fires. These fires were often started ten or fifteen miles distant; how or by whom started could seldom be ascertained. On many occasions both men and women were rallied out through the hours of night to defend fields and fencQS against the approaching prairie fires. Some very serious losses occurred in the early settlement of the country. It was the prac- tice to plow "fire guards" around exposed sides of farms. At the time the writer of this sketch first settled no school-house was built in the township, and the only religious services that had yet been held were conducted by a branch of the Mormons. It was under a preacher by the name of Ilinckle that these exercises were mainly conducted, but a more noted revivalist, by -the name of Ringer, came to his assistance. Considerable Zealand earnestness were awakened. But subsequently this movement met with some unfortunate disasters. The first school-house was built in the Duncan settlement, the whole township being taxed as one district. Subsequently another dis- trict was set ofi' on the south side of the township, called the Pome-Roy district. Several other divisions of school districts have since taken place. It now has nine school-houses and three churches. It has become a prosperous agricultural township, and sustains an able ajid industrious population. But this township is so peculiarly situated that it is not crossed by any of the leading lines of travel. Tyler McWiioetek. CHURCHES. There are four churches in the town. The Wesleyan Methodist was the first to organize, December 7, 1855. In the spring of 1833, E. R. Powers and George Keneday moved with their families from Ohio to Illinois. Being members of that church in the former state, they brought their letters of recommendation with them. They purchased land in Penyton township. There was no religious organization near where they settled, and they were anxious to promote the cause of Christianity, and had a preference for a church that did not recognize slave-holders and which did exert its influence against intemperance, 496 HISTORY OF AtERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. war, and secret oath-bound societies. Thej had been in Illinois nearly a year before they found a member of that order. Finally learning that there were Wesleyans at Millersburg, they went there to obtain a preacher, and after a short time the Rev, Mr. Mekpam came to their place and preached the first sermon listened to in Perry ton, and preached by a Wesleyan. About two weeks after this, a young man named B. F. Haskins preached at the same place. These ser- mons were delivered some time in April, 1854. In the month of July following, the Rev. J, M. Snyder visited the neighborhood, and preached by appointment. His field of labor included Perryton, and here he made appointments to preach once in four weeks on Sabbath. These exercises were held, alternately, at the houses of Mr. Powers and Keneday. At the beginning of the next conference year the citizens of Perryton erected a school house near the Hamlet postofiice, where the services were then held. Tlie Rev. Mr. Snyder having dispensed with his former field of labor, he was now able to preach to them once in two weeks, on Sundav. During this time a revival was held and twenty-seven members were added to the church. Mr. Powers and Keneday, with their families had, a year previously, joined the church at Millersbusg, but by request changed and joined the church in their own neighborhood. The first ofiiicers of the church were : J. M. Sny- der, officiating elder ; Levi Cooper, clerk. The first members were : Ebenezer R. Powers, Cornelia Powers, George Keneday and his wife, Celestia Keneday, Levi Cooper and his wife, Lucy Cooper, Jonas Fender, John Cooper, M. Welch. On the 16th of December of that year, were added to the church: Daniel Bopes, Henry Freeman, Joseph F. Cooper, D. H. Cooper, Sarah Cooper, Sarah Mclntyre, Ann Asquith. Up to 1856 they had thirty-oneiregular members and twenty- one probationers. This church was prosperous from the first; but having no place in the township large enough to accommodate all who thronged to the place of worship, they accordingly built a church of their own on the center of section 24. Antioch Baptist church was organized July 22, 1866. This church owes its existence to George Miller, who, living at Sugar Grove, was a prominent member of that denomination, and church services were held at his house at an early period. When Mr. Miller left this county for Oregon, the place of holding meetings was changed to Lunn's school-house. This was called the Sugar Grove church. It increased in membership until finally they were joined by a few from Edgington, and a new church formed at the above place. The mem- bers most prominent in the movement were : John Young, James Young, L. H. Castor, B. F. Miller, and Frederick Volkel. At the school- DUNCAN TOWNSHIP. 497 house preaching was held until 1870, at which time a new church was erected on section 1. This edifice was built by subscription at a cost of $2, 300. Among the first early preachers were : Henry D. Kline, John Young and Alexander Sutton. A revival took place in 1867, under the preaching of one Pickert, an evangelist, which was the first revival after occupying the new church. The next was under the super- vision of James Young, in 1863. The next, conducted by J. R. R. Young, added fifty-three new members to the strength of the church. Among the early membership of the church were : -Lewis Landreth and wife, John Downing and wife, Milton Elliott and wife, James Elliott and wife, L. C. Elliott and family, E. W. Miller and wife, B. F. Miller and wife, John McLaughlin and wife, T. C. Lewis and wife. Among the first organizers of the Buffalo Prairie church, of Dun- can, Jesse L. Adams took an active interest. He was born in Bucks county, Ohio, March 23, 1808. He subsequently moved from that state to Madison county, Indiana, and settled in the wilderness. In 1822 he went to visit his older brother, who was then living on the Wabash river. While sojourning he united with the Church of Jesus Christ, and was called to the office of elder in 1835. In 1835 he moved to Mercer county, settling near Glancey's lake, in Eliza town- ship. He being enthusiastic in the faith, immediately began the agi- tation of establishing a church, and accordingly in 1862, the church was organized with eleven members. Winthrop Holmes was called to the eldership. The first meetings were held at the houses of the different members. The services were conducted by Elder J. W. Gillon, J. H. Gurley, and W. Holmes. The latter named dying in 1865, his place was filled by J. F. Adams. Up to 1865 the church had a membership of twenty-seven. In 1868 a revival took place, at which time 103 were added to the church, making in all 130 members, and they immediately set about building a church by subscription. This was dedicated September 5, 1868. In the fall of 1873 J. F. Adams resigned the eldership of the church, and David S. Holmes was called ; he resigned in 1875, and E, F. Bryant was called. Under his administration the church reached 256 members. ORGANIZATION. Pursuant to notice given for township organization, an election was held on April 4, 1854, at the school-house in district No. 1. The meeting was called to order by choosing George W. Bennett clerk, William Epperly, moderator, and Tyler McWhorter, clerk, pro tern. At this meeting it was decided to elect four poundmasters, and the 498 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. ones chosen were : W. S. Roe, Michael Miller, Bnford Duncan and Samuel Herson. Tvler McWhorter was chosen supervisor, receiving thirtj-two votes ; Alvah Sutton, town clerk ; Caleb Yernon, collector ; William S. Roe, assessor ; Samuel Herson, G. W. Bennett, John Page, Buford Duncan, and James Yernon, overseers of poor ; AVil- liam Summers and James Lloyd, commissioners of highways ; Wil- liam Ducan, constable ; James Yernon, justice of tlie peace. At this election thirty votes were cast. A resolution restraining swine, sheep, and cattle from running at large was adopted. One mile north of Millersburg, on a high ridge of ground covered with oaks, is located the Millersburg cemetery. This ridge of ground extends toward the nortli and slopes gently to the east and west. The lettering on numy of the old head-stones still standing has been obliter- ated by the elements, showing that the place has been in use for that pui'pose for many years. It is perhaps the first burial place in the county. Over two hundred are reposing beneatli the shades of the surrounding oaks. Until 1881 Duncan township was without a postoffice. At that time Mr, Leonard Gorber built a store-house on section 2, and John Ball was appointed postmaster. He was also the first merchant in the township. In the spring of 1882 he sold his stock to John Bolting- house, who was appointed in his stead. April IT, 1882, a second post- office was established in Duncan township, and Edward Cornell was appointed postmaster. This is situated in the extreme southwestern corner of the township. A mill was built on Camp creek in 1835, on the line between Dun- can and Millersburg townships. This was a grist and saw-mill. It has long since been numbered with the things of the past, and only a few of the old timbers remain to mark the spot where the early pioneer patiently awaited his turn to be accommodated. Luman Castle was the first discoverer of coal in Duncan township. This was about 1845 or 1846. One McDonald was the first to mine coal. Until he commenced, people who wished dug what they wanted out of the side of the ravine. There being plenty of timber then there was not much demand for coal, but as the population of the township increased they began using coal in order to save tlie timber for making rails and other purposes. BIOGRAPHICAL. Henry Dunn, farmer and stock-raiser, was bom in Brown county, Ohio, in 1831, where he received the advantages of a common school education, and began to assist about the farm at the age of sixteen. DUNCAN TOWNSHIP. 499 On coming to this county he first stopped at New Boston, and after a six months' stay he removed to Eliza townsliip, where he remained ten years. He afterward resided a year each in Mercer and Millersburg, and in 1863 bought land of James Yernon in section 21, near Dunn's school-house, which took its name from him. He was married to Miss A. Waters, formerly of Ohio. Her parents came out soon after, and being dissatisfied with the country he took them back and returned with his own parents. Mr. Dunn possesses a rare combination of good qualities, which fit him for the business in which he is engaged. He is a man of independent ideas, indomitable energy and fine business tact, all of which has been the secret of his success in life. David H. Livingston was born in 1827 in Columbiana county, Ohio, where he received a common school education, and after learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until 1851. At that time he came to Rock Island, where for the first year he followed the business. He then moved to Mercer county, settling first at Millersburg, still con- tinuing the business there. Here he lived for ten years. In 1861 he bought his first land, on the S. E. ^ of Sec. 6, in Duncan township, and in 1863 bought on the S. "W. J of Sec. 7, and other lands adjoining, until at the present time he owns 225 acres of choice land, which is the result of hard labor and careful management. He returned to Ohio in the spring of 1852, and was married to Miss Nancy McDevitt, of his native county. Four children were the result of this union, as follows : Jo. W., Minnie A., J. G., and Lizzie.' William Epperly, Sr., (deceased) was born in Montgomery county, Virginia, August 12, 1796, and was married in 1819 to Miss Alley AVade, of the same county. Somewhere between the years 1831 and 1833 they removed from Virginia to the State of Indiana, at which time the family consisted of seven children. After a residence of thirteen years in Indiana, they removed to Mercer county, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life. Soon after his arrival here he pur- chased 320 acres of choice farming land, and by industry, economy, and the assistance of his faithful wife, succeeded in obtaining a title to the same, besides saving considerable money. While residing in Indiana three children were added to the family, and six in Illinois. Mr. Epperly was one of the early settlers of Duncan township, and was widely and favorably known. After having spent a long and useful life, he passed away, August 10, 1879, at the good old age of eighty -three. He was a member of the reoi-ganized church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints, having been identified therewith for ten years prior. He died in full faith of the doctrine of the church. After his decease his property was divided among his children, he having 500 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. made the arrangements before liis death concerning the same. Ample provisions were made for his wife, who still survives him, and for his daughter, who will receive a dividend of the remaining portion of the estate. Saiviuel Sheese, though not an early settler of Duncan township, is nevertheless a good illustration of a limited class of citizens who came early to this township and learned to adapt themselves to the anoma- lous and changing circumstances of early settler life, and who wrung success from hardship and privations of an age when financial derange- ments were common. He was born in the State of Ohio in 1834. At the age of twelve he went with his parents from his native state to Indiana, where he spent his youth in working on a farm. His financial condition of life at that time was a barrier against an educa- tion, there being no fi*ee schools. From Indiana, at the age of twenty, he came to Clay county, Illinois, whither he was followed a short time after by his mother and two sisters. In 1857 he came to Mercer county, planted a crop and built a house. He was married to Miss Mary Fender about twenty-eight years ago. By this marriage they have twelve children born to them. Barehanded and without even the advantages of an education, Mr. Sheese began life for himself ; but his 550 acres of well-improved land and fine buildings are a proof of his ability to gain wealth. Charles Elswoeth Lunn, son of John and Mildred Lunn, was born in Mercer county in 1861. HiS father was among the oldest settlers of the count}'. He died while our subject was quite young, and his mother married a second time and moved to Port Royal, where he received a part of his education. On their return he was married, in September, 1881, to Miss Eva, daughter of Charles York, after which he moved upon his father's farm which he had made in 1853. Jonas Fender, son of Lewis and Jane Fender, was born in North Carolina, May 16, 1834. His parents and grandparents were also born in that state. His grandfather, Andrew Fender, is now living with him at the golden age of 100, and up to the winter of 1882 was active and worked about the farm. He has been four times married. His last wife is still living at an advanced age. Mr. Fender is the, parent of three generations of children, sixteen in number. He was twice en- rolled for the draft of 1812 but was not chosen. He first moved from North Carolina to Indiana, and to Illinois in 1856. Jonas Fender, the subject of tliis sketch, moved with his parents from their native state to Indiana, and thence to Illinois in 1853, in which year his father's death occurred. Soon after his arrival in the county he pur- chased a farm containing 302 acres in section 24, which he has (deceased) DUNCAN TOWNSHIP. 503 impi-oved, and erected upon the same a handsome dwelling-house with all the modern improvements. Ever since he began the improvement of his farm he has been engaged in the coal business, of which his farm contains a fine supply. Mr. Fender is a member of the Weslejan church, and was one of the founders. It stands just a few rods from his house. He is also an enthusiastic temperance worker. The esteem here placed upon his character is the willing testimony of many who have known him for years. Among the men of progress in Duncan township there will be found no name more distinctly representative than that of George Yater (deceased). From early childhood his life had been an active one. To him many owe the advantages of improvement in their stock. This was his study and delight and the principal part of his business. He came to America in company with his brother in an early day, and for the first few years rented land, until 1865, when he bought John Mitchel's interest in 260 acres of land, and subsequently added to it 150 acres in section 13. To this he added substantial improvements, notwithstanding the fact that when he arrived here he had nothing but his hands to assure this success in life. At the time of his death, in 1879, he left his widowed wife with this estate unincumbered. Mr. Vater was born in Germany in 1836. His father having died while he was young left our subject to his own resources. He M^as married in 1863 to Miss Winegard, of Rock Island county. The result of the marriage was seven children, five girls and two boys. The subject of this sketch, John Braucht, who is now passing his declining years on his farm in Duncan township, with all the comforts of life around him, was one among the enterprising first settlers of that township, at a time when industry and energy were requisites to success in life. Mr. Braught was born in Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1821, his parents having also been born in Lancaster county in that state. From there they moved to Dauphin county, and thence to Ohio. In the fall of 1852 Mr. Braucht came with his parents to Mercer county, first settling a few miles south of Aledo, where our sub- ject resided one year, or until 1853, when they bought in Duncan town- ship of James Hartman. On this place he still resides. He has devoted all his energies to improvement, until he has now one of the best improved farms in the township. He was married in Ohio. His wife died in 1881. The family of James Lloyd originated *in AVales, but his more recent ancestors were raised in this country. His parents were Benijah and Elizabeth Lloyd, who moved to Erie county in an early day, where James was born September 3, 1827, and moved with his parents to 29 504 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Mercer county in 1834. His father hired a man and team to bring them to Mercer county, but on arriving at the river Nile he became dis- couraged and would go no farther. Here they took passage on board of a schooner for Chicago, where they hapjDened to meet with some formers who had brought wheat from Putnam county. "With some of these teams they were brought as far as Monmouth, where, after a few days' stay, they engaged a man and team to bring them to Millersburg. This was an eventful trip for the whole family. Sliortly after leaving Monmouth their younger brother fell from the wagon in which they were riding and was instantly killed. On arriving at Millersburg they found an Indian camp all along Camp creek, which sight did not add much pleasure to then* mother's anticipations of the new country. The Indians would come to their house in squads of twenty or more in quest of potatoes and such other pro^'isions as they had to spare, never taking anything, however, without paying for it. They were treated kindly by the Lloyds, whom they duly appreciated. Mr. Lloyd's mother had been in Mercer county for nearly a year before she saw the face of a white woman. In 1860 Mr. Lloyd made a trip to Pike's Peak, and on this trip he met an old Indian who had many times been at his father's house while they were encamped at Millersburg. They both recognized each other at once. He "was quite aged, but still remembered all that had transpired dm-ing their encampment at Camp creek, at which time Mr. Lloyd was but a small boy. Mr. Lloyd bought his first land on S. W. Sec. 32, in 1849, of Dr. Samuel West, who had bought the tax title. He did not settle until 1857. He remembers Capt. Kinkade and a party of twelve stojDping at his father's house while on their way to Rock Island to make a treaty with Black Hawk. James Lloyd's ancestors on his mother's side were German, His mother died in 1879, at the age of eighty-one years. She will always be remembered by those who knew her on account of her generous hospitality. Edward M. Castle was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, July 7, 1838. His grandparents were born in America. Luman Castle, his father, was born in Ontario county, New York, and his mother in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. His father came to Illinois in 1832, where he was married to Miss Catharine Murry, in Tazewell county, about 1837, and moved to Mercer county in 1842. He first settled one mile east of Millersburg, which place he sold to James Wliarton, and moved to Nebraska, where his wife died in 1861. The subject of this sketch entered the service of the war of the rebellion as a private in company G., 27th 111. Inf., and during the time which he served participated in all the battles in which his regiment was DUNCAN TOWNSHIP. 505 engaged, Belmont being the tirst. He returned home after the war and bought hmd in section 5, which had been owned by one Hatch, of Ohio, and who had traded a hotel property for it. He also bought in section 8, which was formerly owned by Kendall, Specker, and Almen- dinger, who had bought it of I. N. Bassett. Mr. Castle is well and favorably known throughout the section of country in which he lives, having taken an active part in the aifairs of the township. He was several times chosen supervisor, assessor and collector. He is a prominent member of the Presbyterian church and a deacon of the same. Caleb Yernon was born thirty miles from Cincinnati, Warren county, Ohio, in 1817, and when fourteen years of age moved with the family to Indiana, where he received a common school education and learned t(^ farm. His father was born in England, and, while young, was left at home with his mother, while his father came to America, but after a few years took ship to return home. The vessel was wrecked and he was never after heard from. For the first few years after Mr. Vernon's arrival in Illinois he followed mining in the lead mines of Galena. He was married in St. Louis, July 6, 1817, to Miss Nancy Walston, whose mother was a native of Kentucky. Vernon's parents came to Illinois when he was but a small child, but he distinctly remembers the wilderness-like appearance of the country at that time. There were but a few houses then in the county. He once left Kock Island for Millersburg, at which time Daniel Mont- gomery's house was the only one between the two places. There he took dinner and started on his journey. Darkness overtook him, and when near Millersburg he lost himself on the hills of Camp creek. He became bewildered, and made several trips back and forth from Camp creek to Eliza. Wolves were plentiful at that time, and he remembers of them following him while plowing in the fields. He is engaged in farming a small fruit culture. His handsome residence is shaded by large trees of his own planting, consisting of chestnut, maple, elm, ash and beech. Joseph Anderson was born September 13, 1815, his parents being William and Achsah Anderson. His grandparents, on his father's side, were Americans, and on his mother's side, German. The sub- ject of the sketch is the youngest child of a family of four children, and the only son of the family. His oldest sister, Louvenia, married Wal- ter Balfour, and resides in Pocahontas county, Iowa. Annie married Samuel Powell, a resident of Pock Island county. Emmaranda resides in that county, also. Joseph Anderson came with his parents to this county in 1857. Here he received the benefits of a common school 506 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. • education, and was raised to farming, at which he was engaged until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted as a private in tlie 9tli Iowa cavalry. lie served only a few months with his regiment and was detached for special duty as a scout and dispatch carrier, at which duty he served three years, and was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, after which lie immediately returned home to resume farm- ing and stock raising. He has never sought office, but has been several times elected to till the various offices in his town, and in 1882 was chosen supervisor. AVhen he first settled in the township he bought his first land of Jacob Almendinger, on the IS". ^ of Sec. 9. He resides, however, on section 4, land owned by his father-in-law, Mr. Isaac Rob- bins, whose daughter, Carrie, he married. Mr. Anderson is a repub- can, and a member of the Aledo masonic lodge. MiLT( »N BoRUFF, SOU of Valentine and Louvina Boruff, was born in Eliza township in 18-13. Ilis father was born in Clay county, Tennes- see, and moved from there to Monroe county, Indiana, and to Mercer county, Illinois, in ISIG, settling first on Pope creek, and later moved to Eliza township, where he was married to Miss Louvina Epperly. Milton Boruff was educated at a common school in the township in which he was born, where he was also married in 1865 to Miss Emaline, daughter of Martin Bear. By this marriage, Mr. Boruff and wife have had six children born to them, all of whom are now living at home. Mr. Boruff bought his first land in section 31, in 1865, which he has largely improved by commodious residences and other fine buildings. Michael M^u^dock was born in Tennessee in 1813, and at the age of eight years moved with his parents to the state of Ohio, and from that state to Indiana. Here he received a liberal education and learned the carpenter trade, which he followed until his removal to this state. His first settlement was in Eliza township where he improved a farm and resided until his removal to section 6, Duncan township. He was joined in marriage in 1839 to Miss ISTancy Miller, which happy union was blessed by the birth of five children. From humble beginnings, by industry and good management, Mr. Mardock has acquired a hand- some estate which he lives to enjoy, as well as the respect of his friends about him. He is a democrat in politics, and an honored member of the masonic order. Michael Mader, son of Adam and Barbara Mader, was born in Germany in 1832. In his father's family were four boys, among whom Michael was the youngest. He came to America in 1859, in company with Michael Yater's family and sister. At this time our subject had barely enough money to pay his passage to New York and Chicago, where he boiTowed six dollars of his friend Yater, to bring him to DUNCAN TOWNSHIP. 507 Rock Island. Immediately after his arrival lie sought and obtained employment as a farm hand, at which he worked faithfully for eight years, at which time he invested the money that he had saved in 160 acres of land in the northeast of section 11. He subsequently bought eighty acres more just across the road in section 2. He has made some handsome buildings upon his place, all of which he has done by hard labor and good cultivation. Mr. Mader is a social gentleman, free in his habits and opinions, and liberally supports the cause of education, good morals and public progress. Leonard Garber was born in Baden, Germany, in 1832, a country which has furnished many of our most prosperous emigrants, as may be seen by viewing their handsome improved farms throughout the township and elsewhere within the borders of Mercer county. Mr. Garber came with his parents to this country at the age of fourteen. The family landed in New York, from which place they immediately proceeded to St. Louis, where for two years our subject worked by days' wages in a brick-yard. He managed to lay up some money in the hands of the company, but the lirm failing he lost all. They then moved westward, locating in Rock Island county, near Illinois city, where his father bought a farm and where Mr. Garber spent his youth at work. He here received a liberal education. In 1856 lie was married in Rock Island county to Miss Margaret Bower, of the same county.. Soon after his marriage he began business for himself He first bought land in Rock Island county, which in 1862 he sold to George Wise and moved to Mercer county, where he bought 120 acres of partly improved land in section 1. He next bought eighty acres adjoining, of Nicholas Leuze. He next bought eighty acres adjoining, of Owens Tolbert. This he afterward sold. He then bought eighty acres of Mr. Cline, and next 160 acres of William Netf, in section 14, and besides another thirty acres, making in all 470 acres. His farm is well improved and contains more barns and outbuildings than any other farm in the township. His farm is also well adapted to stock-raising, which business occupies his attention. His pleasant home is shaded by large trees of his own planting, and he lives in ease and pleasure among his family of five children : Barbara, Maggie, Emma, Sadie, and John. George Leuze was born in Baden, Germany, December 26, 1813. His parents were Peter and Margaret Leuze. His father was born on the river Rhine in the year the Russians crossed the river during the Napoleon war. In his father's family there were nine children, five boys and four girls. His father lived to the age of eighty-two and his mother eighty-five. Our subject was married in Germany, in 1841, to Miss Mary Gliist, by which marriage they had four children born to 508 HISTORY OF MERCER AXL» HENDERSON COUNTIES. them, two of whom are dead. John is superintending his father's farm and Xicholas resides in Rock Ishmd county. In Germany our subject followed weaving in thg winter and farming in the summer. He came to this country May 10, 1S57, on board the Palestina. which took fire twice while on the way. During the voyage the provisions ran short, and they were three days without a morsel to eat. They landed in Xew York, and went direct fi-om there to Rock Island, where he obtained work at fifty cents per day. He soon after bought 150 acres of land, where he now resides at an advanced age. Mr. Leuze stands high among the people of the neighborhood in which he lives as an honest, upright and fi-ee-spirited gentleman. D. S. Mayhew was bom in Wasliington county. Pennsylvania, in 1S34. He devoted the first yeiu's of liis life after obtaining liis majority to working on a farm. After lea^'ing his father's house he moved to "Washington county, where his parents had formerly resided. There he worked ten months on a farm. In 1856 he came to Mercer county, where he worked by the month, and aftei'ward rented land for two years, after which he was married to Miss Betsie E. Cooper, daughter of Levi Cooper. They have had ten cliildren born to them : Emma (who is now married to George Close, a farmer, residing near his father-in-law's place). Levi. Lester, George, Efiie. Tunis, John, Alex- ander. Bertie. Ira. and Eddie. Mr. Mavhew beo:an life emptv handed, but by industry and good management had accumulated a capital of $300, with which he made the first payment on 160 acres of choice land in section 15. which he bought in 1S66. This he has improved with good fences and a commodious house and barn. His door-yard is shaded bv larc^e ti-ees planted bv his own hands. Mr. Mavhew's beginning in life, conti-asted with the condition of his afiaii-s twenty years later, when li%-ing in afiiuence and comfort, with a well stocked farm, is a striking iUusti'ation of the results of well directed energy. Fred Volkel emigrated fi-om Gemiany with his parents to America at the age of seven. The family fii'st landed in Xew York, and after a short stay, they went to Ohio, and thence to Springfield, Illi- nois, in 1S42, where he remained with his parents imtil 1845, when he moved to Mercer county. His father died at Johnstown, Ohio, in 1879, and his mother in 1842. Life had been a stiTiggle with him from the first, and his only hopes of a more successful ending lay in his energy, and with this sole assurance he staited out in life, at\:er receiA-ing his education in Ohio. Soon after his anival in the county he pm'chased land in section 10 of James Hains, and in 1855 was manied to Miss Xancy Jane Davis, of Rock Island county, by which union they had five children born to them. His wife died in 1864. and Mr. Volkel was DUNCAN TOWNSHIP. 509 again married in 1S67 to Mrs. Betty McDowell, and by this marriage tliey had five children. Mr. Yolkel now owns an improved farm in Duncan township, and is in such circumstances as to enjoy life. He is a member of the Baptist church, and was among the first to organize that church at Antioch. Among the many old settlers and prominent gentlemen of Mercer county, who have taken an active part in its development, we mention the name of William Retherford (deceased), who was ^orn in the Mo- nongahcla river valley, in Pennsylvania. His estimable wife, a native of Botetourt county, Virginia, was born in 1813. Her parents moved to Indiana when she was fifteen years old. Here they were married in 1836 and came to Mercer county in 1838. They first rented land of William Drury for five years, when, by industry and economy, they managed to lay up some money with which they purchased land in section li, which they improved and added to until the time of Mr. Retherford''s death in 1881. He owned 960 acres, all well improved and under the highest state of cultivation. When he first arrived in the county his whole stock in trade consisted of a wagon, a team of horses and harness. Some of the land which he first bought at fifty cents per acre is now worth $50. Mr. Retherford's fjimily consisted of six children: Madison, Patrick, Sarah E., Delilah, Jane, and James Franklin, with John C, whom Mr. Retherford adopted. At the time of his death it was his request that John C. be an equal heir with his own children. Mr. Retherford was never a politician, but always held decided views upon the leading questions of the day. He was not a republican ; but when the question of supporting the government came up as against the other issues of the rebellion, Mr. Retherford was on the side of the union with his money and influence to assist in filling up the quota of his town. His personal integrity and worth were always recognized b}^ those who lived near and dealt with him. James Retherford, son of the subject, was married to Miss Sarah Collins, soon after which he bought land of his father's estate, upon which he now resides. Lewis Landreth was born in the State of Indiana in 1814. His father, Zachariah Landreth, was a native of Virginia, and his mother was born in Xoilli Carolina. They moved from that state to Indiana in an early day, where they were married and where our subject was born. Lewis came with his parents to Mercer county, Illinois, about 1832 and with his father first settled in Perry ton township. His father and mother died there and were buried side by side at Millersburg. Fpr many years previous to their death they had been devoted members of the Baptist church, and succeeded in raising their children to lives 510 HISTORY OF FIERCER ASH) HENDERSON COUNTIES. of honesty, industry, and service for the Creator. Soon after our sub- ject was first married he began farming on section 9, which was partly given to him by his fatlier. This he sokl, and bought the Martin Boyd place on section 16, which is finely improved, and where he now resides in peace and comfort. Nicholas Audio, was born in Germany, in 1848, and is the young- est child of a family of five children. In 1854 he came to x\merica with his parents, he being then five years old. The family landed in New York, and ^^I'oceeded thence to Rock Island county, settling in the southwestern part of tlie county, in what is known as the German settlement. There his father bought and improved a farm, and our subject worked for his father until 1869, when he was joined in mar- riage to Miss Mai'garet Leonard. Soon after the union he moved on section 1 in Duncan township, where he remained for two years. Being ambitious to obtain more land he moved to Iowa, but not liking the country where he had settled, he returned after an absence of two years to Mercer county. Immediately after his arrival he purchased 160 acres of land of Mr. Conrad Leonard, in section 1, where has since resided. In 1874 he bought eiglity acres of James A. Harris, and in 1881 bought an addtional eighty acres of John Boltinghouse. All this he has highly improved, and at present writing is engaged in building one of the largest barns in the county. This barn is designed to contain all the modern improvements, and will be supplied with water by a hydraulic ram. From early childhood his life has been an active one, given almost wholly to the advancement of his business. One would scarcely believe, after admiring his fine farm, that he began empty-handed, yet such is his history. His happy home has been blessed with five girls, all of whom are living. His father was born in Germany in 1811, and his mother in 1812. Her maiden name was Mary Elizabeth Spangler. They are both Kving and quite active at the time we write. J. H. Collins, farmer and fine stock raiser, was born in 1819, in Washington county, Ohio. There he received his education at Mon- roe academy after which he read law and was admitted to the bar, and for a short time practiced in that county. In 1849 he went to Texas, with a power of attorney by a decree of court, to sell some property which a party there was occupying and falsely owning. He had some dilficulty in applying the law, and fell back upon his physi- cal ability, and thus succeeded in accomplishing his object. After this he returned home, and in 1856 came to Illinois, where he staid one year. Coming again next year he began to improve his farm of one- half section of land. In 1858 he was married to Miss Emilv Robin- DUNCAN TOWNSHIP. 511 son, of Edgington, Rock Island county. When he first came to this county there were but few houses in the neighborhood, and until the fall of 1858, at the time the Antioch church was built, there had not been a school within five miles, and the country was all unimproved. In 1875 he built one of the finest houses in Duncan township. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, was of English descent, and his mother was born in Ireland. Mr. Collins possesses great determina- tion of character, and indomitable energy and acute ideas. He is of ready and pleasing address, making the humblest feel at home in his house. He is a man who has never sought ofiice, but served his town for twelve consecutive years as justice of the peace, the only ofiice which he would accept. Joseph C. Gilmore came to Mercer county in 1847, and with the exception of a few years spent in the lumber districts of the north, has resided in the county ever since. On his first arrival he made his residence in Perryton township, where he became acquainted with Miss Rebecca Blue, formerl}' of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and they were married in 1855. His ancestors originated in Wales. Mr. Gilmore is the son of Ephraim and Catharine Gilmore. His great- grandparents, on coming to this country in a very early day, settled on a farm in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where our subject was born and educated. In 1851 he bought his first land in section 35, Duncan township, principally for pasture, and did not improve it until 1857, since which he has built a large, commodious house and barn, and has turned his attention to the fine stock and cattle business. His home has been blessed by four children, of whom one is deceased. He has lived to see the country improved from its wild condition to its present high state of civilization. He has led a quiet and peaceful life of irreproachable honesty, and has never sought ofiice, though often importuned. Politically he is a democrat, with which party he has always acted. Of Mr. Gilmore's father's family eleven children con- stituted the family circle, of whom nine are living. From the time of his removal to Duncan township, he has bought several tracts of land bordering on his original farm, until he now has 155 acres. Himself and family are members of the Presbyterian church of Millersburg. 512 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. AEINGTON TOWNSHIP. It would be difficult, indeed, to find a spot of earth where human feet have trod for nearly a half century, that has not been the scene of events worthy a place in history ; but it is often a difficult matter to glean such facts as are necessary to a correct record, from the filth and rubbish of tradition. The lack of correct data, owing to the treachery of human memory and a failure to make a correct record of the events as they transpired, make the accurate compilation of them a per- plexing task. A few well substantiated facts are of more value in his- tory than many pages of matter where a large draw on the imagination is indulged in and a mountain of fiction built on a mole-hill of fact. Desiring to be accurate we shall refrain from all superfluities and be brief, for this " soul of wit" is a jewel even in a historian. Abington township is devoted almost wholly to grain production, though a number of persons residing in the township are extensive stock raisers. The soil is usually very fertile, and the industrious tillers of the soil reap where they sow ; and the vast fields are filled with an abundance that makes glad the heart of the husbandman. The first settlement in the township was made in about 1832 or 1833, and among the first settlers were Joseph Glancey, William T. Jackson, John W. Ditto, Frederick Frick, and Thomas Greer. All these lived to a ripe age, and Mr. Ditto still survives. Joseph Glancey settled in Abington township in July, 1831. He broke the first land in the township on the place now known as the Gates farm. The first school-house was built in the township about 1839, nqar the farm of William T. Jackson, and the first teacher was Miss Harriet Wilson, who afterward married Mr. Brooks Beeson. The school- house was a small structure, built of round logs and covered with clap- boards, and contained a puncheon floor. Among the fii'st school teachers who* taught in the township were, Warren Shedd (afterward county treasurer of Mercer county, and but recently deceased) ; John ISTevius, and Miss Lucy Wilson, now Mrs. T. B. Cabeen ; but the exact date when these different pedagogues wielded the birch and taught the young frontiersmen the art of orthography and penmanship, and the science of mathematics, is a matter involved in a little doubt ; but the period when each of these educators plied their vocation in Abington township, was remote enough for them to enjoy the musical voice of the prowling wolf as he figured and schemed for a raid on the pigs and sheep of the farmers, on which to satiate his keen appetite. As "re- lentless time" has moved on, the fierce beasts of prey have fled before ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. 513 the vast tide of emigration, and tlie painted savage has gi^^en up his cherished liunting grounds to the pale faces who have caused the wild prairies to bloom as an Eden ; and we stop long enough in the rapid whirl of events to ask where those early school teachers and the chil- dren they taught are, as, we make a record of thosQ early events ; and the answer is the only one we could expect. Some "are resting in the quiet embrace of the tomb, while others are yet alive with the marks of time visibly and indelibly carved in every feature and movement. Mr. John W. Ditto informs us that the first marriage of white people in Abington township was that of a couple on their way from Indiana to Iowa. The bride was a widowed daughter of a man who was moving with his family to the yoiing hawkeye state ; and the groom was a teamster of the father of the bride. The party halted for a few days in the timber that fringes Pope creek, and the lovers stood on the ice, while a justice of the peace, whose name is forgotten, legalized the contract, and for once, at least, there was love "on ice." The second marriage was probably that of Robert Pence and Eliza Glancey. In every state of society there seems to be a commingling of joy and sor- row ; of pleasure and pain ; of hopes realized and anticipations blasted. Wliile singing and dancing speak the haj^piness of one, mourning tells of the sorrow of another. Mrs. Mahala Willits and Mrs. Evaline C. Swafford, relate the fol- lowing sad story : In 1835 Mr. William Jack and his wife and a son and daughter were moving from Fayette county, Indiana, to Mercer county, Illinois, by boat. When between Oquawka and New Boston, Mrs. Jack died of cholera. The stricken husband and children landed at New Boston, and the remains of Mrs. Jack were taken to the resi- dence of John Denison (the only family living there at that time, we believe), and were buried where the New Boston cemetery now is ; Mrs. Erastus Denison being the only person buried at the place pre- vious to the interment of Mrs. Jack. The bereaved husband and two children went to the residence of Joseph Glancey, who then resided on what is known as the Davis farm, in New Boston township. At ten o'clock on the day following the burial of Mrs. Jack, the son (Samuel), took the cholera and died at four o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, and was buried on the bluff where the Davis gi-aveyard now is; he was the first person buried there. There were none to assist in the interment but Joseph Glancey, Achillis and Miles Drury. There was no coffin to be had nearer than from Monmouth, and Mr. Glancey and the Messrs. Drury made a rough box out of the wagon box in which Mr. Glancey and his family came to Illinois, and in that they put the remains and buried them. At this time, Mr. Glanfiey and the few 514: HISTORY OF MEKCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Other persons in the neighborhood had to get their mail at Monmouth, and there were but one or two houses between Mr. Glancey's residence and Monmouth. It was one unbroken stretch of prairie for twentj- one miles on a "bee line." The first bridge built across Pope creek was in 1837, a few rods below where Pope mill now stands. Mr. John Kumley had the con- tract, and Hon. Thomas B. Cabeen was the boss carpenter and builder. The hands at work on the bridge boarded at Mr. Kumlej''s, and Mrs. E. C. Swaftord, then a girl of fifteen years, was one of the cooks. The first saw mill in Abington township was built in 1838 or 1839, by Mr. Isaiah Brown, one mile and a half east of the Pope mill. AVill- iam Willit, now of Keithsburg, ran the mill for a time and then pur- chased it. Mrs. Evaline C. Swaftord owned the first sewing machine that was in Mercer county. It was a Wheeler et; Wilson, and was bought in Chicago in 1858, by Theodore Glaneey, when he was on his way east to attend school in Jamestown, l^ew York. The machine was a great curiosity in the community, and persons came for miles to see the wonder. Mrs. Swaftord says the many questions asked about the macliine were really amusing. The first postolfice was at the residence of Frederick Frick. The following is a list of the citizens of Abington township elected to the ofiice of justice of the peace, according to the record in the oftice of the county clerk at Aledo and the advice of old and well-informed residents: Frederick Frick, elected August 5, 1839, August 7, 1813, August 2, 1847 ; Orla C. Richardson, November 6, 1849 ; George Jay, Is"ovember 6, 1849 ; S. G. Wright, April 6, 1858 ; Frederick Frick, April 6, 1858, April 1, 18H2, April 3, 186H ; William P. Strong, April 2, 1867; M. R. Gushee, April 5, 1870; William Willitt, April 7, 1874; Ernest J. Glaneey, April 4, 1876; Lewis Sponsler, April 3, 1877; E. J. Glaneey, April 3, 1877, April 5, 1881 ; John W. Landers, April 5, 1881. Palestine church in Abington township was built in 1866 by the United Brethren denomination. Its original cost was about $2,000. It was dedicated August 12, 1866, Rev. L. S. Chittenden preaching the dedicatory sermon. The building will seat about 300 persons. It is a substantial fi-ame. The society has no great strength in the way of membership, but they maintain a Sunday-school, are out of debt, and have preaching every alternate Sunday. The clergymen who have served the society as pastors are : Revs. Elisha Godfrey, Benjamin AYagoner, O. F. Smith, John Wagoner, A. G. Smith, O. O. Smith, A. Worman, Adam Wolft', and the Revs. Davis, Pease, and Chelser, the given ABINGTOX TOWNSHIP. 515 names of the latter tliree gentlemen being forgotten. Some of tlie gentlemen named served the society only one year, while others remained on the charge two years in succession. BIOGRAPHICAL. Joseph Glancey was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1794. He learned the trade of carding machine building, and followed the trade for many years. He removed to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1820, and purchased a quarter section of heavy timber land and improved a large farm. He was married in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1818, to Rachel Snevly, by whom he had five children, two of whom are now living. The eldest is Mrs. Mahala Willits, widow of Brady Willits, Esq., who died in 1873. Mrs. Willits never married again. She was born December 29, 1818. The second child, Eliza, was born September 28, 1820, and married Robert Pence in 1840. The third child is Mrs. Evaline C. Swafford, who was born April 20, 1822, and was married to Mr. Joseph Swaiford, March 19, 1844. Mrs. Swafford had the misfortune to lose her husband by death in seven months after their marriage, and being so soon called from the marriage feast to the house of mourning she has ever since her great misfortune remained a widow. Mr. Joseph Glancey, the prin- cipal subject of our sketch, was married four times. By the third wife he had seven children, three now living: Mrs. I. J. Mitchell, Mrs. Thomas J. Moffitt, and Ernest J. An account of the cruel murder of Theodore Glancey, together with his biographical sketch, will be found in the history of Keithsburg township in this volume. Mr. Joseph Glancey's fourth wife was Mrs. Martha Whitaker, widow of Mr. Mar- shall Whitaker, to whom he was married Jul}^ 18, 1861. She is still living ; and she, Mrs. Mahala Willits, Mrs. Evaline C. Swofford, and Ernest J. Glancey and his wife, all live on the old homestead in a fine, large residence, which shows how strong and bright is the golden chord of affection which binds some families together. Ernest J., the youngest child of Mr. Joseph Glancey, was born May 17, 1848, in Abington township, and has always resided within its borders. He received a common school education, and follows farming. He also owns a half interest in Pope mill, built by his father, on Pope creek. He is now holding his third term as justice of the peace. He was married October 31, 1878, to Miss Lillian C, daughter of Anderson and Mary J. (Willits) Kirlin. The Glanceys are all freethinkers, most of them of the spiritualistic type. They were among the first abolitionists of the country. The younger Glancey, Ernest J., states his creed to be as follows : The immediate payment of the national 516 HISTORY OF :MERCER and HENDERSON COUNTIES. debt ; taxation of all church property, and the abolishment of all chaplaincies in the legislatures, army and navy and state prisons. Samuel, son of Samuel and Mary Knisley, was born in Highland county, Ohio, February 9, 1S2T. His father's family removed from Ohio to Fountain county, Indiana, when Samuel was nine years old. He was married in 1852 to Minerva, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Seeders. They came to Mercer county, Illinois, soon after their mar- riage and settled in Abington township. They have had born to them nine children, live of whom are living: Henry, Emma M., Lee Koy, Elmer E., and Charles W, Mr. Knisley was one of the most success- ful farmers in his neighborhood, and was a good and well-esteemed citizen ; but for several years he has been afflicted with hallucinations, which unfit him for business. AVhile this misfortune is a sore affliction to the family, Mrs. Knisley and her two sons, Lee Roy and Elmer E., are keeping their beautiful home of 19-1 aci-es in excellent shape. Lee Eov received a common school education and attended the Brvant & Stratton Business College at Davenport, Iowa, one term. He had thought of engaging in mercantile business, but circumstances have led him to adopt agriculture as his chief work. Among the early settlers of Abington township was the family of Frederick Frick. They came from Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1838. Mr. Frick was elected a justice of the peace the year follow- ing his settlement in Abington township, and he was elected five times to the same position, being on his fifth term when he died. Mr. Frick was the first postmaster in Abington township, the office being located at the farm-house of Mr. Frick at the Blufi*, five miles east of where Keithsburg is now situated. Mr. and Mrs. Frick had eight children : Sarah E. (Mrs. W. A. AYillits), George A., Mary C. (Mrs. John E. Willits), Harriet W. (Mrs. James Noble), Rebecca N. (Mrs. Joshua Cabeen), Lucy J. (Mrs. Harvey N. Smith), William W., and Charles P. Mr. Frick died in 1866. George A., the second child, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1826. He came with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, and assisted his father in the work of farming, and has made agriculture his chief business. He was married, March 29, 18-18, to Frances, daughter of William and Anna Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Frick have five children living, and one (Harry jSTorvell) deceased. The living are: Frederick W., Albert A., Warren T., Alice, and Homer W. Mr. Frick is a member of the I.O.O.F. He is a democrat politically, and an independent on ques- tions of religion. Mr. Frick has served his township as supervisor three terms, held the office of township collector ten years, and that of town clerk two years. The handsome home of Mr. Frick is near ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. 517 where his father's family first settled, and consists of I-IO acres of land with the necessary appurtenances. Andrew J. Douglass was boi-n in Bath county, Yii-ginia, May 18, 1825. He is the son of Andrew J. and Nancy A. (Fox) Douglass. When our subject was about ten year^ old his parents removed to Highland county, Ohio, where young Douglass grew to young man- hood. He then turned his face westward and made his first halt in Edgar county, Illinois, where he remained one year, and then moved onward toward the setting sun. This move brought him to Mercer county where he has since resided, a period of nearly forty years. It may not be amiss here to mention that the lady who has been Mrs. Douglass for thirty-four years, came with her parents to Mercer county a year previous to Mr. Douglass' turning his steps westward ; and when we call to mind the fact that an acquaintance had existed between the two parties in the state of Ohio, it is not diflicult to divine the guiding star that directed the feet of Mr. Douglass to the vast, unbro- ken prairies of the "Far West." Mr. Douglass came west without any capital, save his willing hands and unimpeachable character, and for a number of years he occupied only rented land. He then pur- chased the place on which he now lives and improved it ; and he now has a grand farm of 500 acres under a good state of cultivation, well supplied with good buildings of every sort demanded on a farm, and well stocked with cattle, horses, etc. Mr. Douglass has a passion for fine horses, and he can boast of some fine specimens in this line., Mr. Douglas was married April 6, 1848, to Mary J. Mclntire, daughter of John and Elizabeth Mclntire. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass have been blessed with eight children : Frances E., Mary E., William R., George E., Isaiah H., Charles L, Mina I., and Andrew J. Frances E., the eldest, was married to George W. Braucht, March 21, 1867, and died July 21, 1869, leaving an infant son, Frederick E. ; Mary E. is married to James M. Greer. ; William R., to Mary E. Walker, and Isaiah H., to Ida M. Jones. Mr. Douglass is a greenback er, politically. He and Mrs. Douglass are Sabbatarians, or Seventh Day Adventists. William Riley Main was born in Crawford county, Indiana, Sep- tember 3, 1835. He is the son of Riley and Martha Main. He received a fair common school education in the schools of Indiana and Illinois. He came with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1852. He was married October 15, 1857, to Sarah M. Fleming. Eleven children have been born to them : Floyd, Olive E., Cora M., John T., Walker B., Alta I., George S., Maud E., Lulu J., Oscar R., and Orin W. Mr. Main is a farmer and stock-raiser, and owns one of the many beautiful farms that " blossom as the rose " in western Illi- 518 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. nois. His farm consists of 500 acres under a good state of cultiva- tion. He has good buildings on his place. He pays a good deal of attention to heavy stock business. Mr. and Mrs. Main are members of the United Brethren church. Politically Mr. Main is a republican. Mr. Main and his family are blessed with an abundance of the world's comforts ; or, in other words, are in excellent circumstances. Minerva A. Greer was born in Wayne county, Indiana, December 29, 1829. She is the daughter of Reuben and Mary (Harris) Willits. Her parents both died in the spring of 1834, of milk sickness ; the mother dying in the evening and the father the following morning. Mrs. Grreer came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1836, with her uncle, Thomas Moore, who settled in New Boston township. The subject of our sketch was married April 15, 1847, to Thomas Greer, a farmer. There were fourteen children born to them: Reuben H., James M., Mary J., Thomas F., Alice A., John E., Samuel I., Arthur, Lewis W., Albert C, Ella F., Dora E., Robert F., and a daughter who died when an infant and before she was named. Three of the other children are dead: Arthur, Dora E., and Lewis. Thomas Greer, the husband of our immediate subject, was born June 10, 1818, in the state of Ohio. He removed to Mercer county, Illinois, as early as 1836, and settled in Abington township, wliere he resided until his death. He devoted his time to farming and stock raising, and by industry and economy accumulated a large amount of property. Since the death of the hus- band and father, the property has been divided among the heirs, Mrs. Greer retaining the homestead, which consists of 200 acres of land under a good state of cultivation with good buildings and all the necessary improvements to a complete country home. Seven of the children are married and all living within a radius of two and a half miles of the old homestead. Mrs. Greer is a Seventh Day Adventist. Samuel Pollock was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, April 26, 1823. He is the son of Samuel and Margaret (Caldwell) Pollock. Our subject removed to Peoria county, Illinois, in 1852, and removed to Abington township, Mercer county, Illinois, October, 1854, and set- tled on the farm on which he now resides. He has a farm of 600 acres all improved, with good buildings and other modern improvements. Mr. Pollock is an extensive dealer in stock, especially in cattle. Mr. Pollock's success in life is an index to what industry, economy and genuine pluck will do. He started out in life a poor boy, and now stands in the front rank as a business man and an honorable gentleman. Mr. Pollock was married February 23, 1863, to Mary A. Kinney. They have three children: John K., Maggie A., and Mary I. Mr. Pollock is a member of the old school Presbyterian church. Politi- cally he is a re])ublican. • JOSEPH GL/\MCY, (deceased) ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. 521 John W. Landers was born in Fountain county, Indiana, January 3, 1830. He is tlie son of Robert H. and Hannah (Stewart) Landers. Mr. Landers learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner and worked at the business for seven years. At the end of that period he engaged in farming and has made it the main business of' his life. He was married March 24, 1853, to Miss Mary, daughter of Emanuel and Frances Humbert. They removed from Indiana to Mercer county, Illinois, in October, 1857, and settled in Abington township. In 1874 they removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where they remained for three years, they then returned to Mercer county, and again became citizens of Abington township. They have had seven children, four of whom are living. They are: James R., William H., Charlie B., and Mary E. Mr. Landers was formerly a democrat, but of late years he has been an active, aggressive greenbacker. He has held some minor offices, and at present is a justice of the peace. Religiously he is a liberal. The family have recently sustained a severe loss by the burn- ing of their residence, which was a substantial brick. James Kellogg, son of David and Ruth (Miller) Kellogg, was bom in Granville, Hampden county, Massachusetts, August 12, 1819. His father's family removed from Massachusetts to Portage county, Ohio, when the subject of this sketch was ten years old. After a residence of nine years in Ohio the family removed to Crawford county, Penn- sylvania. Mr. Kellogg was married in 1846 to Martlia A., daughter of James and Orpha (Alexander) Lafferty. Mr. Kellogg removed with his family to Mercer county, Illinois, in the fall of 1852, and settled on section 27, in Ohio Grove township, where they remained until 1867, when they removed to Abington township and settled on the farm on which they now reside. Mr. Kellogg owns an excellent farm of 160 acres, well supplied with living water, and it is in every way a well arranged home, being supplied with good out-buildings, groves and shrubbery ; and their residence is one of the very best. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg have had tive children, three of them now living: James A., Mary M., and William E. Mr. Kellogg was formerly a whig, and when that party died he became a democrat ; but of late years he has been an enthusiastic greenbacker. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg are both Presbyterians. William E., the youngest son, has a good farm of eighty acres, but being yet in the enjoyment of single blessedness, makes his home under the paternal roof. He received a common school education only, but enjoys some reputation as a newspaper writer, confining himself in this direction mostly to the local press. He is an Odd-Fellow, and a greenbacker. Wesley Henry, the son of Henry A. and Catharine (Shurtz) 30 522 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Henry, was born August 23, 1845, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, with his father's family when he was six years of age, and has been a resident of Abington most of the time since he came to Dlinois. He makes farming his business, and has no other thought than to earn his bread by honest toih He was married, September 11, 1873, to Lucetta, daughter of William and Margaret Stephenson. They have four children: William A., Mar- garet C, George S., and Orville S. Mr. Henry is a democrat, and says it was born and bred in him. John W. Ditio, farmer and stock raiser, is the son of Andrew and Margaret (Wyland) Ditto, and was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, June 25, 1815. His father removed with his family to Shelby county, Ohio, when John was a babe, where he was reared to the age of near twenty years, when he came to Mercer county, Illinois, making the entire trip alone on horseback. He rode a thoroughbred horse and led a fine mare. He rode many miles without seeing a living soul, and the great prairies stretched out all around him like a great plain unknown except to the savage and beasts of prey. When Mr. Ditto reached Mercer county he settled in New Boston township, on govern- ment land. He settled in Abington township, in the spring of 1838, on the farm where he now lives in section 13. Mr. Ditto carried the mail two winters from Monmouth to New Boston and Rock Island. He can relate some incidents of the early settlement of the country that are both painful and amusing. Mr. Ditto has the oldest deed in Mercer county. He was married, November 17, 1842, in Knox county, Illinois, to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Margaret Red- man. They had ten children: Mary D., James W., Henry R., JohnW., Ellen A., Andrew M., Benjamin F., Samuel D., Margaret E., and Mack. Mary D., the first born, was burned to death when she was three months old. The mother tied the child in a high chair, and while she was busy outside the room, the child slipped out of the chair into the fii"e and was burned to death. James D., the second child, was killed in the battle of Yicksburg, Mississippi, May 23, 1863. Ellen A., the fifth child, was married to John H. Farber, and died July 11, 1878, in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, leaving two children : John W. and Arthur. Mrs. Ditto died March 9, 1873, and Mr. Ditto was again married, November 11, 1873, to Mrs. Olive Crook, widow of Galen Crook. Mr. Ditto has a farm of 479 acres in Abington township, and he also owns 847 acres of cheaper pasture lands in Henderson county. He pays a great deal of attention to sheep hus- bandry, and has at present almost a thousand head of sheep. Mr. Ditto belongs to the Advent or Sabbatarian church. He formerly ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. 523 mustered with the democrats, but for several years past lie has been an unflinching greenbacker. AViLLixVM M. WiLLrrs, farmer, son of John and Sarah (Campbell) Willits, was born December 4, 1835, in New Boston township, Mercer county, Illinois. "When he was two years old his father's family settled in Abington township, where the subject of our sketch has since resided. Mr. Willits has a good farm of eighty acres in a good state of cultivation. He served as a union soldier in the 80th Keg. 111. Inf., as a corporal. Indorsed on l^is discharge is the following splendid record as a soldier : " Said soldier was engaged in the follow- ing battles : Fort Donelson, Tennessee, Februar^^ 15, 1862 ; Britton's Lane, Tennessee, September 1, 186^ ; Raymond, Mississippi, May 12, 1863 ; Champion Hill, Mississippi, May 16, 1863 ; took an active part in the siege of Vicksburg ; was in the battle of Kenesaw moun- tain, June 27, 1861: ; battle near Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864, and took an active part in the Georgia campaigns, resulting in the capture of Savannah, and lias done duty up to the present time ; and he is highly esteemed in his company and regiment as a gentleman and soldier. John P. Davis, capt. commanding 30th 111. Inf."" Mr. Wil- lits was married February 12, 1872, to Frances J. daughter of James and Martha (McEachron) Gilchrist. They have three children : Mary E., John E., and Lena M. Mr. Willits was formerly a democrat, but of late years has acted with the greenback party. Milton M. Jones is the son of Franklin and Elizabeth (Farwell) Jones. He was born in Preemption township, Mercer county, Illi- nois, September 27, 1844. When he was ten years of age his father's family removed to Abington township. Milton spent his boyhood days on the farm and in the country school-house. In the winter of 1868-9 he graduated at the Western Business College, of Galesburg, Illinois. Soon after liis college course he was engaged as a salesman in a large retail grocery store, but at the end of a year he went to farming and stock-raising. He has a good farm of 120 acres, and has paid special attention to the breeding of high-class hogs, in which business he has been very successful. He was married September 22, 1870, to Miss Sarah E. daughter of John and Sarah (Campbell) AVil- lits. They have one child, Milton Willits. Mr. Jones has held the office of town clerk two terms. He is a member of the Christian (Campbellite) church. Politically he is a republican. He served six months as a soldier, in the 140tli reg. 111. Vol. He received three wounds in engagements ; one severe one in tlie slioulder, for which he gets a small pension. Duncan Seaton was born in Perthshire, Scotland, October, 1823. 524 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. He is the son of John and Isabel (McDonakl) Seaton. He received a common school education, and came to the United States of America in 1843. He sailed on the ship Lnconia, and on reaching America settled in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, wliere he remained about two years. Fi'om there he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and remained three years, when he took a trip to California by over- land with an ox-team. After an absence of about two years he returned to Illinois, and settled in Abington township, Mercer county, where he now resides on a Ijeautiful farm of 230 acres. Mr. Seaton was married in 1860 to Miss Martha E., daughter of Samuel and Kebecca . (Bogle) Criswell. They have had twelve children, hve of whom are deceased. The living are : Mary, David, Margaret E. , Ann, Martha L., Harry, and Angus. Mr. Seaton is a member of the old school Presbj^terian church. He is a greenbacker politically. James Yance, farmer, son of AVilliam and Rachel Yance, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1825. He removed with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1833, and settled in Keithsburg township, where the village of Keithsburg now stands. After remaining here one year the family removed to Kock Island county, Illinois, and at the end of a twelve-month returned to Keiths- burg township, where they made farming their business. In 1847 the subject of this sketch was married to Sarah, daughter of Mark L. and Mary (Steward) Pearson. Mr. Yance removed with his wife soon after their marriage to Davis county, Iowa, where they remained six years. They then removed to New Boston township, Mercer county, Illinois, where they resided three years. From there they went to Abington township, where Mr. Yance bought the farm on which they now live. The farm contains 170 acres of excellent land, and Mr. Yance and his family of boys have devoted most of their time to tilling the soil. Mr. and Mrs. Yance have had born to them twelve children : William R., Robert L., Josiah W., Elijah A., IS'erva A., John W., Marion E., Gershan H., James B., Forbes N., Mary Y., and Martha E. ; the lat- ter deceased. Politically Mr. Yance is a greenbacker, and religiously he is a moralist. Of late years he has had rather poor health, and took a trip last summer to California, Oregon and some of the western territories, from which he received much benefit. Mr. Yance can relate many incidents in the early settlement of the country of much interest. He saw the distinguished Indian chief, Black Hawk, and six hundred of his dusky warriors. John J. Seaton was bom in Perthshire, Scotland, February 6, 1831. He is the son of John and Christian Seaton. He came to the United States of America in 1843, going by steamship from Glasgow ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. 525 to Liverpool, and sailed from the latter place to Xew York in the ship Luconia. He settled in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and remained thefe until 1845, when he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and has lived here most of the time since. He received a common school edu- cation in Scotland and America. In 1854 he located in Abington township, where he now owns 350 acres of excellent agricultural land under a good state of cultivation, with good buildings and all necessary appurtenances to a complete rural home. He was married November, 1855, to Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and May (Douglass) Seaton. They have had nine children, five of whom are dead. The living are : Margery, John H., George D., and Lizzie. Their daughter, Christie Ann, who is among the deceased, was married to Mr. George Sponsler, and died at the age of about twenty-three years, leaving one child. Mr. Seaton is a republican, and a member of the old school Presbyte- rian church. John Henry, farmer, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, May 3, 1840. He is the son of Henry A. and Catherine A. (Shurtz) Henry. His father's family removed from Hunterdon county to War- ren county. New Jersey, when John was a small boy, and in 1851 the family came to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in Ohio Grove township where they remained four years, and then removed t(^ Abing- ton township. In October, 1870, John was married to Martha E., daugliter of John B. and Mary (May) Jameson. They have six chil- dren : Mina, Charles, Frank B. , Bessie, Lois, and By rtel Eugene. Mr. Henry has a well cultivated farm of ninety acres, and confines himself almost exclusively to grain raising. He has just entered on his fourth term as road commissioner, and has held other township offices. Mr. Henry enlisted in the union army as a private soldier, August, 1862, and served in company G, 102d 111. Vol., until the following January, when he was discharged because of disability. Mr. Henry is a democrat. Hon. EoBERT J. Cabeen, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wright) Cabeen, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, April 25, 1822. He removed with his father's family from Ohio to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1836. The family settled in Ohio Grove township, and in 1850 Robert went to California, where he remained two years and then returned to Mercer county. He was married April 22, 185!:>, to Miss Mary E., daugliter of Joseph and Violet (Scott) Pinkerton. After his marriage, Mr. Cabeen settled in Abington township, where he now resides. He has a farm of 575 acres of magnificent land in one body and ninety- five acres in another piece. His home place is under a high state of cul- tivation and his residence is one of the largest and most costly in the 526 HISTORY OF MERCER A:ND HENDERSON COUNTIES. county, which is furnished in a complete stjle, making a country home of a most charmino; character. Mr. Cabeen is an extensive stock raiser, and ships a great many cattle to Chicago. He held the office of town- ship supervisor for ten years and served as a member of the State Board of eqalization one term. Mr. and Mrs. Cabeen have had eight children. Samuel (deceased), Joseph, McClellan, Mary, Yiolet, Hattie E., Eobert J. (centennial son), and Edith May. Politically Mr. Cabeen was formerly a democrat, but for a good many years he has been an active member of the greenback party. Religiously he is a liberal or freethinker. W. A. Winchester, farmer, was born in Genesee county, New York, January 2, 1824:. His father's family removed to Geauga county, Ohio, when the subject of our sketch was seven years old. In 1849, Mr. Winchester settled in Adams county, Illinois, where he followed teaching school and farming for fourteen years, when he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in Abington township, on tlie farm where he now resides, which embraces 300 acres of excellent land. Mr. Winchester has fine buildings on his farm, and raises a great deal of stock. . He is a model farmer, and while he is very retiring in his nature, his popularity among his neighbors has forced him to serve them in the capacity of supervisor for four terms in succession. May 29, 1866, he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Eliza Musser, of Huntingdon county, Peimsylvania. They have no children. Religiously Mr. Winchester is a freethinker. Politically he is a greenbacker. Thomas Whitehall was born in North Carolina, July 31, 1828. He is the son of A. L. and Elizabeth Whitehall. His father removed with his family to Fountain county, Indiana, in 1832. In 1850 Mr. Whitehall was married to JSTancy, daughter of William and Sarah Stephens. He removed to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1856, and set- tled in Abington township. In 1865 he removed with his family to Fountain county, Indiana, and rema-ined there until 1871, when they returned to Illinois and located in Mercer county again. Their home is now in Abington township and consists of a pretty farm of 160 acres, with most all the appurtances necessary to a desirable country home. Mr. and Mrs. Whitehall have had nine children, all living but Alice ()., their youngest, who departed this life when quite young. Their living are : Alva A., Phebe E., William L., Mary E. and Sarah E. (twins), James M., JSTewton, Fruzy IT., and Martha A. Mr. White- hall is a greenbacher politically, and is what might be termed an inde- pendent thinker on almost every subject. He has his own peculiar notions on the subjects of medicine, religion, science, etc. ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. 527 Lewis F. Ogle is the son of James C. and Elizabeth (Smith) Ogie. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, in 1849. His father's family removed from Indiana to Illinois about 1853. They settled in Mercer county, and gave their attention to farming. When Lewis F., or "Frank," as he is familiarly called, grew to manhood, he continued to make agricultural pursuits his chief business, and he now owns a good farm of 182 acres within four miles of Keith sburg. He was married November 2, 1879, to Miss Izziedora, daughter of Levi and Mary J. (James) Hall. They have had but one child, Eddie, whom they had the misfortune to lose by death while he was yet a babe. Mr. Ogle is republican, politically, and is independent in his religious views. Lewis Waldo Brewer, is the son of Gilbert and Elizabeth (Mills) Brewer. He was born August' 28, 1834, in Wayne county, Indiana. When our subject was two years old his father moved with his tamily to Mercer county, Illinois. He received a common school education, and then learned the milling business, and has been engaged in the work for twenty-eight years. He owns a half interest in Pope mill, situated on Pope creek, live miles northeast of Keithsburg, where he resides and conducts the business of custom milling almost exclusively. Mr. Brewer was married in 1857 to Miss Mary Hutf. One child was born to them. Mrs. Brewer died in 1860. The child is also deceased. Mr. Brewer was again married May 23, 1866, to Rosetta, daughter of Homer and Lucia Beemer. They have had seven children, three of whom are deceased. The living are : Amanda, Fred and Ida (twins), and Walter. Mr. Brewer belongs to the masonic order, and he and his wife both belong to the Eastern Star chapter. Politically Mr. Brewer is a republican. His views on religious matters are of the liberal type. It w^ould make no difference what views he might enter- tain; all who know him would be quick to admit the fact that "Wall " Brewer is strictly conscientious, both in his religion and his politics. Mrs. Sarah G. Willits, generally known as "Aunt Sally Willits," was bom in Pennsylvania, in September, 1810. She is the daughter of John and Polly (Blue) Campbell. Her parents died when she was quite young, and she went with a sister to Wayne county, Indiana, fi'om Lebanon, Ohio, about 1825, having gone to the latter place when six years of age. She was married in 1830 to John Willits, and they removed to Mercer county, Illinois, about 1834, and settled in Abing- ton towhship. Mrs. Willits received but a limited education, and when she went to school the principal text-books were the spelling-book and the New Testament. Her husband was quite an extensive land- owner and stock-breeder and dealer. He died in 1864. Tliey had 528 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. nine cliildren : Josiah G., Eliza E., James W., and Martha G., are deceased. The living are: Mary J., AVilliam N., Linnaeus H., Thomas W. and Sarah E. Thomas W., who occupies the mother's part of the estate, and with whom she makes her home a majority of the- time, was born in Abington township, April 7, 1847, where he still resides. His youth was spent on the farm with his parents, and he could only avail himself of a common school education. Like the sons and daughters of most pioneers, he learned more of hard, physical toil than of science and art ; he was more familiar with the iield and the wild prairies than with school-houses and art galleries. Mr. Wil- lits was united in marriage February 13, 1873, to Miss Alice Main. They had one child, Carrie E. Mr. W. is a greenbacker, politically. Jasper Ogle was born in Adams county, Ohio, January 12, 183-1. He is a son of James C. and Elizabeth Ogle. The family removed from Ohio to Fountain county, Indiana, when Jasper was six months old. In 1853 the family removed to Mercer county, Illinois. Our subject was married February 22, 1855, to Miss Angeline, daughter of Samuel and Elizabetli Allison. They had seven children, all of whom are living. They are: Lena L., James E., Yan, Mary E., Allie, Emma E. and Clarence E. Mr. Ogle removed to California in 1860, and remained there until 1870. While in the "golden state'' he followed farming. He returned to Illinois only to continue his chosen occupation. He owns nearly 500 acres of land and has a very fine rural home. Mr. Ogle had the misfortune to lose his wife January 31,' 1879. Politically Mr. Ogle is a republican, and religiously he is an Adventist or Sabbatarian. . He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. He has traveled over the entire length of the great Union Pacific railroad five times. Joseph D. Ogle, farmer, is the son of James C. and Elizabeth Ogle, and was born in Fountain county, Indiana, November 28, 1850. When Joseph was but three years old the family came to Mercer county, Illinois. He was married December 23, 1875, to Miss Kate C, daughter of Jacob and Catharine Elrick. They have two children: Yan L. and Lela Fay. Mr. Ogle devotes his time wholly to agricul- ture. He owns a beautiful farm of 216 acres, on which are good buildings. Politically he is a pronounced republican, and thinks some remarkable change will have to come over the spirit of his dream if he is ever anything else in the way of politics. Warren B. McClure was born in Meigs county, Ohio, November 5, 1848. He is the son of James and Jane (Ogle) McClure. He received a common school education, and on March 27, 1864, enlisted as a private soldier in the 13th Ohio cavalry, and served until the close ABINGTON TO\VNSHIP. 529 of the war. He was in several engagements and came out of them all unscathed. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Ohio where he remained until 1868, when he went to Clarke county, Missouri. He came from Missouri to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1871, and settled in Abington township, where he now lives, in 1876. He was married September 29, 1875, to Miss Leanna, daughter of Solomon and Evaline (Marlatt) Wolfe. Mr. and Mrs. McClure have three chil- dren : Clyde, Lula B., and Rose. Mr. McClure was formerly a repub- lican, but has been for a number of years an aggressive greenbacker. He is at present township assessor, being on his second term, and has served one term as township collector. He has an excellent farm and gives most of his attention to agriculture, just mixing enough in politics to give farm life a respectable seasoning. The life of John V. Bullock reminds us that people are prone to look upon stately mansions as the abodes of happiness because such homes indicate wealth and luxury. But alas ! how often is contention, discontent and unhappiness found within those stately walls. On the other hand happiness supreme often reigns in the cabin and in the cottage. A snug cottage, nestled among evergreens, maples and beau- tiful flowers is an inviting rural retreat, where the happy birds make melody sweet, and the new-made hay perfumes the air like an incense ; where the green corn rustles in the breeze like the whisper of fairies, and the crystal dewdrops glisten in the sun like costly pearls, is a home •to be envied by the tired, over-tasked millionaire. Such an inviting place as this is the liome of Mr. and Mrs. John V. Bullock. Mr. Bul- lock was born in Crawford county, Indiana, November 17, 1840, and came to Mercer county, Illinois, as early as 1852, with his father's family. He was married December 29, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Bullock have three children. Their names are : William C, Guy B., and Earl R. This makes a complete picture in the mind of every one who, in the great race of life believes in the pursuit of legitimate happiness. A lovely country home, a devoted wife, and three promising children ! What more could be desired. De. Jacob Russell Bajver, of Keithsburg, to whom we are indebted for notes on Abington township, and other valuable information, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, March 19, 1840, and is the son of Henry D. and Eve (Switzer) Baker. He removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana, in 1857, and studied medicine with Dr. T. Davenport, of AVarsaw, Indiana. He practiced ten 3'ears, but, disliking the profess- ion, and the exposure necessary in its practice disagreeing with his health, he abandoned it. He was born and reared a Methodist and for several years was a member of that denomination and was a class- 530 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. leader of the society. He contemplated entering the ministry of that denomination ; but some of the tenets of orthodoxy seeming unreason- able, after careful thought and study on the question, be became a Universalist and entered the ministry of that denomination. He preached one year at Kirks\ ille, Missouri, and two years in Clarinda, Iowa. The more he investigated the subject the more skeptical he became, and, at the end of his three years as a Universalist preacher, became a pronounced freethinker and left the pulpit forever. He believes all religions man-made, and that of humanity the only ti*ue religion. Since leaving tlie pulpit he has often lectured on the free- tholight platform. He was married March 26, 1865, to Barbara Nolin, of Leesburg, Indiana. His wife died September 24, 1872. He had no children by his first wife. He was married again January, 1874, to Ella L. Lawton, of South Whitley, Indiana. They have three chil- dren : Bessie S., Estelle R., and Ralph Ingersoll. He is an enthusiastic apiarist, and devotes much of his time to agriculture. He writes regu- larly for several papers and magazines on difi:'erent rural topics, es- pecially on bees and fine poultry, and pet stock fancy ; also on religious topics. He is a political stump speaker; in politics a greenbacker, and takes active part on the "stump" in every political campaign. Dr. Baker has gained considerable reputation as an orator in this county where he has resided for the past six years. From an oration delivered at Keithsburg on the death of General Garfield, we have room for but a few extracts. He said: " The humblest individual in ' our country has the same indisputable right to call to account a public servant, or a candidate for the post of duty and honor, or to apply a critical test to questions^ of right and wrong, as has the most favored and exalted citizen of our republic. The American ])eople well under- stand that a liberty less great than this would be an infringement upon a fundamental principle of popular government. Our motto is : Let truth and falsehood grapple ; let error and right contend, for we do injustice to right and truth if we doubt their ability to cope with their enemies." In closing he said: "To say that Gen. Garfield jDOSsessed no faults, that he committed no errors, would be to say that he was more than human. But whatever his faults may have been in life, we will bury them with his body in death. Whatever errors lie may have committed in his busy life, as a citizen, a soldier and a statesman, we freely forgive and forget; and with bowed head and aching hearts, consign his mortal remains to their narrow house in the city of the dead. And while all that is mortal of the distinguished soldier and statesman will crumble back to dust, his noble deeds as a son, a hus- band, a father, a teacher, a warrior and a statesman will live forever. MERCER TOWNSHIP. 531 And now, tliat life's flitting dream is gone forever from our honored president, we" will write his name in golden characters, as indelible as the fixed stars in the blue canopy above us, by the side of that of the immortal Washington, the great Jefferson, the hero Jackson, the martyr Lincoln, the patriot Douglass, the philanthropist Greeley, and the noble, scholarly Sumner. And when the people of the American republic shall so far forget the principles of justice and republican gov- ernment as to cease to love and reverence these illustrious dead, let the sun hide his burning face ; the pale moon cease to kiss the earth with her soft, golden beams ; the stars fall from their places, and all the elements clash to one common center." MERCER TOWIS^SIIIP. Mercer township includes all the congressional township known as 14 N"., R. 3 west of the 1th P. M. The soil is generally black and rich, with some clay along the brakes and water courses. It is well watered, Edwards river traversing the north tier of sections, from east to west, and Pope creek crossing the southeast corner and follow- ing west near the south line, in Ohio Grove township. These, with their numerous runs, as feeders, furnish an ample supply of water for stock and irrigation. Along the creeks the land is broken, but there is very little so steep that it cannot be cultivated. On the "divide," as it is called, between Pope and Edwards, the land is level, and until brought under cultivation, much of it was of a swampy nature. Over this prairie in early times there was scarcely a track that rose to the dignity of a road, as travel was not frequent enough to keep down the luxuriant growth of grass, which often grew so high that a man on horseback could see but a short distance. Woe then to the luckless ti'aveler who undertook to cross the prairie in a wet time with wagon and team. Suddenly his oxen would sink in the mud, knee deep, the wagon go down to the hub, and there was nothing to do but to unload, and then perhaps "double teams,"" if perchance there was some one to double with, or if not, go two or three miles to secure assistance. But cultivation and judicious draining have so changed the nature of the soil in this respect that it is difficult to convince our farmer boys of to-day that the most productive parts of their farms were at one time little better than impassable swamps. Much of the township is underlaid with coal of a good quality, but there have, as yet, been but few banks opened, as it generally lies too deep to work with profit. Banks in the northeast part of the township 532 HISTORY OF AIEECER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. have been run for many years, but seldom at a great profit. "Within a few years mines have been opened near Aledo and are still run on a small scale. The water courses are lined with timber, oak, hickory, elm, maple, and linn predominating, while hazel covers the hill sides, and willows are plenty near the water. There are a few walnut trees, of good size and quality, and also some ash and hackberry, with perhaps a few other kinds. Wild plums, wild cherries, crab-apples and blackberries formerly grew in abundance, but with the exception of the two latter, they are now rare. Strawberries were also plenty on the uplands. In the days of the first settlers deer were plenty on these prairies, as were also the prairie wolf, whose wild bowlings are still among the most vivid, if not the most pleasing, recollections of the pioneers. Game of other kinds also abounded, and the early settlers dined sump- tuously on wild turkey, prairie chicken, venison, rabbit, duck or goose, according to the season. Prairie fires were of yearly occurrence. The luxuriant growth of grass, scorched by the summer"'s heat, by early fall was as dry as tin- der, and a spark from a careless hunter's pipe, or sometimes the wad from his gun would start a confiagratioii which soon became at once grand and terrible. None who have once seen it can ever forget the majestic sweep of the wall of fire as it sped before the ever increasing wind, stretching out its arms farther and farther on either side, rivaling in speed the horse or deer, and gathering up and devouring all within its reach. Such was the prairie fire of early days, and fortunate was it for him who, caught in the track of the fast-coming flames, understood the pioneer's way of fighting fire with fire. Without this knowledge a severe scorching, if nothing worse, most surely awaited him. The first entry of land made in the township was on August 21, 1837, when John and Abraham Miller entered the northeast quarter of section 4. In this and the two following years, the Miller family entered over 800 acres of land in sections 3, -l, and 16. They were the first settlers in the township ; but as a full history of the family, and their coming to, and making a home in. Sugar Grove is given in connection with the history of Perryton township, we will not repeat it here, merely noting that they built the first mill and the fii'st school- house in this township. Most of the land in this township lies in what is known as the ''military tract," and was patented in 1818. A por- tion of the lands entered by the Millers were school lands, and were patented to them by the governor of Illinois, who also issued a patent to Benjamin Clark, to the W. ^ of the S. E, J of Sec. 16, on Sep- tember 4, 1837. MERCER TOWNSHIP. 533 Sugar Grove is situated on the north of Edwards river, inchiding in? its limits parts of sections 3, 4, 9, and 10. It received its name from the large number of sugar maple trees there growing, from which, until verj recently, large quantities of maple sugar were manu- factured yearly ; but at present the quantity is very small. It obtained a wide celebrity in early times as the place for holding the yearly camp-meetings of the Methodist church for the district then known as the Rock River district, embracing, we believe, full half the state. Here gathered, each succeeding fall, the hardy pioneers, coming fifty, and even one hundred, miles to spend a week or more in their chosen mode of worship. Here they would listen to the soul-stirring appeals of Giddings, Cartwright, Ilaney, Morey, Doughty, and the many others whose memory is revered by hundreds still living. When the first camp-meeting was held here we cannot definitely state ; certainly as early as 184-5, and we think before that, and they were only discon- tinued in 1873, when the district, now less than one-fourth as large as then, purchased grounds of its own in Rock Island county. The grounds, however, are still occasionally used, the primitive Method- ists and the Seventh Day Baptists liaving each held one or more meetings there within the past few years ; but as a " permanent camp- ground," their glory has departed. Early in 1837 Messrs. Benj. Clark, John J. Charles, Timothy Con- dit, and William Mackey conceived the idea that a town should be built near the centre of the county, and the}" accordingly employed Judge E. Gilmore, then county surveyor, to make the plat. The judge left New Boston, with his instruments and assistants, and on foot they wended their way for fifteen long miles eastward, the day being bright and warm. Unfortunately a storm came up in the night, the thermometer rapidly fell, and the next morning broke clear and cold, with the ground covered with snow. The chain-bearers refused to work, and the judge, facing a cold west wind, made his way back to l^ew Boston, arriving worn out and chilled to the bone, the trip resulting in a serious illness. A second attempt was more success- ful, and on March 30, 1837, the lines were run and the stakes driven that marked the town of Mercer, situated on the N. E. J of Sec. 21, T. 11: N., R. 3 W. of the 4th P. M. But the expectations of the proprietors were never realized. But one house was erected, and the only inhabitant of this, so far as known, was a large white owl, who held for years undisputed posses- sion of the lonely tenement. The house rotted down, and in 1851 we crossed the town site, the only remaining mark of the existence of the town being a portion of the roof of this lonely cabin, which had not 534 HISTORY OF MEKCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. as yet quite rotted and blown away. The town site lias long been under cultivation, and few of the residents of the township remember that it was ev^er laid out ; indeed, many of them will perhaps first learn this fact from a perusal of these pages. Incidents of importance are of rare occurrence foi* a series of years, or if they occm-red, are now unattainable. In 1842 or 1843 Samuel McKee, John H. McBride, and William Carnahan, all young men of this vicinity, each took a load of wheat to Chicago, with ox teams, with three or four yoke of oxen to the wagon. They sold their wheat for forty-two cents per bushel, and brought back salt, and other necessaries. Samuel McKee gave one barrel of salt from his load for the use of a wagon for the trip. The party were gone three weeks, and they wasted no time, either in Chicago or on the road. Among the early settlers of the township but few are now liAdng, and still fewer are those who yet reside within its limits. Among them we may mention Mr. K. Edwards, who opened a farm on section 18, in 1849 ; Mr. L. F. Jobusch, who settled here in 1851, and Mr. E. C. Bartlitt, who opened a farm the same year ; Henry Lee, William McKee, Isaac Artz, and R. H. Wirger, still residing here, came about, or prior to, the latter date. Joseph, William and Mary Ann McKee, all children of John McKee, are the only persons now living in the township who were here in 1841. Township organization was adopted in this county in 1853, and the first election of township oflicers, of which a record is found in the town records, was held at the house of John McKee, April 4, 1854. John McKee served as chairman, Isaac Jones as moderator, and E. C. Bartlitt as clerk. At this election twenty-seven votes were cast, and the following is a list of officers elected : supervisor, David Braucht ; town clerk, E. C. Bartlitt; assessor, John S. Moore; collector, John Ashbaugh ; overseer of poor, John Ai-tz ; commissioners of highways, L. F. Jobusch, Jacob Sprecher, R. H. Winger; justices of the peace, John McKee, John L. Candor; constables, William McKee, Israel Artz ; overseers of highways, Edward Clifford, George Smith. At the general election in the fall of the same year but sixteen votes were cast. At this time a vote was taken ''for or against the county of Mercer taking one hundred thousand dollars stock in the Warsaw & Rockford Railroad," resulting nine for and five against. James E. Willett, John McKee, and Henry Lee were judges at this election, and E. C. Bartlitt and R. H. Winger clerks. In November, 1855, a vote was taken for or against levying a tax MERCER TOWNSHIP. 535 to build a poor-liouse for the county, when sixteen of the seventeen votes polled were against the levy. In 1855 the Great Western Air Line railway was laid out, and the line divided Mercer county almost in the center from east to west, and a town laid out in the following spring on the S. E. ^ of Sec. 17, and named Aledo, a history of which will be found elsewhere. August 3, 1857, an election was held ""for or against the removal of the county seat from Keithsburg to Aledo," at which 231 votes were polled, each and all of which were very naturally "for" removal. May 5, 1859, a special town meeting was held to vote for or against the township subscribing for stock of the American Central Railway Company (the Air Line under a new name), resuhing for subscription, 132 ; against, 50 votes. Although this vote appears decidedly in favor of the subscription, we can find no record of the issue of any bonds to the company at this time ; but on May 29, 1868, Elislia Miles, Matthew Maffitt, C. S. Richey, Hiram Parkman, James M. Macy, and J. F. Woods filed a petition with the town clerk, asking that ' ' an election be called for the purpose of voting for or against the subscription by said township to the capital stock of the American Central railway to the amount of $13,400," etc., and on the 9th of June said election was held, resulting 142 votes for subscription, four votes against it, and eleven votes •■ ' no tax. " Li pursuance of the authority granted by this vote, bonds were issued for the above amount, March 23, 1869, in sums of $100 each, payable ten years after date, and bearing ten per cent interest, payable annually ; the bonds "to be delivered to the company when the iron was laid from Galva to Aledo, provided said iron was laid on or before July 1, 1869." Some of these bonds were paid off by the township before they became due, and at the April meeting in 1879 the supervisor and town clerk were instructed to issue new bonds to the amount of those yet outstanding, at as low a rate of interest as possible, not to exceed the legal rate of eight per cent, and with the proceeds pay oft" the old bonds. The expense, however, of issuing the new bonds was avoided by an agreement with the holders to extend the time of payment at eight per cent. There are yet outstanding $4,800, due as follows: $2,000, May 12, 1883; $1,000, March 23, 1884; and $1,800, May 23, 1884. Ample provision has been made for paying them when due, and they would be paid oft' at once if the holders would give them up, which they decline to do. There are now in the township nine school districts, with fair build- ings, in which school is held from six to nine months each year, and 536 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the education is progi-essive and keeping full pace with the demands of the times. Care is exercised in the selection of school othcers, and they in turn look well into the merits and qualifications of the teachers they employ. As a rule the wages paid are above the average in the state, although seldom equal to what the same talent would command in other professions. There is little or no vacant land in the township. What can not be tilled with ]^rofit is utilized as stock pasture, or for the growth of young timber, the latter an industry that does not receive the attention its im- portance demands. Our farmers are for the most part in comfortable circumstances, and what little land is leased out commands from two- iifths to one-half the crop, or a rental of $4 to $5 per acre per annum, in advance. Corn and stock-raising are the leading agricultural inter- ests, although grain of all kinds is raised and commands good prices in our market. While comparatively little fruit is raised for market, each farm has an orchard of well selected trees, from which the family is expected to be supplied, with perhaps a small surplus to sell. Apples and cherries generally do well, but peaches and pears seldom bear a fair crop, or come to maturity. Most of the orchards are supplied with home-grown trees from the extensive nursery of Mr. Tyler McWhorter, one-half mile south of Aledo. Grapes and berries are grown largely, and in a fair season our markets a^e overstocked. ■ Our population is at present about 2,550; our people are industi'i- ous, energetic, wealthy and well educated. Our farmers have good, and many of them very tine residences, with large and well tilled barns and granaries ; implements and machinery of the best and most labor- saving kinds ; horses, cattle and hogs of the iinest breeds. Roads and bridges are generally kept in good repair, but such a thing as a good road at all seasons is impracticable with our soil and will never be attained here without large expense for gravel, or some substitute of the same nature. The present town officers, elected April 4, 1882, are as follows: supervisor, II. E,. Morrison (who was elected in 1878 and has held the position ever since, and who is now chairman of the county board) ; town clerk, L. B. Doughty, elected first in 1879; assessor, J. A. Mar- quis, second year ; collector, F. T. Owen, second year ; commissioners of highways, R. C. Morrison, W. K. Fulton, John C. Dool; justices of the peace, M. L. Marsh, elected first in 1862, and has held continually ever since, and M. S. Boice, elected in 1882, to fill vacancy ; consta- bles, Jose|)h McDougal, elected in 1870, and held ever since, and Geo. A. Smith, elected in 1881; school trustees, W. C. Galloway, Henry Lee and W. J. Brown ; school treasurer, Joseph McCoy. --^C^cr^^^^T-^-^^^v<^^<^(^ X^-^^€^^^^^_ MERCER TOWNSHIP. 539 The equalized yahiation of real estate, personal, and railroad prop- erty in Mercer township in 1881, as shown on assessor's book, was $979,837. These figures, however, represent less than one-third of the actual wealth of the township, which, at a fair cash rating, must consid- erably exceed $3,000,000. The census report of 1880 showed a population of 2,45-1; a gain of 507 over the report of 1870. The same average increase, which we think has been fully maintained during the past two years, would make our population now about 2,550, as given above. In noting the products of the township, we made no mention of the hay crop, which is one of present and constantly growing importance ; nor of sorghum, which is grown and manufactured in quantities to meet the home demand. Vegetables of all kinds are raised in abund- ance and sold in large quantities to dealers and shippers. Potatoes are generally a good crop, 1881 being an exceptionally poor year for them, and one of the very few in which our growers have failed to raise enough to supply the home demand. ALEDO. The survey and location of the Great "Western Air Line railroad through the county, opened a wide field for speculation in the estab- lishment of new towns ; and the result of one of these was the location and platting of a town on section 17, in Mercer township, in the fall of 1855, which was christened De Soto by its founders, Messrs. Willits and Thompson. Finding that there was already a village bearing that name in this state, a new one was deemed necessary, and from a num- ber suggested, the choice fell upon Aledo. On March 20, 1856, a public sale of lots was held on the site of the proposed town. This sale was attended by what was then considered a large crowd, and the bidding was spirited and at times exciting, when what was considered a choice location was offered. 112 lots were sold at a fraction over $103 each, aggregating $11,580. The first two lots offered brought $2-10 each ; the highest price paid for any lot was $255, while two went as low as $35 each. Among the purchasers were Judge E. Gilmore and M. L. Marsh, Esq. , who still reside in Aledo. The proprietors had decided to donate the proceeds of the sale of the first fifty lots to the establishment of a college or seminary, and the amount realized for that purpose was. $5,780. The first building erected was put up by the proprietors of the town, on the north side of Seventh street, near Maple, during the early summer of 1856 ; and as soon as it could be occupied, a hotel was opened, with J. E. Ilarroun as landlord. The carpenters, while building it, boarded with a farmer living near the 540 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. town site. The building is still standing, and is used as a business house below and residence above. The business rooms are occupied by M . S. Boice, with a china store, and "VV. J. Stuart with a barber shop, while a recent addition is used as a cigar manufactory by C. L, Brankamp. The building is now owned by Capt. L. B. Morey. The first business house erected was on College avenue, south of the railroad, and was occupied by John S. Moore and O. C. Allen, under name of Moore & Allen, with a general stock of dry goods, gro- ceries, hardware, etc. Dr. S. Macy started the first drug store, and was the first dentist in the new village. Thomas Maddox opened the first hardware store and tin shop. He is still a resident, although long since retired from business. J. E. Harroun was the first postmaster, and it is said he carried the mail in his liat, and delivered it whenever or wherever he should happen to meet the fortunate recipient of a letter or newspaper. Judge John S. Thompson built what was then consid- ered a very fine residence, and moved into it in the fall of 1857 ; and right here we^ will say something of the proprietors of the town. Judge T. was one of the early lawyers of the county, and had attained a lair prominence in his profession in the district. He was subse- quently elected circuit judge and filled the position acceptably. During what was termed the "Johnson campaign," he was a candidate for congress on the Johnson, or fusion, ticket, but was defeated. He was, moreover, a man of energy and push, and whatever he understood he generally pushed to completion. Failing in his political aspirations, he turned his attention to securing the completion of the railroad so long promised, but as yet without prospect of completion. Largely through his eiforts the company was reorganized under the name of the American Central ; new subscriptions w^ere secured from townships, villages, and private individuals. He was indefatigable in his eftbrts, and would doubtless have pushed the road through to completion under the organization of which he was president, had he not secured an advantageous arrangement with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, whereby the lattei- was to complete the road from Galva to Keithsburg for the consideration of a lease thereof for ninety- nine years. Under this arrangement the road was completed in 1869, and has since been operated under the charter of the American Cen- tral, but is known as the Galva and Keithsburg branch of the Chicago, Burlington ifc Quincy railroad. This lease, however, was distasteful to the people, who, while paying their subscriptions to the railroad, did not relish the idea that the funds went into the pockets of the judge and his associates, and many were the anathemas showered upon his head. This, we believe, was all wrong ; the judge had secured the MERCER TOWNSHIP. 541 com|)letion of the road, wliicli lias proven worth more to one and all than was ever hoped for, and it matters little whether it was built and operated by the Amercan Central or the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. It may have been to a certain extent a "sell out" on the subscrib- ers, but it was much better to be "sold out" witli the road than without it. The advantages conferred and secured bv the road cer- tainly far outweigh the disadvantages under which we miglit still be laboring but for the energy and tact of Judge John 8. Thompson. Shortly after the completion of the road, Judge T. removed to San Jose, California, where he followed his profession of the law, and entered into politics to some extent ; but having had some experience in railroad building, he has again entered [into that pursuit, and is at present president of a new company known as the Rock Island & Southwestern, which proposes to build a road from Eock Island tO' New Boston, where it will cross the river and connect with ex-senator Harlan's road to Kansas City. Surveys have been made, and efforts are now in progress for securing the right of. way and the estaljlish- ment of the line. The surveys run through Duncan, Eliza, and New Boston townships, and if built will open up a rich section now having poor facilities for reaching market. The headquarters of the company are in Chicago, where the judge at present resides. Levi IVillits, his partner, was one of the early settlers of New Boston, and he and William Drury were among the first business men of that .place, where for many years they conducted a general store, and by judicious investments in real estate, both laid the foundaton for wealth. Mr. Willits was a thorough and far-seeing business man, and so open-handed and liberal in his dealing that he won the regard of all with whom he came in contact, and at his death in 185S, he was truly mourned by all who knew him. In 1857 the Baiion house, on the corner of College avenue and Seventh street, was erected and opened by D. N. Barton. It was a large four-story brick building, one of the largest at that time in the military tract, and has ever since ranked as a leading hotel of the place. It changed hands a number of times, until the ownership fell to Mr. Schuyler Button ; but a short time after he took possession it caught fire and was destroyed, the walls being so badly damaged that they were taken down. The fire occurred on November 16, 1867, and the loss was $10,000, the heaviest ever experienced before or since within the village. The building was at once rebuilt, and is at present occupied by John S. Button, a son of the gentleman last mentioned. We cannot name all of the first business men, but will try and note those who are still residing here, who came in 1856 or 1857. 542 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HEN'DEKSON C0U^^^E8. James M. Wilson, lawyer, established a furniture store in 1857 ; was subsequently elected circuit clerk ; read law, and has for years been a member of the firm of Pepper & AVilson, I. K. Bassett, of the law firm of Bassett & Wluirton, has practiced here continuously since 1857. 0. F. Cunningham has been in business here since the spring of the same year, first as a painter, and . afterward starting and still running a carriage shop. His brother, Frank C, learned the painting trade with him, and is still following it. M. L. Marsh opened an office as notary public in 1857 ; was afterward elected justice of the peace, in which office he is now serving his fifth consecutive term. Horace Bigelow, one of the founders of the " Eecord," in June of 1857, is still one of its publishers, having now been connected with it for a quarter of a century. N. Edwards came here in 1857 or 1858, and has been in business of some kind ever since. George McEowen started a wagon-shop in 1857, and still does a little repairing at the old stand. John Rainey has resided in the same house twenty-five 3^ears. Joseph McCoy, T. H. Day, J. H. Abercrombie, H. R' Morri- son, C. S. Kichey, and J. M.Warwick were among the first residents, and are still here. D. Y. Reed, now deceased, was another, and his wife lives adjoining town. Capt. J. Y. Merritt, now of Eliza town- ship, came to the town site with the first load of lumber. The great event, however, of 1857, was the removal of the county seat from Keithsburg to Aledo, which was decided by a vote of the people on August 3d of that year. The result was a majority in favor of removal, of 930 out of a total vote of 2,028. Below we give the figures from official returns : Township. For removal. Against. Total vote. Nortli Henderson 89 2o 114 North Pope (now Rivoli ) 74 1 75 Eii'hland Grove 104 . . 104 Suez 60 18 78 Greene 62 40 102 Madura (now Preemption) 133 1 134 Ohio Grove 121 9 130 Mercer 231 . . 231 Perryton 126 3 129 Abincton 34 67 101 Millersburg 84 82 166 D'uican 36 23 59 Keiflisburg 26 228 254 Kew Boston 233 45 278 li^liza ' 66 7 73 Totals 1,479 549 2,028 MERCER TOWNSHIP. 543 The majority was of a decisive character as an expression of tlie will of the people, and we remember of a sort of a jolliiication in Aledo after t^e returns were received, but we can find no account of it in the " Recoi-d " of that week ; whether the editor thought the affair of too small importance to mention, or was too magnanimous to har- rass his Keithsburg readers with the account, we cannot now conjec- ture. But the citizens had a good time, at any rate, and fired anvils, burned turpentine balls, and shouted to their hearts' content. Aledo citizens had donated a block of ground for a court-house, and had subscribed between $6,000 and $7,000 toward its construction. A brick building had been erected, suitable for use as county offices, and as soon as possible after the decision the officers and records were brought to Aledo. The building now used for a court-house was erected for a school-house, but the lower story was fitted up so that it could be used for a court-room, and it was in this that the first term of court was held. One of tlie attorneys at this term was Charles M. Harris of Oquawka, but who has since removed to Chicago, and for one term represented that district in congi-ess. Mr. Harris was a very large, heavy man, and somewhat pompous withal. Aledo had no sidewalks ill those days, and in wet weather mud abounded everywhere. One day Mr. Harris, while returning from the court-room to the hotel, got stuck fast in the mud in the middle of the street. , He wore very low shoes or sli])pers, and they would pull off at every effort he made to extricate himself The few who witnessed his efforts were much amused. Finally Mr. Jacob Cool procured a team and some assist- ance, backed the wagon up to Mr. Harris, and by hard work those in the wagon pulled him out of his shoes and drove him to his hotel, where a boy was found ready to earn a dime by fisliing up and clean- ing the lost brogans. Mr. Cool still lives in Aledo, and we who wit- nessed the fun often have a laugh as we speak of "Charley Harris stuck in the mud." The first school taught in Aledo was the preparatory department of the Mercer Collegiate Institute, by the Rev. AYilliam Townley, in a building erected in the southwest part of the town, long since remodeled and turned into a residence. The Mercer Collegiate Insti- - tute was designed to be a college .of the first class, under the auspices of the Presbyterian church. They built a large brick building on what is now known as south addition, and started a school therein, but it was not supported in a manner to secure success. The idea of the college w^as at last abandoned, and as the building was deemed unsafe, 544 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. owing to the use of poor stone in its foundation, it was sold and pulled down, the material being disposed of at retail for what it would bring. The Methodists also proposed to found a college l^ere, and the Rev. H. J. Humphrey was sent here to superintend its construction. Ground was secured, a most beautiful site, on the apex of a mound about half a mile west of town, now in the center of the farm of John C. Dool. Foundations were laid for a large and expensive structure, a commodious residence built for President Humphrey (now owned by I. N. Bassett, Esq.), and suddenly the enterprise collapsed, for want of funds to carry it further. The Methodist Episcopal college was a failure. Later Mr. J. R. Wylie established the Aledo academy, which is still running, it having received a living, if not a liberal support. The course of study is that usually taught in academies, and Mr. Wylie is a thorough and competent teacher. While the school is not strictly sectarian. Prof Wjdie is a strong United Presb^-terian, and his school is largely supported by the membership of that church. The academy building is beautifully located on a block in the south part of the town, is not large, but is well arranged, and sufficient in size to accom- modate more students than have yet been brought together within its walls. It is a good school and worthy of support, but with the present advanced course of study in our public schools it can never ho})e for a very liberal support,- the public schools fitting students for admission to our best colleges, or for a place among the ranks of teachers, which is all that can be ex|3ected of an academy. The history of the Aledo public schools is of such importance that we will devote a chapter specially to them. Aledo has been singularly fortunate in regard to fires. The iirst of importance was the burning of the residence and drug-store of Dr. S. Macy in October, lSr)6, entailing a loss of about eSl,000 over and above insurance. The Button house was burned in 1867, and in June, 1871, the large livery barn of Smith & McBride was burned, the loss being from $2,000 to $3,000. The next lire occurred on July 2, 1876, when the line residence of Joseph Harvey on Seventh street was totally destroyed, just as it was completed and before it was ready for occu- ^pancy. The loss was about $2,000 above insurance. The last was the burning of the residence of Edward James in the southwest part of the town, his loss being about $700. There have been numerous alarms and frequent incipient blazes, but fortunately those enumerated are all that have caused much damage. The village has a small but efficient volunteer lire company, well equipped with one large and a number of small chemical engines, hose and ladder wagon, buckets, etc., and MERCER TOWNSHIP. 545 their prompt and efficient work has more than once saved vahiable property from the flames. Two severe wind storms have visited Aledo, each doing considera- ble damage. The first was in the early years of its history, and the most serious damage was removing the frame of the Methodist Episco- pal chm*ch (then in course of erection) partially off of its foundation. The second came in June, 1877, and unroofed barns, leveled fences and trees, damaged a number of buildings, and blew down the spire and a part of the south end of the United Presbyterian church, which had but recently been built and was yet partially unfinished. The congregation had it at once rebuilt and the lower story fitted for occu- pancy, and have worshiped in it ever since, having only just com- menced the work of finishing the upper story. Aledo has seven churches, but as these have been written up elsewhere we will only name them. They are the Methodist Episco- pal, Presbyterian, United Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Episcopal, Swedish Lutheran, and Baptist. The pulpits of the Congregationalists and Baj)tists are now vacant, and that of the Lutherans is occupied but half the time. The growth of the village has been at times spasmodic ; at times steady and substantial. It has now passed the spasmodic period ; brick is more and more used, and some of her business liouses would do honor to much larger places. The first business houses were opened south of the railroad, and for a number of years that part of town was the business center ; but this gradually worked northward, and at present College avenue, north from the railroad, and Seventh street, east of the avenue, are the main busi- ness localities. The population of Aledo in 1880, within the corporate limits,' was 1,500 ; but this included none of the additions to the village outside the corporation lines. Counting these, the number reached about 2,000, which has been since slightly increased ; 2,100 would be a fair estimate at present. The equalized -s-aluation of property, as returned by the assessor for 1881, was as follows: lots, $160,847; personal, $323,365; railroad, $13,527; total, $497,739; say in round numbers, $500,000. Taking into account the manner of assessing, at one-half, one-third, and often one-fifth of the actual value of property, and $2,000,000 is a low figure for the wealth here represented. The town was incorporated in 1863, under the general laws, an election being held August 15 of that year, resulting forty -eight votes for incorporation and five against. The first election for trustees was 54:6 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. held September 5, 1853, at whicli the following were chosen: Simeon Macv, president ; E. Gilmore, George Turner, William McK. Young, and John K. Bassett. The latter served as vilhige clerk, and N. P. Brown was appointed treasurer. In September, 1872, village organization was adopted, under the provisions of the laws of that year ; the election, November 11, result- ing fortv-four votes for, and five against village organization. In 1879 the ordinances of the village were revised by James M, AVilson and Charles F. Durston, and were published in neat pamphlet form. The following is a list of officers from the first incorporation of the town to the present date : 1863-5. — Simeon Macy, president; E. Gilmore, George Turner, William McK. Young, trustees ; John K. Bassett, clerk ; N. P. Brown, treasurer. 1865-6. — Simeon Macy, president; J. S. Paxton, John K. Bassett, iST. P. Brown, S. ^Y. McCoy, trustees; S. C. Amberson, clerk; James M. Wilson, treasurer. 1866-7. — Simeon Macy, president; J. G. McGuffin, John Porter, ]Sr. p. Brown, William N. Graham, trustees ; James M. Macy, clerk ; James M. Wilson, treasurer. 1867-8. — M. L. Marsh, president; John Porter, Kobert Irvin, Lewis L. Troy, William N. Graham, trustees ; James H. Connell, clerk ; Lewis W. Hause, treasurer. 1868-9.— S. W. McCoy, president; H. E. Wright, Wm. Robinson, T. H. Day, C. M. Kay, trustees ; C. J. Bartleson, clerk ; L. W. Ilause, treasurer. 1869-70. — C. S. Richey, president; P. Roberts, J. H. Snyder, Wm. N. Graham, J. M. Smith, trustees ; John G. McGuffin, treasurer ; James H. Connell, clerk. 1870-71. — R. Mentzer, president; I. N. Dunlap, H. R. Morrison, J. S. Pinkerton, Robert Irvin, trustees; J. IL' Connell, clerk; A. M. Byers, treasurer. 1871-2. — ]Sr. Edwards, president; R. Mentzer, H. L. Thomson, T. Maddux, W. H. Holmes, trustees; N. Edwards, treasurer; H. L. Thomson, clerk. 1872-3.— S. W. Galley, president; Wm. N. Graham, J. M. Smith, E. L. Wolfe, S. C. Amberson, trustees; Wm. N. Graham, treasurer; E. L. Wolft', clerk. 1873—1. — E. Gilmore, president; eloseph Harvey, J. H. Aber- crombie, John Geiger, II. P. Graham, John McKinney, Jr., trustees ; C. S. Ricliey, treasurer ; L. D. Holmes, clerk. MERCER TOWNSHIP. 547 187-J— 5. — E. Gilmore, president ; Geo. L. Bitts, C. S. Ridiey, H. S. Senter, J. C. Thomson, Geo. Irwin, trustees ; L. D. Holmes, clerk ; PI. L. Thomson, treasurer. 1875-6. — S. M. Evans, president ; H. S. Dunlap, J. M. Smith, Wm. AVinders, John Geiger, J. O. Lundlad, trustees ; Joseph Harvey, treasurer; A. D. McCandless, clerk. 1876-7. — James M. AVilson, president ; C. F. Durston, James Eakin, E. B. David, J. B. Moore, W. C. Galloway, trustees ; J. F. Henderson, clerk ; C. S. Harvey, treasurer ; Wm. McK. Young, police magistrate. 1877-8. — James M. Wilson, president ; 0. F. Durston, E. B. David, J. B. Moore, James M. Smith, James Eakin, trustees ; J. F. Henderson, clerk ; AVm. 'N. Graham, treasurer. 1878-9.— E. B. David, president ; James M. Wilson, C. F. Dur- ston, J. B. Moore, W. A. Lorimer, A. H. Law, trustees ; J. F. Henderson, clerk ; Wm. N. Graham, treasurer. 1879-80.— E. B. David, president; James M. Wilson, C. F. Durs- ton, J. B. Moore, W. A. Lorimer, M. F. Felix, trustees ; J. F. Hen- derson, clerk ; Wm. N. Graham, treasurer. 1880-81.— J. B. Moore, president; C. F. Durston, M. F. Felix, W. A. Lorimer, Martin Boyd, J. R. McCrea, trustees ; J. F. Hender- son, clerk; W. N. Graham, treasurer; W. McK. Young, police magistrate. .Under the law now in force one half of the above were to hold two years and one half but one. It was decided by lot, and the three trustees last mentioned drew the long term. 1881-2.— M. F. Felix, jjresident; W. A. Lorimer, Martin Boyd, J. R. McCrea, H. Parkman, L. D. Holmes, trustees ; J. W. Dilley, clerk ; Wm. IST. Graliam, treasurer. Present Officers. — M. F. Felix, president; H. Parkman, L. D. Holmes, J. B. Moore, Martin Boyd, H. Prentice, trustees ; J. F. Hen- derson, clerk; Wm. N. Graliam, treasurer ; AY. McK. Young, police magistrate. Aledo has ever been noted for the strong temperance views of its citizens, and since the spring of 1876 no saloon has been allowed within its limits. There is now in force an ordinance which prohibits the sale of spirituous liquors, even by druggists, for any purpose what- soever, except under restrictions so severe that none of the druggists have asked for a permit. It makes it a misdemeanor for a physician to prescribe liquor "except where good practice demands it,"" but fails to define what ''good practice" is. As a consequence, physicians prescrip- tions must be taken to other towns if liquor is one of the ingredients. 548 HISTORY OF aiEECER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The Aledo cemetery is beautifully located, adjoining the town on the southeast. A part of it was donated, and the village has within a few years purchased a large addition. It is kept in fair condition and is partially set to evergreens. Some very fine monuments mark the resting place of departed friends. BUSINESS. L. F. Jobusch has occupied the same stand in the grocery business for over twenty years. J. H. Abercrombie has carried on the harness business most of the time since the town was started. II. K. Morrison has been continually in the furniture trade for twenty years or more. Sam- uel Marquis started the livery business at his present stand during the war. James Galloway & Son, started a grocery in 1869, and are the oldest iirm in that business in town, in which there has been no change. C. S. Kichey and John Shafer have been longer in the dry goods trade than other firms in town, but each have belonged to two or three different firms. Fred. Davis still occupies the blacksmith shop he built over twenty-five years ago. Tlje banks, as the moneyed institutions of the town, deserve more than a passing notice. The first bank started was by Bailey & Byers, in February, 1879, in a frame building that then stood on Seventh street, opposite and west of Button house, and was the only one then in the county. In the fall of that year Judge E. Gilmore purchased the interest of Bailey, and the firm was known as A. M. Byers & Co. In 1870, the large brick building on southeast corner of College avenue and Seventh street was erected, the corner room being fitted for a bank, and the remainder as business rooms. It is now occupied by the Aledo bank ; J. F. McBride and Mrs. A. M. Young on first floor, while the second is used as attorneys' offices and masonic lodge room. In April, 1874, A. M. Byers sold his interest to John McKinney, Sr., and agreed to do nothing in the banking business for one year. At the end of the year he organized a joint stock company and started a bank known as A. M. Byers & Co.'s Farmers Bank, opening it in the brick building on northeast corner of Seventh street and College avenue, which was purchased and fitted up for that purpose. The ca])ital is over sixty thousand dollars and cannot be increased or dimin- ished until 1885. The stockholders are business men of Aledo and wealthy farmers scattered throughout the county, and the business is managed by A. M. Byers and a finance committee. A. M. Byers was born and brought up on a farm near Ilarrisburg, Pennsylvania, and commenced his business career as clerk in a general store. In 1855, when about twenty years of age, he decided to attend MERCER TOWNSHIP. 549 a commercial college, but finally changed his mind, and after visiting Chicago and the west, he engaged in traveling for a wholesale grocery house in Goshen, Indiana. The next year he clerked for Col. John Williams, the pioneer merchant of Springfield, Illinois, and the next in a store at Rushville, Illinois. For the next few years he made his home at Beardstown, Illinois, but spent much of his time in Richard- son county, Nebraska, where he engaged largely in land speculations, and still owns some 2,000 acres of land on the Kansas and Nebraska line, some of it purchased in 1858. During these years he made an extended tri}) south, visiting all of the southern States except Florida. March 13, 1861, he was married to Miss May F. Tull, at Beards- town, Illinois, and after a season of travel and sight-seeing, they settled in Adams county, Illinois, where Mr. B. engaged extensively in farm- ing and dealing in live stock, until about the close of the war, when, in connection with Thomas Bailey, of Camp Point, Illinois, he engaged in banking in that town, which is situated on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad, twent}'-five miles east of Quincy. This they con- ducted profitably until 1869, when they opened the Aledo bank, but soon dissolved partnership, Mr. Bailey taking the Camp Point bank, and Mr. Byers remaining here and entering into partnership with E. Gilmore. Mr. Byers has been uniformly successful in his business enter- prises and has found his ventures in Aledo highl}' satisfactory, so much so that when he sold out his interest in the Aledo bank, he decided to continue in the business here, after spending some months in search of a more promising location. lie thoroughly understands his business, and has the entire confidence of the business community and of his associate stockholders in the bank. He owns a commodious and hand- some residence, the interior of which is a model of neatness and com- fort, a home in every sense of the word. His family consists of himself, wife, daughter Olive and son Edward. To the daughter he has given every educational advantage, . and she is a graduate of Monticello seminary. Her musical talent is of a superior order and she ranks among the best in Aledo as a pianist and vocalist. Upon the organization of the Farmers' Bank, Capt. L. B. Morey was associated with Mr. Byers in its management for the first two years, when, finding the business too confining, he retired. Capt. Morey was abnost raised in Mercer county. He served with distinction during the war as a lieutenant in company A, 37th reg. 111. A ol. Inf , rising to the rank of captain. He was for a long time on the stafi' of Gen: F. J. Herron, during his operations in Arkansas and 550 HISTORY OF MERCER A2fD HENDERSON COCXTIES. Louisiana. He is still a resident of Aledo, and. in companv with Maitin Boyd, is engaged extensively in farming and stock raising. On the retirement of Capt. Morev from the bank, Mr. William X. Graham was engaged as cashier, a position in which he is now serving his fifth year, during all of which time he has faithfully discharged his duties. Mr. Graham came to Aledo over twenty years ago, engaged in the plastering business for awhile with his brother H. P., taught school, clerked for Poage & Senter and Harvey Senter, was in the dry goods business with his brother George P. for awhile, with J. S. Pax- ton in the ffrocerv business, and served one term as countv treasurer, prior to entering the bank. He has always proven himself a good, business man. Such is a brief history of the banking business in Aledo, so far as Mr. Byers has been connected with it. The Farmers' Bank is on a sound financial basis, has an ample capital, and is backed by men of wealth and influence. It is an institution that has added largely to the growth and prosperity of Aledo, and deserves what it has ever re- ceived, the support and patronage of the citizens of our county. The Aledo Bank is also one of the solid institutions of the county. Mr. John McKinney, Sr. , bought the interest of A. M. Byers in April of ISTtt, and the firm name became McKinney, Gilmore & Co., the "Co." being L. C. Gilmore, son of the judge. This firm continued until April of the present year, when Mr. McKinney purchased the interest of the Gilmores, and associated with himself his son James, under the name of McKinnev & Co. Mr. John E. Gilmore, who was for some years in the employ of the old firm, still occupies the teller's desk. The bank has an ample capital to meet all demands of its patrons. Mr. John McKinney, Sr.. was one of the early business men of Oquawka, where he for many years conducted a large and eminently successful dry goods business. Tiring of this he retired, and for a number of years did a large business in loaning money in that place and vicinity. When he entered the Aledo Bank he purchased the fine residence of Judge John S. Thompson, and has transacted an extensive business in the way of loans, in addition to the regular banking busi- ness, having much more capital at his command than could be profit- ably used in the latter. In 18S1 he erected a large brick building adjoining the bank prop- erty and known as McKinnev block. It is one of the best arrantred and most commodious business blocks in town, and the only one hav- ing a plate-glass front. (Jne room is occupied by J. H. Pamsey with his fine jewelry stock, and O. A. TVallen with boots and shoes. The MERCER T0WN8HIP. 551 other is used for tlie postoffice, having been built and ai-ranged for that special purpose. The boxes, general delivery, etc., are equal to those found in large cities, and when fully completed the Aledo post- office will be one of the best and most conveniently arranged of any in Western Illinois. John McKinney, Jr., is postmaster, and John, senior, takes a pardonable pride in making the room a credit to the owner and to the village. The upper tioor of the building is divided into commodious aud well arranged office rooms. Mr. McKinney has recently purchased the property adjoining the bank building on the south, and contemplates building a substantial brick building thereon at an early day. The Aledo Bank enjoys the confidence and receives the patronage of the community at large, and is known to stand A 1 in the large commercial centers. Its business is large and renumerative, and it reflects credit and adds dignity and standing to the town whose name it bears. James McKinney, the junior member of the firm, has for a number of years assisted his father in his loan and real estate business, and is well qualified, by education and training, for the position of cashier, which he now fills. Archie McKinney, a younger brotlier, has taken his place in the loan department. The latter is a young man of fine attainments, having received a thorough college training, and graduated with honor. lie read law with the firm of Pepper & Wil- son, and was last year admitted to the bar. He has spent several months in Chicago where he expected to remain until recalled to take his present position. John E. Gilmore is a grandson of Judge E. Gil- more, and since the death of his father, some years ago, made his home with his grandparents. lie has received a liberal education, and has a thorough business training in the bank in which he is now engaged, and his connection therewith cannot fail to prove advantage- ous to the business. The safe used is one of the best manufactured ; is made of five plates of solid steel, with solid corners, built from the outside inward, and is fire as well as burglar proof. It is provided with the Yale time lock, and the most approved combination locks on inner and outer doors. It weighs three tons, and stands in a fire proof vault of rock and brick. With its large capital, and such perfect vault and safe, unlimited security is offered to depositors. The safe is as good as any in the state, and its equal cannot perhaps be found outside of Chicago. L. C. Gilmore is also still connected with the bank. Few towns in our state can boast of two such banks, and the fact tliat there is business enough for both speaks well for the wealth and business enterprise of Aledo and Mercer county. Summing all up, Aledo well deserves the good name it bears among 552 HISTORY OF :srERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. all who know of the business enterprise of her citizens. The latter are enterprising, progressive and public spirited in an unusual degree. Her business houses are mostly of brick ; large and well filled with inviting and salable goods. She can boast of more and better side- walks than any village of the same size in the state ; indeed, some of the cities will not compare favorably with her in this regard. Her churches are numerous, large and well attended. Her public schools are among the best in the state. Her streets are well lighted and well kept. There are an unusually large number of fine residences and comtbrtable homes. She is surrounded by a wealthy and prosperous farming community, and lies in the center of as rich and productive a section as can anywhere be found. While her past has been one o steady advancement, her future is promising ; there is scarcely a possi- bility, and no probability of a loss of prestige, or a decline in wealth, prosperity or business enterprise. [For the compilation of the above sketch of Mercer township we are indebted to L. B. Doughty, Esq. — Ed.] THE ALEDO WEEKLY RECORD. Intimately associated with the history of Aledo is that of the "Eecord," estabhshed in 1857, the initial number appearing on July 14 of that year, by James H. Keed and Horace Bigelow, under the firm name of Keed & Bigelow. These gentlemen had been publishing the Oquawka "■ Plain Dealer," but had sold the office in May, 1857, to Magie & Mitchell. The material for the " Record " ofiice was pur- chased in Chicago, shipped to Rock Island by rail, and thence trans- ported to Aledo on wagons. Established during the heat of the canvass for the removal of the county seat from Iveithsburg to Aledo, the " Record " heartily espoused the cause of its native town, and though the time was short, contrib- uted much toward insuring the success which in August crowned the efltbrts of those interested in the removal. J. H. Reed was a man of good education, a vigorous and aggres- sive writer, quick and keen at repartee, and an editor of rare ability ; a good friend, but an untiring and relentless enemy in political con- tests. He was a man of fair business qualifications, but was not a practical printer. He died in Monmouth, Illinois. Horace Bigelow served an apprenticeship at the printer"'s trade in the olfice of the Oquawka "Spectator," under Col. J. B. Patterson. In March, 1855, he purchased a one-half interest in the Oquawka "Plain Dealer," of F. A. Dallam, and was probably at that time the youngest publisher in the state, being but twenty years of age. Dal- MERCER TOWNSHIP. 553 lam subsequently sold to Reed, and when tlie firm sold the office Mr. B. spent some time in the large job printing establishment of S. P. Rounds, in Chicago, increasing his knowledge of that branch of the art. He has tlie reputation of being a first-class business man, and has by honest industry and enei-gy, and careful and judicious manage- ment, secured for himself and ffimily a good home and a fair compe- tence, owning a fine farm of 150 acres north of Aledo, adjoining the corporation, upon which he resides and which he works to advantage and profit, independent of his interest in the "Record " office. In June, 1857, the material arrived and the office was opened in a large double building on College avenue, almost directly opposite the building now occupied. The other half of the buikling was occupied by Dr. S. Macy, as a dental room and drug-store, who afterward pur- chased and remodeled the building only to lose it by fire. A much better building now stands on the old site. September 1, 1862, Mr. Reed retired from the firm, Mr. Bigelow purchasing his interest. He conducted the business alone for four years, employing Mr. John Porter as both typo and editor. Septem- ber 1, 1866, Mr. Porter purchased a one-half interest, and the firm has since been known as Porter & Bigelow. John Porter, who has been political editor of the "Record" for twenty years, is perhaps one of the best read men, so far as the political history of our nation is concerned, to be found in western Illinois. His life has been almost passed in a printing office, he commencing to learn the trade January 4, 1834, in the office of the Richmond "Ex- aminer," in Jefferson county, Ohio, and he has stood at the case during all of these forty-eight years. He has always been a close student of political history, and possessing a memory which is almost phenome- nal, he can readily call to mind men, measures and dates of the long ago which to others are but dim scraps of forgotten history. A forci- ble writer, a wary, but not aggressive antagonist, he seeks no quarrel, but when assailed he patiently awaits his opportunity and then deals a strong and generally successful blow. Established as a republican paper, when the republican party was in its infancy, the "Record" has remained ever loyal to the principles of the party, and has taken an active part in every campaign, whether national, state or county, and its utterences have been of no uncertain sound. It was one of the first newspapers to suggest the name of Abraham Lincoln as a candidate for the presidency, and one of his most earnest supporters, not only during the canvass, but throughout his administration, and also for his re-election. During the war it was loyal to the core, and its columns were the popular medium of 554 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. communication between the Mercer bo^^s in the army and their friends at home, it having a correspondent in nearly every regiment in which the connty was represented. But while* striking valiant blows for the union and for tlie cause of its party, it has kept itself singularly clear of what is termed "mud slinging ;" the rule having ever been to make no charges against opposing candidates that were not easily susceptible of proof, or at least believed to be so at the time of publication. Another rule of the office, and one strictly adhered to, is that no foreign advertising will be received for less than home patrons are charged for same time and space. Consequently but few "patent medicine" advertisements, and others of like nature have ever appeared in its columns. In 1 873, L. B. Doughty was employed in the office as foreman and job printer, but having had considerable experience as a local writer, he was soon relieved of most of the work in the composing room, and for the past eight years has had charge of the local department of the paper, which has constantly grown in popularity, and has been one cause of a steady increase on the subscription list, which has reached the comfortable figure of 1,300 weekly, and is still growing. The job department of the office is deservedly popular, and is lib- erally patronized, especially in the line of commercial work. The cir- culation having grown beyond the capacity of the press which has done faithful duty for the past twenty-five years, a new Cottrell press has recently been purchased. And now, after a quarter of a century the proprietors can boast that in all that time they have never missed an issue, have never used a "patent inside," and have never failed to ap- pear promptly on time on ])ublication day, except in a few instances when the paper was purposely held back for important news. As a prominent factor in the growth of village and county, as a popular means of- promoting the educational interests, as well as a dis- seminater of reliable news, the "Record" has proven itself worthy of the high esteem in which it is held b}^ those familiar with its pages ; and it has accomplished much for the moral as well as the temporal interests of the county. THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS IN ALEDO. Mercer county has been politically a republican county ever since the organization of that party. Issues have occcasionally been made on men or measures by means of which republicans have been de- feated, and democrats or other opponents have been elected by the peojDle ; but these instances, however frequent, were still only excep- /' / j?Sj >-\^ iS^^t^-^^ ^^>-2i^/' MERCER TOWNSHIP. 557 tional, and the continued ascendency of the republican party has been maintained and augmented greatly by the fact that as soon as the county seat was settled at Aledo, a party organ was promptly pro- vided, the olhcial patronage of the county bestowed on it, and the people, especially of the dominant party, slowly but surely educated to contribute to the material support of their newspaper. The democratic party, in the minority numerically and without men of capital, or hopes of othcial patronage, and destitute of am- bitious leaders, made no attem])t to establish a party organ for nearly a dozen years after. In the summer of 1866, circumstances conspired to make the time favorable for starting a democratic newspaper in Aledo, something to be made a rallying center for the democrats of the county and those displeased with the action of the majority in congress at that time. President Lincoln had been assasinated the vear before, and vice- president Johnson, becoming acting president, projected an adminis- trative policy to which a majority of his party in congress was op- posed. Hostile feeling and action arose between the acting president and the congress, and many removals and appointments to office were being made, favorable to the policy of the administration and gener- ally favorable to the democrats. Appearances were that a change might be made in the political complexion of the whole country, and that, with the aid of what were called the liberal republicans, Mercer county even might be revolutionized. The reconstruction measures were then being enacted. Many of the republicans thought these measures too radical, if not wholly unauthorized by the organic law, while the democrats, in addition, felt exasperated at the political dis- advantage at which the party was placed by the disfranchisement of so many southern states. • One of these disaffected republicans. Judge John S. Thompson, of Aledo, an able lawyer and shrewd organizer, was put up for congress against the republican candidate. Gen. Harding. The district was then perhaps 200 miles long, extending from Port Byron to Keokuk along the Mississippi river, and Charles Harris, of Oquawka, a straight democrat, had been able to be elected to congress not many years prior to this election. Hope was entertained of success under the leadership of Judge Thompson, and the democrats, in this sanguine mood of mind, some time in the month of August had an informal assembly of some of its more prominent members at the Barton house in Aledo, now the Button house. At this meeting it was determined to raise funds and start a demo- cratic newspaper. The plan adopted was a stock company, bound by 32 558 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. a simple personal agreement without articles of incorporation. The shares were $10, and each member of the company was entitled to as many votes for officers as he held shares. A considerrble amonnt was subscribed at this meeting, and three or four papers were j)repared and put into the hands of canvassers, by means of which about $1,400 was in a short time pledged. Before the Barton house meeting closed its sittings and put its papers in hand, it was necessary to name the paper. Several titles were proposed, of more or less partisan import ; but that fatal timidity and spirit of boundless concession that has so long been an element of weakness in the democratic party, prevailed on this occasion, and the proposed paper took the neutral meaningless title of "The Mercer County Press." J. A, J. Birdsall, a piquant, versatile writer, and good collector of local news, who had had some experience in publishing a democratic paper in Keith sburg, was chosen as editor and publisher ; and with $475, advanced by Hon. T. B. Cabeen, Birdsall went to Chicago and laid in a press and materials for printing the paper, taking some credit ; and some time in the month of September the first number of the "Press" was issued. The pledge for the payment of stock subscriptions ran in this way: "We, the undersigned, agree to pay to the publishers of 'The Mercer County Press' the sums set opposite our names, for the purpose of publishing a democratic paper in the county of Mercer and state of Blinois, whenever called for, or in a reasonable time." The ' ' Press " was duly issued. The campaign was a spirited one, but lost to the democracy, and their earnest colleagues. After this collapse the spirit and enthusiasm of the Press company were rapidly cooled. The fatal clause in the compact giving "a reasonable" but indefinite time for payment of stock now began to show its tur2)itude ; not more than two-thirds of the stock was ever collected. T. B. Cabeen lost about $250 in money advanced to the "Press"; and T. S. Robb and I. C. Gilmore, and other liberal men who made advances from time to time to keep down expenses, had more or less of final loss. The stock subscribers were nearly all amply able to pay ; but from some defect in the organization or energy in the conduct of affairs, no forci- ble means were ever employed to make collections. The subscriptions to the paper were taken up in the same hasty, loose manner that characterized the stock subscriptions. But few were pressed to pay on sight, and all were freely trusted ; besides, many were scored down on the list without having been consulted or seen ; and as a natural and inevitable result, the establishment was soon arEECER TOWNSHIP. 559 carrying an immense delinquent list, and suffering a large accumula- tion of unpaid bills for labor, materials, rent, and contingent expenses. Added to these untoward circumstances was the daniaij-inii; knowl- edge that the Johnsonian policy was not to succeed. The reconstruction measures went on without interruption. The acting president was hemmed in on all sides by what was known as the "radicals." The tenure-of-office act virtually took away from him the appointing power by denying him the right to make arbitrary removals. When the president's patronage was thus shorn otf, his influence and prestige fell with it, and he was shortly after put on the defensive by articles of impeacliment. It was only natural that many of the liberals should quietly slide back to a more solid base ; and that the democracy, hopelessly defeated, would experience more or less demoralization in their • ranks. Mr. Birdsali, finding the pecuniary results of his labors unsatisfactory, after the first year, gave way to a young man named Wilson, of whom little seems to be known, and who occupied the editorial chair but a short time, and with not very satisfactory results. Some time later in the year 1867 David R. Waters, a former citizen of Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, but then a resident of Aledo, and a law partner of Hon. Charles M. Harris, of Oquawka, took the management of the "Press.'' He was a man of fine abilities in many directions. In temperament he was nervous, and possibly a little too sanguine for a safe business man ; and a little too Radical for the political success of a minority party. He was, however, a fully reliable democrat, an able political writer and speaker, and a faithful worker for the cause he had espoused. His zeal for his own cause, and his abhorence of the sup- posed errors of his opponents, seemed to lead him sometimes into business and even social discriminations among those he came in contact with. The business up to about the beginning of the year 1868 had been done in a low, but roomy building that had been occupied during and before the war by Mr. Edwards as a dry goods merchant. It stood north of the Aledo house and on nearly the site now occupied by I. JST. Edwards' ice-house ; it was afterward removed to Fifth street, on the south side, between Walnut street and College avenue, on the second floor of a frame building owned and then occupied by A. M. Bj-ers with the first bank in Aledo. Here Mr. Waters completed his labors not long after April 1, 1869, when it was sold by the com- pany to John Geiger, of Aledo, for $800 ; who immediately added to the materials, which were barely sufiicient to issue the newspaper, a carefully-selected little job oflice, at a cost of about $500. This outlay, timely made, would have avoided one great source of financial weak- 560 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. ness in the "Press," and with all its reverses might have kept it at least self-sustaining-, as its successors have been ever since. The new proprietor, recognizing the fact that the "Press," not- withstanding its able editorial management, had closed out a linancial failure, and was virtually a pauper, believed that public conlidence could sooner be secured by starting a new paper, with a title more expressive of its character and objects; and with this view he made no attempt to resurrect the shattered fortunes of the "Press," but April 13, 1869, issued the lirst number of "The Democratic Banner." The few years that had now passed since the war, had begun to temper its ascerbities, and with the better feelings and better facilities the new venture received a fair share of remunerative business. It was con- ducted a while longer in Byer's building, and afterward a small frame building on College avenue, 18x36 feet in size, was purchased of Jacob Cool, the same that, with its open, red-trimmed front, is now used for a primary school ; to this place the office was removed, where it remained until some time in the autumn of 1872. The "Banner" during this time held the leading principles and sentiments of the old school democracy ; and frequently found occasion to dissent from the new methods and policies propounded by platforms and leaders of the times. The editor had, in 1872, voted alone in the state convention, against a resolution favoring the nomination of Horace Greelev. And when afterward the nomination was made bv the national convention, he denounced both the nomination and the nominee, without reserve, as being unlit, whether viewed in the light of principle or of policy. The nomination was, however, accepted all over the Union. Here in Mercer county, besides the remnant of liberal republicans that had not returned to their old home, there was an informal, unorganized, intangible, but omnipresent little party, then sometimes known as grangers. This fugitive gypsy body, as well as the liberals, were enthusiastic adherents to Horace Greeley. [Mistake : grangers didn't spring up till spring of 1873. — Rickei-]. And by their ardent proffers of material, as well as moral support, O. P. Arthur was induced to make purchase of the "Banner" office, and he took possession early in July 1872. He was a young man but lately from the Monmouth College, and at this time was a law student in the office of Bassett & Connell. He had energy and learning, and a good order of talent; and withal could give to the " great commoner " a consciencious sup- port. The "Banner" was still conducted as a democratic organ, and supported democratic men and measures. The business was for awhile conducted at the little red front building, but was shortly after removed MERCER TOWNSHIP. 561 to Seventh street, and afterward to Ricliey Brotlier's old brick build- ing on Fifth street, east of the Aledo house. Some time after the defeat of Greeley at the approach of the depres- sion of 1873, the greenback party began to materialize ; and besides the political gypsies of the country, many from each of the established parties, from one cause and another, arising mostly out of the pressure of the times, gave adherence and active sup])ort to the new party. The "Banner" supported the movement with such vigor that the party promised at one time to become at least second in the county in point of numbers. Arthur was a leader of acknowledged influence. About this time he changed slightly the name of the paper. Dropping the word "Democratic," the title thereafter was "The Aledo Banner." By trenchant articles on the financial abuses of both parties, b}- public speeches and ingenuous enterprises for increasing his circulation, he brought its reading patronage at one time nearly, if not quite, up to that of the old established "Aledo Record." But reverses came, or i-ather culminated. Arthur was young and without experience or capital. His dash and talent brought him admir- ers and even friends ; but only feeble and dilatory material support. Had he known the hollowness of proffered patronage he would never have been tempted into the uncertain field of party politics. He had not then read, with ])roper interpretation, the history and achievements of Col. Mulberry Sellers, or he would not liaA^e leaned on the broken reeds that failed him when the hour of need came. Thenet earnings of the "Banner "office were, however, considerable, and from his surplus Arthur added largely to the material of the estab- lishment. But in his confldence he had married a wife ; and among the unseen calamities of all lives, it happened that his young wife shortly after took sick of a lingering and incurable disease. Personal distrac- tion from business, and large continued expenses, deprived him of the means of a thorough prosecution of his work ; and on his invitation, about June 1, 1S77, John Geiger was associated with him, and as an equal partner and editor-in-chief changed " the paper once more to a straight democratic organ. Arthur's wife died in the ensuing winter; and about May 1, 1S78, he sold his remaining half of the ofhce to John Geiger, who again became sole owner of the paper he had established nine years before. Arthur, after settling up his accounts and arrang- ing his financial affairs, went to Colorado, where he has since held several important trusts and established himself in a very respectable and fairly lucrative law practice. When the "Banner" returned to its original owner, a commodious building was purchased for it on College avenue, where the paper was 562 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. conducted to the end of its checkered life, which the reader will be pleased to listen briefly to. During the heated campaign of 1878 for some cause, never fully declared, but generally understood here. Rev. P. F. Warner, who had formerly made some favorable acquaintances here as a preacher of the Congregational church, came on several occasions and offered to buy out the " Banner " oflice and run it as an independent paper. Geiger having bought the office only with a view of closing up its affairs honorably, now sold to Mr. Warner, reserving one column for the use of the democratic campaign not yet closed ; and on September 20, 18T8, the new proprietor took the chair. He was a graduate of Yale Col- lege. He had considerable literary ability ; wrote fine essays on theological and moral subjects for the pulpit, and wrote with some force and elegance on political topics so far as he had made acquaint- ance with them. But he was unacquainted with the details of news- paper making, and was obliged to trust much to employes. He was a good collector and financial manager, and while he held the demo- cratic support turned over to him, the business was prosperous. But some time in the next year, either with a view of supplanting the " Record " office as an organ, or from some abnormal working of a political conscience, he gave up the independent position, and came out a full fledged republican. While this movement gave pleasure to some republicans that were not wholly satisfied with the ' ' Record, " it gave displeasure to a great number of democratic supporters, who did not think themselves dealt with in entirel,y good faith. Slowly many of these dropped out, while no material strength was drawn from the other political party. After the presidential campaign of 1880 had so far developed as to give the democrats hopes of carrying the national election, John Gei- ger was again solicited to give the party a campaign newspaper. To this he assented, but the season was already advanced, arid the enter- prise would not admit of delay, nor of an expensive outfit. R. Russell had a neat little job office over W. H. Holmes' hardware store on the avenue. To this was added the old press of the Woodhull enterprise, and a small collection of good material bought of one Remington, who had some time before conducted a little "snide" paper in the professed interest of the local republicans, but really for his bread ; and a few more were obtained from L. F. Jobusch, Jr., who, then only a lad, after experimenting a while with a toy press, started a sheet called the "Democratic Press,"" which, however, deserves only to be mentioned as the visionary scheme of a boy, abandoned for want of MERCER TOWNSHIP. 563 means to sustain, or ability to conduct it. He has, however, since occu])ied an advantageous position of society editor on Carl Pretzel's paper in Chicago. He is a plausible and genial young man. With these fragments added to Russell's job materials, the paper was started about the second week in July ; a seven-column folio, to run six months, for $1 per copy. A circulation of about 500 was gathered up, and the enterprise about paid the expenses, as expected. As the first of January drew near, a strong wish from ditferent parts of the county was expressed that the paper now so nearly established and the party so finely organized should not be separated ; but that with the present basis we should go on and establish a permanent organ for the party in Mercer county. Other new materials were promptly purchased, and the paper which was called "• The Aledo Democrat, " was enlarged to an eight-column, and the first number issued in Janu- ary, at the close of the campaign edition. About or near June 1, 1881, the proprietor of the "Democrat" associated with himself R. Eussell and George M. Eames, two sober, industrious young men of Aledo, well skilled in newspaper and job printing ; and the new firm of Geiger, Russell & Eames bought out the old "Banner" materials from Mr. Warner, and adding them to the other materials of the "Democrat," moved all into the "Banner" building, and the " Banner" then ended its singular career and disap- peared, Mr. Warner, its last owner, making another venture in Ha- vanna, Illinois. Few newspapers in the world have had so singlar a history as the ' ' Banner. " It is doubtful whether ever before any political paper has gone the rounds, and alternately advocated the tenets of all parties and factions, and repeated its original position, and made the entire cycle in twelve years, and yet received liberal support in nearly all its tortuous course. It proves that our people's minds are fiexible ; and further, that a newspaper is valued more for its news and intelligence and advertising facilities than for its political platform. In the month of August, 1881, Mr. Russell, of the "Democrat," being offered an advantageous position at Kansas City, sold his inter- est to the senior partner ; and on the first of October so much was transferred to Mr. Eames as to make him an equal partner, and the firm name became Geiger & Eames. The paper is in a fairly prosper- ous condition ; is still democratic, but, as heretofore, liberal, and not trammeled by platforms or the opinions of leaders, and generally finds sufiicient scope and liberty within the expansive and elastic folds of its alma mater. 06-i HISTORY OF :SIERCER A^'D HENDERSON COUNTIES. ALEDO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The first school taught in Aledo was by J. E. Harroiin, but in what building we cannot learn. This was during the winter of 1856-7. In the following winter Rev. Bigger opened a school in his residence, at the then south end of College avenue, and known as the Dr. Woods house. It is now the property of E. L. Wolff, and has been thor- oughly overhauled and refitted, and is occupied as a 23arsonage by Eev. Thomas Stephenson of the first Presbyterian church. In the spring of 1857, the new school-building, now the court-house, was occupied, and Frank Herdman was employed in the capacity of assistant. Mr. H. had no de})artment under his charge, as in the graded system of the present day, but occupied a recitation room, the classes leaving Mr. Bigger's room at stated hours for recitation. We remember Frank as a fine elocutionist, and that his methods of teaching were then far in advance of the age. Mr. Bigger was a man of finished education, and proved himself a good and thorough teacher. During the two following winters the schools were taught by Mr. Baird and wife of 'New York, They were earnest Methodists, and made many friends here, especially among the membership of that church. The next term was taught by Mr. Finkerton, and JMisses Morgan, Har- ris and Shutledge, all of Pennsylvania. Joseph McCoy, Mrs. A. M. Young, and Miss Madden, the latter of Monmouth, taught in the win- ter of 1861-2. The two former still reside in Aledo. During the next year we cannot learn who taught the school, except that Mr. McCoy was principal. About this time a new school build- ing was contracted for and erected ; the one until then used having been refused by the school board, from the contractors or builders, on account of some alleged fault in its erection. It was taken by the pro- prietors of the town, and by them sold to the county at a nominal figure, and has ever since been used as a court-house. School opened in the new building, in block 55, and a part of the one now used, in the fall of 1863, with Mr. McKay Young, Wm. N. Graham, and Miss Eva Marquis as teachers. Mr, Young is the present police magistrate of Aledo, and Mr. Graham is cashier of the Farmers' Bank. The fol- lowing year Sennit Kirk was principal and Miss Libbie Perkins was one of his assistants. James McMillen presided in 1865-6, assisted by Mr. Pardee, Mrs. Lizzie Porter, wife of John Porter, of the ''Record," and Miss Nettie Smith. The latter resigned during the term and Anna McMillen filled the vacancy. During the latter year an addition was erected to the school-house, giving six large class rooms and one recitation room. The entire building is of frame, two low stories in height; arranged with some view to convenience but no attention :mercer township. 565 paid to securing a proper ventilation. In 1S60-T, Mr. Pardee was principal, assisted by Mrs. Porter, Miss M. M. Burbank, now Mrs. AVilson, of Keene, New Hampshire, and Miss Emma Stevens, now Mrs. J. H. Abercrombie, ofAledo. J. E. Ilarroun was principal the following year. Mr. H. was one of the leading educators of our county, and as such, we give elsewhere a brief sketch of his life, so far as it pertains to this history. Mrs. Mary Walker, Mrs. Porter, Mrs. A. M. Young, Misses M. M. Burbank, Emma Stevens, and Anna Maury, were teachers in 1868-9. The latter is now Mrs. Wm. Bunting, of David City, Nebraska. In 1869-70, Sylvanus B. Atwater, now of Greene township, presided, assisted by Miss A. E. Frazier, now county superintendent of schools, Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Young, Misses Eva and Jennie Marquis, and Ella Gailey. C. W. Sherman was principal in 1870, 1871-2, two terms, assisted by Mrs. Young, and Misses Amanda and Tilla Frazier, Miss Burbank, and Miss Belle McCoy, now Mrs. W. L. Duncan, both terms, and Miss Thornton the iirst term, or a part of it. Mr. Sherman was at that time a local preacher in the Methodist church, but after his work as a teacher ended here, he entered the itineracy, but has since severed his connection with the church and is now a traveling evangelist. A. U. Barler (now deceased), was principal for three terms, begin- ning in the fall of 1872 and ending in tlie spring of 1875. Assistants same as the last year except that Miss Barcroft succeeded Miss Bur- bank. Second term Misses Mollie Walker, Ella Gailey, Edith Pruyn, N. A. Campbell, Louisa Merry man and Mrs. Comfort were employed as assistants. Mrs. Comfort and Miss Pruyn resigned early in the term. Miss Marie Hebbard and Miss Olivia Pattison being employed to fill the vacancies. Alex. Stephens, of Washington, Iowa, was elected principal in 1875, and still holds that position. A full account of his school work will be found in a brief sketch of his life, hereto appended. Plis assist- ants the first year were : Misses Ella Gailey, N. A. Campbell, Marie Hebbard, Blanche Rutledge, Tilla Frazier and Millie E. Reed, latter of Monmouth. A new department was added to the school this year, and the school-building not being large enough, a small building about one block distant, on the east side of College avenue, was leased and fitted up for a school-room. A year or two prior to this a tax was author- ized, levied and collected, for the purpose of building additional room, but until 1881, the citizens could never agree upon a location, although the question was submitted to them nearly every year. The increase of the enrollment from year to year rendered more departments and more room necessary, and the upper floor of a brick building south of 566 HISTOEY OF ilERCER AISTD HENDERSON COTTNTIES. the railroad was leased and fitted up so that it could be used, but the rooms were poorly arranged, and were at the best but a poor excuse and make-shift for a village whose gi*eatest pride is in her churches and her public schools. Assistants for the following years were : 18T6-T.— Miss K A. Campbell, Blanche Paitledge, Ella M. Gailey, Marie Hebbard, Emma Crawford, Tilla Frazier, Camilla Reed. 1877-8. — Same as above, except that Misses M. J. Thomas and Lettie Long took the places of Misses Rutledge and Frazier. 1878-9. — Misses Campbell, Rutledge, Gailey, Crawford, Hebbard and Reed, and Mrs. M. J. Waterman, and Mrs. T. H. Ennis. The lat- ter only taught three months and was succeeded by Miss N. A. Wilson^ 1879-80. — Misses Campbell, Gailey, Hebbard, Cora D. Harvey, Zerie Miller, May I. Allen, Mrs. Waternuin, and Mrs. M. J. Taylor. 1880-81.— Mr. K. M. Whitham, Misses Campbell, Rutledge, Mil- ler, Frazier, Allen, Mrs. A.* M. Hall, Mrs. Waterman. At the term of 1880-81, K. M. Whitham was employed as teacher of the grammar department, a position he has since well filled, and which he will doubtless fill during the next term. He is a young man of more than average ability, and should he devote his life to the pro- fession, would make a place for himself among the best educators of the land. He is utilizing his vacations by reading law in the office of L. D. Holmes, and this profession may prove more attractive than that of teaching. In the fall of 1881 the course of study was advanced to include Latin, German, geometry, trigonometry and book-keeping, and Miss Mary E. Turnbull, of Monmouth, was employed as teacher of these branches and assistant principal, a position which she was well quali- fied to fill and the duties of which she discharged in an eminently sat- isfactory manner. The teachers for the past term were : Alex. Stephens, principal ; Miss Mary E. Turnbull, assistant ; K. M. Whitham, grammar depart- ment ; Miss Campbell, fourth intermediate ; Miss Rutledge, third intermediate ; Miss Zerie Miller, second intermediate ; Mrs. A. M. Hall, first intermediate ; and the Misses Mary I. Allen and Tillie Matthews, primary departments. Enrollment for school year 1881-2, -160. The school is fitted up with mai)S, globes and other apjjaratus ; a human skeleton and ana- tomical charts have been added recently, and also a collection of insects and other zoological specimens. MERCER TOWNSHIP. 567 Tlie first students graduated were in the class of 1878, and were the following : Sadie Eames, Clarence Fargo, Una Evans, Hilma Lundblad, Leota Hause, Norma Pepper, Mamie Cunningham. 1879 : Zerie Miller, Emma Ives, O. T. Moore, Lizzie Hause, Retta Galloway, Fred. Hollenback, L. W. Thompson, Harvey S. Pyles, Will. H. Morrison, Cassie Thompson, Kittle Lynch. 1880 : Mattie Evans, Fannie Porter, Grace Pitts, Mable Pepper, Kosa Wolff, Hulda Lundblad, Will McKenney, Lou. L. Walker, Horace Edwards. 1881 : Louie Wright, Georgia Cole, Flora Harvey, Eda Hudson, Minnie Leet, Lizzie Porter, Alma Bickett, Zoe McCoy, Logan Steph- ens, Eobert McKinney, John McKinney, Frank Edwards, Fred Strong, Amos Cole, George Strong, Frank Evans. Miss Zerie Miller, one of the teacliers above mentioned, is worthy of special mention, as she is a graduate of the school in which she has so long held her present position. The circumstances of her widowed mother were such that an academic or collegiate course was entirely out of the question, but she early set to work to fit herself for teach- ing, and by untiring labor and a happy tact in making the most of the advantages within her reach, she has attained a success beyond her briglitest antici])ati()ns. Miss May I. Allen, who has taught one of the primary depart- ments for the past three years, resides in Warren county, adjoining the Mercer line. Her education has been liberal, and she is peculiarly fitted in nature and disposition for the position. She is the friend, playmate and companion of the little ones under her charge, and has not only won their hearts, but the esteem of their parents, and her pupils have ever shown a marked and rapid degree of advancement. Misses Putledge and Campbell have long held positions and have proven excellent teachers. Mrs. Hall has just closed her second term in a most satisfactory manner, while Miss Matthews, in her single term, has well earned the esteem of the school patrons. In 1881, by vote of the people, the directors were authorized to bojrow money to build additional school-buildings, to levy a tax to re- pay the same, and block 101, south of the railroad, was selected and purchased for a school site. Dissatisfied parties procured an injunction against building there, which, though not sustained in the courts, de- layed the work until too late to build last year. In the spring of this year (1882), a petition signed by over 200 of the voters of the district, was presented to the directors asking them to call an election to vote u})on the question of rescinding the vote selecting block 101 as a school site, and authorizing the erection of a building large enough to 568 HISTORY OF MERCER AJS^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. accommodate the entire district, upon block 55, the present school site. The election was held, and both propositions carried by decisive majorities. Another election was held upon the question of purchas- inii the east half of the block, but this was defeated. The directors are now receiving bids for the erection of a building of which the following, compiled from the plans and specitications, is a description, and is an extract from an article jjrepared by the writer and published in the Aledo ''Eecord" of July 5, 1882: The building is to be of brick, with stone foundation, 73 feet 10 inches by 65 feet 6 inches on the ground, with vestibule on east and west sides each 38 feet by 10 feet 5 inches, and on the south 19 feet by 5 feet 9 inches, the two formei- running to top of building, the latter only to top of basement. In the basement will be two class-rooms, each 31x23 feet, with ceiling 10 feet 2 inches high ; two fuel and storage rooms, two large furnaces for heating, closets, halls, stairways, etc. The first and second floors will each contain four class-rooms, two 32 X 23 feet each and two 31 X 23 feet each. The second floor will contain in addition a recitation room over north hall 15x17 feet, and principal's reception room and appa- ratus room over east hall. The ceilings on both floors will be 13 feet high. Separate doors, halls, stairways and closets are provided for boys and girls, two closets for the pupils and one for the teacher con- nected with each room. Ample ventilation of the most approved kind is provided for, in the shape of cold and foul air ducts. Doors and ■windows are to be stone capped. The halls are provided with huge folding or double doors, opening either out or in. A large belfry and cupola, with iron coping on the roof, completes the description. The specifications require the best of work aiul tlie use of the very best material. The floors are to be of southern yellow pine, of boards not more than 4 inches in width. Those of the two upper floors are to be made double, the inner one being covered with 1|- inches of mortar, for the purpose of deadening the sound. The floors do not lie directly upon the joists, as in ordinary buildings ; the latter are crossed with furring two inches square, and the floors laid on these, lengthwise with the joists. The furnace rooms are to be floored and covered with brick. All rooms are to be provided with blackboards on two walls, to be made of slate from a Pennsylvania quarry, to be in slabs 7xi feet in size and J inch in thickness, to be bedded in flush with plaster- ing and just above the wainscoting. The specifications certainly call for one of the best arranged school-buildings in western Illinois, one of which any community may well feel proud; just what the schools of Aledo deserve and what the district needs. MERCER TOWNSHIP. 569 I'ROF. ALEX. STEPHENS. The subject of this sketch was born December 16, 1840, in Perry county, Pennsylvania, and was the second child of William L. and Margaret (Elliott) Stephens, and was reared on his father's farm until the age of fifteen years, when he commenced a course at the Market- ville academy in the summers and teaching during the winters. He graduated in 1856, and for the next two years had charge of the math- ematical department of that institution. In 1859 he entered Bloomlield college, in the same county, and completed the classical course in 1862. He then commenced the study of medicine, but, for what he deemed good reasons, abandoned it at the end of six months, and in the fall of 1863 entered the State Normal school, where he spent a year in special training for a teacher. He taught at various points in his native state until 1872, when he emi- grated to Washington, Iowa, and accepted the principalship of the South Ward school, which he held until 1875, assisting also in the conduct of the county Normal school. In the latter year he moved to Aledo and took charge of the public schools as principal, a position he has held until the present time, and which he has been offered for the coming term. During his administration the standard improvement in the school has been greatly advanced, and it now ranks among the best in the state ; has risen high in the favor of the people, and of his colaborers in the profession, and has secured a substantial and endur- ing reputation as an educator. He is of a genial, kindly disposition, earnest and thorough in any work he undertakes, and a man calculated not only to make friends, but also to keep them. In 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Leonard. They have but one child, Lygan, now in his sixteenth year. They have here a commodious and well furnished residence where they are ever pleased to meet any and all of tlieir hosts of friends, and are never happier than in dispensing tlieir hospitality. The graduates of the school give to Prof. Stephens the utmost credit and veneration for his kindly direction and assistance during their school days, and are ever warm in their expressions of gratitude and appreciation. The work accomplished by him in and for the Aledo public schools is outlined in the following extract from a report of the last commence- ment by the writer of this sketch, and published in the Aledo "Eecord" of May 24, 1882. It speaks for itself: "For the school year of 1875 and 1876 the enrollment was 360 ; last year it was 470. During the first there were 5,679 days of absence, last year but 1,832; cases of tardiness first year 1,708, last year only 45; neither absent or tardy 570 HISTORY or MERCER AIs^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. first year 12, last year 123 ; over forty per cent failed to pass for ad- vancement the first year, less than twenty pev cent failed last year ; per cent of punctuality first year eighty, last year ninety-nine and ninety-nine one-hundredths. We do not believe that there is another school in the state that can show such a record as this last item. And punctuality means nine o'clock in the morning and one o'clock in the afternoon, not one or two minutes after these hours. There have now been fifty- two certificates of graduation issued within the past five years. Of those holding them sixteen are now or have been teaching, and six hold first grade certificates from the county superintendent. The certi- ficates are for the scientific course, which includes orthography, read- ing, penmanship, arithmetic, English grammar, geography. United States history, zoology, botany, natural philosophy, algebra, composi- tion, civil government, and word analysis. We have good reasons to be proud of our schools, proud of our principal, proud of his assistants, and proud of the graduates. We believe that the Aledo public schools equal, if they do not surpass any in the state." J. E. HARROUN. Prominent among the educators of Mercer county was J. E. Har- roun, and he merits a place in our history. Joseph Elliott Harroun was born in Crawford county, Pennsyl- vania. He removed when a young man to Galesburg, Illinois, and entered Lombard University, from whence he came to Mercer county, in 1853, teaching school at the Pryne school-house, two miles east of New Boston, the winter of that year. In March, 1855, he married Miss Margaret A., daughter of William Willits, of New Boston township, and removed to Wapello, Iowa, where he edited the "Wapello Intel- ligencer," for some months. In the spring of 1856 he came back to Mercer county, locating in Aledo, wliere he erected the first building, in which he opened and kept the first boarding-house. He was the first postmaster of Aledo, and it is said that he carried the mail around in his hat. He taught the first school in tlie village, in the winter of that year, and held for some years the ofiice of town clerk. In 1858 he was elected county superintendent of schools, and proved one of the best and most efficient officers that have ever filled that position. During his term of two years he visited every school district in the county, ninety in all, giving all the schools a personal supervision ; helping and advising the teachers ; making a suggestion here and there, but always in a kindly spirit, and with no air of dictation. He was the warm friend and supporter of the earnest teacher, but had little patience with those who taught merely to "fill in the time." He MEECER TOWNSHIP. 571 also held institutes and gave lectures, and was prominently connected with the county normals and institutes. He introduced the first orrery and telurian ever in the county, and carried theni with him in his school visits, explaining their workings to each school. He spoke in an easy, happy manner, that won and held the attenticni of pupils. His methods and ideas were all new, and by some deemed peculiar ; but if so, it was only that they were in advance of the times, as they have since been adopted and made an integral part of our school system as relates to methods of teaching. He was one of the first teachers in the county to attempt to impart instruction orally, and insisted that his pupils should study the meaning of their lesson, rather than the words. His term of service as superintendent was of great benefit to the schools of the county, and he is entitled to all the more credit for his labors when we remember that at that time there was no salary to the office. In 1858 Mr. Harroun removed to a new farm he was opening three and one-half miles southeast of Aledo, where he resided until about two years ago. During that time he taught school a part of the time, at Gingle's corners, Perryton township ; Freer's school-house, and in his home district, Mercer townsliip ; and at Sanbeam ; in all, nine terms. In 1876 he taught in ISTew Boston. While farming he paid considerable attention to the improvement of stock, making short-horn cattle a specialty, and his herd was fre- quently exhibited at our county fairs, where it always attracted atten- tion. He was for years prominently connected with tlie agricul- tural boai'd, serving as vice-president and secretary' for six years. He took an active part in the removal of the fairs from Millersburg to Aledo, and in purchasing and fitting up the new grounds. In 1880 he received the appointment of clerk of the district court of Cassia county, Idaho Territory, and selling his farm he removed to Albion, in that country, where he still resides. He is now probate judge and deputy clerk of the district court of that county. He was a member of the 102d 111. Vol. Inf , in the late war, enlist- ing as a private but soon rising to the rank of orderly sergeant, and being commissioned lieutenant of his company prior to the close of his term of service. He participated in the marches, engagements, and manifold trials incident to army life in connection with his regiment. He is the father of six children, viz. : Adella T., born Febraary 12, 1856 ; married February 22, 1876, to Sanford M. Huston ; now resides at Geneva, Nebraska. Dora C, born July 30, 1858 ; married 572 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. March 10, 1880, to Go vert H. Stephens, of Simbeam, Mercer county, where they still reside. Lulu M., born June 6, 1861 ; died July 14, 1878, in Aledo. William Corwin, born May 21, 1866 ; resides with his parents at Albion. Ada, born October 12, 1868 ; died December 22, 1868. Jessie A., born October 31, 1870 ; resides with her parents. Mr. Harroun and his family have many "warm friends yet in this county. Mrs. H. was raised here, and they still feel a deep interest in all pertaining to their old home, and we doubt not will be arn.ong the most eager readers of this history. THE SEAT OF JUSTICE. By the act of the legislature, of January 31, 1835, creating the county of Mercer, New Boston was designated as the ''temporary county seat"; and in 1837 an act was passed appointing William McMurtry, of Knox county; Thomas Spragins, of Jo Daviess; and John S. Stephenson, of Ogle, commissioners to select a permanent loca- tion. They selected Millersburg as the site, making their report Sep- tember 15, 1837, which was signed by the last two named. John and Sarah Miller donated the amount of land required by the act, making their deed therefor December 18, 1837. This decision was not satisfactory to the citizens of the west side of the county, and in 1839 they secured an act authorizing an election in April of that year, to vote for or against removing the county seat to New Boston, which, however, resulted in favor of retaining the "seat" at Millersburg. Here a two-story frame court-house was built, and a stone jail ; but the latter was of little use in holding such prisoners as desired to gain their freedom, for they could, and frequently did, dig out the soft mor- tar and remove stones enough to gain a safe and easy egress. We remember when a boy of being shown a hole in the gable of the build- ing through which a prisoner had recently made escape from ' ' durance vile." To render the building more secure the county commissioners had it lined throughout with three-inch oak plank, held in place by three-cornered studs in the angles, these being driven full of nails to prevent their being cut into. Agitation was still kept up, and another board of commissioners was secured, who again decided in favor of Millersburg. In 1847, however, another election was held, and resulted in 396 votes for Iveithsburg, 340 for New Boston, and 210 for Millersburg, Keithsburg carrying oif the prize. Land was again donated, a substantial brick court-house erected, and the county archives removed to the new loca- tion. After the removal of the county seat from Millersburg, the MEKCER TOWNSHIP. 575 court-house, jail, ])ub]ic square, and considerable adjoining land was purchased bj Mr. II. W. Thornton, who still resides on the outskirts of the village, and to whom we are indebted for a portion of this history. The jail was torn down and the material put to other uses. The court-house was i-emoved to a lot near the then center of the village, and has for many years been used as a wagonmaker's shop. Keithsburg wore the laurels for nearly teti years, wlien another election was held, August 3, 1857, and by a vote of 1,479 to 519 the people decided to remove the county seat to Aledo, which was situated almost in the center of the rapidly growing county. Land and money were donated, a building was ready for the reception of the officers and the records, and the work of removal was quickly accomplished. For some time court was held in a building erected for a school- house, but being unfit for that purpose, was sold to the county for a nominal sum for a court-house, and is still so used. It is not well adapted to the purpose, being illy-ventilated, and positively unhealthy, and the feeling is growing in the county that a new building is a neces- sity, and it will doubtless be erected at no distant day upon the block donated for that purpose. A commodious and substantial jail was erected in 1869, and a fire-proof building for the county offices in 1873. The latter, while perhaps a safe place to keep the records, is a very uncomfortable place to work in, either winter or summer, owing to poor ventilation. It stands upon Court-House square, and the jail is in the block immediately west of it. The old court-house at Keithsburg has become the property of the town, and is known as the Opera-house, it being fitted up with stage and scenery. CHURCHES. Preshytej'ian Church. — The first organization of this church was effected November 10, 1856, in a school-house west of Aledo, which was at that time known as " the mile school-house." The ministers who presided over and perfected the organization were Rev. Wm. Townley and Rev. John H. Nevius. The officers who were then elected were : elders, Messrs. "Wm. W, McCandless and Edgar Allen ; deacon, Mr. Yanbuskirk ; trustees, Messrs. Simon Macy, John McKee, and John S. Thompson. This congregation for some time after its organization, worshiped in the same old school-house, and after leaving it, occupied a room in Dr. Macy's drug store building, which was used for a private school, and which stood upon the lot now occupied by the residence of Mrs. Jane Strother. Some time about the year 1857, they worshiped in another 33 576 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. scliool-room, where Dr. Town ley taught a select or private school. The same house is now occupied as a dwelling by F. A. Hollenbeck, in the west part of Aledo. Services were held in the above room until 1865, when the congregation fitted up the chapel room of a col- lege that was under the care of the Presbytery, and which was situated in the south part of the town. This room was occupied by them as a place of worship until 1871, from which time, until the building they now occupy was finished, they worshiped in the house of the Methodist bretlu*en. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Samuel Linn, who continued in charge until the spring of 1861, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Williams, for- merly of Ohio. It was during the pastorate of Mr. Williams the chapel room spoken of before was fitted up for worship, and the pros- perity of the congregation at that time, and the means of advancement and growth, were largely due to the energy of Thos. Candor, familiarly known as "Father Candor," a man of untiring zeal and christian devotion ; he died in 1871. Mr. Williams remained in charge of the congregation till the fall of 1866, when he was succeeded by Rev. John S. Loots, who remained nearly three years, when he resigned, was released by the Presbytery, and was succeeded by Rev. F. A. Shearer in the winter of 1868 and 1869. Dr. Shearer was succeeded by Rev. Samuel T. Davis, in 1875, who remained about two years and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Robt. Edgar, who remained with the congregation about three years, when, by his own request, he was released by the Presbytery. The congregation is large and in a prosperous condition. They have a large and handsome place of worship, which cost about $6,000. There are only two surviving members of the original organ- ization, Mrs. Amanda M. Macy and Mrs. Martha Detwiler. United Presbyteriaii ClmrcTi. — In the year 1853 or 1854, Rev. Matthew Bigger preached occasionally to a few members of the Asso- ciate Reformed Presbyterian church, living in Millersburg township, Mercer county, Illinois. Services were generally held at the house of Samuel Carnahan, and sometimes in a school-house near his place. An organization was effected in the vear 1855 bv the election of Samuel Carnahan, Sr., and William Haverhill, as ruling elders. The first pastor was the Rev. D. C. Cochran, who was installed Nov. 9, 1856, and continued with the congregation as pastor for about two years. The records show that five persons were received into membership by certificate during the first pastorate. In the year 1856 the village of Aledo was laid out, and the name of the congregation was soon changed from "Millersburg" to that of "Aledo." Near the time that the first pastor was released, the Rev. Matthew Bigger, MERCER TOWNSHIP. 577 pastor of Pope creek congregation, now Sunbeam, removed to Aledo with his family, and preached "statedly" as supply to the Aledo con- gregation. During his labors the Sabbath school was organized and W. D. Henderson was the first superintendent. John S. Paxton and W. D. Henderson were installed as ruling elders February 12, 1859. ]\Irs. Warwick, wife of J. M. AYarwick, was the first person received into the Aledo congregation, upon profes- sion of faith, and her children the iirst baptised. Rev. Matthew Bigger entered the army during the war of the rebel- lion as chaplain of the 50th reg. 111. Yol. Inf After the close of the war he entered the active work of the ministi-y, in which he continued till his death at Bushnell, Illinois, in December, 1873. The second pastor was Rev. J. R. McCallister, who was installed in December^ 1862. Shortly after the above date a new church building was erected at a cost of about $2, -100. This bulling was afterward sold to, and is now in use by, the Swedish Lutheran church, of Aledo. December 10, 1867, Mr. McCallister was released from his pastorate by Presbytery, The third pastor was Rev. A. W. Clokey, who was installed De- cember 22, 1868, and released by Presbytery June 11, 1872. The fourth and present pastor is Rev. T. B. Turnbull, who was installed April 16, 1873. A new church building was erected in 1876; it was completed for occupancy in the basement, the auditorium being un- finished, at a cost of $8,689.12, when, on June 25, 1877, a tornado passed over the village of Aledo, blowing the tower of the new church building over u])on the roof of the church, carr^dng with it to the ground about one-third of the main structure. The work of repairing was immediately begun, and was finished at a cost of about $2,200. The church building is the finest in the county, being of frame work after the gothic style, and when completed and finally furnished will cost the congregation about $15,000. The actual membership of the congregation is about 140. The Sabbath school is large, under the superintendency of Dr. D. R. John- ston, formerly medical missionary to Egypt. The oflicers of the church at present are : elders, Stewart J. Frew, Alexander Rankin, Paul Black, Joseph Wallace, W. K. Fulton ; trustees, Thomas Love, Will- iam B. Frew, J. F. Pyles. This church is in a flourishing condition, and out of debt. Methodiat Episcojxil Church- — AVas organized in the spring of 1857 by Rev. J. Shelton, then traveling Camden (now Milan) circuit. In the fall of 1857 Aledo was connected with Millersburg circuit, and D. A. Faulkenburg appointed as pastor. The subsequent appointments 578 HISTORY OF IMERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. to the Millersburg circuit while Alodo was connected with Millersburg were as follows : In 1858, L. P. Crouch ; in 1859, L. P. Crouch ; in 1860, B. E. Kaufman; in 1801, J. D. Taylor; in 1862, J. D. Taylor; in 1863, G. C. Woodruff; in 1864, J. D. Taylor. In 1865, Aledo iirst appears as an independent charge, with M. D. Ileckard as pastor. Since then the appointments to Aledo have been as follows: In 1866, A. P. Hull ; 1867 and 1868, F. Smith ; 1869, G. I. Bailey ; 1870, G. I. Bailey ; 1871, M. Spurlock ; 1872, M. Spurlock; 1873, the same; 1874, M. C. Bowlin; 1875, the same; 1876 and 1877, W. M. Collins ; 1878 and 1879, A. R Morgan ; 1880, W. McPheeters ; 1881, J. G. Evans. In 1862, under the administration of J. D. Taylor, the society pur- chased a half interest in the Free Presbyterian churcli. and in 1865 the Free Presbyterians sold their remaining interest in the building to the Methodists. The society owns a good parsonage. The membership now numbers 220, and the Aledo Methodist Episcopal church is, and has been for years the most prosperous Methodist church in the county. It is regarded as one of the most pleasant stations in the confer- ence. When the society was organized in 1857, J. P. McEwen was appointed leader. The additional members were : Mary McEwen, Mary M. Cool, Criss, Mr. Hawkins, Mrs. Hawkins, Elizabeth Baxter, Charles Moore, Mrs. Moore. Aledo Bajjtlst Church. — The first organization of this church in Aledo took place January 5, 1867, with twelve members consti- tuting the congregation. The meeting was presided over- by Pev. J. C. Post, who remained in charge of the congregation until October, 1867, when his term expired. The officers of the original organization were as follows: clerk, Chas. M. Kay; trustees, Wm. B. C^rapnel, C. M. Kay, J. B. Taliafero, Moses White, Aaron P. Shafer, Pobert H. Day, Aaron Patterson. Mr. Post was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Whitehead, who was called by the congregation January 1, 1868, and remained in charge until January 19, 1869. On September 11, 1870, a call was extended to Rev. D. G. Zook, who took charge of the congregation and remained until August 2, 1873, when he resigned. Mr. Zook was succeeded by Rev. O. W. Van Osdel, who was called December 4, 1875, and remained till October 30, 1878, when he resigned and was released March 31, 1880. A call was extended to Rev. M. D. Mur- dock, who accepted and remained with the congregation till January 5, 1881, when the present pastor. Rev. J. T. Iloye, was called. For some years prior to 1874 the congregation worshiped in private houses, holding covenant and prayer meetings. About this year steps were taken leading to the erection of the handsome place of worship they now occupy (which was dedicated December 5, 1875), at a cost of MERCER TOWNSHIP. 579 about $3,500. Much credit is due to a few members of tins cliurcli, who flirnished a great part of the means for the buikling. As the church was comparatively poor, the burden fell upon the few. In 1877 the congregation also built a fine parsonage, at a cost of about $1,500. The congregation now numbers about eightj-jfive members. The sabbath school is large and interesting, and is superintended by the pastor. Of the original members of the congregation only four remain. Congregational Church — Was organized February 15, 1869. The officers of the original organization were: trustees, John S. Thompson, Horace E. Wright, and P. Roberts ; clerk and treasurer, M. S. Boice. They built a house of worship, which was dedicated July 3, 1870, and cost about $-1,500. lie v. P. F. Warner was the first pastor, who con- tinued in charge till the fall of 1872. The congi-egation was then with- out a pastor till the year 1874, when Pev. Robert Nurse was called and presided over the church till September, 1877. The congregation was again without a pastor, having only occasional supplies, till April, 1880, when the Rev. W. E. Smith was called, and who continued in charge until January 1, 1882, when he acce])ted a call from the First Congregational church of Canton, Illinois. The present officers of the church are : trustees, Joseph McCoy, Joseph Abercrombie and James H. Connell ; deacons, Robert Woods and Wm. Pinkerton ; treasurer, Wm. A. Lorimer ; secretary and su]3erintendent of sabbath school. Miss Laura McCoy ; chorister, A. M. Woods ; organist. Miss Aggie McCoy. Swedish Lnthemn Church — Was organized May 19, 1873, the Rev. A. Andreen presiding. There were about forty members who signed the church roll. The following officers were elected : trustees, J. D. Lundblad, P. Ringdall, Clias. Neiberg, and Samuel Andersen; deacons, C. Bjorkman, C. Runborn, John E. Swomsen, and O. G. Olsen. They were without a house of worship until March, 1877, when the old building of the United Presbyterian church was pur- chased for $400, which they removed to the lot owned by them in the east part of town, and repaired and fitted up at a cost of about $2,000. The first pastor was the Rev. A. Andreen, who was succeeded in July, 1873, by Rev. Nils Fersander, who was succeeded by Rev. Andreen again, who had charge of the congregation for about a year. Sep- tember 8, 1878, a call was issued to the Rev. T. H. AVinguist, who took charge of the congregation in March, 1879, and is the present pastor. The congregation has at present about eighty members, is out of debt and pros])ering. Sabbath school exercises are held in English every Sabbath, under tlie direction of Mr. A. G. Johnson, superin- tendent. 580 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Ejnscojxd 6'A?«'c7i.— This church was first organized by a few mem- bers in 1870, and in the year 1878 was received under the care of tlie general church as a mission. The church since has so prospered that in February of the present year (1882) it was organized as an inde- pendent congregation. The church is entirely out of debt, and have a fine place of worsliip erected by the members at a cost of about $•1,000. The rectors in charge since 1870 have been: Revs. Chamber- lain, Brown, Gates, Allen, and the present rector, Rev. Farrar, in the order named. Seventh Day Adventkts. — Early in the year of 1869, a Rev. R. F. Andrews, a minister of this denomination, delivered a series of lectures in Aledo upon the doctrines of his church, continuing his services until some time in March of that year. He made a number of converts to liis doctrine, though no organization was effected at that time. A number of the followers of his faith, however, banded together, appointed a leader, and for nearly a year met for regular service in the court-house. Mr. Andrews came back after being absent about a year, and com- menced operations six miles south of Aledo, and sent for Rev. Mr. Whitham, who had embraced adventism, to help Inm in the work. The two brethren labored in this locality for some time, when an organization was effected, the brethren meeting in what is known as the "Marsh school-house." They held meetings regularly, with quite a large Sabbath-school as auxiliary, until within a few years past. Many members of the organization have moved away, weakening its strength ; but the interest is still kept alive among the few, and the organization is still intact. Free Presbyterian church. — There is now no such church. The necessity for sucli an organization ceased when slavery died. It was the outgrowth of that love of principle which burned in the hearts of those noble men who loved liberty and morality, and its cardinal doc- trines as a church were founded upon the sternest ideas and principles of morality. As early as 1852 there were three organizations of this church in Mercer county ; one in the " Carnahan neighborhood.'' The place was commonly known as "Is^igger ridge," on account of the number of abolitionists living in the neighborhood. Another organ- ization was in the " Kiddoo neighborhood," and the third at the McClure school-house. Messrs. Carnahan, McClure, and Kiddoo were the leaders in the movement in Mercer county, and are all now dead. There was a church built in the Carnahan district, and it is still stand- ing, as is another church built at the same time in the Kiddoo district. These three congregations united and built a church in Aledo, MERCEK TOWNSHIP. 581 about the year 1857, previous to whicli time Rev. Joseph R. Whit- liam, at present living east of Aledo, a zeah)us christian man, had preached to the three organizations in turn. After the union Rev. James S. Pogue was the pastor of the congregation until the close of the war, when the organization was dissolved and the church building sold to the Methodist Episcopal church, the members uniting with various churches in Aledo. SOCIETIES. Aledo Lodge JSfo. 252, A.F.A.M. — The charter was granted under the signature of James Hibbard, Grand Master of the State of Illinois, and bears date of October 7, 1857. The charter members were Will- iam M. Brown, Lucien B. Howe, Pleasant B. Mathews, Elisha Miller, and Simeon Macy. The first officers of the lodge were as follows : Simeon Macy, W.M. ; William M. Brown, S. W. ; P. B. Mathews, J. W. ; O. C. Allen, Sec. The lodge at that time met in the third story of the building now owned by J. C. Ricliey, on the south side of Fifth street. The lodge was constituted, under the charter, by Deputy Grand Master Rice, of Monmouth Lodge, October 10, 1857, when the above-named officers were installed. The first election of officers was held Decem- ber 14, 1858, which resulted in the following being chosen : Simeon Macy, W.M.; Thomas Maddox, S.W.; G. A. Luvin, J.W.; Isaac N. Bassett, Treas. ; Elias Willets, Sec. Elias Willets was the secretary till 1860. He received his demit from the lodge about 1862, when he moved to Warren county, where he practiced his profession, that of the law, till about the year 1870, when he was appointed county judge, to fill an unexpired term, at the close of which he was elected to the same office, which he held till his death in December, 1881. M. L. Marsh was the next secretary elected, who held the office for several terms, when he was appointed tyler, which office he has continuously held under the successive administrations of the lodge until the present time. At the election in December, 1862, William M. Brown was elected W.M., and Thomas Maddox, Sec. January, 1864, Simeon Macy was again elected W.M., and I. N. Bassett, Sec. Tlie next change was in 1865, when Dr. W. D. Craig was elected W.M., and James M. Macy, Sec. The successive annual elections resulted as follows: December 18, 1866, J. M. Willson, W.M., J. M. Macy, Sec; December 10, 1867, J. M. Willson, W.M., John C. Wellion, Sec; December 22, 1868, L. L. Troy, W.M., Geo. P. Graham, Sec; Decem- ber 19, 1869, W. D. Craig, W.M., C. H. Smith, Sec; December 6, 1870, John H. Snyder, W.M., M. L. Marsh, Sec; December 19, 1871, J. M. Willson, W.M., B. F. Brock, Sec; December 10, 1872, 582 HISTORY OF MERCER Al^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. Geo. P. Graham, W.M., James L. Bentley, Sec; December 30, 1SY3, Geo. P. Graham, W.M., M. L. Marsh, Sec; December 15, 1874, D. F. Brock, W.M., A. B. McCandless, Sec; December T, 1875, Geo. P. Graham, AV.M., Luke Strong, Sec; December 26, 1876, J. M. Willson, W.M., Josejjh Boyd, Sec; December 18, 1877, J. M. "VVillson, W.M., Alex. McArthur, Sec; since which election James M. "Willson has held the othce of W.M., and the same officer was secretary till the election of September 14, 1880, when Fred Clark was elected. The present officers of the lodge are as follows : J. M. Willson, W.M.; P. E. Patrick, S.W.; Philip Killey, J.W.; J. F. McBride, Treas. ; F. Clark, Sec; Alex. McArthur, Senior Deacon ; K. M. AYhitham, Junior Deacon ; A. E. Mead and Joseph Boyd, Stewards ; M. L. Marsh, Tyler. The lodge now occupies a commodious and neat hall in the Aledo bank building. They are comfortably situated and in a very flourishing condition. In talking over the history of this organization some very pleasant memories are revived, not the least of which was the presentation in 1880 to Wor- shipful Master J. M. Willson, who had served the lodge for many years as its principal officer, of a magnificent cane to support the declining years of him who, "as a Master Mason, enjoys the happy reflection of a well-spent life. " Aledo Lodge, I.O.O.F. — This lodge was instituted July 1, 1857, by virtue of a charter issued under the seal of the Grand Lodge of the United States, bearing the signatures of Augustus C. Marsh, G.M., and Samuel Willard, G.S. The charter members were: O. C. Allen, John S. Moore, J. E. Harroun, Jacob Cool, and William Detwiler. The present officers of the lodge are : C. S. Bramkamp, N.G. ; Wm. Shiver, Y. G. ; G. B. Morgan, Kec Sec ; M. L. Marsh, Per. Sec ; J. O. Lundblad, Treas.; C. T. Cunningham, G.Rep. J. S. Pinkerton, of Aledo, a member of this lodge, was the first member of the order initiated in Mercer county ; his initiaticm took place in New Boston Lodge, No. 188, in November, 1855. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, has forty-four members, and net assets of $626.31 in the hands of the treasurer. They meet in Abercrombie hall. A. 0. U. W. — A lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workingmen was instituted in Aledo, December 20, 1878, with twenty -five charter members. The officers of the original organization were as follows : P.M.W., A. R. Morgan; M.W., Wm. K Graham; F., James M. Macy ; Overseer, Jas. A. Cummins ; Receiver, J. I. Edwards ; Re- corder, W. A. Lorimer ; Financier, W. C. Galloway ; Guide, D. T. Hindman ; I. Watch, A. R. McDonald ; O. Watch, Ben. Warlow. There has been onl}^ one death in the order since its organization, that MERCER TOWNSHIP. 583 of James M. Macy in Januaiy, 1882, There is a present membership of sixty-fonr, and the order is on a sound financial basis and is other- wise prosperous. Tlie order meets everj Thursday evenini>; in Aber- crombie's hall. The present ofiicer's are: P.M.W., S. M. Evans; M.W., W. A. Lorimer; F., James Bickets; Overseer, J. H. McPlier- ren; Recorder, A. R. McDonald; Receiver, W. C. Gallow^ay ; Finan- cier, R. J. McDonald; Guide, Jas. A. Cummins; I. Watch, J. H. Abercrombie ; O. Watch, Wm. Winders. TOWNLEY'S TILE AND BRICK MANUFACTORY. This enterprise was started by Mr. Townley in 1874, by his buying a block and a half of ground just east of town, from which he procures a good article of brick clay. The clay for his tile he procures from soil about a mile north of Aledo. Since starting his works, Mr. Townley has been making abont 700,000 brick, and about 400,000 feet of tile per year. He finds a good market for his entire product from local trade, and is running his works to their full capacity. " WEST END" CREAMERY, MILLERSBURG. This new enterprise was projected in JN'ovember, 1881, by Messrs. Stratton & Lunn, of Millersburg, who began making butter on a large scale, and readily finding a good market for their product, increased their facilities to what they are at present. They run a churn of the capacity of 250 gallons by a four-horse power engine. They use the common Settle cans of which they have in use 400, and have 500 more on the way from the manufacturer. Since starting the enterj^rise they have made on an average 100 pounds of butter per day, employing four men to gather cream. The proprietors now expect to run twelve or thirteen different routes in gathering their cream, covering a scope of over twenty miles square. About the first of March they will put up two more vats for cream, which will make their capacity 1,000 gal- lons, at which time they expect to make 500 pounds of butter per day. They find a good market for their butter in Chicago, and have recently had an offer from Pueblo, Colorado, for their entire product for the coming year. Messrs, Stratton & Lunn are thorough business men, and will doubtless make this enterprise a successful one. BIOGRAPHICAL. Levi Willits (deceased), is one of Mercer county's noblest dead. His life was full of good works which in his death stand out in bold relief in honor to the doer, Mi\ Willits was born May 31, 1808, in Pickaway county, Ohio, on a farm. His parents, William and Mary 584 HISTORY OF MERCER AJ^T) HENDERSON COUNTIES. Willits, moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and in after years to Indi- ana. Levi spent his youth on the farm, enjoying but few school advantages, yet he early manifested peculiar mathematical ability. When about of age he began the trades of carpentry and cabinet mak- ing, which he followed some years. He was married December 1, 1832, to Miss Clarinda Drury, daughter of Edward and Jane Drury, born in Wayne county, Indiana, July 20, 1811. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Willits resided in Kaysville, Indiana, for four years, when it was decided to move to Illinois. Accordingly, in the fall of 1836, with ox-team, the journey was begun. Mrs. AVillits became sick with the measles, having to keep her bed in the wagon. Arrived near Mud creek, not far from Blue river, the day being warm, the oxen seeing the water were uncontrollable by the driver and rushed toward the muddv element. In their race the wagon was upset, precipitating Mrs. Willits, sick as she was, into mud and water, completely drenching her and piling the heavy goods on her. In extricating her she was further bruised. She was then taken on horseback by a passing woman to a poor hovel and there treated as well as the circumstances would allow. The dirt and squalor of the hut could not be mentioned. As soon as able the party pushed on with their ox-team to Indianapolis, where they remained some time. While there Mrs. AVillits' sister was taken ill of the measles and died. They buried her there in the bloom of her vouth. It was then dicided to return to AVayne county foV the winter, at least, which they did. In the following spring the journey was again undertaken. Mr. AVillits purchased three cows and consid- erable young stock, one horse and the ox-team. Mr. Willits was to ride the horse and drive the cattle, while Mrs. AVillits should drive the ox-team, the man hired for the purpose being sick. Mrs. AV. rode the horse for a time which, becoming scared at the cattle whip the driver carried, jumped, throwing the rider, but causing no dangerous injury. Slowly and interruptedl}' was the journey made. The three cows and much of the young stock were lost on the way. Arrived at New Boston, they found three or four log cabins and more Indians than white men. An old log cabin was occupied by them, necessitating, so dilapidated was it, the hanging of bed clothes, etc., over cracks and holes in the walls. With the ox-team Mr. AVillits hauled all the lumber he could get at Millersburg and with it built one small room for a dwelling, with a sort of loft above for sleeping apartment for men employed. Below a bed and a trundle bed occupied one corner. Across one corner was hung a sheet, partitioning oft" a little room for Hour and smoke room. Hired men slept up stairs and on the tioor down stairs, wdiile the "guid" couple occupied the bed. In that house was born the first IVIERCEE TOWNSHIP. 585 child to the Willits. In that house court was held when New Boston was the county seat and there the court and jury were boarded and lodged. The beds, etc., served as seats and the floors were then- beds. Mrs. W. did her cooking in a cabin near by. The young cattle brought with them were slaughtered for food, a scarce article that year. A small stock of goods had been brought with them, such as groceries, paints, medicines, liquors, etc. With these merchandising was begun, which grew into a very lucrative business. Wm. Drury was for years Mr. Willits"' partner. Soon Mr. AVillits added to his home and with differ- ent additions the house became large. The frame is now owned by Henry Denison. During these early days Mrs. Willits, to aid in for- tune, did washing and ironing for the young men of that day ; also made pants, vests, etc. A man and a woman had been hired to do the baking for the trade, but they quitting, Mrs. Willits undertook it. She had an oven made, constructed of straw, shavings, mud, etc., and plastered with mud, then burned, as there were no brick. She paid for this from her own earnings. She also paid for her first cook stove by her own efforts. Mr. Willits, two years after opening his store, declared he would sell no more liquors to his neighbors, making them drunk, but would put in a supply of dry goods instead. He con- tinued in trade many years. He also became engaged in mer- chandising in Millersburg a short time. He was extensively and many years engaged in the lumber business, trading in land, buy- ing grain, packing pork, contract building, erecting a number of buildings in New Boston. It is unnecessary to speak here of his laying out the town of Aledo ; of his founding, in connection with Judge John S. Thompson, a college for the Presbyterians and one for the Methodists, the foundation of the latter being laid and material ready, at his death ; of his building the Barton hotel, and various other buildings. All this will be found in the history of Aledo. No doubt his exposures to water in laying out the town at the time he did, caused, in some degree, the rheumatism that brought on his sickness. He spent much of his time in Aledo the last year or two of his life. He returned to his home in New Boston to entertain friends, and while there was taken ill. He recovered somewhat, but moving about too much, he took a relapse, had a chill on Thurs- day, and on the following Tuesday died of inflamatory rheumatism, March 2, 1858. On the following Friday evening a large concourse of people gathered at the .court-house in Aledo and passed resolutions of respect for him and admiration of his character. He was not a church member, yet was considered a good man. His house was always open to ministers and christians generally. The evening before his death 586 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. he called for a glass of water and holding it up, beautifully remarked : ^'Before to-morrow morning I shall be drinking purer water than that." He died before inorning. Pie was always interested in the educational and general good of the people. In politics he had been a whig, but was a republican before he died. Five children had j^receded him to the grave, all he had. One child of James Thompson, at its mother's death, had been taken to raise. It had died. Four children of Har- riet Willits had also found a father and mother in the persons of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Willits. One died in her fourteenth year. The others were well educated and provided for in his will. Mr. Willits' good works live after him, but not as they would had he been spared to fur- ther prosecute his designs. Disease deprived the people of a noble mind, warm heart and willing hands. His works cannot be individu- alized in the space allotted here. John Geiger. The frosts of sixty-eight winters have whitened the hair of Mr. Geiger, but in mind and body he is still vigorous and capa- ble. His maternal grandparents were German. His father's people were of South Carolina, but of German extraction. His father, John Geiger, was born and raised in Martin sburg, Virginia, but became a resident of Maryland. He became a soldier in the war of 1812. Shortly after the war closed he removed to the southern part of Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania. Exposure and hardships incident to ai-my life brought on pleurisy, progressing with consumption, and terminat- ing in death about 1825 or 1826. He was not a strong man at any time. His wife, Elizabeth Kable, sons and daughters, after remaining in Hancock, Maryland, a few years, settled in Marion county, Ohio, where she, her sons (but John) and one daughter, have since died. John Geiger was born in Williamsport, Maryland, January 15, 1814, while his father was yet fighting the British. He was quite young when his parents moved to Bedford county. There, on the Little Licking river, under the shadow of one of the high eastern ridges of the Allegheny mountains, he passed his youth till seventeen years of age. He says, in speaking of his school days : "I^aturally studious and of a somewhat retentive memory, I led my friends and teachers to think me precocious. So I was unmercifully pushed deep into the intricate parts of arithmetic before twelve years old. But by the im- perfect methods of teaching that prevailed at that time, I understood nothing of consequence beyond the operations of the ground rules." He further says: "Aided by some adverse circumstances, I escaped further attendance at school until nineteen years of age." In 1831, young Geiger, in company with his oldest sister and her liusband, Daniel Linn, crossed the Allegheny mountains via the national turn- MERCER TOWNSHIP. 587 jjike road to Ohio, assisting at times in caring for tlie team or driving. At that time the northwest and much of the interior of the state was wild and thinly settled. A new country presented dreary prospects to a lad seventeen years old, with naught of wealth to assist. But the love and good counsel of his mother were free. He began to plan and do for himself. He worked at whatever might offer, farming principally, although alternated with work in the stone quany. Means of transportation were meager, oxen furnishing the larger part of the motive power. Wages were low, so that money making was tedious. His love for study continued unabated. He attended school part of two or three terms, near Caledonia, Oliio, finishing arithmetic and gaining a fair knowledge of grammar and geography. His study of school-books was interspersed with perusal of such works as natural philoso^ihy, chemistry, astronomy. Goldsmith's Greece and Rome, Wal- son's Institutes, Playfair's Euclid, Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding, Good's Book of iSTature, Butler's Analogue, Watts on the Mind, and other solid reading. In 1836, after five years' labor and economy, he had saved $200 in silver. This he expended in a quarter section of heavily timbered congress land, in Whitley county, Indiana. During the ensuing winter he taught school in Huntington, remaining in the county one year, making improvements on his purchase. Land speculation at the date of his buying was at its height, but the crash of 1837 depreciated values leaving much land nearly worthless. After keeping his farm thirteen years and expending much labor on it, he sold just before the rise in prices caused by the railroad excitement. Mr. Geiger still made his home in Ohio, where he was much em- ploj'ed as an accountant in auditors' offices for a series of years, and in some four difierent counties. Feeling the necessity, from experi- ence, of some tables for computing taxes, he, in 1847, compiled and printed a small book of tables. This was sold almost exclusively in Ohio. In 1854 he prepared a much fuller work. This being too expensive for his limited means he memorialized the Ohio legislature, obtaining an appropriation of $3,500, to enable him to publish his work with dispatch, the state taking 300 copies in consideration of the appropriation. The edition of 800 copies was sold mostly in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan and Minnesota. Mr. Geiger's other literary work has embraced a few lectures, essays, poems, etc., some of which have appeared in the columns of the press. In politics he has been an unfaltering democrat through life. His first political activity was corresponding for Sam. Medary's "Ohio Statesman,'' in 1840, when he had the opportunity of seeing and hearing some of the greatest platform orators known to the public. In 1850 he became 588 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. eclitor-in-cliarge of the " Moinit Gilead Messenger," continuing a short time during the compromise session of congress of 1S49 and 1850, and the canvass for the Ohio constitution of 1850. Prosperity crowned the efforts of the industrious, so that in 1852 Mr. Geiger was able to purchase 1,000 acres of land in Mercer county, Illinois, buying in a body in Greene and Preemption townships, to which several hundred acres were added in 1853. In 1854 he planted five or six miles of osage orange fence, built plank fences, tenant houses, and made other improvements looking to its occupation as a grain and stock farm. May 27, 1858, he was married at Wabash, Indiana, to Mrs. Martha P. Arthur, widowed daughter of the late Judge Parish, of Columbus, Ohio, a union that has ever been happy. With his wife and her two children, O. P. Arthur and the present Mrs. James H. Connell, he moved to his Illinois farm in October of the same year. He carried on the grain and stock business till 1858, when he settled in Aledo. He still owns part of his farm. Since his residence in Aledo he has been successfully conducting the Aledo ''Banner" and the Aledo "Democrat," some account of whiclv appears in the history of Aledo. He also superintends his farm. Officially he has occupied a few local positions, but has more frequently declined than accepted opportunities as candidate for such honors. Without intending any special laudation it is but proper to say that Mr. Geiger's life has been one of success, and may teach to poor boys the lesson so often repeated, that even though poverty may be their lot in youth, they may, if willing to try, rise and become useful citizens. The Gilmore Family. — Among the few white families who consti- tuted the lirst permanent settlers of Mercer county, and who have taken prominent and active parts in its history and development, is that of which Judge Ephraim Gilmore is a member. He and his father, Col. Eobert Gilmore, arrived in Warren county as early as 1833, and the following year the judge moved into that part afterward set off' as Mercer county. Mr. Gilmore was born February T, 1810, hence was in full manhood when his career became blended with that of Mercer county. After a residence of two years in New Boston he settled at a point about half way between Aledo and New Boston, on a ftirm subsequently owned .by the Hon. John McGinnis. Flere he lived and labored from 1837 to 1871, when he changed his residence to Aledo and embarked in the banking business. November 4, 1834, he married Miss Julia Ann Denison, daughter of William and Kachel Denison, who were the first white settlers of the county. Miss Den- ison was the only single white lady of the county at the time of this marriage. Seven sons and two daughters have been born to them: » MERCER TOWNSHIP. 