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HISTORICAL 

ENCYCLOPEDIA 


OF 


ILLINOIS 

EDITED     BV 

Newton  Batemax,  LL.  D.  Paul  Selby,  A.  M. 


^1^1       AM 


w^^^ 


AND  HISTORY  OF 


PIATT  COUNTY 


edited  bv 
Francis  M.   Shonkwiler 

VOLUME  II. 


ILLUSTRATED 


CHICAGO 

MUNSELL    PUBLISHING    COMPANY 
PUBLISHERS 

1917 


^^^sg;m 


Ilistoiioal    F.ii;yi-l())irilia    ot    Illiiuiis 

Copyrifriit    l,S'.l'.)-lH(lll-l',IO:)-V.n2-l'.ll4-lin." 

By 

:\irNSKLT>  PTP.TJSHlXn  nntl>  ANY 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


503 


STARNE,  Alexander,  Secretary  of  State  and 
State  Treasurer,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
Nov.  81,  1813;  in  the  spring  of  1836  removed  to 
Illinois,  settling  at  Griggsville,  Pike  Count}', 
where  he  opened  a  general  store.  From  1839  to 
'42  he  served  as  Commissioner  of  Pike  County, 
and,  in  the  latter  year,  was  elected  to  the  lower 
house  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  re-elected  in 
1844.  Having,  in  the  meanwhile,  disposed  of  his 
store  at  Griggsville  and  removed  to  Pittsfield,  he 
was  appointed,  by  Judge  Purple,  Clerk  of  the 
Circuit  Court,  and  elected  to  the  same  office  for 
four  years,  when  it  was  made  elective.  In  18.53 
he  was  elected  Secretary  of  State,  when  he 
removed  to  Springfield,  returning  to  Griggsville 
at  the  expiration  of  his  term  in  18.57,  to  assume 
the  Presidency  of  the  old  Hannibal  and  Naples 
Railroad  (now  a  part  of  the  Wabash  system). 
He  repre-sented  Pike  and  Brown  Counties  in  the 
Constitutional  Convention  of  1803,  and  the  same 
year  was  elected  State  Treasurer.  He  thereupon 
again  removed  to  Springfield,  where  he  resided 
until  his  deatli,  being,  with  his  sons,  extensively 
engaged  in  coal  mining.  In  1870,  and  again  in 
1873,  he  was  elected  State  Senator  from  San- 
gamon County.  He  died  at  Springfield,  March 
31,  18SG. 

ST.\TE  BAXK  OF  ILLL\01S.  The  first  legis- 
lation, having  for  its  object  the  establishment  of 
a  bank  within  the  territory  which  now  consti- 
tutes the  State  of  Illinois,  was  the  passage,  by 
the  Territorial  Legislature  of  1816,  of  an  act 
Incorporating  the  "Bank  of  Illinois  at  Shawnee- 
town,  with  branches  at  Edwardsville  and  Kas- 
kaskia. "'  In  the  Second  General  Assembly  of 
the  State  (1830)  an  act  was  passed,  over  the 
Governor's  veto  and  in  defiance  of  the  adverse 
judgment  of  the  Council  of  Revision,  e.stablish- 
ing  a  State  Bank  at  Vandalia  with  branches  at 
Shawneetown,  Edwardsville,  and  Brownsville  in 
Jackson  County.  This  was,  in  effect,  a  recharter- 
ing  of  the  banks  at  Shawneetown  and  Edwards- 
ville. So  far  as  the  former  is  concerned,  it  seems 
to  have  been  well  managed;  but  the  official 
conduct  of  the  officers  of  the  latter,  on  the  basis 
of  charges  made  by  Governor  Edwards  in  1836. 
was  made  the  subject  of  a  legislative  investiga- 
tion, which  (although  it  resulted  in  nothing) 
seems  to  have  had  some  basis  of  fact,  in  view  of 
the  losses  finally  sustained  in  winding  up  its 
affairs — that  of  the  General  Government  amount- 
ing to  S.54.000.  Grave  charges  were  made  in  this 
connection  against  men  who  were  then,  or 
afterwards  became,  prominent  in  State  affairs, 
including  one  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  and 
one  (still  later)  a  United  States  Senator.     The 


experiment  was  disastrous,  as,  ten  years  later 
(1831),  it  was  found  necessary  for  the  State  to 
incur  a  debt  of  §100,000  to  redeem  the  outstand- 
ing circulation.  Influenced,  however,  by  the 
popular  demand  for  an  increase  in  the  "circu- 
lating medium,"  the  State  continued  its  experi- 
ment of  becoming  a  stockholder  in  banks 
managed  by  its  citizens,  and  accordingly  we  find 
it,  in  1835,  legislating  in  the  same  direction  for 
the  e.stabli.shing  of  a  central  "Bank  of  Illinois" 
at  Springfield,  with  branches  at  other  points  as 
might  be  required,  not  to  exceed  six  in  number. 
One  of  these  branches  was  established  at  Van- 
dalia and  another  at  Chicago,  furnishing  the  first 
banking  institution  of  the  latter  city.  Two 
years  later,  when  the  State  was  entering  upon 
its  scheme  of  internal  improvement,  laws  were 
enacted  increasing  the  capital  stock  of  these 
banks  to  .S4, 000, 000  in  the  aggregate.  Following 
the  example  of  similar  institutions  elsewhere, 
they  suspended  specie  payments  a  few  months 
later,  but  were  protected  by  "stay  laws"  and 
other  devices  until  1843,  when  the  internal 
iaiprovement  scheme  having  been  finally  aban- 
doned, they  fell  in  general  collapse.  Tlie  State 
ceased  to  be  a  stock-holder  in  1843.  and  the  banks 
were  put  in  course  of  liquidation,  though  it 
required  .several  yeai's  to  comjilete  the  work. 

STATE  CAPITALS.  The  first  State  capital  of 
Illinois  was  Kaskaskia,  where  the  first  Territorial 
Legislature  convened,  Nov.  3.5,  1813.  At  that 
time  there  were  but  five  counties  in  the  State — 
St.  Clair  and  Randolph  being  the  most  important, 
and  Kaskaskia  being  the  county-seat  of  the 
latter.  Illinois  was  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a 
State  in  1818,  and  the  first  Constitution  provided 
that  the  seat  of  government  should  remain  at 
Kaskaskia  until  removed  by  legislative  enact- 
ment. That  instrument,  however,  made  it  obli- 
gatory upon  the  Legislature,  at  its  first  session, 
to  petition  Congress  for  a  grant  of  not  more  than 
four  sections  of  land,  on  which  should  be  erected 
a  town,  which  should  remain  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment for  twenty  years.  The  petition  was  duly 
presented  and  granted;  and,  in  accordance  with 
the  power  granted  by  the  Constitution,  a  Board 
of  five  Commissioners  selected  the  site  of  the 
present  city  of  Vandalia,  then  a  point  in  the 
wilderness  twenty  miles  north  of  any  settle- 
ment. But  so  great  was  the  faith  of  speculators 
in  the  future  of  the  proposed  city,  that  town  lots 
were  soon  selling  at  SlOO  to  §780  each.  The  Com- 
missioners, in  obedience  to  law,  erected  a  plain 
two-story  frame  building — scarcely  more  than  a 
commodious  shanty — to  which  the  State  offices 
were  removed  in  December,  1830.     This  building 


504 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


was  burned,  Dec.  9,  1823,  and  a  brick  structure 
erected  in  its  place.  Later,  wlien  tlie  question  of 
a  second  removal  of  the  capital  began  to  be  agi- 
tated, the  citizens  of  Vandalia  assumed  the  risk 
of  erecting  a  new,  brick  State  House,  costing 
§10,000.  Of  this  amount  ?G,000  was  reimbursed 
by  the  Governor  from  the  contingent  fund,  and 
the  balance  ($10,000)  was  appropriated  in  1837, 
when  the  seat  of  government  was  removed  to 
Springfield,  Ijy  vote  of  the  Tenth  General  Assem- 
bly on  the  fourth  ballot.  The  other  places  receiv- 
ing the  principal  vote  at  the  time  of  the  removal 
to  Springfield,  were  Jacksonville,  Vandalia, 
Peoria,  Alton  and  Illiopolis — Springfield  receiv- 
ing the  largest  vote  at  each  ballot-  The  law 
removing  the  capital  appropriated  §.50,000  from 
the  State  Treasury,  provided  that  a  lilce  amount 
should  be  raised  by  private  subscription  and 
guaranteed  by  bond,  and  that  at  least  two  acres 
of  land  should  be  donated  as  a  site.  Two  State 
Houses  have  been  erected  at  Springfield,  the  first 
cost  of  the  present  one  (including  furnishing) 
having  been  a  little  in  excess  of  §4,000,000. 
Abraham  Lincoln,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
Legislature  from  Sangamon  County  at  the  time, 
was  an  influential  factor  in  securing  the  removal 
of  the  capital  to  Springfield. 

STATE  DEBT.  The  State  debt,  which  proved 
so  formidable  a  burden  upon  the  State  of  Illinois 
for  a  generation,  and,  for  a  part  of  that  period, 
seriously  checked  its  prosperity,  was  the  direct 
outgrowth  of  the  internal  improvement  scheme 
entered  upon  in  1837.  (See  Internal  Improvement 
Policy. )  At  the  time  this  enterprise  was  under- 
taken the  aggregate  debt  of  the  State  was  less 
than  §400.000 — accumulated  within  the  preceding 
six  years.  Two  years  later  (1838)  it  had  increased 
to  over  §G,.500,000,  while  the  total  valuation  of 
real  and  personal  projierty,  for  the  purpases  of 
taxation,  was  less  than  §(i(),000,000,  and  the  aggre- 
gate receipts  of  the  State  treasuiw,  for  the  same 
year,  amounted  to  less  than  §150,000.  At  the 
same  time,  the  disbursements,  for  the  support  of 
the  State  Government  alone,  had  grown  to  more 
than  twice  the  receipts.  This  dis[)arity  continued 
until  the  declining  credit  of  the  State  forced  upon 
the  managers  of  public  affairs  an  involuntary 
economy,  when  the  means  could  no  longer  be 
secured  for  more  lavish  expenditures.  The  first 
bonds  issued  at  the  inception  of  the  internal 
improvement  scheme  sold  at  a  premium  of  5  per 
cent,  but  rapidly  declined  until  they  were  hawked 
in  the  markets  of  New  York  and  London  at  a  dis- 
count, in  some  cases  falling  into  the  hands  of 
brokers  who  failed  before  completing  their  con- 


tracts, thus  causing  a  direct  loss  to  the  State.  If 
the  internal  improvement  scheme  was  ill-advised, 
the  time  chosen  to  carry  it  into  effect  was  most 
unfortunate,  as  it  came  simultaneouslj-  with  the 
panic  of  1837,  rendering  the  disaster  all  the  more 
complete.  Of  the  various  works  undertaken  by 
the  State,  only  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal 
brought  a  return,  all  the  others  resulting  in  more 
or  less  complete  loss.  The  internal  improvement 
scheme  was  abandoned  in  1839-40,  but  not  until 
State  bonds  exceeding  §13,000,000  had  been 
issued.  For  two  years  longer  the  State  struggled 
with  its  embarrassments,  increased  by  the  failure 
of  the  State  Bank  in  February,  1842,  and.  by  that 
of  the  Bank  of  Illinois  at  Shawneetown,  a  few 
months  later,  with  the  proceeds  of  more  than  two 
and  a  half  millions  of  the  State's  bonds  in  their 
possession.  Thus  left  without  credit,  or  means 
even  of  pa3'ing  the  accruing  interest,  there  were 
those  who  regarded  the  State  as  hopelessly  bank- 
rupt, and  advocated  rejiudiation  as  the  only 
means  of  escape.  Better  counsels  prevailed,  how- 
ever; the  Constitution  of  1848  put  the  State  on  a 
basis  of  strict  economy  in  the  matter  of  salaries 
and  general  expenditures,  with  restrictions  upon 
the  Legislature  in  reference  to  incurring  in- 
debtedness, while  the  beneficent  "two-mill  tax"' 
gave  assurance  to  its  creditors  that  its  debts 
would  be  paid.  While  tlie  growth  of  the  State, 
in  wealth  and  population,  had  previously  been 
checked  by  the  fear  of  excessive  taxation,  it  now 
entered  upon  a  new  career  of  prosperity,  in  spite 
of  its  burdens— its  increase  in  population,  be- 
tween 1850  and  1860,  amounting  to  over  100  per 
cent.  The  movement  of  the  State  debt  after  1840 
— when  the  internal  improvement  scheme  was 
abandoned — chiefly  by  accretions  of  unpaid  inter- 
est, has  been  estimated  as  follows:  1842,  §1.5,- 
637,9.50;  1844,  §14,633,969;  1846.  §16,389,817;  1848, 
§16,661.795.  It  reached  its  maximum  in  1853 — 
the  first  year  of  Governor  Matteson's  administra- 
tion— when  it  was  officiallj"  reported  at  §16,724,- 
177.  At  this  time  the  work  of  extinguishment 
began,  and  was  prosecuted  under  sucoessive 
administrations,  excei)t  during  the  war,  when 
the  vast  expense  incurred  in  sending  troops  to 
the  field  caused  an  increase.  Dvuing  Governor 
Bissell's  administration,  the  reduction  amounted 
to  over  §3.000,000;  during  Oglesby's,  to  over  five 
and  a  quarter  million,  besides  two  and  a  q\iarter 
million  paid  on  interest.  In  18S0  the  debt  had 
been  reduced  to  §281.059.11,  and.  before  the  close 
of  1882,  it  had  been  entirely  extinguished,  except 
a  balance  of  §18,500  in  bonds,  which,  having  lieen 
called  in  years  previously  and  never  presented  fo» 


HISTOfilCAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


505 


payment,  are  supposed  to  have  been  lost.     (See 
Macalisler  and  Stebbins  Bonch.) 

STATE  (il  ARDIANS  FOR  (ilRLS,  a  bureau 
organized  for  tlie  care  of  female  juvenile  delin- 
quents, by  act  of  June  2,  1893.  The  Board  con.sists 
of  seven  members,  nominated  by  the  Executive 
and  confirmed  by  the  Senate,  and  who  consti- 
tute a  body  politic  and  corporate.  Not  more  than 
two  of  the  members  may  reside  in  the  same  Con- 
gressional District  and.  of  the  seven  members, 
four  must  be  women.  (See  also  Home  for  Female 
Juvenile  Offenders.)  The  term  of  office  is  six 
years. 

STATE  HOUSE,  located  at  Springfield.  Its 
construction  was  begun  under  an  act  passed  by 
the  Legislature  in  February,  18GT,  and  completed 
in  1887.  It  stands  in  a  park  of  about  eight  acres, 
donated  to  the  State  by  the  citizens  of  Spring- 
field. A  provision  of  the  State  Constitution  of 
1870  prohibited  the  expenditure  of  any  sum  in 
excess  of  .?3,. 500,000  in  the  erection  and  furnishing 
of  the  building,  without  previous  approval  of  such 
additional  expenditure  by  the  people.  This 
amount  proving  insufficient,  the  Legislature,  at 
its  session  of  1885,  passed  an  act  making  an  addi- 
tional appropriation  of  §531,712,  which  having 
been  approved  by  popular  vote  at  the  general 
election  of  1886,  the  expenditure  was  made  and 
the  capitol  completed  during  the  following  year, 
thus  raising  the  total  cost  of  construction  and  fur- 
nishing to  a  little  in  excess  of  §4,000,000.  The 
building  is  cruciform  as  to  its  ground  plan,  and 
classic  in  its  stj-le  of  architecture;  its  extreme 
dimensions  (including  porticoes),  from  north 'to 
south,  being  379  feet,  and,  from  east  to  west,  286 
feet.  The  walls  are  of  dressed  Joliet  limestone, 
while  the  porticoes,  which  are  spacious  and 
lofty,  are  of  sandstone,  supported  by  polished 
columns  of  graj'  granite.  The  three  stories  of 
the  building  are  surmounted  by  a  Mansard  roof, 
with  two  turrets  and  a  central  dome  of  stately 
dimensions.  Its  extreme  height.  t6  the  top  of 
the  iron  flag-staif,  which  rises  from  a  lantern 
springing  from  the  dome,  is  364  feet. 

STATE  XORMAL  UNIVERSITY,  an  institu 
tion  for  the  education  of  teachers,  organized 
under  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly,  passed 
Feb.  18,  1857.  This  act  placed  the  work  of 
organization  in  the  hands  of  a  board  of  fifteen 
persons,  which  was  styled  "The  Board  of  Educa- 
tion of  the  State  of  Illinois, "  and  was  constituted 
as  follows;  C.  B.  Denio  of  Jo  Daviess  County; 
Simeon  Wright  of  Lee;  Daniel  Wilkins  of  Mc- 
Lean ;  Charles  E.  Hovey  of  Peoria ;  George  P.  Rex 
of  Pike;    Samuel  W.   Moulton  of  Shelby;  John 


Gillespie  of  Jasper ;  George  Bunsen  of  St.  Clair; 
Wesley  Sloan  of  Pope;  Ninian  W.  Edwards  ol 
Sangamon ;  John  R.  Eden  of  Moultrie ;  Flavel 
Moseley  and  William  Wells  of  Cook ;  Albert  R. 
Shannon  of  White;  and  the  Superintendent  oV 
Public  Instruction,  ex-officio.  The  object  of  the 
University,  as  defined  in  the  organizing  law,  is 
to  qualify  teachers  for  the  public  schools  of  the 
State,  and  the  course  of  instruction  to  be  given 
embraces  "the  art  of  teaching,  and  all  branches 
which  jiertain  to  a  common-school  education  ;  in 
the  elements  of  the  natural  sciences,  including 
agricultural  chemistry,  animal  and  vegetable 
physiology ;  in  the  fundamental  laws  of  the 
United  States  and  of  the  State  of  Illinois  in 
regard  to  the  rights  and  duties  of  citizens,  and 
such  other  studies  as  the  Board  of  Education  may, 
from  time  to  time,  prescribe."  Various  cities 
competed  for  the  location  of  the  institution, 
Bloomington  being  finally  selected,  its  bid,  in- 
cluding 160  acres  of  land,  being  estimated  as 
equivalent  to  $141,725.  The  corner-stone  was 
laid  on  September  29,  1857,  and  the  first  building 
was  ready  for  permanent  occupancy  in  Septem- 
ber, 1860.  Previously,  however,  it  had  been 
sufficiently  advanced  to  permit  of  its  being  used, 
and  the  first  commencement  exercises  were  held 
on  June  29  of  the  latter  year.  Three  years 
earlier,  the  academic  department  had  been  organ- 
ized under  the  charge  of  Charles  E.  Hovey.  The 
first  cost,  including  furniture,  etc.,  was  not  far 
from  §300.000.  Gratuitous  instruction  is  given  to 
two  pupils  from  each  county,  and  to  three  from 
each  Senatorial  District.  The  departments  are ; 
Grammar  school,  high  school,  normal  department 
and  model  school,  all  of  which  are  overcrowded. 
The  whole  number  of  students  in  attendance  on 
the  institution  during  tlie  school  year,  1897-98, 
was  1,197,  of  whom  891  were  in  the  normal 
department  and  306  in  the  practice  .school  depart- 
ment, including  representatives  from  86  coun- 
ties of  the  State,  with  a  few  pujjils  from  other 
States  on  the  payment  of  tuition.  The  teaching 
faculty  (including  the  President  and  Librarian) 
for  the  same  year,  was  made  up  of  twenty-six 
members — twelve  ladies  and  fourteen  gentlemen. 
The  expenditures  for  the  year  1897  98  aggregated 
.S47.020.92,  against  866,528.69  for  1896-97.  Nearly 
822,000  of  the  amount  expended  during  the  latter 
year  was  on  account  of  the  construction  of  a 
gymnasium  building. 

STATE  I'ROI'ERTY.  The  United  States  Cen- 
sus of  1890  gave  the  value  of  real  and  personal 
propert}'  belonging  to  the  State  as  follows:  Pub- 
lic lands,   §328,000;   buildings,   §22,164,000;    mis- 


50G 


HISTORICAL   EXCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


cellaneous  property,  S3, 050,000— total,  525.142,000. 
The  land  may  be  sulidivided  thus:  Camp-grouuds 
of  the  Illinois  National  Guard  near  Springfield 
(donated),  $40,000;  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal, 
$168,000;  Illinois  University  lands,  in  Illinois 
(donated  by  the  General  Government),  §41,000,  in 
Minnesota  (similarly  donated),  879,000.  Tlie 
buildings  comprise  those  connected  with  the 
charitable,  penal  and  educational  institutions  of 
the  State,  besides  the  Stata  Arsenal,  two  build- 
ings for  the  use  of  the  Appellate  Courts  (at 
Ottawa  and  Mount  Vernon),  the  State  House, 
the  Executive  Mansion,  and  locks  and  dams 
erected  at  Henry  and  Copperas  Creek.  Of  the 
miscellaneous  propert}',  §120,000  represents  the 
equipment  of  the  Illinois  National  Guard;  §1,9.59,- 
000  the  value  of  tlie  movable  property  of  public 
buildings;  8550,000  the  endowment  fund  of  tlie 
University  of  Illinois;  and  §21,000  the  movable 
property  of  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal.  Tlie 
figures  given  relative  to  the  value  of  the  public 
buildings  include  only  the  first  appropriations 
for  their  erection.  Considerable  sums  have 
since  been  expended  upon  some  of  them  in  repairs, 
enlargements  and  improvements. 

STATE  TREASl'RER.S.  The  only  Treasurer 
of  Illinois  during  the  Territorial  period  was  John 
Tliomas,  who  served  from  1812  to  1818,  and 
became  the  first  incumbent  under  the  State 
Government.  Under  tlie  Constitution  of  1818 
the  Treasurer  was  elected,  biennially,  by  joint  vote 
of  the  two  Houses  of  the  General  Assembly ;  by 
the  Constitution  of  1848,  this  oftlcer  was  made 
elective  by  the  people  for  the  same  period,  witli- 
out  limitations  as  to  number  of  terms;  under  the 
Constitution  of  1870,  the  manner  of  election  and 
duration  of  term  are  unchanged,  but  the  incum- 
bent is  ineligible  to  re-election,  for  two  years 
from  expiration  of  the  term  for  which  he  may 
have  been  chosen.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the 
State  Treasurers  from  1818  to  1911,  with  term  of 
each  in  office:  John  Thomas,  1818-19;  Roljert  K. 
McLaughhn,  1819-23;  Abner  Field,  1823-27;  James 
Hall,  1827-31;  John  Dement,  1831-36;  Charles 
Gregory,  1836-37;  John  D.  ^^'hiteside,  1837-41; 
Milton  Carpenter,  1841-48,  John  Moore,  1848-57; 
James  Miller,  1857-59;  William  Butler,  1859-63; 
Alexander  ,Starne,  1863-65;  James  H.  Beveridge, 
1865-67;  George  W  Smith,  1867-69;  Erastus  N. 
Bates,  1869-73;  Edward  Rutz,  1873-75;  Thomas  S. 
Ridgway,  1875-77;  Edward  Rutz,  1877-79,  John  C. 
Smith,  1879-81;  Edward  Rutz,  1881-83;  John  C. 
Smith,  1883-85;  Jacob  Gross,  188.5-87;  John  R. 
Tanner,  1887-89;  Charles  Becker,  1889-91;  Edward 
S.   Wilson,   1891-93;   Rufus  N.   Ramsay,   1893-95; 


Henry  Wulff,  1895-97;  Henry  L.  Hertz,  1897-99; 
Floyd  K.  Whittemore,  1899-1901 ;  Moses  O.  William- 
son, 1901-03;  Fred  .V.  Busse,  1903-05;  Len  Small, 
1905-07;  John  F.  Smulski,  1907-09;  Andrew  Russel, 
1909-11;  E.  E.  Mitchell,   1911—. 

STAUNTON,  a  village  in  Macoupin  County,  on 
the  Chicago,  Peoria  &  St.  Louis  and  \\'abash  Rail- 
ways, 36  miles  northeast  of  St.  Louis;  an  agricultural 
and  mining  region;  has  two  banks,  churches  and  a 
weekly  paper.    Pop.  (1900),  2,786;  (1910),  5.048. 

STEGER,  a  village  in  Cook  and  Will  Counties, 
on  the  C.  &  E.  I.  R.  R.;  has  some  local  industries 
and  one  weekly  paper.    Pop.  (1900),  2,161. 

STEEL  PRODUCTION.  In  the  manufacture 
of  steel,  Illinois  has  long  ranked  as  the  second 
State  in  the  Union  in  the  amount  of  its  output, 
and,  during  the  period  between  1880  and  1890, 
the  increase  in  production  was  241  per  cent.  In 
1880  there  were  but  six  steel  works  in  the  State ; 
in  1890  these  had  increased  to  fourteen ;  and  tlie 
production  of  steel  of  all  kinds  (in  tons  of  2,000 
pounds)  had  risen  from  254,569  tons  to  868,250. 
Of  the  3,837,039  tons  of  Bessemer  steel  ingots,  or 
direct  castings,  produced  in  the  United  States  in 
1890,  22  per  cent  were  turned  out  in  Illinois, 
nearly  all  the  steel  produced  in  the  State  being 
made  by  that  process.  From  the  tonnage  of 
ingots,  as  given  above,  Illinois  produced  622,260 
pounds  of  steel  rails, — more  than  30  per  cent  of 
the  aggregate  for  the  entire  countrj-.  This  fact 
is  noteworthy,  inasmuch  as  the  competition  in 
the  manufacture  of  Bessemer  steel  rails,  since 
1880,  has  been  so  great  that  many  rail  mills  liave 
converted  their  steel  into  forms  other  than  rails, 
experience  having  proved  tlieir  production  to 
any  considerable  extent,  during  the  past  few 
years,  unprofitable  except  in  works  favorably 
located  for  obtaining  cheap  raw  material,  or 
operated  under  the  latest  and  most  approved 
methods  of  manufacture.  Open-hearth  steel  is 
no  longer  made  in  Illinois,  but  the  manufacture 
of  crucible  steel  is  slightly  increasing,  the  out- 
put in  1890  being  445  tons,  as  against  130  in  1880. 
For  purposes  requiring  special  grades  of  steel  the 
product  of  the  crucible  process  will  be  alwaj'S 
in  demand,  but  the  high  cost  of  manufacture 
prevents  it,  in  a  majoritj'  of  instances,  from 
successfully  competing  in  price  with  the  other 
processes  mentioned. 

STEPHENSON,  Benjamin,  pioneer  and  early 
politician,  came  to  Illinois  from  Kentucky  in 
1809.  and  was  appointed  the  first  Slieriff  of 
Ranilolph  County  by  Governor  Edwards  under 
the  Territorial  Government;   afterwards  served 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


507 


as  a  Colonel  of  Illinois  militia  during  the  War  of 
1812;  represented  Illinois  Territory  as  Delegate 
in  Congress,  1814-16,  and,  on  his  retirement  from 
Congress,  became  Register  of  the  Land  Office  at 
Edwardsville,  finally  dying  at  Edwardsville — Col. 
James  W.  (Stephenson) ,  a  son  of  the  preceding, 
was  a  soldier  during  the  Black  Ilawk  War,  after- 
wards became  a  prominent  politician  in  the  north- 
western part  of  the  State,  served  as  Register  of 
the  Land  Office  at  Galena  and,  in  1838,  received 
the  Democratic  nomination  for  Governor,  but 
withdrew  before  the  election. 

STEPHENSON,  (Dr.)  Benjamin  Franklin, 
physician  and  soldier,  was  born  in  Wayne 
County,  111.,  Oct.  30,  1822,  and  accompanied  his 
parents,  in  1825,  to  Sangamon  County,  where  the 
family  settled.  His  early  educational  advantages 
were  meager,  and  he  did  not  study  his  profession 
(medicine)  until  after  reaching  his  majority, 
graduating  from  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago, 
in  1850.  He  began  practice  at  Petersburg,  but, 
in  April,  1862,  was  mustered  into  the  volunteer 
army  as  Surgeon  of  the  Fourteenth  Illinois 
Infantry.  After  a  little  over  two  years  service  lie 
was  mustered  out  in  June,  1864,  when  he  took  up 
his  residence  in  Springfield,  and,  for  a  year,  was 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  there.  In  1865  he 
resumed  professional  practice.  He  lacked  tenac- 
ity of  purpose,  however,  was  indifferent  to  money, 
and  always  willing  to  give  his  own  services  and 
orders  for  medicine  to  the  poor.  Hence,  his  prac- 
tice was  not  lucrative.  He  was  one  of  the  leaders 
in  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Army  of  tlie 
Republic  (which  see),  in  connection  with  which 
he  is  most  widely  known ;  but  his  services  in  its 
cause  failed  to  receive,  during  his  lifetime,  the 
recognition  which  they  deserved,  nor  did  the 
organization  promptly  flourish,  as  he  had  hoped. 
He  finally  returned  with  his  family  to  Peters- 
burg. Died,  at  Rock  Creek,  Menard,  County,  111., 
August  30,  1871. 

STEPHENSON  COUNTY,  a  northwestern 
county,  with  an  area  of  573  square  miles.  The 
soil  is  rich,  producti\'e  and  well  timbered.  Fruit- 
culture  and  stock-raising  are  among  the  chief 
industries.  Not  until  1827  did  the  aborigines  quit 
the  localit}',  and  the  county  was  organized,  ten 
years  later,  and  named  for  Gen.  Benjamin 
Stephenson.  A  man  named  Kirker,  who  had 
been  in  the  employment  of  Colonel  Gratiot  as  a 
lead-miner,  near  Galena,  is  said  to  have  built  the 
first  cabin  within  the  present  limits  of  what  was 
called  Burr  Oak  Grove,  and  set  himself  up  as  an 
Indian-trader  in  1826,  but  only  remained  a  short 
time.     He  was  followed,  the  next  year,  by  Oliver 


W.  Kellogg,  who  took  Kirker's  place,  built  a 
more  pretentious  dwelling  and  became  the  first 
permanent  settler.  Later  came  William  Wad- 
dams,  the  Montagues,  Baker,  Kilpatrick,  Preston, 
the  Goddards,  and  others  whose  names  are  linked 
with  the  county's  early  history.  The  first  house 
in  Freeport  was  built  by  William  Baker.  Organi- 
zation was  effected  in  1837,  the  total  poll  being 
eighty-four  votes.  The  earliest  teacher  was  Nel- 
son Martin,  who  is  said  to  have  taught  a  school 
of  some  twelve  pupils,  in  a  house  which  stood  on 
the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Freeport.  Popula- 
tion (1890),  31,338;  (1900),  34,9.33;  (1910),  30,  821. 

STERLING,  a  flourishing  city  on  the  n^rth 
bank  of  Rock  River,  in  Whiteside  County,  109 
miles  west  of  Chicago,  29  miles  east  of  Clinton, 
Iowa,  and  .52  miles  east-northeast  of  Rock  Island. 
It  has  ample  railway  facilities,  furnished  by  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy,  the  Sterling  & 
Peoria,  and  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Rail- 
roads. It  contains  fourteen  churches,  an  opera 
house,  high  and  grade  schools,  Carnegie  library, 
Government  postoffice  building,  three  banks, 
electric  street  and  interurban  car  lines,  electric 
and  gas  lighting,  water-works,  paved  streets  and 
sidewalks,  fire  department  and  four  newspaper 
offices,  two  issuing  daily  editions.  It  has  fine 
water-power,  and  is  an  important  manufacturing 
center,  its  works  turning  out  agricultural  imple- 
ments, carriages,  paper,  barbed-wire,  school  furni- 
ture, burial  caskets,  pumps,  sash,  doors,  etc.  It 
also  has  the  Sterling  Iron  Works,  besides  foundries 
and  machine  shops.  The  river  here  flows  through 
charming  scenery.  Pop.  (1900),  6,309;  (1910),  7,467. 

STEVENS,  Bradford  .1.,  ex-Congre.ssman,  was 
born  at  Boscawen  (afterwards  Webster),  N.  H., 
Jan.  3,  1813.  After  attending  schools  in  New 
Hampshire  and  at  Montreal,  he  entered  Dart- 
mouth College,  graduating  therefrom  in  1835. 
During  the  six  years  following,  he  devoted  him- 
self to  teaching,  at  Hopkinsville.  Ky.,  and  New 
York  City.  In  1843  he  removed  to  Bureau 
County,  111.,  where  he  became  a  merchant  and 
farmer.  In  1868  he  was  chairman  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors,  and,  in  1870,  was  elected  to  Con- 
gress, as  an  Independent  Democrat,  for  the  Fifth 
District. 

STEVENSON,  Adlai  E.,  ex-Vice-President  of 
the  United  States,  was  born  in  Christian  County, 
Ky.,  Oct.  23,  1835.  In  1853  he  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Bloomington,  McLean  County,  111., 
where  the  family  settled;  was  educated  at  the 
Illinois  Wesleyan  University  and  at  Centre  Col- 
lege, Ky.,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1858  and 
began  practice  at  Metamora,  W^oodford  County, 


508 


HISTOEICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


where  he  was  Master  in  Chancery,  1861-65,  and 
State's  Attorney,  1865-69.  In  186-4  he  was  candi- 
date for  Presidential  Elector  on  the  Democratic 
ticket.  In  1869  he  returned  to  Bloomington, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  In  1874,  and  again 
in  1876,  lie  was  an  unsuccessful  candidate  of  his 
party  for  Congress,  but  was  elected  as  a  Green- 
back Democrat  in  1878,  though  defeated  in  1880 
and  1882.  In  1877  he  was  appointed  by  President 
Hayes  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  to 
We.st  Point.  During  the  first  administration  of 
President  Cleveland  (1885-89)  he  was  First  Assist- 
ant Postmaster  General;  was  a  member  of  the 
National  Democratic  Conventions  of  1884  and 
1892,  being  Chairman  of  the  Illinois  delegation 
the  latter  jear.  In  1892  he  received  his  party's 
nomination  for  the  Vice-Presidency,  and  was 
elected  to  that  office,  serving  until  1897.  Since 
retiring  from  office  he  has  resumed  his  residence 
at  Bloomington. 

STEWARD,  Lewis,  manufacturer  and  former 
Congressman,  was  born  in  Wayne  Count}',  Pa., 
Nov.  20,  1824,  and  received  a  common  school 
education.  At  the  age  of  14  he  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Kendall  County,  111.,  where  he  after- 
wards resided,  being  engaged  in  farming  and  the 
manufacture  of  agricultural  implements  at 
Piano.  He  studied  law  but  never  practiced.  In 
1876  he  was  an  unsuccessful  candidate  for  Gov- 
ernor on  the  Democratic  ticket,  being  defeated 
by  Shelby  M.  Cullom.  In  1890  the  Democrats  of 
the  Eighth  Illinois  District  elected  him  to  Con- 
gress. In  1892  he  was  again  a  candidate,  but  was 
defeated  by  his  Republican  opponent,  Robert  A. 
Childs,  by  the  narrow  margin  of  27  votes,  and, 
in  1894,  was  again  defeated,  this  time  being  pitted 
against  Albert  J.  Hopkins.  Mr.  Steward  died  at 
his  home  at  Piano.  August  26,  1896. 

STEWARDSOX,  a  town  of  Shelby  County,  at 
the  intersection  of  the  Toledo,  St.  Louis  &  Kan- 
sas City  Railway  with  the  Altamont  branch  of 
the  Wabash.  12  miles  southeast  of  Shelby ville; 
is  in  a  grain  and  lumlier  region :  has  a  bank  and 
a  weekly  paper.    Pop.  (1900),  677:  (1910),  720. 

STICKNEY,  William  H.,  pioneer  lawyer,  was 
born  in  Baltimore.  Md. ,  Nov.  9,  1809,  studied  law 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Cincinnati  in 
1831,  and,  in  Illinois  in  1834,  being  at  that  time  a 
resident  of  Shawneetown;  was  elected  State's 
Attorney  by  the  Legislature,  in  1839,  for  the  cir- 
cuit embracing  some  fourteen  counties  in  the 
southern  and  southeastern  part  of  the  State ;  for 
a  time  also,  about  1835-36,  officiated  as  editor  of 
"The  Gallatin  Democrat,"  and  "The  Illinois 
Adverti.ser, "  published  at  Shawneetown.     In  1846 


Mr.  Stickney  was  elected  to  the  lower  branch  of 
the  General  Assembly  from  Gallatin  County,  and, 
twenty -eight  years  later — having  come  to  Chi- 
cago in  1848 — to  the  same  body  from  Cook 
County,  serving  in  the  somewhat  famous  Twenty- 
ninth  Assembly.  He  also  held  the  office  of 
Police  Justice  for  some  thirteen  years,  from  1860 
onward.  He  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  dying  in 
Chicago,  Feb.  14,  1898,  being  at  the  time  the 
oldest  surviving  member  of  the  Chicago  bar. 

STILES,  Isaac  Newton,  lawyer  and  soldier, 
born  at  Suffield,  Conn.,  July  16,  1833;  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  at  Lafayette,  Ind.,  in  1855, 
became  Prosecuting  Attorne}',  a  member  of  the 
Legislature  and  an  effective  speaker  in  the  Fre- 
mont campaign  of  1856;  enlisted  as  a  private  sol- 
dier at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  went  to  the 
field  as  Adjutant,  was  captured  at  Malvern  Hill, 
and,  after  six  weeks'  confinement  in  Libby 
prison,  exchanged  and  returned  to  dutj' ;  was 
promoted  Major,  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  Colonel, 
and  brevetted  Brigadier-General  for  meritorious 
service.  After  the  war  he  practiced  his  profes- 
sion in  Chicago,  though  almost  totally  blind. 
Died,  Jan.  18,  1895. 

STILLMAX,  Stephen,  first  State  Senator  from 
Sangamon  County,  111.,  was  a  native  of  Massachu- 
setts who  came,  with  his  widowed  mother,  to 
Sangamon  Count}'  in  1820,  and  settled  near 
Williamsville,  where  he  became  the  first  Post- 
master in  the  first  postoffice  in  the  State  north  of 
the  Sangamon  River.  In  1822,  Mr.  Stillman  was 
elected  as  the  first  State  Senator  from  Sangamon 
County,  serving  four  years,  and,  at  his  first  session, 
being  one  of  the  opponents  of  the  pro-slavery 
Convention  resolution.  He  died,  in  Peoria,  some- 
where between  1835  and  1840. 

STILLM.\>'  VALLEY,  village  in  Ogle  County, 
on  Chicago  Great  Western  and  the  Chicago.  Mil- 
waukee tt  St.  Paul  Railways;  site  of  first  battle 
Black  Hawk  War;  has  graded  schools,  creameries, 
a  bank  and  a  newspaper.    Pop.  about  400. 

STITES,  Samuel,  pioneer,  was  born  near 
Mount  Bethel,  Somerset  County,  N.  J.,  Oct.  31, 
1776;  died,  August  16,  1839,  on  his  farm,  which 
subsequently  became  the  site  of  the  city  of  Tren- 
ton, in  Clinton  County,  111.  He  was  descended 
from  John  Stites,  M.D.,  who  was  born  in  Eng- 
land in  1595,  emigrated  to  America,  and  died  at 
Hempstead,  L.  I.,  in  1717,  at  the  age  of  122  years. 
The  family  removed  to  New  Jersey  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  seventeenth  century.  Samuel  was  a 
cousin  of  Benjamin  Stites,  the  first  white  man  to 
settle  within  the  present  limits  of  Cincinnati,  and 
various  members  of  the  family  were  prominent  in 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


509 


the  ssttlement  of  the  upper  Ohio  Valley  as  early 
as  1788.  Samuel  Stites  married,  Sept.  14,  1794, 
Martha  Martin,  daughter  of  Ephraim  Martin, 
and  grand-daughter  of  Col.  Ephraim  Martin,  both 
soldiers  of  the  Xe%v  Jersey  line  during  the  Revo- 
lutionary War — with  the  last  named  of  whom 
he  had  (in  connection  with  John  Cleves  Symmes) 
been  intimately  associated  in  the  purchase  and 
settlement  of  the  Miami  Valley.  In  1800  he 
removed  to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  in  1803  to 
Greene  Covmty,  and,  in  1818,  in  company  with  his 
son-in-law.  Anthony  Wayne  Casad,  to  St.  Clair 
County,  111.,  settling  near  Union  Grove.  Later,  he 
removed  to  O'Fallon,  and,  still  later,  to  Clinton 
County.  He  left  a  large  family,  several  members 
of  which  became  prominent  pioneers  in  the 
movements  toward  Minnesota  and  Kansas. 

STOLBRAND,  Carlos  John  Mueller,  soldier, 
was  born  in  Sweden,  May  11,  1821 ;  at  the  age  of 
18,  enlisted  in  the  Royal  Artillery  of  his  native 
land,  serving  through  the  campaign  of  Schleswig- 
Holstein  (1848) ;  came  to  the  United  States  soon 
after,  and,  m  1861,  enlisted  in  the  first  battalion 
of  Illinois  Light  Artillery,  finally  becoming  Chief 
of  Artillery  under  Gen.  John  A.  Logan.  When 
the  latter  became  commander  of  the  Fifteenth 
Army  Corps,  Col.  Stolbrand  was  placed  at  the 
head  of  the  artillery  brigade;  in  February,  186.5, 
was  made  Brigadier-General,  and  mustered  out 
in  January,  1866.  After  the  vi'ar  he  went  South, 
and  was  Secretary  of  the  South  Carolina  Consti- 
tutional Convention  of  1868.  The  same  j'ear  lie 
was  a  delegate  to  the  Republican  National  Con- 
vention at  Chicago,  and  a  Presidential  Elector. 
He  was  an  inventor  and  patented  various  im- 
provements in  steam  engines  and  boilers;  was 
also  Superintendent  of  Public  Buildings  at 
Charleston,  S.  C,  under  President  Harrison. 
Died,  at  Charleston,  Feb.  3,  1894. 

STOXE,  Daniel,  early  lawyer  and  legislator, 
was  a  native  of  Vermont  and  graduate  of  Middle- 
bury  College;  became  a  member  of  the  Spring- 
field (111.)  bar  in  1833,  and,  in  1836,  was  elected 
to  the  General  Assembly — being  one  of  the  cele- 
brated "Long  Nine"  from  Sangamon  County,  and 
joining  Abraham  Lincoln  in  his  protest  against 
a  series  of  pro-slavery  resolutions  which  had  been 
adopted  by  the  House.  In  1837  he  was  a  Circuit 
Court  Judge  and,  being  assigned  to  tlis  north- 
western part  of  the  State,  removed  to  Galena, 
but  was  legislated  out  of  office,  when  he  left  the 
State,  dying  a  few  j-ears  later,  in  Essex  County, 
N.  J. 

STOXE,  Horatio  0.,  pioneer,  was  born  in 
Ontario    (now    Monroe)    County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.   2, 


1811 ;  in  boyhood  learned  the  trade  of  shoemaker, 
and  later  acted  as  overseer  of  laborers  on  the 
Lackawanna  Canal.  In  1831,  having  located  in 
Wayne  Count)-,  Mich.,  he  was  drafted  for  the 
Black  Hawk  War,  serving  twenty-two  days  under 
Gen.  Jacob  Brown.  In  January,  1835,  he  came 
to  Chicago  and,  having  made  a  fortunate  specu- 
lation in  real  estate  in  that  early  day,  a  few 
months  later  entered  upon  the  grocerj-  and  pro- 
vision trade,  which  he  afterwards  extended  to 
grain;  finally  giving  his  chief  attention  to  real 
estate,  in  which  he  was  remarkably  successful, 
leaving  a  large  fortune  at  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  Chicago,  June  20,  1877. 