589 William, Robert N., John A., James E., Edwin, Erastus E., Lyman C, Annie E., and Mary. William and Mary are dead, Robert is a resident of Johnson county, Missouri, and Annie E. (now Mrs. James Kiddoo) is of Rice county, Kansas. John A. enlisted August 6, 1861, in company E, 9th reg. 111. Vol., and served three years and one month. His I'egiment was mostly recruited from St. Clair county, and was commanded by Col. Paine. John A. as a soldier was engaged at the first battle of Fort Donelson, Sliiloh, Corinth. He then became a mounted infantryman, and accompanied SJierman to Atlanta, but in the meantime aided in guarding the Memphis and Charleston railroad. He was mustered ou: at Springfield. March 22, 1865, he was married to Miss Allie Pryme. She died June 28, 1866, leaving one child (Charlie). He was next married February 17, 1870, to Miss Sarah McGinnis, whose parents (John T. and Margaret McGinnis) are prom- inent in Mercer county history. John A. has spent many years on the farm, but is now in the bank. Robert N., James E. and Edw^in were in company K, 102d reg. 111. Vol., which regiment is so fully noticed in the history. Robert was discharged on account of ill-health incurred in Buell's famous forced march. James and Edwin served through the war. Judge Gilmore's history is so intimate with that of the county that a re\dew of the one includes that of the other. He was the first postmaster of New Boston, first circuit clerk and first surve3^or of Mercer county, once probate judge, once county treas- urer, and twice a member of the state legislature. During his ofiicial career his conduct was marked by a courtesy of manner, an honesty of action and a purity and patriotism of motive to such a degree that there is not now in the county a single man to be found who does not honor and feel proud of his record and relations with his people. The Gilmore family are of Scotch-Irish descent. The ancestry came to the United States when they were dependent colonies, and were during the revolutionary war active patriots, Mr. Gilmore's grandfather, Ephraim Gilmore, being a continental soldier, who, after the close of the war, continued to reside in Chester county, Pennsyl- vania, where he raised four sons : Robert, Ej^hraim, John and Thomas. Robert afterward served as captain in the war of 1812. He was twice married, first to Miss Elizabeth Collins and then to Miss Maria Pil- grim. By his first wife he raised Ephraim (the subject of this sketch), John, Arabella, Ann, and Joseph; and by his second wife, James, Thomas, Elizabeth Rachel, Lawrence H., Benjamin F., and Robert C. The first marriage took place in Jefferson county, Ohio, and the second in the city of Columbus, he being at that time a member of the legis- lature of. Ohio from the same county. Immediately after coming to 590 HISTORY OF ISrERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Warren county, Illinois, lie was elected one of the commissioners for this county, which position he held two or theee terms. He died about 1856, and was buried at Monmouth. He was 75 years old and was a man of strong force of character. He died in the fellowship of the Presbyterian church. Nicholas Edwards, farmer and lumber merchant, Aledo, is a native of Crawford county, Indiana, where he was born October 23, 1816. His father, Isaac Edwards, died of small-pox, before he can remember, and his mother, whose maiden name was Kachel Eice, married again. Mr. Edwards lived on the old homestead till 1834, when he engaged in flat-boating to New Orleans, working at iirst for $15 per month. In 1838 he quit the river, came to Illinois, and in the spring of 1839 settled at Henderson, Knox county, and merchandised there until 1843. In September, 1839, he attended the land sales at Galena, but being obliged by previous engagement to return before he made his purchase, he left his money with friends who bid oif for him the tracts he had selected, the same being the S. W. J Sec. 18 and the N. W. i Sec. 19, T. 14. R. 3, which land he still owns. Arriving home he celebrated his marriage with Miss Lydia Ann Edwards, of Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 6th of October. In 1843 he settled at the mouth of the Edwards river, below New Boston, where he ran a saw-mill in connection with William Willit, now of Keithsburg, and Isaiah Brown, who died in California. He was elected the same year to the oiflce of justice of the peace. At that time there was no voting precinct at Keithsburg, and elections were held at what is at present known as Glancey's mills. The death of his wife in 1850 broke up his family; and the next to the oldest child, Sydnie Elizabeth, and the next to the youngest, Isaac Edward, were taken and raised by their uncle, William Edwards, of Hamilton county, Ohio. They still live in that state. The other children were Emily Erances, Rachel Elvira, John W., Mary Eliza, and Nancy Jane, both of which died in inftmcy. Immediately following this change in his domestic affairs, he went to trading on the river between Cincinnati and New Orleans, and was thus engaged for Ave years. In 1856 he returned to Mercer county, and from 1857 to 1860 lived in Aledo. Between the last date and 1869 his home was in Keithsburg and Oquawka, and the rest of the time until now in Aledo, where he has been carrying on trade in lumber. In politics Mr. Edwards is a republican. He was formerly a whig, and relates as an- incident of the early political history of Keithsburg township that his party once held a ]:)rimary meeting to elect delegates to the county convention, and that himself, AVilliam Willett and John McH. Wilson composed the attendants. Willett presided, Edwards ^c^^. />2<^^^^C<^ MERUER TOWNSHIP. 593 acted as secretary, and Wilson made tlie motions. The meeting was decidedly harmonious. Mr. Edwards has for many years been a warm advocate of the temi)erance cause, and is at present directing his efforts and influence to assist in bi'inging about an entire prohibition of tlie manufacture and sale of spirituous, vinous and malt liquors. Alexander McArthur, circuit clerk, Aledo, only child of Alexan- der and Ann (McGregor) McArthur, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, February 4, 1850. lie came with his widowed mother to this coun- try, landing at New York July 4, 1856. The following spring they came to Aledo, where he has since resided. Mrs. McArthur, to whom our subject acknowledges with true filial gratitude that he owes all he is or may ever be, supported herself and her son until I860, when he began to work out. From this date till 1870 he worked as a farm hand, improving the winters by attending district school. In 1871, he obtained employment in the store ofMcKinney & Lorimer, as book- keeper and salesman. In the autumn of 1874, his old employer, Mr. Lorimer, being circuit clerk, he was taken into his office as deputy. In January, 1876, the clerk resigned, and Mr. McArthur was appointed by "the judge of the circuit court to fill the unexpired term of eleven months. In the fall of 1876, he was elected by the republicans to oc- cupy the office, and in 1880, was re-elected. He is a member of Aledo Lodge, No. 252, A.F.A.M., of Keithsburg Chapter, No. i7, and Everts Commandery, No. 18, of Rock Island. Isaac N. Dunlap, of the firm of Richey & Dunlap, Aledo, was born in Pennsylvania, May 12, 1836. His parents were Andrew and Jemima (Roby) Dunlap. In 1857, he came to Illinois, and after living one year in Knox county he made permanent settlement in Mercer. In June, 1861, he volunteered in Co. I, 17th 111. Inf., and fought his only battle at Fort Donelson where he lost his left leg by a six pound shell. The missile took off two men's heads before it lodged in his thigh. He was left six days in an old house on the battle-field after his leg was amputated, without care, in expectation that he would die. He recovered and was discharged in April, 1862. The shell is pre- served in the museum of relics of the war in Washington, and this case is cited in the medical history of the rebellion. Mr. Dunlap was elected county treasurer in 1865, by the republican party, of which he is a staunch and zealous member, and discharged the duties of that position with credit and satisfaction six years. On January 23, 1866, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Tirza A. Pinkerton. They are both communicants in the Methodist church. In 1874, Mr. Dunlap engaged in selling groceries with John W. Dilley. Afterward he was alone in the same trade ; and next was out of business two years. In 34 594 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AOT) HENDERSON COUNTIES. 1877 he began dealing in boots and slioes in company with William Day ; the latter died the next year, and he closed out soon after. In September, 1879, he formed his present partnership with C. S. Kichey, Esq., in general merchandising. Benjamin F. Townsley, brick and tile manufacturer, Aledo, was born in England in 1850, and in 1852 was brought by his parents, John and Anna (Stockdale) Townsley, to Toronto, Canada. In 1867 he came to Mercer county, and during the first five or six years worked at blacksmithing, afterward he engaged in the brick and tile business. He was manufacturing brick in New Boston in company with his brother James ; in 1 876 they sold out and started again at Aledo. His brother died the next year, and he has since managed the work with- out a partner. In 1874 they began making drain tile on a small scale, and now Mr. Townsley has extended the business to include a brick yard at Joy. In the manufacture of tile Mr. Townsley uses Tifl'any's centennial brick and tile machine for molding, and the square, down- draft kilns invented by the same patentee for burning. This business represents an industry of increasing importance that is destined to exert an incalcuable influence on the productive wealth of the country. The advantages of tile draining are thoroughly proven and becoming well understood, and the amount of land tiled each year is immensely large. Mr Townsley is an Odd-Fellow, and a member of Aledo Lodge No. 136, I.O.G.T. William A. Lorimer, merchant, Aledo, born in Perth, Scotland, in 1840, emigrated with his parents in 1848 and lived first in Pennsyl- vania, then a short time in Ohio, and in 1853 came to Keithsburg. He was taken from school when twelve years of age and put to work in the Hudson (Ohio) "Observer" printing oifice. On arriving at Keithsburg he went to clerking, and continued to be so employed until the breaking out of the war. He promptly enlisted in April, 1861, in Co. I, 17th 111. Inf., and was fighting the battles of his country a little over three years. The most prominent actions in which he was engaged were Fredericktown, Missouri, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Vicks- burg. To this list of great battles should be added the usual amount of small fighting. He went out as sergeant of his company and was first promoted to second lieutenant, and next to cajitain, which latter rank he held when mustered out at Springfield in June, 1864. After returning to civil life he spent the first year in Chicago ; then coming back to Keithsburg he clerked for C. S. Orth, after which, in 1868, he was selected circuit clerk by the republicans of the county. This ofiice he filled two terms of four years each. He was trading in dry goods in company with John McKinney Jr., a part of the time during his MEECER TOWNSHIP. 595 incumbency as an officeholder, and since his retirement from public business has occupied his present stand on the southwest corner of Seventh street and College avenue. Mr. Lorimer was married in 1868 to Miss Orpha J. Calhoun. They have had five children, three of wdiich are dead. MoRDECAi L. Marsh, justice of the peace, Aledo, was born in Eahway, Xew Jersey, in 1813. His parents were Solomon and Fanny (Brown) Marsh, whose Quaker ancestors came to America in the latter part of the seventeenth century, to escape the English prosecution of their sect. In New York Mr. Marsh learned the cabinet and piano trade. In 183-1 he settled in Buifalo and embarked in land specula- tions. When the crash of 1837 came he was caught, like the rest of men, at a disadvantage, and lost about all his property. In the same year he emigrated to Ohio, and lived there till 1852, when he came to Illinois and located his family in Millersburg township, this county, and made farming his occupation until Christmas, 1857. He then moved to Aledo, having since resided here, and continuously held the office of justice of the peace, his first election having been in tlie spring of 1861. He has been treasurer of Mercer township several years. In 1832 he was united in mai-riage with Miss Eliza Gregory. She has been an unfortunate invalid forty-eight years. Both were at first members of the Baptist church, Mr, Marsh joining in 1835 ; but about 1855 they became enrolled in the Presbyterian church, to which they now belong, and in which our subject has been a deacon nearly twenty- five years. These parents have one son, William. Mr. Marsh was a whig until that party disappeared as a political organization ; since then he has been a republican. John G. McGuffin, grocer, Aledo, was born in Washington county,. Pennsylvania, in 1829. He taught school seven years in Pennsyl- vania, Ohio, and Illinois. In 1855 he arrived in the latter state and settled in Warren county ; in 1857 he came to Aledo and began clerk- ing for Dr. Isaac Edwards, and remained in his service until lie went into the army. He volunteered in August, 1862, in company K, 102d reg. 111. Vol. Inf., and on the organization of the company was elected orderly sergeant. He remained with his regiment through all its earlier and disciplinary service, and finally when it left Lavergne, Tennessee, for the front, in February, 186-1, he was sent back to Xasli- ville, unfit for duty, and in October following was honorably discharged on account of disability. On his return home he took charge of Luvin's store, in that gentleman's absence on a visit to the old country ; then he clerked for Poage ct Senter four years. He was next a member of the. dry goods fii-m of Richey Bros. & McGuffin for four years, and 596 HISTOKY OF MERCER A^S'D HENDERSON COUNTIES. after that was in the grocery trade in the firm of Atchison & McGufHn. The hist sold out, and he soon started in business alone. Afterward M. E. McDonakl purchased a half interest, and in May, 1881, was succeeded in the partnership by H. D. Marks, Mr. McGuffin's present partner. The subject of this notice was married, February 25, 1857, to Miss Maggie S. Harris. They have one son, William Rice, now ])reparing liimself for the profession of medicine. Mr. and Mrs. McGuffin are Presbyterians ; and he is a republican. James C Wright, retired fjirmer, Aledo, is a descendant of revo- lutionary stock, both his grandfathers having been soldiers in the war for independence. Mr. AVright's parents, Arunah and Polly (Went- worth) Wright, lived in Oneida county, New York, where there were born to them six sons, two of whom died young ; those who grew u]) to manhood were Alpheus W., Horace E., George W., and the subject of this sketch, who was born in the year 1817. The mother died in 1829, and the father in 1838. In the latter year Alpheus came to Mercer county from Ohio, to which stat-e he had previously emigrated. The following year the three remaining brothers left their native state and came here, and the four settled at Warr's Corners, in Richland township. In the autumn of 1842 these brothers made the lirst settle- ment at Preemption Corners, four miles west of their original location, though some others had made homes in the neighborhood a few years earlier. In 1846 Mr. Wrii>:ht rode back to New York on horseback, in company with Andrew Conant and wife, and led six horses. He had come here without means. He remained in Xew York till 1851, and directly on his return was married, March 17, to Miss Julia A. Stone. She was a native of Mansfield, Connecticut, but was raised in Mr. AYright's own county, where they became acquainted. Her father's family removed to Lee county in the fall of 1850, and then the next year he followed to Illinois, and this couple were married. They have two living children : Xewell N. and Louie A. Mr. AV right was suj^er- visor of Preemption township two*terms. He was originally a demo- crat, but in 1856 joined the new republican party. William AA'^inders, produce dealer, Aledo, son of John and Eliza- beth (Paden) AA^inders, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, September 25, 1836. In 1856 he came to Mercer county and settled in the country near Aledo, and worked at his trade of plastering and two years at farming. The war of the rebellion being in progress, on August 13, 1862, he volunteered as a private in company K, 102d reg. 111. Yol. Inf On the organization of the company he was appointed third cor- poral, but always did duty as sergeant, and was mustered out as first sergeant. He was with his regiment during its whole term of service, MERCER TOWNSHIP. 597 except one week, when it- was operating and lighting at Hesacca. This embraced the Atlanta campaign, which Gen. Halleck pronounced the greatest of the war, the march to the sea, and the campaign of the Carolinas, to which may be added the march to Washington and the grand review. lie helped to build the three hundred miles of breast- works and the same amount of corduroy road which Sherman's army made, fought in several battles, including Feachtree creek and Averysboro, and scores of skirmishes and small lights. His muster- out was at Washington, D. C, June 6, 1865. He was married June 12, 1S62, to Miss Catharine E. Detwiler. In the spring of 1866 he removed with his family to Finley, Hancock countly, Ohio, where lie clerked in a dry goods store. In 1867 he came back and remained a month or two, after whicli he again went to Ohio and stayed another vear, then returned to Aledo, where he has since lived. He was butchering three years, the rest of the time he has been in his present business. Mr. AVinder's children are: Julia E., George S., Thornton D., Willie M., Charles Henry, and Araminta Pearl. He has been town trustee one year, and is a mason, a workman and a republican. Martin Boyd, farmer, Aledo, oldest living chikl of Miles and Catherine (Fisher) Boyd, was born in Madison county, Indiana, Feb- ruary 12, 1834. In 1839 his father emigrated to Mercer county and settled in what is now Eliza township, and four years afterward died in Indiana, while there on business. His mother married again to James Turner, and is. living on the old homestead. April 6, 1856, Mr. Boyd was married to Miss Lydia, daughter of Martin Bear, one of the original settlers of Eliza township, and the same spring settled on the N. W. J Sec. 16, Duncan township, and lived there twenty years. In 1876 he moved to Aledo. He was generally and quite ex- tensively engaged while on his farm in feeding cattle. For a number of years he was supervisor and assessor of Eliza, and held, besides, other offices in his township. In 1880 he was elected by the democrats to the legislature, where he attended the regular session of 1880-81, and the recent special session convened the present year (1882) by Gov. Cullom. He has served on the committees on county and town- ship organization, library, and miscellanies. Mr. Boyd has never been identified with any other than the democratic party. He was actively associated with his friends in the farmers' movement from 1873 to 1875, was master of a grange, and delegate therefrom to the state grange. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have three children : Catharine, Lenore and Bertha. Catharine is the wife of Minor Miller. Charles F. Durston, deputy circuit clerk, Aledo, second child of James and Philadelphia (Bridger) Dui'ston, was born in Mercer county, 598 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. August 14, 1837. His parents emigrated from ISTew York to this county in 1836 and settled in Rivoli township, where thej lived till their death. The mother departed this life in 1866, and the father, an Englishman bj birth, in 1878. This subject attended school one year at Wheaton College. Combining his studies there with other instruc- tion which he received, he secured a very good English education. He was married in 186*5 to Miss Sarah Gould, of this county, and by her has had three children : Lizzie, Alice and Adelphia. Both parents are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Durston lived by farming until 1873. In that year he was elected county clerk, and filled that office with accej^tance to the people till his successor was elected in 1877. He has been deputy circuit clerk the last three years. Politically he is a republican. Joseph B. Moork, cabinet maker and furniture dealer, Aledo, w^as born March 14, 1827, and is the youngest living son of Foreman and Anna (Worley) Moore. He followed carpentering, farming, undei'- taking and boating in Ohio, and was several years justice of the peace. In 1865 he emigrated to Mercer county and for ten years worked an eighty-acre farm adjoining Aledo. In 1875 he gave up farming and engaged in his present business. In 1850 he celebrated his nuptuals with Miss Margaret McCall. Their family has comprised three child- ren : Robert Iv., music teacher ; John W., died in infancy ; and Mary Ellen, who married O. P. Arthur, and is now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are communicants in the Methodist churcli. He is church trus- tee and has been steward and class leader. He has filled the office of trustee of the town of Aledo five years and was president of the board part of the time. Li politics he is a democrat, as a rule, though he has voted for republican candidates for president, and does not adhere strictly to party lines. Mr. Moore's father was the .son of Joseph Moore, and was born in Mason county, Kentucky, June 20, 1792. He came with his parents to Scioto county, Ohio, when six years old and lived in that county, except a year or two he was in Adams county when first married, until he came west with his son Joseph in 1865. He lives in Aledo, and at the advanced age of ninety years retains goodly healtli and activity. He was married in 1814 to Miss Anna Worley. They had nine children : Patience, Rebecca, Leroy, Charles, Scienda (dead), Joseph, John (dead), Jedediah (dead), and Asbury (dead). The mother of these children died about 1849, and a year afterward the father married Mrs. Rebecca Iloobler, who is still living. Mr. Moore united with the Methodist church at the age of twelve and has always been a steadfast, zealous laborer in the Master's vineyard. He has been a licensed exhorter over fortv vears, and has held official MERCER TOWNS^IIP. 599 connection with the church at different times as trustee, steward and class leader. He is pensioned by the government for service in the war of 1812. He was mustered as a soldier in his own county and after marching to Sandusky was discharged. Thomas Maddux, farmer and stock raiser, Aledo, is a native of Fleming county, Kentucky, where he was born July 19, 1820. His father, George B. Maddux, was three times married, and the subject of this was the third child among four sons and five daughters by the second wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Green. Mr. Maddux's father was born and reared in Fauquier county, Virginia. He married for his last wife Elizabeth Hill and by this union became the father of two sons, making twenty-one children of his own. He died in Ken- tucky, and his wife in Aberdeen, Ohio, in 1875. Mr. Maddux learned the tinner's trade in Maysville, Kentucky, with Joseph Fi-ank ; in 18-13 he removed to Laurel, Franklin county, Indiana, and lived there, en- gaged at his trade and carrying on the hardware business, till June, 1857, when he located his family in Aledo. He continued the same business here till 1868 and then sold out to W. PI. Holmes. On his settlement in the place he erected the first building ever put up on the business lot now occupied by Mr. Holmes on College avenue. In 1873 Mr. Maddux resumed his old business on the corner of Seventh and Maple streets under the name of Maddux & Son. In March, 1876, he sold to Detwiler & Son and retired from trade. He had previously become interested in farming and is now the owner of two good farms near the county seat. He started a poor boy and lias made a success of his undertakings. After serving his apprenticeship he had $11-1 with which he began business. He has been twice married ; first in 1846 to Miss Mary E. Williams, of Laurel, Indiana. The issue of this marriage were three children : Elizabeth (died in infancy), Lewis S., and Frank L. Mrs. Maddux died July 25, 1855, and on January 5, 1862, Mr. Maddux was married to Mrs. Phebe Whitelaw, of Franklin county, Indiana. They have had a little daughter, Kate A., who died when three years old. Mr. Maddux is a Mason, an Odd-Fellow and a republican. Charles C. Wordin, county clerk, Aledo, oldest son of Joseph J. and Sophia (Brown) Wordin, was born in Keithsburg township, Sep- tember 25, 1840. He enlisted August 5, 1861, in Co. E, 9th 111. Inf , and served with credit in that command until the expiration of his term, in August, 1864, when he was sent back from before Atlanta and mus- tered out at Springfield, Illinois. He fought at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, battle of Corinth, October 3' and 4, 1862, and after his regiment was mounted, in March, 1863, was continually on scouting service, and 600 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. participated in numerous small fights. He was also engaged in the arduous service of the Atlanta campaign. He enlisted a second time March, 1865, in Co. F, 4th reg. U. S. Vet. Vol., an organization formed hv Gen. Hancock, to which none were admitted who had not seen at least two years service. One year was spent in garrison at Columbus, Ohio, Wasliington city, and Louisville, Kentucky. In March, 1866, he was nmstered out at the latter city. After the war he kept books in Keithsburg five and a half years ; then he was running a hotel two and one-half years ; and in November, 1877, he was elected county clerk, and is still an incumbent of the office. Mr. Wordin has been an Odd-Fellow since 1868. December 18, 1872, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Jennie McPhee. In 1876, they lost their only child, a son, who was three years old. Mr. Wordin's father was born in JRensselaer county, New York, in 1815. He came to this county from Ohio, in 1837, and settled in Keithsburg in March, 1838, living at the landing till 1840. Moving out two miles, he lived on a farm three years ; then he returned and has since had his home in the town. He followed his trade of wagon-making till 1862 ; since that he has been a house painter. He is one of the few venerable pioneers left as monuments whose shadows link the present with the aboriginal period in Mercer county. William Henry Holmes, hardware and stove dealer, Aledo. oldest son of William and Hannah (Lantey) Holmes, was born in Hull, Eng- land, February 15, 1847. His father emigrated with his family to Bi-antford, Canada West, in 1850 ; and in 1857 he removed to Wiscon- sin. The next year they came to Aledo, where they have all since lived. After coming here, Mr. Holmes attended school and worked at farm labor until the spring of 1864, when he commenced to learn the tinner's trade. At the end of two months he volunteered in the one hundred days' service in Co. F, 140th 111. Inf. He was mustered into the service at Dixon, Illinois, and after five and one-half months spent in doing guard and garrison duty in Missouri and Tennessee, he was mustered out at Camp Fry, Chicago. He returned to Aledo and fin- ished his trade, with Thomas Maddux, Esq., and in 1868 bought out his employer, and has been in business on the same ground since. He was married in 1874 to Miss Mary C. Hause. The fruits of this union have been two children, Clyde W. and Fannie May. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are both members of the Methodist church. He has been steward in the church, trustee of the town, is a member of Aledo Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and a republican in politics. Daniel T. Hindman, county treasurer-, Aledo, was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 22, 1839. His parents were Dr. Andrew and MERCEli TOWNSHIP. 601 Margaret (Trembly) Ilindman. The former died in Union county, Indiana, in 1852 ; and the next year the mother came with her five sons to Rock Island county, Illinois, and in 1851 settled with her family in New Boston. The subject of this sketch received an academic education; in 1857 he went to Richmond, Indiana, and attended school one year ; afterward he studied medicine a year and a half; and in 1860 returned to Mercer county. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Co. I, ITtli 111. Inf., and was in the military service over live years. He fought at Frederickstown, Missouri, Octo- ber 21, 1861, at Fort Donelson, Shiloli, Corinth, luka, the Hatchie, and Vicksburg. In November, 1863, he came north to Springfield, and then to Mercer county, as recruiting sergeant, and during the winter obtained twenty-one recruits for his regiment. He returned with them to Vicksburg, and by order of the commanding general, Slocum, organized these recruits and the veterans of the ITth into a battalion of two companies. These were allowed to elect their officers, and Mr. Hindman was chosen captain by the " veteran" company. By order of Gen. McPherson, commanding the Army of the Tennessee, this detachment was consolidated w^th the 8tli 111. Inf , in June, 1861, and owing to the resultant change in the line officers, Mr. Ilindman accepted a second lieutenant's commission in Co. E, to which the "veterans'" fi-om the ITth were assigned. He was in command of this company during the remainder of his service, and drew pay as commanding officer. After the consolidation he fought at Jackson, Mississippi, in July, 1864, and at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, Mobile. After that he was stationed a year at Shreveport, Louisiana, and in Texas, and was mustered out at Baton Rouge, May 4, 1866. He soon after went into business in New Boston, which he continued till the fall of 1875, when he was elected on the republican ticket to the office of county treasurer, to which he has been successively elected and is now servmg liis third term. He is a member of the A.O.U. W., and has been a Mason since 1866. In the latter year he was mar- ried to Mis§ Yiola J. Willits. They have a son and a daughter. Henry Kimel, (deceased), was born in Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, August 6, 1800, and was a son of Isaac and Mary J. (Musser) Kimel, botli natives of Germany. In 1808, the family emigrated to Trumbull, since Mahoning county, Ohio, where the old people lived till death. Henry Kimel was there married to Miss Anna M. Hirst, whose father was from England and whose mother was from Ireland. Nine children were born in Ohio. In 1810, Mr. and Mrs. Kimel, with five of the children, James W., Thomas K., Jonathan T., Chauncey L. and William P. , emigrated via the Ohio and Mississij^pi rivers to 602 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HEXDERSOX COUXTIES. Illinois, landing at Oquawka, June 10. They immediately took teams for what is now Ohio Grove township, Mercer county. Latter the other four children, Isaac, Eliza A., Mary J. and Julia, arrived after a journey overland of thirty days. Mr. Kiniel entered 160 acres of congress land near the center of Ohio Grove township, also secured a quarter section of military land. There were but few settlers in the township at that time. No roads were laid out for travel but all was wild and unbroken from Oquawka to where they settled. The usual improvements were begun and carried out. Small crops were raised ; corn was at one time six and a quarter cents a bushel, and the postage on a letter twenty -live cents, thus four bushels of corn being required to pay postage on one letter. But Uncle Sam allowed, an envelope to be mied without anj extra due stamps for a long letter. One child, John Harvey, was born in 18-12. A sad bereavement befell the family when, August IS, 1816, death claimed the wife and mother. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Kimel subsequently married Mrs. Catharine Case, of Rock Island county, who became the mother of four children : Anna, John H., Eddie, and Aseneath. She died July 5, 1871. Mr. Kimel, in 1848, sold the first purchase and bought what is known as the Lamar farm, which he im- proved. In 1863 lie moved to Eock Island county, where he lived till 1878. He then passed his remaining years about two miles south- west of Yiola, Mercer county, where he died October 10, 1880. Re- ligiously be was a Presbyterian ; politically an old line whig, and later a republican. When twelve years old he volunteered in the war of 1812, but was rejected on account of youthfulness. Shortly before his death he purchased the McBride and Stephens saw-mill, which he sold to his son, James W. James W. Kimel, the fourth child of the first family of Henry Kimel, was born February 27, 1831, in Trumbull county, Ohio, near Youngstown. His youth was spent on the farm, with but meager educational advantages. Several seasons he broke prairie with five and six yoke of oxen. In 1848, he spent a few months at school in Ohio, and in the following year returned to the farm in Illinois. In 1850, he was seized with the California fever. With a company from Moline, Illinois, April 4, he started overland for the far west, where he arrived in Sacramento August 17, following, after the experiences incident to such a journey. After remaining, with considerable suc- cess, financially, till 1853, he returned in January to Illinois. He purchased the McBride and Stephens saw-mill of his father, which he conducted for four years. In 1858, he displaced tlie saw-mill by a grist-mill, on the same site. The grist-mill he run till 1876, when he erected his present large structure, 36x46, three story and basement. MERCER TOWNSHIP. 603 His attention having been called to the " wire transmission power," he visited several mills for examination and information. Satistied as to its efficacy he determined to adopt it. He built his mill 300 feet from the stream and prepared for his new and lately invented " power," which the aged and knowing ones predicted would fail. Time and use have proven the success of this departure. The mill is generally in action. A small stock of groceries is kept to accommodate farm- ers. In 1854, Mr. Ivimel purchased the quarter section of land on which he lives. In 1S74 he added a quarter, and in 1876 an eighty. He was married May 4, 1854, to Mary B. Burnet, who was born in Salem, New York, August 7, 1832. Her parents, Andrew and Ma- hettable Burnet, were of Scotch descent. They emigrated from New York to Ohio Grove township, Mercer county, Illinois, in 1838. They were emphatically pioneers who dared the new and wild west for homes. He died here May 31, 1861. She died at Mr. Kimel's home January 30, 1881. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kimel lived near the old mill for nine years. In 1863, a house was built on the farm and occupied. In 1868 an addition was made, bringing the dwelling into considerable notice as a laro;e and handsome building. Other improvements have added much to its beauty. It is enjoyed by a family of six children, comprising Lara, Lucy J., Abbie M., Jim B., Gussie C. and Bessie M. Mr. Kimel, politically, is republican, but meddles but little with politics. His business consumes his time entirely. Mark Cannum's father' emigrated to this country from England in 1852, and while on his way to Illinois died near New Orleans where the family landed. The subject of this sketch was born near Peterborough, England in 1843, and settled in Mercer county, near where he now lives, in 1853. He entered the army during the late war, enlisting for three years in August, 1861, and participated in the engagements of Fort Donelson, Belmont, Vicksburg, Corinth, Brittain's Lane, Meri- den, and the Atlanta campaign. He was mustered out at Chattanooga Tennessee, August 4, 1864. He was slightly wounded at Fort Donelson. After his return from the army he settled down to farming, in which occupation he is still engaged. He built his present handsome dwell- ing-house in 1876. Mr. Cannum was married in September, 1866, to Miss C. J. Smith of Mercer county, and they have four children living ; one child is dead. The names of the living are : Addie May, aged fourteen ; Carrie E., aged thirteen ; Lewis D., aged eleven ; and Eph- riam, aged six years. Mr. C. and wife are members of the Christian church of Ohio Grove township. Mr. C. is politically a republican. Wm. McKee, the subject of this sketch, and his brother Joseph, are 604 HISTORY OF AfERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the oldest settlers now living in Mercer township. Thev having lived in the township since 1841. The fiither of the McKee brothers bought the southeast quarter of section 28, from William J. Turner, the deed bearing date of May 20, 1840. Wm. McKee was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, March 9, 1829. He left Ohio with his parents at the age of six years, coming with them to AYarren county, Illinois, where they stayed till 1841, when they moved to Mercer county. Mr. McKee has been a farmer all his life, and is unmarried. For several years he has been director of school district No. 9, and politically is a democrat. Joseph McKee was born in Lawi'ence county, Ohio, July 31, 1831. His parents were John and Nancy McKee. His parents settled in Mercer county in 1841, since which time Mr. McKee has lived upon a farm, and has been a constant citizen of Mercer county. He enjoys, with his brother William, the distinction of being the only living pioneers of Mercer township. He was married July 8, 1858, to Miss Isabel A. Waddle, formerly of Marshall county. West Virginia. They have six children living : Ella J., aged twenty ; Sam- uel Elsie, aged fifteen; Orvill S., aged eleven; Roland H. ;Elsey Clyde, aged live ; and Ralph Waldo, aged one year and a half. Mr. M. is a member of the Presbyterian church of Aleclo, and politically is a republican. Charles Fremont Cabeen was born in Mercer county in 1851, being the second son of Thomas and Mary Cabeen. He spent the early portion of his life upon his father's farm and going to school. About the year 1879 he went to Aledo and for a time kept the Aledo House, and in connection with his brother, W. A., w^is engaged in an agricultural implement store. At the death of his father in 1880 he took charge of the farm, which he still manages and controls. Politi- cally Mr. Cabeen is an independent democrat. Jaivies L. Bentley was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, February 27, 1832, and was the eldest son of Elim and Rachel (Dilley) Bentley. His father being a ftirmer, he was raised upon a farm, where his life was passed until his twenty-first year. He then emigrated to Mercer county and engaged in ^teaching school, at which occupation he con- tinued till eleven years had passed, mostly in Ohio Grove township, district No. 3. At the expiration of this time he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in 1862 buying the place where he now resides, some three miles southeast of Aledo. This he has greatly improved and added to, and now, retired from active life to some extent, enjoys his well earned plenty. lie was married September 23, 1853, to Miss Nancy Smith, whose parents were among the earliest settlers of MERCER TOWNSHIl'. 605 Mercer county. He has three children : the eldest, Charles E., twenty- four years of age, is engaged in teaching and farming, making his home at his father's; a daughter, Minnie E., aged nineteen, and a son, George S., aged fourteen. Mr. Bentley is a member of the masonic order, and by political faith is a republican. Martin L. Coffland was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, Eebruary 11, 1851, being the youngest son of Launcelot and Eliza CofHand. Mr. CotMand spent his early life farming in Jefferson and Belmont counties, Ohio. In the year 1868 he came west, and worked upon a farm most of tlie time for ten years in Warren county, when he settled in Mercer county, where he now resides, five miles east of Aledo. He was married February 21, 1872, to Miss Phcebe J. Finley, of Warren county, and has three children : Mary Grace, aged seven years, Rose Anna, aged two, and Orion Finley, born April 10, 1882. Mr. Coffland and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church of Aledo. Mr. Coffland is a republican. Jacob Wilson Unangst was born in Warren county, Xew Jersey, May 13, 1819. Mr. Unangst passed his early life working on his father's farm. He left the farm and worked upon the* Morris canal until 1815, when he was appointed as inspector of its west division. In this capacity he served till 1850, when he came to Mercer county and ^settled in Ohio Grove towhship, where he remained farming till April, 1882. He then bought the Bauer hotel in Aledo, over which he now presides, having changed its name to the Commercial House. Mr. Unangst was married in March, 1841, to Miss C. Gaston, of Warren county, Xew Jersey, and has three children, who are all grown and settled : Mrs. Margaret A. Pollock lives in Ringgold county, Iowa, and Daniel M., who is a carpenter by trade, resides in Aledo, making his home with his father. Snowden K. White was born August 2, 1855, in Greene county, Pennsylvania. His parents' names were Isaac and L3'dia (Tustin) White. His father was a millwright. Snowden K. came to Mercer county from Pennsylvania in 1877, where he soon started quite exten- sively in the ditching and house moving business. Starting with his brother, he at this time ran his business alone, and during the year 1881 cut over 50,000 rods of ditch in Mercer and Warren counties, and moved upward of fifty houses. Mr. White is altogether a self-made man, and though young is a man of weight and standing, which his energy and business talent deserve. He is a member of the Baptist church of Aledo, and a worker in the choir and Sabbath school. Politically he is a democrat. Joseph Lair was born in Fayette county, Indiana, in 1825. His 606 HISTORY OF JVrERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. father was a river man, taking liis first trip up tlie Mississippi by steam from New Orleans. The subject of this sketch lived upon the farm of his father during boyhood, and spent his life upon the farm. He set- tled upon the farm on which he still lives in Mercer county, on March 1, 1856. The land was raw prairie at that time, but is now one of the fine farms of the many in the county. Mr. Lair was married August 26, 18-1:7, to Miss Sarah E. Rose, of Fayette county, Indiana, and has had four children: Mrs. Emily Alice, wife of Richard Lemon, Millers- burg township, now deceased; a son, William W., who lives on the next farm to his father; a daughter, Martha A., born in 1854, now deceased ; and a daughter. Flora Luellen, married to Mr. Roe Vincent, of Mercer township. Mr. Lair has for many years held the offices of road commissioner and school director. He is a member of the masonic order and a republican. Henry Neseitt. Mr. ISTesbitt was born in Indiana county, Penn- sylvania, October 5, 1834. His parents were Jonathan and Mary (McClure) ISTesbitt. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and onr subject passed most of his life upon a farm ; emigrating to Illinois in 1855, and settling in Mercer county in 1857. He bought the farm upon which he lives in 1871, and by hard work and energy made it what it now is, one of the best improved farms in the county. His dwelling is second to none in the county for comfort, style, and choice of location, standing as it does upon an eminence which commands a view of the country for miles around. Mr. Nesbitt v/as married in 1861 to Harriet Smith, of Mercer township, and has five children: Mary J., aged seventeen; Lula, aged thirteen; Minnie, aged nine; Myrtle, aged seven ; and Harry, aged one year. Mr. Nesbitt is direc- tor of school district No. 6, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Aledo, and politically is a republican. Joseph Oscar Lundblad was born in Sweden, December 4, 1823, and landed in New York September 20, 1852. He came west to Princeton, Illinois, and soon after moved to Rock Island, and finally settled in Aledo in 1869. He learned the shoemaker's trade in the old country, and has been engaged in tlie boot and shoe business ever since coming to America. He was married April 27, 1848, to Miss Sophia Gustaver, of Sweden, and they have three children living: George Oscar, aged twenty-three, who is in business with his father, and two daughters, Hilma Maria, aged twenty-one, and Ilulda Chris- tina, aged eighteen. Mr. Lundbland is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church of Aledo, and for many years was an officer of that church, and is also a member of the masonic and odd-fellows' orders. Politically he is a democrat. MERCER TOWNSHir. 607 Washington Boone, grocer, was born in Medina county, Oliio, February 22, 1S37. His parents' names were Hezekiali and Sarali A. Boone. He left Ohio with his parents in 1848, they settling in Illinois, in the southern portion of which they lived for some two years, when in 1850 they moved to Mercer county. At that time there were not more than a dozen families in the township. The subject of this sketch was raised upon a farm, but learned the shoemaking trade, at which he worked for many years, when he embarked in trade, being now engaged in the grocery business. He was married February, 1867, to Miss Belinda Baxter, and they have had two children : Wm., aged fourteen, and Lois, aged twelve years. Mr. B. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically a republican ; he cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. George A. Wright, the only son of Horace E. and Harriet (Jewel) Wright, was born August 10, 1849, in Bock Island, Illinois, being the first male child born in that city. He has lived in Mercer county nearly all his life, attended common school, and spent most of his life upon a farm. The last five years he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits. In February, 1882, he embarked in the flower and seed trade in Aledo. Politically he is a republican. Hon. John C. Pepper was born in Cambridgeshire, England, Sep- tember 21, 1829. His parents were Charles A. and Susan Pepper. He left England when seven years of age with his parents in a sailing vessel, and after being seven weeks and three days out of sight of land landed in JSTew York. His parents settled in Amboy, Oswego county, New York ; his father was a silversmith by trade. Mr. Pepper's boy- hood was passed at home with his parents until his sixteenth year, when he entered Yernon academy, at Yernon, New York, where he attended two years. He then went to the Wayne county institute, where he attended three summers, teaching school in the winter, until 1848, when his health failed to such a degree that he came west with no expectation of ever regaining it. He staid one year in Peoria, and then came to Mercer county, first settling in Keithsburg, where he was admitted to the bar. He then came to Aledo, where he has since remained in the practice of his profession. Mr. P. was married in January, 1851, to Miss Mary A. Martin of Mercer county, and they have four children living : Helen, married to Frank Martin, an attorney of Falls City, Nebraska, three other daughters , Bertha, Norma and Mabel being at home ; three children died when young. Mr. Pepper is the president of the Illinois state temperance union, and an active worker in the cause. By political faith he is a democrat. William B. Frew was born in 1829 in Allegheny county, Pennsyl- 608 HISTORY OF ]VrERCER AA'D HENDERSON COUNTIES. vania. His father's name was David Frew, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Jordan. His father was a mechanic. Mr. F. spent his youth until his seventeenth year chiefly in attending the public schools and St. Clair academy. At the age of seventeen he began to teach the ])ublic school at Koblestown, Allegheny county, which occu- pation he alternated with attending college, first at Duquesne at Pitts- burgh, and afterward at Jeflerson at Cannonsburg, till 185-i, when he became principal of the South Pittsburgh public schools, where he remained one year. For four years, from 1855 to 1858, he was princi- pal of the Birmingham public school. In the summer of 1855 he made a trip west and bought the land which he subsequently improv- ed, which is situated in Greene township, Mercer county, five miles east of Aledo, and which he still owns. At the close of 1858, on accoimt of ill health, he was obliged to resign his school and spent the summer of 1859 at the seashore trying to regain his health. In the spring of 1860 he came to Mercer county, and, after spending a year as tutor in a family, was elected to the oftice of county surveyor, which oflice he held for fourteen years. In 1879 he was appointed deputy county surveyor, which office he still holds. From 1862 to the present time he has been engaged in engineering, surveying and attending to his farm, which he uses chiefly for stock raising. He was married in 1870 to Miss Lydia J. Taylor of New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, at that time locating in the home he now occupies adjoining the town of Aledo. Mr. Frew is a member and a trustee of the United Presby- terian church of Aledo, and politically is a republican. Alexander M. Woods was born in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, in December, 1849. He came to Mercer county with his parents at the age of seven years. His parents settled on a farm about ten miles south of Aledo, where they remained about two years and then moved to Aledo. Mr. Woods attended the public schools, and learned the painter's trade, which occupation he still follows. AVith the exception of one year passed in the west, Mr. Woods has lived in Mercer county. He is a prominent man in musical circles. He has been leader of the Congregational church for nearly ten years. He was a member of the Aledo cornet band for several years, and was a member of the Woods Bros', male quartette during the existence of that organization, and has been the recognized leader of vocal music of Aledo for many years. Politically he is a democrat. C. F. Thede, carriagenuiker and blacksmith, was born in Ham- burg, Germany, in April, 1832. He landed in New York in 1852, and shortly afterward settled in Michigan, where he had relatives. In 1856 he moved to Rock Island and went into business. He lived d-ttA^ -t^^ iL<£^ ^.^<^ MEROEK TOWNSHIP, 611 there till 1870, when he came to Aleclo, where he still remains, carry- ing on the carriage-making: business with his son Christian. Mr. Thede was married in 1854 to Miss Laura Herbst, a native of Berlin, Prussia. They have had twelve children, ten of whom are living and two dead. Mr. Thede and wife are members of the United Presby- terian church of Aledo, and politically Mr. Thede is a democrat. Jesse Maekee was born in Allegany county, Maryland, in 1820 ; his fatlier Avas a farmer. When Mr. Markee was a small child his parents moved to Muskingum county, Ohio, where they lived a few years. The elder Markee then moved to Belmont county, Ohio, and a few years after the subject of this sketch moved back to Muskingum county, upon the farm his father had occupied. Here he stayed till 1842, when he came west and stayed about a year and a half in Iowa, when he returned to Ohio. He remained in Ohio till 1853, when he came to Mercer county, Illinois, which was then very thinly settled. Wlien in Iowa, about 1843, Mr. Markee witnessed, at an old trading house near Eddyville, the last treaty with the Indians, there being 2,700 red men present. Mr. Markee, though raised upon a farm, worked for about ten years at the carpenter trade. When he came to Illinois he bought 240 acres of land in Ohio Grove township, which he farmed till 1872, when he came to Aledo and engaged in buying and shipping stock. About 1875 Mr, Markee, together with Mr. Richey and Mr. Spicer, built the Aledo machine shops, and started to manufacture farm implements. He was afterward for several years engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Markee and Mr. Dunlap, while in the grocery business, bought the lot and put up the building known as Union Hall, together with its store rooms. Mr. Markee then went out of trade, and has since been engaged in looking after the interests of his farm. He was married in 1849 to Miss Sarah Bevin, of Mus- kingum county, Ohio, and they have had five children, the eldest of whom are dead. Of the living, Mary E. is married to Tlev. M. C Bolon, of Carthage, Illinois ; Mra L. is married to Prof. Silas Montz, of Dixon, Illinois ; and the youngest, a son, J. N. Markee, is employed in the drug store of Dr. Johnston, of Aledo. Mr. Markee is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church of Aledo ; is a member of tlie masonic fraternity, and politically is a republican. Dr. George Irvin was born December 25, 1825, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was the son of John and Mary (Young) Irvin. He spent his early life on his father^s farm, and received an academic education. In 1852, he commenced reading medicine with Dr. Thomas Maybon, at Jacksonville, Pennsylvania, and attended lec- tures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from 1853 to 1855 ; 35 612 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. taking liis degree as M.D. in March of the latter year. After graduat- ing lie practiced at Prospect, Butler county, Pennsylvania, for a year and a half; at Plumville, Indiana county, for over a year; and at Jacksonville, where he had studied medicine, for about a year and a half. In May, 1859, he removed to Aledo, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all. He owns and occuj^ies one of the best and most commodious residences in town, and has surrounded himself and family with all the modern conveniences and luxuries. He also owns a large farm near town, besides other town property. He has been twice married, and has, by his first wife, four children : Ai ma, Frank, Jessie and George. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and has been for many years a deacon or elder therein. As a physician and surgeon he holds a de- sei-vedly high reputation throughout the country tributary to Aledo and among the brothers of his profession. He is the oldest resident physician in practice in Aledo. Among the many citizens of other states who formerly resided in this county there are a few who desire to live over their early life by perusing the pages of this history, and of the number is Jesse W. McPherren, of Little Pock, Arkansas. He was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, February 1, 1847, and is the son of James McPher- ren, who still resides in this county. His father was born June 7, 1808, in Pennsylvania ; his mother, April 1, 1805, in Pockbridge county, Virginia. The family removed to Ohio Grove township, this county, in 1855. His mother died August 18, 1858, and was buried in the Candor cemetery, in that township, leaving a husband, four daughters and six sons. Jesse was educated in the public schools, principally at, winter terms. His youth was spent in Grant county, In- diana, Mercer county, Illinois, and Muskingum county, Ohio, mostly on a farm, until the age of fifteen, when he enlisted in Co. K, 87th Ohio Vol. Inf., for three months ; was captured at the surrender of Harper's Ferry, Virginia, September 17, 1862 ; was paroled and returned to Ohio ; was discharged October 3, 1862. He returned to Mercer county, and spent the next summer on a farm near Aledo, and on No- vember 4, 1863, enlisted in Co. C, 11th 111. Cav., at Quincy, Illinois, for three years; joined his regiment in the rear of Vicksburg in the following December, and- remained with it in Tennessee and Missis- sippi until the close of the war, when it was mustered out of the service at Springfield, IlUnois, October 13, 1865. He is one of six of one family who served in the late war ; His father, James McPherren, en- listed in Co. A., 30th 111. Inf., in 1861, and was discharged for disa- bility in 1862. His four brothers served as follows : James C, in Co. MERCER TOWNSHIP. (513 C, 35tli 111. Inf.; George and John S., in Co. II., S-ttli 111. Inf.; and Andrew M. in 9tli 111. Cav. Of the six all returned home but George, who fell at Murfreesborough, Tennessee, January 1, 1S63. After leav- ing the service Jesse returned to Mercer county, in October, 1865, but did not remain long. During the next few years he resided in a num- ber of places : Newago county, Mich. ; Boone county, Iowa ; Chey- enne, and Bridger's Station, Wyoming Territory ; Fairfield, Iowa ; and St. Charles, Mo., returning to this county frequently. In 1870, he went south, and on December 31 of that year landed at Wessen, Mis- sissippi, where he remained until 1873, when he spent a few months in Kentucky, returning to Wessen in November. January 7, 187-1, he met with an accident in the machine shops of that place, causing the loss of his left eye. Was married October 15, 1871, in Wesson ; lost his eldest child in July, 1881, and his wife in August, 1881. He has one child, a boy, aged four, and is again married. In 1881, he reinoved £o Little Rock, Arkansas, where he is now engaged in the drug busi- ness, and has secured a large and lucrative custom. He was elected mayor of Wesson, Mississippi, in 1875, and re-elected in 1877 ; belongs to the Presbyterian church, the Masons, Odd-Fellows and Knights of Pythias. His life has been one of constant labor ; he has been a farmer, merchant, engineer ; has engaged in saw-milling and railroad- ing, and is now settled as a druggist. While in some of these he has lost, he has, as a whole, been successful, and is now in comfortable cir- cumstances. He still cherishes a warm feeling for his old home and friends in Mercer county. LuciEN B. Doughty, son of Rev. Thomas L. and Mary J. Doughty,, was born March 28, 184-1, in Knightstown, Henry county, Indiana, The life of Mr. Doughty has been one of activity and large experience. He lacked six years of having attained his manhood when with his father's consent he started out into the world, to battle with its hard- ships singlehanded. not only to make a living for himself but to assist his father, which he did b}^ turning over to him his small wages. The family had moved to ISTew Boston in 1843, when Lucian was two years old, and here he received such education as the schools and his limited time afforded. He improved his time then and since, as is evidenced by some very acceptable articles contributed to this work. In the fall of 1851 the family moved to the northwest corner of Warren county, and in 1856 Lucien began active life as intimated above on a farm. A year later he entered the "Record" office at Aledo to learn the printer's trade, in which business he has been constantly engaged witli the exception of a few important years, as hereafter noted. In 1859 he was working .on the Geneseo "Republic," and next year went to Des 614 HISTORY or MERCER A^^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. Moines, Iowa (1860), and worked on the Iowa State "'Register," part of the time on local work. Tlie alarm of war had scarcely been sounded when Mr. Doughty entered the ranks as a soldier for the pur- pose of assisting in rebuking rebellion, and enlisted in Co. E, 4tli Iowa Inf , Capt. H. H. Griffith, Col. G. M. Dodge. He had nearly served out his term of three years when he re-enlisted as a veteran in January, 1861, at Woodville, Alabama. He was finally discliarged July 28, 1865, having served his country and braved the dangers and hardships incident to war over four years. His experience as a soldier can be gathered from a brief mention of the marches and engagements of the regiment to which he belonged. From St. L<3uis, their starting point, they w^ent to Rolla, Missouri ; then to Pea Ridge and Helena, Arkan- sas ; thence with Sherman at Walnut Hills, Arkansas Post, and back to Yicksburg ; with Grant to Jackson, Mississippi ; in the siege of Yicksburg ; back to Jackson ; ^vitll Sherman, under John A. Logan, from luka to Chattanooga; Math Hooker in the "light above the clouds " ; at Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and Ringgokl ; thirty days at home in the spring of 186-1 on veteran's furlough ; again with Sherman from Chattanooga, Atlanta, and the march to the sea ; thence through the (^arolinas and finally to Washington to participate in the grand review. May 23. 1865. To look at the little man it seems a wonder that he could go through so much. In all he was in forty- three engagements and escaped without a wound. After the war he was for a time in Richmond, Indiana, and in Dayton, Ohio. From May, 1866, to May, 1867, he published the "Democrat" at Eaton, Ohio, and in the fall of the last mentioned year removed to Des Moines, Iowa, and the next year to Rolhi, Missouri, where he edited the Rolla "Herald." In 1869 he got back to his old stamping ground, Aledo, and worked nearly four years in a carriage sliop. At the end of this time he again entered the "Record "" office, where he has since been engaged. August 16, 1866, he was married to Miss Fannie E. Hayes, of Eaton. To them was born one son, James Henry. June 10, 1867, and on August 12, 1869, his wife died and on the next day his s(m. July 16, 1871, Mr. Doughty was again married, this time to Clara D. Pennell, of Rock Island. To them three children have been born : Josie Amelia, born January 8, 1873 ; Charles Eli, February 2, 1875, and Clara Emma, IVIarch 18, 1878 (died April 19, 1878). Francis Lemon, jeweler, is the fourth son of William and Ellen (Lockhart) Lemon, of Mercer county. He was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in December, 1849, came west with his parents in 1852, and settled in Perryton township, Mercer county. He received a common school education, and remained on his father's farm till ( MERCER TOWNSHIP. 015 1874, when he came to Aledo and embarked in the grocerj business, which he followed about one year. Mr. Lemon being a natural me- chanical genius, had spent his leisure time while on the farm in learn- ing the watchmaking trade, and in the fall of 1876 he opened up busi- ness in the jewelry line in Aledo, where, by care and attention to busi- ness, he has built up a good trade in his line. Louis D. IL)OiEs, attorney, was born July 24, 1S47, in Adams county, Ohio. He was the eldest son of John and Elizabeth (Traber) Holmes, both of whom were natives of Adams county, Ohio. He spent his early life upon a farm, and working in a saw mill until his nineteenth year. He received a common school education, and in ad- dition graduated at Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, where he took his degree in 1868. He came west in April, 1869, and entered the law oftice of Bassett & Connell ; was admitted to the bar in August, 1871, and has practiced his profession in A4edo ever since. He was married in May, 1872, to Miss C. W. Campbell, of Ripley, Ohio, and has two children. Mr. Holmes is a prominent member of the Ba])tist church, also a member of the board of trustees of the town of Aledo, and politically is a republican. Dr. D. R. Johnston was born August 21, 1842, in Logan county, Ohio, he being the third son of Rev. Dr. J. B. Johnston, of the United Presbyterian church. He received his education at Geneva College, Ohio, and attended both the medical college of Ohio at Cincinnati and Rush Medical College of Chicago, taking his degree as M.D. from the latter institution, in 1865. At the breaking out of the war he entered the army with the 17th reg. Ohio Yol. Inf., and in 1S64 was appointed by Gov. Morton assistant surgeon of the 1st Indiana heavy artil- lery. He practiced medicine in Indianapolis from 1865 to 1868, when he was appointed by the board of foreign missions of the United Presbyterian churcli as medical missionary t(^ Egypt, where he spent eight years, part of which time he was president of the training college at Osiout, upper Egypt. The doctor returned to the United States in the spring of 1876, and in the fall of that year located in Mansfield, Ohio, where he remained till April 1, 1881. In the summer of 1881 he came to Aledo and bougiit the drug store of Dr. J. M. Wallace, and entered upon the practice of his profession. He was married Decem- ber 25, 1868, to Miss Maggie J. Stewart, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, and has had four children, of whom two died in Egypt and two are living. Dr. Johnston is a member of the United Presbyterian church of Aledo, and superintendent of its Sabbath school, and by political faith is a republican. Kenneth M. Whitha^si was born, September, 1856, in Mercer 616 HISTORV OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. county. He is the oldest son of Kev. Jos. R. and Elizabeth (McCoy) Whitham. He is a graduate of the Aledo academy, and attended college at Battle Creek, Michigan, for two years, and since returning from that institution has been engaged in teaching in Mercer county. He is at present principal of the grammar department of the public schools of Aledo, and is president of the Mercer County Teachers' Association. Luke StkonCx, photographer, was born in Clarendon, Rutland county, Vermont, in 1825. His parents were Luke and Esther (Call) Strong. When he was two years of age his parents moyed to Indiana and settled near Indianapolis; and in 1839 they again moyed westward and settled in Galesburg, Illinois. Mr. Strong graduated from Knox College, Galesburg, in 1850, when he went to Pottsdam, Xew York, and read law for a year ; thence going to Oquawka, where he taught school for two years. He then embarked in the photograph business at the latter place, where he remained for twenty-one years. In April, 1874, he came to Aledo and engaged in business, building 4;he large gallery which he now occupies. He was married in 1855 to Miss Ann McKinney, eldest daughter of John McKinney, of Aledo ; has two children (boys) liying, Fred H. and Geo. McK., who are both gradu- ates of the Aledo high school. Mr. Strong is a member of the masonic fraternity, and politically a republican. Dr. James A. Campbell, dentist, was born in 1855, in Brown county, Ohio, the only son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Williams) Campbell. He spent his boyhood upon the farm of his father, until the year 1873, when for two years he attended the Aledo academy. He began the study of dentistry with Dr. E. B. David in 1875, with whom he remained one year, and then went to Philadelphia, where he attended the Philadelphia Dental College three terms. In the spring of 1877 he returned to Aledo and opened a dental oflice. In Septem- ber, 1878, he removed to Creston, Iowa, where he practiced his profession two years, and again returned to Aledo and opened the office which he occupies at present in his practice. Dr. Campbell was married, November 15, 1880, to Miss Laura E. Mentzor, of Aledo. George M. Cool, druggist, was born in Aledo, September 28, 1858, and is the second son of Jacob and Margaret (McEowen) Cool. He received his education in the public schools of x^ledo, and in his seven- teenth year commenced learning the drug business with James M. Macy, lately deceased. He has remained ever since in the same situa- tion, Mrs. James M. Macy (sister of Mr. Cool) owning the store, and Mr. Cool doing the business. James H. Ramsey, jeweler, was born in Cadiz, Oldo, February 14, MERCEK TOWNSHIP. 617 1847 ; he is the second son of John and Nancy Ramsey. He attended school at Cadiz till his fourteenth year, when he was apprenticed to G. B. Barrett, jeweler, of Cadiz, and served six years, when he went into business for himself. He remained in Cadiz for two years, when he sold out his business and went to Freeport, Pennsylvania, where he remained one year, and then went to Greencastle, Indiana, and was there about one year when he came to Aledo, where he commenced business in May, 1871, and where he now remains. Mr. Eamsey was married February 29, 1876, to Miss Sallie Willson, eldest daughter of J. M. Willson, Esq., of Aledo, and has two small children. John F. McBride, dealer in dry goods, was born November 23, 1853, in Ohio Grove township, Mercer county ; he is the eldest son of J. C. and H. E. (Williams) McBride. He came to Aledo in 1870, and began his business career as clerk in the dry goods liouse of Poage & Senters, in January, 1871, in which capacity he remained till the year 1877, when he embarked in trade for himself in the dry goods business in partnership with Geo. P. Graham. In the fall of 1880 he bought out his partner's interest and has been since in business for himself Mr. McBride was married May 13, 1879, to Miss Edna D. Kirlin, of New Boston. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, and b}' polit- ical faith a republican. Rev. Thomas B. Turnbull was born April 27, 1847, in Warren county, Illinois ; his parents were David and Nancy (Mitchell) Turn- bull. His boyhood was passed upon the farm of his father, the man- agement of which devolved upon him at the age of sixteen by reason of the enlistment of his three older brothers in the army at the begin- ning of the war of the rebellion. In 1863 he entered Monmouth College and graduated from that institution in June, 1870'. He spent the next three years in studying theology, attending the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Monmouth two years, and the Allegheny City Seminary one year, and was licensed to preach August, 1872. Receiv- ing a call the same year from the United Presbyterian congregation of Aledo, which was accepted, he was ordained and installed pastor thereof in April, 1873 ; of this church he is the present pastor. Mr, Turnbull was married April 24, 1873, to Miss Jean M. Home, of Monmouth, Illinois, and has three children living : Willie, David and Susie, aged six years, four years, and eight months, respectively. His eldest child, a daughter, died at the age of seven years. M. F. Felix, dealer in dry goods, was born in March, 1828, in eastern Pennsylvania, and is the youngest son of Francis and Rose A. Felix. His boyhood, till his seventeenth year, was passed upon the farm of his fiither, at which period he was apjirenticed to the cabinet 618 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. maker's trade, at which he served his time, and for which services he never received a doUar of pay. Mr. Felix came west about the year 1847, and settled for a time in Iowa City, Iowa, from where he went to Qunicy, Illinois, and worked at his trade a short time, and went to Indiana. He came back to Illinois, and about the year 1850 or 1851, went into the dry goods business in Eock Island county, where he remained till 1876, when he came to Aledo and established himself in his present location and business. Mr. Felix was married in 1854, to Miss Eliza Vanatta, of Illinois City, Rock Island county, Illinois, and has four children : Rose, Benjamin (who is married to Miss Clara Woods, and is in business with his father), Emma, and Lizzie. Mr. Felix belongs to the masonic fraternity, is president of the board of trustees of Aledo, and politically is a republican. Tyler McWhorter was born in Steuben county, j^ew York, August 29, 1815. His parent's names were James and Anna (Parker) McWhorter. His ancestry on his father's side was Scotch. The name of Tyler was given him by reason of the fact that his grandmother, whose maiden name was Tyler, was lirst cousin of president John Tyler, of Virginia. Mr. McWhorter never had the advantage of a regular college course of education, but his leisure hours, both in his early and later life, were devoted to a studious and searching course of reading. At the age of twenty-one he went to Branch county Michi- gan, where he followed school teaching, and during two years had charge of the public school of Coldwater, the county seat of Branch county, Michigan. While engaged in teaching he applied his leisure time to a close study of higher mathematics, and was subsequently elected county surveyor of Branch county. He married his first wife in Michigan, in May, 1842. She was a woman of culture, though of a delicate physical organization. In the spring of 1 845 he moved from Michigan to Illinois, and located in Duncan township, Mercer county, three miles west of Millersburg, and engaged in horticulture. His nursery, under the name of ''Pome Roy Nursery," became extensively known and patronized. At his Pome Roy place, he raised an exten- sive market orchard, which is the largest in the county. His horticul- tural business afforded an ample field of investigation for the inquir- ing proclivities of his mind. During the early years of his residence in Mercer county, Mr. McWhorter was elected school commissioner of the county, an oftice which he held for two successive terms. Also, while a resident of Duncan township, he held for twenty years the office of township treasurer. Mr. McWhorter, by his first wife, had three children, all of whom are living in Iowa. He married his pres- ent wife August, 1859, her maiden name was Clara M. Luce. Of this MERCEK TOWNSHIP. 619 union there is one cliild, a boy, Laon A. McWhorter, now twenty years of age, who lives with his parents. In the spring of 1S69, Mr. McWhorter moved from his Pome Roy place to his present location, one mile south of Aledo. Mr. McW. has been connected with the liorticultural societies of the State for nearly thirty years. In 1869, he presided over the State Horticultural Society of Illinois, and in 1873 presided over the northern state society. Mr. McWhorter is continu- ally a student of nature. Wluit time he could spare from secular busi- ness has been devoted to scientific investigation ; allowing himself also some time to travel, he made a trip to Vicksburg during the war, and has since made an extensive tour of the southern states. He has been for eleven years a member of the "American Association for the Advancement of Science," in attending the annual meetings of which he has had occasion to visit various parts of the United States and Canada. He is also a member of the State Natural History Society, of Illinois. Mr. McWhorter, though now in his sixty-eighth year, is in complete possession of all his natural strong faculties of both mind and body, is hale and hearty and thoroughly enjoys life. Milton S. Boise was born in Bnrgettstown, Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1827 ; came west in 1854, and settled in Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, and went into the grocery business, which he carried on for some three or four years, when, after spending a year or so looking up a favorable place for business, he came to Aledo, and went into the book and news business, the first house of that character started in the place. This business he carried on for over two years, when he started a soap factory, and also a wholesale grocery, cpieens- ware and notion store, which business he is now engaged in, running two store rooms in different parts of the town. Mr. Boise was married in 1846 to Miss Rebecca Mitchell, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. They have two children living, Joseph, aged twenty-two, and Horace, fourteen. Mr. Boise is a trustee of the congregational church of Aledo, is a member of the masonic fraternity, and in politics is a member of the democratic party. Dr. E. B. David, dentist, was born in Ontario county. New York, June 8, 1835 ; his parents were Uri and Catharine David, and they moved to Michigan when he was three years old and settled in Jackson county. The doctor remained in Michigan till the spring of 1858, when he came to Mercer countv. In 1853 he began the studv of den- tistry with Dr. M. S. Dean, of Marshall, Michigan, now of Chicago. Dr. David entered the union army during the war of the rebellion. He enlisted August 12, 1861, in the 3<)th 111. Inf., and served three years and three months. His army experience embraced the engage- 620 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. ments of Belmont, Fort Donelson, siege of Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson (Mississippi), Champion Hill, Yicksburg, and siege of Atlanta. He was mustered out at Chattanooga, Tennessee, October lY, 1864, with the rank of captain, in command of company A, 30th 111. Inf He then came back to Mercer county and settled in New "Windsor, where he owned a farm, working at dentistry part of the time. Here he remained till November, 1873, when he came to Aledo and commenced his practice, and where he now remains, the senior partner of the iirm of David & Coulson. Dr. David was a member of the Aledo town board of trustees for four terms, from 1876 to 1880, dur- ing the last two years serving as president of the body. He has been a member' of the county agricultural board for nine years, and is a mem- ber of the state board of agriculture. Dr. D. was married September 1, 1862, to Miss Lizzie Woodham, of New Windsor, and has five chil- dren. He is a member of the Baptist church, and by political faith is a republican. William Anderson Cole was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1847, and is the son of Aaron and Mary Ellen Cole. He lived in Brown county, Ohio, till he was twenty-two years of age, working on a farm during his boyhood (going to school during the winter), up to the period of his removal. He settled in Viola, Mercer county, in 1871. ■He was the first colored man wlio drove the United States mail in the State of Illinois, he being so engaged during the years 1872 and 1873. He came to Aledo and commenced working at the barber trade in 1874, still carrying on the business under the firm name of Cole iSz Wade. He was married in 1872, to Miss Catharine Glasscock, and they have three children living. Mr. Cole puts himself on record as a member of the republican party. John Webster Dillev was born in Mercer county in January, 1840. His parents, William and Eliza (Moorehead) Dilley, were among the early settlers of Mercer county. The subject of this sketch spent most of his life upon a farm, and was so engaged upon the breaking out of the war, when, on July 24, 1862, he enlisted in the army in Co. H, 84th 111. Inf He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Look- out mountain. Mission Ridge, siege of Chattanooga, Ringgold, Georgia, campaign of Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville, and was mustered out June 8, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee. In 1869 he was elected coimty clerk, and held that office four years ; for a short time after this he was engaged in the grocery business, and again went upon the farm and spent several years, when he finally removed to Aledo. He filled the office of deputy sheriff of the county for two years, after which he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still retains, and is also clerk MERCER TOWNSHIP. 621 of the town of Aledo. He was married in October, 1865, to Miss Mary J. Rose, and has tliree chikh-en. He is a member of rhe republican party. Ben.iamin F. Thompson was born in ( ^linton county, Ohio, March 28, 1829, he being the youngest son of Dr. A. W. and Elizabeth (Scarif) Thompson. When a child his parents moved to Lawrence- burgh, Indiana, where they lived several years, and then moved back to Xenia, Ohio, where his father practiced his profession till his death. When about sixteen years old Mr. Thompson went to Washington C. H., Ohio, and clerked in a dry goods store for six years, when he came west and settled in New Boston, Mercer county, Illinois, where he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, J. C. Bell, in the dry goods and pork packing business. In this business he continued until 1859, when he sold his interest to his partner. Under the lirst admin- istration of President Lincoln Mr. Thompson was appointed postmas- ter of New Boston and held the office for about eight years, when he resigned, and in 1871 came to Aledo and went into his present busi- ness of real estate dealer and collector. He has been in Aledo since the above date with the exception of a year's absence in 1875 which he spent in Los Angelos, California. Mr. Tliompson was married in 1858 to Miss Josie C. Denison, of New Boston, They have had four children, only one of whom is living, a son eleven years of age. Polit- ically Mr. Thompson is a democrat. Rev. John T. IIoye was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, April 6, 1852; he being the second son of Henry and Elizabeth Hoye. He left Kentucky with his parents when about seven years of age, they settling in northern Missouri, and living there till the close of the war, when they removed to Kansas City. Mr. Hoye had the advantage of the common schools in boyhood and in his twenty-third year entered the William Jewell College, of Liberty, Missouri, with a view of pre- jDaring himself for the ministry. He attended here for five years, when he entered the Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, Ken- tucky, after attending which for two years he began missionary work, in Missouri, where he labored a short time, and after preaching a short time in Reynolds, this state, he was called to preach for his present charge, the Baptist church of Aledo. Mr. Hoye was married June 29, 1881, to Miss Lucy W. DeHoney, of Louisville, Kentucky. J. M. AViLLis was born in 181:9 in Guernsey county, Ohio, and is the son of Robert and Prudence (Speai-) Willis. He left (raernsey county when nineteen years of age and went to Cass county, Missouri, where he farmed for six years. He then came to Mercer countv and went to farming, at whicli he continued for five years, when he was 622 HISTORY OF ^rERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. appointed superintendent of the Mercer county infirmary, which posi- tion he now hokls. Mr. AVillis was married in 1872 to Miss Mary J. Ashmhurst, of Aledo. He is a member of the masonic order and politically is a republican. Charles W. Detwiler was born and raised in Mercer county. He went to school in Aledo, and began learning the trade of a tinsmith with H. Holmes in 1872, with whom he worked four years, since which time he has been in business with his father and brother. The firm of Detwiler Brothers was formed in 1881. Mr. Detwiler is a member of the Presbyterian church and a member of the citizens' cornet band of Aledo, and is a republican in politics. Lewis Cass Detwiler was born June 1, 1860, and is the youngest son of Eli and Martha Detwiler of Aledo. He was born in Mercer county and went to the public schools of Aledo, learned his trade of tinsmith with his brother Charles, and entered the firm of Detwiler Brothers as partner ir^ 1881. The firm do a general hardware, stove and tinware trade. Samuel Brown, retired farmer, was born May 13, 1823, in Breck- inridge county, Kentucky. His parents, Alfred and Mary (Mordock) Brown, were born, raised and married in Kentucky. About 1830 they emigrated, making their homes in Knox county, Illinois, bringing their five children: James N., Samuel, Harmon, Taylor, and William. In Knox county were born: Alfred T., Mary, Sally A., and Abigail. The elder Brown died in 1866. Mr. Brown was for a time in the Black Hawk war, receiving land as a reward. Samuel was reared on the farm, and in the rude log cabin. He^ was educated with his fellows in the log hall of learning. He was married June 1, 1854, to Caroline Greenwood, daughter of AVilliam and Elizabeth (Legg) Greenwood. Her parents were early settlers of Suez township, Mer- cer county. Mr. Brown settled in Suez township, purchasing a farm there. After selling and buying, etc., he located in North Henderson, where he became owner of a half-section of good land. He sold and moved into Aledo in the spring of 18S2. He is one of the many who have made farming a success, and has aided in reclaiming the soil from its wild state. His children are : Harmon G. (dead), Maxy (now Mrs. George G. Cheney), George E. (an Aledo liveryman). Grant, Mary E., Samuel T., and Katy G. Mr. Brown has property in Aledo. LoAiViMi Brown, liveryman, is a son of Richard G. and liebecca (Moore) Brown. Richard Brown was born in Ohio, and his wife in Virginia. He became an early settler of Iowa. Loammi, the eldest of four children, was born in Iowa Territory, February 22, 1810. He enlisted in the civil war August 11, 1862, in company G, 124th reg. SUEZ TOWNSHIP. 623 111. Vol. Inf., Capt. Scudder and Col. Sloan. He took part in many skirniislies and in the engagements of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Black River, Fort Jackson, et al. He served till July IT, 1865, when he was mustered out at Rock Island. He resumed farming in Mercer county. He has also dealt heavily in stock-raising and trading. In November, 1875, he purchased the John S. Moore livery stables, and has since lived in Aledo, where he has a good property. In politics he is decidedly democratic. Mr. Brown was married November 12, 1865, to Amanda J. Melton, daughter of R. Gr. and Susan Melton, of Mercer county. She is a native of Rock Island county, Illinois. They have had five children : Susie, Loammi, Jennie, Minnie, and Richard. SUEZ TOWNSHIP. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The broad domain of Illinois did not aftbrd a more inviting spot to the eye of the early pioneer than the territory embraced within the lines of what is now known as Suez township ; consequently that pait of Mercer county has kept pace with any part of the state in settle- ment, in thrift, and in religious and educational progress. Along the crystal streams that flow through the township an abundance of timber grew, and, underlying portions of the township, inexhaustible beds of coal are found. Back from the streams a beautiful expanse of fertile prairie greeted the eye of the observer ; and, shortly after the close of the Black Hawk war, the snug log cabin began to take the place of the Indian wigwam ; the white-topped wagon, the lowing of cattle, and the sound of the axe announced the fact that the day of civilization was dawning. Among the first to cast their lot in Suez township we find the following names : David AVilliams and George Blake came together from the State of Indiana in 1835, the former locating on the S. W. i of Sec. 22, and the latter on the S. E. i of Sec. 21. In the same year James Stewart and family, Robert Pollock and family, and William Moore and family came from the State of Ohio. Mr. Moore located on the N. E. ^ of Sec. 5, James Stewart on N. E. ^ of Sec. 21, Robert Pollock on the W. ^ of Sec. 27. In 1835 Harison Brown, formerly a resident of Kentucky, came and located on the S. E. ^ of Sec. 1. William Martin came in the same year, and located on the N. AV. ^ of Sec. 5. In 1831 James Baine entered a claim on the N. AV. J of Sec. 29. % 624 HISTORY OF MERCER AUT) HENDERSON COUNTIES. The tirst birth in the township was the daughter of George Blake, who was born in 1835. The first marriage occurred in the same year, the contracting parties being Robert Caldwell and Miss Mary Pollock. The first death was that of Mrs. Preston, daughter of Robert Pollock, which occurred in 18-il. In 1837 Asa Ransom, a native of iSTew York, located on the S. W. J of Sec. 3. In 1838 John Mauk located half a mile north of Suez postoifice. In 1837 the Pease family came and located on section 20. In 1840 John and William Lafferty came from Trumbull county, Ohio, the former locating on section 21 and the lattei' on section 22. In 1841 John Greenwood bought the claim owned by Henry B. Fleharty and located thereon. The Bridger family were also among the earliest settlers. William Moore was the first blacksmith in the township, and William ]\Iartin the first carpenter. The only road laid out through the township, at the time of the earliest settlement, was one running from Macomb to Galena, which extended diagonally across it from the southeast to the northwest corner. The first bridge was constructed on North Henderson creek, where the Macomb and Galena road crossed it, in 1838 or 1839. The structure was built of oak logs, which were split and the flat sides turned downward, the hollows on the top being filled with earth. The first school-house in the township was erected by Robert Pol- lock, James Stewart, Samuel Shaw, and Mr. Pease in 1837, on the S. W. J of Sec, 21. This rude structure was built of logs, with a clap- board roof, doors of the same material, and puncheon fioor. In this building the first religious services were held, the sermon being preached by a traveling minister of the Baptist persuasion. The first teacher to wield his hickorj' within the walls of this antiquated building was R. Caldwell. The first church built was the Associate Reform, which stood on the ]Sr. W. J of Sec. 31, and which was erected in 1841. The fii'st postoffice was established at the residence of Moses Decker, on the N. E. J of Sec. 3, in 1840. The next one 'was established on the S. W. ^ of Sec. 22, and was called North Henderson, Robert Pollock officiating as postmaster. Later the name was changed to Norwood. In 1839 a saw mill was built by Pelatiah Pease on the S. W. i of Sec. 21 on, the banks of North Henderson creek, being propelled by the waters of that stream. In 1873 a steam grist mill was built by C. S. Hart at Norwood. The first coal mined in the township was taken from section 21 by Mr. Ditto in 1837. • There are at present four stone quarries in the township, located on SUEZ TOWNSHIP. 625 sections, 19, 21, 22, and 29. The rock produced from tliese quarries is of a good quality, and the suj^ply inexhaustible. An abundance of timber grows along the banks of North Hender- son creek, oak, hickory, walnut, linn, hard maple and elm being the predominant kinds. An occasional honey locust and coffee tree may be seen. Wild crab apples, gooseberries, plujns, grapes, strawberries and blackberries, abounded in early times. The fences in early times were made exclusively of rails. The first hedge, was grown by John Lafferty. Thc' settlers used farming implements that would bring a smile to the countenance of our modern farmers. Their plows had wooden mold-boards, and their harrows were all of wood. William Lafferty states that the first plow he used in the west was one with a wooden mold-board. He started in with the clumsy affair, whej-e the weeds and prairie grass were higher than his head. He rooted along without regard to sectional lines, furrows, angles, or corners, and by night found he had rooted over about twelve acres. The land appeared as if a drove of long-nosed hogs had been turned loose on it. Mr. Lafterty states that he planted his corn in it, but for reasons best known to him- self did not return to look at it until after harvest. The early settlers along jSTorth Henderson creek did the principal part of their trading in Oquawka and Peoria. Grain was frequently hauled to Chicago, and sold at a very low price. Asa Ransom states that he once worked a week with a yoke of oxen to thresh out and haul to the house of his creditor a hundred bushels of oats, which went to liquidate a debt of five dollars. Dressed pork brought $1 to $1.50 per hundred, Mr. Ransom once gave 1,100 pounds of pork for a pair of pantaloons, after having hauled it to Rock Island. This sti'ingency in monetary aftairs existed from 1840 to 1848. During that period it was almost impossible for the farmers to get money with which to pay for their claims when the land came into market. Money was sometimes borrowed at fifty per cent, for this purpose. Wolf hunts in early times were of frequent occurrence. Large numbers of the settlers would turn out on these occasions. They were carried on in the following manner: a meeting was called, captains elected, and a day chosen for the hunt. Every settler for miles around would generally be on hand, and every musket, shot-gun, rifle, and pistol was brought into requisition. The lines would form at a uni- form distance from the appointed place, and at a given signal from their respective captains would advance, from all points of the com- pass, keeping time to the melodious music of the hound and the hunts- 626 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. man's bugle. The wolf, with his usual cunning, would usually make his escape, however, before the point was reached, and the hunt would prove fruitless so far as wolf-scalps were concerned. ' On the niglit of August 10, 1851, a terrible wind and rain storm visited the southern part of the county, which, owing to its disastrous results, will long be ren^^mbered bv those who witnessed it. For .about four hours the rain fell in sheets ; every brook and rivulet was swelled into a mad, roaring torrent. The waters of North Henderson creek rose about fifteen feet above their normal height. Every bridge, from its source to the Mississippi, was carried away before the rushing flood. This was the most severe tempest in the recollection of the old- est settlers. It is said that barrels standing in dooryards, away from buildings, were actually filled with water. The coldest winter in the recollection of the old residents was that of 1842-43. On November 12 Jack Frost " came down from the north"" and held high carnival until the following April. During the month of March the sun shone brightly every day, but so firm was the grasp of the winter king on the shrouded earth that its rays were with- out efiFect. ORGANIZATION. Previous to April 4, 1854, this township was known by the name of Palmyra. It was ascertained however that the name of Palmyra had previously been conferred on another township and postoflice in the state, and consequently the name was abandoned and a new one substituted at the time of organization. On the date above mentioned a meeting was held at the residence of Henry Bridger, at which the township was organized and oflicers elected. The names of the first oflicers chosen are as follows : su- pervisor, Thomas Likely ; town clerk, John B. Hoag ; assessor, William Laflerty ; collector, F. M. Postlewaite ; overseei- of the poor, James E. Kay ; commissioners of highways, Harison Brown, John Laflerty, William McGreenwood ; justices of the peace, Eobert Pol- lock, J. O. Edwards ; constables, David Molar, A. Trask. SUEZ POSTOFFICE. What is now known as Suez postoflice was established in 1842, Henry Bridger being the first postmaster. The office was then known as Pope Creek, and still more generally known as Bridger's Cornei-s. In 1851 Asa Eansom erected a hotel building at the Corners, where for many years he did a thriving business. Towns being few and far between, emigrants on their way westward would always aim for Bridger's Corners, for a stopping place. SUEZ TOWXSHIP. 629 Samuel Sliove opened the first store. He was succeeded by Mr. Turner. m^Iio was followed by Mr. JSlourse. Messrs. Shaw, Mauk and Sedwick also did business successively at the Corners. James Paffe is now running a grocery, and is the present ]wstmaster. The school-house at Suez, commonly known as the ''White Lillj" school, was erected in 1851, a Miss Stuart, of Greene township, being the first teacher. In August, 1881, a band was organized at Suez, consisting of a few of the music-loying gentlemen of that locality. The names of the performers are as follows: C. L. Ransom, E flat cornet; John C. Bowers, B flat cornet ; Charles Furr, B flat cornet ; Ezra Hartzell, first alto ; H. Woltham, second alto ; P. F. Mauk, tenor ; J. Hughes, B Bass ; James Page, E flat tuba. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The above-named congregation was the outgrowth of a union of the ^^ Associate" and "Associate Reform"" churches. In 181:2, by order of the Associate Presbytery, of Iowa, the Rev. James G. Bruce preached in a small wooden house at the crossing of the roads one mile west of Norwood, which was then the residence of S. L. Brownlee, and organ- ized the Associate congregation, of JS^orth Henderson. The member- ship then numbered fifteen, whose names are as follows : James, Elizabeth, and Nancy Imbrie ; Robert and Mary Caldwell ; John Humphreys and wife ; S. L. and Sarah Brownlee ; William and Mary Jane Caldwell ; John W. and Sarah A. Caldwell, aud Samuel and Margaret Graham. James Imbrie and Robert Caldwell were chosen elders. For some time services were held in the little dwelling, except in pleasant weather, when the people would assemble under the trees to Ksten to the divine teachings. Lumber wagons drawn by oxen were the only coiiveyances. The men in checkered shirts and the women in plain calicoes came from far and near to listen to the teachings of the scripture. These were the men and women who paved the way for civilization, and made smooth the paths for those who were to follow. Should one of those humble worshipers enter a church in one of our towns or cities to-day, cold indeed would be the reception with which he would meet. The domed and frescoed ceiling, the rich car- pets, the upholstered seats, the people in gaudy attire, and the great pipe-organ would present a strange scene to him, and we fear he would feel that he was not welcome there. In the fall of 1844 a call was made in connection with the Liberty congregation for the services of Mr. R. W. French, and by him 30 630 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. accepted. October 2f), in that same little dwelling in which the infant congregation was organized, he was ordained, the brothers James and William Bruce, being the officiating ministers. The young pastor en- teVed upon his duties cheerfully, although the salary was very small. The house in which he was obliged to live afforded a very poor shelter for his wife and little ones against the summer rains and winter blast. In the following year James Graham gave a lot from his farm recently purchased, and a number of able-bodied men turned out and erected a plain but comfortable dwelling thereon, and the pastor was soon occu- pying more pleasant quarters. An amusing anecdote is related of the reverend gentleman that is worth repeating. It was Saturday morning, as they supposed, when Mrs. French, having an errand to perform, went to a neighbor's house, and meanwhile her husband began some work on his lot. Im- agine her surprise on being told on her arrival at the neighbor's that it was Sunday, and people were by that time seen wending their way toward the church. She went home and informed her husband of the fact. He dropped his tools, donned his Sunday garments, and hastened to the church, where he found most of his congregatton wait- ing for services to begin. In 1846 the first church building was erected, being two miles west and a mile south from Norwood. The place is still marked by the cemetery. At the end of four years Mr. French was at liis own re- quest released from the charge of the congregation. After a brief period of vacancy the congregations of South creek and Bethel were united with that of North Henderson in one charge, and they united in a call for the pastoral services of the Rev. Nathaniel McDowel, which was accepted. Flis installation took place in the Smith creek church. In 1854 the pastoral relations were dissolved. During the second period of vacancy, extending over almost two years and a half, a very decided current of emigration carried pros- perity to the rising congregation. Eighty-seven names were added to its membership. In the month of September, 1866, a call was extended to the Rev. J. A. Edie, which was by him accepted, and on the follow- ing March he took charge of the congregation. At his ordination and installation, Revs. A. A. Rogers and John Scott, D.D., officiated. THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED BRANCH. In the early days of North Henderson there appeared many warm adherents of the Associate Reformed church. On May 12, 1856, the Rev. M. M. Bigger, by direction of the Associate Reformed Presbytery, of Monmouth, preached in the Associate Reformed church at Spring SUEZ TOWNSHIP. 631 Grove, where he organized the Associate Reforined church of Xorth Henderson, and twenty-one names were enrolled. ( )ii the same day the Sprhig (Irove and Xorth Henderson congregations each extended a call for the half-time services of the Rev. J. C. McKnight, which was by him accepted, and in the following June he was installed in the united charge and entered upon his labors. This ^^astorate was brief, ending in the release of Mr. McKnight from his charge in the month of March, 1858. On June 1-1, 1858, a joint meeting of the Associate and Associate Reformed congregations of Xorth Henderson was held in the Associate church, at which it was agreed that the two congregations would unite in one organization, which has since been known as the United Pres- byterian church. After the union of the two branches it became necessary to erect a larger and more commodious church building. Accordingly during the summer of 1859 the neat, comfortable building, in which the congregation still worships, was erected. The building is situated one mile west of Norwood, is 45x72 feet in size, and cost about $5,000. During the dark hours of the rebellion, that began soon after, the congregation gave their undivided support to the union cause. Many of its members bade farewell to friends and relatives, to the happy associations that made the old homes dear, and went forth to defend the principles they loved. The gray-haired father and mother knelt under the nxjf of their cottage home and prayed for the success of the Hag, while their sons marched forth to the wild music of war, and gave up their lives in its defense. Mr. Edie, the pastor, spent some time in the army, administering to the spiritual wants of the soldiers in camp, and to the heroes as they laid mangled and blackened on the field of battle. After the close of the war Mr. Edie continued his labors for several years, but finally desiring to change the field of his labors, he oftered his resignation. Being strongly urged by his congregation to remain for a time, he decided to do so. In 1869 he again offered his resigna- tion, which was reluctantly accepted. During the period of eleven years, through which Mr. Edie's pastorate extended, 338 persons were added to the roll of membership. In April, 1872, a call was made to the Rev. J. M. French, which was accepted. He entered immediately upon his labors and had charge of the congregation three and a half years, during which time seventy- six were added to the roll of membership. In June, 1876, the Rev, J. T. McCrory took charge of the congregation and was officially installed in April, 1877, and was released in 1880, H32 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HEXUERSON COUNTIES. In 1881 the Rev. AV. A. Spalding began his hibors and was installed by the Rock Island Presbytery August 23 of the same year. In the past few yeai-s this congregation has greatly decreased in number, owing to the fact that many of the members have sought homes in the western states, but it is still one of the largest and most prosj^erous in the county. The Sunday school in connection ^^•ith the church is in a very pros- ])erous- condition, the average attendance being about one hundred. Tiie land on which the church stands was donated by David Molar. The parsonage stands one mile south of the church on land donated for the purjiose by Thomas Likely. THE ce:metery. '• \\'luit is dentil ? 'Tis to be free— ^'o more to hoi^e, to love, nor fear." tJontiguous to the grounds owned by the Presbyterian church is located the Norwood cemetery. The tirst person buried here was a child of Alexander McKenstry in 1854. The association which has this cemetery in charge was organized under the state law in 187", and received its charter in 1881. The ])resent officers are : president, Thomas Likely ; secretary, George M. Evans ; treasurer, John Hutchison ; trustees, John Latferty, J. D. Por- ter, William P. Morgan. The neatly kept grounds indicate the feeling of reverence and love entertained by the surrounding community for their departed dead. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The initiatory movement of organizing this society was made by the members of the Monmouth Presbyterian church, who resided in the vicinity of North Henderson. A meeting was called and held in a school-house on Section 29, on March 17, 1853. R. C. Mathews was chosen chairman, and J. D. Porter secretary. It was unanimously agreed to petition Schuyler Presbytery to organize a church at Norwood, and J. I). Porter was selected to pre- sent the said petition. For some reason not shown by the records the church was not organized at that time. In the spring of 1854, F. Postlewaite, S. R. Boggs and Thomas Likely were appointed a buikling committee, and a church building, for which purpose funds had already been raised, was begun. The committte contracted with Russell 6z McFarland, of Oquawka, Illinois, to erect a frame building, 36x49, which was to cost about $2,100. The building was begun in the tail of 1854 and completed in the spring SUEZ TOWNSHIP. 633 of 1S55. In that year, a petition, signed by thirty-six membei-s of the Presbyterian church, and eleven persons who were members of no denomination, was presented to the Presbyter}^ of Schuyler, which met in Knoxville, in April of 1S55, being in accordance with the sentiment of the members who held the first meeting, viz : that a church should be organized at Nortii Henderson. The prayer <»f the petition was granted, and Rev. R. C. Mathews and the Rev. T. S. Yaile, with elders John Eiken, of Knoxville, and A. C. Gregg, of Monmouth, were appointed to organize the church. The connnittee met in the new building at Xoith Henderson, July 7, and proceeded to organize the society. Forty names were enrolled, twenty -four of whom had for- merly been members of the Monmouth congregation. IVFessrs. J. R. Boggs, R. W. Porter, and S. R. Boggs, were chosen elders, and Thomas Likely, M. T. Postlewaite and T. S. Robb, were chosen trus- tees. jN^o regular pastor was employed by the congregation until June, 1856, when J. H. Nevius began his labor, as stated supply, and was installed as pastor, November 11, of the same year. Mr. I^evius officiated as pastor until April, 1863, when he was succeeded by Rev. George ]Srorcross, who acted as stated supply until June 6, 1865, when he was officially installed as pastor, in which capacity he served about a year. The Rev. J. H. Moore was the next pastor called upon to take charge of the congregation. Mr. Moore began his labors on June 2, 1867, but was not installed until November 2 of the same year. This gentleman served as pastor until March, 1876, when he removed to a new field of labor. The church was without a pastor until January. 1877, when Rev. E. B. Miner began his ministerial labors with them. Mr. Miner was installed in the summer of the same year. His relation as pastor was continued until 1881 when he relinquished his charge. On April 1, 1881, the Rev. I. T. Whitmore responded to a call from the congregation and entered u]Don his duties as pastor. This gentleman still has charge of the congregation. . On December 3, 1880, the name of the church was changed from North Henderson to Norwood. The present memberseip is 206. Since the organization of the congregation, four hundred and fifty-four names have been added to the list of membership. The names of the elders who liave been successfully chosen by the congregation are as follows : James Boggs, R. W. Porter, and S. R. Boggs were elected on July 7, 1855 ; James C. Stewart, elected November 19, 1855 ; James C. Postlewaite, elected November 19, 1855; Robert Woods was elected January 18, 1860; Joseph B. Stewart, elected January 18, 1860; 634 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Robert Holloway, elected December 26, 1869 ; J. B. Lafertj and M. S. Campbell were chosen in September, 1879. THE UNITED BRETHREX IN CHRIST. The society of the above name was organized December 20, 1873, b}^ the Rev. P.' R. Adams. The first trustees were : H. R. Peters, George W. Sedwick, and John McLangldin. Their church building was erected in the summer of 1875. The building and grounds cost- ing fourteen hundred and fifty dollars. The building was dedicated August 6 of the same year by the pi-esiding elder, K^. A. AValker. The membership at the time of organization numbered thirty-six, but now numbers only ten. The present pastor is the Rev. Orin Dilley, who is located at Alexis, AVarren county. The building is situated on section 10. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. In 1875 a number of citizens of the above persuasion, with the liberal assistance of tlie enterprising people of other denominations, erected a neat church building two miles west of Suez postoffice. The building is 36x40 in size, and stands on the N. E. J of Sec. 8. Owing to the weakness of the society, no regular pastor is employed by them. The membership at present numbers ten. BIOGRAPHICAL. George A., son of Christian and Catharine Sheai-er, was born in Herkimer county, Xew York, April 17, 1828. When sixteen years of age the family came to Licking county, Ohio, where they resided nine years. In 1853 they removed to Moultrie county, Illinois, and remained one year, after which they went to Stark county, remaining until 1859, when they came to Mercer county, where they bought land in section 18, Suez township. The father died in June, 1861. The subject of this sketch was first married, August 24, 1852, to Miss Sarah A. Whitten, who died in the winter of 1861. He w^as again married, May 27, 1862, to Miss Sarah J. Morgan. The names of his children are as follows: Mary C, Margaret H., Anna B., Fannie R., Cora B., Sadie (deceased), ]S'ellie R., Blanche E., Fred. M., and George O. Of these the two former are by his first wife. Mr. Shearer now resides on the S. W. J of Sec. 17, which he purchased in 1865. Dan. W., son of AVashington and Elizabeth Sedwick, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1834. AYlien twelve years of age lie went to Lawrence county, where he was engaged two years as clerk in a dry goods and grocery store. At the end of that SUEZ TOWNSHIP. 635 time he went to Columbiana county, Oliio, where he remained one year and a-half, where he was engaged in farming and sheep-driving. From here he returned to the town of Mercer, in Pennsylvania, where he was emj)loyed as turnkey in the county jail under Sheriff McKean, in which capacity he acted about six months, after which he went to Crawford county and located at Steuben, on Oil creek, where he remained a few months and then went to Centerville, where he remained about five years, doing general work around a store and saw- mill. In 1855 he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, and located at Bridger's Corners. During the two following years his time was occu- pied alternately in teaching and clerking. On September 3, 1857, Mr. Sedwick was married to Miss Frances A. Bridger, a native of Troy, New York, and daughter of Henry Bridger, one of the pioneer settlers of the county. The fruits of the union are six children, whose names in the order of their ages are as follows: Ida E., Cora A., Henry D. (deceased), Edwin E., Bertram B. , and Fannie M. In the spring of 1857 he was appointed postmaster at Pope Creek, which position he held until 1870. In the same year he purchased the stock of goods owned by his employers and embarked in business for him- self. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted as a private in Co. E, 102d reg. 111. Vol. Inf. When the company was organized he was elected first lieutenant, and on April 28, 1863, to the position of captain. In 1865 he received the following letter from the secretary of war: Washington, D. C., .Tune 19. ISfio. Sir, — Yon are hereby informed that the President of th% United States has appointed you, for gallant and meritorious conduct during the war, a niajdr of volunteers by brevet in the service of the I'nited States, to rank as such from the 13th day of March, 1865. Should the senate at their next session advise and consent thereto, you will be commissioned accordingly. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. Brevet-Major Dan. W. Sedwick, IT. S. Vol. No further comment is necessary concerning the bravery and fidelity with which he served his country. In 1866 Mr. Sedwick was elected to the legislature, where he represented his district for a term of two years. In 1870 he sold out his store, purchased a farm south of Bridger's Corners, and since that time has devoted his entire atten- tion to tilling the soil. He is a member of the Mercer Country Agri- cultural Board, and during the year 1879 acted as president of that body. He is also president of the Soldiers and Sailors' Association, of Mercer county. LoEiisrEE Johnston, a portrait of whom appears in this book, son of Andrew and Mary Johnston, was born in Richland county, Ohio, No- vember 20, 1820.. He resided in that county until 1850, in which year 636 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. he went to California, crossing the plains with a wagon and a mule team. He located on the Middle Fork of the American river and there engaged in mining in company with his brother, William. After having accumulated a considerable amount of wealth his brother started back to their native state, but died on the way of "Panama fever," and their hard earnings stolen from his person after death. In the spring of 1852, Lorimer returned to Ohio and remained until 1S,5T, when he came to Mercer county. In 186'1, he bought land in section 13, Suez township. He now owns a farm of 415 acres, the results of economy and industry. Mi-. Johnston was married July 3, 18-19, to Miss Hannah Hayes, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio. The fruit of this union are hve children, William S., Park P., Michael H., Flora M. (deceased), and Laura A. Thomas Likely, whose portrait appears in this book, son of William •and Agnes (Taylor) Likely, was born January 29, 1823, in Hunting- don county, Pennsylvania. The family on both the father and mother's side are of Irish origin. His father came from Ireland in 1791 and located in the Tuscarora valley. He had six sons and five daughters. Of tliese Thomas is the youngest but one. He was raised a farmer, assisting his father perform his labors. He was married September 26, 1844, to Miss Diana A. Doyle, also a native of Hunting- don county. The fruits of this union are ten children, whose names in the order of their ages, are as follows : Ann E. (deceased), Agnes J. (now the wife of E. L. Simpson, of Pinggold county, Iowa), Martha B. (wife of J. C. F(^ter, of the same county), William D. (deceased in infancy), Henry T. (deceased), Thomas D. (now residing in Buena Vista county, Iowa), Lyman L., Samuel P. (also of Buena Vista county, Iowa), William M., and INIary J. For about three years he was engaged in landing general merchandise in Trough creek valley, Huntingdon county. In the spring of 1850 he came to Pike county, Illinois, and remained until fall, after which he went to La Salle by boat ; after arriving here he set out on foot to find a suitable place to locate. He traveled in this manner over Lee, Henry, Whiteside, Ogle, Bureau and La Salle counties, and failing to find a })lace to suit his taste, he came to old Mercer and bought laiid in the N. E. J Sec. 32, in Suez township. In 1858 he was elected justice of the peace. At the beginning of the war he received authority from Adjutant-Gen- eral Fuller to organize a company, which he did in seven days, and was chosen captain. The company was afterward attached to the 102d 111. Inf , and known as company E. He remained with that regiment until April, 1863, when he resigned on account of disabilities, and was succeeded by D. W. Sedwick. In the winter of 1863 he was elected SUKZ TOWNSHIP. 637 major of the regiment by vote of the reg-imental officers. In 1873 he was elected county judge, in which capacity he served four years. Haeison Browx, whose portrait appears in this book, son of Samuel and Henrietta Brown, was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, jMarcli iT, ISOS. When eiglit years of age his father removed to Breckenridge county, Kentucky, and remained until the fall of 1834, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in jSTorth Henderson town- ship, Mercer county. In the spring of 1836 he bought land in section 1, Suez township, where he has since resided. Being one of the pioneers he has encountered all of the hardslii[)S and trials incident to pioneer life. By hard labor and economy he has accumulated a large property and in his declining years he is enjoying the frmts of his toil. He was married in the fall of 1830 to Miss Martha Greenwood, a native of Vir- ginia. Nine children are the fruits of this union, wliose names are as follows : Mary A., Samuel (deceased), Thomas, Floyd (deceased), Sally, Benjamin, Peter, and Isabel, His second son, Thomas, was a member of Capt. Sedwick's company in the 102d Ills. Inf Asa W. R,ANSo:k[, another of the })ioneers, son of James and Phoeba Ransom, was born in the town of Camillus, Onondaga county, New York, May 6, 1818. When seventeen years of age he turned his face toward the setting sun and started to Illinois by way of Buffalo and Ashtabula, thence by stage across the state of Ohio to Wellsville. From here he went by steamboat to Cairo, then up the Mississippi, landing at New Boston, June 10, 1837. On the following day he, in company his brother, started on foot toward the eastern ])art of the county and located on N. W. ^ of Sec. 3, in Suez township. In the fall he returned to Ohio, remaining until the spring of 1838. On his return he came as far as Michigan with his uncle and walked from there to Mercer county, a distance of about 300 miles. He states that at that time settlements were as high as sixty miles apart. He stoj^ped for a short time in Chicago, and wliile there was offered a lot on Wasliington street in payment for a month's work. Mr. Ransom was married in February, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth S. Edwards, a native of Kentucky. The names of their children, in the order of their ages are as follows: Althea F., Charlora C, Chester L., Adra- enna, Marcilla C, Vesta, Asa S., and Olive. In 1866 Mr. Ransom removed to Chicago and engaged in the commission business. He remg,ined in the city four and a half years, during which time his chil- dren availed themselves of the excellent educational advantages the city affords. In the spring of 1870 he returned to his farm in Suez town- ship, and, excepting a few months, has resided there since that time. Mr. Ransom arrived in Illinois with nothing in the way of worldly 638 HISTORY OF MERCER ^VXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. wealtli, but by hard labor and judicious management lie has become one of the largest land owners in the county. He furnishes an exam- ple of pluck and perseverance, which the rising generation would do well to follow. William, son of Jefferson and Tabitha Fuller, was born in Millers- burg township, Merger county, October 27, 184:5. He remained at home until July 26, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. H, 84th 111. Inf.. and was with that regiment until June 9, 1865. He received a wound at the battle of Stone river, from the effects of which he was confined in the hospital eleven months. He was married February 20, 1867, to Miss Joanna Brown, a native of Ohio. The names of his children are Elmer and Edgar C. * James AV. Page, son of James and Susan S. Page, was born in Sussex, England, December 15, 1810. In 1841, the family emigrated to America, and located at Hudson, Summit county, Ohio. In August, 1856, he came to Mercer county. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 30th reg. 111. Inf , and remained in the service of his country until August, 1864, when he was discharged. On the bottom of his discharge we find the following : " Private James W. Pa*je has sustained an unblemished character in the army; has been a faithful soldier, and is entitled to the gratitude of his adopted country and the confidence of all. Signed, Charles Turner, Colonel, 108th 111. Vol." December 20, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Annie E. Bridger, daughter of Henry Bridger, one of Mercer county's pioneers. Five children are the fruit of this union, four of whom death has claimed as his victims ; Nina G. alone remains to brighten the home. Mr. Page is now located at Suez, engaged in the grocery business. He has many friends, and is highly respected by all. Andrew Trask was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1813. AYhen thirteen years of age he experienced a desire to go to sea, and accord- ingly obtained a position on the Trident, of Xew Bedford, and was on the ocean three years, being most of that time on the Pacific. He was married in 1845, to Miss Ellen Weld, who died in eighteen months after their marriage. He was again married in 1848, to Miss Lucinda Ramsey. The names of his children are as follows : Edward, Harriet, Lucina, and George. His second wife died in 1862. Mr. Trask came to Mercer county in 1850, and located on section 16, Suez towns^hip, where he still resides. Thomas, son of Thomas and Martha (Wilson) Spicer, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 2, 1823. The Spicer family are of English, and the Wilson of Irish, origin. Mr. Spicer was married in I SUEZ TOWNSHIP. 639 IS-K), to Miss Rebbecea D. "Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Spicer was born December 15, 1828. The names of the children born to the couple are as follows: Oliver AV., born October 26, 1848, in Ohio; Mary C, born August 30, 1851, in Ohio; James C, born December 9, 1854, in Ohio, and Thomas II., born June 9, 1858, in Illinois. In 1856, Mr. Spicer came to Warren county, Illinois, where he remained until 1859, when he removed to Mercer county, and located on section 8, in Suez township. WiLLiAivE A., son of John and Grizelle (Stewart) Laiferty, was bom in Suez townshi}), December 13, 1850. The log cabin in which he was born, still stands, and is situated near his present residence. He was married in 1870, to Miss Mattie Edie, a native of Kentucky. The names of their children are as follows: John H., George G., Minnie, William L., Charles, Harry A., and Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Lafferty are members of the United Presbyterian church. John B., son of William and Louisa Lafferty, was born in Suez township, Mercer county, Illinois, October 19, 1847. He was married August 30, 1870, to Miss Ada A. Brownlee, daughter of D. S. Brown- lee, Esq., of Suez township. The fruits of this union are five children, whose names are as follows: Harry S., Maggie L,, Annie M., William E., and Olive C. Mr. Lafferty owns a fine farm of 320 acres, situated on sections 15 and 27. He and Mrs. Lafferty are both members of the Ignited Presbyterian church, with which they united in 1867. Matthew S., son of John and Mary Campbell, was born in Hunt- ing(U)n county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1848. The family are of Scotch-Irish decent, the early ancestors having fled to Ireland during the covenanters' rebellion. In 1863 Mr. Campbell came to Illinois, and located in Warren county, near the Mercer and Warren county line. A few years after he removed to Suez township and located on section 26. He was married in 1866 to Miss Annie AVatt, a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Tiie names of their children are as follows : Willie R. (deceased), Clyde P., and Clarence W. William F., son of Arthur and Hannah (Postlewaite) Graham, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1833. In 1839 the family came to Warren county, and located near Little York. Mr. Graham's early days were spent in the wilderness, and roaming through the trackless forest constituted the amusements of his boyhood. He was married in 1858 to Miss Margaret LIutchison, also a native of Pennsylvania. The names of their children are as follows: Mildred L., Mary IL, Arthur H., Daniel II., Maggie E., and Mattie E. James P., son of Henry and Jane (Latta) McLaughlin, was born in Mercer county, Pennsvlvania, in 1825. His family are of Scotch and 640 HISTOEY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Irish origin, and came to this country at a very early date ; his grand- father, John Latta, served as major in the revolutionary war. He was married in January, 1850, to Miss Jane Lossell, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio; she died May 15, 1862. In 1864 he married Miss Louisa Sedwiek, a sister of Captain Sedwick, of Suez township. The names of his children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Oscar, Eliza J., Ella, Amanda, Oharlie, Maggie, Alice, Lewis, Dora, and Roy. The five latter are by the second wife. In 1854 Mr. McLaughlin came to Illinois and bought land in section 2, in Suez township. He now owns about a section of land in Mercer county, and 160 acres in Iowa, situated about twenty miles north of the city of Davenpoit. Mrs. McLaughlin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. McLaughlin started out in life without anything to aid him, but by perseverance and an untiring energy, he has made his life a success. He has many friends and is highly respected wherever known. William IL, son of James A., and Anna Simpson, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1835. He was reared a farmer, and followed that pui'suit until April 19, 1861, ten days after Fort Sumter was tired on, when he responded to the call of the gov- ernment and enlisted in Co. H. 15th Pa. Inf., acting as second lieu- tenant. At the expiration of three months, the time for which the regiment was enlisted, he returned home and remained until August, 1862, when he raised a company, which was attached to the 125th Pa., and designated as Company F. In the battle of Antietam he was struck by a fragment of a shell which made a severe flesh wound in the side of his face. He was discharged in June, 1862, and returned home. He was married in December, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth Smith also a native of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. The names of the children in the order of their ages are as follows : Carrie, Charles E., Archie E., Mary E., Earl and Pearl, who are" twins. In the spring of 1865 he emigrated to Mercer county and located on the S. E. J 'of sec. 28, Suez township. Mr. Simpson and his family are kind and hospitable. Their home is a happy one, and we hope the future through whose misty veil none can see may smile as brightly upon him and his loved ones as the j^ast has done. John A., son of William and Martha Marrow, was born in Guern- sey county, Ohio, Decembers, 1828. He was reared a farmer. When twenty-three years old he left his native county and went to Eldorado county, California, where he remained about five years, during which time he was engaged in mining and various occupations. In the spring of 1856 he returned to Ohio, and in the. spring of the following year came to Mercer county, Illinois, and located on section 32 in Greene SUEZ TOWNSHIl*. 641 townsliip. Ill Jaiiuai-y, 1862, lie enlisted in Co. G. 80tli 111. Inf., and was with that regiment at Fort Donelson, Siege of Corinth, Brit- tain's Lane, Raymond, Champion Hill, Siege of Vicksbiirg, and Kene- saw Mountain. He was taken prisoner at Peach Tree Creek, and was in the hands of the enemy abont two months, when he was exchanged. He was discharged January 22, 1865. In 1869 he opened a coal mine on his farm in Greene township. The producing ca])acity of which is forty thousand bushels a year. In 1870 he removed to his farm in section 5, in Suez township. Mr. Marrow was married in 1865 to Miss Mary Ogdeii, a native of Fountain county, Indiana. The names of his children in the order of their ages are as follows: Samuel O., John W., Mary J. (deceased), and Estella. He and his wife are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian church. Heney Bridgee. a portion of the early ancestors of the Bridger family were driven from France during the religious jiersecution. The other branch of the family came from Normandy with William the Conqueror, and cast their lot in England. One of the descendants of this family was Henry Bridger (deceased), who was born in Sussex county, England, near the town of Hastings, October 25, 1798. In October, 1820, he came to America and located in Albany; after re- maining a year he went to Troy. He was married in that city to Elizabeth Terrey, October 7, 1822. Miss Terrey was a native of Suf- folk county. Long Island. In the spring of 1836 Mr. Bridger emi- grated to Mercer county, Illinois. In IS^ovember of that year he enteVed a claim on the N. E. J of Sec. 35, Greene township. In June, 1841, he removed to Suez township and bought land in section 2, where two of his sons now reside. The names of his children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: William H., Mary E., Julia M., Barbara A. (deceased), Henry T., Frances A. (wife of Hon. D. W. Sedwick, of Suez), James C., Philip T. (now residing in Chari- ton county, Missouri), and Annie E. (wife of James Page, of Suez). The death of the father occurred December 17, 1873, and he was bin-ied in the family burying ground, situated on the N. E. J of Sec. 2. George M. Evans, son of George D. and Mary (McCague) Evans, was born in liipley, Ohio, March 9, 1830. Left an orphan at an earW age, he was reared by relatives in Adams county. At the age of sev- enteen he began attending school at South Salem, where he remained about two and a half years. Between the ages of seventeen and twenty he taught school about six months. He was married June 22, 1853, to Miss Ruhama Mclntire, a native of Adams county. Shortly after his marriage he embarked in the mercantile business in Ripley, which he continued until the spring of 1855, when he came to Mercer 642 HISTORY OF MERCER AISTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. county, Illinois. In the fall of that year he engaged in business at Norwood ; since that time he opened a store in Aledo. In 1880 he removed to his farm northwest of Norwood, his business being con- ducted bv his partner. His first wife died December 1, 1854. He was again married February 19, 1863, to Miss Barbara J. Allison, a native of Pennsylvania, who died December 23, 1873. His third mari-iage occurred June 6, 1876, Miss Mary AY. Carson, a native of Ireland, being the next connubial partner. Mr. Evans has two children living, both of whom were born to him by his second wife. Their names, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Mary E., aged eighteen, and Robert A., aged sixteen years. He is a prominent member of the United Presbyterian church, with wliich he united in 1853 at Ripley, Ohio. Mr. Evans is a man of kindly manner, and the stranger being thrown upon his hospitality is treated with great courtesy. John Laffertt, whose portrait appears in this book, son of Jo.lm and Ann Lafferty, was born July 28, 1816, in Trumbull county, Ohio. In the spring of 1840, he, in company with his brother, William, emi- grated to Illinois and bought land in the N. E. J Sec. 21, Suez town- ship. Mr. Lafferty was married June, 1843, to Miss Grizell Stewart, a native of Indiana. The fruits of the union are eight children, whose names are as follows : James H., Harriet A., Nancy A., William A., John S., Susan E., and Mary E. He is a member of the United Pres- byterian church, with which he united in 1850. Mr. Lafferty is spoken of by his neighbors as an excellent citizen, and possesses the love' and esteem of all. A spirit of liberality has ever chacterized his actions, and to all charitable, educational, and religious purposes he has given with a willing hand. John Mauk, son of Peter and Catharine Mauk, was born in 1814, . in the picturesque valley of the Shenandoah, Yirginia. His father, Peter Mauk, was born January 4, 1775. His family are of German origin. For many years Mr. Mauk was employed as an engineer on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. In 1836 he emigrated to Warren county, Illinois. In 1840 he was united in marriage to Miss Amerett Tinkham, a native of Windom county, Vermont. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Martha A., Benja- min (deceased in his fourteenth year), Mary E., Anna L., Alice, Peter, George B, In 1838 he came to Mercer county, and settled in Suez township. In 1841 he removed to Davenport, Iowa, and was em- ployed as an engineer on the ferry boat plying between the cities of Davenport and Rock Island. In 1841 he returned to his farm in Suez township. He was for several years engaged in the dry goods business SUEZ TOWNSHIP. at Bi'idger's Corners. Mr. Mauk died at his residence June 19, 1879, and liis departure was mourned by many friends, some of whom had often received favors at the hands of the deceased. WillijVjvi p. Morgats^, son of Sankey and Ann (Brown) Morgan, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, Marc'h 18, 1839. He received his early education in a log school-house in Pennsylvania. In 1858 the family emigrated to Mercer county, Dlinois, and located on section 19, in Suez township. Mr. Morgan was married in 1868 to Miss Martha J. Atchison, a native of Ohio. The fruits of this union are seven children, six sons and one daughter. He enlisted August 9, 1862, in company E, 102d Bl. Inf. He was discharged October 18, 1863, at Laverne, Tennessee. Mr. Morgan is a member of the United Presbyterian church with which he united in 1868. He is also justice of the peace. Richard C. McClellan, son of liichard and Susana McClellan, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1838. Mr, McClellan received his education at what is now known as the Jefferson College, in Washington county. In February, 1865, he enlisted in the 8Ttli Penn. Inf , and was with the regiment imtil mustered out. He was married October 26, 1866, to Miss Martha McCutcheon, a native of Ohio. The fruits of the union are live chil- dren, whose names, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Nathaniel R, Evart S,, Clarence R., Minnie G., and Armadilla S. Mr. McClel- lan is a memher of the United Presbyterian church, with which he united in 1866, Gus Bruington, son of Alfred and Adeline Bruington, was born in Suez township, Mercer county, Illinois, September 22, 1846. He was married in 1871 to Miss Annie Laifertv, a daughter of William Lafferty, Sr., one of the earliest settlers of Suez township. Mr, Bruington, although quite young, has surrounded himself by all the luxuries and comforts the country affords, and has before him a bright and prosperous future. Joshua H. Brown, son of Benjamin and Lucinda Brown, was born in the town of JSTorth Henderson, July 6, 1841. His father w^as one of the pioneer settlers of Mercer county. Mr. Bvown received his educa- tion in the public school of jSTorth Henderson. July 22, 1862, he entered the service of his country in Co. H, 84tli 111. Inf, and remained in that regiment until June 16, 1865. On January 1, 1867, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary (Dilley) Rodgers, a native of Mercer county, and daughter of William Dillej', of Ohio Grove town- ship. The names of his children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Vinnie R., Cyrus D., Gus B., and Lucinda M, (deceased in CA-i HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. iiitancj). In August, 1878, Mr. Brown was nominated for slierift at the republican convention, at Aledo. In the following November lie was elected, receiving as many votes as both his greenback and demo- cratic opponents. Mr. Brown is a member of the Universalist church, of Suez. Henry T. Bridge r, son of Henry and Elizabeth Bridger, was born April 28, 1832, in Benssalaer county, ISTew York. In 183(1, the family moved to Mercer county. In the fall of 1862, Mr. Bridger enlisted in Co. E, 102d 111. Inf He remained in the service of his country about one ,year, being discharged on account of disabilities. In December, 1867, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Sarah J. McLaughlin, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. The fruits of this union are three children : Amy M., William J., and Edna E. The family are attendants at the Methodist Episcopal church. Thomas G. Brown, son of Ilarison and Martha Brown, was born in IS^orth Henderson township, Mercer county, March 25, 1836. Mr. Brown received his early education in a log school-house that stood on section 6, North Henderson township. In December, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 102d 111. Inf, and was with that regiment in every engage- ment until mustered out of service. He was discharged June 7, 1865, at Chicago. In February, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Coleman, a native of Ohio. The fruits of this union are two children, Nellie and Peter F. It will be seen that Mr. Brown was one of the first white children born in the county. His father, Harison, spoken of elsewhere in the work, is one of the few surviving pioneers of Mercer. William L., son of James and Jane Stewart, was born in Union county. Indiana, in 1827. In 1835 the family emigrated to Illinois, and his fatlier bought the claim owned by George Blake, in section 21. In 1858 he was married to Miss Harriet Dry den, a native of Ohio, who died in 1859. March 7, 1861, he was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Caldwell, a native of Shelby county, Ohio. The names of his children in the order of their ages are: Nancy J., Mattie E., Mira L., William J., Mary J., Ettie F., and Earl O. In August, 1862, Mr. Stewart enlisted in Co. E, 102d 111. Vol. Inf., and remained with that regi- ment until the close of the war. He is a member of the United Pres- byterian church, with which he united in 1858. In politics he is a republican. His father, James Stewart, now residing in Alexis, was one of the earliest settlers in Suez township, and assisted in preparing some notes for the historical association. Thomas J. Greenwood, son of John and Catharine (Filony ) Green- wood, was born in Suez township, Mercer county, September 23, 1849. kJu^^JL^<^^ I SUEZ TOWKSHIl'. 647 In 1806 he left the quiet life of the farm and went to Galesbnrg and attended school at the Lombard imiversitv. lie remained here one year. In ISSl he was elected justice of the peace for a term of four years. In 1878 he was elected assessor for one term, and in this office, as in all others which he has filled, he gave excellent satis- faction. September 22, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Goddard, a native of Warren county, Illinois. Mr. Greenwood owns a fine farm of 120 acres, on sections 10 and 15, and we predict for him a bright and prosperous future. He is a prominent republican, and takes an active part in political affairs. Mr. Greenwood is a member of I.O.O.F. lodge, 526, at Alexis, with which he united in August, 1880. He has many friends throughout the country, and is highly respected by all. JoHX DiNGWELL was bom in county Donegal, Ireland, in March, 1814. At an early age he came to America, and followed the star of empire westward to Illinois, locating in North Henderson township, Mercer count3^ In 1840 he bought a farm near Norwood, in Suez township. In 1849 he went to Galesburg and began a course of study in the academv at that i)lace. At the end of two years he returned to Mercer county, and in 1852 was married to Mrs. Mercy Grabtree, a native of England. In the same yeixr he bought land in section 3, in Suez township. The names of his children are: Jennie E., (deceased in her twenty-fourth year), William G. (now residing in Suez town- ship), and John (deceased in infancy). Mr. Dingwell died Nov. 4, 1873. The funeral services were performed in the United Presbyterian church, at Viola. In his early life Mr. Dingwell had been a Cove- nanter, but later united with the United Presbyterian denomination. Henry W., son of David and Elizabeth (Snyder) Mauk, was born in Harrison county, Indiana, June 14, 1830. When twenty-four years of age he came to Mercer county, and in 1856 purchased land in section 11, in Suez towmship. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E. 102d 111. Inf., and was with that gallant regiment until June, 1865. He was married January 4, 1871, to Miss Annie Smith, a native of Warren county, Illinois. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are : David R. (deceased), Freddie G. (de- ceased), Ora B., and Alta M., who are twins. Robert Campbell, son of Matthew and Hannah Campbell, was born November 26, 1822, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. In 1848 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and in 1850 he bought land in section 30, in Suez township. His father's family are of Scotch and Irish descent, and his mother was born in the land of freedom. In 1844 he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Morgan, a native of 37 648 HISTORY OF ^LERCER A>fD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Pennsylvania, who died in 1874. In 1875 he was married to Mrs. Amanda M. Cantrall. The names of his children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Hannah R. , Matthew F. . Ann E. , Frank- lin P., Helen C, Robert I., Martha J., Mary X., Lvdia M., Sarah L. (^deceased), and Eugene P. ; the last-named is by the second wife. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife is a member of the old school PresbA'terian church. He has a fanii of 1 20 acres of excellent land in Suez township. George, son of George and Mary Bruington, was born in Breck- enridge county, Kentucky, in 1821. In 1852 he emigrated to Mercer comity, Illinois, and bought land in section 24, Suez township. Mr. Bruington was married in 1842 to Miss Dowel, also a native of Ken- tucky. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Benjamin, James, and Amanda. He is a member of no church, but tries to do his duty toward God and his fellow men. James H. Brownlee, son of William and Catharine (^Hutchison) Brownlee, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1828. His family are of Scotch origin. He received his education in the pubKc schools of his native county. In 1853 the family came to Illinois, and locating in Mercer county, purchased land in section 31, in Suez township. His father now resides in Labette county, Kansas. Mr. Brownlee was married September 20, 1855, to Miss Martha J. Barclav, a native of Washington countv, Pennsvlvania, Their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Etha L., Blanch M. (deceased), Elmer F., Ulysses G., Albin B., Ennis P., Xora K., and Poy. In the winter of 1855 he bought land on the X. E. ^ of Sec. 31, and he is now the possessor of a one-half section of fine land. Mrs. Brownlee is a member of the United Presbyterian chm-ch, having united early in life. The family are highly respected bv all, and manv and true are their friends. M^ARTiN Pease, son of Pelatiah and Xancy Pease, was bom in 1824, in Waldo countv, Maine. In 1837 the familv emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, and located on section 20, in Suez township, the nearest postoffice being Spring Grove. He saw the men building the first school-house in the township, which was of logs, and stood on section 21. In 1847 he was married to ^Miss Martha A. Pollok, daughter of Robert Pollok, one of Mercer coimtv's pioneers. The traits of this marriage are seven children: Alonzo U., Xelson S. (de- ceased), Edwin (deceased), Charles R. (deceased), Mary I.. Martin A., and May. Mr. and Mrs. Pease are both members of the United Pres- b^~terian church, with which thev united in 1850. In 1850 he bouu^ht land in section 20, and now owns a fine farai of 150 acres. On SUEZ TOWNSHIP. 640 October 24, 18S0, his house took fire from a defective ilue, and burned to tlie ground. Loss $200, and no insurance. In 1881 Mr. Pease erected a liandsome residence on the same foundation. He has many friends and is respected wherever lie is known. Jc^SKPii Pease, son of Pelatiah and Nancy Pease, was born in Knox county, Maine, February, 5, 1822. The family on his father's side are of English origin. In 1837, the family emigrated to Mercer county, and bought a claim in Suez township. October 14, 1845, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Libby, who died March 15, 1852. January 24, 1853, he married Miss Sarah Stewart, who died Sep- tember 27, 1864. March 15, 1866, he was again married to Miss Christiana Sprowl. The names of his children are : Zorah E. (deceased), Laura G., IN^ancy F. (deceased), Joseph S., Campbell B., John A., Pelatiah, Ausley, Elizabeth J., Sarah L. (deceased), Mary L., and George W. Mr. Pease is a member of the United Presby- terian church, with which he was united in 1876. He is one of Mercer county's pioneers, and did his part toward paving the way for civil- ization. John A., son of Joseph and Sarah Pease, was born in Suez town- ship, June 23, 1858. He was married February 14, 1878, to Miss Susan Laiferty, daughter of John Lafferty, of Suez township. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, with which they united in 1879, A. Pease, son of Joseph and Sarah Pease, was born in Suez town- ship, Mercer county. May 8, 1859. He was married January 23, 1879, to Miss Maggie A. Wallace, a native of Warren county, Illinois. They have one child, whose name is Guy C. Mr. Pease owns land in sec- tion 16, where he, with his pleasant family, resides. James H. Lafferty, son of John and Grizelle Lafferty, was born in Suez to^vnship, Mercer county. May 24, 1844. He remained at home until August 8, 1862, when he entered the service of his country, in Co. E, 102d 111. Inf., and remained with the regiment until June 9, 1865, when he received his discharge. On February 28, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Porter, a native of Pennsylvania. The fruits of this union are: Frank S., Mattie G., John (deceased), and Guy C. In 1874, Mr. Lafferty engaged in the stock business and keeps on hand from fifty to one hundred head of short horn cattle. While at his farm the writer had the pleasure of being shown some very handsome animals, a few of which were recently imported from England. His farm is admirably adapted to the business, and this fact, together with the enterprise of the proprietor, will, doubtless, render his labors highl}' successful. 650 HISTORY r>F MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. John L., son of Henrv and Jane McLanglilin, was bora in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1817. His father and mother were both of Irish descent. His mother was a niece of Gen. Potter, of Revohition- ary fame. In 1856, he emigrated to Illinois, and in 1857, bought land in section 2, Suez township. His father died in September, 1881, aged eighty-six, and was buried in the Norwood cemetery. Mr. McLauo-hlin was married in 1844 to Miss Martha J. Angelo, also a nativ^e of Mercer county. The names of the children born to them are : Sarah J., James H. (deceased), Cassius C, Willis J., Mary M., and Josepliine. Both are members of the United Brethren church, at Suez. George AV. Sedwkk was boru in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, His father's given name was Washington, and his mother's Elizabeth. AVhen thirteen years of age he went to AA^illiamsport, Ohio, and entered ii machine shop, for the purpose of learning the trade. After working here two years he went to Mount Jackson and worked two years more imder instruction. At the end of that time he went to New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1861. In that year he was married to Miss Caroline Peeble, a native of Bavaria. Their children's names are as follows : Willis D., Harry L., and an adopted child, Lillie R. In the spring of 1861, Mr. Sedwick came to Mercer county, Illinois. In 1864 he bought land in section 16, in Suez tovraship. In 1870 he sold his farm and engaged in the mercantile business at Suez, which he continued until 1874, when he closed out his stock and bought a farm in section 9, where he now resides. He and Mrs. Sedwick are both members of the United Brethren church. The Brownlee family are of Scotch origin. David S., the subject of this sketch, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, January 1, 1820. His father's name was David, and his mother's Betsey. In 1839 his father and family emigrated to Warren county, Illinois, and located near Little York. In 1842 the subject of this sketch came to Mercer county, and for about a year was engaged in breaking prairie and threshing. In 1843 he bought land in section 16, Suez township. In 1873 Mr. Brownlee was elected supervisor of Suez township, in which capacity he served for several terms. He was married in 1845 to Miss Margaret Pollok, daughter of Eobert Pollok, one of the earliest settlers in Mercer county. His tirst wife died November 23, 1872, and he was again married January 11, 1877, to Miss Maria Montgomery. May 27, 1881, his second wife died. The names of his children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Robert B., Addie A., and Ida M. Mr. Brownlee is a member of the United Presbyterian church, with which he united in 1848. SUEZ TOWNSHIl'. 651 De. James F. McCutciian was born in Adams county, Oliio, in 183o. His early life was spent on the farm. When twenty-two yeai-s of age he entered college at Washington, Iowa, and graduated from that institution in May, 1861. Immediately after completing his studies he enlisted in Co. H, 2d reg. Iowa Vol. Inf During his connection with that regiment he became personally acquainted with Gen. James B. Weaver. In the fall of 1863 he was made captain of Co. D, 9th reg. Iowa Yol. Cav., and acted in that capacity until the close of the war. Previous to his promotion, however, he partici- pated in several engagements with the 2d Iowa, among which was the battle of Fort Donelson, where that regiment won for itself a name that will go down into the pages of history. The doctor was dis- charged in May, and was married in August, 1865, to Miss M. J. S. Graham, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Mary Edna and Sarah Edith (twins), were born JSTovember 13, 1866; A. Joseanna, born December 14, 1870; Alma O., born June 12, 1876; and Clara G., born April 2, 1881. In the fall of 1865 he entered the office of Dr. Webster at Monmouth, and was under that gentleman's instiiictions one year. In the fall of 1866 he became a student at Keokuk, Iowa, and received his diploma in the spring of 1868. In that year he located at Norwood, and. since that time has practiced in that vicinity. In conversing with the doctor the writer found him to be a gentlemen of more than ordinary intelligence, fluent in conversa- tion, and progressive in all things. James M. Lee, son of John and Eliza Lee, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, in May, 1836. In the spring of 1857 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, where he worked at carpentering imtil the spring of 1861. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 102d reg. 111. Yol. Inf, and was with that regiment until the close of the war. He was married November 22, 1866, to Miss Llarriet A. Laflerty, daughter of John Lafterty, of Suez township. Their children's names are: John A., Miriam E., Marietta, Lela I., and Ethel A. They are both members of the United Presbyteriaii church. 652 HISTORY OF MERCER A>T) HEXDERSOX COUXTEES. GREENE TOWNSHIP. GEOLOGY. CXJXTRIBCTED BY DR. J. V. FRAZIER, OF VIOLA. Greene township is traversed throughout its length from east to ■west bv an irregular, broad and elevated plateau or water-shed, the drainings from which on the north bear a north and westerly direction to the Edwards river, while on the south the water courses bear south and westerly to join Pope creek. The Edwards river, coming from the east, flows just north of and along the northeastern portion of the township, tor two and a half miles, when it enters the township about midway of the north line of section 3. running thence nearly west until it passes beyond our town- ship's line on section 6. Pope creek enters the township at near the the southeast comer and passes in a westerly direction entirely through it on its southern border. The Donohue and Skunk runs, as also two or three unnamed deep-cut water-ways, fed here and there by springs, carry the surface waters from the north half of the township into the Edwards river, while 2sorth Pope, Collins, or "Xigger" run. with two or three deep ravines, serve to drain the south half into Pope creek. These streams and water-courses, while famishing an abundant su}>- ply of water, at the same time shape the surface of the c-ountry and determine the quality of the soil. Xot more than three-fifths of the township is prairie. Along the immediate valleys of the larger streams there is a deep black sod. rich in humus, and in some places covered by heavy growths of timber, while upon the ridges bordering the water-c-ourses are the so called ••barrens." The soil of the prai- ries is m< :»stly deep and of a blackish or chocolate colored loam, with a vellow or light brown clav subsoil. The soil of the ••barrens" is similar to that of the prairies, only Kgliter colored and less in depth, becoming of a light brown or yellowish color along the sides and over the tops of the ridges, on ac-c-ount of the character of the sub- s<5il which comes near the surface. The surface deposits of the township comprise the ordinary' sub- divisions of the quarternary period, alluivium, loess, and drift. The alluivium deposits are mostly confined to narrow belts along the larger streams. Some of tliis land is so low as to be too much subject to overflow for growuig cereals, but aflbrding excellent meadow and grazing grounds. I GREENE TOWNSHIP. 653 The loess deposit is found sparingly, capping some of the high points along Pope creek, but not sufficient in quantity to require special notice. Drift. — The deposits of this subdivision consist of a series of brown and blue clays, mixed here and there with sand, gravel and small peb- bles, which are spread over the entire surface of the township. Quite a number of boulders of igneous or metaniorphic rocks lie scattered along the borders of the streams and in the valleys of most of the tem- porary water courses. Coal Measures. — The stratified rocks . exposed in this township all belong to the coal measures and include the lower groups, from coal No. 3 of the Illinois section down to near the base of this formation. They consist of various strata of limestone, sandstone, clay, shale, and coal, and are supposed to reach a thickness of from 100 to 150 feet. A boring on section 14, near Viola, reaches 130 feet witliout passing entirely through this formation. There have been three seams of coal found and more or less worked in the township, although No. 3 and No. 1 have been the most exten- sively mined. Coal No. 3 has been found only on sections 31 and 32. The mines of Mr. Martin and Mr. Morrow are on this seam, while about twenty-five feet lower down coal No. 2 was formerly worked by Mr. Martin by a drift into the hill. The discovery of the thicker and more profitable vein No. 3 above caused its abandonment several years ago. Coal No. 3 at Martin's bank varies from three to five feet in thickness, is safely and profitably worked, and affords one of our very best fuel coals. Coal No. 2 of the Illinois group, in all the exposures thus far made in the township, has shown too thin a vein for profitable mining at present, varying from one and a half to two feet in thickness. This seam has been found at several points, notably on the Gilmore farm, S. W. \ of Sec. 23, on the Morey farm, N. E. \ of Sec. 27, and at Mar- tin's bank in the S. W. \ of Sec. 31. Besides the mining formerly done on this vein on Martin's bank, the openings on the Gilmore farm and on B. F. Morey's old farm afibrded a fair quantity of fuel coal, but were never operated except for the use of the owners' families and some of their neighbors. At the two last named farms the coal was mined by stripping the soil, clay and slate overlying it, but the increasing depth of the overlying clay and shale as they neared the higher ground rendered its mining unprofitable by this process, and the promise of a poor " roof" over the coal discouraged the owners from running a drift into the hills. 65-i HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. From the shales overlying coals No. 3 and Xo. 2 our amateur geologists have gathered many of the fossils peculiar to the coal measures of this part of the state. Besides several species of bryozora, these sections furnish conularia, haniproartes creuistro, lima retifero, spirifer lunitus, attrvrus subtitito, productus nebrascensis, pleurophorus solenifornius, etc. The greater portion of the coal pro- duced, for which our township is somewhat famous, comes from coal No. 1 of the Illinois section. This seam varies in thickness from three and a half to four and a half feet, the general average reaching about four feet. The deposit of this coal seam stretches across the towns] lip fi'om east to west, being a part only of the great Edwards river seam. It has been found and extensively mined on sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and the N.W. J of 11. The principal shafts now in operation are N. B. Frazier's, on the S. E. of section 2, Eussell Park's and H. Boone's on section 3, Wm. Blaine's, W. P. Collins' and Guthrie's shafts on section 4 ; Bell Brothers' on section 5 ; Geo. Pinkerton's and Hegg's works on section 6. This vein of coal probably underlies a very considera- ble portion of the township, particularly along the northern half, but will be found at a considerable depth, if found at all, under the higher water shed of the township, all the ojjenings heretofore made being located in the valleys of the streams, fully 150 feet below the plateau upon which A^iola stands. This vein shows, in some localities, a peculiarity worthy of mention. Starting from the east side of the township, where we find but little admixture of slate, there is a gradual development of this material westward until we reach section 4, where it constitutes a parting strip of about four inches, about midway of the seam, and from thence west thickens out so rapidly that on section 6 it forms a pai-ting varying in thickness from eighteen to twenty inches. AVhile this layer of shale between the upper and lower coal does not impair its quality seriously, still it renders mining tedious and expen- sive on account of the necesssity of taking care of so much refuse mattei". Potters^ Clay. — A test of some of the wdiitish or pale blue clay found above coal No. 1. proves it to possess excellent qualities for the manufacture of stoneware. Several barrels of it were shipped, a few years ago, to a firm in Iowa who pronounced it, after a thorough trial, worthy of the attempt to erect a factory near by it. Some negotiations were entered into with the manufacturer alluded to and parties here, but the enterprise was finally abandoned. A superior deposit of clay, suitable for the manufacture of sewer tile and fire-brick has been developed within the past few years. This deposit is just below coal No. 2. and the heaviest body of it is found GREENE TOWNSHIP. ()o5 on the S.W. ^ of Sec. 35. The Monmoutli Manufacturing Company, of Monmouth Illinois, purchased forty acres of this land and have shipped, for several years past, as high as 150 tons ]jer year of their clay, the greater portion of which they use in making iire-brick and in heavy sewer tile. They claim it to be tli6 best clay in the west for their purposes. Lime. — Some of the blue limestone found above coal Xo. 1 has been burned for and yielded a fair quality of lime, but on account of impurities needs to be sorted and screened before using, and the amount so obtained is comparatively small, rendering its manufacture scarcely profitable. Building Stone. — The sandstone lying just above Ccral Xo. 2, Illi- nois section, is of a light color, varying from a dull white to yellow, and soft when first quarried, but hardens on exposure. There are several quarries of this rock in the township, some of which are yield- ing a fine quality of building stone. In some of the quarries it can be taken out in blocks of almost any desired size. This stone is found on section 38, near F. McGaughey's house ; on the ]S". W. J of Sec. 2fi ; on the N. E. J of Sec. 34 ; and inferior qualities at other places. The best and most extensive quarry is that of H. Gilbert on section 34, from which has been taken a large portion of all the sandstone for cutting and use in heavy masonry about Viola and the surrounding country. The limestone which overlies Coal No. 1, of the Illinois section, is a drab-colored, impure limestone, varying from eight to fifteen feet in depth, with about two feet of a very solid blue limestone just below. In some localities we find a flinty limestone interposed between the blue and gray. The blue limestone is of small value for building material, as it soon falls to pieces on exposure to the atmosphere. This drab- colored rock is extensively quarried on sections 3, 4, and 5, and is hefd in high esteem for building purposes, numy hundreds of tons having been hauled out into other portions of the county for economic uses. The rock is found mostly in layers from two to eight inches in thick- ness, the layevs growing thicker gradually from above downward. Some of the lower layers can be broken into almost any desired sizes, up to ten or twelve feet square. The large slabs that form the flo(n*s and roofs of the cells in the county jail were quarried on section 4, as also the large slabs lining and covering the vaults of the Aledo bank. From the shale above the coals of Greene township and the over- laying limestones are gathered nearly every species of our Mercer ceunty coal measures fossils ; in fjict, the fossils found in this township 656 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. are the typical fossils of the coal measures in the county. It would be tedious and uninteresting for many of your readers were we to name a tenth part of these interesting relics of a by-gone period of our earth's growth, which have only in recent years possessed anything of interest or significance to human understandings ; but we will say, in general terms, that in addition to those already noted above, we find some species of the nautilus, the goniatite, the straparolus, murchisonia, pleurotomaria, bellerophon, productus, and several varities of cren- oidiae, more or less broken and fragmentary. Of fossil ferns, some of them very well preserved, we have several species, while fragments of the rhododenden and sigillaria, with the roots of the latter (stigmai'ia), are common trophies of our amateur collectors. That many of the monster mammals of the quarternary period once had a home in our neighborhood and roamed over the then marshy and fern-clad plains, which now constitute the high rolling prairie and grass-covered valle3's of Greene township, there can be but small doubt. Their bones, which were buried here in that distant age, are now and then recovered from their unmarked burial grounds, and stand as witnesses of their former occupancy of the soil. In my cabi- net are a part of a tooth of the mastodon, and a large and well-pre- served tooth of the elephas primogeneous (0 found on section 3 in this township. The locality where found bore evidence of having been in former times a marsh or swamp, and the evidences from the place and its surroundings are strongly suggestive that the monsters whose teeth now grace my cabinet died where the teeth were found. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The first actual settler in what is now known as T. 14, R. 2, west oi the 4th P.M., was David Williams, who came in 1836 and entered a claim on the S. W. J of Sec. 14. In the following year came Nathan McChesney, who located in the eastern part of the township, and Thomas Weir, who located in section 9. In the spring of 1839 John Collins, formerly a resident of Columbiana county, Ohio, came from the eastern part of the county, where he had located in 1837 near the present site of Joy. Mr. Collins located on the W. ^ of JST. E. J of Sec. 15. He erected a log cabin about twenty rods east and on the opposite side of the road from the present residence of his son, AVilliam P. The last vestige of this rude habitation has disappeared, and immediately over the spot daily passes the "iron steed, swifter than eagles fly." In the same year came John Cowden, who located on the N. W. ^ GREENE TOWNSHIP. 657 of Sec. IT ; William Brownlee, who located on the N. E. ^ of Sec. 17; John Liim, who located on S. E. ^ of Sec. 14; and Elijah Stewart, who bought the claim of David Williams. John Carnahan, Sr., for- merly of Mercer countj^ Pennsylvania, came and located on section 18. His sons, William and David, and his son-in-law, Erank Anderson, took claims in the same section. William Pinkerton, Sr., came in 1840, and also settled on section 18. John AValker also came at a very early day. The Park family came in 1839. George McEerren, Matthew Doak, and Henry Griffin were also among the early settlers of the townshij). Charles Durston was the lirst white child born in the township. Although the strong armed pioneer experienced many hardships, privations and difficulties, his life was not destitute of sunshine. His rude log cabin, with its inmates, was as dear to him as though it had been a palace. After a hard day's work in the "•clearing," he would retire to rest with his loved ones about him, and was rewarded for his toil by a night of sound sleep "Unbroken l)y the wolf's l(in25 members united with them. The present member- ship is 110. The largest number of members attending services at any one time was 180. The present pastor is the Rev. W. S. McClan- nahan. Tlie present session is composed of the fcjllowing-named members : Richard Gardner, J. C. Pinkerton, Leonard Hogg, Richard Aitkin, James Stewart, and S. E. Russell. The present trustees are : W. C. Breckenridge, John Ashenhurst and S. E. Russell. The Sabbath school in connection is in a very flourishing condition and numbers about 100 members. This congregation is one of the largest and most prosperous in the county. The church building was erected in 1857; in 1876 additional improvements were made. The entire cost of the building was about $4,500. Methodist £j)i.scojxd. — This society was organized in 1867. The tirst trustees being Delos Crosby, Jonah Flora, James M. Walker, E. J. Morgan, Elias Beachlor, George Griffin, and O. R. Morey. The church building was completed in 1870. The flrst pastor was the Rev. Theodore Hoagland. Owing to very imperfect records the data in regard to this organization are verj' meagre. The society was iirst organized by the Rev. J. Fleliarty, who held meetings in the old brick school-house, and through whose earnest eiforts many converts were brought into communion with Christ. Congregational Church. — This society was organized in 1857, by tlie Rev. C. H. Eaton, who acted as the Iirst regular pastor. The church building was erected the same year. The Iirst trustees were : B. C. Perkins, Joseph Scholield, George Bolton, Thomas Merriman, John A. Iloffnuxn. This organization was in a very flourishing condi- tion until about 1865-6, but having been originally composed of mem- bers who had previously belonged to other denominations, it began to decrease in number and soon became practically extinct. Presbyterian. — This society was organized April 22, 1872, in the old Congregational church building, and was made up pi-incipally of persons who had formerly been members of the Edwards river congre- gation, and the old Congregationalist church at Yiola. The flrst pastor was the Rev. E. Robb, licentiate of Auburn, IS^ew York, seminary. The flrst elders were Russell Park and Hopkins Boom. In 1878 the society erected a church building at a cost of about $2,700. This building is pleasantly located, surrounded by a natural grove, and is an ornament to the \'illage. The interior of the building is handsomely flnished, and furnished to correspond. The congregation is in a pros- perous condition, and is at ])resent under the supervision of the Rev. R. IT. Fulton. GREENE TOWXSHIl'. 6(>7 BetJid Church. — About four miles west of Viola a society was organized in 1854, and was called the Bethel Free Presbyterian Church. At the time of organization the membership numbered twenty. .1. K. Whittim was the lirst pastor, and the Urst trustees were James McClure, William M. Carnahan, and John Carnahan. The church was known by the above name until 1866, when slavery had ceased to be an issue and the name was changed to AVesleyan Methodist, and since has gone by that name. Lodge JSfo. 577, A. F. (Hid A. J/!, was organized July 16, 1867, with the following officers : Master, J. B. Longley ; Senior Warden, B. F. Morey ; Junior Warden, S. B. Atwater ; Treasurer, Eussel Park ; Secretary, V. K. Harriott ; Senior Deacon, Warren L. Smith ; Junior Deacon, Robert Park ; Tyler, M. K. Flory. Following are the names of the charter members : Allen Robinson, W. L. Smith, M. K. Flory, Edward Lynes, John Baxter, Levi McLaughlin. Russell Park, B. F. Morey, J. M. Erne, Robert Park,y. R. Harriott, S. B. Atwater, S. R. Moore, W. D. Morford, J. B. Longley, Allen McLaughlin, Rich- ard Cooper. The Lodge was conducted under dispensation until 1868, when they received their charter. The names of the present officers are as follows : Worshipful Master, H. B, Frazier ; Senior Warden, P. F. Mauk ; Junior AVarden, B. C. Bowers ; Treasurer, Russell Park ; Secretary, V. R. Harriott ; Senior Deacon, W. L. Smith ; Junicn- Deacon, J. E. Greenwood ; Stewards, Reuben Perry, M. K. Flory ; Tyler, J. B. Smith. The present membership of the lodge number forty-three. SCHOOLS. The lirst school in the township was taught by Elizabeth Collins, in the rear part of her lather's (John Collins), residence, in 1840, which, during its existence, was kept up by subscription. The lirst public school building in the township was erected in 1842, and stood on a hill in the eastern part of the village of Viola, north of the present site of the steam mill, and was used until 1856, when a two story brick build- ing was erected, about forty rods southwest of it. which was occupied until 1871, when the large increase in attendance made it necessary to erect a new and larger building. Acc*ordingly, the })eople of the dis- trict held a meeting, for the purpose of ascertaining the sentiment in regard to it, and it was decided to proceed at once with the work. Dr. J. V. Frazier drew up and submitted to the meeting a plan for the proposed building, which was adopted, and Delos Crosby employed to superintend the construction of the same. The grounds selected upon which to erect the building are in block 114, where two lots were pur- chased, at a cost of about $500. The building, one of the best in the 66S HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. eonnty, was com])leted in 1S71, and school opened in the fall of that year, Miss Sarah Hayes being tlie first princi]ial. For reasons which niig-lit be mysterious to some and transparent to others, the accounts of the expenditures on the building were very impei^fectly kept ; in fact they were not kept at all, and thes people of the district are to-day ignorant of the cost of their school edifice. An investigating commit- tee was once appointed to look into the matter, but their labors were rewarded by the same success that usually attends such eftorts. Tliey were obliged to guess at both the cost of the building, and the disposal that was made of the public funds. We will state that their opinion in regard to the former, but will withhold it in refei-ence to the latter. According to their estimate, the building, including grounds, cost about $7,000. The building is two stories in height, the main build- ing, 54x32 feet in size, and the wing 17x20. It is divided into four ■dej)artments, which are designated in alphabetical order, beginning at A. Mr. S. P. Wiley, of Aledo, is the present ])rincipal, and is con- ^ducting the school to the entire satisfaction of the people of the district. THE CEMETERY. The cemetery is located about a luilf a mile north and west of the villao-e. The ground was donated to the United Presbyterian church by John Collins. The first burial that took ])lace here was the remains of fJohn Kennedy. It is now used as a public cemetery and has recently been enlarged. It is admirably located on gently rolling ground, and is surrounded by a grove of forest trees. In visiting this burial place one is struck by the surrounding beauty, by the hallowed stillness, broken only by the twittering of wild birds, and cannot but realize how well the loca- tion was chosen. John Collins, the donor, is buried here. The cemetery in connection with Bethel church was established in 1856 on land donated by William and Porter Carnahan. It is located in section IS. and is used is a public burial place. THE VIOLA VINEYARD. Prominent among the places of interest in Mercer county is the vineyard owned by J. M. Erne, contiguous to the village of Viola. In 1875 Mr. Erne purchased twenty-two acres of timber land, joining the village on the north and east, and by ceaseless labor and excellent man- agement he has removed the timber and is now the proprietor of the largest vineyard in the county. He carries on the business in a scien- tific and skillful manner. The hillsides facinsi: the southeast are orna- uK'uted by rows of vines, numbering in A,ll about (),000, and consisting GKEENK TOWNSmi'. fU?i) <^f about thirty varieties of grapes. In 18S(> these vines produced about iifty tons of fruit. In addition to these he has about 600 apple trees, among which about twenty varieties of aj^ples are represented. Pie also has about fifteen different varieties of strawberries, six of raspberries and three of cherries. He is experimenting with Gernum prunes and several other kinds of fruit which have lieretofore been unknown in the American vineyards. Among the novelties to be found in his vineyard is the "Viola Crsfb," which is indebted to Mr. Erne for its name, and which is des- tined to figure prominently among the fine fruits of tlie country. The tree from which the grafts were taken was discovered by Mi-. Erne in the timber south of Viola, and seemed to be a cross between the tame apple and wild crab apple. The fruit resembles the Roman stem in shape and color, and Mr. Erne thinks it superior to any fruit of the crab genus in existence. This fruit is supposed to be transcendent. Mr. Erne is carefully cultivating this novelty and thinks his labor will be rewarded by his being known as the discovere]- of a fine species of fruit. He is also experimenting with seedling grapes and the result of his experiments are several new varieties of that delicious fruit, u])on which he has not yet conferred names. He has developed an extra fine white, and a fine copper colored fruit, and also a kind that grows in very compact clusters. He has also developed a seedling peach that ripens early in July, called the Early Mercer. Mr. Erne deserves great credit for his perseverance and untiring- diligence in developing this fruit enterprise. He also manufactures large quantities of wine of an excellent quality. GREEN BOWER NURSERY. This enterprise, managed by James Ferry, is situated about f nir miles southeast of Viola. For many years Mr. Ferry and his father have devoted a great deal of their attention to fruit growing, and in 1869 James opened his nursery. It is handsomely situated and the trees and shrubs so tastefully arranged as to present a pretty view. The land on which it is located, consisting of about twenty-two acres, is rolling, the hills sloping to the south and east. Mr. Ferry keeps on hand about sixty varieties of apple trees, and a dozen of ras})berries ; in blackberries he makes a specialty of the "snyder" and "killinaf' in grapes of the "concord." Of strawberries he keeps about ten varieties. Aside from these are found all kinds of ornamental trees. The nursery is well ])rotected on all sides by a natural grove of oak 670 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. trees. It is also well drained, and with these natural advantages, together with the enterprise and excellent judgment of the proprie- tor, we see no reason why it should not be a long-lived success. THE stea:\i mill. Early in the spring of 1869, an elderly gentleman, of suave man- ner, appeared on the streets of Yiola, introducing himself to some of the citizens as AYilliam Cannon. His business in the village was to ascertain the feeling of the people in regard to having a steam mill added to their list of enterprises. After finding the sentiment favorable to his project, lie very modestly stated that he would need a little pecuniary aid in constructing the building, and proposed that in case the citizens raised him $2,500, to proceed at once with the work. Enough kind-hearted gentlemen were soon found to make up the desired amount, and as security they were given a lien on the property. At the expiration of two years, the time when the money was to have been refunded, the double-barreled firm of Cannon & Cannon collapsed, and the wily creditors pounced down on the property. After gaining possession of the same they were informed that other parties held claims on the mill amounting to nearly $5,000. After liquidating these liens the property was sold to L, S. Hunter, the present proprie- tor, for $1,800. Just how much these philanthropic gentlemen realized fi'om the speculation, except that they had been swindled, is not known. WAR RECORD. In sending out troops to aid in the suppression of the rebellion, (xreene was not behind her sister townships. She furnished troops for the 8th Kansas, 17th Illinois, 30th Illinois, -1:5th Illinois, 65th Illinois, 83d Illinois, 84th Illinois, 27th Illinois, 102d Illinois, 124th Illinois, 140th Illinois and 53d Illinois, and 12tli 111. Cavalry. Upon the alter of her country she laid her sacrifice. Some of her brave sons who had gone out full of life and health, had returned, sick and emaciated from the effects of hardships and exposure, to their old homes to die with their loved ones about them, while the graves of others are scattered over the soil of Tennessee, of the Carolinas, of Georgia, on the banks of the Mississippi, and on the shore of the moaning sea. The tales of their deeds of heroism have been "■enshrined in song ;" a stately shaft of marble has been erected to their memoi-y, and their epitaphs are written on the hearts of the American people. GKEENK TOWNSHIP.. 671 BIOGRAPHICAL. Among the many prominent men of which Mercer county can boast, none are more deserving of the respect of her citizens than Dr. Jesse V. Fr.vzier. Dr. Frazier is a son of John and Nancy (Veach) Frazier, and was born in Hubbard. Trumbull county, Ohio, February 15, 1824. Jesse remained on the farm with his father until eighteen years of age, when he went to Youngstown, Ohio, and began a course of study in the academy, and with the exception of two winters, during which he taught school, continued his studies three years. In the spring of 1845 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. B. F. Richardson, who has since been made a professor in one of the medical colleges in Cincinnati. He studied in the office of that gen- tleman until the spring of 1847, when he and his father started for Illinois. Taking passage on a boat at Pittsburgh they went down the Ohio to Cairo, thence up the Mississippi as far as Keokuk, where they found the river clogged with ice to such an extent as to stop further progress of the boat. Walking across on the ice to the Iowa side, they walked to Burlington, where they hired a man to row them across the channel to where the ice was sufficiently solid to permit them to walk ashore. This, although a very perilous operation, was accomplished without accident. Having made their way to the Illinois side, they started toward their destination on foot, and arrived at Viola on the second of March. They bought a farm one and a half miles from that village, and while the father returned to Ohio for the family, Jesse attended to putting in their crops. Shortly after the arrival of the family he went to Rock Island and resumed his medical studies in the office of Dr. Winslow S. Peirce, now of Indianapolis. In the fall of 1847 he attended lectures at McDowel's medical college in St. Lojns. In the latter part of 1848 he began practising in Millersburg, and in February, 1849, received a diploma from the Rock Island medical col- lege. During his studies in these two cities he distinguished himself as a student of more than ordinary talent, and in his final examination acquitted himself with the highest honors, and received the most flat- tering encomiums from his fellow students and professors. In Septem- ber he was stricken with a fever which defied the contents of an apothecary store as well as the skill of any human physician, and for which there was no antidote nearer tlian the gold m!ne.s of California. He accordingly prescribed for himself a trip to that country. In com- pany with his friend Dr. Peirce he took a boat to Xew Orleans, and there took passage in a steamer bound for Panama. Shortly after landing in Gorgonia, he in company with several others stepped into a restaurant for dinner. Having partaken of the bountiful repast, he fi7:2 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. put liis hand in his pocket and made the startling discovery that his money was gone. His jjochet had heen picked. His feelings may easily be imagined on iinding himself penniless in a strange land whose inhabitants spoke a language unknown to him. He went to the American consul, located in that city, and stated his ease and pro- duced his diploma. Having con^^nced that official of the truthfulness of his story, he received the promise of a commission as surgeon on the first vessel that would depart for San Francisco. The first vessel to come in was the "Sea Queen," a British vessel from Dundee, Scotland, laden with coal. After being unloaded this vessel was cleaned up, bunks and berths put in and made ready for carrying passengers. This completed she soon hove anchor and departed for San Francisco, in which port she landed on the evening of January 9, 1850. On his arrival here he was prostrated by a fever contracted during his stay in Panama. After remaining a sliort time he managed, with the assistance of a friend, to get to Marysville, where they lived in a tent until his recov- ery, when they went to a mining camp known as Rough and Ready, in Nevada county, and began work in the mines. The Doctor remained here until September when he sold his claims and bought two ox teams with which he engaged in hauling supplies from Sacramento to the mines. In the spring of 1851 he again entered the mines, and remained until January, 1852, when he received an appointment as first clerk in the state comptroller's office, by his old friend Dr. Peirce, who liad been elected to that position. Ill health soon compelled him to abandon that pursuit, however, and he resolved to try his fortune in Los Angelos, where he embarked in the live stock business, which proved to have been a very lucrative one, and in whicli he exhibited great financial shrewdness. He continued dealing in stock until January, 1853, by which time he had accumulated about $10,000, and had resolved to return to Illinois. A treacherous partner, however, vetoed that decision by absconding with all but about $500 of the doctor's money, and that was consumed in paying detectives and vainly searching for the miscreant. Undaunted by this terrible mis- fijrtune, he went to Sonora and again entered the mines. In 1856 the doctor was chosen by the republican element of the county as a candi- date for the legislature, and although that party was in its infancy, and so decidedly in the minority as to render his election hopeless, he entered the contest with the same vim and enthusiasm that has ever characterized his actions. He "stumped" the entii-e district and came within eighty votes of being elected. May 1, 1857, he sailed for Xew "^""ork and arrived in that city about tlie last of the month. After spending several months visiting the princijial cities of the east, he GKEKNE TOWNSHIP. 673 returned to the sucker state, wliicli has since been his home. The doctor is a prominent member of the scientific and historical associa- tion of Mercer county, of which organization he was the first president, also a member of the state medical association. He was married in 1859 to Miss Salina P. Cowden, whose father was one of tlie pioneer settlers of the county. He is the father of five children, four of whom are living: Kate M., born August 10, 1868; Cluirles Edward, born August 13, 1866; Pearl, born September 3, 1870 (died October 12, 1870); and Lena, born September 30, 1873. The Doctor located in Viola in March, 1861, and since that time has devoted his entire atten- tion to his professional duties. Although a politician of great foresight and sagacity, he has never been an office seeker, and contrary to the wishes of his many friends, he has furthered the political interests ot others rather than those of his own. Hugh B, Frazier, son of John and !Nancy (Yeach) Frazier, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1835. In 1847 the family removed to Mercer county, where Hugh assisted his father on the farm in the summer and attended a district school in the winter, until 1854, when he went to Rock Island and attended school during the years of 1854-5; In the fall of 1826 he went to Detroit, Michigan, and attended school four months at Gregorie's commercial college, fi'om which insti- tution he graduated. In 1858 he went to Kansas and bought land near Olathee, intending to devote his attention to farming, but becom- ing dissatisfied with the monotony of farm life he returned to Illinois, where he remained until August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Co. D, 83 111. Inf., and was with that regiment during all its weary marches, all its hardships in camp and on the battle-field. He was soon promoted to the position of sergeant, then to 1st sergeant, finally to 2d lieutenant, and acted in that capacity until the close of the war. He relates an incident that occurred near Bowling Green, Kentucky, which, like many other occurrences of a like nature, is not found in gen- eral histories. He in company with his father-in-law, Lieut. Robb, and five other soldiers, were detailed to guard a train on the Louisville & Memphis railroad en route for Bowling Green. The train was thun- dering along at the rate of twenty miles an hour, when it suddenly left the track and plunged into a steep embankment, and almost simulta- neously with the crash came a volley of musketry from the hill above, accompanied by oaths and a demand for all ''on board to surrender." Two of the union soldiers were shot dead the first volley, but the remaining five seizing their arms returned the fire, killing four rebels, one of whom was the captain, after which the guerillas, for such they were, beat a hasty retreat. A telegrapji wire was cut and an engine t)74 HISTOKY OF -\rEKCKR AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. telep;niplicd for wliicl; arnvcd -within r.n hour and the train proceeded on its way. Lieut. Robb afterward received a verv compHmentary letter from Gen. Rosseau, congratulating him and his brave little band that saved the train. In June, 1865, the regiment was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, and returned to Chicago, where after receiving their pay they disbanded. In October of the same year Mr. Frazier, in company with his brother-in-law, Y. R. Harriott, embarked in the dry goods and grocery business in Yiola. Since that time Mr. Frazier has been one of the most active business men in the county and has exhibited excellent business qualifications and great financial skill in all his undertakings. Mr. Frazier was married on July 4, 1864, to Miss Mary Robb, a daughter of Lieut. Robb, and is father of six children : John, Fred, Ada 11. , Xannie A., Edwin It., and Sadie R. Mr. Frazier is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 577, with which he united August 24, 1871, and is worshipful master of that lodge, also a member of Horeb Chapter, No. 4, at Rio, and Everts Commandery, No. 18, at Rock Island. Mr. Frazier started out in the world with nothing in the way of wealth, but possessing an ambitious disposition, he has accumu- lated a large competence, besides winning for himself the reputation of being a successful business man. William P., son of John and Eleanor Collins, was born in the town of East Liverpool, Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1828. John Collins was a merchant in that village, and continued business until the spring of 1837, when he came west to Illinois. With his family and personal effects loaded on a flat boat, without sail or rudder, he floated down the Ohio river as far as Cincinnati. A buggy box, which was fastened on the roof of the craft, and the wheels, suspended from the sides by ropes, attracted attention on the voyage, and in passing steamboats was the subject of frequent jests. They were often asked if they intended, in case the river went dry, to proceed on wheels. At Cincinnati the clumsy vessel was exchanged for two barrels of flour, and the family took passage on a steamboat, and arrived at New Bos- ton, without having encountered any mishaps worthy of note, in May, 1837. On landing, a gang of red men, loaded with fish and trinkets, came on board the boat for the purpose of trading with the whites. This circumstance reminded them that they were in a wild country. As the trials and hardships of the early settlers during the pioneer period will be portrayed in the general history, we will pass over that ])art of Mr. Collins"' life, and speak of his career since he arrived at the years of manhood. Mv. Collins was married in 1857 to Miss Mary R. Bradford, and is the father of ten children, nine of whom are living: Ella M., Clara A. (deceased), Lottie E., William R., John B., Efiie J., UREENE TOWNSHIl'. 075 Samuel E., Charles TI., M:n-y E., Mattie Bell. Me is a prominent member of the United Presbyterian chiircli, witli wliich he united several yeuva previous to the organization of the Viola congregation. By hard labor and skillful iinanciering, Mr. Collins has acquired a large ])roperty. He has excellent advantages for stock raising, and turns his attention mostly to that business. Having come west when Illinois was almost a wilderness, he has lived to see cities and villages take the place of the log cabin and the Indian wigwam. Where he once saw the bounding deer, and listened to the wolf's long howl, are heard the shriek of the locomotive and the chiming of church bells. His father and mother now lie in the cemetery, north of Viola, and their quiet resting place is marked by a granite shaft. Hand in hand they walked down the journey of life, sharing its sorrows and its joys, and after a long career of usefulness Mr. Collins grew weary and laid down his burden by the wayside. Mrs. Collins remained on earth but a few years after, and they now lie side by side in death, leaving as a legacy to their descendants a noble example, which, if followed, will win for them the respect of the entire community in which they live. Moses K. Flory, wagon manufacturer, son of Jonas and Catharine Flory, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, March 1, 1832. In 1839, the family removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and located in what is now North Henderson township. For a few years after locating here his father ran a saw-mill, located on Pope creek. While operating this mill, he did work for the settlers for many miles around, his being the only mill from the eastern part of the county to the Mississipjji. Moses received his education in an old log school-house that stood about a mile south of the residence of James Bridger. This building was one of those traditional structures, with a puncheon floor, clapboard roof, and hewn seats. In ISI-l Moses, then a mere lad, went to Galena, Illinois, and worked a season in the lead mines. In 1848 he went to Ohio, and worked two years at carpentering, near Toledo. Returning in 1850, he began working his sister's farm, which he con- tinued three years. In 1854 he again resumed car])enter work in company with John Longle}^, of Rivoli township. In August, 1861, Mr. Flory enlisted in Co. A, 30th 111. Inf., and was with that regiment in the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Donelson, Raymond, Jackson (Mississippi), Fort Gibson and (Champion Hill. He was taken prisoner at Fort Donelson, February 15, 1862, and was taken to Memphis, where he was kept twenty-eight days, tlience to Tuscaloosa, where he remained three months, after which he was removed to Macon, Georgia, where he was kept four months, and was then taken to Rich- mond, where he was paroled October 19, 1862, and sent to Washing- 676 HISTORY OF :SIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. ton, thence to Sijringfield, Illinois, and from there to Benton barracks, St. Louis, whence he was sent to rejoin his regiment, at Memphis. During a part of his imprisonment, he was under the care of the notori- ous Captain Wirtz, whose name will go down as the archhend of American history. After doing duty at Eock Island eight months, he was discharged, and again returned to his old home, having faithfully and bravely discharged the duty to wliich his country called him. In 1866 Mr. Flory located in Viola, where he built a wagon shop. Being naturally endowed with an inventive genius, lie invented a revolving hay rake, upon which he received a patent in 1872. He began manufacturing for the wholesale trade in that year, and has no trouble in selling all he has the capacity to make. Mr. Flory is a prominent member of the A.F.A.M. lodge, No. 577, at Viola. Joseph A. Goding, son of Amos and Lucinda Goding, was born near Farmington, Franklin county, Maine, February 2, 1848. He received his education in the public and. state normal school at Farm- ington, graduating from the latter institution June 4. 1868. In October, 1869, be came to Chicago, and taught school six months near Dunton, in Cook county. In the summer of 1870 he came to Mercer county, and began teaching in the "Brickyard" school-house in New Boston township. He was married May 14, 1872, to Miss Sarah E. Noble, daughter of E. J. Noble, one of the pioneer settlers of New Boston township. After his marriage he returned to his native state, and farmed two seasons on the old homestead, teaching in the winter. In 1874 he again returned to Mercer county, and was employed as princi- pal of the Millersburg public schools. He taught two years and three months in that village and then came to Viola, having been made principal of the schools in that village. After teaching two years he bought an interest in the dry goods lirm of H. B. Frazier & Co., and has been engaged in that business until the present time. The names of Mr. Goding's children in the order of their ages are as follows : Lena, Clara, Bertha, Delia, and Maurice R. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in the fall of 1876. Van R. Harriott was born in Mercer 'county, Pennsylvania, in 1831. When he was ten years of age the family removed to Laporte county, Indiana, where they remained until 1846. In that year they removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and located near Norwood. Van worked on a farm in Greene townshi]) two seasons and then went to breaking prairie with an ox team, which he continued for several seasons. In the spring of 185H Mr. Harriott, in company with a number of acquaintances, started across the plains with an ox team, GREENE TOWNSHIl'. 077 and arrived at Pike's Peak in July, after a long, tedious journey. Soon after arriving there a «ompany was formed, of which Mr. Harriott was a member, and the party began work in the mines. Not being fortu- nate in locating their claims, a part of the company retui-ned to Illinois in September. In ISfii Mr. Harriott enlisted in the 140th reg. 111. Vol. Inf., which regiment enlisted for a hundred days. From Dixon they were sent to Springtield ; thence to Memphis, where they did guard duty on the Memphis & Charleston railroad for about three months. At tiie expiration of that time the regiment came to Chicago, and from there were sent to Missouri, where they remained two weeks, after which they returned to Chicago and were mustered out. Mr. Harriott was married in 1852 to ]\Iiss Mary Iv. Frazier, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio. The fruits of the union are four children: Jesse C. (now of Sherman county, Nebraska), Lillian A. (wife of Frank E. Kitzmiller), Salina M., and Arthur V. Mr. Harriott united with the Congregationalist church in 1877, and is also a Mason, having been initiated into its mysteries in 1865, and has twice been master of the Yiola lodge. In 1865 Mr. Harriott embarked in the dry goods and grocery business in Viola, in company witli his brother-in-law, H. B. Frazier. In 1869 the firm dissolved, and Mr. Harriott entered the hardware and grocery business in the brick liotel building. In 1871 Mr. Harriott closed out his business and engaged in farming on land half a mile south of the village, which he had bought in 1868. During the years that followed he was engaged in various pursuits until the fall of 1880, when he again embarked in the dry goods and grocery business in company with M. K. Flory. He is now in the grocery business in company with John Ashenhurst, and the firm is doing a lucrative business. Mr. Harriott is the present postmaster at Viola, and discharges his duties in that capacity to the entire satisfaction of the people. Francis A., son of Henry and Sarah Hoagland, was born in New Bedford, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1838, In 1846 the family emigrated to Mercer county and located in Greene township. His lather was the first justice of the peace in the township, and, with the exception of a few months, held the position until the time of his death, which occurred in 1880. Frank remained at home with his parents until September, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. G, 30tli 111. Inf. He was with that regiment during the battles of Belmont, Brittian's Lane, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Corinth, Grand Gulf, Champion Hill, Ray- mond, siege of Vicksburg, and in the Atlanta campaign. He states that during the siege of that city the picket lines were only about forty yards apart, and the boys in blue and those in gray exchanged remarks 678 HISTORY OF MERCEK A^^D HENDERSON COUNTIES, as tkniiliarlj as though thej had been neighbors and friends instead of foes. He also participated in the battle of Jonesboro and many other severe skirmishes. He was discharged at Springtield, Illinois, in August, 1685, after which he returned home and resumed his labors on the farm. For many years after he was engaged in breaking prairie. He was married September 21, ISSl, to Miss Jane A. Storey, and now resides on a farm he recently purchased in section 23 in Greene township. John W. ]\IcCRKi.onT, son of Matthew and Elizabeth McCi-eight, was born in Adams county, Ohio, December 29, 3 828. In 1851 Mr. McCreight came to Mercer county and located at Sunbeam. In 1851: he purchased land in Section 31, Greene township. In February of that year he was married to Miss Eebecca E. Xevius, daughter of William I. Nevius, one of the pioneers of Mercer county. It is sup- posed by the early settlers that Mrs. McCreight was the first white female child born in the county. The names of the children born to the couple are: Joel S., Walter E., William S., Henry A., Effie L. (deceased in her infancy), Lora N., and Louisa B. Mr. and Mrs. McCreio'ht are members of the United Fresbvterian church, having united with that organization early in life. Robert Guthrie, son of Andrew and Susan Guthrie, was born in Dumbartonshire, Scotland, August 16, 1814. In 1849 the family emi- grated to Canada, where they remained until the fall of 1864, when they removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in the soutliern part of Preemption township. He was married March 1, 1870, to Miss Isabella Stewart, a native of Scotland. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Jennie S. (deceased), Susie A., Minnie B. (deceased), Andrew W., and Charles S. Mr. Guthrie is a prominent member of the United Presbyterian church, with which he united in 1869 at Yiola. He owns a fine tarm of 350 acres in sections 4 and 5 in Greene townsliip. Robert M. Pinkerton, son of Joseph and Violet (Scott) Pinkerton, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1841. In 1850 the family re- moved to Mercer county, and located on section 6 in Greene township. In 1859 Robert was afllicted with a severe attack of the gold fever, and consequently started for Colorado territory, with an ox team ; the party, consisting of several wagons and men, arrived at the foot of the Rockv mountains after a long, tedious iournev of sixtv-three davs. Mr. Pinkerton first entered the Gregory mines, forty-four miles west of Denver, and joined in the great struggle for wealth. He remained in the mountains until the fall of 1862. During his stay there he traveled over the ground where Leadville now stands, little dreaming of the GREEJO': TOWNSHIP. «)79 fabulous wealth hidden under his feet. On returning home he turned his attention to farming- and coal mining on his father's farm, which he continued until 1S63, when he bought a farm in section 5 and began business for himself. Mr. Pinkerton was married in 1S HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. thence eastward across the country. Being attracted by the fertile prairies of what is now Suez' township, he purchased a claim and located on section 19. Mr. Stuart was married in 1846, to Miss Jane Patterson, also a native of county Donegal, Ireland. Three sons were born to the couple, all of whom are living, and whose names, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Joseph, A. C, and Amzi. The subject of this sketch died August 6, 1881, of dropsy of the heart. The funeral ceremonies were performed at his residence, and the remains interred in the Norwood cemetery. The large tract of land accumulated by the deceased, during his industrious life, is now under the supervision of his worthy sons. George L. F. Robinson, attorney and teacher, son of William C. and Fanny (Bouene) liobinson, was born in Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, September 27th, 1832. His father had, in his younger days, been a teacher by profession, having been a precepter in the Attleboro academy, Massachusetts. Pie removed from there to Rutland county, Yermont, in about the year 1810, and engaged in the manulacturing business and continued about four years, and subse- quently removed to, and remained in, the birth place of the subject of this sketch, who, having received the advantage of a New England aca tember of IStJi. In the winter of 1864 he again resumed his studies and completed them in the spring of 1865. He was then sent as stated supply to Dayton, Ohio, where he had charge (^f a congregation one year, when he returned to Grandview, Iowa, where he took charge of two congregations, and for two years was princijjal of the Grandview Academy. After remaining in Iowa four years, his services were engaged by the United Presbyterian congregation at Viola. He has been pastor of that church since 1870, and during that time has won the love and respect of his entire congregation. Mr. McCannahan was married April 23, 1868, to Miss ]\Iary J. Potter, wliose fotlier resides near Wapello, Iowa, and the fruits of the union are six chil- dren, whose names in the order of their ages are : Victor A., Zenis H., May M. (deceased), Enoch Potter (deceased), Amy, and Paul H. It is well to add that four members of the McClannahan family enlisted in the service of their country. The father, Capt. McClannahan, and three sons, the youngest of which was the junior member of a family of seventeen children. The father fell at Fort Donelson, where pre- vious to his death he had conducted himself with heroic bravery, and among all the dead who fell in tliat terrible conflict under the shadow of the banner they made free, none were more deeply mourned than the gray -haired captain. John B., son of Edward and Rebecca (Reasoner) Smith, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1818. In 1848 the family removed to Delvalb county, Indiana, where they resided eight years. In 1856 his parents removed to Mercer county and bought land in Mercer town- ship. Mr. Smith was married December 26, 1839, to Miss Margaret Boyle, a native of Knox county, Ohio. The names of his children are : Edward, Xancy Harriet (wife of Henry ^esbitt), Randolph D., Jane (wife of Mark Cannum), JolinE., Ephriam B., Louisa (wife of David Robb), Perry A., Henry, William (deceased), Mary Elizabeth (de- ceased). Two of Mr. Smith's sons enlisted in the service of their coun- try, Edward in the early part of 1862 in the 88th Ind. Inf., Randolph D. in 1864 in the 45th 111. Inf. Mr. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1842, and is also a member of the A.F.A.M. lodge, No. 577, at Viola. Mr. Smith has been constable in the different localities where he has resided for the past twenty-five years. He is a citizen of worth, respected by all who know him. AVallace W., son of William and Rachel Pinkerton, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, May 6, 1842. AVhen an infant his father came to Illinois and entered a claim on section 18, in Greene township, 694 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The subject of this sketch remained at home until tlie fall of 1856. In 1859 he went to Colorado and engaged in mining in Russell Gulch, near Central City, and remained there until the fall of 1861, when he returned to Illinois, where he farmed until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. D, 83 111. Inf. Was with the regiment but one year, after which he did detached duty, until tlie close of the war. In Sep- tember, 1863, he and his three companions rode up to a house in which were hidden seven guerrillas. A skirmish followed in which Mr. Pinkerton was shot in the hand, tearing one Hnger from the socket. They succeded in dispatching six of them and the company that was coming up behind captured the seventh. Mr. Pinkerton was discharged June 15, 1865, after which he returned to Illinois. During his residence in IlJinois he has been engaged in farming and coal min- ing. He was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Carroll, who died in 1875. He was again married in 1878 to Miss Nancy Dilley. He is father of two children, whose names in the order of their ages are : Kate and Myrtle. Mr. Pinkerton is, at the present writing, still a resident of Illinois, but is making preparations to start on a long jour- ney toward the setting sun, and intends to cast his lot among the mountains of the west. RoswELL C, son of Poswell and Elizabeth Sexton, was born in Herkimer county, New York, in 1803. His parents resided there until he was nine years of age, when they removed to Meadville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. His father and mother were both natives of Connecticut. During their residence in Meadville his father was the proprietor of a hotel at that place, and it was here that the subject of this sketch i-eceived his education. In 1832 he went to Centerville, in the same county, and was married there in 1833 to Miss Mary Peck, a native of New York. He remained in Pennsylvania over twenty years after his marriage. In 1857 he came west and located near Ox- ford, Henry county, where he remained until 1860, when he came to Viola and began keeping hotel in the Perkins building. The names of Mr. Sexton's children, in the order of their ages, are: William H., now county clerk in Warren county; Prior B., who resides on a farm near Yiola ; Amelia, deceased in her eighteenth year ; Dora, wife of H. Southwell, present superintendent of schools in Rock Island county; Theodore F., who resides in Yiola; and Dora, wife of L. Menold, also of Yiola. Two of Mr. Sexton's sons enlisted in the service of their country, in defense of the i)rinciples they ever held dear. William enhsted in August, 1862, in Co. D, 83d 111. Inf , and Theodore in March, 1865, in the same regiment and company. William was quar- termaster of his regiment, and acted in that capacity until the close of GKEENE TOWNSHIP. 695 the war. The family are all prominent members of the Presbyterian church, with which the father united in 1828. Mr. Sexton and sons are all citizens of great worth, and are universally respected. The old people are well advanced in years, and (tan look back over the pathway of life with pleasure, and console themselves with the thought that for their sons and daughters they leave as a legacy a noble example, a spotless name. George W., son of Joseph and Yiolet (Scott) Pinkerton, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, January 3, 1839. When eleven years of age his father's family emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois. George re- mained at home on the farm until August, 1861, when he enlisted in a company at Rock Island which was attached to the 14th Mo. Inf., and was sent to Lexington. In the battle of that place the company was taken prisoners, and shortly afterward were ])aroled and sent to St. Louis where they were discharged. Mr. Pinkerton returned home and remained until July, 1862, when he again enlisted in Co. D, 83d 111. Inf., and was with that regiment until it was mustered out in July, 1865. Urban D., son of Merritt A, and Betsy G. Lathrop, was born in Chenango county, New York, December 5, 1848. When two years of age his parents emigrated to Waukegan, Illinois. After remaining here about three months they removed to Bureau county. Soon after his father began work in the ministrj-, as a local preacher, in the United Brethren chm-ch, and since that time has devoted about twenty- tive years of his life to ministerial labor. LTrban remained at home on the farm until February 6, 1865, when, although a mere lad, he left school and enlisted in Co. A, 151st 111. Inf , and was discharged in February of the following year at Springfield, Illinois, after which he returned home and resumed his' labors on the farm. The following winter he went to Linn county, Iowa, where he began a course of study in the college at that place. In February, 1872, having received his license from the Wesleyan Methodist church, he took charge of a cir- cuit in Bureau county. In 1878 he received a call from the Hopewell and Hamlet circuit in Mercer county, and he accordingly located in the parsonage at Bethel three miles west of Viola. Mr. Lathrop was married October 15, 1871, to Miss Sarah C. Cartwright, a native of Indiana. The fruits of the union are five children, whose names, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Arme R., Elmer R., Urban C, John M., and Ora E. Mr. Lathrop is president of the Illinois confer- ence, to which he was elected the third term, in the fall of 1881. JoHx, son of Samuel and jSTehusta Grifhn, was born in the town of Lee, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, March 29, 1795. He remained at home with his parents until seventeen years of age, when he went 696 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. to Athens, New York, where he was apprenticed to learn the weaving trade. He followed that business until nineteen years old, when he was drafted, and, with a New York regiment, sent to Brooklyn Heights, where he took part in the war of 1812. He was married in 1816 to Miss Mary Hoag, a native Columbia county. The family emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, in the spring of 1841, and bought land in section 13 in Greene township. He lived on his farm until June, 1865, when he was called away, leaving a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn his departure. His widow, Mary Grifhn, still resides on the old homestead. She was born in Pittstown, New York, June IT, 1Y98. She united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1821, and has ever adhered to the faith. She states that the family frequently walked to Farlow's Grove, a distance of four miles, to attend religious services. The names of the children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : William H. (deceased), Henry G. (now a resident of Henry county, Illinois), James M. (deceased), Sarah (deceased), Huldah G. (now the wife of Anson Calkins, of Henry county), Mary E. (deceased), Septimus, and George (deceased). The grim harvester has robbed her of many of her loved ones, and she will probably soon follow, leaving a noble example for those who survive her. Charles W., son of John and Elizabeth Southern, was born in Giles county, Virginia, in 1829. When thirteen years of age his father's family emigrated to Cedar county, Iowa, where he remained until 1850, when he came to Mercer countv, Illinois, and bouii-ht land in section 21, Greene township. Mr. Southern was married in 1851 to Miss Ruth Hoover, a native of Ohio. The names of their children in the order of their ages, are as follows : Catharine E. (now the wife of George Martin), Sarah E. (now the wife of Taylor Ashenhurst, residing in Adair county, Iowa), William L., and Levi M. Mr. Southern devoted his entire attention to farming until March, 1865, when he enlisted in Co. A, 83d Ills. Inf. He was discharged September 11 in the same year. Mr. Southern has served as commissioner of highways six years and is an efficient officer. William, son of Thomas and Hannah Terrey. was born in Smith- town, Long Island, May 17, 1799. In 1808 his father's family removed to New York city. In 1811 William went to Troy and remained one year, after which he went to Vermont, where he remained until the latter part of 1814, when he returned to Troy, and while there ^^^t- nessed the peace celebration that took place in Januaiy, 1815. While in that city he was engaged as a clerk in a hardware store, which he continued until the fall of 1836, when, owing to the state of his health he resolved to try a change of climate. Although his physician told GREENE TOWNSHIP. 097 him he could not live two years he still survives, and for one of his age is hale and hearty. He came to Buffalo by canal and there took a schooner bound for Chicago, When off North Point on Lake Erie a severe storm struck them and all the heavy articles, including a stock of hardware belonging to Mr. Terrey, was thrown overboard. This mishap left him without anything to speak of, and after reaching Chicago he came out to Mercer county and bought a claim in what is now section 36, Greene township, borrowing money at twenty -five per cent with wliich to make the purchase. Mr. Terrey was married December J 2, 1824, to Miss Barbara Vanalstyne, a native of New York, born December 16, 1S06. The fruits of the union was four chil- dren, all of whom are dead, and whose names are as follows : Mary E. (deceased February 22, 1826), Isaac B. H. (deceased September 17, 1833), Catharine A. (deceased May 11, 1837), and Emily, (deceased July 21:, 1840). James William, adopted shortly after the death of Mary E,, was born February 17, 1826. His wife, Barbara, died in August, 1866. He was again married in October, 1868, to Mrs. Chloe H. Burrill, anativeof IsTew York. In 1843 Mr. Teri-ey was elected county assessor, which office he held six terms. In 1849 he was elected county treasurer and served four years in that capacity. When he first assessed Keithsburg there were but three houses in the village. Warren L., son of Uriah and Rlioda Smith, was born in Medina county, Ohio, April 27, 1842. The family, consisting of his father, mother and five children, emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1851, and located on section 27, Greene township. His father, in early times, took an active part in public affairs, and was deputy sheriff during the years of 1856, 1857-8. Warren remained at home, assisting his father on the farm until February 15, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. B, 65th 111. Inf. In 1864. he re-enlisted at Louisville, Kentucky, and was with that regiment during all the terrible battles in which it took part. He was mustered out July 15, 1865, at Greensborough, North Carolina. He was married August 30, 1866, to Miss Orinda Morey, daughter of B. F. Morey, Esq., of Greene township. The fruits of this union are three children, namely : Arthur W., Charles L., and Nellie L. Mrs. Smith died January 25, 1882, in her thirty-fifth year, leaving a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn her loss. Mr. Smith is a member of the A.F.A.M. lodge. No. 577, of which he is a charter member, and was the first Senior Deacon. He is also a member of the Methodist E])iscopal church, with which he united in 1867. George W. , son of John and Emeline Morris, was born September 25, 1853, near Keithsburg, Mercer county, Illinois. In 1879, he pur- chased the farm commonly known as the Cohran farm, in section 16, 698 HISTORY OF iCERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. consistiiiij: of eighty acres. Previous to that time, he had made his home with his father. He was married March 13, 1879, to Miss Anna Johnston, daughter of WilHam H. Johnston, of Preemption township. The names of their children are George L., and Frank. Mr. Morris is a farmer of enterprise and industry, and we predict for him a bright and pi'osperous future. Edwin, son of John and EmeKne Morris, was born in Cuyahoga county, phio, in 1849. He came west with his father in 1851, and has always devoted his attention to farming and stock raising. He was married December 12, 1877, to Miss Emma J. McFate, daughter of Samuel McFate, of Greene township. Mr. Morris, although quite young, has accumulated 160 acres of excellent land in sections 10 and 15. Lucius E., son of Israel A. and Emma Jane Smith, was born in Medina county, Ohio, December 24, 1844. In the year 1850 the family, consisting of the father, mother, and four children, emigrated to ^Mercer county, Illinois, and located on section 27, Greene township. Israel, the father, and the mother. Emma J., were members of the United Presbyterian church, with which they united after coming to Illinois. The subject of this sketch remained at home until March, 1864, when he enlisted in Co. I, 83d 111. Inf., serving with that regi- ment until mustered out, after which he served two months in the 61st, being discharged in September of the same year. Married in April, 1872, to Miss Harriet F. Thompson, a native of Iowa. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Edith, Lyman, and Leonard. Mr. Smith now resides on section 28, in Greene township. John Morris was born in Somersetshire, England, May 27, 1816. His father and family came to America in 1840, arriving at Xew York on July 3. They came to Ohio, where the subject of this sketch bou_ght a farm near Cleveland. On March 1, 1847, he was married to Miss Emeline C. Hicks, at Zanes\dlle. In 1851 Mr. Morris and family came to Illinois, by way of the lakes to Chicago, and thence by teams to Mercer county, locating near Keithsburg. His father died here in 1856, in his sixtv-eighth vear. After residing in Mercer count v five years, Mr. Morris moved to Warren county, but again returned to Mercer in 1865, and bought a farm in section 9 in Greene township, to which he has added, by purchase, other land in the vicinity of Yiola. Their children, named in the order of their ages, are : Vic- toria M., Edwin and Edraond (who are twins), George W., Clara, Eugene (deceased), Elwood J., Ida S.. and Cora M.; besides the above named, three sons and one daughter have been bm-ied in infancy. Jy, /j, ch-T^Aj-r- COMPANY E, NINTH REGIMENT. 701 COMPANY E, NINTH REGIMEMT. The Nintli Illinois Regiment was one of the six regiments organ- ized at Springfield for the three months^ service. The regiment was mustered into service April 28, 1861, and ordered to Cairo, where it remained during the three months' service in the brigade commanded bj Bridadier G. M. Prentiss. July 26 the regiment was mustered into the three years"' service by Capt. Pitcher, U.S.A. About 500 of the three months' men re-enlisted for three years, and on September 1, 1861, the regiment numbered 1040. September 5, 1861, the regiment was ordered to Paducah, where it passed the winter. During the winter expeditions were made to Milburn, Maylield, Viola, Calloway Landing, and elsewhere in Kentucky. Three hundred men of the ninth, under command of Maj. Jesse J. Phillips, surprised and attacked a force of 200 rebel cavalry at Saratoga, Lyon county, Kentucky, killing eight, wounding several, and taking thirty-six prisioners, besides many horses and equipments. On February 5, 1862, the regiment moved up the Tennessee river to Fort Henry, and was in the 1st Brig., 2d Div., Army of the Ten- nessee, Col. John McArthur commanding the brigade and Gen. C. F. Smith commanding the division. The brigade moved up the left bank of the Tennessee river, driving the rebels from Fort Heiman and cap- turing all camp equipages and stores there. February 12 they moved to Fort Donelson, and were engaged in that battle with eight com- panies, sustaining a loss of 35 killed, 166 wounded and 6 prisoners. The part taken in this action by Col. McArthur's brigade, of which this regiment formed a part, has no place in any official report of that action. His brigade, which formed a part of Gen. Smith's division, was detached to the support of the hrst division, commanded by Brig. Gen. McClernand, and was engaged on the right of our army during the fighting of Saturday, February 15, where most of the severe fight- ing took place. February 22 they moved up the Cumberland river and occupied Clarksville. February 27 they moved to Nashville, and returned March 1. March 6 tliey embarked for Paducah and up the Tennessee to Pittsburg Landing, where they disembarked Marcli 19. The regi- ment was engaged at the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, and sustained a loss on the 6th of 61 killed, 287 wounded and two prisoners. Out of the twenty-six officers of field, stall" and line, twenty-one were killed or wounded. The second brigade was commanded by Brig. -Gen. John McArthur and the division by Brig. -Gen. W. H. L. Wallace. 40 702 HISTOKY OF MERCER ANT) HENDERSON COUNTIES. During tlie advance upon Corinth the brigade was commanded by Brig. -Gen. J. R Oglesby and the division by Brig. -Gen. Thomas A, Davies. On the evacuation of Corinth the division, attached to the third araiv corps (Maj.-Gen. John Pope commanding), pursued the re- treating enemy to Booneville, twenty-five miles soutli. They remained in camp at C(jrinth from Jure 13 to August 16, and at Rienzi, fifteen miles south of Corinth, until October 1. The brigade was engaged at the battle of Corinth, October 3 and 4, and sustained a loss of nine- teen killed, eighty-two wounded and fifty-two prisoners. After the engagement the regiment was ordered, one battalion to Danville and one to Eienzi, from whence they were ordered to Corinth November 27. December 13 the regiment was ordered out on a reconnoissance to Gemtown, Saltillo, Tupelo, and Marietta, Mississippi. The brigade (9th reg. 111. Vol. Inf., 81st Ohio Inf , 1st batt. Stewart's 111. Cav., and two guns of Tanrath's battery), commanded by Col. Aug. Mersey, captured seventy-eight prisoners' and a large number of horses and mules. As origiif'ally organized, Alexander G. Hawes, of Belleville, was captain of Co. E, which was largely raised in Mercer county. William D. Craig, of Aledo, was first lieutenant, and Roswell B. Patterson, of Belleville, was second lieutenant. The first and last named served in their respective oftices until the experiation of their terms in 1864. Wm. D. Craig was promoted June 8, 1862, to the oftice of first assist- ant surgeon, and retained that position until the expiration of his term, August 20, 1864. Near the expiration of their term, the regiment was reorganized and consolidated, and Thomas C. Kidd, of Springfield, was chosen captain of Co. E, Thomas F. McClintock, of Aledo, first lieutenant, and Wm. P. Reese, second lieutenant. David D. Bigger, of Henderson, was surgeon ; Charles B. Fleming, of Keithsburg, was second lieutenant of Co. A, and was afterward promoted to first lieutenant. For some time before and after the consolidation, the regiment followed the fortunes of Sherman's bummers, as they were styled, through to Savannah, and north through the Carolinas. In all the 9th is credited with being in 110 battles and skirmishes. Thirteen of Mercer county's best citizens, members of Co. E, gave their lives as a sacrifice for their country's salvation. COMPANY r, TWENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY. 703 COMPANY C, TWENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY. This company was made up largely of men from Millersburii; and vicinity. The rest of the company was from Bond county. It was organized August 23, 1861, and mustered into service the same day. George W. Keener, of Bond county, was elected captain, Thomas L. Yest, of the same county, first lieutenant, and James A. Dugger, of Millersburg, second lieutenant. Dugger was, u[)on the resignation of the captain, and again of the first lieutenant, promoted to each posi- tion, and in the office of captain he was serving when he was killed, July 16, 1863. James H. Comer, of Millersburg, served awhile as second lieutenant, and James Manies and John McAllister, of the same place, each served as first lieutenant. This company was, how- ever, considered a Bond county company, and in the main was ofticered by men from that county. Seventeen members, formerly residents of Mercer county, were either killed or met their death from disease contracted in the army. The 26th regiment was partially organized at Camp Butler, August 31, 1861, and were ordered to Quincy for the protection of that place. Their first arms were as primitive as could be desired, being simply hickory clubs. During the latter part of the year they changed their munitions of war to something but little bettei*, the old English mus- ket. These did quite well, however, as they were not called upon to put them into active use until three other companies (the original num- ber being seven) were added. The marches, engagements, skirmishes and privations, from that time forth, were all that the most heoric could desire. At New Madrid the regiment was first engaged, after which Fort Pillow, siege of Corinth (Co. G of this regiment being the first to enter after evacuation), luka, siege of Jackson (where Captain Dugger was killed). Mission Ridge, were scenes of conflict in which the regiment was engaged. At the last named place the regiment suffered gi-eatly, losing in killed and wounded one-tenth of the regi- ment. On June 1, 1864, there were only 515 men present ready for duty, of whom 463 re-enlisted as veterans. After a home furlough the regiment went on the Atlanta campaign, thence to Savannah, and finally through the Carolinas, and participated in the grand review at Washington. The general features of the marches and engagements are so fully given in this book, in tlie course of other regiments, that details and repetition are not considered advisable at this time. '04 HISTORY (»F MERCER AND HEN'DERSON tJOUJSTTIES. PREEMPTIOX TOWNSHIP. Than the township of Preemption, as the traveler now beholds it, it would be hard indeed to conceive a place which affords scenes of greater beauty, homes indicative of more thrift, or resources more avail- able and giving stronger assurance of wealtli and luxury ; so diversi- tied is its surface, so various its products. In the north are broad, fer- tile prairies, -occupied by prosperous farmers, who have expended no little money in beautifying their homes. Indeed, the gently undulat- ing prairies invite irresistably to expend time and taste in ornamenta- tion, so fully do they reveal and enhance every touch of beauty given them. They liave accordingly been studded with line residences, set amidst ornamental trees and shrubs and full-blooming orchards ; their rich acres enclosed with neatly trimmed hedges, whose dark-green con- trasts harmoniously with the broad fields of weaving grain. In the south the surface is sharply broken and covered in places with a heavy growth of jack-oak and hazel, but well adapted to pur- poses of grazing. Here also are found large quantities of excellent coal and building stone. The Edwards river affords perfect drainage to the entire township, besides adding to its varied beauty of scenery by the dee.]) gorges and iirecipitous ravines cut by its numerous tribut- aries. Very different, but scarcely less beautiful, must have been this favored section when, in 1835, John Farlow and Hopkins Boone, in short succession, with their families, entered and set about preparing homes. Then the prairie stretched away to the north, brightened with the gorgeous hues of native flowers ; about him was the deep silence of a large white oak forest and all the rudeness and lonliness of the un- trodden wilderness. At their doors flowed the beautiful but treacher- ous Edwards river, its banks now rising rough and precipitous, now spreading out into broad, fertile bottoms. Instead of the busy sounds of labor, the cheerful voices of friendly neighbors, were heard the howl of tlie wolf, the cry of the wild-cat, the hateful rattle of the rattlesnake. Instead of herds of cattle, deer roamed the prairies and started from the thickets ; instead of the cries of domestic fowl were lieard the whir of the grouse's wing, the whistle of the quail, and the call of the wild turkey, while nndtitudes of geese and ducks covered the ponds in the bottoms of the Edwards river. Yet with all its rudeness, its beaut}^ and promise must have foreshadowed to the mind of the pioneer the present prosperity and wealth of Preemption townshij). For nearly a year John Farlow and IIoj)kins Boone had no neighbors, there being i'rp:emption tow^sjiij'. 705 no family between them and Rock river on the north, and but one between them and Monmouth on the vsouth. In tlie following spring there came into the settlement, with their families, Rev. John JVIontgomerv, a Presbyterian minister, and James Boone, from Pennsylvania, and from Indiana, Gabriel Barkley, Christopher Miller and Rev. .losepli Jones, a Ba}>tist preacher. But they were still isolateil from any considerable settlement, for there was no road, the only line of comnumication being an Indian trail leading from Monmouth to Rock Island, which could be tra\-eled only on foot or on horseback; there was no postofiice, no c(mvenient market, no mill. But this state of atfairs did not long continue ; the natural ad- vantages of the location attracted settlers and the increasing population and production demanded increased facilities for the transfer of emi- grants and the transportation of crops to market. In 1832 a road had been laid out from Beardstown to (xalena, fol- lowing the n^ain route to the lead mines located at the latter place. This road, however, was im])assable by wagons on account of the river banks being so cutout by the swift currents of the streams, until in 1837 the county built across the Edwards river, on section 34, a trestle bridge, covered with oak plank. The only other regularly laid out road previous to 1840 was the state road, leading from New Boston, Mercer county, to a town in Henry county, now defunct, named Rich- mond. In 1838 there came into the northern part of the township Benjamin Clarke, David Little, John Beirbeau, and Charles Minick, settling on section 1 and 2, and E. J. Farwell, on section 14. Only those who went through the trials of these early times can appreciate their se- verity. Now railroads intersect the county in various directions ; hard roads and good bridges make stations easily accessible ; mercantile enterprise brings the products of the best mills and factories to one's very doors. Not so at the early days of which we write. Then the settler must go long distances to mill with his grist, and there wait his turn to have it ground. The particular settlers of whom we write, were obliged to go to Monmouth to mill, fording on their way both the Pope creek and the Edwards river. To market their produce they must go miles away over the prairies to New Boston, or to the town of Stevenson, now Rock Island. Had the prices of their crops brought been proportionate to the labor of getting them to market, or had the cost of the necessaries of life been correspondingly low, their hard- ships, though still great, would have been much relieved. Unfortun- ately, neither condition existed ; witness the following schedule of prices: Wheat, twenty -live cents per bushel, to be paid for in goods 706 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. (at what prices we sliall presently see) ; corn, if one could sell at all, ten cents per bushel ; dressed hogs weighing 200 pounds and upward, $1.50 per hundred ; hogs of lighter weight at a less price. Mr. Boone relates, as a fair illustration, this incident : learning that a certain merchant at Andalusia, Iowa, was paying $2 per hundred for good dressed pork, and needing some salt, he and his hand spent a day at killing and dressing such hogs as he had ready ipr market. Proceed- ing by a laborious route to Andalusia, he sold his pork, 450 pounds, foi- ^9. Recrossing the river at Davenport, to Rock Island, he bought his salt, paying therefor $9, or 450 pounds of dressed pork. In 1837 these settlers obtained a postottice, located at the residence of Hopkins Boone, the second in the county, called the Farlow's Grove postoffice. The postage was twenty-live cents a letter, just the price of a bushel of wheat. The mail came at loflg intervals and irregularly, carried on horseback along the okl Indian trail. As the county grew, the postal facilities increased, till now the office, removed since to the \dllao;e of Preemption, receives and sends daily mails. AYith the growth of the farming interests, the development of the mineral resources has kept equal pace. Tlie demand for stone has steadilj- increased with the population. The quarries have furnished the stone for most of the cellars and wells of the township. Shortly after the settlement of the township, coal was found cropping out in various places. It has proved to be of good quality, abundant in quantity, easily accessible. One vein is five feet in thickness. The depth of the veins below the surface varies from twenty-five to seventy-five feet. This industry has far outgrown the demands of the township and surrounding country, and the railroad, built by Mr. Cable, finds lucrative employment in C(»nveying to other points the surplus production of this and Richland Grove township mines. This brief sketch but very insufficiently indi- cates the great resources of the township. Perhaps the best indication of what is in store for its citizens in the future w^ill be a statement of its present wealth, accumulated in less than a half century since the first settler pitched his tent within its limits. The pO}>ulation has increased to 1,410 in ISSO. In 1881 the assessed value of lands was $362,743 ; of town lots, $1,170 ; of personal property, $125,164. But this can be hardly more than an earnest of what is yet to be attained here in point of wealth. Besides all this there has grown up a busy village with excel- lent buildings and enterprising merchants. The first hotel, opened by H. E. Wright in 1854, has given place to the excellent house of Mrs. Robt. Hammond. The business of blacksmith shop of Xorton Griffith, established in 1853, the wagon shop, opened by W. C. Gray in 1855, has been augmented by the beautiful drug store of Dr. Jas. H. Sevier, PREEMPTION TOWNSHIP. 707 the exteiivsive general store of IVm. Hammond, Mr. Brigg's grocery, the large mill operated by Mr. Carver, the lumber yard, and the creamery, controlled respectively by J. E. Otto, and D. W. Little. From this list must not be omitted the name of the veteran merchant, Mr. Phillip E. Stevens, successor with Mr. Wright to Messrs. Whar- ton & Crawford, the Urst general merchants of the township. The titles to the lands occupied by the early settlers upon the tract lying between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, upon the security of which depended so largely the prosperity and peace of the settlement, were not established without difficulty and the exercise of much de- cision and courage on the part of the j^ioneers. At the time the settlers came the land had not been oifered for sale, and there were no preemption or other laws to protect the settlers in their claims and improvements. Two classes of persons sought to take advantage of this to reap profits of the frontiersman's sacrifices and labors, — the claim-jumper and the moneyed speculator. The former sought to obtain a claim upon land already occupied and improved by settling upon it ; the latter by bidding against the settlers at the ])ublic land sales. This conflict of claims had been the fruitful source of serious difficulties and the occasion of some murders. To prevent any such trouble, the settlers of Preemption and some other townships formed an association for mutual protection. One of their number, Mr. Hop- kins Boone, was chosen recorder, and the claim of each settler duly recorded, according to its location on the prairie; each settler, more- over, being limited in the size of his claim to a reasonable amount of land. Previous to the sale of the lands of this township, two claims were "jumped." In both cases the settlers at once sent a committee and ordered the parties to "leave the diggius." They left. The land of Preemption township came into market October 30, 1S44, the last of Mercer county to be sold. The fact that prior to this sale the set- tlers of this township held their homes under the preemption law, gave it its name — Preemption. For voting purposes, this section belonged to the Pichland (Irove precinet. It is related that at the presidential election of 1836, tlie people of this precinct gathered to vote ; but vainly had they come, for no one knew wlio were the electors. Converting their disappoint- ment into a resolve that some one in the settlement must take a news- paper thereafter, they had a neighborly chat and went home. That they were so far neglected by the solicitous politician is most con- vincing proof of their complete isolation. The first election in the township was held the following year, at Hopkins Boone's residence. The township organization was effected in 1854. The officers elected (08 HISTORY OF MERCEB AND HENDERSON rOUNTIES. at this and the successive elections are given in the following list, furnished bj the courtesy of Mr. Thomas L. Johnson, appointed, at the last town meeting, clerk, in place of Mr. R. J, Stewart, during the latter's illness : The life of the pioneer was not undarkened by domestic sorrow, nor unbrightened by domestic joys. The minister of the little settlement early found occasion to share the sorrows and the joys of his neigh- bors, to oiFer the consolations of religion to the bereaved, to extend his congratulations and god-speed to those who in marriage had united heart and hand to subdue tlie wilderness, and make it blossom as the rose. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins Boone first claimed the pastor's tender ser- vices in the burial in this lonely place of their infant son. They, too, were the first to hail tlie birth of a child, a daughter, who lived to grow up in the old homestead, to assist her parents in their hardships, and, with Mr. Geddes, to make another home. With all their hard labors, these pioneers still found time to woo and win the fair daughters of their neighbors. Scarcely the second winter passed since John Farlow built his cabin on the banks of the Edwards river, when (in a figure) the first wedding bells called to the marriage of Susan, daughter of James and Hannah Boone, to Dr. Joseph S. Mans, of Pekin, Illinois. In 1838 another daughter became the helpmeet of Mr. Alfred Perry. \ PREEMPTION TOWNSHIP. 709 Rapid and absorbing as lias .been the material development of this township, the claims of religion have not been neglected. Among the tirst settlers was a Presbyterian minister, Rev. John Montgomery, who became pastor of the first chui'ch in the comnnmity, organized at Farlow's Grove in 1889, with the following constituent members : Elder John Linn and wife, Elder Robert Stewart, wife and two daughters, Elder Barrows and daughter, Sanmel AVhan and wife, ,Mrs. H. Boone, Mr. Black and wife, and others. In 1843, John Montgomery, now deceased, was followed in the pastorate of the church by Thomas S. Yale, a very talented man from Princeton college. He remained until about 184(5, when he was succeeded by Rev. L. B. Crittenden, who continued as pastor till about 1850. About this time, Mr. John Whitsitt, who had been ordained as elder in 1845, removed his membership to Rock Island, where his children were at school. In 1867, Mr. Whitsitt's energy procured a church-building on his farm adjoining the village of Preemption. Here in 1868 a church was organized with John Whitsitt, Hugh Liv- ingstone, and James Henry as elders, of whom the latter two were elected and ordained at this time, the iirst named having been ordain- ed vears before at Farlow's G-rove. For manv years this church flour- ished, having in its membership a number of the very best citizens of Preemption townshij). In 1881 an unfortunate controversy arose, which has severely injured the organization. The society now hold services in Hammond's Hall. The church at Farlow's Grove still exists, though less vigorous than informer years. They have no settled pastor but have occasional preaching. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The first Methodist society in the township of Preemption was organized in the year 1841, at the house of Mr. Benjamin Clarke, with six members, viz : Benjamin Clarke (leader) and wife, David Little and wife, Andrew Gilmore, and Margaret Gilmore. They held their meetings at this place until 1846, when a house of worship was built, under the following circumstances: Judge Savage, who had been in this section looking after his real estate interests, observing the lack of means for the development of either or both educational and re- ligious interests, and believing, as do all intelligent men, that through these mediums only come true prosperity and the successful building up of a new country, he deposited in Rock Island $50 to be used in building a house for church and school purposes. This fact Mr. Savage communicated to John Whitsitt, who soon after conferred with Mr. C. A, Spring, an agent of the American Sunday School Union of 710 HISTORY OF ]MERUER AND IIE>rDERSOX COUNTIES. ISTew York, wlio was then here in the interest of that society. Through Mr. Spring's infiiience Mr. Lemuel Brewster, a benevolent gentleman in New York, was induced to build three houses here, one at Farlow's Grove in section 34, one at Preemption Corners in section 11, and one in Rock Island countv ; the $50 donated by Judge Savage was finally used in improving and fencing the Union cemetery at Farlow's Grove. In this house at Preemption the Methodists worshiped until they erect- ed their present commodious church edifice on the southwest corner , of David Little's farm in section 2, adjoining the village of Preemption, in 1867. The old building is still (and may it for many years to come) standing as a memorial to the memory of its benevolent buildei*. The perusal of the following pages will be the evidence of how the All-wise Ruler of all things crowned these early, yet feeble, efforts with success. Reverting in the history of the Methodist Episcopal, church to 1865, we find it in charge of Rev. Amos Morey as pastor, with 101 members and fourteen probationers. Rev. Mr. Morey filled this position up to 1868, when he reported three preaching places, 123 members and nineteen probationers, a church worth $3,000, and •a comfortable parsonage. The pastors succeeding him were : M. P. Armstrong, W. M. Sedore, and J. E. Rutledge (each one year), J. Q. Adams (three years), Thomas Watson (two years), Charles Atherton (two years), who was assisted in his last year by Frank Doran. At the close of the conference year of 1878, the charge was divided, Rey- nolds taking all the otlier appointments, leaving Preemption alone, tacitly a station without am^ outside appointments, ninety-six members and three church buildings going to the Reynolds circuit, while fifty- nine members, one church and tlie parsonage were left with Pre- emption. .In 1879 Rev. Thomas Watson was for the second time appointed to this charge. He died the May folh^wing, and his time was filled out by W. C. Knapp and the Rev. B. C. Dennis. In 1880 brother B. C. Dennis became pastor in charge, retaining the same three years, whicli is the full extent of time allowed by the conference on one charge. During the broken year above referred to no change numeri- ically was made, but during the last three years of Brother Dennis' labors tlie membership has grown from fifty-nine to eighty-six. The Sunday school is in a specially flourishing condition, and at the present time (1882) larger than any ever before held in the town- ship. The charge is one of the best patrons, per member, of the missionary- and other benevolent societies of any church in the bounds of the conference, if not of the state. Their missionary collections for the year 1881 were $3,000, and during the last two years the benevo- PREEMI^ION TOWNSHII'. 711 lent collections of the charge have averag-ed considerably over $11 per member, while home expenses are all paid up promptly in advance, all of which grows (jut of the fact that a few of the leading liberal and wealthy men in the community appreciate the value of the church and the beneiits of its benign influence. Of the church history from 18-15 to 1865 nothing authentic could be obtained, as there are no records earlier than the latter date, and the only pa)"ty now living who could give any reliable information stub- bornly i-efused to do so. ST. JOSEPH ('ATHOLIC ciinicii. Quite early in the history of Preemption township, the (Jonways, Odays, lirenens, and a few others of the Catholic faith, settled in and around the southeast part of the township, and to them occasionall}' priests from Rock Island would come and minister, holding meetings at the cabins of the early settlers. This was continued up to 1875, when steps were taken to l)uil(l a church, which was soon accomplished. On January 23, 1875, a subscription was drawn up by Daniel Mack, who subscribed $100. This was followed by several other $100 subscrip- tions. The Macks, the Conways, the McManises, the Dooleys, and tlie Lucuses, leading. Many of what might be termed outsiders and members of other churches also lent a hel])ing hand to the enterprise ; foremost among whom was William W. Johnston, who donated twenty- five dollars. On January 30, 1875, the contract to build a church, in size 30 X 42, of good material, with stone foundation, was let to Mathias Schnell, who completed the work the following July. On September 9, 1875, the church was dedicated by Rev. Father I. P. Rowles. The edifice cost $1,600, which was promptly paid. In 1878 a vestry, 12x1-1 feet was added, at a cost of $166. Tlie building now presents a neat and substantial appearance, and the interior outfit and finish would do credit to an older and wealthier congregation. They now have a membership of about thirty families, and have ser- vices every alternate Sabbath. Their ])astor is a resident of Keiths- burg, and as both this and the Keithsburg church are one charge, reference may be had to the history of that church for the names of the past and present officiating priests. This, like all other Catholic church pro}>erty, is vested in their bishop. THE EPISCOPAL CHrRCII. The first clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal church who per- formed mission labor in Preemption townshi]). was Rev. Jacob S. C^hamberlain, who was called in the month of December to minister to 712 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the spiritual wants of Mrs. Rachel Johnston, the wife of Joseph John- ston, Jr., who was at the time on her death bed. This was his intro- duction as missionary in this field. Early in the spring of 1868, Rev. Chamberlain commenced active missionary work, which resulted in 1869 in the erection of the present church building on land deeded by Robert Foster and wife to James Johnston, William Johnston, Thomas Armstrong, and Thomas Doonan, trustees, and described as a part of Sec. 4, T. 15, R. 2 W., bearing date of June 1, 1869; consideration $100. Rev. Chamberlain closed his labors in this field, as missionary, in August, 1871. In October, 1872. Rev. Wm. Thomas Currie was appointed mis- sionary in the same field, and continued his labors until October 1, 1875. On Septembei- 6, 1874, permission was obtained from the standing committee of the diocese of Illinois to organize a parish, and on October 19, 1874, a meeting was held in the church, a parish organized, and officers duly elected, consisting of wardens and vestry- men, as follows : William H. Johnston, John Manes, and Thomas Doonan, wardens ; Thomas L. Johnston, George Clark, and Robert Hix, vestrymen. The organization to be known as St. John's Parish, of Preemption, Illinois. Shortly after the termination of the labors of Rev. Mr. Currie, as missionary, the Rev. T. M. Thorp was called to the rectorship of the parish, but resigned in the spring of 1877. Rev. N. P. Chariot was elected as the rector by the wardens and vestrymen in May, 1877, and entered upon his duties as such July 1, 1877, and resigned, after a labor of five years, on July 1, 1882. The present membership is small, and but little interest seems to be manifested by them in matters pertaining to religion. MASONIC. Preemption Lodge, No. 755, A.F.A.M., was organized June 27, 1877, under dispensation, and so held meetings till October 21 of the same year, when they received their charter fnnn the grand lodge. The charter members were W. C. Gray, Henry II. Ilayford, James H. Seyler, H. II. Hammond, Wm. Steinhauer, Geo. Bartlett, B. W. Thompson, J. B. Harris, jr., Wm. H. Hickock, Samuel Bailey, S. F. Everett, Geo. C. Gray, Leander Stiles, John Weiler. The following officers were appointed under dispensation and elected when organized and chartered: Wm. C. Gray, W.M. ; James H. Seyler, S.W.; Joseph B. Harris, J.AV.; B. W. Thompson, S.D.; Samuel Bailey, J.D. ; S. E. Everett, Treasurer; H. H. JIayford, Sec- retary; II. H. Hammond, Tyler; Geo. C. Gray and John Weiler, Stewards. They now have a membershi]^ of twenty-six, with seven on PREEMPTION TOWNSHIP. 718 the way to full membership. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, with the present board of ofticers : James II. Seyler, W.M. ; W. J. Armstrong, S.W. ; H. H. Hammond, J.W. ; "Wm. Steinhauer, Treas- urer ; W. W. Hickock, Secretary. Regular meetings are held on Fri- day evenings on or before full moon in each month. They have lost one member by death, Bro. Geo. Bartlett, who died in Kansas in 1S81. ORANGEMEN. Preemption Loyal Orange Lodge No. 132, was organized Jidy 8, 1870, by Matthew Mayne, of Chicago, with the followng charter mem- bers : James Connelly, W.M. ; Thomas Doonan, Deputy W.M. ; Wm. Holden, Secretary ; John Holden, Treasurer ; Wm. Wilson, Chap- lain ; Thomas Wilson, Tyler ; and Thomas J. Armstrong, James Gawley, James F. Johnston, Robei-t Wadsworth, George Wadsworth, John Wadsworth, James R. Doonan, James Allwell, John H. Johns- ton : in all iifteen. There is now a membership of forty. The flrst year they held their meetings in the school-house of district No. 2, after which they built a hall on the farm of Joseph B. Johnston, about two miles west of the village of Preemption. D. W. Little is the present secretary. Their established holiday is on the twelfth of July, when they meet, as is to them a time honored custom, and with sing- ing, speaking and martial music commemorate the day when prot- estantism gained the ascendancy in Ireland at the battle of the Boyne in 1690. SCHOOLS. The first school was taught at Farlow's Grove by Miss Boone, and the second at Preemption corner, on section 11, in the house built by Mr. Brewster, spoken of in connection with the Methodist Episcopal church history. At the present writing there are a goodly number of well patronized schools in the township. The houses are neatly built and present a very attractive appearance to the traveler as he turns at many of the section corners or cross roads. . BIOGRAPHICAL. In closing this brief sketch, some little mention nmst be made of the few noble men who were to some extent the founders of this flourishing section. John Farlow remained here but a short tinie when he sold his claim to James Boone, made a short move, died a few years later, and his family went, in 181:7, with the Millers, to Oregon, where they still reside. James Boone died here in 1842, and his faith- ful wife in 1858. Hopkins Boone enjoys the ])rosperity his early sacri- flces merit, living in his comfortable home in the village of Viola. A 714 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. fuller account of this worthy gentleman will be found in the history of that place. Eev. Joseph Jones died here some years after his settle- ment. A daughter of his, now Mrs. Joseph Pitman, still resides here. Benjamin Clarke died here in 18-14, and his family still reside on the farm first entered. David Little, now the largest land owner in the township, if not in the county, is still living on his iirst purchase. He was born in county Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1815, and came to America in 1834, and started without means except a pair of willing hands and a determined will. In addition to the accumulation of a large amount of property, he has reared a very interesting and prosperous family of eight children, five only of wh(^ni are now living. His oldest son, William F., was killed at the battle of Prairie Grove, iVrkansas, dur- ing the late war. Of ( 'liarles Minick, and John Bierbeau, nothing was ascertained. Among the successful and hardy pioimers may be men- tioned Mr. .1. Conway, who settled and now owns a large farm in the southwest part of the township. W. W. Johnston also came in an early day, and has since become one of the large real estate owners not only in this township, but also in Rock Island county. Wm. H. John- ston, too, will be remembered as among the industrious and enterpris- ing farmers of Preemption township and for many years its supervisor. He was born in county Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1819, came to this township iu 1848, and settled on section 16, where he now resides. Among the more public spirited and push-a-head men who came in an early day to this township, may be mentioned Mr. John Whitsitt. He settled here on section 2, in 1844, and has devoted much of his time to improving and beautifving his home. He has, for a number of years, been turning his attention to breeding thoroughbred short hoi'ned cat- tle. Judge Wm. Wilmerton, whose name has been so familiar to his fellow citizens since his coming, in 184i^, enjoys the honor and respect his straightforward course has merited. A full biography of him will be found in its proper place. In closing, we desire to mention also some of the fine farms and residences which characterize the township. First among these we mention the beautiful home of Mr. Samuel F. Everett, who came from Ohio in 1852, and entered lands in sections 18 and 20. His house was erected at a cost of $6,000, and is acknowledged the finest in the town- ship, and among the finest in the county. Less costly, but very elegant, are the residences of Judge Wilmerton, George Smith, John Y. Johnson, Thomas L. Johnson, D. W. Little. That so many residences are worthy of special mention leaves no room for further comment, or prophecy as to its future prosperity. William Wilmerton is an example of those men who stand out as PREEMPTION TOAVNSIIIP. 715 landmarks to rising young men to direct and invite to success, even though life begin in most straitened circumstances. Many a poor boy has worn the honors, civic or financial, 'ere gray hairs counted his allotted years. William Wilmerton was born May 1, 1822, in New Jersey. He is the son of Fenimore and Permila (Van Kirk) Wilmer- ton. His father was a cousin to the celebrated American author, J. Fenimore Cooper, founder of Cooperstown. His father died soon after his (William's) birth, so that the boy was left to the cold graces of the world. At the age of six years he found a home with a Quaker family, with whom he remained till quite able to support himself. He then became a common laborer at whatever might offei*, applying his earnings to the acquirement of an education. He attended college some years, gaining a good fund of general information. In the sum- mer of 181:2 he made his way to Preemption township, Mercer county, Illinois. The first summer he spent in prospecting foi* a location suita- ble to general purposes. He taught school the first winter. He bought a surveyor's outfit and engaged in surveying for some time. His first purchase was eighty acres of land, necessitating the expendi- ture of all he had. He was elected justice of the peace in 1846, which office lie filled for over twenty years, doing a very extensive business. His business was largely making collections. This was before the days of so many banks. He was trusted by everybody and performed his business with satisfaction to all. He also served four years as judge. He has accumulated his savings and his earnings till he now owns more than 1,000 acres of land, a mark of his unusual success. Just subsequent to the war he was commissioned an attorne}^ that he might prosecute soldiers' claims without the certificate of a regular attorney living at a distance. Mr. Wilmerton was married December 10, 1850, to Miss. Khoda A. Kelsey, a native of New York state. They have three children : Louisa (wife of N. J. McDonald, of Davenport, Iowa), Frank (real estate agent in La Mars, Iowa), and William W, (at home). Prior to the war Mr. Wilmerton was. democratic in politics ; since that time he has voted independently. The family of John Whitsitt originated in Scotland, but his more recent ancestors were natives of Ireland. His father was Benjamin Whitsitt of county Fermanagh, in the province of Ulster. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Fitzgerald. He was a land proprie- tor, and also engaged in mercantile and milling business. There were eleven cliildren, of whom only now are living the subject of this sketch and his sister, Margaret J. (married to Mr. J. C. Morehead), in Ireland. In 1871, his father died at the age of eighty-four years, and his mother many years previous, when forty-eight years of age. A 716 HISTORY OF arERCEK AND- HENDERSON COUNTIES. second wife still survives the eldest Mr. Wliitsitt in the country of their birth. Mr. John Wliitsitt, the second son, fourth child, was born in Rosslea, Fermanagh county, Ireland, June, 7, 1816. He was reared with good advantages of education for business purposes, and also made familiar with farming and stock raising. He was married August 12, 1836, to Miss Eliza Henrey, a native of Monaghan county, Ireland, and of Scotch ancestry. In 1844 Mr. Wliitsitt and family sailed from Liverpool for New Orleans, where they arrived after a forty -three days' passage, and from that place by river to St. Louis and thence to Rock Island. He selected land in section 3, Preemption township, and bought the claim of Ezekiel Morey, and entered the same at the land office in Dixon. All the rest of his present premises of 600 acres, he bought, excepting forty, at various prices from time to time. The dairy business first occupied them, and their product was carried to Rock Island and shipped to Galena, then crowded with miners and abounding with wealth. When help was absent Mr. Wliit- sitt and wife have milked twenty cows per day, and it is not surpris- ing that the energy and ])rudence thus exhibited brought wealth and comfort in their train. Their brand of butter always commanded the highest market price, and tlieir commission merchants, Messrs. Camp- bell & Smith, were always anxious to handle their article. In the course of ten years Mr. Wliitsitt began to make a specialty of handling blooded cattle, and he was one of the first in this region to appreciate the importance of this interest. He brought on his farm some choice selections from Mr. Alexander's celebrated Kentucky herds. He has disposed of many fine cattle at private and public sale, and has at present some whose pedigrees are traced back to imported stock and entered in the American Herd Book, Vol. XIII. In 1875 he had on his place two-year old and coming three, cattle that weighed 1,600 lbs. and upward. Misses Elizabeth and Sarah, his two daughters, are living with their ])arents in their happy home near the village of Preemption. A son, Benjamin, the oldest, who is married to Miss Elizabeth Bitty, is living near them on a part of the original home farm, and another son, Richard H. (married to Miss Henrietta Fitzgerald), also lives upon a porfion of his father's place. Both sons have had a due appointment from their father upon their outstart in life. There were two children additional to the above named born to Mr. and Mrs. Wliitsitt, now deceased ; one was an infant, Robert, and the other a daughter, Mary Ann, who died in Illinois in her fourteenth year, and whose funeral-mound grows green beneath the orchard trees of her early home. Mr. Wliitsitt has never been a politician, but has always held decided views upon the leading questions of the day. He was not -^-./.^-^ /•:^'- '1 ■J \. V »-H. k^' '''^?M^ :?JM^ ^:^^-ZU^^^ at the age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of seven children : Mary (now the wife of Dr. Martin), James, Margaret (now Mrs. William Vye), William (the subject of this notice), Jane (wife ot Thomas Burchby), Eliza (wife of Frank Johnston), and Sarah A. (wife of AVilliam J. liansom). AVilliam was mari-ied February 14, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth A. Moft'ett, a native of Fermanagh county, Ireland. She died in 1873. Mr. Connolly's second marriage was on ^November 12, 1874, with Miss Fanny Moffett, who was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, April 24, 1849. He is the father of eight cliildren, whose names in the order of their birth are : James W., William F., Elizabeth, Robert, and Lucinda, by his first wife, and Edward W., Mary A., and Gilbert H., by his present wife, who is an excellent mother to the whole family. Mr. Connolly is taking great interest in the education of his cliildren. David W. Littlk, the thrifty and enterpi-ising proprietor of the Preemption creamery, is a son of David and Elizabeth (Wiltshire) Little, and was born in this township March 28, 1851. He received a good common school education while growing up on the farm, to which he added several terms at Abingdon, Illinois, and Mount Vernon, Iowa. He was married December 18, 1874, to Miss Clara E. Goudy, daughter of William II. and Margaret (Smith) Goudy, of Mount Ver- non, Iowa. She was born in Linn county, Iowa, April 5, 1853. They are the parents of four children : William H., Elizabeth E., Benjamin F., and Margaret A. After his marriage Mr. Little engaged in farm- ing, but since 1880 he has turned his attention exclusively to the man- ufacture of butter. The prospect of success in 1882 induced him to establish a branch creamery in Rivoli township, and he has extended the buying of cream into the adjoining counties. William Briogs, the subject of this sketch, was born about 1807 in Ireland, where he spent his early life. When at the age of twenty- five he came to America, in company with his brother Thomas. They 724 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. first landed on the British Islands, in Canada. They stayed there two months, and then went to New York, where he followed teaming and wea^^ng. He next moved to Illinois in 1846, first stopping at Kock Island ; from there he moved to Swedonia, where he found employ- ment at fifty cents per day for ten years. In the meanwhile he bought a small piece of land ; but not having a team of his own, he was forced to hire one, for which he gave his own labor in excliange for the use of a horse. He bought his first eighty acres of Levi Wasson and paid for it in trade. He next bought some government land from a man who had entered it. He was married in ISTew York in 1834 to Miss Isabella Clay. By this marriage they had five children born to them, one only of whom was born in Illinois. John, the oldest, married Miss Ann Armstrong, who is deceased. He was mari-ied a second time to Lena Colter. They have one child living and one dead. Henry married Miss Vina Smith, and they have one child. In Mr. Briggs' father's family there were five boys and three girls, all of whom were born in Ii-eland : Margaret, John, Richard, Jane, Mary, Mur- phy, Thomas and Robert. Margaret is deceased ; John lives in Xew York ; Richard died at Pleasant Hill ; Jane, wife of David Bates, resides in Ireland ; Mary married John Murph}' ; Robert married in New York. When the war of the rebellion broke out Mr. Briggs furnished two soldiers from his family. Robert entered the service as a private and was promoted second lieutenant, and, at the time of his discharge, a captain's commission was forwarded by the governoi-. He was a brave officer, and was with his regiment through all the various battles with the western army, and was wounded at the battle of Lex- ington. He was a member of Co. B, 65th reg. 111. Yol. Inf. Thomas, a mercliant of Preemption, was a member of the 140th reg. 111. Yol. Inf., cojnmanded by Col. Sherman. He entered the service in 1864 at Dixon. After his return home he met with an accident, a misfortune which necessitated the amputation of his arm. Mr. and. Mrs. Briggs are members of the Episcopal church, of Preemption. Potter Kelly, son of Samuel and Sarah Kelly, was born in Jeft'er- son county, Pennsylvania, in 1843. He attended a common school until sixteen years of age, when he began a course of study in Glade Run Academy, in Armstrong county. After attending here two ses- sions he began teaching. In the summer of 1866 he came west to Jackson county, Iowa, where he taught one year. In the spring of 1867 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and began teaching one mile south of Bridger's Corners, in Suez township. Since that time Mr. Kelly has pursued the profession of teaching in that and adjoining- townships in Mercer county, and his labors have always been attended by success. • PKEEMPTION TOWNSHIP. 725 Peter Cameron was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, De- cember 28, 1820. In his father's family there were nine children, of whom our subject is the sixth child. His father was married about 1810 to Miss Sarah Jones, a native of Pennsylvania, whose father came from Wales in an early day and settled in that state. His tatlier, John Cameron, was born of Scotch parents, on the highlands of Scot- land. He came to Pennsylvania and settled near the Juniata river, where he died. Mr. Cameron came to Illinois in 1850, in company with a brother and sister. They first settled in Ohio Grove township, near the line between Ohio Grove and Abington, where he entered a piece of government land containing a quarter section. Before his removal to this state he followed milling and worked witli his fathei-. Our subject was married in Pennsylvania, February 26, 1861, to Miss Margaret E. Crabtree, whose parents had moved to Illinois a short time prior to Mr. Cameron's arrival here. By this union they have had four children born to them as follows : Malinda (wife of Frank Humpstead, of DeKalb county), Lewis E., born January 25, 1866, George M., born September 29, 1868, Clarence F., born November 2, 1872. When the war broke out Mr. Cameron entered the service and was engaged in all the battles with liis regiment, from Chattanooga to Hardeeville, (South Carolina), and was wounded at Resacca, May 15, 1864. Mrs. Cameron's parents on her father's side, were of English descent, and on her mother's side, Irish. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron are both members of the Methodist church. ^ Robert Hicks was born in Ireland, May 24, 1817, and came to America in 1844. He landed in New York and from there went to Buffalo, Chicago, and Canada, and finally to Galena, where he found employment in the mines in the winter, and in the summer worked upon a farm. Being industrious and saving, he laid up a part of his earnings and in 1856 invested in 160 acres of raw prairie land. He at once began to improve the same, to accomplish which he was forced to borrow money, for which he paid fifteen per cent interest. Mr. Hicks is a prominent member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Julius E. Otto was born in Berlin, Prussia, June 16, 1847. His early youth was partly spent on a farm, but before his majority he had learned the trade of shoemaker with his father. In 1866 he left the home of his birth and sailed for America, with a view of securing a home in a land of plenty. After his arrival he engaged as a hand in a brick-yard, at Whitewater, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1868, when he removed to Davenport, Iowa, and there and in Rock Island worked in a lumber-yard till November, 1878. Then he came to Pre- emption to take charge of the station on the Rock Island & Mercer 726 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. County railroad. Here lie is also engaged in selling lumber on com- mission. October 4, 1870, he married Miss Pliilepene Elirliard, a daughter of John Ehrhard. She is a native of Khein Baiern, (4er- many. She came to America in the fall of 1868, landing here January 1, 1867. They have four children, August H., Ludv^^ig L., Amelia T., and Edward J. They are m-jmbers of the Lutheran church, of Eock Island. Among the leading physicians of Mercer county may be mentioned Dr. James H. Seyler. He was born in central Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 6, 1842. His early years were spent on the farm and in the common schools, beginning at the age of sixteen to attend the higher grade of schools. In his seventeenth year he entered the academy at Glade Run, remaining nearly four years. He then became a student at Jeiferson literary college, in tlie State of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with the class of 1865, receiving his diploma from the united Washington and Jefferson college. He then began reading medicine with Dr. Scott, of Cleveland, Ohio. He also attended medical lectures at Cleveland. He linally entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he received his degree of M.D., in 1868. After practicing his profession dhe year at Sharps- burg, Pennsylvania, he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and per- manently located at Preemption, where he has established an enviable reputation as a successful physician. In 1881 he erected a line brick building ^irjiich he occupies as a drug store. In November, 1874, he was mari-ied to Miss Lauretta Criswell, daughter of Matthew Criswell, Esq., a native of Pennsylvania, but at that time a resident of Pock Island county. One child, Sarah F., was born to them in 1876. Dr. Seyler is a prominent member of the masonic fraternity, and he and wife are active members of the Presbyterian church. William Ha]mmond is a son of Robert and Margery (Bird) Ham- mond, and was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1839. His early youth was spent on a farm where he received a good com- mon school education, which he finished with two years at Westminster college. In August, 186], he enlisted in the Co. B, 100th Pa. Vol. Inf , as first lieutenant, from which he was promoted to captain. He partici- pated in the following battles : Port Royal and Port Royal ferry, S. C, ; James Island, Bull Run and Chantilla, Va. ; South Mountain and An- tietam, Md.; Fi-edericksburg, Va. ; Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss.; Blue Springs, Campbeirs Stations and siege of Knoxville, Tenn; the battles of the wilderness, Spotsylvania, Spotsylvania court-house, North Ann river. Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Va. ; and Mine explosion. At the latter place he was wounded for the third time during the service, and PREEMPTION TOWNSHIP. 727 was sent to Georgetown hospital, D. C, from wliicli he was finally discharged. After the restoration of peace and his return home, he spent some time in prospecting in several states, for a suitable place to settle, and in 1866 came to Preemption. He was at once impressed with the beauty of the country, and settled in Preemption, and for a short time enaraffed in the druii: business but soon run into a general "&"o store, selling out the drug department. In 1877 he built his present tine brick store, where he is now engaged in a prosperous trade. March 12, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Olive M. Morey, a daughter of Ezekiel and Esther (Underhill) Morey, who were among the early pioneers of this county. She was born in Preemption town- ship, March 11, 1844-. They have one child living, Will D.; Bird U. died JSTovember 24, 1878, aged over four years. Mr. and Mrs. Ham- mond are prominent members of the Presbyterian church. George Smffh is a son of Thomas and Mary (Potts) Smith. He was born in Ireland, July 2, 1827. In 1846, his parents, with their nine children, came to America, sailing from Belfast in the ship Annie. They first settled in Bytown, now Ottawa, Canada, where they re- mained six years. They then removed farther west in Canada, and settled in the county of Bruce, west of Toronto, where the parents re- mained until the time of their death. George, the subject of this sketch, was the third son. He was reared like his father, a farmer, at the same time receiving a good, common school education, as well as early training in the way of thrift and industry. November 3, 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane AVadsworth, daughter of John and Jane (Johnston) Wadsworth. She was born February 11, 1836, in the county Fermanagh, Ireland, and came with her parents to the United States in 1847. They are the parents of an interesting family of eleven children, whose names, in the order of their birth, are: Emma J. (wife of Thomas Johnston, of Rock Island county), William J,, Caroline V., Mary E., George A., Sarah E., Jemima K., Angeline M., Harriett E., Charles E., and Losada L. After his mar- riage Mr. Smith engaged in farming till 1865, when he sold his Cana- dian home and removed to Mercer county, settling in Preemption township, on section 16. For his first eighty acres he paid $2,000, for his second he paid $4,500, and for his last forty acres, bought in 1882, he paid $3,000. Mv. Smith is now (1882) actively' engaged in stock- raising and farming. The raising of pork for market has been with him a decided success. Himself and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Daniel Mack is a son of John and Bridget (Conway) Mack, and was born in county Clare, Ireland, in May 1849. His father died, and, 728 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. early in the spring of 1853, he. with his mother and her. family, set sail for America in the sailing ship Mary Pleasant, and all safeW landed in Philadelphia on May 10, 1853. In the spring of 1855 they removed to Rock Island, Illinois, where our subject spent the next four and a half years clerking in a hotel and working at other odd jobs from which he could earn an honest penny, at the same time making the best use he could of all spare time in securing an education. Though he did not have the advantage of a college course of instruc- tion, he is one of those j)ractical, self-made men occasionally found among the emigrants to this county who were by poverty thrown upon their own resources. After coming to Preemption township, in 1859, he engaged in breaking prairie, and became known as Dan. Mack, the j)rairie breaker. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 84th 111. Vol. Inf., and served his adopted country until the close of the war. While in the service he was wovmded at Chickamauga, September 19, 1853. January 1, 1866, he was married to Miss Catharine Oday, a daugh- ter of John and Margaret (Burk) Oday, who is also a native of Ire- land, and came to America in about 1860. They are the parents of seven children, living: John W., Daniel, Thomas F., Elizabeth, Will- iam, James P., Joseph C, and three deceased. Though Mr. Mack began a poor boy, he is now the independent owner of 510 acres of land in this township, and is actively engaged in stock raising and shipping as well as farming. Robert Foster is a son of Robert and Margaret (Nickson) Foster. He was born in the county Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1820, and was reared on a farm, at the same time receiving a good education. On March 17, 1845, with his brother John and others of his father's family he left his native home for America, and about May 1 of the same year arrived at Rock Island, Illinois. The first summer was spent by him working in a brick-yard at Rock Island, while John worked the first season in Preemption township for John Whitsitt, Esq. Thus they made their start '' slow but sure." The brothers finall}^ purchased land in section 3, in Preemption township, where Robert still lives, and where John lived till the time of his death, December 30, 1881, in the seventieth year of his age. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gave liberally of his ni«ans, making it a ])oint to give annually fifty dollars toward the support of the church of which he was a membei'. Some years before his death he gave a house and lot in Rock Island to the Methodist Episcopal Church there to be used as a parsonage, and a short time previous to his death he willed to the missionary society of Rock Island property to the value of $2,000, the proceeds of which is to be COMPANY A, THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. ' 729 used in foreign missionary work, and during tlie last year of his life he contributed in cash $100 to the missionary fund. In 1859 Kobert was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Kennedy, a native of county Fermanagh, Ireland, by whom he became the father of twelve children, seven of whom are now living : Matilda, John, William, "Walter, Sarah J., Abba M., and Robert D. The oldest daughter, aged twenty years, and the third son, aged fifteen years, fell victims to that dread scourge diphtheria, as well as did some of his family in younger years. Mr. Foster and wife are consistant members of the Methodist Episcopal church. COMPANY C, THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. Quite a number of Mercer county men entered this company, which was organized in Warren county and was officered almost entirely by men from that county. The organization took place August 20, 1861, and the muster-in took place about one month later at Aurora. A day or two after the organization the regiment went to Quincy, Illinois, and thence to St. Louis, Missouri. Some of the principal battles in which this regiment was engaged were : Bentonville, Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone river, Chickamauga creek. Many other skirmishes and light engagements were participated in by this regiment. Nine of Mercer county's citizens died at the enemy's hands or from disease contracted in the service. COMPANY A, TIIIRTY-SEYENTII REGIMENT. This was a Rock Island county company, ancyike many other com- panies and regiments from adjoining counties, drew liberally on Mer- cer county for men. The regiment was made up of S(|uads from all parts of the state and from other states. Company A, to which the Mercer county boys attached themselves, was organized August 14, 18f)l, and a month and a few days later the regiment was organized and the men mustered into service at Chicago. The war had then begun to be a reality and troops were not kept in the state long for show or drill, but, as was the case with the thirty-seventh, were sent immediately to the scene of action. The next day after the completion of the organization this regiment was sent to St. Louis, and a few days later to Booneville, Otterville and Springfield. On January 2-1, 1862, the regiment was in the battle of Pea Ridge and September 29 at New- tonia, the battle of Favetteville soon after being the scene of an engage- 730 HISTOKY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON (jOUNTIES. ment in which this regiment participated. The regiment was mustered out May 15, 1866. Twelve names on the monument at Aledo attest the devotion of Mercer county's heroes to the old flag. COMPANY I, SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. Co. I, of the ITth reg. 111. Yol. Inf., was raised from men at New Boston, Keithsburg and Aledo. Dr. E. P. 'Wood, of New Boston (afterward lieutenant-colonel of the regiment), Geo. W. Sanders, William Avery, E. S. Bruington, and D. T. Hindman were leading spirits in organizing the company. Enos P. Wood was afterward (April 20, 1S61) elected captain, and a month later, on the organization of the regiment, elected lieutenant-colonel ; Edward S. Bruington, second lieutenant (afterward captain); and Geo. W. Sanders, who also afterward was promoted to the captaincy, as first lieutenant. William Avery succeeded from second to lirst lieutenancy on the formation of the regiment. Wm. A. Lorimer was promoted to second, then to first lieutenant, and was mustered out as captain of the company. Theo- dore Glancey was chosen second lieutenant April 2, 1863, and after- ward, and until tlie expiration of his term, pi'omoted to second lieutenancy. The company left New Boston April lU, 1861, for Monmouth, whither they marched. At Monmouth they tan-ied tour days, and in the meantime were met by company F, of Warren county. April 23 they took the cars to Peoria, and went into camp, tlie camp being named Camp Mather. Company I was raised as a three months' company, but the call for the three months" men was already full and overflowing when they arrived in camj# It was generally understood before arriving there that such was the case, and nearly all were ready to enlist for three years. A few, however, declined and returned home. May 24 the regiment was organized, and company I, with as brave a lot of men as ever carried the musket, was assigned the position indicated by the letter given above. One item in the history of this company will be remembered as long as a member of it remains. Though rough usage and privations incident t tember, 1871. In January, 1856, a church was organized at Oak Ridge by the United Brethren. The organization was effected by Rev. George Weaver, the iirst class-leader being James Meadows, and steward, Henry Birdwell. Besides the above-named othcers the original mem- bership included John and Jane Meadows, John and Mary Shroyer, Asa and Atlanta Streeter, Samuel Young. Julia Stevens, Adison Buckly. C^Tithia Birdwell, and Rebecca Meadows. This church has no building, lia\"ing used the Oak Ridge school-house for their meetings. Zlon Methodist Episcopal Church. — This class was organized in 1858, with Christian Harshbarger as class-leader, which office he held continuously until 1879, when he was succeeded by J. Arthur Garrett, who is the present leader. Thus has this class been led during its twenty-four years' existence by two leaders. There is no record obtain- able of the original members of this class, but its present membership is twenty-two. In 1870 the class built a small, plain church in the S. E. J of Sec. 29, which they use for their public exercises, though it has never been entirely iinished. RTVOLI TOWNSHIP. lOi The Church of Christ, of Oak Ridge, wiis organized May 21, 1S65, by Rev. E.. Fisher. The original membership comprised James and Martha Marford, Rebecca Shoyer, Thomas and IVfatikla Ilill, Louisa Braught, Edna Watson, Mary J. Bnnyan, Martha J. Thompson, James and Mary A. Meadows, Mary A. Miller, Levi and Margaret J. Spen- cer, and Mary Roosa. James Marford and James Meadows were the first elders, and Thomas Hill the first deacon. In 1873 the society was removed to New Windsor and reorganized there by Rev. T. J. Bur- ton. The society here purchased a church building of the Presbytery of United Presbyterian church. This building was the first church edifice erected in the township, having been built in 1867. This removal proved disastrous to the society; the members living south and west of Oak Ridge, being too far away from the church, the society lost membership and became too weak to pay for the church they bought, so it reverted to the Ignited Presbyterian Presbytery, and the Church of Christ ceased to exist. The J^i7'st Congregational Church, of New Windsor, was organized October 11, 1870, by W. W. Allen, Sarah A. Allen, William D. Fleharty, Mary C. Fleharty, Alice Barnes, Mary Ann Mayo, Florence C. Byrnes, Delia A. Hammond, and Charlotte Goold, as members, assisted by the Rev. L. F. Waldo, W. J. Beecher, R. B. Guild, B. F. Haskins, and A. R. Mitchell, pastors respectively of the First Congre- gational churches of Oneida, Galesburg, Galva, Yictoria and Yiola, with deacons M. C. Metcalf, and R. C. Sexton, as delegates, Rev. L. F. Waldo, moderator, and Rev. W. J. Beecher, scribe. W. W. Allen was elected clerk. Since the organization there have been eighty -four members admitted to the church, making a total membership of ninety- three during the little more than eleven years since the first organiza- tion. October 22, 1870, W. W. Allen was elected deacon, and William D. Fleharty, treasurer. Rev. Cyrus H. Eaton, the first pastor, b.egan his labors April 30, 1871. The society built a small but very nice church during the year 1872, which was completed in the spring of 1873, at a cost of $2,381.64, and dedicated May 25, 1873. T. B. Mayo, A. J. Streeter, and William D. Fleharty were the building com- mittee. The pastorate of Rev. C. H. Eaton ceased November 1, 1874. Rev. B. F. Haskins acted as supply until the Rev. J. A. Waterworth began his labors, May 30, 1875. He continued to serve as pastor until June 1, 1878, and was succeeded by the present incumbent. Rev. R. L. McCord, who began his labors in January, 1879. The United Presbyterian Church, of New Windsor, was organized in Oxford, Henry county, August 10, 1866, by Joseph M. and Nancy H. Christy, Thomas R., Catharine and Elizabeth McMiller, Margaret 758 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. A. Hogue, Elizabeth McLauijIilin, Thomas li. and Sarah Brown, William H. and Margaret Kerr, Sarah Surplnss, ISTancv Epperson, Thomas and Eliza M. Ramsey, John M. and Sarah A. Christy, and Stephen and Isabella Woodburn. The first elders were Joseph M. Christy and William H. Kerr. In 1867 this society built the first church edifice erected in the township of ISTew Windsor. After a four years' struggle this society was dissolyed by the Pi-esbytery, some of its members think unjustly. The New Windsor Metkodkt Eplmopal Church was organized in 1868, under the charge of Rey. Peter S. Garretson, this being his first appointment, he haying trfiyeled one year preyiously on the Orion cir- cuit as supply. Key. W. B. Carithers receiyed his appointment to this circuit in 1869, during which year the class procured a lot and pur- chased a building 26x40 feet that had been built for a school-house and conyerted it into a house of worship. This building the class still uses as its church. Rey. Theodore Hoagland was placed in charge of this class in 1870 and was continued two years. The preachers in charge since Rey. T. Hoagland haye been Reys. William Lieber, U. Z. Gilmer, A. Myers, J. E. Taylor, two years; Geo. Miller, John McCord, and J. D. Calhoun, two years. The class organized in 1868, with a membership of eight, John Coleman, Elizabeth Colemen, Loyina Coleman, Samuel Coleman, Rey. John Abbott, Alice Abbott, W. A. Buckley, and Mary Buckley. • The present membership of the class is forty-fiye. The church is out of debt and in a flourishing condition. The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Churchy of Xew Windsor, was organized May 24, 1869, with Carl A. Johnson, Tetes Falk, and John M. Blad, as trustees, and Carl A. Johnson, C. Bjorkengren, Carl Adolf Falk, and Carl Falk, as deacons. G. A. Falk, secretary. August 23, 1869, the society decided to build a church edifice, which it did that fall, erecting a building 28x60x20 ft. dimensions, which rests on a stone foundation three and a half feet aboye the surface of the ground. This building cost $6,726.70. The society has a good commodious parsonage also, which cost about $1,500, and a cemetery where it buries its dead exclusively. It has had three pastors since its organization : S. T. A. Lindahl, T. N. Sannquist and the present pastor, N. T. AVinquist, who has been in charge since April, 1879. • The latter gentleman being a fine scholar and a yer}^ intelligent man. He was born in Stockholm, Sweden, Xoy ember 9, 1840,- and receiyed his education there, coming to America in 1867. He took a course at the Swedish Theological Seminary at Paxton, Illinois, since remoycd to Rock Island, Illinois. KIVOLI TOWNSHIP. 75 9 To his otlier scholarly attainments he adds a knowledge of the Hebrew language. This society has a membership of 280 comnnmicants, and 160 children, wdiich it regards as members, making a total mem bership of 440. The village of IS^ew Windsor was originally laid ont in 1857 by W. T. Hammond, on the S. E. ^ of See. 13, and was expected to be a station on the Great Western Air Line railway, which was to be a trans-continental line spanning the country from Philadelphia to San Francisco. But the financial collapse of that year served a perpetual writ of mandamus upon the construction of many great lines of rail- way. The railroad was not built, and the seed that was to produce New Windsor failed to germinate. In 1868 the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, by a series of manipulations known to rail- road magnates, came into possession of the franchises, right of way, etc., of the American Central railroad, which was the successor of the Great Western Air Line, and proceeded to build and equip the road from Galva to New Boston, having it ready to operate in the spring of 1869 as a branch to -its main line. With the building of the rail- road, New AYindsor sprang into being as if by magic, so rapid was its growth. On August 2, 18(i9, the people decided by a vote of thirty-four to seven to incorporate their town. On August 1-1, A. J. Moore, J. H. Epperson, P. Casler, E. L. Larkin and G. W. Gregg were elected the first board of trustees, and Joseph M. Christy the first police justice. At an election held August 1, 1870, the people of the town of New Windsor voted to issue $10,000 in the bonds of the town to the Pock- foi'd. Pock Island & St. Louis railroad, when said railroad was com- pleted and a depot built in the incorporation. This measure was carried by a vote of forty-three to fourteen. As the conditions were never complied with the bonds were 7iot issued. The road was built three miles east of New AVindsor, and Alpha came into being at the crossing of the Chicago, Burlington ifc Quincy branch. April 19, 1878, the town voted thirty to twenty-two to organize as as a village under the general incorporation law of the state. The present board of trustees are : W. H. Gladman, president ; R. B. Pobinson, J. A. Maxwell, W. C. Cole, C. Shaw, and S. T. Samuel- son ; S. C. Whiteomb. village clerk. This village enjoys the distinction of having the only telescope for astronomical purposes in this part of the country. Mr. Edgar L. Larkin having erected an observatory here mounting a six inch equatorial, made by Alivin Clark ife Sons. Februarv 3, 1877, the state auditor issued a certificate of organiza- 760 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. tion granting twentv-five ,years life to tlie "Eivoli Farmers' Mutual Insui-ance Company," with its business office in New Windsor, and authorized to transact business in its line in the townships of Kivoli. Richland Grove, North Henderson, Greene, and Suez, in this county, and Oxford township, in Henry county. The company organized with thirty charter members, whose aggregate policies amounted to $60,000. The first board of directors were : S. B. Slmmway, W. S. Fleharty, H. II. Roberts, A. P. Petrie, T. D. Merryman, N. P. Smith, J. M. Merryman, B. Kasenberg and T. S. Wilson. The officers were : A. P. Petrie, president ; N. P. Smith, secretary, and T. D. Merryman, treasurer. The last annual report of the secretary, January, 1882, shows the total number of policies in full, 164:. covering $178,468. The present officers of the company are : S. B. Shumway, president ; Orson Jones, secretary, and T. D. Merryman, treasurer. Oxford Lodge., No. 367, A.F.A.M. was granted a dispensation October 18, 1860, by the grand master of the state, to open a new lodge U. D., in Oxford, in Henry county. Tlje lodge worked U. D., until October 16, 1861, it received its charter and number from Grand Master Ira A. W. Buck. Its first officers were : Paul Halm, W.M. ; Robert Detheridge, S.W. ; Wm. Fleharty, J.W. ; Samuel Wilson, Treasurer; M. S. Shephard, Secretary; Thomas Robertson, S.D. ; George Gale, J.D. ; Samuel Epperson, Tyler. The charter members were P. W. Epperson, Thomas Robertson, Samuel Wilson, S. C. Moberly, J. D. Kennedy, J. M. Herbert, M. S. Shephard, Joshua Bruner, and N. McCombers. The lodge removed to and held its lirst meeting in New Windsor July 12, 1870. It owned its hall in Oxford, which it sold to S. B. Shumway, and in September, 1870, bought its present hall and undivided half interest in the lot on which it stands of J. A. Maxwell. It is in good financial condition and numbers among its members some of the foremost and best men in the community, ranking as one of the best working lodges in the country. It has had on its roll the names of over 130 members, its present active memberslup being forty-six. During its twenty-one years' existence the following eight members have filled the office of Worshipful Master : Paul Halm, two years ; R. Detheridge, four years ; S. B. Shumway, six years ; M. Colley, J. M. Timberlake, A. D. Underwood, two years ; A. P. Petrie, two years ; and R. S. Petrie, three years. The present officers of the lodge are : H. II. Roberts, W.M.; B. F. Brooks, S.W.; J. F. Cox, J.W.; W. W. Parsons, Treasurer; A. P. Shroyer, Secretary; A. Olson, S.D.; A. G. McMul- len, J.D.; R. Blair, Tyler. RIVOLI TOWNSHIP. TBI A chapter of the Eastern Star was recently organized in connection with this lodge, having eighteen charter members, seven of whom are women. Its othoers are: Mrs. Jennie Petrie, W.M. ; Mrs. Lizzie Mc- Mullen, W.A. ; A. P. Forgie, W.T.; Mrs. Martha Veeder, Treasurer; C, F. Peterson, Secretary. New Wi?idsor Lodge No. 518^ I.O.O.F.., was organized June 3, 1873, by Dept. G. M. James Kelly. Charter members were : J. B. Armstrong, A. A. Willett, W. W. Jobes, W. H. Gladman, and Samuel Adams. Its lirst officers were : J. B. Armstrong, N.G. ; W. H. Glad- man, V.G. ; Samuel Adams, Secretary; A. A. Willett, Treasurer. Its roll shows a total membership of ninety-five since its organization, witli a present active membership of twenty-six. It owns a hall over the drug store of A. J. Posenbaum and the undivided half of the lot on which it stands. The hall was built in the fall of 1879. The lodge occupied its hall the lirst time November 20, 1879. Its present officers are: Dr. F. D. Rathburn, N.G.; H. Higley, V.G.; B. F. Brooks, Secretary ; D. Harkness, Treasurer ; W. H. Kerr, Warden ; John Olson, Cond. ; James Ulam, Chap.; J. E. Gould, D.D.G.M. The office of Noble Grand has been held by S. Adams, two terms ; W. H. Gladman, two terms ; A. J. Smith, W. S. Coe, J. L. David, H. J. Piper, J. E. Gould, J. L. McNaghten, W. II. Kerr, A. B. Firkins, James Ulam, two terms ; J. N. Cox, and B. F. Brooks. There are four cemeteries, in this township. The Woodham.^ Cemetery on the E. \ of the N. W. of Sec. 21, covers two acres, which was set apart for that purpose by Mr. William Woodhams during his life and afterward deeded to the township by the family. Mrs. W. was the iirst one buried in this cemetery, which contains the remains of several of the township's pioneers. The Coopei' Cemetery on the S. W. \ of the S. E. \ of Sec. 30, the property of Richard Cooper, was started as a private cemetery by the Cooper family, and is occupied mostly by members of that family and connections. The Neui Windsor Cemetery., on the S. E. J of Sec. 12, was donated by the late William F. Petrie, one of the proprietors of the village, and is on a beautiful rolling site, and is being rapidly improved by trees and flowers, which must soon render it very attractive. The Swedish EvcmgeUcal Lutheran. Cemetery., in the village of New Windsor, near the southeast corner of section 12, and separated from the church by a street, is the property of that church and designed exclus- ively for the use of members of that church. The following were the first township officers elected after the county went into township organization in 1851 : supervisor, R. R. 762 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Cox ; town clerk, James Bridger ; assessor, L. Cliidester ; collector, N. Chidester ; justice of the peace, C. Harshberger. The following is the list of town officers to date, with the number of terms that each held: Super viso/'. — R. R. Cox, two years ; Daniel Jones, two years ; A. J. Streeter, five years ; John W. Mills, two years ; N. P. Smith, four years ; T. G. Woodhams ; A. P. Petrie, nine years ; IV. D. Fleluirty, two years ; J. G. Sexton, three years. Tov:}i Clerk. — James Bridger, twelve years ; J. Lyman Smith, two years ; A. P. Petrie ; C. F. Durston, four years ; Joseph M. Christy, four years ; S. L. Durston ; A. J. Smith ; T. B. Mayo, three years ; J. W. Peterson. In twenty-nine years nine persons have filled both of these offices. One of J. G. Sexton's terms is fractional, having been appointed to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of A. P. Petrie. Asses.mr. — L. Chidester; N. P. Smith, four years; Wm. Pitman; S. B, Shumway, two years ; C. F. Durston, three years ; J. L. Smith, three years ; H. R. West ; Joseph M. Christy, two years ; A. J. Jmith ; W. C. Cole ; J. B. Longley, eight years ; Ira G. Bridger. Collector. — ]Sr. Chidester ; Chas. E. Cox ; H. R. "West, eight years ; Orson Jones ; J. Menold ; T. G. Woodhams, four years ; J. B. Smith ; E. B. David ; C. S. Smith, two years ; Sidney Durston ; W. B. Cullison; W. W. Jobes ; Ira G. Bridger; S. L. Durston; W. W. Allen ; T. B. Mayo ; Geo. W. Gregg ; W. W. Parsons ; O. Roberts ; Royal Chidester ; W. W. Watson ; H. L. Loomis. 'Justice of the Peace. — Term of office is four years: C. Ilarsberger, two terms ; Peter Eckley ; R. R. Cox ; John B. Longley, three terms ; J. W. Peterson, two terms; M. F. Whipp; J. Lyman Smith; James Meadows ; John Christy ; C. F. Durston, two terms ; M. F. Postlewait ; Joseph M. Christy ; W. C. Cole ; W. W. Parsons, three terms ; J. G. Sexton, two terms. In 1865 the town auditors levied a tax of $2.60 on the $100 valuation for a bounty tax. The total amount expended for fifteen volunteers to fill the quota of this township was $7,910.75, of which $3,620 was raised by subscription. In 1851 the first assessment under township organization showed that there were in the township 163 horses, 105 cattle, 5 mules, 226 sheep, 619 hogs, 15 wagons and carriages, 39 clocks and watches ; moneys and credits $779. The total personal property assessed was $19,821; the total real estate assessed was $35,238.29; total assess- ment, $55,059.29. The New Windsor Observatory, located at New Windsor, and RIVOLI TOWNSHIP. 763 owned by Edgar L. Larkin, is an object of mncL interest. It was erected for astronomical purposes, and is pi-ovided witli a telescope made especially for celestial observation. The diameter of the object- ive is six inches in the clear, and its focal length is eight feet ten inches. The observatory is in free telegraphic communication with the Smith- sonian Institute at Washington, D.C., and with the Howard College observatory at Cambridge, Massachusetts. The telescope is called an equatorial ; that is, it rests on two strong, cast-iron axes, that have motions so adjusted that when the telescope is set on a star it w^ll remain so, since it is revolving on axes that move as the earth does. The telescope and all its belongings are lirst-class, and it would be a pleasure to note all of its peculiarities and appliances, but space forbids more than the above mention. BIOGRAPHICAL. REiTBEisr H. Spicek, Sr., was born in the town of Kent, county of Litchtield, state of Connecticut, June 24, 1810. In 1819 his father removed to western New York, then a new country. The schools there at that day wei-e of the frontier type, but such as they were Mr. Spicer had the privilege of attending from two to three months during the year. Such was the advantage he took of the limited opportunities that at the age of fourteen he was spoken of for a teacher. DabolFs arithmetic, Webster's spelling book, with writing, comprised the entire curriculum of the common school then, but through the partiality of one or two teachers and a Baptist minister, Mr. Spicer was enabled to go a little beyond the standard course and obtain an introduction to mathematics, geography and grammar. At the age of eighteen he left the home farm at his father''s suggestion, and spent scmie time in southern New York and northern Pennsylvania, which being an older settled portion of the country, brought him in contact with a higher grade of society, and better opportunities to gratify his ardent desire for knowledge and self-imy.)rovement. One of the lirst steps taken by him was to form a temperance society of one, for at that time the use of liquor was almost universal, standing upon the sideboard of every well- to-do gentleman, and in the closets of poorer people ; greeting the guest upon arrival and following his de])arture as a stirrup cup. See- ing the degradation and misery which too frequently resulted, especially among young meA, from the use of intoxicating liquors, he resolved to deny himself the use, and faithfully did he adhere to that resolution, and now as he reviews his past life he does not hesitate to award to that resolve the credit for his being a better man and more useful citizen than he could have been with the associations of those who had T64: HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. a greater fonclDess for liquor and smoke than for mental culture. After traveling considerably through the middle, some of the southern and eastern states, in the fall of 1831 he went to Michigan, the only new country then thought to be habitable, with the expectation of making it his home. He spent the wintei- in Ann Arbor, then a flourishing town with good society. Early next spring with a pony he started out and during the season traversed the territoiy in various directions, Indian trails being the substitute for roads. Indians were numerous and he often found them useful in mapping the geography of the country for him ; with their ramrods tracing in the sand the course of trails, rivers, ravines and sloughs, and marking the crossings, all with an unerring accuracy that would have done honor to a learned pro- fessor. While stopping for tlie night at Bronson, now Kalamazoo, in the earl)^ summer, the people were aroused to great excitement by the arrival of a messenger announcing the breaking out of the Black Hawk war, and claiming to have been sent for aid to arrest the advance of the hostiles, which was represented to be rapid and not far distant. The people were panic stricken; old men and women traversed the streets wringing their hands, not knowing which way to turn for safety. Mr. Spicer's destination, Prairie Ronde, now Schoolcraft, led him directly toward the advancing foe, and he resumed his journey next morning against the earnest protests of the people of the village. He made the journey in safety, transacted his business, and, returning on the second day met the volunteers en route for the seat of war. Among them was every man from tlie Gull Prairie settlement, where he had been stopping, even Deacon Mills, the old man of the settle- ment, with whom Mr. Spicer had been boarding. By taking his place in the ranks Mr. Spicer induced the deacon to return to his home, and thus he was led into making a campaign in the Black Hawk war. With the desire for a higher education as strong as ever, he returned east in the fall of 1832, and at the age of twenty-two began that course of education that most young men now finish before that age. For two years he applied himself with untiring assiduity to his studies. In the spring of 1835 he again started west, this time with Texas as his objective point, that state being engaged at that time in the struggle to free itself from Mexican rule. Arrived at Cincinnati he found the funds too low to ])roceed farther, so crossed over to Kentucky and pro- cured a situation in a school and began to teach. He applied himself with such diligence in his new profession that he soon found himself at the head of one of the most flourishing local schools of the state. Two years of such intense application told upon his health, and he was forced to give up his school. In the spring of 1837 he married Miss RIVOLI TOWNSHIP. 765 Sopliia Whitehead, of Covington, Ky., who was a native of London, Enghmd, and they started at once for Illinois. Arrived at Peoria ho found speculation a mania, corner lots selling far up in the thousands. After inspecting the country abcmt Peoria, he proceeded up the river to Peru, thence to Aux Plaines and Chicago. While stopping with a brother at Aux Plaines he incidentally heard of a wonderfully fertile country bordering on the Mississippi south oH Rock river. A place where a man of small means had a chance to become the peer of his neighbor with no greater means. Chancing to meet a former acquaint- ance from the east, he started for the new Eldorado on foot, there being few inducements then for even stage lines to traverse the trackless prairies. After viewing the country he purchased a claim that is now embraced within tiie limits of his fai'm. He returned to his claim with his wife in July. The improvements on the claim con- sisted of two acres broken and a log cabin erected, 14x16 feet dimen- sion, with a place cut for a door and a lire-place, and a place 6X8 feet in one corner covered by a puncheon floor. Mr. Spicer, writing of this cabin, says: ''This domicile had its conveniences. First, it was well ventilated, then the open door and flre-place made ample provision for the easy ingress and egress of itinerant dogs and prowling wolves, the latter being much the more numerous." Speaking of these times Mr. Spicer remarked that "Political organizations at this time had not disturbed the unity of the settlements. In 1838 the flrst breeze, faint, but yet perceptible, swept over these prairies. In 1840 the invader arrived and the two parties, democrat and whig, for the first time measured their strength.'" Mr. Spicer was a democrat, and though he foresaw that the probabilities were against that party acquiring a per- manent ascendency, he preferred to be right in his own estimation rather than yield his opinion to expediency. In 1841 he was sent as delegate to the state convention ; the first delegate of either party from the county to a state convention. He found some difficulty in making the geographical location of the county known. In answer to questions as to its whereabouts, he replied that "Time would make it known as one of the first counties of the state." This was received with very incredulous smiles. He there formed the acquaintance of many of the prominent men of the state, which became a source of much pleasure to him in after years. In 1843 he was elected to the legishxture from the district composed of the counties of Mercer and Knox. In 1848 he was put in nomination for the state senate for the district composed of Mercer, Rock Island, Henry, Knox, Warren and Henderson counties. The canvass of that year was the most spirited in this section up to that time ; Gov. Joseph B. Wells and Col. E. D. Baker, candidate for congress, 766 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES, participated. By the defection of a small portion of his party in Knox county he was defeated. This virtually closed his political career, as impediments beyond his control prevented his taking any further part in that direction. Yet in 1851, without his consent or knowledge even, he was again })ut in nomination for the same office, to till a vacancy. His business arrangements were such then that he could not accept it and took no part in the canvass. He has always been an earnest advo- cate of the public schools, laboring officially and individually for their improvement, having served over twenty years as a school officer in his district and township. At the breaking out of the rebellion he was among tlie lirst to advocate its suppression, believing that the union must and should be preserved. Loss of hearing has for many years been a serious obstacle to the transaction of business, and still greater to the enjoyment of social intercourse, for which he is so eminently qualified, and from which he would derive such great pleasure. Nat- urally of a studious disposition, this deprivation has caused him to turn more of liis attention to books, and especially in that greatest of all books, the book of nature, where he finds his greatest solace. His father was a man of more than ordinary energy, and had executive faculties of a high order. Starting with a very imperfect education, he made his way througli life a success. Frequently having large busi- ness operations under his supervision, he won the confidence of an ex- tended circle of friends. He held many of the local offices of his county, and when over sixty years of age removed from New York to the vicinity of Lawrence, Kansas, for the benefit of his younger children. The climate and change seemed to affect his health, but he lived to reach nearly four score years. His grandfather gave his services to his country during the entire period of the revolutionary war. His grand- mother resided at Xew London, Connecticut, at the time Arnold invaded that place, but was one of those who escaped to the hills in the rear of the place. Mr. Spicer's first claim and residence was on the S. E. of the S. E. of section 25, in Greene township ; his present resi- dence was not built until 1841, and is on the N. W. of the S. W. of section 30, in liivoli township. Of the ten children, nine are living: Sarah A. (wife of C. V. Shove, Yiola, Illinois); S. Augusta (wife of Wm.C. Garrett, farmer, Rivoli township); E. Levis (member of Co. H, 84th 111. Yol. Inf., was mortally wounded at the battle of Stone river, Tennessee, and was buried in the cemetery at Nashville) ; Talbut T. (farmer, married daughter of Elihu Eathbun, lives near Chariton, Iowa); Charles F. (senior partner of firm of Spicer ct (lilmore, dealers in agri- cultural implements, Aledo, Illinois); Lucy A.; Reuben II., Jr. (mar- ried to Laura (■., youngest daughter of L. W. Conger, now of Putnam KIVOLI TOAVNSHIP. 76 T county, Missouri); Franklin P.; Minnie I. (wife of John L. Stewart, fanner, Rivoli townsLip); and Mary E. Plon. Alexander P. Petrie was born at Rosendale on the Hudson, in Ulster county, New York, Ausjust 81, 1837. He came to Illinois with his father's family in 1844, via the lakes to Chicago, and thence by wagon to Pichland Grove townshij), arriving at the house of Samuel Clai-k, one of the pioneers of that township, June 6, 184-1, the next day after the great toi'nado that had blown from their foundations the McMullen and Wilcox houses, the only two houses then on the prairie south of Edwards creek. His youth was spent on the farm with only the very limited advantages for education afforded by the common schools of that day. He afterward took a course in a commercial school at Chicago. On August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 112tli reg. 111. Vol. Inf., and at the com])any organization was elected orderly- sergeant, was mustered into the United States service as second lieuten- ant, at Peoria, September 22, 1862, went with his regiment to Covington, and thence to Lexington, Kentucky, where he wintered; went with a detachment from his regiment in the summer of 1864, on Saunder's raid into east Tennessee, destroying railroads and confederate supplies. Some of his command were captured near Cumberland Gap, but he escaped. Reaching Lancaster, Kentucky, they celebrated July 4, 1863, there, and afterward rejoined his regiment at Danville, Kentucky; was at the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee, and at Kelly's Ford, east Tennessee. January 27, 1864, he was wounded by a shot in both legs during a cavalry engagement. For his wound he received a furlough for two months and visited his home. He rejoined his command, then a part of Gen. Sherman's grand army, rendezvoused near Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the spring of 1864, taking part in that wonderful hun- dred days' campaign which resulted in the fall of Atlanta, his command being in the Twenty-third Army Corps under Gen. Schofield. He com- manded his company after the battle of liesacca, in the spring of 1864, until after the battle of Franklin,* Tennessee, November 30, 1864, in which his brother, Edward P., a member of his company, was killed and borne from the field by Lieut. Petrie in person. He was also with his command in the right wing of the army under Gen. George H. Thomas, when Gen. Hood received his final defeat at Nashville. His command having been sent to Fort Fisher after the battle of Nashville, to take part with Gen. Sherman in the Carolina campaign, he joined it at Kingston, North Carolina, in March, 1865. He was mustered out at Greensboro, North Carolina, June 20, 1865, as first lieutenant, reaching home on July 9, following. August 28, 1862, Mr. Petrie united in marriage with Miss Alice, daughter of Dr. 768 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. T. S, Petrie, probably a distant relative, as both parties trace their lineage back four or iive generations to one James Petrie, gardener and florist, Forest, Elginshire, Scotland. Miss Alice was born in Liverpool, England, April 1, 1839, and came to America with her parents in 1840, via New Orleans and the river, to Peoria, Illinois, settling first at Trivoli, in Peoria county, thence moving to Brimfield, and thence to Rivoli, Mercer county. Mr. and Mi-s. P. have four children, two sons and two daughters. The oldest, Maggie, being now in attendance at St. Mary's school, Knoxville, Illinois. In the spring of 186" Mr. Petrie was elected supervisor for Pivoli township, to which office his neiii'hbors continued to call him until lie had served them ten vears. He lias been an. active member of the republican party ever since his majority, but not in the roll of an office seeker, the offices having sought him. In 1880 his party called on him to represent the twenty- second senatorial district in the house of representatives of the Illinois legislature, which position lie fills with as much honor to himself and his constituents as any of the new members of that body. Mr. T. is a member of the Congregational church, of New Windsor, and of Oxford Lodge, No. 367, A.F.A.M., of New Windsor, of which lodge he was W.M. for two years. His farm, consisting of 560 acres, lies near the village of New Windsor ; his residence, where he has lived since Feb- ruary, 1866, is on the southwest quarter section 12. The farm is in a high state of cultivation and has 1,600 rods of drain tile laid at present. His business has been farming and stock raising, and for a few years, he was engaged quite extensively in raising hedge plants. His father, William F. Petrie, was born at Forest, Elginshire, Scotland, April 19, 1803, and came to America in 1828, and M^as overseer several years for Commodore Stockton, of the United States navy, at his place, near Princeton, New Jersey. Here he married Miss Ann Regan, who was born in Ireland in 1809, and was at the time a nurse in the family of Commodore Stockton. Went from Princeton, New Jersey, to Rosendale, New York, and engaged in mercantile ]iursuits; then on to a farm in Oneida county. New York; thence to Illinois in 1844, settling on the southwest quarter section twenty-five, in Richland Grove township, Mercer county. In 1849 he crossed the plains of California, where he remained two years, most of the time plying his vocation as gardener, near San Francisco. While there he took the contract to abrade Stock- ton street in tlie above named city. Having sold his farm in Richland Grove township, he bought land on sections 12 and 13, in Rivoli town- ship, and moved on to the northeast quarter section thirteen, in 1857. He was one of the original proprietors of the village of New Windsor, part of the town ])lat being on the northeast of section 13. Mr. P. RIVOLI TOWNSHIP. 769 had nine children, one daughter and eight sons, four dying in in- fancy and one, Edward R., killed in battle as mentioned before. The four survivors reside in and near New Windsor, viz : Mary C, (wife of W. D. Fleharty), Alexander P., Richard S., and Cornelius L. Mr. P. was an energetic, thorough going man in all that he undertook, being awarded the i)remium three successive vears bv the Mercer Countv Agricultural Society, for the best cultivated farm in the county. He died August 19, 1866, his worthy wife surviving him until September 10, 187-1. Their remains are deposited with those of their heroic son, Edward R., in the village cemetery north of New Windsor, the site for which was donated by Mr. Petrie. Hon. Alson J. Streeter, one of Mercer county's most prominent citizens, was born in Rensselaer county. New York, January 18, 1823. His father, Roswell Streeter, was born in Massachusetts in 1799, and his mother, Eleanor Kenyon, M'as born in Westerly, Rhode Island, August 20, 1798. There were six sons and two daughters the offspring of this union, of whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest, and the only one living in this county now. His sister, Mrs. Shumway, living in Oxford, Henry county, is the only member of the family living near him. Mr. Streeter came to Illinois in 1836, when only thirteen years old, with his father, who settled at that early day in what is now Lee Centre, Lee county, Illinc^is. His father died April 11' 1850, in Iowa, en route for California. His mother survived until June 8, 1871, when she died, in the seventy- third year of her age, at her son's residence near New Windsor. His youth was spent on the fjirm and in traj^ping, hunting and iishing, which were his favorite employments at that time and at which he was very successful. The furs and pelts of the wolf, mink, otter, muskrat, etc., being about the only medium of exchange obtainable at that time. He has treasured up many interesting incidents connected with his early pioneer life, when the settlers who had endured the hardships to which they were subjected at that early day were obliged to form societies for mutual protection, to prevent by the force of might the greedy speculator from entering their homes, which the set- tlers could not purchase, there being no money in the country with which to buy. He also relates how they used to burn charcoal and haul it fourteen miles to Grand Du Tour, on Rock river, where one John Deere (now of Moline plow fame) had a blacksmith shop with two forges in it. Lie would sometimes get hfty cents and sometimes a dollar in cash on his load, the balance would be taken in blacksmith- ing as it was needed. It was when making one of these trips that he iirst saw a steel plow that would scour, Mr. Deere having just begun 770 HISTORY r»F iLERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES, the manufacture of a dianiond-sliaped steel plow, the only plow then in use having a wooden mold-board, with a piece of iron fastened on the lower edge for a share. Returning home he reported to his father what he had seen, and they concluded the}^ must have one of the new plows. So, taking a load of charcoal, he went to the shop and ti*aded for a plow. Repairing to a neighboring sand-bank he hitched his oxen to the plow and drove, while Mr. Deere held the plow, to scour it, not having any implement to grind with at that time. While living in Lee countv he attended two terms of school in an old log school-house, ' . . . . . • At the age of twenty-three, with an ardent desire to improve his edu- cation and $12 of hard-earned savings in his pocket, he went to Gales- burg to attend Knox college. By the industrious use of the frower and knife riving and shaving hard-wood shingles, he maintained liim- self two and one-half years at school. In 18-19 he went overland to California and spent two years in the mines, returning in 1851. In 1853 he went across the plains with a drove of cattle, and repeated the trip again in 1851:. On his return from this last trip he bought 240 acres of land in section 11, Rivoli township, to which he has continued to add until his farm at present spreads over 3,100 acres, about one- half of which is in pasture at present and on which he raises large numbers of hogs and cattle, having one of the finest herds of thorough- bred short horns in the county. Farming and stock raising has been his business, and although his private alfairs have grown to such large dimensions of late years, he has always kept himself posted on the course of current politics, taking deep interest in everything affecting agriculture and education. Though having business interests that would seem to require all his time, he has always held himself in readiness to serve his neighbors in any position they have called upon him to fill. He has represented his town several years on the board of supervisors. In 1872 he was elected by the cumulative system the minority representative to the state legislature from the twenty-second senatorial district, composed of Knox and Mercer counties, serving two years as a member of the twentj^-eighth general assembl}- to the satisfaction of his constituents and honor to himself. Serving on the committee on agriculture and education, he helped to ehape all the legislation upon those two subjects, in which he takes so great interest. A democrat until about 1874, he deemed that neither of the two lead- ing parties was serving the people's interests as it should, and since that time he has identified himself with the national greenback labor union party. Standing for that party as candidate for congress from the tenth congressional district in 1878, he received over 3,600 votes. Again in 1880, the candidate of the same party for governor of the ^ I RIVOLI TOWNSHIP. 7T3 state, he received 28,808 votes. He is always found on the side of the masses, battling against the encroachments of the great moneyed cor- porations, and believes most firmly in enforcing our railroad and ware- house laws. He is a member of the Congregational church of New Windsor, and is also a Royal Arch Mason. On his place is one of the curiosities of this section of country : a crows' roost. Near his house is a patch of brush land densely covered with a young growth of black oaks. In this the crows assemble every evening to roost, departing early in the morning on their daily foraging expeditions. When they are all congregated in the evening they cover about five acres, sitting so closely together that they completely cover the trees, making each a veritable quercus niger. Mr. Streeter says they were there when he came, and he does not see that they have either increased or dimin- ished in number during the now nearly thirty 3'ears of his acquaint- ance with them. He does not allow them to be disturbed, and they have never done any damage on his place. He has never heard of but one other roost in the state, and that is in the southern part. He thinks his crows range over a circle wliose radius is more than one hundred miles. During the brooding season they do not return to the roost, but as soon as the young can fly they take them there. His children, in the order of their ages, are: George A., Frank W., Marj^, Nellie May, Fannie Rose, Minnie Grace, and Charles Dallas. The four last-named are children of his second wife (Susan Menold), to whom he was married in August, 1861. George A. married a daugh- ter of Joshua Goddard, of Viola. Frank W. married a daughter of Samuel Park, near Viola, and now lives on the place, having charge of the farm and stock. Mary is the wife of Thomas Burling, and lives in Nebraska. Minnie Grace died January 23, 1882, fi:-om the effects of diphtheria, deeply mourned by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. She was a girl of more than ordinary promise, for whom a very brilliant future seemed just opening. February 22, 1882, Nellie May was married to Mr. Frank Crane, of Osco, Henry county, Illinois. Fannie Rose and Charles Dallas are all that remain at home. By energy and perseverance he has wrested from the soil his present ample means, and has earned a justly merited reputation for honor and probity that is worth more than money or lands. Mr. Streeter resides on his original purchase in section 11, two and one-half miles northwest of the village of New Windsor. CoENELius L. Petrie was born in Richland Grove township, in Mercer county, Illinois, September 25, 1849, son of William Petrie. [For family history see biography of Hon. Alexander P. Petrie]. His youth was spent on his father's farm in this county. October 6, 1880, 44 774 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. he married Sylvina B. Coleman, daugliter of John Coleman, of this township, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1850. He then settled on his present place in the southeast of section 12, and has been engaged in farming. His farm comprises 215 acres in excellent cultivation. He and his wife are active membei's of the Methodist Episcopal church of New AYindsor, near which village they live. John G. Sexton, the subject of this sketch, though not one of the pioneers, has been prominently identified with the township during the comparatively short period of his residence here, which dates from the spring of 1868, when he came here from Ohio and settled on the W. ^ of S. E. of Sec. 7, this township, where he now resides in a good, commodious frame house, built in 1879, his farm comprising eighty acres. He has held numerous local offices in the township. Five years ago he was elected justice of the peace, and although he has been called upon to adjudicate several suits, brought before him on change of venue, he has not yet issued an original summons, having succeeded thus far in getting the parties to compromise or agree to an arbitration in all cases that have been brought to him to commence suit. In November, 1880, he was appointed supervisor vice A. P. Petrie, resigned. In 1881 he was elected to the same office, and reelected the spring of 1882. He was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, December 2, 1833. His father, Stephen Sexton, was born in Washington county, Tennessee, in 1801. His grandfather, Stephen Sexton, was an only son and was born in New Jersey in 1762, and went to Ohio in 1800 and bought a farm in Mahoning count3% to which he removed his family in 1802. From the purchase of this farm in 1800 the deed to his son Stephen was the only transfer of the property until sold by the heirs in 1879. He died in 1856 when ninety-four years old. His grandfather's family consisted of four sons and three daughters, of whom one sou only survives. His father married AEiss Sarah Gibson, who was a, native of Ohio. They had nine children, eight sons and one daughter, all of whom survi^'e, one residing in Connecticut, one in Pennsylvania, one in Iowa, and the other five in Ohio. Mr. S. married Miss Eliza C. Hogg, in Ohio, April 29, 1856,* born in that state March 25, 1837, her father, James Hogg, being a well known resident of Viola, Illinois, having been collector of his town for several years. They have had three children: James G., born in Pennsylvania December 20, 1857 (married Miss Nettie Jobes April 13, 1881), lives in Preemption town- ship ; Lizzie E., born March 10, 1860, died October 21, 1863; and D. Findlay, born August 20, 1866. In politics Mr. S. is republican; His educational advantages were confined to the common school. Sidney Durston, the subject of this sketch, is the third son of RIVOIJ TOWNSHIP. 775 James and Philadelpliia (Bridges) Durston, pioneers in this township, and was born here September 14, 1841. His oldest brother, Charles F., was born August 14, 1837, on section 36, in Greene, being the first birth in that township. In 3 862 he enlisted in Co. D, 83d reg. 111. Yol. Inf., and served with his command until it was mustered out after the close of the war. Sejitember 18, 1866, he married Miss Mary L. Edgerton, daughter of S. C. Edgerton, born in Galesburg, Illinois, May iJ, 1843. In the spring of 1867 he settled on his farm in the northwest of section 10, which comprises l(i() acres. Having no children, in March, 1880, they adopted two boys, Harry and Bert, twin sons of Ilenrj^ J. Piper, who were born March 11, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Hopewell Wesley an Methodist church. In politics Mr. Durston is republican. Samuel L. Durstox, son of James Durston, was born in this town- ship June 10, 1847, was brought up on his father's farm with such common school advantages as the country afforded, to which he added a course in a commercial school in Monmouth. April 23, 1874, he married Miss Emma Morton, who was born in Peoria county, Illinois, August 22, 1855. Her parents were natives of the Isle of Man. Her mother and one sister reside in Galva, Illinois, another sister in Aledo, Illinois, and a brother resides in Joliet, this state. They have two children, Lora, born March 19, 1875 ; and Jeanie, born April 19, 1880. They are members of the Wesleyan Methodist cluu-ch of Hopewell, his father being one of the original members of the church when it was organized at Oxford in 1847. His farm consists of 100 acres and em- braces the old homestead that his father improved forty years ago. In politics he is republican. William C. Garre'jt was born in KnrD HENDERSON COUNTIES. in Yiola, in this coiintv. Mr. Rathbun's children by his first wife were: Aclaline (deceased), John B., Margaret E., Bulina A., and Fin- law Darlington (deceased); by his second wife: Fitz W., Homer H. (who enlisted in the 9th 111. Vol. Cav. and died in Missouri while in the service), Elihu, Phcebe and Isaac (who are twins), and Sarah (wife of T. T. Spicer, now living near Chariton, Iowa). Dr. Rath bun's youth was spent on his father's farm and in attending the common school of that day. He attended Alleghany college two years and then followed Prof. Griffith from that institution to Mercer academy, where he at- tended two years, working at intervals to pay his way. He then went south with Prof. Griffith and taught two years, reading medicine dur- ing the time under Dr. Terrell, of Black Hawk, Mississippi. He after ward completed his medical course at the Eclectic Medical college, Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in 1847; began the practice of his profes- sion in West Greenville, Pennsylvania, where, on September 17, 1S48, he married Emeline J. Waugli, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1822, and a sister of the well known proprietor of Waugh's mill, at Richland Grove, in this county. June 1852 he moved to Rock Island, in this state, and practiced there until the spring of 1857, when he re- moved to Richland Grove, in this county. June 21, 1859, his wife died, leaving two sons, William W., and Frank Darlington. William W. was born in June 1850, and Frank D., in September, 1854. William W. studied law, and graduated at Union College of Law, Chicago. After practicing three years in Rock Island, his health be- came so impaired that he removed to New Windsor, in this county, and is now engaged in the drug business. He married Miss Ella Bai"ge, daughter of William Barge, a leading lawyer of Dixon, her mother being a daughter of John Dixon, the well known pioneer of Lee county and founder of the city of Dixon. Frank D. graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1877, and from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1878, and served one year, after leaving the last named institution, in the Philadelphia hospital. He is now practicing in New Windsor, whither Dr. John B. Rathbun removed from Richland Grove, April 1878, and where he still resides to assist his son in his now large practice. Isaac Brooks was born near Manchester, England, July 4, 1829. Came to the United States in May, 1849, and settled in Carbon county, Pennsylvania. Lived there five years, working in various coal mines. After traveling about the country for two years, he iinally settled in this county in 1856. In the spring of 1857 he moved on to the N. E. J of Sec. 2, Rivoli township, since which time he has added to his farm until he now owns 880 acres in this county and eighty acres in KIVOLI TOWNSHIP. 783 Henry county. April 9, 1849, just before leaving England, lie married Maria Ann Jul, wlio came to America with him and made him a faith- ful wife and helpmeet until her death, which occurred February 21, 1880, leaving no children. His father died in England when he was an infant, and his mother, who came to this country, died in Oliio. He has one brother, Thomas, living at West Brooktield, Stark county, Ohio, and another, George, who lives in Trego county, Kansas, the latter having a family of nine or ten cliildren. December 21, 1880, he married Emma J. Peterson, who was born in Sweden, December 22, 1862, and came to America in 18T-1, with her father, Andrew Peterson, of Cable, this county. Mr. Brooks is a Master Mason, a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 367, A.F.A.M. Their only child Mary L., was born April 22, 1881. Victoria C. M. Tracy was born near Cleveland, Oliio, January 28, 1847, daughter of John and Emeline C. (Hicks) Morris. Her tathei- was born in Somersetshire, England, May 27, 1816, and came to America with his lather in 1840, and settled near Cleveland, Ohio. March 1, 1846, he married Emeline C. Hicks, of Zanesville, Ohio, who w^as born in that state August 20, 1827. Her father was killed by robbers in Zanesville, leaving a brother (Thomas Hicks) in Kentucky, and a son (John) in Louisville, Kentucky. Her mother was Esther Black, of French descent, her family living near Philadelphia. Mrs. Tracy came to Illinois with her parents in 1851, by the lakes to Chicago, and thence by team to Mercer county, settling near Keithsburg. Five years later tliev moved to Warren county, and in 1865 returned to Mercer county, Mr. Morris buying a farm in section 9, in Greene town- ship, where he resides now. His father died near Keithsburg in 1856, aged sixty-eight ; and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Brewer, died in 1864, aged eighty-one years. April 22, 1869, Miss Victoria married Jonathan Tracy, of Rivoli township, their residence being on S. E. J of Sec. 1. Mrs. Tracy has three children: Ida (born February 28, 1870), Baz. (May 1, 1872), and Fred. (August 13, 1874). May 26, 1878, Mr. Tracy died, since which time Mrs. Tracy has managed the affairs of the farm, consisting of 372 acres, with marked ability, taking high rank among the large and successful farmers of the county. Her business tact caused her neighbors to elect lier school director of her district, which office she still holds. In 1871 Mr. Tracy built a large and elegant residence on his farm, where the family now reside, one and one-half miles north of the village of New Windsor. Jonathan Tracy was born in Mason county, Kentucky, November 25, 1830. His father (Vesey Tracy) and mother (Rachel Ilayden) were natives of that state, and were married in 1828. In 1839 his motlier 784 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. died, and his father afterward married Miss Nancy Grenard, by whom he had two sons, George W. and Francis M., wlio live near Winterset, Iowa. In 1850 lie married Miss Mary Dancer, who died a year later. In 1853 he came to Illinois, and pnrchased land in Henry county. May 21, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth Love, a native of Mercer county. Having sold his farm in Henry county that year, he bought land in the S. E.-Jof Sec. 1, Rivoli township, which forms a part of the present homestead. Here were born : George (December 31, 1857, who died in his sixth year), Rach'el (September 22, 1859), Jane (March 3, 1861), Emma (Novembers, 1862), Mary (December 7,-1861:); and in August, 1868, his second wife died, leaving him witli four mother- less children. Mr. Tracy was always engaged in farming, and by industry and energy raised himself from humble beginnings to the position of a well-to-do farmer. He was not a member of any church or society, and in politics adhered to the democratic faith. Nathan P. Smith was born in Ohio in 1830, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1810, when ten years old. His father (Ste]ihen Smith) was a native of Massachusetts, and emigrated to Ohio when a young man, and there married Anna Belt, who survived him, living with her son Frank on the old homestead in section 1 in this township. He hrst came to Illinois in 1838, and entered forty acres of prairie in section 1 and 120 acres of timber land in Ricliland Grove, also a tract of timber land on Pope creek. Peturning to Ohio he brought his family to Illinois in 1840, and settled on the forty acres of prairie he had previously entered in section 4. He died in 1845, leaving eight children, four boys and four girls. Two of these have died since, Lyman and Mattie (formerly wife of T. G. Woodham). Four of the survivors reside in this township: Nathan P., ('hauncey, Frank, and Mary (wife of James Durston). Two daughters (married) live, one in Iowa and one at Moline, Illinois. Mr. Smith was a blacksmith, and opened on his place the hrst blacksmith shop in the township. Nathan P. spent his youth upon the farm, and in the winter of 1847. when seventeen years old, taught his first school in Kichland Grove town- ship, agreeing to teach for $12 per month, and was to have $15 if the patrons were suited. AVhen his school closed he made out his bill at $15 per month, and it was paid without question. He afterward taught four winters in Oxford, Ilenrj^ county, and four winters at the Hopewell district in this township, also taught at Henderson Grove. In 1860 he married Mary Ann Woodham, and built his present resi- dence, and settled in the N. ^ of the N. E. of Sec. 9, wliich he had been improving for some years previously. The farm consists of 100 acres of prairie, besides which he has twenty acres of timber. He I RivoLi TOWNSnii'. 785 has two cliildren, Minnie (the elder) and Cliarles. He was supervisor of this township three successive years during war times. In politics he is a republican, but is not very partisan. Timothy D. Merrvman was born in Kennebec county, Maine, Jan- uary 14, 1827, town of Chesterville, now in Monroe county. His father, Timothy Merryman, was born in Brunswick, Maine, November 16, 1787, and married Elizabeth Dunning January 23, 1813, who was also a native of Maine. He was a ship carpenter by trade, also a farmer, clearing for himself a farm among the pines of his native state. In 1835, with his three oldest sons and eldest daughter he came to Illinois, and locating in Richland Grove township, sent for the remain- der of the family to come, which they did the next year, 1836, coming all the way with teams. Mrs. Merryman being sick on their arrival at Wheeling, Virginia, took ])assage on a boat with one of her daughters and came by river to Rock Island. They had nine children, six sons and three daugliters, seven of whom survive. The six sons in the order of their ages are : Albert D. , Thomas, David D. , Joseph M. , Timothy D., and Ira. The only surviving daughter, Thirza Ann, is the wife of Robinson Nye and resides in Moline, Illinois. Mrs. Merryman died in October, 1852, aged sixty-four, and Mr. M, died in April, 1873, at the age of eighty-six, their remains resting in the cemetery at Moline. Timothy D. was brought up on the farm, and at the age of twenty-one began his fortune with a capital of $50. He bought an interest in a saw mill that his father and one of his brothers had built in Richland Grove in 1845. While engaged in this mill he made a claim on 160 acres of land in section 9, Rivola township, to which he afterward added eighty acres in the same section and entered it with land warrants in 1850. He had forty acres under improvement when, in 1853, he crossed the plains to California with an ox team. Thus can he boast of having crossed the continent from Maine to California with a team. He was engaged there in mining, farming and teaming until 1863, when he returned to Illinois and settled where he now lives, on the northeast of section 9. December 1, 1864, he married Miss Mary Manning, who was born in Richland Grove township, in this county, July 23, 1840. She was daughter of James Manning, one of Mercer county's pioneers, who settled in that township in 1835. Of six s(ms and three daugliters but two survive, Mrs. Merryman and one brother in Indiana. March 24, 1873, his house was burned, but he replaced it with a fine, spacious residence, surrounded by quite a grove of maples, that have grown from seed planted by himself, and fi*om which he can now make a barrel of syrup annually. He has added to his original farm until he now owns 640 acres, including twenty acres 786 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. of timber. In 1878 he built ou liis place the tirst clairj in the county, which has made large quantities of cheese and butter since that time, but is run exclusively now as a creamery. Mr. and Mrs. Merryman are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. A. P. Shroyer was born in this township in 1851. His father, Henry Shroyer, was born in Indiana in 1815, and in 1842 married Miss Rebecca Hughes, who was born in that state in 1820 ; and there their oldest son (William) was born in 1846. In 1847 Mr. and Mrs. Shroyer came from Indiana to this state, settling on the S. E. J of Sec. 15, in this township, where he lived until his death a few years ago, and where his widow, who survives him, still lives. Besides the above- named children there are : M. L. (born in 1856), Sarah J. (born 1859), and Martha I. (born 1863). January 1, 1869, William married Miss Johanna Powell, daughter of Horatio Powell, an old settler in jSTorth Henderson township. A. P. married Miss Donna Meadows November 11, 1875. She was born in Warren county, Illinois, June 12, 1855; daughter of James Meadows. They have three children, all boys. A. P. is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 367, A.F. A.M., and is its secretary at present. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, and were connected with the church in New Windsor as long as it was in existence. He was formerly in the drug business in New Windsor, but is now engaged in farming. Two years ago he built a very commodious residence on part of the old homestead, where he now resides, and, with his brother (M. L.), cariies on the farm, which comprises 280 acres. The family is of German origin, the name having been spelled Schroyer, but Avith the lapse of time the c has become elided. T. G. WooDHAMS was born in Albany, New York, October 19, 1837. His father and mother, William and Harriet (Gorham) Woodhams, were both natives of England. Mr. Woodhams came to America first in 1820, but returned again after a short stay. In 1828 he came to America, to make this his permanent home. He married Harriet G(n-liam in Albany, New York. In 1838 he came to Illinois and settled on the N. E. \ of Sec. 21, this township, where the subject of this sketch was raised and still lives. Mr. AVoodhams died October 20, 1844, and was the first person buried in the W^oiidhams cemetery, the site for which was donated by him for that purpose. Mrs. Wood- bams resides on tlie place with her oldest son (William), who is a bach- elor and a wheelwright. A younger son (John C.) enlisted in Co. D, 83d reg. 111. Vol. Inf, and died at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, No y em- ber 30, 1862. His remains are interred in the Woodhams cemetery. Their daughter (Harriet) is the wife of E. B. David, dentist, and COMPANY G, 'rWENTV-SEVENTII REGIMENT. 787 resides in Aleclo. The subject of this sketch married February 10, 1867, Miss Martha A. Smith, daughter of Stephen Smith, one of the pioneers of this townshi]), mentioned in the history of this township. She died July 5, 1873, leaving three children: Mary A. (born Decem- ber 1, 1867), Adelbert L. (boi-n Marcli 21, 1870), and John L. (born October 8, 1872). September 16, 1874, he married Mrs. Maria Smith, widow of J. Lyman Smith, and daughter of James Durston, the pioneer. She was born in Rensselaer county, New York, August 10, 1833, and came to Illinois with her parents in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Woodhams are active members of the Wesleyan Methodist church, of Hopewell. By industry and economy Mr. Woodhams has added to the old homestead until his home farm now comprises 480 acres. He raises and feeds cattle and hogs quite largely, and does an extensive business in buying and shipping stock to the Chicago market. At one time he represented this town on the board of supervisors of the county, and for several years he has served on the board of commis- sioners of highways of this town. In politics Mr. AVoodhams is a republican. COMPANY G, TWENTY-SEYENTH REGIMENT. . This company was composed of men from different parts of Mercer county and other counties, but perhaps the largest number was from the vicinity of New Boston. The company was organized August 23, 1861,_ with Henry R. Southward as captain, Simeon Sheldon, of New Boston, as first lieutenant, and Robert P. Lytle, of New Boston, as second lieutenant. Southward served to the end of his term of enlists ment, Sheldon was promoted to adjutant, and held the office a few months, and Lytle was promoted to captain of company B. George R. Beardsley succeeded Lytle, but soon resigned, and was succeeded by Hugh M. Love, of Swedonia, who afterward became first lieutenant and was killed in battle November 25, 1863. The regiment was organized at Camp Butler, with seven companies, August 10, 1861, and at once ordered to Jacksonville as a part of John A. McClernand's brigade. About a month later the regiment went to Cairo, where it was joined by three other companies, making the regiment complete. Two months later (November 7) the regiment was engaged, under Gen. McClernand, at Belmont, and bore a promi- nent part and lost heavily. ' .' March 14, 1862, it, with other regiments, was formed into what was known as the Mississippi flotilla, and started down that river and 788 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. was at the famous siege of Island No. 10, and was the first to land. After this the regiment was engaged at the siege of Corinth and battle of Farmington, guarding railroads, and finally, after many and long marches, arrived at Nasliville September 12, 1862. It was in the battle of Stone Kiver, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission Eidge, and numerous other engagements. April, 1864, the regiment was ordered to join the Atlanta cam- paign, in which it was engaged at Kocky Face Ridge, Resacca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree creek, and in the skirmishes around Atlanta. After this (August 25) the regiment was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois. The veterans of the regiment generally went into the ninth regi- ment. During the term of service the regiment lost in killed, or died of wounds or disease, 182, of whom twenty-four were from Mercer county. COMPANIES A AND G, THIRTIETH REGIMENT. These two companies were raised almost entirely in Mercer county, and mainly from the eastern portion, from sons and members of some of the oldest and finest families. The names of many adorning the monument at Aledo will be recognized as the same as those mentioned frequently in the pages of this work as pioneers of Ohio Grove, Mercer, Richland Grove, Millersburg, Abington' and Keithsburg. Company A was organized August 28, 1861, by the election of Warren Shedd, of Aledo, as captain ; N. R. Kirkpatrick, Ohio Grove, as first lieutenant ; and F. G. Burnett, of Ohio Grove, as second lieutenant. April 22, 1862, Warren Shedd was promoted to the office of major, and Francis G. Burnett, who had already been promoted to first lieu- tenant became captain. [Burnett resigned September 3, 1862, and was succeeded as captain by Elijah B. David, then of Richland Grove. Capt. David was mustered out October 27, 1864, his term having expired, and Daniel M. Candor was promoted to the captaincy. N. R. Kirkpatrick, elected first lieutenant on the organization, was killed at Fort Donelson. David W. Park, of Millersberg, and Robert S. Pinley, of Ohio Grove, served for a time as first lieutenants, and Samuel McCreight, of Ohio Grove, and Lorenzo D. Hanson, of Millersburg, were second lieutenants. Company G was organized September 30, 1861, by the election of James Burnett, of Ohio Grove, as captain; Henry G. Calhoun, of Keithsburg as fii-st lieutenant ; and Orla Richardson, of Keithsburg, as ^^ ^^7^4^ THIRTIETH REGIMENT. 791 second lieutenant. May 16, 1863, Calhoun having resigned, and Capt. Burnett having been killed, Ricliardson was promoted to the office of captain, and held the same until his resigination, August 12, 1864. David H. Wolf was then promoted to the captaincy, and served until mustered out, July 17, 1865. H. H. Hurst served a short time as second lieutenant, and John McClure was second and then first lieu- tenant. James A. Logan was chosen first lieutenant, September 15, 1864, and retained the office until his muster out, July 17, 1865. THIETIETH REGIMENT. The Thirtieth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, August 28, 1861, Col. P. B. Fouke, commanding. September 1, 1861, it moved to Cairo, Illinois, and was assigned to Brig. -Gen. John A. McClernand's brigade, Brig. -Gen. Ulysses S. Grant commanding district of Cairo, and Maj.-Gen. John C. Fremont com- manding department of Missouri. October 22, it went on scout into Kentucky, near Columbus. November 7, it was engaged in the battle of Belmont. The regiment did gallant service during this action, and captured the celebrated ' ' Watson's New Orleans battery. ■" January 10, 1862, the regiment moved from Cairo on a reconnois- sance into Kentucky, and returned on the 22d. February 4, it moved up Tennessee river, and on the 6tli was in tlie attack and taking of Fort Henry, in Col. Oglesby's brigade. It was engaged in the siege and taking of Fort Donelson, 13tli, 14th and 15th of February, 1862. It arrived at Pittsburg Landing April 25th and took part in the siege of Corinth, in Col. Logan's brigade. June 4th and 5tli it inarched from Corintli to Bethel, and on the 8th occupied Jackson, Tennessee. On the 13th and 14th of August the regiment marched to Estenaula, and on the 31st to Denmark. September 1, 1862, the regiment marched toward Medan Station, on the Mississippi Central railroad, and about four miles from that place met the enemy's cavalry, 6,000 strong, under Gen. Armstrong, and after four hours' hard fighting drove the enemy from the field, gain- ing a brilliant victory. The Thirtieth was commanded by Maj. Warren Shedd, Col. Dennis, commanding brigade of 20th and 30th Illinois in- fantry, one section Schwartz's Illinois battery, Capt. Forster's com- pany of independent Ohio cavalry, and thirty-four men of the Fourth Illinois cavalry. On the 2d of September the regiment marched to Medan ; 3d, to Jackson; and on the 2d of November, to Lagrange. On the 11th it 45 792 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. marched toward Water Yallej, Mississippi, arri^ang December 19th. On the 21st it marched for Memphis, Tennessee, arriving January 19, 1863. It was stationed at Memphis, Tennessee, in CoL Leggett's brigade, Maj.-Gen. Logan's division, Maj.-Gen. McPherson's corps. February 22, 1863, the regiment moved to Lake Providence, Louisi- ana, and moved soon after to Yista's phintation. April 17, it moved to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, and joined Grant's army, and moved to BiTiinburg, Mississippi, crossing Mississippi river. May 1, it moved to Thom])son's Hill ; after that it moved to Hankinson's Ferry, on Black river, skirmishing with the enemy en route, and then moved to Raymond, Mississippi. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Raymond, May 12, and then moved via Clinton to Jackson, and pur- sued the retreating enemy after their defeat, 14th of May. May 16 it engaged in the battle of Champion Hills, losing heavily, and crossed Black river with the army, and arrived in the rear of Vicksburg May 19, 1863. May 25, the regiment moved with the expedition to Mechanicsburg, under Gen. Blair. Returning, it actively participated in the siege of Vicksburg until June 23, and then moved to Black river, under Gen. Sherman, to watch the rebel Gen. Johnson. The regiment then moved with Gen. Sherman's army to Jackson, and assisted in the investment of that place, after which it went to Vicksburg, arriving July 25, and remained in camp until August 20, when it moved to Monroe, Louis- iana, returning the 28th. October 14, it moved, under Gen. McPlier- son, toward Canton, Mississippi, and was in engagement at Bogachitta creek, and returned the same month. Januar}^ 1, 1864, the regiment mustered in as a veteran organization and on the 10th moved with an expedition up the Mississippi river against guerillas, and returned on the 15th. February 3, left Vicks- burg, on Meridian campaign, under Gen. Sherman, and participated in the several skirmishes with the enemy, and arrived at Meridian Feb- ruary 15th. It returned March 3d. March 5, the regiment left Vicks- burg on a veteran furlough to the state, arriving at Camp Butler March 12th. April 18, the regiment left Camp Butler, and on the 28th left Cairo with the "Tennessee river expedition," under Gen. W. Q. Gresham, and arrived at Clifton, Tennessee, the 30th. May 5, it marched, via Pulaski, Tennessee, and Athens, Alabama, to Huntsville, Alabama, and on May 25th moved to Decatur, crossing Mississippi river the 27th. Thence it went, via AVarrentown, Alabama, to Rome, Georgia ; thence, via Kingston, joining Gen. Sherman's "grand army" at Ackworth, June 8th. On the 10th it moved to Big Shanty, and commenced skir- « THIRTIETH REGIMENT. 793 iiiisliing with the enemy, and on the 2Tth moved out to make a demon- stration in front, losing about twenty killed and wounded. On the night of July 2, the regiment moved, with the Seventeenth Army Corps, to the right of Gen. Sherman's army, and on the otli moved to Nickajack creek. On the 9th the regiment was sent to guard department headquarters, and on the 12th moved to Sweet Water creek. July 17, it moved toward Decatur, via Marietta, crossing the Chattahoochie at RoswelFs and arriviiiii; at Decatur on the 20th. It was in the battle of July 21st, near Atlanta, and also in the battle of July 22d, near Atlanta ; lost heavily. It was actively engaged until the fall of Atlanta and Jonesboro, and camped at East Point, Septem- ber 6th. October 4, 1864, the regiment moved northward, in the pursuit of Gen. Hood, via Kenesaw mountain, to Resacca, and returned to Smyrna camp ground via Galesville, Alabama, arriving November 5tli. No- vember 13, it moved to Atlanta and on the loth moved with Gen. Sherman's army in the ''march to the sea," participating in the capture of Savannah, Georgia, December 21st. Left Savannah January 4, 1865, and moved by water to Beaufort, South Carolina. Left Beaufort Januarj' 13th and participated in the capture of Pocotaligo on the 15th ; remained at Pocotaligo until the 30tli ; marched with Sherman's army to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where the regiment arrived March 25, 1865. The regiment was engaged, during the march, in the capture of Orangeburg, Columbia and Cheraw, South Carolina, and Fayette- ville, North Carolina, besides destroying railroad track, etc. April 10, the regiment moved to Raleigh, arriving there on the 14th, and remained in camp until the surrender of the rebel army under Gen. Johnson. April 29, it marched northward, via Richmond, to Alexandria, Virginia, arriving May 19tli. The regiment took part in the grand review May 24, 1865, at Washington, D. C, and camped near Washington the same day. It left Washington June 7th, via Baltimore & Ohio railroad, arriving at Parkersburg, Virginia, the 9th, and proceeded by steamboat to Louis\dlle, Kentucky, remaining in camp at Louisville. It was mustered out of United States service July 17, 1865, by First Lieutenant Aug. P. Noyes, A. C. M. third division. Seventeenth Army Corps, and arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, July 20tli, where the men received final payment and discharge July 27, 1865. Of company A thirty-one men died from wounds and disease, or in battle, and of company G nineteen reaped a like reward for their bravery. *t94: HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HEXDERSON COUNTIES. COMPARY D, EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT. Company D was raised largely in the eastern part of Mercer and the western part of Henry county. It was organized August 21, 1862, by the election of Joshua M. Snyder, of Yiola. Mercer county, as captain ; Hugh M. Robb, of the same county, as first lieutenant ; and Francis M. Sykes, of Oxford, Henry county, as second lieutenant. There were but few changes in the officials of this company, and consequently but few promotions. Snyder and Robb went in for the whole war and were mustered out with the boys three years, lacking a €Ouple of months, after their enlistment. Sykes resigned, after having been second liteunant just two years, and Hugh B. Frazier succeeded him, and was mustered out at the close of the war. The 83d was raised largely in Warren county, and was organized at Monmouth, August 21, 18()2, by A. C. Harding, who was promoted a year later to the office of brigadier-general, upon which Arthur A. Smith succeeded him. The regiment did heavy guard duty the most of first year and a half. The country along the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers was infested mth guerillas, and this regiment had almost daily skirmishes with them, some of them being quite severe. On February 3, 1863, the regiment was brought in contact with 8,000 men of Forest's com- mand, and snccessfully resisted them, compelling them to retire with a loss of 800 killed and wounded ; and with a loss of thirteen killed and fifty-one wounded in the 83d regiment. . It was in consequence of this brilliant achievement that Col. Harding was promoted to brigadier- general and Smith to colonel. During the year 1854, the regiment had about 200 miles of communications to guard. The regiment was mustered out at IS^ashville, and from thence proceeded to Chicago for final pay and discharge. COMPANY G, ONE HUNT)RED AND TWENY-FOURTH REGIMENT. The 124th regiment with few exceptions was raised from men resi- dents in the vicinity of the Chicago, Burlington & Quicy railroad between the west end of Mercer county to Chicago, and almost every town and county along the line contributing a share. New Boston and vicinity furnised nearly one whole company, the one above named. COMPANY B, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. 795 The company was organized September 10, 1862. Lyman H. Scudder was elected captain, Ezra C. Benedict first lieutenant, and Benton Pratt, second lieutenant. The first two named afterwai-d resigned, and Pratt succeeded each in course and was mustered out captain. John W. Mosby and William B. Day each succeeded to higher offices in consequence, and the former was mustered out as first, and the latter as second, lieutenant. The organization of the regiment took place at Camp Butler the same month, and one month later was in the enemy's country at Jackson, Tennessee, and on the 2Sth of November was assist- ing in driving the rebels across tlie Tallahatchie river. During the year 1863 the regiment fought in the battles of Kaymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, and was in the whole of the siege of Yicksburg, including the charge on the fortifications, and the assault on Fort Hill. The 121:th received from Maj.-Gen. McPherson the prize banner offered by Brig. -Gen. Leggett for excellency in discipline and drill and soldierly appearance. Upon the banner was inscribed "Excelsior Regiment, Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps.'' After this the regiment was engaged in the raid to Meriden, the campaign under General Slocum to Jackson. The balance of the term of service was spent mostly in the extreme south around New Orleans and Mobile. COMPANY B, (mE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. This company was raised near the line between Rock Island and Mercer counties, Duncan and Perry ton townships furnishing quite a number of tlie men. The company was organized September 4, 1862, and the regiment the same day at Alton, Illinois, whither the members of the company and the companies and parts of companies had gone. About two months later we find the regiment at Bolivar, Tennes- see, and November 28, at La Grange. December 19 the regiment went to Jackson, Tennessee, to re-enforce that place. September 10, 1863, the regiment participated in the cajiture of Little Rock, Arkan- sas. The regiment was also engaged in the siege of Yicksburg and Clarendon, Arkansas. It was mustered out June 2C}, 1864. 796 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. COMPANY F, ONE HUNDRED AND FORTIETH REGIMENT. One compan}' of this regiment was raised in Mercer county. This was a three months', or 100 days', regiment. The company and the regiment were organized June 18, 1864. Russell S. Osborn, of Aledo, was captain of company F, George Boone, of Aledo, was first lieuten- ant, and Yan R. Harriott was second lieutenant. There were no resignations or deaths in the ranks of these officers, and consequently no promotions, and all were mustered out October 29, 1864, 130 days after date of enlistment. NORTH HENDERSON TOAYNSHIP. . This township, which is T. 13 N., R. 1 W. of the 4th P. M., is one of the best agricultural townships in the county. Pope creek skirting along its northern boundary, sometimes in tiiis and sometimes in Rivoli township, made a strip of rough, broken land, averaging about one-half mile in width the entire length of the township. A portion of this was originally covered by excellent timber. The north half of section 1 was especially noted for the very heavy body of tim- ber on it, and great effort was made by some of the first settlers to find the owner or owners of it, so much did they covet its possession. It was held under what was known as a patent title, and no clue to the ownership being obtainable it became what was known in those days as a "hooking quarter," and many a mile of worm fence was made with the rails cut and split upon this land. The north fork of the Henderson river, from which the township takes its name, has its source in Rio township, Knox county, cross- ing the line into this township near the northeast corner of section 13, and running nearly due west across it, leaves it near the half section line of section 18. There are but two small groves of native timber on this stream, within the bounds of this township; Hickorj^ grove in sections 15 and 16, and Scott's grove in section 18. There is but a small percentage of broken land bordering this stream in this township. The St. Louis branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, which was built as the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis railroad, in 1871, passes through this township ; entering on the S. E. ^ of Sec. 24, it runs in a southwesterly direction, leaving near the southwest cornei* of section 31. The village of North Henderson, which is the only village in the township, is located on this railroad and was laid out NORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 797 in 1871, on the W. i of the N. W. of Sec. 26, by Win. H. and John T. Brown, sons of Allen S. Brown, one of the pioneers of this town- ship. This is now quite a nourishing village, having two stores doing a general mercantile business, two drug stores, two hardware stores, two agricultural implement dealers, two grain merchants, one lumber yard, one restaurant, one harness shop, one shoe shop, one furniture store, one millinery store, one blacksmith and repair shop, one livery stable, one hotel, one barber shop, and four doctors. There is a good two-story school-house in the village and one church, the Methodist Episcopal. The I.O.O.F. also have a fine two-story building here, 28x48 feet, twenty feet posts, built two years ago at a cost of $1,600. The lower story is fitted up for a public hall and the second floor for the exclusive use of the order, which is very strong here. The Methodist Episcopal class of IN'orth Henderson is the oldest church organization in the township, having been organized at the house of David Bruner, in the spriug of 1840, by Asa McMurtry, who was at that time on the Mercer circuit, which included all of this county with part of Rock Island, Knox and Warren counties, requir- ing a month for the minister to make the round of his charge. The original members of this class were : David Bruner and wife, Margaret Bruner (now the wife of W. R. Mathers), John Vestal and wife, Susan- nah Wood (who was a daughter of David Bruner), and Andrew J. Holmes and wife. In this township live several members, including the present pastor, Elder John M. Brown, of the oldest church organization in this part of the state, though organized and having its church building in Knox county. It is the Henderson Predestinarian Baptist church, and was constituted August 14, 1S30, at the house of D. Boundtree, by Elders Stephen Stricklin and John Logan, the original members being Jacob and Rhoda Gum; James and Martha Goff; Reuben and Ruth Nance; John D., Dariah and Mary Roundtree; Martha, Daniel and Obadiah Fuqua ; Nicholas and Deborah Vailes. This church has had a continuous and uninterrupted existence from the time of its constitution until the present, and its records show the proceedings of every monthly meeting, which now lack but one of completing the full period of fifty-two years. This church belongs to the Spoon river association of the Predestinarian Baptist church, formed in 1830, in which connection it has been evei* since its constitution. Elder Josej)h Jones, who was well known to the pioneers of this county, joined this church in November, 1847, and died Januarj^ 29, 1848. He had previously been connected with a branch of this church, in this county, called the Regular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, of Edwards river. 798 HISTORY OF MERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The first record of this cliiireh is the minutes of a meeting of the mem- bers, held at the house of George Miller, on Edwards river, July 21, 1838, of which meeting Jeremiah Swafford was chosen mederator, and Abraham Miller, Jr., clerk. This meeting was held within the present limits of Perryton township. Meetings were held in the private houses of members until at a meeting held in the house of Gabriel M. Barkley, in Farlow's grove (now in Preemption township), December 22, 1838, the next regular meeting was appointed at the school-house in Sugar Grove (now Perryton township). March 23, 1839, they voted to appeal to Henderson church for letters of dismission and help to constitute them into a separate church. Their prayer was granted, and the Edwards river church was constituted June 29, 1839, by Elders Joseph Jones, Charles Yandever, and Hiram Bowman. The members at the constitution were : Joseph and Rebecca Jones ; George, Mary Ann, and Julia Ann Miller ; Abraham Miller, Jr. ; John and Sarah Farlow; lioswell and Mehitable Stanard; Youngs Green; Michael Donahoo ; Gabriel M. and Hannah R. Barkley; Mary Miller; and Susannah Shelley. Gabriel M. Barkley was chosen iirst deacon of the church, and Abraham Miller, Jr., first clerk; Gabriel M. Barkley, treasurer; Elder Joseph Jones, moderator and pastor. The first delegation from this church was Joseph Jones, Gabriel M. Barkley, George Miller, John Farlow, and Abraham Miller, Jr., to sit in council with and constitute a church at William Denison's. It was voted at this time to hold meetings one-half the time at Sugar Grove and one-half the time at Farlow's Grove. The last regular meeting of this church was held October 9, 1847, when, "after consultation and due deliberation being had the church and council thought it expedient to letter each other out and so become dissolved, inasmuch as the members are moving away out of the bounds of this church." There ai-e but two church buildings in this township. Besides the Methodist Episcopal church mentioned above is the Maple Grove United Brethren church, located on the IST. E. ^ of Sec. 36, in a beau- tiful grove of soft maple trees. This society was organized in 1869, and built its church the same year, a very neat structure 30x40x16 feet. Its present pastor is Rev. Mr. Dilley, resident at Alexis, where is another church of this denomination. A class of the Methodist Episcopal church was formed at the Mann school-house at an eai-ly day, probably soon after the class was formed at David Bruner's, but its early record is not now obtainable. This class was ministered to by David Bruner and other local preachers of the Methodist Episcopal church, transient ministers, wuth an occasional visit from the minister in charge of the Mercer circuit. NORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 799 The Methodist Episcopal church in North Henderson was the iirst church built in the township. It was built at what is known as Mount Yernon, south of the village, and was moved into the village after that had become a fact. The Odd Fellorns have a very strong lodge, with a fine hall in the village. North Henderson Lodge, No, 028, I.O.O.F., was chartered October 11, 1876, by J. H. Oberly, grand master for the state. Its charter members were Israel T. Jones, Lewis Schwartz, C. W. Cum- mins, Laland Salts, Michael Karl, L. E. Dredge, and James Smith. The first ofiicers of this lodge were J. M. Hall, N.G. ; Lewis Schwartz, V.G. ; I. T. Jones, Sec; C. W. Cummins, Treas. North Henderson Encampment, No. 99, I.O.O.F., was chartered December 28, 1880. Its charter members were H. C. Dodge, A. F. Howard, Fred Rich, John Flory, Jesse Jackson, J. H. Humes, Michael Karl, Dr. C. G. Stewart, John T. Morford, I. N. Frederick, Lewis Schwartz, C. "W. Cummins, L. E. Dredge, and C. A. Pinne, chartered by John P. Foss, Grand Patriarch. The first ofiicers of this Encampment were C. G. Stewart, G.P. ; John T. Morford, H.P. ; Henry Simms, S.W. ; I. N. Fredericks, J.W. ; J. H. Humes, scribe; A. F. Howard, Treas. The Past Grands of the lodge are J. M. Hall, I. P. Jones, A. H. Jones, Michael Karl, L. Schwartz, John T. Mor- ford, and Fred Pich. In 1880 the lodge built a two story hall 28X48X20 feet, at a cost of $1,600 ; the ground floor being fitted for a public hall and the second floor exclusively for the use of the order. The township has built a neat and commodious town hall in the village for the public uses of the town. The first postofiice established in this township was called Ethel, and was located on section 21, John Goff', postmaster. After the village of North Llenderson was estab- lished, the Ethel postofiice was removed to the village and the name changed, though Mr. Gofi' continued to be postmaster. George A. Blue, druggist, is the present postmaster. February 18, 1838, the first marriage ceremony was solemnized in this township by the Pev. Mr. Gardiner, of Galesburg, a LTniversalist minister, uniting Benjamin F. Brown and Miss Lucinda Mann. The first birth in the township was that of William D. Fleharty, October 4, 1834, son of Govert and Margaret Fleharty, who lived on section 1 at that time. The first death to occur in this township was a child of John Pollock, which was the second interment in the Mann cemetery, the wife of James Bridger having been the first, in 1836. Thither Mr. James Mann, who gave the site for this cemetery, soon followed, dying March 10, 1837, at the age of sixty-four. In 1840 scarlet fever broke 800 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. out as an epidemic in this neighborhood and the mortality was very great for such a sparsely settled country, there having been ten inter- ments in this cemetery in one month. The first settler within the limits of this township, was Mr. Govert Fleharty, who located on the southeast quarter of section 1, in the spring of 1833. In the fall of 1834 James Mann and his son, Young C, and Timothy Meeker, arrived from Indiana, w^intering in Knox county, just east of Mr. Fleharty's ; they made claims in this township, upon which they located the following spring of 1835, Mr. Mann's claim being on section 6, where Young C. still resides, and Mr. Meek- er's on section 5, his widow now residing on the old homestead with one of lier sons, other sons and daughters living in the vicinity. The same spring of 1835 Benjamin F. and liarison Brown made claims on sections 18 and 19. The Scott family came into this township in 1837, Notley Scott buying the claim of Harison Brown on sections 18 and 19, alluded to above, Benjamin F. having previously sold his claim to Harrison. The latter then made a claim on section 1, Suez township, where he still resides. March, 1838, Benjamin F. made a claim on sections 6 and 7, where he resides yet. In the spring of 1839 Allen S. and Benjamin Brown made claims in the southeast part of this township, the former on section 25, and the latter on section 35. They were followed that fall by David Bruner and Andrew J. Holmes, who also located in the southeastei-n part of the township. Tlie first schools taught in this township were by John Wilshier, the first term in the house of AYilliam McGreenwood, and the second in the cabin of Young C. Mann, both on section 6. Afterward Robert Shaw taught a term of school in this same neighborhood, for which he was to receive $8 per month, and take his pay in wheat. The early records of the schools of this township after organization are not attain- able. As early as 1839 there was preaching in the cabin of Benjamin F. Brown, on section 7, by the Rev. Mr. Fuller, of Galesburg, a Uni- versalist minister. Mr. F. is still li%ang in Galesburg. The township was called Liberty when first organized in 1854, but w^as changed to its present name on or before the annual town meet- ing in 1855. The first ofiicers elected in this township in 1854 were Notley Scott, supervisor ; Joshua Bruner, town clerk ; John W. Miles, assessor ; James M. Holmes, collector ; R. R. Mathers, Eli Tangham and Kathan Bailey, commissioners of highways ; Timothy Meeker, overseer of poor ; Andrew J. Holmes and William F. Garret, justices of the peace ; and James M. Holmes, constable. Total number of votes cast at that time, twenty -four. KORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 801 The principal offices of this town have been iilletl since its organi- zation by the following persons, and for the number of terms men- tioned : Supervisor — Notley Scott, two years; Lewis L. Heflin ; Joshua Bruner, four years; Allen S. Brown, two years; Thomas J. Jones, three years; H. M. Buchanan; G. W. Higgins, two years; L. F. Gentry ; William H. Brown, four years ; P. AV. Johnston, two years ; Richard Garrett, three years ; M. D. Scott ; A. W. Xelson, four yeai-s. Tovjn Clerk — Joshua Bruner; Michael Stumbaugh ; R. R. Simms ; J. C. Morford, two years ; James Bruner ; E. L. Carroll ; W. M. Fle- harty ; J. T. Morford, three years ; I. R. Evans ; James M. Goff, four years ; William Church, two years ; O. M. Bartlett ; D. N. Holmes ; John L. Goif, four years ; L. C. Heare ; O. W. Caldwell ; George W. Miller; Joseph H. Humes, four years. Assessor — John W, Miles; Thomas Tate; G. W. Taylor; A. J. Walker ; James M. Holmes ; James M. Goif, three years ; John Douglass ; H. M. Buchanan ; Joshua Bruner ; I. R. Evans ; William H. Brown ; Richard Garrett, nine years ; William A. Nelson, two years ; S. M. Brown ; Thomas Camblin. Collector — James M. Holmes; Xathaniel Bailey, four years; John T. Marfoi«d ; C. M. Barnett ; Michael Stumbaugh, two years ; John C. French ; L. F. Gentry ; G. A. Crosby ; D. X. Holmes ; Levi G. Bair ; A. H. Jones; J. N. Blackburn; A. W. Xelson, two years; L. T. Johnston ; Frank Herbert ; George A. Blue ; Lewis Scott ; M. Y. Drew ; Robert Blaney. Justices of the Peace — Andrew J. Llolmes ; William F. Garrett; Thomas Camblin, three terms ; James Marford, two terms ; AV. R. Mathers, three terms ; Richard Garrett ; J. B. Hoag ; G. W. Green- wood ; Jacob Shauholtzer ; Lewis L. Heflin, two terms ; J. I*^. Black- burn ; J. C. Jackson, two terms ; John T. Marford. In 1880 this township built a town-hall 24 X -12 X 14 feet, at a cost of $785. On the farm of G. W. Higgins in section 14 is the only artesian well in this county. Mr. Higgins began this well in 1874, but it was not completed until 1876. The tirst compan}- failed with its drill fast in a strata of magnetic rock, so the second company employed had to begin at the sui-lace. The well attained a depth of 1,209 feet. The last surface water w^as passed at a depth of 127 feet. At 915 feet water was struck that rises to within eighty feet of the surface, and an inexhaustible supply. A ten-horse-power engine, running to its full capacity four hours, throwing a four-inch stream, failed to perceptibly lower the water line in the well. The watei- is soft and contains a 802 HISTOEY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. small percentage of iron ; temperature, sixtj-two degrees F. In boring this well the first coal was struck at seventj-five feet, without roof; coal was struck again detween 440 and 485 feet. Magnetic rock was found at 405 feet. The following list gives the different strata passed through, with the thickness of each, beginning at the surface : Feet. Feet. Yellow Clay 30 30 Dark Clay and Gravel 4-"> 75 Coal and Shale 40 115 Limestone and Water 12 127 Shale 10 137 Black Slate 18 155 Dark Shale 123 278 Limestone 3 281 Shale 15 296 Limestone ■ 4 300 Shale, with Sulphate of Irf)n 27 327 Bastard Limestone 18 345 Limestone 95 440 Limestone and Coal 45 485 Limestone 25 510 Blue Shale 05 575 Limestone 17 * 592 Alternate Strata of Shale and Limestone, two to three feet. ... 78 670 Blue Shale 30 700 Limestone 412 1,112 Sandstone 88 1 ,200 Black Shale ' 9 1,209 Besides the Mann cemetery mentioned above, there was a cemetery- laid out in 1860 in the N. E. J of Sec. 35, called Mount Vernon ceme- tery, which has been quite extensively patronized since that time by the people of the southeast corner of the county. In introducing the history of some of the pioneers of this town- ship it is fitting that Govert S. Fleharty should be the first one men- tioned, as he was its first white inhabitant. • This cannot be better done than by quoting from the pen of one who knew the fiimily well, and wrote of its history as follows : THE FLEHARTY FAMILY. Among others who came to Mercer county in those far ofi" and romantic days, ere the Indian war-wlioop had died away from the praii-ies of northern Illinois, were the four brothers, Stephen W., Gov- ert S., Bennett E., and Henry Fleharty, and their respective families. They were accompanied by their aged father and mother, William and NORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. . 803 Margaret (Withgot) Fleharty, who were natives of Maryland, and dur- ing the early years of their married life had a delightful home on the far-famed Eastern Shore, near Coptauk river. Grandfather Flehartj, as he was called in later years, was, in his younger days, a slaveholder, and although not imbued with anti-slavery sentiments to any great extent, he removed with his family to Ohio in 1810, mainly for the purpose of escaping from the demoralizing influences of slavery. The four brothers above-named were typical western pioneers; athletic, courageous, and possessed of great physical endurance. They located in Mercer county, at different periods between the years 1833 and 1835. This portion of the state was then a primitive ]3aradise. Many hard- ships were to be endured by the early settlers, but there was grand inspiration in their surroundings. Not far away was the great father of waters, with shores bordered with dark, dense forests. Here and there were lovely groves, which in the summer season appeared like islands in an emerald sea. Nimble footed deer frequented the woods and streams or bounded over the prairies in herds, scarcely realizing the presence of the few and scattered pioneers. The prairies were nature's own flower gardens. There the wild bees gathered their win- ter stores and thence they were followed by the wary bee hunters to the knarled oaks which contained their hoarded wealth. Looking across the years that have intervened since those days, and realizing the value of the work that was accomplished by all of the pioneer settlers of Illinois, it seems fitting tliat for those who have gone to their long home, pioneers now in the land beyond the river, there should be a memorial decoration day, and that their graves should be annually strewn with fairest flowers. Illinois had a grand army of these pioneer settlers, grand in character if not in numbers. In this army the brothers above-named held an honorable rank. It is related of Henry, the 3'Ounger of the four, that in the sports of muster day, as the militia meetings for drill were styled, he was only equaled in feats of strength and agility by one person, Mr. Notley Scott, who was one of the most athletic men in that part of the state. Henry Fleharty died before he had reached the prime of manhood. Stephen W. Fleharty, the elder of the four brothers, was born in the state of Maryland on the 28th day of December, 1799. He removed Mdth the family to Ohio in 1810, and to Springfield, Illinois, in 1825. He was married three times during his life of eighty-two years. A daughter, Margaret, by his first wife, married Mr. James T. Jones and now resides at Mount Hecla, Texas. Her mother died while yet very young. Mr. Fleharty's second wife, Amelia W., was the daughter of Rev. John Kirkpatrick, one of the pioneer Methodist ministers of 804 . HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Illinois. The union proved to be a liappy one and they raised a large family of children. The family settled in Mercer county in 1834, on a handsome tract of land, composed of timber and prairie, one and a half miles east of what was then known as "Bridger's Corners," now Suez. Mr. Fleharty was a cabinet-maker by trade and was a thorough workman. Articles of furniture made by him are still in use among some of the older families of Mercer count^^ When not employed on the farm he worked industriously at his trade, and in this way finally secured a comfoitable home. Pie was a strong man intellectually, a great reader; a whig in politics, then a republican, and always a patriot. The partner of his joys and sorrows during those early years, Mrs. Amelia W. Fleharty, was a true christian woman, and lier life, so gentle and affectionate in the midst of many trials, illustrated the most winning graces of Christianity. She was the mother of ten chil- dren, including two pairs of twins. Only four of the ten are now liv- ing. George Washington and Marquis Lafayette (twins), Amelia, Sarah E., and Fletcher A. all died young. Mrs. Fleharty passed away to the land of the blessed in the year 1865. Mr. Fleharty married a third time, and a son was born to him when he was nearly seventy years old. He died on April 10, 1882, in his eighty-third year. The following is an extract from a notice of his death that was published in the Galesburg "Republican Register": "A good man, whose life reaches back into the last century and forward so late in the present century ; a man whom every one calls honest and honorable ; having a record of eightj^-three years unstained and unchallenged, is one of the choicest treasures of a commonwealth. Such was Stephen W. Fleharty, as every one who knew and respected him will allow." His widow, Mrs. Julia B. Fleharty, and her son Eddie are living near Galesburg. AVilliam L. Fleharty, the oldest of the family excepting the half- sister above mentioned, possessed all of the sterling qualities of his father and the gentleness of his mother. He married young, worked industriously and provided for himself and family a pleasant home near Galesburg. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Terrill. He died in the prime of life, aged forty-six, and Mrs. Fleharty survived him only a few years. They left a family of six children, two of whom are married. J. Q. A. Fleharty (twin brother of H. C), is a traveling minister in the North Nebraska Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been very successful in his vocation. H. C. Fleharty is engaged in farming near Fullerton, Nebraska. He was married when young to Miss Margery E. Cullison, of Knox coimty, Illinois. They have an interesting family of bright, promising children. NOR'l'H HENDERSOX TOWNSHIP. 805 Rev. J. J. Fleliarty, the next in order of birth, entered the minis- terial profession when very young, and was for many years a member of the Central Illinois Conference. He has been eminently successful as a minister. Was married, when young, to Miss Anna B. Brace, of Stark county, Illinois. Tliey have had only one child, Clara, now a charming young lady. Rev. Fleharty is now president of the Nebraska Wesleyan University, located at Fullerton, an institution that is young in years but full of promise. He also continues in the work of the ministry. S. F. Fleharty, the youngest of the four brothers who are living, was born September 6, 1836, and was either the first or second child born within the limits of Suez township. He was a member of the 102d 111. Yol. Inf. during the late war, and was sergeant-major of the regiment. Was a member of the Illinois legislature in 1870-72, representing Mercer county. Removed to Nebraska in 1875, where he engaged successfully in the newspaper business, and is now private secretary of the governor of Nebraska. GovERT S. Fleharty. — Returning to the "old stock," it is a pleas- ure to sketch the career of another of Mercer county's honored pioneers. Govert S. Fleharty was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, Feb- ruary 22, 1804, a patriotic beginning of a life that was marked by the strongest impulses of patriotism, and of devotion to the inalienable rights of man. He removed with the family to Ross county, Ohio, in 1810, and to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1825, where he was married in 1828 to Margaret L. Harmon. They remained in that county some five years, during which time Martha C, Stephen W., and Mary A. Fleharty were born. In 1833 the family removed to Mercer county, selecting a home on the S. E. J of Sec. 1, North Henderson township, and there WilHam D. and Margaret were born, the latter being the youngest and last of the family. In 1838 the family removed to Henry county, where they lived for many years, in a pleasant home near the village of Oxford. Govert S. Fleharty was physically and mentally a strong man, earnest in his convictions, and adhering to them with unswerving fidelity hi the face of the most bitter persecu- tions. He was an old-time abolitionist, and, to his honor be it said, that he aided more than one fugitive slave that was fieeing from the bloodhounds and the lash of the southern slaveholder. He died Octo- ber 20, 1876, and it is written of him that he was born on Washing- ton's birthday, and died during the centennial year of American inde- pendence. His wife, Margaret L. Fleharty, was a faithful, devoted, and aft'ectionate christian woman, whose good example and kindly nature has left an enduring impression upon the surviving members of 806 HISTORY OF MERCER A^"D HENDERSON COUNTIES. the family. She died DecemVjer 10, 1880. The chikh-en are all living. Martha C. married Mr. W. T. Bridger. They have a family of four children, and a pleasant home, one mile north of Oxford and just across the line from Mercer county. S. W. Fleharty, the elder of the two sons, was born October 24, 1S30, and was married in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth Watson, of Mercer county. They reside on theii* beautiful farm, a short distance east of New Windsor, and by their industry have made a happy home for themselves and their children. Wesle}^, as he is commonly called, is a man of the strictest integrity, an original and independent thinker, bold and direct in expressing his views on all subjects, uncompro- mising, yet kind at heart, and worthy of the respect which he univer- sally receives. The second son, William D. Fleharty, was born October 4, 1834, and was the first white child that was born in North Henderson town- ship. He was married in 1860 to Miss Mary C. Petrie, daughter of William F. Petrie, and sister of Hon. A. P. Petrie. Mr. and Mrs. F. have only one child, Annie, now twelve years old, and very natarally, as well as deservedly, their only darling is the sunlight of their happy home. Mr. Fleharty has been engaged in business as a grain buyer at New Windsor for many years, and has been remarkably successful. During all of that period he has maintained a character that is above reproach, and all classess have implicit confidence in his business in- tegrity. He has been twice elected to the office of supervisor for Rivoli township, and has discharged the duties of the office with credit to himself and to his constituents. Mr. and Mrs. Flehartv have an elegant home in New Windsor. Mary A. Fleharty, the second daughter, married Mr. Peter Stevens a substantial and well-to-do farmer, who resides in Ohio Grove town- ship. They have seven children. The youngest daughter, Margaret, married Mr. David McLaughlin, and their home near Oxford is the old home of Govert S. and Margaret|Fleharty, the father and mother of five children, who have all been successful in life and an honor to their parents. Another brother, William Fleharty, next in age to Stephen, was a minister, and at the time the family settled here he went into the lead region of southwestern Wisconsin, where he married and settled and died. He has one son residing in Wisconsin and one in Kansas. A sister Ann married Joseph Holiday, in Sangamon county, before the family came to this county, afterward removing to Knox county, and settling near Bennett. When William Fleharty settled in what is now Suez township, it became known that he had served as justice of the .■'.. ■#^i^ /L /\_X_ rL^'-V-'J^ ^^^^^>*^^i^""V^W'-UC/~;Xl NORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 809 peace in Ohio for some years, so he was elected to the same office here. At that time the state was too poor to furnish more than three or four copies of the statutes for the use of the legislature, and Mercer county was not the possessor of a single copy. Mr. F. had a copy of the Ohio statutes so he administered justice according to the statutes of Ohio, and no one could question his decisions as they could produce no Illinois law in his court. Bennett E. Fleharty. — The early history of Mercer county would be incomplete without a sketch of Bennett E. Fleharty, one of tlie four brothers named at the beginning of this article. Old settlers remem- ber him as one of the most conscientious men that ever lived. He was a mild mannered man, very quiet, and ever faithful to his duties as a christian. It is related of him that after working hard during the week, he often walked from seven to ten miles for the purpose of attending the Methodist class meeting of those days. His home was on the south side of Pope creek, near the eastern line of the county. His wife's maiden name was Charlotte Cook. They raised a family of four children : William, Jolm, Sarah, and Jane. The family removed to Kansas, some years ago, and soon afterward Uncle Bennett, as he was familiarly called, passed away to that land from which no traveler returns. The news of his death was heard with great sorrow by old neighbors and relatives here, and his exemplary life will not soon be forgotten. The surviving members of the family are living in the state of Kansas. BIOGRAPHICAL. Among the earliest settlers of this township was Benjamin F. Brown, who was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, April 7, 1810, the son of Samuel and Henrietta (Hobbs) Brown. His father died in Ken- tucky, but his mother came to Knox county, Illinois, with the family, in 1831. The family consisted of nine children, seven of whom lived to have families. Alfred, now deceased, left several children : Har- mon lives in Knox county ; Sallie (wife of Peter Frantz), lives in Knox county ; Harrison and Benjamin F. live in this county ; Joshua H, in Knox county ; Samuel W. in Washington Territory, has had a position in a United States land office there for a number of years ; Margaret (deceased), was the wife of Mr. Freeman, of Knox county ; and John (deceased), lived in this county at the time of his death. Benjamin F. came to Knox county, Illinois, in the spring of 1831. In the spring of 1832 he joined Capt. William McMurtry's company of rangers, which formed part of Maj. Bogard's regiment, enlisted in the counties of Schuyler, McDonough, Warren and Knox, for the defense of the 46 810 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. frontier against the bands of Black Hawk, who had taken the war-path again that spring. In one of the scouts made that season by a detach- ment of his company he proceeded to the present site of the city of Rock Island, which was marked at that time by the presence of one log cabin. The years 1833 and 1834 he spent in the lead mines about Galena. The spring of 1835 he began to improve a claim with his brother Harison, on sections 18 and 19. Selling out his claim to his brother Harison in 1836, he returned to Knox county. February 18, 1838, he married Miss Lucinda Mann, daughter of James Mann, whose early settlement is spoken of elsewhere. She was a native of Ohio, born near Cincinnatti. That spring he began to improve a claim on sections 6 and 7, which now forms part of his farm, which consists at present of 324 acres on the southwest section 6, northwest section 7, and E. ^ N. E. Sec. 12, in Suez township. He has a line residence on the southwest section 6, built in 1861, where the latch-string is always out, in true pioneer style, and no more hospitable welcome is to be found than beneath his roof. Mr. B. was fond of the chase and in the days when game was plenty his trusty ritie brought many a deer to the dust. He was also fond of luring the finn^^ denizens of the rivers from their native element, and acquired so great a reputation in this line that he is commonly spoken of now by the old pioneers as ''Fisher Ben. "" He and his wife are active members of the Universalist church, to which they have been attached for many years. They have a parish organized now in Suez townsliip and a half interest in a church with the United Brethren on section 10 in that township. Mr. B. was for- merly a whig, but ujjon the demise of that party and the organization of the republican party, he has been a zealous and active adherent of that party. Their children were : Susan E., born November 17, 1838, married Ira G. Bridger July 24, 1864, and died, without any children, May 15, 1877 ; Joshua H., born July 6, 1841, enlisted in Capt. Pep- per's company, 84th reg. 111. Yol. Inf , in 1862, and served his country faithfully until the close of the war ; January 1, 1867, he married Mrs, Mary (Dilley) Rodgers and now resides on the southeast of section 10, in Suez township; Samuel M., born in March 10, 1844, married Feb- ruary 6, 1868, Miss Almira Allen, daughter of Henry H. and Amanda (Abbott) Allen, she being a daughter of Johnson Abbott ; (Mrs. A. was a native of Kentucky, and Mr. A. of this state ; they have three children: Benjamin A., born September 19, 1870 ; Ida Olive, March 20, 1873, and Cora May, January 12, 1881. They reside in this town- ship, having a farm of 140 acres on the southwest of section 9); Vachel H. (born October 7, 1846, died November 24, 1850) ; Hen- rietta H. (born November 10, 1851, married John Allen, brother of NORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 811 Samuel M.'s wife, October 8, 1874, now reside in Wyoming Terri- tory); Olive (born April 24, 185T, died May 31, 1875); Margaret (born November 2, 1860), is the onh^ one now at home with her parents. Another pioneer was Allen S. Brown, who traces his genealogy from John Brown and his wife (Elizabeth Crosslj'), who emigrated from New Jersey to Kentucky in the days of Daniel Boone ; emigrating thence to Ohio in 1786. Mrs. B. finally died in Indiana when 101 years old. These were his grandparents. His father, Samuel Brown, was born in Kentucky in 1782, and married, in Butler county, Ohio, March 12, 1807, Miss Jane Bell, who was of Irish descent. He received a bounty and pension from the government for his services in the war of 1812. He moved from Ohio to Indiana, and thence to Knox county, Illinois, with his family in 1834. He died in Warren county, Illinois, September 10, 1856, and Mr^. Brown survived him until May 12, 1869. There were nine children in the family: Eliza- beth,* Hester, Mary, Benjamin, Allen S., Nancy, Jane, Samuel, and John. Hester was the wife of Timothy Meeker, and survives him, living upon the old homestead. Allen S. was born near Ggnnelsville, Wayne county, Indiana, November 7, 1818. December 31, 1837, he married Miss Polly McMurtry, of Knox county, who was in her eight- eenth year at that time. She was the oldest daughter of John and Mary (Williamson) McMurtry. Mr. McMurtry was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, in 1797, his ancestors coming from Ireland before revolutionary times; his grandfather tailing a victim to the Indians in the early settlement of Kentucky. He removed to Indiana in 1813, and was married in Crawford county, that state, September, 1819. His wife was a native of South Carolina. Their family consisted of six girls : Polly, Lovicy, Martha, Harriet, Sarah, and Eliza, all born near Leavenworth, Indiana. In 1830 he hired a team to bring liis family through to Illinois, he following with a few head of cattle. He located on section 33, Rio township, Knox county, building a rail pen and covering it with canvas, in which they sheltered themselves for three weeks while erecting a log cabin. In 1831 all the settlers north of Henderson Grove were warned away on account of threatened depre- dations by the Indians. Some who left their claims did not stop until they reached the friendly shelter of Indiana's wooded plains. Mr. McMurtry removed his family to a block-house on the south side of the grove near James Gummas, known as the Gumm fort. After remain- ing there two or three months, they returned to their claim. In the spring of 1 832 they were driven into a fort near Paul Halm's, on the north side of the grove, that had been built by the settlers during the * 812 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. previous winter for their better protection. Here tliey remained four weeks and then returned to their home. This fort was not far from their chiim ; so when danger threatened, they would go to the fort at night and return to tlie claim to work during the day. On some occa- sions, after a period of fancied security, when remaining in their cabin nights, they would be warned by a courier of the approach of Indians, and, thinking they had not time to reacli the fort, they would conceal themselves in the shadows of the neighboring woods, or in the tall grass that bordered all the sloughs on the prairies, remaining in their hiding places until daylight revealed to them that the alarm had been a groundless one. But to return to the subject of tliis sketch. Mr. Bi-own, after his marriage, rented a farm one year, but in April, 1839, he settled on the W. ^ of S. E. of Sec. 25, which he afterward entered. Here they began life, with a log cabin hav^ing one room in it, one yoke of oxen, and a two-year-old lilly. From this small beginning they accumulated a handsome property, owning some 800 acres of land before Mr. Brown's death, which occurred June 19, 1871. Their chil- dren are : Sarah J. (wife of A. X. Tate, deceased), Eliza A. (wife of L. F. Genh-y, deceased), Mary E. (wife of William Brown), William H., Martha E. (wife of Isaac Stevens, deceased), James N. (died in infancy), John T. (now married and living on the old homestead), Amanda M. (died in her sixth year). Charles W., Annette (\vife of L. J. Smith), Allen Douglas, Levi F., and Fred A. Mr. Brown was a man of more than the average native ability. Though never united with any society, Mr. Brown was a Universalist in his religious belief Aunt Polly J3rown, as she is familiarly called by a wide circle of friends, has -endeared herself to all with whom she has come in contact by her many acts of kindness to the old, and her rare motherly interest in and solicitude for the welfare of the young. She now resides in the village, keeping house for her son, Allen Douglas, who recently lost his wife after a brief season of wedded happiness. William H., the oldest son, was born February 29, 1844. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 102d reg. 111. Yol. Inf , and was made a sergeant on the organization of the company, but was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant. He was wounded in the battle of Eesacca, May 15, 1864, but continued in the service until the close of the war. October 3, 1866, he married Miss Maria Heflin, youngest daughter of Reuben Heflin, one of the pioneers of Knox county. She died March 15, 1875, leaving two children : Claud I. and Maud. In May, 1880, he was married to Miss Belle AVatson, a native of Canada. He was four years supervisor of this town, and has always taken an active interest in political matters, being a democrat. Since the death of his first wife he has studied NORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 813 medicine, graduating at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and is now practicing with Dr. C. G. Stewart in North Henderson. One of North Henderson's prominent citizens at present, tliough not a pioneer, is Joseph H. Humes, who was born in Pennsj-lvania in 18-14 ; his father, wliose name was Josepli, was also a native of that state. His grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812, and liis great- grandfather a soldier in the war of the revolution. Tlie tamilj is of Scotch-Irish descent. His motlier, whose family name was Ernst, was descended from a Hessian soldier taken prisoner during the revolution- ary war and afterward settled in Pennsylvania. Her father, Andrew Ernst, died in Knox county, Illinois, and is buried in the Fuller ceme- tery. His father came to Illinois in 1853 and settled in McDonough county, removing to this county in 1859. In 1864 Mr. H. enlisted in Co. D, 139tli 111. Vol. Inf , which was a regiment of hundred day men. He was honorably discharged November, 1864. Married Eliza Dunn September 7, 1865. and engaged in farming. In 1871 he had the first house built in the village of North Henderson, the present hotel build- ing. Mr. J. L. Goff had previously moved a building into the village. He kept the hotel two years and was then engaged in the grain busi- ness eight years. Has been in the lumber, hardware, and agricultural implement business, since 1880. He has two children, Ilattie, born November 1866, and Leo, born February 20, 1877. He is at present clerk of the town, having held the office four years. He is a member of both North Henderson Lodge and Encampment of Odd Fellows. He is also a member of Horeb Chapter, No. 4, R.A.M., of Rio, and Galesburg Commanderv, No. 8, K.T. In p(jlitics he is a democrat. George A. Blue, druggist, is the son of an old pioneer, William Blue, who was born in Indiana in 1826. He settled on the S. W. J of Sec. 27, in this township, in 1837. During the year 1851 he lived in Knox county, and December 21, that year, he married Miss Ellenor Rice, of that county. She was born in Indiana January 19, 1825, and came to Knox county, Illinois, with her parents in 1831. After his marriage he returned to this county, where he died in March, 1864, having had a family of five children, three of whom are living : George A., born January 1, 1853; Thomas J., born April 4, 1855, owns the old Rice homestead, in Knox county ; Fi-ank W., born December 19, 1863, lives in North Henderson. George A., who was raised on the farm, owns the old homestead, the southwest of section 27. He has been engaged in the drug business in the village since 1879, and post- master since 1880. He married Sej^tember 8. 1874. Miss Lura Glass, daughter of Seymour and Isabelle (Black) Glass. Her grandfather, Samuel Black, was one of the old pioneers of Warren county. They 814 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. have one cliild, Archie W., born September 19, 1876. George A. is a member of Horeb Chapter, No. -1, R.A.M., of liio, also of Galesbnrg Commandeiy, Xo. 8, K.T. M. H. Johnston, druggist, is a son of Larimer and Hannah (Hayes) Johnston, of Suez township in this county, whose history will be found in connection with the history of that township. He was born in Grundy countj^, Ohio, November 26, 1855, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1857, settling in Suez township, where he was raised on the farm with such advantages as the common school of liis district afforded, which he supplemented with a commercial course in Allen's Business College in Aledo. April 20, 1881, he married Miss Anna Galloway, daughter of James Galloway, grocei- of Aledo. Miss Anna was a native of Pennsylvania ; born April 16, 1858. He went into the drug business in North Henderson in March, 1881, and is doing a large business for a country drug store. He is a member of North Henderson Lodge, No. 585, I.O.O.F. In politics he is a republican. The history of North Henderson township could not well be written without a notice of Edwin Evans Kendall, M.D., who was born in Worcester county, Massachusetts, October 12, 1826. His father, Paul P., and his mother Jane (Nickerson) Kendall, were also natives of that state ; his father was engaged in mercantile pursuits ; died when Edwin was quite young. An extract from an obituary notice from the pen of J. P. McClanahan, M.D., of Alexis, Illinois, published in the "Peoria Medical Monthly,"" will be appropriate here. The doctor says : "Dur- ing his early life, by industrj' and self-sacrifice, he worked his way through an academical course of study, teaching during a part of the time, and in like manner through his prolessional studies, graduating from the medical department of the University of Buffalo, New York, April 27, 1853, the institution being at that time under the presidency of Millard Filmore ; the medical faculty being as follows : Charles A. Lee, M.D., Jacob H. Hamilton, M.D., Austin Flint, M.D., Edward M. Moore, M.D., George Iladley, M.D., John C. Dalton, Jr., M.D. Dr. Kendall at first decided to practice his profession in the east, near his original home, but soon changed his mind on account of failing healtli, or an attack of hsemoptisis, and resolved to try the west, to which he removed in the fall of the same year, 1853, wisely selecting for himself a rural location in Mercer county, Illinois, where his health seemed rapidly to improve and his business to increase as the new settlers flowed in to what was then a comjjaratively new and sparsely settled, rich, jjrairie country. Among these settlers the doctor made many warm friends and confident patrons, and for years fair health continued with him, notwithstanding his unrelentive promptness to NORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 815 attend calls regardless of heat or cold, inclement weather, or any dis- paraging circumstances." He died at his residence in North Hender- son January 25, 1882, of typhoid pneumonia. The winter of 1853-1- the doctor taught in the Illinois Liberal Institute in Galesburg, which afterward became Lombard University. He commenced the practice of his profession in the spring of 1854, boarding at Reuben Hellin's, in Knox county. In 1857, while boarding at Lewis Heflin's, in this township, the doctor met with an accident, which, in a measure, crip- pled him for life. His team ran away in the night and threw him out of the buggy, injuring one leg so that he never entirely recovered. In 1858 he located permanently in this township. July 10, 1862, he married Mary E., widow of William Button. Mrs. Button's maiden name was Bruner, she being a daughter of Adam Bruner, and niece of David Bruner, mentioned heretofore in this work. She was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, August 8, 1836, and came to this township in May, 1855, and married William Button September 5, 1857, who died November 6, following, from the shock of having an arm torn off in a threshing machine. The doctor and wife have had eight children, hve of whom survive him : Eugene E. (born February 12, 1867, has entered E. Crosby's store as clerk), Nancy Jane (born June 11, 1871), Mary Edna (March 27, 1873), Minnie Belle (April 6, 1875), Abbey Ellen (July 12, 1877). They moved from their farm into the village in July, 1872. Though not as old a resident of this township as some others pre- viously mentioned, Mr. Alfred W. Nelson occupies a very prominent position. His father, Benham Nelson, was a native of Virginia ; his mother, whose maiden name was Amanda Brewer, was a native of Wayne county, Indiana. Benham Nelson dealt largely in horses, in Indiana. He was sheriff of his county for two years. Having a con- struction contract on a canal, he exposed himself so nmch while labor- ing to fulfill it that he became a cripple for life. He moved to Knox county, Illinois, in June 1855. A. W., and his twin brother A. IL, were born in Indiana, February 3, 1810, and came to this state with their father, living near Saluda in Knox county. A. W. was married December 29, 1862, to Miss Eliza Iniel, who was born in Indiana, June 24, 1840, and came to this state with her father, Thomas Imel, in 1850. In 1877 A. W. came to this township, locating on the south- west of section 27, where he owns forty acres, and forty-one acres ad- joining in section 34. He has always been engaged in farming. They have three children: Benham, born October 31, 1866; Katie, January 1, 1869; Bertha B., March 31, 1878. He is a member of Horeb Chapter, No, 4, R.A.M., of Eio. Also of North Henderson Lodge of 816 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Odd-Fellows. He is now supervisor of tliis town, for The fourth con- secutive year. In politics he is a democrat. He is a man of more tlian average native ability, a close observer, doing his own thinking, examining his ground carefullv before taking a new step. A. H., the twin brother mentioned above, is known by his friends as Harvey .Velson. He was married September 10, 1867, to Miss Adelia A. Kays, daughter of AYilliam Kays, of Saluda, Knox county, Illinois. They came into this township in 1873, and settled on the E. |- of S.W. Sec. 34, where they reside now. The farm comprises eighty-eight acres. He built his present residence in 1875. They have ihree children: Hampton, born May 22, 1869; Ida, October 18, 1873; AVilliam, eTuly 15, 1881. Mr. Nelson a member of both the ISTortii Henderson Lodge and Encampment of the I.O.O.F., as well as the Alexis Lodge of A.F.A.M. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of North Henderson. He is one of the commissioners of highways of this town. AVi'lliam Kays, Mrs. Nel- son's fatlier, is one of the old pioneers of Knox county, having settled in that county as early as 1832 or 1833. Peter W. Johnston, though comparatively a recent settler, has been a positive quantity during the period of his residence in this township. He is an excellent representative of the old Virginia and Kentucky country gentleman. He was a native of Virginia as were also both his parents and grandparents. His grandf^ithers, on both his father and mother's side, were in the revolutionary army. His father and seven uncles from both branches of the family were in the military service of the country during the war of 1812. His father, whose given name was John, died in 1826, when the subject of this sketch was ten years old. His family consisted of four boys and two girls, of whom P. W. was the eldest. Three of these survive, one brother and one sister living in Virginia. After his father's death his mother received from the government a land warrant for his father's service in the war of 1812. His mother's nuiiden name was Nancy Wyatt. She was a woman of very marked ability, and a sterling patriot, being very ener- getic in aiding the national cause to the full extent of her oppor- tunities during the struggle from 1812 to 1815. She was about eighty- six years old at the time of her death which occurred in 1880. P. W. was born in Gloucester county, Virginia, August 19, 1816 ; he removed thence to Kentucky in 1835, residing in Breckenridge county, in that state, until 1862; he moved to this state, settling in Hancock county, where he lived one year, settling in this township in 1863, on the southeast of section 19, which farm he still (jwns, though he has lived on the southwest of section 31, near the village of Alexis since the NORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 817 spring of 1875, 'where lie owns forty-two acres. With the exception of three years that lie was in the mercantile business in Kentucky Mr. Johnston has always been engaged in farming. He was married Sep- tember 23, 1837, to Martha A. Hayes, a native of Virginia, born in that state in March, 1816, and emigrated to Kentucky in 1835. Her father's name was William, and her mother's maiden name was Eliza- beth Forster. Tliey have had eight children, only three of whom are living: Benjamin F., born February 26, 1839 (deceased); Nancy, May 21, 1811 (deceased); Mary E., October 12, 1845, wife of Joel Hays living in Missouri; John W., January 27, 1843 (deceased); Matilda E., February 8, 1848 (deceased) ; Littleton T., May 11, 1850, in the cattle business in Texas at present, though he makes his home with his father; Ann M., born March 30, 1853, wife of Newton Bruington, resides in the villiage of Alexis; Martha A., March 3, 1856 (deceased). Mrs. Johnston is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, south. Mr. Johnston is a member of the masonic order, and politically a democrat. Probably one of the best known and most highly respected pioneers of this township, and the one having the widest circle of friends and acquaintances, is Notley Scott. It would be a long radius drawn from his house that would describe the circle excluding tliose who do not know "ITncle Notley," as he is familiarly called. In the days when game was plenty it was a good huntsman that killed more deer than he, and a strong man that could march home under the weight of a heavier buck. He excelled in all the games in vogue in those days re- quiring agility, strength and prowess, Henry Fleharty being the only competitor for the honors that had any chance with him in those days. He also enjoys a reputation that he has built for himself during the passage of the years for the strictest honesty and probity, his word being as go ;, "/i - ^T' ^. ^- wj^^'/i-t^d^i. ADDITIONAL MATTER. 827 made it incumbent upon him to seek a new home, where better oppor- tunities might present themselves. During his absence many of his associates had removed to Missouri, and his lirst impulse was to follow them thither, but as Missouri was a slave state, and as he expected by removal to better his condition, he feared that the profits of slave hold- ing might overcome his abolition scruples, and rather than place him- self in the wa}' of temjjtation he decided to settle in the young and promising State of Illinois, and in the spring of 1832 he left Kentucky with his wife and two young children, and opened a farm in what was then a part of Warren county, but when that county was divided he found himself within the limits of the new county of Henderson. Here he conducted farming operations for twelve years, and with such success that he was at the end of that time the owner of 800 acres of land, and a fair competency in addition. In 18-14 he removed to Oquawka, and went into business with Edward R. Adams, under the firm name of McKinney & Adams. They conducted a large diy goods and general store, and bought and sold grain, pork and produce of all kinds. The latter were shipped for the most part to St. Louis, the Mississippi river being the only available public highway, although some sales were made in New Orleans. The dry goods were purchased in New York, Boston and St. Louis. The firm also engaged largely in pork packing, in com- pany with Mr. Alfred Knowles, running what was at that time a very large establishment for this country, employing during the packing season from fifty to sixty hands, and handling daily from 500 to 1,000 hogs. In 1854, after ten years of prosperity and success, the firm of McKinney & Adams dissolved partnership, the latter retiring, his share amounting to not less than $25,000, which had all, and more, legitimately been made during the decade, thanks largely to the business tact of Mr. McKinney. Mr. McKinney continued the business, associating with himself his oldest son, Hiram, under the firm name of McKinney & Son, until about the beginning of the war, when he turned the entire merchandising business over to his three oldest sons, Hiram, John and George, and devoted his time to loaning money. The new firm, however, did not long con- tinue in trade. Hiram died in December, 1861 ; John raised a com- pany and went with it, as captain, in the 91st HI. Inf. ; and George, whose health rendered necessary a change of climate, sold the stock back to his father, and went to California. Mr. McKinney did not restock the store long, but gradually sold out as opportunity ofiered. At the time of the great Chicago fire he boxed up and shipped a large quantity of clothing and remnants to the sufferers, and again did the same for the sufferers from the drouth and grasshoppers in Kansas. 828 HISTORY OF ilERCER AND HENDERSON (jOUNTIES. His wife died in 1846, leavin<>: him with a family of six children, and in the following year he married Miss Mai-y Ann, daughter of Rev. Wm. K. Stewart, of Macomb, Illinois, who is yet living. His chil- dren by his first wife were : Hiram, died in 1861 ;. Ann, wife of Luke Strong, of Aledo ; Elizabeth, widow of James Moir, now resides in Paris, France; John, [)resent postmaster of Aledo; George, doing business in Chicago, and resides in one of the suburbs ; Collin, resides near Hot Springs, x\rkansas ; and William, died in infancy. The two first named were born in Kentucky, the others on the farm in Hender- son county, Illinois. Collin volunteered in 1861 in the 10th 111. Inf., Co. E. ; was commissioned second lieutenant, and rose to the rank of captain. With his regiment he re-entered as veteran, and served throughout the war. Children by his second wife were : Adelaide, still at home ; Lucretia, died in infancy ; James, married, cashier of Aledo bank ; Archie, loan clerk for his father ; Mary Isabel, at home ; Maggie, died in infancy; and Robert Riley, still at home. These were all born in Oquawka. Mr. McKinney united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church in 1833, but on coming to Aledo he connected himself with the First Presbyterian church (known as the Old School), of this place. He is an earnest christian, rigid in the observance of all the rules and religious customs of the church, a regular attendant upon all her ordinances, and a liberal supporter of church and Sabbath school. He has for many years served his church as deacon or elder, and as trustee. He removed to Aledo in May, 1873, and in April, 1874, pur- chased an interest in the Aledo bank, where he is still the senior member of the firm. He was an old line whig, until the organization of the republican party, since which time he has acted with the latter. During the war he was a strong union man, and was appointed by President Lincoln commissioner of enrollment for the then sixth con- gressional district, comprising the counties of Adams, Hancock, Hen- derson, Mercer, Rock Island, and Warren. Cornelius Springer Richey, son of John and Mary (Douglass) Ricliey, was born September 9, f 828, in Salt Creek township, Muskin- gum county, Ohio ; father born in Pennsylvania ; mother in New Jer- sey. His parents had emigrated from Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. His youth was spent on the home farm until the age of twenty. His education he received in the common schools and in Muskingum college, New Concord. He taught school in the vicinity of his home until 1854, when he came to this county, settling in Ohio Grove township. He was elected county surveyor in 1855, and fol- lowed surveying, teaching during the winter months, until 1862, when he went into the mercantile business, first at Bridger's Corners, Suez ADDITIONAL MATfER. 829 township, for about a year, and at Sunbeam, Ohio Grove township, until 1868, wlien he removed to Aledo, and has ever since continued the business here, first as a member of the firm of C. S. & J. C. Richej, with Jiis brother, J. C\; next with Richey Bros. & McGuifin, J. G. McGufiin having purchased an interest ; then alone ; again with Jesse Markee and I. JS". Dunlap, as Richey, Markee & Co. ; with Dun- lap, as Richey & Dunlap, and now as senior member of the firm of Richey, Frew & Dunlap, S. J. Frew having recently purchased an interest in the business. The firm deal in drj'-goods, clothing, millin- ery, and groceries, and have a good custom. January 17, 1865, he married Miss Susan II., daughter of Joel Lee, Esq., of Galesburg, Illinois. They have two children living, Arthur, aged thirteen, and Olive, aged five years. He was reelected county surveyor in the tall of 1879 and still holds the ofiice. . He has always voted the republican ticket. Jajmes MoCormk-k Wilson. About the close of the last century David B. Wilson, then only about sixteen years of age, emigrated trom his native place in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and settled on a partially opened farm near Fayette City, in the Rehobath valley, Pennsylvania. The location was about thirty miles above Pittsburgh, and ten miles below Brownsville, the point where the old national road crossed the Monongahela river. Here he married Mary McCormick, raised a family, and remained until his death in 1863. Among his children was James M., the subject of this sketch, who was born December 1, 1822. James remained upon his father's farm until twenty-four years of age, receiving only the educational facilities of the public schools of that day, which would illy compare with those of the present. Upon leaving the farm he learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for five years, and could frame a barn or finish a parlor in good style, as occasion might require. November 23, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary Smith, of Flat Woods, Pennsylvania, and in the following May he came to Galesburg, remaining during the summer and returned to Fayette City in the fall. In the spring of 1855 he re- moved with his family to Galesburg, where, with W. B. Patterson, he went into the furniture business, under the firm name of Patterson & Wilson, continuing until July, 1857, when Mr. Wilson removed to Aledo, erected, with Mr. D. V. Reed, the building on the corner of College avenue and Eighth street, now occupied by L. F. Jobusch, and opened a furniture store in one-half of the building, in connection with undertaking, continuing until 1862. In 1861 he wa,s appoiiited post- master by President Lincoln. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 102d reg. 111. Vol. Inf , and in the spring of 1863 was honorably dis- 830 HISTORY OF MERGER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. charged at Gallatin, Tennessee, on account of disability, and returned to Aledo. He was elected supervisor of Mercer township in 1860, 1863 and 1864-. In the fall of the latter year he was elected circuit clerk, and resigned the offices of postmaster and supervisor to enter on his duties, being succeeded as postmaster by Horace Bigelow, of the "Record." He served as circuit clerk until December, 1868. Kot- withstanding his limited educational advantages in youth Mr. W. early resolved to become a lawyei-, and with this end in view he availed him- self of all means of improvement within his reach by general reading and persistejit study. During his last year as circuit clerk, upon appli- cation, he was admitted to the bar and licensed to practice in the sev- eral courts of the state. During the same year he was appointed master in chancery by Hon. A. A. Smith, then circuit judge, and re- appointed in 1870 for the succeeding two years. In May, 1869, he formed a partnership with John C Pepper, one of the oldest as well as ablest attorneys of the county, under the firm name of Pepper & Wilson, which continued until April, 1882, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, both continuing to practice, however, in their own names. During the residence of himself and wife in Aledo, nearly a quarter of a century, they have reared a family of five children : Sarah C. (wife of James II. Pamsey, dealer in jewelry and silverware, Aledo), Mary R. (wife of Joseph Boyd, firm of Boyd Bros., dealers in groceries and hardware, Aledo), Nannie M. (wife of Joseph M. AVal- lace, M.I)., of Coal Valley, Rock Island county, Illinois), Cora C, and Fannie L., both at home and attending the public schools of Aledo, in which their sister Nannie once held a position as teacher. While Mr. W. has not attained great wealth, he has a commodious and com- fortable residence, occupying an entire block of ground between Fourth and Fifth streets, west of College j^enue, so highly cultivated and im- proved as to make it among the most desirable homes in the village, and in addition to the complete furnishing proper, in his house may be found one of the best and perhaps one of the largest private libraries in the county. Politically he is a republican. He has for years been connected with the Presbyterian church. He is a Mason of high degree. Benjamin Coleman Taliaferro was born October 9, 1821, in King William county, Yirginia, and is the son of Robert B. and Cecelia H. (Ellett) Taliaferro. His youth was spent on a farm in Virginia until 1836, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled in what was then a part of Warren, but now Henderson county. Here his father died hi 1817, and his mother died in 1859, at Young America (now Kirkwood), Warren county. His father was a native of King ADDITIONAL MATTER. 831 William, and his mother of Goochland county, Virginia. Mr. Talia- ferro remained on the farm, working and managing it, until the age of twenty-two, when, surrendering it to a brother, he entered the law office of Hon. Charles M. Harris, of Oquawka, as a student. His early education was limited to the common schools of Virginia and one year in an academy, before coming to Illinois ; since then to what he could "pick up" by judicious reading and practical business experi- ence. After being admitted to the bar he removed to Keithsburg, and was for a number of years in partnership with John C. Pepper ; then alone; next with J. E. Griffin, and again with Benjamin F. Brock, of Aledo, Mr. Taliaferro having his office in Keithsburg, and Mr. Brock in Aledo. In 1881 Mr. Taliaferro removed to Aledo, and formed a partnership with James H. Connell in law and abstract business, which was dissolved upon Mr. ConnelFs removal to Pueblo, Colorado, in the spring of 1882 ; and Mr. Taliaferro associated his son, Kobert B., with him *in the abstract department of his business. In 1848 he was appointed master in chancery for the circuit court in Mercer county, a position he held for nine consecutive years. During his residence in Keithsburg he held a number of municipal offices, and is the present village attorney for Aledo. In 1876 he was elected to the state senate from the then twenty-second senatorial district, comprising Mercer and Knox counties, and served in the thirtieth and thirty-first general assemblies. He had the honor of presenting to the latter the great home-protection petition containing 175,000 names, and of being its special champion in the senate. He has been prominently connected for years with the temperance work, in which he has been ably assisted by his wife, both having frequently lectured on the subject in this and adjoining counties. He was the author of the farm drainage law now in force in this state, and of several other laws, of equal importance, now on our statute books. He also introduced a bill to "establish the Western Institution for the Deaf and Dumb," which failed to pass for want of time for its consideration. He became a Mason in 1850, and is still a member, having attained the Royal x\rch degree, and frequently filled important offices in the order. March 15, 1852, he was married to Mary A. Pepper, of Utica, New York, They have four children : Cora B. (at home), Frank E. (married,' resides in Springfield ; secretary State Board of Health), Ralph E. , and Robert B. (both still at liome). Mrs. Taliaferro and daughter belong to the Baptist church, of Aledo; no others of the family connected witli any church. Mr. Taliaferro and his sons are all republicans. Mr. Talia- ferro is one of the earl}' settlers ; has a wide circle of acquaintances and .friends; stands high socially, professionally, and politically. 832 HISTORY OF IVTERCER AND HEJTDERSON COUNTIES. Isaac IS^eavton Bassett was born in Lewis county, Kentucky, Sep- tember 8, 1825.. His early life was spent on his father's farm, where he received such educational advantages as were afforded by the com- mon schools of that day. He tried merchandising for a while, but not finding it as remunerative as he had hoped, studied law, and has practiced for over thirty-five years, attaining a name and reputation throughout the state ;• one of prominence and honor of which he may well feel proud. In 1852 he removed to Mercer county, settling in Keithsburg, and as a member of the firm of Johnson, Willits & Bassett commenced the practice of law here. In 1855 he was elected county treasurer, holding the ofiice for four years. He removed to Aledo in 1857 when the county seat was removed, and has ever since been a leading and honored resident of the village. In 1847 he married Miss Scienda T. Moore, by whom he had six children, five of whom are still living: Fletcher S., lieutenant United States navy; Thomas W., attorney at law, Lacqui Parle, Minnesota ; Flora, wife of AVilliam X. "Graham, cashier of Farmers' Bank, Aledo ; jS^ota, and Lulu, both at home. His wife died in 1861. In 1862 he married Mrs. Caroline H. Yertv, a sister of J. E. Harroun, who had one child, Miss Clara, who is still at home, and who, with Miss Xota Bassett, is conducting a book, station- ery and millinery business, under name of Bassett & Yerty. By his second wife Mr. Bassett has had foui- children, two of whom have died; Yictor Hugo, a boy of eleven years, and Bessie, a girl of eight years. From 1847 to 187' >, he was connected with- the Methodist Episcopal church, but in the latter year joined the Congregationalists, to which he still belongs. He has also been a Mason for many years. AYliile not what is termed rich, Mr. Bassett has made for himself a good home, surrounded by the comforts and luxuries of life. His family hold a leading and enviable position in society, and in the church which is honored by their membership. Mr. Bassett is at present the senior member of the firm of Bassett et Wharton, the latter now serving his second term as state's attorney, and they enjoy a large and lucrative practice in the circuit, appellate, state, and federal courts. Samuel Marquis was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1834, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah Ann (Lysle) Mar- quis. His earh' life was spent on a farm, where he received a common school education, or so much of one as could be obtained during the winter months. His mother died about thirty years ago, and his father died in Galva, Kansas, in 1880. In 1855 he came west, stopping for a while in Davenport, Iowa, and in 1857 he came to this county, locating on the home farm in Mercer township. In 1 862 he settled in Aledo, and went into the dairv business, in which he has ADDITIONAL MATrER. 833 €ver since been engaged. He was married to Miss Anna Signor, November 16, 1867. They have had six children, all of whom are still living: James Lorell Dappie, Sarah Kate, Vance, Carrie, and Maynard M. Mr. Marquis is industrious, honest and conscientious, and while not wealthy he has acquired a comfortable home and his business is sure and safe, fairly remunerative and free from great risks or temptation to speculation. He is a good citizen; one of the kind to honor the place of his residence. Jajvies H. Connell was born in Toronto, Canada, November 5, 1843. His father s name was William Council, his mother's Isabella Leishman. They were both born in Scotland, and moved to Canada in 1842. In 1848 they moved to Chicago and from there to Sycamore, Delvalb county, Illinois, in 1849. Mr. Connell's education is such as he received at the Sycamore liigh school and a commercial college in Chicago. He worked in the "True Kepublican" office, in Sycamore, three years ; went to Chicago in 1861, and kept books in the whole- sale drug house of H. Scovil. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. F, 132d reg. 111. Inf., and served until the war closed. He went to Aledo in 1865, at the close of the war, and studied law in the office of J. R. and I. N. Bassett, and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Illinois, in March, 1868. He then went into partnership with I. IST. Bassett, in March of that year, and continued until January, 1874. He was married to Lallie Arthur June 8, 1870. She is the daughter of Mrs. M. C. Geiger, and step daughter of John Geiger, of Aledo, Illinois. Mr. Connell was appointed master in chancery, of Mercer county, Illinois, in November 1879, and resigned the same in May, 1882. He owned the abstract books of Mercer county, from 1868 to 1874, with I. N. Bassett, and from 1874 to May, 1882, was sole pro- prietor, when he sold them to B. C. and R. B, Taliaferro. He was one of the originators of the Mercer County Scientific and Historical Association, and was elected secretary of the association when it was organized, and was re-elected from year to year until the spring session, 1882, when he declined further election as he was preparing to move to Colorado. He was tendered the position of attorney-general of Montana, by President Garfield, in 1881, but declined the office. In August, 1881, he formed a partnership with Senator B. C. Taliaferro, and dissolved the same in May, 1882, for the purpose of removing to another field farther west. He left Aledo in May, 1882, and moved to Pueblo, Colorado, where he is now engaged in the practice of law. To Mr. Connell, as. one of the members and secretary of the historical society, the publishers are under many obligations, and much of what 834 HISTORY OF MERCER AITO HENDERSON COUNTIES. is valuable in tliis work is due to his kindness. Mr. Connell carries with him to his new home the good wishes of numerous friends. William H. Gladman, New Windsor, was born in Fulton county, Illinois, July 30, 1S43. His father, Washington B. Gladman, was a native of Ohio, and was among the earlv pioneers of Fulton county in this state, having come to that county about the year 1820, where he resided until the spring of 1853. He removed to Henry county, Iowa, where he died in the fall of the same year. His mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Drumm, was a native of Virginia, and survived her husband until 1879. In 1862 William H. enlisted in Co. K, 25tli reg. Iowa Yol. Inf , commanded by Col. Stone, and served with that regiment in the Fifteenth Army Corps until the close of the war. He was in twenty-three engagements and escaped without a scratch until the last one, which was at Bentonville, North Carolina, where he received a slight wound in the shoulder. When mustered out of the army he returned to his old home in Henry county, Iowa, remaining there until the following year (1866), when he removed to Oneida, Illinois, where, in connection with his brother, he established a wagon and carriage shop. In 1869 he moved to New Windsor, where he engaged in the same business, which he has continued until the present time. Mr. Gladman is a man of excellent natural mechan- ical ability, being able to do what but very few men can accomplish, namely: manufactui-e a carriage complete, doing the work of the wheelwi-ight, the blacksmith, the painter, the top builder, the trimmer, and upholsterer, and when done it will compare favorably in quality, style and finish with the workmanship of specialists in any of the departments. He was married April 16, 1868, in Oneida, Illinois, to Miss Lizzie T. Cony ers^ who was a native of Bath county, Kentucky. Her father, Thomas Conyers, was a native of the same county and state, and died there when only twenty-five years old, shortly before the birth of his daughter, which event occurred August 4, 1843. On this account her mother gave her the name of her father for a second name. Her mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Kerns, was a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky. She came from Kentucky to Oneida in 1864, and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Gladman, in New Windsor. A sister of Mrs. Gladman also makes her home with her. Mr. and Mrs. Gladman have four children living: Emma F., born January 25, 1870; William K., born December 16, 1871; Lucy E., born April 29, 1873; Nellie A., born January 4, 1876. John C. Pepper was born in Cambridgeshire, England, September 21, 1829. He came to this country with his parents when about seven years of age, the family settling at Amboy, Oswego county, New ADDITIONAL MATTER. 835 York, where he passed his early life. When sixteen he left home to attend the academy at Vernon, New York, where he remained two years, after which he entered the Wayne County Institute, pursuing his studies there three summers, and teaching school during the winter seasons. In 1848 failing health induced him to come west; and after staying a year in Peoria he settled in Keith sburg, where he was admitted to the bar January 6, 1851. In the same month he celebrated his nuptials with Miss Mary Ann Martin, who has borne him seven children, three of whom are deceased. In 1862 he raised Co. H, 84th reg. 111. Yol. ; being elected captain, he commanded his company with deserved credit at Stone river, and was three times wounded in that battle. Since 1869 he has resided in Aledo. In 1880 Capt. Pepper ran as an independent candidate for circuit judge, but failed of elec- tion. During the last two years he has been earnestly and promi- nently engaged in the temperance movement in this state. With the cooperation of a few friends he started the Illinois State Temperance Alliance, and was president of the organization from September, 1880, till January, 1882, when it was consolidated with the Illinois State Christian Temperance Union, under the name of the Illinois State Temperance Union. Dr. Elisha L. Marshall was born near Trenton, New Jersey, September 24, 1823 ; was educated at City University, of New York, and located at Keithsburg, Illinois, August, 1850, at which place he still remains in practice of his profession ; was connected with the 84th reg. 111. Yol. Inf., as a medical officer in the war of 1861. As a prac- titioner of medicine and surgery, Dr. Elisha L. Marshall stands de- servedly high in the estimation of all, and not the least so in the esti- mation of his professional brethren. But it is in the department of surgery, perhaps, that the doctor has done his best work, and earned his highest triumphs. But few practitioners outside the larger cities have done a larger number of intricate and capital operations, or met with a more uniform success in operative surgical procedures than has the subject of this sketch. His close observations of pathological con- ditions, his success in weighing the relations of cause and effect, and his almost intuitive judgment and decision at the bed-side, have secured for him a reputation as consulting physician and surgeon second to none in the county. Generous and hospitable in his home cir- cle, courteous and affable in every day life, strong and enduring in his personal friendships, thorough in his professional attainments, earnest in his warfare against disease, with an almost chivalric fidelity to the sick and afflicted consigned to his care, Dr. Marshall has stamped the 836 HISTORY OF MERCER ^^J^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. impress of his stalwart inclividualitj upon the history and daily life of the large community in which he has lived and labored for nearly the third of a century. As the oldest physician and earliest settler as such now resident of this county, we offer the subjoined sketch of the professional life of Dr. Thoivias T. Wii.lits, who was born in the state of Ohio December 6, 1805 ; spent the early part of his professional life in the state of Indiana, removing from that state and establishing himself in the vicin- ity of his present home in 1837, his first location being had a few miJes southeast of Keithsburg, at the base of the Mississippi bluffs, at which place he remained in the practice of his profession up to 1840, at which time he removed to the town of Xew Boston, where he still resides. Dr. Willits has thus been actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession for a period of about fifty-four years, forty-five years of which time has been spent, practically, in the same community of people, thus actively in the same avocation for nearly the half century in which he has lived and labored with the co-workers of his profession, inaugu- rating its inception, as it were ; moving ever in its front ranks ; stamp- ing the impress of his own ideas and thoughts upon others with whom he came in contact ; all of whom, as members of the medical fraternity, having acknowledged the chieftainship of their great leader and awarded to him the chief place of teacher, tutor and friend, delight to honor him as "the noblest Roman of them all.'" Having attained more than the allotted "three score and ten" of years, we find him to-day in the fullest possession of a mind sturdy, clear and unclouded, with all of his wonderful power of intellection, without a seeming shadow as reflected from the vast accumulation of hours, days and years since he first saw the light. We have but recently had the pleasure of passing a few hours in the society of the subject of our sketch, and although impressed with something of a knowledge of the grandeur of the old veteran's character, through the representations of friends who have known him long and well, we cannot but add our own great admiration of this venerable man, all of which we will try to condense into the one sentence of much meaning when we write that in the person of Dr. Willits we have a fine specimen of an almost extinct species of the genus homo^ " the typical old school gentleman." THE SOLDIERS MONUMENT, 837 THE MONI^MENT, AND THE SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' ASSOCIATION. CONTRIBUTED BY L. B. DOl'GHTY. The history of the monument is so interwoven with that of the association, that it would be incomplete if treated separately ; but a history of the association would necessarily include all that can be told of the monument. As one who has been intimately connected with the movement looking to the erection of the monument from its incip- iency up to the present time, we will endeavor to give a brief and con- cise history, albeit, much that we might wish to say must necessarily he omitted. THE .Mu.NL AlENT. About the last of May, 1875, some half a dozen ex-soldiers casually met, and one of their number suggested that it would be a good thing to have a soldiers' reunion at our next fair. After some informal dis- cussion it was decided to call a meeting of the ex-soldiers to further discuss the question, and the Aledo "Record" of June 2, contained a call for a meeting in Aledo on June 11, which call was also published 838 HISTORY OF IVIERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. in all the county papers. The day proved wet and disagreeable and the attendance was small. An adjournment was had to July 1, when the attendance was much larger, but mainly from the central portion of the county. Desiring that the entire county should participate in the arrangements, it was deemed best to call a delegate meeting, and all the townships were requested to choose delegates from among their ex-soldiers to represent them at a meeting on August 12, 1875. At this meeting nine of the fifteen townships were represented. Up to this time the object contemplated was only a reunion, and possibly the formation of a permanent association, but on August 4: the "Record" published a communication from R. H. Day, of Millers- burg township, suggesting that steps be taken to erect a monument, and the suggestion met at once with popular favor. At the meeting on the 12th a number of short speeches were made in its favor, com- mittees appointed to solicit funds, and the amount fixed, to be asked for, at $20,000. A temporary organization was effected, with the fol- lowing officers : president, Maj. D. W. Sedwick, of Suez ; vice-presi- dent, J. E. Harroun : secretary, Capt. E. B. David ; corresponding seci-etary, L. B. Doughty ; treasurer, J. E. Gilmore ; the last four all of Aledo. It being deemed inadvisable to hold a reunion during the fair, October 15 was chosen as the date, and the necessary committees were appointed to make proper arrangements. It was hoped that the money could be raised and the monument be erected by July 4, 1876. The work of procuring a list of the soldiers from this county who had fallen in the service, was placed in the hands of the officers, who in turn delegated it to the writer. We procured a list from the adjutant general's office in Springfield, but it was necessarily incomplete, and full of errors, and in order to secure its correction we published it in the "Record'* and "Banner," for a number of weeks, adding names and making cor- rections as received. The list first appeared in the "Record," of Octo- ber 13, 1875. Reports were received from canvassers from time to .time, and it became evident that $20,000 was too much to ask for, and at a meeting of the executive committee on September 28, it was de- cided to reduce the figures to $8,000 or $10,000. The re-union was very largely attended. Through the courtesy of the adjutant general, we were permitted the use of the battle flags of the different regiments represented, and the history of the flags, given briefly by those who fought under them, was one of the most interest- ing features of the occasion. Rev. S. Brink made the address, and was followed briefly by Hon. A. J, Streeter. Permanent organization was eflected, with the following officers : president, D. W. Sedwick ; THE SOLDIEKS' MONUMENT. 839 vice-president, W. O. Dungan ; secretary, E. B. David ; corresponding secretary, Eli Detwiler ; treasurer, J. E. Gilmore. Books were opened, and 110 ex-soldiers registered their names as members. Constitution was adopted and the " Soldiers and Sailors Association " was inaugur- ated. "When the meeting adjourned it was to meet again in reunion on July 4, 1876, at the unveiling of the monument, if it was ready to nnveil. Mr. Detwiler declined to serve as corresponding secretary, and the writer was appointed by the executive committee at their first meeting. On March 7, 1876, Major K. W. McClaughrey, warden Illinois state penitentiary, delivered an address in the court-house, in the interest of the monument, and in the evening of the same day spoke in Viola. Meetings were held at different points in the county, but the work of raising funds was slow, and on April 28 the executive committee employed Mr. Hiram Parkman to make a thorough canvass of the county ; and local canvassers were employed from time to time. In order that the association might purchase and hold grounds for the monument, it was incorporated under the general laws of the state, the charter being issued August 21, 1876. This rendered some changes necessary in the constitution, which were made accordingly. We give the following sections relating to the object and membership : ''''Preamhle. — We, the undersigned, desiring to perpetuate the memory of our fallen t comrades and friends, do unite in forming a per- manent association for that purpose. ^''Article I. Title.- — This association shall be known by the name and title of "The Soldiers' and Sailors' Association of Mercer County.'' ''''Article II. Object. — The object of this association shall be the erection and keeping in repair of a monument to the memory of the deceased soldiers and sailors of Mercer county, Illinois, and to buy and hold land for that purpose. ^'■Ar'ticle III. Ilenihershij}. — Section 1. All honorably discharged soldiers and sailors of the United States army and navy, residing, within the limits of Mercer county, and all who have contributiod, or may hereafter contribute to the monument fund, shall be eligible to mem- bership in this association. '"''Sec. 3. Honorably discharged soldiers and sailors, residing with- out the limits of the association, may become members of the associa- tion and entitled to all the privileges of members belonging to this county. " On March 11, 1877, a design was selected by the committee, and on the 23d bids were received and opened. W.W.Webster, of Musca- tine, received the award, his being the lowest of nine bids. His figures were $3,110. The highest was $4,635. From the "Market 840 HISTORY OF MERGER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Road," a little paper then published bj W, C. Galloway, we quote the following description and remarks : THE PLAN OF THE MONUMENT. In order to give as correct a description of the monument as pos- sible, we condense from the contract with Mr. Webster the following : The foundation shall be eleven feet square at base, and ten feet six inches square at top, and seven feet deep from top to base ; to be built of good sandstone, of suitable kind and dimension, laid in cement mortar, in a substantial manner. The lirst base proper of the monu- ment shall be of the best Joliet limestone, ten feet square and eight inches deep or thick. It may be of four pieces or more, finely cut. The second base shall be of the best Joliet limestone, eight feet square and ten inches thick, to be of four pieces finely cut. The third base shall be of the best Joliet limestone, six feet square and one foot thick, and to be in one solid piece, finely cut. All of the monument above the third base to be of the best Italian marble for monuments, to be finished with pumice finish, except the granite column, which shall be of red Missouri granite, with glass finish, The plinth for die shall be four feet nine inches square and one foot two inches thick. The die shall be three feet six inches square and four feet high, and after the columns of granite shall be put on corners, the faces of die shall be at least two feet nine inches wide. The caps of granite columns shall be six inches in length and eight inches in diameter. The granite col- umns shall be three feet long, and six inches in diameter at base and five and one-half inches at top. The plinth of granite columns shall be nine inches in diameter and six inches thick. The die cap shall be four feet six inches square, and one foot two inches thick. The spire shall be two feet six inches square at base and one foot eight inches at top, and fifteen feet in length, exclusive of bands on cap, to be made in three sections of suitable length for good taste. The two bands between the sections of the spire shall each be of the same size at spire, and one foot thick or high. The cap of spire shall be two feet six inches square, and one foot three inches thick. The statue of soldier shall be six feet eight inches in length above column cap, size in proportion. Position in parade rest. The total height from foun- dation to be tliirty-five feet two inches. On the plinth of die shall be in raised letters, this motto, MERCER COUNTY TO HER FALLEN SONS. 1861 to 1865. THE soldiers' monument. 841 The names of soldiers on die shall be by regiment and company. Size of letters, three-fourths of an inch in length and of suitable pro- portion. On the four squares of the plinth of spire shall be carvings or figures of sailors or mariners, cavalry, artillery and infantry in raised figures. On the four squares of the band on spire shall be the names of the battles in raised letters. On cap of spire shall be raised stars. All the mouldings, shapes, etc., shall be finished in good taste, artistic skill and woi-kmanship. The granite columns shall be dowel- pinned to cap and plinth of column, also cap of column and plinth of column to cap of die and ])linth of die by half-inch brass rods three inches long. The foundation to be raised two feet above the surface ; to be well banked up to top and nicely swarded over. These shall be enclosed by a circular iron fence, eighteen feet in diameter, to be made in a plain, substantial manjier of wrought iron, with cast points on each picket, etc. The monument to be completed by the first day of November, 1877. The foregoing account is complete as to how it was to be. The executive committee met October 30, 1877, inspected the monument and unanimously accepted it, showing that Mr. Webster had fulfilled the contract. The ground chosen for the location is in the north one-half of block 57, village of Aledo, immediately south of block owned by the county, on which are situated the fire-proof county offices. The price paid for ground was $400. The street running between the blocks will be vacated by the village as soon as all arrangements can be completed, and the whole ground enclosed and used as a park. Trees will be planted and walks laid out, and in a few years it will look like the beautiful hallowed place it should be. After its erection the executive committee had a considerable job in deciding when to have the dedication and unveiling exercises. The near approach of winter and prospective bad weather helped them to decide to postpone it till July 4, 1878, and then to make an effort to have such a gathering and exercises as would long be remembered. The directors this year are D. W. Sedwick, E. B. David, H. B. Frazier, J. Y. Merritt, and II. Parkman, and it is not too much to say that they who have taken so much interest in the cause and spent a great deal of time are among the happiest that the work is so near done, and tliat soon every citizen of the county can point with equal pride and say "'tis ours.'' But the people cannot soon foi-get that it is to the untiring energy of the leaders of this movement that it resulted in success at all. . xVpril 30, 1878, the directors held a meeting to take preliminary 842 HISTORY OF MERGER AND HEXDERSON COOTriES. steps for the unveiling of the monument July 4, and it was decided to hold a grand reunion, in which all the citizens of the county were cor- dially invited to participate, and all soldiers and their friends from adjoining counties. The secretary announced that Maj.