STONE,  (Rev.)  Luther,  Baptist  clergyman, 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Oxford,  Worcester 
Count}-,  Mass.,  Sept.  36,  181.'),  and  spent  his  boy- 
hood on  a  farm.  After  acquiring  a  common 
school  education,  he  prepared  for  college  at  Lei- 
cester Acadenn-,  and,  in  1835,  entered  Brown 
University,  graduating  in  the  class  of  1839.  He 
then  spent  three  years  at  the  Theological  Insti- 
tute at  Newton,  Mass. ;  was  ordained  to  the 
ministr}'  at  Oxford,  in  1843,  but,  coming  west  the 
next  year,  entered  upon  evangelical  work  in 
Rock  Island,  Davenport,  Burlington  and  neigh- 
boring towns.  Later,  he  was  pastor  of  the  First 
BaptLst  Church  at  Rockford,  111.  In  1847  Mr. 
Stone  came  to  Chicago  and  established  "The 
Watchman  of  the  Prairies,"  which  survives  to- 
day under  the  name  of  "The  Standard,"  and  has 
become  the  leading  Baptist  organ  in  the  West. 
After  six  years  of  editorial  work,  he  took  up 
evangelistic  work  in  Chicago,  among  the  poor 
and  criminal  classes.  During  the  Civil  War  he 
conducted  religious  services  at  Camp  Douglas, 
Soldiers"  Rest  and  the  Marine  Hospital.  He  was 
associated  in  tlie  conduct  and  promotion  of  many 
educational  and  charitable  institutions.  He  did 
much  for  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Chicago, 
and,  during  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  was 
attached  to  the  Immanuel  Baptist  Church, 
which  he  labored  to  establish.  Died,  in  July, 
1890. 

STONE,  Melville  E.,  journalist,  banker,  Man- 
ager ot  Associated  Press,  born  at  Hudson,  111., 
August  18,  1848.  Coming  to  Chicago  in  1860,  he 
graduated  from  the  local  high  school  in  1867, 
and,  in  1870,  acquired  the  sole  proprietorship  of 
a  foundry  and  machine  shop.  Finding  himself 
without  resources  after  the  great  fire  of  1871,  he 
embarked  in  journalism,  rising,  through  the  suc- 
cessive grades  of  repf)rter,  city  pditor,  assistant 
editor  and  Washington  correspondent,  to  the 
position   of  editor-in-chief  of  his  own   journal. 


510 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


He  was  connected  with  various  Chicago  dailies 
between  18T1  and  1875,  and,  on  Christmas  Day 
of  the  latter  year,  issued  the  first  number  of  "The 
Chicago  Daily  News."  He  gradually  disposed  of 
his  interest  in  this  journal,  entirel)'  severing 
his  connection  therewith  in  1888.  Since  that 
date  he  has  been  engaged  in  banking  in  the  city 
of  Chicago,  and  is  also  General  Manager  of  the 
Associated  Press. 

STONE,  Samuel,  ijhilanthropist,  was  born  at 
Chesterfield,  Mass.,  Dec.  6,  1798;  left  an  orphan 
at  seven  years  of  age,  after  a  short  term  in  Lei- 
cester Academy,  and  several  years  in  a  wholesale 
store  in  Boston,  at  the  age  of  19  removed  to 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  to  take  charge  of  interests  in 
the  "Holland  Purchase,"  belonging  to  his  father's 
estate;  in  1843-49,  was  a  resident  of  [Detroit  and 
interested  in  some  of  the  early  railroad  enter- 
prises centering  there,  but  the  latter  year  re- 
moved to  Milwaukee,  being  there  associated  with 
Ezra  Cornell  in  telegraph  construction.  In  1859 
he  became  a  citizen  of  Chicago,  where  he  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  Chicago  Historical 
Society,  and  a  liberal  patron  of  many  enterprises 
of  a  public  and  benevolent  character.  Died,  May 
4,  1876. 

STOCKTON,  a  village  of  Jo  Daviess  County,  on 
the  Chicago  Great  Western  R.R.  Pop.  (1910),  1,096. 

STOXI>'(iTOX,  a  \illage  of  Christian  County; 
on  the  Wabash  Railroad  in  a  farming  and  coal 
mining  district.     Pop.  (1910),  1,118. 

STOREY,  Wilbur  F.,  journalist  and  news- 
paper publisher,  was  born  at  Salisbury-,  Vt.,  Dec. 
19,  1819.  He  began  to  learn  the  printer's  trade 
at  12,  and,  before  he  was  19,  was  part  owner  of  a 
Democratic  paper  called  "The  Herald,"  published 
at  La  Porte,  Ind.  Later,  he  either  edited  or  con- 
trolled journals  published  at  Mishawaka,  Ind., 
and  Jackson  and  Detroit,  Mich.  In  January, 
1861,  he  became  the  principal  owner  of  "The 
Chicago  Times,"  then  the  leading  Democratic 
organ  of  Chicago.  His  paper  soon  came  to  -be 
regarded  as  the  organ  of  the  anti-war  party 
throughout  the  Northwest,  and,  in  June,  1863, 
was  suppressed  by  a  military'  order  issued  by 
General  Burnside,  wliich  was  subsequently 
revoked  by  President  Lincoln.  The  net  result 
was  an  increase  in  "The  Times"  "  notoriety  and 
circulation.  Other  charges,  of  an  equally  grave 
nature,  relating  to  its  sources  of  income,  its  char- 
acter as  a  family  new.spaper,  etc.,  were  repeatedly 
made.  but  to  all  these  Mr.  Storey  turned  a  deaf 
ear.  He  lost  heavil}-  in  the  fire  of  1871,  but,  in 
1872,  appeared  as  the  editor  of  "The  Times." 
then  destitute  of  political  ties      About  187G  his 


health  began  to  decline.  Medical  aid  failed  to 
afford  relief,  and,  in  August,  1884,  he  was  ad- 
judged to  be  of  unsound  mind,  and  his  estate  was 
placed  in  the  hands  of  a  conservator.  On  the 
27th  of  the  following  October  (1884),  he  died  at 
his  home  in  Chicago. 

STORRS,  Emery  Alexander,  lawyer,  was  born 
at  Hinsdale,  Cattaraugus  Coimt\-,  N.  Y.,  August 
12,  1835;  began  the  study  of  law  with  his  father, 
later  pursued  a  legal  course  at  Buffalo,  and,  in 
1853,  was  admitted  to  the  bar ;  spent  two  years 
(1857-59)  in  New  York  City,  the  latter  year  re- 
moving to  Chicago,  where  he  attained  great 
prominence  as  an  advocate  at  the  bar.  as  well  as 
an  orator  on  other  occasions.  Politically  a 
Republican,  he  took  an  active  part  in  Presidential 
campaigns,  being  a  delegate-at-large  from  Illinois 
to  the  National  Republican  Conventions  of  1868, 
'72,  and  '80,  and  serving  as  one  of  the  Vice-Presi- 
dents in  1872.  Erratic  in  habits  and  a  master  of 
epigram  and  repartee,  many  of  his  speeches  are 
quoted  with  relish  and  appreciation  by  those  who 
were  his  contemporaries  at  the  Chicago  bar. 
Died  suddenly,  while  in  attendance  on  the  Su- 
preme Court  at  Ottawa,  Sept.  12,  1885. 

STRAWX,  Jacob,  agriculturist  and  stock- 
dealer,  born  in  Somerset  County,  Pa.,  May  30, 
1800;  removed  to  Licking  County,  Ohio,  in  1817, 
and  to  Illinois,  in  1831,  settling  four  miles  south- 
we.st  of  Jacksonville.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to 
demonstrate  the  possibilities  of  Illinois  as  a  live- 
stock state.  L'npretentious  and  despising  mere 
show,  he  illustrated  the  virtues  of  industry,  fru- 
gality and  honesty.  At  his  death — which  occurred 
August  23,  186.5 — he  left  an  estate  estimated  in 
value  at  about  §1,000,000,  acquired  by  industry 
and  business  enterprise.  He  was  a  zealous 
Unionist  during  the  war,  at  one  time  contributing 
§10.000  to  the  Christian  Commission. 

STREATOR,  a  city  (laid  out  in  1868  and  incor- 
porated in  1882)  in  tlie  southern  part  of  La  Salle 
County,  93  miles  southwest  of  Chicago;  situated 
on  the  Vermilion  River  and  a  central  point  for 
five  railroads.  It  is  surrounded  by  a  rich  agri- 
cultural country,  and  is  underlaid  by  coal  seams 
(two  of  which  are  worked)  and  by  shale  and 
various  clay  products  of  value,  adapted  to  the 
manufacture  of  fire  and  building-brick,  drain- 
pipe, etc.  The  city  is  thoroughly  modern,  having 
gas,  electric  lighting,  street  railwaj-s,  water- 
works, a  good  fire-department,  and  a  large,  im- 
proved public  park.  Churches  and  schools  are 
numerous,  as  are  also  fine  public  and  pri%-ate 
buildings.  One  of  the  chief  industries  is  the 
manufacture    of    glass,    including    rolled-plate. 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


511 


window-glass,  flint  and  Bohemian  ware  and  glass 
bottles.  Other  successful  industries  are  foundries 
and  machine  shops,  flour  mills,  and  clay  working 
establishments.  There  are  several  banks,  and 
three  daily  and  weekly  papers  are  published  here. 
The  estimated  property  valuation,  in  1884,  was 
§12,000,000.  Streator  boasts  some  handsome 
public  buildings,  especially  the  (iovernment  post- 
ofBce  and  the  Carnegie  public  libiary  building, 
both  of  wliich  have  been  erected  within  the  past 
few  years.     Pop.  (1S90),  11,414;  (1910),  14,25.3, 

STREET,  Joseph  M.,  pioneer  and  early  politi- 
cian, settled  at  Shawneetown  about  1812,  coming 
from  Kentucky,  though  believed  to  have  been  a 
native  of  Eastern  Virginia.  In  1827  he  was  a 
Bi'igadier-General  of  militia,  and  appears  to  have 
been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  that  section  of 
the  State.  His  correspondence  with  Governor 
Edwards,  about  this  time,  shows  him  to  have  been 
a  man  of  far  more  than  ordinary  education,  with 
a  good  opinion  of  his  merits  and  capabilities.  He 
was  a  most  persistent  applicant  for  office,  making 
urgent  appeals  to  Governor  Edwards,  Henry  Clay 
and  other  politicians  in  Kentucky,  Virginia  and 
Washington,  on  the  ground  of  his  poverty  and 
large  familj-.  In  1827  he  received  the  offer  of 
the  clerkship  of  the  new  county  of  Peoria,  but, 
on  vi.siting  t!iat  region,  was  disgusted  with  the 
prospect;  returning  to  Sliawneetown,  bouglit  a 
farm  in  Sangamon  County,  but,  before  the  close 
of  the  year,  was  appointed  Indian  Agent  at 
Prairie  du  Chien.  This  was  during  the  difficul- 
ties with  the  Winnebago  Indians,  upon  whicli  he 
made  voluminous  reports  to  the  Secretary  of 
War.  Mr.  Street  was  a  son-in-law  of  Gen. 
Thomas  Posey,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  who  was 
prominent  in  the  early  history  of  Indiana  and  its 
last  Territorial  Governor.  (See  Posey,  (Gen.) 
nomas. ) 

STREETER,  Alson  J.,  farmer  and  politician, 
was  born  in  Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1823; 
at  the  age  of  two  years  accompanied  his  father  to 
Illinois,  the  family  settling  at  Dixon,  Lee  Covmty, 
He  attended  Knox  College  for  three  years,  and, 
in  1849,  went  to  California,  where  he  spent  two 
years  in  gold  mining.  Returning  to  Illinois,  he 
purcliased  a  farm  of  240  acres  near  New  Windsor, 
Mercer  County,  to  which  he  has  since  added  sev- 
eral thousand  acres.  In  1872  he  was  elected  to 
the  lower  house  of  the  Twenty-eighth  General 
Assembly  as  a  Democrat,  but,  in  1873,  allied  him- 
self with  the  Greenback  party,  whose  candidate 
for  Congress  he  was  in  1878,  and  for  Governor  in 
1880,  when  he  received  nearly  3,000  votes  more 
than  his  party's  Presidential  nominee,  in  Illinois. 


In  1884  he  was  elected  State  Senator  by  a  coali- 
tion of  Greenbackers  and  Democrats  in  the 
Twenty-fourth  Senatorial  District,  but  acted  as 
an  independent  during  his  term.  Died  Nov.  24,  1901. 

STRO>'G,  William  Emerson,  soldier,  was  born 
at  Granville,  N.  Y.,  in  1840;  from  13  years  of  age, 
spent  his  early  life  in  Wisconsin,  studied  law  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Racine  in  1861.  The 
same  year  he  enlisted  under  the  first  call  for 
troops,  took  part,  as  Captain  of  a  Wisconsin  Corn- 
pan}',  in  thfe  first  battle  of  Bull  Run;  was 
afterwards  promoted  and  assigned  to  duty  as 
Inspector-General  in  the  West,  participated  in 
the  Vicksburg  and  Atlanta  campaigns,  being 
finally  advanced  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral. After  some  fifteen  months  spent  in  the 
position  of  Inspector-General  of  the  Freedmen's 
Bureau  (bSG.j-OG),  he  located  in  Chicago,  and 
became  connectSd  with  several  important  busi- 
ness enterprises,  besides  assisting,  as  an  officer  on 
the  staff  of  Governor  Cullom,  in  the  organization 
of  the  Illinois  National  Guard.  He  was  elected 
on  tlie  first  Board  of  Directors  of  the  World's 
Columbian  Exposition,  and,  while  making  a  tour 
of  Europe  in  the  interest  of  that  enterprise,  died, 
at  Florence,  Italy,  April  10,  1891. 

STUART,  John  Todd,  lawyer  and  Congress- 
man, born  near  Lexington,  Ky. ,  Nov.  10,  1807 — 
the  son  of  Robert  Stuart,  a  Presbyterian  minister 
and  Professor  of  Languages  in  Transylvania 
University,  and  related,  on  the  maternal  side,  to 
the  Todd  family,  of  wliom  ilrs.  Abraham  Lincoln 
was  a  member.  He  graduated  at  Centre  College, 
Danville,  in  1826,  and,  after  studying  law,  re- 
moved to  Springfield,  111.,  in  1828,  and  began 
practice.  In  1832  he  was  elected  Representative 
in  the  General  Assembly,  re-elected  in  18.34,  and, 
in  1836,  defeated,  as  the  Whig  candidate  for  Con- 
gress, by  Wm.  L.  May,  though  elected,  two  years 
later,  over  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  and  again  in  1840. 
In  1837,  Abraham  Lincoln,  who  had  been 
studying  law  under  Mr.  Stuart's  advice  and 
instruction,  became  his  partner,  the  relation- 
ship continuing  until  1841.  He  served  in  the 
State  Senate,  1849-53,  was  the  Bell-Everett 
candidate  for  Governor  in  1860,  and  was 
elected  to  Congress,  as  a  Democrat,  for  a  third 
time,  in  1862,  but,  in  1804,  was  defeated  by 
Shelby  M.  Cullom,  his  former  pupil.  During  the 
latter  years  of  his  life,  Mr  Stiiart  was  head  of  the 
law  firm  of  Stuart,  Ed"-ards  &  Brown.  Died,  at 
Springfield,  Nov.  28.  188.-.. 

STURGES,  Solomon,  merchant  and  banker, 
was  born  at  Fairfield,  Conn.,  April  21,  1796,  early 
manifested  a  passion  for  the  sea  and,  in  1810, 


512 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


made  a  voyage,  on  a  vessel  of  which  his  brother 
was  captain,  from  New  York  to  Georgetown, 
D.  C,  intending  to  continue  it  to  Lisbon.  At 
Georgetown  he  was  induced  to  accept  a  position 
as  clerli  with  a  Mr.  Williams,  where  he  was 
associated  with  two  other  youths,  as  fellow-em- 
ployes, who  became  eminent  bankers  and 
capitalists— W.  W.  Corcoran,  afterwards  the 
weU-known  banker  of  Washington,  and  George 
W.  Peabody,  who  had  a  successful  banking  career 
in  England,  and  won  a  name  as  one  of  the  most 
liberal  and  public-spirited  of  philanthropists. 
During  the  War  of  1812  young  Sturges  joined  a 
volunteer  infantry  company,  wliere  he  had,  for 
comrades,  George  W.  Peabody  and  Francis  S.  Key, 
the  latter  author  of  the  popular  national  song, 
"The  Star  Spangled  Banner."  In  1814  Mr. 
Sturges  accepted  a  clerkship  in  the  store  of  his 
brother-in-law,  Ebenezer  Buckingham,  at  Put- 
nam, Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  two  years  later 
becoming  a  partner  in  the  concern,  where  he 
developed  that  business  capacity  which  laid  the 
foundation  for  his  future  wealth.  Before  steam- 
ers navigated  the  waters  of  the  Ohio  and  Missis- 
sippi Rivers,  he  piloted  flat-boats,  loaded  with 
produce  and  merchandise,  to  New  Orleans,  return- 
ing overland.  During  one  of  his  visits  to  that 
city,  he  witnessed  the  arrival  of  the  "Washing- 
ton," the  first  steamer  to  descend  the  Mississippi, 
as.  in  1817,  he  saw  the  arrival  of  the  "Walk-in- 
the- Water"  at  Detroit,  the  first  steamer  to  arrive 
from  Buffalo — the  occasion  of  his  visit  to  Detroit 
being  to  carry  funds  to  General  Cass  to  pay  off 
the  United  States  troops.  About  1849  he  was 
associated  with  the  construction  of  the  Wabash 
&  Erie  Canal,  from  the  Ohio  River  to  Terre  Haute, 
Ind.,  advancing  money  for  the  prosecution  of  the 
work,  for  which  was  reimbursed  by  the  State.  In 
1854  he  came  to  Chicago,  and,  in  partnership 
with  his  brothers-in-law,  C.  P.  and  Alvah  Buck- 
ingham, erected  the  first  large  grain-elevator  in 
that  city,  on  land  leased  from  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad  Company,  following  it,  two  years  later, 
by  another  of  equal  capacity.  For  a  time,  sub- 
stantially all  the  grain  coming  into  Chicago,  by 
railroad,  passed  into  these  elevators.  In  1857  he 
established  the  private  banking  house  of  Solomon 
Sturges  &  Sons,  which,  shortly  after  his  death, 
under  the  management  of  his  son,  George  Stur- 
ges, became  the  Northwestern  National  Bank  of 
Chicago.  He  was  intensely  patriotic  and,  on  the 
breaking  out  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  used 
of  his  means  freely  in  support  of  the  Govern- 
ment, equipping  the  Sturges  Rifles,  an  independ- 
ent company,  at  a  cost  of  §20,000.     He  was  also  a 


subscriber  to  the  first  loan  made  by  the  Govern- 
ment, during  this  period,  taking  §100,000  in 
Government  bonds.  While  devoted  to  his  busi- 
ness, he  was  a  hater  of  shams  and  corruption,  and 
contributed  freely  to  Christian  and  benevolent 
enterprises.  Died,  at  the  home  of  a  daughter,  at 
Zanesville,  Ohio,  Oct.  14,  1864,  leaving  a  large 
fortune  acquired  by  le.gitimate  trade. 

STURTEYAXT,  JuUan  Munson,  D.D.,  LL.D., 
clergj-man  and  educator,  was  born  at  Warren, 
Litchfield  County,  Conn.,  July  26,  1805;  spent  liis 
youth  in  Summit  County,  Ohio,  meanwliile  pre- 
paring for  college;  in  1822,  entered  Yale  College 
as  the  classmate  of  the  celebrated  Elizur  Wright, 
graduating  in  1826.  After  two  years  as  Princi- 
pal of  an  academy  at  Canaan.  Conn.,  he  entered 
Yale  Divinity  School,  graduating  there  in  1829; 
tlien  came  west,  and,  after  spending  a  year  in 
superintending  the  erection  of  buildings,  in  De- 
cember, 1830,  as  sole  tutor,  began  instruction  to  t, 
class  of  nine  pupils  in  what  is  now  Illinois  Col- 
lege, at  Jacksonville.  Having  been  joined,  the 
following  year,  by  Dr.  Edward  Beecher  as  Presi- 
dent, Mr.  Sturtevant  assumed  the  chair  of  Mathe- 
matics, Natural  Philosophj-  and  Astronomy, 
which  he  retained  until  1844,  when,  by  the 
retirement  of  Dr.  Beecher,  he  succeeded  to  the 
offices  of  President  and  Professor  of  Intellectual 
and  Moral  Philosophy.  Here  he  labored,  inces- 
santly and  unselfishly,  as  a  teacher  during  term 
time,  and,  as  financial  agent  during  vacations, 
in  the  interest  of  the  institution  of  which  he  had 
been  one  of  the  chief  founders,  serving  until  1876, 
when  he  resigned  the  Presidency,  giving  his 
attention,  for  the  next  ten  years,  to  the  duties  of 
Professor  of  Mental  Science  and  Science  of  Gov- 
ernment, which  he  had  discharged  from  1870. 
In  1886  he  retired  from  the  institution  entirely, 
liaving  given  to  its  service  fifty -six  years  of  his 
life.  In  1863,  Dr.  Sturtevant  visited  Europe  in 
the  interest  of  the  L'nion  cause,  delivering  effec- 
tive addresses  at  a  nmnber  of  points  in  England. 
He  was  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  weeklj- 
religious  and  periodical  press,  and  was  the  autlior 
of  "Economics,  or  the  Science  of  Wealth"  (187G) 
— a  text-book  on  political  economy,  and  "Keys 
of  Sect,  or  the  Church  of  the  New  Testament" 
(1879),  besides  frequently  occupying  the  pulpits 
of  local  and  distant  churches — having  been  early 
ordained  a  Congregational  minister.  He  receiveil 
the  degree  of  D.D.  from  the  Universitj'  of  Mis- 
souri and  that  of  LL.D.  from  Iowa  L'niversity. 
Died,  in  Jacksonville,  Feb.  11,  1886.— Julian  JI. 
(Sturtevant),  Jr..  son  of  the  preceding,  was  born 
at  Jacksonville,  111..  Feb.  2,  1834;  fitted  for  col- 


HISTOKICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


513 


lege  in  the  preparatory  department  of  Illinois 
College  and  graduated  from  the  college  (proper) 
in  1854.  After  leaving  college  he  served  as 
teaclier  in  the  Jacksonville  public  scliools  one 
year,  then  spent  a  year  as  tutor  in  Illinois  Col- 
lege, when  he  began  the  study  of  theology  at 
Andover  Theological  Seminary,  graduating  there 
in  1859,  meanwhile  having  discharged  the  duties 
of  Chaplain  of  the  Connecticut  State's  prison  in 
1858.  He  was  ordained  a  minister  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church  at  Hannibal,  Mo.,  in  18G0, 
remaining  as  pastor  in  that  city  nine  years.  He 
has  since  been  engaged  in  pastoral  work  in  New 
York  City  (18G9-70),  Ottawa,  111.,  (1870-73);  Den- 
ver, Colo.,  (1873-77) ;  Grinnell,  Iowa,  (1877-84); 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  (1884-90);  Galesburg,  111., 
(1890-93),  and  Aurora,  (1893-97).  Since  leaving 
the  Congregational  church  at  Aurora,  Dr.  Sturte- 
vant  has  been  engaged  in  pastoral  work  in  Chi- 
cago. He  was  also  editor  of  "The  Congrega- 
tionalist"  of  Iowa  (1881-84),  and,  at  different 
periods,  has  served  as  Trustee  of  Colorado, 
Marietta  and  Knox  Colleges;  being  still  an 
honored  member  of  the  Knox  College  Board. 
He  received  the  degree  of  D.D,  from  Illinois 
College,  in  1879. 

STKO.\(wHURST,  a  village  of  Henderson  County 
on  the  A.,  T.  &  S.  F.  R.  R.;  in  rich  agricultural  dis- 
trict; has  a  bank  and  weekly  paper.  Pop.  (1910),  762. 

SUFFRAGE,  in  general,  the  right  or  privilege 
of  voting.  The  qualifications  of  electors  (or 
Voters),  in  the  choice  of  public  officers  in  Illinois, 
are  fixed  by  the  State  Constitution  (Art.  VII.), 
except  as  to  school  officers,  which  are  prescribed 
by  law.  Under  the  State  Constitution  the  exer- 
cise of  the  right  to  vote  is  limited  to  persons  who 
were  electors  at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  the 
Constitution  of  1848,  or  who  are  native  or  natu- 
ralized male  citizens  of  the  United  States,  of  the 
age  of  21  3'ears  or  over,  who  have  been  residents 
of  the  State  one  year,  of  the  county  ninety  days, 
and  of  the  district  (or  precinct)  in  which  tliey 
offer  to  vote,  30  days.  Under  an  act  passed  in 
1891,  women,  of  21  years  of  age  and  upwards,  are 
entitled  to  vote  for  school  officers,  and  are  also 
eligible  to  such  offices  under  the  same  conditions, 
as  to  age  and  residence,  as  male  citizens.  (See 
Elections;  Australian  Ballot.) 

SULLIVAN,  a  city  and  county-seat  of  Moultrie 
County,  25  miles  southeast  of  Decatur  and  14 
miles  northwest  of  Mattoon;  is  on  three  lines  of 
railway.  It  is  in  an  agricultural  and  stock-rais- 
ing region;  contains  two  State  banks,  flour  and  plan- 
ing mills  and  tluee  weekly  newspapers.  Pop. 
(1890),  1,468;  (1900),  2,399;  (1910),  2,621. 


SULLIVAX,  William  K.,  journalist,  was  born 

at  Waterford,  Ireland,  Nov.  10,  1843;  educated  £.(, 
the  Waterford  Model  School  and  in  Dublin;  came 
to  the  United  States  in  18G3,  and,  after  teaching 
for  a  time  in  Kane  County,  in  1864  enlisted  in  the 
One  Hundred  and  Forty-first  Regiment  Illinois 
Volunteers.  Then,  after  a  brief  season  spent  in 
teaching  and  on  a  visit  to  his  native  land,  he 
began  work  as  a  reporter  on  New  York  papers, 
later  being  employed  on  "Tlie  Chicago  Tribune" 
and  "The  Evening  Journal,"  on  the  latter,  at 
different  times,  holding  the  position  of  city  edi- 
tor, managing  editor  and  correspondent.  He 
was  also  a  Representative  from  Cook  County  in 
tlie  Twenty-seventh  General  Assembly,  for  tliree 
years  a  member  of  the  Chicago  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, and  appointed  United  States  Consul  to  the 
Bermudas  by  President  Harrison,  resigning  in 
1892.     Died,  in  Chicago,  January  17,  1899. 

SULLIVAM,  Michael  Lucas,  agriculturist, 
was  born  at  Franklinton  (a  suburb  of  Columbus, 
Ohio),  August  6,  1807;  was  educated  at  Ohio 
University  and  Centre  College,  Ky.,  and — after 
being  engaged  in  the  improvement  of  an  immense 
tract  of  land  inherited  from  his  father  near  his 
birth-place,  devoting  much  attention,  meanwhile, 
to  the  raising  of  improved  stock — in  18.54  .sold  his 
Ohio  lands  and  bought  80,000  acres,  chiefly  in 
Champaign  and  Piatt  Counties,  111.,  where  he 
began  farming  on  a  larger  scale  than  before.  The 
enterprise  proved  a  financial  failure,  and  he  wa.s 
finally  compelled  to  sell  a  considerable  portion  of 
his  estate  in  Champaign  County,  known  as  Broad 
Lands,  to  John  T.  Alexander  (see  Ale.vander, 
John  T.),  retiring  to  a  farm  of  40,000  acres  at 
Burr  Oaks,  111.  He  died,  at  Henderson,  Ky.,  Jan. 
29,  1879. 

SUMMIT,  a  village  m  Cook  County  on  the 
Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad,  11  miles  southwest  of 
Chicago,  in  a  farming  and  popular  residence  dis- 
trict.    Pop.  (1910),  949. 

SUMNER,  a  city  of  Lawience  County,  on  the 
Baltimore  &  Ohio  Southwestern  Railroad,  19  miles 
west  of  Vincennes,  Ind.  ;  has  a  fine  school  house, 
four  churches,  two  banks,  two  flour  mills,  tele- 
phones, and  one  weekly  newspaper.  Pop.  (1890), 
1,037;  (1900),  1,268;  (1910)',  l,4n. 

SUPERINTENDENTS  OF  PUBLIC  INSTRUC- 
TION. The  office  of  State  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction  was  created  by  act  of  the 
Legislature,  at  a  special  session  held  in  1854,  its 
duties  previous  to  that  time,  from  1845,  liaving 
been  discharged  by  the  Secretary  of  State  as 
Superintendent!  ex-officio.  The  following  is  a  list 
of  the  incumbents  from  the  date  of  the  formal 


514 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


creation  of  the  oflSce  down  to  the  present  time 
(1911),  mth  the  date  and  duration  of  terra  of 
eacli  Ninian  "\V.  Edwards  (by  appointment  of 
the  Governor),  1854-57;  William  H.  Powell  (by 
election),  1857-59;  Newton  Bateuian,  1859-63; 
John  P.  Brooks,  1863-05;  Newton  Bateman, 
1865-75;  Samuel  W.  Etter,_  1875-79;  James  P. 
Slade,  1879-83;  Henry  Raab,  1883-87;  Richard 
Edwards,  1887-91;  Henry  Raab,  1891-95;  Samuel 
M.  Inglis,  1895-98;  James  H.  Freeman,  June, 
1898,  to  January,  1899  (by  appointment  of  the 
Governor,  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  Prof. 
Inglis,  who  died  in  office,  June  1,  1898) ;  Alfred 
Bayliss,  1899-1907;  Francis  G.  Blair,    1907—. 

Previous  to  1870  the  tenure  of  the  office  was 
two  years,  but,  by  the  Constitution  adopted  that 
year,  it  was  extended  to  four  years,  the  elections 
occurring  on  the  even  years  between  those  for 
Governor  and  other  State  officers  except  State 
Treasurer. 

SUPREME  COURT,  JUDGES  OF  THE.  The 
following  is  a  list  of  Justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Illinois  who  have  held  office  since  the 
organization  of  the  State  Government,  with  the 
period  of  their  respective  incumbencies:  Joseph 
Phillips,  1818-23  (resigned);  Thomas  C.  Browne, 
1818  48  (term  expired  on  adoption  of  new  Con- 
stitution); William  P.  Foster,  Oct,  9,  1818,  to 
July  7,  1819  (resigned),  John  Reynolds,  1818-25; 
Thomas  Reynolds  (vice  Philliijs),  1832-25;  Wil- 
liam Wilson  (vice  Foster)  1819-48  (term  expired 
on  adoption  of  new  Constitution);  Samuel  D 
Lockwood,  1835-48  (term  expired  on  adoption  of 
new  Constitution) ;  Theophilus  W.  Smith,  1835-42 
(resigned);  Thomas  Ford,  Feb.  15,  1841,  to  Au- 
gust 1,  1843  (resigned) ;  Sidney  Breese,  Feb.  15, 
1841,  to  Dec.  19,  1843  (resigne<l) — also  (by  re-elec- 
tions), 1857-78  fdied  in  office) ;  Walter  B.  Scates, 
1841-47  (resigned)— also  (vice  Trumbull),  1854-57 
(resigned) ;  Samuel  H.  Treat,  1841-55  (resigned) ; 
Stephen  A.  Douglas,  1841-43  (resigned);  John  D. 
Caton  (vice  Ford)  August,  1843,  to  March,  1843— 
also  (vice  Robinson  and  by  successive  re-elec- 
tions). May,  1843  to  January,  18C4  (resigned) ; 
James  Semple  (vice  Breese),  Jan.  14,  1843,  to 
April  Ifi,  1843  (resigned) ;  Richard  M.  Young  (vice 
Smith),  1843-47  (resigned; ;  Jolin  M.  Robinson 
(vice  Ford),  Jan.  14,  1843,  to  April  37,  1843  (died 
in  office);  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  Jr.,  (vice  Douglas), 
1843-45  (resigned)— also  (vice  Young),  1847-48; 
James  Shields  (vice  Semple),  1843-45  (resigned); 
Norman  H.  Purple  (vice  Thomas),  1843-48  (retired 
under  Constitution  of  1848) ;  Gustaviis  Koerner 
(vice  Shields),  1845-48  (retired  bj'  Constitution) ; 
William  A.  Denning  (vice  Scates),  1847-48    (re- 


tired by  Constitution) ;  Lyman  Trumbull,  1848-53 
(resigned);  Ozias  C,  Skinner  (vice  Treat),  1855-58 
(resigned) ;  Pinkney  H.  Walker  (vice  Skinner), 
1858-85  (deceased);  Cory  don  Beck  with  (by  ap- 
pointment, vice  Caton),  Jan.  7,  1864,  to  June  6, 
1864;  Charles  B.  Lawrence  (one  term),  1864-73; 
Anthony  Thornton,  1870-73  (resigned);  John  M. 
Scott  (two  terms),  1870-88;  Benjamin  R.  Sheldon 
(two  terms),  1870-88;  William  K.  McAllister, 
1870-75  (resigned) ;  John  Scholfield  (vice  Thorn- 
ton), 1873  93  (died) ;  T.  Lyle  Dickey  (vice 
McAlUster),  1875-85  (died);  David  J.  Baker  (ap- 
pointed, vice  Breese),  July  9,  1878,  to  June  3, 
1879— also,  1888-97;  John  H.  Mulkey,  1879-88; 
Damon  O.  Tunnicliffe  (appointed,  vice  Walker), 
Feb.  15,  1885,  to  June  1,  1885;  Simeon  P.  Shope, 
1885-94,  Joseph  M.  Bailey,  lSSS-95  (died  in  office), 
Alfred  M.  Craig,  1873-1900;  Jesse  J.  Phillips  (\'ice 
Scholfield),  1893-1901  (deceased);  Joseph  N.  Carter, 
1894-1903;  James  B.  Ricks  (vice-Phillips),  1901-06; 
Carroll  C.  Boggs,  1897-1906;  Benjamin  M.  Magruder, 
1885-1906;  Jacob  \V.  Wilkin,  1888-1907  (deceased); 
Guy  C.  Scott,  1903-09  (deceased).  The  following 
are  the  present  incumbents  (1911)  arranged  in  order 
of  Districts,  with  period  for  which  each  has  been 
elected:  Alonzo  K.  Vickers;  William  H.  Farmer, 
1906-15;  Frank  H.  Dunn  (vice  Wilkin),  1907-15; 
George  A.  Cooke  (vice  Scott),  1909-12;  John  P. 
Hand,  1900-18;  James  H.  Cartwright  (nee  Bailey), 
1895-15;  Orrin  N.  Carter,  1906-15.  Under  the 
Constitution  of  1818,  Justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court  were  chosen  by  joint  ballot  of  the  Legis- 
lature, but  under  the  Constitutions  of  1S48  and 
1870,  by  popular  vote  for  terms  of  nine  years 
each.  (See  Judicial  System;  also  sketches  of 
individual  members  of  the  Supreme  Court  under 
their  proper  names  ) 

SURVEYS,  EARLY  GOVERSMEIVT.  The  first 
United  States  law  passed  on  the  subject  of  Gov- 
ernment siu-veys  was  dated.  May  30,  1785.  After 
reserving  certain  lands  to  be  allotted  by  way  of 
pensions  and  to  be  donated  for  school  purjioses, 
it  provided  for  the  division  of  the  remaining  pub- 
lic lands  among  the  original  thirteen  States. 
This,  however,  was,  in  effect,  repealed  by  the  Ordi- 
nance of  1788.  The  latter  provided  for  a  rectan- 
gular system  of  surveys  which,  with  but  little 
modification,  has  remained  in  force  ever  since. 
Briefl}'  outlined,  the  system  is  as  follows:  Town- 
ships, six  miles  square,  are  laid  out  from  principal 
bases,  each  township  containing  thirty-six  sec- 
tions of  one  square  mile,  numbered  consecutively, 
the  numeration  to  commence  at  the  upper  right 
hand  corner  of  the  township.  The  first  principal 
meridian  (84°  51'  west  of  Greenwich),  coincided 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


515 


with  the  line  dividing  Indiana  and  Ohio.  Tlie 
second  (1°  37'  farther  west)  had  direct  relation 
to  surveys  in  Eastern  Illinois.  The  third  (89°  10' 
30"  west  of  Green wicli)  and  the  fourth  (90°  29' 
56"  west)  governed  the  remainder  of  Illinois  sur- 
veys. The  first  Public  Surveyor  was  Thomas 
Hutchins,  who  was  called  "the  geographer." 
(See  Hutchins,  Tliomas.) 

SWEET,  (Gen.)  Benjamin  J.,  soldier,  was 
born  at  Kirkland,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  April 
24,  1832;  came  with  his  father,  in  1848,  to  Sheboy- 
gan, Wis,,  studied  law,  was  elected  to  the  State 
Senate  in  1859,  and,  in  1861,  enlisted  in  the  Sixth 
Wisconsin  Volunteers,  being  commissioned  Major 
in  1862.  Later,  he  resigned  and,  returning  home, 
assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Twenty-first 
and  Twenty-second  regiments,  being  elected 
Colonel  of  the  former;  and  with  it  taking  part  in 
the  campaign  in  Western  Kentucky  and  Tennes- 
see. In  18G3  he  was  assigned  to  command  at 
Camp  Douglas,  and  was  there  on  the  exposure, 
in  November,  1864,  of  the  conspiracy  to  release 
the  rebel  prisoners.  (See  Camp  Douglas  Conspir- 
acy.) The  service  which  he  rendered  in  the 
defeat  of  this  bold  and  dangerous  conspiracy 
evinced  his  courage  and  sagacity,  and  was  of 
inestimable  value  to  the  country.  After  the 
war.  General  Sweet  located  at  Lombard,  near 
Chicago,  was  appointed  Pension  Agent  at  Chi- 
cago, afterwards  served  as  Supervisor  of  Internal 
Revenue,  and,  in  1872,  became  Deputy  Commis- 
sioner of  Internal  Revenue  at  Washington.  Died, 
in  Washington,  Jan.  1,  1874.  —  Miss  Ada  C. 
(Sweet),  for  eight  years  (1874-82)  the  efficient 
Pension  Agent  at  Chicago,  is  General  Sweet's 
daugliter. 

SWEETSER,  A.  C,  soldier  and  Department 
Commander  G.  A.  R.,  was  born  in  Oxford  County. 
Maine,  in  1839;  came  to  Bloomington,  111.,  in 
1857 ;  enlisted  at  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War 
in  the  Eighth  Illinois  Volunteers  and,  later,  in  the 
Thirty -ninth ,  at  the  battle  of  Wierbottom 
Church,  Va  ,  in  June,  1864,  was  shot  tlirough 
both  legs,  necessitating  the  amputation  of  one  of 
them.  After  the  war  he  held  several  offices  of 
trust,  including  those  of  City  Collector  of  Bloom 
inijton  and  Deputy  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue 
for  the  Springfield  District ,  in  1887  was  elected 
Department  Comuiander  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  for  Illinois.  Died,  at  Bloomington, 
March  23,  18%. 

SWETT,  Leonard,  lawyer,  was  born  near 
Turner,  Maine,  August  11.  1825,  was  educated  at 
Waterville  College  (now  Colby  Univer.sity),  but 
left  before  graduation ,  read  law  in  Portland,  and, 


while  seeking  a  location  in  the  West,  enlisted  in 
an  Indiana  regiment  for  the  Mexican  War,  being 
attacked  by  climatic  fever,  was  discharged  before 
completing  his  term  of  enlistment.  He  soon 
after  came  to  Bloomington,  111.,  wliere  he  became 
the  intimate  friend  of  Abraham  Lincoln  and 
David  Davis,  traveling  the  circuit  with  them  for 
a  number  of  years.  He  early  became  active  in 
State  politics,  was  a  member  of  the  Republican 
State  Convention  of  1856,  was  elected  to  the 
lower  house  of  the  General  Assembly  in  1858, 
and,  in  1860,  was  a  zealous  supporter  of  Mr.  Lin- 
coln as  a  Presidential  Elector  for  the  State-at- 
large.  In  1862  he  received  the  Republican 
nomination  for  Congress  in  his  District,  but  was 
defeated.  Removing  to  Chicago  in  1865,  he 
gained  increased  distinction  as  a  lawyer,  espe- 
cially in  the  management  of  criminal  cases.  In 
1872  he  was  a  supporter  of  Horace  Greeley  for 
President,  but  later  returned  to  the  Republican 
party,  and,  in  the  National  Republican  Conven- 
tion of  1888,  presented  the  name  of  Judge 
Gresham  for  nomination  for  the  Presidency. 
Died,  June  8,  1889. 

SWIGEIIT,  Charles  Philip,  ex- Auditor  of  Pub- 
lic Accounts,  was  born  in  tlie  Province  of  Baden, 
Germany.  Nov.  27,  1843,  brought  by  his  parents 
to  Chicago,  111.,  in  childhood,  and,  in  his  boy- 
hood, attended  the  Scammon  School  in  that  city. 
In  1854  his  family  removed  to  a  farm  in  Kanka- 
kee County,  whei-e,  between  the  ages  of  12  and 
18,  he  assisted  his  father  in  "breaking"  between 
400  and  500  acres  of  prairie  land.  On  tlie  break- 
ing out  of  the  war,  in  1861,  although  scarcely  18 
years  of  age,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Forty- 
second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantiy,  and,  in  April, 
1862,  was  one  of  twenty  heroic  volunteers  who 
ran  the  blockade,  on  the  gunboat  Carondelet,  at 
Island  No.  10,  assisting  materially  in  the  reduc- 
tion of  that  rebel  stronghold,  which  resulted  in 
tlie  capture  of  7.000  prisoners.  At  the  battle  of 
Farmingtou,  Miss.,  during  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
in  May,  1863,  he  liad  his  right  arm  torn  from  its 
socket  by  a  si.x-pound  cannon-ball,  compelling  his 
retirement  from  the  army.  Returning  home, 
after  manj'  weeks  spent  in  hospital  at  Jefferson 
Barracks  and  Quincy,  111.,  he  received  his  final 
discharge,  Dec.  21,  1862,  spent  a  yuar  in  school, 
also  took  a  course  in  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Com- 
mercial College  in  Chicago,  and  having  learned 
to  write  with  liis  left  hand,  taught  for  a  time  in 
Kankakee  County ;  served  as  letter-carrier  in  Chi- 
cago, and  for  a  j'ear  as  Deputy  County  Clerk  of 
Kankakee  County,  followed  by  two  terms  (1867- 
69)  as  a  student  in  the  Soldiers"  College  at  Fulton, 


616 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


111.  The  latter  year  he  entered  upon  the  duties 
of  Treasurer  of  Kankakee  County,  serving,  by 
successive  re-elections,  until  ISHO,  when  he  re- 
signed to  take  the  position  of  State  Auditor,  to 
which  he  was  elected  a  second  time  in  1884.  In 
all  these  positions  Mr.  Swigert  has  proved  him- 
self an  upright,  capable  and  liigh-minded  public 
official.  During  his  later  years  his  residence  was  in 
Chicago,  whore  he  died  .June  30,  1903. 

SWINU,  (Rev.)  David,  clergyman  and  pulpit 
orator,  was  born  of  Ciurman  ancestry,  at  Cincin- 
nati,  Ohio,   August    33,    1836.     After    1837    (his 
father  dying  about  tliis  time),  the  family  resided 
for  a  time  at  Reodsburgh,  and,  later,  on  a  farm 
near  AV'illianisburgli,  in  Clermont  County,  in  the 
same  State.     In  18.52,  having  graduated  from  the 
Miami    (Ohio)    University,   he    commenced    the 
study  of    theology,   but.   in  1854,   accepted    the 
position  of  Professor  of  Languages  in  his  Alma 
Mater,   whicli  he  continued  to  fill  for  thirteen 
years.     His  first  pastorate  was  in  connection  with 
the  Westminster   Presbyterian  Church    of   Chi- 
cago,  which    he  assumed  in   18G6.     His   chvu-ch 
edifice  was  destroyed  in  the  great  Chicago  fire, 
but  was  later    rebuilt.     As  a  jireacher    he  was 
popular;  but,  in  April,  1874,  he  was  placed  on  trial, 
before  an  ecclesiastical  court  of  his  own  denomi- 
nation, on  charges  of  heresy.     He  was  acquitted 
by  the  trial  court,  but,  before  the  appeal  taken  by 
the  prosecution  could    be  heard,   he  personallj' 
withdrew  from  affiliation  witli  the  denomination. 
Shortly  afterward  he  became  pastor  of  an  inde- 
pendent   religious    organization    known  as    the 
"Central  Church,"  preaching,  first  at  McVicker's 
Theatre  and.  afterward,  at  Central  Music  Hall, 
Chicago.     He  was  a  fluent  and  popular  speaker 
on  all  themes,  a  frequent  and  valued  contributor 
to  numerous  magazines,  as  well  as  the  author  of 
several  volumes.     Among  his  best  known  books 
are  "Motives  of  Life,"  "Truths  for  To-day,"  and 
"Club  Essays."     Died,  in  Chicago,  Oct.  3,  1894. 
SYCAMORE,    the    county-seat    of    De    Kalb 
County  (founded  in  183G),  56  miles  west  of  Chi- 
cago, at  the  intersection  of  the  Chicago  &  Xorth- 
western   and   the   Chicago  Great  Western  Rail- 
roads;  lies   in  a  region   devoted  to  agriculture, 
dairying  and  .stock-raising.     The  city  itself  con- 
tains several   factories,   the    principal    products 
being  agricultural   implements,   flour,   insulated 
wire,   brick,    tile,   varnish,    furniture,   soap    and 
carriages  and  wagons.     There  are  also  works  for 
canning  vegetables  and  fruit,  besides  two  creamer- 
ies.    The  town  is  lighted  by  electricity,  and  has 
high-pressure     water-works.       There     are     several 
churches,     graded     [jublic     schools,     two     weekly 


papers  and  a  young  ladies'  seminarj-.     Population 
(1900),  3,053:  "(1910).  3,926. 