-Gen. John A. Logan had been engaD:ed to deliver the address. In addition to the publication of the list for corrections in 1875, it was re-published during the summer of 1877, week after week, and we believe it to be as nearly correct as it is possible to make it. The reunion and unveiling on July 4, 1878, was an occasion well worth remembering. The citizens of Aledo and vicinity joined with the executive committee of the association in making the preparations, and everything was perfect. The gathering was tlie largest ever held in the county for any purpose whatever, the number being estimated fairly at 12,000 to 15,000. Through the com-tesy of Col. W. D. Flag- ler, commander at Rock Island arsenal, and of the secretary of war, a section of artillery, manned by a sergeant and eight men, were sent from the arsenal and lent their aid in the observances of the day. Gen. Logan made a grand address ; the monument was unveiled, toasts given and responded to, and the usual exercises followed, the whole enlivened by music from one of the many bands in attendance. It was at once a reunion and a celebration, and as such was enjoyed by all participants. It would be a pleasure to give a list of the subscribers to the monu- ment ftmd, but that is impossible, and we will mention none, for many who gave but little, gave, like the widow with her mite, "more than all these " whose gifts were much larger. One source of revenue, however, from which nearly one-fourth of the entire amount raised was realized, will bear brief mention as the "tax-list fund." In the fall of 1875 the publishers of the "Record *' offered, under certain conditions, to donate the proceeds of the tax list for the next year to the monument fund. A spirit of rivalry led O. P. Arthur, of the "Banner,"' to offer the proceeds for two years, if the list was given to him. His offer was accepted, and the amount realized was over $600. In the spring of 1879 Porter & Eigelow, of the "Record," published the list, and gave $100 of the proceeds to the fund, to be used in fencing the grounds. The same spring P. F. Warner, who then owned tlie " Banner, " proposed to give $100 to the fund, pro- viding enough was subscribed within thirty-four months to pay off the debt of the association. The money was raised ; he paid the $100, and published the tax list the next spring. Thus the tax-list fund amounted to over $800. The monument grounds are enclosed -svith a neat fence, and have ^. 7/^. THE SOLDIEES' MONUMENT. 845 been set to grass and planted with evergreens. They, with the beanti- ful marble shaft, will ever prove a monument to the patriotism of our citizens, living and dead. The Soldiers and Sailors' Association has not yet finished its mis- sion. Now that it can point with pride to one of the most beautiful monuments in the state, its further work is to care for, protect and beautify the grounds whereon it stands. The directors for the present year are the same as those last men- tioned, aud the oflicers are: D. W. Sedwick, president; J. Y. Merritt, vice-president ; E. B. David, secretary ; L. B. Doughty, corresponding secretary ; D. T. Hindman, treasurer. The grounds are in charge of the resident oihcers : H. Parkman, and secretary and treasurer. The association is out of debt, has a small balance in the treasury, and there is a considerable amount due in unpaid subscription notes, which will be used, when collected, in improving the grounds. We can not more fittingly close this article than by giving some extracts from General Logan's dedicatory address, at the unveiling, and giving with it the names upon the monument : "My friends, this monument that we unveil to-day in commemo- ration of the virtue and patriotism of the 357 soldiers who fell in the late war, in defense of the princij)les sanctified by our revolutionary sires, speaks to the world in more eloquent strains than can be uttered by any living orator ; eloquence is not often prompted by depth of feeling, nor as a rule do figures of rhetoric issue from sad and tender recollections. Perhaps one who had less of the jpersonal remembrance than myself, might commemorate this event in more fitting language, but none there are whose tribute to the dead has a seat nearer to the heart than the soldier who has felt the warm touch of the comrade's elbow in the fight, and has seen that comrade yield up his life upon the altar of their common principle. Were this the appropriate time, nothing could afford me deeper satisfaction than to trace the career of every soldier whose name is written upon this stone ; and to recount in the fullest manner the personal history of each one who contributed his part to the privations and sacrifices of a soldier to his country's cause, and sealed the deed thereto by the red drops of life's precious current. You will pardon me, however, if in refraining from the detail which each is entitled to in order to prove the full obligation of posterity, I trace a hasty sketch of the organization, progress and achievements of the gallant band of which the fallen dead of Mercer county, with their brave comrades who are here to honor their mem- ories to-day, formed so important a part. After the general rendezvous at Cairo, in 1861, the engagement at Belmont found among others, as 48 r 846 HISTORY OF MERCEK and HENDERSON COUNTIES. participants, the twenty-second Illinois infantry, the twenty-seventh and the thirtieth, in which regiments were some of the soldiers fur- nished by Mercer county, whose names are now upon this column. "From Belmont to Forts Henry and Donelson, where so many brave fellows found an untimely death ; and on to Shiloh and Corinth, at which latter place I had the honor to command a brigade, consti- tuted partly of the thirtieth and forty-fifth Illinois. Of the thirtieth and forty-fifth regiments, many names of the Mercer county boys are engraved upon the memorial tablets which we unveil to-day. "The memorable Mississippi campaign, which iinally culminated in the fall of Vicksburg, furnished more deaths to the cause of the union, and among these more names for future inscription upon the monument which Mercer county now erects to her sons. Within my command during that campaign were, among others, the thirtieth, forty-fifth, and one hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois infantry. "To the gallent men then composing my command was assigned the honor of taking possession of Yieksburg, upon its surrender, just fifteen years ago to-day, an honor not lightly esteemed by those who, at Champion Hills, fought and won one of the sharpest, fiercest, and most brilliant victories of the campaign, the importance of which, in the subsequent fall of Yieksburg, can only be estimated by a demon- stration of tlie enemy in a precipitate retreat to their stronghold, des- tined so soon to fall into our hands. Afterward, upon taking command of the Ffteenth Army Corps, the following regiments of Illinois troops, partly made uj) from Mercer county, embraced a part of my command : The Twenty-Sixth, Thirtieth, Forty-Fifth, and Forty-eighth Illinois infantry. At a subsequent period I commanded the army of the Ten- nessee, made up of regiments of infantry, cavalry, and batteries of artillery from the States of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Michi- gan, Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, Massa- chusetts, and New Jersey. Among the regiments from the other states mentioned were thirty-eight from Illinois, and among these, made up in part from Mercer county, were the Ninth, Twenty-Sixth, Thirtieth, Forty-Fifth, Forty-Eighth, and One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Illi- nois infantry, and of and from these are many of the names in the roll of lionor inscribed on this monument, and with these names are many from other and different commands, who were equally brave and patri- otic, and entitled alike to all honor and all praise. The famous march to Atlanta and to the sea has passed into history as one of the most brilliant campaigns, considered in detail and as a whole, which has ever been recorded in the annals of war. The pen of the historiographer has drawn the picture of that campaign in outline, and has attempted THE SOLDIEKS' MONUMKNT. 847 to tlirow in the details of individual action. Its general results were soon felt and realized, when the army which had cut the confederacy in two were advancing from the south to meet their comrades under the conquerer of the Potomac, who was driving everything before his- invincible hosts. The result in general, I say, has been outlined, and some attempt has been made to do justice in detail. So far as the officers, who justlj' won distinction on those memorabkvfields, are con- cerned, the attempt has been as successful, perhajjs, as might from the nature of things be expected. But the sufferings, privations, hard- ships, stubborn perseverances, remarkable and unexcelled gallantry of the heroes in the ranks, can never receive the record to which they are entitled, though we may freely accord the meed of praise, which,, regarding the residts of their united efforts, hails them as the saviors- of this country. From the intrepid conduct at Eesacca, as also at Dallas, at both })laces the command of which the most of your troops were a part, took the brunt of the movement ; through the assault on Kenesaw mountain, with its abattis and earthworks, and cross fire of artillery, bullets, rocks and stones, to the celebration of the Fourth of July, 1864, by an artillery fight with Johnson's rear guard ; from this to the desperate struggle before Atlanta, which eventuated in the fall of that city, where, on July 22, one of the great battles of. the war was fought. No pen can describe it in detail, and no orator's vivid imagi- nation can make the mind comprehend the scene. Then through the campaign of the (Jarolinas with increased hardships, in swamps and streams, through Columbia, Goldsboro, Fayettville, and Raleigh, where the close of the war occurred, the same lofty spirit of patience under suffering, of hope under discouragement, of increased, determination under disappointment, of invincible resolution to win or die, character- ized them to a degree which stamped them as })atri()ts worthy of this great country. In thus ]3articularizing the patriotism of the Illinois troops which fell under my more immediate charge and supervision, I have no purpose to discriminate against the gallant soldiers from other states, who also formed a part of the army. As 'Agamemnon found it an invidi- ous affair to give the preference to any one of the CTrecian heroes,"* so should any one of us find it impossible to draw distinctions between union soldiers fighting for the perpetuity of their government. •'But, my friends, we are here to-day not alone in the acknowledg- ment of the services of those who periled their lives for their country, but to dedicate a monument in testimony of the gratitude of the neigh- bors, immediate friends and fellow soldiers of those who gave up that for which a man will barter all other things, A/.s^ life ; a monument which we hope shall stand so long as the principles of free government, 848 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. and the patriotism wliicli this shaft prochiims is venerated by the American people. "The roll of honor bearing the names of Mercer county's heroes who fell in defense of their country during the years from 1861 to 1865, and which are transcribed in imperishable letters upon the beau- tiful monument we are about unveiling, has been placed in my hands and I now avail myself of the privilege of having them read to you." The names of the fallen soldiers, inscribed upon the monument, were here read by Mr. J. C. AVharton, and were as follows : JVi/ifh Reg.^ Company E. — Joseph B. Jones, Calvin Martin, Wm. D. Nevius, Augustus B. Cox, Geo. M. Gilmore, J. N. Shoemaker, Jesse Mock, A. T. Waterbury, Frank M. Moore, James Haverheld, John Morehead, Wm. P. Kelley, John Beatty. Seventeenth Beg., Company I. — James Phelps, John W. Nel- son, Wm. Is oris, James M. Findley, Thos. T. Timmons, Geo. W. Elliott, Erastus M. Gruell, Sam. C. Willett, Albert Beach, George Hardy, Geo. W. Kingen, Chris. B. Simmons, Nathan T. Grifhn, Thos. S. Robinson, M. H. Anthony, Jesse Sumner, James A. Scott, Chris. Middler, Wm. II. Davis, Henry France, Elija Myers, John F. White, Samuel Boyce, Henry Y. Coeway, Matthew S. McCoy, John W. Miles, Wm. A^oorhees, W. Dryden. T^venty-second Beg., Company K. — Robert Scott, Joseph Straub. Twenty-sixth Beg., Company C. — James W. Brown, David A. Bjder, William D. Bonge, Orson C. Follett, John C. Gaston, John U. Kourt, James L. Reed, John B. Shirder, Granville Goodson, Jacob Aull, William A. Blizzard, William G. Fenton, Obadiah Goodson, Nicholas Kile, Isaiah F. Pollett, John Senn, Chris. Marguth. Tiiienty-seventh Beg..^ Company G. — Joseph S. Briner, William Fortner, Charles White, Hugh M. Love, Charles E. Thompson, An- drew L. Smith, Michael L. Sadler, Mahlon Boyd, Calvin Gibson, Joseph Manual, James C. Sisk, Amisa Wood, Benjamin Craig, JeflPer- son Mosby, J. Van Meter, John C. Webber, Charles Etherton, William D. Malaby, Joseph Shalich, Gilbert Fortner, Michael Lalley, A. H. Ryan, J. F. Thornton, W. W. Wilcox. TldrtietJi Beg., Company A. — Henr}' Arnett, Benjamin Bell, James E. Brown, Robert R. Crist, II. J. Peters, John Gilmore, Phil. R. Alexander, Isaac M. Home, J. P. Paxton, N. R. Kirkpatrick, William Gardener, John P. Mitchell, John Smith, Samuel Whithara, Perry Paxton, William Lowe, T. B. Moore, William Adams, Henrj^ Bistline, Samuel Cook, Robert H. Davis, Phineas S. Synder, George W. Hill, John Cannum, S. Mclntire, Charles N. Shull, John P. Instead, William P. Kimel, Charles C. Dennis, Abner G. Titus, Thomas Home, THE soldiers' MONUIMENT. .S49 David A. Felton, William G. McGaw, M. Quinlan. Company G. — Joseph R. Humbert, Levi Jackson, Van C Ogle, Albert A. Holland, J. Wesley Mann, James Ogle, G. W. Rice, John Garrett, James Burnett, James W. Ditto, J. Cook Brisbine, Stephen F. Moler, Sam. D. Boden, William C. Kelley, William C. Bickett, James W. Purdum, Alvah Shumway, William W. Humbert, John Ogle. Company K. — Samuel Ebner. Thirty-sh'tJi Reg.^ Comj^any G. — Jackson Caldwell, Rich. Godfrey, Samuel jS^. Wilson, Nathan McCutcheon, Thomas R. Pollock, William Shearer, H. Buchanan, Hugh Shearer, F. Ingles. Company B. — Bruce Brownlee. Company A. — Thomas Moore. Thirty-seventh jReg., Company A. — Francis Gannon, Andrew Wil- son, Oran Cochran, I. K. Williams, John Dorrity, James Valentine, Sylvester Mizner, William T. Little, Robert Armstrong, John C. Whitsel, Henry H. B. Clarke, J. W. Catlicart. Forty-jiftli Reg.^ Company I. — Robert Da}^, Levi Lunn, Benjamin Burleigh, William H. Sheriff, George W. Debord, William L. Green, 1. F. Bridgford, Ira G. Smith, Benjamin Bryant, James Ebner, H. Wages, Thomas J. Miller, Samuel Gorman. F'lfty-jifth Reg., Company K—W. Carus, W. Cozell. Com- pany I. — E. M. Bruner. Fifty-eighth Reg., Company G. — Daniel Knapp, William LI. Mercer. Slxty-Jifth Reg., Company B. — George Fortner, John Hale, Lor- enzo Wood, John M. Jones, H. J. Hanck, Robert Ilampson. John McGaughey, James Hiers, George W. Shaunce, Henry Hiers. Eighty-third Reg., Company D. — A. O. McCreight, George N. Marquis, John C. Woodham, James S. Stewart, James S. Eveland, D. M. Nevius, Erastus Kenney, Samuel G. McCreight, Francis M. Shearer, George Mitchell, James M. Veach, Amos Kenney. Eighty-fourth Reg.., Comjxiny H. — Luther T. Ball, Andrew J. Hellings, James J. Kid well, Frederick Kemp, AVilliam Lipton, Peter Rotchrock, Edgar L. Spicer, Daniel Williams, Francis Whan, Francis Brown, W. W. McCandless, Joseph Ballien, Alonzo Guest, O. R. Per- sonius, Andrew Jackson, John W. Sterling, F. M. Brown, H. E. Aber- crombie, John M. Wiedner, John Diech, Bigalow Kile, L. McManus, George McPherren, Mack Tirney, H. Welliver, Robert Whan, John A. Preston, Almon Wilber, Michael Conway, John H. Gilles])ie, Marvin Sullivan, J. R. Eckley, George M. Haney. Company C. — William Whiting. One Hundred and Second Reg., Company A. — John K. Holmes, Albert P. Cooper, Robert F. Carl, Eli Judd, William Miller, Oliver 850 HISTORY OF MERCER A^•D HENDERSON COUNTIES, N. Tyler. II. Butterfield, William H. Augustine, Alfi-ed Bovd, John Edwards, Orlando Kenney. Arthur F. Sabin, Jacob A. Walton, J. Morann, Conqximj ^.— John liich, Harvey Rogers. Company C. — Francis Freeman, George Huffman, Henry Herr, G. Bressmer, Edmund Kinsey, Charles Anderson, George Bahringer, M. McMullen. Com- jpany E. — Peter F. Cook, John R. Carmichael, John McCutcheon, Chauncey M. Royce, William Sevits, Albert C. Bridger, Seth Grayatt, Michael Oswalt, James C. Simpson, Rich. Brown, T. Simpson. Company G. — I. McManus, John C. Reynolds, W. W. Hibbs, John McHard, John S. Burnett, John Gibson, William P. Irwin, Richai-d M. Hoy, R. B. Seaton, D. W. King, R. H. Cabeen, Jared Y. Harris, Isaac T. Bridgford, L. H. Casebolt, Samuel Harvey, William T. Todd, A. T. Dopp, Samuel Parks, A. G. Henry. Company A"— Allen Wilson, Abram Fuller, S. D. Hutchinson, J. T. Collier, T. H. Hand, Peter O. Pierce, I. X. Stevenson, Moses White, Jr., Marvin R. Wright, William Yolk, George W. Bartlett, James P. Hampton, Michael Bryant, M. Dagger, Albert Kiddoo, Noah Spicher, Jacob Shields, P. Waters Willett, AYilliam H. Hampton, E. Pierce. One Hundred and Twelfth Reg., Company C. — John F. Baraey, Ed. R. Petrie. One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Reg. ^ Company G. — Lee James, Oliver G. Swafford, Amos C. Goddard, John Fitzgerald, George Mid- dleton, Charles Shafer. Joseph S. Dungan, B. F. Noble, Levi Lan- dreth, Jolin T. Bates, John D. Linn, John Shaw, Henry Sloan, George Sloan. One Hundred and Tiventy- Sixth Reg., ('omp>any B. — Henry Debaun, Isaac A. Linn, Andrew Landreth, J. Martindale, David Yan Meter, James M. Rodgers, Jacob Fender, George Lavery, G. Lan- dreth, James Swartwout, George Yolkal. On£ Hundred and Fortieth Reg., Covij)any F. — Edward B. Har- ris, Jonathan Mounts, Joseph W. Shawyer, John W. Maury, Alfred F. Noble, Z. P. Warren. Eleventh Cavalry Reg., Company C. — F. T. Crane, William H. Gilliam, B. F. Mahaney, Stephen Bartan. C. E. Mclntvi'e, William J. Simpson. MixcdlaneouH. — E. R. Cooper, 9th 111. Cav., Co. A; D. A. Moler, 10th 111. Cav., Co. C; Robert Morgan, 12tli 111. Cav., Co. G ; George Edgerly, 8th 111. Cav., Co. C; Silas Yalentine, Utli 111. Cav., Co. L; W. D. Swift, 9th Iowa Cav., Co. A; John Stevenson, 9th Iowa, Co. D; Samuel Boice, 9th Iowa, Co. D ; G. L. Moore, 2d Iowa Cav., Co. A; H. M. Boone, 1st Col. Inf., Co. C; Eli C. Crosley, 1st Miss. Marine Brig. ; Cyrus W. Trego. 8th Kan.. Co. H; John A. Robinson, THE soldiers' MONUMENT. 851 8th Kan., Co. I; J. D. Aslienliurst, Stli Kan., Co. II; F. M. Carroll, 8th Kan., Co. H; John L. Arnold, 14th U. S. Inf., Co. I; J.W.War- wick, 155th 111. Inf., Co. H; Edward Bruner, 55th 111. Inf., Co. I; W. Kennedy, J. Alberson, M. Moroe, Tth Iowa Inf., Co. A; E. C. Crosley, 1st Miss. Marine Brigade ; G. W. Ne\aiis, Iowa Cav. ; J. Keed, 93d 111. Inf ; H. Billings, W. C. Cathcart, M. Hutchinson, C. M. Clarke, T. Campbell, A. D. Streeter, D. A. Felton, J. P. Insted, Tth Mo. Cav.; William S warts, 29th 111. Inf., Co. I; Lnther Water- man, 2d Iowa Cav.; D. C. Bartlett, 9th 111. Cav., Co. C; A. Cook, 51st 111. Inf., Co. K. Gen. Logan continued; ''Wliat a glorious roster to transmit to posterity ! Well might there have been engraved upon the stone as representing the united sentiment of Mercer county, the memorable words of the Roman mother: 'These are my jewels.'' Three hun- dred and fifty-seven men who deliberately walked up to the rebel can- non's mouth, and swore upon their lives that the union of our fathers should be preserved ! That oath was registered on high, and it has been graven upon the works of men. It is here as the indorsement of our generation. May it stand for more than a thousand years, to re-echo it through the future centuries. Three hundred and iifty-seven heroes about represent in number the Spartan band under Leonidas who defended the pass of Thermopylae, and gave up their lives for their country. Let this monument speak to the coming ages, as did that of the Spartan heroes, in words which shall bid the traveler go tell their countrymen that they lie upon the held of battle in obedience to their country's welfare. Such a tribute as is conveyed by this beau- tiful work is an expression of the patriotism of the living in applaud- ing the patriotism of the dead. It is a shaft to commemorate the virtue of the departed, but also signalizes the appreciation of virtue by the living. To the dead it is a token of remembrance, to the living a testimony of character. Yaluable as is this work of art, its worth is far greater to the living than to the dead. No panegyric which we may make can reach the body in its narrow house, nor the spirit in that land where the clash of arms and sound of strife mar not the un- broken peace. But to the living it stands as the representative of a sentiment ; it is a declaration of principle, it ratifies a past act, it pro- claims a future policy, it enunciates in words which cannot be mistaken the patriotism of Americans and their determination to perpetuate their free institutions, and to uphold their motto of "Many in One." It is a token of grief for the departed, but it is also a warning to those who remain ! It is a tear of sorrow for the slain, but the promise of pun- ishment to the future slayer. The men whose names we are here 852 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. to-day to honor are forever hidden from onr \dew beneath their mother earth, but from their sacrificed bodies this coUimn rises as a tree from the root, and gives another illustration of the truth of the aphorism sanctioned by all the ages of the past, that 'the blood of the martyr is the seed of the church.' Here we understand the purport of this monument and the motive which prompted its creation. As fellow- citizens of our great commonwealth, as friends, we are here to drop a tear of sorrow over our loss, and to extend the word of comfort to the weeping relatives, whose loss is greater than our own. ... *• ' Does this mass of people come here to-day in obedience to a meaningless formality, or is their presence the representative of a senti- ment? Shall tliese names upon this monument stand as the simple enumeration of 357 unfortunates who rashly rushed to their death? Or shall they receive the homage of that tribute so beautifully rendered in the lines of the poet Collins : " ' How sleep the brave who sink to rest, By all their country's wishes blest ; By fairy hand their knell is rung, By forms unseen their dirge is sung ; Their honor comes, a pilgrim gray. To bless the turf that wraps their clay, And freedom shall awhile repair, To dwell a weeping hermit there.' "Fellow-citizens of Mercer county, you have done a noble act ; you have proven that you worthily belong to that great bulwark of our nation's safety, its citizen soldiery. At the sound of danger you left the pursuits of peace and threw yourselves into the breach of war, and when you conquered a principle, you erected an enduring shaft of honor to those who have lost their lives in maintaining it. As one who stood upon the field with those brave fellows, I am here co re-echo your declaration, that their deaths have not been in vain. I am here to mingle my sorrow with yours, and to say, come weal, come woe, I am with you to the end in placing the flag of our country so high as to be beyond the reach of its despoilers, which, in proudly floating on the breeze, shall say to all the world : 'Here dwells the undivided nation of peace. ' " SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT, 853 SIXTY-FIITH KEGIMENT, COMPANY B. This was called the "Scotch Kegiment," from the number of that nationality who marched in its ranks. It was organized at Camp Douglas, Chicago, bj Col. Daniel Cameron, Jr., and mustered for service May 1, 1862. In company B were thirty-eight soldiers from Mercer county, belonging to the townships of Greene, Mercer, Millers- burg, Preem]3tion, and New Boston. The regiment was ordered to Martinsburg, Virginia ; and when Col. Miles surrendered at Harper's Ferry, September 15, it was among the prisoners taken. Being next day paroled, it returned to Chicago and remained there till April, 1863, when, having been exchanged, it was ordered to tlie Eastern Kentucky army, and, returning to Camp Nelson via Cincinnati, joined Burnside's expedition into East Tennessee for the purpose of co-operation with Gen. Rosecrans, who was at that time moving on Chattanooga. It fought at Knoxville November 25tli and 29th, in the defense of that stronghold against Gen. Longstreet, and repulsed him with slaughter. The following winter was one of severe campaigning to this regiment. It." veteraned,"' and went home on furlough in March, 1864. On its return it overtook Sherman's army at Kingston, Georgia, and took its place in the second brigade, commanded by Col. Cameron, and the third division, Gen. J. D. Cox commanding, of Gen. Schofield's twenty-third corps. The 65th had a sharp encounter with the enemy between Lost and Kenesaw mountains, June 15, and skirmished briskly every dav until the 20th, when fifty volunteers from the regiment charged across a bridge and drove the enemy's infantry and artillery in handsome fashion, and effected a permanent lodgment on the other side. It continued to fight with spirit until the close of the campaign, taking part in the flank movement around Atlanta and the battle of Jonesboro. It returned north in pursuit of Hood, and was transferred from Dalton to Nashville by rail. It then advanced as far south as Pulaski, and November 25th and 26th was engaged at Columbia, losing tliree ofiicers and fifty men. On the 30th it received the attack of Hood's army at Franklin, and when the battle ended 200 of the rebel dead and wounded lay stretched in its front. It carried to Nashville that night the colors of the loth Mississippi rebel regiment as a trophy of the conflict. An equal share with other troops was borne Decem- ber 15th and 16th, in the battle of Nashville, and it went in pursuit of Hood's broken columns, pausing only when it had reached (^lifton. From thence, January 15, ]865, it was transferred by boat and rail to Wilmington, North Carolina, assisting in the capture of that place. 854 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. At Sandtown creek it captured three cannon and 350 rebels. March 6 it went to Kingston. From there the first five companies, except vet- erans, were oi-dered to Chicago, to be mustered out. On the 21st it entered Goldsboro, where Sherman's cohimns from the south made connection with Schofield on the 23d. From Raleigh the non-veterans were sent home for muster-out, and the remainder of the regiment went to Greensboro. May 1 four companies of recruits were added ; and, in June, four officers and 250 men of the 92d Illinois, two officers and 120 men of the 112tli Illinois, and twenty-five men from the 107th Illinois were assigned to the 65th, and Lieut. -Col. Stewart was mustered as colonel. The regiment was mustered out, and started, July 13, for Chicago, where it arrived July 22, and from whence, after final ]:>ay- ment, the discharged men returned to their homes. EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT, COMPANY D. Company D was enlisted in Mercer county, one-fourth of the mem- bers being from the southwest corner of Henry county. It was officered with Joshua M. Snyder, of Yiola, as captain ; Hugh M. Robb, of Mercer township, as first lieutenant ; and Francis M. Sykes, of Oxford, second lieutenant. The regiment was organized at Monmouth, in August, 1862, by Col. Abner C. Harding, and was sworn into the service on the 21st. On the 25th it proceeded by Burlington and St. Louis to Cairo, and on September 3d moved to Fort Henry. On the 5th one-half of the regiment marched to Fort Donelson. three com- panies remaining at Fort Henry, and two at Fort Heiman. These subsequently moved to Donelson, and the 83d was stationed at that post until September 20, 1863, when the right wing was transferred to Clarksville. Roving bands of guerillas filled the country and lurked particularly on the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, and skirmishes were of frequent occurrence ; some of these were especially severe, as the one at Waverly. In October, 1862, accompanied by other troops in pursuit of Gen. John H. Morgan, it had a sharp fight at Garrets- burg, Kentucky, and drove and punished the enemy severely. But it was on February 3, 1863, that it achieved its fame as a fighting regi- ment. Forrest was threatening the river communication at Palmyra, on the 2d, and Colonel Harding telegraphed to Paducah for re-inforce- ments, his garrison consisting of the meager force of nine companies of the 83d, a battalion of the 5th Iowa cavalry. Flood's battery, and a EIGHTY-THIRD KK(iIMKNT. 855 few wounded men. F(nir rHled guns and a 32-pounder pivot siege gun, mounted on the northeast corner of the fort, comprised the battery. At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 3d the enemy, coming down the river, confronted the fort on the east and began the attack in force, being 8,000 strong. The fort contained but a small supply of ammu- nition, and the men, instructed by their cool and calculating com- mander, husbanded what they liad with effective care. They were directed to fire steadily and deliberately, so that every shot should count ; while the battery was handled with skill and precision, single pieces being moved about as circumstances required. Col. Harding- displayed the finest spirit and best judgment, and was at all points overseeing the defense (a defense sure to be historic), animating and encouraging his followers. The cavalry was dismounted and fighting on foot. The battle had raged with fury for several hours ; in the meantime the rebels had made a number of ineffectual charges, sup- ported by their artillery, which was skillfully used. At length a shout went up in the rebel lines, which told that they had completed the investment on the three sides undefended by the river. And now came a flag of truce from Gen. Wheeler demanding a surrender. This was promptly refused. Then followed a confident and furious onset of the enemy; in charge after charge the rebels rolled up against Harding's blazing line, but each time they staggered back with bleed- ing ranks. The artillery rained destruction upon the thick-set columns, and especially the 32-i)ounder was galling the foe with severity, when he decided u])on its capture. Before the attempt was made a second flag was sent renewing the demand for a surrender, which was met with a firmer refusal, if that were possible, than before. A storming force advanced ra])idly u])on the saucy gun. The gunners double- shotted the piece and waited. When the assailants were close upon the works they swung it round, trained it full in their faces and let go the savage charge, which made a ghastly, gory lane through the solid formation of the terrified foe. They fled in complete rout, l^o further attempt was directed against the big gun. At eight in the evening help came at the moment of extremity, when the rebels were massing for a final assault. AVhen Col. Lowe at Paducah received Harding's appeal for succor his forces were away on a scout, but knowing that Capt. Fitch was going up the river with his fleet, he sent him word to cooperate with Col. Harding, and instructed the latter to hold the fort till dark, when assistance would reach him. Fitch divided his gunboats, and stationing a part above and the rest below the fort, while Harding ensconced his men in safe places out of 856 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. reach of the naval missiles, poured grape and shrapnel in enfilading and pitiless torrents into the writhing lines of rebels. They could not stand it. In twenty minutes not one, except slain and wounded, was left on the field. Of the former there were 250, of the latter 600. The besieged had taken 105 prisoners. The 83d had 13 killed, 51 wounded, 20 captured. Not long after, as a recognition of this gallant defense. Colonel Harding was wearing the single star of a brigadier. Lieutenant-Colonel A. A. Smith was immediately promoted to the vacant colonelcy. The former soon resigned to accept a seat in congress. For nearly two years subsequent to the second battle of Fort Donelson the 83d was patroling and guarding communications, of which it had not less than two hundred miles to protect, and at the same time was doing a heavy scouting service, which was prolific of much small fighting. In 1861-, when Forrest and Wheeler were mak- ing daring efiforts to sever Sherman's communications, the 83d formed a part of the efficient force so energetically employed by General Rous- seau in driving those rebel leaders, with their commands, from Ten- nessee. In the winter of 1864-5 the regiment went to NashvilJe on provost duty, and on the 26th of June it was mustered out in that city, and on the 30th arrived in Chicago where it was finally paid and dis- banded. Of 1,050 men who went to the field, 610 returned. The only change in the line ofiicers of Company D was when second lieutenant Sykes resigned in August, 1864. Hugh B. Frazier, who had been pro- moted from the ranks to sergeant and then to first sergeant, was at once commissioned to fill the vacancy. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY- FOURTH REGIMENT, COMPANY G. This was sworn into the United States service at Camp Butler, September 10, 1862, with Col. Thomas J. Sloan in command. Com- pany G was raised at New Boston by Lyman H. Scudder and Ezra S. Benedict, of that place, in the last half of July and the first part'of August. Thji members were principally frt>m New Boston township ; some were residents of Eliza and Millersburg, and a very few of adjoining townships. The organization took place August 15, and the company was oflicered as follows : L. H. Scudder, captain ; E. S. Benedict, first lieutenant ; and Benton Pratt, second lieutenant. On the 28th, taking wagons, the company drove to Oquawka Junction, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUKTH REGIMENT. 857 then the nearest raib-oad station, and proceeded from there by way of Galesbiirg and Camp Point to Springfield. There each man received forty dollars in cash, this being one-fourth of the $100 bounty, two dollars premium, and one month's pay of thirteen dollars, all tendered by the government. Uniforms and amns were drawn, the latter Aus- trian muskets, barely fit for practice in the manual of arms. On Octo- ber 6, the regiment started for Cincinnati ; but on arriving at Decatur the order was countermanded, and its destination was changed to Cairo, from whence it went to Jackson, Tennessee, arriving on the 9th. It advanced to La Grange November 4, and on the 28th, as a part of Gen. Grant's expedition to the Yocona river, drove the rebels across the Tallahatchie. The regiment had been assigned to the first brigade. Col. John E. Smith ; third division. Gen. Logan ; seventeenth corps, Gen. McPherson. Returning from the Yocona, it reached the Talla- hatchie December 24, and La Grange January T, 1863. The same month it marched to Memphis ; from there it went, February 22, to Lake Providence; and April 18, moved to Milliken's Bend. It was reviewed on the 22d by Gov. Yates and staff, and on the 25th started on the Vicksburg campaign. It was in the engagement at Port Gib- son (Thompson's Hill), May 1 ; Raymond, May 12; Jackson, May 14; Champion Hill, May 16 ; and the siege of Yicksburg, including the fearful assault of May 22, and the still more terrible one of June 26, when the mine at Fort Hill was sprung. Tlie regiment went on the brief campaign to Monroe, Louisiana, under Gen. Stephenson, which left Yicksburg August 21, and returned September 2. From October 14 to the 20th, it was with Gen. McPherson on the Brownville cam- paign, and participated in the battles at that place on the 16th and 17th. In January, 1864, the 124th competed for a prize banner offered by Gen. Leggett to the regiment in his division which should excel in drill, and present the most cleanl}^ appearance and soldierly bearing. It bore the legend, " Excelsior Regiment, Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps," and the 124th received it from tlie hands of Gen. McPherson. In February the regiment accompanied Gen. Sherman on his famous raid to Meridian, and at Chunky Station, on the 14th, bad a severe fight with the rebels. It returned to Yicksburg, and on May 4, moved with the expedition under Gen. McArthur to Yazoo city, returning the 21st, having fought on the 7th and 10th at Benton. Between July 1st and 9th it was operating on the Jackson campaign under Gen, Slocum, and was in brisk engagements at Jackson Cross Roads on the 5th and 7th. In October it went on the White river campaign, under Gen. Dennis, and was absent from Yicksburg from 858 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the 14tli to the 26th. It did provost duty until February 25, 1865, and then was ordered to Xew Orleans and was assigned to the third brigade, Col. Geddes ; third division, Gen. E. A. Carr ; sixteenth corps, Gen. A. J. Smith. It embarked, March 12tli, for Mobile, and on the 29th began the siege of Spanish Fort, occupying the left of the investing line and driving the enemy within his works. On April 8 the third brigade and one other of Carr's division, stormed the fort, mounted the ]-amparts, secured a lodgment three hundred yards in ex- tent, and, darkness having come on, waited for the morning light to continue their progress, but at one o'clock the rebels offered to capitu- late. Awav off in Yiricinia Lee followed suit a few hours after. The regiment marched the 13th with the expedition to Montgomery. There it remained till July IT, when it started for Chicago, where it was mustered out August 15, 1865. The 124th fought ten battles and four- teen skirmishes ; it went through two sieges of forty-seven days and nights and thirteen days and nights, respectively, and traveled by land and water T,O00 miles. It was drolly called by "the boys" in the armv, " The Bully One Hundred and Two Dozen.'' ONE HUNDKED AND TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT, COMPANY B. Company B had thirty-four enlisted men, and one commissioned officer from Mercer county, all except one private belonging to Duncan and Perryton townships. The original officers were Henry D. Cline, captain ; John B. Mitchell, first lieutenant, and James H. Coffman, of Perryton, second lieutenant. The I'egiment was organized at Alton by Col. Jonathan Richmond, and was mustered into service September 4, 1862. It moved November 20 to Columbus, Kentucky, and from there to Bolivar, Tennessee, reporting at the latter place to Gen. Bray- man. On December 19 six companies were dispatched to Jackson, Tennessee, as a reinforcement, and afterward advanced to Humboldt, skirmishing some, being joined there by the other four companies early in 1863. On March 25 the regiment returned to Jackson, and was assigned to the second brigade, second division. Sixteenth Army Corps. It was transported by rail to Memphis, where it embarked down the river to assist in the siege of Yicksburg, and landed at Haines' Bluff June 2. It did honorable service to the end of the campaign, and on July 24 embarked for Helena, Arkansas. From thence it ELEVENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 859 moved with Gen, Steele's army against Little Rock, ligliting on the way, and occupying the place on September 10. The regiment went next to Duvall's Bluff, and remained there on garrison duty, with Col. Richmond as post commandant, until August 19, 1S6-1. On June 26 it was in action at Clarendon. It marched to Pine Bluff, going by way of Little Rock; on February 12 it moved to the mouth of White river, and June 4 returned to Pine Bluff", where it was mustered out July 12, 1865. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTIETH REGIMENT, INFANTRY, COMPANY F. Company F of this regiment was raised in Mercer county, in May, 1864, by Van R. Harriott, of Viola, and George Boone and R. S. Os- born, of Aledo, and was mustered in June 18th, with eighty men, for lOO days. The officers were : Osborn, captain ; Boone, first lieuten- ant, and Harriott, second lieutenant. The company rendezvoused at Rock Island, May 9th ; from there it went to Dixon, and thence to camp Butler. The regiment was stationed at Lafayette, Tennessee, and also did duty at Memphis, but was never in action. Some mem- bers of company F had a fight at Lafayette, August 8th, with bush- whackers, and Edward B. Harris, of Perryton, and John W. Maury, of Aledo, were killed, and Alfred F. Noble, of New Boston, Robert Breakey and Milton M. Jones were wounded, the former mortally. The following died of disease : Jonathan Mounts, Joseph M. Sawyer, and Zachariah T. Warren. The liOth was mustered out October 29, 1864. ELEVENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY, COMPANY C. This regiment was raised by the famous orator and philanthropist Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, and was rendezvoused at Peoria, and mus- tered into service in December, 1861. In company C were fifteen or more men from Mercer county, nearly all of them from Suez township. George W. Freeman, then of Galesburg, now of Amboy, Lee county, Illinois, was captain ; Charles E. Johnson, of Ionia, first lieutenant ; and Moses T. Lewman, of San Jose, second lieutenant. George W. Greenwood, of Pope Creek, was first sergeant, and rose regularly to the captaincy. 860 HISTORY OF ATERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Company H had in its ranks several men from Henderson county. Capt. John C. Knowlton was a Henderson county man. All the first lieutenants that the comj)any ever had (Francis Le Clair, Henry M. Cornell, James G. Hull, and James K. Reasoner) belonged to the same county. Cornell was first sergeant, and once promoted. Reas- oner was second duty sergeant, and promoted first and second lieu- tenant. Hull was the last of the three captains. Unhappily no mem- oranda of the movements of the Eleventh have been ofiicially pre- served, and time is too short for the research that would be necessary for a sketch, brief as it would have to be. LIEUT.ALVAH W.PAUL (deceiased^ HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY. CONTRIBUTED BY J. SIMPSON, ESQ. b Henderson connty, whicli once formed *a part of Warren county, is situated upon the western border of the state, and is comprised of eight full townships and six fractional townships, aggregating about 400 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Mercer county, on the east by Warren county, on the south by McDonough and Hancock counties, and on the west by the Mississippi river. Numerous streams break the surface in their passage from the eastern part to their outlet, the Mississippi river. The largest of these streams is Henderson river, which rises north and east of the county, and passes in a southwesterly direction, and empties into the Mississippi about midway between Oquawka, the county seat of Henderson county, and Burlington, Iowa. Cedar creek rises in Knox county, and empties into the Henderson in township 12 N., 4 W., in the northeastern part of the county. It is a small stream, but in times of heavy rains it leaves its banks and spreads over a large space, doing great damage. Fall creek, North and South Smith creeks are small streams which empty into Hender- son a little east and north of Oquawka. South Henderson rises in the eastern part of the county and enters Henderson a half of a mile north of the town of Gladstone. Farther to the south Ellison creek runs from east to west through the county, and empties into the Mississippi above the town of Carman. Still farther south in the county are Honey and Dugout creeks, running in a westerly direction. The prairies of this county comprise something less than half of its area. The soil of the prairie is excellent for agricultural purposes, consisting of a blackish loam underlaid with a brown clay. On the high lands that bound the streams the soil is lighter and less productive. These high lands were formerly covered with timber ; but improvidence in its use and ravages of fire have, in a great measure, denuded these ridges, and the process of destruction still goes on. The common growth was the different varieties of oak, with some hickory, witli an under- growth of hazel interspersed with some sumac. On the lower lands, and in the bottoms we find the various species of elm, linden, ash, 49 864 HISTORY OF IVrERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. maple, box-elder, cottonwood, buckeye, black walnut, butternut, honey and black locust, aspen, wild cherry, hackberry, mulberry, coffee tree, crab-apple, redbud, and many other varieties of small growth of tim- ber. From the north end of the county to near Camp creek on the south extends a belt of bottom land of an average width of about two and one-half miles. A portion of this belt is rich black loam, very fertile and producing lieavj^ crops. However, . the overflow of the Mississippi in spring time renders business of farming these lands very uncertain. Along this belt extends between the bluff" and river, for nearly the entire length of the county, elevations or sand ridges, embracing many square miles of unproductive land, although a portion of these sand lands are cultivated with success, producing remunera- tive crops. This sandy soil is especially adapted to the culture of sorghum or sugar cane, which is at the present time being quite exten- sively cultivated. And in view of the success attending the use of improved machinery in other portions of the state, there is every reason t(_) expect that the future value of these sand lands will be greatly enhanced. This county is favored with numerous springs of excellent water, furnishing a constant and copious supplv, sufficient for the necessities of large herds of cattle. Little difficulty is found in obtaining a water supply in wells at a very moderate depth, varying from ten to fifty feet. There have been found some mineral springs of some value, but few, il' any, have been subjected to a chemical analysis, so as to deter- mine their medicinal qualities. However, it is known that copperas is the mineral most commonly held in solution by their waters. Hender- son county has an abundant sujiply of building stone, which may be said to be inexhaustible. It is of the species called by geologists Bur- lington limestone, and is found in and along the bluffs, extending the entire length of the county, and to some extent along the bluffs of the creeks which find their outlet in the Mississippi. This rock is found to be light colored massive limestone, standing exposure well and the effects of the weather. There are many quarries of this stone open and worked along the bluffs of Ellison and Henderson creeks. The most extensive quarry in the county is on South Henderson, and is worked by August Wallbaum, Esq., near the town of (xladstone, on the line of the Chicago, Burlington Sz Quincy railroad. Here' an extensive busi- ness is carried on in quarrying and finishing stone for buildings of all kinds. Many of the best buildings in the state are furnished with material from this quarry. The court-houses in Freeport and Macomb are built of this stone. The government buildings at Omaha are like- wise built of stone from this quarry. As many as seventy-five hands HENDERSON COUNTY. 865 are constantly employed the greater portion of the year in carrying on this business. This county is so unfortunate as to iind but a very small supply of coal within her limits. On Sees. 24 and 26, T. 9 N., 4 W., a thin seam has been found, but this supply is but a scant amount and that of an inferior quality. Many hope yet to find coal in adequate supply, but scientific examination gives small promise for the realiza- tion of their hopes, and this county may expect to depend upon more favored localities for her supply of coal. The soil of the county is well adapted to the production of corn, wheat, and other grains, and fruit of all kinds, adajjted to this latitude, is jiroduced in abundance, although along the bluft' lines orchards thrive better than on prairie or bottom lands, and in the bottoms and upon the timbered portion of the sand ridges, the wild grape grows luxuriantly, yielding a grape- that produces an excellent wine. ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. With this brief geographical view of the territory, it is proper now to pass to the organization of the county. As stated in the beginning, this county was formerly embraced in, and formed a part of, Warren county. In the year LS41 an act was passed by the general assembly, and duly approved, creating the county of Henderson, the following being a correct copy of the act : An Act to EstahHsJi. the County of Henderson : — Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the gen- eral assembly : that all that part of the now county of Warren lying west of range three of the third principal meridian, be, and the same is hereby created, into a new county, to be called the county of Hen- derson. Sec. 2. The county seat of said county of Henderson shall be, and is hereby permanently located at the town of Oquawka, in said county of Henderson ; provided^ the proprietors of said town of Oquawka shall donate and convey to the count}'' commissioners of Henderson county, (for the time being) for the use and benefit of said county in fee simple not less than two hundred of the average of the unsold or unimproved lots, in said town of Oquawka, the proceeds of the sale of said town lots, or so much thereof as may be required, shall be appropriated exclusively to the erection of public buildings. Sec. 3. In case of the removal of the county seat from said town of Oquawka, the public buildings and the lots upon which they may stand shall revert and become the property of said proprietors and their heirs forever thereafter, and also all lots remaining unsold at the the time of removal. 866 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Sec. 4. The legal voters of the county of Henderson shall meet at the usual places of holding elections in said county, on the first Mon- day in April, 1841, and proceed to elect all county officers, except one commissioner and the justices of the peace and constables at present residing therein, who shall continue to discharge the duties of their offices, respectively, in and for the county of Henderson, in the same manner as though Warren county had not been divided. The officers elected under the provisions of this act shall hold their offices until the next regular election, and until their successors are elected and qualified. Sec. 5. The county commissioners of said county of Henderson shall meet in the town of Oquawka, on the third Monday of April, 1841, and after being duly qualified, shall proceed to hold court and perform such duties as are required by law of other county commis- sioners' courts. Of the commissioners elected under the provisions of this act, the one receiving the liighest number of votes shall hold his office for the term of three years from and after [the] first Monday in August next ; the one receiving the second highest number of votes shall hold his office for the term of two years from and after that period. Sec 6. The county commissioners shall, whenever in their opinion the interests of the county may demand and require the sale of the whole or any part of the lots donated as aforesaid, proceed to sell the same, in such manner, and on such terms they may deem advisable for the interests of the county. Sec. T. The election returns for the officers herein provided to be elected, shall be made in the same manner, and within the same time as all other elections, except that the returns shall be made to John B. Patterson, an acting justice of the peace, of said county, or in case of his death or inability to act, any other justice of the peace of said county, who shall call to his assistance two other justices of the peace of said county, and proceed to open the returns of the election, and in all things perform the duties required of the county commissioners' court and justices of the peace in like cases. Sec 8. The county commissioners' court at their first term to be holden on the third Monday of April, 1841, shall proceed, together with the proprietors of the said town of Oquawka, to select the num- ber of town lots herein before provided to be donated, and so soon as the selection shall be made and agreed upon, the proprietors shall im- mediately thereupon execute a deed in fee simple for said lots to the county commissioners for the time being, for the use and benefit of said county, which deed when so made and acknowledged and received shall be entered upon the records of said court, and also be recorded as other deeds are in tlie office of the countv recorder. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 867 Sec. 9. The school commissioner of Warren county shall pay over to the commissioners of Henderson county, upon demand being made by said county commissioners, or their legally constituted agent, all moneys, notes and other papers which may be in his hands at the time of such demand, and which may rightfully belong to said county of Henderson, by reason of the sale of any school lands located within the county of Henderson, and also its proportion of the interest arising from the college and seminary fund, the basis of which payment shall be made ujDon the late census of Warren county. Sec. 10. All officers elected under and pursuant to the provisions of this act, shall be required to take such oath or affirmation and give such bond and security as are or may be required of like officers in other counties, and upon a failure so to do, the same penalties and for- feitures shall apply as in similar cases under the laws of this state. Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the county commissioners' court of Henderson county, at their iirst meeting on the first Monday of April next, as provided in the fifth section of this act, to proceed to levy a tax for state and county purjDOses, as required by the law in relation to the public revenue, in the same manner as though they had met on the first Monday of March, as now required, and shall also do and per- form all other things necessary and lawful to insure the collection of the state and county revenue in said county of Henderson. Approved January 20, 1841. The general assembly of the state also passed an act, approved February 19, 181-1, entitled, "An act to authorize the election of an additional county commissioner in Henderson county." Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, repre- sented in the general assembly, that on the first Monday in August next, there shall be elected in the county of Henderson, one county commissioner for said county in addition to the members already pro- vided to be elected by the act entitled "An act creating the county of Henderson, approved January 20, 1841," who shall hold his office for one year from and after said first Monday of August next, as aforesaid ; and thereafter election for county commissioners shall be held, notice given, and returns made thereof in the same manner as now re- quired by law. Approved February 19, 1841. Tlie boundaries of the county remain as at first designated by the general assembly. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. Did time and space, and the limits of the wi'iter of this article permit, a volume could be written of the early settlement, growth and prosperity of this county. The struggles and privations of the pioneer 868 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. are but repetitions of experiences of frontier life, which are fall of inci- dents that, portrayed in all their minuteness, would form volumes of instructive and interesting history. The vast west, the continually re- ceding frontier demanded then, as now, daring, self-sacrificing men and women, who were willing to make sacrifice of the pleasures derived from the society of the older and populous states, and seek in western wilds to assist in laying the foundations of new empires. It is well that it is so. How else could these almost limitless regions have ever been settled 'i That spirit of enter^irise, that love of adventure, that reckless braving of all dangers, seems to have been an inheritance of those men and women peculiarly raised up to meet the demands of the great west, in filling her borders with a vigorous, intelligent and self-reliant people. Looking back into the past we have seen genera- tion succeed generation in the older states, men content to live where their fathers lived, and die where their fathers died, without that restless desire for roaming that has characterized our people in later days. With the opening of new states and territories we have witnessed a new sj^irit infusing itself into our population. The home of childhood, the graves of ancestors, have been but feeble ties to bind the restless spirit whose vision was fixed in the direc- tion of the setting sun, and saw spread out before him the field where wealth and honor were to be won. The w^rld has looked on and wondered, as they have seen the mighty tide of emigration moving westward with such quiet and resistless force, breaking down all bar- riers, overcoming all obstacles, and organizing states as if by magic, filled with intelligent, thrifty and orderly people. Powerful Indian tribes have melted away and given place to a refined commercial peo- ple. Neighboring nations who seemed to stand in the path of our on- ward progress, have, after short conflict, or direct diplomacy, given ground and sought peace at the price of dismembered territory, which was added to our almost boundless empire. No wonder that the poet sang : " Oh, vale of Rio Bravo, let thy simple cliildi^en weep, Close wateh about their holy fires, let maids of Pe/os keej). For lo, the pale land seeker comes with eager eyes of gain "Wide-spreading like the Bison herd on green Salada's plain, Full hot and fast the Saxon rides with rein of travel slack And bending o'er his saddle leaves the sunrise at his back." The nature and character of the country demanded such a people, and they sprang forth; they had a mission to fulfill, and they addressed themselves to tlie task of fulfilling it. That mission was the peopling of new states, establishing societies founded on law and order, subduing EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 869 tlie wilds of the unknown west, and with capital and labor combined preparing this vast region of country as a home for the teeming millions of the future. Those men by their energy and bravery, gave us safety where they found danger, gave us quiet and peace where they found savage warfare. We reckon it almost in days since the time when, where we now sit surrounded by all comforts and luxuries of civilized life, the wild prairie grass waved in the wind, and the pon- derous buftalo galloped over the plain unmolested by the pale hunter, and to quote an eloquent writer, "Here lived and loved another race of people. Beneath the same sun that shines on us the Indian hunter pursued the panting deer; gazing on the same moon that nightly smiles on us, the Indian lover wooed his dusky mate. Here, too, they warred, and when the tiger strife was over, here curled the smoke of peace." This has all passed away, and the pioneer has gone. " . . . , .Tciyful on liis way To wed Penubscot's water to San Francisco's bay, To make the rugged places smooth and sow the vales with grain, And bear with liberty and law the bible in his train." It is no easy task to determine with certainty who was actually the lirst to make a permanent settlement in this count}^, and if a slight error shall be found in this sketch, it will only show the liability of any one to fall into an error, while trusting to memory of others as to dates and events running back for a half of a century. The writer has sought what seemed to be the most reliable source of information. Little could be found recorded to throw light upon the questions. In 182S John Cam])bell came to this section of country and made his home on Henderson river, about two miles east of Oquawka land- ing, on what has been for many years known as the "Devil's Half Acre," a name given the locality by Rev. Peter Cartwright in early times on account, as he thought, of its apjiropriateness. Mr. Campbell improved the land now owned by Newton Wood on the S. W. J of Sec. 35, T. 11 N., 5 W., being the field that lies north of the Oquawka road and east of Mr. Wood's house. He broke the ground in 1828, and raised a crop on it in 1829. In the year 1828 James Ryerson settled in the territory embraced within this county, on Sec. 3, T. 10 N., 5 W., upon which he has ever since resided, and broke the land prepara- tory to a crop for the following year. In the same year, however, he raised a crop on the land then owned by S. S. Phelps on Henderson creek, about two miles southeast of Oquawka, on what is now known as the Capt. James Findley farm. Mr. Ryerson still maintains his bodily and mental faculties, although upward of eighty years of age. He is often seen on the streets of the town actively attending to his 870 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. every-day business. Throughout his long life he has ever maintained a high character as a citizen, and in all the relations of life his charac- ter stands without reproach. Prior to 1828 Jeremiah Smith erected a saw-mill near the place where now stands the flour-mill on Henderson, upon the ''Half Acre." In the year 1828 Smith and a partner built an addition to the saw-mill and placed two run of stone in it for grinding grain. Shortly afterward Martin Woods settled at this mill locality and became the active miller at that place. He and his son (Newton Woods) still reside upon premises adjoining the mill. This mill property has changed hands many times, and the locality was familiarlv called "Jack's Mills,'" on account of the name of the owner at one time being Andrew T. W. Jack, an eccentric Scotchman, who for many years carried on the milling business. The mill property is at present owned and operated by Jacob Eodmacher, who continues to do considerable business in a small way. Large mills w^ith all the modern improvements that science has brought to bear, together with the aid of concentrated capital, have wrought out a new order of things in the milling business, by pro- ducing abetter article of flour, and at a lower price than can be afibrded by small mills run upon the old style of doing business. These large mills have rendered the small ones comparatively valueless, and no longer in demand by the people. So it is in almost every other branch of business. In lumber, the large mill establishments have practically destroyed the small manufacturers, and compelled them to adopt like systems of combination of capital and labor, or see themselves under- sold until they are forced to leave the market. In the business of pork packing, in early time, every town upon the Mississippi river had its packing establishments, where a flourishing business was done during the winter months, in cutting hogs and curing the meat, and when spring opened navigation the steamers took this meat and lard in barrel and bulk to St. Louis or New Orleans. Now that is all passed away, and the business now is only carried on in the large cities, where immense structures and improved processes enable them to do the work more economically than can be done in small establishments. Among the early settlers of the territory now embraced within the present limits of Henderson county was Judge John Pence. He was born January 15, 1TY6, in Shenandoah county, Virginia. In early life he was a slave-holder, but upon the death of his first wife, he freed all of his slaves and removed to Champaign county, Ohio, where he again married and removed to Bartholomew county, Indiana. Shortly after he became a citizen of the latter state he was elected county judge of Bartholomew county, and held the office for a term of six years. At EAKLY SETTLEMENTS. 871 this time his second wife died, and he married for his third wife a widow lady by the name of Record, whose maiden name was Elizabeth lieaton. From Indiana he removed to Illinois and settled near Joliet, where he lived for a short time, when he again moved and took up his residence in Rock Island county, in an old block house built by an In- dian chief, Black Hawk. He raised one crop at this point and then removed to a point on Henderson river, about three miles northeast of Oquawka, where he made his tinal settlement and home. The place has ever since been known by old settlers as the "Old Pence Farm." This was in 182U that he made his last settlement. In 1830 the county of Warren was organized, and Judge Pence was elected commissioner with Adam (Sandy) Ritchie, and John B. Talbott. Warren county was then divided into two election precincts ; the eastern being what is now Warren county, and the western being composed of what is now Her derson county, then known as the Yellow Banks precinct. In the latter precinct Judge Pence and Daniel McJN^eil, Jr., were elected justices. In 1830 the hostilities were com- menced by the Indians under the great chief, Black Hawk, and the settlers along Henderson river, near Judge Pence's place, feeling inse- » cure and fearing the attack of savages, assembled and erected a rude but substantial fort on the farm of Judge Pence, which immediately became the refuge of settlers in that neighborhood, who gathered in to be in rejidiness to repel anticipated raids of the savage foe. The site of the old fort is well remembered by the old settlers of this section of country. At this fort, during those stormy times, a son was born to the judge, who was known, until he became a young man, by the name of Black Hawk. Judge Pence was one of those noble, great-hearted men, always to be found upon the frontiers, ever ready to aid those around him in need. He lived and died loved and respected by all who knew him. His daughter, Mrs. Catharine Shores, thus remembers and speaks of her father : "Often he would bring the sick and afflicted home with him and take care of them, as though they were members of his own family, free of charge. I well remember the sides of bacon, sacks of flour and potatoes, the gallons of honey, that he from time to time, distributed among his needy neighbors. Our father, by industry and economy, always managed to have a good supply of necessaries of life around him, but he always felt that he held this world's goods only in trust for his suffering fellow man, as well as for himself While he resided in Ohio and Indiana he was an ordained Baptist preacher, and sometimes, after he took up his residence in Henderson county, he occupied some unprovided pulpit and preached to his neighbors. He was a Christian, and at all times endeavored to live up to the teachings 872 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AJST> HEXDERSOX ( OUNTIES. of the bible. He was the father of sixteen cliikh*en, and raised six orphans besides. He died in 1841, at his okl homestead, and his wife survived him two vears.'' Dr. Isaac Garhmd came to the present site of Oqnawka, then known as the Yellow Banks, and erected the first house at that place in 1827. We find in the account compiled for the historv of Warren county, that the doctor, in giving an account of his building of his house, says: "There were no white men to help him, save his teamster, and in the emergency he hired six or eight Indians, who were encamped at a ]ioint of timber below. He had to pay for each log as it was rolled to its place, and then give them a drink all around. As they were unused to such labor, and particularly after they had imbibed two or three drinks of liquor, thereby becoming unsteady in their movements, they were unable to perform heavy work. Often at this stage of the labor, the logs, which were unhewn and of black- jack variety, and coming down on their bare arms and breasts, would tear ofl:' great flakes of skin. They would give an ejaculatorv 'ouch,' and at once quit work for the day. Their love of the 'fire-water' was so great, however, that they would always return the following day, thereby repeating the process until the house was completed.*"' A few ' other houses were built during this year (1827). In 1828-9 quite a number, of settlers came and located in difierent parts of the county. Judge John Pence settled on Henderson creek, at what is known as the "old Pence place ;" Jeremiah Smith settled on Henderson creek, about two miles east of Oquawka, near what was afterward known as the "Devil's Half Acre." James Ryason located a little lower down the creek. Stephen S. Phelps in 1828 purchased the improved claim of Dr. Garland, at the Yellow Banks, and removed liis family to their new home. Jeremiah Smith and Beatty settled nearly about the same time. At the election held in Warren county in the year 1830, Stephen S. Phelps was duly elected sherifi'. At that election there were cast in the county of Warren, including the present territory of Henderson, fortv-seven votes, and everv voter in the county was present, save three. John Reynolds received thirty-four votes for governor, and for the same office, William Kinney received eleven votes. Mr. Phelps was a native of the state of Xew York. As a full biographical sketch will appear in this volume from the peri of Mrs. Phebe Button, his daughter, who is in possession of his journals and papers, it is not necessary here to speak more at length of one who performed a ju'ominent part in the early settlement of the county. William P. Jamison settled in Henderson countv in 1829. He EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 873 was born in Grayson county, Kentucky, January 8, 1808, and removed to Perry countv, Indiana, with his parents. Here he remained until he became a man. He married in Perry county. In 1829 he came to Henderson countv, hinding at the Yellow Banks in the summer of that year, and made a settlement on a farm about seven miles southeast of the latter place. He succeeded, as all enterprising and industrious settlers did, opening a large farm and making tine improvements of buildings, orchards and nurseries. In 1847 he removed to Oquawka and engaged in mercantile business with Alexander Moir. He closed his business in Oquawka and in 1865 removed to the state of Florida, where he engaged in the cultivaticm of an orange plantation, at which place he died on the 17th of June, 1882. Two of his sons still reside in Illinois, one in Minnesota, one in Xebraska, and one in Florida. In 1838 Messrs. Robinson and Hopper built the first flour null on the South Henderson creek, at a point where now Biggsville is located, Slid operated it as a toll mill to accommodate other settlers in tlie sur- rounding country. The property changed owners until it became the property of John Biggs, who, after years of experience in running a mill in a new country, disposed of his interest to Messrs. Moirs, of Oquawka, who continued to operate it until about 1860, when it passed into the hands of others. Mr. Hopper had, prior to the year 1836, built a lumber mill at the place now known as "Hopper's Mills." Afterward it was changed to a flour mill and has continued as such to the present time. Lambert Hopper, son of the original pro])rietor, succeeded his father in business at "Hopper's Mill." He engaged extensively in mercantile business and carried on his business in all its varied branches with marked success. He established a woolen mill for the manufacture of woolen cloths, and by his entei*prise aided in building up a thriving village. He was a man resj)ected and trusted by all his neighbors, and his death was a great misfortune to the community in which he resided. Xo one succeeded him to carry on the business he had built up, and it gradually went to decay, and now there is little left to tell of the thriving business of which he was the life. In 1836 Isaiah J. Brook came to this section of country, seeking a location for a home. He purchased the N. E. J of Sec. 34, in T. 10 N., R. 5 W., in the present limits of Henderson county, and the fol- lowing year removed with his family to his purchase, and made it his future home. The country was new, and he improved his lands, and from time to time added to the same until he could claim the owner- ship of many broad acres. Industry, economy, and a peculiar apti- tude for business soon ])laced him among the foremost business men 874 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. of the county. His family of sons and daughters grew to maturity beneath the family roof, and are now all situated in homes of their own. Only a few weeks since his two remaining single daughters wedded husbands of their choice, and Mr. Brooks, finding himself and his estimable wife again alone, disposed of his home-farm and now will seek that repose and freedom from active business cares which his merited success will enable him to enjoy. Another of the early settlers of the county was Matthew Findley, who settled near the Yellow Banks. He was of Irish parentage and born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1793, where he resided with his parents until he was seventeen years old, when his family removed to Muskingum county, Ohio. In the latter place on reaching manhood he married Miss Elizabeth Blackburn, and settled down to farming. In October, 1835, he removed to Warren county, and spent the following winter on a farm near the present site of Kirkwood. In the spring of 1836 he removed to and settled in Sec. 36, T. 11 N., R. 5 W., in then Warren county, where three of his sons and one unmar- ried daughter still reside. He raised a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom survive him: David M., Alex- ander, Matthew M., John Q., Sarah, and Eliza Jane. David, one of the brothers, resided near the old homestead, a prosperous and re- spected citizen, until 1875, when, on account of his liealth, he removed to San Luis Obispo county, California, where he now resides, engaged extensively in farming. The other three brothers still reside on or near the place upon which their father first settled, engaged in extensive and successful farming. The father died at his home, surrounded by his family and friends, April 1-, 1863. He had been chosen by the votes of his fellow citizens to county offices, the duties of which he discharged with signal fidelity. He was justly entitled to the reputa- tion he enjoyed among his fellow citizens of an honest man. His wife did not long survive him, and in her death a tragic event occurred. It was on September 25, 1863, that Mrs. Findley, who resided with her son and daughter on the old home place, told her daughter that she was going out to pick some wild gra])es that grew near the edge ' of a corn field not far from the house, in a skirt of timber, as she was very fond of them. Her daughter sought to dissuade her from going, as she was old and feeble, although in good health, but the ,old lady replied that she could go alone, as the distance was short, and she would not be absent long. She took her little tin bucket and started out at about three o'clock in the afternoon. Her daughter being EARLY SET'lLEMENTS. 875 engaged in work did not fear any danger, although her mother was absent for a considerable length of time. At last, her mother not returning, the daughter grew anxious, looked out for her. She became alarmed and sought her brother and told him of the mother's absence. They, together with other members of the family, went in haste to make search for then- mother. Night set in and they found her not. They searched every path and place where she might have wandered, the friends assisting, and with lanterns and torclies they still continued their efforts until at last some time after darkness had set in they came upon the lifeless remains of their mother. She. lay near a small tree, upon the ground where she had been picking grapes, her bucket by her side. At first it was supposed that she had fallen, perhaps with some sudden attack incident to old age, and had thus died. They took her up and mournfully proceeded to carry her to their home. She was buried in the family cemetery. The friends felt that a mys- tery was connected with her death. On the day following her burial it was learned that two boys from Oquawka had been in the vicinity where the bodj- was found, on the afternoon of her death, hunting, and that they had told that one of them had fired at something in a grapevine or tree in the thicket, that he thought was a turkey, and that he saw something like a person fall. The boys were frightened and fled without looking to see what they had shot. The body was exhumed, and R. W. Richey, county judge, acting as coroner, held an inquest on the body. Upon surgical examination being made, it was found that a leaden shot had penetrated through the upper lid of the eye and entered the brain, causing death in a short time. The boys, Frank Dallam and Greely Mathews, aged res])ectively fourteen and and ten years, admitted being in the vicinity and shooting as above described, but claimed that they had no knowledge or intention of doing anything wrong. The friends of Mrs. Findley never charged or believed that the act was an intentional one, but felt that it was the result of that reckless habit of neglect on the part of parents in permit- ing such mere boys to have the control of fire-arms to use at their pleasure. Many casualities, for we cannot call them accidents, have occurred in this county by allowing such reckless, not to say criminal, use of fire-arms by inexperienced boys. This should have been a sufficient lesson, teaching those who have charge and care of such boys, to lay a more careful restraint upon them in this direction. The coro- ner's jury, in this Qase, found a verdict in accordance with the facts herein stated. John Curts came to this county prior to the year 1836, and settled on Sec. No. 35, T. 9 N., R. 6 W., about three miles east of Sho- 876 HISTORY OF ]VrERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. kokon, on the Mississipjn river. At first he engaged in farming and stock raising as it was carried on in that early day. He had come from the State of Pennsylvania, and was educated in early life in those habits of industry and economy, which lay the sure foundation of com- petency and wealth, lie had three sons and five daughters all of whom reached the age of majority. He rapidly, by his business capacity, acquired property, and, assisted l>y his two sons, Horatio and John Fredericks, he managed a large farm to which he gradually made additions. To make a better market for the products of his farm he shipped his pork and grain to the AVisconsin pine regions, taking in exchange pine lumber which he brought by river to Shokokon and established a lumber trade. Finding this a profitable trade his son Horatio located in Wisconsin, purchased largely of pine lands, and thus with his two sons Mr. Curts carried on a successful and ])roti table business. Three of his daughters married and settled in Henderson county. One married in Texas, and one in Iowa. His son Thomas lived and died in Pennsylvania. Horatio died in Shokokon. The father, John Curts, purchased a beautiful home in Burlington, Iowa, just south of the railroad bridge, and removed there to spend the eve- ning of his days, leaving John Fredericks Curts, his son, in possession of the home place known as the ''Bear Grove" farm in Henderson county. In 187-1 the old gentleman met with a severe accident by falling down the basement stairs of his dwelling which resulted in his death in a few days. He died at Burlington March 12, 1874. Upon opening his will it appeared that he had left nearly all of his property, which consisted of lands in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Arkansas, bank stock, and other personal property to his son, John Fredericks Curts. For so doing he felt his reasons were sufficient. His son thus favored had been a true and faithful son, companion and assistant to his father, and his loyalty to his father found this return. The other legal heirs, feeling that they had been dealt unjustly with by the terms of the will, commenced in the circuit court of Des Moines, Iowa, legal proceedings to set aside the will on grounds of undue influence, and mental incapacity. The case was tried before Judge Drayer and a jury, in the city of Burlington, in 1875, and attracted much attention in this county on account of the magnitude of the amount involved, the interest mani- fested by the citizens of this county, the length of time consumed, and the an-ay of counsel participating in the trial. The trial lasted about four weeks, and on account of the engagement of attorneys in the case belonging on this circuit, the Henderson county cii'- cuit court was compelled to adjourn for one week to enable them to k ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. S77 complete the case. Mr. John Curts had long resided in this county, and a deep interest was felt in the determination of the contest. For the proponents of the will there appeared Hon. B. J. Hall, of Burling- ton, Charles M. Harris, Jonathan Simpson, James H. Stewart, and J. H. Jennings, of Illinois. For the complainants there appeared Hon. P. H. Smythe, Messrs. Tracy it Son, Thomas Hedges, and Mr. Antrobus, of Burlington, and Hon. John J. Glenn, of Illinois. Aiter a long contest, as above stated, the case was finally submitted to a jury, who, after a deliberation of two days, were unable to agree, and were discharged by the court. Then a change of venue was a})plied for, and the case sent to Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa, for trial. Not long after, the attorneys, with the consent of all parties interested, made an amicable adjustment of the matter by dividing the property. By this decision John Fredericks Curts received two-thirds of all the estate of his deceased father, and the other heirs received the other third, to be divided among them. Thus ended a contest which gained more notoriety than any case that had been tried in any of onr courts for many years. John Fredericks still lives on the old home farm, known as Bear Grove farm, happy, prosperous, and contented. On an eminence near his house he has laid out and beautified a private cemetery. In this spot repose the remains of his father, mother, and brother Horatio. On their graves he has erected three costly marble monuments, to mark the spot where rests all that remains of that father, mother, and brother, whom in life he loved so well. It is his constant care to adorn and beautify this place, and thus keep green the memories of his departed ones. May he long live to enjoy his surroundings, which he has so justly earned. ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. In accordance with said act of the general assembly of the state, the first meeting of the commissioners met at Oquawka, the county seat, April 19, 1841, and organized a term of the county commis- sioners' court of Henderson county, by entering upon their records the following proceedings : "State of Illino[s, I j^g^oi-ds of the Countv ( 'onimi.ssioners' Court, Vol. I. Henderson Countv. J "According to the provisions of an act of the general assembly of the State of Illinois, passed at the session commencing the first Mon- day in December, A.D. 1810, entitled ^An Act to Establish the County of Henderson,' an election was held at the different precincts of said county on the fifth day of April, 1841, when Preston Martin and Benjamin C. Coghill were duly elected county commissioners, who, 878 HISTORY OF MJSRCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. together with James C. Hutcliinson, who had previously been elected county commissioner of Warren county, and being included in the new county of Henderson was retained in office by said act, met at the town of Oquawka, the county seat of said county of Henderson, on Monday, the nineteenth day of April, 1841, agreeable to a further provision of the above-recited act, to hold a term of the county com- missioners' court therein provided for, and the said Preston Martin and Benjamin C. Coghill, being duly qualified as the law directs, pro- ceeded to business." Alfred Knowles, who had at said election been elected clerk of the county commissioners' court, filed his bond and was duly qualified. William D. Henderson, who was elected sheriff of said county at the same time, was duly qualified as sheriff. John McKinney, recorder- elect, was likewise duly qualified as recorder of the county. Then after transacting some routine business adjourned until the following day, when it again convened for the transaction of business. On tTiis day an order was entered of record for a venire for the first grand jury that convened in the county. As these names are among the early settlers of the county, and are composed of a class that will ever be remembered as pioneers of sterling worth, whose examples in life are worthy of being imitated, we give the list in full : Isaac Cren- shaw, James Scott, William Rliodes, Edward R. Adams, Sidney Owens, Matthew Findley, Michael Crane, Daniel Drew, Frederick Davidson, George P. Rice, Obadiah Edmunds, Joseph Watson, Isaiah J. Brook, S. S. Leet, Jonathan Perkins, James Jamison, Hugh Lee, John P. McQuown, William L. Stockton, Samuel W. Lynn, Thomas D. Wells, Ebenezer Chapin, Jesse L. Ellett. These were men of ster- ling qualities, well qualified by nature to perform the duties of pioneers, who would lay properly the foundations of society in a new country. The most of these men have gone, after attaining an honored old age, and left bright examples of a well-spent life to be imitated by those who have succeeded them. A few of this list still reside among us, with lives bounteously lengthened out in order that they might behold the almost magicial prosperous change in the country of their adoption. At this first meeting of the commissioners of the county, Stephen S. Phelps and Alexis Phelps, the proprietors of the town of Oquawka, in compliance with the conditions of the location of the county seat at Oquawka, as set forth in the act of the general assembly, presented to the board a deed, conveying to the county 200 town lots, of average value of the lots in the town of Oquawka, for the purpose of erecting public county buildings from the proceeds of the sale of the same. yjvf f"- ' ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 881 It was at this first meeting of the board, that the first saloon license was issued for Henderson county ; John A. Lynn, thus, for the sum of twenty-live dollars, being authorized to vend at retail in Oquawka intoxicating liquors, without having attached the dangers that beset the dealers of to-day, by virtue of the provisions of the dram-shop act. April 21, 1841, at the same session of the board, William R. Jami- son, who had been elected treasurer of the county, filed his bond and was qualified. The board appointed William D. Henderson collector of taxes for the current year. The board also appointed Samuel McDill assessor of the county for the same time. At a regular meeting of the board September 5, 1841, Joseph B. Jamison filed his bond as school commissioner and was duly qualified. William C Rice who was elected county surveyor at the same time as other county officers were elected, was duly qualified. At this meet- ing of the board Thomas McDill, William Graham and James Jamison were appointed trustees of school lands for township No. 10 N., 5. West. Jeremiah Baker, John Hopkins and William P. Toler were appointed to like offices for township 12 N., 4 West. Thomas M. Bonham, Wil- burn Walker and Joseph DeHague were appointed to like offices for township 9 N., 6 West. Peter Nichols, Obadiah Edmunds and John A. Smith were appointed to like offices for township 8 N., 5 West. Asahel Johnson, George W. Penney and George Huston were appointed to like offices for township 8 N., 4 West. Alexander Rankin, Frederick Davidson and John Pogue were appointed to like offices for township 9 N. , 4 West. Abner Drew, John Bay and T. Morgan were appointed to like offices for township 10 N., 6 West. Matthew Find- ley, Thaddeus Fames were also appointed to like offices for township li N., 5 West. At this meeting the clerk of the countv court and the clerk of the circuit court were authorized to procure seals for their respective offices, the design of the seal for the county commissioners court to be an Indian in a canoe, and that for the circuit court to be the temple of liberty. At this meeting of the board the first action was taken look- ing to the erection of a court-house, as appears by the following order entered of record : " Ordered, that the clerk give public notice that on the 28tli day of October the commissioners will contract at public sale for the delivery of 175,000 of brick and 227 perch of stone in the town of Oquawka, on lot Nos. 13 and 16 in block 58 ; one-half of the brick to be delivered the first of July next, the other half by the twentieth of the same month ; the stone to be delivered by the middle of April next. Also twenty-two window frames and six door frames. " 50 882 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. At this time tlie first ferry license was granted by the board, to keep and maintain a ferry across the Mississippi river at Burlington, Iowa, to land on the east bank of said river at any accessible point, to William H, Maiiro, not however to trespass upon the established rights of others engaged in ferrying at the same point. Called meeting of the board of commissioners August 15, 1842; the following proceedings were had : the court proceeded to open and compare the proposals received for building the court-house, according to a notice previously given, and Alexis Phelps oifered to do the work proposed for the sum of $1,219, which was the lowest oifer ; it is there- fore ordered that Alexis Phelps have the sum of $1,219 for laying the walls and putting on the roof of said court-house, and that he receive payment therefor eight months after the work is done, and if not then paid to receive eight per cent until paid. Said Phelps filed his bond, with James Ryason and Samuel Darnell for sureties, for the completion of the work. Ordered further that the foregoing contract is approved by the court, and filed by the clerk in his oflice. James C. Hutchinson continued to hold the oflice of county com- missioner until the September term of the commissioners' court, when he was succeeded by Francis J. C. Peasley, who held the oflice until September, 18-12, when he was succeeded by Michael Crane, who, with commissioners Martin and Coghill, constituted the board until Septem- ber, 1843, when Mr. Coghill was succeeded by Isaiah Brook. The court remained thus constituted until September, 1844, when William Cous- land succeeded Preston Martin on the board. In September, 1845, Ira Miller succeeded Michael Crane. In September, 1846, Matthew Findley and Jeremiah Rose succeeded Brook and Cousland. In September, 1849, Ebenezer Chapin succeeded Matthew Findley, and Charles S. Cowan having been elected clerk succeeded Alfred Knowles. In September, 1848, Matthew Findley succeeded Ira Miller, and the board thus constituded continued until December, 1849, when the county government was organized under the new constitution. Township organization has not been adopted in this county, but the old system of county government is still maintained, the county being divided into precincts for election purposes, and the county govern- ment composed of a board of three commissioners, manage the aftairs of tlie county. This constituted the county government until the adoption of the constitution in 1848, when, under a provision of which, the general assembly of the state passed an act in relation to the government of coun- ties, in force A])ril 13, 1849, by which each county elected a county judge and two associate justices of the peace, who were directed to hold a regular term of court for the transaction of county business, on the fij-st CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY. 883" Mondays of March, June, September, and December, in each year ; the county judge being authorized and directed to hokl a probate term of court on the tliird Monday of each month for the transaction of business pertaining to the estates of deceased persons, and for the pur- pose of attending to all cases that might arise under general probate jurisdition. The two associate justices of the peace so elected by the voters of the county at large, were county justices of the peace, and were vested with justices' jurisdiction for the whole county. The county judge was likewise ex-olficio justice of the peace for the entire county. On the third day of December, 1849, William C. Rice,, county jndge, Daniel Edmunds, and George W. Penny, associate jus- tices of the peace, ancj Charles S. Cowan, clerk of the county court,, tiled their respective bonds, and were qualified for the offices to which they had been elected. The court thus constituted, organized and pro- ceeded to the transaction of business. Robert Cronover, county treas- urer, took the oath of office, and his bond was fixed at $2,000. At this meeting of the court, Earl Frizzell, a revolutionrry soldier, pre- sented his declaration, as required by the war department, to secure a pension from the United States government, and after complying with the requirements prescribed by law, the court issued the required cer- tificate. At the December term, 1850, of the county court, Boothe Nettleton, who had been elected sheriff, ffied his bond, took the oath of office, and entered upon the discharge of his duties. A company having been organized under an act of the general assembly, April 19, 1851, under the name of the "Burlington and Warren Plank Road Company," for the purpose of constructing a plank road across the Mississippi river bottom, from Hopper's mills, in Hen- derson county, to a point on the river bank opposite the city of Bur- lington, Iowa, the county court, at its September term, 1850, granted said company a license to run a ferry across the river from a point where their plank road touches the river on the east bank, to the city of Burlington, u[)on paying into the county treasury the sum of $10. At the December term of the county court, 1852, Samuel P. MaGaw, sheriff elect of the county, filed his bond and was duly qualified. CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY. Henderson county was, on its organization, in the fifth judicial circuit, and the first term of the circuit court was held in Oquawka, May 28, 1841, in a store-room belonging to Col. Patterson, on Second street, near the present location of the brick block of Robert Moir. Hon. Stephen A. Douglas presided as judge, John S. Pollock, clerk, William D. Henderson, sheriff, and H. L. Bryant, state's attorney pro 884 HISTORY OF IVIERCEK AJfD HENDERSON COUNTIES. tern. At tliis term Henry B. Harbinson filed liis bond and qualified as the first coroner of the county. Of the character of Judge Douglas as a judge, lawyer, and statesman, it is needless here to speak. His char- acter and achievements, both on the bench and in the national councils, have passed into history ; and when passion and prejudice shall have had their day, and the impartial historian shall take up his pen, the record shall then assign the name of Stephen A. Douglas its true place in the list of statesmen and jurists of our country. Judge Douglas continued to preside in our circuit until the November term, 1843, when he was succeeded by Jesse B. Thomas, who continued to preside until the November term, 1845. Richard M. Young succeeded Judge Thomas at the June term, 1845, and then Norman H. Purple came to preside in this circuit, and continued until the 'June term, 1848, when he was succeeded by William Minchell, who held the same position until the September term, 1851, when Onias C. Skinner, of the county" of Adams, who Jiad been elected by virtue of an act of the general assembly of the state, passed in pursuance of a provision of the consti- tution adopted in 1848, dividing the state into judicial circuits, and providing for the election of judges by vote of the people, became judge of this circuit, and continued to preside with signal ability at each term of the court in this county until the year 1855. Judge Skinner won a deserved reputation as a learned and upright judge, and soon after retiring from the circuit bench he was elected to fill a place on the supreme bench from the central grand division of the state, where he fulfilled the expectations of his legal friends and maintained the high character he had so justly won. Judge Skinner died at his home in Quincy about three years ago, his death being caused by having been thrown from his carriage by a frightened team while riding through the street near his residence. Hezekiah M. Wead, of Peoria county, next held court in this county for one year, when John S. Thompson, of Mercer county, was elected in his place, and continued to preside as judge of our circuit court until 1861, when he resigned, and Aaron Tyler, of Knox county, was appointed by the Governor to fill the unexpired term for which Judge Thompson had been elected. Judge Thompson came upon the bench with but little legal experience at the bar, but the possession of a sound legal mind, great industry and an unfaltering determination to deal justly with all questions submitted to him for adjudication, enabled him to discharge the arduous duties devolving upon him with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the legal friends with whom he asso- ciated. His decisions and rulings while on the bench bore well the scrutiny of the higher court, when taken there for review. CIRCUIT COtTRT OF THE COUNTY. 885 In 1861 Charles B. Lawrence, of Warren county, was elected judge. Of him we need only say that he brought to the discharge of his judicial duties that ripe scholarship, that well trained judicial mind, that has made for him a place in the front ranks of the legal profession in the state and also in the entire west. This circuit was favored with his able judicial administration until the year 1864, when he was elected judge of the supreme court from the northern grand division of the state. At the election of 1864 John S. Thompson was again elected judge to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of Judge Lawrence, and continued to preside until he was succeeded by Arthur A. Smith, who was elected in 1868. Judge Smith was a resident of Knox county, and had served in the army as a lieutenant-colonel of the 8.3d reg. 111. Vol., and has been twice elected to fill the position of judge of the cir- cuit in which Henderson county is embraced, and still continues to preside as one of the three judges who compose the judiciary of the circuit. This long service and repeated choice of the voters of the cir- cuit speaks louder in behalf of his merited popularity with the people of his circuit than any eulogy that can be written in this brief review. In 1877 the general assembly passed an act re-organizing the judi- cial circuits throughout the state, and Henderson county with Warren, Knox, Henry, Mercer, and Eock Island counties, became the tenth judicial circuit, entitled to elect three judges. Judge George W. Pleas- ants, being the judge of the circuit in which Rock Island county was em- braced, and residing in that county, became one of the judges of this circuit, and at the election held in August, 1877, John J. Glenn was elected as the associate of judges Pleasants and Smith. Judge Glenn is a resident of Warren county, and brought to the discharge of his judicial duties large experience at the bar, a clear analytical mind, gi-eat industry and unquestioned integrity, which has won for him the confi- dence of the people of his circuit, and the warm esteem of his many friends. Although an active partisan he has never been accused of allowing his partisan predilections to sway his judicial decisions, but has sought to hold the scales of justice in equal poise for each and all men alike. Judge Pleasants, in 1877, was designated as one of the judges of the appellate court of the first district, composed of Cook county, and upon his re-election in 1 879, was again designated as one of the judges of the appellate court for the second district, composed of aU the counties of the northern grand division except Cook county, which position he now fills with credit to himself and to the satis- faction of the members of the bar, and the public generally. I shall not be accused, I know, of invidiousness by any who are acquainted with Judge Pleasants, when I speak of him as an ornament 886 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. to his profession, and a judge possessed of rare judicial ability. His legal attainments, his clear, discriminating mind, are all of the highest order. Always self-possessed upon the bench, patient with wearisome arguments that do not instruct, ever ready to listen to any suggestions or authority presented by counsel, he possesses that rare faculty of eliminating from a case before him, almost by intuition, all extraneous matter, and coming at once to the true issues to be determined, and when he has reached a legal conclusion in a case upon which to base a judgment, his reasons are so convincing that few suitors go from his court dissatisfied with his adjudications. It is to be regretted that his health is impaired, and all join in the hope that his physical strength may be renewed, and that he may be spared yet for many years to grace the position which he now so ably and worthily fills. In 1879 jugdes Smith, Pleasants and Glenn were elected for a full term, and still hold the courts of this circuit. rOLITICAL PARTIES. At the formation of the county the political parties were divided into whig and democratic, as understood in the national divisions, the whig part}' having about 200 majority in the county. There were during the early history of parties a small number of radical anti-slavery men in the county, who could not subscribe to the doctrines held by either of the other parties on the slave question, and held aloof from their organizations. Too feeble in numbers to effect the object desired, having but little countenance or support anywhere in this state or the west, they bore the reproach everywhere heaped upon the head of a man who dared declare that slavery was wrong, and that the onward march of events and the light of civilization proclaimed its early downfall. To be an abolitionist in those days was to abdicate all hope of political advancement, and all claims upon the suffrages of voters at the polls. The war with Mexico and the large acquisition of territory on our part as the price of peace, the agitation consequent upon the passage of the compromise measures of 1850 by congress, aroused the atten- tion of the people of this county as well as those of other sections, and led to the formation of a third party in Henderson county, which for the first time entered the field and contested at the polls for public favor in 1852, under the name of the "free soil" party. These dis- tinctive organizations continued until the formation of tlie republican party in 1856, which was composed of the bulk of the defunct whig party and the anti-slavery element combined. This new party in the presidential campaign of that year, under the candidacy of John C. TOWNS. . 887 Fremont, contested with the democratic party for supremacy. Since that time the republican party's majority in the county upon all test votes has ranged from 100 to 300. It is true that the small anti-slavery element cast a few votes by way of protest in the year 1848, and the organization denominated the "know nothing," or American party, made some show of strength at the polls in the year 1854, but all these fragments became finally con- solidated with one or the other of the great parties of the day in 1856. From 1856 to the present time the republican party, when an issue has been sharply made, has usually had about 350 majority in the county. TOWNS. The town of Oquawka was laid out in 1836, by Alexis Phelps and his brother, Stephen S. Phelps, who purchased a claim and im- provement that had been made upon the grounds now occupied by the town. Oquawka owes its name to the Indians with whom it was a noted point in their travels and tribal convocations. The word is said to signify the lower end or termination of the Yellow Banks, the point indicated being situated at the termination of a series of high sand bluffs along the river, extending at intervals to a point above the town of New Boston, eighteen miles above Oquawka. Upon the laying out of the town it at once became a place of commercial im- portance, a large trade centering upon its levees. It was for many years, and until the opening of railroads revolutionized trade, the ship- ping point for a large country around, including Warren, Knox and a part of Mercer counties. Extensive warehouses lined the river landing in which the products of the surrounding country was in the winter stored, to await the opening of navigation in the spring, when ship- ments would begin for St. Louis and I^ew Orleans, about the only two market points relied upon at early periods. Goods shipped from east- ern cities for this market came generally by way of Pittsburgh and the Ohio river to Cairo, and thence up the Mississippi to our landing. Some shipments of heavy goods were made by sea to New Orleans and up the river. Upon the opening of the Illinois and Michigan canal a new route was opened by Erie canal, and lakes, thence to the Illinois river and up the Mississippi. Oquawka contained, in 1852, about 1,800 population, but has since fallen off, so that it contains not more at present than 1,000. Like many other towns and cities, she in an evil hour, and under the guidance of bad counsel, encumbered herself with burdensome debts, beyond her ability to liquidate, which resulted in the necessity of levying taxes that became burdensome u|)on the business of the place, and capital, alarmed at the future prospects, fled 888 HISTORY OF FIERCER AJTO HENDERSON COUNTIES. the town to avoid taxation, while manufacturing and other enteiprises sought more favored localities. The debts thus incurrad were first the issue of bonds to the amount of $10,000, to aid in the construction of the "Washington and Oquawka Plank Road," an enterprise in the state of Iowa, the projected plank road terminating at a point on the river opposite Oquawka. The corporation and the* road long ago were counted among the things of the past, and remembered only as a warn- ing to others to avoid like follies. The next enterprise in which the authorities of the town took stock, and thus added burdens to those already borfie, was in May, 1857, when the issue of $25,000 of bonds was secured to pay Messrs. Phelps and Jamison for work and labor performed on that part of the Peoria & Oquawka railroad lying between the town of Sagetown and Oquawka. The ''work and labor" consisting of partially grading the line between these two points, the people being led to believe that in so doing they would secure railroad facilities by connection with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line. But it proved a failure. The people incurred the indebtedness without any guaranty of a return for their money, and the debt is to-day out- standing and will be left as a legacy to the next generation. These debts, together with the share of the county indebtedness which the town has to pay, makes the burden a heavy one. Of the towns in this county Oquawka is the oldest. It was laid out July 9, 1836, by the brothers, Alexis Phelps and Sumner S. Phelps. Its territory, before any additions were attached, was comprised of fractional Sees. 15 and 22, T. 11 K, R. 5, W. of the 4th P. M., as shown by the records of Warren county, Vol. II, p. 344. William C. Butler was the surveyor for the proprietors. In the deed of dedication the proprietors, in addition to liberal reservations of lots for school pur- poses, set apart and dedicated for use of the Methodist Episcopal, Baptist and Presbyterian churches, eligible and valuable lots for the erection of church edifices. Some years subsequently Abram D. Swarts laid out two additions to the town, upon the east side. In order of date, the next town laid out in the county was the town of Shokokon, upon the Mississippi river, about five miles below the city of Burlington, Iowa. The original proprietor of this town was Robert McQueen, who laid it out July 16, 1836, on the N. W. J of Sec. 27, T. 9 ]^., R. 6 AV., as will be seen by referring to the records of Warren county, Yol. II, p. 344. John B. Talbott was employed as surveyor. Although a fine and fertile country lay adjacent to this town, it did not prove a success. The river at this point proved to be too shallow for steamers, except at times of high water, the channel or deep water running near the Iowa shore, thus leaWng this town TOWNS. 889 upon a slough, with but poor shipping facilities. It, however, became a great point for lumber, annually rafted down from the Wisconsin pineries, and finding a market in the country lying east of Shokokon. Its population never exceeded 300. The town of Olena was laid out by Robert Kendall August 14, 1838, on See. 11, T. 9 N., R. 5 W., and the record of the survey by Benjamin Thomkins is recorded in Warren county, in Yol. II of records, p. 215. This town is situated near the geographical center of the county, and contains a population of about 300. It is situated in nourishing farming country, and is the center of considerable trade. It has no railroad facilities. AVolf creek, a small stream, flows west- ward near this place. Warren, laid out March 25, 1840, by Lambert Hopper, on the I^. W. i and the N. E. i of Sec. 8, T. 9 N^., R. 5 W. The plat of this town will be found recorded in Warren county, Vol. VII, of records, p. 345. Benjamin Thomkins was the surveyor. Some years later Josiah Dunn laid out an addition to this town. At one time during the lifetime of its enterprising proprietor this town carried on quite an extensive trade. A good flouring mill and a woolen factory drew trade and business from a long distance. The land in the immediate vicinity is of a poor quality, the mills have been allowed to run down since the death of the proprietor, and its former prosperity has in a measure disappeared. Dallas City, lies partly in Henderson and partly in Hancock county. That part in Henderson county lies in the extreme southwest of the county, Sec. 35, T. 8 N., R. 7 W. It is a flourishing town of about 500 inhabitants. The Carthage and Burlington division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad passes through this town. The town has a fine landing for steamers, which carry away large shipments of produce from the surrounding country. It is a neatly built place, upon the bluff front, facing the river. Its population are intelligent and enterprising, and carry on an extensive business in general trade and lumber. Among its enterprising citizens we may here make mention of John M. Finch, who was one of its original proprietors and who still continues to reside in his early home, active as in his boyhood days, allowing no enterprise to be undertaken for the improvement of his town without giving it his active aid and support. The town has two churches and its schools receive the active and intelligent support of its citizens and are kept up to a high standard. The town was laid out and sui-veyed August 11, 1849, by William II. Rollinson and John M. Finch ; J. Wilson Williamson was the surveyor employed. The 890 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. record of the survey and deed will be found in Yol. IT, p. 176 of record of deeds in Henderson county. The town of Terre Haute is situated in the prairie region of the county, on Sees. 20, 21, 28 and 29, T. 8 N., E. 5 W. It was sur- veyed and platted bj William C. Rice, surveyor, March 27, 1854, and the plat recorded in Yol. YHI, p. 184 of records in Henderson county. It contains about 250 inhabitants and is the center of considerable trade. It has no railroad or river facilities for shipping, Lomax station, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, being its principal point of shipment. It is the center of a rich farming country and sur- rounded by lands of extraordinary fertility. East Burlington lies upon the bank of the Mississippi opposite the city of Burlington, Iowa. It was laid out March 12, 1855. on Sec. 33, T. 10 N., B. 6 AY., by A. D. Green, as trustee for the proprietors. Maj. A. X. Ai'mstrong, acting as surveyor. Prior to the construction of the raib'oad to that point, it had a small population, but after that time, with the erection of the railroad bridge leading to the city of Burlington, the business of the place was transferred mainly to the op- posite side of the river, and little remains of the former town. The railroad company have erected large stock yards upon the ground, and made other extensive improvements. Large sums of money have been expended in grading up the river front to a point above high water mark. At this point the Carthage division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad forms a junction at the east end of the bridge with the main line. The land back of, and eastward from the town, is low and cut up with sloughs, and nearly the whole is subject to over- flow for miles inland during the river floods. Biggs^-ille is situated on Sees. 16, 17, 20, 21, T. 10 K, R. 4 W., upon South Henderson creek, and was laid out by Andrew Douglass and Samuel Douglass, October 3, 1855, AYilliam McChesney, surveyor. It now contains about 550 inhabitants. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy i-ailroad runs through this place. The town is surrounded by the flnest quality of farm lands, which are kept in a high state of culti- vation. The town contains three chui-ches, one United Presbyterian, one Methodist Episcopal, and one Cumberland Presbyterian, all of which have a large membei-ship of highly intelligent christian people. The schools of the town have always been its particular pride, and have been of a high order. The citizens have reason to look with pride upon their churches and schools. iS^ear this town resides a gen- tleman whose business success in life deserves at least a brief mention. David Rankin is a man still on the sunny side of three score years, who has his home about four miles south of Biggsville, upon his farm TOWNS. 891 of almost countless acres. He began life a poor farmer boy near the place where now his fine residence stands, and by industry, persever- ance and an extraordinary business capacity, he gained step by step until his possessions in lands and herds seemed almost marvelous. He purchased large tracts of land along the Illinois Central railroad, in Illinois, and operated them successfully ; then extending his enter- prises westward he invested largely in lands in Atchison county, in the State of Missouri, which he improved and stocked with swarming herds of cattle, laid out the town of Tarkio, which has filled with an active population, and is rapidly rising in business importance. At this point he has established a national bank which has proved a com- plete success. In addition to these enterj^rises he has purchased and is operating a vast ranche in the State of Colorado, upon which his im- mense herds of native and Texas cattle are fattened for market. These vast enterprises, besides many smaller ones, he manages and super- vises himself, showing himself a veritable IS^apoleon in his line of business. In all his various and extended enter2:)rises and his large transactions, he has so conducted his business as to gain the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been surrounded. His integrity is never called in question, and his employes find him a kind hearted and just employer. In this town also resides Preston Martin, an aged citizen of the county, who has been identified with its history and its development from its organization. One of the earlier commissioners of the county and afterward associate justice of the county court, he filled each oflice with fidelity to the people and with credit to himself. A man of un- swerving integrity, with a high moral standard, he justly won the esteem of his fellow citizens, and the high regard of all. This town at present writing is contending for the locating of the seat of justice within her borders. The canvassing of the vote of the county for the election to be held in November goes on with gi*eat earnestness. The advocates of removal to Biggsville claiming that their town is nearer the geo- graphical center of the county, and therefore it is for the interest of the county to secure the county buildings at this point. Gladstone (formerly Sagetown), was laid out by Gideon Sage, May 16, 1856, in Sees. 15 and 16, T. 10 N., R 5 W., James E. White sur- veyor. The town is situated on the Chicago, Burlington tfc Quincy railroad. The Galva branch of the same road terminates at this point from the north. The town contains about 400 inhabitants. At this point is located the Excelsior sugar refinery, a large and costly estab- lishment, owned principally by Amos T. Hall, of Cliicago. It seems not to liave been a success so far, although the works and machinery 892 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. are of the most elaborate kind. Some glucose has been manufactured, but now the owners of the premises are preparing the works for work- ing sorghum cane, of which the surrounding country produces largely. Gideon Sage, the original proprietor of this town, although far ad- vanced in years, still resides here, hale and hearty, and bids fair to yet renew his lease of life and outstrip in the race many a younger com- petitor. The town has one Catholic, one Presbyterian, and one Meth- odist church, and is well provided with school-buildings. Raritan, a town in the southeastern part of the county, was laid out by Isaac Y. Kelley and James Hixton April 16, 1856, in Sees. 10, 11, 1-4 and 15, T. 8 ]^., E. 4 W., James R. "VYhite acting as surveyor for the proprietors. The record of its plat and survey may be found recorded in Vol. XII of deeds, p. 255, Henderson county. It is a beautiful and thriving village. Situated in the midst of an undulating, fertile prairie, surrounded by finely improved farms in a high state of cultivation, upon which means have been lavishly expended in the erection of fine buildings, this place presents an attractive appearance. The houses of the town are of a neat and commodious structure, and so neatly kept in all their surroundings that they tell at once the char- acter of its inhabitants. Although possessing no near railroad or river facilities for ship- ping, they yet carry on a large trade in merchandise and stock and agricultural products. Roseville and Laliarpe stations are their nearest railroad points. One will hardly find in days of travel anywhere a town surrounded by so many natural advantages, and which exhibits such thrift, unaided by artificial means. Among the enterprising business men of this place I may mention William Tliarp and Robert Barnes, but space prevents the naming of others equally enterprising and deserving of mention. Mr. Tharp has an extensive store, filled with a general stock of merchandise, which he purchases in Chicago and eastern cities. Making his own selections and purchasing from first hands when possible, he has been enabled to offer his numerous customers their supplies at such rates as to leave no inducement on their part to go to larger places to make their pur- chases. By energy and business tact, by fair dealing and unquestioned integrity, he established a business of great magnitude, and won for himself an enviable reputation. He is still a young man, with the ability to grow and advance with the enterj^rising and thrifty people by whom he is surrounded. Robert Barnes began business here a few years ago. From small transactions at first his business has increased until at the present his sales are very large. His stock embraces almost every article of TOWNS. 893 necessity or luxury required by the customers with whom he deals. Besides a general stock of merchandise, a line of agricultural machin- ery suited to all the wants of the country is carried in large stock. In addition to his mercantile business he is the proprietor, publisher and editor of the "Raritan Bulletin," a weekly newspaper of fair size, which is ably edited and constantl}' gaining in circulation. It is inde- pendent in all things, and deserves the success that has thus far attended it. The town contains four churches : Dutch Reformed, Baptist, Meth- odist, and Roman Catholic. It has two hotels. The town of Lynn, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, adjoining Gladstone, was laid out by Ezekiel W. Lynn on Sec. 10, T, 10 N., 5 W., June 28, 1858. It was surveyed by James R. White. The plat and record will be found in Yol. XY, p. 213, of deeds, in Henderson count}". The town of Carman was laid out and platted by Josej)h Carman, September 3, 1870, in Sec. 27, T. 9 N., 6 W., and recorded in Yol. XXIY, of deeds, p. 344, Henderson county. It is situated on the line of Carthage Division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rail- road, about one mile from the Mississipjji river, and contains a popu- lation of about 300. Shokokon lies between this town and the river. Carman is a flourishing town, and the center of a large grain trade. Large quantities of corn are annually stored at this point for distribu- tion to the different markets. It is five miles by railroad to Burlington, Iowa, and about fifteen miles to the county seat. About two miles east of this place resides John Fredericks Curts, on his place known as the "Bear Grove" farm, of which further mention will be made in this sketch. Near this place many of the earlier settlers of the county found a home. Alfred Knowles and Dr. Freeman Knowles came from the State of Maine soon after the laying out of the town of Shokokon, in 1836. They remained for a short time upon lands they had entered. The fever and ague, the pest of our bottom lands at that time, was more than they could successfully contend with, and they removed to more healthy locations. Dr. Knowles going to the town of Keokuk, Iowa, which then contained but a few hundred inhabitants, where his practice grew with the growth of that thriving city. He became one of the professors in the medical college of that place. He died in 1880, after a successful professional career. His brother, Alfred, removed to Oquawka, where, upon the organization of the county, he became county clerk. In 1855 he removed to the city of Galesburg, this state, where he still resides. The last town laid out in the county is Lomax, on the Chicago, Bur- 894 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. lington & Quincy railroad. It was laid out by Robert Lomax, May 11, 1882, in Sec. 15, T. 8 N., E. 6 W., J. Wilson ^Yilliams acting as sur- veyor; plat and deed recorded in Yol. I, of plats, p. 64, Henderson county. At this point there has been a railroad station and business point for many years. Prior to the opening of the railroad, William Lomax, the father of the present proprietor, owned and cultivated a large farm, through which the road was located and a station established at the point where the town is now laid out. The senior Lomax errected a dwelling and store, and also other buildings at the station, so that in fact it became quite a town years before any town was marked out in a regular way. The proprietor had resided on the place for many years ; in fact he was among the early settlers of the county, and owned this valuable property before railroads came to further enhance its value. Although the population of the town is small, it has become an im- portant shipping point. Large shipments of cattle, hogs and grain are made at this station, and there is no reason why this should not, in in the near future, with such an enterprising business man as its pres- ent proprietor, become a flourishing town. The elder Lomax died in the year 1879, at an advanced age, loved and respected by all who knew him. He had lived to see the frontier upon which he had settled become a cultivated, populous community. He had, as a citi- zen, lent his aid to advance every laudible undertaking for the advancement of the interest of the county. He had served four years as associate justice in our county court, and well and faithfully did he discharge the duties of his ofSce. With hands clear of official corrup- tion, with consciousness of having performed his duty, he retired from office and his remaining years were made pleasant with the kindest regards of his fellow citizens. His worthy son Robert succeeds him in the estate and business established by his father. The position has fallen to able hands. The father's wishes and plans will now be car- ried out by the son. Possessing youth, vigor and fine business capacity, he still retains that same modesty of character and moral conviction that endeared his father to the people among whom he lived. Mr. Lomax is at present, as will be seen elsewhere in this sketch, one of the commissioners of the county. Just north of this place the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad forms a junction with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, and over the track of the latter runs on to the city of Burlington. NEWSPAPERS. 895 NEWSPAPERS. The first newspaper published in the county was the "Oquawka Spectator," founded by CoL John B. Patterson, in the month of Febru- ary, 18-48, at Oquawka, who issued the first number in February of that year. It was neutral in pc>litics, and issued weekly continuously to the present time. Its founder. Col. Patterson, is still its editor and proprietor, and bids fair to continue its management for many years to come. Since the foundation of the paper, E. H. N. Patterson, a son of the present editor, was for many years associated with his father as junior editor. The latter severed his connection with tlie paper in the year 1859, and with the great army of gold seekers who set their faces westward, left his native state and took up his abode in the then territory of Colorado. Mining was not to his taste. He was pos- sessed of a fine intellect and was a brilliant writer. These qualities could not long be concealed and he was induced to attach himself to the editorial staff of the "Colorado Miner," one of the leading papers of the state, in which position he gained high rank by the ability he displayed in his editorials. He, in a short time, became one of the proprietors of the paper and its chief editor, in which position he died in the month of April, 1880, at Denver, Colorado. He married, in 1851, Laura Phelps, the daughter of Stephen S. Phelps, one of the founders of the town of Oquawka. His wife died in the year 1867, leaving three children : Harry N. , Mattie, and Norman. Not only as a newspaper writer did the subject of this sketch ex- hibit marked ability, but many of his publications in verse, as well as in prose, bore testimony of the peculiarly fine literary cast of his mind. A specimen is here quoted as ilkistrating the style of his writings, and the sentiments of its author. It was written nineteen years ago, and is now published for the first time. The original is in the possession of the writer : " THE PATRIOT MOTHER. " Dead ! No, no ! surely you do but mock me ! He's but sleeping ; — Why all these tears, this agony of mourning? Why such weeping? Death has not come to rob me of the lad. 'Tis only gentle sleep — Deadlike perchance, in being dreamless ; yet only slumber, wherefore weep? When first the tocsin rung the battle blast, Charlie, brave boy, stepped out, Full panoplied, in triple armor clad ; his voice in the great freedom-shout Rising above all others — louder, clearer, filled with grandeur of the Cause For which he fought : his nation's constitution, the supremacy of its laws ! 'Twas but as yesterday I saw him girding his loins for the fight, Conscious of victory, confident of success, because the Right. Ne'er fell before the opposing hosts of Treason's clan — Ne'er failed because opposed by jaundiced Error's ban ! 896 HISTORY OF MERCER AifD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Then say not lie is dead ! He lives — his faith, example, deeds, ■Will nerve his patriot-brothers' arms ! Away with funeral weeds ; I will not wear them ! Charlie lives — his spirit is aw'ay. In hottest battle — men will feel its power ; death cannot mark him for its prey 'Till war shall cease in all the land — 'till peace resume her sway — And Treason's cloud obscure no more the brightness of the Nation's day." It should be stated that the "Spectator," which commenced its career as a neutral, was, in the year 1863, transformed into a democratic organ of its party in the county, and to this time has been an advocate of conservative democratic principles, tlirough the long pilgrimage of defeat to which its party has been subjected. Its venerable editor stands high with his professional brethren and earns the esteem of his j^olitical opponents. " Few men have wielded the editorial pen for so many consecutive years, as editor and proprietor of one newspaper. All his acquaintances join in wishing him many happy years of success in the path he has so long and successfully traveled. The " Oquawka Plaindealer" was the next newspaper enterprise started in the county. This was a weekly publication, commenced July 24, 1852, by Francis A. Dallam, editor and proprietor, and so continued until March 6, 1855, when Horace Bigelow, Esq., purchased a half interest in the establishment ; from that time until May 6, 1856, when Mr. Dallam sold his interest to James H. Reed. The firm of Reed & Bigelow continued the publication of the paper until May 1, 1857, when they sold the whole concern to J. K. Magie and David Mitchell. It was whig in politics at its commencement and after the defeat of Scott, in 1852, it shared the fate of its party, and drifting with the wreck until the formation of the republican party in 1856, when it cast its fortunes with that organization, to which it ever afterward adhered. Magie & Mitchell disposed of their interest and the paper was next under the control of Lewis Leslie ; then of M, H. Jamison, when, under the editorial control of a Mr. Chamberlain, it was removed to Biggsville, in this county. Shortly after Chamberlain retired from the paper and Judson Graves became its editor. Subse- quently Graves removed the paper to Kirkwood, in Warren county, when, after a brief period, he again moved, and this time to the city of Galesburg, in this state. The ' ' Clipper" is a small weekly paper, established in Biggsville by M. M. Rowley, editor and proprietor, about the year 1874. It is republican in politics, and still continues under its first management, and is meeting, as it deserves, with very fair success. Its editor is an excellent writer for such a paper and earns the deserved success he has enjoyed. COUNTY OFFICERS. 899 The " Karitan Bulletin,'' a weekly paper, is published in the town of Karitan, in the southeast part of the county, by Robert Barnes, as editor and proprietor. It was established in the year 1875. It is inde- pendent in politics and is meeting with deserved success. Its editorials evince marked ability and its circulation is rapidly increasing. "•The Henderson County Journal " was established in Oquawka by Eugene A. Hail, editor and proprietor, in the month of May, 1872. It was a weekly ])aper and republican in politics. In June, 1872, Mr. Hail, its editor, removed the establishment to Macomb, in McDonough county, in this state, where he continued its publication until August, 1878, when he returned with his paper to this county and again com- menced its publication at the county seat, under the name of the "Henderson County Journal," a weekly issue, devoted to the interests of the republican party. The paper is ably edited by Mr. Hail, its proprietor, a gentleman of refinement and sterling worth, and is prov- ing for its owner a good investment. All the papers here named have received not alone from their party friends, but from the general public of the county, a generous support, which bears evidence of the intelligence of the inhabitants. COUNTY OFFICERS. The names of the county officers from the date of the organization of the county is shown in the following table, with the date of their election or appointment : NAME. OFFICE. DATE. John S. Pollock Clerk Circuit Court April 5, 1841. Alfred Knowles Clerk County Commissioners' Court April 5, 1841. John McKinney Recorder April l7, 1841. "William C. Rice, Surveyor April 17, 1841. "William Cowden Probate Justice of the Peace April 22, 1841. "William Elliott. State's Attorney May 20, 1841. Alfred Knowles Probate Justice of the Peace June 30, 1841. Joseph B. Jamison School Commissioner Aug. 2, 1841. "W. D. Henderson Sheriff April 5, 1841. Francis J. C. Peasley . . . .County Commissioner Aug. 2, 1841. Joseph B. Jamison School Commissioner Aug. 2, 1841. Preston Martin County Commissioner April 5, 1841. Benjamin C. Coghill County Commsisioner April 5, 1841. "William D. Henderson . . Sheriff Aug. 1, 1842. Michael Crane County Commissioner Aug. 1, 1842. John F. Morgan Coroner Aug. 1, 1842. Isaiah J. Brooks County Commissioner Aug. 7, 1843. Alfred Knowles County Commissioner's Clerk Aug. 7, 1843. "Wilson M. Graham Recorder Aug. 7, 1843. William C. Rice Probate Justice of the Peace Aug. 7, 1843. 51 900 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. NAME. OFFICE. DATE. William E. Hopkins Surveyor Aug. 7, 1843. Alexander Marshall School Commissioner Aug. 7, 1843. William (Jousland County Commissioner Sept. 12, 1844. S. S. Leet Sheriff D. B. Rice Coronor Feb. 5, 1845, J. B. Jamison School Commissioner Jer. Rose County Commissioner Aug. 1846. Matthew Findley County Commissioner Aug. 1846. Julius Gifford Sheriff Aug. 1846, David B. Rice Coroner Aug. 1846. Ebenezer Chapin County Commissioner Aug. 1847. Charles S. Cowan County Commissioners' Clerk Aug. 1847. Harvey Russell Probate Justice of the Peace Aug. 1847. Samuel Mitchell Recorder Aug. 1847. John S. Peasley Treasurer Aug. 1847. Joseph B. Jamison ...... .School Commissioner Aug. 1847. A. N. Armstrong Surveyor Aug. 1847. Robert S. Blackwell States Attorney Nov. 1847. Matthew Findley County Commissioner Aug. 1848. William C. Rice County Judge Nov. 6, 1849. Daniel Edmunds County Justice of the Peace Nov. 6, 1849. George W. Penny County Justice of the Peace Nov. 6, 1849. Charles S. Cowan County Clerk Nov. 6, 1849. Robert Crownover County Treasurer Nov. 6, 1849. A. N. Armstrong Surveyor Nov. 6, 1849. William McMillan School Commissioner Nov. 6, 1849. Booth Nettleton Coroner Nov. 6, 1849. Booth Nettleton Sheriff Nov. 5, 1850. James A. Maury Coroner Nov. 5, 1850. John S. Pollock Clerk of the Circuit Court Nov. 2, 1852. James H. Stewart State's Attorney Nov. 2, 1852. Samuel P. McGaw Sheriff Nov. 2, 1852. James A. Maury Coroner Nov. 2, 1852. Peter Downey : . .County Judge Nov. 8, 1853. Lambert Hoi^per Associate Justice Nov. 8, 1853. John Logan Associate Justice Nov. 8, 1853. Charles S. Cowan County Clerk Nov. 8, 1853- George W. Connelly Treasurer Nov. 8, 1853. A. N. Arm.strong Surveyor Nov. 8, 1853. Wm. L. Stocrkton School Commissioner Nov. 8, 1853. Richard W. Richey County Judge Feb. 18, 1854. Jonathan Simpson School Commissioner Nov. 1855. Richard W. Richey County Judge Nov. 3, 1857. Asahel Johnson Associate Justice Nov. 3, 1857. Melzer C. Paul Associate Justice Nov. 3, 1857. Charles S. Cowan County Clerk Nov. 3, 1857. George W. Connelly County Treasurer Nov. 3, 1857. Garrett Nevins County Surveyor Nov. 3, 1857. Jonathan Simpson School Commissioner Nov. 3, 1857. George W. Cowden Sheriff Nov. 2, 1858. COUNTY OFFICERS. 901 NAME. OFFICE. DATE, Wm. B. Jamison County Surveyor Nov. 2, 1858', Charles E. Birdsall Coroner Nov. 2, 1858. J. Eldridge Barnes School Commissioner Nov. 8, 1859. Geo. W. Connelly Assessor and Treasurer Nov. 8, 1859. Wm. B. Jamison County Surveyor Nov. 8, 1859. James H. Stewart State's Attorney 1860. John M. Wilson Sheriff 1860. Hugh L. Thomson Clerk Circuit Court 1860. Z. D. Fanning Coroner 1860. Richard W. Richey County Judge Nov. 5, 1861. Preston Martin Associate Judge Nov. 5, 1861. Wm. Hartford Associate Judge Nov. 5, 1861. Wm. Hopkins County Clerk Nov. 5, 1861. J. Eldridge Barnes School Commissioner Nov. 5, 1861 Moses McElhinney Assessor and Treasurer Nov. 5, 1861 Wm. H. MeChesney County Surveyor Nov. 5, 1861 R. S. McAllister County Clerk (appointed) Aug. 15, 1863. R. S. McAllister County Clerk (elected) Nov. 3, 1863 Francis A. Raper As^sessor and Treasurer Nov. 3, 1863 J. E. Barnes School Commissioner Nov. 3, 1863. Isaac N. J. Hartford Surveyor Nov. 3, 1863, Hugh L. Thomson Clerk Circuit Court Nov. 8, 1864, James A. McKenzie State's Attorney Nov. 8, 1864, Davis S. Brainard Sheriff Nov. 8, 1864. Samuel H. Ruple Coroner Nov. 8, 1864. AVm. Ingerun School Commissioner Dec. 8, 1864. Cornelius D. Eltinge. . . .County Judge Nov. 7, 1865. Wm. Lomax Associate Justice Nov. 7, 1865. Wm. H. Mills Associate Justice Nov. 7, 1S65. Robert S. McAllister County Clerk Nov. 7, 1 865. Simeon Donaldson County Treasurer Nov. 7, 1865. Isaac N. J. Hartford County Surveyor Nov. 7, 1865. Marion F. Button County Superintendent of Schools Nov. 7, 1865. Simeon Donaldson County Assessor Nov. 7, 1865. Wm. Bunger Sheriff and Collector Nov. 6, 1866. Hinton Park Coroner Nov. 6, 1866. Matthew H. Jamison. . . .County Superintendent of Schools .Sept. 14, 1867. Simeon Donaldson County Treasurer Nov. 5, 1867. Simeon Donaldson County Assessor Nov. 5, 1867. Isaac N. J. Hartford County Surveyor Nov. 5, 1867. John A. Summers Superintendent of Schools Mar. 6, 1868. Joseph Braden Sheriff and Collector Nov. 3, 18G8. Harry F. McAllister Clerk Circuit Court Nov. 1868. James A. Mc^Kenzie State's Attorney Nov. 1868. Joseph Brader Sheriff Nov. 1868. Jonathan Simpson School Superintendent Aug. 1869. Richard W. Richey County Judge Nov. 2, 1869. Preston Martin County Justice of the Peace Nov. 2, 1869. Robert W. Goddis County Justice of the Peace Nov. 2, 1869. Roswell P. Randall County Superintendent of Schools Nov. 2, 1869. 902 HISTOKY OF IVIEKCER Al^fD HENDERSON COUNTIES. NAME. OFFICE. D. C. Hanna County Clerk Nov, Wm. B. Jamison County Surveyor Nov, George Bell Sheriff Nov. Daniel I. McMillan Coroner Nov. Jefferson H. Jenings State's Attorney Nov: H. F. McAllister Clerk of Circuit Court Nov. George Bell Sheriff Nov. W. K. Smith Coroner Nov. William C. Rice County Judge Nov. D. Caswell Hanna County Clerk Nov. John A. Brook County Treasurer Nov. James Mc Arthur Superintendent of Schools Nov, Joseph Allen County Commissioner Nov. Robert A. McKinley County Commissioner Nov. John B. Holliday County Coinmissioner Nov. George Bell Sheriff Nov. Francis M. Jackson Coroner Nov. Isaiah J. Brook County Commissioner Nov. W. A. M. Crouch County Commissioner Nov. Joseph Allen Countj' Commissioner Nov. Eli W. Smith County Ti-easurer Nov. William H. McChesney . .County Surveyor Nov. George Currv County Commissioner Nov. H. F. McAllister.. . .• Clerk of Circuit Court Nov. James O. Anderson ...... Sherifi' Nov. Jefferson H. Jenings State's Attorney Nov. Millard F. Brown Coroner Nov. William C. Rice County Judge Nov. G. F. Wm. Froehlich .... County Clerk Nov. Eli W. Smith County Treasurer Nov. J. M. Akin Superintendent of Schools Nov. James Duke County Commissioner Nov. Elijah Beal County Commissioner Nov. James O. Anderson Sheriff Nov. Isaac P. Cowdon (broner Nov. George Curry County Commissioner Nov. Adam B. Hamill County Treasurer Nov. Pitt K. Jagger County Surveyor Nov. Harry F. McAllister Clerk of Circuit Court Nov. James O. Anderson Sheriff Nov. Rau.seldon Cooper State's Attorney Nov. James A. Caswell Coroner Nov. Samuel Pickering County Commissioner Nov. Robert A. Lomax County Commissioner Nov. Appleton Park County Surveyor Nov. James M. Akin Superintendent of Schools Dec. Among the old citizens of this county there is one who should not be overlooked in these brief biographies. It is the colored man com- monly called "Nigger Dick," Kichard being his true name, and, like ATE. 2 , 1869, 2 , 1869, 8 , 1870, 8 , 1870. 1872. 1872. 1872. 1872. 4, , 1873. 4, , 1873. 4, , 1873. 4, , 1873. 4, , 1873. 4, 1873. 4, 1873. 3, 1874. 3, 1874. 3, 1874. 3, 1874. 9 1875. 1875. 9 1875. 7, 1876. 7, 1876. 7, 1876. 7, 1876. 7, 1876. 6, 1877. 6, 1877. 6, 1877. 6, 1877. «, 1877. 5, 1878. r>, 1878. 5, 1878. 4, 1879. 4, 1879. 4, 1879. 9 1880. 9 1880. 2 1880. 9 1880. 9 1880. 8, 1881. 8, 1881. 5, 1881. COUNTY OFFICERS. 90H many others who were the offspring of the slave system, he had but that one name, for family he had none. The existence of slavery for- bid the cultivation and perpetuation of family ties. The absence of all those sanctified relations included in the family circle was essential to the perpetuation of what was termed, in the days of its power, the "institution of slavery." liichard was born a slave in Greenville, Kentucky, in 1815, as the property and chattel of Solomon Rhodes. At the age of twelve years he was sold to John Billings. Mr. Billings took him to the State of Missouri and sold him to Capt. William Phelps for the sum of $1,000, which, Dick remarked to the writer, was more than the average white man would sell for in Missouri at that time. Capt. Phelps, who is a brother of the late S. S. Phelps, and engaged at that time with him in the Indian trade, brought Dick to Oquawka with him. Afterward Dick became a valuable assistant with the Phelps brothers in their Indian trade in Iowa and on the frontier. He at one time saved the family of S. S. Phelps, at their trading station in Iowa, from death in their burning home. In doing so he risked his life, and was seriously injured by the explosion of gunpowder in the burning building. Ever afterward he was treated with the greatest kindness by the Phelps brothers. He was always welcome in the families of the Phelps brothers. In their trading expeditions in the west among the Indians, Dick was always their valued aid and faithful companion. For many years Dick enjoyed the fruits of his fidelity. He may be said to have been put on the retired list, with pay and rations. Many are the good stories that are related at Dick's expense, growing out of journeyings among the red men. Many a thrilling scene is related of his dealings with these natives ; whether in the deadly encounter, where personal bravery was a large factor in self-preservation, or in the swift race for life, where fleetness and endurance were essential to success, Dick never found his su^^erior. He possesses rare natural abilities. Although the child of slavery, he has gathered a rare stock of practical every-day education, and fur- nishes us evidence of the truth that his race is capable of receiving that training that shall fit them for those duties devolving upon men who would perpetuate that system of government where all "just powers are. derived from the consent of the governed. " Dick still lives among us, and, although well advanced in years, happy and cheerful. With his horse and his gun, he is the same good-natured, jolly, honest Dick that he was when first his foot trod the free soil of Illinois. He was never freed in any formal manner, and he says that he does not know but what he would still be in law a slave, if had not been for the proclamation of President Lincoln freeing the slave. 904 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. RAILROADS. Tlie first railroad enterprise in which the citizens of Henderson county engaged, looking to the building of a road in the county, was the Peoria & Oquawka, a project to build and equip a road from Peoria, on the Blinois river, to Oquawka. On February 12, 1849, the general assembly of this state passed an act incorporating the com- pany, when, on December 20, 1849, the first meeting was held to organize. Alexander Turnbull, James W. Davidson, Wyatt B. Stapp, Preston Martin, John McKinney, Robert M. Patterson, Samuel B. Anderson, James Knox, Daniel Meek, William Moss, Alfred G. Cur- tinius, and Isaac Underbill, the commissioners, opened the books for subscriptions to the capital stock. The shares were fixed at $100 each, and five per cent payable at the time of subscription. At that time the managers of the enterprise estimated the cost of the road, includ- ing rolling stock, at from $6,000 to $10,000 per mile. The county commissioners ordered an election for the first Monday in May, 1851, of the legal voters of the county, to vote upon the proposition for the county to subscribe $50,000 to the capital stock of said company. The election was held and resulted in the proposition for such subscription being voted down by a large majority. Bj an act of the general assembly the charter of this railroad com- pany was amended, and by one provision of the amendment it was pro voided that a branch road, extending from Sagetown (now Gladstone) might be constructed to a point on the Mississippi river opposite the city of Burlington, Iowa. The town of Oquawka, under a mistaken idea of the importance of the completion of the road to that point, gave to the enterprise no encouragement, and Burlington, seeing her oppor- tunity, at once set about raising the means to secure the completion of the work to her over the branch. In this she succeeded, and Burling- ton became what Oquawka might have been, a great commercial point and a railroad center for a large portion of the roads through Iowa. The Peoria & Oquawka railroad was completed to Monmouth in 1855, on the fii'st of January. The Chicago & Quincy railroad was completed to Galesburg at that time, and that company leased the Peoria & Oquawka line and completed the work to Burlington, and commenced running their trains over the whole route, and in a short time afterward purchased the entire line, when the name was changed to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, and as soon as the Quincy branch was completed to Galesburg, 110 miles, this name became universally known as one of the most popular railroads in the United States. That portion of the road from Sagetown to Oquawka the company never completed. The town of Oquawka graded, tied. RAILROADS. 905 and bridged the five miles of road between the two last named points, in 1856, under some kind of an expectation that the road would be operated by the company, but after tlie expenditure of $25,000 these expectations proved to be without basis, and the work remained use- less and of no value to the town. In 1849 the general assembly granted a charter for the Warsaw & Rockford Railroad Company, for the purpose of constructing a road from the town of Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois, to the city of Warsaw, Hancock county, Illinois, near the foot of the Des Moines Rapids. The route of this proposed road passed from north to south through Henderson county. In 1853, at an election, the county commissioners were authorized to subscribe $100,000 to the capital stock of said company, to aid in the completion of the enterprise. In IS^ovember, 1855, the commis- sioners, in accordance with the authority thus given, proceeded to make the subscription. The road was never completed, nor indeed was much, if any, valuable work done on the line, but the affairs of the company fell into incompetent hands, and the subscriptions were frittered away, leaving no results of value to those who had, in an evil hour, placed their means at the disposal of these managers. Henderson county, however, succeeded after some years in recover- ing back $21,000 of unexpended bonds, and thus saved this much from the wreck of this wretched, bankrupt concern. The county sub- sequently refunded the remaining portion of the indebtedness, and at this time has paid a greater part of the same, and will in the early future be entirely free from this debt. The Carthage & Burlington Railroad Company was chartered in 1867 by the general assembly, and authorized to construct a road from Burlington, Iowa, to Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois, a distance of about twenty-six miles. In about 1870 the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company purchased this road, and added it to its already lengthening lines, and commenced operating it under the title of the Carthage & Burlington diviision of that road. The Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis railroad was commenced by a company organized under the laws of this state in 1865, with intent to build a road from Rockford through the counties of Rock Island, Mercer, Henderson, and so on to St. Louis, touching Keitlis- "burg and Oquawka as river points. That part of the road between Keithsburg via Oquawka to Sagetown was completed and put in oper- ation in 1869, when the company changed its route, running south from Rock Island through the eastern portion of Mercer county to Monmouth, Warren county, and thence to St. Louis. Subsequently, 906 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Company purchased the entire line of road from the Rockford & St. Louis Company, and now operate the whole line. The short piece of road from Sagetown to Keithsburg was extended six miles farther north to New Boston, where it connects with the Galva branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road. That part of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad within the limits of this county crosses the county line on leaving Hancock county, extending in a northwesterly direction, and forms a junc- tion with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road at Iowa station, be- tween the towns of Lomax and Carman. Thus it will be seen that Henderson county has in oj)eration about fifty miles of railroad, viz : the east and west main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, ex- tending from the Warren county line to the Mississippi river, seven- teen miles ; the Burlington & Carthage branch of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy road, extending from Burlington to Dallas City in this county, fifteen miles ; the Galva branch of the last-named road, extending from the south line of Mercer county by way of Oquawka to Gladstone, where it forms a junction with the main line, fourteen miles ; the Toledo. Peoria & Warsaw railroad from Iowa Junction to the south line of the county, a distance of four miles. There are other lines of projected railroads, the routes of which touch the territory of Henderson county, none of which, at the present time, give promise of an early completion. The Peoria, Farmington & Keithsburg road, running by way of Monmouth, touches the northeast- ern part of the county. This road is completed and running cars from Peoria to Farmingtom. Much grading has been done in Mercer county, from Keithsburg, eastward, and along the line much money has been expended, but work has ceased on the west portion of the line, and there seems at present no indication of an early completion of the road. Two other lines of railroad are projected, running through the county from east to west, pointing to the Burlington bridge, but whether these paper enterprises are merely speculative or not, there is no visible indications of active work upon them at the present time. These entei'prises probably are only speculative.* SENATOKIAL AND REPRESP]NTATIVE DISTRICTS. NAMES OF SENA- TORS AND REPRESENTATIVES. In 1844, for the first time, Henderson county appears in districting* the states into senatorial and representative districts. At this appor- tionment of the general assembly, Warren, McDonough and Hender- son counties composed a senatorial district, and William McMillan, of "'■■ See page 02 for further inforiuatioii. SENATORIAL ANT> REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS. 907 Henderson county, was elected senator. In the same year Henderson and Warren counties composed a representative district, and William D. Henderson was elected representative. In the general assembly of 1846-8, William McMillam still held the office of senator, and John Curts, of Henderson county, was elected representative. The consti- tutional convention of 1848 made the counties of Hancock and Hen- derson a senatorial district, and Azro Patterson, of Henderson county, was elected senator. At the same time the counties of Warren, Mercer and Henderson became a representative district and entitled to two representatives, and Abner C Harding, of Warren, and Gilbert Turn- bull, of Henderson, were elected representatives. In 1850 Jacob C. Davis, of Hancock county, was elected senator, and Thomas Willits, of Mercer county, and Azro Patterson, of Henderson county, were elected representatives. In 1852 J. C. Davis still held the office of senator, and Samuel Darnell, of Henderson county, asid Eleazer A. Paine, of Warren county, were elected representatives. In 1854 J. C. Davis still held the office of senator, and William C. Rice was elected repre- sentative. In 1856 Gren. Hiram Rose, of Henderson county, was elected senator, and A. Y. T. Gilbert, of AVarren county, represented the district composed of Warren and Henderson counties. In 1858 John P. Richmond, of Schuyler county, was elected senator of the dis- trict to which Henderson county belonged, and William C. Rice, of Henderson county, was elected representative. In 1860 John P. Richmond still held the office of senator, and William C. Maley, of Warren county, was elected representative. In 1862 Henry K. Pef- fer, of Warren county, and Thomas B. Cabeen, of Mercer county, were elected representatives from the Henderson representative district. In 1864 James Strain, of Warren county, was elected senator, and Jona- than Simpson, of Henderson county, was elected representative. In 1866 James Strain still held his seat in the senate, and Francis M. Bruner, of Warren county, was elected representative. In 1868 Isaac McManus, of Mercer county, was elected senator from the Henderson senatorial district, and David M. Findley, of Henderson county, was elected representative. In 1870 Harvey S. Senter, of Mercer county, was elected senator from the same district, and William A. M. Crunch was elected rejjresentative. In 1870, by the adoption of the new con- stitution framed by the convention of that year, the state was divided into fifty-one senatorial districts, each electing one senator, and each senatorial district constituting a representative district, entitled to three representatives to the lower house of the general assembly. The constitution also provided for the cumulative system of voting for members of the lower house. In the districting by the general 908 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. assembly, in pursuance of this constitutional authority, the counties of Henderson and Hancock became one senatorial and representative district, entitled to one senator and three representatives. In 18T2 Benjamin Warren, of Hancock county, was elected senator, and David Eankin and William Scott, of Henderson county, and Edward E. Lane, of Hancock county, were elected representatives. In 1874 Benjamin Warren still held the office of senator, and David Ran- kin and Paul D. Salter, of Henderson county, and WelHngton Jenney, of Hancock county, were representatives in the lower house. In 1876 William Scott, of Henderson county, was chosen senator, and Charles F. Gill, George F. Walker, and John J. Reyburn, of Hancock county, were elected representatives. In 1878 William Scott held over as senator, and Thomas B. Brumbrack, John J. Reyburn and Brooks R. Hamilton were elected representatives. In 1880 John Fletcher, of Hancock cojinty, was elected senator, and James Peterson, Robert A. McKinley and Henry M. Whiteman, of Henderson county, were chosen representatives. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. The first constitutional convention that ever assembled in Illinois, was convened at Kaskaskia, in July, 1818. It remained in session until August 30, 1818. This convention was composed of thirty-three delegates, and adopted a constitution which the convention did not see fit to submit to a vote of the people. This constitution was ratified by congress December 3, 1818. In 1847 a second constitutional conven- tion convened in this state. It assembled on June 7, 1847, and ad- journed August 31, 1847. It was composed of 162 delegates. The convention adopted and submitted a constitution to a vote of the people, who ratified it on March 6, 1848. Abner C. Harding, of Warren county, was the delegate chosen from the district composed of Warren and Henderson counties. The next constitutional convention that convened in this state assembled at Springfield, January 7, 1862, and continued in session until March 24, 1862. It adopted a constitution and submitted it to the people for ratification or rejection, on the Tuesday after the third Monday in June, 1862. The people, by a decided major- ity, rejected the constitution thus submitted. The rejection of this consti- tution did not result so much from any real defects in the provisions of the constitution thus submitted, as from other causes combined. It will be seen by the date of the assembling of this convention, that it was during the second year of the war of the rebellion. Passion and prejudice held at that time high carnival. A war of gigantic propor- tions confronted the northern states. The federal government was CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 909 menaced as never before had it been menaced. Many saw in the dire calamity of war only ruin to our whole country. Vast armies were being raised and concentrated at ditierent points, preparatary to being sent forward to meet the advancing foe. While the heart of the great mass of the people, without regard to party lines, beat true to the lawfully-authorized government and the old flag, there was a small number of malcontents to create alarm. They made up by their clamor in caucuses, conventions, and secret organiza- tions, what they lacked in numbers. No doubt the representations of their actings and doings in the North to some extent encouraged the rebels of the South. It was at such a time that this convention assem- bled. Some of the early acts of this body, although perhaps springing from honest and patriotic motives, caused alarm in the public mind, already aroused and inclined to suspect danger in every unusual move- ment, and especially in a body so potent for evil as was this convention. The majority of the members of the convention assumed that upon its organization it was no longer bound by any legislative enactments, but was sovereign in the exercise of supreme power of the state ; that it was virtuall}^ an assemblage of the people, with full and necessary power for a peaceable revolution of the government of the state. The law authoi'izing the calling of the convention prescribed the oath for members to take : to support the constitution of the state. This a majority of the convention refused to do, holding it to be inconsistent to take an oath to support a constitution that they were about to do away with. It was claimed that the convention had the right to declare itself permanent and exercise all the power of the people of the state. The debates upon these subjects created in Ijjie minds of a large portion of the people distrust and alarm. The convention lost the confidence and moral support of the people, and a powerful opposition was organ- ized to whatever the convention might do. The final work of this body was much superior to what the people had been led by the debates to believe it would be; in fact, the constitution by them adopted, and submitted to the people for their ratification, was of high character as an organic law ; but such was the prejudice that had been engendered against the convention, and such was the party spirit which had been aroused, that the people refused to look at the merits of the instrument, and the constitution thus submitted was defeated by a large majority. In this connection a fact should be recorded. The clause of the constitution, popularly known as the "black laws," which forbid the settlement of negroes in this state, and which was submitted as a separate article, was ratified by the people of the state by about 100,000, although the constitution was defeated; but 910 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. by a provision of the schedule in sucli contingency, the separate article became inoperative. Henderson county ratified the sepa- rate article, but rejected the constitution. Public sentiment changed radically since the vote upon that occasion. At the date of the election of delegates to tliis convention, Warren and Henderson counties composed one district, and Jonathan Simpson, of Hen- derson, was elected delegate. In 1809 another constitutional con- vention convened at Springfield. It assembled December 13, 1869, and closed its labors and adjourned May 18, 1870. It was composed of eighty-five members. It adopted a constitution and submitted it to the people for ratification July 2, 1870. It was ratified by a large majority. Mercer and Henderson counties constituted one district, and James S. Poage, of Mercer county, was elected delegate. EFFORTS TO REIMOVE THE COUNTY SEAT. Tliere have been in this county several efforts made to remove the county seat from Oquawka to some more central point in the county. The first of these efforts was made in 1859. At the session of the general assembly of that year an enabling act was passed, authorizing a vote to be taken upon the question of removing the seat of justice to the town of Warren, twelve miles south of Oquawka, and not far from what was claimed to be the geographical center of the county. The election was held in November of that year, and resulted in a majority adverse to removal. In 1865 the general assembly again passed an act anthorizing an election to be held upon the question of removing the seat of justice to the town of Sagetown (no^ Gladstone), five miles south of Oquawka. The election was held in November of that year and resulted in a majority against removal of 114. In 1869 an election was again held to vote upon the question of removal to the town of Biggsville, a town on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, about ten miles south and east of Oquawka. The majority in this case was also against removal. In 1872 the question was again submitted to the vote of the elec- tors of the county of removal to Sagetown, but the people again decided, by a majority of 170, against removal. At the present time the legal steps have been taken to obtain again the sense of the people of the county upon the question of removal, but the point to be sub- mitted for the decision of the legal voters of the county has not yet been fixed upon. The towns of Biggsville and Gladstone are each cir- culating petitions for signatures of the voters, which will be presented to the county court in September next, when the question will be THE POOR FAEM. 911 decided whicli of the two towns thus petitioning shall be the one upon which the vote shall be taken in November next. Many who reside in the southern portion of the county feel it to be a hardship to have to travel so far to the seat of justice. It is true that the distance to be traveled would be more in accordance with equity if the county seat was more centrall}' located. Oquawka, the present county seat, is situated within nine miles of the northern boundary of the county ; the county being thirty miles in length from north to south. If a geographical center was sought, it would be found to be a little noi'th of the town of Olena, near the residence of Isaiah J. Brook and the farm of John IST. Bruin, in township 10 north, range 5 west. The main objection urged to the removal is the bur- den of taxation that would be laid upon the county in the erection of county buildings, court house, jail, etc. THE POOR FARM. In September, 1855, the authorities of the county purchased of George Cronover the N. W. i of Sec. 26, T. 11 N., E. 5 W., for the purpose of providing a place for all county paupers. It is situated about two miles from the county seat, on Henderson creek. Upon this farm the county erected commodious buildings for the accommo- dation of the unfortunates from time to time demanding public charity. The farm has been well improved, and has proved upon the whole an economical plan for caring for the poor of the county. In erecting the buildings, the basement of the larger building was constructed into cells for the safe-keeping of such as might, while there sojourning, need restraint or confinement. Such at least was the pre- text at the time. In 1859 we find, however, an act passed by the gen- eral assembly authorizing the use of the said basement as a common jail of the county. As a jail the location has been found both insecure and expensive. Situated in a secluded spot, far away from help in case of need, this jail has proved anything but a safe deposit for per- sons charged with crime, while waiting trial or transportation to Joliet after conviction. Many have been the escapes from this so-called prison, many have been the expensive pursuits, followed by few cap- tures. In this jail the noted William Lee was confined prior to his trial, conviction, and execution on the gallows in 1876 for the murder of Jessie McCarty, which event is described more in detail further on in these pages under the head of noted criminal trials. One of these periodical jail deliveries occurred in the summer of 1880, and created for a time a sensation in the county. Confined at that time in the jail were some ten prisoners, charged with various 912 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. offenses, awaiting trial. Most noted among these prisoners were Martin J. Hall and Frank Peaslj, under several indictments charging them with burglary and other crimes. Less than two months before the August term of the circuit court, when their cases would stand for trial, Peasley and Hall laid a plan for escape. They succeeded in obtaining from some of the paupers, who had access to the outside of the windows of the prison, two table knives. With these they con- structed hies, which they used successfully in sawing oft' the hinges of the heavy iron doors which secure the entrance to the cells, and on one Sunday, when the guard was small and unsuspicious of danger, they removed one of these iron doors, weighing 500 pounds, and by the joint action of all the prisoners they were enabled to use it as a battering ram, with such success that they broke down the door of the jail leading to the house, and through this escaped, and thus left the jail vacant. Those on guard resisted to the extent of their power, but against such force of desperate men they were powerless. The prisoners scat> tered in different directions along the timber that skirts the banks of Henderson creek. Alarm was not long in reaching the county seat, when a vigorous pursuit was begun. Men on horseback, in wagons, on foot, armed with rifles, guns and revolvers, scattered in every direc- tion, and continued the pursuit until night set in and darkness and storms precluded further search. Before night, however, a portion of the gang had been captured and returned to their old quarters. The ringleaders in the breaking eluded pursuit. The next day one or two more were captured in Warren county and sent back. The sheriff, J. Oscar Anderson, with his deputy, Truman G. Allen, showed themselves on this occasion to be able and efficient officers. They were in no wise at fault on account of the escape, but set them- selves to the task of capturing the fugitives with commendable zeal. Three of the prisoners were still at large, one of whom was not an important one, but Hall and Peasley were the ones that the people were anxious should be captured and brought to trial. They had been a source of trouble to the people, who felt that they could rest more secm-ely as to their property if Hall and Peasley were securely behind the bars. A systematic search was kept up by our sheriff', who was leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of the prisoners. For a long time no clew to their whereabouts was obtained, until at last Mr. Anderson, through his correspondents, learned that his men were in Nebraska. He at once started for that state, found and captured his men, and returned them safely to our county jail. ERRATA. Page 185, line 3, for "John" read "James." Page 203, line 5, for "1832" read "1830." Page 588, line 15, for "5" read "6." Page 670, line 19, for "L" read "S." NOTED CRIMINAL TRIALS. 915 NOTED CRIMINAL TRIALS. The first indictment for murder in Henderson county .was at the May term of the circuit court, 1859. A dispute had arisen in regard to the possession of a flouring mill, and some altercations had taken place be- tween one Joseph Hollingsworth, the owner of the mill, and his son, who was a tenant, and rented the mill. This led to a personal encoun- ter between some parties at the mill and Addison Hollingsworth, the lessee of the mill. A warrant was issued by a justice of the peace in Oquawka for the arrest of Enoch Hollingsworth and Jacob Yeider, an employe of Joseph Hollingsworth, the owner of the mill. David Welch, a constable, with his warrant, proceeded in the evening to the mill to make the arrest. Arriving there, he accosted the parties whom he found in the mill with light burning, as he entered the building, in a friendly manner, and informed them of his business. He was within a few feet of the two young men when one of them, without any provo- cation, raised his rifle and shot the officer through the hip. The wound proved fatal and Welch died in a short time. The parties were arrested and the grand jury at its next term found three bills of indict- ment against Enoch Hollingsworth, Jacob Yieder and Joseph Hollings- worth. The defendants were brought into court, and the case was removed by change of venue to the county of Mercer for trial. In that county the case was tried and Enoch Hollingsworth and Jacob Yeider were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment at Joliet, and Josej)h Hollingsworth was discharged. James H. Stewart, state's attorney, assisted by Charles M. Harris and Jonathan Simpson, appeared for the prosecution, and Hon. O. H. Browning and Eleazer A. Paine were for the defense. The next case of indictment for murder was that of Dr. Edward Lawrence, who in 1863 was arrested and charged with the murder of one Hunt, at Hopper's mills. The facts as they appeared in proof on trial, were that there had been a feud for some time existing between the parties, growing out of heated discussion of the war ques- tion. Hunt had made violent threats against the doctor of doing him bodily harm. They met in a hotel and the altercation was renewed, and Hunt made demonstrations as if to carry his threats into execution, when Lawrence drew his revolver and shot him, killing him. For this he was arrested, indicted and put on trial. After a protracted trial, Lawrence was acquitted by the jury. James H. Stewart, state's attorney, appeared on behalf of the people, and the late Judge C}a*us Walker and Jonathan Simpson defended the prisoner. In August, 1870, John Turner, alias Charles Coburn, was indicted for the murder of Frederick Watson, at East Burlington. He was indicted and tried at the August term, 18T0, and convicted. His sentence was a term of 52 916 HISTOKT OF MERCER Al^fD HENDERSON COUNTIES. ten years in the prison at Joliet. He was prosecuted by James A. McKenzie, state's attorney, John J. Glenn appearing for the defense. At the March term, 1870, of the circuit court, an indictment was preferred by the grand jury of the county against Daniel McCue, John De Hague, and Warren Park, for the killing of an unknown man, in the vicinity of Ellison creek. It seems that some years after the time of the alleged killing, a skeleton was discovered in an old cistern near Hopper's mills, and by some means suspicion fell upon the persons above-named. After the arrest of the defendants McCuewas arraigned, and plead not guilty. He was at that term of court ])ut on trial, and the case submitted to the jury, who, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of not guilty, and the defendant was discharged. On this trial J. A. McKenzie, state's attorney, appeared for the people, and Col. James W. Davidson for the defendant. The case of Warren Park was sent by change of venue to W^arren county, where on trial he was acquitted. The case of John De Hague, the other defendant, was re- moved by change of venue to Knox county, where, after a protracted trial, the defendant was acquitted by the jury. In tliis case, in Hen- derson county, J. A. McKenzie and Jonathan Simpson were for the people, and Charles M. Harris for the defendant. That one of the most brutal murders that has ever stained the history of this state, was com- mitted in the killing of this unknown man, none have ever doubted, but the verdict of the jury exonorated the persons cliarged with the foul deed, and the real facts and particulars of the case remain to-day unknown, as well as the actual perpetrators of the crime. In 1871 a serious difficulty arose between Joseph B. Johnson and a man by name of Ewing, near the town of Terre Haute, in township 8, range 5 W. , which resulted in the killing of Ewing by a shot from a revolver. For this Joseph Johnson was arrested and held to bail in the sum of $3,000. A few nights afterward, Ewing having died, an officer with a warrant for the arrest of Joseph B. Johnson, John T. John- son, his brother, and Thomas Johnson, their father, on the charge of murder of Ewing, proceeded, assisted by a posse^ to the house of the elder Johnson, to make the arrest. Arriving there after night set in, the officer and his assistants approached the house, as appeared fi-om the evidence afterward, in a boisterous and tumultuous manner, and demanded entrance. The Johnsons claimed that they feared it was a mob, and rei\ised to open their doors. After much parley and noisy demonstration, shots were fired both from the outside and in the house. Thomas Johnson was dangerously wounded by a bullet through his breast ; one of the j)osse was killed and another badly wounded. The officer and his men then retreated and waited for daylight. In the NOTED CRIMINAL TRIALS. 917 morning the officer returned with a great crowd, and all the inmates of the house were arrested, and the men sent to the county jail, except Thomas Johnson, and the women left under guard. At the March term, 1871, of the circuit court, Thomas Johnson and Joseph B. Johnson were by the grand jury indicted for the killing of the persons as above stated. They both had their cases removed by change of venue to Warren county, when Jose}>]i Johnson was dis- charged. Thomas Johnson was put on trial and after ten days exam- ination of witnesses a juror was taken seriously sick, and the jury dis- charged. At the same term of court the case was sent by another change of venue to McDonough county, as Judge Smith, who presided at the trial, became an important witness. In 1873 the case was tried before Judge Higbee and a jury at Macomb, and resulted, after a pro- tracted trial, in the acquittal of Mr. Johnson. In this trial the people were represented by J. A, McKinzie, John J. Glenn, and Mr. Wheat, and the defendant by Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Jonathan Simpson, J. H. Stewart, and Col. J. W. Davidson. William Lee was indicted at the March term, 1876, of the circuit court for the murder of Jessie McCarty, the j^revious fall, at East Burlington, by beating her to deatli and throwing her body into the river. Lee was arrested and confined in jail until his indictment. The court appointed a special term of court for the month of April following for his trial. At the time of his arrest and indictment tlie body of his victim had not been found, but a few weeks before the trial was to take place the body was found and fully identified. At the trial the most intense interest was manifested, the court room being crowded by the excited people, who seemed to fear that the prisoner would in some numner escape that justice they believed should attach to his fearful crime. He was, after a hotly contested trial, convicted, the jury finding, as a part of their verdict under the law, that the defendant should suft'er death. Judge Smith sentenced him to be hung on the 16th day of June at the county jail. The day arrived and the town was filled to overflowing with persons attracted hither by a morbid curiosity to witness the death penalty inflicted upon a fellow being. The sherifi' of the county, George Bell, executed the order of the court by hanging Lee at tlie time appointed by the court. In this case J. H. Jennings, state's attorney, and J. II. Stewart appeared for the people, and Jonathan Simpson for the defense. Larry O'Neil who had been indicted with Lee, as accessory to the murder of Jesse McCarty, was, in August, 1876, tried and acquitted. At the same term Charles Stiltz, of Sagetown, was indicted for the murder of his wife by stabbing her with a table knife. Being put on 1)18 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. trial before a juiy, tliev by some strange process of reasoning found tlie prisoner not guilty. The pi-oof, to the minds of most persons that attended, was very strong, yet he was acquitted, but was constrained to feel that Henderson county was not a healthy location for him, mid he left the county for the county's good. J. H. Jennings, state's attorney, and Jonathan Simpson appeared for tlie people, and Kaus. Cooper for the defendant. July 4, 18 77, a young man was killed at Carman by a pistol shot, and Jesse Asher, a young man living in the country near Carman, was arrested for his murder. In M-arch, 1878, he was put on trial on an indictment charging him wath the offense. After a warmly contested trial the defendant was convicted of murder in the second degree, and sentenced to continement in the Joliet penitentiary for the term of ten years. He has since been pardoned by the governor. J. H. Jen- nings and Eaus. Cooper appeared for the people, and J. H. Stewart, Jonathan Sim])Soii and I. M. Kirkpatrick for the defense. On June 11, 1867, John H. Cooper was shot and killed by one Jack Galligher, on the bank of the river just above the town of Oquawka. Galligher, Kichard Willitts, and William Cunningham were, at the August term of the circuit court, indicted by the grand jury for the murder of Cooper. A change of venue was had for Willitts and Cunningham to Mercer county, where their cases were dismissed, there being no ^prosecution. Galligher obtained a continuance to the following term, when atrial commenced. After nearly two days spent in endeavoring to empannel a jury, four only w^ere obtained. The attorneys for the defense advised the defendant to withdraw his plea "not guilty," and plead guilty, as by an oversight in the legislature in amending the law in relation to murder trials in 1867, there was no provision empowering the court to pronounce the death penalty, in cases of a plea of "guilty" by the prisoner, but could only sentence him to the penitentiary. This the prisoner did, and Judge Smith sent the prisoner to Joliet for a term of twenty years. He was pardoned by the governor some years ago. In this trial J. A. Mclvenzie prose- cuted on behalf of the people, and Jonathan Simpson and John J. Glenn appeared for the defendant. In March, 1871, John Thompson was indicted for the murder of James Huggins, at Raritan. He was arraigned for trial in the Hender- son circuit court, and pleading not guilty the venue of the case was changed on. his application to Warren county, where on trial there appeared to be no extenuating circumstances in the case and he was convicted and sent to Joliet for thirty-three years. J. A. McKenzie, OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP, 919 ■ state's attorney, appeared for the people, arid J. Simpson for the defense in Henderson county. April 16, 1874, Emma J. Watson a beautiful young lady living in the fornily of Judge R. W. Ricliey, at Oquawka, disappeared mysteri- ously in the night time. Her friends sought for her without avail, no clew being found as to her fate until some two weeks afterward her body was found floating in the river in front of the town. An inquest was held by the coroner and a conclusion reached that she had been murdered by some one. The coroner caused the arrest of Dennis Welch, a drayman in Oquawka, and another man, on the charge of murder. On a hearing before Judge Smith the latter was discharged and Welch committed for trial without bail. He remained in jail for a year when he was tried in the Henderson circuit cour.t, and acquitted. The case presented many singular features, and is still shrouded in mystery. _ That the girl was murdered none can doubt wdio are cog- nizant of the facts as they appeared in the trial of the case, but the crime as yet has not been legally brought to the door of any one. On the trial, J. H. Jennings, state's attorney, assisted by James H. Stewart, appeared for the people, and Jonathan Simpson defended the prisoner. July 4, 1880, Stephen S. Phelps, son of S. S. Phelps, of Oquawka, was shot and killed at Sagetown, on the railroad platform, by one Archibald Toup, who was arrested and tried in the Henderson circuit court, on an indictment charging him with murder. He was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment at Joliet for a term of ten years. On this trial J. H. Jennings, state's attorney, and Jonathan Simpson ap- peared for the people, and Stewart ife Phelps for the defendant. This closes the list of murder trials in Henderson county. It is a dark picture for a county of so small a population. A most remarkable case of justifiable killing occurred at the residence of I. J. Brook a few years ago, in which two men lost their lives and others were wounded seriously. As a full accoimt of this aflair will appear in this volume, under the head of T. 10 X., 5 W., we shall omit giving the account here. OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. In 1827 the Indians had not yet departed from their hunting grounds eastward of tlie Mississippi. The Sac and Fox tribes had iirst received the recognition of the United States in 1787, at Fort Harmer, by Gov. St. Clair, wherein the government guaranteed them 920 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. its protection. It will also be remembered that President Jefferson instructed Gov. "William H. Harrison, in 1804, to make efforts to secure a treaty with these tribes. A treaty was concluded that same year, by which the Indians relinquished all their beautiful lands on the Rock river. The seventh article of that treaty allowed the Indians to remain and occupy this country as long as it remained the projjerty of the United States. It was not till 1816 that the famous Black Hawk recognized that treaty, when, as he himself said, he touched the goose quill to the paper in its confirmation. The encroachments of the whites, and their tricks, cruelty and inhumanity practiced on the ignorant savage, occasionally aroused that passion for vengeance that sleeps in the breasts of all men, civilized or wild, and brought devasta- tion to the field and slaughter in the families of the early squatter, as well as to the permanent and goodly inclined pioneers. It was not until 1829 that these lands were brought into market. In 1830 a third treaty was concluded by which the Indians agreed to cross over the Mississippi peaceably and amicably, to make their future homes a little nearer the setting sun. The reader can coiripre- hend from the foregoing what were the attractions, as far as society is concerned, on the banks of the Mississippi river in 1827. No one for company save now and then the startling presence of a red man whose eye and manner and picture-tongue enquired, " And who be j^e who rashly dare To chase in woods the fore>t child, To hunt the panther in his lair, The Indian in his native wild?" Three spots on the east bank of the Mississippi were well known to the natives ; that which is now the site of New Boston, named by them Denison's Landing, ur Upper Yellow Banks, and the present site of Oquawka (Oquawkiek), signifying Lower Yellow Banks, and a third, south of Keithsburg about three miles, Middle Yellow Banks. Like all Indian language the name is the picture of the object. The river, in times gone by, probably occupied a far more extensive bed than at present. Its waters washed the bottoms now luxuriant in growing wealth. At the three places mentioned the waves in their anger and at their play had piled the yellow sands, and, receding, left them islands, as islands are formed in these years in the present bed of the river. As drainage has progressed the river channel has lessened to its present comparatively narrow limits. All these mutations of time have wi'ought in the banks mentioned. Oquawkiek, or Lower Yellow Banks, must occupy the few pages allotted. In 1827, fifty-five years ago, love of peace and tranquility (^f home OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 921 prompted Dr. Galland to leave civilized surroundings and seek a habi- tation free from those crosses that are so often curses to the more enlightened family, concluding, like Byron, that " There is a pleasure in the pathless wood, There is a rapture on the lonely shore. There is society where none intrude By the deep sea, and music in its roar." Here, not far from the banks of the river, Dr. Galland erected a cabin and began a little trade with the Indians who were at this time friendly toward the whites if treated as they supposed rightly. How exten- sive his trade was cannot be said. In the fall of 1828 he sold his interest to S. S. Phelps, and afterward sought a home elsewhere. S. S. Phelps, while yet a youth, with a small stock of goods fur- nished by his father, Stephen Phelps, then of Lewistown, Fulton county, Illinois, began a somewhat limited traffic with the Indians. In his journeys into their country, he found Dr. Galland at Lower Yellow Banks in the fall of 1828. He purchased as above stated. In the spring of 1828 James Ryason came up the Mississippi river and landed here. He soon departed for Galena, but in the following fall returned arri\4ng four days after Mr. Phelps' arrival. Mr. Ryason laid claim as far as possible to a piece of land in what is Sec. 3, T. 10 N., R. 5 W. He remained chopping during the winter and in the following summer raised a crop. He then went for his family, returning with them soon after. Mr. Ryason belonging to a different precinct, will be fully noticed there. Mr. Phelps continued his operations with the Indians. A stock of goods was kept in the log cabin built by Dr. Gal- land. This became an extensive trading post under the lirni name of S. Phelps & Co., the individuals being Stephen Phelps and his sons, S. S., Myron, and Alexis. The parent and Myron remained in Lewis- ton in business there ; Alexis went to Galena, where he became a suc- cessful miner. In 1830 he joined his brother at Yellow Banks and the two were associated for many years. Alexis spent most of his time in the store, while Sumner loved to be with the Indians, with whom he formed an undying friendship. We refrain from speaking of him to any extent here as his history is to be found further on. The two brothers were the sole proprietors of the post under the firm name of A. & S. S. Phelps. Their merchandise consisted largely of tobacco, clay pipes, beads made of clay, trinkets, whisky, etc., also prjnts of a flashy, high colored cliaracter, as these wei'e most acceptable to red men. A small amount of goods would satisfy the Indians for valuable furs, which were mostly taken in exchange. To illustrate the confi- dence the Indians came to put in Mr. S. S. Phelps, the following 922 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. anecdote is told. A certain gentleman in quite an early day noticed a canoe approaching. He found an Indian with furs to sell, among which was a very tine otter. As he came to the shore this gentleman offered him some silver, but was answered, "Xot enough," or its equivalent. Half dollar after half dollar was added to the amount until $S was oti'ered, when the Indian positively refused to sell till Mr. Phelps had been seen. Soon Mr. Plielps appeared at the river and with a piece of flashy print, etc., to the amount of ninety cents, bought all the furs and afterward sold the otter to the former gentleman for $2.50. It is said the natives became more shrewd in later years in their trades and acquired a fair knowledge of the value of merchandise. The years of 1831-2 were generally stirring times along the Mississippi river, but Mr. Phelps was not molested. Black Hawk and his warriors were met by White Cloud, who came to strengthen the war feeling, opposite Yellow Banks. In the latter part of April Gov. Reynold's army reached Oquawka on the way to the scenes of Indian trouble, known as Black Hawk's war. Arrived at Yellow Banks the army rested awaiting provisions from St. Louis. Col. March not arriving, three men were sent to Pock Island for provisions, as the army supply was exhausted. In the year 1832 a block house was built at Yellow Banks in anticipation of danger, but no trouble came. The scene of conflict was far to the north and east. It is due to Yellow Banks also to say, according to Charles Sargeant's story, an Indian who had married a Kickapoo maiden and was friendly to the whites in war times, known to the settlers as ""Red Blanket,"' lived at Yellow Banks, and that he it was who went in the night and apprised the settlers of Farmington of approaching danger from Black Hawk. In 1831 John McKinney, then of Kentucky, made a tour of inspec- tion, voyaging on a steamboat up the Mississippi to Yellow Banks. In the following Marcli (1832) he moved his family here. The day lie landed was gloomy and rainy. The Phelpses were living in a double cabin. Arrangements were made for lodging for the family. Mr. McKinney's family consisted of self, wife, and two small children. The Phelpses and the McKinneys lodged in one apartment, while in the adjoining room were a number of Indians, who kept punching the fire, vociferating and singing continually till morning ; so that while children could sleep in their innocence, Mr. McKinney passed a wake- ful night. . Mr. Phelps is said to have been better satisfied when Indians were present at his home. Mr. Phelps owned a pony and Mrs. Phelps had a side-saddle. These were loaned to Mr. McKinney as a conveyance for the family, while he walked, and all started for Seth Oaks' (McKinney's brother-in-law), east of the Henderson river. OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 923 Arriving at the Henderson river, it was found to be much swollen. The family dismounted ; the saddle was taken from the horse. A tree had fallen over the river, with the top to the east. Mr. McKinney walking this log, carried the children over the river, led his wife as she walked over, and, walking himself, he led the horse, which swam safely to the other side ; then all was made ready and the journey resumed and finally finished. He afterward secured his goods hauled to the river, then had them canoed over and conveyed to the proper place. May 1, 1833, Charles Sergeant landed at Yellow Banks. He found the Phelpses living in a frame house of three or four rooms, and keep- ing store yet in the Galland cabin. Mr. Phelps must have tuilt the frame about the fall of 1832, or in the spring of 1833. He and his brother Alexis were doing a lumber trade also at that time. • Mr. Sergeant purchased lumber of them, which he hauled to the S. E. J of Sec. 34, T. 11 N., R. 4 W., which piece of land he had fought for in the war of 1812. Peter H. Cousland was here in the early Indian days. His brother, William Cousland, was hired by the Phelpses and had been with them from an early date. He married S. S. Phelps' hired girl in 1833, and in later years (about 1846) died and was buried here. "jSTegro Dick," as he is known, was in the service of Mr. Phelps, and still lives. The Indians being extremely averse to the black man, were about to despatch him. It was with a considerable effort that Mr. Phelps convinced them to the contrary, and thereby to save his life. In 1832 J. B. Patterson touched at Yellow Banks, then went to Galena. Liberty Gilmore, a carpenter, landed here about 1829; in 1830, Josiah Osborn ; about 1833, Coquil S. AYard, a mill- wright; in 1834, Martin H. Ward. I. S. Chapin became the first boot and shoe merchant ; he landed in 1834 ; also A. T. AY. Jack, who built the famous Jack's mills, on the Henderson, which were patronized for thirty miles around, and are still active. Their builder is dead. Trav- elers began to drop in more frequent. AY. C. Ellet, a carpenter; D. M. Gordon, a tailor, from Georgia ; Daniel Hubbel ; Julius Hills ; Thomas Jones, a plasterer; Harry Jennings, a merchant and lawyer, made their appearance about 1835. In 1836, Albert Hebbard, of New Hampshire ; Alfred Knowles, who became the first clerk of the county ; quite a number of carpenters, as Kenton & Mackey, Young & Russell, and Young & Blackburn, firms in the business ; Reuben AY. Young. Harvey Russel had come to the county about 1830, and became the builder of many of the early houses of Yellow Banks. Yellow Banks began 'to attract attention even prior to this time. Col. Duncan, afterward Governor Duncan, had visited the place with 924 HISTORY OF MERCER A^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. Ke^'Holds' army in 1832. In 1834, Col. Patterson returned from Galena and became a clerk for S. S. Phelps. Mr. Phelps had erected a dwelling in 1832-3. Alexis Phelps erected a handsome mansion for that day, now occupied by Judge R. W. Richey. The house was 40x36, two-story; the best house in this part of Warren county. He was married at Lewiston in 1833, to Cornelia Day. While his house was building, and awhile prior, he lived in a cabin built by S. S. Phelps. It was a period in the history of the western country when men run wild on the probabilities of fortune in prospective gains from increased valuation of lands. A town was laid out and watered by the dews of expectancy, grew to immense valuations (fidse) in' a very short time. Towns were fi<.)wers of an hour. It was at such a moment that the site of Oquawka was discovered to be suit- able for a great city, and in the minds of men, predestined to rise in a very short time. Measurers were taken toward laying out a formal town plat. Governor Duncan purchased one-fourth interest of A. and S. S. Phelps, for which he was to pay $50,000. In the spring of 1836 the town was laid out, Mr. Dewey, of Rock Island, doing the survey- ing. Reports of the projected city had gone out. The situation was one of unsurpassed beauty. At this point the river was deep, and the current near the eastern shore : qualities which were favorable to a jBrst-class public landing. From what might be the head of this land- ing stretched a beautiful elevated ridge at an oblique angle to tlie course of the river, terminating in an elevated and level bench of table land that extended eastward to the valley of the Henderson river, a large and beautiful mill stream that poured its waters into the Missis- si}»pi about six miles below. This ridge would afford eligible sites for private residences. Occupying the intermediate space between the base of the ridge and river, at a depression of about thirty feet, but above ordinary high water mark, was a flat bench where the business part of the town was to be situated. This flat was of sutficient extent to afl'ord a considerable extension of business. Still below and to the south was a lower flat called the bottoms, which, as the city would grow, might be filled in and gradually be occcupied by factories and mills, with all water power and shipping facilities necessary to an im- mense business. The plat was laid out. Col. J. B. Patterson, familiar with the Indian tongue, proposed to christen the town Oquawkiek, signifying yellow banks. The name was tempered by S. S. Phelps and Governor Duncan to Oquawka. Notice went east as far as New York, and south, that lots in the new town would be sold at auction in July, 1836. Men flocked hither at the time in large numbers, eager for purchase at OQUAAVKA TOWNSHIP, 925 wliatever cost. Governor Dimcan actually offered a hundred thousand dollars for the town, parable immediately in Illinois state bank paper, which the Phelpses refused. Major Hart Fellows, of Hushville, was engaged as auctioneer. Lots sold at an average of about $900, some running up even into the thousands. In front of the Alexis Phelps' (now Judge Richey) property, was a row of lots 150 feet deep, consti- tuting block forty-one. Lot eight of that block was bid to more than $3,300, then two men claiming the bid, and, getting into a dispute concerning it, the auctioneer refused, to let either have it. Between this block, forty-one, and Alexis Phelps' house, was a street seventy- five feet wide. To-day the block and the lai-ger part of the street are in the river, while the railroad occupies a very small portion of the street. The measurement from Mr. Phelps' house to the edge of the embankment is but about seventeen feet. The lot mentioned was never finally sold. A Dr. Milldollar from New York purchased a large number of lots for his sister. The lots are still her property. Col. J. B. Patterson secured a lot for which he was to pay a price equal to the selling price of similar lots. It cost him $600. He in that year buit a frame house, getting part of his lumber and shingles from Pittsburg. The old build- ing still stands on the ridge a relic of the olden time. It sheltered the Pattersons till 1859, when it was vacated in favor of the more preten- tious brick residence, now occupied by Colonel Patterson. The land sale, as it was termed, gave an impetus to Oquawka. Carpenters found work in building, but growth was not so rapid as anticipated. William Oousland built a small structure where he kept hotel and a saloon. The panic of 1837 had its inlluence here as it did elsewhere. In 1837 Phelps sold his merchandise business to Jacob Rust. Rust failing, J. B. Patterson bought the establishment, which he conducted 1839 till 1817, when he sold out his stock of goods and moved the store to Keithsburg. In 1837 came Daniel Blackburn, a carpenter. He went to Cali- fornia in 1850. Also James Francis arrived about the same time. He became prominent in the town in corporation times, serving on the board of trustees several times, Norman Patterson was also a carpen- ter in that day. In this year or the year before William Mason came from toward Monmouth. He was the first blacksmith of the j^lace. He built a house and a shop, and was a first class workman. About 1847 he went to Oregon. It was probably 1831: or 1835 when Dr. Alpheus Russel flung his shingle to the breeze in "Yellow Banks." He was the first physician. On the journey to Oregon, about 1816 or 1847, 926 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. he died of cholera. In 1837 John Brown hmded in Oquawka with a cargo of dried apples, w^hiskv, etc. Here he disposed of his stock, then went to Monmouth where he found plenty of work at plastering. After doing well he returned to Oquawka in the fall of 1838. He was obliged to await the arrival of the steamboat in the evening. Wliile waiting he plastered Coh Patterson's cellar, receiving the contract price of $6. In the following spring he returned from Ohio with a large cargo of dried apples, peaches, whiskv, etc., whicli he disposed of. He remained here a short time then resumed his trade at Monmouth, wliere he lives to-day quite wealthy. In 1838 Oquawka aspired to become the county seat of Warren county, as the history will show, significant of the fact that its import- ance was considerably felt. Levi Russel was a carpenter of some note. He aided in building the early dwellings and stores of Oquawka. In 1838 Robert Wilson, a carpenter, and Joseph Lathrop must have arrived. Other early comers to Oquawka were William McEwin, John Munhart, John H. Monteith, John McGaw, Thomas McElrea, William McCoy, John Mitchell, Benjamin Taliaferro, lawyer. In 1838 D. S. Brain ard made his arrival. He became engaged by the Phelpses, his chief business being trafiic with the Indians, especi- ally in horses. He then worked for J. B. Patterson. He finally became a merchant, but reverses came, crippling him financially. He is one of the very few living who came at that early day. When S. S. Phelps built the residence now occupied by his widow, he and his brother, Alexis, added an addition to the old house. It was then occupied by J. P. Barnes as a hotel, known as the "Pioneer House." It is impossible to ascertain the exact dates of arrival and depar- ture of the men of the past. A table is given on subsequent pages with dates as near as memory of men and the few accessible records will aftbrd. It was in 1840 when S. S. Phelps built a steam saw-mill for Solomon Leet. Hard lumber prior to this time had been largely supplied by Jack's Mills on the Henderson. Pine lumber was shipped from St. Louis or Pittsburg. Leefs mill remained but a short time, as Mr. J. P. Lockwood, of Prairie Du Cliien, brought the first raft of lumber from Wisconsin down the river and left it at Oquawka in 1841. It was late in the season, so Mr. Lockwood left the lumber for Col. Patterson to take from the river and sell. Being the first large shi}jment of pine lumber it was eagerly bought by the surround- ing farmers, displacing their log-cabins wdth small frame houses. It OQUAWK.V TOWNSHIP. 927 sold for an avera_o:e of $25 ])er thousand feet. Clark and James Blandin later built a saw-mill. They sold to B. F. Brooks, and became the founders of Blandinville*. Mr. Brooks in 1856 became asso- ciated with Luke Wadleigh and his son Samuel Wadleigh. Samuel shortly withdrew, and later went to Burlington, where he is in busi- ness. The mill proved a failure. Mr. Brooks finally in 1859 took the machinery to Hannibal, Missouri, where lie was killed by the boiler exploding. Scott & Bake's mills were built about 1854, sold to Scott & Hod- son in 1856. In 1857 Mr. Robert Hodson sold out. The Oquawka steam works were erected in 1854 by Russel, McFar- land & Co., giving employment to eighteen or twenty hands. The following is a statement of the amount of business done by this firm from February 1 to September 5, 1856 : Built (completed) twenty-five houses at a cost to the ])ro])rietors of $8,643.53, cheaj^est building $123, most expensive building $1,100; under contract, nine houses to cost $4,110.90, ranging from $100 to $1,100; total for building since February 1, $12,745.43 ; amount of orders for work filled, $2,651,81 ; amount sold from shop not previously ordered, $1,200; hardware, glass, etc., $1,425; bought 400,000 feet logs, $5,600; amount of bills for lumber, $4,300. The above merely shows the amount of business done by the mills in that period of Oquawka's history. In 1856 was erected the steam flouring mills with two run of burrs by W. B. Hopkins and Benjamin Harrington. The building was of brick and of large size. It was in 1855-6 that Turner c\: Co built the foundry and machine shops. In 1845 Joseph Chickering came from Hancock county to escape Mormon odium, and to teach vocal music and teach the district school. In 1846 he formed a ])artnership with Abner Hebbard and C. S. Cowan, and engaged in the manufacture of furniture. Abner Hebbard was one of Lovejoy's company when the latter was killed while de- fending his principles. Mr. Hebbard came to Oquawka in 1842. He was an architect by trade, and soon withdrew from the firm before mentioned. He aided in building the court-house. He went to Gales- burg, and was there killed by a circular saw. C. S. Cowan came to Oquawka about 1840. He withdrew from the firm also. He went to the war in 1861, and afterward to J^ew York. Mr. Chickering con- tinued the furniture factory. In 1851 Z. D. Fanning came to Oquawka and purchased a half interest with Mr. Chickering. In three or four years they opened a store, finally divided the goods, and Mr. Chicker- ing manufactured bedsteads alone for two years. 928 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. In 1857 he resumed tlie manufacture of furniture till 1861, when he began merchandising;. The poetry about tlie old mare that worked the horse-power in the bedstead business, may be remembered : " Wunst upon a day so dreary, while I pondered faint and weary O'er a tough old cherry bedstead I was turning, That grew many years before, The old gray kept her broad feet planking Around her circle, spank, spank, spanking, Her tail switching, and her feet stamping, This I heard but nothing more. So, as I kept on turning, nothing else my mind concerning, For surely it was enough to think of that abominable bedpost I was turning. Mentioned before. As I turned on without delaj^ Sweating, puffing, and gouging away, I heard the old beast distinctly say, 'I'll turn no more ! I'm old and well stricken in years! My back is well stricken in years ! My back is all scabby and sore ! Mine eyeholes spout torrents of tears ! Oh, no ! I'll ne'er turn any more! The eyes ran but in days of yore !' Then I resolved I'd quit this turning, My bosom with compunction burning, My bowels with afl'ecticui yearning, Toward that old mare." Here the old beast came to a dead halt. Of course the machine stopped, and we have nothing to say, except that the Oquawka turn- ing works, with all the appurtenances, "old gray" turned out to grass excepted, are for sale. Tlie factory has gone, the mills are gone, with the exception of Asa Smith's saw mill. Mr. Smith's mill remains the sole representative. It was built in 1857 by Joseph Gray, from Iowa. Mr. Asa Smith became its possessor the same year, and Mr. Gray de- parted for Kirkwood about 1858. Mr. Smith came to Oquawka in 1816. He was first engaged in the daguerreotype business, also kept a book store for two years. He then embarked in tlie lumber business, and in 1857 bought the mill. The mill sawed about 10,000 feet of pine lumber per day. In 1859 Mr, Smith began the manufacture of staves, which has been his principal business since, although he saws considerable lumber. In 1872 he added another engine and planing works. The mills are still in operation. Alexander Moir came to Oquawka in 1847. He was an extensive lumber dealer. From 1850 to 1855 he was associated with S. S. Phelps. He died on September 21, 1858. OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 929 William and James Moir were extensive dairymen in New York. James made a tri}) to St. Louis in 1843 for the purpose of shipping produce to New York. Learning of the extensive business done at Oquawka, that same season he arrived here. Oquawka was then shipping more than any other point between the rapids. Llere Mr, Moir became associated with John D. Culver in general merchan- dising. In 1846 Mr. Moir severed his connection with Mr. Culver, who took Mr. Coghill as partner. Mr. Moir, with his brother William yet in New York, conceived the plan of manfacturing highwines in the west for eastern consumption instead of sliip])ing the material to New York for distilling, thereby saving the expense of freight on the refuse. Accordingly a distillery of 500 bushels capacity was built in 1846 at Oquawka. In the spring of 1847 AVilliam and Robert Moir became residents of Oquawka. A copartnership was formed by William and James Moir and David E. Roberts, a practical distiller, under the firm name of W. & J. Moir & Co. This was the most northerly distillery on the Mississippi. In 1847 it was completely destroyed by tire. It was immediately rebuilt ; completed in 1848. In 1851 David E. Roberts retired from the firm and Robert Moir became associated with his brotliers, the firm becoming Moir Bi'others. The firm became engaged extensively in lumber, general merchandise, banking, at one time the logging business on the Black river, and various milling interests. November 21, 1856, death deprived the firm of William Moii-. The firm continued as Moir Brothers. Janu- ary 14, 1863, James Moir died. Robert Moir then reorganized the firm, taking his nephew James Peterson, and brother-in-law John C. Nicol, as partners, under the firm name of Robert Moir & Co. In 1872 J. C. Nicol retired, followed by James Peterson in LS75. Mr. Moir then associated his son John Moir with him, under same firm name as before. John died October 13, 1876. There has been no change at this time (May 26, 1882) in the firm name. In 1867 the wine house of R. Moir pi j^i'obMy changed ! The waters are iqxm us I — We write amid a scene of con- fusion and excitement seldom witnessed. All the business portion of our town, except one or two houses, is covered with water deep enough to aifcn-d passage for steamboats. The condition of affairs is beyond description, and can only be realized by being seen. The flood of 1844 was nothing in comparison with the present, and as nearly as it can now be ascertained, the memorable rise of 1828 failed of reaching the present mark. On Tlmrsdaj last the water commenced flooding^ the lowest portions of the flats and the report was brought us by Capt. Harris, of the Dr. Franklin, of a very heavy rise coming down. By Friday morning tlie water had risen several inches and every exertion was made to secure the grain and other property from any injury that might result from the continuation of the rise. The water, however, rose so rapidly as to cause the destruction of large quantities of pro- duce. Many of those suflering from the effects of the flood are farmers who had grain stored here in sheds and who, in spite of every exertion, have sustained heavy losses. Throughout the whole of Saturday the work of salvage was carried on with renewed activity. During the evening and night the river commenced rising more raj^idly than ever, while a heavy thunder storm, roaring and crashing around, added to the already gloomy prospects. On Sunday the town presented a scene of bustle and activity. Families, driven from their tenements by the encroaching waters, were deserting their homes and seeking refuge in the upper part of town, for in this c^ise the homestead exemption law failed to secure them in the undisturbed possession of their property. On Monday the water was still coming up and it was found necessary to remove all the household goods and considerable quantities of mer- chandise to higher ground. Wagons, skiffs, and rafts were occupied all day in conveying men and merchandise from point to point. "At this moment (Monday evening), the entire bottom presents a spectacle of devastation. From the bank of where the river used to be, to the foot of the sand ridge, the water is from four to Ave feet deep, and is standing from ten to fifty inches deep in the houses west of the east side of Second street, south of and including "Spectator row," and the whole of the flat south of the postotfice. In our press room the water is over twenty-five inches deep. The farms along the bottom of the i-idge are completely inundated, and many of the fences have disappeared. Several hundred cords of wood have been washed down stream. The distilling premises are under water and operations suspended. Messrs. Moir will sustain quite a loss by damaged corn. "Just as we are putting uj) this hurrygraph a flat boat is passing up OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 947 First street, lad an with several liimdred sacks of grain, and others are loading at different warehouses. Lumber ^^ards are being Hoated inland, or staked down to hold tliem fast ; rafts and boats are plying everywhere, and men are wading, shoulder deep, from house to house. (Tuesday morning). The river is still rising, though more slowly, having risen only.three inches durins: the last three hours, while for the twenty-four hours ending at eight o'clock yesterday morning, it rose over sixteen inclies. The Oswego is loading from the second story window of the warehouse of S. S. Phelps & Co. Large quanti- ties of lumber and shingles have been noticed floating by since day- light. Water hip deep around our press ; and we are compelled to issue this by hand. Ho])e the water will go down soon. Rejjorts from above and below report a similar condition of affairs." A week afterward the river was only four inches lower. The " Burglington Telegraph," commenting on his neighbor, says: " Our near neighbor appears to be a severe sufferer by the floods. Our friend. Col. Patterson, of the 'Spectator,' is said to enter his office through the roof. His press is entirely under water." Of course the "Telegraph" spoke with the liberty of the press. The losses of Oquawka were estimated at about 17,000 bushels of corn, several hundred bushels "of oats, considerable salt, sugar and merchandise, together with loss from total suspension of business for a long period. The highest point reached by the Mississippi river since was in the tall of 1881 and spring of 1882, flooding the flats. The town did not suffer, partly from the fact that the lower portion of it has filled to such an extent that the sidewalk in front of the door of the Phelps brick store building, once so high that the wheel hub of wagons- would touch it, is now on a level with the ground. The high water mark is chiseled on the stone door casing of the Phelps bi'ick store. OQUAWKA HISTORICAL AND GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Oquawka had long felt the need of some literary institution higher than the school, where men of study and thought might meet and dis- cuss science and study literature. Accordingly an informal meeting was held at the office of J. Simpson January 2, 1860, for the purj^ose of taking steps toward the organization of a society having for its object the collection of a cabinet of geological specimens and curiosi- ties, the purchase of a library of books embracing standard instruct- ive literature, and the securement of lecturers of talent. J. Simpson was appointed chairman of a committee to draft a constitution, etc. January 9, 1860, at a meeting, R. W. Richey, Esq., pre- siding, the report of the committee was received and a constitution 948 HISTORY OF IMEROER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. adopted cliristening tlie society "The Henderson County Historical and Geological Society," setting forth the objects of the society as above indicated, and providing the offices of president, vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, librarian, and three regents. The following persons signed the constitution : Dr. Ce])has Park, J. A. Caswell, W. M. Graham, E. -H. N. Patterson, Luke Strong, Jr., James Cunningham, Sylvester Meguire, Samuel Wadleigh, Kobert Moir, H, Hanson, R. W. Eichey, John Edwards, Hugh L. Thomson, James Peterson, Jonathan Simpson. Others be- came members and the promise was good. Soon, however, war rent the nation and absorbed the attention of the public mind. All institu- tions trembled and all felt the shock. The association felt this more because of its infancy. The doors were closed .for years. In 1864 and 1865 some meetings were held, but the war virtually proved the death of the society. The ladies of Oquawka, desirous of entertainment and improve- ment, organized a reading club, meeting in different parlors for the enjoyment of literary study. This was effected in 1873. The officers of the body were : Mrs. H. N. Chapin, president ; Mrs. J. A. Pence, secretary; Mrs. Mary Barton, treasurer. Other members were Mrs. J. A. Caswell, Mrs. Willidm Stockton, Misses Cora and Ada Caswell, and Miss Cora Simpson. A room was soon procured and furnished. The use of the books belonging to the Historical and Geological Society was procured. Interest increased in this direction. Entertainments and sociables were had. As funds allowed, books were purchased. In 1881 it was decided to consolidate the Library Association and the Historical and Geological Society, which was done July 9, 1881. The officers elected were : Mrs. J. A. Pence, president ; Mrs. J. A. Caswell, vice-president ; Mrs. W. N. Boden, secretary ; Mrs. Mary Barton, treasurer, and Miss Mary Caswell, librarian. Three directors were also provided. The Oquawka Library Association, as consolidated, now has a pleasant room and about 532 volumns of the best literature. There are about forty members of the society proper and quite a number of reading members. About 1,000 books are read each year. One dol- lar initiation to the society and fifty cents yearl}^ dues. Those who read the books are charged $1.50 per year for their use. Thus a good library is at hand for a small amount of money. The growth of such an institution ought to be permanent and substantial. --'•■^Swfe* iife&is jt- 'ip- ^ I SiS8ft« ^ L^f^il:^ ■^'^'x [ >6i/ /%^^^ OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 951 ODD-FELLOWS. The princii)les of brotherly love, relief and truth are as eternal as the Supreme Master himself Out of their depths have sprung the societies having for their object the love and care of the great human family. No nobler theme can occupy us, no nobler object prompt us to our duties as a common brotherhood. It was for this purpose that Odd-Fellowship was instituted. Born under an American sky, nourished by American succor, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd-Fellows has grown to such proportions that wherever a few are gathered together the order is represented. Its birth-place was Baltimore, its birthday April 26, 1819. Its founders were Thomas Wildey, John Welsh, John Duncan, John Cheatham, and Richard Rush worth. They declared their object to be "the aid and protection of brothers in sickness and on travel, and for the pur- pose of benevolence and charity,"'"' and the motto they adopted was: "We command you to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphans." The only creed it requires of its candidates is a belief in the one living and true God. All men of good moral character, of whatever party, sect or creed, are alike open to its responsibility and entitled to its benefits. All brothers, whatever their rank, social, political or financial, in the world at large, meet each other as equals, feel safe in each other's care, free to ask aid and ready to grant it, sympathize, console and enjoy all without fear of exposure and ridicule. Such motives and objects prompted the few who instituted and the many who have perpetuated Tranquil Lodge, No. 193, Oquawka, Illinois. This lodge was instituted under a dispensation from the grand lodge December 19, 1855, Warren Lodge, No. 160, assisting. The charter members, who were elected to the principal offices, were : W. B. Linell, Noble Grand ; Z. D-. Fanning, Vice-Grand ; G. S. Hig- gins. Right Supporter; N. A. Chapin, Permanent Secretary; and B. F. Ramage, Treasurer ; and — . Libbey. This meeting occurred in the day time in the masonic hall of that day. Another session was held in the evening, when the following parties were initiated : F. A, Dallam, P. S. Linell, F. Garternicht, J. McFarland, O. S. Bearce, W. W. Collins, Dr. J. R. Snelling, N. A. Cliapin. After an hour's interim the session was resumed, when O. S. Bearce was appointed Warden; F. Garternicht, Outside Guard; J. McFarland, Inside Guard ; — . Libbey, Right Supporter to the Noble Grand ; W. W. Collins, Left Supporter to the Noble Grand ; P. S. Linell, Right Scene Supporter ; Dr. J. R. Snelling, Left Scene Supporter. The lodge set apart Friday 54 952 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. evenings for its sessions It expended immediately for incidentals and regalia $282.31. The lodge enjoyed a prosperous career. To January 1, 1860, seventy-two had united with the order, including the charter members. Where are the seventy-two now? But seven of them are now con- nected with Tranquil Lodge, joining in the order in which they occur in this series: F. Garternicht, J. McFarland, E. I. Jempson, M. A, Frasell, James Cunningham, Samuel Mickey, and Capt. J. R. White. When Sumter's cannonry called for brave men to crush rebellion. Tranquil Lodge became participant in the Union's battles, in her blood, and in her victory. George Boyer died December 25, 1863, from a wound received from a shot from the shore while he was pass- ing down the Mississippi river on business. James M. Phelps was killed at the battle of Fort Donelson ; George W. Collins was killed at Chickamauga; Fred Kaiser died in 1864; Rev. David Pershen died 18 — ; Charles M. Ammerman died November 3, 1871 ; and J. M. Best died in ISTtt. George D. Carpenter wa^ killed in Kansas by a runa- way team in 1879. Some others have died, but not while in this lodge. Many have united with other lodges, and are doing their good work. After the war Tranquil Lodge rallied from her struggles. Till the spring of 1867 the room had been occupied by both Odd-Fellows and Masons. At that time the Masons withdrew. Nothing was left (rightly) but bare walls and floor. Tranquil Lodge immediately re- paired the hall in good style and substantially, expending for the pur- pose $594.16. The hall is 30x60 feet, neatly and well furnished. During the existence of the lodge 167 have been members. The present number in good standing is forty-three. The society has cash in the treasury $900, and hall fixtures and regalia worth about $500. The past grand oflicers at present connected with this society are: F. Garternicht, Capt. J. R. White, E. I. Jempson, J. M. Akin, B. Alleman, S. Allen, George Bell, James Cunningham, M. A. Fra- zell, J. H. Frazell, J. Kessel, S. Mickey, C. Stripe, W. F. C. Schell, U. Stephenson, A. A. Goempler, W. Odendahl, J. W. Pence, H. N. Patterson, R. Cooper. The oflicers of the present (May, 1882), are: S. Collins, N.G.'^ C. Stripe, Y.G.; J. M. Akin, Sec.;' C. F. W. Schell, Treas.; E. L Jempson, W. ; J. W. Brock, Con.; A. A. Goempler, I.G. ; T. C. Allen, O.G.; J. R. White, R.S.N. G.; C. Radmacher, L.S.KG.; James Cunningham, R.S.V.G.; W. P. Herbertz, L.S.Y.G.; Martin Walters, R.S.S. ; James Thomas, L.S.S. The old war-horses of twenty years ago are still faithful to the ship. OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 953 The Rebecca members of this lodge have numbered about forty-three, of whom but sixteen remain. It is needless to speak of the charities bestowed on deserving brothers and their families, and of the special cares sustained by mutual labor. MASONIC. OqiiavJi-a Lodge, No. 123, A.F.A.M. — The society of Masons is probably the most ancient social institution in the world, though the old myth that masonry was coeval with creation, or that its birth was as far back as the age of Xoah, has long since been exploded, and ^11 such superstition is repudiated by intelligent Masons. No order is so universally represented in the world as that in consideration. Oquawka Lodge was organized in the old brick school-house, in 1851, in August, in pursuance of a dispensation from the Grand Lodge, C. G. T. Taylor, M.W.G.M., present; John Curts, W.M.; James Scott, S.W.; II. Stewart, i.W. The first meeting under the dispensa- tion was held October 7, 1851. Besides the above-named persons, W. K. Talbot, J. R. Davis, A. D. Frazell, Gen. Hiram Rose, and E. H. N. Patterson were elected members under dispensation. The worshipful master appointed Hiram Rose, S.D. ; AV. K. Talbot, J.D. ; A. D. Frazell, Treas. ; E. H. N. Patterson, Sec; and J. R. Davis, Tyler, October 7, 1851, John S. Peaseley and E. P. Mason became identified with the lodge. Xovember 4 following, a constitution and by-laws were adopted. John S. Pollock, I. N. Smith, C. C. French, and James N. Smith became very early members ; also J. Simpson, R. W, Crane, and Israel L. Stocton. The lodge continued to hold session in the school-house till some time in 1853, when they rented the hall now used by the Odd-Fellows, both lodges meeting in the same hall till 1867. In 1867 the Masons rented their present hall. It is neatly furnished. The lodge has an active membership of thirty-eight. A few times the lodge has performed the sad duty of burying the dead. War deprived the lodge of some noble lives. The lodge has been honored in the state senate by Gen. Hiram Rose ; in the legislature by J. Simpson and James Peterson ; on the bench by J. H. Stewart. The worshipful masters of the lodge have been John Curts, A. D. Frazell, J. H. Stewart, John M. Wilson, J. Simpson, R. C. Cabeen, J. A. Caswell, James Scott, John E. Bosler, H. J^. Patterson. The present worshipful master is James Peterson, who has filled that position ten non-consecutive terms. Other present officers are: M. H. Mills, S.W. ; J. R. Wliite, J.W. ; James Cunningham, Treas.; J. W. Tolman, Sec; A. M. Smith, S.D.; John Kessel, J.D.; H, F. Patau, Tyler. 