TAFT,  Lorado,  sculptor,  was  bom  at  Elmwood, 
Peoria  County,  III,  April  29,  1860;  at  an  early 
age  evinced  a  predilection  for  sculpture  and 
began  modeling;  graduated  at  the  University  of 
Illinois  in  1880,  then  went  to  Paris  and  studied 
sculpture  in  the  famous  Ecole  des  Beaux  Arts 
until  1885.  The  following  year  he  settled  in  Chi 
cago,  finally  becoming  associated  with  the  Chi- 
cago Art  Institute.  He  has  been  a  lecturer  on 
art  in  the  Cliicago  University.  Mr.  Taft  fur- 
nished the  decorations  of  tlie  Horticultural  Build- 
ing on  the  "World's  Fair  Grounds,  in  1893. 

TALCOTT,  Mancel,  business  man,  was  born 
in  Rome,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  Vi,  1817;  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  until  17  years  of  age,  when  he  set 
out  for  tlie  West,  traveling  on  foot  from  Detroit 
to  Chicago,  and  thence  to  Park  Ridge,  where  he 
worked  at  farming  until  1850.  Then,  having 
followed  tlie  occupation  of  a  miner  for  some  time, 
iu  California,  with  some  success,  he  united  with 
■  Horace  JI.  Singer  in  establishing  the  firm  of 
Singer  &  Talcott,  stone-dealers,  which  lasted  dur- 
ing most  of  his  life.  He  served  as  a  member  of 
tlie  Chicago  City  Council,  on  the  Beard  of  County 
Commissioners,  as  a  member  of  the  Police  Board, 
and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  and  President,  for  several  years,  of  the 
Stock  Yards  National  Bank.  Liberal  and  public- 
spirited,  he  contributed  freely  to  works  of 
charity.     Died,  June  5,  1878. 

TALCOTT,  (Capt.)  William,  soldier  of  the 
War  of  1812  and  pioneer,  was  born  in  Gilead. 
Conn.,  March  6,  1774;  emigrated  to  Rome,  Oneida 
County,  N.  Y.,  in  1810,  and  engaged  in  farming; 
served  as  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Oneida  County 
militia  during  the  War  of  1812-14,  being  stationed 
at  Sackett's  Harbor  \inder  the  command  of  Gen. 
Winfield  Scott.  In  1835,  in  company  with  his 
eldest  son,  Thomas  B.  Talcott,  he  made  an  ex- 
tended tour  tlirough  the  West,  finally  .selecting  a 
location  in  Illinois  at  the  junction  of  Rock  River 
and  the  Pecatonica,  where  the  town  of  Rockton 
now  stands — there  being  only  two  white  families, 
at  tliat  time,  within  the  present  limits  of  Winne- 
bago County.  Two  years  later  (1837),  he  brought 
his  family  to  this  point,  with  his  sons  took  up  a 
considerable  body  of  Government  land  and 
erected  two  mills,  to  which  customers  came 
from  a  long  distance.  In  1838  Captain  Talcott 
took  part  in  the  organization  of  the  first  Congre- 
gational Church  in  that  section  of  the  State.  A 
zealous  anti-slavery  man,  he  supported  James  G. 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


517 


Bimey  (the  Liberty  candidate  for  President)  in 
1S44,  continuing  to  act  witli  tliat  party  until  the 
organization  of  tlie  Republican  party  in  1856; 
■was  deeply  interested  in  the  War  for  the  Union, 
but  died  before  its  conclusion,  Sept.  2,  18G4. — 
Maj.  Thomas  B.  (Talcott),  oldest  son  of  the  pre- 
ceding, was  born  at  Hebron,  Conn  ,  April  17, 
1806;  was  taken  to  Rome,  N.  Y.,  by  his  father  in 
infancy,  and,  after  reaching  maturity,  engaged 
in  mercantile  business  with  his  brother  in  Che- 
mung County;  in  1835  accompanied  his  father  in 
a  tour  through  the  West,  finall)-  locating  at 
Rockton,  where  he  engaged  in  agriculture.  On 
the  organization  of  Winnebago  County,  in  1836, 
he  was  elected  one  of  the  first  County  Commis- 
sioners, and,  in  1850,  to  the  State  Senate,  serving 
four  years.  He  also  held  various  local  offices. 
Died,  Sept.  30,  1894.— Hon.  Wait  (Talcott),  second 
son  of  Capt.  William  Talcott,  was  born  at  He- 
bron, Conn.,  Oct.  17,  1807,  and  taken  to  Rome, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  until  his  19th  year, 
when  he  engaged  in  busmess  at  Booneville  and, 
still  later,  in  Utioa;  in  1838,  removed  to  Illinoi.? 
and  joined  his  father  at  Rockton,  finally 
becoming  a  citizen  of  Rockford,  where,  in  his 
later  years,  he  was  extensively  engaged  in  manu- 
facturing, liaving  become,  in  1854,  with  his 
brother  Sylvester,  a  partner  of  the  firm  of  J.  H. 
Manny  &  Co.,  in  the  manufacture  of  the  JIanny 
reaper  and  mower.  He  was  an  original  anti- 
slavery  man  and,  at  one  time, a  Free-Soil  candidate 
for  Congress,  l)ut  became  a  zealous  Republiciin 
and  ardent  friend  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  whom  he 
employed  as  an  attorney  in  the  famous  suit  of 
McCormick  vs.  the  Manny  Reaper  Compan}'  for 
infringement  of  patent.  In  1854  he  was  elected 
to  the  State  Senate,  succeeding  his  brother, 
Thomas  B.,  and  was  the  first  Collector  of  Internal 
Revenue  in  the  Second  District,  appointed  by  Mr. 
Lincoln  in  1862.  and  continuing  in  office  some 
five  years.  Though  too  old  for  active  service  in 
the  field,  during  the  Civil  War,  he  voluntarily 
hired  a  substitute  to  take  his  place.  Mr.  Talcott 
was  one  of  the  original  incorporators  and  Trus- 
tees of  Beloit  College,  and  a  foiinder  of  Rockford 
Female  Seminary,  remaining  a  trustee  of  each 
for  many  years.  Died,  June  7,  1890.— Sylvester 
(Talcott),  third  son  of  William  Talcott,  born  at 
Rome,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  14.  1810;  when  of  age,  engaged 
in  mercantile  business  in  Chemung  County;  in 
1837  removed,  with  other  members  of  the  family, 
to  Winnebago  County,  III. ,  where  he  joined  his 
father  in  the  entry  of  Government  lands  and  the 
erection  of  mills,  as  already  detailed.  He  became 
one  of  the  first  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  Winne- 


bago County,  also  served  as  Supervisor  for  a 
number  of  years  and,  although  a  farmer,  became 
interested,  in  1854,  with  his  brother  Wait, 
in  the  Manny  Reaper  Company  at  Rockford. 
He  also  followed  the  example  of  his  brother, 
just  named,  in  furnishing  a  substitute  for  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion,  though  too  old  for  service 
liim-self  Died,  June  19,  1885 —Henry  Walter 
(Talcott),  fourth  son  of  William  Talcott,  was 
born  at  Rome,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  13,  1814;  came  with 
his  father  to  Winnebago  County,  111.,  in  1835,  and 
was  connected  with  his  father  and  brothers  in  busi- 
ness. Died,  Dec.  9,  1870.— Dwi^ht  Lewis  (Tal- 
cott), oldest  son  of  Henry  Walter  Talcott,  born 
in  Winnebago  County;  at  the  age  of  17  years 
enlisted  at  Belvidere,  in  January,  1864,  as  a  soldier 
in  the  Ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry;  served 
as  provost  guard  some  two  months  at  Fort  Picker- 
ing, near  Memphis,  and  later  took  part  in  many 
of  the  important  battles  of  that  year  in  Missis- 
sippi and  Tennessee.  Having  been  captured  at 
Campbellsville,  Tenn.,  he  was  taken  to  Anderson- 
ville,  Ga.,  where  he  sufi'ered  all  the  horrors  of 
that  famous  prison-pen,  until  March,  1865,  when 
he  was  released,  arriving  at  home  a  helpless 
skeleton,  the  day  after  Abraham  Lincoln's  assas- 
sination. Mr.  Talcott  subsequently  settled  in 
Muscatine  Count}-,  Iowa. 

TALLULA,  a  prosperous  village  of  Menard 
County,  on  the  Jacksonville  branch  of  the  Chi- 
cago &  Alton  Railway,  24  miles  northeast  of 
Jacksonville;  is  in  the  midst  of  a  grain,  coal- 
mining, and  stock-growing  region;  has  a  local 
bank  and  newspaper.  Pop.  (1900),  639;  (1910).  742. 

TAM.iRO.V,  a  village  in  Perry  County,  situated 
at  the  junction  of  the  Illinois  Central  with  the 
Wabash,  Chester  &  Western  Railroad.  8  miles 
north  of  Duquoin,  and  57  miles  east-southeast  of 
Belleville.  It  has  a  bank,  a  newspaper  office,  a 
large  public  school,  five  churches  and  two  flour- 
ing mills.  Coal  is  mined  here  and  exported  in 
large  quantities.     Pop.  (1900),  8.53;  (1910),  910. 

TAMAROA  &  MOUNT  VERNO:V  RAILROAD. 
(See  Wabash,  Clicsfcr  &  Western  Railroad.) 

TAXXER,  Edward  Allen,  clergyman  and  edu- 
cator, was  born  of  New  England  ancestry,  at 
Waverly,  111.,  Nov.  29,  1837— being  the  first  child 
who  could  claim  nativity  there;  was  educated 
in  the  local  schools  ahd  at  Illinois  College, 
graduating  from  the  latter  in  1857;  spent  four 
years  teaching  in  his  native  place  and  at  Jack- 
sonville; then  accepted  the  Professorship  of 
Latin  in  Pacific  University  at  Portland,  Oregon, 
remaining  four  years,  when  he  returned  to  his 
Alma  Mater  (1865),  assuming  there  the  chair  of 


518 


HISTOKICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


Latin  and  Rhetoric.  In  1881  he  was  appointed 
financial  agent  of  the  latter  institution,  and,  in 
1882,  its  President.  While  in  Oregon  he  had 
been  ordained  a  minister  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  and,  for  a  considerable  period  during 
his  connection  with  Illinois  College,  ofiSciated  as 
Chaplain  of  the  Central  Hospital  for  the  Insane 
at  Jacksonville,  besides  supplying  local  and 
other  pulpits.  He  labored  earnestly  for  the 
benefit  of  the  institution  under  his  charge,  and, 
dui'ing  his  incumbency,  added  materially  to  its 
endowment  and  resources.  Died,  at  Jackson- 
ville, Feb.  8,  1802. 

TAN?i'ER,  John  E.,  Governor,  was  born  in 
Warrick  Count}-,  Ind.,  April  4,  1844,  and  brought 
to  Southern  Illinois  in  boyhood,  where  he  grew 
up  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinitj'  of  Carbondale, 
enjoying  only  such  educational  advantages  as 
were  afforded  by  the  common  school;  in  1863,  at 
the  age  of  19,  enlisted  in  the  Ninety-eighth  Illi- 
nois Volimteers,  serving  until  June,  I860,  when 
he  was  transferred  to  the  Sixty-first,  and  finally 
mustered  out  in  September  following.  All  the 
male  members  of  Governor  Tanner's  family  were 
soldiers  of  the  late  war,  his  father  dying  in  a 
rebel  prison  at  Columbus,  Sliss.,  one  of  his  bro- 
thers suffering  the  same  fate  from  wounds  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  and  another  brother  dying  in  hospital 
at  Pine  Bluff,  Ark.  Only  one  of  this  patriotic 
family,  besides  Governor  Tanner,  still  survives — 
Mr.  J.  M.  Tanner  of  Clay  County,  who  left  the 
service  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  of  the  Thir- 
teenth Illinois  Cavalry.  Returning  from  the 
war,  Mr.  Tanner  established  himself  in  business 
as  a  farmer  in  Clay  County,  later  engaging  suc- 
cessfully in  the  milling  and  lumber  business  as 
the  partner  of  his  brother.  The  public  positions 
held  by  him,  since  the  war,  include  those  of 
Sheriff  of  Clay  County  ( 1870-73),  Clerk  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  (1872-76),  and  State  Senator  (1880-83). 
During  the  latter  j-ear  he  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  United  States  Marshal  for  the  Southern 
District  of  Illinois,  serving  until  after  the  acces- 
sion of  President  Cleveland  in  188.").  In  1886.  he 
was  the  Republican  nominee  for  State  Treasurer 
and  was  elected  by  an  unusually  large  majority ; 
in  1891  was  appointed,  by  Governor  Fifer,  a 
member  of  the  Railroad  and  Warehouse  Commis- 
sion, but,  in  1892,  received  the  appointment  of 
Assistant  United  States  Treasurer  at  Chicago, 
continuing  in  the  latter  oflSce  until  December, 
1893.  For  ten  3-ears  (1874-84)  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Republican  State  Central  Committee,  re- 
turning to  that  body  in  1894,  when  he  was  chosen 
Chairman  and    conducted  the  campaign  which 


resulted  in  the  unprecedented  Republican  suc- 
cesses of  that  year.  In  1896  he  received  the 
nomination  of  his  party  for  Governor,  and  was 
elected  over  Gov.  John  P.  Altgeld,  his  Demo- 
cratic opponent,  b}-  a  plurality  of  over  113,000. 
Died  after  expiration  of  his  term,  May  23,  1901. 

TAN>'ER,  Tazewell  B.,  jurist,  was  born  in 
Henry  County,  Va.,  and  came  to  Jefferson 
County,  111.,  about  1846  or  '47,  at  first  taking  a 
position  as  teacher  and  Superintendent  of  PubUc 
Schools.  Later,  he  was  connected  with  "The 
Jeffersonian,"  a  Democratic  paper  at  Mount  Ver- 
non, and,  in  1849,  went  to  the  gold  regions  of 
California,  meeting  with  reasonable  success  as  a 
miner.  Returning  in  a  year  or  two,  he  was 
elected  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  and,  while  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duties,  prosecuted  the  study 
of  law,  finally,  on  admission  to  the  bar,  entering 
into  partnership  with  the  late  Col.  Thomas  S. 
Casey.  In  1854  he  was  elected  Representative  in 
the  Nineteenth  General  Assembly,  and  was  in- 
strumental in  securing  the  appropriation  for  the 
erection  of  a  Supreme  Court  building  at  Mount 
Vernon.  In  1862  he  served  as  a  Delegate  to  the 
State  Constitutional  Convention  of  that  year;  was 
elected  Circuit  Judge  in  1873,  and,  in  1877,  was 
assigned  to  duty  on  the  Appellate  bench,  but,  at 
the  expiration  of  his  term,  declined  a  re-election 
and  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Mount  Vernon.     Died,  March  25,  1880. 

T.iXATIOX,  in  its  legal  sense,  the  mode  of 
raising  revenue.  In  its  general  sense  its  purposes 
are  the  support  of  the  State  and  local  govern- 
ments, the  promotion  of  the  pubUc  good  by 
fostering  education  and  works  of  public  improve- 
ment, the  protection  of  society  by  the  preser- 
vation of  order  and  the  punishment  of  crime,  and 
the  support  of  the  helpless  and  destitute.  In 
practice,  and  as  prescribed  bj-  the  Constitution, 
the  raising  of  revenue  is  required  to  be  done  "by 
levying  a  tax  by  valuation,  so  that  every  person 
and  corporation  shall  pay  a  tax  in  proportion  to 
the  value  of  his,  her  or  its  proi)erty — such  value 
to  be  ascertained  by  some  person  or  persons,  to  be 
elected  or  appointed  in  such  manner  as  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  shall  direct,  and  not  otherwise." 
(State  Constitution,  1870 — Art.  Revenue,  Sec.  1.) 
The  person  selected  under  the  law  to  make  this 
valuation  is  the  Assessor  of  the  county  or  the 
township  (in  counties  under  township  organiza- 
tion), and  he  is  required  to  make  a  return  to  the 
Count}-  Board  at  its  July  meeting  each  year — the 
latter  having  authority  to  hear  complaints  of  tax- 
payers and  adjust  inequalities  when  found  to 
exist.     It  is  made  the  duty  of  the  Assessor  to 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


519 


include  in  liis  return,  as  real-estate,  all  lands  and 
the  buildings  or  other  improvements  erected 
thereon;  and,  under  the  head  of  personal  prop- 
erty, all  tangible  effects,  besides  moneys,  credits, 
bonds  or  stocks,  shares  of  stock  of  companies  or 
corporations,  investments,  annuities,  franchises, 
royalties,  etc.  Property  used  for  school,  church 
or  cemetery  purposes,  as  well  as  public  buildings 
and  other  property  belonging  to  the  State  and 
General  Government,  municipalities,  public 
charities,  public  libraries,  agricultural  and  scien- 
tific societies,  are  declared  exempt.  Nominally, 
all  property  subject  to  taxation  is  required  to  be 
assessed  at  its  cash  valuation ;  but,  in  reality,  the 
valuation,  of  late  years,  has  been  on  a  basis  of 
twenty-five  to  thirty-three  per  cent  of  its  esti- 
mated cash  value.  In  the  larger  cities,  liowever, 
the  valuation  is  often  much  lower  tlian  this, 
while  very  large  amounts  escape  assessment 
altogether.  The  Revenue  Act,  passed  at  the 
special  session  of  the  Fortieth  General  Assembly 
(1898),  requires  the  Assessor  to  make  a  return  of 
all  property  subject  to  taxation  in  his  district,  at 
its  cash  valuation,  upon  which  a  Board  of  Review 
fixes  a  tax  on  the  basis  of  twenty  per  cent  of 
such  cash  valuation.  An  abstract  of  the  property 
assessment  of  each  county  goes  before  the  State 
Board  of  Equalization,  at  its  annual  meeting  in 
August,  for  the  purpose  of  comparison  and  equal- 
izing valuations  between  counties,  but  the  Board 
has  no  power  to  modify  the  assessments  of  indi- 
vidual tax-payers.  (See  State  Board  of  Equali- 
zation.) This  Board  lias  exclusive  power  to  fix 
the  valuation  for  purposes  of  taxation  of  the 
capital  stock  or  franchises  of  companies  (except 
certain  specified  manufactm-ing  corporations),  in- 
corporated under  tlie  State  laws,  together  with  the 
"railroad  track"  and  "rolling  stock"  of  railroads, 
and  the  capital  stock  of  railroads  and  telegraph 
lines,  and  to  fix  the  distribution  of  the  latter 
between  counties  in  which  they  lie. — The  Consti- 
tution of  1848  empowered  the  Legislature  to 
impose  a  capitation  tax,  of  not  less  than  fifty 
cents  nor  more  than  one  dollar,  upon  each  free 
white  male  citizen  entitled  to  the  right  of  suf- 
frage, between  tlie  ages  of  21  and  60  years,  but  tlie 
Constitution  of  18T0  grants  no  such  power, 
though  it  authorizes  the  extension  of  the  "objects 
and  subjects  of  taxation"  in  accordance  with  the 
principle  contained  in  the  first  section  of  the 
Revenue  Article. — Special  assessments  in  cities, 
for  the  constniction  of  sewers,  pavements,  etc., 
being  local  and  in  the  form  of  benefits,  cannot 
be  said  to  come  under  tlie  head  of  general  tax- 
ation.    The  same  is  to  be  said  of  revenue  derived 


from  fines  and  penalties,  whicli  are  forms  of 
punishment  for  siiecitic  offenses,  and  go  to  the 
benefit  of  certain  specified  funds. 

TAYLOR,  Abner,  ex-Congres.sman,  was  a  native 
of  Maine,  and  a  resident  of  C'liicago.  He  had  lieen 
■  in  active  business  all  his  life  as  contractor,  builder 
and  merchant,  and,  for  some  time,  a  member  of 
the  wliolesale  dry-goods  firm  of  J.  V.  Farwell  & 
Co. ,  of  Chicago.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Thirty- 
fourth  General  Aosemblj',  a  delegate  to  the 
National  Republican  Convention  of  1884,  and 
represented  tlie  First  Illinois  District  in  the  Fifty- 
first  and  Fifty-second  Congre.sses,  1889  to  1893. 
He  was  one  of  the  contractors  for  the  erection  of 
the  new  State  Capitol  of  Texas.  Died  April  13,  1903. 
TAYLOR,  BeDJamin  Ffiinklin,  journalist,  poet 
and  lecturer,  was  born  at  Lowville,  N.  Y  ,  July 
19,  1819;  graduated  at  Madison  University  in 
1839,  the  next  year  becoming  literary  and  dra- 
matic critic  of  "The  Chicago  Evening  Journal" 
Here,  in  a  few  years,  he  acquired  a  wide  reputa- 
tion as  a  journalist  and  poet,  and  was  much  in 
demand  as  a  lecturer  on  literary  topics.  His 
letters  from  the  field  during  the  Rebellion,  as 
war  correspondent  of  "The  Evening  Journal," 
won  for  him  even  a  greater  popularity,  and  were 
complimented  by  translation  into  more  than  one 
European  language.  After  the  war,  he  gave  his 
attention  more  unreservedlj-  to  literature,  his 
principal  works  appearing  after  that  date.  His 
publications  in  book  form,  including  both  prose 
and  poetry,  comprise  the  following-  "Attractions 
of  Language"  (1845);  "January  and  June" 
(18.53);  "Pictures  in  Camp  and  Field"  (1871); 
"The  World  on  Wheels"  (1873);  "Old  Time  Pic- 
tures and  Sheaves  of  Rhyme"  (1874);  "Songs  of 
Yesterday"  (1877);  "Summer  Savory  Gleaned 
from  Rural  Nooks"  (1879) ;  "Between  the  Gates" 
-—pictures  of  California  life — (1881);  "Dulce 
Domum,  the  Burden  of  Song"  (1884),  and  "Theo- 
philus  Trent,  or  Old  Times  in  the  Oak  Openings." 
a  novel  (1887).  The  last  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
publishers  at  his  deatli,  Feb.  27.  1887.  Among 
his  most  popular  poems  are  "The  Isle  of  the  Long 
Ago,"  "The  Old  Village  Choir,"  and  "Rhymes  of 
the  River."  "The  London  Times"  complimented 
Mr.  Taylor  witli  the  title  of  "The  Oliver  Gold- 
smith of  America." 