054 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. CHURCHES. COXTKIBUTED 75V REV. HEZEKI.MI IIANSOX. The First Presbyterian cliurcli of ( )qiiawka, (old scliool), was organ- ized June 13, 1840, by a committee of the Schuyler Presbytery, con- sisting of Revs. Samuel Wilson and George Stebbins. The record of the organization is as follows : According to an order of the Presbytery of Schuyler at their sessions held in Monmouth, in April, 1840, a com- mittee appointed to organize a church at ( )quawka, consisting of Revs. Sanniel Wilson and George Stebbins, proceeded to the duty assigned them on June 13, 1840. James Jameison, and Mary, his wife, Mrs. Ann McKinney, (widow), Esther W. Stebbins, Thankful Day, Saral^ Jameison, wife of Josei)li Jameison, Daniel Linn, and Daniel Richey, having presented certificates of good and regular standing in other churches, and having expressed a desire to be constituted as a church of Jesus Christ, were accordingly organized as a church in connection with the Presbytery of. Schuyler. James Jameison, formerly a ruling elder in the Fall creek Presbyterian church, in Warren county, Illinois, was elected and installed the first elder of this church on the day of its organization. On the same day, Orinda Fames, Hannah Lancaster, Elvira A. Francis, and Charles A. Furin, were received into the church. Of those who were organized as a church, all are dead ex- cepting Mrs. Abner Short (then Sarah Jameison), who now resides in Biggsville, in this county, and is at present a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church of that place. On November 7, of the same year, Mrs. Mary Cousland was received into the church. On July 17, 1841, two persons were received : David B. Rice, from the church of Macomb, Illinois, on certificate,, and Miss Isabella H,. Phelps, of Oquawka, on profession of her faith, December 4, 1841. In 1843 seven were received : six by certificate, and one. Miss Caroline Woods, February, 1843, on profession of her faith. On March 11, 1843, David B. Rice and Marvin Tyron were elected elders. Mr. Tyron declined to accept, and D. B. Rice accepting, was then set apart as a ruling elder, and installed as an elder of this church. The tirst dismission from tliis church to another church was on July 16, 1843, given to Mrs. Mary Cousland to the Fall creek church, belonging to the Salem Association of United Baptists. May 25, 1844, Marvin Tyron was again elected as an elder, and- then accepting was set apart to that office and installed as such. Rev. George Stebbins was the first stated supply of this church, beginning with the organization. The last record of his presence with this church is that of July 16, 1843. The sessional records show that on May 25, OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 955 1844, Rev. Samuel Wilson was present as moderator. In 1844 there were four persons received into the church. The iirst record of any deaths in the church is as follows: '^Departed this life, at Jack's Mills, July 24, 1844, Miss Caroline M. Woods, aged about twenty years. She was esteemed and beloved bv all who knew her, and loved as a christian while alive, and lamented in death. Mrs. Arabella Smiley, died March 20, 1845. Mrs. Isabella H. Rice (daughter of S. S. Phelps), April 5, 1845. These were all three regular teachers in the Sunday school, and the only members of our church that were teachers. They were likewise regular attendants upon the different ordinances of God's house. Thus in a small church like ours, we deeply feel their loss." The Rev. W. K. Stewart, of Macomb, supplied this church at times. Tlie Iirst record of his presence is March 22, 1845. October 1, 1845, W. Perkins (then a licentiate), was engaged as a stated supply for two- thirds of his time, the other part was given to the Congregational church at La Harpe, in Hancock county, Illinois. Mr. Perkins was ordained to the gospel ministry in October, 1846, and remained as the supply of this church until May, 1847. In 1845 eight persons were received into the church by certificate. May 3, 1846, Samuel Gordon was elected, ordained and installed as a ruling elder. For several years the supplies of this church held monthly services at White Oak Springs. The Rev. Samuel Wilson supplied frequently, and in 1847 he preached the last two sermons of his life. He was taken ill while supplying this church, and on returning to his home in Monmouth died. Rev. Mr. Ferguson, of Macomb, supplied this church at inter- vals from May 27, 1847, to June 24, 1849. May 31, 1849, Robert M. Patterson and Dr. J. A. Maury were elected, ordained and installed as ruling elders in this church. During the year 1847, the session of the church discussed the propriety of receiving Mr. D. E. Roberts as a member of this church on account of his being engaged in the distill- ing business, and after referring the case to Presbytery, who refused to advise, they permitted him to withdraw his letter. In 1849 he was, however, received on his letter, but no record is made of how the matter was settled. The next minister who statedly supplied this church was the Rev. W. K. Talbot, who began his service April 7, 1850, and finished his labors March 1, 1854. On November 14, 1851, Mark Graham, Thos. W. Kinsloe, Jno. Welch, R. Mathews, and Thomas Lowther, were elected as ruling elders. During the latter part of the ministry of Rev. W. K. Talbot difficulties arose which greatly weakened the church, and was the occasion of several troublesome cases of discipline. The Rev. Obediah J. King was the next stated supply. He began his 956 HISTORY OF MEECEK A2fD HENDERSOJST COUNTIES. labors September 30, 1854, and continued them up to August 1856. On October 5, 1856, the Rev. Hezekiah Hanson, a member then of Carlisle Presbvterv of Pennsylvania, preached liis first sermon in this church, and was at once engaged to supply for three months. During this time the congregation issued a call for him as pastor of the church, which was presented to him through the Prebvterj of Schuvler, at a meeting held in Oquawka on Mav 5, 1857, at which time he was installed as the first pastor, and has continued to be the pastor ever since. On May T, 1882, he preached his twenty-fifth anniversary sermon of his installation, and at that date was the second oldest installed pastor in the Presbyterian church in Illinois. The Sunday school in connection with this church, was organized as it now is in 1811, through the special efi:brts of Rev. W. Perkins. Mrs. Salome Phelps and Mrs. Osborne secured the first contribution for purchasing books for the school, amounting to 8:25, and for years Mrs. Phelps continued to see that the school was supplied with the necessary books. Previous to the erection of the church building the Sunday school was held in the old school-house, as was all the religious services of the place, now standing near the Methodist Episcopal church, and used as a wagonmaker's shop. On June 3, 1842,AVilliam Phel^is and wife, and Myron Phelps and wife deeded the lot on which the church building stands, to the church. The first trustees were J.B. Patterson, Alexis Phelps, and James Jamison. The church building was erected during the years 1812-3. In July and August, 1857, the church was repaired, the gallery in the church was taken down, the vestibule removed, the very high pulpit and high backed pews were lowered, and the church furnished by the ladies with a chandelier and carpet. The organ now in use was substituted for the melodeon, which had been in use for some years. AYatt's psalms and hymns were laid aside, and ''The Hymnal" was introduced in their stead JS^ovember 3, 1867. In May, 1869, the church was repainted and refurnished by the ladies, with carpet, sofa, and communion table. In June and July, 1876, the church was again repainted and other repairs made at a cost of over $200. In March, 1876, the church received a legacy of $500 from Mrs. Jane Don-, of Springfield, Illinois, who had been at one time a member of this church. On Mav 13, 1876, The Presbyterian Hymnal was introduced instead of The Hymnal. In 1878 the church had a new roof put on at a cost of $85. During the months of September and October, 1881, the church building was completely overhauled, taking out the windows and replacing them with new gotliic windows and blinds, plastering the ceiling, repapering the church, carpeting the entire church, and furnishing it with new pulpit, OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 957 and heater, and otlier repairs were made ; the whole cost of which was $929.78. The whole amount was paid at once, not leaving a dollar to be provided for. The congregation is greatly indebted to the commit- tee appointed bv them, consisting of H. F. McAllister and W. B. Rice, for planning and superintending the work, as they have now one of the neatest and most comfortable church buildings (though small) in the county. The church has never been strong in membership, owing to the number of denominations in this small community, and the Presby- terian element being for a long time divided between three Presbyter- ian churches, namely, the Associate Reformed, the Cumberland Pres- byterian, and the Presbyterian Old School. But it has always had the cordial support of many of the most liberal givers in the community. The present officers of the church are : Rev. Hezekiah Planson, pastor; members of session, R. W. Richey, Joseph Chickering, Eleazer Pogue, Asa Smith, H. F. Pattan ; trustees, R. AV. Richey, Joseph Chickering, W. C. Rise. The record of this church, as given by the pastor in his twenty- fifth anniversary sermon, is certainly a good one. In it he says : "During the early history of this church, and that, too, in the time of the town's highest prospei'ity, this congregation did not contribute as much for the work of the church as it has done during the past ten or fifteen years, and to-day it stands in the front rank of the churches of Schuyler Presbytery for its contributions to the general and special work of the church, its average per member being equal to that given by any of the churches. And it has never resorted to any of the questionable means for raising nxoney for any ])urpose. It is a great pleasure to be able to say that during a period of over twenty -five years this congregation has liberally responded to every appeal in the church, oftentimes giving more than was asked for, never less. Few churches have a better record for peace ; for this over a quarter of a century we have had but four cases of discipline, and during the ter- rible war of the rebellion, when excitement ran high everywhere, and while many of the churches were distracted and toi-n to pieces, we passed safely through without the least trouble." In 1856 there were both "Cumberland'' and "Associate Re- fomied " Presbyterian congregations in Oquawka, worshiping in the halls. No church has been erected by them. The following notes in honor to Hezekiah Hanson, so long the faithful pastor of the Presbyterian church, are furnished by E. Mathews : Hezekiah Hanson was bom in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1824. His early life was passed in Mercersburg. He was atten- 958 HISTOEY OF ]VIERCEK AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. tive to his books, graduating from Marshall College in 1845, being then but about twentv-one years of age. He became interested in theology, studying with Dr. Thomas Ci'eigh. He then entered West- ern Theological Seminary, at Allegheny City, Pennsylyania. October tt. 1848, he was licensed to preach by the Carlisle Presbytery and or- dained August 22, 1849. Mr. Hanson devoted himself to the pastor- ate in his native state till 1856, when he became pastor of the Presby- terian church of Oquawka. Of his labors here as pastor the church history speaks louder than the wi'iter can speak. It seldom occurs that a minister remains in chai'ge of one flock a quarter of a century. There is but one other instance in the state of Illinois. Mr. Hanson, during his ministry, has to this date. May 23, 1882, delivered 5,644 sermons and lectures, attended 346 fnnerals, performed the marriage ceremony 256 times, received into the church 325 persons, 213 of whom he baptized. His labors have not been confined to the church ; he has taken an active part in educational affairs, having served on the school board in an important era. He has mastered the mysteries of both Odd-Fellows and Freemasons. Mr. Hanson was married at his native place April 17, 1849, to Miss Xaney T. Dick, who died Decem- ber 25th following. He was next wedded February 10, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth B. Eoney, of Duncannon, Pennsylvania. Three children are dead. Three are living : Mary, Frank and Elizabeth. Flr^t Bajytist Ckurch. — The pioneer preacher of this faith was Father Hovey. He was a native of West Virginia. Here he labored and here he died, and was buried six miles southeast of Oquawka. He was venerable and honored. Meetings of the Baptist church were held at different places. When Dr. S. H. Puple came to Oquawka in 1 859, he found them holding meetings in the court-house. Up to that date fifty-seven members had been connected with the Baptist church. Elder S. F. Ives was the court-house pastor. In 1862 Allen's hall was secured, and in 1863 McKinney's hall was used, and continued to be the place of worship till 1870, when the present large edifice was constructed at a cost of §5,550. The building is well furnished, has stained glass windows, the largest bell in the town, and is supplied with an organ. The leading subscribers to its erection were J. E. Bosler, Mrs. Robert Moir, Benjamin Harrington, Frisbie Sloan, John Nicol, Robert Moir, James Musgove, Lewis Duke, James Duke, Lewis Duke, Jr., J. H. Zeigler, James A. Caswell, Hiram Rose, R. T. Pence, Drs. S. H. Ruple, C. Park, and Milligan. Services have been held up to March 1880. Some members having died and many having moved away, the church is weak, yet will not be long without services. The minis- ters who have been in charge since Elder Ives, are Rev. Xorman OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 959 Parks, called November 29, 1862 ; Father John Warren, called July 1866 ; Eev. E. N. Elton, April 30, 1869 ; Elder Walter L. Wood, called in the spring of 1877; and E. G. Cheverton, who was o)'dained here June 3, 1879. His labors were closed in 1880. March 30, 1880, Mrs. Moir reported the church entirely free from debt. Since its organiza- tion 163 have been members. The present membership is twenty- eight. The officers are Frisbie Sloan, deacon ; Dr. S. H. Ruple, clerk. Trustees, Dr. S. PL Ruple, Frisbie Sloan, and Isaac Thomas. The Sabbath school was organized in the court-house in 1859, through the instrumentality of Dr. S. II. Ruple. General Hiram Rose was the first superintendent, J. E. Rosier, librarian, and O. S. Bearce, secre- tary. A good library and plenty of papers were furnished. No school has been lately sustained. Metliodlst Church. — After some years of worship at private dwell- ings, and in the school-house in the town, the Methodist society of Oquawka numbered about fifty members in 1856. Services were at that period, and had been for some time, held at the court-house. Revs. Frank Chafey, Urial Giddings, Wm. llaney, and John P. Brooks labored with the church during those years of inconvenience. In 1856 efforts, which were successful, were made to build. A large brick edifice 44x64 was erected at an expense of $4,462.54. The church was dedicated September 21, 1856, by Bishop James, in an eloquent dis- course. There had been subscribed $2,242.54. During the service of dedication $1,478.18 was contributed, leaving $741.82 as an indebted- ness. Rev. J. S. Cummings became pastor, and the church prospered. At one time the society numbered about 180. The church subse- quently suffered damage by storm to the amount of $60. Again in 1872 by a terrific storm the church was almost demolished, having the rear blown in, crushing the pulpit and despoiling the furniture gener- ally. The cost of these repairs amounted to about $1,200. The church was rededicated by Rev. Stephen Brink, the pastor. The church is now out of debt. Its class leaders have been D. S. Brainard, James Ryason, W. S. Sterling, Henry Camp, Edward Morgan, and others. The trustees at the building of the church were James Rya- son, Lambert Hopper, John Reed and D. S. Brainard. The present trustees are Luke Wadleigh, J. O. Anderson, James Thomas, and W. S. Sterling. The pastor in charge is Rev. David McLeish. SCHOOLS. Wlierever a few pioneers settled together, mind as well as wealth received early attention. There were not very many school children in Oquawka when the first school was kept by Rhoda Greeno, about 1838. 960 HISTORY OF IMERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. She tauglit for a number of years at different periods. She came from Ashtabula county, Ohio. The school-house, not very pretentious, stooi on the southwest corner of block 43. The first winter school- master was Thomas McElrea, who had previously taught in the coun- try. In ISJrO Rev. George Stebbins, a Presbyterian minister, became a laborer both in the church and school, the one branch of the educa- tional business being at that time insufiicient for a livelihood. He taught the \'illage school. He also conducted a private advanced class in Latin at his home. The members of the class were E. H. X. Pat- terson, Xealy A. Chapin. William H. Phelps, and D. S. Brainard. They were preparing for college, but only one, E. H. N. Patterson, finished the contemplated course, graduating at Jubilee College. Will- iam H. Phelps attended college a short time, became a merchant, and later a farmer. Xealy A. Chapin became a successful merchant of Kirkwood. D. S. Brainard became a merchant but met with reverses in foitime. Rev. Stebbins was a scholar of considerable attainments. Another early teacher was Thomas Hutchison. Schools continued in the old school-house in the north of town. The court-house became a school-house, especially for summer normals, etc. In 1848 Jonathan Simpson made his home in Oquawka. In that year appeared in the " Spectator" the following: The undersigned intends to open a school at the court-house in Oquawka, on Monday, December IS, for the in- struction of youth in all branches of English education usually taught in our common schools. Terms, $2.50 per term of twelve weeks. — J. Sempson. The school proved a success, lasting about two years, with an attendance of about 100 pupils. Miss Bigelow (now the widow of the late Capt. O. Eames, and now of Minneapolis), was assistant teacher. A new school-building became imperative. Accordingly, about 1848, a tax of $1,200 was levied for school-building purposes. Prior to this it was also intended to build a school-house in the north part of the town, and about $400 collected for that purpose. The $1,200 proving too little for the former enteqirise, the $400 was added to the $1,200, and in 1850 the new brick school edifice was erected at a cost of about $1,800. Luke Strong, John Gillis, and others whose names do not appear, were early instructors in this building. About 1857 it became necessary to secure additional room. The basement of the Methodist church was rented for two or three years for school purposes. For several years subsequent, Moir's hall was fitted into a school-room. About 1858 some people and directors called for an additional school- building in the north part of town. After a defeat at the polls a second trial allowed what is known as the Oak Grove edifice to be erected. OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 961 Asa Smith performed the labor and furnished the material for $824. This was utilized till about 1878. An effort was at one time made to establish a seminar}-, by George and Charles E. Birdsall. A building was erected, but soon sold for a German Lutheran church. In 1873, at an expense of about $3,000, an addition was built to the brick school-building. The education of the town is now confined to the enlarged building. In 1880 the rooms were refurnished at an expense of $625. Since 1860 the principals of the schools have been: George Birdsall, C. C. Button, J. A. Summers, John E. Chapin, Cyrus Chapin, S. II. Peterman, E. G. Stiles, J. M. Akin, George L. Guy, elohn S. Muir, J. E. Logue, E. G. Glenn, and John Brock. HEALTH. Perhaps no place along the Mississippi river has enjoyed exemption from disease to a greater degree during fifty years than has Oquawka, situated as it is on the sand, where no water lingers to become stag- nant and foul, and the Mississippi river hurrying its waters by, carry- ing whatever obnoxious debris may settle into its vicinity. In 1819, when the cholera attacked various places with so much virulence and fatality, Oquawka suffered some, losing three persons one week and two the next week. This was nearly the limit of the death list, although quite a number were sick. In 1851 and 1852 cholera claimed some ten or twelve victims, but the number is far below the results of its deadly work in other places. Since that time cholera has left Oquawka unmolested. But in 1854 and 1855 small-pox made its appearance. For some time the doctors differed in their diagnoses, the usual similarity be- tween it and other eruptive diseases bathing the medical skill of some. However, it was soon verified and announced by the doctors in con- vention. The board of town trustees in February, 1855, appointed Drs. C. Park, J. A. Maury, H. Burkleo, J. K. Snelling, George C. Pearce, a sanitary committee, with authority to impose such restric- tions, where disease existed and upon persons having been exposed, as they deemed pi'oper. The board proceeded to vaccinate all within the corpoi'ation limits. Each committeeman received $10 for his labor. In 1871 the small-pox rumors again took wing, but proved only a case of varioloid. It is said that the fish diet so largely indulged in is highly favorable to health. Life of fifty years here confirms the gen- eral health statements. 962 HISTORY OF ]VIERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. LAWYERS. Harrv Jenings was the first attorney that settled in the county- after its organization. He was a native of Kentucky. He died in Oquawka in 184-5. James C. Hutchinson practiced some at an early day. Then AVilliam C. Rice, Charles M. Harris, — . Flemming, and James H. Stewart appear upon the docket as residents of the county. M. Brocklebank, John W. Jones and John Mitchell come next in order of date ; R. Swift, who practiced a yeai' or two before his death, also resided here. James T. Sanders, Jonathan Simpson, Marion William- son, Williard B. Sjjaulding, Marion F. Button, James D. Wolf, C. C. Secrist, J. H. Jenings, J. F. Dufl', Rauselden Cooper, Simeon Darnell, David R. Waters, Daniel M. Hammack, complete the list of attorneys who have resided and practiced in this county. Of this number Harry Jenings, Swift, Mitchell, Spaulding, Hutchinson, Flemming, Button, and Williamson are dead, and Rice, Simpson and Cooper alone re- main as resident attorneys. BIOGRAPHICAL. John B. Patterson, of Oquawka, Illinois, was born in Virginia, January 11, 1806. His • father, Thomas Patterson, was a native of Londonderry, Ireland, a finely educated gentleman, who was ardently devoted to the cause of education, and spent the greater portion of his life as a professor in different educational institutions in the State of Virginia. The subject of this sketch removed to Win- chester when quite a boy. After receiving such education as he was able to acquire in the schools of the county of his residence, and undergoing the usual vicissitudes that fall to the lot of bo^'s similarly situated, he at the age of eighteen entered a printing otiice to learn the art of printing. After two years of experience, he took charge of the mechanical department ot the "Winchester Virginian," a new demo- cractic paper, and remained in this employ for one year. On January 11, 1827, he was united in marriage with Mahala Jane Norton, of Loudon county, Virginia. In April of the following year he started a new democi'atic paper, the ' ' Leesburg Observer, " advocating the claims of Andrew Jackson to the presidency. This enterprise proved not to be a pecuniary success, and the paper was discontinued. In May, 1829, he went to the city of Washington and commenced the pub- lication of the "American Argus,"" which, after the issue of a few num- bers, was discontinued for want of paying support. In March, 1832, he joined the advance guard of the grand army that was soon to follow, and set his face toward the great west, and arrived in Rock Island the following month. From this place, he was invited to Galena to take OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 963 charge of the "Galenian," a paper published at the time in the far famed lead mines of Illinois. His engagement was to continue for a few weeks or until the close of the Black Hawk war, then just begun. At Galena he joined Capt. Milton Waugh's conn)any of Col. James Sti'ode's regiment, and was by the colonel detailed as regimental printer (a new office) and served as a statl" officer until the close of the war, and continued on the paper until October of that year. After closing his connection with this paper he returned to Rock Island, and entered the employment of Col. Davenport in his large mercantile establishment, who was also a member of the American Fur Company. He remained thus employed, and in keeping books for the Indian agent. Major Davenport. On the return of that renowned warrior and chief, Bhick Hawk and his party, from their celebrated tour of the great cities of the east, Mr. P., at the solicitation of Black Hawk, pre- pared, wrote and jjublished his autobiograjdiy. He came to the Yel- low Banks in the summer of 1834, and made arrangements to spend the fall and winter trading with the Indians in the country west of the Mississippi. Going to Keokuk, Iowa, he was detained some six weeks, and while thus waiting he opened a school and taught ten scholars. This was the first school ever taught in Keokuk. In September he came up to the Yellow Banks, loaded a boat and started for the Forks of Skunk river, Iowa. Arriving there, he built a storehouse and remained trading with the Indians until April, 1835, when he came down the Skunk river on a rudely constructed raft, upon which he freighted his furs that he had collected in trade with the Indians. Arriving at the Mis- sissippi river he found the ice solid, nor did it break up until the 7th of April. In 1836 the town of Oquawka was laid out, and Mr. Patter- son opened in that town a general retail store and continued the busi- ness for many years. In February, 1848, he commenced the publica- tion of the " Spectator,'- a weekly newspaper which he continues to .manage and edit at the present time. In 1849 he admitted his son, E. H. N. Patterson, as associate editor and proprietor, the hrm con- tinuing until 1875, when his son went to Colorado and became editor of the "Georgetown Colorado Miner.'" The press on which the " Spectator" has been printed since its tirst advent, was the first press brought into Iowa, on which the Burlington ''Gazette" was printed for some years, and is still a good press. Mr. Patterson held the ofiSce of justice of the peace while he resided in Rock Island in 1833. He also held a like office at the Yellow Banks, then in Warren county, in 1835 ; in 1838, postmaster at Oquawka ; in 1837, was appointed brigade inspector and commissioned colonel. Col. Patterson is one of the oldest editors in the state, and few, if any, have had continuously 964 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. unbroken editorial charge ot one paper for so many consecutive years. He is now past his allotted three-score-and-ten years, and feels that he is now living on borrowed time. Still mentally and physically vigor- ous, he bids fair yet for a long time to remain to cheer his friends, with whom he has been so long and favorably known. Abner Davis was a native of Vermont. He was born September 21, 179S. Lucy Oaks Davis, his wife, was born October 27, 1797, in the same state. After their marriage they removed to Saratoga county, New Xork. In 1885 they removed to Illinois, landing at Monmouth, Illinois, November 25 of that year. They made a temporary home that winter at Center Grove. On August 6, 1836, Mr. Davis sought out and found the land which he subsequently settled on and made his homestead. He held a patent for the N. W. J of Sec. 36, T. 9 N., R. 5 W., and this was the land that he came to find. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and had passed through the bloody battle of Lundy's Lane, under Gen. "VVinfield Scott, when he encountered on that sanguinarv field the British armv under Sir John Harvv. For his services Mr. Davis had drawn a patent for the land above described, where he resided until his death. He died December 10, '1871, aged eighty years, nine months and eleven days. A curious incident occurred a few years ago, which shows the unscrupulous character of a class of "land-sharks," or pirates, that fattened and grew rich in warring upon the titles of farmers to the lands they had honestly pur- chased and owned in this county. These sharks would manufacture pretended genuine patent titles to a farmer's land, and, with the audacity of a highwayman, present it to him, coolly informing the owner that the title by which he claimed to hold his lands was worth- less, and demanding of him large sums for their pretended titles ; as a last resort, threatening the farmer with a suit in ejectment in the United States court at Chicago. Rather than risk a ruinous litigation in a distant court, many a deluded citizen parted with his money to fill the pockets of those rascally sharks, receiving in return a pretended title not worth the paper upon which it was written. One of these sharks had in his possession a bogus patent title upon the home farm of Mr. Davis. Going out from a neighboring town in his fine buggy to view the premises from which he expected to realize a small fortune by frightening the occupant into a so-called compromise, by which he would be able to dispose of his bogus title for a large sum, he encoun- tered Mr. Davis at work in his farm-yard, pitchfork in hand, stacking grain. The shark at once made known his business, informing Mr. Davis of his lack of genuine title, and ofiering him his forged title for a large sum. Mr. Davis parleyed with him for awhile, when the OQUAWKaV TOWNSHIP. 965 speculator threatened liim witli a suit in ejectment. At this Mr. Davis boiled over, and leaping from the stack, and in language not to be misunderstood, and that, too, made still more pointed by the sharp points of his fork, he informed his would-be persecutor that on the battle-field he had earned that land, and received the title from his government ; that he had fought for his title ; was ready to fight again. About that time a land-shark was seen beating a retreat from the premises, . followed by a pair of shai-p fork-tines, j^ever did a swindler make better time than did this one make until he had placed many miles between himself and his intended victim. Jonathan Simpson, who has been at the head of the bar of Hender- son county for more than a score of years, and is one of the leading practitioners of western Illinois, is a native of New England. His ancestors were of those who left England and went to Amsterdam, Holland, that they might acquire the privilege of worshiping according to their own beliefs. From here they, with the other persecuted ones, drifted to America, and finally to Penobscot county, in the State of Maine, where Jonathan was born August 28, 1825. His father, Jona- than Simpson, was a ship captain, engaged in European-China trade. He died at Point Aupetro, Guadalupe, while Jonathan was yet quite young. His mother's name was Abigail Knowles. He grew^ up as most boys under similar circumstances would. At the proper age he was sent to Professor Wooster's institution, at Bangor, Maine, for the preparation of young men to enter college. Having finished the cur- riculum of studies, he prepared to enter AValterville college, where he might receive more liberal instruction. Ill health compelled him to lay aside his studies, and after traveling for some time in the south he returned to his native district and commenced life as an instructor. The year 1846 was spent in travel, mostly on the West India Islands, to recuperate his wasted energies. His health being much improved he went to Louisiana where he remained a short time. During the year 1847 he came to Oquawka, Illinois, where he has ever since resided. Soon after his arrival he embarked in merchandizing, in companv with his brother, Jason B. Simpson. Being unsuccessful at this, and consequently acquiring a dislike for the business, at the end of four years they closed out their business. Having read law for a while prior to his advent at Oquawka, he concluded to finish his legal studies. He entered the office of Charles M. Harris, afterward a mem- ber of congress from the fifth district, was admitted and commenced practice in 1853. At the election in 1854 he was chosen to fill the office of school commissioner, for Henderson county, and was re- elected in 1856. His official duties were conscienciously fulfilled, to 966 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the satisfaction of his constituency. Although he had been a life-long democrat, when Fort Sumter was tired on he declared for the vigor- ous prosecution of the war. In 1862 he was chosen as the union candidate of Warren and Henderson counties, to represent them in the convention called to revise the constitution. He was elected by an overwhelming majority, defeating Judge Ivory Quinby, of Monmouth, Illinois. When the convention assembled Mr. Simpson was ap- pointed on the Committee on Bill of Eights, on the Committee on Schedule, and on the Committee on Law Keform. Mr. Simpson was an active worker during the season, and introduced several important propositions. He proved himself to be of no mean ability as a funda- mental legislator. In 1864 he was chosen as the union candidate to represent Henderson and Mercer counties in the general assembly, against editor Birdsall, of Aledo, Mercer county, defeating him by a large majority. Here, as in every other public caj^acity in which he served the people, he proved to be a valuable functionary. Besides these official positions he has filled two unexpired county offices, with gi'eat credit to himself and those he represented. Mr. Simpson is a married man and has three children living: Cora Frances (now in Colorado), Donald (in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad), and Frederick (printer and student in school, aged eighteen j^ears). Stephen Sumner Phelps was born in Palmyra, Ontario county, New York, August 1, 1805. His father and mother, Stephen and Lois Phelps, were natives of Wetherstield, Connecticut. The parents of both removed to Palmyra at an early day, and there the young peo- ple were married and remained until after the birth of their children. From thence they mqved to Canandaigua, where they opened a hotel, which, as late as 1860, was known as the "Phelps' House." Yery recently the tire tiend destroyed the building, but the old well remains to mark the spot. Although they did not formally unite with the Quakers, yet the elderly people attended the meetings and held some of the tenets of the Friends, and their children were instructed in many of the principles of that freedom loving people. Stephen Sumner was the fifth child in a family of seven, having two brothers and two sisters older, and two brothers younger than himself. In Canandaigua he attended such schools as the place afforded, and succeeded in master- ing the arithmetic as far as the celebrated ' ' rule of three. " Emigration commencing to wend its way westward, the Phelps boys, among others, turned their eyes toward the undeveloped west. Alexis, the oldest boy, starting out to find a home for the family, walked from Canan- daigua to Kentucky, where he taught school for several months, after Ir^^^^^ff^^f^'^' -C i OQUAWIvA TOWNSHIP. 969 which he returned to New York via Illinois, performing the return trip also on foot. In 1820 Alexis, accompanied by a younger brother, the subject of this sketch, came to Illinois, and selected a residence for the family, near the present sight of Springfield, Sangamon county. Here they broke eighty acres of land the next spring and built a log house. In the fall of 1821 they were joined by the remainder of the family. They remained in Sangamon county four years, and then removed to Lewiston, Fulton county. S. S. Phelps engaged in the Indian trade for his father and traded through all the country north and east of Peoria. In the fall of 1826 he built a trading house at Starved Rock on the Illinois river, and not far from where Ottawa now stands. It was at this place that he met Shabbona, who was then a diguilied chief of sixty-live, and took great delight in narrating many reminiscences of his life. In 1828 S. S. Phelps was married to Miss Phebe Chase, of Fulton county. Leaving his young wife at her home, he went to join his brother Alexis, who had in the mean time gone to Galena, and engaged ex- tensively in lead mining, and who now wrote, that if Sumner would come and assist him, he would give him one-third of the profits and assume all risk. He accepted the offer of Alexis and arrived at Galena on the first of March, 1828. Alexis sent him on to Dodgeville, on the Wis- consin river, where he put up a furnace, as the brothers proposed to extend their business by engaging in smelting. Mr. Phelps also put up a log house at Dodgeville for his home. Everything being now ready, he started to Fulton county for his wife. On his slow and toil- some journey through a wild and unsettled country, he was taken sick from mineral poison, caused by working with the lead, and was obliged to abandon mining. About this time Jeremiah Smith, who afterward built the mill com- monly known as Jack's Mill, landed at Yellow Banks and proceeded to Lewiston on foot. He brought the news that Gall and, who had set- tled at Oquawka, was discouraged and wished to sell his claim. The father of Mr. Phelps sent Smith back to buy the claim for his son, and paid $400 for it. As soon us he had sufficiently recovered his health he and his wife took possession of the purchase, and September 10, 1828, set up their household gods in the rude log house previously occupied by Dr. Galland. One wagon held all their earthly wealth. Their table was a box that had contained their goods, their couch was formed by rough poles fixed in the side of the house, called in old set- tler parlance, "the stake and rider bedstead." S. S. Phelps was accompanied by a younger brother, William, and for many years the lives of the brothers were inseparable. They had expected supplies to 55 970 HISTORY OF MERGER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. be brou.crlit up the river to them on a boat, bat an early and severe winter prevented navigation, and the little family snftered much from the cold and from the scarcity of provisions. Their bread was made from corn pounded in a vessel formed from a piece of a hollow trunk of a tree, their meat was the wild game killed by the brothers, who were good marksmen with both rifle and shot gun. The brothers soon established quite an extensive trade with the Sac and Fox Indians. William went to New Boston, or Upper Yel- low Banks, as it was then called, and, notwithstanding the ojiposition of other traders, succeeded in holding his position opposite the mouth of the Iowa river, for the purpose of trading with Keokuk's people, who had a village on the Iowa about ten miles above, where it emptied into the Mississippi. After remaining there until their trade with those Indians was secured, William returned to Oquawka. Dr. Galland had retired to the head of the lower rapids of the Mississippi, and again becoming discouraged, sent word to the Phelps brothers that if they could hold his claim they were welcome to it. William moved down, and after several severe skirmishes with both red and white men, maintained his position, and the}^ thus had access to the Indian villages of a large scope of country. In 1830 the trade with the Indians on the Des Moines presented a good opening for adventurous men ; the brothers procured a United States license, and AYilliam moved to Iowa, and established a trading post near Farmington. S. S. Phelps remained to hold possession of Yellow Banks. The American Fur Company, with John Jacob Astor, of New York, at its head, and Pratt, Shonteau & Co., of St. Louis, as assistants, opened a determined resistance to what they considered an infringement of their rights. They made many threats of robbing and destining tlie pack trains of S. S. Phelps, who passed from trading post to trading post, as circumstances required, often carrying hirge packs upon his own shoulders. He hesitated at no danger, but ever dauntless and alert, he conquered where defeat appeared certain. He was so successful in overcoming all obstacles, and met danger with such bravery of action and flashing eye, that he acquired great popu- larity with both Sac and Fox Indians, who united in giving him the name of Wah-wash-e-ne-qua-IIawkeye, because they said his eye flashed in anger or in danger like that of an angry hawk. Amid these struggles and trials, difiiculties between the Indians and the agents of the government were increasing, which Anally culmi- nated in 1832 in the Black Hawk war. S. S. Phelps was offered the office of commisary, and ranked as major, but remained at the trading house at Yellow Banks, as it was thought that he could exert more OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 971 influence so near tlie villages of the dissatisfied savages, than in more active service. The settlement at Oquawka now consisted of the log dwelling, and a rude structure, which was called by courtesy a store, and rejoiced in the honor of being the fii'st frame house in Warren county. The mill, situated about a mile and a half from town, on what had been termed the Devil's Half Acre, by Peter Cartwright, had been built, and the Jamison settlement had also been made. The Indians, at this time, were divided into two bands, one under Keokuk, and the other under Black Ilawk. Trusting to his friends among the Indians, to warn him in case of danger, Mr. Phelps did not build a fort, and promised to warn the neighboring settlements, also, if any difficulty with the red men should arise. Their only safeguard against an attack was the huge logs, which formed the walls of their dwellings, in which were formed loop-holes, through which the inmates could fire upon an attacking enemy. The wave of battle swept to the north. Stillman had been defeated. Many hearts beat anxiously for fear the victorious savages would descend the river, and massacre the settlers in the Mis- sissippi valley. Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, passed up to Rock river to meet the conquering chief, Black Hawk, and on his route stopped at Yellow Banks, and left a case of twenty-six guns, and the requisite ammunition, with Mr. Phelps, that, they might be prepared for an attack by the Indians. Things were in this unsettled state when one night Tama, an aged Fox chief, arrived at the trading house to inquire if his white brother had heard any news from the seat of war. He was accompanied by his wife and son. Tama had a town about three miles below the town on the Iowa side. He had been a great chief and noted scout. In the war of 1812 he had given valuable assistance to Edwards, then Governor of Illinois territory, and carried papers from the Governor, certifying to the fact, and recommending Tama as the friend of the white man. He was kindly welcomed, and soon the silence of night brooded over the little settlement. At early dawn the household was awakened by the trampling of many hoofs. All sprang from their beds with visions of the torch and tomahawk of the red man before their eyes. Oaths and demands for admittance in the unmistakable English tongue somewhat reassured them. Passing from the house, Mr. Phelps found it surrounded by more than fifty drunken soldiers, led by a Capt. AVhite, who was as much under the influence of drink as his men. Capt. AVhite approached Mr. Phelps and angrily addressed him: "You are accused of harbor- ing Indians, our natural enemies, and I demand that you surrender them to us." Mr. Phelps replied: "Tama, his wife, and son are the only Indians here. Tama you know as well as I do, and tliat he has 972 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. always been the friend of the white man, and has rendered vahiable assistance as a scont in our army. Xow^ he is aged and in the last stages of consumption. If I should give him up, the blood of every white settler for miles around would be the forfeit. I will not give him up.'' Capt. Wliite then said he would give him time to reconsider the matter, and, leaving half his men to guard the house, he withdrew the remainder to a short distance, breakfasted, cleaned and reloaded the guns. Mr. Phelps and men did the same. At the expiration of an hour the captain returned and again demanded the surrender of the Indians. He received a negative answer, and then ordered Mr. Phelps to accompany him to the store. Xot wishing to appear afraid, he replied that lie would in fifteen minutes. Mr. Phelps re-entered the house, and not pausing to count his men, wdiich should have consisted of Joe Smart, William Cousland, and two other hands, he called Smart and told him to station the men at the loop-holes, and defend the family and Indians till the last, and to avenge him if he fell. The young chief glowed with anger, like the war-horse that smells the battle from afar ; and Tama, tottering on the verge of the grave, announced him- self willing to reload, all that his feeble hands could now do. Grasp- ing his faithful gun, Mr. Phelps announced himself ready and proceeded to the store. He entered and sprang over the rude counter, which thus formed a partial breastwork, and resolved to sell his life as dearly as possible. The soldiers crowded into the little building and thus formed one sr)lid taro;et of humanity, for the ball from the man at bay could not fail to cut down many in its flight. Capt. White again demanded : "Are you ready to give up the Indians i' If in three minutes you do not promise to surrendei" them to us, we will shoot you, throw your body into the river, burn your house, and kill your men." Eegardless of consequences, Mr. Phelps exclaimed: ''Shoot, and be d d! I will never yield the Indians to you. The safety of all the W'liites in Illinois forbids it. If you take them by force, upon your heads will rest the murder of many innocent families ; and upon you will fall the displeasure of your superior officer, who never intended that the aged and the true should fall, to satisfy the vengeance of a defeated soldiery." As he gazed into the muzzles of the leveled muskets of the soldiers, visions of his family (which consisted of his wife and two children, Isabella and Alexis) at the mercy of the red men flitted through his mind. Capt. White clearly counted, one, two, and just as Mr. Phelps was about to pull the trigger, determined to have the first shot, shouts of "Shoot the drunken dogs; give no quarter to cowards!" were heard, and the men rushed from the house and threw down their arms before they saw their foes. These proved to be the hands from the OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 973 mil] and tlie farmers of tlie Jamison settlement, led by Judge Pence, and accompanied by Jeremiah Smith and Thomas AVells. Some were without coats, some without hats, and mounted on horses with the plow- harness yet upon them. William Cousland had slipped from the house at the beginning of the trouble, and, protected by the scrubby "black jack " trees, which grew nearly to the door, had succeeded in warning the friends who hastened to the rescue. Judge Pence assumed com- mand and ordered the soldiers under arrest. Although they were six to one, they submitted without any resistance. Capt. AVhite made profuse apologies, and wished to shake hands with Tama. This Judge Pence refused, saying: "Such as you are not worthy to grasp the hand of the noble Tama." He then guarded the Indians to their canoe, and watched them out of danger. When the Indians were safe, Mr. Phelps thanked his friends and said: "I told you I would warn you when it was time to fortify. The time has come when we must protect ourselves ; not from Indians, but from white men." When the crestfallen soldiers were released, they marched to Rock river, to join the army there. The settlers now proceeded to arrange for pi'otec- tion in case of more trouble. A fort was built on the Pence farm, and one at Oquawka. Several kegs of powder were placed under the store, in order that it might be blown up in case of an attack. A train was laid underground from these to the fort, by sewing up strips of linen and filling them with powder. These were jokingly called "sausage bags," but there was never any necessity for using them. Not long after this Mr. Phelps visited Keokuk's village on the Iowa in hopes of hearing more definite news concerning the progress of the war. He was accom})anied by one hand, and took the precaution to carry a pack of goods as if on a trading expedition. He found his friends absent on a hunt, and the town in the possession of a band of braves from Black Hawk's army. Angry from defeat, for the tide of war was now turning, and inflamed by drink, they shook the gory scalps of innocent women and cliildren in the faces of the white men, and threatened to serve them in the same way. By appearing uncon- cerned, and bent on trading with thp squaws and the aged men in the village, and giving where he could not sell, Mr. Phelps was enabled to dispose of all his goods. Then, as if that was his only object in com- ing, he quietly got into his boat and leisurely paddled down the stream, until a bend in the river hid the boat from the view of the savages, when he bent to the oars and hurried down the river momentarily ex- pecting to hear the war-whooj) of the pursuing enemy. On the way he passed the floating body of a murdered man, which did not tend to allay his fears. Black Hawk was conquered and taken to St. Louis a 974 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. prisoner. Gen. Scott passed down the river with a portion of his army, and en route, stopped at Yellow Banks. He was in the prime of life, and as he bent his tall form to enter the doorway of the hum- ble log house, he grasped the hand of Mr. Phelps and thanked him in heartfelt words for his services. Drawing up his magnificent propor- tions until his head reached nearly to the ceiling, he utter curses, not loud but deep, against the miscreant captain who dared to risk the murder of so many innocent victims. After the close of the war, Will- iam Phelps, who had been in active service on the Rock river, re- turned, and the brothers bent all their energies to establish their trade with the Indians in Iowa. In the meantime, the members of the Amerijan Fur Company had used every means in their power to drive out the intruders, as they considered them, and had succeeded in get- ting the governor of Iowa enlisted on their side. Many were the charges brought to the governor's ears against Sumner and William Phelps for selling whisky to the Indians. At last they resolved to put a stop to the false charges by stratagem, as all fair means had failed. They sent a man to Burlington who innocently tlirew himself in the way of the secretary of Governor Lucas. After many hints of know- ing something about Mr. Phelps that the governor would like to know, he said the hands had buried some kegs near the trading house on the Des Moines. He also gave the secretary a drawing of the place, and indicated the precise spot where the kegs could be found. As soon as the governor heard the news, he sent the secretary and a United States marshal with orders to search the premises. The party arrived at the government agency at night, but did not make their presence known to Major Beach, who was then government agent, and a staunch friend of Mr. Phelps, until morning. They then demanded that the agent should accompany them and assist in the search. This he willingly did as he knew the charge to be false. They arrived at the trading house while the inmates were at breakfast, and proceeded at once to business. They preferred the charge and demanded tools to work with, but were refused on the plea of not believing in furnishing the means of condemning themselves. Major Beach began to suspect some joke and offered to pay the hands, if Mr. Phelps would lend them to him as a friend. This was done, and two colored men, Dick and John, were soon at work, and after a few minutes digging, the spades struck a keg, and Dick, rolling up his eyes, said: "■Here he am, Marsa.'' The ex- cavation showed the heads of other kegs and the secretary eagerly called for an auger, which was lent to Major Beach, after much demur- ring. The secretary commenced boring for whisky, while all awaited the result in breathless silence. After energetically working for a short OQUAWKA TOWNSHII'. 975 time he triumiDliantly drew out tlie anger to iind it covered with lard. Amid the audible smiles of the spectators, the secretary turned silently away only to meet his wiley informant leisurely riding past, and thus addressed him: "See here, sir! have I not met you somewhere?" The man calmly replied : "Very likely ; I have been there frequently." Like the last straw that broke tlie camel's back, this was the last of the oj)position of the fur company. They proposed to S. S. Phelps that he should join their company and take personal charge of the entire business, which he did in 1834, and remained in it until after the larger portion of the Sacs and Foxes removed to Kansas, having a trading post between Fort Scott and Topeka. In 1833, S. S. Phelps had been joined by his brother, Alexis, who made Oquawka his home until his death. After the close of the war they interested themselves in improving the town. The little log-house had given place to the building long known as the pioneer, and S. S. Phelps had the large columns which supported the front, hewn of solid logs and ornamented by hand in St. Louis and brought up the river on a boat. In 1836 the town of Oquawka was laid out and made the county seat of Warren county, and S. S. Phelps was the lirst sheriff of the county. Pioneer life made such inroads on the naturally delicate constitu- tion of the wife of Mr. Phelps, that after ten years of wedded life she left him with six small children, in a comparatively new country. In 1838 he was married to Miss Salome Patterson, who still (1882) sur- vives him. Salome Phelps was born in Stowe, Vermont, in 1814, moved to Mentor, Ohio, in 1824, afterward removing to Saybrook, Ashtabula county, and from thence to Monmouth, Illinois, in 1835. Three children were the fruits of this marriage. In 1840 j\[r. Phelps finished and moved into the house in the southern suburbs of the town, and where he resided during the remainder of his life. Death entered the family circle April, 1845, and claimed as his victim Isabella, the oldest child, a bride of a few months, she having been married to David B. Rice, in the January previous. In September <^f the same year Mr. Phelps was called upon to lay his oldest son, Alexis, by her side. Alexis, accompanied by Norman Patterson, a brother-in-law of Mr. Phelps, and for years an inmate of the family, had taken a drove of horses to .the Indian country, and on the return ti-ip, under the scorching August sun, they were obliged to drink of the impure waters by the I'oadside, wells being unknown in that unsettled country. They thus contracted a malarial fever which terminated fatally to both. They died within forty-eight hours of each other. Mr. Phelps remained in the Indian trade until 1849. He retired with the respect and firm 976 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. friendsliip of the members of the company and the love of the rude men with whom he had spent so much of his life. For many years some of the tribe visited him annually and were ever welcome guests. Mr. Phelps frequently made pilgrimages to visit them in their homes, and their white brother, as they delighted to call him, was greeted with all the manifestations of joy that an Indian can give. He thor- oughly understood their nature. He had eaten with them, and smoked the ];)ipe of peace in their wigwams. Never did he fail in his promise, nor in bringing to them the quality of goods for which they contracted, knowing that an Indian is like a child, if they are once deceived their confidence is gone forever. He frequently trusted tliem with large amounts and seldom lost by the uncivilized savage. But their inter- course with the whites was so corrupting that he made it an invariable rule to refuse to credit them when they could ask for it in English. He could speak and understand their language as well as he could his own. While he contended that the red men should be thoroughly conquered when in rebellion, he as firmly believed that if the white men were honest in their dealings, the Indians would never rebel, for as they never forget an injury, so also do they ever remem- ber a favor. Mr. Phelps was ever first in forwarding the interests of the town, nor was his aid confined to his own state. It was he who furnished Edwards with funds to start a paper in our neighboring state of Iowa, and which he named Hawk-Eye, in honor of his friend and benefactor. He and his brother Alexis built the first school-house and supported the first teacher. When Henderson county was separ- ated from Wai'ren, in 1841, the brothers donated 100 lots to the county, thus securing the permanent location of the county seat at Oquawka. They largely assisted in building the Presbyterian church, donating the bell, which was rang for the first time at the funeral of Alexis, men working all night in order to get it in position for that purpose. They also built the court-house. S. S. Phelps was "^xo, president of the first board of ofiicers, was the first merchant, the first banker, the first and last mayor of Oquawka. He also at one time was owner of the steamer Pavilion, and frequently acted as pilot, as he was perfectly familiar with the river. At an early day he piloted the Pavilion up the Iowa, being the first pilot who had ever taken a boat up that river. In 1852 while on his trip to the east to buy goods, Mr. Phelps nar- rowly escaped death by the burning of the steamer Henry Clay, on the Hudson river. The providence which had watched over him through the struggles of his early life, preserved him from the death which overtook so many who were passengers on that ill-fated boat. Many sorrows and troubles attended his declining years, yet he ever met OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 977 them witli the same courageous spirit with which he encountered the dangers of his pioneer life. He retained, amid all his trials, that jovial nature which rendered him a favorite with young and old, and delighted in relating reminiscences of his early life. In 1861 he lost his hard earned wealth, and retired permanently from business, but always felt a lively interest in the welfare of the town of which he was founder, and was president of its board of officers at the time of his death. In 1866 he was called to mourn the loss of his daughter, Emily, and in 1867 another, Laura, the wife of E. H. M. Patterson was laid by the side of the loved ones gone befoi-e. The youngest child, S. S. Phelps. Jr., was cut down by the murderer's hand only a few months previous to his father's death, making the fifth tliat preceded the father to the spirit land. From this blow Mr. Phelps never fully re- covered. After many escapes by land and by water, from the ax of the red man, and the malice of the white, he met with the accident which caused his death, in the door yard of his own home. On the morning of the -Ith of November, 1880, he left his house with a step remarkably elastic for one in his seventy-sixth year. He slipped upon the sidewalk, falling with such force as to break the shoulder bone and also fracturing the large bone in the right arm. Whether the fall also injured his lungs is not known, but certain it is, that from that hour he steadily declined, evincing every symptom of that fatal disease, con- sumption, until December 23, just eight weeks from his fall, he "went home,'" From the first he said it was impossible for him to recover, and he earnestly set about jnitting his house in order. Owing to the paroxysms of coughing he was unable to converse with his friends, yet he delighted in their visits, and no one was refused admittance if he knew of their call. A word of greeting and a kindly grasp of the hand was all that was in his power to give, but those he gave with the earn- estness of a heart filled with love toward all. No fears entered into his contemplation of death, but calmly he prepai-ed for it, as if he were indeed going home. Although he never united with any church, he firmly believed in the power of Christ to save and felt that he was his savior. Mr. Phelps was always identified with the whig and repub- lican party. The love of liberty instilled into his mind by the Quaker parents made him the enemy of oppression in any form, and that of slavery was particularly obnoxious to his principles. Ever generous, many owe to him their start in life, and if in the days of his adversity a few, like the adder, turned and stung the bosom that warmed them, the majority remained his friends through life. The troubled heart is at peace, the weary brain at rest. In the beautiful grounds which his 978 HISTORY OF IVrERCER ASD HENDERSON COUNTIES. generosity furnished for a cemetery to the people of Oquawka, lies all that is mortal of S. S. Phelps, awaiting the call of the resurrection morn. After life's fitful fever he rests well. [The foregoing, a labor oif love, is by Mr. Phelps' daughter, Phebe E. Button.— Ed.] William IIanna, savs : "I was born June 19, 1827, in Favette county, Indiana. My mother's name, prior to her marriage, was Ci"awford. She had one brother and ten sisters, ten of whom, includ- ing my mother, lived to be married, raising families amounting in the aggregate to eighty-seven children : forty-four boys, and forty-three girls. Each of the ten sisters was an honor and a blessing to the man who married her. My lather showed his good sense by marrying a Crawford, although three of his brothers had married into the same family before he did. It was a trait of my father's family, when they had found a nest of good eggs to take them all. If there had been ten Hanna men, I have no doubt but that all would have wedded Craw- fords ; true, the girls would have had something to say about it, too, but as my father and his brothers never asked for anything but what was right, they usually got it. Had this been the case, L have no doubt but that they would have succeeded, and the last one would have got just as good a wife as the first one. Mrs. Jeremiah Bake, my mother's voun^est sister, who settled in Henderson countv in 1836, will be remembered by all the old settlers as one of the best women who ever lived in the countv. My father settled in Warren county in 1835, which then included Henderson county, near where Little York now is. Our family at that time consisted of father, mother, six chil- dren, and one hired man. We wintered the first winter in a log cabih 16x16 feet square, cooked, ate, and slept all in the same r(^om, and had plenty of space left to keep everybody who came to see us. My m()tlier was noted for being a good cook, and having a faculty of mak- ing a stranger feel at home ; people used to go out of their way to get to stay over night w4th us ; of course, we used short bedsteads. This reminds me of an incident, though a small matter itself, still it shows in a strong light the accommodating disposition of my father. We used the short bedsteads for some years after we had plenty of house room. On one occasion, when there was a long, lank fellow, by the name of Robert Hutchison, whom the old settlers will remember as being about eight feet high, had come to see my sister ; they called it sparking in those days. My father showed him to bed, and as he did so, remarked : 'Mr. Hutchison, I am sorry that we haven't a bedstead about the house long enough to accommodate you, but I will shove a table up to the foot of the bed, and when you are tired of lying doubled up just OQUAM'KA TOWNSHIP. 979 run your legs out on tlie table and rest them.'' Whether Mr. Ilutchi- ' son took this provision for his comfort as kinclh^ as my father meant it, I never knew. Init I do know that he did not marry my sister; how- ever, he did as well, perhaps, by marrrying my cousin, Elizabeth Hanna. My father gave his children as good an education as the county afforded at tliat time. In the winter of 1835-6, the people of our neighborhood built a school-house of round logs, with greased paper for windows, instead of glass, hewed puncheons for seats, and a door hnng with leather hinges. I commenced my education in that house, with a diit floor nnder me, in 1835, and finished at Pleasant Green in a frame school-liouse twelve years later, having learned about all the teachers of those days were capable of teaching in a district school at tluit time. In fact, the teachers had to study of nights and Sundays to keep ahead of the scholars. The worst of it all is, I have had to unlearn a great portion of what little I had learned at school. For instance, geography taught me there were twenty-seven states in the union, and that the 'great American desert' commenced at the Missouri river, and extended to tlie Kocky Mountains. A glance at a map of to-day stamps the atlas that I studied as an unmitigated fraud. I drove an ox team across the plains to California in 1849 ; made a few thousand dollars at mining aiul keeping 'ranch,' returning in 1851. "I married Miss Sarah Findlay, daughter of James Findlay, who settled in Warren county in 1832. We have two children living and one dead. Our s(m is known as J. Ross Ilanna. I settled on a farm of my own in Henderson county in 1851, and followed farming on w^hat is known as Cedar farm until the fall of 1864, when, being somewhat disgusted with the kind of im])lements farmers had to work with, especially ])lows and cultivators, I resolved to go into the manufactur- ing business. In that year, Messrs. W. S. Weir, Dr. W. B. Boyd, and myself, formed a joint stock company for the purpose of manufac- turing farm implements, with a capital stock of $25,000. At the end of fourteen years we found our ca})ital had increased to $1,000,000, after having paid dividends to the amount of $163,000. In order to do this we have had to make good goods and lots of them, and inasmuch as we warranted our goods to give perfect satisfaction or no sale, I flat- ter myself that we have been doing some good, not only to ourselves, but to our fellow-men. We have a shop capacity for about six hundred men, and still we have a demand for all we can make. I am now president of the Monmouth Mining and Manufacturing Company, and have been for some years. Since my connection with it we have grad- ually been paying off the indebtedness, and we are now, although about $19,000 in debt, increasing our capacity about flfty per cent, 980 HISTOKY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. by yearly enlarging our buildings and putting up more kilns. AVe have learned, by seven or eight years' experience, how to make good goods. This gives us a demand for all we can make, and more too. There is no investment that a farmer can make which will bring a better return than to buy tiling and under drain his wet land. I am, and have been, president of the Monmouth National Bank for seven or eight years past. While I can com])liment our patrons on the fact that we have lost less than $500 by them in all this time, I am proud to be able to say that they have not lost anything by us, and I trust they never will. I am now engaged in building a railroad from Peoria, Illinios, to Keithsburg, on the Mississippi. We commenced this en- terprise in 1875. I was elected president at our lirst meeting, which position I still hold. We commenced with an empty treasury, and have held our own pretty well ever since. I speak advisedly on this point, as I am treasurer as well as president. We now have twenty- five 'miles of road completed and are running two trains daily each way from Peoria to Farmington. We have most of the grading done on the entire line, ties paid for, and the bridging completed for fifty miles, costing us so far about $4:50,000, and no bonded debt, except $13,000. To every man who subscribes a dollar or more, we issue cer- tificates entitling the holder to a credit of twenty-five per cent on each bill for freight, or in payment for one-thousand-mile tickets, so that all subscribers will lose will be the interest on their subscription from the time they pay it until they can ride or ship it out. When this is done, who will own the road ? do you ask. I answer that the men who had the nerve to advance the necessary money, until such time and to such a point as will enable them to realize on their bonds. I have been twice mayor of the city of Monmouth. In matters of relig- ion, I believe that the grace of God will finally restore to happiness the whole family of mankind. I believe that holiness and happiness are inseparabh^ connected, and that the onlv way to be happy is to be good. I have never connected myself with any church or religious society, neither with a secret organization of any kind. I was born a democrat, raised a democrat, and expect to die a democrat, if the old party does not die before I do. I would like to say a few words to those who are finding fault with railroad, banking, and manufacturing corporations, and middle-men generally. I have been on both sides of the counter, and know of a truth how it is by experience, the best of teachers. I have plowed corn from early morn till dewy eve, row by row, three times in row with an old rusty iron shovel, bought directly from the country blacksmith, which I had stocked myself, without the intervention of a middle-man, and fed the corn thus raised to hogs, . OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 981 and sold them in tlie metropolis of Henderson county for $1.50 per hundred, net. I have swung the cradle to cut our wheat, bound it with bloody lingers, threshed it out by driving horses over it, with an ox team hauled it to market to Chicago, 200 miles away, and sold it for forty-six cents a bushel. I know by experience that we had not one-tenth of the luxuries we now have. The fact is, railroads have made this country, and a combination of capital has enabled manufac- turers to put in improved machinery and manufacture goods of a quality and at a price never dreamed of by a cross-roads mechanic. The true policy, in my opinion, and I charge nothing for it, is for every man to follow the vocation for which he is best fitted by nature, if it is nothing but raising pop-corn, and exchange his products with some one who is better fitted to supply his other wants. Every article should be raised or manufactured where it can be the best and cheapest, and sold where it will bring the greatest net results, without restriction in any way, or, in other words, free trade between man and man, this wide world over." Hon. Hiram Rose, the subject of these memoirs is another exam- ple of success as a crown for self efifort and an upright life. His notes would be incomplete without brief reference to his parents. His father, Jeremiah Rose, was born in Charlestown, Maine, and there spent most of his life. When yet a youth he enlisted in the revolutionary war. He was married to Miss Sarah Snow, daughter of the well known Dr. Snow, of Maine. Four sons and four daughters were born to them and raised in Charlestown. The sons became vigorous, useful men. Moses became a member of the legistature and state senator. He also occupied other positions of trust. He died December 31, 1880. Hirnm was the second son. Joseph was a successful farmer. He was killed by a falling tree. Elbridge filled several local positions of pub- lic trust. The daughters were intelligent, industrious educators. They were Polly, Abigail, Patliia, and Abigail dying, the name was given to the youngest daughter, who is now Mrs. Rev. Calvin Millet. Mrs. (Snow) Rose, was a woman of noble character. She died in 1812, of cancer. When her husband and hojs were drafted into the Aroostock war, Hiram said to his mother, "-Mother, how will you get along with- out us ? " She replied, "Clod bless you, go and do your duty to your country and come home like men." No tears were shed. Jeremiah Rose continued at Charlestown. About twentj^ miles fi-om Charlestown, and three miles east of Bangor, is the old Rose Place, so named from the fact that the father and two brothers of Jeremiah were there drowned in the Penobscot river. In October, 1854, Mr. Rose thought to visit his son Hiram, at Oquawka, Illinois. Although about ninety years of 982 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HEISTDERSON COUNTIES. age, he made the trip. He renuiiiied with liis son in Oqiiawka till his death, January 23, 1S56. He was buried in Oquawka cemetery. Hiram Kose, to whose memory these notes are prepared, and whose portrait is in this work, was born in Charlestown, Maine, January 6, 1807. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to learn the trade of blacksmithing. Possessing but a frail constitution, he was obliged to abandon his trade at the age of nineteen. His father being a poor man, Pliram's education was limited to that gained at home. But un- der this disadvantage he and his brothers jnished on to success. At the age of twenty-four he engaged in mercantile pursuits. One year later he located at Newport, Maine, where, in company with the Hon. Fred. Kay, he carried on merchandising and lumbering. In 1850 Mi*. Eose made a trip west, coming by stage from Chicago to Galesburg. The railroad question was at that time incubating and Mr. Rose was requested to speak in its favor. He delivered railroad speeches at Galesburg and other places. In 1851 he settled in Oquawka, Illinois, where, in company with his old partner, Mr. Fred. Ray, he engaged in the lumber business. They also became proprietors of the Pioneer Hotel. After embarking in business here, he was tendered a promis- ing position in the railroad company, but declined. He continued his business. At the end of three years Mr. Rose closed his hotel busi- ness and became engaged in the land business, which proved a success- ful undertaking. After several years he devoted his time to the im- provement of a 290 acre farm, which was left as a support for those who had aided him in his labors. Mr. Rose never devoted himself alto- gether to himself, but lived also for others. July 23, 1841, he was commissioned by the governor of Maine, colonel of the 4th reg., 1st Brig., 8tli Div., Maine militia. September IT, 1842, was promoted to Brigadier General, 1st. Brig., 8th Div. March 29, 1844, again pro- moted Major General of the 8tli Div. In 1843-4 he represented the* 10th district in the Maine state senate. November 22, 1845, he was appointed postmaster of Newport, Penobscot county, Maine. After his removal to Illinois he was appointed by Maine as commissioner for Illinois'. In Henderson county he made many friends, who chose him in 1857, to represent them in the state senate in the twentieth general assembly. There he labored to secure the charter for the proposed railroad to Oquawka. At home he was connected with the city gov- ernment. But active lives must cease as well as those more plodding. Mr. Rose succumbed to death's call February 1, 1879. At the age of twenty-one years he was converted and united with the Baptist church. A year afterward he became a member of the masonic fra- ternity. In Oquawka he was a charter member of the masonic lodge. OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 983 He died leaving many friends and a loving wife and five adopted cliildren. He was laid to rest by the side of his father, in Oquawka cemetery. His marriage took ])lace iirst in Newport, when twenty-two years old, to Miss Parthena Miles, of Newport. She died in 1S54, of cholera, in Oquawka. Mr. Kose was married May 6, 1855, to Miss Hannah Main, of Newport, Maine. She is a daughter of William and Betsy (Snow) Main., William Main was a native of Rochester, New Hampshire, and his wife, Betsy Snow, was a daughter of Dr. Stephen Snow, of Maine. Both died in Maine. Dr. Snow, the grandfather of Mrs. Rose, lived to be 102 years old, dying on the evening of his birthday. He was very widely known. Mrs. Rose was born April 8, 1829, in New})ort. No children have been born, but five children have been adopted and raised by Mr. Rose : Hiram Rowell, or Hiram Rose, as he was known, who died in Henderson county, September 23, 1877, aged forty-eight years ; Frances Merrill, now Mrs. James Staples, of St. Cloud, Minnesota ; Mary Rise, who died November 29, 1868 ; Lizzie Rise, now Mrs. Winfield McCullom, of Burlington, Iowa ; and Agnes M. Hart, now living with Mrs. Rose. All the children adopted Mr. Rose's name. Eugene A. Hail, editor and proprietor of the Henderson county "Journal," was born December 26, 1850. His father, William S. Hail, is a native of Franklin, Kentucky, and his mother, Margaret (Chapman) Hail, of Kentucky, near the Tennesse line. William S. Hail followed saddlery for a time in Kentucky, then moved, about 1832, to Macomb, Illinois, where he yet lives. In Macomb he en- gaged at his trade, also speculated in lands, loaned money, etc. But security for others proved his failure in business. He then engaged in the drug business. For several years he was deputy county clerk. During the war he was one year in the quartermaster's department. Eugene A. Hail is one of a family of eight children. He was educated in the common schools. At the age of fourteen years he entered the office of the Macomb "Journal," on which paper he worked about four years. He has since been continuously in the publishing business. In 1872 he became proprietor of the Henderson county "Journal," con- tinuing little more than a year. In 1878, in August, he resumed con- trol of the "Journal." Since that time the "Journal" has prospered till to-day. Although so young it enjoys a circulation equal to any paper in the county. It is devoted to the furtherance of republican principles and the interests of the county and surrounding territory. It is a folio, seven column paper, and does credit to its editor. April 25, 1875, Mr. Hail was united in marriage with Miss Lena Iseminger, daughter of J. M. Iseminger, of Macomb, and a native of Illinois. 984 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. John W. Brock is a native of what is now Otterville, Jersey county, Illinois. He was born May 16, 1837. His father was from Virginia, and his mother from Georgia. Both emigrated west about 1818. In 1819 his father accompanied his (the father's) brother-in-law from St. Louis to Council Bluffs, where the latter had contracted to supply the post of that place with suj)plies. The trip consumed the summer. The journey was made in keel boat^ propelled by oars, sail or cordell, as circumstances necessitated or permitted. The parents of Mr. Brock were married in 1827 and settled the farm on which John W. was born two years later. Until eighteen years of age John's summers were passed in farm labor, while the winters afforded him opportunities for school and home study. At the age of eighteen he entered McKendree college, from which he graduated in June, 1858, with the degree Bachelor of Science. From 1859 to 1861 he taught school at Elsah, Illinois. In August, 1861, he enlisted at Camp Butler as second lieutenant in Co. D, 27th 111. Inf., serving his country till November, 1863, when he resigned on account of disability. He was engaged in the battles of Belmont, Farmington, Stone River, Chicka- mauga and several minor engagements. In the fall of 1865 he en- gaged in the general merchandise business in Madisonville, East Ten- nessee, which he continued about two years. Decline of prices from those of war times to those of peace proved injurious to his interest, causing failure in this project. Madisonville is the county seat of Mon- roe county. While in the goods business he was city postmaster. In 1867 he was elected county superintendent of schools in that county, and immediately became engaged in j)utting into successftil operation the "free school system." In 1868 Mr. Brock went to Florida, where he was in the saw milling business at Live Oak. While there he acted as one of the county boai-d of education. He was also appointed colonel of the 13th regiment of state militia by the governor. Soon after going to Florida he was married to Miss Maria Parshley, who, in 1866, had removed from Ohio to Florida with her parents. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Brock moved to Missouri ; in the fall of 1874 to Mount Vernon, Illinois ; then to Quincy. In July, 1875, he was ordered to Sagetown, now Gladstone, Henderson county, Blinois, by Gen. John Tillson, United States internal revenue collector at Quincy, to take charge of the distillery at that place, seized by the government on account of some crookedness. He remained its custodian about a year. In the fall of 1876 he took charge of the school at Gladstone, remaining its principal for five consecutive years. In 1881 he was principal of the Oquawka public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Brock's chil- dren have numbered three, two boys that died in infancy, and one girl, Georgia, now about eleven years old. p. D . S A L T E: R OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 987 Alexander Andersox (deceased) was born in York county, Penn- sylvania, June 5, 1817. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Anderson, were natives of Scotland, emigrating to America when children. Thomas Anderson was a farmer and stock-drover. He was murdered near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at a tavern. He had considerable money with him. Nothing but his coat was ever found. His wife died March 6, 1816, aged sixty-seven years, eight months and twenty-four days. In their family were five sons and one daughter. Alexander Anderson was raised on the farm in Pennsylvania. When a young man he came to Henderson county (1841), and purchased the S. E. |- of Sec. 32, T. \) N., R. 5 W. This farm he improved. He was mar- ried February 22, 1844, to Harriet C. Davis, daughter of Abner and Lucy (Oaks) Davis, noticed in the county history. Mrs. Anderson was born in 1824. Mr. Anderson died February 12, 1854, aged thirty-six years, eight months and seven days. He left a wife and four children : James O., Lauretta (who died June 13, 1854, aged six years, five months and twenty-six days), Ada Ella (who died June 13, 1854, aged three years, six months and twenty-five days), and Charles A. James O. is noticed elsewhere. Dr. Samuel LL Ruple, the fifth child in a family of twelve chil- dren, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1818. His father, James Ruple, was a native of New Jersey, and when four years old was brought by his parents to the keystone state. He was a carpenter and machinist by trade. He was of some political promi- nence, receiving tlie appointment of clerk of the courts from Gov. Shultz, of Pennsylvania. He served in this capacity fourteen years. He married Diana Goodrich in Washington, Pennsylvania, and there their children were born and their own deaths occurred. Both were members of the Baptist church, he having been church clerk over forty years. He was first lieutenant in the war of 1812. Gen. Jackson frequently passed through Washington. At such times Mr. Ruple was chairman of committee on reception. Samuel H, Ruple busied his early years in the common schools, as much as a weakly constitution would permit. He entered Washington College in 1840. Part of his time was occupied in teaching. His course of study at college was irregular on account of poor health. He, however, pursued the study of the languages and science. September 24, 1851, the honorary degree of master of arts was conferred upon him by Washington Col- lege. He already had received a call to the professorship of languages in a new military college at Tulip, Dallas county, Arkansas. Sickness, liowever, prevented the acceptance. He spent three years as principal of the public schools of Washington ; also held similar positions in 56 988 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. • other towTis. In 1856 he traveled in Pennsylvcinia and Kentucky as lecturing and iinancial agent of the American Bibie Union. His own poor health induced liim to study medicine for his own benefit. He read with several different j^hvsicians, the principal of whom was Dr. AValter, who died at Monmouth, Illinois, a short time since. He also attended lectures irregularly at the Jefferson, and the Pennsyl- vania, also a short time at the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati. For awhile he ]:)racticed medicine in his native state. In 1859 he located in Oquawka, where he has followed his profession with suc- cess. He has always been an active member of the Baptist cliurch ; was ordained a Baptist muiister by the Washington (Pennsylvania) congregation. Here his services were very valuable in church and Sunday-school. Politically Dr. Ruple was raised a democrat, but the firing on Fort Sumter caused him to reflect and change his poHcy ; he has since been a strong republican. Dr. Puple was married in 1847 to Sarah J. Parkinson, a native of AYest Yirginia. Five children have been born to them. W. C. Euple, M.D., son of the above, was born May 8, 1849, in Washington, Pennsylvania. He received a common school education and graduated in medicine from the Keokuk Medical College in 1878. He also studied dentistry in Oquawka. He practiced medicine for a short time, but, preferring dentistry, gives most of his time to that department of practice. He was married October 3, 1877, to Etta Ziegler, daughter of J. H. Ziegler, of Oquawka. She was born in Oquawka in 1858. Her people settled in Oquawka in 1854. William and Agnes (Petrie) Moir, natives of Forres, Scotland, emi- grated to America in 1833. Their oldest son, Alexander, went to Demarara, in 1828, and came to New York city in 1844. He returned to Scotland, but came back to America, and in 1847 to Oquawka, Illi- nois, where he died September 21, 1858. Their sons William and James emigrated in 1831 and 1832, respectively, followed by their parents, as stated, in 1833, accompanied by the other brothers and sister, John, Robert, and Agnes. Their residence was made in Xew York city, where they became engaged in mercantile business. James came to Oquawka in 1843, William and Robert in 1847. For fin-ther notes on the Moirs we refer the reader to the history of Oquawka. To a soldier who fought and bled for his country, these lines are dedicated. Charles W. Green was born June 17, 1834, in Herkimer county, iSTew York, and is a son of William R. and Avis (Burliugham) Green. AYhen Charles was very small his parents moved to Indiana, and settled in the woods to make a farm. He, Charles, received his schooling more in hard work than books. In 184S his people came to Oquawka, Illinois ; Charles hired to work on a farm, which business OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 989 lie followed several years. January 1, 1857, lie was married to Miss Florence Armstrong, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Armstrong, of Oquawka. She was born in Boston August 11, 1840. Mr. Green continued farming till his ser\dces were needed in putting down the rebellion. He enlisted, July 21, 1862, in Co. G, 81th 111. Inf. At the memorable battle of Stone river, December 31, 1862, he was pres- ent. Many remember the snow and rain that fell. Mr. Green, to protect him as much as possible during the night, lay on some rails and under a stretcher. The terrible day of carnage dawned on hostile armie*. In battle the boys in blue were lying low that the enemy's fire might pass above them. Soldier Green was leaning his elbow on a rock, aiming and firing accurately. He was shot while in this posi- tion, the ball grazing his nose, passing through the left eye completely destroj'ing it. He reeled and fell. His comrade at once called him to get up or he would be taken. The enemy was then almost upon them. Green replied to his comrade "Leave me alone." then again he exclaimed "Give 'em h — 1, Drummond!''' He kiiovv nothing more. Drummond was taken prisoner. The rebels rode thick and close to Green's body, whose life was thought to have gone out. He lay three days, declared dead on the field of battle. But signs of life were at last recognized. It was Sunday morning a week after the battle when he distinguished Surgeon McDilFs voice, and called him. The snow and rain was a dream to him, and it was said that he first pronounced the last words of the exclamation he addressed to his comrade, Drum- mond, when shot. Mr. Green was discharged February 9, 1863. His eye has given him much trouble, it having been necessary to probe it to remove pieces of bone. After he so far recovered that he could labor, he was em]:)lo_yed by John McKinney, of Oquawka, to do what he was able in the store. In March, 186-1:, he undertook to learn photography and went to Kirkwood, but the business disagreeing with him he returned to Oquawka. He became assistant postmaster. November 5, 1864, he was sworn postmaster, and has deservingly held the office since. In politics Mr. Green was a democrat at the opening of the war, but the rebellion made him a republican. He has a family of two children, George R., and Raymond. John Biggs was born in Manchester, England, in 1802. His father was crushed to death by an engine when John was about fourteen years of age, necessitating many se.vere experiences in the career of the boy. He became ship-boy on the Queen Charlotte, in the British navy, and took part in the battle of Algiers. He ^dsited many parts of the world. About 1820, at the age of eighteen years, he landed in New England. He subsequently secured a situation in a factory in Philadelphia. He 990 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. next spent about ten rears in building mills and cotton factories in Texas. In 1S43, Mr. Biggs came to Oquawka, but soon purchased the Eobinson and Birdsall Houring mills near what is now Biggsville. The floods soon washed the mill awav, and Mr. Biggs erected the present flouring mills of Biggsville. He was an excellent workman, and highly respected. His death occurred December 30, 1852. Biggsville is so named in his honor. His oldest son, AVilliam, was killed about two week previous, crushed by the burrs. Of his children, one is buried in Texas, one in Philadelphia, and one in Soutli Hen- derson. Three daughters living, are Mrs. Mary Barton, Mrs. Margaret Jempson, and Caroline. Of his sons, Thomas enlisted in Co. G, 84th 111. Vol., and died in the hospital near Nashville. Iram is one of the proprietors of the "Galesburg Plaindealer.'' John is foreman in the ''Madisonian"' printing office. Mrs. Biggs (Charlotte Ord way), widow of the deceased, John Biggs, resides with the son, Kobert, in Oquawka. Robert was born July 2-i, 1839. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 91st 111. He was captured by Morgan in 1862. He afterward was engaged at Mobile, Blakely, and Spanish Fort. Since the war closed Robert Biggs has been a' faithful clerk of the Moirs. James O. Anderson, sheriff of Henderson county, is a son of Alex- ander and Harriet (Davis) Anderson. He was born August 1, 1845, in Henderson county, Illinois. His youth was spent on the farm. His education was largely derived from public schools, yet he was a student at Monmouth College during the early part of the war. He was too young for service at the outbreak, but as soon as age would allow, he could not restrain the desire to do what he could toward put- ting down the cruel slaughter, so enlisted May 6, 1864, in Co. A, 138th 111. He was discharged after about four months' service. He then re-enlisted in Co. H, 28th 111., and served till 1866. In his last term of service he aided in the capture of Mobile. He enlisted a private each time, but in his second service was promoted to sergeant, then orderly sergeant. Was commissioned second lieutenant, but the company be- ing below the number required in order to claim commissioned officers, he could not muster as such. The war over, he returned to his home and engaged in farming till 1876, when he was elected sheriff" of Henderson county, and re-elected in 1878 and 1880. Mr. Anderson was married March 6, 1867, to Rhoda B. Paul, daughter of Judge M. C. Paul, of Terre Haute, Illinois. She was born in New York, Jefferson county, October 28, 1844. Three children have been born to them : Francis M., Edwin A., and EvaM. Mr. Anderson is prominent in both odd- fellowship and masonry, and a leading member of the Methodist church. OQDAWKA TOWNSHIP. 901 Asa Smith, dealer iu lumber and staves, has been a resident oi' Oquawka about tliirty-six years, actively engaged in business, or at trade. His parents, Ezra and Lydia (Brooks) Smith, were natives of Connecticut. They moved to Ohio in 1818, and there died. He was a house joiner and miller by trade. Mrs. Smith had been married before, having a family of two children by her first husband. In the second family were three children, of whom Asa Smith is the oldest. He was born January 13, 1812, in Saybrook, Middlesex county, Con- necticut. His early life was mostly rustic. When he was six years old his parents moved to Ohio. The youth enjoyed fair educational advantages, which he improved. He early worked with his father at house-joining, also on a farm. He followed the trade at Cleveland awhile, also farmed. Mr. Smith was married January 1, 1840, to Miss Esther Patterson, daughter of Lewis and Lucy Patterson. She was born in Vermont in 1817. After marriage Mr. Smith farmed till 1846, when he came to Oquawka, bringing his wife and one child, Angeline. Mr. Smith engaged in the daguerreotype business, also kept a book- store in connection with the gallery for a couple of years. In 1857 he engaged exclusively in lumber and stoves, which he continues. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Smith was born a whig, and with the budding of republicanism he has been true to that party. He has served a number of times as town trustee. Rauseldon Cooper, the present state's attorney 'for Llenderson county, was born December 24, 1845, neai* Milton, Wayne county, Indiana. His parents were John and Martha Cooper. At the age of two years his mother died, and he was sent to live with his grand- motlier, Elizabeth Cooper, and his uncle Moses Cooper, who lived in the vicinity where he was born. In 1852 his uncle Moses came to Henderson County, bringing young Rauseldon with him, and settled in Greenville precinct. He attended school in Aurora district. In 1863 he entered Lombard college, at Galesburg, Illinois, as a student, graduating in 1869 with the degree of B. S. From here he went to his father's, who had married again and was living in Bald Bluff pre- cinct, where he engaged in farming. Growing weary of agricultural pursuits, in 1873 he entered Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, as a student of law, graduating in 1875. He returned to Henderson county and selected it as a field in which to engage in practice, and located at Oquawka. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1877, and secretary of the Oquawka school board in 1879. In 1880 he was elected to his present position. September 14, 1875, he married Miss Susie E., daughter of Opdike Cummins, Esq., of Ann Arbor, Michigan, by whom he has three children. 992 HISTORY OF FIERCER AXD HEXDERSOX COUJTTIES. Luke Wadleigh. It is supposed that all the Wadleighs of the United States are descended from three brothers who emigrated from Scotland to America some 240 years ago. Ephraim Wadleigh was born in Xew Hampshire. His three brothers were in the revolution, and he heard the guns at Lexington. He married Miss Little, also a native of New Hampshire. They became well-to-do. In ISOO they sought a home in Canada East, settling in the dense forest sixty miles irom any place where provisions could be had. Their experience was at times bitter, but contentment recompensed. Mr. Wadleigh placed $•400 in the hands of the man of whom he bought his tract of land, for the purpose of securing a charter to the land.' The money was squandered ; the man returned for more money ; Mr. AVadleigh pre- vailed upon him to appoint him to go to Quebac to secure the charter. Leaving his family in the dense forest alone, he started for Quebec on foot through forest and over stream. He was detained eighteen days in Quebec. Finally, the charter secured, and anxious to return to his family, he left Quebec at two o'clock in the atternoon, walking at an almost incredible speed till late into the night, then sleeping on the floor of a cabin into which he was admitted by two men who declared he had never walked from Quebec that afternoon. But he proved his story by the date of his charter. Early morning found him on his journey. In little more than three days he arrived home, having walked the distance of about 180 miles, through the wildest country, sometimes swimming streams with his clothes on his back. He be- came wealthy and a prominent man, taking part in all progressive measures. He died June 12, 1852, aged eighty-two years, his wife surviving him till the following February. Both are buried in Canada. Luke, son of the above, was the youngest of eight children. He was born August 10, 1810, in Hatley, Stanstead county, Canada East. His youth was spent in the school of toil, whose book was nature and whose pencil was an ax. Many a hard day''s work was done in erasing the old forest figures from the old blackboard, earth. His father gave him a year and a half of his time and settled him on a farm of 160 acres, in Sherbrook county. It was partly improved. Young Wad- leigh went to work clearing, grubbing and tilling. He added land until he owned about 1,150 acres. He furnished great quantities of timbers for railroads. He raised cattle and fine horses, and in every way became successful. He was made school commissioner three years, township counselor three years, then county counselor, serving the public about twelve years. Mr. Wadleigh was married October 30, 1830, to Miss Phebe Howell, a native of Canada. Four children were born to them : Samuel (now of Burlington, Iowa), Mary (now oqua-v\t<:a township. 993 Mrs. P. H. Chapin, of Kansas), Ljdia (now Mrs. Charles Blandin, of Blandinsville), and Jennie. In 1856 Mr. Wadleigh made his home in Oqiiawka, Illinois, where he engaged in the hmiber business. He continued this imsuccessfull}' for a time. Since that he has superin- tended his farms near Oquawka. His son Samuel resided in Oquawka some time. He was active in city affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Wadleigh have been manv years members of the Methodist church. Their lives have been active ones, such as the world needs. Robert Hodson, perhaps, does a business more extensive than* any other firm in Oquawka at this time. Mr. Hodson's parents, Thomas and Sarah (Atkinson) Hodson, were natives of England. In. 1836 Thomas Hodson sent his wife and children to America, where his wnfe's people were already settled. He remained to settle his business in England. The family arrived safely at Lancaster, Pennsj'lvania. Word was received by the family that Mr. Hodson would sail at a cer- tain date. This was the last word ever received. The vessel that was to start at that time was lost and it is supposed on good grounds that he was lost with the crew. After residing a year in Lancaster, Penn- sylvania, the family moved, with Mrs. Hodson's brother, to Wellsville, Ohio, remaining there about ten years. Mrs. Hodson then married and came with her husl)and to Indiana ; then to live near Peoria, where she died. In the family were live children, one of whom is dead: John A., in the grocer}^ business at Peoria; James, a machinist in Pennsylvania ; Thomas, a farmer in Missouri ; and Pobert. Pobert Hodson, the third child, was born in Yorkshire, England, April 11, 1832, hence was young when he emigrated and when deprived of his father's guardian care. His school advantages were very meager. At twelve vears of aa-e he left home to learn the tinner's trade with his brother at Pittsburg, remaining with him one year. Disliking the business he went to live with a farmer Quaker, Thomas James, with whom he lived and for whom he worked for three years, receiving his board and clothes and three months schooling each year as recompense. He then lived with his mother and step-father in Indiana, working one summer in a brick-yard, then on a farm, when he again made his home with the Quaker flirmer in Ohio and attended school one winter. Early the following spring he started to Texas. He journeyed as far as New Orleans, then up the Mississippi i-iver to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1846. He worked nine months for O. Edmunds, then went to the pineries on Black river. There he remained three years lumber- ing. In the fall of 1851 he returned and opened a small store in Sho- kogan. He was then a merchant. In the spiing of 1852 he went to California, starting April 20, crossing the plains with ox teams, arriving 994 HISTORY OF arERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. in California August 20th. He engaged in mining with consider- able success until 1856, when he returned and bought the Bake inter- est in the Scott & Bake saw-mill at Oquawka. In 1857 he sold. He soon engaged in the drug and grocery business with Caswell and Bearce, continuing for eight years, when he purchased the interests of his partners. He has enlarged his business since. He has also ship- ped considerable stock for the last four years. He also superintends his farming interests. The official tables of Oquawka indicate a long local" public life, significant of the trust the people repose in him. Mr. Hodson was married January 6, 1859, to Adaline Phelps, daughter of Stephen and Phebe (Chase) Phelps. She was born in Oquawka, November 29, 1838. Her early playmates were tlie little Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Hodson's children have nnmbered three. One died in infancy, Arthur when a little boy, and Hattie died at the age of sixteen. Judge Richard W. Richey, the first child of Andrew and Polly (West) Richey, was born in Charlton, Saratoga county, New York, November 22, 1802. His father was a native of Cambridge, New York, and his mother of Connecticut. His father dying when he, Richard, was quite young, the lad received but little schooling. How- ever, his spare time at home was well occupied in reading good books. He early worked at tanning and carpentering. When eighteen years old he went to Cambridge, where he engaged in tanning and currying business. In 1823 he married Miss Nellie Green, at Cambridge, and about the year following moved to Lake village. East Greenwich, New York, where lie became foreman in a manufacturing estab- lishment. There his wife died. She was the mother of five chil- dren. In 1840 Mr. Richey married Agnes Green in Ohio and that same year emigrated to Henderson county (then Warren county), Illi- nois, and settled at Walnut Grove. He bought eighty acres of land on which he built a log cabin 18x50, three apartments and a story and a half high. It still stands. He added to his farm and also to his dwelling. It was during the Mormon disturbances at Nauvoo that Mr. Richey was summoned by Gov. Ford, of Illinois, to raise a com- pany to assist in preserving peace. He had already raised and partly drilled a company of militia at Olena. But leaving all, he visited the governor at Nauvoo, who requested him to take command of the militia there, as the otticer then commanding wished to be relieved. However, this officer concluding to remain at his duty, Mr. Richey, after witnessing the Mormon atrocities, returned home. In 1854 he was elected county judge. He then made his home in Oquawka, that he might better attend to legal duty. With the exception of four OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 995 years, lie held this responsible position till 1875. He was elected squire at his country home and also in Oquawka. He has served on the board of trustees of Oquawka. In 1856 he buried his companion. In 185Y he married Mrs. Cornelia (Day) Moir. Mrs. Richey is a very early resident of Oquawka, having made her home here in 1833, as the wife of Alexis Phelps. Late years Mr. liichey has superintended his farm, but is retired from other business. In politics has been a life long democrat. He has been an elder in the Presbyterian church for many years. His life has been an active one worthy of emulation. His former wives, the Greens, were cousins to the Beveridges, of whom ex- Gov. Beveridge is one. Dr. Cephas Park, the oldest physician of Henderson county was born in Rutland county, Vermont, November 8, 1819. His parents, John and Sophia (Broughton) Park, were natives of Vermont, but finally emigrated to Essex county. New York ; then to Trumbull county, Ohio. John Park fought in the war. of 1812. He yet survives at the age of eighty-six years. His wife died in 1854 and he was again mar- ried. There were five children in his first family and three in his second. His father was an Englishman. Cephas Park, the second child of the first famih', was raised on the farm till nineteen years old. To that time he had attended the common schools. He then attended the high school at Warren, Ohio, about two years. He spent three years as assistant in a postofilce. In 1846 he began reading medicine with Dr. E. Blachley, of Niles, Ohio, but finished reading with Dr. T. B. Wood, of Warren, Ohio. The winter of 1848-9 he attended a course of lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, in the medical department of Western Reserve College, and received a recommenda- tion as a practitioner. He started west, and April 1, 1850, arrived in Oquawka. Not being desirous of practicing to any extent till having completed his course of study, and being limited in means, he opened a small drug store. In the winter of 1853-4 he again attended college at Cleveland, graduating. He returned to Oquawka, disposed of his drug business, and gave all his time to practice, which soon became lucrative and successful. In 1852 he was associated with Dr. Snelling, and in 1879 with Dr. Postlewait, but neither partnership continued very long. The doctor is a man schooled by his own efi'orts and is what is known as a "self-made man." He has accumulated a large farm. Dr. Park was married in Ashtabula county, to Minerva Patter- son, daughter of Lewis and Lucy Patterson, and a native of Ohio. Tliey have one child. Ida. Harry F. McAllister, the present efficient circuit clerk, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1840. His father was 996 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. born near Philadelphia. He was of Scotch descent. For some time prior to and up to his death he was prothonotary of Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania. He died in 1S49. His wife survives. She is also a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. H. F. McAllister received but a limited education, as his father died when Harry was yet young, leav- ing the family in meager circumstances. At the age of fourteen Harry began clerking in Rock Island, Illinois. He next spent three 3^ears in Milwaukee and vicinity, in making abstracts of titles, eminently fitted for such work by his etticiency in penmanship. In the spring of 1861 he came to Oquawka, but soon went to Geneseo, Illinois. He returned in the fall to Oquawka, and became engaged in the circuit clerk's office. He continued Mr. Hugh L. Thomson's deputy circuit clerk until 1868, when he was promoted to the circuit clerkship by the ballot of the peo- ple, and has been re-elected in 1872, 1876, and 1880. In 1866 he was appointed notary public; in 1872 master in chancery for Henderson county, by Judge A. A. Smith. In 1871 he was elected township treas- urer, all of which offices he still tills with credit. For the past six years he has been a member of the republican state central committee. He is a member of the masonic fraternity. Mr. McAllister was married August 30, 1866, to Miss Esther, daughter of Christian and Sarah (Nye) Root, a native of New York State. Ct. F. William Froehlich, the present efficient county clerk, was born March 21, 1835, in Rheinisch, Prussia, and is the seventh child in a family of thirteen. His parents, Peter and Johanna Froehlich, were natives of Rheinisch, and there died. Peter Froehlich was a tanner by trade, and was a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte. G. F. Wm, Froehlich, the subject of these memoirs, was schooled in Prussia, graduating from the higli schc)ol of Bonn, in ]3reparation for college. He relinquished the projected college course, and became a clerk in a chemical factory for one year. In 1852, in May, he set sail at Liver- pool, England, on the vessel AVarbler, for America. After fifty-two days'' sailing the vessel reached New Orleans. Mr. Froehlich came np the Mississippi to Warsaw, Illinois, but very soon came to Oquawka, and became clerk for Frederick Odendahl. In the spring of 1853 he went to W^arsaw where he became an apprentice to the harness trade, working two and a half years. He then followed the trade at different places. In 1859, and part of 1860, he taught a German American school. W^hen war's cruel tongue called for brave men to put down rebellion and slavery, Mr. Froehlicli thought of duty to country, foi^ although he was not American born, he was an American citizen. He enlisted April 22, 1861, in Co. D, 10th 111. Inf. from Oquawka for the three months' service. When discharo;ed he re-enlisted in Co. G, 10th OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP, 997 Mo. Inf., of wliicli was made orderly sergeant, and so continued till near the close of the war. The principal battles in w^hich he was engaged were : Corintli, luka, second Corinth, Jackson, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg ; was in the Yazoo Pass expedition, at Mis- sionary Ridge, and much skirmishing. At the battle of Corinth, Octo- ber 4, 1862, he was wounded in the forehead, and at Champion Hills May 16, 1863, was wounded in the right leg. He was discharged Sep- tember 11, 1864, at. Carterville, (xecM'gia. He served from 1864 to 1865 in the ordnance department of the service. In 1865 he returned to Oquawka for a permanent home. He engaged as clerk, and served as constable a year. He then became dei)uty sheriff. In 1866 was made deputy assessor, also. In 1868 he became deputy county, and deputy circuit, clerk. In 18T7 he was elected county clerk, which office he still holds with ability. Since 1879 he has been town clerk, and has been notary public for a number of years. Mr. Froehlich was married in 1865, to Mrs. Margaret Herbertz, a native of Prussia, and whose family at that time numbered four children. Mr. Froehlich is deeply interested in compiling a soldiers' record, and deserves aid in gathering biogra])liical matter pertaining to those who have fought the battles of the union. Hon. James Peterson, member of the state legislature, was born ]N"ovember 19, 1838, in New York City, His education was such as good public schools afford. The larger part of his knowledge is of that practical sort acquired by actual experience in business. His youth was mostly spent behind his father's counter. His father dying, James, at the age of fourteen years, in 1 852, came to Oquawka and became a clerk in the store of the Meming, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Oquawka, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in October, 1S30. His youth, up to the age of about nineteen, was spent attending school and learning the shoemaker's trade. ' In 1849 he and his parents, John and Mary (Harkins) Gumming, emigrated to the United States, sailing in the siiip Brooklyn. Our subject followed his trade in the state of New York until 1856, when he came to Illinois and perma- nently located at Oquawka, and here has since devoted his time to the manufacture and sale of boots and shoes. In 18.56 he built his brick store, which does credit to the south side of Schuyler street. In 1853 at Troy, New York, Mr. Gumming was united in marriage with Miss Jane King, a native of Ireland. His father died in New York in 1873, and his mother is still living and is a resident of Hamilton, On- tario, Ganada. James R. White, one of Oquawka's esteemed citizens, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1818. His early life was spent on a farm and he obtained what in those davs was called a good common school education. In his younger years he had given some little atten- tion to the study of civil engineering, and after coming to Henderson county, ill 1853, he was employed as deputy county surveyor, and soon after was elected as surveyor of Henderson county. This, how- ever, he abandoned in 1859 and went to the Colorado mountains, where he engaged in mining. It was while there that the war of 1861-5 broke out, and he enlisted in Go. C, 2d Golo. Cav., and went south in defense of his country's flag. After following the fortunes of war over three years, making many tedious marches and running many narrow escapes, he was honorably discharged and returned to Oquawka, and has since been constantly engaged as salesman and book-keeper for R. Hodson, Esq. His flrst wife Lydia (Jacoby) White, died in 1868. She was the mother of his only child, a son, Albert B., now of Kan- sas City, Missouri. His second mamage was with Mrs. Mary J. Bige- low, whose companionship he still enjoys. Jedediah E. Barnes, Kirkwood, Illinois, who was for many years a prominent citizen and able educator of Henderson county, Illinois, was born in Rensselaer county, New York, in 1829. His youth was spent on the farm engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was also, dur- 1008 HISTORY OF aCERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. in^ bovliood's years, an attentive student in the common schools, Hn- ishing his education, howevei', in East Hampton, Massachusetts. The seven years previous to 1853 was spent in teaching school in the State of New Jersey. In that year he emigrated to Henderson county, Illi- nois, and for the next twelve years devoted his time largely to teach- ing. In 1858 he was elected county superintendent of schools. In 1865 he removed to Kirkwood, Warren county, Illinois, where he is now engaged in the nursery business. December 26, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Ewing, a native of Indiana, by whom he has two children. The elder, William, is now in the railroad office, at Galesburg, and a daughtei" Olive is a student at Knox College. Mr. Barnes' parents were Jedediah P. and Elizabeth (Eldridge) Barnes ; the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Massachusetts. They both died at Troy, New York. Mr. Barnes enjoys the esteem and respect of the best citizens of Henderson county. William A. Findley, farmer, Oquawka, was born in Muskingum county, near Zanesville, Ohio, September 1, ]819. In the fall of 1835 his parents, Matthew and Elizabeth (Blackburn) Findley, with a family of six children, emigrated to Warren county, Illinois, and remained the first winter near Kirkwood. The following spring they perma- nently located in what was since organized as Henderson county, on Sec. 36, T. 11 N., 5 R. W., where they lived till the time of his death in the spring of 1863. He was born in Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, January 11, 1703. He was a son of David Findley, who emigrated with his father, David Findley, Sr., and family, from the north of Ireland to America, about 1770. The sons of David Findley, Sr., took an active part in the revolutionary war, and one of them was for many years a member of congress. William A., the subject of this sketch, was early identified with the interests of the first settling of this county, and struggled hard against disadvantages to get a start, and honest labor has finally been rewarded with success. October 25, 1819, he was married in Perry county, Indiana, to Miss Sarah J. Law- rence, a daughter of James and Esther (Jamison) Lawrence, born in Perry county, Indiana, November 20, 1824. Their children are: William II., Isabel (wife of W. C. Sloan), Caroline, Ida J. (now Mrs. Sanniel R. Jamison), Elizabeth, and Hettie May. They are members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Findley's membership dates back to 1837, and he has been an elder since 1866. He has ever been very liberal in supporting and building up the church. Lewis H. Hand was born at Mt. Gilead, Ohio, May 21, 1848, and came with his parents to Oquawka in 1851. He was for many years connected with the Presbyterian Sunday school, and is the only OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 1009 one of liis class now liere. September -30, IST-t, he was married to Miss Lnlu Big:elow, a daughter of Solomon Bigelow. She was born in Oqiiawka, October 26, 1854. Tliey have two children, Helen H. and Hattie B. Mr. Hand is a member of the masonic fraternity. His father was for a number of years identified with the interests of Oquawka, having served here as postmaster during President Bucha- nan's administration. In 1864 he went west to the mountains, and never since being heard from it is supposed he met with some tragic death. Charles F. W. Schell was born in Ulm, Germany, February 18, 1845, and came with his parents to America in 1851. While in Wis- consin he was married to Miss Mary E. Brooks, August 15, 1867. She was born March 27, 1844. They have five children, whose names are Unice A., Lida E., Charles, Caroline B., and William A. Early in life he learned the trade of blacksmith at Burlington, Iowa. Decem- ber 18, 1863, he enlisted as a soldier for the union, in Co. G, 25tli la. Inf., and in May, 1865, was transferred to the 9tli la. Inf., from which he was honorably discharged late in the summer of 1865. His father, Leonard Schell, settled in Oquawka in September, 1852, and has since been one of its honored citizens. He has been engaged in carriage and wagon manufacture for fifty-two years. He was born in Ulm, Germany, January 31. 1818. His wife, Anne Bielhald, died in 1862. His childi-en are Charles F. W. (the subject of this sketch), William Henry, and Rudolph. Peter Goempler, stone cutter and mason, was born in Philippsthal, Province of Hesse, Germany, January 12, 1822, and was reared to the trade of his father and grandfather (stone cutter and mason). July 19, 1846, he married Amelia Bonn, a native of the same place. Octo- ber 7, 1853, he left the land of his birth, and, with his wife and little family, set sail for the new world, landing at jS^ew Yoi-k January 4, 1854, and on March 18, of the same year, permanently located in Oquawka, wliere he has since followed his trade, in connection with which he has for a number of years paid some attention to farming on land he now owns near town. He has seven children living, whose names are : Adam A. , Louisa E. , (wife of Jacob Guyer, of Keokuk), Emma, (wife of George Rodmaker), Mary, Christena, Paulina, and Karoline. Mr. Goempler is a constant member of the German Reformed church. William N. Bodex, blacksmith and dealer in agricultural imple- ments, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1836, and reared in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He. received a fair com- mon school education, and early in life learned the trade of blacksmith. 1010 HISTOET OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTRIES. In May, 1858, lie came to Oquawka, and at once engaged in black- smith business, and some later formed a partnership with Kiner Schell & Co., and is now the company part of that active tirm. April 20, 1872, he was married to Mrs. Florence Gould, a daughter of JAoyd Cunningham, Esq. She is a native of Warren county, Illinois. Their only child, Frank, was born in Oquawka. John Kessel, son of Joseph and Charlott (Wessbecher) Kessel, was born in Baden, Germany, August 25, 1839. The parents of Mr. Kessel, in 1854, emigrated to the United States, tirst locating in Bur- lington, Iowa, where John learned the trade of barber. In 1861 he came to this place and opened a barber shop, soon after adding to the busi- ness the sale of tobacco and cigars, and in 1868 added also the manu- facture of cigars. July 10, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Rotana Frazell, who died August 28, 1878. His next marriage was on ISTovember 25, 1880, to Miss Louisa B. Grass, a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Kessel's tirst wife was a native of Licking county, Ohio. By her he had three children, living, whose names are AYilliam G., Lottie, and Addie H. Mr. Kessel is a member of the masonic and odd-fellows' fraternities. Jacob C. Peterjian, wagon and carriage maker, Oquawka, is the son of John and Catherine (Olewine) Peterman, and is a native of Washington county, Maryland. When he was about one year old his parents removed to Richland county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and during his early life learned the trade he now follows. In 1850 he went with a company over the plains to California, and while there engaged in mining and working at his trade. He was also for a time employed as deputy sheriif in the collection of foreign tax. In 1856 he returned home, having made the enterprise a success. On June 30, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Mickey, a native of Ohio. The next day, July 1, they started for Illinois, arriving at Oquawka, July 7. Here he permanently located and began the busi- ness of his trade. They have six children living, John P., Charles M., Carrie G., Burton, George, and Jennie B. He and wife and eldest daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopel church. Alexander M. Smith, the present manager of the Henderson county poor farm and jail, was born in Kentucky, February 16, 1846. His fatliei-, Ralph Smith, died in Kentucky in 1846, and our subject came to Illinois with his motlier and brother Charles, in 1849. They settled and lived for a number of years on a farm about four miles southeast of Oquawka. At that time the county was new and but sparsely settled, and consequently Alexander enjoyed but few school advantages. In January, 1864, he enlisted in Co. F, 16th 111. Vol. OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP. 1011 Inf., when the regiment was home on veteran furlough, leaving home tiie dav after his eighteenth birthday, and was honorably discharged at Springlield in the summer of 1865, having been with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea. After his return home he engaged in farming. March 9, 1876, he was married to Miss Eliza M. Jackson, the daughter of Mr. Asa Jackson, of Greenville, Henderson county, Illinois. She is a native of Indiana. They have one child, Ralph, born April 12, 1881. In March, 1879, he took charge of the Hender- son county poor farm and jail, and is making the farm a decided suc- cess. His mother has been three times married. Her second husband was Thadeus Bird, now deceased. Her present husband is Mr. S. H. Crow. They ai-e now residents of Greenville precinct. By each of her three husbands she has reared two children. John A. Pence is a son of John and Elizabeth (Heaton) Pence, founder and builder of Pence's Fort, of historic note in Henderson county. He was born nearOquawka August 12, 1830, and is believed to be the first white child born within what are now the bounds of Hen- derson county. His earliest years were spent without the advantages and surroundings of the children of the present day. His playmates were the children of the Indians, who shared with him their rude playthings as well as their mother's breasts. His educational advan- tages were extremely meager. In March, 1850, he went to California, where he remained till June, 1859, when he returned to his home in Oquawka. In 1861, when red handed treason and rebellion threatened his country, tie volunteered his services in defense of the national fiag, as a member of Co. D, 7th Mo. Cavalry. After eighteen months war- fare, he was wounded and taken prisoner by QuantrelFs band of guerillas, and was soon after paroled, first being sworn never to again take up arms against the confederate states. During his short term of service he filled the positions of acting adjutant, post-quartermaster, and lieutenant. December 19, 1862, he was married to Miss Mary A. Chapen, a daughter of Mr. Ebenezer and Catharine (Daggett) Chapen, who came to Henderson in 1839. They were formerly from Indiana and emigrated to Knox county, Illinois, in an early day. Mr. Pence has given much attention to the gathering and preserving of geological specimens, and has now in his possession one of the finest cabinets in the county. John McFarlaxd may be mentioned as among the early settlers now li\ang and doing business in Oquawka, having come here in 1841. He was born at Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, March 20, 1828, and came with his parents, William and Xancy (Stelley) McFarland, to Oquawka, as above stated. His father was by trade a carpenter, and 1012 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. followed the business many years after his settlement here. John was married in August, 1855, to Miss Ella King, a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Hensley) King, of Oquawka. She was born in Milton, Trim- ble county, Kentucky, February 28, 1838, and was brought by her parents to Burlington, Iowa, the same year. In 1856 Mr. McFarland embarked in the lumber trade in this place, successfully following the business till the present. He has lately, to some extent, been turning his attention to farming, liaving bought a farm a short distance out of towm. Mr. McFarland and wife are the parents of six children, four of whom are now living, as follows : Frank E. , Harvey, Walter, and Maud. Mrs. McFarland is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. McFarland's parents are both dead and buried here. Joseph S. Linell, harness and saddle manufacturer and dealer, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, March 23, 1839. In 1849 his parents, William B. and Selecta (Stoddard) Linell, emigrated to Peoria, Illinois, where they remained until 1852, when they removed to Oquawka. Here our subject attended school during the next live years. Having at this time arrived at a sufficient age he turned his attention to learning a trade and began an apprenticeship with his brother, Philip S. Linell, then engaged in the harness and saddlery manufacture at Oquawka. After completing his trade in 1858 he went to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and there engaged in business for himself. While here he was united in marriage with Miss Francis A. Pixley, October 6, 1859, and the same year returned to Oquawka and formed a partnership with his brother, but one year later sold out and went to work for M. E. Chapen, at his trade, till 1864, when he enlisted in Co. D, 138th 111. Yol. Inf After his return home in 1865 he bought out Mr. Chapen, and in company with G. W. Adair, embarked again in the business of his trade. In 1870 he bought out his partner and has since been the sole owner of his present prosperous business. His children, named in the order of their birtli, are : Annetta, Jessie B., Frank, Philip P., Charles, Fannie, Fred, and two deceased. Mr. LinelFs lather was a native of Birmingham, England, born in 1804. Early in youth he came to the United States and was through life a minister in the Universalist church. During the late war he enlisted in the 10th 111. Vol. Inf., and was commissioned chaplain. He died September 6, 1867. His wife was a native of Vermont, and died at Vevay, Indiana, May 13, 186^ Benjamin F. Brooks (deceased), was born in Genesee county, New York, June 27, 1818. In the very early settlement of this county, his parents entered land and settled near Carman, where our subject early received that culture and education in the art of pioneer life and TENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 1013 industry that characterized his movements tln-oiigh all subsequent life, September 24, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Curts, the daughter of John and Temperance (Fredricks) Curts, who was born in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1823, and came with her parents to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1836. After his marriage Mr. Brooks engaged in farming till 1853, when he removed to Oquawka and embarked in the lumber trade, which he followed till the time of his death, which sad and untimely event occurred Novem- ber 28, 1862, at Hannibal, Missouri. He had gone there with a view of entering into the lumber trade at that place, and was busily engaged in starting a steam saw-mill when, on the day above stated, at a few minutes after 11 o'clock a.m., the boiler exploded with terrific force. He was struck with a piece of flying timber, from the eU'ects of which he died a few minutes after six the same day. His wife and friends were at once notified by telegraph, and his body was brought back to Oquawka for burial. He left, besides his wife, six children. Two have since died, and William F., Charles, Henry, and Edward, are still liv- ing. The two deceased are Annetta and Ella M. Col. J. B. Patterson thus spoke of him in the '' Spectator"" at the time of his death : ''Mr. Brooks was one of the successful business men of this city, and always forward in his efforts to bring out the best development of his town. He was loved and respected in life, and in death lamented by all who knew him while here in Oquawka." TENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. The attack on Fort Sumter precipitated in the north such a whirl- wind of patriotic wrath and gathering of men for war as no nation had ever seen. Events crowded in swift succession. Sumter fell on the 14th of April, 1861 ; on the 15tli President Lincoln called on the states for 75,000 volunteers for ninety days, and the same day Governor Yates issued his proclamation convening the legislature on the 23d. On the 16th he issued general order No. 2, providing for the imme- diate organization of six regiments. Benjamin M. Prentiss, of Quincy, was raising a company, and sent to Francis A. Dallum, of Oquawka, to bring 38 men, and a meeting was called at the court-house for the afternoon of the 17th. As soon as it was organized J. F. Powers, Esq., rose, and after making a few remarks, stepped forward and signed the enlistment roll, thus becom- ing the first volunteer from Henderson county. Then there was a per- fect rush ; no question then as to who would go, but who could get a 1014 HISTTRY OF SLERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. chance to go. The enlistment of these men was reported as having occurred on the 23d, about the time they arrived at (|uincy. On reach- ing there it was found that Prentiss had left for Cairo. Going on to Springfield, Gov. Yates furnished transportation, and Dallum and his men followed to the same place. The trip from Oquawka was a con- tinual ovation. At every station enthusiastic crowds greeted and cheered them, and along the route men in the fields, and women and children at the doors and windows, waved hats, fiags, and handker- chiefs, showing to what mighty depth the popular heart was moved for the Union. But this fiery, glorious spirit waned to a chilling de- gree on approacliing within forty or fifty miles of their destination, and soon it seemed that they were in the enemy's country. Sympathy with secession was greater there, in "lower tlgypt,'' than love for the old fiag. No false ideas should be allowed to conceal this sad truth in euphemism. The lightning had hardly yet flashed the thrilling sentir ments of Douglas, and Logan and McClernand had not thrown their influence into the scales. At Cairo, Dallum's little party was the nucleus for company D. Around it gathered the surplus numbers from over-full companies, and it was regularly formed, with Dallum for cap- tain ; Benjamin Edson, first lieutenant ; and Samuel J. Wilson, second lieutenant. All these ofiicers belonged to Oquawka. B. M. Prentiss, captain of company E, from Quincy, became colonel when the regi- ment was organized. It was mustered into service on the 29th by Capt. (afterwards General) Pope. When the six regiments had reported at Cairo, Col. Prentiss was elected and commissioned brigadier-general, and took command of this, the first brigade of Illinois volunteers, with headquarters at Cairo. The 10th regiment was composed of seven companies of infantry and three of artillery. The term was taken up with guard duty, drilling, and forays into Kentucky and Missouri to break up rebel camps. News of the battle of Bull Run was received just at the expiration of service, and that beloved officer, Lieut. -Col. James D. Morgan, (afterward General) asked the lOtli if they would remain and go to Washington if needed. They gave unanimous and enthusiastic consent. The regi- ment was mustered out July 25th. Gen. Prentiss obtained authority from Washington to reorganize the six regiments, and this was mustered in on the 29th for three 3'ears, with Morgan for colonel, and during several months was re- cruiting its ranks. Charles S. Cowan, of Oquawka, at once began to raise a company, which was nearly full by the last of August. The organization took place there, and Cowan was selected for captain, Samuel J. Wilson for first lieutenant, and Collin McKenney for second TENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 1015 lieutenant. Taking the Chicago, Burlington & Quiiicj railroad at Sagetown, the 79 enlisted soldiers went to Mendota, and from there Idj tlie Illinois Central to Cairo, where they were sworn into the United. States service August 80th by Col. R. J. Oglesby. In a few weeks company E was raised to the minimum standard. Company G, in the reorganized regiment, was made up of men from Clark, I^ee and Ilen- dei'son counties, the latter sending 30, who were enlisted between Xo- vember 20, isni, and March 1, 1863. The recruiting was done by David R. Waters, of Oquawka. The men were taken to Mound City, where they found a part of the company in camp with the regiment, which had been removed from Cairo. On January 19th the company organized by electing John D. Mitchell, of Clark county, first lieuten- ant, and D. R. Waters second lieutenant. The sergeants were : E. A. Wilson, John Ferguson, G. W. Blanchard, and Thomas C. Boyer. When the company was full the line officers were promoted one grade, and Sergeant Blanchard was commissioned second lieutenant. The ■company was armed at Mound City with smooth-bore muskets. The regiment lay there till December, th^n moved to Bird's Point and wintered. ^ In conjunction with the Ttli cavalry, on March 1, it dispersed Jeff Thompson's guerillas, and took two guns hnd some -provisions. It joined Pope's army, and on the night of the 12th, in company with the 16th Illinois, advanced on ISTew Madrid to within 800 yards of the rebel intrenchments, and 100 yards of the picket line, threw up works, planted four guns, and in the morning opened fire. They lay in the trenches all day, receiving tlie combined fire of two gunboats, and Forts Thompson and Pillow. The rebels evacuated Xew Madrid that night, and A])ril 7 Gen. Pope embarked the 10th and 16th on trans- ports, and huri'ied them down to Tiptonville, where they inter- cepted the rebels i-etreating from Island No. 10, and captured Gen- eral Mackall and 2,500 of his men. Company E, while on picket at night, took 800 prisoners. Pope's success resulted in the taking of 6,000 prisoners, and a large quantity of stores and munitions, besides several gunboats. The regiment soon after moved with Pope's army to the siege of Corinth, and was in all the engagements he had with the enemy, and on May 3d and 8tli was under the tire of the rebel batteries. After the evacuation of Corinth it was foremost in the pursuit of the enemy to Booneville. Through June and a part of July it was lying in camp at Big Springs, then it moved to Tuscumbia, and from thence, under Gen. Palmer as division commander, to JSTashville, where it remained during the blockade caused by Bragg's invasion, on half, then quarter rations, and at last on something less, meantime 1016 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. building Fort Neglev and doing some fighting, until relieved by Eose- crans. July 20, 1863, it moved from that city to New Fost'erville ; August 24 reached Bridgeport, and October 1, Sequatchie Valley, from which it assisted McCook's cavalry to drive out Wheeler's. It sup- ported Sherman in his attack on Missionary Ridge, and pursued the flying rebels, to Ringgold. It marched to the relief of Knoxville, and returned to Chattanooga and went into winter qua)-ters in rear of Ross- ville, Georgia, where it veteraned on the first day of January, 1864. The campaign against Atlanta next commanded its energies and cour- age, and it was in action at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face, Resacca, Rome, Dallas, New Hope church. Lost and Kenesaw mountains, Chatta- hoochee river, Atlanta, and Jonesboro. It followed Hood back to the Tennessee, then returned with Sherman to Atlanta, and marched through Georgia. From Savannah it went by water to Beaufort, and thence moved to Pocotaligo. These last movewents were in January, 1865. On February 3 the third brigade of Mower's (first) division. Seventeenth Corps, crossed the Salkehatchie at River's bridge. The swamp at this point was a mile wide, and cut up with numerous chan- nels. The water varied from one to five feet in depth, and was cold. The men crossed under heavy fire, and routed the rebel brigade, which defended the passage, the 10th losing forty men. It is said that Gen. Howard, who witnessed the proformance, declared it was "the best thing of the war." On the 9th the regiment pontooned the South Edisto, at Binicker's bridge, in face of the enemy, and after night waded nearly half a mile through a lake, struck the rebels in fiank, drove them from their trenches, and made several captures. It went through South Carolina like a destroying angel, passing Orangeburg, Columbia, Winnsboro, and Cheraw. Reaching Fayetteville, North Carolina, March 11, it pontooned the Cape Fear river, made a lodg- ment on the farther side, killing one lieutenant and five men. It bore a chief part in the battle of Bentonville, and on the last day, with the rest of the division, pierced the enemy's line, and captured a part of Johnson's headquarter material. The regiment participated in all that followed in connection with Sherman's army, until the close of the grand review in Washington. On June 4 it moved to Louisville, Ken- tucky, where it was mustered out July 4. On the 11th it received final payment and discharge at Chicago. SIXTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 1017 SIXTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. Having provided for the six regiments under the president's call, the legislature passed the Ten-Eegiment bill, which took effect May 2d, authorizing ten regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and one battalion of liglrt artillery, to be raised for the state service. All persons enlist- ing under this act were required to go into the service of the general government, if called for. One regiment was to be raised from volun- teer companies then at Springfield, and one in each of the nine con- gressional districts. On the 3d the president called for 82,714 addi- tional troops- for three years, and requisition was made on Gov. Yates for six more regiments. Meantime the people in fervid patriotism were crowding the recruiting places and clamoiing for acceptance by the government. The state government exhausted all powers of soli- citation on their behalf. Finally, when the disaster at Bull Run had brought the war department at Washington to its senses. Secretary Cameron notified Gov. Yates, July 28. that he would "accept the thir- teen additional infantry regiments, three additional cavalry regiments, and an additional light artillery battalion. The light of stern facts had so relieved the obfuscated vision of the war secretary that on the 11th of August he telegraphed Gov. Yates : "You are authorized to accept all companies of troops willing to enter the service." Henceforth the military spirit had free course. Co. F, KJth 111. Inf., was mostly raised in Henderson county. Like others of the earliest companies, this was not raised by special efibrt of any person, but was a spontaneous for- mation. Two young men in the north part -of the county returning from church on Sunday, sat down under a tree, with Saturday's "Hawkeye," full of war news, and the fall of Sumter. They dis- cussed the situation, deliberated on leaving behind aged parents who needed their care, and the result was they resolved to go to Oquawka on Monday and enlist. This is a sample of the patriotism which im- pelled men with the force of a religious conviction. It was thus that this company was raised. It was organized at Oquawka May 9th. James Fritz, of Terre Haute, was chosen captain, John W. Herbert, of same place, first lieutenant, and James G. Stewart, of Biggsville, second lieutenant. The com|)any went with teams to Sagetown, and from there on the cars to Galesburg, where the men stayed over night in a livery stable, and next morning proceeded to Quincy. There the regiment was sworn into service on the 21th. Co. F had about 60 men from Henderson county ; the remainder were gathered up in various places. The regiment went into active service at Hannibal, Missouri, 1018 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. June 9, 1S61, under Col. Kobert F. Smith, and on the 12th it moved to Grand river and was posted along the railroad to guard it. July 10th the force at Monroe station was attacked by 1,600 mounted rebels, but Col. Smith defended his position until the arrival of reinforcements, when the assailants hastily departed. On the 16th two were killed and two wounded at Caldwell Station. The regiment moved to St. Joseph September 10, and on the llth skii-mished at Platte City, it was. ordered to Bird's Point January 2Tth, and to New Madrid, Mai-ch 3d, 1862. In com]:)any with the lOtli Illinois it was thrown forward to within 800 yards of the rebel main line, threw up works, planted four heavy guns, and in the morning startled the enemy with their un- expected fire. They received the concentrated cannonade of the rebel gunboats and forts throughout the day, and that night the place was evacuated by the enemy. In his re])ort, Gen. Pope made the fol- lowing special mention of tlie 10th and 16th : "The 10th and 16tli Illinois, commanded respective!}' by Colonels Morgan and J. P. Smith, were detailed as guards to the proposed trenches and to aid in con- structing them. They marched from camp at sunset on the 12th inst., and drove in the pickets and grand guards of the enemy as they were ordered, at shoulder arms, without returning a shot ; covered the front of the intrenching parties, and occupied the trenches and rifle pits dur- ing the whole day and night of the 13th, under furious and incessant cannonading from sixty pieces of heavy artillery. At the earnest re- quest of their colonels their regimental flags were kept flying over our trenches, though they oflered a conspicuous mark to the enemy. The coolness, courage and cheerfulness of these troops, exposed for twO' nights and a day to the furious fire of the enemy at short range, and to- the severe storm which raged during the whole night of the 13th, are beyond all praise, and delighted and astcmished every oflicer who wit- nessed it." On April 7th these two regiments were sent down the river and across to Tiptonville, and ca})tured 6,000 retreating rebels. The 16tli took ])art in the siege of Corinth, and joined the rest of Hal- leck's army in the pursuit of Beauregard to Booneville. July 29th it crossed the Tennessee river at Florence, and September 15th reached Nashville, after a march of seventeen days, beset with no little gue- rilla fighting. It remained there during the rebel blockade, and November 5tli aided in repelling the attack of John Morgan on Edge- field, where it was encamped. It continued in the vicinity of Nash- ville until July 19, 1863, when it commenced the march to Chat- tanooga. It marched to the relief of Knoxville. It re-enlisted in the winter of 1S63-4, and after its return from veteran furlough was organ- ized with the 10th and 60tli Illinois and lOtli Michigan infantry into- TWENTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 1019 Morgan's Veteran Brigade. The regiment entered on the Atlanta campaign June 1st, and fought in most of the battles. It served con- tiiuiously with Sherman, marched to the sea, campaigned through the Carolinas, went on to Washington, participated in the grand review, and then was transferred to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was mustered out of service July 8, 1865. It reached Camp Butler the 10th and received final payment and discharge. TWENTY-EIGHTH (CONSOLIDATED) ILLINOIS INFANTRY. The original 28th Illinois was raised in that region lying between" Springfield and the Mississippi river, and was partly formed at Camp Butler in August, 1861, by Lieut.-Col. L. II. Waters, afterward colonel of the 84tli, and while yet an inchoate regiment was ordered to Thebes, Illinois, on dutv. It greatlv distinguished itself at Fort Heiman, Little Bethel, Shiloli, Yicksburg, and Jackson, Mississippi. At the latter place on July 12, 1863, in a hopeless and bloody charge, out of 128 men engaged it lost 73 killed and wounded and 16 taken prisoners, more than two-thirds. It re-enlisted in the veteran service at Natchez, January tt, 186-1:. In October it was so reduced in num- bers that it was found advisable to consolidate it into four companies, and in November it received 200 recruits, who were organized into two companies. In January, 1865, the substitutes and drafted men assigned to it were formed into two more companies. While in the trenches before Spanish Fort, in Mobile bay, the regiment was joined April 7th by companies G and H from Camp Butler. Company H was raised chiefly in Henderson and Macoupin counties, the former fur- nishing about thirty, mostly from around Olena, Terre Haute, Warren, and Dallas. This number consisted largely of veteran discharged sol- diers, and was recruited in February and March, 1865, by Capt. James Fritz, formerly of Co. F, 16th 111. Inf , assisted by James O. Ander- son, present sheriff of Henderson county, and others. Early in March this squad was taken to Quincy, thence to Springfield, where it was joined by the men from Macoupin county, and the company organized with Benjamin F. Cowell, of Macoupin, for captain ; John E. Hendry, of Terre Haute, first lieutenant ; and Pliilij) F. Wagner, of Macoupin, second lieutenant. The company proceeded immediately by rail to Cairo ; thence by river transport to New Orleans ; from there b}- gulf steamer to Fort Gaines, at' the mouth of Mobile bay, and disembarking there, marched to the regiment, which belonged to the third brigade, 1020 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HEXDERSOX COUNTIES. third division. Thirteenth Army Corps. Next day the fort was evacu- ated. On the 10th the regiment moved up to Fort Blakely ; on the 12th entered Mobile ; on the 13th marched to Whistlers station and skirmished with the enemy. Chief Justice Chase reviewed the regi- ment at Mobile, June 3d. In the beginning of July it was embarked for Brazos Santiago, Texas, to join the army of observation under Gen. AYeitzel, and marched to Clarksville ; thence in August it went to Brownsville, where it was mustered out March 16, 1866. It was disbanded at Xew Orleans. OLENA TOWNSHIP. To be a pioneer in any enterprise required a great deal of courage, and, especially if successful, entitles one to be enrolled among the benefactors of the race. The broad prairies of Illinois were opened up by just such a race ; and royally have these prairies responded to the pioneer's courageous and intelligent enterprise, with harvests so unfailingly abundant that to-day Illinois ranks first among the agricul- tural states. Henderson county is a good illustration of this truth. Settled by a good class of pioneers, possessed of soil unusually well adapted to agricultural pursuits, she contains to-day a class of success- ful farmers, less easily discouraged than is ordinarily the case. In the most unfavorable years the crops have been sufficiently abundant to be profitable, and taking it years together, scarcely any one has failed to make money. Of the general characteristics of the country, the township of which we write is an excellent illustration. Not so rich as some townships, not so poor as others, it is still characterized by such constantly assured abundance as guarantees steady prosperity and steadily increasing wealth. One cannot but remark the number of prosperous farmers about its only considerable village, Olena, and the absence of the poor and shiftless. The lack of an easily accessible railway makes this peculiarity the more noticable ; or does the railway bring the willingly dependent class with it? At all events the com- munity is a desirable one to locate in, and awaits only a railroad to give it business importance. It is able to maintain both, by its central location in the county and by the wealth it possesses. The settlement of this township dates back to the arrival of John Gibson and famil}- in the year 1833. His dwelling for the first sum- mer, was a rail ])en. In the fall, after getting his land broken and seeded, he built a log hut. Until the next spring his was the only family in township 9, range 5. He was originally from Tennessee, OLENA TOWNSHIP. 102.^ whence lie had removed to Greene countv, Ohio. He buried his first wife, and married Ann McNary, May 21, 1829. In 1831 lie came to Illinois, and settled successively in Sangamon and Warren counties, remaining in each county one year. He then came to Henderson county, and located on the S. E. ^ of Sec. 11, T. 9 N., 5 W., in the midst of an unbroken wilderness, inhabited by Indians and wolves, both, however, veiy neighborly. Moreover the necessities of life were not easily obtainable. Mills were so distant and difficult to reach that gi'ain pounded up in a mortar constructed of a hollow stump, was their only meal. As in ancient temples, so in this rail pen the fire was never allowed to go out, but once, and the penalty paid was a ride to Biggsville to borrow fire. Mr. Gibson died September 30, 1858. His son, Andrew, the first white child born in this township, still occupies the home farm. During the spring and summer of 1834 there came into this sec- tion John H. Dunn, Jacob Mendenhall, Robert Kendall, John Shull, T. J. Fort, J. B. Fort, John Houchin, and James and David Laswell. John H. Dunn settled on the S. W. J of Sec. 10, and lived there until his death in 1840. His was the first burial in the Watson ceme- tery. Jacob Mendenhall settled on the S. W. ^ of Sec. 3. He came from North Carolina, stopping for a short time in Indiana, and at Peoria, Illinois. In 1835 he returned to his native home, accom- panied by his wife, to obtain a legacy left him by his father*, making the entire trip in a buggy. The following year he removed to Dallas City, Illinois. Here he died, and here his sons still reside. John Houchin built a mill on the east side of Ellison creek, opposite the present mill at Warren. This he sold to Hopper and Watson, and removed to Texas in 1836. He died there prior to 1860. Thomas Jefierson Fort came from Warren county, Kentucky, where he was born January 20, 1809. At the age of nineteen he left home, and, after a few years spent in farming near his native place, came to Illinois, settling successively in Warren, Fulton, and Henderson coun- ties. He had been married before leaving Kentu'^ky to Sarah Brown, daughter of Andrew Brown, a soldier in the British army at the time of its capture at Yorktown. Principally self-taught, Mr. Fort has been a friend of education, and to his intelligent observations and clear memory, we owe most of the early history of the county, here pre- sented. Of the Laswells and John Shull nothing was learned. The other first settlers will be mentioned elsewhere. From this time on the township filled up steadily, but not very rapidly until after 1855. It is noticeable that up to this year the immi- 58 102J: HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. gration was into Iowa, but from 1855 to 1860 there came a reaction; the tide turned and this section rapidly filled. The township contains two villages, Olena and Warren. The former was laid out by Robert Kendall. It was located at first somewhat south ot' its present site, and was moved wliere it now stands to adapt itself to the road when it was tinallv located. Julius Porter laid out an addition on the north side of the road, which bears his name. Robert Kendall opened the first store in the village, and, indeed, was foremost in developing it. He was from near Xenia, Ohio. He came to Henderson county in 1835, bringing with him considerable capital. He entered the land on which Olena stands, and built a double log cabin on the site of Mr. George Curry's present residence. The town laid out, he set about building cabins and getting settlers into them. His store was opened where the store of Mr. J. A. Stevens now stands. In 18-43 he put up a two- story brick building, which was used alternately as a dwelling and as a store until it came into the possession of Ira Putney, Sr. It was then taken down and the brick put into the foundation of Mr. Stevens' store, then owned by Putney & Curry. Mr. Kendall died February 5, 1848, and his family removed to Washington, Iowa. There is little of general interest in the history of this village aside from the men who at different times have lived here, and plied their various trades. Among these men, not mentioned elsewhere, is Ira Putney, Sr. He was born in Vermont in 1802. Here he married Sarah, daughter of Moses Copp, and afterward removed to Canada. In 1842 he again removed to Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois, where for a number of years he pursued his trade as a hatter. In 1^51 he removed to Burlington, Iowa, and. opened a provision store. Thence, in 1856, he came to Olena, and bought the general store of Marks & Porter. He continued in business until his son, Ira Putney, Jr., returned from the army, when he retired, retaining only the office of postmaster, which position he still filled at the time of his death, April 25, 1872. His early advantages were very small, but he possessed such force and worth as made him successful in business, and gave him a positive influence in the community and in the church (Methodist Episcopal) of which he was a member. Julius Porter came from near Chillicothe, Ohio, in the fall of 1847. He followed a variety of occupations in Olena, until his removal to DesMoines, Iowa, about 1859. Since 1880 his residence has been in Kansas. William Marks, business partner of the above, left Olena about the same time as Porter. Since leaving he has been engaged in the min- istry of the Methodist Episcopal church. OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1025 Barton Davids came to Olena fi-om Burlington, Iowa, in ISoO or 1851. and returned thither a year later. He built a large frame store and dwelling, on the site of Dr. I. P. Cowden's residence. The build- ing passed into various hands, and in 1877 was burned to the ground. Among the oddities of the village for many years was an eccentric but well educated Frenchman, Felix Longchampt, general merchant. He is chiefly remembered for his political prejudices. His distaste for the sable hue of anti-slavery politics was so great that black pigs and black kittens falling to his estate paid the penalty of their criminal color by immediate drowning, ''not shriving time allowed," on the ground that they were '■'•da(h)mned bla(li)ck repooblicans." Long- champt died near Kirkwood, Blinois, in 1873. Other merchants, Messrs. Bandall, Putney, Curry, and Stevens, have full biographies in their appropriate places. For churches, schools, societies, etc., see the appropriate headings. Though small, its central position and the wealthy farming community about it, give Olena good hope that the advent of a railroad is not in the distant future, and with that it will be the important place of first town in the county. It was for a number of years the political center of the county. Its ambition is revived by the proposed change of the county seat, and it hopes yet to secure the prize. Warren is a somewhat older village than Olena, and was at one time more important. The first store was opened there by George Kelly, of Burlington, Iowa, the first in this township, anticipating Kendall's store at Olena by a year or more. The principal store, however, was opened by Lambert Hopper, in the building erected by Adams & McKinney, in 1837 or 1838, as a packing house. Mr. Hopper also laid out the town, inducing settling by giving lots to such parties as erected cabins upon them. In the village, as in all his busi- ness relations, Mr. Hopper was a very enterprising, generous, public spirited man. He gave unstinted support to religion and education. We regret that inability to obtain sufficient information prevents giving a suitable sketch of this most worthy man. Township 9, i-ange 5, is, however, chiefly given over for farmers and farming, and for this occupation it is admirably adapted. The surfiice is rolling and well drained by Ellison creek and its tributaries. This creek takes its name from a stranger named Ellison found dead upon its banks. Its ])rincipal tributary in this township is Wolf creek, so called from the great number of wolves that frequented the timber through which this stream flows. There are, however, various otlier important streams flowing into the Ellison, fed by living springs. About one-fifth of township 9, range 5, is covered by timber. For- 1026 IILS'JORV (»F MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. merly there was a large quantity of walnut, of burr, wliite and Spanish oak, and of hard maple timber. Little but oak remains, so completely liaye the mills worked \\\) the large timber. The soil is for the chief part a sandy loam, with a porous clay subsoil, equally adapted to en- dure either a wet or a dry season. The exception to tliis nature of soil is found in the western tier of townships. Through these run a chain of sandy bluffs about one-quarter of a mile wide, covered with a scant growth of scrub-oak. At the foot of these bluffs, on the western side, is a narrow strip of black sand very fertile, but beyond this the soil is not productive. The land in this township came into the market in 1835. No trouble was experienced from claim-jumpiug and specula- tors. Land increased in value but slowly, the best selling for $10 to $15 per acre up to about 1860, while the present value of improved land is from $40 to $65 per acre ; of timber from $20 to $30 per acre. The chief products here as elsewhere in Illinois are hogs and corn. Considerable attention is given to iine cattle and horses. Mr. J. W. Brook has a herd of eighty shorthorn Durhams and some fine Clydes- dale horses. Mr. George Curry also has shorthorn cattle and an ex- cellent fiock of sheep. Mr. Curry has also given attention to the intro- duction of a better grade of roadster horses. Not much care is given to fruit since the death of Mr. Jose]')h Watson closed his nursery. Mr. W. had been very active and successful in introducing various sorts of fruits, especially apples. Mr, William Ingerson is at present cultivat- ing Snyder blackberries and liopes to establish a quite extensive gar- den and fruit farm. As has been remarked, the course of farming in this township has run very smoothly, and only at long intervals have the crops suffered seriously from storms and floods. The years 1851 and 1882 are the especially exceptional years. Both years were marked by constant and very heavy rainfalls and by frequent disastrous floods. Two of these storms will serve as illustrations. On June 2, 1882, there was a tremendous rainfall, lasting nearly all day ; the creeks overflowed their banks, covered the roads and undermined the bridges ; the fields were fairly inundated and crops seriously injured. Eight days later the heavens were again opened, the rain descended and the floods came, higher and more destructive than before known. The rain fell for an hour with the greatest violence. Two hours after the rain ceased the creeks had risen above all previous marks. Again fields were deluged, and many bridges were washed out or carried away bodily. Milling in a community such as we have described could hardly fail to be a profitable business. Very early in the history of this town- OLENA TOWNSHIP. l027 ship, in the year 1835, John Houcliin put n]:» what was intended for both a saw-mill and a grist-mill on section 8, opposite Hopper's mill. He sold the year following to Lambert Hopper and Joseph Watson,, who ran the mill only for sawing purposes. Mr. Watson retired a 3'ear later, leaving the entire business to Mr. Hopper. It was not until 1840 that a good grist-mill was put up by Mr. Hopper. Pi-ior to this time settlers had been obliged to go to various points. The_y went principally to Ellisville, a distance of forty miles. The trip took from five to eight days, and not infrequently two weeks. By sending to- gether the task of going to mill was greatly lessened. Mr. Hopper continued to run the mill up to the time of his death. His widow bought the mill of the heirs and immediately sold it to Charles Rogers and Daniel Sweeney. In 1878 they in turn sold to Mr, J. H. Shrae- der, who still owns it. Woolen manufacturing has been attempted at Warren, but unsuc- cessfully. In 1843 Lambert Hopper established a carding machine on Ellison creek, a little down the stream from the mill, and ran it up to the year 1859. In this year he entered into partnership with William Baldwin to build a woolen factory, Mr. Hopper to furnish the site and the building, and Mr. Baldwin the macliinery. The mill was located yet farther down the stream than the carding machine, and the latter was removed to the mill. The machinery for the woolen factory came on, but Mr. Baldwin proved unable to set it up properly. Mr. J. M. Frill becoming interested, bought a half interest in the macliinery, Wesley Hopper, son of Lambert, at the same time taking part of his father's share. Mr. Frill's experience enabled him to promptly get the factory into running order, but the work was not completed until July, too late to secure that year's clip. The following year, 1861, the mill was very successful, clearing several thousand dollars. But a dispute arose as to the relative value of Mr. Frill's labor as compared wdth that of the other partners. Unable to reach an agreement, Mr. Frill withdrew after about eighteen months' connection with the firm. Mr. Lambert Hopper had died prior to this disruption, and the business fell into tlie hands of Wesley Hopper and William Baldwin. They continued together but a year, when Baldwin withdrew and removed from the village. The fectory was rented for a time to J. M. & G.W. Davis, now of Carman, but for several years has not been run at all. These mills had been the life of Warren ; consequently, with their decadence, the village has also sunk to a low point. Of saw-mills there have been several, which have naturally fallen into decay as the timber has been used up. The lirst one established was built by John Houchin in 1835, as has been remarked heretofore. 1028 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. "Wilson Kendall, brother to Robert, built a saw-mill on the Ellison, in section 14 ; it went into disuse about 1848. The last saw-mill in oper- ation in township 9, range 5, was a steam mill, located on the west edge of Olena, on the farm of Cyrus W. Steele, Esq. Mr. Steele sold the pro- prietors, Nichols & Hurst, four acres of land to secure the mill, and, though he never owned it, he ran it most of the time. The mill passed successively into the hands of John F. Woodsides, George W. Cowden, John Oglesby, J. L. Green, Abraham Carress, John Long, and Curtis Motfoi'd, and last, Robert Martin. He removed the mill to Gladstone, ten years after its iirst establishment. For eight years, until timber became scant, the mill did a profitable business. A less commendable enterprise was started in 1842 or 1843 by Alexander and Samuel Stralian, namely, a distillery. They built a log building, covering it with split clapboards. Their still continued in successful operation for about three years, when both brothers removed to Iowa. The early mails were much the same here as elsewhere, the route extending from Monmouth to Appanoose. The first office opened in this township was established at the house of Wm. Cowden. After the laying out of Olena, Robert Kendall became postmaster, and removed the office to his store. The office has changed hands as stores have changed owners ; at present it is under the charge of Ira Putney, Jr. The Honey creek postoffice was opened at the residence of Mr. Abner Davis, about 1842 or 1843, on the route from Burlington to Macomb. It was discontinued after a few years, and the mail taken to Warren. The first hotel was opened by Wm. W. Kendall, only son of Robert Kendall. He also built the first frame buildings, a store and a dwell- ing, in Olena. These in 1841 were considered extraordinarily fine. The store is still standing, but long since fallen into disuse. The dwelling was used as a hotel ; it was about 16x24 feet, one and a half stories high. It was owned by various parties until in 1857 it came into the hands of Mr. Geo. Curry. He remodeled the house, and kept it till 1862, when he exchanged residences with his father. The latter occupied it until his death, in 1878. Mr. Lukins then kept hotel for a time, when the building passed into the hands of its present occupant, Mrs. Clark, who for several years before this had kept hotel in various buildings in the village. Churches date their organization back to the earliest years of the settlement of this region. They have grown and strengthened as the country has filled up, and wealth and culture have increased. Material OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1029 growth is referred to here, of course. The fii'st church organization was the Associate (Seceder) Presbyterian Congregation of Betheh It was organized on the second day of August, 1836, by Rev. James C Bruce, then under the care of the Presbytery of Miami. Joseph W. Kendall and Josejih Rankin were installed as ruling elders of the con- gregation. Among the constituent members of this church were the Rankins, Kendalls, Whites, Andrews, Gibsons, Bests, Lauts, and others. The first pastor was the Rev. Wm. Bruce, who was settled over the church about a year after its organization, or in 1837. The first house of worship was erected in the same year that the church was organized. It was a log building, located near the Ellison creek, opposite the residence of John Gibson. The congrega- tion worshiped in this house about 1850 or 1851, when they built a fi'ame church on the noi-theast corner of Mr. Gibson's farm. In the meantime a second pastor had been installed in the person of Rev. N. McDowal, settled in 1848. He presided over the congre- gation for eight years, and then resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. Elijah McCoy. He continued as pastor until the union of the Asso- ciate and Associate Reformed churches, in 1858. That he might leave the way o])en for the union of the Associate Reformed con- gregation of Ellison with the Associate congregation of Bethel, he resigned. The fusion of these congregations was consummated October 18, 1858, at the Bethel church. Rev. James McArthur officiating. The elders at the time of the union were Alexander Spears, Stephen White, Robert Kirkpatrick, and Joseph Rankin. The church thus constituted enrolled seventy members, and was desig- nated as the United Presbyterian congregation of Ellison. About a year later a number of this congregation separated themselves from this organization, and, uniting with others at Olena, were organized into the United Presbyterian congregation of Olena, September 8, 1859, by Rev. David McDill, D.D., and Rev. J. C. McKnight. The original membei'ship numbered thirty. Since the organization of the congregation 209 persons have been admitted by profession and certifi- cate to its membership. It numbers ninety-one at the present. Six pastors have been installed over this people, three of whom were removed by death. Rev. Charles Thompson was installed June 17, 1862, and died December 31, 1865, at the age of thirty-four years. Rev. Andrew McMillen succeeded to the place thus made vacant. He was installed in June, 1869, and was released August 28, 1871, and is now pastor of the Oelwein and Putnam congregations, Fayette county, Iowa: Rev. William Lorimer followed, his instalhition taking place July 1, 1872. After a brief but successful pastorate, he met a painful 1030 HISTORY OF MERCER AKD HENDERSON COUNTIES. death by a railway train, January 30, IS 73. For more than a year the church was pastorless ; but April 1, 1874, Rev. William R. Erskine wa§ settled. His death occurring the 5th of the next February, in the fifty-seventh year of his age, and the twenty-fifth of his ministry, the congregation was for another year without a pastor. May 26, 1876, Rev. John K. Martin was settled and continued in this office until November 1, 1878, at which time he was released. He is at present over the congregation of Lexington, Ohio. The present pastor is Rev. Robert W. McBride. He is of Irish descent. He was born ip the city of Philadelphia, October 22, 1848, but was brought to Illinois in 1849 by his parents. He received his general education at Mon- mouth College, graduating June 17, 1875. He pursued his theological studies at the United Presbyterian Seminary, at Xenia, Ohio, com- pleting the course with the class of 1879. He was ordained and installed over the Olena congregation on the 5tli of the following Sep- tember. March 15, 1882, he was married to Miss Kate E. Wilkin, daughter of William Wilkin (now deceased) and Jane McKitrick (still living at Keota, Keokuk, Iowa). For some time after its organiza- tion this congregation worshiped in the barn of Mr. John Andrews, a little south of Olena, at the school-house, and in the Methodist Episcopal house of worship, the Bethel church having been sold and torn down shortly after the formation of the Ellison United Presby- terian congregation. In 1862 they erected a church building in the northern part of the village of Olena, at a cost of $1,500. This congregation includes many of the leading men of the community, and is an intelligent, progressive people. No better word can be spoken for it than to mention the beautiful monuments erected by the congre- gation to the memory of its deceased pastors. , The Methodist" Episcopal church, of Olena, was organized in the year 1836 or 1837. Prominent among the first members were Joseph Watson, Nathaniel Marston, and William Cowden. Elder Jesse Woodruft' was tlie first pastor. He was followed by Rev. Arrington, and he by Father West. All of these pioneer preachers have gone to their reward, the first and last-mentioned having died in Warren county ; Elder Arrington in the West. At first the services were held from house to house ; afterward the church purchased the building now. occupied as a dwelling b}' Mrs. Jos. Nebergall, in Olena, and held their meetings in it until 1855. Tliey then built their present building, a substantial edifice, 30x40, at a cost of $2,200. This building was dedicated by Rev. Joseph S. Gumming, now of Abingdon College. The church has at present a membership of twenty-five. Rev. David McLisli is pastor. They hold an interesting Sabbath school during the OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1031 summer, with an average attendance of thirty-five. Mr. George Detrick is superintendent. The Evangelical Orthodox church is the outgrowth of a long-felt want of religious service, in a large community of wealthy farmers in the southern part of this township. The plan originated with Messrs. A. J. Davis, J. H. Strodtman, John Evans, Jr., and Herman Annegers, Jr. They are just completing an elegant and commodious clmrch, which will cost when finished about $1,500. The building will be in size 28x42, with sixteen foot ceiling, and will be dedicated fi-ee of debt. The church organization is undenominational and independent. Several of the leading denominations are represented in its member- ship : Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists, and Baptists. They have preaching every Sabbath, alternately by a Methodist Episcopal and a United Presbyterian minister. SCHOOLS. The first school in T. 9 N., 5 W., was opened in a log cabin, twelve feet square, erected on the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section twelve, opposite the Watson cemetery, east of Olena. It was after the usual primitive pattern : slab floor, slab benches, no desks but one used for writing. This was a broad board fastened by braces to the wall. Over this institution the first to preside was Mr. James H. Beveridge, brother of the ex-governor of Blinois. Mr. Beveridge is now an extensive dairy farmer near Somonauk, Illinois. This early school numbered twenty pupils, some of whom came several miles. This building was abandoned, and fell to pieces. It was fol- lowed by a frame building, since removed to Olena, and occupied now by the store of Ira Putney, Jr. The readjustment of the district caused the next building to be located in Olena, the same first used by the Methodist Episcopal church. The present house was erected in 1857. The average attendance is about forty : the wages from thirty- five to forty-five dollars. The next building for school purposes was put up on section 9, a year or two later than the preceding. It was used about four years, when Messrs. T. J. Fort and J. G. Harbison built a frame school-house on Mr. Fort's farm. This was occupied until about 1860, and then sold, the district at the same time putting up a new house on section 4. The first school in district No. 4 was held at the residence of Hiram Brooks, on the farm now owned by A. J. Davis, Esq. A building w^as erected on the southwest quarter of section twenty-nine. This building took fire from a defective flue and burned to the ground, December 28, 1870. Another house was erected on the same site, 1032 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. but was subsequently removed to its jjreseut location bv vote of the district. The South Prairie school opened first in 1843. in a log cabin, situ- ated on section thirty-two. It was mainly through the efforts of Thos. Nichols. Excellent teachers were procured in young men from the East. In 1850 the efforts of Judge K. W. Goddis and Wm. Turner secured a better building on the present site. The school outgrowing its domicile, a new building was determined upon. Through the in- fluence of the teacher at that time, Mr. J. H. Stevens, a plan was adopted that gave the district the finest building the writer has ever seen in a rural district. The dimensions are 28x36, with 12-foot ceiling. Eight feet is taken oft" the south end for a hall, the entrance to which is protected by a covered entrance way. At either end of the hall is a cloak room. The main room is twenty-eight feet square, wainscoted and grained, with excellent furniture and blackboard. The neat cupola on the south end of the building contains a 300-pound bell, secured by a subscription headed and pushed by Mr. Stevens, the teacher. Mr. Stevens was very properly installed as teacher over the new building, and has the reputation of having made the school do credit to the generosity of the patrons. District No. 8 was organized in 1860, but there had been a school there for three years preceding, held in a board shanty, built for the purpose. This shanty was a novelty in the way of school buildings. It was built of rough boards, covered with matcherl flooring, bent over the top after the fashion of a railway car. It was furnished with benches, and the customary writing desk along the wall. It was after- ward plastered, and made comfortable for winter occupancy. This building was used until the summer of 1862. During the winter of 1862-3 Mr. John Marshall taught the school in his own house. The following summer the present building was erected, at a cost of about $600. The first teacher in the shanty was Daniel McMillen, now a practicing physician near Aledo, Mercer county, Illinois. The first school building at "Warren was a small brick, erected in 1845. Mr. Wm. Ingerson was the teacher for the first seven years, and, indeed, has taught the school the greater part of the time since its organization. The giving of its sandy foundation caused the ruin of the building. It was followed, in 1860, by a large frame house, built conjointly by the old school Presbyterian church, and the school dis- trict, the lower part being a school room, and the upper adapted for church services. A subscription library is a promising movement just successfully started. A temporary organization has been eftected, %vith J. S. OLKNA TOWNSHIP. 1033 Bennington as president ; George Curry, vieeTpresident ; W. S. Lukins, secretary ; Miss Annie Watson, treasurer ; R. P. Randall, librarian. They have now on hand 100 volumes of well selected works, including standard works in all the principal departments of literature. Of secret fraternities only the I.O.O.F. is represented by lodges in this townshiji. The Warren Lodge, No. 554, I.O.O.F., was organized in 1874, with the following charter members : Miles Sells, B. G. Phillips, Geo. W. Davis, Willis Anderson, John M. Davis, and J. S. Bennington. The iirst officers were: N.G., John M. Davis; Y.G., Willis Anderson ; treasurer, B. G. Phillips ; secretary, J. S. Bennington. The present officers (June, 1882), are: N.G., Wm. Shull ; V.G., J. H. Schroeder ; treasurer. Miles Sells ; secretary, William Ingerson. Since the establishment of the lodge over sixty have been enrolled as members. The Olena Lodge, No. 662, LO.O.F., was instituted July 1, 1879. The charter members were : Robert Rodman, T. J. Fort, John Harbin- son, John H. Stevens, I. P. Cowden, J. S. Bennington, W. J. McElhiney, and Geo. W. Fort. The Iirst officers were: N.G., J. H. Stevens; V.G., LP. Cowden; secretary, W. J. McElhiney ; treasurer, T. J. Fort ; deputy and representative, J. S. Bennington. The present officers are: K.G., H. G. King; Y.G., M. G. McKinley; secretary, W. J. McElhiney ; treasurer, Robert Rodman ; deputy and representa- tive, W. J. McElhiney. It would be unjust not to make, in closing, some mention of men who have come to this section, and for the most part gone again, some to their eternal resting place, some to homes farther west, or to the homes of their early life. Jos. Watson, a man of much force and enterprise, was born in Rensselaer county. New York; was a blacksmith by trade; came to Illinois in 1835, bought a mill of Houchin, at Warren, in company with Hopper; sold the mill, and bought the N.W. J of Sec. 12, and opened a successful nursery; was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church ; died May 9, 1874, of typhoid pneumonia. Jason Lee Watson, son of preceding, born March 9, 1839; enlisted in 1861 in the 7th 111. Yol. Inf , for three months ; re-enlisted in Co. E, 33d 111. Inf., Col. Hovey ; killed in an unsuccessful charge at Yicksburg, March 22, 1863r " William Turner caine to T. 9, R. 5, about 1850, and farmed a part of the N.W. J of Sec. 23; in 1854, bought a store in Olena; sold a year after, and bought the S. E. ^ of Sec. 23 ; removed to Kansas about 1870. 1034 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Elias Plumb came fi-om Xew York about 1838 ; settled on the S. E. I of Sec. 25 ; removed to Michigan to engage in the fruit busi- ness. Hugh Lee came from Ohio about 1839, and settled on the W. ^ of the N.W. ^ of Sec. 25, and the S.W. J of Sec. 24; sold to Samuel and Geo. Curry, in 1852 ; removed first to Warren county, afterward to Oregon. James Harbison came from Indiana about 1836, or 1837; bought in Sec. 26 ; died there. Wm. Cowden came from Trumbull county, Ohio ; settled on S. E. and S.W. ^ of Sec. 12, in 1835 ; was killed at Biggsville, by the caving of a bank which he was undermining at the mill at that place, Decem- ber 24, 1874, aged forty-seven years. He was active and prominent in public aifairs. Geo. W. Cowden was county sheriff previous to the war ; enlisted in 1862 ; came home wounded ; recovered ; re-enlisted in Co. K, 84tli 111. Inf.; died August 20, 1864. Hiram Brooks came from Michigan about 1838 ; settled on N. E. J of Sec. 32; died there October 1, 1846, aged sixty-two; the family re- moved to Colorado about 1850; his widow went with Mr. McFee to Kansas, and died there. John Andrew was from Ohio; settled in 1835, on the Mendenhall place; afterward bought the S.W. J of Sec. 14, and the N.W. J of Sec. 23 ; died in February, 1865 ; his wife survived him but a few weeks. William Ingerson was born October 31, 1817, in Jefferson county, New York ; settled, after protracted wandering, in Henderson county. Taught the Warren school for several years, also various other schools. During the war he acted as enrolling ofiicer for two drafts. Served a term as county superintendent of schools by appointment. Bought his farm in 1878, which he is conducting as a garden and fruit farm. Ira Miller, born February 24, 1805, in Washington county, Penn- sylvania. Removed to Ohio in 1814, where he was equally well known as a teacher and cooper. Pemoved to Illinois in 1839, and settled near Warren. Died March 3, 1881. Benjamin Franklin Foote, born in 1821, in Chenango county, New York. Was bound out at the age of eleven to a farmer ; after his majority he worked out for two years. Came west in 1844 ; Bought the N. i of the S. E. ^ of Sec. 34, in connection with his brother. After six years he bought his brother's interest. At his death he owned 2,300 acres in Henderson county, and several hundred acres in other states. OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1035 Kev. James McArthur, United Presbyterian minister, born Jan- uary 8, 1815, at Cambridge, Washington county, New York. Grad- uated at Franklin college. New Athens, Ohio, in 1811. Studied theology at Canon sburg, Ohio. Licensed July 3, 1815, by the Mus- kingum Presbytery ; ordained by Cambridge Presbytery October 1 1, 1816. Was pastor at Ryegate, Vermont, from October, 1846, to December, 1857. Was settled over the Ellison congregation, Hender- son county, July, 1859, and continued until he was retired as infirm, August, 1872. Has published a sermon on faith and a farewell ser- mon at Ryegate. Stephen White was born in Pennsylvania, June 23, 1802. Came to Henderson county in the spring of 1838, and entered 400 acres of section 2. Died January 23, 1872. Casparus Laut, born in Washington county, New York, in 1795 ; removed to Henderson county in 1839. He lived for fifteen years in T. 9, R. 4, and in 1854 removed to T. 9, R. 5. He is now infirm under his weight of years, but his wife is still hale at the age of eighty- three. John Ginter came from Pennsylvania about 1837, and settled on section 26. After wrestling for several years with the lusts of the stomach, he returned to Pennsylvania ' ' to eat one more huckleberry pie. BIOGRAPHICAL. John S. Peasley was born near Montreal, Canada, July 8, 1813. He was married March 20, 1844, to Lucretia Crownover, of Lomax, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Peasley have had six children, four of whom are still living: Cliarles, on the home farm; George and Frank, in Colorado; Mrs. Nathaniel Bruen, in T. 10, R. 5. Mr. Peasley came to Illinois early, although the precise year was not ascertained. He built the mill at Warren for Mr. Lambert Hopper, in 1842. He was very widely and favorably known. Hamilton Evans, a son of John and Nancy (McDonald) Evans, was born January 19, 1828, in Monroe county, Ohio. His father is a native of Maryland, and his mother of Pennsylvania. They were married in Pennsylvania, moved to Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana, re- spectively, and finally in 1836 came to Illinois and secured eighty acres of land on Sec. 3, T. 9 N., R. 5 W., Henderson courity. They wintered one-fourth mile south of the present site of Olena, in a log house already built. In the following year a log cabin 16x18 was erected and occupied. About 1847 Mrs. Evans died, and was buried in (Jlena cemetery. She was the mother of twelve children. Mr. 1036 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Evans next married Mrs. Sarah (Waggy) Mills. In 1S53 lie sold his farm to his sons J(jhn and Hamilton. After a journey to Indiana and Ohio, he bought property in Oquawka, where he lived some years. Later he located at Gladstone, where he now resides. There are two children in the last family. Hamilton Evans was raised to all the rustic duties incident to a farmer's life. He was married August 31, 1853, to Ann B. White, a native of Greene county, ( )liio, and who came with her father, Stephen White, to Henderson county about 1835. Mr. Evans settled one-fourth mile west of his present residence. In 1862 he occupied his present place, comprising now about 400 acres. The farm is largely the result of liis own efforts and economy. In 1850 Mr. Evans, with his family, crossed the plains to California, and returned two years later. John Curts (deceased), one of Henderson county's oldest and most prominent citizens, was born January 21, 1786, in Pennsylvania, near the west branch of the Susquehanna river. He was a son of Thomas Curts. His youth was spent largely on the water as a boatman. His schooling was limited. When eighteen years old he aided jST. Harvey quarry the stone for a mill, dress it, and build the mill. The old mill still operates. He was for a number of years a tide pilot. March 22, 1808, he was married to Temj^erance Fredericks, who was born Novem- ber 26, 1789, in Pennsylvania. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Curts kept tavern for some time. Mr. Curts also became interested in agri- culture and owned a good farm. He became engaged in iron smelting, but this departure proved a fiiilure. In the fall of 1835, he made a trip to Warren county, Illinois. He remained the first winter with his cousin, Michael Crane, near what is now Lomax. He entered seven eighties of land in T. 9 N.. R. 5 W. In the following spring of 1836, his family of 'wife and children joined him and resided on a small piece of broken land on the Big, or Getting's, mound. In 1836 he broke the first furrow on his new farm, erected a cabin, but did not occupy the farm permanently till the spring of 1837. His time was henceforward occupied in the improvement of liis home. His log cabin is now used as a stable. About 1816-7, he w^as a member of the state legislature, elected on the whig ticket. In religion he was a Presbyterian. He became one of the most successful men of the county. At his death, March 12, 1871:, he was owner of about 1,800 acres of land. He was buried on the summit of the high bluff near his residence. His wife survived him till August 22, 1875. She sleeps near him. She was the mother of eight children, all born in Pennsylvania : Horatio became a lumberman at Shokokon, and the pineries of Wisconsin, and died October 2, 1868, aged fifty-nine years and twenty-six days ; Thomas OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1037 remained in Pennsj^lvania ; Susan, Amelia, Eliza, Temperance, Anna B., and John F. John F. was born September 26, 1821. His life has been largely spent where he now lives. He owns the homestead and has largely improved it. His father was a man of many friends. The portrait of the Hon. John Curts is a tribute to his memory. Among the men who have done most toward making Henderson county in general, and the township in which he resides in particular, is George Curry, third child of Samuel Curry and Emma Whitting, both of Somersetsliire, England. Samuel Curry removed to America in 1838, whither his son folloved him in 18-11. The lather settled lirst in Henderson ville, going from this place successively to Oquawka and Jack's Mills, in pursuit of the trade to which he was trained, brick making. In 1841 he settled at Biggsville, where George, the subject of this sketch, just from England, joined him. In 1852, Samuel Curry, in company with his son, George, purchased of Hugh Lee the S. W. ^ of Sec. 24, and the W. ^ of N. W. J of Sec. 25, T. 9 X., R. 5 W., npon which the father settled, afterward removing to Olena, where he died in 1878. His widow returned to Biggsville in 1880, and still re- sides there with her daughter. Mr. George Curry is a carpenter by trade, and Olena owes most of its dwellings to his mechanical skill. After coming to America, he followed his trade for many years at Biggsville, at Olena, and in the surrounding country. But he had always a strong tendency toward farming, and although actively en- gaged in carpentering for eight years after his removal to Olena in 1852, he found much time, also, to look after the interests of the farm which he had purchased in conjunction with his father. In 1854 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Ward, of Fitch- ville, Huron county, Ohio, and widow of Simon Nichols. Tliey began their married life in Olena, for several jesLi's keeping a liotel in a house built by Mr. Curry's own hands. In 1862 he exchanged residences with his father. He remained on the farm for five years, at the expira- tion of which time he bought an interest in the store of Ira Putney, Jr. He continued in mercantile business with Mr. Putney, with the excep- tion of about three years, until 1876, when he retired to the farm which he had i^urchased of Thomas Kitchen, upon which he had built the line residence he now occupies. Mr. Curry has long been greatly interested in fine stock, and to-day has the only considerable flock of sheep in the township, together with some fine shorthorn Durham cattle. His farm sliows the thrift which is to be expected of the man who quietly, intel- ligently, and persistently attends to his own matters. Ever an ardent rei)ublican, and unable to see it any more right for whites to own blacks than for blacks to own whites, Mr. Curry is still no politician. 1038 HISTORY OF >tERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Nevertheless he is now serving his second term as eoimtj commis- sioner, and is looked upon as the most suitable man to be his own suc- cessor. He himself makes no profession of religion, but his wife is a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church, of Olena. Mr. and Mrs. Curi-v have had three children, two of whom died in infancy. The remaining child, Charles H., married Viola Steele, daughter of Squire Cyrus W. Steele, and is now connected with his father in working the home farm. In Otsego county. New York, in the town of Jackson^alle, was born RoswELL Page Randall, December 1, 1837, the ninth of the eleven children of Roswell Randall and Charlotte Page, both of New Eng- land. In 1849 the entire family removed to Kirkwood, AVarren county, Illinois. The father was by trade a manufacturer of cloths, and for thirty years previous to his leaving New York was engaged in makina: the finest cassimeres. After coming to Kirkwood he followed farming. In December, 1877, he buried his aged wife, and in the fol- lowing July himself departed this life at a ripe old age. At the age of sixteen Roswell Page Randall, the subject of this sketch, left home, and for two years was engaged in clerking in stores at Monmouth, Illinois. In the fall of 1855 he came to Henderson county, li^'ing with his brother-in-law, Mr. Richey, and attending school. The next fall he returned to Warren county, and for three years taught school near Roseville. The community in which he taught was very rough, so rough that he dated his letters home " Heathen Land." For instruct- ing the fifty rude children of this rude district he received $27 per month, boarding himself, building his own fires, and wielding his own rod. In the fall of 1859 he came to Olena, and was for another space of three years engaged in teaching, most of this time at the Gaddes school house. The spring of 1862 found him in Oregon. Here, in the woods along the banks of the Columbia river, he taught until the fol- lowing spring, when he left for California. His services here as "brisk wielder of the birch and rule," were better paid, he receiving as much as $75 in gold per month. Returning in 1866 to Henderson county, he "kept school" in the David Rankin district until, in the fall of 1869, he was elected • county superintendent of schools, to succeed John Simpson. Just before the expiration of his term of ofiice, in the spring of 1873, he bought of Dr. T. J. Maxwell the business he now owns, drugs and groceries. Mr. Randall's preparation for teaching was received in the district schools of New York and Illinois, his last year as a pupil being spent in the high school at Galva, Illinois, when he was twenty-one years of age. He had, moreover, excellent train- ing at home, six of his family having been teachers. He was married . -^ OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1041 in 1867 to Eliza, daughter of Thomas and Lavina Nichols. He finds himself to-daj' the father of three children : Frederick Page, born in 1871 ; Roy Oscai', born in 1876 ; and Metta Gertrude, born in 1880. Mrs. Randall is an active member of the United Presbyterian church of Olena. Mr. Randall is an earnest, hard-working republican in politics, but has held no office but that of county superintendent of schools, referred to above. Cykus W. Steele, the eldest child of James Steele and Elizabeth Peck, was born at AVaynesborough, Augusta county, Virginia, in the year 1818. Both his parents were born and reared in the same county, where they were married and where their son was born. The father was of Irish, the mother of German extraction. His grandj)arents on both his father's and mother's side were activel}' engaged in the war of the revolution. James Steele, but a lad during the revolution, found opportunity to show his patriotism in the war of 1812. He was sta- tioned at Norfolk, Virginia, where the tedium of camp life was relieved by occasional encounters with the enemy. A rather ludicrous incident of this service was specially relished by the old man. One evening a certain Capt. Boyer saw, through the woods, the blazing camp-fires of some British soldiers. At once detailing a sufficient number of men, the doughty captain set forth to bring the enemy into camp. The party approached with stealthy step and circuitous route the hostile encamp- ment ; but, lo ! when they enter the clearing, there, bland and smiling, was the i-uddy face of the rising full moon. The captain left his prize on the field. In 1818, when Cyrus was but two years of age, James Steele removed from his farm in Virginia to Greene county, Ohio. Here he buried his wife in 1827. He himself was laid beside her five years later, in the year 1832. Cyrus, thus thrown upon his own re- sources, remained in Ohio until the year 1840. During this time he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it for several years. In 1840, his health failing, he went to Louisa county, Iowa. Leaving there, he came to Henderson county in 1841. Here he divided his time between carpentering and the saw-mill until 1856, when he pur- chased 120 acres in the S.W. J of Sec. 10, T. 9 N., R. 5 W., where he still lives. He afterward sold four acres of this to obtain a saw-mill, which he ran for some time. The mill has since been removed. In 1851 he married Mrs. Susan Downs. They have had five children, the three youngest of whom are living: Elizabeth, Viola, and Franklin. Mr. Steele has two sisters living, Julia, in Greene county, Ohio, and Emily, near Indianapolis, Indiana. For a long series of years Mr. Steele has held ])ublic office, first as constable, afterward, as at present, 59 1042 HISTORY OF iSfERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. justice of the peace. He has had a liard task to subdue the wilderness ill which he settled, but lives to enjoy his labors in his old age. William Stltart Bailey, M.D., was born at Richmond, Jefferson County, Ohio, November 24, 1849, the first of the hve children of Benjamin S. Bailey and Dorothy Patterson, the former of Scotch, the latter of Irish lineage. Both parents are now dead, and are buried at Wayland (formerly Marshall), Henry county, Iowa, whither they had removed some years before. The father died September 20, 1873 ; the mother, November 13, 1861. William S. Bailey was reared to his father's occupation, farming, but received tlie best educa- tion the public schools at Washington, Iowa, could give. About 1866 or 1867 he came to Olena to read medicine under Dr. Maxwell. February 18, 1873, he completed the prescribed course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons (allopathic), Keokuk, Iowa. After his marriage, June 8, 1876, to Anna, daughter of G. H. and Mary Mosher, he settled first at Wayland, Iowa, his father's home ; but in 1878, returned to (31ena, where he has succeeded in building up a lucrative practice. Dr. and Mrs. Bailey have one child, Gideon Stuart, born April 16, 1877. Ira Putney, Jr., adopted son of Ira Putney, Sr., and Sarah Copp, was born at Steansted, Province of Quebec, June 16, 1840. When he was four years of age his father removed to Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois. During the residence of the family at this place and at Burlington, Iowa, whither they had moved, Ira passed his time at school, completing the high school course of the Burlington school at the age of thirteen. A year later the family removed to Olena, Hen- derson county, where the father bought the business of Marks & Por- ter, general merchants. Father and son continued together until Octo- ber, 1861, when the son enlisted at Cairo, in Co. E, 10th 111. Inf., Capt. C. F. Cowan. He was assigned duty in the quartermaster's de- partment, under Quartermaster J. Pyatt, now of Jacksonville, Illinois. He followed the fortunes of the army in its course through Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Alabama, until after the capture of Atlanta. He was mustered out, October, 1864, at East Point, Georgia. Although in the quartermaster's department, Mr. Putney did not escape hard service, remembering very vividly serving rations under severe fire before Atlanta. Returning to Olena, he re-entered business with his father. In 1865 the firm of Putney & Son was followed by Putney & Curry, the elder Putney retiring and giving place to George Curry. Mr. Putney and Mr. Curry were associated in business most of the time until 1876, when Mr, Curry retired, leaving the entire business in Mr. Putney's hands. In 1877 an unfortunate investment OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1043 forced Mr. Putney to the wall, being followed by Mr. J. H. Stevens. After farming for five years lie again opened a store, where he still offers for sale a general stock of groceries, dry goods, and boots and shoes. Two years previous to entering the army, in June, 1859, Mr, Putney was united in marriage to Azubah A. Haislett. Of their six children, they have buried one, the eldest. Mr. Putney belongs to the Freemasons fraternity. He is a zealous republican, and has done his party yeoman's service in the community where he lives. He has at vaiious times been postmaster, which position he now holds. Isaac B. Cowden, M.D., bom in 1879, is the son of Alexander Cowden and Margaret Magaughy. His parents were among the early settlers of Mercer county, Illinois, and the first couple married there. A few years after their marriage they removed to Louisa county, Iowa, where their son Isaac was born. The father died in this county in 1856 ; the mother still lives, residing at Crawfordsville, Iowa. The public schools of this place gave the subject of this sketch his general education. He began the study of medicine under Dr. J. D. Miles, state senator, residing now at Washington, Iowa. Mr. Cowden attended his first course of lectures at Iowa City, in the winter of 1872-3 ; a year later he received a diploma from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa. He settled first in Henry county, but re- moved soon after to Olena, Henderson county. During his eight years' residence here since his settlement in 1874, his practice has constantly increased. December 1, 1876, he married Lilian M., daughter of Thomas J. Richey, one of the earliest settlers of this county. Of the four children born to them the eldest two are dead. The remaining two were born : Nellie Grant, in 1879, and Thomas Pussel, in 1881. James Pollock, son of John Pollock and Elizabeth Stewart, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, March 22, 1816. His mother died while he was a babe, leaving a family of eight children, of whom James was the youngest. In 1837 his father fell a victim to cholera, and was buried at his old home. When but fifteen years old James was apprenticed to a blacksmith, near his home ; but he became dis- satisfied here, and a year later went to Clermont county, Ohio, where he finished his apprenticeship and wrought at his trade. In 1836 he married Hettie Smith, daughter of John Smith and Ellen Mcintosh. Hettie Smith was born in the year 1818, in Clermont county, Ohio, but was reared by her grandparents in Brown county. Here she was the schoolmate a'nd playmate of Gen. U, S. Grant, and spent many hours playing with the embryo president about his father's tanyard. By her grandparents she was instructed in the old-time duties of card- ing, spinning and weaving, and still recalls those as among her 1044 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AJ^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. happiest days. In 1837 Mr. and Mrs. Pollock came to Henderson county, Illinois, settling at the village of Torre Haute. The}- afterward went to Indiana, and lived in Jefferson county until 1856. Again coming to Henderson county, Illinois, Mr. Pollock worked at his trade, first at Terre liaute six years ; then one year at Olena. In 1862 his eldest son (William) had enHsted in the 91st reg. 111. Yol. Inf , and the next spring the two remaining sons in the 84th. Then his heroic wife sent him, also, "to look after the boys." Enlisting in Co. K, 84th reg. 111. Yol. Inf, he joined the main army at Xashville. He saw almost continuous lighting, until, at Jonesboro, a ball shattered his leg. A surgeon with a rude bandage stayed the flow of blood ; but he lay there on the field, faint and feverish, his limb, now greatly swollen on account of the tightly-drawn ligature, giving unutterable pain, from three p.m. of September 2 until nine a.m. of the 3d, twelve weary hours of constant agony. AVhen finally he was taken to the hospital, so extensi^'ely had mortification set in, that the leg, shot off below the knee, had to be amputated half way from the knee to the hip. After several months spent in liospital, he was discharged. May, 1864, at Quincy, where he had spent the days of his convalescence. His sons passed unscathed through many of the severest battles of the war, and, lionorably discharged, now live, William and Ilenton in Kinggold county, Iowa, and John in the Far West. After his discharge from the army Mr. Pollock again engaged in blacksraithing ; but an unlucky stroke of the hammer broke a finger of his left hand, and rendered the hand stiff' and useless for work. Through the beneficence of the govern- ment to which he so nearly gave his life, Mr. Pollock is spending his last years in modest, but assured comfort — comfort richly earned, both by him and his worthy wife, now no less heroic and honorable, though less honored than the highly exalted playmate of her youth. Jaivies Henry Dean was born in Greene county, Ohio, April 28, 1831. His father, Robert Dean, was originally from Kentucky ; his mother, Elizabeth Campbell, from Tennessee. Robert Dean was twice nuirried. By his first wife he had eleven children, of whom James H. is the eighth. At the age of twenty-five the last-named left home, sliortl)!; after his father's death in 1854. He came to Olena, Hender- son county, and in 1856 bought the farm upon which he now resides, a part of the N. W. J of Sec. 11. In November of the same year he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Gibson, the first settler of this township, and Ann McNary. Mrs. Dean has given birth to five chil- dren. Of these the first-born, William Harvey, was buried at the age of seventeen, and the third died in infancy. There remain to them John Albert (born June 16, 1861), Willis Elmer (born October 15, OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1045 1868), and Mattie Florence (born August 21, 1874). Mr. Dean enlisted in Co. A, 30tli reg. 111. Yol. Inf., October, 1864. He joined Sher- man's army at Pochetaligo, South Carolina, and continued .in active duty until March 80, 1865, when he was sent to the hospital sick. . He was honorably discharged May 26, 1865, at Madison, Indiana. John H. Stevens came to Henderson county in 1863, as a teacher at the South Prairie school. The following S]3ring he entered the army at Mattoon, and was sent into Missouri. Here he was engaged chiefly in garrison duty along the line of the Iron Mountain railroad, especially at Pilot Knob and Ironton. By a singular train of circumstances, Mr. Stevens was absent from all the severe engagements in which his com- mand were concerned; for instance: he was one of the force detailed to convey arms to Pilot Knob, but was sent back just before the battle. Hardly had he turned over his arms at the expiration of his term of service, when Price made his so nearly successful invasion. He was a member of Co. A, 135th reg. 111. Vol. Inf. Returning from the army, he taught in Henderson and Warren counties till 1868, when he returned to his native state (Ohio), to teach in the graded schools there. After some years he again came to Henderson count}-, taught for a time, and then, in 1878, bought his present business (dry goods and groceries), a business which he is now closing out in order to remove to Dakota Territory. His parents, Lewis A. Stevens and Sarah A. Sperry, were, respectively, of Scotch and German descent. The family was large, consisting of fourteen children, of whom twelve came to adult age. The family is one of rather remarkable longevity, several of Mr. Stevens' ancestors lacking but little of reaching four score and ten. Born October 31, 1841, he spent his early years in the county and normal schools of Muskingum and Licking counties, Ohio. The profession of his choice was the law ; his prospects for pursuing his studies successfully were very bright, but his entrance into the army changed his whole course of life. In 1865 he married Isabel, daughter of William and Elizabeth Black. They have five children living, and buried one in infancy. Successful in his teaching and in his business, Mr. Stevens goes to his new home with good reason to expect success. Nathaniel Maeston, born at Enfield, Grafton county, New Hamp- shire, May 2, 1810, is the son of Nathaniel Marston and Rhoda Saw- yer, and of pure New England stock. His father died before the sub- ject of this sketch was a year old. His mother was married again to David Clioate, but continued to live on the old homestead until her death, January 14, 1869, at the advanced age of eighty-five. Of the elder Marston's four children, but two grew to mature yeai- 1046 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. buried in 1859, and Natlianiel, of whom we now write. The hitter left home at the age of sixteen and went to Lebanon, New Hampshire, to learn cabinet-making. Here he worked until 1831, when he removed to Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio. At this place he continued at his trade till 1837, when the wonderful reports of the success of the Illinois farmers drew him hither. Coming directly to Henderson county, he entered the N. W. i of Sec. 12, T. 9 N., R. 5 W. Here he built his log cabin, and installed therein his wife, whom he had married in Ohio, Lois Barton, daughter of Nathan Barton and Sarah Burroughs. Mrs. Marston was born and reared at Plainfield, Massa- chusetts, the eleventh of thirteen children. All grew to manhood and womanhood, but eight have since been buried. Of the live now living Mrs. Watson is the youngest. Of her own ten children, thi-ee are dead, and the others scattered through this state, Iowa, and Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Marston are persons of intense moral and religious con- victions, and consistent lives. They have ever been among the most earnest workers and generous givers toward the support oi' a church here in the community. Tliey have been connected witli the Meth- odist Episcopal church, of Olena, since its first organization. Mr. M. has been an uncompromising opponent of slavery and intemperance, fearless in his opposition to what he considered wholly at variance with principles of right. He lives to enjoy the fruits of his sacrifices and labors, and to rejoice in the triumph of the right as he saw the right. Andrew Carothers, Sr., came to Illinois from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where, with his brotlier John, he had been reared under guardians. He bought, in 1810. the N. E. J of Sec. 2, T. 9, R. 5, Hen- derson county, and afterward the S. E. J also. He built his residence on the former, and lived there until his death, in 1848. He was twice married, first to Mary Hays, afterward to Mary Eobison. He entered the army in the war of 1812. In religion he held to the creed of the Seceder church. Andrew Carothers, Jr.. elder son of the preceding by his first wife, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. After his father's removal to Illinois, he occupied the home farm, ha^'ing been married the preceding year (1840) to Lydia Fickes, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Fickes, of his native county. In 1851 he came to Olena, and settled on the farm held by him at his death. Jacob Carothers, son of the preceding, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1842. He remained with his fiither during the hitter's life. He now owns a splendid prairie farm, well improved. He was married first in 1S71, to a daughter of Thomas Ricliey, from whom he was divorced. In 1877 he married Angle, daughter of OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1047 Tobias and Plia^be Carter, of Henderson county. Tliey have two chil- dren, Jimia Myrtle, born January 1, 1878, and Izetia, born June 1, 1880. Alexander Marshall was born in Fairfield District, near Winns- boro. South Carolina, in the year 1787. He entered the army in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Charleston. In 1816 he married Mary McMillan, of Kershaw, South Carolina. In 1836 he visited the west, and purchased the S. E. ^ of Sec. 16, T. 9, R. 5, Henderson county, whither he brought his family the next year, and where he departed this life April 22, 1864. He was a man of much worth, 'and was almost continuously in offices of trust. Both he and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian church. Robert Marshall, eldest son of the preceding, was born March 1, 1817. He came to Illinois with his parents, and in 1841 bought the ' ' eighty " on which his residence stands. He first married Susan, daughter of John Andrew, in 1842. Five years after her death he was again mamed (in 1 852) to Rebecca Graham. John Marshall, brother of the preceding, was born in South Caro- lina, October 23, 1822. After he became of age, he worked for him- self, farming and teaching, alternately. October 26, 1848, he was married to Ann Maria, dauo;hter of R. W. and Ann Maria Richev, of Washington county, New York, and settled where he now lives. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church of Olena. They have had nine children, of whom they buried the sixth, John W., at the age of four, and the Seventh, Charles, in infancy. Of the living, William Thomas, resides in Montgomery county, Iowa ; Helen Mary, now Mrs. A. W. Co])page, at Emerson county, Iowa ; Richard W., and Alexander are at home ; Ann Maria, now Mrs. Ed- ward Fort, in Henderson county ; Jane Eliza, and Emma Rozella, at home. James A. Marshall, born June 8, 1825. In 1850 he bought his home, and in 1851 brought thither Jennette H., daughter of R. W. and Ellen Richey, of Washington county, New York. He and his wife and daughter are all members of the Olena United Presbyterian church. WiLLiAjvi Marshall, youngest son of Alexander Marshall, was born in South Carolina, July 19, 1828. At the age of nine he came to Illi- nois with his parents. He remembered vividly the two months' over- land journey to his prairie home. He became independent at the age of eighteen, but worked with his father until he purchased his present home in 1857. In 1860 he built his residence, and two years later brought into it his wife, Josephine B., daughter of Isaac and Jane 1048 HISTORY OF MEKCEK AXD HENDERSON (^OUNTIES. Hopkins, tlien living near Biggsville, but both since deceased. Mrs. M. is the last of a family of twelve children. Mr. Marshall was brought lip a democrat in [tolitics, and is earnest in behalf of the doc- trines of this party. John Henry Hugenschutz was born in Hanover, Germany, Jan- uary 29, 1821. His father died when he was but seven years of age. At fifteen he left home and for three years worked on a farm. He then went to learn the carpenters' trade, at which he worked in the old country an(_l in IS^ew York State until 1855. The winter of 1855-6 he spent in iiis native land. Eeturning to America in the spring of 1856, he came to Henderson county. Here he resumed his trade and con- tinued at it until his brother's death, in 1860, when he turned to farm- ing. After renting land for two years he purchased the eighty on which he now lives. Starting with a very meager outfit of stock, and $800 in debt, he has increased his farm to 234 acres, well stocked, and has a comfortable balance on the credit side of the account. Has been twice married. His first wife was Margaret, daughter of H. G. Anne- gers, Sr. She died in September, 1854, leaving no issue. In 1857 he married Margaret Gurgens. Her death occurred in 1864. By her he had one daugliter, Mary, the wife of Isaac F. Harter, M.D., of Carman, Illinois. William Black was born in Virginia, near Lexington, April 28, 1798. From Virginia he removed to Greene county, Ohio, and thence in 1839 to "Warren county, Illinois. After two years' residence here he removed to Henderson county, settling on the N.E. J of Sec. 3, T. 9 N., R. 5 W., but the next year removed again to the farm now occupied by John Marshall. He lived here till 1849 when he bought the S. E. J of Sec. ] 5, which place he held till his death, December 15, 1859. His wife, Eliza George, whom he married in Ohio in 1820, was born October 23, 1800, of Irish parents. Mr. and Mrs. Black have had nine children, all of whom grew to adult age ; five are still^living. Both were originally members of the Seceder church, and became connected with the United Presbyterian church upon its formation. Samuel Wilson Black, born in Greene county, Ohio, ]^ovember, 8, 1835, was but a babe when his parents came to Henderson county. He continued with his father during the latter's life, and then came into possession of the homestead. In 1862, September 4, he was united in marriage to Catharine Z., daughter of Eli and Ann Hinman, Mr. and Mrs. Black have had nine children, two of whom they have buried. Mr. B. is a member of the masonic fraternity. Carman lodge. Albert Black, older brother of the preceding, was born in Greene county, Ohio, November 8,1833. He remained at home until the OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1049 spring of 1859, wlien he went to California and Oregon. After five years in these states he returned to Henderson county and went to farming. This he followed until 1870, from which year to 1877 he removed successively to Licking connty, Ohio, Jo Daviss county, and Fulton county, Illinois, Keokuk, Iowa, and to his present home in Henderson county. He was married May 25, 1865, to Mary E., daughter of Joseph and Ann Forquer, of T. 9, E. 6 W., Henderson county. They have one child, Anna M., born March 16, 1866. Mr, Black is a member of the Eagle Lodge (masonic), No. 12, Keokuk, Iowa. His wife is connected with the Olena United Presbyterian church. Herman G. Ajs'negers, Sr., was formerly a citizen of Hanover, Germany, a substantial farmer and a man of influence in his village. In 1855, however, against the urgent advice of his neighbors, he emi- grated to the United States, to give his children the advantages of its institutions. He came directly to Henderson county, and purchased the S. E. 1 of Sec. 29, T. 9 K, K. 5 W.,. paying therefor $1,405 in gold. He buried his wife not long afterward, in the fall of 1857. He himself is still living at the age of seventy-eight. He has three chil- dren living, two sons, whose biographies follow, and one daughter, the wife of H. H. D. Thesing, York county, Nebraska. Herman G. Annegers, Jr.. born in Hanover, June 1, 1834, came to America four years earlier than his father's family, landing in New York city in the spring of 1851. He found work in the city as a clerk and for five months worked steadily from four \.^i. until ten p.m., and at the end of his time found his wealth increased by one pair of boots and two ca]3S worth fifty cents each. He did better after this, his wages ranging from $5 to $12 a month and his board. In 1855 he removed to Henderson county, in company with his father. With the exception of the first winter, spent in Burlington, he has lived on a farm, assisting his father, renting of his father and others, and after- ward buying the fine farms he now owns. September 4, 1875, he married Julia II. Taylor, of Burlington, Iowa. They have two children : Mary Jennette, born October 24, 1876, and Dora Elimina, December 2, 1881. G. Henry Annegers, younger brother of Herman G., was born September 22, 1840. He came to America with his parents and a year or two later began farming for himself, and in 1864 purchased a part interest in his father's estate in company with his brother. He afterward sold his interest here, and in 1873 bought the S. E. J of Sec. 22, T. 9 N., E. 5. W. To this he has since added the S.W. f of the same section, buying the west half in 1875, and the east half in 1050 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. 1878. His wife, Anna H. M. Pahlmann, wliom lie married in 1867, came to Henderson county from Hanover, Germany, in company with her sister in 1866. They have five chiklren : Emma Mary, George H., Fannie Bertha, Ida Amelia, and William. Both Mr. and Mrs. Anne- gers were brought up in the Lutheran faith, to which they still adhere. John Evans, Jr., was born in Crawford county, Ohio, June 13, 1830. His father, John Evans, Sr., is one of the earliest settlers of the county, and will be spoken of fiilly under the township in which he resides. John Evans, Jr., early left home, and his nineteenth birthday was spent on the plains while he was en route for California. Here he was fairly successful, and returned three years later, in 1852, and bought the place now owned by his brother, Mr. Hamilton Evans. April 23, 1857, he married Sarah Y., daughter of Abner and Lucy Davis. Mrs. Evans was born at Balston Spa, Saratoga county, Xew York, March 13, 1829. AYith the exception of the first six years of her life spent in her native town, she has lived in Henderson county. After her marriage to Mr. Evans they lived one year on the farm mentioned above, and then removed to the place now occupied by them. Their present residence, one of the very finest in the county, was completed in April, 1870. Their onl}- child, Marion L., now liv- ing in Mills county, Iowa, was born June 30, 1858. Mr. Evans is a member of the Baptist church, at Malvern, Iowa, while his wife main- tains her adherence to the teachings of the United Presbyterian church. William H. Rodman was born and reared in Lexington county, Kentucky. From tliis place he removed successively to Shelby and Jefterson counties, Kentucky, and, in 1833, to Peoria county, Illinois, stopping on the way with Abraham Lincoln, whom he had known well in Kentucky. Four years later, in 1837, he removed to Henderson county, and lived two years in township 9, range 1. Thence he re- moved to the S. W. i of Sec. 13, T. 9 N., 5 W., his home till his death in May, 1861. He was married, ]irior to leaving Kentucky, to Sarah Saulter, by whom he liad twelve children, eight of whom are living. Robert R(^D:^L^N, second child of the preceding, was born in Jef- ferson county, Kentucky, March 2. 1823. Leaving home at the age of nineteen he worked on a farm and at Ward's mill, near Biggsville, for two years. In August, 1813, he married Rachel, daughter of IS^athan and Mary Powell, then of Dearborn county, Indiana. He then turned his eftbrts to farming, renting various farms, for about ten years ; he then bought of Mr. J. B. Fort, but soon sold again and rented one season ; then bought in township 9, range 4. Here he remained another space of ten years, and in 1864 removed to Lucas county. OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1051 Iowa. Returning to Henderson county after five years, he bought his present property, and in 1881 began the erection upon it of an excel- lent residence now in c(nirse of completion. He is one of the charter members of the Olena Lodge, Xo. 662, I.O.O.F., and is a sincere believer in the democratic party principles. JoHx Carothers, Jr., son of Andrew Carothers, Jr., and Lydia Fickes, was born August 31, 1844. in Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania. He grew up on his father's farm in the same way as the average farmer's boy. The years from September, 1864, to September, 1868, he spent variously, in attendance at Monmouth College, farming sum- mers and teacliing winters. In September, 1868, he bought the N. ^ of X. W. ^, Sec. 27, T. N., 5 W., his present home. He still made his home at his father's, however, until March 23, 1871, at which time he was married to Mary C, daughter of Judge R. W. Gaddis. Up to 1874 he continued to teach winters ; since then he has given himself exclusively to farming. Mrs. Carothers is also a school-teacher of several years' experience. Both are connected with the United Presby- terian church, holding their membership at. Olena. They have four children: Merle Robert, born January 18, 1872; Mary Eva, Decem- ber 3, 1873; Laura Ethel, November 23, 1877; and a babe, born March 14, 1882. Robert W. Marshall was born in Granger county, Ohio, February 15, 1832. His parents, Robert Marshall, Sr., and P(^lly Reasoner, were originally from Pennsylvania. His father was born in West- moreland county, Julv4, 1792. He was twice married and had eleven children, of whom Robert AY. was the seventh. The subject of this sketch remained with his father until his marriage, December 23, 1856, to Hannah Jane Galliher. The following year he came to Illinois and settled on his present farm. His wife died November 10, 1870, leav- ing to him the care of three children. Two years later he married Anna, oldest daughter of George Retzer and Cathei'ine King. Mrs. Marshall's father was born in Maryland January 3, 1808. When he was twelve years of age his father removed to Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania. Here he came to manhood, married March 9, 1837, and settled on a farm. June, 1855, found hitn in Henderson county, liv- ing near La Ilarpe. But the next February he purchased the home which he held till his death, the S. W. i of Sec. 29, T. 9 K, 5 W. He was the father of nine children, five of whom are living. Of the four buried, three died of cholera during Mr. R.'s first summer in Illinois. He died December 21, 1881, and on March 17, next, his wife followed him.* Mr. Marshall is in politics an ardent republican ; in religion an adherent to the creed of the United Presbytei-ian church. 1052 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. He keeps all his children about him, live in number, the youngest two the children of his present wife. John B. Fort, was born July 25, 1811, in Warren county, Ken- tucky. His parents, Frederick Fort and Lucy Moore, were the first couple married in the territory of Kentucky. They removed to Illi- nois some years later than their sons, in 1840, settling on the Menden- hall ])lace. Here they both died, Mr. Fort September 15, 18-15, his wife August 20, 1816. At the age of twenty-three, Mr. J. B. Fort left home, the last to leave the parental roof, and came to Henderson county. For some time he worked out by the month in saw-mills, at Warren, and at other points. Later he bought the W. ^ of the jST.W. J of Sec. 3, and lived here till 1868, when he removed to his place on Sec. 26. He now owns, in all, several hundred acres, comprising some of the choicest land in Henderson county. Mr. Fort has paid intelligent attention to stock. Formerly he kept some sheep, but he has given more particular time and thought to fine cattle. At present he is interested in introducing the Holstein breed. In 1848 he married Sarah J., daughter of Andrew Carothers and Mary Hays. They have seven children, all of whom are living in Henderson county : John Marion (married to Anna Gaddis), Caroline V., Mira, Charles Edward (married to Anna Marshall), Mary E., Florence, and Anna B. Mr. Fort is an active democract, the faith in which he was raised. He holds a membership in the masonic lodge at Gladstone. Coming to Henderson county among the very first with no capital but a clear head and a pair of willing hands, Mr, Fort finds himself the possessor of broad, fertile farms, and a home whose elegance and comfort con- trast no less significantly than pleasantly with the rude wilderness he found here a half century ago. Thomas jSTichols was born near Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia, January 10, 1799. He is the oldest of the children of Thos. Nichols, Sr., and Martha Carty, both of southern descent. After marriage his father removed to Ross county, Ohio; thence, in 1812, to Highland county, where he buried his wife ; thence, in 1833, to Allen county, where two years later he also died. While still but a youth the care of the home farm fell on the eldest son, Thomas, of whom we write. After his father's death he remained for a few vears in Allen county, whence he removed in 1840 to Abingdon, Illinois. After re- maining here a year and a half he bought his present home in Hender- son county, and built him a small frame house, which he replaced about 1845 with a more commodious dwelling. This he had the mis- fortune to lose by fire in 1859, losing with it nearly all its contents. He then erected his present residence, the frame of which he brought OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1053 from Oquawka. In 1829 he was married to Lavina, daughter of James and Mary Milligan. After a lingei-ing iUness, his wife died April T, 1872, aged seventy-two. Mr. Nichols has always been inter- ested in politics, working first with tlie whig, afterward with the republican party. In youth he united with the Methodist Ej)iscopal church, but later transferred his membershi]) to the United Presby- terian church, with which his wife was also connected. His children are six in number, four of whom are living. Of tlie two whom he has buried, one was an honored soldier during the rebellion. Thomas Vance Nichols enlisted in 1862, and served until the close of the war, passing through some of the severest battles unhurt. He received promotion to the rank of lieutenant and adjutant. Returning from the army he settled on a farm, marrying Miss Barbara Thompson. After successfully seeking health by medical treatment and travel, he died April 2, 1882, of a tumor in his right side, leaving his wife and two children. His worth was recognized by several successful appointments to the office of township treasurer, and his election to be deacon of the Olena United Presbyterian church. Robert W. Ctaddis, seventh child of Adam Gaddis and Catharine Mclvee, was born in Delaware county, New York, December 23, 1817. His parents were originally from county Down, Ireland, They landed in New York in 1800, and the following year settled in Delaware county. New York. In 1836 they removed to Morgan county, Illinois, where they died, the mother in 1840, the father two years later. About 1838 or 1839, Robert W., the subject of this sketch, left home, and began to do for himself, giving his energies to carpentering, black- smithing, farming, and surveying, in turn. In 18-17 he came to Hen- derson county, and settled on the S.W. J of Sec. 23, T. 9 N., 5 W., upon which he has since continuously resided. March 10, 1842, he was married to Ann L. McGoy, daughter of David McCoy and Mary McClellan, the former originally of Virginia, the latter of Pennsyl- vania. They have had six children, of whom they buried the youngest when it was but seven years of age. The others are still living: Minerva, now Mrs. Wm. Pollock, in Ringgold county, Iowa ; Mary C. , wife of John Carothers, Jr. , in Henderson county ; Annie, wife of John M. Fort, in Henderson county; Clara M., wife of John Reasoner, also in Henderson county ; John N. , married to Elizabeth Brook, in Fulton county, Illinois. Mr. Gaddis has been quite active in the interests of the democratic party. He has been in public office for a number of years, having officiated as justice of the peace for fourteen years, and as county judge four years. Both he and his wife are con- nected with the United Presbyterian church. 1054 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSO;S' COUJSmES. James William Brook, born August 29, 1843, is the son of Isaiah J. Brook and Jane T. Marsliall. His father came from Licking county, Ohio, in 1837, setthng on Sec. 34, T. 10 N., R. 5 W. William Brook grew up on the home farm, and at the age of seventeen set out for Monmouth, to enter the college at that place. He continued here until the spring of 1864, when he left the classic college halls for the rude life of the camp. He enHsted in Co. A, 138tli reg. 111. Inf., hav- ing previously completed his college course and earned his degree of B.S., and was appointed corporal. His company did garrison duty in Kansas and Missouri and were mustered out October IT, 1864, at Springfield. In deciding upon a career, Mr. Brook seriously thought of the law and of medicine. After returning from the army he taught for two years, giving his extra time to reading law under Hon. C. M. Harris, now of Chicago. In 1867, however, he turned himself to farming and bought the W. ^ of the KW. i of Sec. 1, T. 9 K., R. 5 W. To this eighty he has kept adding until he now owns 340 acres of excellent land. During the past ten years he has given much atten- tion to line cattle, and at present has a herd of eighty shorthoi-n Dur- hams. Clydesdale horses have also received his attention. On Feb- ruary 24, 1867, he was married to Mary C, daughter of A. G. and . Eliza Pearce, of Berwick, Illinois, the Rev. Dr. Wallace, lately of Monmouth College, officiating. To Mr. and Mrs. Brook five children were born : Frances Luella, December 16, 1867 ; William Marshall, February 11, 1870 ; Andrew Renwick, October 2, 1872 ; Charles Alfred, May 8, 1875; Ina Amelia, June 6, 1877. Mrs. Brook was buried in July, 1881, lamented by all for her consistent life and her helpful ministries to the sick, the unfortunate and the erring, a service for which her devout nature, refined by literai'v and musical culture re- ceived at Abingdon especially fitted her. Reai-ed in the Methodist Episcopal church, Mrs. Brook afterward found a liome with her hus- band in the United Presbyterian church of Olena. Mr. Brook holds a membership in the masonic order and also in the G.A.R. Abner Davis, one of the earliest settlers in T. 9 N., R. 5 W., was born in Windom county, Vermont, September 21, 1794. Hardly six- teen years of age, he entered the army in the war of 1812, enlisting in Capt. Goodriclrs company, 10th United States Infantry. He partici- pated in the battles of Chippewa Plains, Lundy's Lane and other bloody engagements. At Lundy's Lane he had a very narrow escape. His company went into the battle with 110 men and came out with only six. In 1821 he married Lucy Oaks, daughter of John and Lydia Oaks, of his native county. Soon after marriage he removed to Sara- toga county, New York. Thence he removed to Kirkwood, Warren OLENA TOVVNSHIl'. 1055 county, Illinois, in 1835, again removing the next year to the N. W. ^ of Sec. 33, T. N., R. 5 W., the first to settle on the prairie. Here he built his cabin and raised his family. The land was claimed by him under a soldier's warrant. Not long after he settled here an incident occurred that will illustrate the prominent traits of his character, promptness and decision. One evening a gentleman came to his door and said to Mr. Davis: "I have a claim on this land.'''' Mr. Davis told him he must be mistaken. Still the stranger insisted on his claim. "Well, then, sir," said Mr. D., "I fought for this land once, and ex- cept you leave I''ll fight for it again." [Exit stranger.] Events proved that he had mistaken the township, his claim being located in T. 9 N., R. 4 W. He extended his farm and built a commodious dwelling upon it in course of years, and was well known as a prospei'ous farmer. In the morning of December 10, 1871, he went to the residence of his daughter, Mrs. John Evans, Jr., and assisted at some work there. Later in the day he complained of feeling ill and went to the house, and soon after was in convulsions. He survived but a few hours, dying before medical aid could reach him. October 9, 1876, his wife was laid beside him in the cemetery on the home farm, aged seventy-nine. Andrew J. Davis, only son of the preceding, was born October 28, 1826, in Saratoga county, N.Y. He remained with his father unti. in 1850 he was carried with the tide of gold seekers to California. He returned to Illinois in the winter of 1851, and bought the Hiram Brooks farm the next year, on which he still resides. December 8, 1853, he married Clarissa, daughter of Ira and Priscilla Miller. They began their housekeei)ing in the house built on the place by its former owner. Here Mrs. Miller died January 7, 1870, and was buried in the homestead cemetery. She left five children, and one sleeps beside her: Ella Rosette, born July 8, 1856, and deceased September 29, 1865. The other children are: Charles II., born March 13, 1855; Francis Miller, August 18, 1858 ; Elmer A., April 22, 1862 ; Bertha Celia, October 10, 1863. Mr. Davis was married a second time Feb- ruary 28, 1872, to Mrs. Allen Hendryx, daughter of Allen and Mar- garet Taylor, of Burlington, Iowa. In 1876 he built his present resi- dence, one of the evidences of his general thrift and ])rosperity. Charles E. Drew was born in Steansted, P. Q., September 27, 1821, the eldest of six children of Abel Drew and Abigail Blake. His father was born in New Hampshire; removed to Canada in 1812, on account of excessive taxation, and there died July 1, 1878. His mother, of Irish descent, is still living at the age of eighty-four years. Of their children, four are living: one son and two daughters in Canada, and the eldest, the subject of this sketch, in Henderson 1056 HISTORY OF jrERCER AJ^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. county, Illinois. The last-named left home in 1837, and entered the army, enlisting in the heavy horse dragoons. Upon receiving his discharge he went to Boston, and remained there a year. Returning to Canada, he continued there until his removal to Burlington, Iowa, in 1848. Here he spent three years, clerking for Parsons, Copp & Parsons (succeeded by C. B. Parsons). Since 1851 he has been engaged in farming, with the exception of one year. For several years he rented, occupying the F. J. C. Peasley and various other farms; then, in 1858, he bought a half interest in the Copp farm, and lived upon it until he purchased his present ^^roperty in 1868, then unimproved, now one of the finest farms in this section. October 7, 1851, he married Harriet E. Brown, daughter of James H. Brown and Betsey A. Copp, both born in Canada. Mrs. Drew was born in Hatley, Steansted, P. Q. , March 4, 1835. Her parents lived in T. 9 ]S". , E. 5 W. , until 1858, in which year they removed to their present home in Bur- lington, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Drew have had nine children, the fifth of whom, Dalum LTlysses, they buried November 5, 1876. Of the other children, Charles E. lives at Ottumwa, Iowa; Hattie M. (now Mrs. Benj. Johnson) in Macedonia county, Iowa ; the remaining chil- dren, Addie E., Frank P., Lewis H., Willie W., Annis C, and Nettie Y., are still under the parental roof. Mrs. Drew holds a mem- bership in the Olena Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Drew is a Freemason, belonging to the Carman lodge. He is a staunch repub- lican, who believes in letting his light shine. At present he holds the office of assessor for his township. Abraham Wagy was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1805, the son of Jacob and Barbara Wagy. Tlie same year, the family removed to Pike county, Ohio ; thence, after a brief sojourn, to Ross county. Here they resided until 1849, when they removed to Adams county, Illinois. In May, 1855, the father died at the great age of ninety-seven years, at the time the oldest man in the county. His wife had been buried in Ohio twenty-five years before him. At the age of twent}^ Abraham left home and married. His wife is Louisa, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Cooper. They settled first in Ross county, Ohio, but removed to IlHnois with Jacob Wagy in 1849. Abraham Wagy, however, came to Henderson county, and bought near the vil- lage of Olena. At this village he worked at wagon-making and coop- ering until, in the year 1854, he purchased his present home. Mr. and Mrs. Wagy have had eight children, two of whom died at an early age. Of the other six, Sarah, wife of John Evans, Sr., is living at Gladstone, Illinois ; Mary Ann, now Mrs. Albert Mark, at Ottumwa, Iowa ; Philip, in -Bourbon county, Kansas ; Jeremiah, in Oregon ; OLENA TOWNSHIP. 1059 Lemuel, in Warren county ; Abraham, near Raritan, Illinois. For nearly tifty years Mr. Wagy has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He and his wife are now connected with the church at Olena. In politics he was originally a democrat, but except liis voting for Andrew Jackson and Martin Yan Buren, he has acted with the whig and republican parties. Lemuel Wagy, son of the preceding, lived with his parents until 1SH9, when, on the 29th day of March he married Sarah A., daughter of Kinzey and Eliza Hill, of Terre Haute, and made his home in Mt. Pleasant township, Warren county, Illinois. His wife departed this life in February, 1879, shortly after the birth of her youngest child, and is buried at Raritan. She left six children: William Sher- man, born in 1870 ; Lemuel F., in 1872 ; Elzey, in 1874 ; Grace, in 1876 ; Lovisa, in 1878 ; and Sarah A., in 1879. Mr. Wagy is con- nected with the masonic lodge at Raritan ; also with the order of United Workmen. Peter Nichols was born in Forquer county, Virginia. In the year 1795, while still but a lad, he removed to Ross county, Ohio, with his parents, Samuel and Mary Nichols. Here his parents died, and here he was married, in 1812, to Elizabeth, daughter of Maj. Isaac Dawson and Sicha Williams. He lived in Ross county and various localities in Ohio until 1830, when he removed to Vego county, Indiana. Six years later he again removed his family, this time to Henderson county, Illinois. He enlisted in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Sandusky, Ohio. In 1857 he died at the age of seventy-seven, having buried his wife six years previously, at the age of fifty-seven. Mr. Nichols was by trade a miller and distiller, and followed his trade till he left Ohio ; after that he farmed until his death. Isaac Nichols, eldest son of the preceding, was born in Hocking county, Ohio, October 30, 1805. The first thirty years of his life he spent at his lather's. At about the age of twenty-one he purchased the N. E. 1 of Sec. 8, T. 8 N., 5 W. This he improved and afterward sold to Dr. Shaw, and in 1816 bought, under mortgage to the school district, of Wilson Kendall, the N. E. i and the E. ^ of the N.W. i of Sec. 25, T. 9 N., 5 W. The previous year he married Nancy, daughter of Henry and Bethenia Carter, then of Warren county. Have had four children, two of whom were buried at the age of four years. Of the two living, Mary, the eldest, is the wife of William Wilsher, residing in township 9 nortli, 5 west, Henderson county ; Amanda, the younger, with her husband, Henry King, resides with her parents. Mr. N. belongs to the fraternity of Freemasons, lodge No. 732, Carman, Illinois. 60 1060 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. FOKTY-FIFTIl ILLINOIS INFANTRY. Company I was recruited at Millersburg from Mercer and adjoining counties, by Oliver A. Bridgford. On October 20, 1861, the citizens turned out witli tlieir teams and took the men to Camp Blackhawk, near Rock Island. They remained there until November 20, when they were taken to Camp Douglas, Chicago, and there, on December 24, mustered into service in the 1:5th Illinois, known as the Wash- burn Lead Mine regiment. Col. John E. Smith, of Galena, command- ing. The company was organized with 95 men and the election of the following officers : (). A. Bridgford, captain ; James Balfour, lirst lieutenant ; and H. H. Boyce, second lieutenant. These officers were commissioned by Gov. Yates December 24, 1861. The regiment was ordered south January 17, 1862, and was conveyed by rail to Cairo, where it remained in camp till February 3, and having been assigned, to tlie brigade of Col. W. H. L. Wallace, and Gen. McClernand's division, moved and landed at Camp Ilalleck, below Fort Henry, on the 4tli. The following day all able-bodied men were ordered to march with three days' rations, and the same evening they arrived at Fort Henry, just in time to see the rebels fleeing toward Fort Donelson. On the 12th it marched to Donelson and took a conspicuous part in the siege and capture of tliat stronghold. The flag of the 45tli was the lirst on the rebel works. The regiment had several killed and 26 wounded. Among the latter was Lieut. Boyce, of Co. I. On March 4 it moved to the Tennessee river and embarked on the trans- port Silver Moon for Savannah, Tennessee, where it encamped a few da3's. While there Oscar J. Duncan, of Co. I, mysteriously disap- peared. He was not feeling well and one night about twelve o'clock said lie would go to get a drink. He left the tent and was never after- ward heard of. The Pinhook raid, lasting two days, was one of the diversions of the regiment while lying at Savannah. On the 25th it went to Pittsburg landing and camped near Shiloh church, and on the 6tli and 7th of April fought on that ground, losing 26 killed and 199 wounded and missing, nearly one-half of the regiment. Compam^ I lost 54, including the captain and first lieutenant, who were wounded, the latter mortally. The remaining 13 were commanded by the third corporal. The regiment remained on the battlefield until May 30 ; then it took u]) the line of march for Corinth and was present through- out the siege. It next marched to Jackson, Tennessee, and a part of the regiment, including Co. I, was stationed on the railroad to FORTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 1061 guard bridges. On the 31st of August tlie rebels, 4.000 strong, made an attack on Medan, where Co. I was encamped, but after four hours' liard iigliting were forced to retire. The loss in the regiment was 3 killed, 13 wounded and 43 prisoners. Second Lieut. William L. Green, Co. I, was killed. Immediately afterward the regiment marched to JMemphis and embarked for Vista plantation, where it re- mained until the movement was begun against Yicksburg from the rear. Between the 1st and 15th of May it fought live memorable battles, and with distinguished bravery sustained the honor of our Hag. These were Thompson's Hill (Port Hudson) on the 1st, Bayou Pierre the 3d, Raymond the 12th, Jackson the l-lth, and Champion Hill the loth. On the 30th of June McPherson's corps made an assault on the rebel works. Fort Hill had been mined, and the 45th was selected to charge into the breach when it should be blown up. A wide opening was rent in the massive earthworks, and into it the regiment went like an ava- lanche. A desolating storm of missiles thinned its ranks, but without taltering for a moment it planted its flag in the fort and held the posi- tion. This has been pronounced one of the grandest acts of the war. Three were killed and 54 wounded. The 23d, 25th, 31st, 56th and 124th Illinois regiments also took part in the action and shared the gloiT. In honor of its splendid conduct Gen. McPherson ap^Dointed the 45th to head the army on its entrance into Yicksburg, and ordered that its regimental flag be hoisted over the court-house of the city. It was sent in a few days to Black river,*where it remained till the winter of 1863-4, when, having re-enlisted, it went home on veteran furlough of thirty days. Meantime it had been on the famous Meridian raid, and done lighter service, with some skirmishing. On the expiration of furlough the regiment reassembled at Free- port, Illinois, where it received a large number of recruits. Co. I was increased to about SO. In the month of April the command went by rail to Cairo, thence by steamer to C'lifton, Tennessee, and from there it marched across the country and joined Sherman's army at Cartersville, Georgia. It remained there about two months, guard- ing the bridge across the Etowah and jjatroling the railroad, and then took its place with the army in front of Atlanta. After the fall of the city the regiment followed Hood back nearly to the Tennessee river ; then returning to Atlanta, went on the march to the sea. About the middle of January it was transferred by water from Savannah to Beau- fort, whence it started, about the 1st of February, on the campaign of the CaroKnas. At the crossing of the Salkahatchie, at River's bridge, the regiment was engaged a whole day. Again at Orangeburg it met 1062 inSTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. tlie enemy, and also at Bentonville. It proceeded with tlie rest of the army to Washington and took ])art in tlie grand re^dew. Then it went by rail to Lonisville, Kentucky, where it was mnstered out July 12. 1865, and arrived in Chicago the 15th for final payment and discharge. The 45th achieved a high reputation for gallant service. When first mustered in it had 960, rank and file ; when it returned on veteran fur- lough its ranks had been thinned by disease and battle to 231. They were recruited to 705, of whom 393 men and 17 officers w^ere all who returned on the final muster-out. FIFTY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. In Co. B of this regiment were twenty or more soldiers from Henderson county. It was designated during the first six months of its service as the 9tli Missouri. In the early stage of the war the gen- eral government checked enlistments by refusing to accept the eager volunteers who were determined to render service. The companies composing this regiment showed their ardent patriotism by crossing over to St. Louis, where the organization w^as finally completed as a Missouri regiment. In February, 1862, the designation was changed by order of the war department. Jolin C. Felton, formerly a captain in the regular army, but lately first assistant adjutant general on Gen. Fremont's staft", was commissioned colonel. The regiment was mus- tered for United States service on Sejjtember 18, 1861. For some time prior to this the various companies had been working on fortifica- tions and tloing guard and picket duty at St. Louis and Cape Girardeau. September 21 the regiment was ordered to JefiPerson City, and was in constant activity until March 7 and 8, 1862, when it fought gloriously at Pea Ridge. Lieut. -Col. Frederick and Major P. Sidney Post were severely wounded. The latter, on the resignation of Col. Ivelton three weeks afterward, was commissioned colonel. May 22, the regiment embarked from Cape Girardeau for Hamburg Landing, and participated in the siege of Corinth. It marched to various places, skirmished some, and on August IS crossed the Tennessee river at Eastjjort. Col. Post took command of the brigade at this time, and continued to act in this enlarged sphere until again seriously wounded at the battle of Nash- ville, just anterior to the close of the war. The 59th reached Florence, Alabama, the 21-th, and marching thence via Lawrenceburg, Columbia and Franklin, arrived at Murfreesboro September 1. It moved north with Buell's army on the 3d, and reached Louisville on the 26th. Out of 361 men who went into action at Perrysville October 8, 113 were SEVEXTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS lATAjSfTEV. 1063 either killed or wounded. It was in a severe skirmish at Lancaster, Kentucky, on the 14th. On Xovember 7 it arrived at Xashville, and went into camp at Edgefield. It belonged to Gen. Jefferson C. Davis' division and Gen. A. McC. McCook's corps. It fought with its old- time gallantry at Stone Kiver, and lost heavily. When retiring with the shattered right wing on that terrible Wednesday, it brought oft safely by hand a battery whose horses had all been killed. It served continuously with Gen. Rosecrans until he was relieved of his com- mand in October, 1863. On the Chattanooga campaign it was away up the Lookout range so far to the right, under McCook, as to excite a trembling uneasiness for the safety of the army. During the battle of Chickamauga, Post's brigade had charge of the wagon train, and was not in the engagement. In the assault on Missionar}^ Ridge, JSTovember 25, the oUtli led the brigade. Pursuing to Ringgold, it attacked the enemy in position and drove him successfully. Novem- ber 30 it was sent to aid in burying the dead at Chickamauga. Jan- uary 12, 1864, it was mustered as a veteran organization. It returned from its furlough reorganized, and went on the Atlanta campaign, fouglit at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, King- ston, Ackworth, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground, Rough and Ready, and Lovejoy. It followed Hood back to Tennessee, skirmished at Columbia, on jS^ovember 29 attacked the. rebel army in flank as it was marching on Spring Hill, and fought all day ; it marched that night and the following day without rest, and reached Franklin in time to take part in that bloody battle. It was in the thickest of the fight at Xashville, December 15 and 16 ; on the first day opening the engagement and planting the first colors on the rebel works, and on the second day leading the successful assault on Over- ton's Hill. In March, 1865, the regiment went to East Tennessee, and in April into IS^orth Carolina. Returning to Nashville the last of the month, in June it went to New Orleans, and in July arrived at India- nola, Texas. It marched to San Antonio, and was stationed at New Braunfels till December 8, when it was mustered out and sent to Springfield, Illinois, for final jjayment and discharge. SEVENTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. This regiment was organized at Quincy by Col. Wm. H. Benneson, in August, 1862, and mustered into the United States service Septem- ber 1. In Co. II were thirty -three enlisted soldiers, and at least one officer, second lieutenant, Samuel Simmons, from the southwest c< rner 1064 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES, of Henderson connty, about Dallas, besides a few men who were scattered through other companies. The regiment left Quincr for Louisvnlle September 20, 934 strong. October 5 it was ordered to Shepardsville to guard the railroad bridge across the Rolling Fork, and on the 14tli was stationed on the Lebanon branch railroad, for its protection. Remaining there till January, it ascended the Cumber- land river to xsashville, and joined Rosecrans' army at Franklin, whence it moved forward on the Tullahoma campaign as far as Shelby- ville, where it stayed till September 6. Meantime it had been assigned to Gorden Granger's corps, and moved on Chattanooga, crossing the Tennessee river and reaching Rossville, Georgia, the 14tli. At Ring- gold it skirmished on the 17th. On the 20th it did heavy lighting at Chickamauga and lost fiftv-eiglit, killed and wounded, and fifty-six prisoners. It w\as confined in Chattanooga during the two months'* siege, and assisted in carrying Missionary Ridge, November 25, with slight loss. Having marched to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville, it returned and went into winter quarters at Rossville, from whence it started on the Atlanta campaign May 2, 1864. Besides almost constant skirmishing, it fought heavily at Resaca, Rome, Peach Tree creek and Jonesboro. At the latter place its loss of eighty-three was the result of charging a six-gun battery, which it captured. On September 28 it moved with the rest of the division into northern Alabama, in chase of Forrest's forces, and at Gaylesville rejoined the army which had followed Hood, and returned to Atlanta. From there it marched through the heart of Georgia to Savannah, and turning northward swept through the Carolinas, continuing its destruction of property in its course, and fought at Bentonville March 19, rei^elling tlie successive and fierce charges of the enemy, and sustaining a loss of forty- four. It was with Sherman's grand army until its disbandment at AYashing- ton after the national review. It brought to Chicago, where it arrived June 10, 1865, and was discharged, 373 men and twenty otficers. GREEIS^YILLE TOW^^SIIIP. Greenville precinct comprises all of T. 11, R. 4, which lies north of Smith creek, and that portion of T. 12, R. 4, w^hich is south of Hender- son river and (Jedar creek, which is near thirty-nine sections or about 25,000 acres. It is bounded on the north by Henderson river and Cedar creek, on the east by Warren county, on the south by Biggsville precinct and Smith creek, and on the west by T. 11, R. 5. Its princi- pal streams are those which bound it on the north and south with Fall GREENVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1065 creek and Rust creek, all of which trend in a southwesterly direction. Its general surface is gently rolling w^ith a border of abrupt hills around the north, west and a portion of the southern boundary. The streams and the broken portions of the precinct are skirted with a line growth of timber, which is utilized for many practical purposes. It consists of shag bark hickory, red hickory, red and white elm, white, blue and prickly ash, box elder, sycamore, basswood, white and black walnut, sugar and soft maple, red, white and burr oak, cottonwood, honey locust, American aspen, mulberry, red bud, and wild plum. The soil of the uplands is a deep black loam, the subsoil being of brown clay. Bitumi- nous coal has been found in very small quantities, but not sufficient to be of any utility. A calcareous deposit is found along Fall creek, which would make an excellent body for painting purposes. Along the hill- sides of Rust creek and Fall creek are found outcroppings of Burlington limestone, that of Rust creek having a brownish cast caused by its being tinctured largely with oxide of iron, that of Fall creek being of a lighter cast, containing more calcareous matter. Here many kinds of crinoidea are found, all of* which are identified with the upper Burling- ton period ; and nowhere, perhaps, have the stone-lilys been found in greater abundance and in a better state of preservation. Other fossils are abundant, especially brachiopods. Bryozoa is also found, mostly in the Keokuk strata. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The first man who, with his family, found a home in Greenville pre- cinct was Capt. William Beaty, who came from Bartholomew county, Indiana. He settled on the S. W. I of Sec. IT, T. 11, R. 4, in May, 1830, and made the first crop of any kind in the precinct. Here he built a cabin of hewn logs, a remnant of which still remains. At this time there were many Indians in the vicinity who paid almost daily visits to the Beatys. For four years there was not another white person in the precinct, the nearest neighbors were the. Fences, li\ing in T. 11, Sec. 5. During the hostilities with the Indians, which began in 1831, Mr. Beaty moved his family to Pence's Fort, which stood on the west bank of Henderson river, in T. 11, Sec. 5. They remained here until the close of the Bla-ik Hawk war, with the exception of a few months in the fall and winter of 1831. September 9, 1831, Ezra Beaty, the first white child, was born in the precinct, and first saw the light on the 14th of the same month Mrs. Beat}^ died. Then there were but twenty-five persons within reach to attend the funeral. Sadly they lowered the mortal remains of this pioneer woman into the first grave ever made for a white person in the township. Mr. Beaty 1066 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. married Miss Jane T. Kussell, of the Jemison settlement, on South Henderson, June 27, 1833. The marriage occurred in what is now Biggsville precinct, but this was the first union in which any one from the precinct was a contracting party. The Indian troubles had come to an end and Black Hawk with his warriors had bid a sad farewell to Illinois, and gone beyond the Mississippi to return no more forever. People became fully assured of quiet possession of tlieir lands and homes, and emigration headed toward the military tract, and Greenville received her portion. In 1834 Hercules N. Roney came from Ohio and settled on the same section with Mr. Beaty. He did some blacksmithing, which was the first done in the precinct, but soon tiring of the outlook for the future he returned to his former home at Davton, Ohio. The same year came Jacob Rust, and settled on section 9, where B. F. Frysear now lives. The next year, in company with S. S. Phelps, he com- menced the erection of a grist-mill, near his residence, but on account of a misconstruction of some of its parts it was a failure, involving Mr. Rust iinanciall}' . He is still living and has his home in Potta- wattamie county, Iowa. In the spring of 1836 the Rice brothers, James F., Thomas H., George P. and William C. came. James H. has long since been dead ; Thomas H. and George P. now live in Monmouth ; William C. is now, and has been for many years, county judge of Henderson county. In the same year John Hopkins settled on Sec. 35, T. 12, R. 4. In the autumn of this year occurred the lirst marriage in the precinct, that of James Scott and Anna Hopkins, sister of John. They lived on the farm now owned by John Holliday. In the spring B. C. Coghill, AVilliam P. Toler and Thomas EUett came from near Rich- mond, Virginia, on a tour of inspection. The next year they came and located permanently. Mr. Ooghill, who had been a large slave owner, manumitted them, bringing two with him, who, under contract, were to work for a certain time and gain their absolute freedom thereby. They bred trouble for him and were sent back. He com- menced the erection of a mill, on a site which is still used for that purpose, on the south side of Henderson river. Thomas Ellett, the friend of Coghill, who had come with him on the weary tramp from Yirginia, settled on section 9. July 4, 1836, he raised his cabin and named the grove in which it stood Independence Grove. Mrs, M, H. Mills has in her possession a piece of moss-grown shingle which was a part of the original roof of this house. William H. Mills wended his weary way from Dearborn county, Indiana, and settled near the bluff on section 18. He now lives on GREE]S^^^LLE TOWNSHIP. 1067 section 16, and altliough old can tell a story of the hardships of those pioneer days with the zest of a boy. Prior to Mr. Mills' coming, Anderson Davis and W. H. Davis, his brother, came from Virginia. This was in 1S36. Tliey were both moral, upright gentlemen, and did much for the material and social upbuilding of the community. Mr. W. II. Dav-is taught perhaps the Urst scho(jl in the county, in the winter of 1836-7. The same year came Robert Taliaferro and his four sons, Robert, Benjamin C, J. Brooke, and C. Walker. The father and mother have long since been dead. Robert and J. Brooke have found homes in the west. Benjamin C. is a prominent attorney and politician at Aledo, Mercer county. C. AValker runs and operates the Fall creek mills, near where they first settled. Texas Grove, the name of a farm not far from here, was settled by a man named Rhodes who afterward went to Texas, hence the name. This is on section 9. At the south end of the precinct the first settler was Maj. James C. Hutchison, with his wife and four sons, Samuel, Robert M., Ben- jamin, Thomas TI., and Elizabeth and Sarali, his daughters. They came from Ohio, journeyed down the Ohio and up the Mississippi by steamboat. They hmded at Oquawka at sunrise, on the morning of June 2, 1833, when there were but four resident families in the town. They settled on section 36. This was just north of the Jemison settle- ment, on South Henderson. Samuel now lives in Monmouth ; Robert lives at Walla Walla, Oregon ; Thomas H. died in Polk county, Ore- gon, in 1850 ; John W., who was born soon after their arrival here, was killed by the cars at Hornellsville, J^ew York, in 1863 ; Benjamin lives at the old homestead. The subsequent year John Glass, with his family, settled near the Hutchisons, on section 34, and Charles Sar- geant, a soldier of the war of 1812, came in 1835, and settled on the same section with Glass. The next persons who came were Joel Haines and family, in 1837, settling on ti.j south side of what is now the Oquawka and Monmouth road. Amos Haines came in 18-10 and settled near. John Reed came in 1841 and opened a farm on section 24, and Isaac Woods settled near in the same year. These people nearly all came from Ohio, and were industrious and frugal and have made life a success by the accumulaticm of plenty. John Welsh, who now lives in the same vicinity, came in 1835 from Buftalo, New York, and looked into and saw the advantages of the country. He returned to New York, and in 1840 came with his family and tirst had his home on section 17. Just east ol Mr. Welche's the first permanent blacksmith-shop was erected in 1843 by J. B. Wheeling. 1068 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Among those who came at a later date to the iiortli part of the precinct were Amos Morris, in 1840, Israel Stockton and his sons, Edwin and James B., in 18il. In 1846 J. J. Hulbm-t, M.D., the first disciple of ^seulapius in the vicinity, purchased B. C. Coghill's interest in section 3 and commenced the practice of medicine. William C. Toler settled, in 1838, at CoghilFs mills. William L. Stockton, who for many years followed school teaching, came the same year. Greenup Stillwell came from Indiana in 1839, and settled in the north end of the precinct. He was one of the millwrights who rebuilt the Rust mill. He is still living on his farm where he first settled. Among those who came at a later date are the Matthewses and Ilolli- days, the Campbells and the Fairs, all of whom, themselves or some of their descendants, are living in the vicinity. IMPROVEMENTS. The first mill built in the precinct was the one by Jacob Rust and others in 1834, which was a failure. In 1835 Benjamin C. Coghill commenced the erection of a mill on Henderson river for the purpose of cutting lumber. To this, in 1839, he added a flouring mill, which went into successful operation. This mill site is now owned and oper- ated by Richard Foulkes, Esq., a man of ripe experience in the busi- ness. The original building has been replaced by one more substantial, fitted with all modern improvements. The machinery of the mill, built by Jacob Rust, was bought by Joseph Ilollingsworth and removed to its present site, on Fall creek, in 1846. He built a large four-story frame structure, putting in first class complements for those days. It is now owned and operated by Mr. C. Walker Taliaferro. This is the mill where, on that fatal night of January, 1859, officer David Welsh was smitten by the hand of a murderer. The dark stains of gore yet remain to show the spot where he met his fate. CKIME. The precinct of Greenville is as free from the imputation of crime as any other in the county. In its fifty years of history only one life has been lost bv violence, that of oflicer David Welsh, murdered bv Enoch Hollingsworth and Jacob Yeider on the cold and bleak morning of January 11, 1859. The shooting, the death, and subsequent arrest of Elnoch Hollingsworth and Yeider, as principals, and Joseph Hol- lingsworth as accessory, perhaps created more excitement than any other event of a similar or any other nature which ever occurred in the county. The facts of the case are, in the light which time sheds on such occurrences, about as follows : Joseph Hollingsworth was at GREENVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1069 that time the owner of the Holliiigsworth Honring mills, situated on Fall creek. He rented the mill to his son, Addison, for the year 185!), the lessee talcing possession at the beginning of the year. Some diffi- culty occurred soon after, and the father, with his agents, forcibly and without due process of law, ejected the son. Enoch and his femily moved into the mill, and Yeider with them, determined to keep pos- session. In putting Addison out of the mill they had made an infrac- tion of the law by committing an assault and battery. This was Addison's hope to get possession, and smarting under the indignity, he went to Oquawka and Hied an affidavit based on this. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Enoch and Yeider, and placed in the hands of David Welsh. In the meantime the elder Hollingsworth, owner of the mill, had gone away and left orders with Enoch and Yeider to allow no one to enter the mill. Mr. Welsh, in company with Addison Hollingsworth, Orrin Burr, James Fryrear, N. S. and E. F. Barnum, proceeded to the mill, which is about five miles northeast of Oquawka in a gloomy ravine, surrounded by the high bluffis which border on Henderson river and P^all creek. Arriving there about two o'clock in the morning of January 11, he summoned the occupants to open the doors and allow him ingress, at the same time telling them he had suffi- cient authority for commanding them to do so. He was refused, with the remark that "the first man wlio put his head in at the door would get a hole through it." He saw that further pai'l eying was useless, and sent one of the posse to get an axe, with which he forced the door and fearlessly walked in to do his duty as an official, followed by the others. Those within were on an upper floor, which was reached by ascending a stairway. He calmly climbed this and walked into the face of death. The moment he reached the landing Yeider fired on liim with a rifle. He fell to the floor, his thigh horribly shattered by the force of the ball. Surgeons were immediately called, and decided that amputation was necessary to life. He died the next day between the hours of two and four o'clock. Enoch Hollingsworth and Yeider were immediately arrested and brought before justices Richey and Waterhouse on a charge of wilful murder. Johnathan Simpson, James H. Stewart, and D. B. AYaters for the prosecution, and B. C. Talia- ferro, James D. Wolfe, and Eleizar Paine for the defense. The exami- nation was long, tedious, and hotly contested. The charge was sus- tained, and the defendants sent to jail to await the action of the grand jury. Tuesday, February 1, Joseph Hollingsworth was arrested on a charge as accessory, had his preliminary hearing, and went to jail. March 7, a writ of habeas corpus was sued out befoi*e Judge Tliom])Son, who decided that Enoch and Yeider could not be admitted to bail. 1070 HISTORY OF MEECER AXl) HENDERSON COUNTIES. Josepli Hollingswortli was recognized in the penal sum of $3,000. At the meeting of the grand jury in May a true bill was returned against Enoch and Yeider for murder, and against the elder HoUingsworth as an accessory. The matter came iijj for hearing at the current term. A motion for a change of venue was made, and the case was sent to Mercer county for trial. It came on for liearing at the September term of the same year. A nolle prosequi was entered in the case of Joseph Hollingswortli. Enoch and Yeider were found guilty of manslaughter imd sentenced to the penitentiary for two years. During the autumn and winter of 1878 the people of Greenville and adjacent country began to miss various articles from among their chattels. During the hours of night they would disappear, and whither they went and where they were was not a problem of easy solution. But there were those within the burglarized district whose bosoms held the secret. Silently, mysteriously, at the dead, dark hours of night rode a secret clan who pillaged the country of anything of value which came in their way. To the uninitiated the mystery grew more and more incomprehensible. A vigilance committee was organized, but they were not successful in bringing the midnight plunderers to the bar of justice. Silently, enveloped in an insoluble mystery, which vailed them from detection, they continued to })lunder. But a silent agency was at work, and the unerring hand of justice was weaving for the seemingly chimerical clan a robe of retribution. John Lunney, Jacob Henderson, Wm. Yan Pelt, David Mitchell, and Charles Hen- derson, were arrested on a charge of burglary and larceny in January, 1879. This fell like a thunderclap amid sunshine on the people of the vicinity, as most of them belonged to the best families of the neighbor- hood, but the mystery was solved. The grand jury indicted them at the March term. Lunney, Jacob Henderson and Van Pelt went to the penitentiary for two years each. Some one connected with the aifair turned state's evidence, and during the summer, while l,ying sick abed at night, three disguised men entered his room with bludgeons in hand to repay him for his inconstancy. Tliey beat him severely. Eugene Hunt, Timothy Page and Jasper Jones were indicted at the August term for burglary with intent to murder, were tried, Hunt being found guilty, and the others acquitted. EDUCATIONAL. The first school-house in the precinct was built in the autumn of 1886, on Sec. 18. Here the first school in the precinct was taught during the winter following, by JN". H. Davis. Mr. Davis relates an amusing incident that (occurred during the term. One evening near GREENVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1071 the hour of closing, he was disturbed by some one imitating the call of turkeys, but he did not succeed in discovering the culprit. On looking out, however, he saw the house surrounded by a flock of these birds. A young man by the name of Pence the master's rifle, which in those pioneer days was not infrequently a part of the school furniture, and succeeded in bringing down a fine turkey, which he presented to the master. The people in building tlie school-house had done it vohmtarily, ■ cutting the timber from their land and bringing in common. They concluded to locate the house on a piece of land belonging to one Wein, a non-resident, and in consideration of this cut none of his timber. Wein visiting the neighborhood, and seeing the school-house, concluded to move in, and commenced preparations to do so. The people hear- ing of this concluded that it might not be best to allow him to get into possession. They soon hit upon a ]»lan to thw^art his calculations. There was a mustering of the clans, and in Mr. Wein's absence they in a few hours tore down the building, and raised it on another man's land ; this being easily done as it was constructed of logs. Wein re- turned, saw what had been done, and made up his mind to have recourse to law. He accordingly brought suit ibr trespass. Archie Williams and John H. Mitchell appearing for the complainant. Judge Ivory Quinby, and 0. H. Browning, afterward a United States senator, appearing for the defense. The matter was tried before Stephen A. Douglas, at that time district judge. Mr. Wein lost his case, and was mulcted for the costs of the action. This school was kept up for some time, but was finally succeeded by the Liberty school. This old building is now a ]3art of a dwelling, which may be seen about a half mile west of Kosetta jjostofiice. The first school-house at number one was built of logs, some distanse from where the present house stands, which was erected in 1858. This was the first district organized in the jjrecinct. The second school was near where the Science Hill school-house now stands. The present building was built in 1854 and remodeled in 1880. This is district No. 5. The next school-house in point of time is Hazel Dell, built in 1842. The building now in use was built in 1856. The next is the Liberty school-house, first erected in 1845. The brick structure now in use was built in 1858. This is near where the old subscription house was built in 1836. The Aurora school-house was first built in 1849, about a half mile from where it now stands. Three or four years afterward it was removed to the present site. Reed's school-house was first built in 1858. The present structure was erected in 1874. The Maple Grove school-house was built in 1863. 1072 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The schools of tliis precinct, which had their inception in the old log building erected of logs in 1836, by the people in common, have grown to a systematic system. The old log houses have passed away. The subscription school, kept up perhaps for three months during the year, have been succeeded by the present fine structures, witli all the modern appliances and conveniences, and the doors are open to all for nine months in the year. For schools in the year ending June 30, 1881. there was a total outlay of $2,901.1:3. SMITH CHEEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH Is the only church of the denomination in Greenville precinct. A few pioneers of this fiiith met June 0, 1853, at Liberty school-house and organized by electing M. M. Koberts and N. H. Davis, elders ; Amos Haimes and E. D. Jackson, deacons, with the following members : E. D. Jackson, M. M. Koberts, J. K. Eust, Charles E. Brown, E. T. Davis, N. H. Davis, Phoebe Darnell, Sarah W. Davis, Jane D. Eust, Fanny C. Davis, Isabella C. Jackson, Abigail Beaty, Anne Brown, Susan Lane, Sarah A. Haines, Elizabeth A. Eoberts, Sarah J. Morris, Sarah J. Brown and Mary Peterson. The organization was due greatly to the untiring eftbrts of Elder Alexander Davidson, of Monmouth,. Illinois. Mr. Davidson was the first elder in charge. Having a society well organized, the next object was the erection of a suitable church edifice. Mr. iVmos Haines and N. H. Davis set to work with a will and the necessary funds were soon subscribed, and a neat frame structure was built on Sec. 21, T. 11, E. 4, near what is now Eosetta postofiice, during the autumn of 1853, at a cost of something near $1,000. The following are the elders who have been in charge of the work there : Alexander Davidson, Bedford Murphy, Smith Wallace, James E. Gaston, Eli Fisher, Joseph B. Eoyal, L. O. McPherson, James Butler, and others -whose names do not appear. For the space of eight or ten years the church increased in numbers and was highly prosperous, but during the war it began to decline and to disintegrate, and finally was given up. The last record appears during the year 1873. The church building still stands, a sad monument to the un- stability of human determination and human mind. The family of Coghill trace their ancestry back to 1377. Benjamin C. Coghill traced the maternal line back to the Slingsbys of Scriven- liall, in 1135. Benjamin C. Coghill was born near Eichmond, Vir- ginia, March 9, 1804. Here he grew to manhood and was given a classical education in a college in his native state. At his majority he came into an estate sufiicient for his maintenance among the Virginia GREEXVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1073 gentry of that day. February, 1833, lie was married to Miss Millicent Ellett, a native of llicbmond, who died September 24, of the subse- quent year. In 1835 lie was married to Miss Mar}- A. Ellett, a cousin of his first wife. In 1834 he purchased and owned for some time the farm on which Patrick Henry was born. For years he had entertained a growing aversion to the institution of slavery. In 1835 he deter- mined to leave slave territory forever and find a home on free soil. In September of that year he traveled on horseback through the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Keturning in jN^ovember he began arrange- ments for his removal to Henderson county. As to the sincerity of his views in opposition to the institution of slavery, let the following extract from a letter to a relative attest: ''Being deeply impressed with the conviction that war, terrible in its consequences, would come sooner or later, and feeling earnestly desirous that neither I nor any of my children should engage in such a strife, and further, not wishing to raise my children among the negroes, my thoughts were turned to the west as the place wherein these evils might be avoided.'' As soon as I had fnlly determined to remove to a free state, the question arose in my mind, what shall I do with my negroes ( I gave the matter much careful consideration and made it the subject of much earnest prayer. The temptation to sell and get the money for them was strong. The conflict between the devil and the man was fierce and bitter, but thanks be to God who giveth strength, my sense of duty was the stronger. I procured good homes for the aged and sent all the younger ones to Liberia. June 1836, Mr. Coghill, in company with several of his neigh- bors, removed to Henderson county and settled in (ji-reenville precinct, and has been identified with almost ever}' prominent measure pertinent to the county's interest while he was a citizen of it. He was a mem- ber of the first board of county commissioners. lie was married a third time to Loucie LeFevre, of Hannibal, Missouri. Mr. Coghill died at Ennis, Texas, whither he had removed some time previous for the benefit of his health. The great work of his life was the upbuilding of the Rozetta Baptist church, and as its history is so insejjarably con- nected with his, the one would not be complete without the other. On May 10, 1837, the following named persons met at the residence of Benjamin C. Coghill, and after choosing Clark moderator, pro- ceeded to organize themselves into an independent religious society : William E. Ellett, Benjamin C. Coghill, William P. Toler, Clark, Mary A. ('oghill, Kezia Coghill, Susan Ellett, Mary Ellett. For many years the progress of the church was slow. But in time their earnest- ness of purpose and firm determination had its efiect, and in 1849, their numbers having been greatly increased, they were enabled to build a 1074 HISTORY OF ]\[ERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. comfortable house of worship. The building was finished and accepted by the trustees on the fourth Saturday in December, 1849, and on Sun- day, January 25, 1850, was solemnly dedicated by elder Monroe. The church has now a membership of about seyenty-fiye in good stand- ing. Its iinancial condition is good. In Greenville precinct there are at present three other churches of different denominations, but of which no records can be found. HISTORIC'AL SKETCH OF SMITH CREEK CONGREGATION (UNITED PRESBYTERIAN). BY REV. R. E. WILKIN. This congregation dates the beginning of its history from the year 1847. In March of this year an organization was effected through the agency of Eev. K. W. French as commissioner. The following-named persons were received as members at that time : Ritchey Campbell, Mary Campbell, John W. Woods, ISTancy Woods, David Irwin, Jane Irwin, Susanna Davis, James Gibson, Sarah Gibson, Mary Hogue, Isaac Woods, and Elisabeth Woods, twelve in all. The session was formed by the election and ordination of Messrs. Ritchey Campbell and John W. Woods as ruling elders. In 1849 their first pastor. Rev. Nathaniel McDowell, was settled, preaching in connection with Olena in Henderson county and North Henderson in Mercer county. This relation existed fi^-e years, or until April, 1854. For the two years following the congregation was supplied occasioually with preach- ing by traveling missionaries. Afterward, from 1856 until the summer of 1858, Rev. Elijah McCoy labored acceptably as stated supply for the congregation. In 1858 occurred the union of the two denominations (Associate and Associate Reformed) which now constitute the United Presbyterian church. In that year the Associate congregation of Smith Creek united with the Associate Reformed congregation of Smyrna, which had been organized in the same vicinity April 6, 1855, thus constituting the United Presbyterian congregation of Smith Creek. The united congregation received as its pastor the Rev. Samuel Millen, who had previously been settled as pastor over the Smyrna congrega- tion in 1856. The pastorate of Mr. Millen lasted for nearly fifteen years, closing April, 1870. For a number of years following the con- gregation was without a pastor. However, in the S])ring of 1875 a call was addressed to Rev. R. E. Wilkin to become their pastor. This call was accepted, and he began his labors in this field May 1, 1875. He continued his work here regularly for seven years, when, on the first of May last (1882) he felt constrained, on account of failing health of his family, to resign the charge of his congregation. During its T. G. F^ICH Er. greenvillp: township. 1077 history this church lias biiih and occupied three different houses of worship : the first in 1849, the second in 1857, and the present buikl- ing, a small but neat and substantial frame structure, capable of seating 200 persons, erected in 1881, at a cost of about $2,000., The present officers of the congregation are : ruling elders, A. B. Hamill, A. H. Drennen, and Robert Hays; board of directors, Peny Beal, Hemy Galloway, and James H. Woods. Present membership of the congre- gation, seventy. Greenville precinct was a part of Oquawka precinct until its sepa- rate organization, June 8, 1855. It comprises all of T. 11 IST., P. tt W. (except sections 31 and 32, and so much of sections 28, 29, 31 and 33 as lies south of the south fork of Smith creek) ; election to be held at Liberty school-house. All of that part of T. 12 l!^., R. 4 W., lying south of Henderson river to be attached to Greenville precinct ; election to be held at the postoffice in Rozetta. The west half of section 33, and all of sections 31 and 32 lying south and east of Henderson river, all in T. 12 N., R. 4, to remain in Greenville precinct; the remainder of T. 12 N., R. 4 W., formerly in Greenville precinct, to be added to Bald Bluff precinct. Change made September 10, 1874, by order of the county board. Fifty years ago the total population of Greenville precinct did not exceed five. In 1880 its population was 1,108. Following is a list of the names of the justices of the precinct, with the date of qualification annexed, since its separate organization : George C. Watson, June 26, 1855 ; William H. Mills, November 10, 1857; Thomas Y. C. Rice, November 16, 1857; William H. Mills, November 11, 1861; Geo. W. Loftus, November 11, 1861; Geo. W. Loftus, November 21, 1864 ; William H. Turnbull, November 27, 1864 ; William H. Mills, November 16, 1869 ; Geo. W. Lofftus, November 19, 1869 ; Geo. W. Lofftus, November 18, 1873 ; Henry Rice, November 19, 1877 ; David Bryan, November 16, 1876 ; John M. Lukens, June 11, 1881 ; John M. Lukens, November 25, 1881 ; Andrew H. Drennen, November 28, 1881. Following is a list of the names of constables, with the dates of their qualification, from the separate organization of the precinct: John Creswell, June 18, 1855; B. D. Curtiss, November 12, 1856; Matthew^ S. Green, November 23, 1857; A. L. Morris, November 21, 1857; A. L. Morris, November 21, 1861; S. M. Reed, November 21, 1861 ; Samuel B. Fair, November 16, 1863 ; William Woods, January 5, 1867; John T. Morse, November 16, 1869; Charles H. Morris, November 19, 1869 ; William R. R. Hurlbuit, November 16, 1878 ; 61 1078 HISTORY OF ]\rERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. William McDill, November 23, 1878 ; Amaziali B. Persliin, November 26, 1881. Greenville now has seven schools and five churches. She has a population of near 1,500 persons, and wealth counted by the hundred thousand. She is dotted over with good, comfortable dwellings, which are the homes of a happy and prosperous people. The morals of the populace are as good as that of any other place in the world. 'Tis won- derful to look at the advance of half a century. Fifty years ago this was virgin soil whose bosom had never been tickled by the hand of man. Fifty years ago the woodlands w^ere in their primitive state ; the axe of the pioneer had never sent its ringing noise through these primeval glades. But at last he came, and the change he has wrought is mighty. Instead of the quiet lethargy of the anti-pioneer days, the noise and bustle of industiT is heard from early morn till dewy eve. The greatest individual industry in the precinct is undoubtedly that done by the firm of Musgove & Mills, nurserymen and fruit growers. Sitting by their fires during the one cold evening of the winter of 1869- 70, these men conceived the idea of planting an apple orchard, and in the early part of the year commenced to make arrangements for it. The original intention was to put out 110 acres. They only could secure enough stock to put out five acres. This was done, and 200 cherry ti-ees planted. Commencing in time they succeeded in securing enough trees to finish planting the 110 acres the next year, making in all of both years setting 11,000 trees. The winters being very severe and killing quite a number of the trees, they made arrangements to raise their own trees for resettii^g. In the winter of 1872 they put out 100,000 apple grafts, 300,000 evergreens, and near Lenox, Iowa, sowed twenty acres in Osage orange seed, which would produce about 2,000,000 plants. The winter of 1872-3 killed nearly all the apple grafts, but not daunted or dis- couraged the}^ reset them. The winter of 1873-4 killed near 5,000 apple trees for them which were reset in the spring. Since the nursery stock became old enough they have been doing a general nursery busi- ness, buying at wholesale the stock they did not grow. They have shipped trees and plants to all points in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. They are now closing out their nursery stock, and will engage exclusively in fruit growing. In this business they give employment to from five to forty men, which varies with the seasons. On a farm opened by one Conger in 1837, in 1850 R. T. Pence set an orchard of thirty acres. This Mr. Musgove bought some years ago, and put the entire eighty acres in apple trees. In this and the partnership orchard GREENVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1079 they have about 18,000 trees, three-fourths of which are in bearing. Since 1877 they liave been shipping fruit to different points in the West. BIOGRAPHICAL. William H. and Lucretia (Morris) Mills, lived in Dearborn county, Indiana, at the time of Myron Harding Mills' birth, which took place on the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1839. The Millses are of English descent. His paternal great- grandfather, Lemas Mills, served under Washington during the war of the revolution, and endured all the hardships of the pestilence and starvation at Valley Forge. His wife, Mary Heddin Mills, visited him in camp there, and ministered to the wants of the sick and perishing. Mr. Mills has in his possession some relics of those days, among them a pair of silver knee-buckles, which his great-grandfather wore through the war, and sk mortar and pestle, made from beech-wood, which were used for pulverizing grain. His maternal grandfather, Amos Morris, was in the war of 1812. The father of Mr. Mills came to Henderson county in 1840, and settled on the bluff west of Rozetta, living in a hastily constructed cabin the first year. Young Myron attended school in a house near where Liberty school-house now is, and grew up to manhood with about such an uneventful life as other boys who are raised on a fjirm ; was married September 14, 1859, to Miss Sophia, daughter of Thomas Ellet, Esq., who settled in Greenville precinct in 1836. They have one child, a son, Charles, born January 13, 1836. Mr. Mills was in Co. K, 84th 111. Vols., and won the rank of a lieu- tenant ; was wounded in the head at Shiloh by a ball from the rifle of a sharp-shooter. He is the junior member of the firm of Musgove & Mills, nurserymen and fruit growers, who do an extensive business ; is a member of Kirkwood Post, G.A.R., No. 81, of I.O.O.F., and Masons. William M. Maley, the subject of this sketch, has, by his bearing throughout his life, set an example worthy to be followed by persons in any station, and as a result he has the confidence of all who know him, and a competency of this world's goods. This is the outgrowth of his unflinching integrity. Mr. Maley was born in Greene county, Ohio, December 29, 1820. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Star Maley; his grandfather, Lawrence Maley, was of Irish birth. Being pressed into the British service and transmitted to America to assist in subjugating the rebellious colonists of 1776, he deserted what he believed to be an unholy cause, and settled in Pennsylvania. When Mr. Maley was a lad of thirteen years, his parents left their Ohio home for a new one on the virgin prairies of Illinois. They selected 1080 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. as a place on which to settle a i^art of Sec. 30, T. 12 K., E. -1 W., in Warren county. At the age of eighteen he went to Keokuk countj, Iowa, where, on August 30, 1841, at the age of twenty, he was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Steyens, daughter of Haryey and Oliye Steyens. They are the parents of three children, all sons. The eldest, Henrj, seryed three years during the ciyil war in Co. K, 81th 111. Inf , and is now a successful farmer. The second, Charles, iS engaged in black- smithing and wagon-making at Little Fork, Illinois. Thomas, tlie youngest, remains at home, assisting his parents down the declining side of life. In 1816 Mr. Maley remoyed to Henderson county and settled on Sec. 5, T. 11 N., K. 4 W. Although Mr. Maley^s oppor- tunity for an education in early life was yery meager, he is now, on general topics, a well inibrmed man, haying quite a library of well selected books. The grandfather of Jacob Spangler emigrated to America from Germany in 1759 and settled in Maryland. He seryed through the war of the reyolution and was with Washington at Trenton, German- town and Brandywine. The parents of Jacob were Samuel and Barbara Spangler, who resided at Gettysburg, Pennsylyania, at which place he was born July 25, 1828. Mr. Spangler seryed an apprentice- ship as a stone-mason. At the age of twenty-two he bade goodbye to the place of his biilh and found a home at Oquawka, Illinois. In 1851 he led Lucy R., daughter of William and Rebecca Gray, to the hymeneal altar, and they became man and wife. The fruits of this marriage are seven children, as follows : J oseph A, , Lucy, Ilulbertine (who died at an early age), Alice Carey, Jacob S., Hulbertine (named for the dead one), and Florence De Fontenay. Mr. Spangler was deputy sheriff of the county from 1859 to 1861, and was constable of his precinct for many years. Mr. Spangler, in connection with one of his sons, still works at the business to which he was brought up. He has always been a Jacksonian democrat and still clings tenaciously to that creed. He is yery well informed, and has succeeded in giving his children good educations. Some of them are in professional life. RiCHARi) FouLKES was born of respectable parents in Montgomery- shire, Wales, April T, 1825, and commenced for himself at the age of eleven as a farm hand, his wages being $10 per year with board. At the age of fifteen he went to the north of England to learn the miller's trade. In 1843 he came to America and commenced work at his trade in Utica, New York. From there he went to Akron, Ohio, and from there to Cleveland, where, on March 11, 1850, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Evans, a native of Cardiganshire, South Wales. They are the j^arents of eight children: George R., Cyrus (now dead), (tReenville township. lOSl Mamie J., Charles J., Minnie, Da\ad G., Chester (deceased), Perry L., and one that died in infancy. In 1855 he moved to Burlington, Iowa, where he built a mill of his own and was soon in alttuent circum- stances. A few years later the building with its storage, uninsured, burned to the ground, and left him only with a few hundred dollars which he had in bank. He again went to work with a will, and is now the owner of Henderson River Mills, Henderson county, and is doing a successful and remunerative business. Mr. Foulkes had no opportunity for an education, but by pei'severance he has accumulated considerable knowledge of books. Christopher W. Taliaferro's parentage was of Italian stock who came to this country prior to, took part in the revolution, and settled in Virginia. Mr. Taliaferro was born near Richmond, Virginia, March 2, 1830; came with his father to Henderson county in the spring of 1836, and settled on Sec. 5, T. 11 N., R. 4 W. In 1S50 Mr. Taliaferro went to California by the overland route and mined for fifteen months. He was sucjessful, and returned bv wav of the Isthmus of Panama and ISTew Orleans in 1852. September 12, 1852, he married Margaret, daughter of "William and Eunice (Barnum) Greene. Mrs. Greene is a cousin of P. T. Barnum. They have one child, Z. Mazzam, who is now in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. Mr. Taliaferro is the inventor of the Champion corn cultivator and several other plows. Between 1864 and 1873 he was proprietor of the Keithsburg agricultural works. He is now owner and operator of Tall Creek flouring mills. Mr. Taliaferro came here when there were but few settlers and saw all the incidents connected with a pioneer life. David Bryans is a son of the Emerald Isle, having been born in Armagh county, Ireland. June 13, 183<). His father, Robert Bryans, was of Scotch descent ; his mother, Margaret Stewart, was a cousin of the merchant prince A. T^ Stewart. Mr. Bryans, when quite young, was apprenticed to learn the trade of a linen weaver. At the age of twenty-one, from earnings saved from his scanty wages, he paid his way to New York city, and wandered from there to Pennsylvania, where he worked for a few vears. From here he went to Indiana, and finally settled in Henderson county, Illinois. In 1861 he went to Penn- sylvania and married Miss Catherine, daughter of Lewis and Letetia (Watson) Cassey, February 11. They are the parents of eleven chil- dren, all of whom are living: Horace E., Robert L., John C, Mary M., AVilliam A., Fannie B., Lucy and Jane (twins), James H., Lizzie, Ida E. and Birdie Irene. Although Mr. Bryans commenced with nothing in capital but his iron will and strong nerve, he is now the owner of a 1082 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. fine farm on Sec. 36, T. 12 N., R. 1 W., and also another in Iowa. He has filled several public positions perfectly satisfactory to his constituency. James Duke was born in Devonshire county, England, October 23, 1828. His parents were Lewis and Elizabeth (Holloway) Duke. Tiring of English tyranny and English farm life, in 1848 they took passage and were wafted by the winds of heaven to the land and home of liberty, America, and settled on the then virgin prairies of Illinois. James, young and robust, was put to work and helped to make a farm, in consequence of which his advantages for schooling were limited. He grew up thoroughly inured to the laborious life of a pioneer farmer. January 6, 1853, he was united in marriage with Millicent E., daugh- ter of B. C. Coghill, one of the pioneers of the county. They are the parents of two children : Mary E. (born January 15, 1857,) and Alpheus Wellington (born April 28, 1861). Lewis Duke, son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Holloway) Duke, was born in Devonshire county, England, December 31, 1831. His parents, who had always followed the vocation of farm labors, thought they might better themselves by going to America. In 1813, by dint of strict economy, they had saved enough, and in March of that year they started for the land of the free. They settled for a few months in Pennsylvania, but being unfavorably impressed with the Keystone State they resolved to go to Illinois. They arrived in Henderson county late in the autumn of the same year they left England. Lewis, being a rugged boy of twelve summers, set to work with his father to help make a farm. He was married March 1, 1860, to Fannie K., daughter of B. C. and Mary (Ellett) Coghill. They are the parents of nine children: the eldest, Clyde, born May 18, 1862; Mollie K., June 1, 1861; George L., March 15, 18(>7; Grace C, January 17, 1869; Benjamin K., October 23, 1870; Annie, July 8, 1872; Victor L., Feb- ruary 11, 1861 ; Blanche M., September 21, 1876 ; Cleo C, September 6, 1881. Mr. Duke received his education principally in the common schools of the county. He has quite a selection of good books, and is withal intelligent and a pleasant conversationalist. James Musgove, the subject of this sketch, has long been one o^ the leading men of the vicinity in which he lives. His parents, Hiram arid Sarah Musgove, were residents of Louisa county, Virginia, where James was born May 11, 1825. The family is of Scotch origin. His father dying while he was quite young, in company with his mother he moved to Ross county, Ohio, at the age of seven years, where he went to learn the trade of a hatter. Not liking this business he soon quit it and went back to workiniJ: on a farm. In 181(;> thev removed to Peoria GREENVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1083 county, Illinois, where lie worked as a farm band and farmed for him- self. March 6, 1849, he was married to Susan M. Ewalt, daughter of John and Lucy Ewalt. They immediately moved to Henderson county, where he soon engaged in growing osage orange ])lants, which was the beginning of his prosperity. Mr. Musgove is the owner of several very fine farms, ninety acres of which is in apple orchard. He is also the senior member of the firm of Musgove & Mills, nurserymen and fruit growers. They have a splendid orchard of 110 acres of apple trees of all varieties, the fruit of wliich find a ready market all over the west. They are closing out their nursery, and will engage exclusively in fruit growing. Mr. Musgove was for several years associated with Mr. James Rice in the nursery business at Ivirkwood, Illinois. He has engaged extensively in stock raising and stock dealing in times past, and yet does considerable at it. Mr. Musgove is the father of nine children, two boys and seven girls. The eldest, Aurora Annette, born February 24, 1850; Lucy Paralee, February 1, 1852; Charles Edward, October 11, 1854, died in infancy; Susan Mary, August 19, 1856, died in childhood ; Martha Rebecca, March 14, 1858 ; Fannie Duke, September 11, 1861; Carrie, February 15, 1863; Spurgeon, August 31, 1864; Cora Maud, September 17, 1868. Mr. Musgove is now well-to-do, well informed, and can go down the shady side of life with all to commend, nothing to regret. Hon. W. A. M. Cronch, of Rozetta, Illinois, was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1841. He attended the common schools of the vicinity and finished his education at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, in his native state. In April, 1860, he came to Henderson county and the following autumn took charge of the Aurora school in T. 11, R. 4, which he taught for two years, and has ever since resided in the district. He is now engaged in farming and stock raising. He represented his district in the twenty-seventh gen- eral assembly ; has since been county commissioner, and is now a member of the state board of equalization. He is a member of the masonic fraternity and is a Master Mason. He is a republican, and has been since the birth of the party. He married Sarah G. Leebrick, daughter of Samuel and Rachel Leebrick, of Burlington, Iowa. They are the parents of seven children. Ely Beaty, son of William and Jane T. (Russell) Beat}^, was born May 16, 1838, on the Beaty homestead in Greenville precinct. He grew up on the farm and received such an education as the schools of the vicinity afforded. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years old, when he began farming for himself on a part of the home place. Being physically unfit for service he cared for the old people 1084 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. and the farm while his brothers were away fighting for their couutry. He was married December 25, 1861, to Miss Emily A. Jackson. She was born in Indiana, and came with her father, Asa Jackson, to Illinois when t6n or eleven years old. In 1864 he purchased sixty acres in Oqnawka precinct, which he occupied in the following year, living there for eight years. In 1872 he crossed the plains to Cali- fornia, remaining one year, then returned and bought eighty acres near the old homestead, where he now lives. He has two children, Ella May and Clara B. Mr. B. is a republican in politics. Jefferson H. Jennings was born at Oquawjva, Illinois, January 30, 1843. His youth was spent in the town of his birth, where he attended the common school. At the proper age he was sent to Jubilee College at Peoria. From there he went to Jonathan Jones' commercial school at St. Louis, Missouri. He next went to Hardins- burg, Kentucky, where he entered the office of his uncle. Judge Jeffer- son Jennings, as a student. Soon after this the war broke out and he went into the seventh Kentucky militia, recruited for state service. September 17, 1861, he was mustered into the United States service as sergeant of Co. I, 17th Kentucky Inf., and by promotion soon after rose to the rank of lieutenant. He was wounded by a musket ball at Fort Donelson; resigned his commission in February, 1864, and returned to Henderson county, Illinois. He was soon after appointed to a lieutenantcy in the regular service, which was not accepted. April 11, 1867, he went' into the civil service of the general government as an examiner in the pension department, but resigned July 8, 1872. During his residence at "Washington he had graduated at Columbia College in the law department. He returned to Oquawka, Illinois, and commenced the practice of his chosen profession ; was elected prosecutor at the November election in 1872, which office he held for eight years. He moved to Carman, Henderson county, some years ago, and is yet practicing. He was married September 30, 1872, to Miss Altona Forster, daughter of Thomas G. and Laura Forster, of New York city. They have two children, both of whom are boys. Robert Thompson McMillan was born in Morgan county, Illinois, November 9, 1834. His parents, James and Mary McMillan, came to Henderson county in 1835, and settled three miles south of Oquawka, where he grew u]j much as other boys do on farms. He received a common school education. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. K, 84th 111. Vols., went through the war and was mustered out with the regiment. May 20, 1870, he was married to Martha J., daughter of Andrew and Rachel Graham. They have five children : Mary, Jessie Belle, Laura, Edward and Guy Graham. Mr. M. owns a fine farm of 160 acres in Sec. 7, T. 10, R. 4. GREEMVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1085 John ScHMrrr is a Prussian by birth. He was born in the kingdom of Prussia, September 21, 1821. Herman and Anna Mary (Lisch) Schmitt were his parents. His parents were farmers and John received such an education as the public schools of his native country atforded. In November, 1852, he turned his face toward the land of liberty, landing at New Orleans in ffanuary of the next year, with a shilling in his pocket. He worked at such work as he could get in New Orleans and St. Louis until he came to Henderson county in 1856. June, 1858, he espoused Anna Gluta to wife, and by her became the father of eight children, as follows : Mary, John, Lena (who died in infancy), Nicholas, Katy, Lizzie, Frank and Peter. He now owns a line farm of 200 acres in Sec. 17, T. 11, R 4. Joseph Hartley was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1809. His parents were Joseph and Phoebe Hartley. On July 10, 1883, Mr. Hartley was married to^ Miss Mary K. Pickering, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Pickering. The same year he emi- grated to Wayne county, Indiana, and settled where Milton now is. Mr. Hartley learned and pursued a trade at mechanics, but for many years has followed farming. He came to Henderson county in 1852 and settled in T. 12, E. 4, on Sec. 26. They have five children : Will- iam B., born February 14, 1835, is a farmer and lives near his father ; Kirk P., born August 14, 1839, soldiered in Co. E, 10th 111. Vols., is now in California; Anna P., born August 9, 1843, is the wife of Mr. W. H. Pussell and lives near Chariton, Iowa ; George P., born No- vember 20, 1845, died in infancy; Walter S., born February 12, 1855, lives near his parents. Jacob C, son of John and Catherine Filler, was born in London county, Virginia, October 2, 1813. His parents were German people and followed farming as a means of livelihood. In 1829 they moved to Muskingum county, Ohio, where Jacob was apprenticed to William Leslie, a blacksmith, for tln'ee years, which time was faithfully served. He worked for some years as a journeyman at Columbus, Zanesville, and other towns in Ohio, among them the village of Linville, where he became acquainted and infatuated with Catherine Baltzell, whom he man-ied February 21, 1839. She was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Baltzell. They have eight children, living and dead : Walter B., died in infancy ; Joseph W., who was a member of Co. F, 11th Ohio Vols., and lost his life in the service of his countrv ; Francis M., a soldier in the 19th Ohio Vols.; Mary E., Addison, Annie E., and Levina B., who died in infancy. Came to Henderson county in 1871, and now lives on Sec. 36, T. 12, R. 4. November 26, 1808, Hugh McDonald's eyes first saw the light in 1086 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Hardin count v. Kentuckv. His parents were farmers and pioneers of Kentucky. His father's name was John and that of liis mother Mary. In youth Mr. McDonald receiyed sucli an education as the meager facilities of early days in Kentucky proyided for. October 2, 1830, he married Miss Elizabeth Shehi, daughter of John and Rachel Shehi, of Hardin county, Kentucky, and in 1832 moyed to Illinois, settling near Monmouth, came to Henderson county in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Donald have eleyen children : John, Nancy, Mary (deceased), Jacob, Hugh, James, Isaac (deceased), Melyina, Festus, William (deceased), Margaret, and Isaiah (deceased). Mr. McDonald now lives on Sec. 9, T. 11, E. 4. Maetha Arthue, daughter of George and Margaret Arthur, was born July 19, 1842, in Harrison county, Ohio. While she was yet a child her parents removed to Perry county, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood. April 22, 186;^, she became the wife of David T. Hick- man, Esq., of Perry county. Soon after their marriage Mr. Hickman enlisted in Co. G, 114th Ohio Yols. During his term of service his health was seriously impaired and was never fully recovered. January 8, 1878, he passed to meet his comrades on the other shore, where there are no more wars, and was buried in the Monmouth cemetery. They have three children : John Arthur, born June 24, 1866 ; George Anson, born August 30, 1868 ; and Thomas Ellsworth, August 14, 1870. Perry Beal, born July 3, 1834, in Guernsey county, Ohio, son of Isaac and Jane Beal. He was raised on a farm and received a com- mon school education. Married February 9, 1860, to Anna Adams, daughter of John and Jane Adams, of Guernsey county, Ohio. Mr. Beal came to Henderson in 1857 and settled on Sec. 26, T. 11, E.. 4. Mr. and Mrs. Beal are members of the United Presbyterian church. They are the parents of nine children : William M. , Luella J. died at the age of twelve years, Lawrence M., Elmer A. (deceased), Xancy L. (an infant), Mary Linda (deceased), Isaac R., and Perry Lee. Mr. Beal owns a splendid farm of 150 acres, well improved. Adam B. Hamill, the present county treasurer and assessor of Llenderson county, is a native, having been born near Xenia in June 1826. Llis parents were Robert and Elizabeth Hamil. His parents were poor, but by his own perseverance he succeeded in getting an academic education, and with capital alone he came to Illinois in 1852 and located at Monmouth, were he taught school for two years. Came to Henderson county in 1854 and opened a farm on Sec. 23, T. 11, R. 4. Was a school director in his district for fourteen years, and is at this time treasurer of Greenville ])recinct. He was deputy county assessor GREENVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1087 from 1874 to 1880. In the latter year he was elected county treasurer and assessor. Was married March 15, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Turn- bull, daughter of Gilbert and Annie Turnbull. They have four chil- dren : Kobert, Gilbert, Annie and Elizabeth. Benjamin Hutchison, one of the early pioneers of Henderson county, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, November 10, 1821. His parents, James C. and Sarah Hutchison, tiring of their Ohio surround- ings, turned their faces toward the setting sun and landed at Oquawka, Illinois, at daybreak, June 2, 1833, when there were but four families in the place. After viewing the adjacent country, Mr. Hutchison selected as a homestead a part of Sec. 36, T. 11, R. 4, which was then unbroken, and with the aid of Benjamin and three other sons he soon turned it into a blooming farm. In the year 1 850 Samuel, in company with his brother Thomas, crossed the plains into California and Ore- gon, returning by water the following year. August 29, 1854, he was married to Miss Anna Moore, of Johnson county, Iowa, by whom he had six children : John M., Jane G., Robert M., Sarah E., George W. (killed by accident May 27, 1881), and Thomas H. Mrs. H. died April 14, 1869. Married March 31, 1870, to Mrs. Anna E. Grant. They have two children : Ralph B. and Anna Mariali. RicHAED H. Woods was born near Shawneetown, Morgan county, Illinois, March, 8, 1837. His father, John Woods, and Mary Woods, his mother, were farmers, and as a natural sequence Richard grew up on a farm, and received his education in a district school. In 1840, thinking to better his fortunes, the paternal A¥oods, with his family, removed to Henderson county, settling in the southern part. In 1862. "•Dick," as he was familiarly called, enlisted in Co. K, 84tli 111. Vols., and served through to the end of the war. On account of his excellent marksmanship he was frequently employed as a sharpshooter, and many are the deeds of daring and hair-breadth escapes which he and his comi-ades relate. Returning from the field of battle scenes of car- nage, he laid aside his weapons of war for cupid's bow and arrows. He wooed and won Calista A., daughter of John and Charity Reed. They were made one September 19, 1867, and are the parents of four children : George W., born July 4, 1868 ; Ada L., September 7, 1872 ; Ida Lenora. September 23, 1877 ; and Loyd, March 12, 1880. Samuel H. Smith, born in Preble county, Ohio, December 30, 1830, of Scotch-Irish parents, who we)-e Samuel and Martlia Smith, farmers. Young Samuel was sent t<^> the district school until he had completed tlie curriculum of studies taught there, when he was sent to the Ohio Agricultural College, at College Hill, near Cincinnati, where he received a scientific training. In 1857 he concluded to try his hand 1088 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. at farming in Illinois, and pursuant to tliis conclusion lie came to Hen- derson county and entered a farm on Sec. 25, T. 11, R. 4. August 18, 1867, Mr, Smith was united in marriage with Kancy B., daughter of Francis and Jane Pace. They have six children : Ella, Cora, Mabel, Walter, Homer, Bertha, and Jennie Merle. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both members of the United Presbyterian church. John Campbell, a native of the Emerald Isle, came into this world IS'overaber 27, 1845. His parents are James and Jane Campbell, who emigrated to America in 1850, and settled in Henderson county, Illinois, gladly exchanging the yoke of British tyranny for the freedom of the home of liberty. Young Cam])bell grew to manhood on a farm, and attended the district schools of the neighborhood. He became smitten with the charms of Miss Ellen Welch, and after the usual ex- change of vows they became man and wife, January 5, 1871. They have two children, Joseph Wesley and Flora Jane, and are consistent devotees at the altar of the Methodist church. Hugh A. Reynolds was born in Jackson coiintv, Indiana, October 5, 1832. His parents, John G. and Anne (McClannahan) Reynolds, were natives of North Carolina. His grandfather, Alex. McClannahan, was a soldier in the revolution. Mr. Reynolds' father came to AVari-en county, Illinois, October, 1835, when young Hugh helped to make a tarm and attended such schools as were then in vogue. October 29, 1862, he and Miss Ameha Pollock, daughter of J. F. and Rebecca Pollock, joined hearts and hands in holy wedlock. They are the parents of seven chihh-en, five girls and two boys : Anne R., Lucy Belle, John F. (died in infancy), Lena O., Maggie E., and Hugh (died in infancy). Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are members of the United Presbyterian church. William, son of William and Jane Fair, first looked upon the light in county Fermanagh, Ireland, August 10, 1844. In 1850 his parents bid farewell to the "holy sod" and journeyed for the land of liberty, finding a home in Henderson county, Illinois, where young William went through all the hardships incident to pioneer life, working on farm in summer and attending the district school in winter. Miss Jane A., daughter of James and Jane Campbell, became his wife March 2, 1872, by whom he has six children : Cora (died in infancy), Harry, Andrew (died in childhood), Charley, Clara, and Ida (who left this world while yet a babe). Mr. and Mrs. Fair are members of the Methodist church. William and Letitia Darrah lived in Belmont county, Ohio, where their son Charles Boston was born, March 8, 1838. They were Scotch-Irish people. Charley was educated in the common schools, NINETY-FIRST ILLINOIS INFANTRY, 1089 and learned the trade of a butcher. April 3, 1863, he enlisted in Co. H, 49th Ohio Vols. Was honorably discharged October 28 of the following year. February 3, 1867, was married to Miss Menada A., daughter of W. W. and Nancy Palmer. They have six children : Charley B., Henry H, Wm. Wilkinson, Harry Alexis, Sarah A., and Grace O. WiLLiA]vi Cochran was born in Abbey ville county, South Carolina, January 22, 1846. His parents were Matthew R. and Martha A. Cochran. Disliking slavery and disloyalty, in the spring of 1861 Mr, Cochran came to Illinois, where he might find associates who held more congenial opinions. Married October 20, 1870, to Miss Mary M. Boyd, daughter of Harrison Boyd, Esq. They have five children : Norman, Ollie May (died in infancy). Myrtle L., Virgil N., and Rosamcmd Araminta. Mr. Cochran is a farmer. NINETY-FIKST ILLINOIS INFANTRY. Col. Henry M. Day, of Morris, organized the 91st at Camp Butler, where it was sworn in September 8, 1862, Company B was raised in the south part of Henderson county, Di-. Joseph A. James and Alvah W. Paul receiving enlistments at Terre Haute, and Dr. William T. Day and Harrow at Raritan, late in July and early in August. On the 4tli there was a gathering of thirty-six of the company in Raritan, and the good peo})le of the place got up for the occasion "a splendid free dinner." When the time for their departure had arrived, some of the men took the cars at Sagetown, while others went to Colchester. They rendezvoused at Camp Butl'er, where the comj^any was organized August 14, The officers were : J, A, James, captain ; John M. Marrah, first lieutenant ; Matliew Shaw, second lieutenant ; Andrew Graham, Alvah W, Paul, Edward W. Davis, George W. Cox, and Charles S. Edwards, sergeants. Company C was enlisted at Oquawka by Capt. John McKinney, J. F. Powers, D. C. Hanna and about ten others came down from Pleasant Green, and Jonathan P. Long with a considerable squad from Olena ; all uniting with McKinney, formed a company of 90, rank and file. On Monday night, August 18, Capt. McKinney embarked his company on board the Kate Caswell for Quincy. The "Spectator" said : "Our citizens turned out almost en masse to bid them good-bye. The boat arrived after dark, having on board a company fi-om Louisa county, Iowa. Capt. McKinney mustered his company in line by torchlight, and then, amidst the wildest hurrahs, preceded by the music, 1090 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. marched on board, the boys shaking hands right and left as they went. The staging was hauled in, the line cast olf, the torch extinguished, and, amid three tremendous cheers for 'the volunteers,' the boat proceeded on her way ; and hundreds, with sad hearts and moist eyes, returned to their homes whence some loved one had departed." Next morning, at 11 o'clock, the company was on the public square in Quincy, and the captain reported to Col. Waters, of the Sttth, commandant of the post, who at once assigned quarters in the city. The 84th was full, as was also Col. Benneson's, the 78th. These were the only regiments rendezvoused in the place ; and learning that the 91st, at Camp Butler, into which Capt. James' company had been received, yet lacked one of the required number, Capt. McKinney started with his men Wednes- day evening for Springlield. At Quincy an election was held for captain, and no one offered himself as a candidate against McKinney. After arriving at Camp Butler, Hanna was elected first lieutenant and Long second lieutenant. The sergeants were : James L. Smiley, Clement F. Briery, Thomas W. McDill, William P. Barnes, and iS^athan Crutchlield. The regiment was armed with Harper's Ferry muskets, which were exchanged for Springfield rifles on arrival at St. Louis, en route to Louisville, to which city it was ordered October 1. It was attached to Gen. Gilbert's division, and put to guarding on the Louis%'ille & JS^asli- ville railroad ; and the companies being necessarily scattered, the command fell an easy prey to the partisan Gen. John H. Morgan. December 27 they were attacked, and after a stout defense were forced to surrender, eight comjjanies being taken at Elizabethtown, Co. B at Bacon Creek, and Co. C at J^olin. The regiment was paroled and sent to Benton Barracks, remaining there until July 14, 1863, when, having been exchanged, it was sent to Yicksburg. It moved to Port Hudson the 26tli, and marched to Carrollton, Louisiana, August 13. Early in September it embarked for Morganzia, and arriving on the 9th, moved toward the Atchafalaya river, and encountering the rebels under Gen. Green, defeated them in a sharp skirmish, losing six or seven wounded. The 91st belonged to the second brigade. Col. Day commanding; second division. Gen. IST. J. T. Dana commanding, of the thirteenth corps. October 10 the regiment returned to Morganzia and was transferred by boat to ISTew Orleans, arriving the 12th. It was now transferred to the first brigade, and, with the rest of the division, on the 22d started across the Gulf and landed at Brazos, Santiago, Novem- ber 3. The command marched directly upon Brownsville, Texas, captured the fort and city, and drove the rebels under Gen. Bee from that part of the state. In July, 1864, the division was ordered away ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 1091 from Texas, and tlie 91 st, with two regiments of colored troops, gar- risoned Brazos, Santiago. Col. Day commanded the post. Xear the end of the year the regiment was relieved and ordered to jS^ew Orleans for provost duty, and was then transferred to the second brigade, third division. In February it was ordered to join the corps at Fort Morgan, preparatory to the attack on Mobile. Col. Day took command of the brigade. The regiment bore an active part in the capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, on which the defense of Mobile depended. The city surrendered, and then the division chased the enemy up the Tom- bigbee river some sixty miles, and overtaking his rear-guard at Eight- Mile Creek, the 91st in advance, drove it, after sharp fighting, at the point of the bayonet, losing a few wounded. This and the engagement of Gen. Wilson at Columbus, Georgia, both occurring about the same time, were the last conflicts east of the Mississippi. The regiment was mustered out at Mobile, July 12. 1865, and on the 22d reached Camp Butler, where it was paid oif and discharged. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. One-half of this regiment was from Hancock county, three com- panies were raised in Adams, one in Gallatin, and Co. G in Henderson. This was recruited at Terre Haute by Joseph Shaw and others, and was organized in that place August 14, 1862, with ninety-eight officers and men. About a dozen were from Hancock county. Shaw was chosen captain, James H. Butler first lieutenant, and Charles T. Painter second lieutenant. On September 1 the company was conveyed by four-horse teams to Colchester, and there it took second class hog cars and flats for Camp Butler. It was at once put to guarding rebel prisoners of war, with the rest of the regiment, which was not mustered in until November 7. The command left December 1 for the field, and arrived at Memphis the 11th. It was incorporated with the fij'st brigade, third division, right w4ng, thrirteenth corps, and on the 20th moved with Sherman toward Vicksburg. Arriving at the Yazoo river, it was engaged from the 26th to the 30th, in action at Chickasaw Blufis. It was emplo3'ed next against Arkansas Post, and participated actively in the brilliant success there January 10 and 11, 1863. Returning to Young's Point, Louisiana, the regiment lay there in a foul and half- submerged camp, after having been for nearly forty days and forty nights cooped upon transports, part of the men crowded below with the horses and mules, and the remainder exposed on the hurricane decks and guards, without shelter, to the daily storms of that latitude. 1092 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The sufferings endured by the troops during that ' ' middle passage, " from the Yazoo to Arkansas Post and back again to Young's Point, are indescribable, and the fact that they were endured almost without com- jjlaint goes further than marches and battles to prove that their hearts were in the right place. Tents were lacking ; the men were crowded in the poor ones they had almost to suffocation ; it rained constantly, and often the soldiers had to get up at dead of night to move tents and couches. Small-pox broke out in the camp, and though fatal in the brigade, none of the llSth died. Finally, and we might say providen- tially, the rebels opened the levee and "drowned out" the troops, when they were all moved, March 9, twenty miles up to Milliken's Bend. On April 2 the regiment left there in the expedition against Vicks- burg, forming part of Osterhaus' division. Crossing the river at Bruinsburg, the 30th, it was engaged at Thompson's Hill (Port Gibson) May 1, Champion Hill 16th, Black River bridge 17th, and siege of Yicksburg until after the bloody assault of the 22d, in which it also bore a distinguished part. At Thompson's Hill its conduct was so gallant and conspicuous that it received the compliments of the division commander on the field. From the 19th to the 22d the loss was six killed, twenty-four wounded. On the 21th Gen. Osterhaus was ordered back to Black River bridge to ward off attack by Johnston, and the llStli was engaged in fortifying and skirmishing until June 10, when, by order of Gen. Grant, it was mounted, after which it was continually occupied with scouting. After the fall of Yicksburg it joined Sherman against Jackson, and was engaged there until the evacuation of the place July 17. Early in August the 13th corps was transferred to the Gulf ; on the 6th the regiment turned over its horses, and next day left Yicksburg. After removal to Port Hudson, Carrollton, Bayou, Boeuff, Brashear Citj and Berwick City, it arrived October 3 at Camp Bisland, Louis- iana. It moved to Algiers, arrived the 7th, reported to Gen. A. L. Lee, chief of cavalry, and was remounted. Taking cars on the 11th, it went to Brashear City, crossing the bay, marched to Yermillionville, and arrived -at Opelousas the 23d. Next day had an engagement near Washington ; November 1, camped at Carrion Crow Bayou ; on the 3d, fought the severe battle of Grand Coteau ; moving again to Yer- millionville, fought in that vicinity the 11th. The next encounter was near Yermillion Bayou, when the regiment took seventy-eight prisoners, the encampment being then at New Iberia. Leaving thence for Donaldsonville, the regiment embarked there for Port Hudson, arriv- ing January 7, 1864, and going on almost daily scouts till July 3, J^- i!r7-r£^ ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 1095 skirmishing sharply and frequently, and taking many prisoners. A part of the regiinent was assailed by superior numbers at Bayou Grosse Tete, March 30, when a headlong saber chai-ge, and hand to hand fight alone saved them from defeat and capture. On April 7, a detachment of seventy-five, with twenty-five from the 3d 111. Cav., and one field-piece, were surrounded near Plain's store by 600 of the enemy, and only after a desperate resistance were able to get away. Moving to Baton Rouge, the regiment was encamped there till Sep- tember 4, raiding meantime with Gen. Lee, and fighting August 25 at Redwood, Comite bridge and Clinton. From September 7 to November 24 the regiment was stationed at Hermitage plantation, op- posite Donaldsonville. It was in the engagement under Gen. Lee, at Liberty, November 19. Moving to Baton Rouge on the 2Tth, it joined Gen. Davidson's expedition to West Pascagoula, Mississippi, and arrived there December 12. Embarked for New Orleans the 24th, arrived the 26th, and returned to Baton Rouge the 27th. From that date the command was picketing and scouting until May 22, when the horses were turned over. Provost duty in the city formed the only employment thenceforward till October 1, when the 118th was mustered from the service. Co. G returned with two commissioned ofiicers : Capt. Shaw and first lieutenant Painter, and twenty-six enlisted men. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. This regiment was raised in the early summer of 1864 for the 100 days service, and was organized at Camp Wood, Quincy, by Col. John W. Goodwin, and mustered in June 21. Co. D belonged to Hender- son county, and was enlisted at Oquawka in May, by John M. Wilson and Joseph S. Linel. After the company had gone to Quincy C. D. Elting brought a squad of about twenty from Raritan. Citizens of the county subscribed a private bounty, which amounted to about $18 per man. The company contained eighty-two enlisted men, including two recruits, who deserted before the muster-in. The organization took place at Quincy. Wilson was chosen for captain ; Andrew Kirkpat- rick, of Biggsville, for first lieutenant ; and Wilson S. Baughman, of Oquawka, for second lieutenant. The regiment was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, July 26, and on arrival there was placed on post duty. After expiration of term of service it was brought to Springfield and mustered out October 14. 62 1096 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. SEYEXTH ILLINOIS CAVALKY. This fine regiment was sworn into the United States service at Camp Butler in the month of September, 1861. In Co. L there were probably a dozen from Henderson county, mostly from around Raritan. At the organization William M. Morris, of Raritan, was orderly ser- geant, and Elijah Jacklin, of same place, second corporal. William Pitt Kellogg, of Louisiana fame, was the fii'st colonel of the 7th, but he was never much with it and resigned early. Col. Edward Prince, of Quincy, led it through its brilliant achievements to the close of its term. It began active duty at Bird's Point and Cape Girardeau, Missouri ; operated around New Madrid and Island No. 10, and was in the siege of Corinth. It was in the battle of luka, September 20, 1862 ; Corinth, October 3 and 4 ; and in April, 1863, formed a consid- erable part of Grierson's celebrated expedition from La Grange, Ten- nessee, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In February, 1864, it marched, under Gen. W. Sooy Smith, from Guntown, Mississippi, to West Point, where that general was sadly defeated, and did excellent service in covering his retreat. In March 289 officers and men re-enlisted, and in June, when these were absent on furlough, some 120 non-veterans of the regiment went out to Guntown with Stuigis on his ill-starred expedition against Forrest. The regiment resisted Hood's invasion of Tennessee, fought with valor at Franklin, Nashville and other places, and pursued him out of the state. We have mentioned only some of the leading engagements which are a part of the history of the noble Tth. The fighting, scouting, guarding and other service which it did were immense. It was mustered out at Nashville, and disbanded at Camp Butler November IT, 1865. Lewis Pickel, of Raritan, was pro- moted to second lieutenant of Co. L in August before the command was discharged. BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. Bedford township is No. 8 in N. R. 4, and is bounded on the north by Walnut Grove township, on the south by McDonough county, on the east by Warren, and on the west by Terre Haute. The land lying in the southeast and south part of the township is flat prairie, the soil of which is a deep black loam. In the north and northwest part of the township the land is undulating with a brown clay subsoil. On the ridges which skirt the streams the soil is of less depth and of a lighter BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1097 color than that of the prairies. It is usually a dark brown yellow color, being light on the slopes of the hills and partaking of the sub- soil. Formerly these ridges were for the most part timbered, but much of the timber has been cut off and the process of denudation still goes on. Springs are numerous throughout the township and some are large and valuable, furnishing a constant supply of fresh water, in quantities sufficient for the necessities of large herds of cattle. On Sec. 6 are limestone quarries which have been worked to some extent. Blocks of any desired size, from one to two or three feet, may ■be had, some of the larger are of a yellowish brown color, others are tinged with blue or light creamy gray. Sandstone quarries also abound near the same range, two specimens appear, they are of a dark gray and creamy yellow. Honey creek enters the township at the southwest corner of Sec. 6, flows northwest through Sec. 9, and through the northeast of Sec. 8, and southwest of Sec. 5, and through the south half of Sec. 6. This creek is fed by tributaries running north ; one running through the west part of Sees. 16 and 9 finds a terminus near the west line of that section. Raritan is a flourishing town of 300 inhabitants, containing fifty dwellings, three churches, and ten business houses, a postoffice, print- ing office and several mechanical establishments. It is situated on a high plat of ground on Sec. 11, the principal streets of which run east and west. The town was named in honor of the Raritan river in New Jersey, from which the township owes its first few settlers, a number of whom went from that neighborhood to Fulton county and made set- tlements there, and after moved into this township. The first store was started in Raritan in the spring of 1856, by Gulick & Voorhees, who continued the business until the following spring of 1857, when they were superseded by Jaques Yoorhees, who sold out the next year to Tharp & Eltinge, soon after which Mr. Tharp sold his interest in the business to Eltinge and formed partnership with Groendyke in 1859. This store was situated on the corner on the south side of the main street. Eltinge sold his interest in the business to Elijah Day, who closed up the business in 1867. Parks and Jaques Yoorhees then started a dry goods store under the firm name of Parks & Voorhees. This was in 1867. They were succeeded by Dr. H. F. Parks. The first blacksmith shop in the town was built in August, 1858, by Jaques Voorhees for U. D. Voorhees. He carried on the business until 1865, when J. K. Barns was taken in as a partner. They con- 1098 HISTORY OF MERCER A^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. tinned together for two years, and. sold out to Douglass Bros., who continued the business until John M, Johnston, the present owner, bought them out. C. Hartman started a wagon shop about 1860. A confectionery was started in 1865, by J. Tharp. In 1858 the first hotel was started by Charles Hartshorn. He quit the business. In 1863, I. Y. D. Kelley built a hotel, and rented the same. In 1861 he sold the same to C. Y. D. Spader. John Groyen- back went into the business in 1870. The first physician was Dr. Day. He built a residence in the town and after a few years sold out to Dr. Elliott. This was in 1862, and this was Dr. Elliott's first field of practice. He died in 1863. CHURCHES. In August. 1855, a small band of pioneer Christians, thirteen in number, together with the Keys. A. D. Wilson and S. A. Bumstead, .assembled at the house of S. P, Neyius, for the organization of a church. This organization was then and there consummated under the name of the Reformed Dutch church, of Hoiiey creek, with six male members for its consistory. Less than a month later, or September 16, 1855, at the house of Peter S. Tharp, the sacrament of the Lord's •supper was administered for the first time. On the afternoon of the same day Dennis Neyius Simonson received the rite of baptism, this being the first child of the church, as he was also the first-born of his parents. In 1856, two members, AVm. J. Schenck and Martha, his wife, were added to the church, as were several others by certificate from the church of Fairview, and from eastern churches. It was in the spring of 1856, in the old blacksmith shop which still stands hard b}' on the ])remises of Mr. John Livermore, the first Sabbath school was organized with I. Y. Kelley as superintendent. Mr. K., it is said, occasionally had to submit to a good-natured rebuke for being late. To this blacksmith shop both barefoot horses and barefoot children were wont to resort, the former for shoes and the latter for Bible truth. Prom humble homes scattered thinly over the flowery strewed prairie they came to sing and to study of Him who infused fertility into the soil and breathed perfume into the air and crowned the year with fruitful harvests. During the first year of organization the congregation met in private houses. Afterward they repaired to the blacksmith shop before referred to. In the spring of 1857 worship was conducted at the house of Peter Tharp and W. J. Schencks. When the school-house was inclosed that became the place of regular service, while afternoon lectures were held at other convenient places throughout the settle- BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1099 ment. Among those who rightly preached at that time before the establishment of a regular preacher was the Eevs. AVilson, Bimistead and Morris. More than a year had now passed since organization, and they were without a preacher. Accordingly, on October IS, 1856, Rev. C. D. Eltinge, of Fort Jarvis, was called, and was installed pastor May 20, 1857. The corner stone of the present church edifice was laid on the same day. Previous to this, of course, it had been foreseen that around the site of this church as a nucleus the village would grow up. Therefore the building became a matter of debate which was carried on not without acrimony. The location was, however, fixed, and a pastor secured. Measures began, to be taken which, considering the fewness of members and comparative poverty of the people, was no easy one. Mr. Eltinge went east and received funds to the amount of $1,600 by soliciting from members there, and by a loan of $1000 from his own little means. Less than half the money was raised by contributions from the people of the new settlement. The lumber used in the con- struction of this edifice was brought over Lake Michigan in the vessel then belonging to the pastor's father. The year 1858 is memorable as the time when the temple, with its tall spire pointing heavenward, began to take shape and proportion. As it approached completion fond hopes were realized, and there stood a neat and commodious house, ready to be dedicated. Septem- ber 8, 1859, Rev. A. D. Wilson dedicated it and Rev. S. A. Bumstead preached the service, and having now an organization, a pastor and a house, the full career of the Reformed Dutch church of Raritan began. Mr. Eltinge closed his pastorate in the spring of 1861, at which time the membership had increased from the original thirteen to sixty two. At that time the consistory resolved to make the church self-supporting, and in fact accom])lished their desires. Li September, 1861, Rev. S. A. Bumstead came to supply the church for six months, and in the spring of 1862 was installed as the second pastor of the church. In the history of the church so far there have been several marked revivals, the first dui'ing the ministry of Mr. Ehinge, the second durins; tliat of Mr. Bumstead. and one under Mr. Adams. Mr. Bumstead's ministry closed April 1875, and his place has been filled bv A. A. Pfanstiehl. The names of the orio-inal members are as follows : Joseph Nevius and wife, Henr}- D. Yoorhees and wife, Isaac Kelly and wife, Peter Tharp and wife, Simon P. i^evius and wife, Peter Nevius and wife, and Mrs. Simonson, wife of Simon Simonson. The Raritan Sabbath school was organized on the Ith day of May, 1856, and continued through the summer season. On 1100 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. tlie first Sabbath in May last it was reorganized by the appointment of officers as follows : superintendent, A. Hageman ; vice-superin- tendent, A. Gulick ; librarians, J. Stanton and W. Morris. The Earitin Methodist Episcopal church has a membership of sixty. The first class was formed in Karitin in 1864, and held its first meetings in the old school-house now gone. Eev. A. Moray was the first pastor. The first members were Geo. Mosier and wife, David Dilley and wife. Perry Gardner and wife, and Emanuel Alpaugh and wife. George Mosier was chosen the first class leader, under whose leadership the class soon became well established. Only two of the original members now remain members of the society. In the year 1873 the society determined to build a church, and with its characteristic energy proceeded at once to erect a splendid house of worship, which for convenience and architectural beauty is not surpassed in the county. The style is Gothic, with corner tower and bell and with arched ceilings twenty-five feet from the floor in the center, and a seating capacity of about three hundred and fifty. This edifice was built by subscription, contributed largely by persons now members of the society, and the members were few in numbers and not ricli, but contributed freely and as far as their ability would permit. There were 217 subscribers to the building fund. The cost of building, including interest account and other incidental expenses, was $3,962.81. This did not include labor performed by the members, which was not applied on their subscription. Had the labor been paid for in cash the building would have cost about $4,800. This society has employed the following ministers to preach for them : Thomas Watson, A. Morey, A. S. Atherton, J. E. Taylor, E. Ransom, P. S. Garretson, G. W. Miller, S. P. James, and A. C. Calkins, their present ],iastor. During the pastorate of P. S. Garretson the noted revival known as the Swarts meeting was held, resulting favorably to society here for the time being, but not lasting. Up to the time of the close of Pev. G. W. Miller's term as pastor the Paritan society was a part of the Ellison charge, but at the fall conference of 1878, held at Macomb, Paritan was set off" with the Colfax church as self-supporting, to be known as the Paritan charge. Dui-ing the ]Dastorate of Pev. A. C. Calkins the church building- was improved by papering the walls and ceiling and the purchase of new pulpit furniture, at a cost a little less than $100. Great credit is due the pastor's wife and others of the society in securing the needed improvement. A neat little parsonage is owned by the society, which cost $1,000. BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1101 At a meeting held in Raritan December 24, 1858, Henry Johnson, of the Baptist church of Roseville, was moderator, and J. Yoorhees, clerk. They resolved to adopt the ordinances of the gospel com- munion. It was also resolved that a council meeting be called for the purpose of being recognized as a regular Baptist church, and adopt the basis of the doctrine and practice the declaration of faith and covenants published by the American Baptist publication society. This declara- tion was signed by Harry Burrell, Elvira Burrell, L. W. Otis, Clarressa Otis, William Ferine, Aletta Ferine, C. V. D. Spader, Jane Spader, J. Voorhees, Sarah Yoorhees, Elizabeth Hill, and Amanda Yoorhees. On February 22, 1859, a council was called and the above members were recognized as comprising the Baptist church of Raritan. This meeting was called to order and presided over by J. L. Gordon as moderator, and J. Yoorhees, clerk. The following churches were represented : Roesville, by Elder H. B. Johnson, Deacon B. W. Smith and James Tucker ; Berwick, by Elder H. S. F. Warren, of Linden, William L. Johnson, of Hillsborough, J. G. Gordon and A. Hengate. Twelve members having organized, presented their petitions, and were recognized as a church. The first sermon was preached by H. S. Warmouth. The first business meeting occurred on February 27, 1859. Henry Bull and William Ferine were elected deacons, and J. Yoorhees, clerk, and H. B. Johnson was called to preach. During his pastorate there were added to the church one by baptism, one by letter, and two by experience. On May 5, 1860, Elder Trower was employed to preach two sabbaths in each month. He ofiiciated until October, 1862. In 1862 a revival took place whicli closed on December 16. Twenty-three were added to the church by baptism, three by experience, and one by letter. During the pastorship of Elder Trowers the church was admitted to the Salem Baptist Association. On January 3, 1863, a building committee was appointed to build a house 32x44 feet, with 16 feet posts, which was erected and inclosed during the summer and fall of 1863, and plastered in the fall of 1864. In the summer of 1865 it was furnished, and on the foui-th Sabbath of June, 1866, dedicated. The Swedish Evangelical church was organized October 7, 1877. This was the original Lutheran church, but the name was changed in order to obliterate church prejudice and thus combine all denomina- tions and worship under the new name. The first members were Deacons J. M. Johnson, John Brown, Otto Feterson and Anton Feter- son. This church has at present about fifty members. The oro;anization of the Roman Catholic church was efiected in 1102 HISTORY OF :tfERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. 1855. and its membership is composed largely of members from "War- ren county. The lirst step taken in this direction was at the house of John Leareys, in AVaiTen county, before which worship had been held in many of the private houses, and especially at the house of John Berry, who, with the Hustons, McLaries, Slaters, Downs, Sulivans, Denivens, Tiernies, from Henderson count}', and others from Warren county, were among the hrst members, and also prominent in the building of the church. The church was built in 1876, under Rev. James Halpins" administration, at a cost of 82,100, which was ]iaid for by subscriptions from its membership and many Protestants throughout the neighborhood, the Catliolics having lirst helped the building of Protestant churches in a similar wav. The church is situ- ated on section 2 in Bedford precinct and is known as St. Patrick's parish. This church is in size 32x42, with a spire sixty feet high. Since the organization of the church Father OTarrell, Father Welden and Father Murphy have presided. Earitan Lodge, iSTo. 616, I.O.O.F., was instituted June 30, 1876, and was moved to Terre Haute in 1868. The charter members were : M. M. Fiekl, A. E. Stanlev, J. C. Coulson, C. W. Hardestv, and L. W. Calhoun. THE T'lOXEERS. The points for early settlement were two, the timber of the south- east poi-tion of the precinct and the southwest, near Bedford church. Accordingly we find settlements made at these places at quite an early date. The fij-st white settler within the limits of this precinct is not now positively known. So many conflicting stories reach the ear that one cannot positively decide. It is probable that John Scroggins was the first. He came, as near as can be ascertained, in 1829 or 1830. He was a native of Tennessee. He did not remain loncj in the neighborhood, but sold his patch of ground, containing ten acres, to Walter Huston and moved back, it is said, to Tennessee. Some not knowing these facts claim that Joel Huston came before this man. but he did not arrive until 1832 or 1833. He settled on section 30. Huston was from Tennessee. He left that state some two years prior to his settlement in Bedford township. He made the journey with teams and stopped a year or two in Morgan county on his way out. William Pennington, who had come out with Huston, settled about the same time and place on section 32. A German by the name of Cloberg was the next. He settled on section 35. Two other Germans. Statt and Younff, soon after settled on the same section. Henrv Isom, from Tennessee, settled on section 34. The place is better known as the old BEDFORD TOWNSHir. 1103 Beaver place. After this new arrivals were quite frequent, and Uncle George Huston said that when he arrived here in 1837 he found John Huston living in a point of timber just on the south side of the pre- cinct. There was a school-house near Bedford and a log house was built near by it soon after. The settlers did their trading at Burling- ton and Oquawka. There was no mill on the Henderson and they were compelled to go to Crooked creek, some twenty miles distant, to get their milling done. George Huston is still living in the precinct, at an advanced age. He is a native of Kockingham county, Virginia. He moved to Ohio in an early day, from which he came to Illinois. He has been here most of his time, and is perhaps better acquainted with the history of the vicinity than any other man living. His first settlement was sec- tion 26, where he bought the tax title for 320 acres, and after bought a second tax title on the same place, held by another person. The house he rented when he first came to the country was the only one in that vicinity, and the prairie was one vast sea of waving grass. It was not until 1841 that he erected his first log house, with sod chimney. In later years it was torn down to give place for one of more modern style. Although entirely obliterated from the sight of the later settlers, the recollections of its former usefulness are still fresh in the minds of those who shared the protection of its sheltering roof and enjoyed the warmth of the sparkling embers on the hearth. In this log cabin Mr. Huston reared his family of children, who are mostly all settled about him. The nearest pork market was at Beardstown, on the river. On one occasion Mr. Huston started with a drove to that place in company with his neighbors, and when about half-way to that place they discovered that the hogs were chilling and they could pro- ceed no farther with them. They concluded to kill them, but having no kettle in which to heat water with which to scald and dress them, after consulting, a plan not thought of before happened to strike Mr. Huston. He said : "We will dig a large hole here in the ground and kindle a large fire in it, and after the fire has burned sufficiently we will pour the water on the coals, which will make the water amply hot to scald." The idea was laughed at at first, but they tried the experi- ment, which proved a success. The Huston families are well remembered in connection with pioneer times, and their children compose a large share of the popula- tion of the precinct. Archibald Huston settled a little farther up about the same time. He died many years ago, but his widow, now Mrs. Bowman, is still living and is quite active for one of her years. She is a Tennesseean by birth. The family moved from that state to 1104 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Indiana, and in comi^any with lier father, James Owen, sister and two brothers came to this state on horseback. Bowman, her last husband, was killed by lightning some thirty-eight years ago. They settled in the edge of the timber on section 29 or 30, and their honse was the only one between that and Honey creek. They nsed to do all their trading with old Billy Smith at LaHarpe, which was but a small town then. The trip to and fro was usually made with old Buck and Berry and not at a 2:40 gait, but at about the rate of three or four miles per hour. The date when Isaac Crenshaw settled here is not exactly know^n, but it is thought to have been directly after Bowman. He was born in Georgia, from whence he removed to Tennessee when young, and from there to Adams county, Illinois, when after a residence of two years he moved to Iowa. He came back three years later and settled here on sections 30 and 31. Crenshaw died in 1880, and was buried at Hillsborough church, four miles south of his home. Mrs. Crenshaw is still living in the neighborhood, as are many of her children. Indi- ans were quite plentiful in these days. Mrs. Crenshaw remembers seeing them while in the timber making sugar. They were peacefully inclined and anxious to trade with the whites. A fact which more than one historian has failed to note, is that in nearly all the troubles between the whites and Indians, the former were the aggressors. We have mentioned the principal pioneers of the southwest portion of Bedford precinct ; others may have lived here who deserve a notice in the history of the communit}', but no matter how deserving, unless some one is left to tell the storv, their deeds of heroism must sink into oblivion, or perchance live in better lives of those who have been led they know not by whom. From 1851 to 1858 a new tide of emigration set in, mostly Jerseyans from Fulton count}", Illinois, where had settled many from Somerset, Middlesex, Hunterton, Sussex, and other towns along the Raritan, and having settled in the vicinity of what is now Raritan, the demand for a trading point soon began to press its claims, and the settlers began to dispute the point at which it should be located. Josiali Brokaw and a few others living on the west side of Honey creek branch, contended that near his place was the proper and the only place for a town, while Peter Tharp and others living in the vicinity of the proposed location, said no, this shall be the place, and thus the two factions contended like two liungry dogs pulling at a bone, each trying to get the advantage of the other, until it was decided to take a vote on the subject, which ended the strife and located the town on its present beautiful site, and indeed a more pleasant and natural place could not be found, situated, as it is, between the two BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1105 branches of Iloney creek. The land slopes toward the north, south and east. We have no dates to show when this dispute arose and how long it continued, but it was not until 1856 that M. M. Field built the first store building. A. Tharp and Josiah Brokaw came here about the same time, in 1851 ; which of them was the first is hard to decide, as difference of opinion exists in regard to it. Brokaw was called the father of the settlement. There were no houses in sight of his when he settled, and when the tide of immigration had set in, the first ser- mon preached on the prairie was delivered in his house. He lived until the country changed from its wild state to civilization, when an accident bj lightning caused his death. Tharp bought 149 acres on the S.W. i of Sec. 12, on which he is still living. He was the first to cut hay with a reaper, in 1855. The same year he raised a crop of wheat that averaged thirty bushels to the acre. He has in his posses- sion a piece of money worthy of note. It is an old continental shilling, upon one side of which is stamped a tea leaf, emblematical of the unpleasantness at that time ; on the left hand corner, ''Death to Coun- terfeit"; on the right, "Burlington, New Jersey. Printed by Isaac Collins, 1770." John Goodnight settled one mile east of Bedford church in 1852. He was from Stamford, Lincoln county, Kentucky. He had served as a soldier under Gen. Jackson at New Orleans, during 1814 and 1815. From Monroe county, Indiana, he came to Adams county, and from there to Henderson county. The date of uncle Peter Tharp's arrival here is between 1854 and 1855. He and his son William came on and built a small house, when the family came on. This time there was a house two miles east known as the Hazeton house, another one and a half miles southwest on Cornelius Schenck's place. Uncle Peter bought the one-quarter of land on which Raritan is now situated. He gave the ground for the cemetery and school-buildings. II. D. Voor- hees came in 1855 and settled on eighty acres near where the town is located. He worked some at blacksmithing and improved his farm. In 1858 he lost one of his arms in a corn sheller, after which he moved to Raritan. Zelota Britt and Abraham Brokaw came the same year. They both settled east of town. These men are both dead. Some of their children remain in the neighborhood. Mrs. Brokaw lives on the old- homestead two miles west of town. James Hageman settled in what is now popularly known as the Prairie Side farm in 1856. Soon after, William Van Arsdale came here. He was out on the prairie one day preparing to build a stable which he intended to use for awhile for a house, when who should come along but uncle George Huston, and wanted to know "what in the world he was trying to 1106 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. do." "Build a stable," said Mr. Yan Arsdale. He laughed at the idea and said. "Yan Arsdale, you will live until your hair is quite gray before you ever make a farm here. Why, this land will never be worth more than it is at present." Although Mr. Huston's judgment was good on other matters, he made a mistake that time, for that has proved to be the garden-spot of the precinct. F. A. Hixon came from Hunterton countv in 1854, and was the first settler nearest the limits of Raritan. His place of settlement was section 15, on which there was a log house and a three-rail fence around the place. A part of the land had been broken. A party was surveying and a regular laid out road in use in the south part of the county. M. M. Field came in 1854. Jaques Yoorhees about 1855. From this time on to 1859, attracted by the glowing accounts of the early settlers, many flocked here with tlieu* families and settled close together in this vicinity. The arrivals were so frequent and near together that to determine who had the precedence is quite difficult. Suffice it to say that at an early date came Jaques Yoorhees, R. V. Cortelyon, Garret Simonson, Peter Goven, Aaron Johnson, Wm. Yan Arsdale, Judge Eltinge, James Berry. The town of Earitan takes its name from the Raritan river in New Jersey, from near whose banks came most of the inhabitants that people the town. The river was named for a tribe of Indians who were encamped near it. A town called Bedford was started just across the south line of the precinct at a point called Bedford. It was a regularly laid out town. A store was kept there by Adams & Hardy. The buildings have since been moved away. The population at one time was four or five families. Raritan seems to be quite well adapted to the growth of such organizations as practice their peculiar rites and ceremonies with none to behold but the all-seeing Eye and those who have been so fortunate as to be admitted behind the vail of secresy. To say that, in quite an unostentatious manner (fulfilling the connnand of the great Master, to let not the right hand know what its fellow-member is doing), they have performed many acts of benevolence, is to say only what many who have been the recijiients of their benefactions would testily. The Masons are entitled to the credit of being the pioneers. They established themselves as an organization as early as 1875. The number of its lodge is 727. The preliminary meeting was held November 9, 1874, at which time Eli T. Hinman, R. L. Taylor and J. Y. D. Kelley were appointed a committee to di'aft resolutions. Up to the granting of the charter they worked under a dispensation. Silas D. Parsons, Jacob A. Anderson and Robert L. Taylor were the BEDFORD TOWNSHIP, HOT princi])al officers, being worsliipful master, senior warden and junior warden. The Independent Order of Odd-Fellows were granted a charter for the purpose of performing mystic rites and for the purpose of prac- ticing the principles of F., L. and T. in their own peculiar manner. Raritan Lodge, jSTo. 616,- received its charter June 30, 1866. The charter members were M. M. Field, A. E. Stanley, J. C. Coulson, C. W. Hardesty and L. W. Calhoun. The order did not prosper well, or for some other reason not known to the outside world, moved across the line to Terre Haute in the spring of 1868. The following, by a local poet, is inserted here at the request of many citizens of Earitan and vicinity. — [Ed. Full twenty years ago, and more, when Raritan was new, — When on these plains the prairie grass and prairie flowers grew, — When from our native eastern hills and valleys we had come To seek, in this far-distant land, a resting place and home ; — Wild and unbroken was the view, unturned the virgin soil, The prairies broad on every hand, inviting honest toil. Tall herbage nodded gracefully before the jxissing breeze. And far and near were pleasing forms of native shrubs and trees. The sacred ties of friendship, yea, the love of nearest kin. Had been ignored, tho' felt to be a sacrilege and sin. From scenes of earliest childhood days, deep graven on the heart. From long-loved homes, we felt constrained with sad regrets to ijart. Not as when first from dear old Jerseys rode in wagons new The Wilsons, Pumyeas, Voorhees, to what is since Fairview, Where now, when the enlivening sound of her church-going bell, The honored sons of worthy sires in peace and plenty dwell. Not thus, but gliding swift along at railroad speed, we hied From homestead of old Somerset, from where the gentle -tide Of Raritan's "North Branch," and south toward the Atlantic flows, And where, athwart the sunset sky, grand Pickel's summit rose. From Middlesex, from Hunterton, and Sussex, too, they came ; From classic Middlebrook, of Revolution fame. From Fox Hill, where the sweet delicious huckleberry grows. From Pluckmin, from Peapeck, and where Rockaway's streamlet flows, From quiet homes of Readington, where Dominie Van Liew Full forty years proclaimed the truth, beloved by all he knew. From Lebanon's peaceful valley, where Van Amburg's earnest voice Made sinners tremble and believe, and Christian hearts rejoice ; From Rocky Hill, from Six Mile Run, and streams of lesser fame. From obscure towns and villages to prairie land they came ; Full joyfully and hopefully forsaking native land And all that made it home for them, to join our pioneer band. When this glorious " Sucker State " then hath, perchance, been found, No other soil where health and w-ealth and pleasure more abound. So Judge Brokaw and Nevius 'twould be, when they came to seek Full twenty years ago and more, their home on Honey creek. 1108 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Then 'twas the "Jersey Settlement " — what now is Raritan, Few names will nicely rhyme with it — go find out if you can ; Scarce, also, as the visits of angelic messengers Are towns so proud of her folks as Raritan of hers. Some following those first pioneers came others from afar, Still toward the Occident they haste — westward their guiding star, Even Fulton county was too old for restless enterprise, And Fairview furnished some recruits for our new paradise. Enshrined in sacred memory will ever be the name Of each new settler from the east who left their homes and came To cast their lot with us and share the pleasing novelty Of prairie life, so full of mirth, so peaceful and so free. Of such were Voorhees, Morris, Tharps, not less than half a score, Grooms, Kelleys, Posts, Fields, Simons, a baker's dozen more, The Gulicks, Hfirdins, Cortylyons, A"an Arsdales, Groendykes, Schencks, Clawsons, Halls, Quicks, Hagemans, all Jerseymen alike, These all and some whose names refuse to jingle well in rhyme. Forth came among the earliest, and more in course of time, From many another sister state to Illinois have come. And here to-day, enjoy with us, this happy harvest home. To our first prairie Sunday school, within the humble shop. On yonder farm yet standing, there from valley and hill top. From calm, rude or half built house, across the prairies wild Came many a one who is here to-day, who then was but a child, And to that shop, our prairie church, each holy Sabbath day, Good father ]Morris came to preach, and people came to pray, The Baptists and Methodists, the Lutherans and the Dutch, All Christians, faithful and sincere, not righteous overmuch. Their children now to womanhood and manhood quickly grown, Remember with complacency those happy days their own. Those halcyon days, when school was kept but six months in the year, And teachers ruled the young ideas by love and not by fear, When breaking teams, five yoke of oxen, turning the prairie soil Ne'er turned before, gave novelty and zest to daily toil. When half-mile furrows making the bound'ry line 'twixt neighbors Gave promise of sod-corn and wheat, best fruits of farmers' labors. Post offices were far between when these old farms were new, Our nighest one was Dug Out near the margin of a slough. Some found their mail at Ralekins and others at Shake Rag, Euphonious name, derived from what was once a Union flag. Kind Uncle Sam heard our petition, laid it on the shelves, And granted us the privilege of carrying mail ourselves. As often as once every week, and at our own expense. Each took his turn across the plains, through creeks, and over fence. Mail days with glad expectancy, our population came, And thronged the village store, where Gulick, honored name. Announced each letter, then towards him who answered to the call. O'er heads it flew, to reach the floor or strike the opposite wall. One question, whether fences be required on the prairie, AVas settled, it was thought, by statute, quite contrary. BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1109 As also by the cattle and their owners, for this true, The letter would influence the former's taste for pastures new. But growing crops would not "pan out" if totally neglected. There was Kelley's wheat and Hixon's corn must be someway protected, Then posts from Groosendreck's timber hauled, with wires in close suspense, Or pickets driven in the ground, would do for lawful fence. Of man's first struggles with the beasts that roved this fenceless plain, Long-horned and short, imported straight from Texas or Des Rains, Sing, gentle muse, that from the ruins in some ravaged field, Inspired with deep, mysterious thoughts, and caused our faith to yield. To robust prairie steers our fences were an aggravation, 'Twixt loosened wires they went for crops with brutish exultation. By day, by night, at work, asleep, was heard that ominous rattle Of crushing stalks, and crushing ears, devoured by ravenous cattle. More dangerous to integrity than common-place temptation Was this, to see our crops destroyed without a compensation ; From wire to boards, from boards to hedge, from hedge to pickets driven. We felt one consoling thought, there'll need no fence in heaven. Coeval with the incipient church and mission Sabbath school, A band of skillful singers rose the harmony to rule. With them all joined with one accord in sweet melodious lays. Few lacked an ear and voice t(j sing, who had a heart to praise. Heard ye the rhythmic melodies of that first prairie choir. Their sweet hymns and anthems then our every heart inspire, And still, as time rolls on, that choir is to our memory dear. Oft in the stillness of the night their songs I seem to hear. When the shadowy portals of the dim, oblivious past Fond memory catches glimpses, too evanescent to last. Of those who left us years ago for some far distant shore, And some whose once inspiring voice shall greet our ears no more. Hail, music! best interpreter of every kind emotion. Heaven born dispenser of delight and soul of our devotion. Without thy cheering influence our home had been too sad ; Thy solace kept our thoughts at ease, and made our spirits glad. A town was wanted — then was felt what well was known before. That every one could not secure a town by his own door ; With stores, and shops, and week-day schools, and Sunday congregation. So greatest good to greatest number, settled the location. A store was erected where the farmers bought and sold, And then a house for school and meetings — some say now it's sold — In Christian sympathy, denominations could unite; In Christian union there was strength to work for truth and right. A house of worship much was needed, soon the people joined To build a temple for the Lord — for worship more refined — In His own name the truth to preach, to Him glad songs to raise. Devoted to His service consecrated to His praise. The caravan of sturdy teams, some twenty years ago, Which from Oquawka's sandy banks moved ploddingly and slow — Up o'er the Junction's steep ascent, thro' lone Colomas street — Hard by Olena's clay-brown hills, where wooden valleys meet, 1110 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES, Full freighted with strong beams and joists and sills of wondrous length, And faultless boards of Holland mills — for beauty and for strength, Swift plunging through the Henderson and Honey creek unspanned, To where had already fixed the site of Raritan. That was a sight, and those were scenes to be remembered long; The people had a mind to work, their faith and zeal were strong. To build this sacred house for God, His friendly aid besought. And like the Jews in Solomon's day, their grateful offerings brought. First Reformed church in Henderson, around it clustered soon, Our thriving village, with its business stores a timely boon To husbandmen of prairie land who hither came in scores. To market their surplus products and lay in family stores. May we boast of our heritage this the garden state ; Our progress, our resources, correspondingly are great ; The fertile earth, at our behest, hath yielded much increase. And God hath blessed our western home with plenty, health and peace. Full twenty years ago no thornj'^ hedges intervened To shade the traveler's winding course across the grassy scene ; When we to Monmouth, Burlington and Blandonville would go, No lengthy lanes nor sharp rectangles, made the journey slow. AVhat, tho' in sloughs and unbridged creeks our teams were often found, "With borrowed chain and doubletree we'd reach the solid ground. It's bilious, Simon used to say, when he would pull us through ; Next time we'll find some shallower ford, and head that awful slough. When, with our dominie Morris, in the days of long ago. We took an apostolic ride, a mission work to do. Hard by old Deerpark and the home of Cruser just begun ; To far-off Bushnell held our course, nor reached till set of sun. Then Stewart, Willis, Wyckoff, Sperling, Crusier, Posey, others, United in their christian efforts, as a band of brothers. To give their town its earliest church ; that was their noblest mission. And Bushnell sees their noblest labor blessed, their homes in full fruition. We take a retrospective view : the forgotten i^ast. Full of unnumbered hopes and joys too sweet it is to last, Looms up on memory's faithful page, as if 'twere yesterday When o'er those plains so vast and wild we our devious way, Admiring nature's beauties round us on every hand, Full well resolved from that time forth to dwell in this fair land; O'er hills and dales of Honey creek surveyed the prospect wide. Found there our chosen dwelling place and made a prairieside. Those lofty trees, whose grateful shadows shelter us to-day, Remind us forcibly that the time is passing swift away ; AVhile those for our enjoyment made and those ordained for food All say to us, in cheerful tones : behold, our God is good. Down the diln vista of the years I see these shrubs and flowers. New planted, bursting into bloom, fostered by heaven-sent showers And genial sunshine, steady growing thro' each yearly stage. Developing their marvelous beauties with advancing age. Fond recollections cluster 'round the settler's new-made home ; Each one had formed a pleasant refuge, never more to roam ; .^yvi ^/^^^^-^ BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1113 As each with others sympathized in loving brotherhood, Each, while providing for his own, toiled for the general good. Through many a slough, up many hills, desponding and weary. Hedged in with thorns, our path of life seems often rather dreary ; Yet who that recollects the charm of prairie toil and strife, But will confess those early days the happiest of his life. For there were social parties then, and many a banquet rare; To excel in serving up a feast was each good housewife's care; The girls improved their taste for dress and studied the arts of charming. While sons and sires discussed the modes of western farming. 'Twere not for me in fulsome strains of flattery to speak Of early pastorates, when yet in numbers we were weak: The name of Bumstead every heart with fond remembrance thrills ; From Adams we were loth to jmrt; Pfanstiehl we cherish still. Our harvest song, be it loud and long! and as our gifts are greater, So let us praise, in loftier lays, the name of our Creator ; He hath blessed us more in our earthly store than we in weakness pleaded ; His sun and rain hath given us grain, and every blessing needed. This j^ear our land, on every hand, yields us a bounteous treasure ; We thankful keep, and as we reap, our harvest yields us pleasure. What if in spring we could not sing, so sad seems our condition, He, while we wept. His promise kept, and gave us glad fruition. The warbling bird, whose song is heard within yon leafy bower, Each shining day seems thus to say: sing of His love and power. Then come and sing, your music bring; we'll chant " that old, old song, Till life shall end, then joyful spend a harvest home in glory." BIOGRAPHICAL. Personal liberty and freedom of conscience were the germinal ideas that induced the oppressed and proscribed to leave the diiferent coun- tries of Europe and adjacent isles ; to abandon all dear social scenes and fond influences which cling around nativity, and brave the perils attendant upon the settlement of a new and distant country, inhabited by different tribes of unknown savages. All the sacrifices, however, involved in a separation from home and friends were counted by them of little relative value, when they thought of gaining the privilege of being free men in the full import of the term. Our fathers brought with them, when they crossed the turbid Atlantic, our civil and relig- ious institutions locked up in their brave hearts, and an Allwise Pro\a- dence directed their pilgrimage to a land whose broad expanse of ter- ritory, deep, swift rivers, lofty mountains and rich soil constituted a fit arena for the birth of the struggling thoughts of world-beneficent con- ception and the maturity and development of those noble sentiments which are as soul to one of the finest countries which the sun looks down upon from his throne in the heavens. It was a wise policy on the part of the framers of our constitution, 63 1114 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. and in perfect harmony with the magnanimous and generous spirit that animated our ancestors, to throw open wide the door of citizenship, that the oppressed and honest masses of other countries might here find that liberty and freedom of thought and action forbidden by other governments. Thousands every year crowd to our shores, attracted by the superiority of and the advantages and privileges afforded in the United States to those of other nations. And some of the most patriotic and honorable citizens of which our country can boast are to be found among those who have come to this country that they might make it their home by adoption. In this class is included many of the best citizens of this and other localities, whose forefathers purchased liberty, not at the price of eternal vigilance, but at the risk of their lives. Rev. a. a. Pfanstiehl, of Raritan, Henderson county, Illinois, M'as born at Holland, Ottawa county, Michigan, November 14, 1856. His parents were Hollanders, who moved from the Netherlands in 1848 on account of religious persecutions. The national church of the Nether- lands about 1844 becoming very rationalistic and domineering over the consciences of religious worshipers, a large number of people rebelled, thinking it their unqualified right to worship God according to the dic- tates of their own consciences, and accordingly seceded from the na- tional church, growing into what is now the Seceded Church of Hol- land. In consequence of this secession they were persecuted by the government, until 1847 a large number of families, under the leader- ship of the late Rev. A. C. VanRalte, D.D., emigrated to America and settled in the woods of Michigan, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. About the same time another colony, under the leadership of Dr. Schouton, emigrated to Iowa, and built what is now the town of Pella. This emigration has gone on more or less ever since, until in Michigan alone there are nearly 30,000 Hollanders. Though poor, yet possessed with the riches of hardihood, frugality and the Dutch characteristics of indomitable perseverance and energy, they soon built a town and settled the country with comfortable homes. Wherever they have settled the place is marked by the progressive spirit charac- teristic of the nationality. Not long after settling they built a college, which has sent forth many professional men both to the east and west. Tliis college is under control of the general synod of the Reformed Church of America, and is incorporated under the name of Hope Col- lege, at Holland, Michigan. Here A. A. Pfanstiehl received his edu- cation, graduating in 1876. He studied theology in the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the Northwest, at Chicago, and graduated from that seminary in 1879. Having received a call from the Reformed BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1115 Church he was ordained and installed as pastor of the same on July 24, 1879, and continues the pastorate. He was married to Miss Julia A. Barnes, of Prairie Gty, Illinois, on May 10, 1882. It may be in- teresting to note that the lumber with which the Reformed Church was- built was sawed in a mill at Holland, Michigan, and was shipped over Lake Michigan to Chicago in a vessel belonging to the pastor's father when the latter was an infant one year old. In 1880 he was appointed as a delegate to the London Centenary Sabbath School Convention, to represent the Henderson County Sabbath School Association. He was absent on a tour of four months, visiting England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, the Rhine country, Belgium and Holland, the native land of his parents. A. A. Pfanstiehl is possessed of a rare combination of excellent qualities, which admirably fit him for the profession in which he is engaged. Careful, though quick in utterance, using cor- rect language, is a good elocutionist, possessing more than ordinary talent. He has a well stored mind and is a deep thinker. As a friend he is social and courteous. The earliest record known of the Schenck family is found on the records of Amsterdam, Holland, dating back to 1153, bearing a mili- tary commission. When the first emigration to America was is not exactly known, but must have been at an early date. The name is found on records at Long Island, and Monmouth and Somerset coun- ties, New Jersey, at dates from 1660 to 1683. The Schenks along the Raritan and Millstone rivers, Somerset county, New Jersey, are de- scendants from Johannas, or John, who came to Somerset county, New Jersey, in 1683. He had five children, who grew up and married, two sons and three daughters ; their births were from 1691 to 1728 ; their deaths were from 1729 to 1793. The youngest daughter, Catharine, married her cousin, and raised a family of eight sons and four daughters. One of the sons followed the seas and died young, the other four brothers all settled, or at least lived for a time, along the Raritan and Millstone rivers. They were married and settled in life from 1735 to 1745, and owned mills and stores on the Millstone river, where many of their descendants remain, and many others have moved to other parts. The great-grandfather of Cornelius, William and Silas, the subjects of this sketch, and now of Henderson county, Illi- nois, was William Schenck, who moved from Monmouth county, New Jersey, to Ilunterton county. New Jersey, long before the revolutionary war. His wife was Mary Winters, and among his children were Ralph, John and Josiah, all of which were in the American service as soldiers. John was a captain. Ralph was wounded, and after the war drew a pen- sion. Josiah was three years in the service, and was with Gen. Wash- 1116 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HEJTDERSON COUNTIES. • ino-ton in crossing; the Delaware at Trenton, jS^ew Jersey, when he surprised the Hessians at that place, and came near losing his life at that time. After the war he removed to "Weston, Somerset county, and bought a farm of Gen. Frederick Frelinghuysen of 300 acres, where he lived and died, and was buried in the cemetery at Millstone, Xew Jersey. His wife was Alshe AYycoff. They had nine children, four sons and fiye daughters, all of which are dead except Josiali, who is living at Millstone, Xew Jersey. Jacob "VV. was the father of the family now in this country. He purchased the homestead at Weston, where he lived and died. In 1848 he married Ann Brokaw, of the same county. She died in 1854. They are both buried at Millstone, Xew Jersey. They left six children, iive boys and one daughter: Magdaline died 1854, and was buried at Fairview, Fulton county, Illinois ; Josiah died 1857, and was buried at Millstone, Xew Jersey ; John H. died at Baird's Point, Missouri, and was buried at Earitan, Illinois. He was a member of Co. L, 7th 111. Cav. Reg. "William J. Schenck was born at "West Somerset county, Xew Jersey, April 4, 1833. He married Miss Martha Ann Stryker, of the same county. They removed to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1855, where thev have since resided. He was among the earliest settlers of the county in which he lives. He has taken much interest in educa- tional matters, an active part in the development of the country morals, both in church and state. To them have been born two children, a daughter and a son : Gilroy Anna, who married William Davis, and one son, Jacob W., who is still remaining at home. Mr. and Mrs. Schenck are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a republican. Cornelius Schenck was born in Weston, Somerset county, New Jersey, in 1852. He was married to Miss Liddia M. Stryker, of the same county. Three children was the result of this union : Josiah, born September 27, 1857 ; married Miss Elizabeth Gearhart December, 1880 ; Mary, residing at home, was born 1860. On Mr. Schenck's arrival in Henderson county he bought a quarter section of land in Sec. 15, on which there was a small log house. A small portion of the land had been broken up, and fenced with a fence three rails high. He immediately began improving a farm, and in a few years he had transformed the wild prairie into a fine farm. His son Josiah is now living upon the old home place, and Mr. Schenck is spending his de- clining days in Raritan in ease and comfort, the effects of an indus- trious life. James Hageman, one of the prominent pioneer settlers of Earitan, and proprietor of the Prairie Side Park, was born in Somerset BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1117 county, New Jersey, June 27, 182-1:. Here he spent his youth at school, and when at the age of twenty-two commenced a course of study with a view to the ministry, and accordingly entered sophomore class of Rutger^s College, Xew Brunswick, New Jersey, in September, 18-1:7. In less than a year failing health compelled the abandonment of mental occupation and a return to the pursuits of agriculture on his father's farm. In November, 1849, he was mari-ied to Miss Margarett Kershaw, of the same county. This happy union was blessed \y six children being born to them, four sons and two daughters, Sarah Ann (wife of A. W. Van Dyke, editor of the "Bushnell Gleaner,"), Phcebe, Charlotte, Herman and Frank are living ; Gilbert L. K., the eldest son, died in the spring of 1869, in the sixteenth year of his age, at Bushnell ; Charlie, second, died when three years old. The remains of both repose in the cemetery at Raritan. Mr. Hageman's career in life has been an extremely varied one. He removed from his paternal home to New Brunswick in 1854, and embarked in the business of manufacturing and selling clothing and making up goods to order, in partnership with S. B. Walker. In April, 1856, he emigrated to his present location in Illinois and commenced making a home on the then treeless, fenceless, unplowed prairie. The first building in Raritan was then in process of erection, and the few settlers who had first arrived (the previous summer and fall) were finishing their dwellings just enough to make them comfortable. Mr. Hageman commenced at once to cultivate the virgin soil, plant trees, build fences and a dwell- ing, naming his chosen heritage Prairieside, to which the suffix " Park " or farm is of late years appended by the villagers, as the Grove, or, Hageman's Grove. Here are held the pioneers' festivals, 4th of July, harvest home, political tneetings, etc. Mr. Hageman removed to Bushnell, McDonough county, Illinois, and commenced the editing and publishing of a newspaper which he named the " Bushnell Weekly Record. " He continued the same for four or five years, when declining in health he gave place to A. W. Van Dyke. Since that time he has been an occasional contributor for several county papers. After a residence of six vears and a half in Bushnell, Mr. Hageman returned to his Prairieside farm. A few years later he sold twenty acres from the south side for $1,500 cash in hand and commenced the furniture and undertaking business in the village, the latter branch being still con- tinued by him. Mr. Hageman has been closely identified with the rise and progress of the Reformed church in Raritan, and also the Sab- bath school connected therewith, of which he was chosen superinten- dent at the time of its organization, in 1856, and was re-elected three succeeding years and again at a subsequent period. Twenty-five years 1118 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. after the organization of the school he delivered, by appointment, a historical address on the occasion of its quarter centennial anniversary. He became somewhat famous as the Prairieside poet through the publi- cation of various essays in rhyme, some of which will be found else- where in this work, among which may be mentioned '^Lights and Shadows of Prairie-life in the Early Day," "The Miseries of Drunk- enness," "Retrospection," "Be Happy," "Yain Regrets," "The Old School-house." Mr. Hageman is also a composer of music, and has also some mechanical genius, and among his many business engagements Mr. H. has found time to devote a little study to mechanical skill, hav- ing constructed several violins and a few violoncellos. The last ^dolin which he constructed was made of seventy pieces of wood grown by him on his own farm. He w^as elected justice of the peace for Bed- ford precinct, Henderson county, in the spring of 1882. Mr. John G. Cox was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, August 13, 1821, where he passed the early part of his life. He was joined in marriage with Miss Ellen Voorhees September 21, 1841. In the spring of 1860 our subject moved from New Jersey to Fulton county, Illinois, where he resided until the following October, when he removed to the vicinity of Raritan. Here he located on a farm, where he remained until the time of his death, March 9, 1882. Here Mr. Cox, with commendable integrity, industry, frugality and good busi- ness habits, succeeded in amassing a comfortable competence and sur- rounding himself and family with all the comforts of life. He was an exemplary member of the masonic institution, having been initiated in the mysteries of that order December 8, 1874. He passed to the fellow-craft degree April 11, 1875, and was elevated to the subUme deorree of a Master Mason June 1, 1876. He was dulv imbued with the noble and elevating and sublime principles of the mystic order. J. T. Cox is a merchant of Raritan. Among the worthy prominent citizens of Henderson county we mention the name of Walter Huston, deceased, and father of Walter Huston, a retired farmer of Raritan. From his lirst settlement in Bedford precinct in 1831 to the time of his death, he was identified with all the interests connected therewith, and was widely and favor- ably known throughout the whole neighborhood in which he lived and acted. He was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, where he spent the early part of his life. He removed to Tennessee at an early day, where he was married to Miss Nancy Bradshaw, of South Carolina. This union resulted in fourteen children being born to them (twelve of whom were born in Illinois), as follows : John, Joel B., Grizie A,, Archibald, Mary Ann, Margarett, Mary Ann P., Walter, William, BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1119 Matthew, and Nancy Jane. Those not named died while young. Of this family two only survive : Walter, a successful farmer and fine stock raiser, resides in Raritan ; Mary Ann P., wife of G. W. Penny, resides in Marysville, Missouri. Zelota Britt, another of Henderson county's old settlers, was born in Cedonia county, Yermont, June 6, 1805, and emigrated to New York in 1810, where he was married to Catharine Haskins, of Herkimer county, that state, April 4, 1833. Four children were bom to them. He removed to Kendall county, Illinois, April, 1845, and to Henderson county October, 1855. Here he made a farm and was successful in accumulating property. He was industrious in his habits and esteemed by his friends and acquaintances, and popular in masonic circles, having taken the chapter degrees. A. DuRLiNG was born in Somerset county. New Jersey, in 1827, and was married in 1851 to Miss Mary A. Allen, of Hunterton county, of the same state. They were residing at Fairview at the time of their marriage, after which they removed to Avon. Here they resided until 1858, when they removed to Henderson county, Illinois. This was the year that Lincoln and Douglas were stumping the state for the presidency. Our subject listened to one of their debates while at Galesburg. Mr. Durling has never associated himself with any of the benevolent or religious institutions, is liberal in his political views, possesses a clear mind and an independent way of thinking. In an earnest manner he stands by the convictions of a clear head and pure purpose in every department of life, and considering this, his success as a farmer has been somewhat singular, for he turns neither to the right nor left, either for man or parties, in pursuance of what he believes to be right. It is generally found that less decided minds succeed best in business. He is a friend to educational development and good morals. Henry D. Yooriiees, retired farmer and justice of the peace, of Bedford precinct, was born in Somerset county. New Jersey, 1820, and was married to Miss Elizabeth Nevius in 1842. Eight children was the result of this union, as follows, named in order: Daniel, Joseph, David, Sarah, Elen, John H. and James. His wife having died he was married a second time to Mrs. Elizabeth S. Suydam in 1872. Mr. Yoorhees came to Henderson county in 1855, and settled on eighty acres of land on the W. ^ of the S. W. J of Sec. 1, in Bed- ford precinct. He improved the place and lived upon it until 1858, when he removed to Paritan. An accident, resulting in the loss of his right arm, has been an inconvenience to him, yet he writes a fine hand with his left hand and still works some on his farm near Raritan. 1120 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. He was elected justice of the peace in 1861, and with the exception of three years has constantly held the office. He has also held the office of school treasurer for nineteen years. They are connected with the Reformed church. Mr. Yoorhees was educated in New Jersey, where he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed at Raritan after coming to this county. He began life poor, and is one of a few who have wrung success out of hard labor and good management. He is of German descent, his grandparents having come from Holland in an early day. W. O. Huston, farmer, of Bedford precinct, and son of Walter Huston, of Raritan, is the youngest child of the family. He was born in Henderson county, Illinois, May 18, 1858, and was married Feb- ruary 5, 1880, to Miss Eliza J. Green, of McDonough county. They have one child. Mr. Huston owns his father's old homestead of 160 acres. He is a member of the Mystic Brotherhood of Justice, located at Blandonsville. The object of the institution is to suppress crime and vice and to aid innocent parties in obtaining justice. He is also a member of the Christian church. Though a young man Mr. Huston is well and favorably known throughout the neighborhood. His friendly, courteous manner makes one at home in his society. J. M. Johnson was born in district Fensjo, Sweden, in 1845. He there received a high school education and was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade at the Agricultural Industrial School. He came to America in 1869, landing in Burlington, Iowa. Here he finished his trade and went to La Harpe and spent a part of his time at Roseville. In 1874 he came to Raritan, where he worked for awhile as a jour, for one year or until 1875, when he began business for himself. He was married in Webster county, Iowa, to Miss Annia Josephine Peterson in 1874. This union has been blessed by three children, two boys and one gh'l. Mr. Johnson's father is deceased, and his mother re- sides in Sweden with her sister. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic order, and a member and deacon in the Swedish church organization of Raritan. In politics he is a republican. Wyett Stanly ranks among the several prominent gentlemen of Henderson county who have taken an active part in its development. He was born in North Carolina in 1835, where he remained until at the age of eighteen years, when he removed with his father's family to this county. On their first arrival here they rented land the first year, and at the same time bought land on section 4, where they set- tled, but continued to rent for three years after, devoting all their sur- plus time to the improvement of the place which was to be their future home. Our subject began life with nothing but his empty hands, his BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1121 whole stock-in-trade being his indomitable energy and industry. He first began to work by the month, in which way he managed to lay by a small share of his wages with which he bought his first eighty acres of land. From this small beginning he added to his farm until 1882. He controls over 1,000 acres of choice land. In 1876 he built a handsome mansion at a cost of $10,000. This house is three stories high with a gothic tower extending high above the tall trees that sur- round the picturesque place overlooking the surrounding country, with high arched windows, hardwood finish and carved solid stone steps leading to the main entrances, it presents a grand appearance, and one would scarcely believe, not knowing the facts, that the proprietor of this edifice carved this stately heritage out by his own energy. His barn and outbuildings were built at a cost of $8,000. He was married in 1864 to Miss Ellen Yeech, a native of Kentucky. The following children bless their happy home: Jesse A., Artie, John, Minnie, Georgie, and Maggie. John Stanley, his father, an Englishman by descent, was born in North Carolina. He left his native state for Fort Dennison, Iowa, but changing his mind landed in Henderson county, Illinois. In his family there were eight children : Sarah, the eldest, married William Robinson. They are both deceased. She died in Henderson county, and he in ]N"orth Carolina. Mary Jane, wife of Eli Reziner, resides near Biggsville, this county. Hannah married A. E, Stanly and is deceased. James H. died while young, caused by an injury fi'om the kick of a horse. William S. married Miss Ellen McDill ; he was killed at Stone River. His widow resides at Biggs- ville, Illinois. George W. married jSTancy Wood side. Stephen B; married Isabel Rodden ; she died and he married a second time to a Miss Dennison, of McDonough county. Mr. Stanly is a republican in politics. WiNFiELD S. Hixsox was bom in Hunterton county. New Jersey, in 1842. When young he came with his father's family to Henderson county, Illinois, in the spring of 1854. They were among the first settlers in the vicinity of Raritan. During the late war he was a mem- ber of Co. D, 138tli reg. 111. Vol. Inf , but was not in any engagements, his regiment having been assigned for garrison duty. On his return home after the war he rented land until 1869, when he bought eighty acres of land south of Raritan. This was raw land, which he improved and erected upon it a substantial house and outbuilding. He was married in Henderson county to Miss Ella Hill, in the fall of 1864. They have four children: Andrew E., Annie Mary, Maggie, and one not named. When Mr. Hixson first came to Henderson county, there 1122 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. was but one house in the neighborhood, that of Josiah Bokaw. Peter Tharp came the following spring, W. H. Penny was born in Henderson county, and was married in 1860 to Miss Ellen Britt, who was born in New York. Georgie, Annie, Effie, Fannie, Lizzie, Gussie, Percie and Cosie are his children living. Eleven children were born to them ; three not named are deceased. His father, George W. Penny, was born in Maryland in 1800, and is still living. He was a soldier during the Black Hawk war, during which he passed through the country in pursuit of the warriors under this illustrious chief. After the war was over he came back to Hen- derson county and bought what is now known as the Allen Yoorhees farm. He was married about forty-five years ago to Miss Mary A. Huston. They had eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Penny are living in Mayville, Maryland, at a good old age. He was a carpenter by trade, which he followed until he began farming in Henderson county. Before this he did not own a foot of land, but succeeded in accumu- lating several hundred acres of choice farm land. "William H. Penny, our subject, is well known throughout the county as a successful and enterprising farmer; his -lOO-acre farm shows evidences of skill and industry. Mr. Penny is a member of the masonic institution. Abram Brokaw (deceased) was born in Xew Jersey in 1830, and was married in the same state, in 1853, to Miss Gertrude Striker, of the same county. Soon after his marriage they removed to Henderson county, Illinois, settling on the farm now owned by Mrs. C. A. Cox. Not unlike many of the early pioneer settlers of this precinct, Mr. Brokaw came here a poor man ; but blessed with the riches of hardi- hood and a strong, determined will, he soon improved a farm and made a comfortable home. When he first settled on the now home farm, he began at once to plant trees and shrubbery, and erect new farm buildings, and at the time of his death had just begun to realize the return from his hard labor. He was a prominent member of the Reformed church and much respected by his neighbors. By their marriage they had eight children, as follows : Isaac, John D., Mary G., Vandivier, Isaac, Martha A., John S., Cornelius S. Mrs. Brokaw's father, Isaac Striker, and mother, Gidie Yoorhees, were born in New Jersey ; her great-grandfather Striker was a revolutionary soldier. S. P. Nevius was born in New Jersey in 1825, and is the son of Simon and Brachie (Simonson), of German descent, his father having emigrated from Holland to America in an early day ; settled in New York, where he was married and raised a large family of children, among whom were David, John, Mary E., Simon P. (our subject), Elizabeth, Dennis, Abram and Garrett. The latter died at Bushnell BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1123 a few years ago ; he was a miller by trade. Our subject was married in Fulton county, Illinois, in 1851, to Miss Sarah Davis. They have had four children born to bless their home : Garrett, Anna, Eichard, and Minnie; Annie is deceased. Of his grandparents but little is remembered by him, except that his grandfather was in the revolu- tionaiT war ; Mr. Nevius remembers seeing the musket lie had carried during that war. Mrs. Nevius' father was Kichard Davis, and her mother's maiden name was Sophia Simonson. In this family there were the following: J. S., Sarah, John, L. K., J. V. D., Lawrence W., Frederick, Margrett J., and Anna C. Her brother John was a member of the 7tli 111. Cav. Her father came to Fulton county in 1837, where he died and was buried at Fairview. Mr. and Mrs. Nevius are members of the Reformed church. Peter Groom was born in Mercer county, New York, in 1826. On coming to Illinois Mr. Groom first settled in Fulton county. Here he remained until the spring of 1857, when he removed to this county. He settled on the S.E. ^ of Sec. 5, where he now resides. The only houses near him when he settled in the neighborhood were those of Dennis Foot and Josiah Brokaw. They had lived there years before. The year 1851 was noted for new-comers, among whom were the Stuarts and Bonhams. When Mr. Groom arrived he had but $175, and for the first year lived in a small stable, surrounded by a patch of hazel brush. He now owns 265 acres of choice land, upon which are good buildings, besides 160 acres of land in Kansas. He was married in Hen- derson county in 1850, to Miss Sarah "Wilson, a native of New York, who came with her parents to this state in company with Mr. Groom. By this union they had ten children : Crissie C, William H., John W., Nancy C, Emma W., Nathaniel G., Anna L., Ella E. and Peter, be- sides one not named who died while young. Mr. Groom's father moved to Illinois in 1855, where he died about 1871. His mother remained in New Jersey, where she died. His grandfather was English descent, and his grandmother German. They were both born in New Jersey. James H. Butler was born in Jefferson countv, Kentuckv, and came with his father's family to Adams county, in the fall 1832. Mr. Butler grew up to manhood, taking such chances for an education as oftered in the early times of the country, and connected with which was the old log school-house of that day. Notwithstanding the meager and rude literary facilities with which his early life was surrounded, he secured a very fair business education, and grew up to manhood with a constitution seasoned to ruggedness by the exposure and hardships consequent to a pioneer life. After a residence of eighteen years in 1124 HISTORY OF MERCER A2rt) HENDERSON COUNTIES. Adams county, they removed in the spring of 1850 to Hancock county, and in the same year to Henderson county, Illinois, where he bought land on the S. W. J of Sec. 29. This land he sold to John Wasson in 1867, and a quarter of unimproved land in Sec. 30. March 4, 1844, he was married to Miss Nancy Jane Mattock, of Adams county. This marriage has been productive of the following children : Julia A. (deceased), wife of R. H. Barnes, editor of the Raritan "Bulletin"; George H., who resides in Jackson county, Kansas ; Charles C, a student of Eureka College ; John, who died at the age of twelve ; Tobias, and James P. During the excitement consequent upon the tirst discovery of gold in California, Mr. Butler determined to join a band of emigrants and seek a fortune on the Pacific coast. Accordingly, in 1850, he crossed the plains in company with a party who started from Hannibal. He was chosen captain of the party during their travels. Dissatisfaction having arisen among the party, he, in company with a few others, left the main party and took a route by themselves, and reached the destined place in safety. On his return from California he followed farming until the breaking out of the late civil war of the rebellion of the southern states. He then enlisted as a private in the 118th 111. Inf., and when the company reorganized he was elected lieu- tenant, and served with the same until failing health necessitated his leaving the field. On entering the field the regiment was consigned to Gen. Osterhaus' division, and was a participant in the following battles : Hain's Bluff, Arkansas, surrounding of Yicksburg, Port Gibson, and charge at Black River bridge. Mr. Butler is a member of the Christian church, and a member of the republican party. John Goodnight (deceased) was born in Stanford, Lincoln county, Kentucky, on May 4, 1794. He was a soldier under Gen. Jackson at New Orleans during the years 1814-5. He was married to Rhoda Brown October 18, 1820. She died in 1823, and he was married a second time to Agnes Jones December 22, 1825. She died December 13, 1874, leaving him once more alone. He removed to Indiana in 1827, and here in Monroe county lived the greater part of his time for twenty-five years. Under the eldership of Michael Combs he embraced the doctrine of the Christian church in the year 1833. He removed to Adams county in the fall of 1852, and early in the spring of 1853 removed to a farm one mile east of Bedford church in Henderson county, and from there to Blandinsville in the spring of 1876, where he died at the age of eighty-five years, one month and twenty-four days. He was an exemplary christian, and as a man he was honest in all his dealings, ever ready to denounce evil on its first appearance ; the poor never left his door uncared for ; the hungry were bountifully BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1125 supplied from his table, and the naked were clothed by his generous hand. lie died June 25, 1879. By his first marriage with Miss Rhoda Brown he had two children: Isaac, born July 3, 1821; Sarah M., .August 19, 1822. Isaac died in infancy, and Sarah married Samuel A. Moore Februarj^ 12, 1846. Agnes Jones, his second wife, was born in 1800. They were married December 22, 1825. The following children were born to them: Elizabeth A., born October 16, 1826; Mary J., April 14, 1831 ; Martha E., February 26, 1834 ; Amanda F., April 24, 1836; Thomas H., December 8, 1840; Francis M., Jan- uary 12, 1845. The Tharp family is of German extraction and originated in Hol- land. They emigrated to America in a very early day. In this family there were eight children, as follows : Abner, Cristopher, John, Peter, Arthur, Mary, Ellen and Eliza. Mr. Tharp was mar- ried in 1839 to Debora Wagner and became the father of eight children : Kaziah, Jacob, Amanda, Larinda, Lottie, Emma J., Maggie K. Jacob served three years as a soldier in the war of the rebellion and was a member of the 14th 111. Cav. When our subject first came to Illinois, in 1851, he bought 149 acres of land on the S.W. ^ of Sec. 12, at which time there were no houses to be seen anywhere around, neither were there any fences, and when once turned loose to graze cattle and horses would wander far away through the tall prairie grass, which would often cause several days' hunt before they were again found. The nearest trading place at that time was at Burling- ton. He remembers having hauled wheat to that market which he sold at thirty cents per bushel, and oats from twelve to fifteen cents. Corn was selling at eight cents, during which time the railroads were charging ten cents per hundred for carrying it to Chicago. A cow and calf were worth from $10 to $12, and horses $60. But notwithstanding all the disadvantages incident to those times, Mr. Tharp's pioneer life was a success, and he is now enjoying the fruits of his labors. In politics Mr. Tharp was rocked in the very cradle of democracy, but still he denied secession as a constitutional provision on the one hand and the doctrine of federal aggression on the other. He stood with Senator Stephen A. Douglas at the commencement of hostilities be- tween the two sections, as against two extremes, I^orth and South. Jacob and H.Y. Young were born in New Jersey and came to Fair- view, Fulton county, Illinois, about the year 1840 or 1841, whither they were soon after followed by their parents and two other brothers. Their parents located permanently near Fairview, where they died and were buried. Our subjects removed from Fairview to Henderson county about 1865 or 1866. They immediately after their arrival bought a 1126 HISTORY OF MERCER A^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. farm of 160 acres of land on the N.E. J of Sec. 22. The country was just then in its infancy, and out of the wild prairie they have made a line farm, and the substantial farm buildings erected by them show evidence of enterprise and a verification of the old adage that in union there is strength. The two brothers live and work together. Mrs. H. V. Young's grandparents were among the very first settlers in Fulton county. Her father is still living at the good old age of eighty years, and her grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. We dedicate, with pleasure, a part of these pages to a family that has been long and well known in Henderson county. There are many others who have equal, and in fact prior, claims upon the community if we esteem on\j the date of their settlement in the county, but desiring to put upon record the prominent and worthy of the day in which we write, we take up the account of the family of David Gear- hart. In doing so, we realize the fact that at best we can only leave a finger-board to guide the future biographer to a more successful account of the family. The subject of our sketch was born in 1819, in l^s^ew Jersey, where he was educated at a common school and brought up to farming. He moved, in 1852, to Fulton county, Illinois, where he immediately renewed his occupation. He was married, in Fulton county, to Miss Catharine Young, September 2-1, 1856. By his mar- riage he had four children. After a residence of eight years in Fulton county, he removed to Warren, where he remained two years. In 1854 he came to Henderson county, to visit and look at the country. Returning to Warren, he moved to this county in 1862, at which time he bought eighty acres of land on Sec. 12, and afterward 300 acres. By his second marriage, with Mrs. Elizabeth Perrine, they have five children. GrARRET SiMONsoN was bom in jSTew Jersey, where he was educated and raised to farming. He came to Henderson county in the spring of 1857, and bought eighty acres of land of liis brother on Sec. 8, where he at present resides. He was married in New Jersey, in 1845, to Miss Martha Dunham. Three children were the result of the mar- riage. R. B. D. is principal of the high school of Troy, Missouri, where he graduated with high honors, after earning money with which to pay his tuition. D. Simonson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in New Jersey, and is of German descent. He was twice married, and his children are : Rev. John Simonson, Garret, D. M. Simonson, Dennis S. (deceased), James W. (a resident of Rock Island county, and memberof the legislature), Marie (wife of Abram Wycofi"), Gertrude E. (wife of Parker Wright, of Chicago), Balinda M. and Annie live at Port Byron. BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1127 John S. Nevius was born in 1820, in New Jersey, where he re- ceived the advantages of a common school education and afterward learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked until he came to Henderson county in 1836. On his first arrival here he purchased 160 acres of land, broke the same, and began making a farm. He was married in New Jersey in 1846, to Miss Maria Ann Brokaw. They have had eight children, as follows: Simon, Catherine, Peter (deceased), Sarah Jane, Mar}^ B., David (died when three years old), Peter B. (at home), and Brachie. His parents were Simon and Brachie (Simonson) Nevius, who were both born in Somerset county, New Jersey. His father died in 1862 and his mother in 1876. They were buried in Redington cemetery, Hunterton county, New Jersey. Their family consisted of nine children, six boys and three gii*ls ; David resides in New Jersey ; Mary Ellen, wife of Benjamin Voorhees, died 1868 ; her remains repose at Bushnell ; Simon Peter resides in Henderson county ; Elizabeth Ann, wife of M. Lane, Dennis, re- sides in New Jersey, formerly lived here ; Abram V. Garrett and Anna J. are deceased. Simon Addis, grandfather of Mr. Nevius, was a revolutionary soldier, and Mr, Nevius still remembers seeing him go through the manual of arms. Mr. Nevius has been a member of the Reformed church for twenty-three years, and has been chosen deacon at diiferent times. James H, Hazelwood, farmer, was born in 1830, in the state of Indiana, where he received the advantages of a common school educa- tion and was reared to farming. His parents, Joseph and Mary, were born and raised in Kentucky, where they were married, but moved to Indiana in an early day, and remained there until 1852, at which time they removed to McDonough county, Illinois. Our subject was married in 1860 to Miss Mary J. Duncan, of Henderson county, and by the happy union they have been blessed with three children. As a citizen Mr. Hazelwood's life has been characterized by honest and fair dealing. He is a member of the Masonic order and also a member of the chapter of La Harp. He is also a member of the Christian church. Aaron Johnson was born in Hunterton county, New Jersey, 1833. He was educated at a common school, and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he has since followed. In 1857 he came to Fulton county, where he sought and found employment at his trade, at which he worked for nine months, after which he removed to Henderson county, in the spring of 1858. He was married in the spring of 1859 to Miss Catharine Coozatt, of Fulton county, Illinois. By this union two children were born to them : Liddie and Minnie C, 1128 HISTOKY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. who are living at home. In Mr. Johnson's father's family there were eleven children, of whom he was the eldest : Emma E., died and her remains repose in Somerset coimty, New Jersey ; Cornelius resides in New Jersey; Mary J., wife of A. E. Keed, John M., Jacob W., Hannah M., Ellen and Sarah, all reside in New Jersey ; Dewitt lives in Adams county, Iowa ; Liddie Josephine died when seven years old. Mr. Johnson's father, of German descent, was born in New Jersey, and is still living at the age of seventy years. His mother's maiden name was Liddie Wycooll and was also of German ancestry. During the late war our subject was a member of the 30th 111. Inf., and was engaged with his regiment at the battles of Nashville and Kingston, He served until the close of the war in 1865. His regiment formed a part of the ITth Army Corps, under Gen. Sherman. Mr. Johnson has never had any political aspirations nor sought for office, neither has he connected himself with any of the benevolent organizations of the present time, but is social and free in his habits and opinions, and liberally supports the cause of education, religion, good morals and public progress. The estimate here placed upon his character is a willing testimony of many who have known him for years. R. Y. CoRTELYON was born in New Jei'sey in 1821. His parents were Aaron and Elizabeth YanArsdale, of German descent and born in New Jersey. They had four children, our subject being the second of the family. Mariah, the eldest, died in New Jersey ; Ellen is married and resides in New Jersey; William resides near Raritan, this county. Mr. Cortelyon was married in New Jersey in 1847 to Miss Catharine Stevens. The following children have been born to them : Margaret (deceased), Harvey, Stephen (deceased), Eddie, Eugene (deceased). The family remained in New Jersey for eleven years after their marriage. They then came to Henderson county. Immediately after their arrival here he purchased 160 acres of land on the N.W, J of Sec. 10, forty acres of which was already improved. Mr. Cortelyon began life with but little, but by industry and good man- agement has succeeded well. For a large share of his success in life he attributes to the influence of noble woman, first to the counsels and admonitions of a kind mother, and second to the encouragement of a judicious wife. Robert H. Barnes, editor of the "Raritan Bulletin," is perhaps as well known and respected as any man in Henderson county. He was born in Lallarpe, Hancock county, Illinois, April 29, 1819 ; is the son of H. H. and M. D. Barnes. He commenced learning saddlery with George Newton in 1862, and worked at that trade and shoemaking for three years. He sold notions, etc., from 1866 to 1870, when he quit BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1131 business on account of declining health, and in tliat year, 1870, went to Arkansas. Here he spent his time for awhile in hunting, clerking on a cotton plantation and overseeing about ninety hands, mostly negroes. In the spring of 1871 he returned to La Harpe and was married to Miss Julia A. Butler March 19, 1871. Immediately thereafter returning south, he settled on a small farm near Raleigh, Tennessee, a watering place about nine miles northeast of Memphis. In the fall of the same year he returned to Raritan, Illinois, and started a saddlery and harness shop in com})any with S. D. Parsons. In 1873 he bought property and built a shop, 16x3'2, two stories high, the upper room of which was used for a grange and masonic hall. In 1875 S. D. Parsons retiring from business, he formed a partnershij) with G. H. Butler, his brother-in-law, and put in the first exclusive stock of hardware, and enlarged the building to 32x1:8. In the fall of 1876 he issued the first copy of the " Raritan Bulletin," a two-page paper, in size 5x7. This was issued in the interest of Hon. John Hungate, candidate for congress, and self. The subscription fee charged for this sheet was ten cents j)er annum. In about six months after he increased the size of the paper, as well as the subscription to twenty-five cents. The next year it was made a five-column two-page paper, and later a five-column four-page, and the subscription placed at $1 per annum, and finally in 1878 to a five-column eight-page, at the same price, circu- lating all over the Union. His wife died September 18, 1877, leaving a small babe five days old, Julia A., who is living with her grand- father Butler. Mr. Barnes was married a second time to Miss Ida M. Beard, March 17, 1880. By this union they have one child, Jettie M., born February 14, 1881. She died September 11, 1881. In the fall of 1881, he built a large business house, 32x64, two stories high, the upper part of which is wainscoted and ceiled with matched and grooved flooring, and is used as a town hall and for storing furniture. The lower floor of the building is used for storing implements. Jaques Yoorhees, one of the early pioneers of Bedford, was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, August 21, 1825, and was raised to farming. At the age of twenty-one he came with his father's family to Greene county, Illinois, in 1847. They made the journey through with teams and wagons and were twenty-four days on the road. On arriving at Greene Castle, Indiana, they were delayed and compelled to wait on account of high water. After waiting two days for a ferry to take them over the river, they went to work driving stakes in the river, by which means they managed to take their wagons to the other side, after which they swam their horses across. The next year after his arrival in Illinois he returned to his native state, and in 1850 cele- 64 1132 HISTORY OF MERCER AKD HENDERSON COUNTIES. brated his marriage with Miss Sarah Yoorhees, after which he returned to Illinois, settHng tirst in Fairview, Fulton county, where he bought a farm and remained till 1855. He then removed, settling near Earitan. At this time the whole country was one vast prairie. He bought 160 acres of choice praii'ie land of John Huston, on Sec. 10. After a resi- dence of two years he left the farm and moved to town and engaged in the mercantile business, in company with Abram Gulick. He con- tinued the business until 1876, when he sold his interest to Adam Crist. Eight children have been born to bless the happy home of Mr. and Mrs. Yoorhees : Mary Jane, Henry K., Lucian A., Eddie and Edwin, twins, Abram J., Elmer E., and Emerett. Mary J., Eddie, Abram and Emerett are- deceased. Mr. Yoorhees is of German descent, his grandfather, Abram J. Yoorhees, was Holland Dutch. He was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, in 1798. His parents emigrated to America in an early day, and settled in Xew Jersey. His mother was of French descent ; her maiden name was Mariah De Harp. His grandmother on his mother's side was Margarett Howell, and on his father's side Sarah Wycoff. Jaques Yoorhees, father of our subject, was first married to Miss Sarah Allen. She died while our subject was young. He was married a second time, to Miss Sarah . Schenck. She having died in 1819, he married Nancy Slack. By this union they had six children. Mr. and Mrs. Yoorhees' ai-e con- nected with the Baptist church of Raritan. There is probably not an old settler in the precinct of Bedford but who, if he were asked wdio the Tharp family are, would answer with- out an}' hesitation : ' ' One among the first and most honorable families of Henderson county. " Willia:^! Thakp, the subject of this sketch, was born .in Hunterton countv, New Jersev, in 1835, w^ere he received a liberal edncation at a common school, and was raised to farming. He came with his father to Fulton county in 1851, and a short time after came to Henderson county, where they purchased land on section 14, near the site of where Raritan now stands. He remained with his father, assisting him in the improvement of the new farm, until the spring of 1857, when he began clerking for Jaques Yoorhees. Here he obtained a knowledge of the mercantile business, in which he afterward embarked in company with Lewis B. Eltinge. They continued the busi- ness until 1859, when Eltinge sold his interest in the business to one Grovendyke. In 1860 he bought out Grovendyke's interest and has since that time carried on the business alone. In 1873 he built the largest and most substantial store building in Raritan, if not in the county, on lots 8 and 9, block G. The size of the building is 28x10, with twenty- two feet posts. The upper story is used as a masonic hall. His father, BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1133' Peter Tharp, was born in Hunterton county, New Jersey, in May,. 1801, and was married to Miss Catharine Bogart in August, 1828. The family moved to Fulton county in 1854. Mr. Tharp staid there a short time, and leaving his family he and William came to Earitan and bought a half section of land on the south side of the road west of town. When he came here there were no improvements on the prairie and only two or three houses in the neighborhood, — one two miles east of town known as the Hazelton house, one one-and-a-half miles southwest on Cornelious Schenck's farm, and one on William Cortelyon's farm one and a half miles west. They camped and lived in wagon box put on stakes driven in the ground to keep the snakes out, for six weeks, while they were putting up a house. After getting everything in readiness the family came on out, and they all com- menced battling for a livelihood. Uncle Peter, as he was familiarly called, next bought the quarter section upon which the northeast part of Raritan now stands. He gave the ground for the school-building, and also for the cemetery. He was one of the first officers elected in the Reformed church, of which he was an honored member. If uncle Peter Tliarp had an enemy in the neighborhood it is said that no one ever knew of it. Three daughters and four sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tharp. Three sons and one daughter are still living, all of whom are living in Illinois except Isaac, who is living at ISTortonville, Iowa. Mrs. Tharp was laid to rest in the beautiful little cemetery of Raritan, four years prior to Mr. Tharp's death. Before his death he had erected to her grave a beautiful head-stone, with two pillars, one of which was left blank to mark his own last resting-place. Dr. E. Beard is not identified with the history of Henderson county for so long a period as some others, but he has reached a position of prominence in the community by his own exertions as a successful practitioner. He attributes success to the fact that experience has tauglit him to throw aside many of the old dogmas of the early prac- tice, and to use such remedies as prove the least harmless, and afford the most speedy relief to the patient. Mr. Beard was born in Lees- burg, Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1820. In 1829 he removed from that state to Ohio, where he received his education, and graduated at the medical college of Columbus, Ohio. Soon after this he began the practice of medicine m that state, and continued it for seventeen years. He removed to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1865, and during his residence here his practice has extended over a large portion of the county, and he is classed among the most skillful and successful of the profession. He was married in Ohio in 1841, to Miss Mar}- Brady. Ten children, five boys and five girls, were born to them. Dr. Beard's 1131 HISTORY OF MERCER AJS^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. ancestry were of Scotcli-Irisli descent, and runs back to the Moors and Bradjs, of Virginia. His grandfather was born in Virginia in 1761. He removed from that state to Ohio, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-two. When a young man, he was a drummer in the revohition, and joined the army in company with a man with whom he was at that time learning a trade. After his service and the war was over, lie followed shoemaking as an occupation. The subject of this sketch, S. B. Van Aesdale, who is now passing his declining years in the village of Raritan, with all the comforts of life spread around him, was one among the iirst few enterprising band of pioneers who came to this county in "days that tried men's souls," and through whose influence the pillars of society were founded on the principles of virtue and knowledge. He was born in _N^ew York in 1815, and is the third child of a family of six children, and three only of whom are living. His sister, Catharine, wife of Garrett Statts, resides in New Jersey ; Peter B. resides in Fulton county, Illinois, and S. B. Van Arsdale resides at Glen Garden, New Jersey. His father having died in 1836, and his mother May 26, 1847, he came to Bli- nois, settling in Fulton county, in 1850. There he bought some land and began to improve and make a farm. During his settlement there he made a visit to Henderson county and was attracted with its natural advantages for agricultural purposes, but not until some time after this could he be induced to remove to the new eldorado. They returned to Fulton county and in a short time sold their farm there, and in the spring of 1856 came up and bought 160 acres of land on Sec. 22. He improved it and traded it for 180 acres on Sec. 7. Having bought a residence in town, he retired from business. He was married in New Jersey, in 1836, to Miss Joanna V. Bergen, Six children was the result of the union : Abraham, the eldest, born March 1, 1838, mar- ried Miss Mary Ann Huston, daughter of George Huston, one of the iirst early pioneers of Bedford precinct ; they have four children and live south of Raritan. Peter, born May 9, 1842, married Miss Amanda J. Huston ; they have three children. J. B. Van Arsdale, born October 30, 1841, married Miss Ann M. Lewis ; she having died, he married Sarah M. Brokaw. Peter served three years as a soldier in the late war, as a member of the 14th 111, Cav. Mr. Van Arsdale's grandfather, Abraham Van Arsdale, was born in Somerset county. New Jersey, December 2, 1750. He was a magistrate. His father was born in Holland, and emigrated to America in an early day and settled on Long Island. He was an only son, as was Mr. Van Arsdale's father. He was buried in Ilarlingen cemetery, Somerset county. New Jersey. Mr. Van Arsdale's grandmother, Margaret Keneday, was born in BEDFORD, TOWNSHIP. 1135 America. In Mrs. Van Arsdale's father's family were the following : James, the eldest, was born September 14, 1804; John, March 12, 1808; Joanna, June 7, 1813; Mariah, April 18, 1815; Peter and Philip Bergen, twins, March 5, 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Van Arsdale are members of the Reformed church. Matthew Huston, though a young man, is nevertheless worthy of a place in the history of his county, in which he was born and reared. From his youth he has been an active business man, and to him the community is indebted for the introduction of fine bred horses in the neighborhood, whicli business receives a part of his attention. He iirst began to raise graded cattle and blooded horses about 1870, and made it a success from the start. His farm and stables are in section 28 ; he has 108 acres. He was married in Henderson county Decem- ber 15, 1871, to Miss Minerva Lovett, whose parents were among the very first pioneers of the precinct, as were also tlie grandparents and father of Mr. Huston. Mr. Huston's father is Walter Huston, a retired farmer and resident of Raritan. Mr. Huston is an honored member of the masonic fraternity. William H. Cortelyon, one of the pioneer settlers of Bedford pre- cinct, was born in Somerset county, jS^ew Jersey, May 29, 1826, and was married in the same count}' to Miss Elizabeth M. Field, of the same place. Four children were the result of the union : Emma Elizabeth (wife of P. V. D. Simonson, was born in New Jersey), A. W. Cortelyon, Fannie A., and Lyon are all at home. His father, Abraham Cortelyon, was also born in Somerset county, JSTew Jersey, in 1795, and was married in 1817 to Miss Elizabeth Van Arsdale, of the same state. She was born in IMiddlesex county. His oldest sister, Mariah, was born in New Jersey in 1818. She married Chris-' topher B. Melick, of the same county. They had ten children. Ralph V. married Catharine Stephens, of the same county. He moved to this state in the spring of 1858. Ella P. married Richard Ilageman, of North Branch, New Jersey, where they still reside. William H. Cor- telyon is of German descent. His great-grandparents were Hollanders, who came to this country at a date unknown, but which must have been before the revolution. William Cortelyon, grandfather of our subject, was born in New Jersey and settled on Long Island. Mr. Cortelyon, in the spring of 1836, shipped his goods to Fulton county, where he had gone to visit friends, and in the meanwhile came to Henderson county to look at the country, and being satisfied with the appearance and prospect, he returned to Fulton county, and came back with lumber ready to build. The prairie grass was almost waist high all over. He bought his first land of David Rankin, in section 10. 1136 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. When he came out he brought five carpenters with him, and a house was soon erected ; but one day, when he was in town, a heavy wind- storm came up and carried away the newly-built edifice. Daniel Leinbach was born in Pennsylvania in 1811. He was a German by descent. He learned blacksmithing in Pottsville, that state, and followed the trade during his lifetime. He moved in an early day to Ohio, at the first settlement of that state, where he was married to Miss Julia Ann Messer. They raised a large family of children, among whom were Isaac, Henry, Mary Ann, Benjamin, Sarah J., Donald, Samuel E., Emma C, Hannah M., and James W. Mr. Leinbach came first to Fulton county in an early day and bought a farm, and resided for four years, when he removed to Henderson county, where he bought 160 acres of land in section 1, of John Huston. He hnproved it and made a fine farm, which is still owned by the heirs. His son, Daniel, a ftirmer, resides in Henderson county, near Karitan. He married Miss Elizabeth Huston January 1, 1871. John Bo wen was born in Giles county, Vii-ginia, in 1800, and is the son of John Harless Bowen. In his father's family there were fourteen children. His father died in that state. His mother was still living at the time he left the state. When a young man Mr. Bowen left his native state for Michigan with teams. When he arrived in Ohio he ran out of money and was forced to stop and seek employ- ment, which he found, and remained there three years. He then went to Michigan, and after a residence of five years came to Illinois in 1836. He first settled in McDonough county, and two years after came to Hancock, where seventeen years of his life was spent. He bought land in that county, and having three yoke of oxen, harness and w^agon, he was not long in making a start in life. He sold his land there in 1854 and removed to Henderson county. At one time he owned over a section of land. He was married in Virginia at the age of nineteen years to Miss Mary Burton. He is the father of the fol- lowing children: Ariminta, Marshall, Elizabeth, Lena, John R., Almeda, Catharine, W. H., James H.. Mary, Jonathan, Arena, Lafayette, Eliza, Warren, and two others who died while young. Though Mr. Bowen is now eighty-two years of age, he is quite active and attends to all the little odds and ends about the farm. In all his struggles with fickle fortune to gain a competence, and the severe trials through which he has passed, it is a source of great satisfaction to him in his declining days to know that he has the good will of all. He holds to the principles of Freemasonry, John H. Atkins was born in Elmira, New York, September 1 8, 1823. There he was educated, and meanwhile assisted his father. At BEDFORD TOWNSHIP. 1137 the age twelve years lie went to Pennsylvania, where he clerked in a conntry store for his uncle, after which he went back to New York and worked in a furniture shop, and later on the Erie canal, in the summer, and in the winter in the timber, chopping logs. He was mar- ried April 19, 1849, to Miss Abigal Dalrimple. After their marriage he moved to Stenben county, and from there to Schenectady county. Later he moved to Potter county. On the last day of October, 1854, they started for Lee county, Illinois, and in the 8])ring of 1857 came to Henderson county. On their arrival they found the soil unbroken. There were no roads and they could take a straight course to Burling- ton. No houses could be seen anywhere. There were living in the neighborhood at that time David Thompson, William Yan Doran and James Statts, from Ohio, and Charles Edward. Mr. and Mi-s. Atkins began life under the most unfavorable circumstances. They, however, went to work with a determination. They now own a tine farm and a house that cost $8,000 when built. Their children are : Sarah (wife of Mr. Frank Everett, of New Mexico), Mary Jane (deceased), and Abner D. , who is residing at home. He was married to Miss Alice Biggs, of this county. Mr. Atkins' grandfather was a Scotchman, who emigrated to America at the age of eighteen. He was a soldier in the revolution, and lived to be 104 years old. Mr. Atkins' father volun- teered during the revolution and was present when Gen. Ross was killed. His eldest brother enlisted as a drummer and was ])romoted to lieutenant. Mr. Atkins was drafted during the late war and imme- diately responded, leaving his family and his thriving business to vin- dicate upon the tented field the principles that he cherished. Li the days when the expression of abolition sentiments subjected a man to social and political obliquy, he hesitated not to espouse the anti- slavery cause, and never turned his back upon the dusky fugitive that asked for succor while escaping to freedom. The fundamental princi- ples of the republican party have received his warm support from beginning to the present tiriie. He is a member of the masonic frater- nity. Hugh G. Woodside was born in Washington county, Yirginia, June 30, 1825, When about nine years old he came with his father's family, in the fall of 1837, and settled in the northwest corner of Mc- Donough county, where his father bought a quarter-section of land on which there was slight improvement. After he had made some im- provements and lived on the place a short time, a man with a forged title came on and his father bought that also. He remained on the place until the time of liis death, in 1854. He was married in North Carolina to Miss Jane Galliher. They had seven children : Nancy, 1138 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Mary, James, Julia, William and H. G., the SHbjc'ct. One other was born in North Carolina and died there while young. Mi-. H. G. Wood- side was married in McDonough county in 1851 to Miss Catharine Wilson, of the same county. Thirteen children was the result of this union, as follows : Nancy, Jane, William, Henry, Edward, Annetta, Andrew E., Alonzo, Grant, Charles, Minnie. Those not named died while young. His grandfather, James Woodside, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Woodside received such an education as the times afforded. He was a pupil in the first school established in Bedford precinct. This was a subscription school and was held in a log house near Bedford church. Mr. Woodside has been chosen assessor of Bedford precinct for several years. Joseph S. King was born in Ireland in 1824, and emigrated to America in 1845. He landed in New York and resided there twelve years, during which time he worked by months' wages as a common farm hand. He managed to save from his monthly earnings about $400, which, on Coming to Henderson county in 1856, he invested in ninety-five acres of land. This is the place which Jacob Ford now owns. He sold the same two years after he had bought it to Charles Marshall. The land fell back into his hands again. He then sold it to David Kankin. He next bought the farm on which he now lives, and altogether he owns TOO acres, besides some town property. In 1877 he built one of the most substantial farm buildings to be seen in the country, at a cost of $8,000. Standing on an elevated plat ot ground, this building presents an imposing picture and mark of enter- prise. When he came to this state he lived in a log cabin 14x16. Fourteen years after Mr. King's arrival in America his parents came over. His father, James King, died in Henderson county. His mother is still living at the age of eighty years. They were born in the north part of Ireland. There were eight children in the family, three of whom are deceased ; the rest, with the exception of one, re- side in this state : Sarah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Jane, Susan, Mary, Samuel and Alexander. Mr. King was first married in New York. His wife having died, he was married again to Miss Julia McLain. For the first seven months' labor in this country Mr. King received $50, half of which was paid in clothing. After working for two years he sent all his earnings home to Ireland to assist through the famine. He was educated at a high school in the county of Monaghan, Ireland. He is much interested in educational matters and the development of societv and religion. Jle has held the ofiice of school director for many years. They are members of the United Presbyterian church. In politics he is a republican. TWELFTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 1139 JosiAH Brokaw (deceased), son of tlie late Major Brokaw, of Fair- view, Fulton county, Illinois, was born near West Somerset county, New Jersey, April 25, 1829, and was married in 1850, to Miss Mary Ann Groendyke, by which union resulted seven children : Georgia Anna, wife of J. T. Owens, of Mercer county, Illinois; Gertrude D., wife of M. Cox; Ida,* wife of George Stephenson; Frederick V. L., Edmond E. (deceased), Garat A., and Charles N. Mr. Brokaw was one of the first pioneer settlers of Bedford precinct. He came into the neighborhood about the year 1831, and purchased a large tract of land, at which time there were but a few houses in the neighborhood within sight of his dwelling. The whole country around was one vast prairie. It was only a few years after this that the tide of emigration set in, when many others followed,, and began the erection of dwellings, fences, etc. At an early day the settlement went by the name of the Brokaw settlement, until the progressive enlargement of its domain, when its name gave way to a more distinctive appellation, more suited to the growing spirit of the times. Then came the familiar Simonsons, Yoorheeses and Neviuses, with many other families and households, who soon made the prairie to smile and bring forth the fruits of industry. Through all the signs of eventful growth, Mr. Brokaw, though young in years, was regarded as the father of the settlement. Every new- comer received more or less of his help and guidance, and always a welcome at his house. The string of his cabin latch was always hang- ing at the door in sight of all. Happy days were these, though days of toil and anxiety. In the development of the prosperity of the settle- ment Mr. Brokaw lent his aid in securing religious services on the Sabbath. The lirst sermon was preached at his house,, and after the establishment of the Reformed church he became a member. From that time to the time of his death, in February, 1879, he had by his liberality and example done much toward promoting its prosperity. Before his death he had been chosen a member of the consistory, and was to have been ordained to the office of deacon the day of his burial. His remains repose in the cemetery of Raritan, where a monument appropriate to his past worth and usefulness has been erected. TWELFTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. Several men from Henderson county were enrolled in this regiment, most of them in Co. L. Mercer county also furnished a very few. Col. Arno Yoss, of Chicago, commanded the 12th a year and a half from its organization early in 18()2, and was succeeded by Lieut. -Col. 1140 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Hasbrouck Davis, of the same citj, wlio served as colonel from that time till after the close of the war. The regiment was ordered to Virginia, where it made a monumental reputation. At Frjatt's Farm Lieut. -Col. Davis, with about eighty men, performed one of the most daring and dashing exploits of the war. His camp was attacked at daybreak by 800 of Ashby's cavalry ; he ordered a charge, and the rebels were driven to Darkesville on the Winchester road. There they made a determined stand, protected by houses and stone walls ; but his men, giving no heed to obstructions or numbers, dashed down^ upon them with drawn sabers, cutting and slashing right and left, like loosed demons. Seized with consternation, the rebels fled in tearing rout, leaving between forty and fifty of their number in Davis' hands, and from twenty-five to thirty of their dead on the ground. His loss was less than twenty wounded, three or four mortally. The regiment was shut up with Gen. AVhite's command at Harper's Ferry in Septem- ber, 1862; but having permission to cut their way out, managed to slip away at night without detection, and on nearing Williamsport, Maryland, came upon a rebel supply-train, captured 112 wagons loaded with ammunition and provisions, a drove of beef cattle, and fifty pris- oners. The whole history of the 12tli sparkles with exciting episodes like these. At one time Lieut. -Col. Davis, with 300 of the regiment, went on the "Stonewall raid," moving from Thompson's Cross Roads to Gloucester Point, passing between Lee's army and Richmond, and within two miles of the rebel capital. In scouts and skirmishes it was abundant; in battles it fought at Aldie, Upperville, Gettysburg, Boonesboro, Burevola, Funkstown, Williamsport, Jones' Cross Roads, Falling Waters, Chester Gap, Rappahannock, Culpepper, Raccoon Ford, Madison, Germania Ford, Steven sburg, and Brents ville. The cam- paign of 1863 being ended, the 12th came home to Chicago to recruit and reorganize. When its ranks were again full it went, in February, 1861, to St. Louis ; thence to New Orleans and Alexandria, fighting at the latter place on five dift'erent days of April and May. In the latter month it fought also at Markville, Yellow Bayou, and Morganzia. It performed a variety of service in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi, until February 28, 1865, when 120 ofiicers and 200 men whose term had expired were discharged, and the remainder were consolidated into an eight-company organization. SEVENTH MISSOURI CAVALRY. 1141 SEVENTH MISSOURI CAVALHY. In the summer of 1861 William Bishop, of Missouri, began recruit- ing in this state what was known as the Blackhawk Cavalry, an inde- pendent regiment, which he rendezvoused at Warsaw. About the first of August a certain Crumpton from that place arrived in Oquawka and persuaded T. W. Kinsloe, merchant, to enlist a compan}^, and remained a short time to assist him. Kinsloe at once addressed himself to this object, and being further aided bj James Yance, John A. Pence and AVilliam Morris, in little more than a month had sixty-nine men, in- cluding a dozen or more from Keithsburg, whom he took down to Warsaw, There company E was organized and officered, Kinsloe being chosen captain, Vance, first lieutenant, and Pence, second lieutenant. Col. Bishop assembled nine fractional companies, and, after drilling them a few weeks without arms, crossed the com- mand over to Alexandria, Missouri, where it remained about the same length of time and then went to Macon. On February 20, 1862, this battalion and Capt. Louis' company of cavalry were consolidated and named the Seventh Missouri Cavalry. Capt. Daniel Huston, Jr., 1st reg. U. S. Inf., was appointed colonel ; Col. Bishop, lieutenant-colonel ; and Daniel McKee, major. Dissatisfied at being assigned to a sub- ordinate position. Col. Bishop immediately resigned. On the 25th the mounted companies A (Capt. N. A. Winters) and B (Capt Foster B. Hawks), which had been attached to the 22d Mo. Vols., were trans- ferred to the 7th. On March Tth the two unattached companies of cavalry commanded by Capt. Frederick C. Loring and Capt. Benjamin T. Humphrey were consolidated with the 7tli. On the 12th company B of this regiment was ordered to be broken up and the men dis- tributed among other companies of the command. Companies E and H were at the same time consolidated and lettered D, and Capt. William McKee, of company B, was placed in command of the new company. There being now an excess of officers, Capt. Kinsloe was mustered out. None of the officers of the Blackhawk Cavalry received commissions until the various consolidations had taken place, and that battalion was only indifferently mounted and armed ; but after the changes spoken of the regiment was provided with sabers and Hall's carbines, and grew to be well disciplined and efficient. In the spring the regiment moved to Booneville, and was separated into detachments, six companies going to Lexington, two to Pleasant Hill, and four to Independence. On the 11th of August companies B and D at Independence, together with a few Missouri state militia, 1142 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. commanded b^- Lieut. Col. Biiell, of the Ttli, had a sharp enga.o;ement, lasting six hours, against 800 rebels, under Quantrell and Hughes. A part of the federals got away, and the surrender of the rest was agreed uj)on with the stipulation that the wounded on both sides should be per- mitted to remain at Independence till able to be removed. The prisoners were paroled. Company D had seven killed and about a dozen wounded. Soon after another detachment of the regiment had a combat at Lone Jack ; and the Ttli was ordered to Arkansas, where it took part in the battle of Prairie Grove, December T, 1862. Capt. McKee and several men of company D were killed, and a large number wounded. The same month Yance was promoted captain and Pence iirst-lieutenant. The regiment had an engagement at Saline river in August, 1863, and a little later took part in the fighting around Little Rock, and the capture of the city. After that it was divided, and kept scouting and doing guard duty, until the muster-out of the non-veterans at St. Louis in November, 1861. On January 1, 1865, the re-enlisted men and recruits of the 7th Cavalry were encamped at Pine Bluif, where the regiment had been for a long time stationed under Maj. Brawner. The duties at this place were severe, owing to its being the advanced post of the army, and the month of January was spent in carefully scouting the country in the direction of the enemy. The regiment having been depleted by the muster-out of a large number of its members, in February, 1865, it was consolidated with the 1st Missouri Cavalry, the designation of the latter being preserved ; and thus the name and organization of the 7th Missouri Cavalry disappeared. BALD BLUFF TOWNSHIP. " The white man hmded, — Need 4he rest be told ? " — Byron. Bald Bluff precinct stretches across the entire north end of Hen- derson county. In its narrowest width it is scarcely three and one-half miles. Its greatest breadth is a little more than four and one-half miles. The greatest length is nine miles. It is made up of section 12, range 4, and section 12, range 5, the latter comprising about one- third of its territory. It is bounded on the north by Mercer county, and on the east by Warren ; on the south by Greenville and Oquawka precincts, and on the west by the Mississippi river. Its area is over thirty-four sections, or about 22,0(X) acres of land. Of that portion of BALD BLUFF TOWNSHIP. 1143 the precinct which is in section 12, range 5, very little can be utilized for purposes of cultivation, it being sand which was deposited by the Mississippi in the ages that have forever gone by. Conjecture, and the almost unerring guide of science, would lead us to the belief that this was once the bottom of a mighty inland sea. Here once from bluif to bluff rolled the murmuring sound of its waters, and over this space the terrible billow has chased others of its kind when lashed into fury by the howling storm. This part has a few farms opened in it which will scarcely pay the cost of cultivation, while some of it is only barren sand. The greater part of it is thickly covered with a species of oak known in common parlance as the "'black jack," inter- spersed thinly with a few other varieties. This "black jack" makes excellent fuel, the onh^ purpose for which it is nmcli used. Of that part which is in section 12, range 4, a considerable portion is marked by the same features as that of section 12, range 5, but it has a differ- ent soil from it, most of it being covered with a rich alluvial deposit, and wash fi'om the high bluffs which lie to the eastward. The bluff bends in a crescent shape, which at its farthest point almost touches the line between the two townships in section 18. Immediately at the foot of the bluff' is soil as fertile as may be found in the wide realm that is known to man ; made up of the wash of vegetable decay which has been collecting for ages. The generous sun has touched for count- less years the vegetation of these bluff's, and with a lavish extravagance the}' poured their wealth of soil down on the bosom of their sister, the low land beneath. How quick and bright her smile when her son's hands carress her. How lavish are the gifts she laughingly bears upon her bosom, a generous wealth of golden harvest e'en though it be tickeled with the rudest implement. To the east of this depression rises the abrupt bluffs, and once upon its crest may be seen stretching away as far as the eye can reach a superb plain gently rolling as though nature had given a slightly convulsive sob and left undisturbed its gentle upheavals. The bluff in section 18 reaches its farthest point west and comes to an abrupt point when it recedes again. It rises abruptly some 300 feet above the country to the westward, and from its sparse vegetation years ago it received the name of Bald Bluff, from whence comes the name of the precinct. From here is seen the finest view in the county, and is perhaps unsurpassed in the state. Look- ing westward one sees for a distance of a mile well cultivated and highly productive land, then comes a stretch of two miles thickly set with the shrubby, gnarly '•'blackjack" oak, beyond which the majestic Mississippi may be seen rolling onward to the sea, bearing on its bosom water-craft of almost ever}- kind which are hurrying to the 1144 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. marts of the world heavily laden with the products of the soil, or bear- ing proudly on their decks those who are hurrying away from the sultry south to find a season of rest among the lake-dotted prairies of the north, where the pure and inspiring breeze will kiss back to cheeks now pale and wan the glow of health. On beyond this one's gaze is lost in the misty maze that hovers o'er Iowa's fair prairie land. Looking south, and a little to the westward, ten miles in the dis- tance, may be seen Oquawka nestling close beside the gallant Missis- sippi, on her eastern shore. While further on, more than a score of miles away, one beholds, looking skyward, the tall and graceful spires of Burlington's temples of worship, and the smoke of a thousand industries, where strive the honest, manly sons of toil, rising heaven- wai'd to join its kind among the clouds. To the northwest Keithsburg may be seen modestly trying to con- ceal herself among the trees, which her tasty citizens have set along- side her thordughtkres. Here nature is more profuse in her display than for miles around. " Here summer first unfolds her robes, And here the longest tarries." Here is the favorite pleasure resort of the people for many miles around. From here the last remnant of Black Hawk's tribe, whose hands were reeking with the gory tribute of revenge, standing upon the point of this bluff, while its rounded crest is gilded with the glitter and glare of the rapidly sinking May-day evening sun, with heaving bosoms and tear-stained faces they bade a last sad adieu to their home of other days, and were soon gone across the Mississippi, to return — never. Here, July 4, 1S51, occurred a very serious accident. A swing had been put up on the point of the bluff, so that in its sweep to and fro it went far out over the side of the bluff. Among others, in her turn, a Miss Nancy Yan Eaton was in the swing when it broke, precipitating her a'distance of forty feet, where she was picked up more dead than alive by W. H. Heaton. She recovered and is still living. July 4, 1862, at a celebration occurred an event intensely interest- ing to the rude element, which formed so large a part of society of that time, being a desperate list encounter between two rival devotees of the art of bruising. Tlie conflicting statements of spectators, colored in many cases by prejudice, would lead us to the belief that the result was satisfactory to neither party. One of the combatants, St. Clair (Chane) Watts, afterward enlisted in the 60th 111. Reg., of which he was chosen color-bearer, and his was the first flag planted on the walls BALD BLUFF TOWNSHIP. 1145 of Fort Donelson, thus proving that his courage was not all of the lower order. He went through the war without a scratch. This tract was nearly all military land. The precinct is one of the last settled in the county. Who the first settler was we have been unable to definitely ascertain. The earliest one of which we have any definite information is Moses Cowan, who settled on Sec. 18, about the year 1836 ; the farm is now occupied by W. H. Phelps. John P. Robinson settled one mile south of the bluff" about the same date, and Isaiah Willetts on Sec. 8, Dr. Thomas Willetts on Sees. 4 and 5. James Fullerton was also one of the first settlers. He built a cabin on the S, W. ^ of See. 8, known as the Heaton farm. James Halsey settled near where Belmont church now stands, in the year 1842, and in the year following built the first frame house in the precinct. Charles Watson, who subsequently married a daughter of Mr. Halsey, came the same year, opening a farm near by, upon which he still lives. Luther Watson, a brother of Charles, came about the same time, and settled near. James Heaton and his sons settled on this quarter, and bought it in 1852. They also purchased the quarter south of it, and the N.W. ^ of Sec. 17, where they lived until 1870. They claim to have raised 100 bushels of corn to the acre on the part of this land, which adjoins the timber on the north side of the bluff". They also raised three tons of hay to the acre. When the land was new it was very productive, thirty bushels of spring wheat being an average yield. Thomas Flack, a son of merry England, settled on section 9, and by dint of hard toil and careful economy he has gathered about him a competence. William R. Green located at his present home, on section 16, in 1851. He was the first justice of the peace ever elected in the pre- cinct, and also was its first school treasurer. His son Charles, who helped his father change this virgin prairie into a highly productive farm, has, for nearly a score of years, been post-master at the county seat. In 1852 John Cooper, a native of Peimsylvania, with his parents,' came to Wayne county, Indiana, soon after which his father died. He grew to manhood ; learned the trade of a carpenter. Thinking to better his fortunes, in 1852 he walked and drove twenty-five head of cattle and sixteen head of hogs across Indiana and through Illinois to Henderson county. In company with his brother, Moses, he bought a quarter section in Greenville precinct, and went to work on it. A few years subsequently he sold to his brother and bought in Bald Bluff", where he now owns a thousand acres of well cultivated land, with good buildings, which were built with his own hands. 11-16 HISTORY OF MEKCEE AND HENDEESON COUNTIES. William Morris, who subsequeiitlj entered the army and became a ca])tain, settled in the southeast corner of the precinct in 1852, where he nows owns a splendid farm. He is also largely interested in cattle growing in the Indian Territory. John Laird settled, about the same time, just across the river from Capt. Morris, and is still living there. James Armstrong and John Rowley, brothers-in-law, came from Boston, Massachusetts, and settled on section 10, which was then an unbroken j^rairie, which they now own and have transformed into highly productive farms. Solomon Clark had settled, in 1854, on Sec. 12, T. 12, R. 5, and in the same year James D. Clark, now a leading grocer in Keithsburg, opened a farm in the same vicinity. Two years subsequently to this, in the spring, Henry Clark built the house now occupied by T. J. Moffett, on section 7, and moved his family from Fountain county, Indiana, into their new home in the autumn following. About this time the Specs, another family of Clarks, and a man by the name of Taylor, settled to the west and farther south in section 12, range 5. The first school taught in the precinct was taught by Mary Bool Glancey, now Mrs. Thomas J. Moifett, in 1851. The school-house was built of logs and stood on section 18, on the west slope of the bluff. The principal patron of the school was Isaiah Willetts, Esq., now of Keithsburg, with whom the school mistress boarded. Mrs. Moffett now lives near the scene of her early labor. There are now seven schools in the precinct, known as Centreville and Sunny Grove, in section 12, range 5, and Belmont, Douglas, Harmony, Cornstalk, and Sixteen, in section 12, range 4 — all in a flourishing condition with the exception of No. 2, Douglas, which seems to be a bone of contention among those who should be its most ardent su])]5orters. CHURCHES. , There are but two churches in the precinct, the Belmont Episcopal church and the Wesleyan Methodist, of Bald Bluff, both of which are in a flourishing condition. When the Belmont church society was organized, is a date in its history which we have not been able to rec- oncile, on account of conflict of authority, but prior to the building of the church edifice, the society held meetings at different places, among them Belmont school-house, which were ofliciated at by itinerant ministers. Early in 1860 the people resolved to have a church build- ing and immediately took the necessary steps to do so, as the following •exhibit will show : ^6.9iiicyil^ eiyy^l^ BALD BLUFF TOWNSHIP. 