T.AY'LOR,  Edmund  Dick,  early  Indian-trader 
and  legislator,  was  born  at  Fairfield  C.  H. ,  Va.. 
Oct.  18,  1803 — the  son  of  a  commissary  in  the 
arm}-  of  the  Revolution,  under  General  Greene, 
and  a  cousin  of  General  (later.  President)  Zachary 
Taylor;  left  his  native  State  in  his  youth  and.  at 
an  early  day,  came  to  Springfield,  III,  where  he 


520 


HISTOEICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


opened  an  Indian-trading  post  and  general  store ; 
was  elected  from  Sangamon  County  to  the  lower 
branch  of  the  Seventh  General  Assembly  (1830) 
and  re-elected  in  1832 — the  latter  year  being  a 
competitor  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  whom  he 
defeated.  In  1834  he  was  elected  to  the  State 
Senate  and,  at  the  next  session  of  the  Legislature, 
was  one  of  the  celebrated  "Long  Nine"  who 
secured  the  removal  of  the  State  Capital  to 
Springfield.  He  resigned  before  the  close  of  his 
term  to  accept,  from  President  Jackson,  the  ap- 
pointment of  Receiver  of  Public  Moneys  at  Chi- 
cago. Here  he  became  one  of  the  promoters  of 
the  Galena  &  Cliicago  Union  Railroad  (1837), 
serving  as  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  secure 
subscriptions  of  stock,  and  was  also  active  in 
advocating  the  construction  of  the  Illinois  & 
Michigan  Canal.  The  title  of  "Colonel,"  by 
which  he  was  known  dui'ing  most  of  his  life,  was 
acquired  by  service,  with  that  rank,  on  the  staff 
of  Gov.  John  Reynolds,  during  the  Black  Hawk 
War  of  1832.  After  coming  to  Chicago,  Colonel 
Taylor  became  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Chicago 
branch  of  the  State  Bank,  and  was  later  identified 
with  various  banking  enterprises,  as  also  a  some- 
what extensive  operator  in  real  estate.  An  active 
Democrat  in  the  early  part  of  his  career  in  Illi- 
nois, Colonel  Taylor  was  one  of  the  members  of 
his  party  to  take  ground  against  the  Kansas-Neb 
raska  bill  in  18.^4,  and  advocated  the  election  of 
General  Bissell  to  the  governorship  in  18.56.  In 
1800  he  was  again  in  line  with  his  party  in  sup- 
port of  Senator  Douglas  for  the  Presidency,  and 
was  an  opponent  of  the  war  policy  of  the  Govern- 
ment still  later,  as  shown  by  his  participation  in 
the  celebrated  "Peace  Contention"  at  Spring- 
field, of  June  17,  1863.  In  the  latter  years  of  his 
life  he  became  extensively  interested  in  coal 
lands  in  La  Salle  and  adjoining  counties,  and, 
for  a  considerable  time,  served  as  President  of  the 
Northern  Illinois  Coal  &  ^lining  Company,  his 
home,  during  a  part  of  this  period,  being  at 
Mendc.ta.     Died,  in  Cliicago,  Dec.  4,  1891. 

TAYLORVILLE,  a  city  and  county-seat  of 
Christian  County,  on  the  South  Fork  of  the  San- 
gamon River  and  on  the  Wabash  Railway  at  its 
point  of  intersection  with  the  Springfield  Division 
of  the  B.  &  O.  Southwestern;  also  C.  I.  &  M.  It 
is  about  27  miles  southeast  of  Springfield,  and 
28  miles  southwest  of  Decatur.  It  has  five 
banks,  flour  mills,  paper  mill,  electric  light  and 
gas  plants,  water-works,  two  coal  mines,  carriage 
and  wagon  shops,  a  brick  manufactory,  two  daily 
and  weekly  papers,  nine  churches  and  five  graded 
schools    and    a    township    high    school.     Much 


coal    is   mined   in    this   vicinity.     Pop.    (19C0), 
4,248;  (1910),  5,446. 

TAZEWELL  COUXTY,  a  central  county  on 
the  Illinoi.s  River;  was  fii-st  settled  in  1823  and 
organized  in  1827 ;  has  an  area  of  0.50  square  miles 
— was  named  for  Governor  Tazewell  of  Virginia. 
It  is  drained  by  the  Illinois  and  Mackinaw  Rivers 
and  traversed  by  several  lines  of  railway.  The 
surface  is  generally  level,  the  soil  alluvial  and 
rich,  but,  requiring  drainage,  especially  on  the 
river  bottoms.  Gravel,  coal  and  sandstone  are 
found,  but.  generally  speaking,  Tazewell  is  an 
agricultural  county.  The  cereals  are  extensively 
cultivated ;  wool  is  also  clipped,  and  there  are 
dairy  interests  of  some  importance.  Distilling  is 
extensively  conducted  at  Pekin,  the  county -seat, 
which  is  also  the  seat  of  other  mechanical  indus- 
tries. (See  also  Pekin.)  Population  of  the 
county  (1.S90),  20,. >5fi:  (1900),  33,221;  (1910).  34.027 

TEMPLE,  Jolin  Taylor,  M.D.,  early  Chicago 
physician,  born  in  Virginia  in  1804,  graduated  in 
medicine  at  Middlebury  College,  Vt.,  in  1830,  and, 
in  1833,  arrived  in  Chicago.  At  this  time  he  had 
a  contract  for  carrying  the  United  States  mail 
from  Chicago  to  Fort  Howard,  near  Green  Bay, 
and  the  following  jear  undertook  a  similar  con- 
tract between  Chicago  and  Ottawa.  Having  sold 
these  out  three  years  later,  he  devoted  his  atten- 
tion to  the  practice  of  his  profession,  though 
interested,  for  a  time,  in  contracts  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal.  Dr. 
Temple  was  instrumental  in  erecting  the  first 
house  (after  Rev.  Jesse  Walker's  missionary 
station  at  Wolf  Point),  for  public  religious 
worship  in  Chicago,  and,  although  himself  a 
Baptist,  it  was  used  in  common  by  Protestant 
denominations.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first 
Board  of  Trustees  of  Rush  Medical  College, 
though  he  later  became  a  convert  to  homeopathy, 
and  finally,  removing  to  St.  Louis,  assisted  in 
founding  the  St.  Louis  School  of  Homeopathy, 
dying  there,  Feb.  24,  1877. 
'tEM'RE  of  OFFICE.     (See  Elections.) 

TERRE  HAITE,  ALTOX  &  ST.  LOUIS 
RAILROAD.  (See  St.  Louis,  Alton  <&  Tei-re 
Haute  Railroad.) 

TERRE  HAUTE  &  ALTON  RAILROAD  (See 
St.  Louis,  Alton  &  Terre  Haute  Ixailroad.) 

TERRE  HAUTE  &  INDIANAPOLIS  RAIL- 
RO.\D,  a  corporation  operating  no  line  of  its  own 
within  the  State,  but  the  lessee  and  operator  of 
the  following  lines  (which  see):  St.  Louis, 
Vandalia  &  Terre  Haute,  158.3  miles;  Terre 
Haute  &  Peoria,  145.12  miles;  East  St.  Louis 
&  Carondelet,  12.74  miles — total  length  of  leased 


IIISTOKICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


521 


lines  in  Illinois,  316.10  miles.  The  Terre  Haute 
&  Indianapolis  Railroad  was  iucorjiorated  in 
Indiana  in  1847,  as  the  Terre  Haute  &  Rich- 
mond, completed  a  line  between  the  points 
named  in  the  title,  in  1832,  and  took  its  present 
name  in  1866.  The  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany purchased  a  controlling  interest  in  its  stock 
in  1893. 

TERRE  HAUTE  &  PEORIA  RAILROAD, 
(Vandalia  Line),  a  line  of  road  extending  from 
Terre  Haute,  Ind..  to  Peoria,  111.,  145.12  miles, 
with  28.78  miles  of  trackage,  making  in  all  173.9 
miles  in  operation,  all  being  in  Illinois — operated 
by  the  Terre  Haute  &  Indianapolis  Railroad  Com- 
pany. The  gauge  is  standard,  and  the  rails  are 
steel.  (History.)  It  was  organized  Feb.  7,  1887, 
successor  to  the  Illinois  5Iidland  Railroad.  The 
latter  was  made  up  by  the  consolidation  (Nov.  4, 
1874)  of  three  lines;  (1)  The  Peoria,  Atlanta  & 
Decatur  Railroad,  chartered  in  1869  and  opened  in 
1874;  (2)  the  Paris  &  Decatur  Railroad,  chartered 
in  1801  and  opened  in  December,  1872;  and  (3)  the 
Paris  &  Terre  Haute  Railroad,  chartered  in  1873 
and  opened  in  1874  —  the  consolidated  lines 
assuming  the  name  of  the  Illinois  Midland  Rail- 
road. In  1886  the  Illinois  Midland  was  sold  under 
foreclosure  and,  in  February,  1887,  reorganized 
as  the  Terre  Haute  &  Peoria  Railroad.  In  1892 
it  was  leased  for  ninety-nine  years  to  the  Terre 
Haute  &  Indianapolis  Railroad  Company,  and  is 
operated  a&  a  part  of  the  "Vandalia  System.'' 
The  capital  stock  (1898)  was  §3,764,200;  funded 
debt,  §2,280,000,total  capital  invested,  86,227,481. 
■  TEUTOPOLIS,  a  village  of  Effingham  County, 
on  the  Vandalia  Railroad  line,  four  miles  east  of 
Effingham,  is  a  strictly  agricultural  region  and 
was  originally  settled  by  a  colony  of  Germans 
from  Cincinnati.  Population  (1900),  498;  (1910), 
592. 

THOMAS,  Horace  H.,  lawyer  and  legislator, 
was  born  in  Vermont,  Dec.  18,  1831,  graduated  at 
Middlebury  College,  and,  after  admission  to  the 
bar,  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he  commenced 
practice.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion  he 
enlisted  and  was  commissioned  Assistant  Adju- 
tant-General of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Ten- 
nessee, serving  as  Quartermaster  upon  the  staff 
of  Governor  Brownlow.  In  1867  he  returned  to 
Chicago  and  resumed  practice.  He  was  elected 
a  Representative  in  the  Legislature  in  1878  and 
re-elected  in  1880,  being  chosen  Speaker  of  the 
House  during  his  latter  term.  In  1888  he  was 
elected  State  Senator  from  the  Sixth  District, 
serving  during  the  sessions  of  the  Thirty-sixth 


and  Thirty-seventh  General  As.semblies.  In 
1897,  General  Thomas  was  appointed  United 
States  Ajipraiser  in  connection  with  the  Custom 
House  in  Chicago.      Died  March  17,  1004. 

THOMAS,  Jesse  Burgess,  jurist  and  United 
States  Senator,  was  born  at  Hagerstown,  Md., 
claiming  direct  descent  from  Lord  Baltimore. 
Taken  west  in  childhood,  he  grew  to  manhood 
and  settled  at  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana  Territory, 
in  1803;  in  1805  was  Speaker  of  the  Territorial 
Legislature  and,  later,  represented  the  Territory 
as  Delegate  in  Congress.  On  the  organization  of 
Illinois  Territory  (which  he  had  favored),  he 
removed  to  Kaskaskia,  was  appointed  one  of  the 
first  Judges  for  the  new  Territory,  and,  in  1818, 
as  Delegate  from  St.  Clair  County,  presided  over 
the  first  State  Constitutional  Convention,  and,  on 
the  admission  of  the  State,  became  one  of  the 
first  United  States  Senators — Governor  Edwards 
being  his  colleague.  Though  an  avowed  advo- 
cate of  slavery,  he  gained  no  little  prominence 
as  the  author  of  the  celebrated  "Missouri  Com- 
promise," adopted  in  1820.  He  was  re-elected  to 
the  Senate  in  1823,  serving  until  1829.  He  sub- 
sequently removed  to  Mount  Vernon,  Ohio,  where 
he  died  by  suicide.  May  4,  1853. — Jesse  Burgess 
(Thomas),  Jr.,  nephew  of  the  United  States  Sena- 
tor of  the  same  name,  was  born  at  Lebanon,  Ohio, 
July  31,  1806,  was  educated  at  Transylvania 
University,  and,  being  admitted  to  the  bar, 
located  at  Edwardsville,  111.  He  first  appeared 
in  connection  witli  public  affairs  as  Secretary  of 
the  State  Senate  in  1830,  being  re-elected  in  1832; 
in  1834  was  elected  Representative  in  the  General 
Assembly  from  Madison  County,  but,  in  Febru- 
ary following,  was  appointed  Attorney-General, 
serving  only  one  year.  He  afterwards  held  the 
position  of  Circuit  Judge  (1837-39),  his  home  being 
then  in  Sj^ringfield;  in  1843  he  became  Associ- 
ate Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  by  appointment 
of  the  Governor,  as  successor  to  Stephen  A.  Doug- 
las, and  was  afterwards  elected  to  the  same 
office  by  the  Legislature,  remaining  until  1848. 
During  a  part  of  his  professional  career  he  was 
the  partner  of  David  Prickett  and  William  L. 
May,  at  Springfield,  and  afterwards  a  member  of 
the  Galena  bar,  finally  removing  to  Chicago, 
where  he  died,  Feb.  21,  1850.— Jesse  B.  (Thomas) 
third,  clergyman  and  son  of  the  last  named ;  born 
at  Edwardsville,  111.,  July  29,  1832;  educated  at 
Kenyon  College,  Ohio,  and  Rochester  (N.  Y.) 
Theological  Seminary ;  practiced  law  for  a  time 
in  Chicago,  but  finally  entered  the  Baptist  minis- 
try, serving  churches  at  AVaukegan.  Ill,  Brook- 
lyn, N.   Y.,  and    San    Francisco    (1862-69).     He 


522 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


then  became  pastor  of  the  Michigan  Avenue  Bap- 
tist Church,  in  Chicago,  remaining  imtil  1874, 
when  he  returned  to  Brooklyn.  In  1887  he 
became  Professor  of  Biblical  History  in  the 
Theological  Seminary  at  Newton,  Mass.,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  is  the  author  of  several 
volumes,  and.  in  1806,  received  the  degree  of  D.D. 
from  the  old  Universitj'  of  Chicago. 

THOMAS,  John,  pioneer  and  soldier  of  the 
Black  Hawk  War,  was  born  in  Wythe  County, 
Va.,  Jan.  11,  1800.  At  the  age  of  18  he  accom- 
panied his  parents  to  St.  Clair  County,  111.,  where 
the  family  located  in  what  was  then  called  the 
Alexander  settlement,  near  the  present  site  of 
Shiloh.  ^Mien  he  was  22  he  rented  a  farm 
(although  he  had  not  enough  money  to  buy  a 
horse)  and  married.  Six  years  later  he  bought 
and  stocked  a  farm,  and,  from  that  time  forward, 
rapidly  accumulated  real  property,  until  he 
became  one  of  the  most  extensive  owners  of  farm- 
ing land  in  St.  Clair  County.  In  earlj'  life  he 
was  fond  of  military  exercise,  holding  various 
offices  in  local  organizations  and  serving  as  a 
Colonel  in  the  Black  Hawk  War.  In  1824  he  was 
one  of  the  leaders  of  the  party  opposed  to  the 
amendment  of  the  State  Constitution  to  sanction 
slaver}-,  was  a  zealous  opponent  of  the  Kansas- 
Nebraska  bill  in  1854,  and  a  firm  supporter  of  the 
Republican  party  from  the  date  of  its  formation. 
He  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  General 
Assembly  in  1838,  "62.  "04,  "72  and  "74;  and  to  the 
State  Senate  in  1878,  serving  four  years  in  the 
latter  body.  Died,  at  Belleville,  Dec.  16,  1894,  in 
the  9.")th  j-ear  of  his  age. 

THOMAS,  John  R.,  ex-Congressman,  was  born 
at  Motmt  Vernon,  111.,  Oct.  11,  1840.  He  served 
in  the  Union  Army  during  the  War  of  the  Rebel- 
lion, rising  from  the  ranks  to  a  captaincy.  After 
his  retiu-n  home  he  studied  law,  and  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  in  1809.  From  1873  to  1876  he  was 
State's  Attornej',  and,  from  1879  to  1889,  repre- 
sented his  District  in  Congress.  In  1897,  Mr. 
Thomas  was  appointed  by  President  McKinley 
an  additional  United  States  District  Judge  for 
Indian  Territory.  His  home  is  now  at  Vanita, 
in  that  Territory. 

THOMAS,  William,  pioneer  lawyer  and  legis- 
lator, was  born  in  what  is  now  Allen  County, 
Ky.,  Nov.  22,  1802;  received  a  rudimentary  edu- 
cation, and  served  as  deputy  of  his  father  (who 
was  Sheriff),  and  afterwards  of  the  County  Clerk; 
studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  liar  in  1823; 
in  1826  removed  to  Jacksonville,  111.,  where  he 
taught  school,  served  as  a  private  in  the  Winne- 
bago War   (1827),  and  at  the  session  of  1828-29, 


reported  tlie  proceedings  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly for  "The  Vandalia  Intelligencer";  was  State's 
Attorney  and  School  Commissioner  of  Morgan 
County ;  served  as  Quartermaster  and  Commis- 
sary in  the  Black  Hawk  War  (1831-32),  first  under 
Gen.  Josejjh  Duncan  and,  a  j-ear  later,  under 
General  Whiteside ;  in  1839  was  appointed  Circuit 
Judge,  but  legislated  out  of  office  two  j-ears  later. 
It  was  as  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  however, 
that  he  gained  the  greatest  prominence,  first  as 
State  Senator  in  1834-40,  and  Representative  in 
1846-48  and  1850-52,  when  he  was  especially  influ- 
ential in  the  legislation  which  resulted  in  estab- 
lishing the  institutions  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb 
and  the  Blind,  and  the  Hospital  for  the  Insane 
(the  first  in  the  State)  at  Jacksonville — serving, 
for  a  time,  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  the  latter.  He  was  also  prominent  in  connec- 
tion with  many  enterprises  of  a  local  character, 
including  the  establishment  of  the  Illinois  Female 
College,  to  which,  although  without  children  of 
his  own,  he  was  a  liberal  contributor.  During 
the  first  year  of  the  war  he  was  a  memi>er  of  the 
Board  of  Army  Auditors  by  appointment  of  Gov- 
ernor Yates.  Died,  at  Jacksonville,  August  22, 
1889. 

THORNTON,  Anthony,  jurist,  was  born  in 
Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  Nov.  9,  1814 — being 
descended  from  a  Virginia  family.  After  the 
usual  primary  instruction  in  the  common  schools, 
he  spent  two  years  in  a  high  scbool  at  Gallatin, 
Tenn.,  when  he  entered  Centre  College  at  Dan- 
ville, Ky.,  afterwards  continuing  his  studies  at 
Miami  University,  Ohio,  where  he  graduated  in 
1834.  Having  studied  law  with  an  uncle  at 
Paris,  K}'.,  he  was  licensed  to  practice  in  1836, 
when  he  left  his  native  State  with  a  view  to  set- 
tling in  Jlissouri,  but,  visiting  his  uncle,  Gen. 
William  F.  Thornton,  at  Shelby ville.  111.,  was 
induced  to  establish  himself  in  practice  there. 
He  served  as  a  member  of  tlie  State  Constitutional 
Conventions  of  1847  and  1862.  and  as  Represent- 
ative in  the  Seventeenth  General  Assembly 
(1850-52)  for  Shelby  County.  In  1864  he  was 
elected  to  the  Thirty-ninth  Congress,  and,  in 
1870,  to  the  Illinois  Supreme  Court,  but  served 
only  until  1873,  when  he  resigned.  In  1879 
Judge  Thornton  removed  to  Decatur,  111.,  but 
subsequently  returned  to  Shelbyville,  where 
he  cicd  Sept.  10,  1904. 

THORNTON,  William  Fitzhugh,  Commissioner 
of  the  Illinois  &  ilichigan  Canal,  was  born  in 
Hanover  County,  Va. ,  Oct.  4,  1789;  in  1806,  went 
to  Alexandria,  Va.,  where  he  conducted  a  drug 
business    for    a    time,   also    acting   as  associate 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


523 


editor  of  "The  Alexandria  Gazette."  Subse- 
quently removing  to  Wasliington  City,  lie  con- 
ducted a  paper  there  in  the  interest  of  John 
Quincy  Adams  for  the  Presidency.  During  the 
War  of  1812-14  he  served  as  a  Captain  of  cavalry, 
and,  for  a  time,  as  staff -oflScer  of  General  Winder. 
On  occasion  of  the  visit  of  Marquis  La  Fayette  to 
America  (1824-25)  he  accompanied  the  distin- 
guished Frenchman  from  Baltimore  to  Rich- 
mond. In  1829  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  and, 
in  1833,  to  Shelby ville.  111.,  where  he  soon  after 
engaged  in  mercantile  business,  to  which  he 
added  a  banking  and  brokerage  business  in  1859, 
with  which  he  was  actively  associated  until  his 
death.  In  1836,  he  was  appointed,  by  Governor 
Duncan,  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Illinois 
&  Michigan  Canal,  serving  as  President  of  the 
Board  until  1842.  In  1840,  he  made  a  visit  to 
London,  as  financial  agent  of  tlie  State,  in  the 
interest  of  the  Canal,  and  succeeded  in  making  a 
sale  of  bonds  to  the  amount  of  .51,000,000  on  what 
were  then  considered  favorable  terms.  General 
Thornton  was  an  ardent  Whig  until  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Republican  part}-,  when  he  became 
a  Democrat.  Died,  at  Shelbyville,  Oct.  21, 
1873. 

TILLSOX,  John,  pioneer,  was  born  at  Halifax, 
Mass.,  March  13,  1790;  came  to  Illinois  in  1819, 
locating  at  Ilillsboro,  Montgomery  County,  where 
he  became  a  prominent  and  enterprising  operator 
in  real  estate,  doing  a  large  business  for  eastern 
parties ;  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Hillsboro 
Academy  and  an  influential  and  liberal  friend  of 
Illinois  College,  being  a  Trustee  of  the  latter 
from  its  establishment  until  his  death;  was  sup- 
ported in  the  Legislature  of  1827  for  State  Treas- 
urer, but  defeated  by  James  Hall.  Died,  at 
Peoria,  May  11,  18.53.— Christiana  Holmes  (Till- 
son),  wife  of  the  preceding,  was  born  at  Kingston, 
Mass.,  Oct.  10,  1798;  married  to  John  Tillson  in 
1823,  and  immediately  came  to  Illinois  to  reside; 
was  a  woman  of  rare  culture  and  refinement,  and 
deeply  interested  in  benevolent  enterprises. 
Died,  in  New  York  City,  May  29,  1872.— Charles 
Holmes  (Tillson),  son  of  John  and  Christiana 
Holmes  Tillson,  was  born  at  Hillsboro,  111. .  Sejit. 
15,  1823;  educated  at  Hillsboro  Academy  and 
Illinois  College,  graduating  from  the  latter  in 
1844;  studied  law  in  St.  Louis  and  at  Transyl- 
vania University,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  St. 
Louis  and  practiced  there  some  years — also  served 
several  terms  in  the  City  Council,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  National  Guard  of  Missouri  in  the 
War  of  tlie  Rebellion.  Died,  Nov.  25,  18G5.— 
John    (Tillson),   Jr.,   another   son,   was    born  at 


Hillsboro,  111.,  Oct.  12,  1825;  educated  at  Hills- 
boro Academy  and  Illinois  College,  but  did  not 
graduate  from  the  latter;  graduated  from  Tran- 
sylvania Law  School,  Kj'.,  in  1847,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  at  Quincy,  111.,  the  same 
year;  practiced  two  years  at  Galena,  when  he 
returned  to  Quincy.  In  18G1  he  enlisted  in  the 
Tenth  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  became  its 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  on  the  jjromotion  of  Col.  J.  D. 
Morgan  to  Brigadier-General,  was  advanced  to 
the  colonelcy,  and,  in  Jul}-,  1865,  was  mustered 
out  with  the  rank  of  brevet  Brigadier-General ; 
for  two  years  later  held  a  commission  as  Captain 
in  the  regular  army.  During  a  portion  of  1869-70 
he  was  editor  of  "Tlie  Quincy  Whig";  in  1873 
was  elected  Representative  in  the  Twenty -eighth 
General  Assembly  to  succeed  Nehemiah  Busliuell, 
who  had  died  in  office,  and,  during  the  same  year, 
was  appointed  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  for 
the  Quincy  District,  serving  until  1881.  Died, 
August  6,  1892. 

TILLSON,  Robert,  pioneer,  was  born  in  Hali- 
fax County,  Mass.,  August  12,  1800;  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1822,  and  was  emjjloyed,  for  several  years, 
as  a  clerk  in  the  land  agency  of  his  brother,  John 
Tillson,  at  Hillsboro.  In  1826  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  with  Charles  Holmes,  Jr.,  In 
St.  Louis,  but,  in  1828,  removed  to  Quincy,  111,, 
where  he  ojiened  tlie  first  general  store  in  that 
city;  also  served  as  Postmaster  for  some  ten 
years  During  this  period  he  built  the  first  two- 
story  frame  building  erected  in  Quincy,  up  to 
that  date.  Retiring  from  the  mercantile  business 
in  1840  he  engaged  in  real  estate,  ultimately 
becoming  the  proprietor  of  considerable  property 
of  this  character;  was  also  a  contractor  for  fur- 
nishing cavalry  accouterments  to  the  Government 
during  the  war.  Soon  after  the  war  he  erected 
one  of  the  handsomest  business  blocks  existing 
in  the  city  at  that  time.  Died,  in  Quincy,  Dec. 
27.  1802. 

TIN'CHER,  John  L.,  banker,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky in  1821 ;  brouglit  b}'  his  parents  to  Vermil- 
ion County,  Ind.,  in  1829,  and  left  an  orphan  at 
17;  attended  school  in  Coles  Count}-,  111  ,  and 
was  employed  as  clerk  in  a  store  at  Danville, 
1843-53.  He  then  became  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  Tinchcr  &  English,  merchants,  later  establisli- 
ing  r.  b::;iik,  which  became  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Danville.  In  1864  Mr  Tincher  was 
elected  Representative  in  the  Twenty-fourth 
General  Assembly  and,  two  years  later,  to  the 
Senate,  being  re-elected  in  1870.  He  was  also  a 
member  of  the  State  Constitutional  Convention 
of  1869-70.     Died,  in  Springfield,  Dec.   17,   1871, 


524 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


■nhile  in  attendance  on  the  adjourned  session  of 
tliat  year. 

TIl'TOX,  Thomas  F.,  lawyer  and  jurist,  was 
born  in  Franklin  County,  Oliio,  August  29,  1833 ; 
and  was  a  resident  of  McLean  Count}',  111.,  from 
the  age  of  10  years,  his  last  home  being  in 
Bloomington.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
IS.")?,  and,  from  January,  1S07,  to  December,  1868, 
was  State's  Attorney  for  the  Eighth  Judicial 
Circuit.  In  1870  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the 
same  circuit,  and  under  the  new  Constitution, 
was  chosen  Judge  of  the  new  Fourteenth  Circuit. 
From  18T7  to  1879  he  represented  the  (then) 
Thirteenth  Illinois  District  in  Congress,  but,  in 
1878,  was  defeated  by  Adlai  E.  Stevenson,  the 
Democratic  nominee.  In  1891  he  was  re-elected 
to  a  seat  on  the  Circuit  bench  for  the  Bloomington 
Circuit,  but  resumed  practice  at  the  expiration 
of  his  term  in  1&97.    Died  I'ub.  7,  1904. 

TISKILW.V,  a  village  of  Bureau  County,  on  the 
Chicago,  Rock  Island  it  Pacific  Railway,  7  miles 
southwest  of  Princeton;  has  creameries  and 
cheese  factories,  churches,  school,  library,  water- 
works, hank  and  a  newspaper.    Pop.  (1910),  857. 

TODD,  (Col.)  John,  soldier,  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery County,  Pa.,  in  1750;  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Point  Pleasant,  Va.,  in  1774,  as  Adju- 
tant-General of  General  Lewis;  settled  as  a 
lawj-er  at  Fincastle,  Va.,  and,  in  177.5,  removed 
to  Fayette  County,  Ky.,  the  next  year  locating 
near  Lexington.  He  was  one  of  the  first  two 
Delegates  from  Kentucky  County  to  the  Virginia 
House  of  Burgesses,  and,  in  1778,  accompanied 
Col.  George  Rogers  Clark  on  his  expedition 
against  Kaskaskia  and  Vincennes.  In  Decem- 
ber, 1778,  he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Patrick 
Henry,  Lieutenant  Commandant  of  Illinois 
County,  embracing  the  region  northwest  of  the 
Ohio  River,  .serving  two  years;  in  1780.  was  again 
a  member  of  the  Virginia  Legislature,  where  he 
procured  grants  of  land  for  pul)Iic  schools  and 
introduced  a  bill  for  negro-einaiiciijation.  He 
was  killed  by  Indians,  at  the  battle  of  Blue 
Licks,  Ky.,  Augast  19,  1782. 

TODD,  (Dr.)  John,  physician,  born  near  Lex- 
ington, Ky.,  April  27,  1787,  was  one  of  the  earli- 
est graduates  of  Transylvania  University,  also 
graduating  at  the  Medical  University  of  Phila- 
delphia; was  appointed  Surgeon-General  of  Ken- 
tucky troops  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  captured  at 
tne  battle  of  River  Raisin.  Returning  to  Lex- 
ington after  his  release,  lie  practiced  there  and 
at  Bardstown,  removed  to  EJwardsvillo,  111.,  in 
1817.  and,  in  1827,  to  Sjiringfield.  v.-licre  he  had 
been  appointed  Register  of  the  Land  Office  by 


President  John  Quincy  Adams,  but  was  removed 
by  Jackson  in  1829.  Dr.  Todd  continued  to  reside 
at  Springfield  until  his  deatli,  which  occurred, 
Jan.  9,  1865.  He  was  a  grandson  of  John  Todd, 
who  was  appointed  Commandant  of  Illinois 
County  by  Gov.  Patrick  Henry  in  1778,  and  an 
uncle  of  Mrs.  Abraham  Lincoln. — John  DIair 
Smith  (Todd),  son  of  the  preceding,  was  born  at 
Lexington,  Kj-.,  April  4,  1814;  came  with  his 
father  to  Illinois  in  1817;  graduated  at  the  United 
States  Slilitary  Academj-  in  1837,  serving  after- 
wards in  the  Florida  and  Mexican  wars  and  on 
the  frontier;  resigned,  and  was  an  Indian-trader 
in  Dakota,  1856-61 ;  the  latter  year,  took  his 
seat  as  a  Delegate  in  Congress  from  Dakota, 
then  served  as  Brigadier-General  of  Volun- 
teers, 1861-63;  was  again  Delegate  in  Congress 
in  1863-65,  Speaker  of  the  Dakota  Legislature 
in  1867,  and  Governor  of  the  Territory,  1869-71. 
Died,  at  Yankton  City,  Jan.  5,  1872. 

TOLEDO,  a  village  and  the  county-.seat  of 
Cumberland  Countj-.  on  the  Illinois  Central  Rail- 
road; founded  in  1854 ;  has  five  cliurches,  a  graded 
school,  two  banks,  creamery,  flour  mill,  elevator, 
and  two  weekly  newspapers.  There  are  no  consider- 
able manufactories,  the  leading  industry  in  the 
surrounding  countrj' being  agriculture.  Pop.  (1900), 
81S;  (1910),  900. 

TOLEDO,  CIXCIXX.VTI  &  ST.  LOUIS  RAIL- 
RO.iD.  (See  Toledo,  St.  Louis  &  Kansas  Citg 
Jiailrodd. ) 

TOLEDO,  PEORLV  &  W  ARSAW  RAILROAD. 
(See  Toledo,  Peoria  d'  Western  Railtniy.) 

TOLEDO,  PEORIA  A.  WESTERN  RAILROAD. 
(See  Toledo.  Peoria  tf-  Western  Eailway.) 

TOLEDO,  PEORIA  &  WESTERN  RAILWAY, 
a  line  of  railroad  wholly  within  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois, extending  from  Effner,  at  the  Indiana  State 
line,  west  to  the  Mississippi  River  at  \Vars;iw. 
The  length  of  the  whole  line  is  230. 7  miles,  owned 
entirely  by  the  company.  It  is  made  U])  of  a 
division  from  Effner  to  Peoria  (110.9  miles) — 
whicli  is  practically  an  air-line  throughout  nearly 
its  entire  length — and  the  Peoria  and  Warsaw 
Division  (108.8  miles)  with  branches  from  La 
Harpe  to  Iowa  Junction  (10.4  miles)  and  0.6  of  a 
mile  connecting  with  the  Keokuk  bridge  at 
Hamilton. — (History.)  The  original  charter  for 
this  line  was  granted,  in  1863,  under  the  name  of 
the  Toledo,  Peoria  &  Warsaw  Railroad ;  the  main 
line  was  completed  in  1808,  and  the  La  Harpe  & 
Iowa  Junction  branch  in  1873.  Default  was 
made  in  1873.  the  road  sold  under  foreclosure,  in 
1880,  and  reorganized  as  the  Toledo,  Peoria  & 
Western  Railroad,  and  the  line  leased  for  49^ 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


525 


years  to  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railway 
Company.  The  latter  defaulted  in  July,  1884, 
and,  a  year  later,  the  Toledo,  Peoria  &  Western 
was  transferred  to  trustees  for  the  first  mortgage 
bond-holders,  was  sold  under  foreclosure  in 
October,  1886,  and,  in  March,  1887,  the  present 
company,  under  the  name  of  the  Toledo,  Peoria 
&  Western  Railway  Company,  was  organized  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  over  the  property.  In  1893 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  obtained  a 
controlling  interest  in  the  stock,  and,  in  1894.  an 
agreement,  for  joint  ownership  and  management, 
was  entered  into  between  that  corporation  and 
the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Com- 
pany. The  total  capitalization,  in  1898,  was 
§9,712,433,  of  which  §4,076,900  was  in  stock  and 
$4,89.'>,000  in  bonds. 

TOLEDO,  ST.  LOUIS  &  KANSAS  CITY  RAIL- 
ROAD. This  line  crosses  the  State  in  a  northeast 
direction  from  East  St.  Louis  to  Humrick,  near 
the  Indiana  State  line,  witli  Toledo  as  its  eastern 
terminus.  The  length  of  the  entire  line  is  450.73 
miles,  of  which  179V2  miles  are  operated  in  Illi- 
nois.— (History.)  The  Illinois  portion  of  the 
line  grew  out  of  the  union  of  charters  granted  to 
the  Tuscola,  Charleston  &  Vincennes  and  the 
Charleston,  Neoga  &  St.  Louis  Railroad  Com- 
panies, which  were  consolidated  in  1881  with 
certain  Indiana  lines  under  the  name  of  the 
Toledo,  Cincinnati  &  St.  Louis  Railroad.  During 
1882  a  narrow-gauge  road  was  constructed  from 
Ridge  Farm,  in  Vermilion  County,  to  East  St. 
Louis  (172  miles).  In  1885  this  was  sold  under 
foreclosure  and,  in  June,  1886,  consolidated  with 
the  main  line  under  tlie  name  of  the  Toledo.  St. 
Louis  &  Kansas  City  Railroad.  The  whole  line 
was  changed  to  standard  gauge  in  1887-89,  and 
otherwise  materiallj'  improved,  but,  in  1893, 
went  into  the  hands  of  receivers.  Plans  of  re- 
organization have  been  under  consideration,  but 
the  receivers  were  still  in  control  in  1898. 

TOLEDO,  WABASH  &  WESTERN  RAIL- 
ROAD.    (See  Wabasli  Railroad.) 

TOLONO,  a  village  in  Champaign  County,  situ- 
ated at  the  intersection  of  the  \\'abash  and  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroads,  9  miles  south  of  Cham- 
paign and  37  miles  east-northeast  of  Decatur.  It 
is  the  business  center  of  a  j^rosperous  agricultural 
region.  The  town  has  several  churches,  a  graded 
school,  a  bank,  some  manufactories  and  a  weekly 
newspaper;  much  grain  is  shipped  here.  Pop. 
(1890),  902;  (1900),  845;  (1910),  700. 

TOLUCA,  a  city  of  Marshall  County,  on  the 
Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  and  the  Toluca, 
Marquette  &  Northern  R.  Rs.,  10  miles  southwest 


of  ^^'enona;  has  two  coal  mines  and  two  weekly 
papers,     Poj).  (1910),  2,407. 

TONTY,  Chevalier  Henry  de,  e.xplorer  and  sol- 
dier, born  at  Gaeta,  Italy,  about  16.50  "What  is 
now  known  as  the  Tontine  system  of  insurance 
undoubtedly  originated  with  his  father.  The 
younger  Tonty  was  adventurous,  and,  even  as  a 
youth,  took  part  in  nu:nerous  land  and  naval 
encounters.  In  the  course  of  his  experience  he 
lost  a  hand,  which  was  replaced  by  an  iron  or 
copper  substitute.  He  embarked  with  La  Salle 
in  1678,  and  aided  in  the  construction  of  a  fort  at 
Niagara.  He  advanced  into  the  country  of  tlie 
Illinois  and  establislied  friendly  relations  with 
them,  only  to  witness  the  defeat  of  his  putative 
savage  allies  by  the  Iroquois.  After  various 
encounters  (chiefly  under  the  direction  of  La 
Salle)  with  the  Indians  in  Illinois,  he  returned 
to  Green  Bay  in  1681.  The  same  year — under  La 
Salle's  orders — he  began  the  erection  of  Fort  St. 
Louis,  on  what  is  now  called  ".Starved  Rock"  in 
La  Salle  County.  In  1682  he  descended  the  Mis- 
sissippi to  its  mouth,  with  La  Salle,  but  was 
ordered  back  to  Mackinaw  for  assistance.  In 
1684  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  successfully 
repulsed  the  Iroquois  from  Fort  St.  Louis.  In 
1686  he  again  descended  the  Mississippi  in  search 
of  La  Salle.  Disheartened  by  the  death  of  his 
commander  and  the  loss  of  his  early  comrades, 
he  took  up  his  residence  with  the  Illinois  Indians. 
Among  them  he  was  found  by  Iberville  in  1700, 
as  a  hunter  and  fur-trader.  He  died,  in  Mobile, 
in  Sei)tember.  1704.  He  was  La  Salle's  most  effi- 
cient coadjutor,  and  next  to  his  ill-fated  leader, 
did  more  than  any  other  of  the  early  French 
explorers  to  make  Illinois  known  to  tlie  civilized 
world. 

TOPOGRAPHY.  Illinois  is,  generally  speak- 
ing, an  elevated  table-land.  If  low  water  at 
Cairo  be  adopted  as  the  maximum  depression,  and 
the  summits  of  the  two  ridges  hereinafter  men- 
tioned as  the  highest  points  of  elevation,  the  alti- 
tude of  this  table  land  above  the  sea-level  varies 
from  300  to  850  feet,  the  mean  elevation  being 
about  600  feet.  The  State  has  no  mountain 
chains,  and  its  few  hills  are  probably  the  result 
of  unequal  denudation  during  the  drift  epoch. 
In  some  localities,  particularly  in  the  valley  of 
the  upper  Mississippi,  the  streams  have  cut 
channels  from  200  to  300  feet  deep  through  the 
nearly  horizontal  strata,  and  here  are  found  pre- 
cipitous scarps,  but,  for  the  most  part,  the 
fundamental  rooks  are  covered  by  a  thick  layer 
of  detrital  material.  In  the  northwest  there  is  a 
broken  tract  of  uneven  ground;  the  central  por- 


526 


UISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


tion  of  the  State  is  almost  wholly  flat  prairie, 
and,  in  the  alluvial  lands  in  the  State,  there  are 
many  deep  valleys,  eroded  by  tlie  action  of 
stretims.  The  surface  generally  slopes  toward 
the  south  and  southwest,  but  the  uniformity  is 
broken  by  two  ridges,  which  cross  the  State,  one 
in  either  extremity.  The  northern  ridge  crosses 
the  Rock  River  at  Grand  Detour  and  the  Illinois 
at  Split  Rock,  with  an  extreme  altitude  of  800  to 
850  feet  above  sea  level,  though  the  altitude  of 
Jtount  Jlorris,  in  Ogle  County,  exceeds  900  feet. 
That  in  the  south  consists  of  a  range  of  hills  in 
the  latitude  of  Jonesboro,  and  extending  from 
Shawneetown  to  Grand  Tower.  These  hills  are 
also  about  800  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ocean. 
The  highest  point  in  the  State  is  in  Jo  Daviess 
County,  just  south  of  the  Wisconsin  State  line 
(near  Scale's  Mound)  reaching  an  elevation  of 
1,257  feet  above  sea-level,  while  the  highest  in 
the  south  is  in  the  northeast  corner  of  Pope 
County — 1,046  feet — a  spur  of  the  Ozark  moun- 
tains. The  following  statistics  regarding  eleva- 
tions are  taken  from  a  report  of  Prof.  C.  W. 
Rolfe,  of  the  University  of  Illinois,  based  on 
observations  made  under  the  auspices  of  the  Illi- 
nois Board  of  World's  Fair  Commissioners:  The 
lowest  gauge  of  the  Ohio  river,  at  its  mouth 
(above  sea- level),  is  268. 58  feet,  and  the  mean 
level  of  Lake  Michigan  at  Chicago  581.28  feet. 
The  altitudes  of  a  few  prominent  points  are  as 
follows:  Highest  point  in  Jackson  Count}',  695 
feet;  "Bald  Knob"  in  Union  County,  985;  high- 
est point  in  Cook  County  (Harrington),  818;  in  La 
Salle  County  (Mendota),  747;  in  Livingston 
(Strawn),  770;  in  Will  (Monee),  804;  in  Pike 
(Arden).  790;  in  Lake  (Lake  Zurich),  880;  in 
Bureau,  910:  in  Boone,  1.010;  in  Lee  (Carnahan), 
1,017;  in  Stephenson  (Waddam's  Grove),  1,018; 
in  Kane  (Briar  Hill),  974;  in  Winnebago,  985. 
The  elevations  of  important  towns  are:  Peoria, 
465;  Jacksonville,  602;  .Springfield,  596;  Gales- 
burg,  7.55;  Joliet,  537;  Rockford,  728;  Blooming- 
ton,  821.  Outside  of  tlie  immediate  valleys  of 
the  streams,  and  a  few  isolated  groves  or  copses. 
little  timber  is  found  in  the  northern  and  central 
portions  of  the  State,  and  such  growth  as  there 
is.  lacks  the  thriftiness  characteristic  of  the  for- 
ests in  the  Ohio  valley.  These  forests  cover  a 
belt  extending  some  sixty  miles  north  of  Cairo, 
and,  while  they  generally  include  few  coniferous 
trees,  they  abound  in  various  species  of  oak, 
black  and  white  walnut,  white  and  yellow  pop- 
lar, ash,  elm,  sugar  maple,  linden,  honey  locust, 
Cottonwood,  mulberry,  .=^ycamore,  pecan,  persim- 
mon, and  (in  the  immediate  valley  of  the  Ohio) 


the  cypress.  From  a  commercial  point  of  view, 
Illinois  loses  nothing  through  the  lack  of  timber 
over  three-fourtlis  of  the  States  area.  Chicago 
is  an  accessible  market  for  the  product  of  the 
forests  of  the  upper  lakes,  so  that  the  supply  of 
lumber  is  ample,  while  extensive  coalfields  sup- 
ply abundant  fuel.  The  rich  soil  of  the  prairies, 
with  its  abundance  of  organic  matter  (see  Geo- 
logical Formations) .  more  than  compensates  for 
the  want  of  pine  forests,  whose  soil  is  ill  adapted 
to  agriculture.  About  two-thirds  of  the  entire 
boundary  of  the  State  consists  of  navigable 
waters.  These,  with  their  tributary  streams, 
ensure  sufficient  drainage. 