1149 State of Illinois, \ County of Henderson, j We do hereby certify that at a meeting of the society of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, holden at tlie Belmont school-house, in Dist. No. 6,T. 12 X.,R. 4 ^V. of the 4th P.M., on the 14th day of Marcli, 1860, for the election of trustees. We, the undersigned, were duly elected under the name and title of the Trustees of the Belmont Methodist Episcopal church, and tliat the term of service of said trustees expires when they shall be removed by death or a vote of said society. Given under our hands and seals this 26th day of March, 1865. Charles Watson, Royal Rajstney, William Armstrong, William Mory, Luther Watson, James H. Huleck, Jeremiah Bivens, George Sloan, James IIollinroke. The congregation is now under the leadership of Rev. Cole ; has a membership of about fifty. The Belmont church has been a power in the upholding of the cause of Christ in its vicinity. The building is a frame structure, 28x40, and was built in the year 1860. BALD BLUFF WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH. BY REV. A. R. BROOKS. This church was organized Marcli 15, 1868, Rev. J. A. McGiha'a, pastor ; R. E. Cassel, class steward. The following is a list of the church members at the time of organization : R. E. Cassel, Perry Cooper, Francis Ann Cooper, William Golf, Mary Goif, Francis Pat- tern, Lycurgus Cooper, Leroy Cooper, Harriet Crawford, Christian Edwards, Judith Miller. This little band worshiped for a long time in Sixteen school-house, but in the year 1878 they erected a commodious house of worship. This work was due in a great measure to the untir- ing labors of the Rev. Joseph Campbell. The following is a list of the pastors who have served the church since its organization : Revs. J. A. McGilvra, organizer, from March 15, 1867, to September, 1868 ; S. G. Cheny, April, 1868, to April, 1871 ; F. Barton, April, 1871, to September, 1871 ; A. D. Manly, September, 1871, to September, 1872 ; H. Breckenridge, September, 1872, to September, 1874 ; L. Davis, September, 1874, to September, 1875 ; Joseph Campbell, September, 1875, to September, 1878 ; W. W. Stewart, September, 1878, to Sep- tember, 1879 ; A. R. Brooks, present pastor. This church has passed through severe trials, being strictly reform- atory in its organization and discipline, and holding definitely to the doctrine of vital hoHness as a distinct christian attainment in personal. 65 1150 HISTORY OF MERCEE AND HE^VDERSON COUNTIES. experience. Mam^ souls have been converted to the Saviour through the instrumentality of this organization. So"me of its original mem- bers have now passed over to the silent majority ; some have gone to distant lands and are still laboring to build up the Master's kingdom there. The church is striving amid much opposition to advance the cause of true religion. It maintains regular services, has two out- stations, and carries on a union Sabbath school. The church building is now ovraed in part by the said Wesleyan Methodist church and in part by a joint stock company. List of present members : A. Patten, Frances Patten, Mary Ball, Peuben Ball, Louisa Rieketts, James Smith, Croyse, Richard McCullen, A. P. Brooks, M. E. Brooks, Hattie Brooks, William Speck, Olive M. Sjjeck, Louisa Staley. The church membership at present scarcely exceeds in number the original charter members. Its membership has been greatly diminished of late by emigration and removal of members. Bald Bluif precinct was a part of Oquawka until its separate organi- zation, September 8, 1858. Commencing on the line dividing "Warren and Henderson counties, where the Henderson river crosses said line, thence following said river west to where it crosses the east and west Knes through center of Sec. 29, T. 12, P. 4 W. ; thence due west to the Mississippi river ; thence with the river to the Mercer county line ; thence east to the line between Warren and Henderson counties. September 10, 1874, by order of the county board, the following terri- tory was added : all that part of T. 12 K., P. 4 W. fr3rmerly belong- ing to Greenville precinct, except the west half of section 33, and that part of sections 31 and 32 lying south and east of Henderson river. Fifty years ago there was not a white inhabitant in the precinct. The census of 1880 showed it to have a population of 964 souls. Below is a list of justices of the peace and constables, with the date of their qualification, after the separate organization of the precinct : Justices of the peace: John Powley, !N^ovember 31, 1857 ; Will- iam P. Green, November 2, 1858 ; William R. Green, November 5, 1861 ; James Kile, November 7, 1865 ; William P. Green, November 31, 1868 ; James Kile, November 2, 1869 ; William R. Green, November 2, 1869 ; James Mitchell, November 8, 1870 ; James Kile, November 4, 1873 ; John H. Rice, November 7, 1876 ; William E. Smith, November 6, 1877 ; John H. Rice, November 6, 1877; John H. Rice, November 8, 1881 ; John Home, June 5, 1882. Constables : James H. Halsey, November 21, 1858 ; Andrew L. Morris, November 3, 1859 ; Andrew L. Morris, November 5, 1861 ; Arthur Roberts, June 14, 1862 ; Merit R. Green, November 3, 1 863 ; Elisha, N. Kile, November 27, 1867 ; Levi W. Armstrong, December BALD BLUFF TOWNSHIP. 1151 19, 1868 ; Merit R. Green, November 2, 1869 ; Henry Hodson, November 4, 1873 ; James Z. McCurdy, November 4, 18T3 ; Merit E. Green, November 4, 1874 ; William Morris, November 6, 1877 ; F. M. Scott, November 6, 1877 ; Henry Hodson, November 4, 1879 ; Merit R. Green, June 8, 1881 ; Merit R. Green, November 8, 1881. BIOGRAPHICAL. John Cooper, one of the largest landholders in this section of the county, was born July 8, 1817. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Jennings) Cooper, were natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. Li 1817 they moved to Wayne county, Indiana, where he. (AVilliam Cooper) died a few years later, and is buried in the orthodox Quakers' graveyard. His wife is still living (1882) at the advanced age of ninety-six years. William Cooper was a soldier in the war of 1812. He became the father of nine children : Perry (died in Kansas), Moses (of Henderson county), John, Sarah (now Mrs. Lewis McCIain), Bald- win (of Wayne county, Indiana), Anna, Ephraim, Matilda (dead), and Eunice. All came to Illinois except Sarah. John Cooper was bom in Washington county, Pennsylvania. He was but three months old when his parents removed to Indiana. His life thus far has been sixty- five years of rural surroundings and experiences. His schooling was acquired in the log school-house, with its slab benches, mud chimney, etc. His youthful arm wielded the axe that felled tree after tree till the Indiana farm was cleared. At the age of eighteen years he engaged at the carpenter's trade, which he followed fifteen j-ears. He became owner of a large part of the Indiana homestead. In 1852 he sold his property and started for Illinois. He drove about fifty head of cattle and ten or fifteen head of hogs from Indiana to Henderson county, walking all the way himself. The journey was a tedious one, so muddy was it. Mr. Cooper, in company witli his brother Moses, bought 160 acres of land in T. 11 N., R. 4 W. In two or three years he sold his interest to his brother and purchased in Bald Blufl" precinct. He has continued adding till he now has 1,014 acres of land. He has done his own building. Industry and economy of time by expenditure in machinery, etc., have marked his career. Although Mr. Cooper has been town trustee and has filled some minor oftices, yet he meddles but little with politics any more than to vote his republican principles. Mr. Cooper was married March 6, 1845, to Martha Smith, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana. She died leaving two children : Rauseldon, born December 24, 1845, now state's attorney for Henderson county, and Martha Elnoi-a, born June 21, 1847. Mr. Cooper was next married, October 27, 1864, to Mary A. .1152 HISTOKY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Crawford, dangliter of Jacob and Sopliia Crawford, then of Henderson county. She was born in "Wayne county, Indiana. This union has been blessed witli nine children : Frank, born September 6, 1S65 ; Carleton, born January 10, 1867; Emma, born December 15, 1868; John, born October 16, 1870 ; Eva, born August 16, 1872 ; Ada, born April 30, 1874 ; Sophia, born March 1, 1876 ; Howard, born August 15, 1879; and Jennie, born April 10, 1882. Mr. Cooper's portrait is found in its proper place. George H. Yogt was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, June 9, 1836. He is the son of Frederick and Caroline Yogt. The elder Yogt carried on the tanning business, and George learned the trade and worked at the business at ChandlersWlle, Ohio. At the age of twenty- two Mr. Yofft reached the conclusion that it was not good for man to be alone (he felt that way about himself at least), and on November 1, 1858, he was married to Miss Sarah S. Few, daughter of Thomas and Harriet Few. Mr. Yogt removed from Ohio to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1867, and after a residence of four years in Mercer he located in Henderson county, where he now resides. He considers farming his legitimate business, but still he has such a fondness for live stock that he does a great deal of buying and shipping of cattle and hogs. Mr. Yogt. has been a member of the I.O.O.F. since 1861, and a member of the masonic fraternity since 1857. The lirst ballot that Mr. Yogt had the honor of depositing for President was given to the ""Little Giant'' of Illinois ; but he is now, and has been for a good many years, a mem- ber of the republican party. When Mr. and Mrs. Yogt started up the steps of time together, they had the misfortune to have their residence consumed by fire and all their goods destroyed ; but their hearts did not fail them because of their misfortune ; it rather nerved them for a more earnest battle with life's cares. Mrs. Yogt was born in Muskin- gum county, Ohio, March 10, 1839. They have three children : Durward F., Fannie M., and Lewis S. Mr. Yogt has an excellent farm of 160 acres under a good state of cultivation. The parents of Mr. Yogt were natives of Germany. Mr. Yogt is a genial, big-hearted, companionable gentleman, and has a strong sympathy for all mankind. Reuben S. AVolff was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Julv 30, 1832. He is the son of Christian and Steinner Wolff. Thev were born, respectively, October 30, 1791, and March 6, 1781, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He went with his parents to Cum- berland county in the spring of 1870. He is a carpenter by trade and followed the business for some years. He came to Henderson county in the spring of 1871. Here he is engaged in farming. He was married in 1852 to Caroline Mellinger, daughter of L. Mellinger. He is a Universalist in religion. BALD BLUFF TOWNSHIP. 1153 Mrs. Kaxcy IIakkis, daughter of Richard and Anna Gregar, was born in Kentucky, February 12, 1S17. She married Nelson Harris ; came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1861. They lived in the village of Joy about four years ; they then moved to Henderson county, Illinois, where she lives at present. She was married in April, 1838. He died February 1, 1870. She is an Episcopalian. A. Russell was born December 5, 1827, in the State of Ohio. He came to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1835, and located near where Gladstone now stands. Here he followed farming and stone quarrying until 1858, wlien he bought a farm in the northeast part oi' Henderson county, where he resided until his death, which occurred June 2, 1879. He left a wife and two children to mourn his departure. The elder child of the two is William L., w^ho was born August 24, 1857 ; and the other is Park, born August 29, 1860. Mrs. Russell, to whom Mr. Russell was married September 22, 1856, was Miss Elmira Cowan, daughter of John and Sarah Cowan, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Russell was born in Warren county, Ohio, September 21, 1824. In 1829 she went with her family to Indiana, and resided there until 1836, when they removed to Hender- son county, Illinois, where Mrs. Russell's home has ever since been. Geo. W, Ditto was born in Shelby county, Ohio, March 29, 1820. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1836, where he remained until 1840. He then removed to Texas, where he resided until 1849, when he returned to Mercer county. He was married March 9, 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of John F. and Nancy Da\'is. She was born July 13, 1834, She was the sixth daughter. Her parents came to Illinois in 1835, and settled in Pike county, near the Fall river. Mr. Ditto bought a farm here and put improvements on it, and in 1852 he came to Henderson county, and improved the farm on which he now resides. Mr. Ditto has been school director of Douglass district for thirty years. He owns 667 acres of land. He is a strong greenbacker politically. John Rowley was born in Connaught county, Ireland, September 4, 1818. He removed with his parents to New Brunswick in 1839, and remained there until 1844. He then removed to Massachusetts, where he remained until 1854, and then came to Henderson county, Illinois. He formerly worked at the tanner's trade ; but since he has been a resident of Illinois he has devoted his time to farming. He was married in 1849, to a daughter of William and Mary Armstrong. They have four children: William J,, born January 11, 1850; Janney R., December 26, 1858; George H., August 12, 1867; Samuel, August 24, 1868. He has a farm of 420 acres of good land, 1154 HISTORY OF IMERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. all well improved, with good buildings. He organized the first school district ever organized in the township. He was formerly a repub- lican, but is now a greenbacker. John Laird was born in Scotland in 1826. He was educated in L-eland in the connnon schools. He came to Henderson county, Illi- nois, in 1850, where he has since resided. He has always followed farming as a business. He was married July 3, 18-48, in New York, to Elizabeth Mason, who was the daughter of James and Margaret Mason. She died at the age of twenty-seven years, and Mr. Laird again married, tliis time selecting the daughter of James and Ellen y enable. The names of their children are : George, born August 18, 1858 ; Jennie, born November 10, 1860 ; Ralpli, February 15, 1862 ; Joseph, born January 13, 1865; Charlie, born October 15, 1867; Levi, born January 15, 1880; and Staley, born March 1, 1881. Mr, Laird owns a farm of 500 acres. He is a democrat politically. Thomas S. Flack was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 12, 182L Lie removed with his father's family to Virginia in 1837. He received only a common school edneation. He followed teaming from Columbia to Baltimore from 1843 to 1853. He then removed to Oquawka, Henderson county, Illinois, remaining in that town but a short time, and then removing on the farm on which he now lives. He has been very successful in his efforts in life. He now owns a fine farm of 400 acres of good land, and it is all imder a good state of cultivation. His buildings are all good and he has plenty of all kinds of stock around him. S^vjviuEL Mickey was born in Richland countv, Ohio. He came to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1851. He received a common school education. He came to Illinois with a team, the trip being long and tedious in those early days. Mr. Mickey learned the blacksmith trade, wliich business he followed for ten years, in partnership with James Cunningham in Oquawka, at the end of which time he removed to Bald Blufi' township, and engaged in farming in the spring of 1865. Mr. Mickev is a member of the Odd-Fellows order. He is a Methodist in his church relations. He was married in 1852. He is in good circumstances. William Morris was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, October 20, 1820. His parents were Virginians. He received a common school education, and came to Illinois and located in Henderson county in 1846. Mr. Morris took a trip overland to Colorado in 1850 and re- turned in 1851 to Illinois. In 1861 Mr. Morris enlisted as a private soldier in the Union army and took his place in the Blackhawk cavalry. At the battle of Independence he received a wound in the head from a BALD BLUFF TOWNSHIP. 1155 musket ball on August 11, 1862. He was confined to the hospital until September 29, when he returned home. Mr. M.orris was married January !), 184:3, to Eva A. Carpenter. Thej have been blessed with three children : John, Myrin C, and George N. Mr. Morris has a fine farm of 317 acres, well improved. Mr. Morris is an earnest green- backer, casting the only vote for Peter Cooper for President which that distinguished philanthropist received in Bald Bluff township. In two years from the time named, when the one vote for the greenback cause stood sad and alone, 401 votes were cast for the greenback candidate for congress, and Mr. Morris felt proud, as he had a right to, over the large accession to his political ranks in his own precinct. Mr. Morris is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been since 1857. He is also a member of the masonic fraternity and stands high as a citizen. James H. Halsey was born in Ohio, August 15, 1833. His parents were natives of New York. He received a liberal education in the schools of Oquawka and then removed to his farm, twelve miles north- east of Oquawka, where he has ever since resided. He was a soldier in the LTnion army from August 15, 1862, until the close of the war. He was in Co. C, 91st 111. Vols. He was married March 5, 1857, to Ellen M. Armstrong, daughter of William and Nancy Armstrong. They have four children : Ellen N., Sarah E., Mary L., and Jennie R. He has a farm of 160 acres. • He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Ephraim Cooper was born in Wayne county, Indiana, December 18, 1825. His parents were Pennsylvanians. He was married Sep- tember 15, 1862. to Ruth Malady, daughter of John and Ruth Malady. They have two children. Mr. Cooper owns 173 acres of land. In the earlier part of his life Mr. Cooper followed the business of carpenter and joiner. John Hite was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, February 15, 1831. His parents were Pennsylvanians. Our subject removed to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1860, where he remained until 1879, when he removed to Henderson county, where lie now resides. He has always followed farming as his legitimate business. Mr. Hite served as a soldier in the 20th 111. Inf , tlie last year of the late civil war. He was married November 1, 1853, to Margaret J., daughter of James and Catharine Grew. They have had eight children born unto them, seven of whom are living. Mr. Hite is in good circumstances. Lemuel T. Clark, Keithsburg, farmer, was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, July 1-1, 1853. His parents were Solomon and Huldah (Templeton) Clark. When he was but two years old he came with his 1156 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. parents to Keitlisbnrg, Mercer county, and there remained one year. The family then moved to Henderson county, from whence Mr. Lemuel Clark returned to Mercer county when he had reached the age of manhood, and settled on the farm on which he now resides. December 24, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Camp- bell, daughter of John and Mary Campbell, of Henderson county. They have no children. Mr. Clark is a gentleman of education, having attended the common schools until eighteen yeai's old, and finishing a business education at the Burlington Business College of Burlington, Iowa. For the past eight years he has been teaching school in the winter ; six years in his own district. Politically Mr. Clark is an abolition democrat. He is a man whose word is as good as his bond, and who is respected by all who know him. . John Swanson was born in Sweden, June 20, 1849. He received a common school education in his native countiy. He came to America in 1869, and settled in Mercer count}^ Illinois. He worked as a farm laborer for two years. He now owns 130 acres of land, all improved. He was married March 17, 1871, to Amelia Sheff. j^ELsoN H. Phelps was born in Oquawka, Henderson county, Illi- nois, February 22, 1834. His parents were natives of New York state. He received his education at Galesburg, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri. In 1854 he engaged in general merchandising, which he followed until 1857, when he engaged in banking in Oquawka for two years. He then retired from business, and in 1860 went to Pike's Peak. After a stay of two years in the far west he returned to his liome in Oquawka, but soon went south and served as tirst clerk in the paymaster's department. He was married July 4, 1855, to Julia Deni- son, daughter of Erastus and Martha Denison, They are the parents of six children, five of whom are living. Mr. Phelj)s has always voted with the republican party. David B. Murray, farmer, was born in Ohio, May 15, 1845. In 1849 his father's family removed from Ohio to Mercer county, Illinois, where they remained until 1856, when they removed to Henderson county. Our subject was married January 1, 1878, to Miss Nettie Shafier. They have two children : George E., born March 9, 1879, and Kay B., born January 10, 1882. Mr. Murray has a good farm of 100 acres. Religiously he is a liberal. John Walters was born in England, February 12, 1820. He was educated in the high schools of his native country. He came to Hen- derson county, Illinois, in 1852. He has a farm of 276 acres well im- proved ; life has been a success with him. Mr. Walters was married in 1831, to Miss Frances, daughter of William and Frances Edwards. WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1157 She died in New York, June 21, 1849. He married the second time. May 13, 1858, choosing for his companion this time Nancj Chard. Thev have had seven cliildren born unto them: Thomas, Marv F., John W., George A., William, Nettie H., and Joseph, all living but one. William E. Smith was born in England, January 30, 1832. He was educated in the common schools. He came to Ohio from England, and from Ohio he removed to Illinois, and settled in Henderson cou^t3^ in 1842. Mr. Smith was elected a justice of the peace in 1877, which position he held for one term. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and has been since 1843. He was married April 12, 1860. John H. Rice, farmer, was born in Henderson county, Illinois, Febiniarv 14, 1844. His parents wei-e from Kentucky. Our subject was educated in Oquawka in the connnon schools. He was a member of Co. C. 91st 111. Yols. He returned home, and lived in Oquawka for a short time. He then went on a farm, and has since followed farming. He was married December 29, 1865, to Miss Margaret J. Martin, daughter of George P. and Caroline Martin. Politicallj^ he is a republican. George McCurdy was born in Henderson county, Illinois, Decem- ber 15, 1856. He followed teaming from 1878 to 1880, and then removed to the farm. He is a republican in politics. His circum- stances are good. WALNUT GEO YE TOWNSHIP. Walnut Grove township, which is generally termed township 9, range 4, comprises thirty-six sections of the choicest farming land in the county of Henderson. Though there is no eminence from which a view of the entire township may be taken, yet the physical features present everywhere a delightful landscape to the human eye. Standing on a rise of ground on the north side of the townshij), there is stretched out in summer a glorious prospect of forest, field and sky ; on the left hand are fields of billowy grain and waving corn, extending as far as the eye can reach until the green of the fields and the blue of the heavens meet in the distant faint horizon ; on the right hand the view is more circumscribed : the landscape here, more undulating, is dotted with green groves, with white houses, with red barns, decorated with their white trimmings. In front extends the long line of heavy forest which skirts the banks of the Ellison. In the edge of this timber is 1158 HISTORY OF MERCER AIJD HENDERSON COUNTIES. the Ellison eliiirch, its whiteness standing out the more clearly in the midst of the dark forest trees ; church and trees together lifting them- selves up to the open heavens, both monuments to God, the one speaking of nature's power and skill, the other telling of the piety and reverence of the soul of man. To one standing on the south side of the township and looking to the north, there is biit little change in the scene, save that the green fringe marking the south bank of Ellison valley is faint and indistinct. In front and on both sides are unequaled farms running back on the long ridges and gentle slopes, the hedges, the groves, the golden fields of grain against the background of watery sky, all combining to make up a scene the silent beauty of which beggars the skill of writers pen or painter's brush to describe. The beautiful and fertile lands of this township are abundantly drained by various streams and brooklets. The Ellison, which enters the township on the east from Warren county, after flowing through section 24, j^asses on in a northwesterly direction until it reaches the north side of section 10. Here it turns and flows southwest, passing out of Walnut Grove township in section 18. The southern tier of sections is drained by a little brooklet which rises in section 27, and which, after passing through several sections, empties into Honey creek, which enters Walnut Grove township at section 32 and passes out again in section 31. Several brooklets, taking their rise in the central portion of the township and falling into the Ellison, furnish good drainage to the central farms. Ellison creek, which, it is said, was named for a man named Ellison who was drowned, at an early day while laboring on a mill, is the only stream or brooklet that has been dignified with a name. The banks of this beautiful stream are fringed with an abundance of tim- ber, which yearly is thought to be increasing. Almest every variety of wood common to this latitude is here found : oak, white, burr, black and other varieties; soft maple, black walnut and butternut; hickory of several varieties ; lime, ash, ironwood, elm, crab-apple, thorn-apple, wild plum, and an abundance of hazel and dog-brush are all to be found on the banks of the Ellison. The cool shades of these groves, tlie refreshing water of the springs and streams, the rich and juicy grasses of the prairie, all combined in an early day to make this a paradise for the wild grazing herds. The soil of this township that lies along the streams is of a chocolate colored loam, through which in many places the clay subsoil crops. Back from the streams the soil becomes a rich black loam, possessed of unbounded fertility, and well adapted both for the raising of fruit and also for agriculture and stock-growing ; a number of the citizens of WALNUT GROVE TOAVNSIIIP. 1159 the township are engaged in the hitter, and have many acres set in clover and bkie-grass, which grow most luxuriantly. There ai'c two stone-quarries in the townshi]) : one on section 24, formerlv owned bv Johnson c'c Rav, and a second on the old Kirk- patrick place on the Ellison. AVILD ANIMALS AND GAME. To one walking in the quiet stillness of the evening along the woods that skirt either bank of the Ellison, it seems well nigh impossible that at the time of the advent of the first settlers these woods were filled with deer, turkeys, antelope, squirrels, wolves and an occasional pan- ther. Yet such was the case. Mr. Davidson was accustomed to kill tui'keys for his home use from the lots about the place. When out of meat it was the custom of all the early settlers to go to a deer path about dusk in tlie evening or daylight in the morning, and there wait for the coming of a deer, which, when killed, was at once dressed and dragged to the house. Even as late as 1851, at a wolf-hunt on South Prairie, 300 deer were counted in the circle, and one dog of Uncle Aleck Rankin's caught and killed no less than four. In 1857 a Mr. Brent found a panther in a tree near his house, and even later than that a black wolf came into his neighbor's yard and carried off a large porker. The early settlement of the township was not unattended with danger, as is shown by the murder of the man who first erected a cabin within its limits : a man named Harris, from ISTew York. Mr. Harris was an old soldier who had fought in the war of 1812, and had come to this county to settle on a piece of land which he had drawn for his services in that w^ar. Here he hoped to make tor himself and family a home.* Having cleared a small piece of ground on section 11, a quarter of which he had drawn, he began the erection of a cabin, which was neai-ly completed. After a hard day's labor cutting and squaring logs for the completion of his home, his labor being- no doubt lightened by the thought of the dear ones with whom he was soon to be united, he kindled a fire on the hearth and sat down to his evening meal of homin}- and coftee. From this point nothing was known for many years as to what occurred up to the time his body was found. A day or two afterward, a neighbor going to see him found him dead, with face bowed over upon his plate of hominy and a bullet hole through his head. Evidently he had been shot from the rear, the murderer having placed his gun in the little window. The alarm was given at once, and the few men in the county came together and made all possible investigation as to the 1160 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HEJTDERSON COUNTIES. murder, but without learning anything. For a time suspicion rested on the Indians ; again on some parties who afterward removed to the west. About six months after Mr. Harris' burial, near his little cabin, some of his relatives came from New York to see if he could be found, and after disposing of his claim they again returned to New York. More than twenty years passed away and the matter passed from the minds of all. Yet not all, for the murderer never forgot it. One day some one in the township found in a Cincinnati newspaper the account of the hanging of a criminal for murder, who on the scaffold made confession of his crimes. Among other murders was the account of his killing a man named Harris in Henderson county, Illinois. The murderer said that he saw him draw a large sum of money from a bank in a town in New York, and to obtain this followed Mr. Harris through to Henderson county. He first dressed himself as an Indian and then approached the house and shot him while at his supper. Having failed to find on his person or in the cabin any of Harris' gold, save a twenty-five cent piece, which he threw on the floor, he left in disgust. To those who were acquainted with the details of the murder, the proofs of the truth of this man's story seemed conclusive, and there seems to be no doubt that after many years Mr. Harris' foul murder was partially avenged. Many parties, it is said, have dug about Mr. Harris' grave, and one man has made experiments with instruments, in hopes to find his gold, which is supposed to be buried somewhere in the vicinity of his cabin, but all without success. Soon after this sad affair, which it is thought occurred in 1833, the township was settled at two different points simultaneously, by Mr. Frederic Davidson and Aleck Rankin, two of Walnut Grove's best men and staunchest citizens in the early days. Mr. Davidson, with his family, then consisting of his wife Elizabeth and two children, Marion and Martha, came from Indiana to a point near Ellison, in Warren county, in November of 1833. Here he resided about one year. He then removed a mile or two down the Ellison to the edge of a long point of timber, within the limits of Henderson county, and here settled about the same time that Mr. Rankin came to Walnut Grove, in the spring of 1834. In the e(]ge of this timber, to which was given the name of "Long Point," Mr. Davidson erected a cabin and began his pioneering life. No doubt his Scotch ancestry helped liim to endure the privations to which he was subjected. Yet no ancestry can make ])rivations less, and though it may lighten heavy loads it can never entirely remove them. The least of all his labors were performed when Mr. Davidson had erected his little log cabin. WALNUT GEOVE TOWNSHIP. 1161 At the point of woods known as Walnut Grove, which has since given its name to the township, Aleck Rankin settled. Close down by the bank of Sampj Branch, beneath a majestic tree, he drove his wagon containing his wife and four children, and his brother Hugh's family, consisting of wife and four children. Here they camped all night, and next mornini»: a site for Aleck Rankin's house was selected. Trees were felled and hewn so as to fit together and a cabin erected. While they worked at felling trees they lived on the wild game which passed by the wagon, tame and unacquainted with the sound of human speech and laughter. At night, while their wives slept in the wagon, the men slept beneath the overhanging branches of a mighty tree. The night they moved into the house a strange incident occurred, which must have deepened these men's faith in an overruling providence. When Mr. Rankin went out from the cabin the following morning, a great limb had fallen from the tree on exactly the spot where they had lain so many nights. Had they been there, no doubt both would have been killed. Here, also, a cabin was erected for Mr. Hugh Rankin, who did not, however, live here long, but moved farther north and built a shop on the Ellison above the bridge at a point about north of the present church building. Here he followed his avocation as a wheelwright, making chairs, tables, etc., and here for many years he had a sugar camp. In the fall of the same year two other brothers, Joseph and James Rankin, came on and settled, the former south of Sampy Branch, his cabin standing where the house of Alexander Rankin, Jr., now stands. James erected a cabin about eighty rods west of his brother Aleck. Joseph at this time had a large family, while James had four children. In the fall of this year, 1835, a fifth brother, William Rankin, with his family, came on, and settled on the Ellison at a point northeast of the present United Presbyterian church. Here, assisted by his brothers Hugh and Joseph, he erected a saw-mill, the power for which was fur- nished by the Ellison, for which a race was dug. He afterward added to this a little pair of burrs, in which he ground corn for the neighbors. All of these brothers were influential and enterprising men, and though most of them are dead, yet in the influences left behind them thev still live. About this time Judge Steele came to Walnut Grove and entered the land where George Dixon now resides. The following spring he settled on this land. Four brothers named Kendall also settled near Mr. Steele, but they remained only a short time, afterward going into Olena township. In the southeastern part of the township Mr. W. P. Thompson erected a cabin on the west bank of the Ellison, and here 1162 HISTORY OF iVIERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. lie now (1882) resides. In the early days of his settlement lie went - thirty miles to Spoon riyer to mill, and was then sometimes compelled I to stay seyeral nights for his grist, while his dressed pork brought him * but one dollar a hundred. In the fall of 1836 Hugh Lee and wife and Thomas Allison (then unmarried) came. In the fall of 1837 came John Pogue, and two years after, with his wife, he settled where they now reside. Soon after this the Mathers family, possessed of sterling worth, came on and began their pioneer life near where Mr. Joseph Mathers now resides. HOSPITALITY. The hospitality of those early days knew no bounds. The log cabin of the pioneer was the point to which the weary trayelers directed their steps. When the great white wagon drew up before the cabin, its occupants were eagerly welcomed. The women, though never seen before, were kissed and carried in to the fire ; the children became acquainted as if by instinct ; the barns were neyer too full to hold the new comer's horses ; the house was never too small to accommodate their persons and goods. Did anyone chance by that way, he was warmly welcomed. So it happened that often, in a little cabin, with its single room, slept beside the fireplace full fifteen persons. Did any one have an ox team or wagon, or chain, when the Rankins first came into Walnut Grove, it was common property. Did anyone have any- thing not ]30ssessed by his neighbors, it was completely at the disposal and for the enjoyment of all. ROADS. Every man tlien made his own road. The travelers' way no fence nor farm nor barn lot obstructed; but, obtaining his bearings, he went directly to the point desired. Generally the Indian paths were fol- lowed, wliicli led along the banks of streams, midst shady groves, with camping grounds here and there near some bubbling spring. Often a full half .day's ride would be made and no one met, save an Indian, solitary and alone. But oftener no sound disturbed the sacred stillness of the virgin air, nor fell upon the woodman's ear, save the distant echo of his ax, the chattering of the birds, or the murmuring of the stream hard by. Sometimes the solitary traveler would chance upon an Indian burying-ground, to one side of his beaten track. Upon the little new- made mounds were bowls of nuts, or milk, or newly gathered forest fruits, to cheer the weary traveler on his silent journey to the happy hunting grounds. Upon the warrior's grave lay his accustomed bow WALNTT GROVE TOWNSUIP. 1163 and proven arrows. Beside the cliieftain rose up the mound of his faithful ponv, killed that he might ride in tlie new life even as he had in the old and lost one. Sometimes, not often, beside a new made mound, sat the squaw, faithful in death as she had been in life, sway- ing to and fro, and beating time upon her breasts. Yet such sights as this did not often greet the travelers' eye, as he wandered up or down the banks of Ellison. Oftener he met an Indian, attended by his squaw, his faithful pack of dogs, his many-sized papooses. THe warrior led the way, tlie squaw came next with papooses before or behind, or perchance swung on either side, while behind was a pony, trained to obedient service, with great packs hanging from either side. Beneath some overhanging tree, close by the stream perchance, they stopped, when four small trees whose tops would intertwine were bent together, a covering was thrown over all and fixed fast. Then while her liege lord lay upon the ground and smoked, the dusky squaw hastened with water and wood to prepare the evening's meal, while her papooses played upon the grass. Amid such sights and scenes the early pioneer lived and labored to prepare his home. EARLY SCHOOLS. Coming fi-om eastern homes, where they had enjoyed some educa- tional advantages, the early settlers soon felt the need of the same privileges for their chiklren. The iirst session of school ever held in this township was taught by Mr. John Sampy. Mr. Sampy was a little wiry man, with keen eyes, and wore an expression on his face that frowned down all would-be disturbers of the schoolroom's quiet. It is said that in a corner alwaj-s stood several rods that were powerful arguments in favor of obedience, and these were by many teachers used without scruple. Indeed, tradition tells of a threat on the part of an irate parent to thrash the schoolmaster, whose name has been justly forgotten, if he ever again beat his boy until the blood ran down his back. In the minds of these early teachers the accumulation of knowledge seems to have been necessarily connected with the administration of blows. The building in which the first school was held was the one first erected by Aleck Rankin for a dwelling house. It was a log cabin, built by the laying together of logs fitted at the ends. Its windows, some maintain, were of paper, well greased so as to admit the light, while others think that the oiled paper only took the place of the win- dow, a small square one, which had been broken out. The floor was of puncheons, or slabs of linn-wood, hewn smooth on the one side. The room was seated with slabs, into which holes had been bored and 1164 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. pins inserted. The backs to the seats were supplied bj the children, who brought them to scliool in the morning and invariably took them home again at night. Around the room were slabs elevated above the other seats, called desks, upon which the scholars learned to write. Some of the children, more fortunate than others, possessed spelling books, from which the}^ learned their letters. Others had letters cut from some paper, which were pasted on a board held before them. After completing the spelling book the pupil began to read the JSTew Testament, which he read in until he graduated from the school, the time of liis graduation depending less upon the pupil's advancement than upon his ability to help support the family. The majority of the boys went bareheaded and barefooted, and girls and boys alike often wore home-made clothes spun from flax. Upon the dismissal of the school every boy, when he reached the door, turned and bowed to the teacher, while each girl was expected to make a courtesy. Children's papers, children's columns, were things unknown, and but little atten- tion was paid to the child mind in the early days of the history of Walnut Grove township. The influence of these early surroundings in developing from these children strong men and women is beyond all measurement. The fact that the children of these parents have almost without exception made themselves both fortunes and names is proof enough of the value of the early institutions. From this little school-house in the wood have come men that have filled with honor to their county almost every station in life ; have come men who have filled the legislative cliair, the pulpit, the desk of the teacher, besides furnishing men for profes- sional and laboring life to nearly every western state. Every candid mind that compares the results in making good men of the early days with the results of our later hot-bed civilization must confess one of two things : either the early institutions of our fathers surpassed ours, or else they worked upon better material. EARLY PHYSICIANS. Sickness, it is said, was less frequent then than now. Log cabins, through whose chinks and fire-])lace came plenty of fresh air ; fresh game, simple food, and a quiet life, all combined to produce health. Over all the township but one doctor traveled, by name McMillan ; his memory is still fragrant in the minds of many. Day and night he traveled over his circuit of three counties, sleeping on his horse. Once a man with a gasli in his forehead was found on the Ellison, slowly bleeding to death. A man going to a neighbor's house where Dr. McMillan was treating a patient, met him sound asleep upon his \_/ CtA-^ytA^ e/^'' ■i/. WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1167 horse. When he was ready to sew up the gash on the man's head, he was unable and told them to let him sleep an hour ; so upon the grass he slept, and awoke with steady nerve to do his work. Many like incidents are told of this good man, whose name is now secure. Methods of treatment then were peculiar. A fever patient was allowed no water ; and if perchance, while the doctor slept, the patient awoke and slyly drank a whole pitcher of ice water, thereby saving his life, the doctor would exclaim: "What a constitution that man has got! " But with the passage of years passed away many of the old ideas, much to tlie relief of physicians and patients. AMUSEMENTS. If the early days lacked some of the means of amusement furnished the youth of to-day, it also possessed pleasures which the present gen- eration are deprived of In 18-10 a party or a marriage was a neighbor- hood affair. The people came from far and near ; the marriage was "our's" to everybody. A dinner was prepared of the choicest kind: deer and turkey from the forest, fresh tish and wild ducks from the streams, grouse and quails from the field furnished the meat, to which the skillful farmer's wife added every delicacy possible to limited means to prepare. After the marriage came the dinner; then around the room these hospitable people gathered and chatted the afternoon away, these simple, merry-hearted folk. With the coming of the evening's dusk came the going of the older ones, while the younger folks remained behind. Then when all was quiet again, through the black- ened rafters of the kitchen would ring the twang of the fiddle-strings as Mr. Thomas Gibson tuned his violin and prepared for the evening's dance (an amusement the Associate Reformed church approved of only among their own families). Old-fasliioned games, the very names of which have passed away, were played with a gentle frankness and sincere modesty most beautiful to behold. In the fall corn-huskings would be held, at which the men picked corn, the women quilted, while the children played as only they could play. In the winter a Mr. McCoy went from one private house to another teaching singing-school, using the old system of notes, of which there were four : one round, a second square, a third three-cornered and the fourth like an X. CHURCHES. Soon after the coming of the early settlers, pious hearts erected a house of worship, a short distance east of the present United Presby- terian church. The building was of frame, the lumber for which Mr. William Rankin sawed at his little saw-mill on the Ellison. This 66 1168 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. church was erected by Hugh, Joseph and William Eankin, and was lBx20 in size. In one end was a chair beside which the preacher stood. In front of him, on benches without backs, made by placing pins in them, sat the congregation. The custom in those times was to gather in the morning at ten o'clock, and listen to a sermon, after which the people had a recess of some thirty minutes, when they ate their lunch, and then another sermon, lasting until three or four o'clock in the afternoon. It is related that at one time when the Rev. Wallace was preaching he fainted away, one hot summer after- noon. Some of those sitting near brought water, and after he had recovered he announced this psalm, one that to the congregation must have seemed very appropriate: "My bones waxed old, because I roared all dav lone:." In addition to the communion service of our time, they then had on the Thursday before sacrament a fast day, when but two meals were eaten and all the members stopped work and attended divine worship, two sermons being preached as on the Sab- bath. At this time no Sabbath schools were held, and the children were rather instructed in the catechism, which, together with the chap- ter read and explained before the sermon, 'which explanation some- times occupied nearly an hour, took the place of the insfruction given in the Sunday school of to-day. Among the early church organizations of this township, by far the most important is The Ellison United Presbyterian Church.'^ — The printed records say that Ellison congregation was organized in 1859 ; but it must be remembered that its organization consisted principally of an union of the Associated congregation of Bethel and the Associate Reformed con- gi'egation of Ellison. The integral parts composing the present con- gregation have an early and in the main an honored history in connec- tion with the moral and religious status of Henderson county. Inas- much as our honored brother. Rev. James McArthur, has undertaken to set in order the early histoiT of the Associate congregation of Bethel, we shall confine ourselves to the Associate Reformed branch of Ellison. The history of this church, until the union, is almost entirely traditional, as neither written nor printed records have ever been placed in the hands of the present writer. The congregation of Ellison was organized by the Presbytery of Indiana, some time between the years 1836 and 1839, and was a preaching station in connection with the South Henderson church. In the year 1839 the first church building was erected near the present cemetery. This was a small frame and is still standing in a rather dilapidated condition, on the farm of Aleck Rankin, Jr., where it is occa- * Contributed by the pastor, Rev. J. H. Montgomery. WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1169 sionally used as a house for tenants. The iirst session of Ellison con- sisted of William Eankin, George S. Wallace and John Sampy. The memory of these fathers is as the fragrance of ointment poured forth. The former of these fell asleep in 1870, aged seventy-three, and the latter in 1875, at the advanced age of ninety-five. Among the first of the supplies to the new organization was the Rev. John Wallace, who ministered more or less statedly to the people for two or three years, and of whom tradition says that he labored so long and fer- vently on hot summer days, that he fell to the floor from sheer exhaustion. The first pastor was the Rev. John L. Freatley, who preached at Ellison one-fourth of the time, giving South Henderson the remaining three-fourths, and receiving as salary from both stations the sum of ^^OO. This pastoral relation, from an unhappy combination of circum- stances, did not prove a very desirable one. He was installed over the united charge in 18-12 and released in 1846. About this time South Henderson became self-sustaining, and desired the whole time of a pastor, and consequently Ellison as a young fledgeling was left to shift for herself. For several years the congregation obtained supplies from various quarters, all the while growing in number, power and influence, from the tide of immigration flowing in from the eastern states. The congregation having enjoyed for a few months the preaching service of Rev. W. R. Erskine, and liking the general bearing of the young man, proposed a marriage, which was accepted ; and that he might enter officially upon the duties of pastor, he was ordained April 14, 1852, by the Second Presbytery of Illinois, and installed pastor Ma}^ 15 of the same year. This pastorate continued for six years and one month. During its continuance the congregation was strengthened and encouraged, and the memory of our deceased brother Erskine is very precious. The year 1858 was made memorable by the union of the Associate and the Associate Reformed churches of North America. Soon after this union was affected a movement was made to consolidate the congregations of Bethel and Ellison, which was effected October 18, 1858. In order that the way for a union of these congregations might be entirely free and unencumbered, the Rev. Erskine practically retired from the field. In the mean time a larger church building had been erected near the residence and on the farm of the Hon. David Rankin. To this house the united charge repaired and worshiped in sweet union. The united congregation soon after made out a call for the services of the Rev. James McArthur, late of Ryegate, Vermont, which was by him accepted, and he was installed as pastor, July, 1857. At the time of the union the united 1170 HISTOKY OF MERCER AifD HENDERSON COUNTIES. session consisted of William Rankin, John Sampej, A. O. McQuown, John Carothers, Stephen White, Eobert Kirkpatrick, Alexander Spears, and James S. Gowdj, a good, able and formidable session. At the time of the union of the two congregations the membership reported was ISO, just twice the present membership. The union had scarcely been accomplished before an oi;ganization was asked for at Olena. This was granted, and eifected September 8, 1859. This new organiza- tion carried off a large portion of tlie west side of Ellison, and greatlj depleted its numerical strengtli. In 1866 the congregation at Biggs ville was organized, which took ojff a slice of the north side of the congregation. The pastorate of Rev. McArthur continued over thirteen years, and dui-ing his ministry 146 persons were added to the communion of the church, and yet, at the close of his pastorate, his congregation, because of new organizations and frequent removals, was left comparatively weak. During the ministry of Mr. Erskine, the stock and barn-yards of Mr, David Rankin increased in so extraordinary a manner that uninterrupted worship in the old meeting-house could no longer be enjoyed, and con- sequently it was concluded to sell the old ediiice to the above named gentleman, and erect a new building at such a distance from the old «ite that the worshipers might be free from the interruption and annoyance of irrational animals, and consequently the present com- modious building was erected at a cost of $1,200. Also during this pastorate the session was strengthened by the election, ordination and installation of the following elders : A, Bell, A. Small, J. S. King, D. Ct. Lant and I. T. Pogue ; the latter three continue with us unto the prese'nt time. Father McArthur's health, never robust, became severely impaired during 1871-2, and a retirement from pastoral labors was necessitated, and accordingly the relationship between pastor and people was formally dissolved in August, 1872. This honored father still resides within the bounds of the congrega- tion, and carries with him in his old age the respect and esteem of the entire community. After a vacancy of three years, during which several fruitless attempts were made to secure the services of a pastor, a call was made out for the present incumbent, who entered upon pastoral labors October 1, 1875, but was not installed until June of the following year. In the autumn of 1876 a very commodious parsonage was erected by the congregation for the use of the pastor. At the com- mencement of the present pastorate the congregation numbered but 6eventy-one members. Since that time seventy-two have been added to the membership of the church, but so great has been the western immigration that our membership, at this writing, comprises just ninety WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1171 members. May peace and prosperity ever remain within the borders of the Ellison United Presbyterian chnrcli. South Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church. — South Prairie Methodist Episcopal church, which is situated in the southeastern part of the township, was organized some time previous to tlie year 1850. It is composed of some of the best people in the township, and has in connection with it a flourishing Sunday school. In the absence of any church records but little is known of its history. At various times during the past flfty years, since the settlement of "Walnut Grove, Baptist, Campbellite and preachers of other denominations have held services here. The Christian church, of which Dykman Shook was the lead- ing spirit, and at whose house the first services of this denomination were held, has now fallen away. Almost every denomination is now represented in this township, though there now exists but two church buildings in the township, yet none of the good seed sown has been seed lost. The results are plainly visible in the integrity, moral tone and noble worth of its citizens. Less directly are the results seen in the schools, the beautiful homes and thrifty farms of the people, for all these are but the outer. signs of the inward character, which is the unfailing fruit of the ministry of the word. CEMETERIES. The flrst cemetery in the township was Walnut Grove, which con- sists of three acres of ground on. the land flrst owned by John Sampy, and by him given to the Ellison United Presbyterian church. It lies but a few rods east of the church building, in the edge of the grove. Here are buried some of the early settlers of the township. The flrst inhabitant of this city of the dead was John Boan, who lived upon the place now owned by William Chard ; the second was George McGrew. After then John Gibson was buried here, all, strange to say, strong men in the prime of life. How often is human strength but sheerest weakness ? The Davidson cemetery consists of three acres of land in section 12, which was, in 1837, set apart by Mr. Davidson for burying places. The flrst person buried here was one of his children, and here he now lies buried, a magniflcent monument, costing $1,125, marking his resting-] )lace. South Prairie cemetery, which is situated on a high eminence overlooking the Ellison, was set apart by Mr. Adair, on whose farm it is situated. • " The (lead are here. I liear their steady throw Of shuttles iiiovinjr in the ui>per air, Weaving a fabric; pure and white as snow." 1172 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. TORNADO. In the historv of Walnut Grove township we have but one tornado to record, one of the most frightful in results known. Probably no more powerful storm ever struck our country, and had the township been settled as thickly then as now, several hundred lives would have been lost. The following account of the storm is taken from the " Oquawka Plaindealer," of June 4, 1858 : ''On Sunday evening last, May 30, about five o'clock, a tremen- dous tornado, which in its force and terrible effect was never equaled in this part of our land, passed over the southern part of this and War- ren counties, in a northeasterly direction, literally tearing to pieces everything in its course, destroying many lives and a great amount of property. The hurricane took its origin in the vicinity of Terre Haute, Henderson county. About a mile north of this town the house of William Bennett was blown down, and among other things a feather bed was carried away which has not since been found. The houses and barns of Elias Keener and George Foote, in the range east from Mr, Bennett's house, were destroyed. The wife of Mr, Keener and the wile of Mr. Foote were somewhat injured, . Mr. J, Peasley's house was much damaged. The house of Mr, George Pence was moved some eight rods from its foundation, but being strongly built was not broken. Mr. Pence's family was in the house, but fortunately escaped all injury. "The house of Mr. David Thompson, which was about ten miles from Terre Haute, was destroyed, and here is the first place where we have any information of life being destroyed. Mr. William Thompson, a brother of David, was instantl}" killed, something having been driven completely through his temples. A child of David Thompson was so injured that it died the next day. The storm then passed on directly in range with the town of Ellison, increasing in velocity and power, but narrowing in scope. At a place called the Stone Quarry, about one mile west of Ellison, the house of Mr. Hiram Johnson was fairly blown to atoms, and five of its inmates killed ; their names were as follows : Mr, Hiram Johnson, aged twenty-seven years ; Mrs, Willard Hurd, a sister of Mr. Johnson, aged thirty-three years ; Mrs. Spaulding, a twin sister of Mr. Johnson ; Charles Hurd, a son ot Mrs, Willard Hurd, aged thirteen years, infant child of Mr, Johnson. The bodies of the above were found man}^ rods from where the house stood. Those who were in the house, and still living at last accounts, were the following : Mr, Joseph Bannister, Mr. Johnson's hired man. Mrs, Hiram Johnson was blown about eight rods from the house, alighting in a slough. One leg is broken in two places, an arm WALNUT GKOVE TOWNSHIP. 1173 broken, and also one or two ribs. Wliile sitting on the bank of the slough she saw her infant child come floating down the stream. She put out her hand and caught it, but its life had departed. Mr. Willard Hnrd, a brother-in-law of Mr. Johnson, is fatally injured, as is his son Bona. A house a few rods distant from Mr. Johnson's was occupied by Mr. A. £. Burton and his wife. Here a party of six young men out for a ]:)leasure walk had taken refuge at the approach of the storm. The tremendous roaring and the fierceness and blackness ot the approaching cloud admonished them of danger, and they all ran to an unoccupied house, which was protected by a high and perpendicular bluif upon the side the storm was approaching, and this act was probably the means of saving their lives. The house they vacated was completely anniliilated, and the one they had taken refuge in was leveled to the ground. Mr. Burton was but slightly injured. His wife had her collar-bone broken. ''In our visit on Monday to the diflerent houses which contained the dead and wounded, we reached the house of Mr. Little in the eve- ning, about eight o'clock. The sight which met us here was most appalling. The five dead bodies lay in one room. Mr. Hurd and Mrs. Johnson, mangled, cut and bruised, lay in the room adjoining. Eona Hurd had been removed to the house of a neighbor. The cofiins for the dead had just arrived. The body of Mr. Johnson and his infant child was brought in at the request of Mrs. Johnson, and with remarkable fortitude she took her farewell view of their earthly remains. "Mr. Hurd with his family had but recently removed from the State of Vermont. He had several hundred dollars of gold and silver in a small trunk, which was contained in a larger one, no trace of which has been discovered. Mrs. Spaulding also had considerable money in the house at the time. This lady's husband was in Vermont, and was to have started west on Monday. A most horrible recital awaits his coming. Soon after passing the Stone Quarry the tornado, crossing the line into Warren county, struck the little town of Ellison and com- pletely demolished it, killing ten or twelve and wounding about forty. But three of the twenty-five dwellings in the little town were left standing. " After passing over the track of the storm, and gaining such descrip- tions of the storm from the old settlers as they can after the lapse of years give, it would seem utterly impossible for one to describe the force of this tornado'. Large and sound stumjjs were torn from the ground and carried some rods. Every spoke in a log wagon was broken out. The large timber west of ElHson was razed to the ground. 1174 HISTORY OF IVrERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Small hickories, three to six inches in diameter, were stripped of every particle of bark and twisted into a withe. The tire of a wagon wheel was found broken and one end driven into the ground two feet and a half. Horses and cattle were killed by being carried up into the air and dropped to the ground. The storm seems to have been largely electric, as is shown by its leaving glass unbroken. It first assumed the shape of a cyclone when near Terre Haute, and had its origin in the coming together of two storms. To some it seemed to reach down from the heavens, like a gigantic rope, swaying to and fro. Soon it began to whirl ; as it advanced it narrowed in width, but developed strength correspondingly. To those at one side it was black as a moving column of darkest night ; to« those in the storm it seemed light, and they rose in the vacuum, some say fifty or a hundred feet, in the midst of grass, dirt, clothing and timbers. Some objects were thrown out on the outer edge of the circle, and, as it moved on, these objects falling presented a strange appearance to observers. The center of the track of the storm was swept clean, all objects being thrown out to the one side or the other. Many incidents and experiences bordering on the marvelous are told, and could not be believed, were it not that the narrators are men of unbounded trust and veracity. The loss to property occasioned by this frightful storm we have been unable to estimate, while there can be no computation as to the loss in precious human life. BIOGRAPHICAL. John Pogue was born in 1S19, in the State of Ohio. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was Samuel Pogue, of county of Down, Ireland, who came to America about 1790. On both sides of the family the ancestry was of the old Scotch Presb^'terian stock. Samuel Pogue settled first in Maryland. He afterward resided both in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Finally he moved to central Ohio, where the subject of these notes, John, was born. Here he . passed his early years, until he was eighteen years of age, when he removed in the fall of 1837 to Henderson county, Illinois. For the first two years he worked around by the day or month, early forming habits of industry and evincing practical business qualities. In the winter of 1839, January 22, Mr. Pogue was married to Miss Elizabeth Brook, daughtei- of John and Margaret Brook and sister of Isaih Brook. Mrs. Pogue is a woman of great practical ability and native good sense, believing that the patent of real worth belongs to those who do right and live by industry'. They have lived together a long and useful life. Forty-four years have passed away and they have WALNUT GKOVE TOWNSHIP. 1175 raised a tamily of seven children. Samuel H. died at the age of nine- teen. Maria Louisa is now Mrs. J. G. Stewart. Q. T. married Miss Emily Spear, and resides near his parents. William G. now resides on the Aleck Kankin farm, having married Miss L. Rankin. Margaret Jane is now wife of Mr. J. L. Ford. The two younger sons, now young men, are twins, named John S. and James S. resjiectively. Mr. Pogue began life as a farmer, for which avocation he had a special inclination. Having obtained a tract of land soon after his marriage he was able to buy as much more through his wife's assistance. To this land he has been adding steadily, until he now has some 1550 acres of land. He lived first in a log cabin near the present Ellison United Presbyterian church. The house was built of hewn linn-logs. It will illustrate both the energy of those days and the nature of the houses to state that this house was taken down one morning by Mr. Pogue and his man and moved about one mile and completed by night so as to permit him to sleep in it. In this cabin for years they lived and labored, enduring all the privations incidental to pioneer life. At one time Mr. Pogue gave twelve busliels of fall wheat for a sealskin cap. One bushel brought him two pounds of nails. In those early days men did not need money as they do now. He once carried a ten cent piece around in his pocket for several months without needing it, and the possession of fifteen gold pieces that were put away for safe keeping was after a few months forgotten, though afterward found in the straw tick. Exchange, not cash, was then the working pi-inciple. It may be proper here to state that Mr. Pogue was raised a democrat ot the JefiTerson school, though he is now a firm republican. The cause of his change of party pi-inciples was a little incident which occuiTed while Mr. Pogue was at Louisville on a business and pleasure trip through the south. One day he saw a slave trader go on board a boat followed by a young negro and his wife, who were to be separated, the man to go south to the plantations from which few ever returned, and the wife to remain with their old master. At length, when the bell rang and the plank was to be removed, the poor man strained his wife to his breast, from whom, in spite of her shrieks, a moment later he was torn away and hurried aboard. As long as he could be seen, the slave stood on deck and waived his old hat to the sobbing wife. The scene was witnessed by several northern men, whose eyes filled with tears, and then and there Mr. Pogue determined to help vote down the institution of slavery. Since that time he has been a firm believer in republicanism. In rnatters of religious faith the family are Ignited Presbyterians. In all the relations of home life, in their children and business, have been greatly blessed. As firm believers in the doctrines 1176 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. « of the United Presbyterian eliurch tlieir influence lias ever been to help on every movement that aimed to reform. They have ever been advocates of temperance and opponents of secret societies, believing their principles wrong. " Oh, happy, true and honored pair ! Oh, ever leal and loyal I We pay you willing court to-day, For love has made you royal : All gentle thoughts and hopes are yours, All wishes sweet and tender, — What richer tributes can we bring, What worthier homage render ? God's cherubs still your steps attend, His peace your true hearts strengthen, As o'er the sky above your heads. The evening shadows lengthen ; And when the night comes on at last And brings its welcome slumber, Sweet angels from the welcome host. Which none may name or number. Shall lead your still united souls Through shining arch and portal. To gardens fair and pastures green, Where love shall be immortal!" William G. Pogue, second son of John Pogue, was born on November 8, 1848, on the old homestead where liis parents originally settled. His intellectual training he received in the common schools near his home, to which was added two years at Monmouth College, where he pursued a select course. Such was his zeal that when a company to enter the army was being formed in 1864, at the college, he enlisted, and, being unusually robust and strong, was accepted, though but sixteen years of age. But on account of objections to his extreme youth, his name was given up by the recruiting oflicer. On January 1, 1877, Mr. Pogue was married to Miss Lurena E. Rankin, daughter of S. S. Pankin, To them have been born two children, Chester E. and Olive Gertrude, the former of whom died in February, 1879. Mr. Pogue now resides upon the old homestead of Uncle Aleck Rankin, where he gives his attention to farming and stock- raising. Among the prominent gentlemen of Henderson county who liave taken an active part in its development we mention the name of Joseph Dixson, wlio was born in Greene county, Indiana, on August 5, 1841. An old scrap of paper found among his father's papers after his death points the ancestry back to a period ]jrevious to the revolu- tion, the family being one of great worth. Allured by the accounts WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1177 of the amazing fertility of the soil of Illinois, Mr. Stephen Dixson removed with his family from Indiana to Henderson county and set- tled on the old Steele tarm. Here Mr. Dixson passed his early youth, receiving his education in the schools near his home. He early mani- fested an unusual love of business and trading, and while a youth gave signs of possessing unusual business qualiilcations. On June 3, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Dean, daughter of Michael and Susan Dean. Mrs. Dixson's parents were citizens of Warren county. Of this marriage have been born four children, their names being: Willis E., born January 31, 1871; Cora, born February 17, 1873; Lulu, born July 5, 1875; George, born June 7, 1880. The latter, George, is the only one of the Dixson family to perpetuate the name, and is named for his uncle, George H. Beginning with some property, Mr. Dixson has steadily added to this until he now has 840 acres of land. For many years he lias given his attention to stock raising, feeding and shipping. In the township Mr. Dixson is known for his encTgy, his kindness of heart, his generosity and personal integrity. Though he has his own ideas on political subjects, he has never gone into politics in the active sense of the term. The real wealth of any country is made up of such men as Mr. Dixson, and he is a good example of what earnest industry and persevering application will dh. George H. Dixson, second son of Stephen Dixson, was born Septem- ber 2, 1814, in Greene county, Indiana. When he was but a child, three and a half years of age, his mother died, and two years from that time he moved with his father to what is now Henderson county, Illi- nois. ~ The journey was made with the old reliable ox-team which scarcely rivaled in speed and convenience the Pullman cars of later days. The trip was accomplished in two weeks, and then began in earnest the life of a western frontiersman. At tliat early day the schools had not attained a very high degree of perfection, but young Dixson enjoyed the educational privileges of the day, and he by no means wasted his opportunities. May 15, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Andrews, daughter of John M. and Mary Andrews. From this marriage there have been born five children, the second of whom, Charles, is dead. The eldest. Flora I., is now at home, having returned from attendance at school at Koseville. The second now living, Lilian M., is also at home. The names of the other children are Amanda J. and Mabel Blanche. Mrs. Dixson's father and three brothers were in tlie war of the rebellion ; two were wounded. Mr. Dixson had but little when he began in life. He now has a well improved farm of 480 acres on Sec. 18, T. 9, K. 4, on which he now 1178 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. resides. He is devoting bis attention largely to stock raising, breed- ing and shipping sliort-liorn Durham cattle. He has among his stock two valuable Clydesdale mares which were imported some time ago. Mr. Dixson is one of the reliable men of Walnut Grove township, and it is in appreciation of this that his portrait appears in this work as one of the representative men of Henderson county. It has been found necessary to mention his name frequently in other portions of this book, he being one of the early settlers and active workers in the township. Among the remarkably successful men of Illinois, none have achieved more signal success than the Hon. David Rankin, of Hen- derson county. He was born in 1S26, in Sullivan county, Indiana, and when he was ten years of age, his parents removed to what is now Henderson county, then Warren. Here Mr. Rankin passed his early youth and manhood. At that time the educational advantages ati'orded by the schools were of a very primitive nature. Yet from the school of poverty with its teaclier experience, young Rankin seems to have gained the pmctical wisdom that surpasses ^all mere book learn- ing. Mr. Rankin began life for himself breaking prairie, buying his ox-teams on credit. Starting in this humble way, he planned to have eighty acres of land. Soon he earned this. Then an opportunity offered for -him to buy two quarter-sections at $200 each. * Soon after buying them the two farms increased rapidly in value. From that time Mr. Rankin began to buy land, and since that time has added to his lands, until he now has over 25,000 acres of land in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. In Missouri alone he has this year (1882) over 20,000 acres of corn. Annually on liis farm he feeds from 500 to 600 head of cattle. In addition to this, Mr. Rankin has the controlling interest of 7,000 cattle on the North Platte range in Nebraska. He has done much in the way of improving horses and cattle, importing both from England and Scotland. Annually he breeds about 100 fine grades of Hei-efords. Both in acreage and value of produce Mr. Rankin's farms surpass the celebrated Dalrymple farm in the Red River wheat country. In 1881 he employed 180 men who worked teams, and in the s])ring he used sixty corn planters. Beginning with nothing, by the most untiring industry Mr. Rankin has accumulated property valued at $1,000,000. All this, too, has been made, not from speculation, but dug from the soil, and added to the country's wealth. Nor has he bought u]> farms from poorer men, but the most of his land has been purchased when waste and wild, and then made valuable by cultivation and improvement. Mr. Rankin is one of the few men who have made money but not enemies. Some of his men who have gained WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1179 from him their start in life have paid him the compliment of saying he "never did a hired man a wrong." In the fall of 1873 Mr. Rankin was elected to the state legislature, where he made so good a record as to lead to his being returned to the twenty-ninth general assembly, where he served as a useful member and conscientious legislator. On the 21st of March, 1850, Mr. Rankin was married to Miss Sarah Thompson, daughter of Adam and Jane Thompson. Mrs. Rankin died on December 28, 1878. Three of the six children born of this marriage are dead, namelv, the two eldest, Elizabeth and Melinda, and the youngest, Joseph R. Of the three living, Viola N. is now the wife of J. F. Hanna. Mr. Rankin's two sons, John A. and William F., are also married, the former to Miss Hattie Arms and the latter to Miss Elizabeth Marshall. On January 4, 1880, Mr, Rankin was married a second time, his wife's name having been Mrs. Elizabeth Gowdy. He now resides on his old farm in Walnut Grove township, where he has a most elegant home, which is ricldy furnished. Here Mr. Rankin spends his time when not away looking after his business inter- ests, which are augmented by his duties both in the First National Bank of Monmouth, of which he is president, as well as in two private banks, in which he has the controlling interest. In spite of all his vast and varied duties, Mr. Rankin has kept his name unsullied and his reputa- tion for strict honesty untarnished. There is no one who is a bettei- example as to business life and principles for young men to follow than Mr. Rankin. System, method, order and industry, have been the secret of his success, and these will always win respect and confidence everywhere and will always retain them. Mr. Rankin may well be proud of his success and reputation, and Hendeison county may well be proud to number Mr. Rankin as one of its citizens. The subject of this sketch, Mr. Jaivies F. Rankin, was born August 4, 1834, in Sullivan county, Indiana. His parents were William and Elizabeth Rankin, who were natives of Pennsylvania, Mr. Rankin being (as indicated by the name) of Scotch descent. His father emi- gi'ated to Henderson county in the early part of the year 1837. Imme- diately after his arrival he entered a half-section of land, and during the following year erected a saw-mill, where he cut the lumber for the first church building in the township. Full thirty years before his death, which occun*ed in 1870. at Monmouth, he was made an elder of the Associate Reformed church. Six years after his father's death Mr. Rankin's mother died, in the year 1876. Mr. Rankin first attended school in the little log-house where the first church services were held, the first teacher being Mr. John Sampy. April 19, 1860, he was married to Miss Jane T. Thompson, daughter of Adam Thompson. ilSO HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. To them has been born one chikl, Edgar D., who is now (1882) pnrsu- ing his studies at Monmouth College. Although Mr. Rankin has been unfortunate in having to pay an extremely large security debt for another, yet he has also saved a large competence, having a beautiful farm of 600 acres upon which he resides. Mr. Rankin's early life was spent upon his fathers farm, in clearing and improving it. After starting out in life success soon crowned his efforts to make for himself a competence, and he is now surrounded with all the comforts of life. The subject of this sketch, Mr. Sa^cuel Steele Rankin, son of James Rankin, was born May 3, 1830, in Park county, Indiana. His father, who died in May, 1879, was a native of Jefferson county, Indiana. When but four years of age his father emigrated to Hender- son county by means of wagons and settled in what was then Warren, but has since become Henderson county. Though the schools of those days were of a very primitive nature, and Mr. Rankin could obtain but little education from books, yet he seems to have gained the better education of practical wisdom that has enabled him to succeed better than many college graduates. May 31, 1854, Mr. Rankin was married to Miss Caroline Carothers, whose father served in the war of 1812. Of this marriage have been born seven children, all of whom are still living : Lauranca Elizabeth, Harriet Ann, Mary Eleanor, Charles Elmore, Ralph Worthington, John W^esley and Laura Jeanette. The two eldest daughters have married and left their parents"' roof, the eldest one to AVilliam Pogue, the third to Edward Thompson. It is suthcient to say of Mr. Rankin's success, that though he began with nothing, yet by untiring industry and application he has become the possessor of a beautiful farm of 1:00 acres. In the days of Mr. Ran- kin's early pioneering his father sold corn as low .as five cents a bushel and wheat for twenty cents a bushel. In those days, too, a letter cost $25 ; and long journeys had to be made to mill, and oftentimes great privations were gone through to lay the foundations of Mr. Rankin's present competence. Thomas Rankin, of township i>, range 4, son of Alexander Rankin, was born December 5, 1831, in Sulliv^an county, Indiana. His grand- father was one of Indiana's earliest settlers, he having built the first cabin in what is now the city of Steuben ville. When Mr. Rankin was but five years of age, his father, Alexander, emigrated by wagon to Illinois, to what is now Walnut Grove township, Henderson county. This was in April of 1836. He at once began the erection of a cabin, into which he moved his family before the roof was on. The night Mr. Rankin moved his family into his cabin, a huge limb, some fifteen inches in diameter, fell from the tree under which they had been WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1181' sleeping, and had they been there would no donbt have killed them all. Amid such early surroundings in his father's pioneer home, Mr. Rankin passed his childhood days, receiving his early education in a little cabin near his father's house. December 5, 1857, he was married to Miss L. Mathers, daughter of Samuel Mathers, an old resident of Henderson county. Of the five children born of this marriage, four are living. May (5, 1881, Annie, the eldest daughter, died at the age of seventeen, just in the beginning of her young womanhood. The two sons, Eobert and Samuel Alexander, are now at home ; Jennie, Jessie and Martha Letitia, the two daughters, are also with their parents. Mr. Rankin began life with nothing save his hands and a brave heart. He now has 250 acres of land upon which he resides, and here he is now (1882) erecting a beautiful and spacious residence. Wesley Milliken, the subject of this sketch, farmer. Walnut Grove township, was born on October 21, 1827, in Dearborn county, Indiana, where he passed his youth and early manhood, receiving his education in the common schools of this county. On May 29, 1849, Mr. Milliken was man-ied to Miss Catharine Powell, daughter of Nathan and Marv Powell. To them have been born eleven children, four of whom, Orvill A. E., Wade C, Ellsworth E., and an infant daughter, are dead. Of the living, Jeft'erson B. is married and resides near his father ; Caroline A. is the wife of George W. Henry, of War- ren county ; Jeanette J. is the wife of William Groom, also of Warren county; James P., Mary G., Greeley L., and Clara A. are at home with their parents. Mr. Milliken's father's name was James P. and his mother's Priscilla Milliken. James P. Milliken was born October 16, 1803, and emigrated to Indiana in 1817. In 1841 he was elected to the lower house of the legislature of Indiana for a term of two years, and at the expiration of the term was elected to the state senate and again re-elected, serving six years in the senate. While in the senate a prohibitory liquor law was passed, he taking an active part in favor of it. Upon his return home the temperance people of Dear- born county presented him with a silver cup in appreciation of his services in the senate. In 1852 he was the Free Soil candidate for lieutenant-governor, with George W. Julian for governor. In 1858 he moved to Adair county, Missouri. At this time John B. Clark was representative in congress from this district, and he had gained some notoriet}' for his opposition to John Sherman as speaker. About this time a work called "■The Impending Crisis " was published. It was principally made up of statistics which compared the free and slave states together, and showed what a terrible blight slavery was. Be- lieving fii-mly that slavery was a great hindrance to the material 1182 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. advancement of Missouri, Mr. Millikin sent $5 for this little work and stated his belief that when the people of the district got their eyes opened on the subject they would not allow themselves to be misrepre- sented by such a demagogue as Clark. The New York "Tribune" got hold of this letter, and commended it to Clark's careful perusal. Mr. Clark sent the letter to Adair county, Missouri, for publication. This letter so infuriated the hot-blooded slavery men that terrible threats were made against the author of that letter. Mr. Milliken called a political meeting and in an address stated that he wrote the letter, believing it was for the best interests of Missouri. It was with difficulty that the mob could be restrained while he was speaking, frequently interrupting " him with threats. At length some of the cooler heads succeeded in restoring quiet, for the time. In 1861 he moved to Davis county, Iowa, and in August of the next year enlisted in the 30th Iowa Yol. Inf. He was elected second lieutenant and the next spring was promoted to major of his regiment. In the charge made on the rebel works at Yicksburg, May 22, 1863, he was mortally wounded and died the next day. His son Ethan, brother of Wesley Milliken, was also in this battle, and after it was over was made cap- tain, which office he held until the close of the war. Mr. Milliken, since his coming to Henderson county, has resided in Walnut Grove Township, and there on Sec. 33 he now lives, his farm being one of the neatest and most beautiful in the county. Rev. John H. Montgomery, pastor of the United Presbyterian church of Walnut Grove township, was born in Elniira, Pennsylvania, in 1836. Having chosen the ministry as his profession he went to Monmouth College to pursue his studies, where he graduated in the class of 1866. When in his senior year he went into the war, having joined Co. C, 83d reg. Vol. Inf. He afterward became chaplain of a colored regiment. After his licenciate he was called to the pastorate of the church at Elmira, where he remained seven j^ears. After a rest of two years on account of ill health, he took his present charge. On August 14, 1862, he was married to Miss M. E. Hemphill, then a student of Monmouth College residing at Bloomington, Indiana. Of this marriage iive children were born. Their names in order of age are as follows: David W., Charles A., Alfred C, Mary Paulina and Maggie J., all being at home with their parents. Since entering the active ministry Mr. Montgomery has been a delegate to the general assembly of the United Presbyterian church four times. The subject of this sketch, Mr. George M. Foote, son of David and Annie (Mott) Foote, was born January 17, 1817, in Vermont. Both of his grandparents served in the revolutionary war. In 1821 /I /^ I WALNUT GROVE TOWTSTSHIP. 11 85 lie emigrated to Chenango county, New York, where he was educated in the common schools. In 1829 his parents removed to Oneida county, where they afterward died. In 1844, accompanied by his brother Frank, Mr. Foote came to Illinois and settled in Henderson county. In those days good hands received only four dollars a month, an Mrd. Foote once worked seven months for five dollars a month, and then his employer ran away without paying him. Mr. Foote began by buying eighty acres of land with his brother Frank. To this land he has been steadily adding until he now has 1,200 acres in one body and about 300 scattered about. The great storm, known as the Ellison cyclone, struck Mr. Footers farm the first after its formation. His house, barn and fences were entirely destroyed and had to be rebuilt. Of Mr. Foote's three children, but one (his son Jay, who recently graduated at Heding College) is now at home. One of his daugh- ters, Laura M., is now the wife of John Johnson, of Kearney county, Nebraska. Adella A. is married to John O'Connor, of Henderson county, who resides in township 9, range 5. In 1846 Mr. Foote was married to Miss A. Tinkham, daughter of Joseph Tinkham, of Hen- derson county. In 1852 Mr. Foote was married again, to Miss Mary Jane Carpenter. Mr. Foote now resides on Sec. 31, T. 9, R. 4. T. G. RicHEY, son of K. W. and Helen (Green) Richey, was born in "Washington county, New York, on April 25, 1825. Both his grand- father and father were natives of New York state, the latter having been a recruiting oificer for the war of 1812. Mr. Ricliey received his early education in New York and in Henderson county, Illinois, to which state his parents emigrated when he was but fifteen years of age, driving teams all the way across the country. Imbued with the gold fever in 1849, Mr. Richey determined to seek the " Golden Gate" and his fortune in the rich mines of California. Joining a company of about sixty men, under command of Capt. Finley, Mr. Richej- drove his team through to the Pacific coast, thus completing the journey across the continent. Taking the overland route, they reached the Xuby mines in safety, having been surrounded by Indians on their way and compelled to buy their way out. Here Mr. Richey remained a little over one year, returning by way of the Isthmus and Mississippi river to Burlington. In 1851, after his return homo, Mr. Richey was married to Miss Lavina Randall, daughter of Roswell Randall, of Warren county. Of this marriage six children have been born, all of whom are living: Charles E. is now married and in business in Chicago; Helen C, the second child, is now the wife of R. D. Faris, principal of the graded schools of Cable, Illinois ; the third child, Lilian M., is now wife of Dr. Cowden, of Olena ; Clarence G. is mar- 67 1186 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. ried and works the homestead, while the two youngest, Frank P. and Dora A,, reside at home with their parents. In his children and domestic relations Mr. Kichey has been exceedingly blessed. Not less prosperous has he been in his business, of farming originally, but of shipping stock of late. He has by labor and industry made for him- self a most beautiful home, from which one can look out upon his 380 acre farm. More than all, he has gained a reputation for integrity which is "better than grandeur; better than gold, than rank or titles, a thousand fold." After the Brook tragedy, when the need of an organization to protect the people of the county from crime was felt, and after the vigilance committee was organized, all turned to Mr. Richey as the man Utted, by his decision and energy, to head that committee. He has since been at the head of the Olena organization, and it was due to his skill, to a large degree, that every horse thief in the county since the formation of the committee has been brought to justice. Mr. Richey may be called a self-made man in every sense of the term, and as such deserves the highest praise for his successful efforts to make for himself an honored name among the citizens of Henderson county. J. L. Ford, farmer, T. 9, R. 4, son of James and Rachel (Field) Ford, was born near Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, on May 6, 1844. His mother's father, Mr. Field, was one of the early pioneers of Penn- sylvania, and fought in the war of 1812 ; his father's grandfather, who was shot by the Indians, was one of the early settlers of what is now Harrisburg. When Mr, Ford was but one year old, his father died, in 1845. When nine years old he made the journey from Steu- benville, Ohio, to Burlington, coming down the Ohio on the Min- nesota Belle, one of the early river steamers ; his folks having settled in Henderson county, in T. 9, R. 4. Mr. Ford obtained his early education in the common schools of that township, receiving his tirst instruction from an old teacher named Bailey, who is still remembered by many. Mr. Ford's name is to be recorded among those who went forth to battle for tlieir country's freedom during the late war. He enlisted in Co. C, 83d 111. Vols. For over two years he was mounted as a scout, most of the time for Gen. Thomas. He was also one of the body guard of Gen. Rosseau, on his march from Nashville, Tennessee, to Florence, Alabama. Although he was engaged in just fifteen bat- tles and skirmishes, he was wounded only once, a ball having struck him in the knee at Yellow Creek, Tennessee, when they were skir- mishing with Gen. Hood's body guard. On February 18, 1877, he was married to Miss Maggie J. Pogue, daughter of John and Elizabeth Pogue, old residents of Henderson county. Of this marriage two WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1187 children have been born, the eldest, Mary Jane, having been born on June 14, 1878, and the youngest, Evalina Maud, on May 12, 1880. Mr. Ford now lives in Walnut Grove township, on Sec. 6, and gives, his attention to farming. James Shook, son of Dykman Shook, was born on December 11, 1830, in Hancock county, Illinois, and hence is among the very oldest born in this state. In 1 830 his father settled in Hancock county, and just before the Black Hawk war, with his family of five children, he removed to Henderson county, where he put in a crop, and during the war, having removed his family to a place of safety in another county, he tended his crop with his gun at his side. Mr. Shook, who was among the very earliest settlers of the county, was a member of the Campbellite or Christian church, and it was at his house that the first ser\dces of this denomination ever conducted in the county were held, Rev. Levi Hatchet having preached the sermon. Mr. Shook's wife died January 19, 1876, and on October 12 following he also died. The subject of this sketch, James, the fourth son of Dykman Shook, passed his early youth in the midst of many privations, and gained his education in the primitive schools of the county. Some idea of the meagre school advantages of those days may be gained by saying that Mr. Shook learned his ABC from letters cut out of a book and pasted on a board, which was set up before him. The only text-books used were Cobb's old spelling-book and the New Testament. On May 19, 1860, Mr. Shook was married to Mary Ann Beebe, daughter of Levi Beebe. Of this marriage nine children have been born : four boys and five girls. One of his sons, Albert, now resides in Fremont county, Iowa ; David, Wilbert and Levi are still at home. One of his daughters, Sarah Jane, is the wife of Edward Elixon ; the other four daughters, Effie, Mary Melinda, Amanda, and Hannah, are at home with their jiarents. Mr. Shook began life with nothing save a good constitution, and having raised a large family, with them resides on his farm of 160 acres in Walnut Grove township, giving his attention to farming and stock-raising. Mr. William J. Chard, son of William and Mary Chard, of LTpper Sandusky, Ohio, emigrated from Scioto county, that state, to Warre'n county, Illinois, in 1845 ; but after a residence of one year there came to Walnut Grove township, Henderson county, and settled near where Mr. Chard now resides. Cast ujaon his own resources and compelled to make choice of an occupation, the independent life of a farmer was chosen by Mr. Chard. Beginning life with nothing, he has now about him all the comforts of life, having for manj^ years given his attention to stock raising and farming. On November 30, 1854, he was married 1188 HISTORY OF MERCEK AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. to Miss Louisa Jane Duncan, daughter of Charles Duncan, of McDon- ough county, Illinois. Of tliis marriage there are seven children, the eldest of whom, Calvin D., died when but two years of age. All the rest, Alfred M., Luella J., Ola E., Charlie D., Dennis A. and Harry L., are at home with their parents. In 1878, after a tour through the west to Walla Walla, Washington Territory, where he is planning to remove soon, Mr. Chard returned to his home, where he has exceed- ing happiness in his home relations of his six interesting children. The subject of this sketch, Richard H. Correll, farmer, of Walnut Grove township, was born December 18, 1847, near Lancaster, Han- cock county, Illinois. His father was a native of the State of Tennes- see, where he was born in 1823, and when yet a child his parents removed to Hancock county, Illinois, where their eldest son, Richard H., was born. Here, too, he passed his childhood and early youth, receiving his education in the common schools of the immediate vicinity of his home. After liis parents removed to Henderson county Mr. Correll met Miss Elizabeth Weaver, to whom he was united in mar- riage on June 18, 1878. Mrs. Correll is the daughter of Jacob and Ann Eliza (Dobbin) AVeaver, both of whom are natives of Washington county, jS^ew York, and residents of Walnut Grove township. Of this marriage two children have been born : the elder, Clinnie Lorena, and the younger, William. Mr. Correll's father's name was Jacob Addison C(^rrell, and his children are: Richard IL, Mary Elizabeth (wife of William Duncan), Cincinnattus, and Alice (wife of Daniel Galbraith). Our subject now resides on the old homestead of 180 acres, on section 11, where he gives his attention to farming and stock raising. William G. Pendarvis, farmer. Walnut Grove township, was born May 21, 1838, in Schuvler county, Illinois. His father, Samuel F. Pendarvis, who was an honored resident of Henderson county, died on March 1, 1875, leaving seven children, four sons and three daugh- ters, to mourn their loss. All of them save one, who resides in Alma, Harlan county, Nebraska, are residents of this state. The subject of . this sketch, Mr. William G. Pendarvis, passed his early days in Schuyler county, where he grew up and received his early education. When he vfks sixteen years of age, in 1854, his parents came to Henderson county. Ten years after, in 1864, he was married to Miss Sarah Salisbury, daughter of Seneca Salisbury, of Warren county. Of this marriage five children were born, four of whom are still living : Mary Ettie, Emma J., Alice I. and Lewis M. On August 27, 1876, Mrs. Pendarvis passed away, leaving behind four interesting and promising children to mourn their loss. On October 3, 1878, Mr. Pendarvis was married to Miss Mary E. Noakes. Their ofispring are Ollie May and WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1189 Sydney A. Save a good constitution, Mr. Fendarvis began life with but little. He now has 160 acres of land in sections 26 and 35, on the latter of which he resides. Here he gives his attention to farming and stock raising. Lemuel A. Pendakvis, farmer, Walnut Grove, a son of Samuel F. Pendarvis, was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1813. So far as the name is concerned he would seem to be of French extraction, though the place from which his forefathers emigrated would point to Scotch descent. After the emigration of his parents to Henderson county, Mr. Pendarvis received his education in the common schools. On April 1, 1875, he w^s imited in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Pichardson, daughter of Emanuel Richardson. To these parents have been born three children : the eldest is named Perry P. ; the second child, also a son, Albert P.; the youngest is called Earle A. Up to the time of his father's death, which occurred in 1875, Mr. Pendarvis remained with him on the old homestead. After his father's death he added to his farm eighty acres, so that he now has 160, upon which he resides, paying attention chiefly to farming and stock raising. John A. Brook, farmer. Walnut Grove township, son of Isaiah and Jane Brook, of Gladstone township, was born December 14, 1839. He received his early education in the common school near his father's home, and afterward spent some time in the United Presbyterian College at Monmouth, completing his studies. While still yoimg he was attacked with rheumatism, which rendered him almost helpless for a time, from the effects of which he has never recovered. On August 27, 1867, Mr. Brook was married to Miss Sarah A. Carothers, daughter of Andrew Carothers, an old resident of Henderson county. Of this marriage five children have been born, the second of whom died in infancy: Anna Jane, born September 16, 1868; John Cecil, born April 18, 1872; Lydia, born June 16, 1874; Nellie Myrtle, born No- vember 18, 1877. Mr. Brook is the owner of about 410 acres of land, lying in three farms, his residence being on Sec. 6, T. 9, R. 4. He has served one term as assessor and treasurer of Henderson county, and in 1878 he was appointed school treasurer of the township in which he resides, and still holds that office. Mr. Brook is an elder in the United Presbyterian church at Olena, of which church he has been a member for several years. The subject of this sketch, Francis Marion Davidson, was born on December 15, 1830, in Gibson county, Indiana. His parents were Frederic and Elizabeth Davidson, who were of Scotch descent. Mrs. Davidson's father served during the whole of the revolutionarv war, and was with Gen. Morgan. In 1835 Mr. Davidson's parents removed 1190 HISTORY OF ilERCER ANT) HENDERSON COUNTIES. to what was then Warren county, since become Henderson. Here he passed his youth obtaining his education in the common schools, and has since carried on his studies in private. On January 29, 1852, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Rankin, daughter of Aleck Rankin, of Walnut Grove township, Mr. Davidson was a mechanic by nature, and in 1850 he began to buy books on mechanics. When the old chaff pilers, which were so hard on horses, came around, Mr. Da\ad- son began to figure and plan to invent an engine that would take the place of horse power. After working on the subject about a year, in 1856 he sent to Cliillicothe, Ohio, and had a new engine made for him according to his patterns. On this engine he added two improve- ments, one as to the copper tubes, another as to the stroke. In 1858 he drafted a new engine, changing the cylinder so as to increase the power. This engine, which was not completed until 1861, Mr. Davidson named the John C. Henan. After three or four years' study and examination of the best engines in the country, Mr. David- son drafted the Monarch engine, which he completed in May, 1882. This engine has a complete steering apparatus and headlight, and runs on the road from six to ten miles an hour. In addition to other improvements the Monarch has a tender which carries wood and water. This engine is a complete success, and is a model in its way, being able to do the work of a half dozen teams in tlie field per day. The eldest of Mr. Davidson's family of six children died in infancy ; five are still living: Darius John, Dion, Francis Marion, Annis and Sarah Elizabeth, and are all at home. Mr. Davidson is a democrat in his politics, and was at one time up for a state ofiice, but was on the wrong side and was not elected. In addition to his milling and stock interests, Mr. Davidson has over 2,000 acres of land. He now resides in Kirkwood. Joseph Mathers, eldest son of Samuel and Jane (Greer) Mathers, may be ranked as one of the influential men of Walnut Grove town- ship. His father, Samuel Mathers, of Ireland, ran away from home in youth and took ship for America. The ship having gone down in a storm off the coast of the "New Land," he was carried ashore by a sailor and afterward went to Quebec, where he was married to Jane Greer. After residing in Pennsylvania for some years he removed with his family to Henderson county, Illinois, where several of his sons still reside. Here he died on August 19, 1859. His estimable wife is still living and resides on the old homestead. Sec. 28, T. 9, R. 4. Joseph Mathers, his eldest son, began life with nothing, working for five dollars a month once, but now has a large and exceedingly beau- tiful farm of 500 acres. On May 16, 1850, he was married to Mary WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1191 Ramsay, daughter of David Ramsay. Nearly three years later, accom- panied by his wife and brother, Mr. Mathers set out, in a wagon drawn by five yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows, for the gold regions of Cali- fornia. Here he remained two years, returning by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Although Mr. and Mrs. Mathers have no children of their own, yet they have raised one, George Gilmore by name, now married and living in Kansas. One day, while in Gibsonville, California, a mining town, Mrs. Mathers, having heard of a child born over the mountains whose mother had died, rode a mule to Rabbit creek and brought the child home, but raised it with difiiculty, for milk was fifty cents a quart, and it was hard to get at that. Since returning to his home Mr. Mathers has given his attention to stock raising and farming, and by persevering industry and careful economy he has made for himself a large competence. Robert Mathers, son of Samuel and Jane (Greer) Mathers, was born August 18, 1827, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. In his early youth he emigrated with his parents to Henderson county, where, in 3860, he was married to Alzora Z. Powell, daughter of Nathan Powell, since deceased. Of this marriage seven children have been born, the fourth of whom, Robert E., is dead. All the rest, Eugene "Wesley, Dora Mary, Lois Efiie, Joseph James, Samuel Nathan and Ethel Sarah, are at home with their parents. It is a truism that indus- try and perseverance bring sure success. To this rule Mr. M. is no exception. Beginning life with nothing but his hands, and laboring for eight dollars a month, Mr. Mathers has steadily accumulated prop- erty until he has a farm of 320 acres and become the possessor of a good name, whose price is above rubies. David W. McCartney, next to the youngest son of John McCartney, was born July 2, 1826, in McMinn county, Tennessee, and emi- grated with his parents when fourteen years old to what is now Henderson county, Illinois, and settled in T. 9, R. 4. His father was born August 24, 1787, and his mother, Margaret, in 1789. After their- marriage they removed from Tennessee in 1840, and after a short residence in Warren and McDonough counties, Illinois, they finally settled in Henderson county in 1847. As a volunteer under the com- mand of Gen. Jackson, his father served in the war against the Creeks in 1812-13, and was at the capture of Pensacola, Florida. Four years after his father's death, Mr. McCartney was married on September 10, 1851, to Miss Rachel Moore, daughter of Andrew and Margaret Moore. Of this marriage five children have been born. In 1870 the eldest son, John A., died at the age of nineteen, just in the beginning of his young manhood. The second son, William M., after marrying Miss Celia 1192 HISTOKY OF SrERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Burchell, moved to Mills county, Iowa. Albert E. and David Ells- worth liave also removed to Iowa, and now live in Pottawatamie county. The youngest, Nettie, is at home. Of Mr. McCartney's character and worth it is enough to say that he has been three times appointed deputy assessor, besides holding several terms of ofRce in connection with the school. At the organization of this district Mr. McCartney's father was the secretary, the minutes of that meeting still remaining, and the iirst school-house also was erected by Mr. McCart- ney. Though he began with nothing, Mr. M. has now a beautiful home and farm, and has gained the confidence and esteem of his fellows. Among the early prominent settlers of Henderson county is to be found the name of William P. Thompson, son of Joshua Thompson, who served in the war of 1812. Mr. Thompson was born October 16, 1811, in Washington county, Indiana, in which state he was raised, and in whose common schools he was educated until about twenty years of age, when he attended a Quaker seminary near Salem. In 1838 he was married to Miss Sarah Moore, daughter of Abram Moore, of which marriage five children were born. The eldest, Greenbury Calvin, volunteered in Co. B, 91st regiment. He afterward went to Colorado, where he served one hundred days in the Indian campaign on the Big Sandy. When on his way from Atchison to Colorado he was taken sick and died. His body was brought to South Prairie cemetery by his father and there interred. Mary J., who married Mr. H. Garrett, is also dead. Robert M. is now engaged in farming for himself, near his parents. Emma A. is now married to Thomas Gar- rett. The youngest, Walter J., is now (1882) in Iowa, feeding stock and shipping. In the days of Mr. Thompson's early pioneering there were many privations to undergo. Deer covered the prairies, turkeys, wolves, bears, and a few panthers, were in the woods. It was miles to mill, to the postotfice, and the nearest doctor was out near Monmouth. .Yet though he began with little, Mr. Thompson has now 850 acres of land and a competent fortune, and has also gained the better inherit- ance of his neighbors' respect and esteem. Prominent among the early pioneers of Henderson county is Mr. John Barnetp. He was born in ]S^orthumberland county, Virginia, on December 14, 1812. His father, John B. Barnett, and mother, Mary Hayden Barnett, were both natives of Virginia, the former having been born in Matthews county and the latter in Lancaster county. On April 2, 1834, Mr. Barnett was married to Alice Moore, daughter of Charles and Mary Moore, whose grandfather fought in the revolutionary war, and whose father served during the war of 1812. In the spring WALNUT GEOVE TOWNSHIP. 1193 of 1837, April 20, Mr. Barnett and liis wife left their early home, and having placed all tlieir worldly eifects in a wagon, started for the far west. After a journey of two months they came to what is now Hen- derson county, Illinois, and settled on section 12, Walnut Grove town- ship, on June 22. As the woods at this time were filled with game of all kinds, they obtained plenty of food and soon had a start in life. By persevering labor and careful economy Mr. B. has amassed quite a fortune, now owning three ftirms, one in Iowa, a second near Kirk- wood, besides the homestead, in all over 880 acres. Some idea of the early privations of those j^ioneer days may be gained by saying that their cooking utensils consisted of a skillet, six tin plates and a kettle in which they boiled water for coffee, made corn bread, fried their meat and boiled their clothes. In addition to these earthly treasures, Mr. B. has been blessed with a large family of ten children : Lucy Ann, Peter, Mary C, Charles K., Elizabeth F. (long since dead), Eliza, John Wesley, Catharine, Anne Maria and Ellen Josephine, the youngest. Among those lofty souls who fought for their country was the second child, Peter, who served during all the rebellion. He was shot twice, the second time through the hip, a wound that in his last days troubled him much, and probably helped to shorten his life. He never asked for a pension, but had nearly completed arrangements to do so, wlien he died at his home in Kansas at a time when least anticipated. Mr. Barnett was originally a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his family are members. He resides, together with his excellent wife and youngest daughter, on the old homestead where he settled some forty-five years ago, and retains the respect of all who know him. N. R. Martin, farmer. Walnut Grove township, son of James H. Martin, of Warren county, was born June 20, 1851, near Sugar Tree Grove, in Warren county, Illinois. In this county Mr. Martin passed the days of early youth and manhood, receiving his education in the common schools of Monmouth, and in the Business College of Gales- burgh, Illinois, of which his brother is at the head. In 1876 he was married to Miss Aggie _ Rankin, daughter of James Rankin. Of this marriage one daughter was born, Maudie Agnes, on March 14, 1878. When she was but three and a half months old, on July 1, her mother passed away, near Rockfort, Missouri. Shortly after the death of his wife Mr. Martin removed to Henderson county, Illinois, where he at present resides. During the late war Mr. Martin's father was elected to the Illinois legislature, where he did the state good service and gained the reputation of a loyal patriot and able legislator. Nor did he permit his politics to interfere with his duties as a christian gentle- 1194 HISTOKY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. man, for he was an elder in the United Presbyterian church, and also the clerk of the session for more than fifteen j^ears. He also acquired quite a reputation as a Sunday school worker in Warren county. On the 30th of March he deceased, leaving his family the rich legacy of a good name. His son, R. Martin, was married on December 30, 1880, to Mrs. Mudd, of Raritan. He now resides in Walnut Grove township, and though young, is already known as a man of real worth and character. Adoniram Edwakds, son of David and Eliza J. (Bell) Edwards, was born in Tuscarawas countj^, Ohio, April 29, 1843, and emigrated with his parents to Henderson county, Illinois, in October, 1853. He was reared on a farm, with only the common schools of this county to attend. He served as a soldier in Co. H, lltli 111. Cav., in the war of 1861-5. August 1, 18T2, he married Miss ISTancy E. Robinson, a daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Hobough) Robinson, of Warren county, Illinois. She was born February 15, 1844. They have but one child, Arthur R., born August 24, 1873. Mr. Edwards now resides and is farming on the N. E. J of Sec. 1, T. 9, R. 4, where his parents first settled when they came to this county in 1853. They were both born and married in Belmont county, Ohio, where their eight children were born and four of them buried. He died here in March, 1868, and was buried in the cemetery in Salter's Grove. She is still living. Her home is with her children. William J. VanDoren, farmer, Raritan, is a son of Stephen and Susan (Nevius) YanDoren, and was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, in 1830. His father was the proprietor of a hotel, and conse- quently the early life of our subject was spent in town, where he received what might be termed a liberal education. In December, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Munson, the daugh- ter of Mr. James Munson. She was born in the city of l^ew York in 1832. Early in 1851 Mr. Yan Doren emigrated to Illinois, first settling in Fulton county, where he remained till 1856, when he removed to Henderson county and permanently located on Sec. 33, T. 9 N., R. 4 W., where he has since resided, successfully engaged in farming. In 1865 and in 1882 he realized what is to every human heart a great pleasure, that of visiting (after many years' absence) the scenes of his childhood. He was accompanied on the last trip by his excellent wife and little daughter. They are the parents of six children, whose names in the order of their birth are : Caroline (wife of L. Whitier), Susan (now Mrs. Isaac Y. D. Perren), Charles B., Sarah (wife of J. Milliken), George and Annie. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 1195 The subject of this sketch, Samuel C. Gibson, of T. 9, R. 4, son of Jolm and Martha Gibson, was born near Xenia, Ohio, January 31, 1819. His father, though not quite of age at the time, enlisted in the war of 1812, going to take his father's place, who was unable to go. "When Mr. Gibson was yet but a child, his parents emigrated from Ohio to Sangamon county, and, in 1831, to what is now Henderson county, being among the earliest of the pioneer settlers, and settled near Olena. In the Black Hawk war, Mr. Gibson's father served as a ranger six months. On April 1-1, 1814, Mr. Gibson was married to Miss Margaret Ann Laut, daughter of Michael Laut. Of this marriage but one child, David, is now living, who is married and runs the home- stead. Catharine, Elizabeth, Henry, John and Alexander are dead. Although Mr. Gibson began with but little, he now owns 240 acres of land, upon which he resides, in Sec. 21, T. 9, E. 4. When Mr. G. came to Henderson county he had to go forty miles to mill, on Spoon river, and at one time, when the water was low, went three weeks without flour, and pounded his corn in a mortar. At one time his father's tire went out, and he was compelled to go six miles to get more. Such were the privations of the early settlers of this county. "William Delany, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Delany, was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky. His father was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and his mother in Kentucky. Mr. Delany studied in the primitive schools of those days, and acquired a knowledge of the three rudiments of reading, writing and ciphering. On January 4, 1832, he was united in marriage to Rebecca Knokes, daughter of George and Nancy Knokes. Of this marriage six children were born, of whom three, Nancy Jane, Mary Jane and George "Washington are now dead. Of the living, Eliza Ann is now wife of Richard Enfield ; Martha Ann is married to Daniel Meredith ; "William Thomas, the only living son, was in the late war. Being a large, strong boy, he at last succeeded in getting the recruiting officer to take him, though but fifteen years of age. After marrying Katharine Ross, "William removed to Cherokee county, Kansas, where he at present resides. He is at present engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Delany began life a poor boy, but has made for himself and family a beautiful home on Sec. 26, T. 9, R. 4. Mr. George D. Laut, deceased, was born February 13, 1825, in the town of Greenwich, Washington county, New York. When he was about sixteen years of age he emigrated to Henderson county, where he was destined to pass through the most important stage of his life and die. On October 14, 1S4T. he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Gibson, daughter of John Gibson, who emigrated to 1196 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Henderson county in 1833, and settled near Olena. She was born on September 9, 1822, in Greene county, Ohio. Of this marriage have been born seven sons, six of whom are living, one having died in infancy. Two sons, Chai-les A. and John B., are now married, the former residing in Henderson county, the latter in Pottawatamie county, Iowa. Two, William M. and George E., are living in Lake City, Colorado. James Henry and Samuel C. are unmarried, and the former has charge of the old homestead, residing witli his mother. His father, who was a most worthv member of the United Presbvterian church, died on August 15, 1871, at his home, aged forty-six years, six months and two davs. EDUCATION" m HEXDEPtSOK COUNTY. The educational system that obtains in this county rests for its support upon the common school law of the state. There are no colleges in the county. Prior to t-he year 1849 Henderson county, like all other coimties in the state, dei3ended mainly upon private bounty in sustaining her schools. A small sum was annually received from the state, but was wholh^ inadequate to meet the expenditure in keep- ing up district schools for the proper education of all the scholars in the county ; as a consequence education languished, and those results which flow from a perfected system of education were almost entirely wanting. Our state seemed to slumber, and little general interest could be aroused in the minds of our grave law-makers on the subject of common schools. Canals could be dug, railroads built, and party interests cared for, but a strange indifference was manifested in this important question. Engrossed in the accumulation of the dross of wealth, they seemed to forget that more important subject, the educa- tion of our youth. I have characterized it as the pursuit of dross ; for what are all our lands, and flocks, and herds, and gold, but dross, with- out that cultivation of the mind which shall elevate the soul of man and point out to him the true end of his being. The law, as it stood before 1819, authorized the levy of a school tax by district directors for all school purposes, not to exceed flfteen cents on the one hundred dollars of valuation of property, provided that two-thirds of the legal voters of the district voted for the tax. In 1849 twenty-five cents on the one hundred could be leaded by a similar vote. In 1851 the law was so amended that a majority could by vote authorize the levy of one per cent on the property of the district for school purposes. EDUCATION IN HENDERSON COUNTY. 1197 The conntv in 1881, by scliool census, contained pupils to the number of 3,382 between the ages of six and twenty-one jea,rs. During the same 3'ear there was paid to teachers the sum of $20,278.38 ; and the total expenditure for the same year for school purposes wais $26,352.91:. I have refrained from going into minute statistics of the several townships, as the township compiler, with a view of each locality, in a more complete form. In 1850, being the first United States census taken after its organ- ization, Henderson county contained a population of 4,612; its annual income for school purposes was $2,431 ; its number of scholars at school, 728. COMPARATIVE PROGRESS. In 1853 we find of record the first statement of amount of taxable property in th§ county, to wit : Total value of personal property, $380,659; total value of lands, $784,152; total value of town lots, $159,593; total value of all property, $1,324,404. Upon this valua- tion a state tax was levied of 49^ cents, yielding the sum of $6,533.73 ; a county tax of 40 cents, yielding the sum of $5,297.60; a special road tax of 15 cents was levied, yielding the sum of $1,986.60. At the September term, 1861, of the coimty commissioners' court, a tax of three-fourths of a mill on each dollar's valuation of property was levied for the purpose of supporting the families of soldiers who had volunteered in the service of the United States, to be disbursed under the authority of the commissioners. On August 2, 1862, the court met pursuant to adjournment at the town of Olena, in conjunction with a public meeting of the citizens of the county, who had met for the purpose of encouraging the enlist- ment of volunteers in the army, at which meeting the court passed unanimously the following resolutions : ''''Resolved., That we will, at the next regular September meeting of this county court, levy a tax of two mills on the dollar of taxable property of the county, for the support of the families of volunteers who have enlisted and who may enlist hereafter in Henderson county companies. '''•Resolved., further., That we will, at the next September term of this court, levy a tax of three mills on each dollar valuation of taxable property in the county, as a bounty fund to be paid to volunteers who have or may hei-eafter enlist in Henderson county companies under the late call of the President for 300,000 men." In accordance with the foregoing resolutions the county court did at the September term of the court levy the tax pledged thereby, which 1198 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. encouraged enlistments and materially aided in promptly filling the ranks of military companies then organizing in the county. At the regular term of the county court held in September, 1863, the death of Willison Hopkins, county clerk, was announced, and the appoint- ment of Robert McAllister to fill the vacancy was placed on file, and Mr. McAllister was duly qualified and entered upon the discharge ol his official duties. As showing the material prosperity of the county by the increased value of property in the county, I append after ten years another showing of such valuation : total valuation of all prop- erty in 1863, $1,847,536; total tax, $31,096.66; thus showing that our valuation had increased in ten years from $1,324,404 to $1,847,536, and our total tax had increased in the same time from $13,817.95 to $31,096.66. In 1872 there was returned for taxable purposes by the assessor: personal property, $638,833; lands, $1,653,431; town lots, $136,776; railroad property, $465,547; with miscellaneous property making a total of assessed value of property in the county of $3,014,054. Upon this valuation taxes were levied to the amount of $96,749.34 for all purposes. In 1882 the total assessed value of all property in the county was $3,056,065.30, upon which a tax was collected of $68,106.32 for all purposes, showing a large decrease in taxation. The county indebt- edness being now reduced to about $14,000, which will soon be extin- guished, leaves a hope that with economy in county affairs the time is near at hand when the burdens of taxation will be more easily borne. The population of the county by the census of 1880 was 10,950, which shows a decrease from 1870, to be accounted for by heavy emi- gration to tlie western states and territories. LIST OF DECEASED COUNTY OFFICEES. Many of these county officials died during their term of office, or since their retirement. The list of the dead is large, and is here appended : William Cowden, Joseph B. Jamison, Francis J. C. Peasley, Benjamin C. Coghill, Michael Crane, John F. Morgan, Wilson M. Graham, Alexander Marshall, William Cousland, S. S. Leet, Matthew Findley, Julius Gifford, Ebenezer Chapin, Harvey Eussell, John S. Peasley, William McMillan, Booth Nettleton, James A. Maury, John S. Pollock, Peter Downey, Lambert Hopper, William L. Stockton, George W. Cowden, William B. Jamison, Willison Hopkins, William Lomax, Marion F. Button, John A. Summers, HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP. 1199 HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP. The first permanent settler in Honey Creek precinct was Captain Redman. He was an officer in the second war with England, and became imbued with that daring spirit, dauntless resolution and match- less strategy which are such necessary characteristics in the frontiers- man and pioneer. His attachment for the wild and undeveloped led him to leave his eastern home where plenty seemingly held forth its hand. About 1825 or 1826 he landed here with his family, before a foot of the county's virgin soil had been polluted by the touch of man. He immediately built a small log house, which for many years was the home of the family. We have nothing positive of the settlers until the coming of the Pence family in 1838. John Pence was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Lycoming county January 12, 1803. He was married to Hannah Pence in 1829, and with his family came here in 1838, landing at Shokokon on June 2, having traveled down the Ohio and up the Mississippi. They moved into an unchinked log house, one end of which was occupied by a family by the name of Tull, who had preceded them a short time. This was on section 11. Dur- ing the first years they endured terrible hardships. The family were all taken with the fever and chills and were unable to help one another, and had it not been for the trusty rifle and unerring marksmanship of the husband and father, starvation would have pointed at them her shrunken and withered hands. The long, dreary winter wore awa}^, and with the sunshine of spring came the hope of better days. The spring following they built a log house for themselves on section 15. When the Pences came, Jonathan Nichols lived on section 22, Robert Crownover, a New Yorker, lived on section 14, Andrew Stice lived below, on Honey creek. During the autumn of the year in which the Pences came, Samuel Logan came from Fayette county, Indiana, and settled on the south side of the precinct. Mr. Logan was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born there October 24, 1784. June 3, 1813, he was married to Susan Duffy, in what was then the Territory of Indiana. He enlisted in the war of 1812 for one year, and was honorably discharged from the service at the expiration of his time. As soon as he was discharged he bought a farm in Faj^ette county, Indiana, then an unbroken forest, which he cleared. But soon the people poured in, and the place lost the wildness of its frontier cast, and with that restless spirit so charac- teristic of men who have become inured to its hardships and fascinated 1200 HISTOKY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. witli its exciting incidents, lie could no longer enjoj liis home. In 1838 he sold his farm and with his family moved to this county. There then was plenty of game, such as deer, turkey and grouse, and fishing was fine. This latter sport he followed up to the time of his death, December 28, 1859. Among other early settlers was Noble McKim, who came into the southeast part of the precinct in 1838. Captain Samuel Summers came from Marysville, Kentucky, to Nauvoo in 1833, where he remained for a short time, and from there he came to this county. He was here before there were any schools or churches. The first school was in what is now known as Snake Hollow. This was somewhere in the forties. The school was taught by a man by the name of John E. Coleman. The first preacher was a man by the name of Booth. The services were held at Major Rose's residence. The first school in the precinct was taught by a daughter of Major Rose in an old log building standing on section 15, and now used by Robert Pence as a granary. George W. Logan was an early settler, coming here from Indiana in 1811, and staid a short time, returning to Indiana. He came a second time in 1853, and has since had his home here. George W. Cartright, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere, came in 1848 and settled near where he now lives. John Paul, an old and respected citizen, came in 1841, settling on section 34, where he still lives. Michael Crane, who was a prominent man here years ago, came in 1835. He was a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, emigrat- ing fi-om there by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He was at one time an associate justice of the county. Joseph Kirby, one of the most successful men of the precinct, was born in Maryland in 1822. From there he went to Ohio, and from there to this vicinit}^ in 1837, coming to Henderson county a few years later. He died in 1878. Jacob Millman, who is now perhaps the oldest man in the vicinity, came here in 1837. He is a native of Virginia, and was born 1797. His father was a Hessian soldier in the employ of the British, and was taken prisoner at Trenton. Subsequently he allied himself to the patriot band who were struggling for liberty. After the war he settled in Greenbrier county, where Jacob was born. W. H. Gittings, a native of Kentucky, came to Hancock county in 1834, and to this county in 1838. He was one of the most successful men who have lived in the precinct. He died some years since, leav- ing a large family in good circumstances. ^J^t^^^ HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP. 1203 There are in the precinct three school-houses, known as Snake Hollow, Honey Creek, and Union. They are all in a flourishing con- dition ; the two former have good and substantial frame buildings. The town of Lomaxwas surveyed and platted at the instance of the Lomaxes in the spring of 1869, by Isaac Hartford. The plat was never made a matter of record. In consequence of this, J. Wilson Williams resurveyed and replatted the town for R. A. Lomax during the spring of the present year, and it has been properly and duly recorded. The first business here was the opening of the station by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad on January 1, 1870, the road having been built the year previous. During the same year Foggy & Lomax opened a general stock of merchandise. Mr. Foggy retired in 1874, and the firm became R. A. Lomax & Co., the company being Mr. William Lomax, the father of R. A. The firm changed in 1878 to R. A. Lomax, who yet continues the business in a prosperous and creditable manner. In 1871 a blacksmithing business was begun by Robert Forquar, which he sold to William Cox in 1876, who now does a paying business at the trade. Early in the history of the place James Rhodes & Co. opened a general stock of merchandise. They closed out their stock and retired from business in 1875. In the spring of 1881 Dr. W. H. Ball opened a stock of drugs here. He was succeeded by Mr. C. W. Clutf a year later. The only physician in the place is O. H. Russell, M.D., who is a graduate of a first-class medical school, and a man of no mean talent in his profession. The town was named for Mr, William Lomax, who was one of the most successful, enterprising and highly-esteemed men who ever «ame to this section, of whom a biography is given in our personal sketches. This little town, started a few years ago, now does no mean business, Mr. Lomax being ever ready to buy anything the farmers may have to put on the market. The aggregate of grain, live stock, and other things which find a market through him, annually amounts to many thousands of dollars. LOMAX METHODIST El^ISCOPAL CHURCH. A public meeting was held at Union school, Lomax, June 28, 1871, to take the necessary steps toward building a church. Messrs. William Lomax, Robert Crownover and William Curry were chosen as building committee. At a meeting held August 9, the same year, seven trustees were elected, as follows : Wm. Curry, J. Beardsly, Robert Crownover, Robert A. Lomax, Abram Ashur, Samuel Vaughn, and Jacob Millman. 68 1204: HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. It was finally concluded to build a substantial frame structure, at a cost of about $2,000, to be open to all denominations, the plan being 32x48 feet, without any ornamentation. The money was readily raised by subscription, and during the year the building was finished. The conditions upon which other denominations were to use the build- ing were, that they should bear a proportionate share of the expenses. This the Baptist organization agreed to do, but foiled in it, and at a public meeting held November 20, 1878, the trustees resolved to exclude them until they fulfilled the conditions of the contract. The Methodists have now full control of the building, and the church is in a prosperous condition, at least financially. DALLAS CITY Lies within the bounds of both Henderson and Hancock counties, on the east bank of the Mississippi. The name "Dallas," in its applica- tion to this place, originated with John M. Finch, who came here in 18M. At that time there was but one house within the present con- fines of the town. Mr. Finch and W. H. Rollosson opened a store and commenced the erection of a warehouse. While talking with some persons one day, some one asked Mr. Finch what name they were going to give the town ? He always being ready with an answer, replied : "The island in front of the town is called 'Polk,' and I think it nothing more than meet and proper that the honors should be divided, so we will call the place 'Dallas,' in honor of our candidate for the vice-presidency." Subsequently, at the incorporation, it was found that there was another Dallas in the state, and "City" was added, that the two might not conflict. The first postofiice here was called East Bend, from the bend in the river, and was kept by Mr. Finch. That portion of the town which lies within Henderson county was surveyed and platted by J. Wilson Williams, deputy surveyor of Henderson county, for W. H. Rollosson, in October, 1818, and is on the southwest fractional quarter of Sec. 35, T. 8, R. 7. The lines of the plat run diagonally with the points of the compass and parallel with the river. A number of the buildings stand in both counties. By an act of the people represented in general assembly, approved February 18, 1859, the town was incor- porated as a body politic and corporate. The same act named the following as a board of incorporation : Wm. H. Rollosson, R. W. Brewer, Theodore Rea, John Gibbs, James Gassaway, John M. Finch, Daniel G. Baldwin and B. F. ISTewlon, who were to meet on the first Monday of May ensuing, divide the city into wards and call an election. This was done, and Dallas City became an incorporated town. HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP. 1205 The first postoffice here was established in 1844, with John M. Finch as postmaster. BIOGRAPHICAL. The Lomax family are among the most prominent of Henderson coimty. The grandfather of the subject of the present sketch, Robert Lomax, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, June 25, 1775. He grew to manhood in his native place ; was educated in private schools, learned the trade of a carpenter, and married Miss Anna Dwiggins, a native of Carolina, who was born November 5, 1779. She was the daughter of Robert and Sarah Dwiggins. In 1811 he emigrated to Clinton county, Ohio, where he commenced farming ; came to Hen- derson county in 1830 and settled on Sec. 22, T. 8, R. 6. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. Mr. Lomax was a whig and republican in politics. The father of our subject was born in Guilford county. North Carolina, December 12, 1801, and at his father's removal to Clinton county, Ohio, he came with him. He was raised on a farm and received a common sclwol education. He was married to Mary Rankin, daughter of William and Elizabeth Rankin. ■ Mr. Rankin was a native of L'eland, and came to this country at the age of eleven years. Mrs. Rankin's maiden name was Cray. Mr. Lomax removed to Henderson county in 1853 and settled on Sec. 22, T. 8, R. 6, and engaged in farming and stock raising. A few years after coming here he was elected and served a term as associate judge. He was the father of two children : Elizabeth Lomax, born January 28, 1836, married to Adam Foggy January 28, 1859 (who now live at West Point, Iowa), and Robert A. Lomax, the subject of this writ- ing, born January 31, 1842. Mr. Lomax died September 7, 1878, and lies buried at Terre Haute cemeteiy. Robert A. was born in Clinton county, Ohio, and with his father removed to Henderson county in 1853. His youth was spent on the farm and in the common schools. He attended Denmark Academy, Denmark, Iowa. He followed firm- ing until 1871, when he engaged in the dry goods and farming imple- ment business at Lomax, a place named for his father. In 1874 he closed out the business in farming implements and commenced to buy grain, in which he is yet engaged. He is township treasurer, and November 8, 1881, was elected count}^ commissioner. He is a mem- ber of Carman Lodge of Masons, No. 732, and in politics is a straight republican. March 22, 1871, he married Miss Arminia D. Paul, who was born June 6, 1842. She is the daughter of M. C. and Mary Paul. The Pauls are originally New Yorkers. Mr. Lomax owns a splendid farm of more than a thousand acres. 1206 HISTOEY OF IIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The foretatliers of William K. Gittings, one of tlie pioneers, were from England. Before the revolutionary war tliej came to the United States, finding a home in Baltimore county, Maryland. The father of our subject, Kinsey Gittings, who had married Miss Mary Clem- mons, removed from Maryhmd to Washington county, Kentucky, while yet the country was almost in its primitive state. With resolution born of the surrounding circumstances, he went to work as a farmer, which he ever followed until his death, in 1830, at the age of sixty-five years. He left a wife and six children. The wife died in 1840. The eldest son, William H. Gittings, who was born in Maryland March 12, 1792, was brought up on his father's farm in Kentucky, receiving a very meager education. Here he lived and worked at farming or flat- boating to New Orleans. In October, 1818, he wedded Miss Eleanor, a daughter of Richard and Mary Mudd, of Maryland. Richard Mudd served in the revolutionary war as an officer under Washington. Soon after the war he with his family removed. to Kentucky. After his marriage he lived in Union county, Kentucky, where nine children were born to him. In 1831 he moved to Illinois, stopping for a year in Morgan county. ■ In 1835 he moved to Hancock county and settled on section 7 in Fountain Green township, where he afterward bought 180 acres of partly improved land. In 1839 he removed to section 25, Honey Creek township, T. 8, R. 6, in Henderson county, where he resided until his death, November 7, 1869. When he came to this vicinity he had nothing with which to start, but afterward, by prudence and economy, became one of the wealthiest as well as one of the most highly respected men of the county. He was a whig in politics, and was once his party's choice for the state senate. His wife was born October 20, 1794, and died June 12, 1855. This pair of worthy ones lie resting side by side on the apex of the mound which bears their name, and is known far and wide for the splendid view which can be had from it. Of a family of fifteen children, ten are married and living. Wm. K. lives near, in Hancock county, and is one of its most staunch and reliable citizens. B. B. yet remains on a part of the old homestead. It might truly have been said of Mr. Gettings : "Life every man holds dear, but the dear man holds honor far more precious, dearer than life." Benjamin Berry Gittings was born in Union count}^, Kentucky, October 6, 1828. He is the son of Wm. H. and Eleanor Gittings. He removed with his father from Kentucky to Illinois in 1834, and settled with him in 1839 in Henderson county. Here he grew to manhood, inured to hard toil. While riding over the old homestead with the writer, he pointed out fields which he broke when a boy. HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP, 1207 The old homestead consisted of more than 1,000 acres, September 28, 1854, he married Miss Sarah Ann Howard, daughter of Thomas and Martha Howard, of Monticello, Missouri. She was born in Ken- tucky, June 16, 1834. They have no children ; are members of the Catholic church. Mr, Gittings is a democrat in politics. A few years ago he was so unfortunate as to be stricken by paralysis, from which he has only partially recovered. Cornelius Clover, one of the early and more prominent settlers, was born in Greene county, New York, March 21, 1794. Here he grew to manhood, and when the war of 1812 broke out he was found among those who were battling against the "right of impressment." He was with the army of the North, and for a long time was stationed at Sackett's Harbor. Eeturning and laying aside the habiliments of war, on July 29, 1818, he was wedded to Miss Rebecca Parsons. Having caught the spirit of the times, he turned his face westward and found a home within the forests of Jennings county, Indiana, where death stole quietly among them, and Rebecca, the noble wife and tender mother, was laid away to rest. ' On November 27, 1833, he was a second time married, the woman of his choice being Narcissa Billingsly, and two years later he removed to Warren county, Illinois. From there, in 1852, he came to this county, settling on Sec. 3, T. 8, R. 6, where, on April 5, 1863, he died, respected by all who knew him, and leaving behind him a competence. Two of the sons, Josephus and John, now live on the old homestead. Rev. Jacob R. King, of Lomax, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1845. His parents were born in the same county, and were of HoUandish extraction. His youth was spent attending school and in the pursuit of agriculture. He came to Illinois in 1856, with his people, and was sent to Denmark Academy, where he received an academical education. In 1864 he connected himself with the Congregational church, and the following year became a mem- ber of the United Brethren in Christ. In 1869 he was admitted to the annual conference of Illinois, since which time he has been en- gaged in the work of winning souls to Christ. For the past eleven years he has been very actively engaged with his duties as a minister. He was married to a JVIiss George in 1877. He is a republican in politics. William B. Dean was born in Roscommon county, Ireland, Feb- ruaiy 16, 1809. He was the son of AA^illiam and Elizabeth (H3'gins) Dean. At the age of seventeen, to better his fortunes, Mr. Dean left his native heath for America, hrst settling in New York, where he remained some years, but finally found himself at Port William, Ohio. 1208 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. March IT, 1841, he was married to Miss Margaret Ann Kankin, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Eankin, of Clinton, Ohio. In 1853 they came to Illinois and settled in township 8, range 6, Henderson county. Mr. Dean was a farmer, and was successful in money making. He died June 14, 1872, leaving his heirs well provided for. Mr. and Mrs. Eankin were the parents of seven children : Bartley Eankin, born January 28, 1872 ; William Lomax, born March 2, 1843 ; Albert and Alfred, twins, born March 14, 1845 ; Mary Elizabeth, born October 3, 1848 ; Arthur, born October 12, 1850 ; Charles Edward Franklin, born April 1, 1861, died June 10, 1869. Judge John Logan was born in Fayette county, Indiana, March 20, 1822. His parents were very respectable formers, who settled in Henderson county in the autumn of 1839. Their names were Samuel and Susan (Guffy) Logan. With the help of their sons, John foremost among them, they went to work with a will on a farm, and experienced all the hardships incident to pioneer life. The youthful and stalwart John became smitten with the charms of Miss Delilah Ann, daughter of Edward Davis, an early settler in Hancock county. The young lady looked favorably upon his wooings and they were married. In 1853 Mr. Logan was elected to an associate judgeship of the county, serving with Judges Downey, Eichey and Hopper. Mr. Logan, al- though his chances for an education were meager, has succeeded in collecting a good store of information. He has always followed the business of a farmer, only when interrupted by his public duties. He is the father of ten children : Susan, Alexander Taylor, Mary, Jane, Nancy, Elmira, John, William, Nannie and Lincoln. Thomas Andrew Howard was born in Lewis county, Missouri, July 27, 1841. His father, Thomas Howard, was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, May 16, 1807. His grandfather, Thomas Howard, was a native of Scotland. His mother, Martha Jane Ashbaugh, was born July 29, 1811. She was the daughter of Joseph Ashbaugh. a native of Germany, and a potter by trade, who emigrated to this country and settled in Nelson county, Kentucky. Our subject grew to manhood at Monticello, Missouri, and received a common school edu- cation. After attaining his majority he drove stage for two 3'ears, and in 1866 he came to Henderson county, stopping near Earitan. He married Louisa Morton, of Canton, Missouri. She was a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Gilky and Sarah (Slater) Morton. They have eight children, seven of whom are living: Leonidas B., born September 6, 1868 ; Claudius E., born September 25, 1869 ; Corrie Leonore, born December 3, 1871 ; Thomas M., born July 21, 1873 ; Charles W., born October 14, 1875 ; Maurice and Marion, twins, born HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP. 1209 September 1, 1878 ; Joseph Cyrus, bom June 22, 1881. Marion died November 1, 1879. Mr. Howard is now clerk of the school board of his district. John Pence, the father of the subject of our sketch, was bom in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1803. He was raised as a farmer and mechanic, and educated in the common schools. March 4, 1829, he married Miss Hannah Pence. In 1838 he removed to Illinois, landing at Sliokokon June 2, and moved into a log cabin on Sec. 11, T. 8, K. 6. They were the parents of six children : Robert, Philip, Susan Ann, Harriet, Louisa and Anna Belle. Mr. Pence died April 12, 1860 ; Mrs. Pence died March 22, 1861. Robert Pence grew to manhood among the pioneers of the county, and was married December 11, 1862, to Miss Anna Howard, daughter of Thomas and Betty Howard. She was born in England, and while yet a mere child her parents came to America and settled in New York. They emi- grated to Henderson county in 1856, where she was met and won by Robert Pence. They have ten children : James Robert, born January 25, 1864 ; Tliomas Lee, born March 10, 1865 ; Estella May, born March 1, 1867 ; Philip Edward, born December 28, 1869 ; Charles Henry, born December 18, 1871 ; Harriet Ann, born November 13, 1873 ; Martha Jane, born August 16, 1875 ; Orville Foster, born August 4, 1877; Olive Blanche, born June 11, 1879; Harry Franklin, born January 25, 1882. Mr. Pence now resides on the old homestead. Charles Sparrow was born in Oxfordshire, England, in 1828. He is the son of William S])arrow. His mother's maiden name was Porter. His father was a native of Suffolk. In 1842 the young Oiarles came to America, first stopping at Burlington, Iowa, where, on December 17, 1846, he was married to Mary Foster Darby shire, by birth an Englishwoman, having been born to John and Jane Darby- shire, in London. They became the parents of seven children, six of whom are yet living, the other dying quite young : Lutetia, now the wife of John F. King, Shenandoah, Iowa, was born April 28, 1848 ; Sarah E., now the wife of Samuel Leek, of Grenola, Kansas, born July 10, 1850; William S., who married Miss Ida Sweigert, born October 28, 1852; Martha Ann, born May 27, 1858; Albert C, bom May 6, 1862; and Edward T., born February 28, 1864, yet remain at home with their father. Mrs, Sparrow died July 11, 1877. Mr, Sparrow came to this country with nothing, but he now owns a well improved farm of 420 acres in T. 8, R. 6, John W, Cluff, Dallas City, born in Lexington, Kentucky, April 1, 1813, and with his parents soon after removed to Pike county, Ohio, His parents were Reuben and Catherine Cluff, He was reared on a 1210 HISTORY OF FIERCER AXD HENDERSON COUNTIES. farm and received very little ediication, January 23, 1836, he wedded Miss Anna Jarman, daughter of James Jarman, of Pike county, Ohio. In 1843 he removed to Peoria county, Illinois, and from there to Hen- derson county in 1852, settling in T. 8, R. 6, near where he now lives. He is the father of eight children, three daughters and five sons: Reuben, Isaac, Catherine, James P., Mary W., John T., Charles "W". and ]^ancy B. James remains at home with his father and eases him down the declivity of closing life. Lee W. Shaw, of Dallas City, was born in Honey Creek township, Henderson count}'. May 20, 1846. He is the son of Jackson W. and Abagail Shaw. He grew up among the pioneers on a farm and received a common school education. He enlisted April 11, 1865, in the 83d 111. Yols., but was soon after transferred to Co. G of the 61st Illinois, and commissioned as a corporal, and was honorably discharged during the same year. Married January 26, 1868, to Euphemia J. Babcock, daughter of Samuel B. and ^N^ancy (Logan) Babcock, who were early settlers in the vicinity where Mr. Shaw now lives, by whom he has five children : Elmina S., born October 25, 1869 ; James Jackson, March 15, 1872 ; Ada Leora (deceased), October 27, 1874 ; Lula Etta, June 5, 1877 ; Iva Odella, May 6, 1880. Mr. Shaw has always engaged in farming. He is a republican in politics. SA^ruEL SiMiNioNs, of Dallas City, was born near Marysville, Ken- tucky, April 10, 1820. His father's name was Samuel and that of his mother Elizabeth, who came to Illinois and settled near Nauvoo in 1836. Mr. Simmonds spent his youth on a farm and received such an education as the common schools of the day aftbrded. He was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Logan December 15, 1842, by whom he had three children : Elizabeth A., born September 22, 1843 ; Mary T., April 28, 1845, and Margaret V., August 14, 1847. Was married a second time to Miss Mary Ann Green, daughter of William and Mary A. Green, May 22, 1852, by whom he had eight children : Levina J., born No- vember 10, 1853; Richard H., February 3, 1856; Alice P., March 17, 1858; Martha D., January 30, 1860; Samuel A., December 16, 1861 ; Florence Jane, June 7, 1866 ; Capitola D., February 16, 1869 ; Esther Rose, January 20, 1874 ; Alonzo W., June 22, 1871 ; Melinda, July 4, 1872. Mr, Simmonds was a captain in the 78th 111. Yols., and served through the war. He is now engaged in farming. Robert W. Crane, one of the pioneers of the county, and especially of Honey Creek precinct, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Kovember 1, 1818. He is the son of Michael and Anna Pherits Ci-ane. With his parents he came from Pennsylvania to Henderson county in 1835, landing here June 2. Robert was reared on a farm HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP. 1211 and received a common school education. He experienced all the hardships incident to pioneer life. All tlie improvement on the farm which his father bought was an unchinked log house. I^ovember 1, 1851, he married Mrs. Sarah Dougherty, daughter of Thomas and Jane Bassett, who lived near Shokokon. They are the parents of seven children, four of whom are boys and three are girls : William I., born August 9, 1858; Harry G., born December 12, 1859; Eobert Lee, born February 12, 1862, died July 7, 1863; PVederic C, born October 20, 1863; Anna P., born March 9, 1866; Patience G. and Mercy C, twins, born September 15, 1869. Patience G. died July 26, 1870, and Mercy C. died August 4 of the same year. Mr. Crane is a member of Dallas City Lodge of Masons, No. 235, of which he was the first charter member. He is a member of Chapter 111, Dallas City. He now owns and lives on the old homestead. Charles Yaughn was born in Monmouthshire. Great Britain, November 26, 1833. He commenced life as a farm laborer at the age of nine years, at a consideration wholly incommensurate with the ser- vices given. He emigrated to America with his parents in 1849. His father died the same year, and was buried at Sharonville, Warren county, Ohio. In Ohio he worked as a farm laborer. Not liking the situation he came to Henderson county in 1851, landing August 26, where he has ever since lived. He received some education in private schools in Europe and finished in Illinois. Mr. Vaughn, March 18, 1858, married Miss Novella Bethany Bonham, a daughter of Thomas M. and Sarah Betliany, of Mount Vernon, Ohio. They are the parents of nine children, five of whom are living and four are dead : Estella Jane, born February 13, 1859; Rczella C, born October 27, 1860, died January 30, 1863; Beverly Charles, born May 4, 1862; James Ulysses, born November 7, 1864, died March 10, 1866; La Fayette B., born August 15, 1866, died September 3, 1867 ; Thomas Earnest, born January 7, 1868; Sarah Novella, born December 20, 1869; AVilliam Claude, born October 28, 1871; Florella M., born August 7, 1874, died October 2, the same year. Mr. Vaughn is a straight republican. He has been deputy assessor of the county for the last fifteen years. He is a member of Carman Lodge of Masons, No. 732. His mother, during her widowhood, was kindly and ten- derly cared for. She died March 8, 1870. Beet Moore is an Englishman by birth, having been born in Northamptonshire about 1826. His fiither was Samuel and his mother Sarah (Beach) Moore. His grandfather was John Moore. His mater- nal grandparents were George and Mary Beach. His parents came to America in 1830, stopped at Deerfield Corners, New York, from where 1212 HISTORY OF MERGER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. tliey soon moved to the Black river country. From there they went to Michigan, where the father and mother lived and died, the father in 1864, the mother two years earlier. Mr. Moore came to Henderson county in March, 1853, settling in T. 8, E,. 6. He was married in 1859 to Mrs. Amelia Crane, a daughter of John and Temperance Curts. His wife died December 28, 1876. In 1860 he was in the Rocky Moun- tains engaged in mining and logging, and has since spent a year at Chippewa Falls. His home is on Sec. 2, T. 8, R. 6. John Kemp, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in North Carolina, April 15, 1793. He emigrated to Kentucky, where soon after he married Miss Nanc}^ Fort. In 1832 he moved to Warren county, Illinois, and from there, in 1834, to what is now Henderson, settling near Sagetown, where Norman, our subject, was born, January 8, 1837. He grew to manhood on liis fiither's farm, receiving a common school education. July 16, 1857, he married Miss Mary E. Shanks, daughter of George W. and Amelia (Gittings) Shanks. She was born in Union county, Kentucky, September 25, 1840. They are the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living : George, born May 18, 1858; Jessie, born January 18, 1860; John, born January 6, 1862; Minnie, born February 6, 1864; Charles F., born April 18, 1866, died December 31, same year; Martha E., born December 20, 1867; Orrin S., born June 20, 1871; Addie, born May 15, 1873, died July 1, 1874; Mercy E., born July 15, 1875; L. M., born December 2, 1877 ; Flora Alda, born June 2, 1880. Mr. Kemp is a democrat in politics. His farms are in Sec. 1, T. 8, R. 6, and Sec. 36, T. 9, R. 6. RisDON Henry Kirhy was born in Henderson county, Illinois, April 10, 1843. His grandfather, Henry Kirby, was born on the east shore of MarjJand ; his grandmother's name was Jane Kirby. His father was born in Marjdand and removed with his father, Henry Kirby, to Butler county, Ohio, in 1827, and from tliere to Henderson county in 1837. He was one of the j^ioneer farmers of the county. He subse- quentl}' married Sarah Quinshaw. Risdon H. grew to manhood on liis father's farm and received a common school education. He was married December 31, 1865, to Miss Abertina Parker, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Parker, of Cuyahoga county, Ohio. Mr. Kirby is a member of Dallas City lodge of Masons, No. 235, In politics he is a democrat, and was the nominee of his party for county commis- sioner in 1881, and came near being elected over his opponent, who is one of the first men in the count}^, thus showing his popularity, the county being stronglj^ republican. He has since qualified as a justice of the peace at the solicitation of his friends. He owns a splendid farm in Sec. 34, T. 8, R. 6, and is well-to-do. HONKY CREEK TOWNSHIP. 1213 Joseph Kirby was born on the eastern shore of Maryland June 8, 1822. He was the son of Henry and Jane Kirby, who moved to Butler county, Ohio, about 182T, and came from there to Henderson county in 1837. Mr. Kirby died in 1848, and Mrs. Kirby ten years later. Joseph was married October 15, 1841, to Miss Jane Swymelar, daughter of Andrew and Jane Swymelar. She was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1822. Her parents came to Han- cock county, Illinois, in 1840, where she and Joseph met and were married. The marriage took place at Nauvoo, while yet the Mormons were reveling in the height of their prosperity. They are the parents .of five children : Mary Jane, the eldest, born October 8, 1845, and died the 22d of the following month ; William Hinckley, born November 23, 1845 ; Josephus, born December 23, 1848 ; Minerva, born August 28, 1856 ; Andrew, born March 8. 1858. Mr. Kirby died June 28, 1878, and is buried in Terre Haute cemetery. The children all live at or near home. George Caktwright was born in Staffordshire county, England, March 6, 1823. His parents, George and Sarah Cartwright, were farmers, but his father subsequently went to coal mining, at which he did a considerable business, working a great number of men. George, Jr., while quite young, was apprenticed to a manufacturer of queens- ware, but disliking the business he never followed it after his appren- ticeship ended. He came to America in 1842, landing at New Orleans. From there he went to Missouri, where for a time he worked on a farm. From here he drifted through Iowa and into Illinois, when in 1847, '48 and '49 he drove a stage from Burlington, Iowa, to Spring- field, Illinois. In 1848 he settled in McDonough county, where, on April 24 of the subsequent year, he married Miss Mary E. Woodside, who was born August 3, 1822, in Virginia, and with her parents, John G. and Jane Woodside, came to McDonough county, Illinois, in 1833. Mr. Woodside was afterward quite prominent in local politics. Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living and two are dead : Sarah Jane, born November 13, 1850 ; Virginia E., born January 24. 1852; John, born August 28, 1853, died September 18, 1853 ; Ann Eliza, born May 7, 1855 ; AVilliam Edgar, born July 25, 1857 ; Frederic H., born December 15, 1858, died October 27, 1859 ; and Elmer E., born February 11, 1861. Prior to the war Mr. Cartwright was a democrat, but on the issues of 1 860 he voted foi* Abraham Lincoln. He has been a justice of the peace. Robert Crownover, born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 16, 1817. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Knox) Crownover, His grandfather, liobert Crownover, who married Nancy Kelsey 1214 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Cutter, with several of his brothers emigrated from New Jersey to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, prior to the revolution, and in the deadly contests which ensued between the Indians and whites in that section, all the brothers except Robert were slain. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1834 he emigrated to Michigan, and spent eight years in the counties of Calhoun and St. Joe. From here, in 1842, he removed to Henderson county, and settled near Shokokon, where he remained for two years, when he came to his present place of residence on Sec. 22, T. 8, R. G. January 23, 1851, he was married to Temperance Curts, daughter of John and Temperance Curts, who came to Henderson county from what is now Clinton county, Pennsylvania, then Lycoming. They are the parents of nine children : James H., born September 25, 1851; Elizabeth, January 27, 1853 ; John, October 21, 1855; Eobert and Temperance, March 14, 1858; Alice, January 29, 1860; Mary, January 12, 1863; William, November T, 1865; Mary Kelsey, January 2, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Crownover are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Crownover was well acquainted with the Mormon prophets Joseph Smith and Brigham Young during the days of their dwelling at Nauvoo, his father, who lived near where Robert now lives, having often entertained them at his residence. John Paul was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 15, 1815. He is the son of Joseph and Sarah Paul, and is of Holland Dutch descent. His father was a miller, and young John worked at this business during his boyhood. In 1828 the family moved to Mahoning county, Ohio. He was married January 4, 1838, to Hannah, daughter of Basil and Rachel Perry, and immediately settled in Columbiana county, Ohio. From here, in 1844, he came to Hen- derson county and settled on Sec. 34, T. 8, R. 6. He is the father of five children, all boys : James, born July 28, 1840 ; Eli, born March 6, 1843, died September 27, 1846 ; Joseph L., born March 9, 1846 ; Basil Henry, born September 5, 1848 ; Thomas Morgan, born Febru- ary 4, 1851. Mr. Paul has followed farming since his marriage. Basil Henry was married November 27, 1878, to Miss Nancy J. Logan, daughter of Judge John Logan. They are the parents of two children : Missie Ann, born June 5, 1873 ; Myra M., born November 2, 1876. The grandfather of the present sketch suffered the hardships of the revolution. His father was also in the latter part of tlie struggle for independence, and saw service in the war of 1812. His maternal grandfather was in the revolution and fought at Brandywine, where he HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP. 1215 was severely injured. William, the son of Joseph and Jane Arclii- bald Curry, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, November 21, 1819. His parents were of Scotch-Irish descent. He grew to manhood on a farm, and married Rebecca Close, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Close, of Lorain county, Ohio, April 19, 1844, by whom he had two children : Marion F., born December 27, 1846, and Rebecca, born May 1, 1848. Mrs. Curry died May 11 of the same year. He was married a second time, to Nancy L. Wright, daughter of Jonathan, a native of Ohio, and Mary Wright, a native of Virginia. She was buried in Lorain county, Ohio, May 31, 1827. They are the parents of three children : Eugene, born February 25, 1856, and died April 19, 1856, in Cedar county, Iowa, where he was buried ; Clayton, born December 28, 1859, died the 25th of March following, and was buried in lot seventeen of Logan's cemetery. Henderson county ; Mary K., born Sejitember 23, 1865, in Henderson county. Mr. and Mrs. Curry are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Jasper Logan, son of George W. and Melinda Logan, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, October 8, 1846, Mr. Logan's grandfather was an early settler in this county. His mother, whose maiden name was Martin, is a cousin of the Hon. James N. Tyner, of Indiana. Jasper, with his parents, came to Henderson county in 1853, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He graduated at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, Burlington, Iowa, Aj)ril 10, 1868. He enlisted in the 83d reg. 111. Vols., April 11, 1865, and was soon afterward transferred to Co. G of the 61st, and was mustered out September 8, 1868. He taught one term of school in 1868. April 14, 1870, he married Elizabeth Angeline, daughter of Hon. William Scott, of Dallas City, Illinois. They are the parents of four children, all boys : Lemuel Edgar, born February 20, 1872 ; Clement Eddison, born August 31, 1874; Royal Claude, born August 24, 1877 ; Clinton Henry, born October 21, 1880. Mr. Logan is now a farmer and owns a farm in T. 8, R. 6. John Cooper, Lomax, Illinois, was born in Monastrevan, county Kildare, Ireland, July 28, 1805. He was educated in his native town, and remained there until fifteen years of age, when he moved from there to Dublin and learned the cabinet-making trade. He was mar- ried June 6, 1828, to Eliza Deane, of Dublin, and they had fifteen children, of whom but five are now living : John, William, Thomas G., Eliza and Washington L. After working at his trade for seven years altogether, he received an appointment on the Grand Canal as captain of a passenger canal boat plying between Dublin and Balinsloe, serv- ing in that capacity for twenty-five years. He then resigned and 1216 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. accepted a coUectorship for the company at Tullamore, Kings county, and served as collector eight months, and then resigned and came to America, landing at New Orleans December 10, 1848. From there he came to Burlington, Iowa, and engaged in the mercantile business for eighteen months, and from there he removed to Henderson county and engaged in his present occupation of farming. He is a member of Dallas City Lodge, No. 235, of A. F. and A. M. In religion he was brought up in the belief of the Episcopal church. SOUTH HENDEPvSON TOWNSHIP. Township 10, range 5, was laid out by the government in 1816. This township, the most centrally located, does not contain the largest population, though almost a full township. It does not have so much tillable land as others, but it has contained and does contain more and larger industries than any other in the county. The population in 1860 was 489 ; in 1870, 1438 ; in 1880, 1135, showing a decrease in the last decade of 303. The area in acres is 22,735. The township surface corners on the Father of Waters, the bluffs of which extend through the township from north to south. They cut the north line one and one-fourth miles from the east line on the north, and the south line, three and one-half miles from the same line. These monuments of the "Ice Periods" of the north, in connection with the main Hender- son creek and its confluent, South Henderson, flowing westwardly through the northern pai-t, produce a diversified surface. These blufts are gradually ascending, nowhere precipitous, extending at times into long, sharp ridges diametrically to their length, again culminating into high mounds or conical peaks, presenting a beautiful scenery, and from which may be seen a large scope of country and several towns and cities, some of which are on the Iowa side. Sometimes they are bold and even romantic and quite lofty. One of the highest, probably, in the township is north of Mr. F. Galbaith's house, on section 22. There is another very beautiful one just southeast of Gladstone, of conical shape and almost as high. Some of these blufts aflbrd some excellent building stone and stone for lime. The surface of the land east of the blufts, and bordering on them, is very undulating ; west of them is the second bottom, which is quite flat, but drainable ; between the first and second bottom is what is called the sand ridge, which is somewhat rolling. The first bottom is very low, flat land, and is over- flowed at times by the Mississippi. SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1217 The timber in tliis township is not principally confined to the streams, as in some other townships. The eastern half of T. 10, K. 5, is largely composed of either timber or timber land, with the exception of two whole sections in the northeastern part and five in the south and southeastern portion. Large oaks, scattered here and there, cov- ered the bluffs wlien first seen by the settlers. The oaks were so disti-ibuted that prairie grass grew all over the blufts. Most of the young timber of the blufi's and elsewhere has grown up since the second set of settlers settled here. This young timber, which is, or most of which is, large enough to make good wood, is quite thick in places where it has not been cut for wood or rails. Some of the most valuable kinds of wood are black walnut, white oak and hard maple, sometimes called sugar-maple. This township, situated as it is, contains about all the varieties of soils of the county, such as the black loam, the light, the sandy, and the sand soil. It does not have as much good tillable land as some other townships adjacent to it, though there is some as good land found in T. 10, R. 5, as in any other county or state. There is a strip of bot- tom land in the western part of the township, about two miles wide, mostly in the northern part and the blufi's, that cannot be called waste land, as most of the bottom not tilled or occupied by the several lakes are utilized by pasturing them. These bottom lands, or swamp lands as some may call them, if they could be drained and diked against the overflow of the Mississippi, would make excellent farm lands. The soil at the foot of the bluffs is the best soil in cultivation. It is of a deep black mold, slightly sandy, and is best adapted to raising Indian corn. The soil on the prairies is of a black loam and will ])ro- duce all kinds of grains. The soil of the timber-land is much lighter, but is often better adapted to wheat, oats and fruits. MILLS. Grist-mills were quite scarce and steam-mills unknown. What few mills there were were run by water-power. The first grist-mill and saw-mill in the precinct was built on South Henderson creek, two and a half miles east of Gladstone, by Mr, Shell Ward, to whom belongs the honor of building the first mill in the precinct and the second one in the county. It was built about 1848, on Sec. 2. It was three stories high besides the perline story, 3(')X50 feet, with three run of French burrs in complete operation, calculated for one run or more, with all the machinery necessary for doing country and merchant work in the best manner ; also, a saw-mill, with good cutting capacity. Both mills, 1218 HISTORY OF MERCER A^D HENDERSON COrNTIES. together with the dam, have foundation on solid rock. The dam affords a ftill of eighteen feet for both mills. The original mill was torn down and rebuilt and changed into the present one, which is still running. There were two other mills running about this time in the county, one near Oquawka, called Jack's mill, and one at Warren. The streams which fed these mills would in very dry seasons fail to supply the required quantity of water, and remain motionless until there was water enough to turn the wheels. It was during these times that the people had to travel long distances over a roadless country and bridgeless streams, with nothing but the sun and stars as their guides. When we now have to go ten to fifteen miles to mill it is a long way, but what would some of the young farmers of to-day think if they had to travel seventy-five or eighty miles to have a grist ground, which the early settlers of those times were compelled to do or go without bread ? In performing the long journey to and from the mill the^ would some- times get lost, lay out all night on the prairie, not knowing where they were or what might be their fate ere the dawn of day. They would often be gone a week or ten days before they returned to • their log huts, their homes ; though they were humble they were dear. Such were some of the early times of the history of South Hender- son precinct. It is related of John Woods and John Tweed, Sen., in December, when no grinding could be done at their home mills, they went to Burlington to have their grist ground. They hauled it to the Mississippi river with a team, then put it on hand sleds and dragged it across the river on the ice, and, as the narrator says, "had three grains knocked into one, and it was the best bread I ever ate." The first threshing machine, if they may be called such, said to have been used in the precinct was in 1842. It was what was called in these days a chaff-piler ; that is, the straw, wheat and chaff came through the machine simultaneously, all in one heap. The straw then had to be separated from the chaff and wheat. Atter this was accom- plished the wheat and chaff were sent through a fanning mill, which separated the chaff from the wheat. This was considered a great im- provement over the ancient process of tramping out the wheat by either horses or oxen, saving time and being much the cleaner mode of the two. They cut their wheat, rye and oats with the sickle and cradle, and were just as well contented to cut their grain in that way as we are to cut our grain with the reaper, harvester or self-binder. A day's work with the sickle was one-half an acre. A day's work with the cradle was called fi'om two to three acres. Wl LLIAM H , G ETT I NGS SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP, 1221 As an illustration of what reapers would do when they were first introduced into the settlements, the following is one: Maj. Sam Hutchinson with his Virginia reaper, which he calls the Western Clipper, cut in four and a half days si^jty-five acres of very heavy wheat, on the farms of William Graham and Thomas McDill. The wheat on Mr. McDill's farm was decidedly the heaviest in the county. Some of the oldest settlers were compelled to live on potatoes alone for several weeks at a time, and they thought it preferable to living on acorns and a small portion of parched corn, as did their pilgrim fathers on the shores of New England during the first settlements there. During the drouths, when the mills could not grind, they would resort to many devices of obtaining meal, often making graters of some thin metal on which to grate their corn ; some using the coffee mill, and others the mortar for crushing it. The following market quotations, from the Oquawka "Spectator," show the prices prevailing February 12, 1848 : Wheat (winter), 55@ 57 cents; wheat (spring), 40@50 cents; corn, 15@18 cents; oats, 15 cents ; barley, 30 cents ; flax-seed, 60 cents ; white beans, 38 cents ; potatoes, 20 cents; dried peaches, $2; apples, $1.12; salt (Kanhawa), 50 cents; ground alum, per sack, $2.50; dry hides, per lb, 6 cents; green hides, per ft), 3 cents ; lard, 4 cents ; tallow, 9 cents. The first road through the township was the Monmouth and Bur- lington road. This road was traveled before the country was fenced into farms and before any regularly laid out road was surveyed. This old road followed very nearly the old Indian trail, which began in the northeastern part of the township, through the Jameson and Sam Lynn settlements, running southwest to South Henderson ford near Glad- stone, and ft-om there southwest along a sand ridge across the bottom to Burlington. When a survey for a county road was made, the surveyors followed the old track from the Sam Lynn place to South Henderson ford ; from this place it only followed the old road in the main. James Eyason, Peter Butler and James Jameson were the viewers to South Henderson creek. The first road from the southern part of the township started from Honey creek, leading north through Warren to Gladstone; this road was extended on to Oquawka, the present county seat. FIRES. Tall prairie grass everywhere covered the township when the red man roamed the bluffs for wild game to make his breakfast on, and for some time after settlements were made. In the fall of the year the grass would often catch on fire, by some Indian chief smoking his pipe 69 1222 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. of peace, or from the fire of some hungry hunter who had started it to cook liis venison or turkey. It would run like "wikl fire," as is the common saying, roaring, leaping, scathing, spreading wider and wider, like the mighty waves of the ocean, over the plain, up the high blufis, across the hills and vales, out on to the vast prairies, carrying destruc- tion to everything which interrupted its progress. When the settlers would see the smoke of this destroying element, it would be the signal for every man, woman, boy and girl in the whole settlement to turn out to save their own and the homes and property of their neighbors. They would go miles away to assist their neighbors to stay the fires ; they would often fight fire, to arrest its progress, from twelve to twenty hours at a time without rest. It was in one of those fires in which Tamatown, an Indian town near Gladstone, was burned ; the fii'e came up so suddenly that they had no time to save anything. One Monday morning, about one o'clock, Mr. McFarland's distillery at Sagetown was discovered to be on fire. On Saturday evening, as usual, the fires were put out and the house closed for Sunday, the only fire left in the building being in a stove in the room in which the yeast was kept ; this had been replenished again on Sunday evening with the same care that was always taken to keep the room warm, but it is supposed that the accident originated from the fire in the stove in some way, as the flames were first discovered in the roof over the yeast-room. Some persons, however, among the workmen are of the opinion that the fire was the work of an incendiary. The loss must have been large, as the beer in the tubs would have run out. Over sixty barrels of highwines, with the large building and all its contents, were totally destroyed. During the Blackhawk war a fort and block-house was built in the yard where Mr. Samuel Lynn's house now stands, as a place of refuge for all the surrounding settlers' families. A place was first enclosed by twelve foot slabs set in the ground, inside of which was built the block-house, consisting of two stories, the upper one project- ing out about two feet over the lower one, each having loop holes on all sides, through which to shoot. Previous to this a temporary fort was built around W. R. Jameson's house, by setting pickets in the ground around the house. This was, so far as known, the second fort in Henderson county built against the invasion of the Indians, the one at Yellow Banks being the first. The only remaining thing to mark the spot where the fort stood is the wall of the well for the use of the fort. In the winter of 1832, when there was a great deal of excitement in the settlements about the Blackhawk war, there were several families SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1223 stayed in tlie bloek-house near by. The names of those living in the block-house were as follows : Samuel Jameson and his family, his son James and his family, William E.. and his family, among which was Calvin Jameson, Stephen Short and his family, and Abner and Gabriel Short, William Russel and his family, Aaron Earnest and his family, James Ryason and his family, Eliza Griffith and her family, making forty-five in all. RELICS. Mr. John Tweed has in his possession an old sword which is a relic of the Blackhawk war, used by his father, John Tweed, Sr. It is a short narrow-bladed sword with an ordinary brass handle. He has also a pair of tongs, plowed up in his field, which were used nearly fifty years ago by one of the first blacksmiths of this county. On the summit of the blufts, on the left-hand side going north ot the Gladstone and Olena road, at the mouth of what is known as Tweed's Hollow, are found about 100 mounds, which are thought to be of ancient Aztec origin. Human bones have been taken out at a depth of eight feet, the corresponding ones of which are larger than those of the largest man in Henderson county, thereby proving the people who made them to be of more than ordinary stature. The mounds are of rather a mysterious origin, are prominent, at intervals, on the tops of the blufts extending through the Precinct. In one of these an unburnt red clay pot, having flowers rudely etched on one side, was found in the blufts just east of Gladstone, by C. Lilteich, while leveling oft" one side of the bluft". Mr. Alexander Lynn, living just in the northern part of Gladstone, on the S.W. ^ of Sec. 10, has the lower part of a post found while plowing on his land about twenty rods north of his residence, which belonged to the Sac Indians council house. It was taken out by him several years ago and can be seen at any time at his house. On the blufts near Frank Galbrath's Mr. William McChesney picked up a small flat stone nearly three inches in diameter, round, concave on both sides, bird tracks on one side, a bird on the opposite, and having a hole in the center. This small stone is called an Indian totum. This totum was taken to Burlington, Iowa, and is supposed to be in the Iowa State Museum. Mr. J. Smith has two Indian relics, one of which is a small dark brown round and flat stone, concave on both sides, about an inch in thickness, and about two and one half inches in diameter ; the other one is a yellowish and gourd-shaped stone ; it is about three inches long, the largest part of which is about two inches in diameter. 1224 HISTOEY OF IVrEECEE A^D HESTDEESON COUNTIES. FIRST SETTLEMENTS. Mr. James Rjason, the first settler in the township, was an Ohioan. In 1827, leaving his wife and child with his father-in-law, he started from Edgar county, Illinois, intending to take a flat-boat load of whiskj- to New Orleans, by way of the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Before he reached there, on learning the state of the market, pulled oars for Galena, Illinois. Here he disposed of his load, worked in the mines, and not striking a bonanza, he abandoned his prospect, loaded his canoe with lead and hides and sailed down the river for Oquawka. Landing at Oquawka, he began looking out a site for a wood yard. It was located on jS^. ^ of jST.W. J Sec. 2, which he afterward improved, and built, in the fall of 1828, the first house in the township, two miles south and one-half mile east of Oquawka, and a quarter from main Henderson creek. The cabin was built near his present house, and made of hewed logs covered with clapboards ; the floor was of hewed logs ; the chimney of sticks and clay. It was a single room and one story high. "What caused him to select this piece of land was on account of a fine spring of water at the foot of the bluft's on this land ; not pre- empting as much as he expected he was getting, he subsequently bought a tract lying east of his would-be choice. This land he pre- empted and bought of the government when it came into market. At one time he came near losing it. He proved his pre-emption before the magistrate, and sent it to the land ofiice. at Quincy to have it re- corded, but the land agent neglected to record it. Just as Mr. Ryason was recovering from an illness he heard that one of his neighbors, who knew that his pre-emption had not been recorded, was then on his way to Quincy to pre-empt his land. Notwithstanding his convalescence, he borrowed a horse, and, after riding nearly the whole of the follow- ing night, succeeded in reaching Quincy ere his would-be neighbor and land jumper, and preventing him from filing his fraudulent pre- emption title. During the winter of 1828 everything in the way of eatables, especially pork, which was part of their living, was very scarce in the Yellow Bank settlement from which Mr. Ryason obtained his food. It was during one of the coldest spells of that winter he went over to a settlement on Drown creek to engage some pork from that settle- ment. On his way back he got lost ; night coming on, had to tie his horse in the woods and walk around all night to keep from freezing. He went back with team to help Stephenson over with the pork. While going over with Stephenson he became separated from him, and was compelled again to stay in the timber all night, without SOUTH HENDEKSON TOWXSHIP. 1225 anything to eat or but scant wrappings to keep him comfortable from the excessive cold. Wlien he pre-empted his land he said he could carry all the property he had on his back, and did not have twenty-five cents in his pocket. He worked at rail-making at fifty cents a thousand, to obtain money to keep him and family and make some improvement on his place. He made all the rails to fence his place by moonshine. He also chopped wood during the winter of 1828-9 for a living. Following the putting in of and tending of a small crop of corn, he started back in August for his wife and child with an ox team, which he borrowed of his brother in Fulton county. -He returned in November with his family to the little log cabin which was to be their future home, and the first one in the township, and among the very first in the county. Mr. Ryason claims to be the first agricultural settler in Hen- derson county. During the winter of -1829 the only food they had was bread, meat and potatoes. For a bushel of meal he had to work two days. While on his journey after his family, he traded a rifle for four hogs, which were to be fatted and ready for him when he called for them in the fall. When he went after his hogs he found them too fat to drive, so he was compelled to butcher them there and haul the pork home after- ward. As he had no cow, and thinking he could do with less meat if he had one, he traded one hundred pounds of this meat to Jerry Smith for a cow. Some time following this bargain he bought a young heifer, and from these succeeded in getting a start in cattle. He bought a couple of hogs from Mr. Richey, and captured some wild ones on shares with him. His excellent prospect for raising hogs was set at naught when the Indians came in and drove ofi" or killed all but four of them. Some of his neighbors, through a mistake, drove off two of these so he could not find them, leaving only two for his winter's meat. Among the first settlers were the Jameson and Short families, who settled in the northeast part of the township. In the fall of 1829, James, William R. and John C, sons of Samuel Jameson, came and settled in this county. Cahdn (John C.) settled on the N. |- of Sec. 1, which was bought of Thomas Richey and designed for the family, where the father, Samuel Jameson, spent the remainder of his days. William R. settled on section 12, and also James, where the latter died. William Jameson raised a crop of wheat the next summer. He sowed ' ' a half bushel and a half peck " to the acre, and raised thirty- three bushels to the acre, which would be fifty-two bushels to one bushel of seed. He sowed nine acres, and reaped from it 297 bushels 1226 HISTOEY OF ilERCER AND HEXDERSO^T COUXTIES. of good wheat. Calvin and James cropped together, and raised fifteen acres of corn, twelve of which was sod, a first-rate yield. The second years crop was still better, the yield of which was about sixty bushels per acre. The remainder of the Jameson and Short families, consisting of Samuel Jameson and his wife, three children, Joseph H., Kathan and Elizabeth, his two step-sons, Abner and Gabriel R. Short, in Septem- ber, 1830, left Perry county, Indiana, for Henderson county, Illinois. They brought one wagon and team, two yoke of oxen and one span of horses. They drove cattle and sheep, and Mrs. Jameson rode all the wav on horseback. Mr. Jameson and most of the familv, after they had gotten in what is now Henderson county, got lost after night in trying to find the road to his sons'. They hallooed for considerable length of time, when friends, hearing them, came and directed them to their destination. The balance of the family remained on the prairie for the night, near James McDill's place. Stephen Short, a bi-other of Gabrel and Abner, preceded them and built a pole cabin on the X. E. \ of Sec. 1, in which the family were to live temporarily. After the corn was planted they cultivated it with a single shovel and horse. The corn was not pulled until after a three-foot snow had fallen, but they were glad to have corn to pull in the snow. They gathered and hauled it home on a sled with an ox team. Food being quite scarce when they first came, they lived on veni- son, wild ducks and turkeys, until the pork, which they traded for on their way to the settlement, came. During the winter they ground corn in a hand mill, the meal of which they made into bread. The bread was made with salt and water. Goods and gi-oceries were hauled from St. Louis that winter, and they paid ^16 per barrel for all the salt they used. Mr. Joseph De Hague, a Frenchman by birth and a sailor by occu- pation, was born about 1796 and died in 1856, making him sixty years of age at his death. He went to sea at the age of fifteen, and at which life he lived until he was twenty-four, when he gave up a sailor's life, went to Terre Haute, Indiana, from there to Edgar county, Illinois, where he married Marv Laswell. Afterward he went to Galena, Illi- nois, leaving his family with his wife's father, where he was engaged in mining for awhile. From there he, with James Ryason, came to Oquawka. After running on the river for a few years he took up a claim and settled and built on section 33 in 1832. De Hague's cabin was like most of the cabins in those times, a one story hewed-log cabin, hewed puncheons for floor, roof made of clapboards, stick chimney laid up with clay, the back wall of which was made by laying up a SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1227 frame on tlie outside as high as needed, and one of the same height on the inside ; this frame then allowed to dry, when the inside frame was burned out, leaving a solid, hard clay wall. He brought his family, consisting of his wife and two children, from Edgar county, with James Ryason, to Fulton county, where he stayed two years. Came to this county and rented a place one season, previous to pre- empting. Though he built on section 33, he farmed on section 34. He broke and cultivated thirty acres on the I. J. Brooks farm. After De Hague remained at the old place a few years he sold out to I. J. Brooks in the year of 1837, built a double-hewed log house in the Mississippi bottom, in township 9, range 5, where he kept tavern, making money quite fast, and where he lived until his death. His remains were buried in the cemetery on the bluff, in township 9, range 5, where his wife and several children were buried. Mr. Right Lynn, one of the early settlers, settled on the south bank of South Henderson Creek, on the N.W. J of Sec. 10, in the limits of the present town of Gladstone, in about the year 1833. The primi- tive log cabin was built in the same lot in which the residence of his son now stands. Mr. Lynn was much better oif financially than most of his cotemporaries, he having about $1,300 in money when he came. In the spring of 1833 he, with his brother, went to St. Louis, where he bought two yoke of cattle. To get some trunks home which he had there he put them on a forked pole, and hitching the oxen to it, hauled his trunks all the wav from St. Louis to his home in Henderson county. His brother, who had accompanied him there, left him and went east. When he began farming he used a mold-board plow ; after the scouring plow came into use he got one of the first of them. He farmed without horses until 1856, and these came from Connecti- cut. He tilled but few acres at first. He possessed a wagon which was a decided improvement over the forked stick which he used com- ing from St. Louis. It was a wagon which he himself made, the wheels of which were made by sawing off the ends of logs, and he called it his tnick wagon. William Russell, of Sangamon county, Illinois, with nine children in his family, settled on Sec. 24, T. 10, R. 5, in the spring of 1831, and there resided until the year 1849, when the father and part of the family removed to Iowa. In the spring of 1829, John Campbell with his wife and nine chil- dren, emigrated from Scott county, Indiana, and settled in close where South Henderson church now stands. Here they raised a small crop of corn, and the next year moved to Shokokon. He died in 1867. and she in 1851. Their son, Richey Campbell, is now a worthy 1228 HISTOKY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. citizen of Biggsville township, and a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church. Lucius Cook emigrated fi-om the State of New Jersey with his family in 1834. He drove his team through to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he put them and family on a boat, and going down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers, they landed at Warsaw, from which place they traveled the balance of the way by land to Henderson county. They first went into a small cabin built by Right Lynn on Sec. 10, on the north bank of South Henderson creek. Cook built a cabin afterward on the S.W. ^ of Sec. 15, where he lived until he died. He, like many other settlers, came here with limited means. He only had one team and $10 in money. He moved into the cabin ere it was completed, cold weather set in, and while the cabin was yet uncovered a young pioneer made himself known, who was afterward known as John Cook and who still lives on the home place. Mr. J. S. Mitchel, who lives near Gladstone, came from Pennsyl- vania in 1839. He first stopped at Warsaw, Illinois, and went from there to the vicinity of Terre Haute, this county. He was county recorder in 1848. He served as a teacher for several years in Han- cock and Henderson counties. In the year 1849 he settled on the S.W. J of Sec. 16. There was an old log cabin on the place when he bought it, and was one of the best of those days. This quaint old cabin, with its shingle roof and stone and brick chimney, still remains to remind the present generation of what tlieir fathers and mothers had to live in when they were children. LIST OF OI>D SETTLERS. As it is respectful, at least, to have the names of the old settlers mentioned, the following is a list of all the names of the settlers, with dates of settlement when obtainable, which could be ascertained : James Ryason settled in 1828 ; Thomas Richey, 1829; John Campbell, 1829; Johnathan Viles, 1829 ; Samuel Jameson, 1830; W. R. Jameson, 1829; J. C. Jameson, 1*829 ; Calvin Jameson, 1829 ; Samuel Lynn, 1830 ; Stephen Short, 1830 ; Abner Short, 1830 ;' John Kemp, 1835 ; Joseph De Hague, 1834; D. McDill, 1836; L J. Brooks, 1837; James McDill, 1838 ; James Meckenson, 1838 ; Mathew Graham, 1838 ; A. L. Porter, 1840; Cromwell Catlin, 1844; J. N. Bruen, 1844; John Caruthers, 1842 ; Mrs. Mary A. Bruen, 1840. The following persons were known to have settled here previous to 1840 : William Graham, Daniel Putney, Ezekiel Popham, Abraham Tweed, John Tweed, John ^McClintoi, Alec. Spence, Daniel Gorden, Alec. Russell, Henry Russell, William D. Henderson, J. F. Maitin, Thomas B. McDill, • SOUTH HENDEKSON TOWNSHIP. 1229 Thomas McDill, Ilenrv McCartney, Jolm McCartney, Eev. Jolm Freetly, Cyrel S. Ward, J. H. Henderson, Thomas Henderson, Wash- ington Fort, Edenezer Russell, Galbrath, Earnest. Stoves were said to have been a real curiosity in early times, more so than a phonograph now is to the present settler, the settlers going long distances to see these novel cooking machines. Mr. Elan Catlin introduced the first cooking-stove into the settlement as early as IS-il. Of course the stoves of those times, like all other patents, were not so perfect as our stoves of to-day, but a decided improvement over cooking by the fire-place, especially in the summer time. Only two of those queer articles were to be found in the precinct until later days of the settlements, Mr. Russell being in possession of the second cooking- stove. BIRTHS. About six months subsequent to the settlement made by Mr. James Ryason there appeared a young wool spinner in his little log cabin, called afterward Mary Ryason, who is said to be the first white girl born in the townshi]), and probably the first in Henderson county, and the second white child in the county. He had to go to Monmouth after a midwife, because no doctor was near ; her name was Mrs. Gilson, and she charged him $S as her fee in the case. The first white child born in the township, and even in the county, was Henderson Richey. DEATHS. The first death of which the oldest settlers remember was that of a young child, which was two years old when death occurred, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph DeHague. Mr. DeHague requested Messrs. James Ryason and Robert Russell to dig the grave on a mound south of his house, on the blufts of the Mississippi, in what is now called the Kemp cemeter3\ They had dug about two spades deep when Russell came to what he supposed to be a round rock at one end of the grave; at the same depth, farther on, they found another similar to the first, and a third at the opposite end from the second one, when they took it up ; upon examination the supposed rocks proved to be human skulls, which no doubt were the craniums of ancient Aztecs, and probably lain there for centuries. The grave was filled up and another one dug. A man by the name of Yannatta went horseback to a carpenter, had the cotiin made and took it to DeHague's house ; from there Yannatta carried the remains to the graveyard before him on the horse, where the last rites were paid to the first death in the township. Old settlers of Henderson county will recollect the "flush times" 1230 HISTORY OF IVtERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. of the State Bank of Illinois, and the great scarcity of money (we mean gold and silver) that succeeded its downfall. About that time a mint was established down in Bogus Hollow, two miles below Sage- town, where a large number of spurious half dollars were, coined and circulated through the country, many of them going over to Burling- ton into the hands of confederates. A clue to the discovery of the place was obtained by officers of the law, and the establishment broken up by the removal of their tools, which consisted of small crucibles, ladles, dies and metal. A number of half dollars just coined were also found. The suspected parties fled the country and have not since returned. In 1862 Mr. Henry Wixforth, just married, moved out to a small house situated on the land now belonging to Mr. C. Rodman, a few miles east of the disorganized mint in Bogus Hollow, for the pur- pose of improving his land, and while engaged in making his garden, his wife, Mrs. Hannah Dorotha Wixforth, dug up a large crucible and a piece of metal (zinc and pewter) that had evidently belonged to the mint ; the crucible would hold a quart, and the metal was harder than common babbit-metal. In this county, situate south of McQuown's mill (Ward's), is Sandstone Hollow, worthy of the attention of geologists and others who take any interest in the works ol nature. Dr. David McDili, who has spent some time in exploring it, says that it abounds in interest during its whole length. It has been washed out to the depth of more than twenty feet, over a quarter of a mile in length, leaving the walls of sandstone, layer after layer, piled up to the top, which could be easily quarried in any desired length or breadth. The layers are uni- formly about six inches thick. Among other curiosities picked up by the doctor is a sandstone representing that part of a bone which enters a socket. — [Oquawka "Spectator" in 1874. The organization of the vigilance committee of Warren township, Henderson county, dated back thirty-one or thirtj'-two years ago, and was the outgrowth of what was called "the horse-thief company," which the old settlers of Henderson had formed to protect themselves against all their best horses being abducted from their stables. But the imme- diate necessity for the formation of the vigilance committee was caused by the Brooks tragedy, which was December, 1864. The persons par- ticipating in the saving the lives of the Brooks family suspected that the friends of the robbers would seek revenge on them. Hence the object of the committee was for "mutual protection of its members" against the "encroachments and depredations of outlaws," to assist the ofiicers of the law in arresting ortenders, "and to expel and exterminate outlaws or desperadoes of every description from community by all justiiiable SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1231 means." Mr. I. J. Brooks was the president, and Mr. W. McChesney secretary, after tlie organization was effected at Brooks school-house, on N.W. ^, Sec. 33, in January, 1S65. At iirst they met in houses of the neighborhood, but some of their proceedings were known outside the committee, by being published, as they supposed by some of the youthful vigils. For awhile when they met in this way it seemed as if all the community knew what the committee was doing and had resolved to carry out. So it became necessary for them to change their place of meeting from their houses to the school-house for future proceedings. The committee was organized by and from a large num- ber of the best citizens, and held their meetings first at each other's houses, but later, for the better security as to proceedings, at school- houses. They had a constitution and by-laws by wliich they were bound, and have j^reserved their organization until the present writing. Quite a number of cases have by their influence been brought to tlie notice of the authorities, and in a general way the knowledge that such an organization existed has been a terror to evil-doers. THE OLENA TRAGEDY. According to evidence given, Monday night, December 17, 1864, was set by a band of robbers for the burglary of the houses of I. J. Brooks, John N. Bruen and John B. Fort. Information, however, had been given, by one who had gained the confidence of the rob- bers, to Mr. Brooks and his friends. A party of picked men, con- sisting of Theodore Fort, Jesse Kemp, John Kemp, F. M. Galbraith, John Crane, W. II. McChesney, Isham Pugh, and John Owens, to repel the attack and if possible to cajiture or kill the villains, was organized. The night set the plan failed, and Tuesday night was then selected by the robbers, and accordingly prepared for by Mr. Brooks and his friends, the result of which was the killing of two of them and badly wounding and capturing the third. It seems tliat a Mr. David, who gave the information resulting as above stated, liad fallen in with the robbers and by them had been impressed into their service for a time, and, after his escape, acted the part of detective in bringing them to justice. Mr. I. J. Brooks, the party whom they had proposed to rob, and murder if necessary, gives the ft)llowing evidence in regard to the tragedy : Mr. I. J. Brooks' account of the tragedy, beginning with the first appearance of the robbers. It is given to correct some of above state- ments. When the robbers came to the front door they knocked as though they were neighbors. Mr. Brooks went to the door and opened it. They asked to stay all night ; Brooks told them he was not pre- 1232 HISTOEY OF aiERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES, pared to keep them. Without further conversation, as Brooks antici- pated they would do, they went into the hall past him. Just as soon as they entered the leader made known their business, following the dropping of revolvers from their coat-sleeves, by demanding of Brooks to stand and deliver up his money. Seeing the light from the north room glaring on the hall floor, and fearing they might suspect something wrong, he replied immediately and indirectly to their demand by inviting them to the stove to warm, which was in south room. They, thinking him quite polite, accepted the invitation. When all had entered the room Mr. Brooks immediately answered their question, saying he was about out of money. The robbers then asked him if he had any arms, and if there were any men about the house; both questions in one breath. Mr. Brooks replied that the boys were up-stairs in bed. Then the leader of the party placed his pistol in close proximity to Mr. Brooks' head, saying : ' ' Take that light and conduct us to the boys' room, and if you give any alarm you are a dead man." He took the candle and started as if to do their bidding, the robbers following, and just as he stepped into the hall the men in east room flred, as they had heard the signal just before Mr. Brooks had stepped into the hall, killing Darnell instantly, and not the leader, as stated by Davids ; the leader being killed by a fire from the north door. It was some time afterward ascertained that one of the robbers was A. P. Barnum, a deserter from the army, whose home was Iberia, Morrow county, Ohio. He did not rob because he was in need of money, as he was heir to a large fortune from his father's estate ; that he had $5,000 in bonds deposited at Mount Gilead, county seat of Morrow county, Ohio. The sheriff of Morrow county, Ohio, states after Barnum escaped jail here he went back to Ohio and robbed a train of $150,000, 150 miles east of Mount Gilead. HISTORY OF GLADSTONE, FORMERLY SAGETOWN, MASONIC LODGE The petitioners for dispensation to form this lodge were Frederic Kemp, Andrew J. Moore, Andrew J. Hedges, A. S. Swartz, William Kemp, W. II. Bridgeford, A. McFarland, Jesse Kemp, J. B. Fort and Samuel McElheney. The three officers appointed under this dispensation were : A. S. Swartz, first master ; Andrew J. Moore, first senior warden ; Frederic Kemp, first junior warden. Un- der this dispensation the first regular communication was held at Sage- town, Illinois, Monday evening, November 23, 166S, when the master proceeded to fill the remaining offices, viz : A. McFarland, treasurer ; A. J. Hedges, secretary ; E. J. Tremble, senior deacon ; Jesse Kemp, SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1233 junior deacon ; "William Kemp, tjler. ISTames of the stewards were as follows : W. H. Bridgeford and J. B. Fort. The above named officers constituted the lodge. The lodge working under this dispensation was very prosperous, which lasted until October T, 1869. The charter of Lodge No. 638, A. F. and A. M., Fortitude Lodge, was granted October 7, 1869, by Harmon G. Eeynolds, grand master of the Grand Lodge of A. F. and A. M. of Illinois. The charter members under this charter were : Aram S. Swartz, J. A. Tremble, Samuel McElhenej, Alexander McFarland, William Kemp, Peter Meyer, Henry Wenthe, William Zeipe, Erastus Rise, Robert Burris, Stephen M. Gearhart, David L. McMurtry, Samuel Galbreath, Charles A. Martin, W. H. Cook, Thomas G. Ricliey, William Lant, John A. Bruin, Joseph Nebergall, Daniel McMillin Marshal, Ira Putney, Jr., George Curry, Charles D. Fee. The first election under this charter was held at Masonic Hall, Sagetown, Illinois, December 20, 1869, when the following officers were elected : E. J. Tremble, worthy master ; W. H. Birdgeford, senior warden ; A. J. Hedges, junior warden ; Alexander McFar- land, treasurer ; Robert Burris, seci'etary. The master appointed the following officers : S. M. Gearhart, senior deacon ; W. H. Cook, junior deacon ; E. Rise, chaplain ; Peter Meyer, tyler ; and Charles D. Fee, marshal ; Stewards were : Charles A. Martin and Joseph Nebergall. The officers were installed according to ancient form, at the Presbyterian church, by J. Simpson, past master, on the evening of the 25th of December, 1869. On this occasion Thomas H. Benton delivered an excellent oration. This installation was witnessed by a large and interested audience. The number of members under this dispensation was ten ; under the regular organization, thirty. The highest number attained at anj^ one time was fifty. The present mem- bership is about thirty-five. Fortitude Lodge was very prosperous up to about 1875, since which time the lodge has lost a great many by moving away and death. A. M. Graham, worthy master ; A. McFarland, senior warden ; George Wilson, junior warden ; Samuel Galbreath, treasurer ; J. S. McFarland, secretary ; M. S. Hooper, senior deacon ; J. H. McFarland, junior deacon ; A. A. Cook, tyler ; Charles Martin and William Kemp, stewards, are the officers at present. EARLY SCHOOLS. The first school house, if not some empty cabin, was a rude log house, door hung with huge wooden hinges, mud and stick chimney, which was invariably built wrong end up and never turned. For win- dows chinking was left out along the sides of the house and the inter- 1234 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. stices pasted over with white paper, which being well greased was a means of letting the dark out. Dave used to punch holes through the paper so he could see out. The puncheon floor was very open ; a cut from a small tree split into halves and legs put in by boring with a large auger formed the seats. A shelf was attached to the wall for writing purposes. A dunce block, and the outfit was complete. The requirement for teaching by law was simply to "spell, read, write and cipher," and that very imperfectly, for as late as 1842 appli- cants for schools were asked, "How far have you been on in the arithmetic ? " If A could show that he (or she) had been as far as page 150, and B could show that he had been as far as page 165, it was B's school sure. In those days the school-masters (as they were invariably called) needed no time-piece, for they taught all day, from early morn till late in the evening ; one hour at noon, no other recess during the day. A wooden hook hanging upon a nail just inside of the door showed that all were in, for when a scholar went out he took the hook with him, and brought it in again upon his return. Discipline was much more rigid then than now, and any command from the master was obeyed at once. There was no classification, but each family gave their children just such books as they had in their possession. The old English Reader, American Preceptor, lives of George Washington, Francis Marrion, Christopher Columbus, and the story of Joseph were text books in general use. The quill pen was the only one in use, so that much of the teacher's time was spent in making and mending pens. The schools were supported by subscription, each patron paying so much per scholar during a term of school. Teachers received fi'om $11 to $13 per month. The first school taught in.T. 10, K 5, was by W. R. Jamison in 1829, the second by Ebenezer Russell in the same township. Coloma has rather taken the lead of all the schools in the township, at which place Dr. Wm. McMillan taught the first school, and Wm. D. Henderson the second. Prominent men who were once students of Coloma school were : Alexander G. Leslie, M.D. (now deceased); Daniel I. McMillan, M.D.; George W. Nelson, M.D. (afterward a member of the territorial legislature); Alexander P. jSTelson, M.D. (now a prac- ticing physician of this county); Rev. James P.. Magaw, D.D. (now of Toledo, Ohio), Rev. John A. Gordon (afterward professor in Monmouth College, and a pastor in Philadelphia, Pa.); Hon. James G. McClinton (afterward a member of tlie convention that framed the constitution of the State of Nevada, served the state later in the legislature and senate, also filled the position as judge for some years, and is now a prominent SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1235 attorney in California); Samuel P. Magaw and John B. Magaw (the former once sherift" of Henderson county, the latter captain of Co. K, 84th 111. Vol. Inf., during the late war); John T. Martin (who was elected two terms for sheritf of Montgomery county, Iowa); and David Graham (now of Monmouth). Of the most prominent teachers in this school were Judge McDill, now in the United States senate, from Iowa, Wilson Hopkins, once county clerk of Henderson county, and Prof John Tweed, who is still teaching. Mrs. Merrill and Mrs. Carpenter taught on section 28 at a very early date. Miss Eliza Cowden taught in the first regularly built school-house in the same district in 1842. The first session of what is called Lynn School, in district No. 2, was taught by Ebenezer Eussell in his own house, on A. McFarland's place, about 1842. The next one was taught by E. Kussell in a little cabin built on Eight Lynn's place, in which he "bached" four years previous to his marriage. The first school-house was built in 1848 on the S.W. I of Sec. 10. The first meeting of the inhabitants to vote for or against a tax to pay for building the school-house or other debts accrued, was July 18, 1848, of which David Lynn was chairman and E. W. Lynn secretary. The first board of directors were E. W. Lynn, E. Eussell and L. Cook. May 7, 1849, the legal voters of the district met at Lucius Cook's to tax themselves fifteen cents per $100 to pay for a school-house. The first teacher was Wilson Hopkins, at about thirteen dollars per month, from what the clerk's book shows. The wages varied from $13 to $45. Caroline Talcet taught for $13, and J. Tweed and C. Lynn got $45. The school-house was enlarged and the terms of school extended to six months in 1864. In 1859 there were 102 children in the district. In 1866 the district was nine miles long and fi-om two to three miles wide. The following are the names of the teachers with the time of beginning : Wilson Hopkins, 1848 ; Caroline Talcet, 1857 ; J. Tweed, 1857 ; J. G. McClinter, 1858 ; A. C. Gilchrist, 1858 ; Miss Eussell, 1859 ; Bissell Parks, 1859 (one month, J. Tweed finished term) ; Eliza- beth Ashton, 1800 ; Emma Darah, 1866 ; C. E. Lynn, 1868 ; J. Tweed, 1870 ; Cora Simpson, 1874 ; Anna Eecord, 1877 ; Eusha Carll, 1877 ; — . Eeece, 1878 ; Maggie Mitchell, 1878 ; John Tweed, 1878 ; Sue Edwards, 1879 ; E. Parsley, 1879 ; Miss L. McFarland, 1881 ; Miss O. Baker, 1881 ; Miss J. Pogue, 1882. The number of pujDils in the district at present is about seventy-five. There were forty-seven enrolled at the last term of Miss Jennie Pogue's school. The grade of the school is not up to the average. The gov- ernment has generally been good. 1236 HISTORY OF JklERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. CHURCHES. The Presbyterian church at Gladstone was organized January 24, 1867. The persons who composed the organization were : James McMath and wife Mary A. McMath, Miss Margaret McMath, Mrs. Ehoda Lynn, Samuel Gordon and wife Sarah A. Gordon, Mrs. E. J. Tracy, Albert M. Graham and wife Martha J. Graham, Mrs. Ella J. Kiry, and Mrs. Mary McFarlaud. Samuel Gordon and James McMath were elected ruling elders. The name of the church as then organized was the First Presbyterian Church of Oquawka Junction, which is the corporate name at the present time. After the resignation of the first pastor. Rev. W. Kiry, the Rev. J. P. Bliss was stated supply for some time, and for a short time the church was vacant. The Rev. H. Hanson, of the Oquawka church, was invited to supply the church, and began his services as stated supply October 1, 1874, and continues to supj)ly the church at stated intervals at the present time. The first trustees were : Jno. N. Bruen, Alexander McFarland, Erastus Rise, Albert M. Graham and Fredrick Kemp. Erastus Rise and Albert M. Graham were ordained and installed ruling elders September 27, 1868. A. M. Graham is now the only elder the church has, the three others liaving gone to join the eldership on high, but have left unimpeachable evidence of their devo- tion to the church they loved so well. The church edifice was erected in 1866, under the direction of a building committee, a majority of which were the first ruling elders. The house cost about $3,000. $1,000 was contributed by James McMath, one of its first ruling elders, the other $2,000 by some of the citizens of the place and adjoining country, and others interested. This church was dedicated, soon after its completion, in January, 1867, by the Rev. R. C. Mathews, pastor of the first Presbyterian church of Monmouth, Illinois. Upon this occasion there was a large number received into church membership upon the confession f)f faith. There was a whole family baptized, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered. The present Sabbatli school was organized July 12, 1857, in the school-house in Lynnville, by Rev. H. Hanson and R, W. Smiley, elder of Oquawka church. This Sabbath school was the nucleus of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches of Gladstone, which was then known as Oquawka Junction. The first organization of the Methodist Episcopal church* took place about 1831. A meeting of a few of the very early settlers was * For the history of the Meth(jdist Episcopal and Cumberland Presbyterian churches we are indebted to Prof. Tweed. h ii\ ^\\^^Uin^ SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1239 called at the house of Stephen Short, in tlie Jamison settlement, on Jamison Prairie, Warren county, to consider the matter of religious devotion, and devise some plan of securing the same. As no regular preaching could yet be had, a class was formed as a vine around which clustered many branches in after days. The names of the members were : Stephen Short and wife, James Ryason and wife, Mrs. Wells and daughter, Paul Griffith and wife. On one occasion it was known that the Bajjtist brethren were coming over to attend the Thursday night prayer meeting, so Frank Smith was invited to come and conduct the meeting. He did so, and brought the fire with him, and soon the hearts of others were touched, and in their joy they shouted glory to God in the highest. Our Baptist brethren, not being used to beholding it ''after this fashion," became greatly alarmed. This was known as the South Henderson class. The first circuit rider was Barton Randall, who resided in Madison. He was followed by Peter Cartwright, the first presiding elder, who held the first quarterly meeting at the house of Samuel Jamison. Revs. Hobert and Kirkpatrick preached in what is well known as the Kemp and Fort settle- ment in 1836, Rev. Ginter in 18-10. Rev. Jesse Pardun held the first protracted meeting in the same settlement in 181:2. As log and other school-houses were erected, religious meetings were held in them. Rev. ]N^ewton Berryman held the first camp-meeting on the farm of James Ryason in 1839, after which many other meetings were held on tlie same ground. The Methodist Episcopal church, Gladstone, was built in 1867 by the Cumberland Presbyterians and the Methodists. The building, situated in tlie eastern part of the village at the foot of the bluft's, is a good, substantial one, 35x46, the original cost of which was near $2,000, the members donating the hauling of the stone for foundation and lumber for the building. The money to pay for lumber and build- ing was made up by subscriptions from members of both churches and citizens of the place and surrounding neighborhood, each church owning an equal share. There was an understanding between them that when the Ciimberlands wished to build a church of tlieir own, the Methodist Episcopal church was to pay them their share of the build- i]'g, not thinking that they would ever wish to take the money to help 1 uild a church in another town. In 1869 they made a demand for their share of the value of the building. The Methodists objected to paying them, as they wanted it to go toward paying for the building of the Cumberland Presbyterian church in Biggsville, and said they had no right to take the money of outsiders to liel]:) build up another town. The difference was soon adjusted by the Methodist Episcopal 70 1240 HISTORY OF iSIERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. church paying them tlie amount agreed to by both parties. The j)rogress of the cliurch has been slow and plodding, but there are always a faithful few in all the churches, as it has been in this one, who are earnest, zealous, persevering, and have the cause of their Master uppermost in their hearts. These are the steady pilots who have steered the old shijj aright through breakers and off rock-bound coasts of its enemies and sin of the world, and at last anchored her in the harbor of safety and prosperity. The Methodist Episcopal church was organized previous to the con- struction of the church building, and services held in Lynn school- house. Rev. Bealer was the first pastor. Rev. Kinne was the pastor when the church was built, and to him much honor is due for urging and carrying on the work. He himself worked on the building. Other pastors were : Revs. Coe, Shaffer, Gilmer, Maniu, Brink, Hill, Mer- riam. Smith, Rugh and McLeish. The Cumberland Presbyterian was among the early churches to brave the hardships and privations of a new country and hold up the banner of Christ. Prominent among the first ministers in township 10, range 5, was Rev. Peter Downey, who preached and held a grove meeting on the farm of Harvey Russell in August or September, 1835. Mr. Downey continued to preach at intervals at Harvey RusselFs house for some years, living at the same time on I^igger creek. A committee, appointed by the Rushville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, met at the dwelling-house of Abner Short, Jameson settlement, Warren county, Illinois, on IS'ovember IT, 1838, and was constituted by prayer. The following members of the committee were present : Peter Downey and Cyrus Haynes, ministers, and G. G. Lattimer, elder. Among the first members, most of whom joined by letter, were : John McKinney and wife, Abner Short and wife, Joseph B. Jamison, Elizabeth E. Jamison, Margaret Jamison, Mary Jane and Sarah Jamison. On motion. South Henderson was adopted as the name of this congregation. Rev. Peter Downey baptized five children before the organization of this church. March IS, 1818, a committee was appointed to select ground for cemetery and church edifice. The site where the stone church now stands was selected. Rev. Peter Downey died in great peace on Sab- bath, March 23, 1856. The Catholic church was built in 1880, and located on the south side of Elm street. The building, which is about 25x10, cost $1,500. The pastor is Rev. Wm. Murphy. The building, while in process of erection, was struck by lightning, which damaged it to the amount of fifty dollars. Previous to the erection of the church in Gladstone, SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1241 mass was held around at the dwellmg-honses of tlie members of the church. There are at present about twentv-hve members of this church here, whose nationality is principally of the Emerald Isle. The Soutli- Henderson United Presbyterian church is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, organizations in Henderson county. The church, with its parsonage and a greater part of its membershijj, is located in the South Henderson precinct. In the spring of 1829 Dayid Findley, with liis two sons, David and John, and his son-in-law, William R. Jamison, with their families, emigrated from Clark county, Indiana, and settled on the banks of South Henderson. After the Black Hawk war other emigrants of psalm-singing Presbyterians joined these brethren until a goodly number were hungering in this Hender- son county wilderness for preacliing. After some preliminary talk they held a meeting, and as the minute is undoubtedly the oldest of its kind in the county, it is inserted entire : "Agreeably to appointment a meeting was held at the house of William R. Jamison, March 25, 1834, by the members of the Associate Reformed church, and others favorable to the propagation of the gospel, for the purpose of consulting and entering into the most important measure for that purpose. After prayer and consultation it was '■'•Resolved^ That Messrs. Erwin and Jamison be appointed a com- mittee to draft a petition for ministerial services from the Indiana Presbytery of the A. R. church ; also a paper for subscription for the support of a minister if any be sent. "Said committee reported. The former was adopted and the latter subscribed to by every adult male present. '''"Resolved^ That the minutes of this meeting be forwarded to the editor of the 'Christian Intelligencer and Evangelical Guardian,' with a request for their publication in that periodical, that emigrants to the west, and such as might join us in propagating the gospel, may know where we are and what we are doing, or tr3dng to do, in the cause of religion. David Findley, Chairman." " William R. Jamison, Clerk." In answer to this petition Rev. Jeremiah Morrow came and preached two Sabbaths in Mr. Jamison's log barn, in August, 1834, and Mr. Thomas Turner preached two more Sabbaths in the same buikling in the spring of 1835. Revs. Alexander Blaikie, of Boston, Massachusetts, and Hugh Parks, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, preached and organized the congrega- tion on July 4, 1835. It was organized with lifty-nine members : about twenty were received on certificate and the remainder on the confession of their faith. William R. Jamison and John Giles were elected elders. 1242 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. None of these original fifty-nine are members of the congregation at the present time ; most of them are dead and the others have moved away. The living ones at this date are : Col. W. D. Henderson, at Ked Oak, Iowa ; James Findlev Martin, of Walton," Kansas ; Mrs. Hachel Gordon, of Biggsville ; James Campbell, of Monmouth ; Mrs. Jane C. Dunlap, Mrs. Xancy Barton, Mary J. Courtney; Daniel Kitchie and David Findley, Jr., in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. First among church buildings must rank William K. Jamison's log barn. It was used for preaching on almost all occasions, and also the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper were celebrated in it. Doubtless a very pleasant place it was to the early fathers. It is still standing in the field on the Samuel Lynn place, but, like the genera- tion who worshiped in it, old age is dismantling its strength and marring its beauty. The first church building was erected on the lot now owned by the church, and a few feet to the north of the present church, in 1S3T. It was a frame building about forty feet square, was not fully completed for several years, and then was found to be too small for the congregation. It was used until 1855, when it was sold and removed to Biggsville, where it is still in use as a grain warehouse on the track of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. On March 2, 1854, the pent-up feeling of the congregation took this form : ''Besolved, That we proceed immediately to build a new meeting-house on the site now occupied by the old one." Through the summer the stone walls were put up and the building inclosed. In the next summer the church was finished, and dedicated on July 4, 1855. It is a stone building about 50x80 feet, and cost about $4,000, It is still in use, making a very pleasant country church-home for a good many people. The names of W. M. Graham, Samuel McDill, Sr., John E. Thomp- son, A. P. Lessly, William A. Fostei-, W. Alex. Findley, M. Secrist, Kobert McDill, J. H. McDill, and W. J. Hutchison appear on the records as building and collecting committees. On September 7, 1868, the congregation bought a parsonage as a pastor's residence. It is about three miles away from the church, in the village of Coloma, but near schools and neighbors. It is a two- story frame dwelling, with barn, orchard and pasture, in all about eight acres, where a poetical parson may find a pleasant home. The congregation was furnished with preaching by "supplies," that is, by ministers who, under appointment by presbytery, look after the interests of several congregations at one time. Of these supplies Kev. John Wallace labored longer than any other one. Tie v. John L. Freetly was the fii-st pastor, and began his work April 1, 1842, and SOUTH HENDEKSON TO\\'NSniP. 1243 continued until April 1, 1846. Mr. Freetly was a graduate of the Western University, Pennsylvania, and Alleghany Theological Semi- nary. Afterward was supply at Ross Grove, Illinois, and died at Harmon}^, Illinois, December 22, 1878, aged sixty-six. Rev. Robert Ross was second pastor ; began labor April, 1849, ending April 8, 1857. Mr. Ross was a graduate of Franklin College, Ohio, and Theological Seminary at Oxford. Afterward labored as agent for Monmouth College until his death, October 30, 1873, aged fifty-eight. Rev. J. A. P. McGaw, D.D., was third ; began April 1, 1858, ended February 20, 1867. A graduate of Miami University, Ohio, and Oxford Theological Seminary. Is at present pastor of a large Presbyterian church at Toledo, Ohio. Rev. Samuel W. Lorimer was the fourth ; began June 1, 1868, ended March 31, 1875. A gradu- ate of Franklin College, Ohio, and Xenia Theological Seminary. Is now pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Mulberry, Missouri. Rev. Andrew Renwick is fifth and present pastor ; began his labors October 24, 1875. A graduate of Monmouth College and Xenia Theological Seminary. The Sabbath school is flourishing, with about one hundred mem- bers, with John Mekemson, superintendent. There are two weekly prayer meetings, one at Coloma school-house and one at record school- house, both well attended. The present board of trustees consists of I. H. M. McQuown, R. K. X. Glenn and John M. Mill. The session consists of the pastor, Andrew Renwick, with elders Andrew Mekem- son, W. A. Findley, W. B. Graham and A. O. McQuown. [For the above in regard to the United Presbyterian church, we are indebted to Rev. Andrew Renwick, present pastor. — Ed.] GLADSTONE, A village of 600 inhabitants, formerly called Sagetown, is located on the Chicago, Burlington it Quincy railroad, at the junction of the Oquawka, Keithsburg and Galva branch of the same road. It is nine and a half miles from Burlington, Iowa, thirty-two from Galesburg, five and a half from Oquawka, and 197 from Chicago. It is advan- tageously situated on a level tract of sandy soil contiguous to the Mississippi river blufis, which aftbrd fine building places for the most gorgeous mansions. Being situated nearer the center of the county than any other town on the railroad in it, and an excellent site for a small city, it is des- tined to become the most business, prosperous and populous town in the county. There is a bountiful supply of water, wood and excellent stone close at hand, making it a desirable location for manufactories. 1214 HISTORY OF MERCER AJS'D HENDERSON COUNTIES. The streets extend due north and south and east and west. The streets are sixty feet wide and the alleys twenty. The lots are fifty-four feet front and 125 feet deep, excepting fractional ones. The names of the streets running north and south, beginning on the west, are as follows : Dallis, Olena, Rariton, Main and Warren ; of those east and west, beginning on the north, are Sycamore, Walnut and Elm. Though most of the buildings are ordinary wooden ones, there are some good, substantial buildings, both public and private. Among some of the best dwellings may be mentioned Messrs. Wm. Hammack's, Henry Coat's, Alec McFarland's, Geo. Sottle's, Alec Lynn's, Eliza Gunter's, Andrew Williamson's, Chris. Graflf's and the Russell heirs'. The public buildings are the two school houses, one on the north and the other on the south side of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy railroad, the town hall. Catholic church, Methodist church, Presbyterian church, W. Fort's storehouse, A. McFarland's storehouse, G. Sage's storehouse, C. Lilteich's storehouse, depot, F. Galbrath's old distillery, refinery building, Geo. Sottle's saloon, C. Lilteich's hotel, in which J. Lilteich's saloon is kept, Marsden's hotel, Geo. Sottle's hotel, warehouse. C. Lilteich claims to have kept the first groceries for sale in the village, in connection with whisky and other drinks, in the same building in which he now resides, in 1856. On the north side of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, in the same room in which J. C. Tolman keeps his drug and grocery store, Gideon Airs, in 1859, sold the first goods in the village and also in the township. He was succeeded by Obin & Son. In a small log building on the north side of the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy railroad, and west of the Galva branch, in the westei-n part of the town, in 1856 one Patrick Grady carried on blacksmithing, tlie first of the kind in the hamlet of Sagetown. Lucius Cook was the first mail and station agent, and Julias Giftbrd carried the mail to Oquawka, Golden, the first postmaster, left with funds not belonging to him. G. Airs was the next postmaster, after which there was no post- ofiice for one and one half years. C. Lilteich kept the post-olfice in a candy jar for some time. The mail was sent by Col. Patterson from Oquawka to him. He was afterward postmaster four 3'ears. It has since been a success. It was laid out on sections 14 and 15 by Judge Rice, of Oquawka, in 1856, and named after Mr. Gideon Sage, on whose land it was laid out. At first it was called under several different names. Wright Lynn called it Lynntown, Lucius Cook, Cookville, Alec McFarland, SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1245 Limestone Cottage, and G, Sage, Sagetown, by which it has ever since been known until ISSl, when it was changed from Sagetown to Ghidstone. A petition to the county judge of Henderson county was presented on March 2S, 1881, by the voters of the vilhiges of Sagetown and Lynn, Henderson county, Illinois, "praying for the submission of the question of incorporating the territory of the S. E. ^ of the S. E. j of Sec. 9, S. i of the S. W. i of Sec. 10, N. W. i of Sec. 15, E. ^ of the ]S[. E. J of Sec. 16, T. 10, K. 5, as a village under the general incor- poration act of the State of Illinois, under the corporate name of the village of Gladstone." The question of incorporation was submitted to the voters of said territory on April 16, 1881. The judges of election were S. M. Gearhart, Thorton Hedges and Benj. French. Votes cast were as follows : For incorporation, seventy-six votes ; against incorporation, twelve votes. There being a majority of sixty- four votes for the corporation under the name of Gladstone, Sagetown was no more, and the village has since been called Gladstone. On May 17, 18S1, William Hammack, J. S. McFarland, John Butteriield, J. C. Tolman, Andrew Williamson and Henry Coats were elected callage trustees, and J. R. Glover justice of the peace. At the first regular meeting, May 26, 1881, J. R. Glover was elected clerk of the board, C E. Crandall, village constable and street supervisor ; W. H. Graham, treasurer, and J. S. McFarland, president of the board. Gladstone has three stores, and are as follows, with names of owners : J. C. Tolman, grocer}^ and drug store ; Thorton Hedge, grocery store ; J. W. Pence, dry goods store ; two hotels, Star House, M. Cunningham, proprietor, and Commercial House, Mrs. Marsden, proprietress ; two saloons, one kept by Geo. Sottle and the other by John Lilteich ; one barber, William ELulet ; two blacksmiths, J. S. McFarland, Hulet ; one meat market. Win. Wooden and Misler, owners ; one doctor. Dr. Bulsford ; one feed mill, run by D. C. Ward ; manufactory and refinery of grape sugar, glucose and sorgum syrups ; and one carpenter shop, John James. The population of Gladstone contains a large foreign element, most of which are Swedes, some Irish and Germans. The citizens are of small means, honest, industrious, law-abiding people. Their occupa- tions are principally railroad laborers, quarry hands and stone cutters. Though there are five church organizations the church-going people are in the minority, as any thoughtful individual would expect from their occupations and juxtaposition of nationalities. 1246 HISTOEY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. From "Oquawka Spectator," January 23, 1857 : "An affray of d, serious character occurred at Oquawka Junction last week, the particu- lars of which are nearly as follows : Two Irishmen got into a quarrel, angry words passed between them, and during the quarrel threats of vio- lence were made by both parties. At length one of the men picked up a gun and discliarged it at the other, who stood but a few feet off. The gun was loaded with slugs, which took effect upon his shoulder, neck and face, inflicting several frightful wounds. He is still alive and, it is thought, will probably recover.' The other man immediately fled and has not since been heard from. On the 21st of January, 1857, an Irishman, who had delirium tremens, left the house where he had been confined, and afterward tried to enter, but the lady of the house, being alone, became frightened and would not admit him. It was very cold. When found in the morning his limbs were frozen and he himself stiff. He afterward died from its eflects." "The crowd at the fourth of July celebration in 1873 was augmented by two trains running from this place. The morning train from Keiths- burg brought down about fifty persons, and from tliis point we under- stand there were about 250. 'The Earthquakes' made their a])pear- ance in grotesque costume and performed their part for the amusement of the crowd. The grounds were arranged with stands and seats on North Hill, and the performance came off as per programme. Rev. S. W. Lorimer made an eloquent prayer. The Declaration of Inde- pendence was impressively read by J. M. Akin, and the oration made by Hon J. J. Glenn. We learn from some who were there that the orator acquitted himself to the satisfaction of the large crowd and with credit to himself as a public speaker.''- — Oquawhct 8jpectatoi\ July 10, 1873. Mr. E. Else was the president ; Col. Samuel Hutchison, marshal ; J. S. McDaniel, assistant marshal. GLADSTONE'S REFINERY. This is the largest, most extensive and valuable industry in Hen- derson county, now incorporated under the name of Gladstone Refin- ing Company, and having an invested capital in buildings and ma- chinery of $126,000. It was first incorporated in 1878, under the title of the Excelsior Refining Company, with Geo. R. Crittenden, president, Amos T. Hall, treasurer, and Jonathan Turner, general manager. This firm continued until November. 23, 1880, when Hall bought out Turner's interest, and Turner retiring, Mason, of Burling- ton, became general manager. Crittenden dj'ing September 27, 1881, t SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1247 tlie refinery closed up late in the fall and remained so until thev opened up for repairs, to fit up for the manufacture of sorghum syrups in June. The company was reorganized in the spring of 18S2, with Geo. S. Willits, president ; L. O. Godard, secretary ; IT. A. Hall, treasurer, Chicago ; E. Chamberlain, vice-president and general manager, Bur- lington, Iowa, under the firm of Gladstone Eefining Company. The new Sagetown distillery was valued at $4,000 when the compam- took possession of it. This, with the additional buildings, improvements and machinery, is valued at $126,000. The original building was the new distillery of Sagetown, now Gladstone, about 40X70, three stories high, and built of stone. To this has been added an L on the north, 65 X 35, and one on the east, 25x40, and additional stories, making part of tlie main building five stories high. This company manufactures grape sugar, glucose, and sorghum syrups, for which, at this writing, the company is putting in additional machinery. The principal machinery for the manufacture of the arti- cles named above are as follows : ten steam pumps, costing from $500 to $2,000; one vacuum pump that cost $7,000; milling machinery, $4,000 ; cane mill and crusher, $5,000, the weight of which is 54,000 pounds; steam, liquid and water pipes, $5,000; nine bone and coal filters, $5,000 ; two filter presses, $5,000 each, for finishing goods ; one 125-horse power engine (old style), $3,000; three bone mills, $1,000 each. Its capacity was 400 bushels per day when last in opera- tion. The company is now fitting it up for a capacity of 1,000 bushels per day. They employ about forty men in the works. When they begin the manufacture of sorghum syrups it will require more. The average pay-roll for three years has been $1,800 per month. The comj)any finds market for its goods in all the large cities. With the machinery that is being put in now they will make syrups from sorghum that will compare favorably with the syrups made from the cane of the south. The comjjany induced a number of the farmers to plant cane to the amount of about 350 acres, including jMr. W. Hammuck's 130 acres, which he hired teams to put in and cultivate for him, which they will work up this fall into syrups. « STONE QUARRY. One itiorning in the early spring, a prominent contractor of build- ings, of Chicago, Illinois, was approached by a prominent ofiicial of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad and requested to go down to a station near Burlington to examine some stone indications there. This contractor was Mr. Wallbaum, and a few days later, accompanied 1248 HISTOEY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. by the chief engineer of tliat raih-oad, he stepped off tlie train at Biggsville, and taking a hand-car thev proceeded slowly down the track, scrutinizing closely the banks on both sides of South Henderson. At a point about one and a half miles above Gladstone they stopped, as the quick eye of the present owner of the stone quarry perceived good indications. A few minutes' investigation sufficed to convince Mr. Wallbaum of the superior quality of the stone and the calls for it in the building of bridges across the Mississippi, such as the Hannibal, besides others in the near vicinit3\ Having learned the owner's name he at once sought him and purt:liased the land, some five hundred acres, in all. He began at the quarry nearest Gladstone and worked it for a long time. After the quarry was opened out he traveled, taking orders for stone and buildings for several years. He came down from Chicago in 1876 and opened another quarry farther up the creek of South Hen- derson, where he is at present engaged qnarrying and cutting stone._ Here he carries on an extensive business which amounts to $60,000 or $80,000 annually. The shipment of stone averages from eight to ten car loads per day. He works from fifty to eighty men, part of whom are stone cutters. BIOGRAPHICAL. Prominent among the names of those who have succeeded well in this township is to be found that of John JST. Bruen. His parents, who were of Scotch ancestry, were natives of New Jersey, and in this state, in the village of Bloomfield, Mr. Bruen himself was born on October 8, 1825. Here, also, his grandfather had lived and laboi'ed, having been one of those who favored the temperance movement, then agitated for the first time, and energized his belief by destroying his currant orchard, from which he annually made large quantities of wine. In this village, lying some ten miles west of New York city, Mr. Bruen passed his childhood and early youth, amid the best of surroundings and influences, having received, in addition to the training of the village schools,- several years' training in the Bloomfield Academy. In the summer of 1844, while in his nineteenth year, Mr. Bruen received an offer that was to affect his whole after destiny. Thomas Gould, his uncle, who was in the war of 1812, offered him one half the land he had drawn for his services in this war if Mr. Bruen would remain upon it for five years and improve it. This land lay in Hen- derson county, Illinois. After some reflection the offer was accepted, and a few weeks later, on one of the earl}^ summer days, Mr. Bruen, then in his nineteenth year, accompanied by his father, stepped on board the Capital, a new steamboat just beginning service on the Ohio, SOUTH ]ip:nderson township. 1249 then about to start down the river for the far western lands. This was at the time of tlie now noted high waters of 184-J:, and after a journey of three weeks, made mostly by water, Mr. Bruen landed at Oquawka, Henderson county, having passed Nauvoo on the day Joseph Smith, of Mormon fame, was shot. After stopping a few days at the old pioneer hotel, kept by Knowles & Perkins, names that will be recog- nized by all old settlers, he went out to look at his uncle's land, which lay in Sec. 27, T. 10, E. 5. He at once hired out to Mr. I. J. Brooks, at first for seven dollars and then for eight dollars a month. During this summer he broke five acres of land, and in the spring of 181:5 he traded Mr. Samuel Galbraith a rifle to break ten acres more. In order to make further improvements on his farm he traded stone to Johnny B. Fort for the use of his oxen, old Broad and Berry, noted as being the biggest oxen in the country. In the fall of 1845, having plowed his land with these oxen, he sowed it to winter wheat, and during the winter fenced it, with the aid of Samuel Evans, giving him his silver watch to help him split the rails. The next spring Mr. Bruen rented ground of Mr. Brooks, and during the summer he fell very sick, but through the kindness and skill of Mrs. Brooks, came through his sickness in safety. His wheat Mr. Bruen cradled and Francis K. Gib- son bound. After threshing it with the first cleaner ever brought in the county, he hauled his wheat to Burlington, where he sold it to the old Walker Stone mills for thirty cents a bushel. In 1848 occurred an incident of great after value to Mr. Bruen. A friend asked him to sign a note with him for forty dollars. This note Mr. Bruen had to pay, and from that time he has never been asked to, sign a note with- out thinking of the old note of forty dollars which he paid for with corn he hauled to Oquawka and sold for tei^ cents a bushel. In the fall of 1849, having raised fifty acres of sod corn, Mr. Bruen went to S. S. Philp and borrowed money to buy twenty head of steers, at $15 a head, ofl'ering Mr. Philp one half the proflts, after estimating the value of the corn at ten cents a bushel. After sellino; these cattle three months later at $30 a head, Mr. Bruen went into partnership with Mr. Philp, which continued up to the time of the latter's failure, who paid Mr. Bruen the compliment of saying he had never through him, in any business transaction, lost a dollar during the ten years of partnership. From this time Mr. Bruen began to branch out in his financial dealings, from the beginning evincing rare business qualifications. During the first ten years of his stay in Henderson county he never saw a person he knew in his eastern home, nor did he hear from them often, as every letter in those days cost twenty-five cents. On September 14, 1848, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Sharpless, daughter of Noah 1250 HISTORY OF MERCER AKD HENDERSON COUNTIES. Sharjjless, a resident of Maryland. Of tins marriage six children were born. Of these two, Francis James and Annie L., died in infancy ; a third, Thomas Gould, died at the age of thirteen ; three are living. William S., the eldest, who has charge of his father's farm in Henderson county, was born on February 12, 1853. After attending school three years at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, he was married on February 25, 1871:, to Miss E. Stevenson, daughter of Espy Steven- son, of Fort Madison, Iowa. By this marriage they have two children, the elder John E. and the younger Mabel Ida. He gives his attention mostly to farming and stock raising, doing something in the way of raising the Belmont horses, some of which have made excellent S])eed. Charles E., the second living son, after graduating at Eastman's National Business College, went to Mills county, Iowa, and though but nineteen years of age, took charge of his father's farm of 2,250 acres. Ida J., the youngest, is now the wife of Alex. Graham, a mer- chant of Monmouth, 111. On September 24, 1863, Mrs. Bruen died at her home in the thirty-fifth year of h.er age. On October 10, 1865, Mr. Bruen was married to Miss Mary A. Martin, daughter of Judge Martin, of Biggsville. In October, 1875, Mr. Bruen removed to Monmouth, where he now (1882) resides. His wife and daughter are members of the Presbyterian church of this ]:)lace. Although Mr. Bruen began life with nothing, yet by patient industry he has made himself a wealthy man. He now owns 680 acres of land in Hender- son county, Illinois. He has also three large fai'ms in Iowa, one in Mills county of 2,250 acres, a second in Montgomery county of 640 acres, a third in Pottawatamie county of 1,920 acres, together with some small tracts, amounting to over 6,000 acres. In addition to his duties in connection witli^his land and stock interests, he is a director of the First National Bank of Monmouth, Illinois. At this date (1882) maiiy of the older settlers have passed away. Among the more prominent of these is the name of William John Hutchinson. He was born in 1813, in New York State, and emigrated, to Henderson county in 1832. Mr. Hutchinson began by working for S.' S. Phelps, and afterward went into business with him at Oquawka. It was at this stage of his life that he received the appellation of cap- tain, by which he was afterward known. Possessed of superior busi- ness qualifications he soon amassed some property and began to branch out widely and dealt largely in stock in the feeding and shipping of which he was engaged at the time of his death, which occurred on April 9, 1863, at Hornellsville. New York, he having been accidentally run over by the cars while shipping stock to New York city. At the time of his death Capt. Hutchinson was one of the most prominent SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1251 members of tlie South Henderson United Presbyterian cliurcli. The following resolutions were passed by the trustees of Monmouth Col- lege, of which board he was a member, at their June meeting after his death. "Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God to remove by a sudden and painful death Capt. W. J. Hutchinson, a member of tliis board ; Whereas, it is believed, in view of the relation which he sustained toward us, that we should give expression to our feelings in relation to this event ; therefore, Resol'ved^ that in this painful dispensation of God's Providence, we recognize the hand of Him who hath allotted our days, and appointed the bound beyond which we cannot pass, and that we bow in humble submission to his holy will. Resolved^ that in the death of Capt. W. J. Hutchinson the board has lost an efficient and valuable member.; wise in counsel and ener- getic in action ; the college a liberal and earnest friend ; the communi- ty an honest and enterprising man of business ; the county a patriotic citizen ; the church a useful and consistent member. Possessed in his calling by a favoring Providence, he seemed to realize that he was a steward of God's bounty, and disjDensed with a liberal hand to those objects that he deemed to be consistent with the glor}^ of God and the good of man. Resolved^ that we tender our heartfelt sympathy to the family of the deceased, and commend them to the kind and watchful care of Him who has promised to be the widow's stay and the orphan's shield. Resolved., that a copy of these resolutions, signed by the proper officers of the board, be furnished to the city papers and the "Instruc- tor," and that a copy be forwarded to the family of the deceased. J. A. P. McGaw, E. C. Matthews, A. Y. Graham. As Capt. Hutchinson was one of the founders of Monmouth Col- lege and a most influential and prominent man, known for his gener- osity and integrity of character, this tribute of respect seemed peculiarly appropriate as a monument to his value and solid worth. He was married on JSTovember 25, ISttO, to Miss Nancy Tyler. Of this mar- riage eleven children were born, of whom only four are living. Of the four living sons, Stephen Sumner is the second. He was born August 27, 1852, near Biggs ville, Henderson county. He received his education in the common schools of the county. Mr. Hutchinson was married on September 14, 1871, to Miss Emma Mickey, daughter 1252 HISTOKY OF MEKCEE AND HENDEKSON COUNTIES. of Jonathan Mickey, of Ainswoitli, of Washington connty, Iowa. She was born January 23, 1830. To them liave been born five children, two of whom, Lena and Freddie F., died in infancy. The rest, Clar- ence Herbert, Robert Miles and Stephen Sumner are at home with their parents. Mr. Hutchinson now resides on his farm of about 100 acres, which lies four miles northwest of Biggsville, where he gives his attention to farming and stock raising. Rev. Andrew Ren wick, the son of James and Abigail Ren wick, was born where Idaville now stands, in "White county, Indiana, Oc- tober 11, 1812. His mother and an onh^ bi'other both died suddenly in August, 181:5. In that sad bereavement of his father he was dedicated to the ministry, though he knew it not until the hand of ordination had been laid upon him, twenty-two years afterward. Mr, Renwick's boyhood was watched over carefully, and the pra^^ers of a pious father hedged in his childhood's days. His father belonged to the Associate church, and his early days were spent under the ministry of Rev. Xathauiel Ingles. When about seventeen years of age he was admitted to the communion of the United Presbyterian church. After attending an academy at Monticello, Indiana, Mr. Renwick took the college course at Monmouth, where he graduated with the second honor in 1865. He then took a theological course at Xeiiia, and the presbyteiy of Wabasli licensed him June 27, 1866. The general assembly appointed him as stated supply at La Fayette, Indiana, and he was ordained there November 26, 1867. On September 26, 1867, Mr. Renwick was united in marriage with Miss Lida Dean, daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Boggs) Dean, prominent .people of Xenia, Ohio. To them were born live children, by name Maud JrL, Daisy A., Lida Eva, Zulu Z., and Andrew Dean. Having a call from Olathe, Kansas, Mr. Renwick resigned his position at La Fayette, and began his labors at Olathe May 2, 1869. Here Mr, Renwick remained live ^-ears, having, in addition to his labors as pastor, duties in connection with Garnet Col- lege, of which he was president. In June, 1874, he resigned his pastorate, and that fall was made superintendent of public instruction, at a salary of $1,500. The next summer he resigned his office. In September, 1875, Mr. Renwick received a call to the United Presby- terian church of South Llenderson, and on April 6, 1876, he was installed pastor of this church, where he is now (1882) laboring with a great acceptance to his people. On April 28, 1881, Mr. Renwick was greatly aiflicted by the death of his wife. Mr. Renwick's father settled in Indiana in 1836, and his grandfather Andrew, who came from Scotland, settled in Ohio in 1817. As is indicated bv the name, sorTii iip:xderson township. 1253 the family are of Scotcli descent, the traditional record being that they are descended from the Renmcks who were the last martyrs under the reign of Queen Mary. Among those citizens known for their moral stamina and inde- pendent thought is Alexander L. Pokter, of Gladstone township. He was born November 24, 1821, near Oxford, Preble county, Ohio. His parents, who were natives of South Carolina and of Scotch-Irish des- cent, were Hugh and Eleanor (Brown) Porter. Hugh Porter's father emigrated to America about 17T0, and in 1808 he removed from South Carolina, where his father settled, to Preble county, Ohio. From an Irishman, who taught a subscription school at $1.25 a term per capi- tum, Mr. Porter received the most of his education. At this school, with its slab seats and its three "R's" — reading, riting, rithmetic — which were then the sole studies, he spent six years of his early life, having no holiday from one year's end to another, save on Saturday. In 1840, his father having failed in business, he came with his uncle to Henderson county, Illinois, where he began life for himself with fifty cents. Several years were consumed by teaching and working in various ways, being held back for a time in paying his last year's schooling at Miami University. By diligent labor Mr. Porter soon got a start for himself, and began to accumulate some property. Having chosen his occupation in life, he married on March 28, 1S48, Miss Margaret Graham, daughter of Matthew Graham. To them were born seven children, six of whom are living, one having died in infancy. Their names are Lauretta J., William P., Wilson G., Alice E., John and Frank M. On May 20, 1861, Mrs. Porter died at her home, leaving to her husband's care six children. Mr. Porter, on May 15 of the following year, married Mrs. Sarah Cameron, daughter of James Graham. Mrs. Cameron brought to her new home one child, a daughter, Libbie A. Cameron. Of this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Porter have had three children, whom they have named Annie M., James E. and Lulu K. In all their family relations Mr. and Mrs. Porter have been greatly blessed, and have to the uttermost realized the truth of the old proverb, that the home pleasures of life are " Better than grandeur, better than gold, Than rank or titles a thousand-fold." The unity and perfect gladness of this home, where there are three sets of children, is a standing rebuke to all disbelievers in the possible impartiality of ste])-parents. Mr. Porter, soon after his coming to Henderson count}^, was elected school treasurer in his township, and for more than eighteen years he continued in the duties of that office. 1254 HISTORY OF 3HERCER ANT) HENDERSON COUNTIES. Since that time almost continuously lie lias served in the capacity of school director. As a temperance man — which fact was probably due to the influence of his father, who was, in an early day, one of three men to announce in Preble county, Ohio, where he had long resided, that they would in future furnish no whisk}" in harvest — he has always been in favor of every moral movement. I^o less energetic has he been in political movements, having been a republican since the organization of the party, and previous to that time a whig. In matters of church faith Mr. Porter's family are United Presbyterians, holding connection with the church at Olena. At all times he has favored progress, and in 1845 Mr. Porter ran the first reaper — an old McCormick, after which a man raked — ever run in the county. The name of Isaih J. Brook will be recognized as one of the most prominent in Henderson county. Coming here at an early day, he soon became known as a man of remarkable qualifications for business and of strict integrity. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, in ISTovember, 1813. When but a child his parents, John and Margaret (Pogue) Brook, removed from Perry to Muskingum county, where they resided for many years. In the common schools of that day Mr. Brook obtained a good knowledge of the rudimentary branches ; but in later years, not satisfied with the educational advantages of the district, he went to Franklin College, New Athens, where he remained about two years pursuing his studies. In 1837, in the beginning of his young manhood, Mr. Brook was attracted by the various accounts then cur- rent as to the unbounded fertility and healthful climate of Illinois, then just beginning to be opened up as a new state. With its Chicago and thousand of smaller towns to be built, and its rej'iutation as the best corn state in the world yet to be made, it was not strange that the opportunities of those early days attracted many young men to its prairies, and among them I. J. Brook. When he arrived in Hen- derson county in 1837, and settled on his present farm on Sec. 34, T. 10, R. 5, there were but few families in the township, and every- thing was yet to be made. Witli untiring energy and ambition, backed by a powerful bodily frame, Mr. Brook began his work of making for himself a competence, and richly has he been rewarded. Two years after his arrival Mr. Brook was united in marria2;e with Miss Jane T. Marshall, daughter of Alexander Marshall, a citizen of Henderson county. To them were born ten children, two of whom, Isaih S. and Charles Francis, died at the age of seventeen, the former in 1862 and the latter in 1876, both in the opening of their 3'oung lives. In their children Mr. and Mrs. Brook have been greatly blessed, all having been a credit to their parents. They were educated religiously in the ^2>^ ^ SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1257 principles of the United Presbyterian church, of which their family were members, and iive of them were graduates of various colleges. Two sons, Thomas A. and Hugh M., reside with their families in Linn county, Kansas. John A. and James W., sketches of whom appear elsewhere, are married and reside in Henderson county. Of the four daughters, Mary Jane is the wife of W. P. Barnes, of Linn county, Kansas; Margaret E. is the wife of John Gaddis, of Fulton ; Mary A. is now Mrs. George Pierce, of Warren county, Illinois ; Jessie Ellen is wife of Walter Lattimer, of Anderson county, Kansas. In 1864, at the home of Mr. Brook, occurred the celebrated "Brook tragedy," of which a full account has already been given. During his residence here Mr. Brook has twice been elected county commissioner, and many times school treasurer and director. In politics, up to 1856, Mr. Brook voted the democratic ticket. In 1860 he voted for Douglas, but after that became a republican. In all his business Mr. Brook has been very successful. Having made for himself a fortune, he gave each of his children $10,000 to start in life with. In such men and families as Mr. Brook's lies a county's wealth, and in the absence of such characters, without regard to financial riches, a county is always poor. WiLLARD I. SiGNOR, proprietor of Ward's mills, was born on July 24, 1836, in the State of New York, near its metropolis. His father, John Signor, was of German descent, his mother, Amitta Sign or, of English. jSTothing exact is known as to the time when his forefathers came to America, save that it was before the revolution. Mr. Signor's father was a soldier in the second war with Great Britain, and the son now possesses the red plume his father wore in that war. When Mr. Signor was but two years of age his parents removed to Chillicothe, Ohio, where they remained until 1845, when they again removed to Henderson county, Illinois, and settled in Olena, where his father died in 1846. By the death of his father Mr. Signor was early deprived of many advantages, but having obtained such an education as the com- mon schools offered, in 1851 he went to Oquawka and there entered the office of the "Spectator," which was then controlled by Mr. Pat- terson, with whom he remained -two and a half years. On September 4, 1856, Mr. Signor was married to Miss Margaret J. McQuown, daughter of John McQuown. She was born in 1835, and is a native of Virginia. Five years after his marriage, in 1861, Mr. Signor enlisted in Co. E, 10th 111. Yols., under command of Capt. Gown. He joined the army of the west, and having been drilled at Mound City, he was discharged. After his return home Mr. Signor engaged in farming, and also in merchandising in Sagetown, where he was 71 1258 HISTOKV OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. burned out. In 1876 lie bought the old Ward's mill, of which he is now (1882) one of the proprietors. Success has been called a fickle thing ; fickle, because to some men it comes and remains in spite of all their attempts to thrust it away ; or because, like a will-o'-the-wisp, it eludes the grasp of many who labor long to hold it in their hand. But there can be no fickleness about the success that crowns the patient and painstaking eflPorts, covering a period of thirty-five years, of such a man as our subject, Franklin Galbraith. Beared in the painful school of poverty, his wealth stands for years of privation. He was born February 14, 1828, on the Chucky river, Tennessee, of which state his parents were natives, an account of whom has already been given. As he was but a mere child when his parents came to Henderson county, his oppor- tunities were of the most limited nature. There was not a school in the township at this time, 1831. though one was soon after organized. He was, however, able to acquire such a knowledge of the rudimentary branches as to enable him to do his business well. On March 27, 1857, he was married to Miss T. Fort, daughter of Washington Fort, an old resident of Henderson county. She was born June 29, 1835. Their children were ten in number, of whom eight are living, two having died in infancy. One of his daughters, Mary E., is the wife of William Sells. All the rest are at home with their parents. Mr. Galbraith began life with but little or nothing, with the hope to make for himself a home. The hope has been richly fulfilled. He now has about 1,800 acres of land. Besides this he has much other property. Of late years he has raised and shipped stock. The family may be called in faith Presbyterian. All this but serves to show what a young man can do, if with an ambition to found a home he sets out deter- mined to be honest and yet gain a competence. Mr. Galbraith, whose portrait appears on another page, is one of the men in whom Hender- son county is rich, and from men of his stamp the success of a country depends. Thomas Galbraith, father of Samuel Galbraith, the subject of this sketch, was born in Boan county, Tennessee, about 1785. While still a young man he was called upon to fight in the celebrated battle of Tippecanoe, in 1811. Before leaving his native state he married Miss Margaret White, also of Boan county. To them were born eight children, two of whom, Alexander and Bobert, are dead. The names of the living are : Elizabeth, wife of Martin Montgomery, of Iowa city ; Mary, wife of J. W. Woods ; William, now residing near Kirk- wood ; Evelyn, wife of Sanford Harned, and Samuel, our subject, is next to the youngest, by name Franklin. SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1259 Samuel was born on JSTovember 6, 1824, near Kingston, East Ten- nessee. When he was six jears of age his parents moved by team to Morgan count}', Illinois, thence to Adams, from whence, in December, 1834, the_y came to Henderson county, settling on Sec. 26, T. 10, R. 5, where they lived two years, and then on Sec. 27, where they died, the father in August, 1843, and the mother in July of 1870. Mr. Gal- braith, soon after liis father's coming, began to attend school, which was taught by a young man named W. D. Henderson, in a private house, the windows of which were partly of greased paper and partly of glass. In this little school at Coloma, which has given the world quite a number of prominent men, Mr, Galbraitli received a practical business education. On account of the breaking up of the prairie, and the decay of the vegetation for several years after their coming, chills and fever troubled Mr. Galbraitli, in common with everybody else. In 1843 the father of the family passed away, leaving the care of his family to his sons. It is related that at one time, when Dr. McMillan, the pioneer physician, came to see Mr. Galbraith, he went to sleep while examining him, but on awaking he insisted on going to see the rest of his patients, some of whom were miles away. Several hours afterward Mrs. Galbraith discovered him standing at the head of his horse, against which lie leaned, sound asleep. Cast thus early upon his own resources, Mr. Galbraitli early developed habits of industry and perseverance that have been of great service to him. On June 25, 1829, he was married to Miss Sarah Evans, daughter of John Evans, senior, an old citizen of Henderson county. Of this marriage thirteen children were born, two of whom died in infancy. Of the live sons, one, James F., is married, and resides in Mills county, Iowa. The other four are at home with their parents. Three of his six daughters are also at home, the other three being married, one to Leander Guy, now deceased. Two, the wives of Franklin Slump and Charles Bacon, now live in Mills county, Iowa. Mr. Galbraith began life with nothing, working out for as low as $8 a month. For wheat he obtained but twenty-five cents per bushel, and for corn ten cerits per bushel, and he was compelled to haul it to Burlington to obtain even that price. J^otwithstaiiding his early disadvantages he has become the possessor of a farm of 880 acres, on which he resides. It has been said of him that in all his business life he never wronged a man out of a cent. Than this a higher compliment can be paid to no man. Mr. Galbraith is in politics a democrat. In religious laith his family are members of the United Presbyterian church. Henry Miller Whiteman, son of James and Rebecca (Miller) Whiteman, was born on December 25, 1825, in Preble county, Ohio. 1260 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. He is of Irish extraction on liis futlier's side, of Scotcli-Irish on his mother's, his forefathers having emigrated to America previous to the war of the revoh;tion, in which his grandfather Miller fought. About the year 1816, attracted by the rich openings in the west, Mr. "White- anan's father removed to Ohio. Here his eleven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the ninth, were educated. Mr. Whiteman was well prepared with a practical education for tlie business of life. His early moral training was thorough and careful, and to this much of his success in life is no doubt due. On March 12, 1851, he was married to Miss Elizabeth McDill, daughter of David McDill, also a resident of Preble county. To them have been born a large and promising family of eleven children, all of whom are (1882) living. One son, Henry O., is married and is a farmer of Henderson county. James and David A. both young men of promise, are now beginning the life of a farmer for themselves ; the rest are all home with their parents. Some two years after his marriage, in 1853, Mr. Whiteman was in- duced by the reports of the marvelous richness of the soil and health- fulness of the climate of Illinois to remove from Ohio to the as yet undeveloped State of Illinois. In teams he crossed the States of Indiana and Illinois until he reached the eastern bank of the Missis- sippi.- Here, in Henderson county, he stopped, settling on Sec 25, T. 10, li. 5, where he still resides. Soon after his arrival in the county Mr. Whiteman united with the South Henderson United Presbyterian church, from which, when the church at Biggsville was organized, he removed his membei'ship. In 1866 he was elected an elder of the last-mentioned church, but his influence has been thrown not less into every educational or moral movement. As director or trustee of the township he has served almost continually since his arrival in the state. From the beginning of its organization he has been a staunch republican, holding firmly to the principles U])on which its organization was based. As a fitting reward for his labors in the re])ublican ranks, in the summer of 1880 he was nominated for the legislature, and in the fall following was elected to that office. The duties of this office Mr. Whiteman discharged with credit to himself and honor to his country. To the performance of his duties he brought an intelligent mind, a right purpose and a keen perception of the practicability of a measure or movement. In these qualities, rather than those of an orator or political manipulator, Mr. Whiteman's worth lies. For some years he has been a director in the bank at Kirkwood, in which he holds an interest. In addition to his other duties he carries on a farm of some TOO acres, engaging also in stock raising and feeding. If, as is often said, men cannot succeed in all directions, Mr. Whiteman SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHII'. 1261 would seem to be an exception to this rule. Happy in a j)romising: family, honored by political preferment, he has also become the pos- sessor of a beautiful home and farm, and, added to all attainments, a reputation for unsullied integrity of cliaracter. The subject of this sketch, Mr. August Wallijaum, is but another illustration of what it is possible, under the existing institutions of our country, for a poor boy to accomplish. He was born on December 11, 1831, in the province of Hesse-Cassel, Gernumy. Though reared in a position of humblest poverty, his father being a stone-mason, he acquired a good practical education for the business of life in the common school, to which he has been constantly adding- by private studies. At the age of fourteen he was ap23renticed, and with such skill did he master the details of his duties, and such executive ability did he manifest, that when he was eighteen he was made foreman of the government works on a criminal building. He was born but a mile from the river "Weser, near the Neuustorf, where the barons spend their summer. When twenty years of age Mr. Wallbaum left his native land to try his fortune in America, under the following circum- stances. When he had attained the military age he was drafted, in common with every young German, into the cavalry, where it was not possible to hope for any promotion, as none but the sons of nobles could attain rank here. Though his employer offered to buy him a substitute, then costing $400, young Wallbaum, galled by a sense of injustice, resolved to accompany an old school-mate to America. He at once, upon landing, repaired to Chicago, where he arrived in 1S52. Mr. Wallbaum began life in America as a stone-cutter. But as water seeks its level, so he was soon promoted, and in 1854 he began to contract for himself, and, after building many buildings of lesser im- portance, he erected the Chicago Waterworks, on the north side, then the Crosby Opera, now a historic building and music hall on State street. Among his many western contracts are the Government Works at Fort Omaha ; the High School building at Council Bluffs ; the Sioux Xational Bank at Sioux Gty, Iowa ; the Chicago & North- western iind Chicago, Bock Island & Pacitic freight houses in Chicai>:o : employing on these buildings from 500 to 1,500 men. By diligent and careful industry and skill at the time of the Chicago fire in 1871, Mr. Wallbaum had made an immense fortune. In this fire he lost $650,000 ; and when, a few days after, he began work again in a corner of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy freight house, which was given him for an office, he found himself $158,000 in debt. After contracting again for a time, Mr. AVallbaum and family removed to the Gladstone Stone Quarry, which he had a controlling interest in. 1262 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Here, in a home beautifully and riclilj furnished, happy in his family, Mr. AVallbaum resides, haying sole charge of his seventy or eighty workmen, his store, his laying out of work, besides his shipping interests. Mr. Wallbaum was married on October 8, 1854, to Miss Charlotte Whittrock, a lady of excellent family and splendid attain- ments. Of their eight children, fiye are living. Henry W. is now married, and resides in Galesburg. Edward W. is also married, and is a conductor on the Chicago & Xorthwestern railroad. Miss Carrie, Miss Lillie and Master Harry are still at home, enjoying every advan- tage which parents' loving hands and wealth can fuj-nish. It has been said b}' some that a' man is made by his circumstances. If so, Mr. Wallbaum would seem an exception to this rule. He has rather risen above his circumstances, making them do his bidding. Few men have come from so humble a station to the point of success Mr. Wallbaum has attained. Jesse Kemp, farmer, Gladstone, son of John and Nancy Kemp, was born on October 18, 1828, in Warren county, Kentucky. His father, John Kemp, was a native of Waite county, North Carolina, and his mother of the state of Kentucky. In the fall of 1833 his parents, with their nine children, emigrated to Henderson county, Illinois, settling on Sec. 33, T. 10, R. 5. At this time there was neither day school nor church advantages in the whole township, which did not have over a dozen men in it. A further idea of the privations of those days may be given by saying that Mr. Kemp was obliged to go to Monmouth for his mail, and paid twenty-five cents each for letters. In the midst of such surroundings the subject of this sketch passed his youdi. On March 13, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa F. Fryrean. To them have been born six children, five of whom are living: John IL, Edward, Jessie, Edith and Franklin. The second child, Frederic, is dead. As will be seen by reference to another page, Mr. Kemp was wounded in the cele- brated Brooks tragedy. He began life with nothing save a good constitution and an honest will. He has now, with his brother's estate, who is now dead, over 400 acres of land, lying partly in Sections 33 and 34. Samuel W. Lynx (deceased) was born December 20, 1799, in Middlesex county, Connecticut, of which state his parents were natives. Here he lived up to his thirty-fifth year, when he in 1834 emigrated to Henderson county and settled on Sec. 1, T. 10, R. 5. Four years before, January 24, 1830, he was married to Miss Sallie Coe, daughter of Oliver Coe, of Middlesex county, Connecticut. When he came to Henderson county he selected a farm out on the prairie, and here, SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1263 beginning witli almost nothing, he labored on steadily for many years, seeking to provide for himself and wife, for they, had no children, a competence in their old age. Richly were his labors blessed, and when he died, in July, 1881, he left over a thousand acres of land, besides personal pi-operty, behind him. Mr. Lynn was an industrious, persevering and honest man, of real worth to the county, and when he died he left a host of friends to cherish his memory and mourn his loss. The subject of this sketch, Charles H. Brainard, son of Asa Brainard, was born on May 1, 1832, in the State of Connecticut. When he was but two years of age came to Henderson county, then known as part of Warren county. Here he passed his early youth and manhood, in the midst of very meagre educational advantages. When he was eighteen years old, in the spring of 1850, attracted by the gold mines of California, he crossed the plains with oxen and struck the mines first at Placer ville. After his return to Henderson county he went back to California in 1857, and there remained ten years, going and coming by water routes. Several years after his second return to his childhood's home in 1876, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Minerva Applebee, daughter of James Applebee, of Henderson county. To them have been born two children, named Elmira and Charles. Prof. John Tweed, a prominent educator of Henderson county, was born in Poss county, Ohio, July 19, 1829. In the same year his father and family removed to Warren county, Indiana, and settled near Attica, where he remained till Xovember, 1841, when he with his wife, Kezia (Hinson) Tweed, and their seven children, emigrated to Henderson county, Illinois, where he lived until his death in 1857. During his lifetime Mr. Tweed was principallj- engaged in farming. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of the party who helped to guard the prisoners taken by Commodore Perry on Lake Erie. Later he served as captain of a company during Indian troubles. John, the subject of these notes, was only about eight years old when a white swelling made its appearance on his left arm and leg, which finally settled in the latter, and has ever since remained incurable, and has for many years caused him great sufiering, even now threatening his life. He entered life for himself without forjtune but possessed of a great ambition. His early education was necessarily much neg- lected, for during his school life eleven months would cover the entire time of his attendance at school, but at all times and under all circum- stances he was a constant student. On liis way to mill he learned a lesson, and while waiting for the grinding of his grist he would learn 126-1 HISTORY OF IVfERCEE AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. another, and so by continual study he finally became a scholar, and has since the spring of 1851 been closely identified with the educational interests of the county. It is said he taught more terms of school than any other teacher in the state, and all within ten miles of where he began. October 26, 1865, he married Miss Harriet C. Lynn, a native of this count}^ born at Gladstone in 184-3. In 1858 Mr. Tweed was con- verted and at once joined the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1864 he received a license to preach. While in Colorado, where he spent about two years for his wife's health, he rode a circuit of 150 miles and preached at seventeen appointments. John C. McDill, son of Thomas B. and Martha (McDill), who were natives of South Carolina and of Irish descent, was born Sep- tember 23, in Union county, Indiana, to which state his parents removed in 1818. Some twenty years subsequently, in 1838, they again removed, and settled in Henderson count}^ in T. 10, R. 5, on the farm where John C. McDill, the subject of this sketch, resides at the present time. Both of his parents were members of the United Presbyterian Church of South Henderson congregation, and educated their children in the doctrines of the United Presbyterian church, of which all of his children, save Robert, were members. Two of his six children died before Mr. McDiirs coming to Henderson county, — one in infancy and a second, David, when twelve years old ; three died in manhood, — Samuel, William and Robert F. Of all his children John C. is the sole survivor. His father and mother both died in 18T2_, the former August 10, the latter August 26. November 12, 1873, Mr. McDill was married to Miss Mary McMillan, daughter of John and Lucinda McMillan. Of this marriage two children, George Wil- bert and Martha Jane, have been born. Mr. McDill now resides on his farm of 240 acres, in Sec. 24, T. 10, R. 5, giving his attention to farming. He has been a member of the South Henderson church for more than thirty years. Mr. McDill is a second cousin of Hon. J. W. McDill congressman from Iowa. The subject of this sketch, Andrew Mekemson, farmer, Gladstone, son of James and Mary (Brown) Mekemson, was born January 7, 1817, in Fleming county, Iventuck}^ His ancestry on his father's side were Irish, his mother's Scotch. Mr. Mekemson's great-grand- father, Andrew Mekemson, with his five sons, emigrated from Ireland to America some twenty-five years before the revolutionary war, about 1750. Each of the five fought in the revolutionary war, and it is said that one or two of the five were killed. When Mr. Mekemson was about two years old his parents removed to St. Clair county, Illinois, where they resided until the spring of 1838, when they removed to SOUTH hendi:rson township. 1265 Henderson connty and settled on Sec. 24, T. 10, E. 5. Here his parents, both of whom were members of the South Henderson United Pres- byterian churcli, died in the summer of 1858. Three years after his parents removed to Henderson county Mr. Mekemson was married, on September 28, 1841, to Miss Eleanor B. McQuown, daughter of John E. and Harriet (McQuown). who were natives of Virginia. In 1842 he joined tlie United Presbyterian Church of South Henderson, and the next year was elected an elder of this congregation, which position he still ( 1882 ) holds. Of his marriage eleven children have been born, one of whom, Mellissa, died when about three years of age. Two of his sons, William B. and John, are married and engaged in farming. Eobert N. is just entering upon his profession as a physi- cian in Biggsville, while the youngest son. Flavins, is at home with his parents. Two of his daughters are married : one, Harriet M., is the wife of John T. Porter; Joanna is the wife of M. H. McCorkle. Four of his daughters, Sarah M., Alda Jane, Eleanor and Idelletta, are at home with their parents. Mr. Mekemson resides now on his farm of 330 acres, giving his attention chieliy to farming, to which duties he has recently added the labors in connection with a creamery (of which an account is given elsewhere), carrying it on with his son, Mr. Mekemson's reputation for integrity and worth has been well earned by his forty-four years of life among the citizens of Henderson county. Joseph Scott Mekemson (deceased), brother of Andrew Mekemson, was born on April 23, 1812. He was married on May 23, 1837, to Mrs. Sarah L. Williams. Of this marriage no children were born, and some twelve years afterward, on June 13, 1849, his wife died. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Mekemson, in company with his step-son, started for California on the overland route. On the way they lost their team and entire outfit costing some $500, and only with great exertions did they reach the Pacific slope enfeebled with toil and sickness. They had but forty cents on arriving at the camp, and for several M^eeks were compelled to undergo great hardships in obtaining food and tools. After one and a half years of severe privation and sickness he got fairly to work, and after five years' residence in California returned with some $3,000. Some five years after his return he was married to Miss Mary M. McClinton, daughter of James McClinton, an old resident of Henderson county. She was born on December 30, 1832. Of this marriage four children were boiTi, only two of whom are living. Luna, the eldest, was born January 14, 1866, and united with the United Presbyterian church when thirteen years old. Elvira was born July 23, 1871. On November 5, 1875, Mr. Mekemson died at his residence. 1266 HISTOEY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Here on the old liomestead of over 210 acres his widow and two children still reside, being rich in the reputation of integrity which their father and husband bequeathed to them. Isaac Forward, son of Robert and Mary (Waters) Forward, was born in England, Sussex county, March 23, 1817. When twenty-four years of age he emigrated to America, haying been married fiye days pre- yious to his sailing to Miss S. Johnson, daughter of Wm. Johnson, The parents of Mrs. Forward were members of the church of England, while the jjarents of Mr. Forward were Calyinists. Two children have been born of this marriage : the eldest is Olive Mary ; the youngest, Charles Robert, is now married to Miss Martha E. Kemp, daughter of Frederic Kemp. Mr. Forward first settled in Madison county, New York, and there he remained from 1841, the year he landed, until 1851, when he emigrated to McHenry county, Illinois. In 1854 he removed to Oquawka, where he lived for eleven years, until 1865. Then he again removed, first to Sec. 10, T. 10, R. 5, and afterward to Sec. 15 in the same township, where he now resides. Though he began with but little, and had but four sovereigns when he landed, wliicli he lost by lending, he has more than gained the object for which he and his wife came to this country, — to get a little land and found a home. Patient industry has added to his farm until he now has over 1000 acres of land. As Mr. Forward came from a hop country he soon found employment after his arrival in America, in the hop vineyards, as an adept in the business. For the first five yearjs he worked out for one man, and the next five for the same man, having charge of the vineyard. His principal business is in stock raising, though he feeds annually about 100 head of steers. He also pays some attention to tlie improvement of horses, breeding the heavy draft Clydes- dales. This is far from a complete history of Mr. Forward's life. We have only said that he began in povert}^ and is now a rich man. When but ten years of age he was taken out of school, and worked for the same man until he was twenty-four. During these fourteen years he never failed to receive his pay every Saturday night, and never had but one holiday a year, this holiday being Christmas, when permission was given him to hunt with the hounds. Such is the difference between the life of the workman in America and the laborer in England. The subject of this sketch, Mr. Henderson Sloan, was born No- vember 26, 1810, in Antrim county, Ireland. Here his parents had resided for generations back. His forefathers were shoemakers by trade, but owned some land. His father's name was James, and mother's Mary (]5eck) Sloan. Such educational advantages as those times of- fered were extended to Mr. Sloan, and he received a good practical SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1267 education. On account of the superior advantages offered to a poor man — superior as compared to those of Ireland — Mr. Sloan sailed for America, to try his fortune there, in December of 1850. From New Orleans, where he first touched, he came up the Mississippi to Oquawka and settled in Henderson county. Mr. Sloan began by working for Capt. Hutchinson by the month. From this he took contracts on the old Peoria and Oquawka railroad. In this work of contracting he obtained quite a start, and in 1857 he settled down on his farm of some 400 acres, which lies one mile east of Gladstone, in Sec. 11, T. 10, K. 5. Though Mr. Sloan has never gone actively into politics, he has always believed in and voted with the democratic party. For many years he has given his attention to the raising of stock. Mr. Sloan is one of those of whose coming to America our citizens may always be glad. The subject of this sketch, William H. McCiiesney, was born on February 2, 1816, in Strasburg township, Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania. His ancestry was Irish, his father and mother having emigrated from Tyrone, near Dungannon, the seat of the O'Neils, the kings of Ulster, in 1794. After coming to America Mr, McChesney, who was educated in the grammar schools of his native town, followed the duties of school teacher, and from him our subject received the most of his training. In 1SP)3 his parents removed to Ohio, settling in Trumbull county, where they resided nineteen years, after which, in 1852, two years after the coming of his son, they removed to Hender- son county, Illinois, where they resided up to the time of their death, Mr. McCiiesney dying in 1856, and his wife eleven years later, in 1867. On September 26, 1861, Mr. McChesney was united in mar- riage with Miss Jane Fort, daughter of Jefferson Fort, an old resident of Henderson coanty. To them were born two children, both of whom are dead, the first having died in infancy, and the second, Nathaniel Macon, in 1873. On April 27, 1868, Mr. McChesney was greatly afflicted in the loss of his wife, who died at the age of thirty-three years. Mr. McChesney came to Henderson county in 1846, and since 1850 has been a permanent resident of the county. During the first four years of his residence here he was occupied in the clerk's office with Dr. Pollock. In 1857 he removed to a farm, which avocation he still follows. During two terms he has filled the office of county sur- veyor. In faith Mr. McChesney was brought u]) by Presbyterian parents. In politics he is a firm believer in the tenets of the democratic party. Now that he has been bereaved of his family, Mr. McChesney resides in Gladstone, still i-etaining his two farms of 160 acres each, one lying four miles southwest of Gladstone and the other in Hancock countv. 1268 HISTORY OF arERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Thornton Hedges, merchant, Gladstone, son of William Hedges, a native of Virginia, was born in Pickaway conntj, Ohio, on March 14, 1836. When about three years of age, in 1839, his parents removed to DesMoines county, Iowa, where the family lived till 1867, when they removed to Henderson county, Illinois. In 1847 his father, William Hedges, died in DesMoines county when forty-four years of age. Since that time Mrs. Hedges has resided with her sons. After his removal to Henderson county Mr. Hedges, on December 31, 1868, was united in mari-iage with Miss Mattie A. Gunter, daughter of E. W. Gunter, then a citizen of Henderson county. Of this marriage, January 26, 1873, one child has been born, who was named by her parents Luella May. Mr. Hedges received his early education in the common schools of Iowa, which were then in their infancy and of a primitive nature. He began life with nothing. In August, 1868, he went into business, some fourteen years ago, during which time he has worked as a druggist, as a general merchant, as a butcher, besides a year spent in grain buying in Iowa. He is now doing a general busi- ness as a merchant in Gladstone. Cyrus Hedges, liveryman, also a son of William Hedges, was born on February 27, 1839, in Pickaway county, Ohio. He was educated in the common schools of DesMoines county, Iowa, where his parents removed in 1840. When the call came for volunteers, in the summer of 1862, Mr. Hedges, then in his twenty-third year, enlisted on August 9 in Go. C, 30tli Iowa Inf , under command of Capt. Roberts. In the grand assault of Gen. Grant upon Yicksburg he was shot twice, once through the left shoulder, and a second time through the left lung. He was entirely helpless for more than two months, and for nine years was compelled to dress his wounds. After returning to his home in Iowa, Mr. Hedges moved to Henderson county, Illinois, and from that time has been engaged in farming and in the livery business, in partnership with his brother, Leonard Hedges, third son of William Hedges, who was born February 18, 1844, in DesMoines county, Iowa. In this county Mr. Hedges passed his childhood and youth, receiving his education in the school near his home. In 1867 he removed to Gladstone, himself and his brothers residing together, their mother being with them. His father having died in 1847, Mr. Hedges is now with his brother in the livei'y business, at the old stand of P. M. Hall, a name that will be recognized throughout the county. Robert C. Beck, son of John and Ellen (Craig) Beck, was born in the county of Antrim, Ireland, about 1826. His parents were of the old Irish stock, and for centuries ])revious to their emigration to America they had been a race of farmers. Robert C. Beck in 1847 SOUTH HENDERSON TOVVNSHIl'. 1269 was married to Miss Ellen Gibb, who died two years alter, leaving one son, John by nanie. This son was in the late war, and fought in some of the hardest battles of the rebellion. On March 1, 1850, Mr. Beck was married a second time, his wife's maiden name being Margaret Kaney, daughter of Hugh Ranoy, also of Antrim county. On September 1, 1851, they sailed for America, and after touching at New Orleans they ascended the Mississippi river to Oquawka and settled in Henderson county, where they were destined to spend the most of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Beck have been born seven children, six of whom are still living, one daughter having died at the age of twenty-one. Three of his sons are out in life for themselves, while his three daughters are all at home. In politics Mr. Beck is a republican. He resides about two miles southeast of Gladstone on his farm, giving his attention to farming and stock raising. Alexander McFarland, farmer, Gladstone, was born on May 10, 1818, in Washington county. New York, of which state his parents were natives. In the common schools he obtained his education. Wlien he was nineteen years of age, he, accompanied by his brother, removed to Quincy, Illinois, with teams. This was in 1837. Here he remained for fifteen years, engaging in the prosecution of his trade as blacksmith. When the gold excitement struck the country Mr. McFarland caught the fever and crossed the plains in a wagon to California. When he reached San Francisco he had crossed the conti- nent in a wagon, as just before leaving home in New York he had driven to Boston in a wagon. He remained in California seven years and then returned to Henderson county, where he purchased a farm on Sec. 10, T. 10, E. 5. On March 7, 1859, he was married to Mrs. Mary Dodge. Of this marriage one child, Laura, was born on No- vember 26, 1859, who in June, 1882, graduated at the Baptist College at Burlington, Iowa. Mr. McFarland is one of those who may be rightfidly called a self-made man, having been cast out on the world at seven years of age. By diligent labor he has gained a competence, and now owns a farm af 180 acres of land, which he rents. He resides in Gladstone, where he owns a beautiful residence and store building, the last of which is occupied in part by the Freemasons, of which lodge Mr. McFarland is a prominent member. Among the worthy settlers of modern times are the sons of James and Mary (King) McMatli. Of these Rufus Udolpho was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, January' 23, 1853. His parents were Scotch-Irish, his grandfather having emigrated to America about 1790. He settled in Pennsylvania, and on his old homestead James McMath and his sons were born. In 1855 Mr. McMath emigrated to Ilender- 1270 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. son county, Illinois, and settled on Sec. 10, T. 10, R. 5, on the farm where his son Rufus now resides. In the common schools of Gladstone Rufus received his education and passed his early youth and manhood. On November 13, 1880, he was married to Miss Idella Dunn, daughter of Allen JVI. Dunn, of Audubon county, Iowa. To them has been born one son, by name Roscoe Allen. Mr. McMath now resides on the N. W. 1 of Sec. 10, T. 10, R. 5. He is the owner of some 225 acres of land, upon which he pursues his chosen avocation of farming and stock raising. He is now director of the school district in which he resides. Mr. McMath is a lirm believer in the ideas of the repub- lican party, the principles of which his father accepted before him. The subject of this sketch, Alexander Wright Lynn, son of Ezekiel Wright and Olive (Harvey) Lynn, was born January 29, 1838. His father, who was a native of Hartford, Connecticut, emigrated to Henderson county in the fall of 1832, and settled on Sec. 10, T. 10, R. 5, whei'e Mr. Lynn now resides. Some idea of the disadvantages of those days is given by recalling the fact that at that time there was no house between South Henderson and Ellison. After four yeai-s' residence in this county Mr. Lynn, in 1836, returned to his native state, and there on March 14, 1837, he married Miss Olive Harvey, whose descent can be traced back to the celebrated family of Llarvey who came over in the Mayflower soon after their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Lynn started for Illinois in a wagon, the journey occupying many weeks. In the edge of the present town of Gladstone, where he afterward laid out the town of Lynn, Mr. Lynn erected his house, at a spot near the Indians' old council house. Here Mr. Lynn died March 4, 1871, his wife having died many years before, on ]S[ovember 21, 1846. Four of their six children are now living, two, Mary Olive and George Huntingdon, having died in infancy. Harriet C. is now wife of Prof John Tweed, of Gladstone. Olive A. is the wife of Rev. John L. Torpin, of Rock Island. One son, Charles, served three years during the late rebellion, enlisting as a private, coming out as first lieutenant. Alexander Wright Lynn was the eldest of the six children. He was married in Burlington, Iowa, on November 18, 1861, to ]\[iss Sarah Ann Applebej^ Of this marriage three chil- •dren were born : two, Marietta and Martha Elizabeth, are at home with their ]:)arents ; the third, Chauncey Wright, died February 8, 1878. On December 10, 1880, Mrs. Lynn died at her home. Mr. Lynn is a republican in politics; in religious faith he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Hiram Sylvester Tweed, son of Abram and Susan (Merrill) Tweed, was born May 8, 1837, near the present town of Gladstone, Illinois. SOUTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP. 1271 In descent he was of Irish-German blood, though his parents were natives of the State of Virginia. Mr. Tweed's father, Abram Tweed, removed to Ohio, and after a short residence there again removed, this time to Indiana, where he resided up to 1835, when Mr. Tweed went to Henderson county to look at the country, and after making prepara- tions to bring his family on he returned for them in the spring of 1836. Mr. Tweed settled on section 28, where he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1815, his excellent wife having died four years before. The subject of this sketch, Hiram, received his education in the common school in the vicinity of his home, though the educational advantages of that time were of a primitive nature. On January T, 1862, Mr. Tweed was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Ellen Sage, daughter of Gideon and Mary Ellen Sage, her father being the founder of Sagetown. She was born on January 4, 1843. To them have been born seven children, three of whom are dead. The eldest, Hiram Leander, died in 1878, aged thirteen. Two, Gideon Abram and Charlie Emerson, died in June, 1881, the former being ten and the latter twelve years of age. The names of the four living are : John W., James T., Eddie Ray and Katie May. Mr. Tweed now resides on his farm half a mile south of Gladstone, where he gives his attention to farming and stock raising. The name of James Ryason, of Gladstone township, will be recog- nized by all as the oldest living settler in Henderson county. More than fifty -four years have passed away since first his feet stepped upon the soil of Henderson county, and he has lived to see the four or five men who preceded him here carried to their tombs. Mr. Ryason was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on December 14, 1803, his father's name being John Ryason, who was a native of J^ew Jersey. He resided in his native county until he was twenty-one years old, obtain- ing his education in the common schools. After going to Louisville he went on foot to Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1824 Mr. Ryason emi- grated again, this time to Edgar county, Illinois, where he worked as a tanner in the employ of Isaac Sanford. Here he was married to Sarah Lasswell, daughter of John L. Lasswell, a native of Virginia. This was in February, 1827. One year after his marriage he emigrated to Henderson county and settled about three miles south of Oquawka. After completing preparations for his family he returned for them, and the next year, the fall of 1829, he brought his family to his new home. During the time of the Black Hawk war Mr. Ryason was a member of the Rangers, and in this company did good service in protecting the homes of the then scattered people. At the time of the organization of the county Mr. Ryason served as deputy sherifi:, Mr. S. S. Philps, 1272 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. who was sheriff, having thrown all the duties of that office upon him. Mr. Ryason is the fother of eight children, six of whom are living. His wife died in Febi'uarv, 1844. In March, 1845, Mr. Rj^ason mar- ried Miss ISTancy Webb, who lived but three years. In 1849 he married Mrs. K. Howard, who, with her children, lived with him up to 1867. One of his sons, Jasper M., was a member of the 16th 111. Vols. About six months after he volunteered he lost one of his eyes. After his recovery he volunteered a second time, and was captured by Col. Morgan, in Kentucky. Four of Mr. Ryason's sons are in the west, one in Mexico, a second in California and two in the Black Hills. During the early days of the history of Henderson county Mr. Ryason was one of the staunch men of the county. In every public enterprise he did his part, and did it willingly and well. Though a republican in politics, he votes for the best man, permitting no narrow party lines to hem him in. Some fifty-three j^ears ago he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which denomination he is still a member. Further reference to Mr. Ryason's early days may be found by turning to another page. Charles A. Martix, fourth son of Judge Martin, whose sketch appears elsewhere, was born on February 13, 1833, in Morgan county, Illinois. He was married on February 25, 1857, to Miss Mary M. Russell, daughter of Thomas and Melinda (Winters) Russell, who came to Henderson county in 1831. Both of Mrs. Martin's parents were natives of Roan county, Tennessee. Her father, who was born November 11, 1810, died September 29, 1881, and her mother, born August 19, 1810, died on June 11, 1881. Mr. Russell was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church for thirty-seven years prior to his death, having been made elder in 1844, a year after joining that denomination. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born two children, Edwin Russell, born November 15, 1858, and Alvah Winters, born in August, 1872, now at home with his parents. The elder son, Edwin Russell, died on April 12, 1882, at the Electi-ic Springs, Arkansas, whither he liad gone in search of health and vigor. After three years' attendance upon the Lincoln University, when a member of the junior class, he was compelled to give up his studies on account of his eyes, and returned home. During the two years after his leaving college and previous to his death he was able to use his eyes but little. To his superior ability and attainments he added a lofty ambition and noble purpose, and now ''though dead still speaketh." Mr. Martin and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which their son Edwin was also a member. They now reside on Sec. 24, T. 10, R. 5, and here Mr. Martin engages in farming and stock raising. -rERCER A:SD HENDERSON COUNTIES. exception of four years he was in the service and ten years he spent in farming in this county. He enlisted in the service of his country in 1861, in the Tth :N^e\v Jersey Vols., Co. K, and served till 1865, the close of the war. He was with the army of the Potomac. He entered the service as a private and was promoted to the office of first lieuten- ant and quartermaster, which jwsition he held at the time he was dis- charged. He was in the adjutant's department previous to his promo- tion to the lieutenancy. During his first month of service he was in almost a continuous battle. He was in the seven days' fight in the Wilderness, second battle at Bull Run. He was married in 1869 to Mary.Magie, a native of New Jersey, born in 1851, and daughter of William H. and Unas Magie. They were both natives of New Jersey, and came to Illinois about 1856, and located in Henderson county, where they remained seven years. They then moved to Chicago and returned to Henderson county in 1869, then returned to New Jersey in 1874, and came again to Henderson in 18T5, then removed to Craw- ford county, Kansas, where they now live. They are farmers. S. H. Bruen, by this marriage, has three children : Bertie, William H. and Eoyal C. For the past three years he has been engaged in general merchandise in Terre Haute, and has a live trade. He is present post- master, and a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge of that place. The Sloan family, now residents of this township, consists of the families of Frisby, Thomas W. and Woricvian Slo.\n. The last-named is deceased. They are the sons of Robert and Ruth (Frisby) Sloan. The father was a native of Ireland and came to America about 1790 with his father, John Sloan, and located in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, where the last-named (John Sloan) died. Ruth Frisby Sloan was born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio, where she was married to Mr. Sloan, who died in 1839 at the age of about fifty-nine years. His wife is now living with her son, Thomas W., and is a member of the Free-Will Baptist church ; she is now eighty-three years old. Frisby Sloan was born in 1820, in Muskingum county, Ohio, and came to Illinois in 1852, and located in Hancock county, where he remained but a short time, when he moved to Oquawka. There he resided twenty-nine years, and now lives in this township. He is a stonemason by trade, which vocation he has followed most of his life. In 1847 he was married to Phoebe Spangler, of Muskingum county, Ohio, born in 1825, daughter of Mathias and Sarah (Wells) Spangler ; the father of Maryland, the latter of Pennsylvania. They were married in Ohio, and ^migrated to Illinois in 1851. The father was born in 1793 and died in 1864; the mother was born in 1791 and died in 1854. They were members of the Baptist church. He served in TERRE HAUTE TOWNSHIP. , 1297 tlie war of 1812. Frisbj Sloan has by this marriage six childreH : Ann Eliza, William C, Louis E., Judson, Emma and Laura. Work- man Sloan was born in 1825, in Ohio. He came to Illinois at the age of twenty-two years, and located in Hancock county, where he resided four or five years, when he came to Henderson county and located where his widow now lives. He was married in 1853 to Pere Roberts, of Pennsylvania, born in 1831, daughter of James and Lucretia (Morris) Roberts ; the father born in 1785, the mother in Pennsyl- vania in 1787, and died in 1867. In 1851 they came to Illinois and located in Hancock county, wdiere they lived the remainder of their days. They were farmers and lived near La Harpe. . He was in belief a Quaker ; she a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Penn- sylvania. They raised a family of thirteen children. Workman Sloan had by this union five children: James P., Frisby (deceased), Rhien- hart M., Pleasant J. and Nancy E. (deceased). He and wife were members of the Baptist church. His oldest child joined the church when thirteen years old ; his second when only ten years old. Rhien- liart M. remains at home with his mother. Mr. Sloan left his family in good circumstances. His farm consisted of 135 acres, located in the northwest corner of the township. Thomas W. Sloan was born in 1824 in Ohio. He was reared on the farm. In 1850 he came to Illinois and located in McDonough county, where he remained three years, when he moved to Henderson county, where he now resides. He has a farm of 120 acres and keeps a good grade of farm stock. His aged mother lives with him. He has remained a bachelor. He is a member of the Free-Will Baptist church at Terre Haute. R. W. RuBERTS, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Morgan county, Illinois, born in 1831, and son of Milton B. and Ann (Mathews) Ruberts, both of Kentucky. The father lived in his native state till he was seventeen years old, when he came to Illinois. In 1827 he was called out by the governor to defend the lead mines in the north part of the state at Galena against the Indians. On his way back in 1832 he marked his claim by sticking up a spoon in North Henderson. He made three campaigns during the years 1827, 1831 and 1832. He was at Rock Island when Black Hawk was taken prisoner. He is by occupation a farmer. He now lives in McDonough county. He was twice married. His first wife, Ann (Mathews), died in 1S42. He now lives with his second wife, Sarah A. Terr3\ R. W. was reared on the farm. He has alwavs followed farmine;. In 1866 he married Mary J. Connor, of Ohio, born in 1841, daughter of James and Nancy Connor, the former of Virginia, the latter of Maryland, and went to Ohio when young with her parents. She was a member 1298 . HISTORY OF MEKCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. of the Cliristian church. E. W. Kuberts has bj this marriage four children: Emma L., Edward H., Bessie R., and Jennie O. He moved to La Salle county with his parents in 1835, and remained there till 185-1 or 1855, then in 1858 to near Raritan, Henderson county, where he remained till the breaking out of the war in 1861, when he enlisted in Capt. Dallom's company, raised at Oquawka. The captain was promoted to the ofhce of major of the 10th 111., and the company lost its place in that regiment. Then a part went to Earl, La Salle county, and was recruited by Capt. Hudson and made a part of the 53d 111. Vols. , in which Mr. Euberts was first corporal. He recruited his company four times from this and adjoining counties. He was in the following battles : Shiloh, Corinth. He then marched to Memphis and luca, where he was wounded in the hip. He was taken prisoner at Holly Spring, where he was in the hospital and paroled, and was exchanged ; then in the siege of Vicksburg, then at Jackson, and was wounded in the hand, and came home on veteran furlough. He returned and was under Gen. Blair and joined Sherman at Altoona, and continued with the army till Sherman reached Savannah, when his time expired and he I'eturned home. He was 28 miles from camp with a party of 800 men when they were attacked by 11,000 rebels, and made their way back to camp in about seven hours, fighting all the time. He was present when McPherson was killed at Atlanta, where they had to defend themselves on both sides of the breastworks, ha\dng been surrounded. He was detailed after the battle of Shiloh with a company of nine men to bury dead rebels, and to collect their wounded, and worked three .daj^s and nights without rest. Among the energetic business men of this township is Clarence E,. GirriNGS. He was born in 1848 in Hancock county, a short dis- tance from the south line of Henderson, where he was reared on the farm of his father. His parents, James and Mrs. Susan Thompson (Dague) Gittings, were among the pioneers of this section of the country. The father is a native of Jefferson county, Yirginia, born in 1801, and the oldest of his father's familj^ of eleven children. His parents were Ason and Elizabeth Gittings. James Gittings, when four years old, moved with his parents from his native state to Belmont county, Ohio, and afterward to Muskingum county. Here he remained till 1836. He worked at the carpenter's trade, then engaged in the tobacco trade with success, then shipped flour from Janes ville to New Orleans, and made but few trij)s before he owned the craft that carried his produce to market. In 1836 he came west in search of a home. After viewing Chicago, with its few dilapidated buildings, he came to Hancock county, where he now resides, and o^Dened a farm in the tlien TEKEE HAUTE TOWNSHIP. 1299 wilderness, where he has proved himself a successful business man and a good citizen. Almost from his first settling here he has been interested in this township. He was twice married : first in 1832 to Jane Yan Horn, of Ohio, by whom he had four sons and two daugh- ters ; his second marriage was with Susan (Thompson) Dague, in 1844, widow of the late Frederick Dague, of Wheeling, Virginia, with whom he is now living. By this last marriage he has three children, two sons and a daughter. Clarence R. received a fair common school education and three years' training in college. He was married in 1871 to Mary Witherspoon, of Mineville, New York, daughter of Robert and Margaret Witherspoon, the father of Ireland, now living in ISTew York, and is sixty-eight years old. The mother died when their daughter Mary was two years old, aged about thirty years. C. R. Gittings has by this marriage two children, Robert F. and Charles S. He and wife are members of the Methodist E2:)iscopal church. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and holds the office of justice of the peace in T. 8, R. 5. He has a farm of 280 acres one mile south of Terre Haute. He keeps a good grade of stock. He is a member of the firm of Lovitt, Gittings & Co., which deals in all kinds of agricultural implements and buys and ships grain. The firm does business at Disco, Lomax and Terre Haute. J. W. Crenshaw is a native of Henderson county, born in 1844, and son of Isaac and Mary C^renshaw. His father was a native of Georgia, his mother of Kentucky. They came with the early settlers and located in T. 8, R. 4, where Isaac Crenshaw died in 1880 at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, Mar}^ Crenshaw, is yet living on the old homestead farm. They both are old soldiers of the cross in the Methodist Episcojjal church. J. W. was reared on the farm where he was born. He was educated in the common schools of his neigh- borhood. In 1872 he married Alice E. Duncan, of Henderson county. She was born in 18G0, and is the daughter of Thomas and Martha Duncan. Her father is a native of Tennessee, her mother of McDon- ough county, Illinois. They are farmers. Mr. Crenshaw has by this marriage four children: Millie E., Mabel M., Asa F. and Ethel. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres near the south line of the township and is a successful farmer. Fie and wife are members of the Christian church. Of the citizens now resident of T. 8, R. 5, is John Mills, subject of this sketch. He is a native of I^ew York, born in 1830. His parents were Isaac and Joanna Mills, both of whom were reared, mar- ried, raised a family, and died in their native state. New York. He was a grocer. He and wife were members of the Presbyterian church. 1300 HISTOEY OF MERCER ANT) HENDERSON COUNTIES. He served in tlie war of 1812. The Mills family emigrated to America from England in the early days of American history, and located in New York. Mr. John Mills was reared to farm, the business of his father. His early educational training was received in Morris county, New York, the home of his boyhood. In 1869 he emigrated to Hen- derson county with his family, and located one half mile east of Terre Haute, where he has since resided. In 1851 he was married to Henrietta Bruen, daughter of Isaac and Mary A. Bruen. Her native home was near IMadison, New York. In 1869 her parents came to Henderson county, Illinois. Her mother is deceased ; her father now resides in Terre Haute, and is eighty-four years old. The Bruen family emigrated to America from Germany at a very early time. Isaac Bruen was by trade a cooper, but by occupation a farmer. His wife was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Mills h-as by this marriage two children, George E. and Adellaid. He is a member of masonic lodge at Morristown, New York, and is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Terre Haute. He has a farm of 160 acres of line land, and keeps a good grade of farm stock. He is present assessor of his township. James Mathews is a native of Ireland, born in 1831. His parents emigrated to America the year of his birth, and located in Hicks county, New York, where he was reared and educated. His immediate an- cestors were James and Betsy Mathews, both native of Ireland, where they died. His fatlier died in 1881, aged sixty-seven years ; his mother in 1880, aged seventy-seven years. They were farmers, and members of the Close Communion Baptist, of which church they were members almost fifty years. In 1865 James Mathews Sr. emigrated fi-om New York to Henderson, Illinois, with his family, and located in T. 8, E.. 5, where he has since resided. In 1853 he was married to Sarah L. Twaits, of New York, born in 1833, daughter of William and Sarah (Nayes) Twaits. Her father was of England, her mother of New Hampshire. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1879, at the age of seventy-five years ; her mother died about 18'11, at the early age of thirty years ; both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. James Mathews Jr., by this marriage, has nine children: Edward, James (deceased), Isabell, Netta, George, Hattie, Henry, Ida and Ella. He and wife are members of the Free- Will Baptist church at Terre Haute. He has a well improved farm of eighty acres. Rev. P. S. Garretsox is a native of New Jersey, born in 1840, and is son of John and Alletta (Christopher) Garretson, both of New York. His father died in New York State in 1857, at the age of forty-eight TERRE HAUTE TOWNSHIP. 1301 years. His father and motlier were members of the Dutch Reformed church. Ilis mother, in 1868, located at Galesbura^, Illinois, where she resided seven years. She then went to Philadelphia, where she died in 1876, at the age of seven t^^-four years. Her daughter, Elsa M., went to China as a missionary worker in 1880. Rev. Ciarretson was reared on the farm at Bound Brook, New York. He began his educa- tion in Pennington College, New York. In 1865 he came to Illinois and entered Hedding College, at Abington, where he remained two years, when he entered the ministry,, which profession he has since ful- filled. In 1868 joined Central Illinois conference. Since that time he has been located at the following places as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church : Orian, Viola, Colana, Henry county ; Port Byron, Rock Island county ; Millersburg, Mercer county ; Bardolph and Terre Haute. At the latter place he has been stationed for the past three years. In 1862 he enlisted in the army, Co. K, 30th N. Y. Vols., and served eighteen months. He was in the engagements at Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, but was discharged before the engagement at' the last named place was begun. In 1865 he enlisted a second time in the service of his country in the 150th N. Y.Vols., and was stationed on Hart Island to do guard duty. In 1871 he was mar- ried to Mary M. Pratt, a native of Illinois, born in 184-1, and daughter of William M. and Margaret S. (Whitaker) Pratt. Her father was of Vermont, her mother of Ohio. They located in Sangamon county, Illinois, with the pioneer settlers. Her father died in 1878, aged seventy-six years ; her mother in 1881, at the age of seventy-five. They were ardent christians and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1837 they moved to Hancock county, and remained five years, during which time their daughter, Mary M., was born ; then they moved to Stark county in 1860, and lastly they moved to Knox county, where they both died. Mrs. Mary M. Garretson graduated at Hedding College with the class of '69, after which she taught school for a time. Rev. P. S. Garretson by this marriage has five children : Garret R., Allie M., Eddy, Elsa (deceased), and Garfield. Dr. B. F. Hamilton, present practicing physician of Terre Haute, is a native of Ohio, born in 1837. His parents were Robert and Lavina (Sallee) Hamilton. His father was a native of Ohio, his mother of Kentucky. His father is now seventy-two years old and makes his home with his children. His mother died in 1881, at tlie age of sev- enty-two years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is also her husband, Robert Hamilton. They emigrated, in 1852, to Missouri. By occupation they \yere farmers. Dr. Hamilton was reared on the farm. At the age of eighteen he left the farm and began 1302 HISTORY OF FIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. teaching school, which he followed a part of the time for a few years. He tlien attended college at Quincv, Illinois. He read medicine with Drs. Samuel Henry and G. Black, at Clayton, Illinois. He graduated in the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, with the class of '67. In 1867 he began the practice of medicine at Camp Point. In 1870 he came to Terre Haute, where he has since resided with the exception of two years, where he was located at Dallas, Hancock county. In 1867 he was married to Sarah F. Reaugh, of Illinois, daughter of Samuel and Mahala (Pound) Peaugh. They were both natives of Kentucky. Her father died in 1881, at the age of sixty-seven years. Her mother is now living and is sixty-three years old. They were farmers and members of the Christian church. They came to Illinois when young and located near Quincy. Dr. Hamilton has by this marriage six children : Oweenee, Mary, Leander, Orville, Jessie and Lavina M. He owns a nice town property of nine acres, besides other buildings and lots in Terre Haute, and has a good practice. He and his wife are members of the Christian church at Bedford, in Hancock county. M..L. Roderick, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Hender- son county, born and reared on the farm where he now resides. His father, David F. Rodrick, was a native of Ohio, and came to Hender- son county when a young man, with its early settlers, and located in T. 8, R. 5, where his son, M. L., now resides. In 1861 he enlisted in the army, and died in the service. He married Mahala Magnes, ot Ohio, by whom he had two children : Mathew L., and Charley F. He farmed all his life. His widow married Captain James Fritzs, and now lives in Kansas. In 1875 Mathew L. was married to Jennie Mills, born in 1856 in Hancock county, and daughter of John and Elizabeth (Scott) Mills. Her father was born in Morgan county, Illi- nois ; her mother was born in Hancock county, Illinois. The}' now reside in Hancock county. By this marriage M. L. Rodrick has three children: Wesley S., Frederick E., and an infant not named. He is now twenty-eight years old. lie has a well improved farm of 160 acres, fairly stocked with good grades of farm stock. Jacob Retzer, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1841. His parents were George and Catherine Retzer, the former a native of Maryland, coming to Pennsylvania when young, the latter a native of Pennsylvania. They came to Illinois in 1855, and located in Hender- son county, wliei-e the former died in December, 1881, aged seventy- three; the latter in March, 1882, aged sixty-seven. The subject of this memoir was eleven years old when he came with his parents to Henderson county, which has since been his home. He was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education. He volunteered TERRE HAUTE TOWNSHIP. 1303 in 1860 in 91st 111. Yols., Co. B, and served three years, taking part in the following engagements : Bacon creek, Kentucky, where he was taken prisoner ; at Atchafayla, Spanish Port, Alabama, Whistler, and Mobile. He was married in 1871 to Miss Addie Wallace, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1846, daughter of George and Catherine Wallace. The latter died in Pennsylvania, aged forty-one years ; the former came to Henderson county, Illinois, remaining one year, then spending two years in Hancock county, again returning to Henderson county. He made his home among his children, and died in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1879, aged eighty-two years. He was a carpenter by trade. By this marriage Jacob Retzer has four children : Pay W., Maud E., Catherine T., Blanche E. (deceased), and Frederick. He is heir to an interest in 540 acres of land; is a successful farmer and respected man. He keeps common grade stock. E. H. Trask is a native of Oneida county, New York. He was born in 1832. His parents were James H. and Frances H. Trask, His father was of New York, his mother of Connecticut. They emigrated to Iowa in 1842, and located in Louisa county. In 1862 moved to Keokuk. In 1864 to Henderson county, Illinois. His father died at Terre Haute in 1881, at the age of seventy-one years. His mother is now living at JSTew Boston, Mercer county, this state, and is seventy- one years old. His father was a tailor by trade. In 1849 he went to California, where he spent two years, then returned and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed till his death. He was a member of the Masonic order, his wife a member of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Trask was reared in town, went to Iowa with his parents. He was educated principally in Louisa county, Iowa ; read medicine with Dr. T. H. Bras. He attended the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, taking two courses of lectures. In 1856 he began the practice of medicine in Louisa county, Iowa. In 1863 he located in Terre Haute. In 1873 he returned to Louisa county, Iowa. In 1880 he returned to Terre Haute, wliei-e he is now located. He has a paying practice. In 1867 he was married to Mary L. Parsons, a native of Canada, and daughter of W. D. Parsons. Her father was also of Canada, and died when his daughter Mary L. was five years old. Dr. Trask has by this marriage eight children : Frank L., Albert W., Laurence, Nettie M., George P., Carrie G., Jessie and Cyril. Lewis P. Maynard is a native of Hancock county, Illinois, born in 1839. His parents Lewis C. and Adaline (Ward) Maynard, both of Massachusetts. They emigrated in 1836 to Hancock county, Illinois, from Massachusetts, where they were married previous to their emigra- tion. They are both living near La Harpe. They are farmers by 1304 HISTORY OF lEEKCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. vocation and members of the Congregational church. His father is now seventy-six years old, his mother seventy-two. L. P. was reared on the farm in Hancock county. His early education was such as he could get during the winter months in the district school. In 1861 he enlisted in the 7th la. Yols., Co. B, and served four years in the army of the Tennessee, in Logan's corps. He was in the following battles : Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, and with Sherman in his march to the sea. In 1866 he was married to M. J. Kirkpatrick, of Virginia, born in 1838, and daughter of George and Maria Kirkpat- rick ; the father of Virginia, the mother of England. In 1865 they came to Hancock county, Illinois, and settled on a farm, and now live in La llarpe. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Maynard has by this marriage three children : Kutli, George R. and Susan. He has a well improved farm of 160 acres, Avell stocked. Thomas Morgan is a native of England. He was born in 1811, in Monmouthshire. His parents were William and Anna Morgan, both of England, where they died. His mother died in 1837, aged sixty-eight years ; his father died in 18-17, aged seventy -five years. They were farmers and members of the Ba})tist church, in which he held the office of deacon for forty years. In 1848 Thomas Morgan came to America, and located in New York, where he remained three years. In 1851 he came and located in Henderson county, where he now resides. He was married, in 1835, to Mary Howell, of England, born in 1806, daughter of Walter and Jane Howell. They were Eng- glish people and members of the Church of England. LLer father died in 1846, at the age of seventy-two years. In 1854 her mother died, aged eighty years. By this marriage Mr. Morgan has a family of six children, three of whom are dead : Anna, Jane, George, Annah (deceased), Thomas (deceased), John (deceased). He has a well improved farm of 160 acres. He and wife are members of the Free- Will Baptist church. George Morgan, subject of this sketch, was born in England in 1840, and is son of Tliomas and Mary Morgan, whose history will appear in the biograj^hical dei^artment of this township, George Morgan came to America with his parents and located in New York, where he remained two years ; then he came to Henderson county, where he has since lived. His early education was that of the common school. He was married in 1863 to Sarah Richards, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Wm. and Harriet Richards. The father, of Pennsylvania, and came to Henderson county, Illiuois, then moved to Missouri, where the mother died in 1881, aged seventy -five years. The father was a farmer and a member of tlie Methodist Episcopal TERRE HAUTE TOWNSHIP. 1305 cliurdi. His widow now lives in Iowa, "Wayne county. Mr. Morgan by tliis marriage has six children : Anna, George, Mary, Ella, Thomas and Maggie. He enlisted in the war in 1S02, January 1, in the 10th 111. Vols., Co. G ; served one year, when he was discharged because of a sunstroke. He was in the battles of Corinth, Island No. 10 and Tiptonville, besides numerous skirmishes. He is now justice of the peace and is serving his second term as notary public. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member and chaplain of the Soldiers' lodge at Carman, this county. He owns a farm of 160 acres in the north part of T. 8, R. 5, and town property in Terre Haute. Marion McKim, the subject of this sketch, was born in 18-10, on his father's farm, where he now resides. His parents were Noble and and Abagail McKim. His father was born in Ohio, his mother in Yermont. She died in 1856, aged forty-nine years. They came to Henderson county in 1839 and located in T. 8, R. 6, on the farm where their son Marion now lives. Here his father resided till 1873, when he moved to Dallas to spend the remainder of his days in retired life. He is by trade a brick-mason, but made farming the business of his life. He is now seventy -four years old. The McKim family formerly came from Ireland. Marion McKim superintends his father's farm. In 1864 he was man-ied to Rebecca Grey, born in 1833, native of Ohio, daughter of John O. and Jane E. (Bryant) Grey, both of Yermont. They came to Illinois in 1841:, and located in Hancock county, then moved to Rock Island county, where they both died, the father in 1873, aged sixty-four years ; the mother in 1876, at the age of seventy years. Hir mother was a member of the Mormon church. Mr. McKim, by this marriage, has four children : Robert A., Abagail, Frank and Fred B. He and wife are members of the Free-Will Bap- tist church, at Terre Haute. The McKim family is justly entitled to the name of pioneer settlers of Henderson. The subject of this sketch, John T. Chandler, is a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1838, and is son of Jesse and Rachel Chandler. His father is a native of Yirginia, his mother of Pennsylvania, where they were married. They emigrated, in 1844, to McDonough county, Illinois, and located six miles west of McComb, where they remained till 1846. They then moved to Hancock county. He helped to drive out the Mormons, by assisting in the uprising of the people at that period against that sect. In 1852 he moved to Hen- derson county, and located in T. 8, R. 6. He now lives in Abington, Knox county. His wife died in 1858. He is now sixty -eight years old and is livina: a retired life. He at various times held sucli of the 1306 HISTORY OF MERCER AISTD HP:NDERS0N COUNTIES. township offices as were forced upon liim. The Chandler family in America are descendants of three brothers who came to America in early times. John T. was reared on the farm. His early education was that of the common school. He enlisted in the army in 1861 in the 10th 111. Vols., Co. D, and served three months. In 1862 he mar- ried Sarah A. Lovitt, of Ohio, born in 1844, daughter of Price and Mary J. Lovitt, whose history will appear in the biographical department of this township. She died in 1875. By this marriage Mr. Chandler had two children : Albert E. and Oliver, Mr. Chandler has a well improved farm of 320 acres. He keeps short-horn cattle and good grades of other farm stock. William Kobinson was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1821, and made that state his home until 1869. He then moved to Illinois and located in Terre Haute, Henderson county, where his eldest brother, Joseph, was then living. He is the youngest of a family of eight children, four of whom are living. His parents were James and Catherine (Retzer) Robinson, both natives of Pennsyl- vania, who died in their native state, the former in 1865, aged eighty- four years ; the latter in 1849, aged seventy years. The subject of this sketch spent his early years on the farm, receiving a limited education, such as the subscription schools of that age afforded, that being before the days of public schools. He afterward learned the shoemaker's trade, which has been his chief occupation. He was twice married : first in 1841, to Miss Trancina Lewis, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1849 ; subsequently married in 1855, to Miss Ann E. Pennell, also a native of Pennsylvania. By the first marriage he has four chil- dren: Joseph P., John S., Thomas M. and Mary T. (now wife of John T. Le Fevre). By the second marriage he has three children : W. Howard, A. Ella and Leta L. His eldest son, Joseph, enlisted in Co. A, 97th reg. Pa. Vols., in 1861, and served three years, after- ward locating in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, The other children all reside in Henderson county, except Howard, who lives in Disco, Hancock county. Mr. Robinson and wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and he a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge, Terre Haute. Melzar a. Paul, the subject of this sketch, was born in New York State in 1848, and is a son of Melzar C. and Mary A. (Wescott) Paul, whose history will appear in the biographical department of this town- ship. Melzar A. was reared on the farm, and received only a common school education. He came to Henderson county with his parents when seven years old, where he has since lived. He was married in 1880 to Miss Josie Rodgers, of Illinois, born in 1830, daughter of TERRE HAUTE TOWNSHIP. 1307 William and Mary Koclgers ; the father of Missouri, the latter of New York. They came here with the first settlers, and now live one mile south of Terre Haute, and are farmers. Mr. Paul has a fine farm of 120 acres and keeps a good grade of farm stock. John Forbes, the subject of this history, is a native of Scotland; born in 1818, and the only surviving member of his father's family. His parents were Alexander and Jane (McFarland) Forbes. They were reared and spent their lives in their native country. The father lived to the age of sixty years; the mother died in 1845, at the age of forty-eight years. They were members of the Presbyterian church of Scotland, and by occu])ation farmers. In 1850 John Forbes emigrated to America and located at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where he remained one year; then he moved to Jackson county, Wisconsin, where he resided twent}^ years and carried on the business of a lumberman. In 1872 he came to Henderson county, where he now resides. He was married in 1855 to Sarah K. Heisler, of Ohio, born in 1832, and daughter of William and Sarah (Edmunds) Heisler. The father died in 1879, aged seventy-six years ; the mother in 1834, at the age of twenty-one years. Mr. Forbes by this marriage has seven children, two of whom died in infancy : Ella (deceased at the age of twenty-four years) ; Myron, John, Emma and Stella. He formerly was a member of the Presbj'terian church in Scotland ; liis wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a fine farm of eighty acres, which is fairly stocked. W. A. Rogers, the subject of this sketch, was born in Missouri in 1834, son of W. A. Sr. and Elizabeth Rogers, both of Tennessee. They emigrated to Missouri, where they were married, with their parents. The ftither died in 1842, at about fifty years of age. The mother came to Illinois shortly after his death, and located in Schuyler county, near Rushville ; then in 1849 came to Plancock county, where she died in 1878, at about seventy years of age. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were farmers. Her father, Daniel Biggs, served in the army in the war of 1812. W. A. Jr. was reared on the farm. He has always followed farming. In 1859 he was married to Mrs. Mary E. Allen, formerly Miss Mai-y E. Allen, born in 1818, in New York State, and daughter of Amasa and Susana (Farrington) Allen ; the father of Connecticut, the mother of New York, both of whom now live with their son, Joseph Allen, north of Terre Haute. By her first husband, Silas Allen, who died in 1854, at the age of thirty-nine years, she had five children : Martha J., Free- man, James M., Emma C. and Susie. Mr. Rogers has by this marriage two children : Josaphine and William A. He has a fine farm 1308 HISTORY OF MERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. of 120 acres, fairly stocked. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Terre Haute. The subject of this sketch, MxIrion Edmunds, deceased, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania. His parents were Obediah and Lydia Edmunds, whose history will appear in the sketch of Oliver Edmunds. He was reared on the farm and came to Illinois with his parents ; spent the winter of six years, then three years in Wisconsin in the lumber trade, running a saw mill. Pie was married in 1848 to Martha J. Git- tings, of Kentucky, born in 1828, and came to Illinois with her parents, Albion and Elizabeth Gittings, 'when she was fourteen years old. Her parents were both of Union county, Kentucky, and located in Hancock county in 1843, where the father died in 1844, at the age of fifty-six years, and the mother in 1858, aged sixty-five years. They were both members of the Catholic church. By occupation they were farmers. Marion Edmunds by this marriage had four children : Mary E. (deceased), Simeon G., Francis A. and Lula E. His widow is a member of the Catholic church, and lives on the old homestead. Mi. Edmunds left his family a fine farm of 300 acres well improved. He is justly entitled to be placed with the pioneer settlers of Henderson county. He was a man of energetic and industrious habits and won the respect of all who knew him. Samuel Hunter, the subject of this narrative, is a native of Penn- sylvania, born in 1820. B[is parents were William and Jane (Carr) Hunter; the father of New York, the mother of Pennsylvania, where they were married. They emigrated to Muskingum county, Ohio, where they lived for seven years, when they moved about considerably. During these removals the father died, and his wife came with her son Samuel to Illinois, Hendei-son county, where she died in 1856. He was a cooper by trade. Samuel Hunter's early education was such as he could obtain in the district school. He went to work on a farm as soon as he was large enough to y>Iow, which business he has since fol- lowed. He was married in 1851 to Lydia Heisler, of Ohio, born in 1833, and came to Henderson county with her parents, William and Hannah Edmunds Heisler, when she was five years old. By this union Samuel Hunter had twelve children : Charles F. (deceased). Perry, Eliza A., John W., Joseph A., Mary M., Delia M., William, Harriet, Oliver E. and Lydia A. (deceased in infancy). He has a nicely improved farm of forty-eight acres, fairly stocked with common grades. Among the i)ref^ent business men of Terre Haute, and those to whom Henderson county is their birth-place and home, is Jajvies M. Allen. He was born in 1848, and reared on the farm. His early -t^-■ .,..*'fc^ ,_ ^ y^^^^A^. TERRE HAUTE TOWNSHIP. 1311 education was such training as lie could get in the district school. He followed the vocation taught him by his father till 1881, .when he engaged in the general mercantile business in Terre Haute, which business he still continues with a good trade. His father was Silas and his mother Mary Allen, both of New York. They came to Illi- nois in 1845, and settled in Henderson county. The father died in 1851 ; the mother afterward married W. A. Rodgers, and now lives one mile south of Terre Haute. Silas Allen was a farmer, well re- spected by all in the community. He raised a family of five children, all of which are now living. J. M. was married in 1869, to Sarah Louisa Perry, a native of Wisconsin, born in 1851, and daughter of James and Lydia (Edmunds) Perry, both of Ohio ; came here with the earlj^ settlers. The mother died in 1856, aged thirty-two; the father now lives in Wisconsin. They came to Henderson county from Wis- consin and returned. Mr. Allen has by this marriage three children : Ida Y. (deceased), James A. and Glide M. He and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist church. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Terre Haute. The subject of this history, William P. Bryan, was born in 1825, in the State of Pennsylvania. His parents were John and Mary (Painter) Bryan. The father, a native of Maryland, the latter of Pennsylvania, where they were married. They emigrated from Penn- sylvania in 1839 to Illinois, and located in Hancock county, where they lived one year, then moved to Henderson county, T. 8. R. 5, near the south line of the township, where the father died in 1879, at the age of eighty-nine years ; the mother is now living, and is eighty-five years old. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He held the office of justice of the peace for several years. He was a successful farmer all his life, a judicious and well respected citizen. He reared a family of ten children, six of whom are now living. Wm. P. Bryan was reared on the farm in his native state, and received such educational training as the common schools of his neighborhood could furnish. In 1839 he came with his father to Hancock county, and in 18-1-0 to Plenderson county, where he has since resided. In 1854 he married Maria Justice, of Laurence county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph and Maria (Renols) Justice, both of Pennsylvania, and were reared, lived and died in their native state; the father died in 1878, at the age of eighty-five years ; the mother at the age of thirty-eight. He was a hatter by trade, and engaged in the mercantile business in the latter part of his life. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. By this union William P. Bryan has four children : 74 1312 HISTORY OF IVrERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Joseph J., Louella, Laura aud Mary (deceased). He has a farm of 160 acres, well improved and well stocked. Peter C. Bainter, subject of this sketch, is a native of Muskingum county, Ohio ; born in 1830, son of Peter and Mary Bainter, both of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Illinois in 1851, and located in Hancock county. They now live in La Harpe. The father is eighty- six years old ; his wife is eighty-three. They have been married sixty years. He is a farmer by vocation. His father worked his own passage from Germany to America, and that of a sister. He was virtually a slave till the debt was paid. P. C. Bainter came to Illinois in 1853, and located in Hancock county, where he lived six years, when he came to Henderson countv, where he now lives. He was married in 1852 to EmiW Snoots, of Ohio, born in 1832, daughter of Henry and Nancy Snoots ; both died in Ohio, the father in 1870, the mother lived some time after. They were farmers. By this marriage he has fourteen children. Four died in infancy. The living are : Nancy, Olive, Jane, William, Adda, Mary A., Allen, AUie, Arthur. He has a well improved farm of 360 acres, and twenty acres of timber. He keeps a good grade of farm stock. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Thomas McMurry, subject of this life history, was born in Ken- tucky in 1829. His parents were George and Eliza McMurry, both of Kentucky, where they were reared and married. In 1833 they emigrated to Adams county, Illinois, where they both died, the former in 1879, aged seventy-three, the latter in 1874, aged sixty years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The McMurry family is of Scotch-Irish descent. Two bi'others emigrated to America, one of which was killed by an alligator, the surviving one came to Kentucky and located at a very early time in its settlement. Thomas McMurry was reared on the farm, which vocation he has made the business of his life. He came to Adams county with his parents, where he remained till 1854, when he located in Henderson county, where he now lives. He was married in 1850 to Nancy Griffing, of Kentucky, born in 1831, and daughter of Lyle and Eliza Griffing, both of Ken- tucky. They came to Illinois in 1834 and located in Adams county, near Quincy, where they both died in 1848, within three days of each other. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and farmers. Mr. McMurry, by this marriage, has one daughter, Mary. He owns a splendid farm of 480 acres, well improved and well stocked with good grades. William Bolton, subject of this history, is a native of Kentucky; born in 1832, son of John and Ann Bolton, the father of Virginia, the TERRE HAUTE TOWNSHIP. 1313 mother of Kentucky. They were married in Kentucky, where they both died when their son William was a small boy. They were farm- ers and members of the Catholic church. William Bolton was reared among his relatives to the vocation of farming, which business he has always followed. He came to Illinois in 1857 and located near Git- ting's Mound, where he lived for four years, when he came to T. 8, E. 5, where he has since resided. He bought the farm of 160 acres, where he now lives, in 1861. He was married in 1853 to Sarah E. Neigh- bours, a native of Kentucky, born in 1832, daughter of William and Malinda Ts'eighbours, both of North Carolina. They emigrated to Illi- nois in 1860, and located west of Terre Haute, in T. 8, R. 5, where they yet own the farm. They now live at Burlington Junction, Mis- souri. By this marriage he has eleven children, eight of whom are living : James W., Ann Eliza, Francis L., Malinda E., Mary, Clay, Artemesia, Raymond and John H., his third child (deceased). Two died in infancy. The mother of these died in 1868. She was a mem- ber of the Catholic church at Gitting's Mound, where repose her remains. Mr. Bolton is a member of the same church. O. P. LoviTT is a native of Ohio; born in 1831, son of James and Catharine (Holstein, Farj-) Lovitt, both of Ohio. The father died in 1862 ; the mother now lives in Indiana. The father was a cooper by trade. O. P. was reared on the farm, and brought up by a cousin after he was six years of age. In 1854 he came to Illinois, and located three miles west of where he now lives ; there he remained till 1857. In 1854 he was married to Lucinda J. DeBolt, of Ohio, born in 1833, daughter of William and Barbara E. DeBolt, of Ohio. The mother- of whom died in 1876, at the age of sixty -four years ; the father is now living and is seventy-four years old. Mr. Lovitt by this marriage has six children: Mary E. (deceased), Christiana A., Sarah A. (deceased), William (deceased), Lucinda J. and Perry M. He has a well im- proved farm of 430 acres, faiily stocked with good grades of cattle, hogs and horses. J. N. Herbert, the subject of this sketch, is a native of New York, and was born in 1837. His parents were James G. and Catharine (Button) Herbert, both of whom were born and reared in New York, where they resided till after their son, J. N., was born. In 1839 they emi- grated to Wisconsin, and lived there till 1850, when the latter came to Henderson county, the former having died in 1848, in the forty-seventh year of his age. His wife now lives in Terre Haute, being cared for in her old age by her son, J. N. They were farmers, and members of the Methodist Episcopal church ; commanded the respect of all who knew them. J. N. was reared on the farm, and brought up to respect 1314: HISTORY OF IIEECER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the vocation of his lather. His earlv educational training was such as the pioneer schools of Wisconsin furnished. In 1850 he came to Hen- derson county, where he has since resided. In 1861 he enlisted in the army, in the 7th Mo. Yols., and served seventeen months in Co. F. The regiment during this time was not in any regular engagements, having been detailed to tight guerillas and bushwhackers in the State of Missouri. Mr. Herbert owns a good farm of eighty acres near Terre Haute, and keeps a good 'grade of farm stock. He is a member of the masonic lodge Xo. 195, at La Harpe, Hancock county, Illinois. "William Finch is a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania; born in 1820, son of Joseph and Hester (Reese) Finch, both of Pennsyl- A'ania, where they died. William came to Henderson county in 1846. He labored for several years by the month and bought his present farm, where he located in 1852. He was married in 1866 to Ellen Penny, of Maryland, born near Baltimore in 1843, daughter of Josiah and Ann Penny, both of Maryland, and now living in Pike county, Missouri, where he lives a retired farmer. Mr. Finch has by this marriao;e six children: Marv, Svlvester, Anna, Alice, Samuel and Edith. He has a well improved farm of 320 acres, fairly stocked. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Joseph Beckett, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Indiana; born in 1834, son of Robert and Mary Beckett ; the father of Indiana, the mother of Virginia. They were married in Indiana, and came about 1836 to Adams county, Illinois, where they now remain. The father is seventy-four years old, the mother sixty-eight ; they are farm- ers and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Joseph was reared in Adams county till 1868, when he came to Henderson county, where he has since lived. In 1862 he married Margaret McMurry, of Adams county, Illinois, who died in 1879, aged thirty-five years. She was the daughter of George and Eliza McMurry. By this marriage he has eight children : Oscar. Ellsworth, Mary, Florence, George, Charley, Joseph and Glive. He has always farmed, and keeps good grades. Jacob S. Xegley is a native of Pennsylvania ; born in 1830, son of John and Catharine Xegley, both of Pennsylvania. In 1852 they emigrated to Fulton county, Blinois ; then to McDonough, at Bushnell, where they both died, the father in 1870, at the age of sixty-nine years ; the mother in 1880, aged sixty-nine years. In Ohio he farmed and carried on a distillery ; in Illinois he kept hotel and engaged in the mercantile business. His wife was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Jacob S. came to Illinois with his parents and remained in Fulton county till 1878, when he came to Henderson county and BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1315 located where he now lives. lie has a fine farm of 130 acres, which is well impi'oved and well stocked. He was married in 1854 to Mary E, Perrine, of Ohio, born in 1834, daughter of Daniel and Mary Perrine, both of J^few Jersey, and located in Ohio with the early settlers, and afterward came to Fulton county, Illinois, where the father is now living, on the farm where he located about 1842 ; the mother died in 1876, at the age of seventy years ; she was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Xegley by this marriage has eleven children : William, John G., Ellen (deceased), Mary J., Daniel, Albert and Elmer (twins), Joseph, Abraham and Absalam (twins, both deceased), and Henry. lie and wife are members of the Baptist church. BIGGSYILLE TOWNSHIP. For ages had the waters of South Henderson rolled on to join the great Mississippi, quiet and undisturbed save by the monotonous plash of the oars of the Indian as he sruided his frail canoe over its brio-ht and yielding suHace. Early explorers had perhaps passed by the little stream scarcely deigning to give it notice. But the actual settler, desiring to utilize the forces of nature that would give the quickest and surest return, looked to the stream first of all for the means of liveli- hood. So John Hopper and David Robinson, who came to Henderson county in the spring of 1839, at once conceived the idea of building a mill on South Henderson creek at a point where it passes through the S. W. J of Sec. 16, T. 10, P. 4. That summer they built a dam across the stream, erected the mill, and in the winter of 1840 announced them- selves as ready to do custom work for the public. This was the first fiour mill in this part of the country and filled a long-felt need. Mr. Hopper, who was a native of the State of ]^ew York, and an active and energetic man, sold his interest in the mill in 1840, and removed to Olena, where he soon after died. He was a brother of Lambert Iloppei-, of IIop])er's mills, near Warren. Mr. Jerry Meachem, who bought out Hopper, soon sold to Mr. John Birdsall, who, with Mr. Robinson, carried on the business with fair success till the spring of 1843, when they sold to one John Biggs, an Englishman of no little engineering skill. After parting with his mill property here Mr. Robinson removed to Wisconsin, where he turned his attention to saw- milling. He was residing there in 1882. Mr. Birdsall, his partner in the mill here, after selling out removed back to his farm on Ellison, where he afterward died. Mr. Biggs, after purchasing the mill, actively engaged in making new improvements, and being a man 6f some con- 1316 HISTORY OF IVrEECEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. siderable means he bought lumber and obtained the services of Abel Jackson and Henry Canton to build a comfortable and substantial frame dwelling house to take the place of the board shanty in which lived the former proprietors. ' He also the same vear raised the dam three feet higher and built a levee along the southwest bank of the stream, evidently ex]:»ecting to hold at will the turbulent waters of this treacherous little stream. Through the seasons of 1813^ tliej ran well, and its proprietor flourished, and those who had made long trips to mill at Quincy and other distant points with ox teams, occupying days and even weeks of time, were greatly pleased. But imagine the surprise and consterna- tion of not only Mr. Biggs, but all others living within a radius of many miles, when, during the unprecedented high water of June, 1814, the little South Plenderson got up in all its fury and, being apparently- confined by dam and levee, succeeded in undermining the mill itself by washing away the foundation. All this was secreth^ going on and invisible to the eve till the mischief was complete. The mill topj^led and fell, with all its store and contents, which were carried away by the torrent in its mad rush to join the already overflowed and raging Mississippi. Taking into consideration the new and sparsely settled condition of the country and the great need of bread by the pioneers, this loss was most disastrous, not only to the owner of the once prosperous but now defunct institution, but to all who had depended on it for the staft' of life ; for at the time of its destruction the mill liad stored within it about fifty barrels of flour and over four hundred bushels of wheat, which, with all its machinery and fixtures, were nearly a total loss. This catastrophe demonstrated the fact that building a mill on the sand or in the face of the waters on the prairie streams was decidedly uncertain, and gave birth to the idea of selecting a location for a mill more protected from sudden rises of water. Hence Mr. Biggs built a strong and substantial one on what has since been laid out and j)latted as lot 11, block 1. in Rigby's addition to Biggsville. This mill in 1882 stands a monument to his memory, and judging from its strong, sub- stantial ai)pearance, and the completeness of its machinery, it will re- main to do service for many years to come. To obtain water-power for this mill it was necessary to drift or tunnel through the bank and under Main street and build a dam across the creek, above the old one, which had entirely disappeared. To do this men were employed on the dam, and the work on the race was let by contract to and was done by Elton Catlin, and proved a success. Some jeavs later steam-power was added, obviating the necessity of delay during a long term of dry weather BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1317 and consequent low water. After the completion of his new mill Mr. Biggs did a good business up till the time of his death, when the mill passed into the hands of Mr. llobert Moir. Mr. Biggs was one of those men whose deeds live after them, as it is universally said of him that he was strictly honest and exact to a cent. He was a native of England, and had come to America when quite young ; had been exten- sively engaged in business in a manufacturing line in the east and also in Mexico. He had come here with some means and spent it lavishly for the success of his pet enterprise. For a fuller sketch of him refer- ence may be had to the history of Oquawka. As before stated, after Mr. Biggs' death the mill became the property of Robert Moir, and subsequently passed into the possession of Smith, George Rigby, Samuel McDonald, Eli Beaver and Fort (fe Kemp, respectively. Mr. Kemp died in July, 1882, since which time Mr. Fort is the principal owner, while the mill is in care of Mr. Zach. Staley. A little incident might here be related : At the time of the freshet of June, 1844, the family of Paul D. Birdsall (who was then at work for Mr. Biggs get- ting out timber over on Ellison creek, was living in a small house near the mill and on the bank of the creek. Before his wife was aware of the fact the water had surrounded the house. After remaining there till the water was two feet deep (and still rising) she secured a passing boat and with her family escaped to the main land, leaving most of her house hold goods behind. The same day Mr. Birdsall returned home and was appalled to see the* state of affairs and the narrow escape of his family. Mr. Birdsall is still living, and resides in Warren county. He related with considerable enthusiasm all the facts in relation to the rise and fall of the first mill at Biggsville and the incidents connected therewith. A short sketch of him will be found in this chapter. Township 10, R. 4, or more familiarly known as Biggsville voting precinct, is the center one of the east tier of townships in the county bounded on the east by Warren county, on the south by T. 9, R. 4, or Walnut Grove precinct, on the west by T. 10, R. 5, or South Hender- son precinct, and on the north by T. 11, R. 4, or Greenville precinct. The physical features of Biggsville precinct are what might be called ''rolling land,'' showing as it does in most places (except along the southern border) a rough and uneven surface, inclining to a bluffy and broken appearance bordering the South Henderson creek. This flows through the township from southeast to northwest, and enters the town in Sec. 36 and passes out through Sec. 18. Another branch of this stream (though of little importance except for drainage) enters the town from Warren county at a point on or near the line between Sees. 24 and 25, and unites with the main stream in the N.W. ^ of Sec. 26. High 1318 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. bluiFs and deep ravines on either side of this now quite inferior water- course indicate that in the ages antedating tlie existence of the pre- historic race the rushing mighty waters or other works of nature intended leaving their footprints unobliterable. The groves and belts of timber (oak, ash, walnut, hickory, lime and other varieties) bordering this stream and its tributaries offered sufficient inducement to call to a halt the early pioneer who supposed that a home could be made only in the timber like unto that of his fathers, back in old Ohio, Indiana or Kentucky, and some even predict that tlie amount of timber then here would not last to exceed live years. The same party now (1882) asserts that the supply has rather increased than diminished, and experience has taught that the most beautiful homes and greatest wealth could be made on the prairie. Those who settled in and about the timber have only to look upon the prairie homes to see that they not only equal but surpass those they left far behind in the old eastern States. In fact, it is asserted by the oldest settlers (now living), that they believed the prairie would remain unoccupied and unsettled and as a range for stock for many generations. But forty years closed up every foot of the available prairie land in the county. EARLY SETTLEMENT. There is no doubt but that to John McKinney belongs the credit of making the first permanent and successful settlement in this township. He was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, in 1801, and at the age of nineteen left his native state and went to Ohio, where he became assist- ant clerk in the office of his uncle, John Riley, who was clerk of the supreme court of that state, also court of common pleas. He after- ward studied law under the Hon. John Pope, once senator of the state, representative in congress and the first territorial governor of Arkansas. Finding the bar crowded with young aspirants and without patrimony, Mr. McKinney turned his attention to farming, the vocation to which he was raised. Having a liking for the west, he came first on a prospecting tour, and in the spring of 1832 emigrated with his wife and two children to Warren, now Henderson county, Illinois, settling on Sec. 25, on the northwest corner of which he built a cabin and began to make and im- prove a farm. This was formerly military land, which he purchased for $1,000 of one Romelus Rigg, an eastern speculator. He also bought of G. Mann, for $500 the E. -J of Sec. 26, and later entered a piece of land in Sec. 30, all T. 10 N., E. 4 W. Perhaps it was the beautiful grove after known as McKinney's grove, and now (1882) as Salter's BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1319 grove that induced Mr. McKinney to settle so far east of the river. However, in addition to the advantages of plenty of timber of the lead- ing varieties, he also located in what was destined to be as good a farming district as could be found in the country, a beautiful rolling prairie and well watered. At the time Mr. McKinney settled here his nearest neighbor was Amos Williams, who was then settled on Ellison Creek, some four miles distant to the south. Living near to Williams was Abram Hendrick, who was formerly from near Lexington, Ken- tucky. Ezekiel Smith also lived in the same neighborhood, and of whom Hendricks bought his first land. Though it is conceded that to McKinney belongs the credit of being the permanent pioneer who remained on his fii-st purchase and growing up with the county, it is nevertheless the fact that the honor of first settler should be acknowledged to belong to one James Richey, who settled on section 7 in 1829, for in that year, when John C. Jami- son came here, Richey was the only man living in that part of the country. Mr. Richey, with his family, had emigrated from Indiana, and during the summer of 1829 raised a small crop of corn. The year following wheat raising was also a part of his agricultural indus- try. This crop was cut with the old-fashioned reaping-hook, or hand- sickle, the Shorts and Jamison assisting. During his first year or two here Mr. Richey was so straitened in circumstances as to be actually compelled to take the weeds commonly called nettles and have his wife manufacture a lint from them (by the same process as it is made from flax), and from this she made rude clothing for herself and the children. Uncle Abner Short informs the writer that Mr. Richey was a church member and a Seceder of the strictest sort, and that on a certain Sun- day (having forgotten the day of the week) he put a grist on his horse and started to mill. Meeting Mr. Jamison near his cabin, his memory was corrected. He stopped and prayerfully returned home. Prior to 1840 Mr. Richey left here and moved beyond the Mississippi, still glorying in the name of hardy pioneer. In the days of those earliest pioneers (Richeys and Jamisons) their nearest postofiice was Peoria, a distance of over eighty miles, where they occasionally sent for mail by a neighbor, though he should live ten miles distant. In the fall of 1835 Samuel McDill and Andrew Graham came from Preble county, Ohio, and made claims on Sec. 7, T. 10, R. 4. The former brought with him a wife and small family, the latter was then unmarried. Biographies of these worthy pioneers are found elsewhere in this chapter. George McDill, whose S(m John visited this part of Illinois in the summer of 1835 on liorseback, came 1320 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. here in the following year. He was a native of Chester county, South Carolina, but had resided many years in Newton county, Georgia, previous to his advent into Illinois. He is also mentioned in the biographical part of this work. Going back to McKinney's Grove in 1835, we find Benjamin Thompson settled a little southeast of the grove, j^erhaps on Sec. 36. He was a Kentuckian by birth, and became very popular among the early pioneers. He was early elected sheriif of Warren county, a position he creditably filled for a number of. years. Dj-keman Shook, who settled on the N. E. J of Sec. 34 in the sj^ring of-1836, was another of Mr. McKinney's nearest neighbors. He was also from Kentucky and a man of sterling worth. He lived on this farm till the time of his death. Mention of him is made on another page. Mr. McKinney and Mr. Shook, both having families and living near neighbors, united in building a log school-house, and engaged as teacher a young man named Bell. This school was kept up for some time, or till McKinney's children became far enough advanced to send away to boarding school, during which time a new system- of schools sprang up. McKinney was, during his residence here, both school director and treasurer, and after his removal to Oquawka in 1842 or 1844, Mr. Shook was elected in his stead. Soon after the settlement of Shook and Thompson, the former a Campbellite and the latter a Baptist, together with McKinney, who was formerly a Cumberland Presbyterian, agreed to put forth an effort to have divine worship at their cabins every alternate Sabbath. It was also agreed that each with their families should attend. Following closely in the footsteps of the pioneer comes the frontier itinerant, who is truly a divine laborer. One Eev. Peter Downey was the first to expound the gospel to these people. He was a Cumberland Presby- terian, and his fii-st sermon here was at the house of John McKinney. He afterward founded the Cumberland Presbyterian church in the short settlement, afterward known as the South Henderson Cumberland Presbyterian church, and in 1846 settled permanently on a farm on the N.W. J of Sec. 16, where he lived till his death, which occurred in March, 1856. He left a family of five children, of whom Mrs. B. H. Martin is the only one now residing in the county. He was a native of Kentucky, and was an earnest worker in his Master's vineyard. Kev. Van Doi-n, a Baptist minister, also preached at the houses of Thompson and Shook for those who were settled about the grove. It is with some degree of pride and satisfaction that the writer speaks of the backwoods preacher. Courage and industry were the pre-eminent virtues of his activity. His circuit embraced what would BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1321 now seem an incredible extent of country, and lie did well if he served all his appointments once every month. To defy distance and weather was a regular habit. He usually traveled on horseback, carrying in capacious saddle-bags a small bible and hymn-book, a clean shirt or two and a homely luncheon. Often he would ride thirty miles to preach a funeral sermon, and forty or fifty to marry a couj^le for three or four dollars. But he did not scorn privation and overcome obstacles for money ; it was a pleasure to be about his Masters work. He grew strong in view of the great field and the waiting harvest, and his soul was animated by the simple joy and hearty salutations which the warm hearts of the ])e()ple always expressed at his coming. But before cir- cuits were formed the zealous messengers of truth rode through the wilderness visiting the scattered settlements and carrying the news of the Good Shepherd. His arrival was the signal for word to go forth and summon together the hungry souls. Meetings were held in the cabins or in God's first temples, the groves. At this early period denominations exerted no influence, congregations were composed of every sect and those who represented no sect, all feeling and acknowl- edging a common necessity for worship. Then, the service over, the preacher departed on his rugged journey refreshed with the hospitality of his full-souled entertainers and laden with the provisions which the thoughtful housewife had prepai-ed for his comfort, bearing on his head their blessings, and followed by silent prayers for his satety and return. As money was a commodity little seen, and tor many years commanded a high rate of interest, the preacher usually received his pay in provisions, such as potatoes, beans, meat and flour. Among the many early circuit riders in this part of the state, and whose names have become household words, were Peter Cartwright (whose name is perhaps written in nearly every county history in this state as well as in Indiana), Richard Hana and Henry Sommers, who still live (though far advanced in years) to look back over the great work they have accomplished. But to return to increase of settlements, which in 1840 had begun to spring up all over the township, perhaps a little later, say January 1843, Mr. E. Marston made a settlement on Sec. 29. This was decid- edly on the prairie and over a mile from the timber. He was from "York State," and a man of very peculiar characteristics. Here he engaged in a mixed business of farming, stock raising, tavern keeping and store keeping. On his farm was built the second school-house in this township. After Mr. Marston's death his family removed to Kansas and the farm passed into the hands of a Biggsville worthy citizen, Paul D. Gibb. 1322 HISTORY OF aiERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. James Rankin in an earlv day purchased a quarter-section of land in Sec. 32. The same land is now (1S82) worth $60 per acre, though when he bought it he paid for it with a yoke of steers worth $35. This is but another illustration of the cheapness of land, stock and produce, and the dearness and scarcity of money. As another in- stance of the little cash value placed on stock and labor, a reliable old citizen declares that he tried to redeem his note for $4.25 in the hands of a neighbor by offering him a yearling steer, a good thrifty calf, a shoat weighing 125 pounds and two days' work. This offer was declined and he was obliged to raise the money. Another settlement was made on the prairie at an early date by J. S. Harbison, on the S. W. J of Sec. 34. His farm, which is now quite large and well improved, is entirely isolated from the public high- way, and inaccessible only by a narrow lane. Some few years previous to 1840 Seth Oaks made improvements on Sec. 24, though he permanently located just in the edge of "Warren county. He came from the eastern part of the State of Vermont with one Abner Davis, a brother-in-law. They made the trip here during the summer of 1829 or 1830 with team and wagon. Mr. Davis settled near Olena, and Mr. Oaks, after working out a couple of years, settled as above stated, where he grew immensely rich in land and cattle, owning at the time of his death, besides a large amount of stock, nearly 4,000 acres of valuable land in this and Warren counties and Milo county, Iowa. Plis sons now own and occupy the land and well sustain their father's good name for thrift and industry. It might here be stated that to Mr. Oaks is due the credit of owning and running the first reaper in Henderson county. The S.W. corner of Sec. 31 in the township was settled in an early day by Dr. William McMillan and Arthur McQuown Sr., the former from Kentucky and the latter from Virginia. Portraits of these two estimable citizens appear in this work and stand as monuments to their memory and evidences of the high esteem in which they were held by their relatives and friends. Though the doctor had no children of his own, yet others who enjoyed his father- ly care stand ready to do honor to him as loving sons and daughters, and a grateful people will, while life lasts, hold sacred his memor}^ for many years. AVhile the country was yet new and undeveloped he rode almost constantly day and night visiting the sick (poor as well as rich), carrying with him healing words of kindness as well as trusty quinine. His sleep was usually obtained while riding along on horse or mule back and at other times where no time would be lost, unless perchance he fell into a sound sleep while tying or untying his horse, as he once did at the residence of Mr. (lalbraith, where he was once BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1323 discovered an hour after he went out to go, standing asleep wliere his horse was hitched to a post. By untiring industry and good manage- ment he made on the prairie a model home which immediately attracts the attention of the passer by. His line substantial brick residence, which stands a little elevated and back a distance of about thirty rods from the public road, is approached by a beautiful drive, either side of which is adorned by lofty pines and other varieties of evergreen in great profusion. To the right as you enter is an extensive orchard covering many acres and filled (in the season) with most of the leading varieties of fruit. But the doctor is not there. Find a brief sketch of him on another page. Mr. McQuown, whose home is on the S.W. ^ of this section, emi- grated from "Washington county, Virginia, to this county in 1842, with three horses and a wagon containing all his worldly goods, and one horse and carryall (light square-box buggy) containing his wife and small children. He started from the place of his birth and the home of his fathers for the Far West, and after a journey of six weeks arrived in Biggsville on October 3. Mr. McQuown at once with his character- istic industry went to work, and is now enjoying the sure reward of a life well spent. So guarded has been his every act, and so scrupulously honest in all his dealings with men, that now, after nearly half a cen- tury's active business life and relations, none have but the highest words of praise to offer in his behalf. John Rezner, who owns a large amount of land in the northeast part of this township, and resides on Sec. 11, where he has recently erected a costly residence, has been a resident of Henderson county since IS-lo, though as early as 1840 he emigrated from Washington county, east Tennessee, to Warren county. There he engaged in farming, as a rentei- for a start. He is now a large stock raiser and farmer, and turns all his attention in that direction, rather than giving time to anything of a literary nature. Not so, however, with his brother, Eli Rezner, whose home is always provided with the current newspapers, secular and religious periodicals and publications of the day. He is the youngest of the two, and remained with his widowed mother till 1847, when he turned over to her all he had but $5, with a promise to work while his clothes were good. He then came direct to Henderson county, Illinois, wliere he has since resided, made good his promise, and is now one of this township's wealthy and pros- perous farmers and stock raisers, mentioned on another page. William John Hutchinson, whose portrait appears in this work, and whose personal history is briefly given in the history of T. 10, R. 5, settled in this (T. 10, R. 4) township on Sec. 9, S. f, as early as about 1324 HISTORY OF MERGER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. 1842. He owned a farm of 400 acres there, and as a farmer, stock raiser and shipper was a decided success. He did not live to be defeated in what he undertook, and seemed to easily accomplish what most men would hardly dare to undertake. In his early death the town lost one of its most valued and active citizens, and his children an honored father. Thomas Records settled on and owned for many years the farm now owned by Dr. Nelson, in the IST. ^ of Sec. 8. He and his brother Spence came to Oquawka with their mother and step-father, Judge Pence, prior to 1840, and after selling his farm to Mr. Nelson removed to California. Levi Bebee, Miles Gordon, Isaac Yan Tuyl, John Jamison, Samuel G. Plummer and John C. Jamison were all old settlers in the north part of the township, while in the south part Samuel C. Douglass, Andrew Douglass, David Mundorf, John Worden, Stephen Holmes and uncle Jacob Akerman had settled and were known among the quite earl}^ on the prairie. Up to the year 1850 no doubt many had come and gone, some perhaps whose names were familiar to those with whom they asso- ciated, but have since quite passed out of memory. As in almost all other early settlements so it was in this. Not a few of the first to come were also the first to go, and no doubt the writer of the pioneer history beyond the Mississippi would find names once familiar here, but that they had moved on toward the setting sun, fol- lowing in the footstey3S of the noble redman and glorying in the name of hardy pioneer. A few, it is to be presumed, growing disheartened by the hardships and privations of frontier life, made their way back to their old eastern homes, carrying with them an everlasting indignation at and contempt for a life on the prairies of the far west, foolishly pre- ferring a life of servitude than to crack corn for bread in a mortar or grind it in a coffee mill for a season, and finally become rich and inde- pendent in a home of luxur}^, and be able to call it their own, to be honored and respected by their friends and feel a just pride in them- selves. But perhaps the largest number of those wdio early settled here now rest beneath the sod, here and there in little groves or beside some little brook, with scarcely a head-mark to their almost unknown graves. A few at first buried their dead for convenience on their own claim, with the intention of later transferring their remains to cemeteries, when such should be organized. At the southwest end of the point in the bend of the creek southeast of the village of Biggsville is yet to be seen two lonely graves with small rough stones at their head, on which BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1325 are no names inscribed. ' Many others may exist in this township, of which the writer has no knowledge. But to come down to the days of later improvements, we find out- side of the thriving little village of Biggsville (the prospective county seat) many beautiful farms, the result of continued application and long years of patient toil. Paul D. Salter, Robert A. McKinley, Samuel C. Douglass, Samuel Stewart, Stephen Staley, William Eankin, Arthur O. McQuown, Isaac McQuown, G. II. Cowden, James A. Graham, Paul D. Gibb and James Gibb, might be mentioned as taking the lead in agricultural pursuits in the south part of the township, and John H. McDougall and Dr. J. G. Stewart as giving their attention (in addition to farming) to the introduction into this part of the county of a better grade of stock. Mr. McDougall has recently j>urchased and imported a thoroughbred Cleveland bay or English coach horse for the improvement of that class of horses in this section. To Mr. McDougall much credit is due for an early step in the right direction, as line stock is as essential to the building up and successful growth of a community as is the cultivation of the soil. The thoroughbred short-horns of this country have been long known as the most successful competitors of the best American herds. A herd of these valuable bovines has been lately purchased by and can now be found in the pastures of Mr. Stewart's stock farm. Tn the north part of the township. Dr. Nelson, P. M. Hutchinson, W. B. Graham, Robert McMillan, J. W. Jamison, Eli Rezner, John Rezner and Wm. Weigand are among the largest agriculturists, and John R. Foster is giving some attention to fruit growing and the raising of nursery stock, and the present indications are that in the near future Larch farm will be an attractive feature in this part of the township. Reader, let us now ask your attention for a short time to a further review of the habitations of your honored dead. As the country began to settle up more thickly and deaths occur more frequently, the necessity for a burial-place for the dead became in reality a need that should be satisfied ; whereupon John Worden and Michael Van Tuyl donated to the citizens in general five acres in the beautiful grove on the KW. and N. E. corners of Sees. 35 and 36, T. 10, R. 4, which was to be known as Salter's Grove cemetery. This ground was, and yet is, free to all, but is the property of the Methodist Episcopal church of that place, and is under the control of its officers. To this place many of the first buried were removed and are now taking their last long sleep with those of the later dead. Here are also the bodies of some of the fallen heroes of our country who lost their lives on south- 1326 HISTORY OF ISIERCER AJ^T> HENDERSON COUNTIES. ern soil while fighting for their country's honor and her flag. John Shook and Samuel Wilkins, who fell at the battle of Stone Kiver, De- cember 31, 1862, among the number. On this same ground a neat and substantial church was erected, in size 28x1:2, by a few members of the Methodist Episcopal faith and their friends during the summer of 1875, and was dedicated June 4. 1876, by E.ev. Jesse Smith, who also laid the corner-stone. The moving spirits in this enterprise were John Worden, William Harbison, Adoniram Edwards, Eev. James Tubbs and H. M. River, though the credit of building and keeping up t)ie church was largely due to Mr. "NYorden, who, with his family, had been prominent in church and Sabbath school work for many years previous to the building of the church. It has, since his removal west, been on the decline. They now have a membership of about twelve, with Mr. C. P. Davidson as leader of the class and superin- tendent of the Sabbath school. It should be here stated that Mr. John Worden, in an early day, held meetings in his own house, and later preached in the school-house at the grove ; kept the class in a state of prosperity and the Sunday school in good working order till his removal to Bloomington, Illinois ; then 'the interest died out and the wolf got among his scattered flock. It was after his return to his old home that he gathered together the few friends of the cause, established order and built, or was the means of building, the church, and has since, unfortunately for the society, moved west. This church is known as the Salter's GroA'e Methodist Episcopal church, and the appointment is supplied by the preacher in charge at Kirkwood. It is surrounded by a beautiful grove and is a credit to its members and the community to which it belongs. In about 1848 another cemetery was donated to the public by Mr. James Huss, on Sec. 31, T. 10, E.. 4, containing two acres. The first to find a resting-place here was Aunt* Susan Wilkinson, in 1848. The donor of the land is also buried here, as well as many others of the count^^'s early settlers. The next important cemetery in this township was organized in 1877, and chartered by the state government under the name of the Biggsville Cemetery Association, May 17, 1877, with the following board of directors : John Folmer, Robert Gibson, Jos. M. Michener, David McDill, Abner Graham and Eli Beaver, with R. A. McKinley, president ; John McKee, vice-president ; Thomas Bell, secretary, and John Folmer, treasurer. This year, 1882, the directors and officers are : John McKee, president ; R. A. McKinley, vice-president ; Robert Gibson, secretary ; John Folmer, treasurer, and John E. Pearson. This burial-place is beautifully located on a slightly elevated piece of ground :^X/ ■/ }^- o ^i>^^^ BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1329 by the roadside, on Sec. 8, T. 10, E. 4, about one mile north of the vilhige of Biggsville, and shows the characteristic good taste and fore- sight of the authorities of the village in locating their graveyard well out of town. During the summer of 1882 a new fence made of pick- ets and painted white was built along the road and in front of the ground, inside of which may be seen some substantial monuments, and on them suitable inscriptions to hold in memory departed friends. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. The first road laid out through this township was the Monmouth and Burlington state road. It entered the township near the northeast corner, and passing through to the southwest left the township at Sec. 30, near the southwest corner of the township. Like all other roads in an early day, without any attention being given to lines, it passed from one leading point to another, traversing the most convenient route and fording streams in the safest and most accessible places. The South Henderson creek was usually crossed at a point where the wagon bridge has since been built, on the road leading out north of town from Elm street, and exactly where the bridge spans the railroad cut on the same street, passing through what is now the business part of Biggsville, over ground now known as lots 1 and 2, block 3, and left the village a little to the west and north of the residence of B. H. Martin. At a point near the stores of G. W. Holmes and John McKee, on lots 1 and 2, block 3, corner of Main and Johns street, once stood the "lord of the forest," a massive oak, to which was nailed guide-board pointing out the direction of Burlington and Monmouth, and the distance to either hamlet was given in rude figures. But this road, like many of its predecessors in older settlements, is a thing of the past, and exists only in memory. In speaking of the roads of this township, and in fact of the county, nothing flattering can be said. A few of the leading roads on which is the most travel are at times fairly passable, yet their extreme narrowness renders it almost impossible to ever make them what might be called good, while in many places they are but narrow lines mean- dering from farm to farm regardless of lines or directness of route. The excuse generally offered for the poor condition of the country roads is the "elements," which of course should be largely accepted, as it is impossible to keep bridges and culverts in place during a sea- son of rains and floods like that of the summer of 1882. Nine schools have an existence in this township, many of them wearing the appearance of neglect. The one known as Salter's Grove 75 1330 HISTORY OF MERCEK AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. on the S.E. J of Sec. 26 is no doubt a relic of tlie old-time cabin school, erected and operated by John McKinej and Dykeman Shook. If so, it has not kept up with the rapid march of its sister institutions, as it has the ajipearance of a school abandoned twenty years ago. Dutch Row school-house, formerly located on Sec. 29, but recently removed to the northwest corner of Sec. 34, was. it is said, the second in the townshijD, built in the fall of 1856 by R. G. Duncan, D. Raw- houser and Samuel Stewart, directors. The David Graham school- house on the S.E. J of Sec. 19, a neat little frame structure, needing the protecting influence of a few shade trees, was perhaps the third, while the fourth is said to be the Records school-house, located on the S.E. J of Sec. 5. It is of good size, is painted white, and at once attracts attention on account of its pleasant location on the cross-road and the few trees that adorn its yard. Fairview school-house on Sec. 2, southeast corner as its name would indicate, has a pleasant sightly appearance, but seems to lack the expenditure of a sufficient amount of money to make the building equal to its surroundings. Situated on the N.E. J of Sec. 15 is the McLain scliool-house and is supposed to be the sixth in the township in the order of their building. It shows the appearance of being in the care of neat and careful hands, with its white coat of paint and green window shutters contrasting with the dark and frozen ground of our dreai-y fall and winter seasons. Paul D. Salters and Dr. William McMillan's school-houses, located on Sec. 24 and the S.W. J of Sec. 31, complete the list. Many changes have been made, many are being made, and changes will no doubt continue for some time to come befoi'e the school sj^stem of this town- ship is considered c[KR (deccascd), who in his lifetime was an hon- ored citizen of Henderson county, was born in Pennsylvania, June'l, 1828. Early in life he was left an orphan, and in about 1838 came with Mr. Samuel Gordon to this county. He was married on September 18, 1851, to Miss Frances M. Martin, a daughter of Judge Preston Mar- tin, whose sketch api)ears elsewhere in this woi'k. She was born in Morgan county, Illinois, January 5, 1832. Mr. Plummer had born to him six beautiful and interesting children, and enjoyed the full fruition of home and married life up till the dark days when treason and rebel- lion threatened in common the fair homes of our beloved coimtry. He soon responded to his countiy's call for men, and enlisted on August 77 1366 HISTORY OF MERCER AXD HENDERSON COt^NTIES. 23, 1862, in Co. K, 84tli 111. Yol. Inf., and faitlifullv supported the flag of freedom till shot down at his post in the battle of Stone River, on December 31, 1S62. His remains were brought home the follow- ing May by Judge Martin and buried at South Henderson. Mrs. Plummer died September 27, 1878. Mr. Plummer's five living chil- dren are: Samantha E., wife of Chiles S. Harwood, Eva A., William S. , Ida M. and Cora R. The two last named are prominent teachers and ladies of rare literary attainments. William S. is now on the old home. Sec. 6, T. 10, R. 4, engaged in farming. He was born Mav 24, 1855. Was educated in the common schools and at Davenport Commercial College. Was married on March 20, 1877, to Miss Harriet Francis, daughter of William and Margaret (Rankin) Francis, who was born in Henderson county, Illinois, May 6, 1853, They have one child: Chiles P. In Mr. Plummer's possession is the original patent for their land signed by President Monroe. The Plummers are, in faith, education and membership. United Presbyterians. Among the early pioneers of this county, and deserving honorable mention, no name stands higher than James C. Hutchinson. Mr. Hutchinson was born in Countv Antrim, Ireland, in the vear 1790. Came to America in 1811 and passed his twenty-first birthday on the Atlantic ocean. He first settled in the State of New Jersey, where he was soon after united in marriage with the noble and true Miss Sarah Dellamarter, who after became the mother of his six sons and two daughters, two of whom (William J. and Samuel) were born in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, five in Harrison county and one in AVarren county, Illinois. From New Jersey Mr. Hutchinson removed to Harrison county, Ohio, in 1818, where he followed farming and dealing largely in cattle till 1833, when he with his family emigrated to Illinois, landing at tlie lower Yellow Banks (Oquawka) on June 2. During the same summer he located a claim on Sec. 1, T. 10, R. 4, where he and his sons actively engaged in making hay preparatory to making a start in the stock business, which they finally succeeded in building up to immense proportions. During their first summer on the prairie the bread supply became exhausted, and finding hay-making with hand scythes and rakes without bread too exhaustive on the physical system, Mr. Hutchinson went with a team to Quincy and purchased a load of flour, which answered a good purpose for his family and the neighbors (three within several miles). In the fall of the first year of his settlement here he was induced by his neighbors to move his cabin from the prairie into the timber to avoid freezing to death the first winter, and his move was just across the line into Sec. 36, T. 11, R. 4, into a friendly little grove, w^here he lived and prospered BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1367 as a fanner §ind stock raiser till tlie time* of liis death, in 1852. The same year his wife and one daughter was laid near his grave. Samuel, his second son, was born June 28, 1811, and begun life as above stated. In 1842 he was united in marriage with Miss Martha A. Graham, a native of Todd county, Kentucky, and the eldest daughter of William M. Graham, Esq., who emigrated to Henderson county, Illinois, in 183.5 ; she was born September 23, 1823. Mr. Hutchinson, since his advent into this country in 1833, spent his life up till the fall of 1879, on and near his first location in Sec. 1, T. 10, R. 4, and Sec. 36, T. 11, E. 4, actively engaged in farming and stock raising, and so well did he succeed that on retiring from the farm he was able to wisely apportion off to his family and set apart to his own nse about 600 acres of good land. During his residence in this county Mr. Hutchinson took an active part in its business affairs. His great circular wolf hunt organized and carried out was the means of ridding the county and its early settlers of a number of these audacious and sneaky pests. On that occasion many more scalps might have been taken but for the excitement created over the twenty or thirty deer which were also surrounded. Mr. Hutchinson affirms that he brought into this county the first combined reaper and mower that did successful work (though the writer was informed that Seth Oaks was the first to introduce that kind of a machine into this township if not in the county). In 1879 Mr. Hutchinson moved to his pleasant home in Monmouth, especially to secure needed rest for his wife. His children are : Ellen (deceased), in her lifetime the wife of Mr. John H. McDougall ; Sarali, now Mrs. William Firoved ; Elizabeth J., wife of Isaac Woods; Samantha S., now Mrs. William McCoy; Mary A., wife of. John C. Wallace, and William G., his only son, now on the old home. Mr. Hutchinson and family are members of the United Presbyterian church, and he is a staunch member of the old democratic party. Isaac McQuown, son of John Arthur and Harriet (Duff) McQuown, was born on the 7th of September, 1821, in Washington county, Virginia, of which state his parents were natives. His forefathers were in race Scotch-Irish, in laith Presbyterian. His ancestors on his father's side came over some one hundred years before the revolutionary war. Mr. McQuown's wife's foreiatliers came over from Wales about tlie time of the Mayflower, and by many it is thought that the family are descended from the immortal Hopkins who came over on the May- flower, an honor possessed by but few. When Mr. McQuown was but two years of age his parents emigrated from Virginia to Fayette county, Indiana, where they resided for thirteen years ; after which they came in 1836 to what is now Henderson county and settled on Sec. 30, T. 10, 1368 HISTORY OF MERCER A>'^D HENDERSON COUNTIES. F\.. 4. At this time there w^s but one liouse between hjs home and Monmouth. Here Mr. McQuown passed his earl}- youth, receivina; his education in the common schools. He was married on June 1, 1848, to Miss Rhoda Hopkins, daugliter of Jacob Hopkins, of Boone county, Indiana. Of this marriage seven children have been born, of whom five ai-e still living, — two having died in childhood. One of his two sons, Willison, is married and resides in Harvej county, Kan- sas. The other, Thomas H., is at home with his parents. Two of his daughters, Elizabeth Harriet and Mary Ellen, are now married. The former to Oliver Spiser, a physician, of Evans, Colorado ; the latter to Edward McCloskey, a merchant, of Walton, Kansas. The remain- ing daughter, Sarah F., is now (1882) at home with her parents. About seventeen years ago, in 1865, Mr. McQuown was made an elder of the South Henderson United Presbyterian church, which ofhce he now holds in the same denomination in Biggsville, where his family are now connected. Arthur O. McQui^wn, Biggs^'ille, son af Isaac and Ann McQuown, natives of York countj", Pennsylvania, was born on September 4, 1803, in Washington county, Yirginia. His family, probably of Puritanical descent, was of Scotch-Irish race, and emigrated to America at a very early period in the history of the country, his grandfather McQuown having fought in the battle of the Brandy wine. It might almost be said that Mr. McQuown began life without an education, as he never went to school, save a few days, before leaving Yirginia. On the 30tli of September, 1824, he was united in marriage with Miss Xancy S. Smith, daughter of Henry and Mary Smith. Of this marriage nine children were born, of whom onlv two are now living. His dauachter, Man- A., is now the wife of A. P. Graham, who resides near Winterset, Iowa. His only son, Isaac M. McQuown, is at home and has charge of the old homestead. During the late war he was in the 84th 111. Yols., Co. K, his captain being L. H. Waters. His first experience of the horrors of war was at the battle of Chickamauga. During the campaign against Johnson and Hood he was on continual duty up to the battles of Xaslndlle and Franklin. On the 24th of July, 1846. Mrs. McQuown died, and two years later, on April 11, 1848. Mr. McQuown married Miss Sarah Allen, of Warren county. To them was born but one- child, which died in infancy. Mr. McQuown's fore- fathers were of the old Presbyterian stock, and his family are now in connection with the United Presbyterian church at South Henderson, of which church he lias been an elder for more than thirty-two years. The writer is able to say of his own personal knowledge that to Mr. BIGGSVILLE TOAVNSHIP. 1369 McQuown is largely due the credit of the moral success and prosperity of this part of the county. George Henry Cowden, farmer, Biggsville, was born in Olena township, in Henderson county, Illinois, Mayo. 1849. Going back to a period in the history of this county when Phelps, of Oquawka, and McNeil, of Monmouth, were about the only actual (white) settlers here. The Cowden family came from Ohio and settled in what is now T. 9, R. 5, two miles east of Olena. The family consisted of William and Elmira (Day) Cowden and their children, one of whom was George W., born in Preble county, Ohio, April 10, 1827. He was united in marriage with Miss Eunice M. Signor, on October 20, 1847. She was born in Lawrence county, Xew York, July 13, 1830, and came to Hen- derson county when it was but sparsely settled. At the outbreak of the war, in 1801, he was among the lirst to rally in defense of his country's ilag and enlisted in the lOtli 111. Vol. Inf., and was discharged on account of disability. After his wound was healed he again enlisted. — this time in Co. K, 84th 111. Vol. Inf., — and was killed in battle at Resaca, Georgia, August 20, 1864. His remains were brought home and interred in the Watson cemetery, east of Olena, where all the rest of the deceased of the family now repose. His wife preceded him to the grave in April, 1855. George H., our subject, is the only representative of the family now living in Hender- son county. ' His education was principally obtained in the Soldiers' Orphans' School, at Fulton, Illinois. April 6, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie J. Graham, the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Brown) Graham, now of Monmouth, Illinois. She was born in Biggsville township, Henderson county, Illinois, February 8, 1849, and graduated from MonmQuth College with the class of 1870. Their children are: Clara G., Maggie L., George Glenn, David H. and Elizabeth. Mr. Cowden is now actively engaged in farming on his fine farm on Sees. 19 and 30, T. 10, P. 4. In about the year 1843 Mr. Paul Salter and family emigrated to Henderson county from the old oyster btiy of New Jersey, where he had up till that time in his life followed the vocation of lishing and oyster raising. At the time of his arrival in this county he bought a tract of 800 acres of land, of John McKinne}', in and about what is now known as Salter's Grove, locating in the cabin lirst built by Mr. McKinney, on Sec. 25, T. 10, R. 4. To his iirst ])urchase he kept adding till he became the owner of 1200 acres of land. This honorable and energetic citizen was born on Staten Island September 11, 1788 ; was a soldier in the war of 1812. After his eight children were born in New Jersey he, with his wife, Elizabeth Cubberly, and their children, 1370 HISTORY OF MERCER AKD HENDERSON COUNTIES. removed to Ohio, and soon after to this county. After growing old in years he divided his large estate with his children and retired to pri- vate' life in the village of Kirkwood, where he died in 1863. John Salter, his second son. was born in Xew Jersey August 21, 1815, between Bergen Point and Jersey Citj^ where he spent the greater part of his life, as did his father, engaged in oyster cultiire and fishing. In 1839 he married Miss Jane Vreeland, also a native of ]^ew Jersey, and a daughter of Henry and Lucinda (Jerolman) Yreeland, of Hol- land and English ancestry. In 1855 they removed to Henderson county, Illinois, and settled on the home of his father, where he still resides, having since become the owner of that part of the old home on Sec. 25, T. 10, R. 4. He has since settling here carried on the busi- ness of farming and stock raising. He also owns a home in Kirkwood, where he contemplates moving in the near future. Of his eight chil- dren seven are still living : Eliza J. (now Mrs. Jacob Akerman), Henry, Lucinda, Mary A. (wife of Thomas Salker), John, Sarah (wife of Isaac Mundorf), Emma (wife of John Shook), the one deceased was Eachel C, who was drowned while skating on the lake at Peoria when thirteen years old. Mrs. Salter is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Eli W. SanTH, now a resident of Biggsville, is the son of John and Mary (King) Smith, and is a native of Fayette county, Ohio ; born October 19, 1830. His father was a native of Yirginia and his grand- father a native of England. He emigrated to America when young, and particijiated in the great struggle for independence from the first battle till the close of the war of the revolution. He was wounded at the battle of Yorktown, but recovered and lived to the ripe old age of one hundi'ed and four years. Eli W. was reared on a farm and was early taught that industry and honest labor wei'e essential to success. His first lessons in school were studied in a log cabin into which light was admitted through greased ]3aper pasted over an open space made by leaving one log out. The seats were made of logs split in two with the flat side turned up. Not discouraged, however, with the meager advantages that surrounded him, he pursued his studies and had, by personal efibrt, quite early in life secured an education suflicient to teach school, and began at a salary of 816 per month. May 7, 1857, he married Miss Alice Holmes, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Worden) Holmes, a native of Fayette county, Ohio, born May 6, 1836. In 1865 he, with his family, removed to Henderson county, Illinois, and settled at Biggsville. Since his residence in this county the ]>eople have elected him to the position of county assessor and treasurer. In the spring of 1882 he was elected BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1371 police magistrate of Biggsville. He is the father of eleven children, five sons and six daughters. Judge Preston Maktin, a retired farmer of Biggsville, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, October 25, 1804. Judge Martin emi- grated from Kentucky to Morgan county, Illinois, in 1S2S, and to what has since been organized as Henderson, Illinois, in 1836. Mr. Martin was one of the members of the first board of commissioners elected in this county after its organization. He was twice subsequently elected, and has served the people in that position eleven years, reflecting credit on himself and on the good judgment of those who elected him. It should be here said, that during the judge's connection with the county as commissioner, the questi(m of reissuing the old surrendered railroad bonds issued by the county in aid of the proposed (but never built) St. Louis, Warsaw & Eockford railroad, was brought before the board and ably advocated by the friends of the humbug enterprise and as ably opposed by Mr. Martin. He is a son of William and Ann (Hopper) Martin ; his grandfather Martin was a native of Ireland and emigrated to the colonies of America before the revolutionary war, in which he took part, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. The latter part of his life was spent in Kentucky where he died. Our subject's home in this county, and where he spent the greater part of his life, was on the S. W. J of Sec. 25, T. 10, K. 5. In 1872 he rented out his farm and retired to spend his declining years in Biggsville. He married on March 28, 1828, Miss Ann Taylor, a native of Alexandria, Virginia; she was born February 28, 1803, and died at Biggsville, December 16, 1880. They were members of the United Presbyterian church. Their children are: Benjamin H., John T., Prances M. (deceased), William P. and Charles A. (twins), Robert J., Andrew W. , Mary A. , wife of John N. Bruen ; Margaret J. , wife of John H. Rice ; Sarah A., wife of John A. McDill. Robert A. McKinley is another example of the success of poverty. Tlie young man's life was obscure, but passing years presented oppor- tunities which, seized and improved, has made life a success. Robert A. McKinley was born May 6, 1831, in York county, Pennsylvania, his parents, Ste])hen and Jane (Andrews) McKinley, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Scotch descent and the latter the daughter of a Scotchman ; both were born in 1801. Stephen McKinley served as county auditor and also a term in the Pennsylvania legislature. He died in 1879 preceded by his wife in 1876. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Their family was seven children. Robert A. was raised amid rustic scenery and inured to country toil. His educa- tional advantages were limited. In 1855 he came to Henderson 1372 HISTORY OF FIERCER AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. county, Illinois, and engaged to work by the niontli near Gladstone. He was industrious in his toil; began threshing; then in 1856 embarked in the business permanently. In 1857 he rented a farm. In 1863 or 1864 he purchased eighty acres south of Biggsville. This has improved and enlarged into his present farm and pleasant home. He was married January 21, 1858, to Mary M., daughter of Samuel Michener ; she was born in York county, Pennsylvania, A])ril 25, 1838. Their children are : Mettie K., wife of Willis Gilmore ; Luella M., Maggie I., Ella M., Alice A., Lizzie M., Eobert W. and Laura B. Mr. McKinlev has not confined his labors to his own farm, but has been active in public affairs. For several years he has been prominent in the fair association ; has served as county commissioner, is now in the thirteenth year of service as justice of the peace, and was elected to the state legislature in 1880. His career has been one of credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Hon. Paul D. Salter, Kirkwood. Perhaps no name in Hender- son county can justly lay claim to so remote antiquity as that of the Salters. During the reign of Henry VI, in 1423, there lived one William Salter, who was possessed of good estate, and whose ancestors had resided at, and were the Lords for over two hundred years, of a manor called Bokenhamis, in Btigland. Walter Salter must have lived during the reign of Pichard III, in 1482, as a tablet is erected to his memory at the upper end of the south aisle in the church of Totengen, in the county of Norfolk. In 1524 Henry Salter was one of the sheriffs of Norfolk. In 1655 John Salter was mayor of Norwich, and 1663 the charter of the said city of Norwich was renewed by Charles II, and John Salter was one of the twenty-four aldermen appointed. December 31, 1670, Bridget, the wife of Mathew Salter, died, and the writer is able to saj' on the authenticity of history that she became the mother of twenty -two children. According to well authenticated tradition three brothers, shortly after the accession of Charles II to the throne of England (jirobably in 1664), for political and religious reasons, came to this country. They landed at or near Boston, where one remained while the other two went to New Jersey. Of these one settled in Salem county, and died without issue. The other brother, Pichard Salter, the youngest of the three, settled at Middletown, in Monmouth county. New Jersey, and became the founder of the branch from whom sprang a long line of noble posterity who have since been prominent in American history. Also back to this illustrious ancestor can be traced the lineage of Hon. Paul D. Salte]-, of Henderson county. He is the seventh son of Pev. David B. Salter wlio is now (1882) liv- ing in Saltersville, Hudson county, New Jersey, in the 84th year of BIGG8VILLE TOWNSHIP. 1373 liis age. His wife, and tlie mother of Paul D. Salter, was a cousin of the Hon. Joel Parker. Her maiden name was Abigal Parker. Paul D. was born in Ocean county, New Jersey, but was reared on a farm in Hudson county (same state) near Bergen Point, a few miles fi'om the city of New York. Thouo-h reared on a farm, much of his time was occupied in oyster raising and boating, — becoming an expert in the latter to the. extent that he was retained as a pilot in New York Bay for some time. January 1, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte J. Matthias, who died July 21, 1855, and was buried in New York Ba}' cemetery. She was a sister of the noted African mis- sionary, John J. Matthias. Mr. Salter's second marriage was with Miss Sarah E. Edwards, a daugliter of David and Eliza J. (Bell) Edwards, a native of Belmont county, Ohio. In the spring of 1856 he came to Henderson county, Illinois, and soon after ])ermanently located on his 180-acre farm in Sec. 21, T. 10, R. 1, where he has since resided, en- gaged in stock raising and farming. Since his residence in this county lie has had the honor of being elected by the people to the twenty- ninth general assembly, where he well sustained the good name already established by his worthy ancestors. It is a fact worthy of note that while in the legislature he introduced and had passed a bill for the improvement of the road law of Henderson county. He was also appointed and served on the following committees: mines and mining, fees and salaries, and roads, highways and bridges. For many years Mr. Salter was the president of the county agricultural society, and is now and has been for a num- ber of years vice-president of the Kirkwood First National Bank; in fact takes a prominent part in all matters of a public character in the county. He has an interesting family of seven children, whose names, in the order of their birth, are: William E., David P., Abbie B., John N., Harriet C, Ernest W. and Chalmer N. David Graham, retired farmer, Monmouth, for many years a pros- perous and influential farmer of Biggsville township, w^s born in Todd county, Kentucky, in April, L821. His parents, Mathew and Jane (Wilson) Graham, who were of Scotch ancestry, were born in South Carolina, and soon after their marriage, in about 1806, removed to Kentucky, where their ten children were born. In 1828 they removed to Preble county, Ohio, where they settled and remained till 1836, when they emigrated to Henderson county, where they perma- nently located, and remained until the time of their death. Their honored dust now reposes in the South Henderson cemetery. David, the subject of this notice, by coming to this county so early in its settlement, was necessarily deprived of the advantages of much school- 1374 HISTORY OF MERCER J^T) HENDERSON COUNTIES. ing, and had to be content with wliat he could obtain in the Colona school on rainy days. His first ]3urchase of real estate was a quarter- section in Sec. 32, T. 10, R. -i, to which by years of industry and honest toil, aided by the sound judgment of a prolific mind, he kept adding now and then another tract, till he is now the independent owner of over 800 acres in Henderson county and 400 acres in Warren county, all valuable and well improved. He also owns a pleasant home in Monmouth, Illinois, whither he removed in 1867 for the double pur- pose of seeking needed rest and educating his family. In 1846 he married Miss Elizabeth Brown, a daughter of John Brown, Esq., of Little York, Warren county, Illinois, who has been to him a valuable advisor and noble hel]3mate. They are the parents of five interesting children, of whom they have a just reason to feel proud. Their names, in the order of their birth, are: Elizabeth J., now the wnfe of Mr. G. H. Cowden, Clara C, now Mrs. A. G. McCoy, James A., Minnie L., wife of William Brison, and Miss Fannie Mabel, who yet remains at home, surrounded with all that wealth and refinement can furnish. James A., who now resides on a farm just west of Biggsville, was born in this county. May 16, 1854 ; was principally reared on the farm, and received a classical education at the Monmouth College. Robert Mickey, though not an early settler here, dates his per- manent residence back to spring of 1861. In that year, on February 14, he married Miss Jane Caldwell, a native of McMinn county, east Tennessee, and the same year bought a farm, ceased traveling and turned his attention to agricultaral pursuits ; but only for a short time, for as the dark cloud of rebellion and treason thickened in the south there was a call for men to form the 84th 111. Yol. Inf., and Mr. Mickey responded to his country's call and became a member of Co. K in that noble regiment. After the close of the war he returned to his home to enjoy with others the fruits of a country saved. In 1876 he sold his farm and returned to the scenes of his former days in California — a desire he had long cherished, but things had so changed there that he almost immediately returned to Biggsville, bought back his farm and has so far contented himself as an humble tiller of the soil. He was born near Mansfield, in Ashland county, Olno, June 7, 1833 ; came to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1853, and engaged with a Mr. Craig, who was then first introducing and cultivating in this county osage orange hedges. He also aided in the construction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad grade through this townshi]). In the spring of 1854 he engaged as teamster to a man by the name of Barns, then engaged in freighting goods from St. Josej)!!' Missouri, to Salt Lake in wagons. From Salt Lake to California Mr. Mit-key with BIGGSVILLE.TOWNSHir. 1375 a few others made his way on foot, where, after six years of patient labor, he was able to return to Illinois with $5,000 in gold as his reward. His return was via the Isthmus and New York. Soon after his return to this county he made a trip to Pike's Peak with the first stage through on the line in six days and eleven hours. His stay there, however, was short and his return was to stay. His seven children's names, in the order of their ages, are : Dora A., Sidney A., Ida M., Louis P., Mary E., Ethel G. and Alice. His father, Robert Mickey, was of Scotch-Irish parentage, while his mother was of German. They were natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and died near Mans- field, Ohio. In 1880 Mr. Mickey sold a part of his farm and purchased property in Biggsville, where he now lives. Dr. James G. Stewakt, son of James S. and Jane (Gibson) Stewart, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 3, 1831. Tliough his educa- tional advantages were not what might be wished for, yet they were sufficient and well improved. In the fall of 1850, having decided to take a medical course, he began reading with Dr. Josephus Walker, of St. Clairville, Ohio, attending lectures at the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, during the winters of 1852-3 and 1854, graduating from that institution during the latter year, and at once began the practice of his profession at Bridgeport, Ohio. The next year he went to Texas and after a year's practice on the frontier went to Keokuk, where he, in company with his eldest brother, opened and run a drug store about sixteen months. About this time Kansas was rife with red-handed crime, strife, treason and rebellion, known as "the Kansas war," and thither young Stewart went in the hope of being in some way able to do some good for the cause of humanity and civil liberty; while tli ere he formed one of the party of twelve men who rescued the noble Dr. John D03' from prison, where he had been incarcerated, convicted and condemned, and finally sentenced to state's prison, for the crime of lending aid to slaves in their efforts to escape. On the day that Kansas was admitted as a state to the Union, Stewart came to Hender- son county (where his nearest friends then lived and where he had been in 1850 -with a view to settling), and soon after went to Burlington, Iowa, where he offered his services to his country, but not being accepted, went to Oquawka and enlisted in Co. F, Kltli 111. Vol. Inf., and was mustered into the United States service Mav 24, 18(11, as second lieutenant. He followed the fortunes of war till after the battle of Mission Ridge, when disabiHty from camp life and hardships prostrated him and he resigned with a first lieutenant's commission. November 9, 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Maria L. Pogue, the daughter of John Pogue, Esq., of this county ; she was bom 1376 HISTOKV OF jVIERCER AlSrp HENDERSON COUNTIES. February 20, 1842, in AValnut Grove township. In 1866 the doctor quit the practice of medicine and turned his attention to farming, wliich was more in taste witli his feelings than tiie practice of his profession. In 1870 he bred and i-aised thoroughbred short-horns, principally of the Yoimg Mary family. He is now residing on his comfortable farm on Sec. 22, T. 10, E. 4. He has five children, as follows : Henry W., Jane E., John P., Samuel F. and an infant. Andrew G. Graham, Biggsville, postmaster, was born January 6, 1847, in Clinton county, Missouri. When he was about the age of three years his mother died, and when he was five years old his father went to California. His early education was of a necessity much neglected, though to some little extent he did attend a pioneer school in his native state. In 1858 Mr. Graham came to Henderson county, and in November, 1861, when a little less than fifteen years of age, enlisted in Co. H, 11th 111. Cav., Col. R. G. Ingersoll. He partici- pated in the battles of Shiloh, second battle of Corinth, Grierson's raid, and the pursuit of Forrest ; but the most desperate contest ever engaged in was at the battle of Lexington, Tennessee, where the brave Col. Ingersoll was captured. At the end of two years' service he came home on' veteran furlougli, and after a short stay returned to do fur- ther service for his country if it was required. Under the gallant leader of the 11th 111. Cav. our hero did much active service, which it is not possible here to note ; suffice it to say that he was honorably dis- charged on account of disability after faithfully serving his" country nearly four years, and is now (1 882) in confined constantly to his bed from the eftects of ailments contracted while in the army. After his return home he (in a small way) engaged in farming, but in 1872, on account of his health entirely breaking down, he removed to Biggsville, and was, in March, 1876, commissioned postmaster. December 16, 1869, he was married to Miss Martha C. Francis, the daugliter of Mr. Alexander Francis ; she was born in Ohio, March 16, 1849, and came to Hender- son county, Illinois, in 1850. They have two children, Frank M. and Charles I. They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. William B. Graham, farmer and stock raiser, Biggsville, was born in Henderson county, Illinois, January 9, 1842. His father, Andrew Graham, was born in Kentucky, removed (when quite young) with his parents to Preble county, Ohio ; thence he emigrated to Hen- derson county, Illinois, and settled on Sec. 7, T. 10, R. 4, with his brother-in-law (Samuel McDill) in August, 1835. In 1841 he was united in marriage witli Miss Rachel A. Davis, a daughter of David W. Davis, who came to this county in 1833. He procured the first marriage license issued in Henderson county. He died in 1848, at the BIGGS^TtLLE TOWNSHIP. 1377 age of forty-one years. His wife (now Mrs. Daniel Gordon) and three children suryiye him. William B.. the eldest sou, is now on the old hornet successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. His educa- tion was mostly receiyed in the common schools of this county's early history, though it was extended by a few terms at Moumouth and Oquawka. He has been twice married : first, on August 8, 1 864. to Miss Martha McDill, daughter of Robert McDill. who died October 18, 1875 ; and again on January 17, 1878, to Margaret Wallace, the daughter of Dayid AVallace ; she was born in Ohio. May 23, 1839, and came to Henderson county in 1868. His children are: Mary F.. Robert A. and William W., by his first wife, and Ross W.. by his second wife. They are members of the United Presbyterian church, and since 1870 he has been an elder in the same. On his farm he has erected a yery substantial stone residence. James Moxtckoiery, grain dealer. Biggsyille, was born in Xoble county. Ohio. August 18, 1818. His parents were Joseph and Eliza- beth (McRobei'ts) Montgomery, the latter of whom died when James was scarcely three years old. At the age of thirteen he was left alone and an orphan by the death of his father. At the tender age of fourteen he packed his scanty wardrobe and alone started for Illinois, where he hoped to find a widowed sister, then residing in Mercer county, that state. On reaching Galesburg his money was all gone, and from there he continued his journey on foot, but was soon oyei'taken by night and hunger. Stopping at a farm house he was kindly taken in by the good farmer, who in the morning directed him on his way to Mercer county, where he found his sister. Soon after reaching ^Nfercer county he found employment on a farm, making that his business summers and attending schools winters till the age of twenty, when he completed his education with a college course at Monmouth. After completing his education Mr. Montgomery deyoted his time to teaching till the spring of 1882, when engaged in the buying and shipping of grain at Biggs- yille. October 5, 1875, he marned Miss Celia B. Wallace, a natiye of Guernsey county, Ohio, born ^Js^oyember, 1849. She came to Henderson county in 1870 with her parents, who settled on a farm two miles south of Biggsyille : she was also a student for two years at Monmouth Col- lege. They are the parents of three children : Dayid W., Emma E. and Fannie (\; a comfortable home is his reward for industry. WiLLiA>t E. B. Van Tfyl, farmer, is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth A. (Dayis) Van Tuyl. and was born in Henderson county. Dlinois. September 5. 1858. Like his fai^her he was reared a farmer, and during his early youth receiyed a good common school education, to which he continues to add by readinir and obseryation. January 9. 1378 HISTORY OF :m:ercer akd Henderson counties. 1878, he married Miss Hannali M. Wilkins, daughter of Samuel "Wilkins, whose sketch also appears in this chajjter; she was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, February 5, 1855. To them is born one son, Chester W. Mr. Van Tuyl has recently purchased a farm in S. W. J of Sec. 11, T. 10, R. 4:, where he is now engaged in farming. His parents, with their family of twelve children, removed from Dayton, Ohio, to Henderson county, Illinois, in the fall of 1855, and for many years engaged in farming, and became well known in this county as a man of true worth, honor and strict business principles. A few years ago he removed to near Kirkwood, in Wan-en county, where he died in October, 1880. His estimable wife still survives him and resides at the old home. As the name indicates, they are of German ancestiy. John R. Foster, farmer and fruit grower, Biggsville, was born in Henderson county, Illinois, December 17, 1844, and is the son of William and Jane (McDill) Foster, early settlei's of this county. His education was principally obtained in the common schools of his boy- hood day, linishing with a few terms at Monmouth College and one term at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, at Chicago. His first start in business was at merchandising, at Biggsville, as a partner with Mr. John McDill. Two years in this line was sufficient to convince him that farming was more to his taste and at the same time more cer- tain, and accordingly he sold out and turned his attention in that direc- tion. August 21, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Lorina Campbell, a daughter of William Campbell, D;D. She was born in Henry county, Iowa, August 31, 1842, and was left without a mother when three months old. They are the parents of three cliildren, as follows: Mary A., William H. and Robert S. In 1875 he located on his farm, where he is building up for his family a pleasant and tasty home ; and it is only a matter of time when Larch farm will be one of the most beautiful in that part of the township. Thanks for the care and advice of an intelligent wife. Samuel Wilkins, another of our country's noble dead. Mr. Wilkins was born in New Jersey, October 2, 1827. When but four years old his father died, and he was left entirely an orphan at the age of eight years' by the death of his mother. He was then taken by a friend to the country and remained on a farm till eighteen 3'ears of age. He then learned the trade of mason and principally followed the busi- ness through life. January 9, 1849, he married Miss Harriett P. Wor- den, a native of New Jersey, born March 26, 1828. After his mar- riage Mr. AVilkins went to Philadelphia, where he resided till 1854, when he removed to New York, and in 1857 to Henderson county, Illinois. Here he turned his attention to farming till 1862, when he BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHir. 1379 enlisted in Co. K, 84tli 111. Vol. Inf., where he faithfully served his country till he was killed, at the battle of Stone river, December 31, 1803. The May following his remains were brought home and in- terred at Salter's Grove. Besides his wife he left tive children to mourn his early death. The children are: Worden J., now on a farm at Elliott, Iowa; Hannah M., now Mrs. William E. B. Van Tuyl; Mary E. and Susan E., at home, and Abram, now an operator at Minneapo- lis, Minnesota. John McKee, druggist, Biggsville, was born in Ilillsboro', County Down, Ireland, November 21, 1837. On April 26, 1857, he left his native home for America, where he hoped by hard work and industry to gain what he has already realized, a comfortable home. His pas- sage occupied one month and was made on the sailing vessel Neptune, commanded by Capt. Peabody. After landing in New York, on May 26, he came at once to Knoxville, Illinois, where he remained a few days with an uncle, John Sloan. He then came to Biggsville, Hen- derson county, Illinois, and engaged as farm laborer one year, — the next year farming for himself. By this time, having saved a little means, he built a small store in Biggsville, near the depot, and for a short time engaged in business there ; then sold out and built the building on lot 6, now owned and used as a hotel bv Mr. J. M. Mich- ener. In 1878 he bought a tract of land and laid out what is known as McKee's addition to Biggsville, and the same year built the large store building now owned and occupied by Mr. G. W. Holmes, on lot 1, block 3. The next year he built another commodious store and in it engaged in the drug business. In 1882 he is enjoying a successful and prosperous trade, which is the sure reward of untiring energy and straightforward business principles. September 9, 1868, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Sloan, the daughter of James Sloan and native of Canada, born March 19, 1850, on Amherst Island, and came with her parents to Illinois in 1862. Thej^ are the parents of six children, as follows : John W. , Julia A. , F. Frederick, Henrietta, Ralph and Jessie. His father, who was huntsman to Lord Downshire, died in 1865. His mother came to the United States in 1871: and is now (1882) living in Biggsville, Henderson county, Illinois. Mr. Abner Short, one of the early pioneers of Henderson county, and who has had a residence here for more than half a century, was born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1808. In 1810 his father died, and in 1816 his mother married for her second husband Mr. Samuel Jamison. In 1819 the entire family emigrated to Perry county, Indi- ana, where they resided till 1830, late in October, when they again, impelled with a pioneering spirit, moved westward. After a month's 1380 HISTORY OF ]SrERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. iourneyina: tliev landed in Henderson countv, Illinois, where they at once set about preparing a rude home. Our subject, Abner Short, was among those who worked at building a fort for the protection of the few white settlers from the merciless savages, who in 1831-2 were threatening a war of extermination upon the palefaces. He was mar- ried April 25, 1833, to Miss Virona Ewing, and soon after settled in T. 11, K. 1, on Sees. 30 and 31, where he at one time owned 320 acres of land, earned bj hard work and faithful industry. His wife died in 1863. His second marriage was on October 28, 1867, with Mrs. Sarah B. Jamison, a daughter of Mr. Michael Van Tuyl, a native of Ohio, born in Warren county. May 13, 1821. Mr. Short has but two children living: John E., now (1882) in ISTew Mexico, and Mary E., wife of Dr. D. I. McMillen, of Sunbeam, in Mercer county-, Illinois. He lost one son, William G., who was in his counttry's service during the late war. Mr. Short and his family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. John C. Duncan, farmer, Biggsville, is a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and was born Mav 20, 1827. His earh' vouth was spent on the farm. At the age of eighteen years he turned his atten- tion to learning the trade of carpenter. In 1856 he came to Hender- son county, Illinois, and for a number of years followed the business of his' trade, building some of the best buildings in this and Warren counties, especially in Kirkwood. In 1863 he married Miss Margaret Duncan, who died in 1873. His second marriage was with Margaret M. Anderson, a native of York county, Pennsylvania. By this union he has two chileren: John W. and Jenrie M. In 1870 he permanently located on his present home, in Sec. 21, T. 10, R. 4. In addition to this farm of 80 acres, he owns 80 acres in Sec. 28 and 15 acres of timber in Sec. 27 of the same town. His father, John Duncan, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a son of John Duncan, a native of Ireland. The latter took part in the revolutionary war and the former in the war of 1812. Mr. Duncan and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, of Biggsville, where is also his postoffice. Samuel McDill (deceased) was born in Preble county, Ohio, August 18, 1807. His father and grandfather were American born and his great-grandfather McDill was born in County Antrim, Ire- land. He was reared on a farm in the tall timbers of his native state, and early in life acquired all the characteristics of the true pioneer. He was a natural genius and well fitted to fill the place of true neighbor in a new country. Of him his friends and acquaintances can truly say for truth and integrity his equals were few. His first marriage was on October 12, 1830, with Martha W. Graham, who died BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1383 a few years after their emigration to Henderson count}', Illinois, which was in August, 1835. His second marriage was with Miss Nancy Findley, on December 14, 1842; she is the daughter of Alexander Findley, and was born in Clark county, Indiana, December 27, 1816. Soon after his arrival in this county Mr. McDill l)Ouglit land and permanently located on Sec. T, T. 10, R. 4, where he lived till the time of his death, October 6, 1866. His widow and daughter, Ljdia A., still reside on the old home and in the same house where the former has lived for over forty 3^ears. She was among the first settlers in this part of the county and was one of the first members of the Old Associate Reformed church, organized in South Henderson. Mr. McDill lias five children still living : Rev. Andrew T., now pub- lishing a paper in Philadelphia, and Margaret E., a teacher in Mon- mouth, by his first wife, and John A., Lydia A. and Martha C, by his last wife. Paul D. Gibb, son of John and Agnes (Robinson) Gibb, farmer and stock raiser, Biggsville; was born in County Antrim, Ireland, Janu- ary 25, 1829. He was reared principally to the business of gardening and enjoyed but a limited means of gaining an education. On March IT, 1850, he left the city of Belfast for America and reached his desti- nation (Biggsville) on May 25 of the same 3'ear. He at once, accord- ing to a previous contract, begun work in the mill for John Biggs for a term of one 3'ear ; after com]:)leting his first year he engaged for three years more, after which he begun farming on wild unimpro\ed land he iaought in Sec. 28, T. 10, R. 4. This farm he sold and in 1870 bought the old Ery Marston farm in Sec. 29, T. 10, R. 4, for which he paid $60 per acre, where he now resides, engaged in farming and stock raising. December 29, 1863, he married Miss Mary Stevenson, a native of Belfast, Ireland, born in 1845 and emigrated to America with her parents in December, 1863. They are the parents of six children, as follows : Agnes J., Elizabeth. Mary, Rosa B., "William J. and Ellen. Mr. Gibb is one of the prosperous farmers of Henderson county, and although he begun by working out at $14 per month, he is now the independent owner of 260 acres of excellent farming land besides a large amount of stock and other securities. Since his eighteenth year he has been a member of the United Presbyterian church. He is a man that is ever ready to aid in any enterprise that has in view the good of society. John R. Boyi> (deceased) was born in Irehmd in 1S32. When he was but a small boy he emigrated to America and went to live with an uncle (James Redman), with whom he remained till he grew to manhood. His parents, Robert and Eliza (Redman) Boyd, were also natives of 78 1384 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Ireland and lived there till the time of their death. April 2, 1857, he was united in marriage. with Miss Marv A., daughter of Joseph and Annies Johnson, who were natives of County Tyrone, Ireland ; she was born in York county, Pennsylvania, May 2.5, 1840. In March, 1865, they came to Henderson county, Illinois, and soon after bought a small farm in Sec. 34, T. 10, R. 4, and actively engaged in farming. He was successful and soon after bought more land, and at the time of his death, August 28, 1881, he owned 168 acres of good land ; a success »only attained by faithful labor, industry and economy, in such a few short years. Besides his wife he leaves an interesting family of five children, whose names, in the order of their birth, are: Robert J., Joseph, Eliza A., John A. and Maggie L. His remains were interred in the Biggsville cemetery, and is mourned as a true friend, a kind, generous father and devoted husband. Miles Gordon, farmer, Biggsville, was born in North Carolina in 1813. In 1819 his parents George and Flora (McKaskill) Gordon, removed to the State of Georgia, where they resided till 1840, when they emigrated to Henderson county. Illinois. Their remains now rest in the cemeteiy at Little York, in Warren county, Illinois. He was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and she (of Scotch parents) in the State of North Carolina. They usually conversed in the Gaelic language. Miles was first married to Miss Martha E. McLanahan, who died in 1850. His second marriage was with Mrs. Kerren H. (McDill) McCrarey, o7i February 16, 1854. Their children are : Flora J., John E., Miles O. and Robert R. On March 16, 1854, they moved on their present farm in Sec. 5, T. 10, R. 4, where he is now engaged in farm- ing. They are members of the United Presbyterian church at South Henderson. Mr. Gordon was early settled in this county and has lived to see its great growth and prosperity. Where once roamed the deer and wolf may now be seen fields of golden grain or herds of domestic animals, and in place of the howl of the wolf or screech of the panther is heard the toll of the church bell or shrill whistle of the locomotive. John R. McQuown (deceased) was born in Washington county, Virginia, March 16, 1828, and emigrated with his parents, Arthur O. and Nancy (Smith) McQuown, to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1836. April 15, 1858, he married Miss Eliza Best, a daughter of John and Ellen (McCollough) Best. She was "born in Albany, New York, Sep- tember 7, 1834. Her parents were born, reared and married in County Londonderry, Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1832. He served as a soldier in the war of the late rebellion, as a member of the 91st reg. 111., Vol. Inf , and died of disease contracted in the BIGG8VILLE TOWNSHIP. 1385 army. He and wife are buried in East Olena cemetery. He had two sons, also in the hite war : John, in Co. E, 10th ID. Vol. Inf., and James in the 50th. Noble are they who give up their lives to the preservation of their adopted country. Mr. McQuown through life followed the humble but honorable vocation of farmer, and for many- years previous to his death resided on his farm in Sec. 1, T. 9, K. 5, where his bereaved widow and family still live. He died July 20, 1881, and was buried in South Henderson cemetery. His children are: Andrew G., Nancy E., Sarah F., Arthur O., Harry R and Mary E. To them and his devoted wife he left a farm of 250 acres. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church and a consistent christian gentleman. Adam Sloan (deceased), one of the early settlers of Biggsville, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, October '22, 1825. He was the fifth son of James and Mary (Beck) Sloan, who were also natives of Ireland. In 181:7 he emigrated to the Province of Ontario, Canada,, and while there was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Scott. In the spring of 1850 they removed to Biggsville, Henderson county, Illinois, and purchased a forty-acre farm, now within the corporate limits of the town. To this little home he kept adding till he owned 360 acres. In 1852 death claimed his wife and only child. His second marriage was on June 19, 1862, to Miss Jane Baggs, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, born near Belfast in 1831. This marriage was contracted while she was yet in her native land, whence she came in the spring of 1862, landing in Biggsville June 8. Mr. Sloan bid fair to become wealthy, and was owing but a few deferred payments on his real estate in the winter of 18T7, when he was taken with a severe cold, which brought on lung fever, resulting in death January 21, 1877. Besides his wife he left six children, as follows : Thomas W., James, Henderson, Adam, Nancy and Mary J. Mrs. Sloan's father (a poet of some considerable note) died at his home in Belfast. Her mother, who emigrated to Illinois, died in Biggsville in April, 1877. Isaac Thomas, an industrious and successful farmer of T. 11, R. 4, was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, December 25, 1820. His parents were Eliezer and Ann (Garrett) Thomas. The latter died of Asiatic cholera in 1832, and the former died in 1837 from the effects of poison at the hands of his physician. Mr. Thomas followed farm- ing and flat-boating in his native state till 18'1:5, when he came to Illinois. After coming to this state Mr. Thomas for a number of years worked at anything that would make an honest dollar, some- times splitting rails for thirt}^ cents per hundred, or worked for even $4 per month. So he worked and so he saved till he was able to 138(> insTOKv (JF iiERCEK .vND hendp;rson counties. purchase sixty acres of land in Sec. 31, T. 11, R. 4. On this he per- manently settled in 1860. To his first purchase he soon after added more land, and is now comfortably settled on a ffood farm with his wife, Ann M. AVinslow, to whom he was married in 1855, and his four .interestini;' children: William K., Emma B., Anna M. and Laura Eva. Mr. Thomas and wife are members of the Baptist church, he having joined before he left his native state. Hugh B. Beyjstolds, farmer, Biggsville, son of Thomas and Eliza- beth (Milligan) Beynolds, was born in Xorth Carolina in 1812. His father being both a farmer and miller, he was reared and trained to both branches of these industries. Though his education was only such as the pioneer log-cabin schools would afford, he has by reading and observation become well posted in all that pertains to the business of agriculture, which he now follows. In 1836 he emigrated to Warren county. Illinois, and for a number of years engaged as a hand at farm labor. He was married in 1845 to Barbara Gordon, a daughter of George and Flora (McKaskill) Gordon, who died Decem ber 7, 1809. His second marriage was on April 25, 1872, with Mrs. Sarah McDill, formerly Miss Sarah McQuiston, who came to this •county in 1853 from Ohio, where she was born February 1, 1832. 3Ir. Reynolds lias but one child, Margaret J., aged nine years, Octo- ber 20, 1882. l>v her former marriage Mrs. Reynolds has an only daughter. Miss Martha E., who still resides with her mother. Her father, James C. McDill, was the eldest son of Sanmel McDill, whose sketch also will be found in the history of Biggsville township. He was killed June 19, 1864, at Kenesaw Mountain, on the skirmish line. His remains were brought home and buried in the South Henderson cemetery of the United Presbyterian church, of which he was a niem- ber. Mr. Reynolds and family are members of the United Presby- terian church. William AYiegaxd, farmer and stock raiser, Biggsville, was born Philipssthal, Province of Hesse, German}-, August 15, 1828. During his early voutli he learned the trade of blacksmith, and in the mean- time to some extent attended school. In 1848, on September 15, he sailed from Bremerhaven (on the ship "Eliza,"' commanded by Capt. Kohk) for America, and in due time (without incident) landed in New York. He remained in York state till the following autumn, when he removed to Illinois, and after a short stay at Nauvoo went down the river to St. Louis, Missouri, and there worked at his trade till 1852, when he removed to Oquawka, where he for a number of years done n very successful business in his line. In 1867 he came to his farm on Sec. Ki, T. 10, R. 4, adjoining the village of Biggsville, with a BIGGS VILLE TOWNSHIP. 1387 view to doing a large business in farming, stock raising, feeding and sliipping, making a success in that industry for several years, and only wljen disabled by a broken limb, which rendered him a cripple for life, did he cease active operations in that direction. August 18, 1850. he was married to Elizabeth Goempler, a sister of Peter Goempler, of Oquawka, and native of Germany. They are the parents of four chil- dren, as follows: Minnie L., wife of Edward Fleigh ; Christena, wife of Wilson B. Jamison ; August A. and William A. When Mr. Wie- gand started in life in America he was entirely tlestitute of nicans, but his motto was to work for whatever he could get ; so he began by cutting wood for three bits a cord. In St. Louis he worked at heavy work in a shop for $l-i j)er month, and finally attained to independence. In April, 1852, while working on a steamboat at Pekin, Illinois, the boiler exploded, killing every man (18) on board but himself He was thrown into the water, but swam ashore. WiixTAM B. Wallace (deceased) was born in Kentucky in 1816, and emigrated to what is now Henderson county, Illinois, when this section of the state was but sparsely settled. He first located in Ellison, in T. 9, li. -1, with his father, where he resided for a number ' of years. March 27, 1815, he married Miss Ann McFarland, a native of Ohio. In 1866 he bought a farm in Sec. 23, T. 10, K. 4, of A. Y. Graham, onto wliich ha moved, and there continued to reside till his death in 1873. She died in 1880, on March 4. Their surviving chil- dren are : William P., Nancy J., wife of Frank P. Morton ; Martha E.. John M., Anson G. and George S., the second son, who was born in Ellison February 15, 1818. He was married July 19, 1871, to Miss Elvira Brouse, a native of Ohio and daughter of Charles W. Brouse, spoken of elsewhere in this work. To them since their marriage were born four children : William W., Florence M., Palph A. and George W. With the exception of four years spent in Iowa, Mr. Wallace's residence in Henderson county has been continuous. His business, like that of his father before him, is farming. James E. Ivxox is another of those men who, ajthough of humble birth and rearing, and with but very limired means of gaining an education, has by industry, economy, and the aid of a faithful wife, not only succeeded in keeping the wolf from his door, but has made for himself a good property in real estate. He was born in AVayne county, Ohio, in 1833, and emigrated to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1854. He brought with him to this county, as he su])posed, a little money, the savings of a few years' hard labor, but soon after Ids arrival learned to his sorrow that wildcat money in Fllinois would not « even buy bread. Aftei- working here till 1856 he went to Minnesota, 1388 HISTORY OF MERCEE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. where he soon after bought 160 acres of kind. In 1S51> he returned to Henderson county, with a view to bettering his condition as to climate. On April 10, 1861, lie enlisted for one hundred days, but was at once enrolled in Co. F, 16th Hh Vol. Inf , for a term of three years. In 1865, in Henderson county, on January 5, he married Miss Catharine Caldwell, a native of east Tennessee, born August IT. 1840. After his marriage Mr. Knox followed farming, as a renter, eight years, on the farm of Nathan Jamison, in Bald Bluff town- ship, after which he bought land in T. 11, R. 4, where he now owns 480 acres. Besides buying and paying for this fine property, he sufifered the loss of $1,000 worth of fat cattle, stolen out of his ])asture. Henry L. Kelly, liardware and agricultural dealer, Biggsville, was born in Windsor county, Yermont, June 26, 1837. In 1843 his par- ents, Henry H. and Susan (Cox) Kelley, removed to the State of New Hampshire, where they engaged in hotel keeping till 1851, when they emigrated to Illinois. They first settled on land in La Salle county, which they afterward sold, and removed to Warren county, bought a home and permanently located in Cameron, where they still reside. They are also natives of Vermont and are of Scotch-Irish ancestors. Henry L. first began for himself in the fall of 1856, merchandising in the grocery line, — building a large store and adding dry goocjs to his trade in 1868. In the fall of 1874 he removed to Biggsville and opened up a hardware store, soon after adding to his trade a full lii!e of agricultural im])lements and farm machinery. July 4, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Miriam Parker, a native of Warren county, Illinois. Their children's names, in the order of their birth, are : Edmond, George, Emma, Lurena and Clark. Mr. -Kelly has, since the organization of the village, been identified with its interests and government. Among those' who deserve special credit from their felk)ws on account of the struggle made to attain their present position in life is Eli Rezner. His parents were Nicholas M. and Mary A. (Miller) Rezner. He was born on April 25, 1825, in Monroe county, Tennessee. He was reared on a farm until 1847. When he was eighteen years of age he removed to Henderson county, Illinois, where he began life by working out among the farmers, continuing until he settled down on Sec. 14, T. 10, R. 4. November 8, 1854, he was married to Miss Jane J. Stanley, daughter of John and Lureny (Foe) Stanley. She was born in Gilford county. North Carolina, on November 11, 1828. To them were born six children, only three of whom are living, namely, Lurena, Lerov and John N. Mr. Reiner's family are Presbyterians^ BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIl'. 1389 in faith, being prominent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian congregation at Biggsville. Although Mr. Eezner was left an orphan at the age of five years, his father having died at New Orleans from injuries received on a boat, yet by untiring industry he has succeeded in making for himself a large competence. He now gives his atten- tion chiefly to stock raising, on his farm of 530 acres, near Biggsville. EoBERT K. N. Gi-ENi!f, farmer, Biggsville, son of James and Nancy J. (McDonald) Glenn, was born in Monroe county, Indiana, August 10, 1839. He was reared on a farm, with only the advantages of the subscription school for education. At the age of ten years he was left fatherless by death, and at the age of fifteen on him devolved the care of his mother, the younger members of the family and the farm. In March, 1861, he came to Henderson county, and for a year worked on the farm for Mr. John McDill ; after which he worked with George McDill for a fifth of the crop. The summer of 1863 he spent in Indi- ana, on the farm of his mother, she being without help on account of her other sons being in the army. It was while here that he took part in driving Morgan out of Indiana with his band of guerrillas. The same fall he returned to Henderson county and again engaged in farm- ing, as a renter. February 9, 1865, he married Miss Esther McCrery, daughter of David and Kerren H. (McDill) McCrery. She was born in Warren county, Illinois, August 24, 1845. In the fall of 1868 he removed to a new farm he had previously bought in Ford county, this state, but only remained there two years, when he sold out and came back to this county and bought a farm in Sec. 32, T. 11, II. 4, where he permanently settled and now (1882) lives. His children are : James A., David O., William P., Flora A. and Eobert S. They are members of the South Henderson United Presbyterian church. William A. Foster (deceased) was born in South Carolina, Novem- ber 16, 1816. In 1838 he emigrated to Illinois and settled in Warren county, near Little York. April 28, 1841, he married Miss Jane McDill, daughter of George and Margaret (Douglass) McDill, who was born in Chester county. South Carolina, September 16, 1816, and with her parents came to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1837. The spring following his marriage, or in 1842, Mr. Foster permanently located on Sec. 32,T. 11,R.4, and there lived, engaged in farming and stock raising, till the time of his death, September 1, 1855. Mr. Foster lived a con- sistent christian life, and in his death the settlement lost an estimable citizen and his famil}' a kind husband and an indulgent father. Three children survived their father, only two. of whom are now (1882) living, John P. and George C. The latter, born August 11, 1855, was reared on a farm, where he received a common school education. 1890 HISTORY OF MERCER AKD HP:NDERS0N COUNTIES. He was married ]S"ovember 29, 1876, to Miss Sarah E. Cochran, daugh- ter of John D. and Sarah P. (McGaw) Cochran. She was born in Indiana, April 18, 1851. Thej have two chiklren, John A. and Her- man C. Mr. Foster is engaged in farming. His mother, IVErs. Jane Daughertv, after the death of her tirst husband, was married to Mr. Samuel Daugherty in 1857, by whom she reared one child, Nancv J., now Mrs. Thomas Moore. Mr. Daugherty died April 15, 1868. Mrs. Dauglierty's home is with her son. The present practicing physician of Gladstone, H.vrrison Bredsford, M.D., was born in Miami county, Ohio, March 15^ 1836. At the age of sixteen he began reading medicine with Dr. G. V. Dorsey, one of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of Ohio. During the terms of 1856, 1857 and 1858 he attended lectures at the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. From 1859- to 1867 he practiced medicine in Missouri, then removed to Malcom, Iowa, where he practiced eight years ; after which he s])ent a short time in Iroquois county, and in 1880 removed to Gladstone and permanently located, and here successfullj' follows his profession. In the summer of 1882 he was by acclamation unanimously nominated by the republican party for the position of county coroner of Henderson county. September 1, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy A. Whitsitt, a native of Miami county, Ohio, by whom he has reared an interesting fiimily of live children. John E. Pearson, son of Pear and Kaisa (Olson) Erickson, was born August 29, 1844, in the town of Torp, county of Langserud, state of Wermeland, Sweden. He was partly reared on a farm, but in youth, besides attending school, learned the trade of boot and shoe maker. On May 8, 1871, he left his native home for America in the steamship "Virginia," and after some delays on account of storm and fog landed in New York, being nineteen days on the ocean. From New York he went direct to Iowa, and soon after engaged in woi-king at his trade in Burlington, and followed his business there till January 4, 1872, when he removed to Biggsville, where he permanently located and continued in the boot and shoe manutacture and sale. In 1877 he quit the mechanical part of the business and placed in stock a full line of groceries, and immediately added to his growing trade a full assort- ment of all the leading sewing machines in the market. He also deals in foreign exchange and sells tickets to all points in Euro])e. September 5, 1874. he was united in marriage with Miss Mary S. Erickson, a daughter of Erick Anderson ; she was born March 17, 1850, in the town of Stenarsbohl, county of Qillberga, state of Wermeland, Sweden. At the age of twenty years a spirit of independence induced her to leave the parental roof and become self-supporting. She accordingly engaged 15TGG8VILLE TOWNSHIP. 1391 as a servant in the house of a millionaire, where she remained till August 7, 1874, when she sailed for America on the steamship Egypt to meet her affianced husband. Mr. Pearson has now four children, whose names, in the order of their birth, are: Albert W., John R., Laura S. and Herbert li. Geoege W. Holmes, son of Jacob and Sarah (Worden) Holmes, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, March 3, 1846. He was reared on a farm, where he enjoyed the advantages of a fair common school educa- tion. In the fall of 18