TORREXS  LAND  TITLE  SYSTEM.  A  system 
for  the  registration  of  titles  to.  and  incumbrances 
upon,  land,  as  well  as  transfers  thereof,  intended 
to  remove  all  unnecessary  obstructions  to  the 
cheap,  simple  and  safe  sale,  acquisition  and 
transfer  of  realty.  The  system  has  been  in  suc- 
cessful operation  in  Canada.  Australia.  New  Zea- 
land and  British  Columbia  for  many  years,  and 
it  is  also  in  force  in  some  States  in  the  American 
L*nion.  An  act  providing  for  its  introduction 
into  Illinois  was  first  passed  by  the  Twenty- 
ninth  General  Assembly,  and  approved,  June  13, 
1895.  The  final  legislation  in  reference  thereto 
was  enacted  b}'  the  succeeding  Legislature,  and 
was  approved.  May  1,  1897.  It  is  far  more  elabo- 
rate in  its  consideration  of  details,  and  is  believed 
to  be,  in  many  respects,  much  better  adapted  to 
accomplish  the  ends  in  view,  than  was  the  origi- 
nal act  of  1895.  The  law  is  applicable  only  to 
counties  of  the  first  and  second  class,  and  can  be 
adopted  in  no  county  except  by  a  vote  of  a 
majority'  of  the  qualified  voters  of  the  same — the 
vote  '"for"  or  "against"'  to  be  taken  at  either  the 
November  or  April  elections,  or  at  an  election 
for  the  choice  of  Judges.  Thus  far  the  only 
county  to  adopt  the  system  has  been  Cook,  and 
there  it  encountered  strong  opposition  on  the 
part  of  certain  parties  of  influence  and  wealth. 
After  its  adoption,  a  test  case  was  brought,  rais- 
ing tlie  question  of  the  constitutionality  of  the 
act.  The  iss\io  was  taken  to  the  Supreme  Court, 
which  tribunal  finally  upheld  the  law. — The 
Torrens  system  sulistitutes  a  certificate  of  regis- 
tration and  of  transfer  for  the  more  elaborate 
deeds  and  mortgages  in  use  for  centuries.  Under 
if  there  can  be  no  actual  transfer  of  a  title  until 
the  same  is  entered  upon  the  public  land  legis- 
ter,  kept  in  the  office  of  the  Registrar,  in  which 
case  the  deed  or  mortgage  becomes  a  mere  power 
of  attorney  to  authorize  the  transfer  to  be  made, 
upon  the  principle  of  an  ordinary  stock  transfer. 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


527 


or  of  the  registration  of  a  United  States  bond, 
the  actual  transfer  and  public  notice  thereof 
being  simultaneous.  A  brief  synopsis  of  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Illinois  statute  is  given  below; 
Recorders  of  deeds  are  made  Registrars,  and 
required  to  give  bonds  of  either  SoO, 000  or  §200,- 
000,  according  to  the  population  of  the  county. 
Any  person  or  corjjoration,  having  an  interest  in 
land,  may  make  application  to  any  court  having 
chancery  jurisdiction,  to  have  his  title  thereto 
registered.  Such  application  must  be  in  writ- 
ing, signed  and  verified  by  oath,  and  must  con- 
form, in  matters  of  specification  and  detail,  with 
the  requireuients  of  the  act.  The  court  may  refer 
the  application  to  one  of  the  standing  examiners 
appointed  by  the  Registrar,  who  are  required  to 
be  competent  attorneys  and  to  give  bond  to  ex- 
amine into  the  title,  as  well  as  the  truth  of  the 
applicant's  statements.  Immediately  upon  the 
filing  of  the  application,  notice  thereof  is  given 
by  the  clerk,  through  publication  and  the  issuance 
of  a  summons  to  be  served,  as  in  other  proceed- 
ings in  chancery,  against  all  persons  mentioned 
in  the  petition  as  having  or  claiming  any  inter- 
est in  the  property  described.  Any  person  inter- 
ested, whether  named  as  a  defendant  or  not,  may 
enter  an  appearance  within  the  time  allowed.  A 
failure  to  enter  an  appearance  is  regarded  as  a 
confession  by  default.  The  court,  in  passing 
upon  the  application,  is  in  no  case  bound  by  the 
examiner's  report,  but  mav'  require  other  and 
furtherproof ;  and,  in  its  final  adjudication,  passes 
ujjon  all  questions  of  title  and  incumbrance, 
directing  the  Registrar  to  register  the  title  in  the 
party  in  whom  it  is  to  be  vested,  and  making 
provision  as  to  the  manner  and  order  in  which 
incumbrances  thereon  shall  appear  upon  the 
certificate  to  be  issued.  An  appeal  may  be 
allowed  to  the  Supreme  Coui't.  if  praj-ed  at  the 
time  of  entering  the  decree,  upon  like  terms  as 
in  other  cases  in  chancer}-;  and  a  writ  of  error 
may  be  sued  out  from  that  tribunal  within  two 
years  after  the  entry  of  the  oi-der  or  decree. 
The  period  last  mentioned  may  be  said  to  be  the 
statutory  period  of  limitation,  after  which  the 
decree  of  the  court  must  be  regarded  as  final, 
although  safeguards  are  provided  for  those  who 
may  have  been  defrauded,  and  for  a  few  other 
classes  of  persons  Upon  the  filing  of  the  order 
or  decree  of  the  court,  it  becomes  the  duty  of  the 
Registrar  to  issue  a  certificate  of  title,  the  form 
ol  which  is  prescribed  by  the  act,  making  such 
notations  at  the  end  as  shall  show  and  preserve 
the  priorities  of  all  estates,  mortgages,  incum- 
brances and  changes  to  which  the  owner's  title  is 


subject.  For  the  purpose  of  preserving  evidence 
of  the  owner's  handwriting,  a  receipt  for  the 
certificate,  duly  witnessed  or  acknowledged,  is 
required  of  him,  which  is  preserved  in  the  Regis- 
trar's office.  In  case  any  registered  owner 
should  desire  to  transfer  the  whole  or  any  part  of 
his  estate,  or  any  interest  therein,  he  is  required 
to  execute  a  conveyance  to  the  transferee,  which, 
together  with  the  certificate  of  title  last  issued, 
must  be  surrendered  to  the  Registrar.  That 
official  thereupon  issues  a  new^  certificate,  stamp- 
ing the  word  ''cancelled"  across  the  surrendered 
certificate,  as  well  as  upon  the  corresponding 
entry  in  his  books  of  record.  "When  land  is  first 
brought  within  the  operation  of  the  act,  the 
receiver  of  the  certificate  of  title  is  required  to 
pay  to  the  Registrar  one-tenth  of  one  per  cent  of 
the  value  of  the  land,  the  aggregate  so  received 
to  be  deposited  with  and  invested  by  the  County 
Treasurer,  and  reserved  as  an  indemnity  fund 
for  the  reimbursement  of  persons  sustaining  any 
loss  thi'OLigh  any  omission,  mistake  or  malfea- 
sance of  the  Registrar  or  his  subordinates.  The 
advantage  claimed  for  the  Torrens  system  is, 
cliieflj",  that  titles  registered  thereunder  can  be 
dealt  with  more  safely,  quickl}''and  inexjiensively 
than  under  the  old  system ;  it  being  possible  to 
close  the  entire  transaction  within  an  hour  or 
two,  without  the  need  of  an  abstract  of  title, 
while  (as  the  law  is  administered  in  Cook  County) 
the  cost  of  transfer  is  only  83.  It  is  asserted  that 
a  title,  once  registered,  can  be  dealt  with  almost 
as  quickly  and  cheaply',  and  quite  as  safely,  as 
shares  of  stock  or  registered  bonds. 

TOULON,  the  county -seat  of  Stark  Countj',  on 
the  Peoria  &  Rock  Island  Railroad,  37  miies  north- 
northwest  of  Peoria,  and  11  miles  southeast  of 
Galva.  Besides  the  county  court-house,  the  town 
has  five  churches  and  a  high  school,  an  academy, 
steam  granite  works,  two  banks,  and  one  weekly 
paper.  Population  (1880),  967;  (1890),  945;  (1900), 
1,057;  (1910),  1,208. 

TOWER  HILL,  a  village  of  Shelby  County,  on 
the  Cleveland,  Cincinnati,  Chicago  &  St.  Louis  and 
the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Southwestern  Railroads,  7 
miles  east  of  Pana;  has  bank,  elevators,  coal  mines 
and  one  weekly  paper.    Pop.  (1910),  1,040. 

TOWNSHEND,  Richard  W.,  lawyer  and  Con- 
gressman, was  born  in  Prince  George's  County, 
Md.,  April  30,  1840.  Between  the  ages  of  10 
and  18  he  attended  public  and  private  schools 
at  Washington,  D.  C.  In  1838  he  came  to 
Illinois,  where  he  began  teaching,  at  the  same 
time  reading  law  with  S.  B.  Slarshall,  at  3Ic- 
Leansboro,  where  he   was   admitted   to  the   bar 


528 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


in  1862,  and  where  he  began  practice.  From  1863 
to  1868  he  was  Circuit  Clerk  of  Hamilton  County, 
and,  from  1868  to  18T2,  Prosecuting  Attorney  for 
the  Twelfth  Judicial  Circuit.  In  1873  he  removed 
to  Shawneetown,  wliere  he  became  an  officer  of 
tlie  Gallatin  National  Bank.  From  1104  to  187.5 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Democratic  State  Cen- 
tral Committee,  and  a  delegate  to  the  National 
Democratic  Convention  at  Baltimore,  in  1872. 
For  twelve  years  (1877  to  1889)  he  represented 
his  District  in  Congress;  was  re-elected  in  1888, 
but  died,  March  9,  1889,  a  few  days  after  the 
beginning  of  liis  seventh  term. 

TRACY,  John  M.,  artist,  was  born  in  Illinois 
about  1842;  served  in  an  Illinois  regiment  during 
the  Civil  War;  studied  painting  in  Paris  in 
1866-70 ;  established  himself  as  a  portrait  painter 
in  St.  Louis  and,  later,  won  a  high  reputation  as 
a  painter  of  animals,  being  regarded  as  an  author- 
ity on  the  anatomy  of  the  horse  and  the  dog. 
Died,  at  Ocean  Springs,  Miss.,  March  20,  1893. 

TREASURERS.     (See  State  Treasurers.) 

TRE.VT,  Samuel  Huhbel,  lawyer  and  jurist, 
was  born  at  Plainfiekl,  Otsego  Count}',  N.  Y., 
June  21,  1811,  worked  on  his  father's  farm  and 
studied  law  at  Richfield,  where  he  was  admitted 
to  practice.  In  1834  he  came  to  Springfield,  111., 
traveling  most  of  the  way  on  foot.  Here  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  George  Forquer,  who 
had  held  the  offices  of  Secretary  of  State  and 
Attorney-General.  In  1839  he  was  appointed  a 
Circuit  Judge,  and,  on  the  reorganization  of  tlie 
Supreme  Court  in  1841,  was  elevated  to  the 
Supreme  bench,  being  acting  Chief  Justice  at  the 
time  of  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  1848. 
Having  been  elected  to  the  Supreme  bench  uudtr 
the  new  Constitution,  he  remained  in  office  until 
March,  1855,  when  he  resigned  to  take  the  posi- 
tion of  Judge  of  the  United  States  District  Court 
for  the  Southern  District  of  Illinois,  to  which  he 
had  been  appointed  by  President  Pierce.  This 
position  he  continued  to  occupy  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  at  Springfield,  March  27,  1887. 
Judge  Treat's  judicial  career  was  one  of  the  long- 
est in  the  history  of  the  State,  covering  a  period 
of  forty-eight  years,  of  which  fourteen  were 
spent  upon  the  Supreme  bench,  and  thirty-two 
in  the  position  of  Judge  of  the  United  States  Dis- 
trict Court. 

TREATIES.  {See  Greenville,  Treaty  of;  Indian 
Treaties.) 

TREE,  Lambert,  jurist,  diplomat  and  ex-Con- 
gressman, was  born  in  Washington,  D.  C,  Nov. 
29,  ltt32.  of  an  ancestry  distinguished  in  the  War 
of  the  Revolution.     He  received  a  superior  clas- 


sical and  professional  education,  and  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar,  at  Washington,  in  October,  185-5. 
Removing  to  Chicago  soon  afterward,  his  jn'ofes- 
sional  career  has  been  chiefly  connected  with 
that  city.  In  1804  he  was  chosen  President  of 
the  Law  Institute,  and  served  as  Judge  of  the 
Circuit  Court  of  Cook  Count}',  from  1870  to  1875, 
when  he  resigned.  The  three  following  years  lie 
spent  in  foreign  travel,  returning  to  Cliicago  in 
1878.  In  that  j'ear,  and  again  in  1880,  he  was 
the  Democratic  candidate  for  Congress  from  the 
Fourth  Illinois  District,  but  was  defeated  by  his 
Republican  opponent.  In  1885  he  was  the  candi- 
date of  his  joarty  for  L'nited  States  Senator,  but 
was  defeated  b}-  John  A.  Logan,  bj-  one  vote.  In 
1884  he  was  a  member  of  the  National  Democratic 
Convention  which  first  nominated  Grover  Cleve- 
land, and,  in  July,  1885,  President  Cleveland 
appointed  him  Minister  to  Belgium,  conferring 
the  Russian  mission  upon  him  in  September,  1888. 
On  March  3,  1889,  he  resigned  this  post  and 
returned  home.  In  1890  he  was  appointed  by 
President  Harrison  a  Commissioner  to  the  Inter- 
national Monetary  Conference  at  Washington. 
The  year  before  he  had  attended  (although  not  as 
a  delegate)  the  International  Conference,  at  Brus- 
sels, looking  to  the  suppression  of  the  slave-trade, 
where  he  exerted  all  his  influence  on  the  side  of 
humanity.  In  1892  Belgium  conferred  upon  him 
the  distinction  of  "Councillor  of  Honor"  upon  its 
commission  to  the  World's  Columbian  Exposi- 
tion. In  1896  Judge  Tree  was  one  of  the  most 
earnest  opponents  of  the  free-silver  policy,  and, 
after  the  Spanish-American  War,  a  zealous  advo- 
cate of  the  policy  of  retaining  the  territory 
acquired  from  S|)ain.     Died  October  9,  1910. 

TREMONT,  a  town  of  Tazewell  County,  on  the 
Peoria  Division  of  the  Cleveland,  Cinoinrati, 
Chicago  &  St.  Louis  Railway,  9  miles  southeast  of 
Pekin;  has  two  banks,  two  telephone  exchanges, 
and  one  newspaper.     Pop.  (1910),  782. 

TRENTON,  a  town  of  Clinton  County,  on  the 
Baltimore  &  Ohio  Southwestern  Railway,  31  miles 
east  of  St.  Louis;  in  agricultural  district;  has 
creamery,  milk  condensery,  two  coal  mines,  six 
churches,  a  public  scliool  and  one  newspaper.  Pop. 
(1890),  1.384;  (1900),  1,700;  (1910).  1,694. 

TROY,  a  city  of  Madison  County,  on  the  Terre 
Haute  &  Indianapolis  Railroad,  21  miles  northeast 
of  St.  Louis;  has  coal  mines,  a  bank  and  a  news- 
paper.    Pop.  (1900),  l.OSO;  (1910),   1,447. 

TRUITT,  James  Madison,  lawj-er  and  soldier, 
a  native  of  Trimble  Comity,  Ky.,  was  born  Feb. 
12,  1S42,  but  lived  in  Illinois  since  1843,  his  father 
having    settled    near    CarroUton    that    year;    was 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


529 


educated  at  Hillsboro  and  at  MoKendree  College ; 
enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth 
Illinois  Volunteers  in  lb03,  and  was  promoted 
from  the  ranks  to  Lieutenant.  After  the  war  he 
studied  law  with  Jesse  J.  Phillips,  now  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  and,  in  1872,  was  elected  to  the 
Twenty -eighth  General  Assembly,  and,  in  1888,  a 
Presidential  Elector  on  the  Republican  ticket. 
Mr.  Truitt  has  been  twice  a  prominent  but  unsuc- 
cessful candidate  for  the  Republican  nomination 
for  Attorney-General.  His  home  is  at  Hillsboro, 
where  he  is  engaged  in  the  jiractice  of  his  profes- 
sion.    Died  July  26,  1900. 

TRUMBULL,  Lyman,  statesman,  was  born  at 
Colchester,  Conn.,  Oct.  12,  1813,  descended  from 
a  historical  family,  being  a  grand-nephew  of 
Gov.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  of  Connecticut,  from 
whom  the  name  "Brother  Jonathan"  was  derived 
as  an  appellation  for  Americans.  Having  received 
an  academic  education  in  his  native  town,  at  the 
age  of  16  he  began  teaching  a  district  school  near 
his  home,  went  South  four  years  later,  and  en- 
gaged in  teaching  at  Greenville,  Ga.  Here  he 
studied  law  with  Judge  Hiram  Warner,  after- 
wards of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1837.  Leaving  Georgia  the  same  year,  he 
came  to  Illinois  on  horseback,  visiting  Vandalia, 
Belleville,  Jacksonville,  Springfield,  Tremontand 
La  Salle,  and  finally  reaching  Chicago,  then  a 
village  of  four  or  five  thousand  inhabitants.  At 
Jacksonville  he  obtained  a  license  to  practice 
from  Judge  Lockwood,  and,  after  visiting  Michi- 
gan and  his  native  State,  he  settled  at  Belleville, 
which  continued  to  be  his  home  for  twenty  years. 
His  entrance  into  public  life  began  with  his  elec- 
tion as  Representative  in  the  General  Assembly 
in  1840.  This  was  followed,  in  February,  1841, 
by  his  appointment  by  Governor  Carlin,  Secre- 
tary of  State,  as  the  successor  of  Stephen  A. 
Douglas,  who,  after  holding  the  position  only  two 
months,  had  resigned  to  accept  a  seat  on  the 
Supreme  bench.  Here  he  remained  two  years, 
when  he  was  removed  by  Governor  Ford-,  March 
4,  1843,  but,  five  years  later  (1848),  was  elected  a 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  was  re-elected  in 
1853.  but  resigned  in  18.')3  on  account  of  impaired 
health.  A  year  later  (18.54)  he  was  elected  to 
Congress  from  the  Belleville  District  as  an  anti- 
Nebraska  Democrat,  but,  before  taking  his  seat, 
was  promoted  to  the  United  States  Senate,  as  the 
successor  of  General  Shields  in  the  memorable  con- 
test of  1855,  which  resulted  in  the  defeat  of  Abra- 
ham Lincoln.  Senator  Trumbull's  career  of 
eighteen  years  in  the  United  States  Senate  (being 
re-elected  in  1861  and  1867)  is  one  of  the  most 


memorable  in  the  history  of  that  body,  covering, 
as  it  does,  the  whole  history  of  the  war  for  the 
Union,  and  the  period  of  reconstruction  which 
followed  it.  During  this  period,  as  Chairman  of 
the  Senate  Committee  on  Judiciary,  he  had  more 
to  do  in  shaping  legishition  on  war  and  recon- 
struction measures  than  any  other  single  member 
of  that  body.  While  he  disagreed  with  a  large 
majority  of  his  Republican  associates  on  the  ques- 
tion of  Andrew  Johnson's  impeachment,  he  was 
always  found  in  sympathy  with  them  on  the  vital 
questions  affecting  tlie  war  and  restoration  of  the 
Union.  The  Civil  Rights  Bill  and  Freedmen's 
Bureau  Bills  were  shaped  by  his  hand.  In  1873 
he  joined  in  the  ''Liberal  Republican"  movement 
and  afterwards  co-operated  with  the  Democratic 
party,  being  their  candidate  for  Governor  in 
1880.  From  1863  his  home  was  in  Chicago, 
where,  after  retiring  from  the  Senate,  he  con- 
tinued in  the  practice  of  his  profession  until  his 
death,  whicli  occurred  in  that  city,  June  25,  1890. 

TUG  MILLS.  These  were  a  sort  of  primitive 
machine  used  in  grinding  corn  in  Territorial  and 
early  State  days.  The  mechanism  consisted  of  an 
upright  shaft,  into  the  upper  end  of  which  were 
fastened  bars,  resembling  those  in  the  capstan  of 
a  ship.  Into  the  outer  end  of  each  of  these  bars 
was  driven  a  pin.  A  belt,  made  of  a  broad  strip 
of  ox-hide,  twisted  into  a  sort  of  rope,  was 
stretched  around  these  pins  and  wrapped  twice 
around  a  circular  piece  of  wood  called  a  trundle 
head,  through  which  passed  a  perpendicular  Hat 
bar  of  iron,  which  turned  the  millstone,  usually 
about  eighteen  inches  in  diameter.  From  the 
upright  shaft  projected  a  beam,  to  which  were 
hitched  one  or  two  horses,  wliicli  furnished  the 
motive  power.  Oxen  were  sometimes  employed 
as  motive  power  in  lieu  of  horses.  These  rudi- 
mentary contrivances  were  capable  of  grinding 
about  twelve  bushels  of  corn,  each,  per  day. 

TULET,  Murray  Floyd,  lawyer  and  jurist,  was 
born  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  March  4,  1827,  of  English 
extraction  and  descended  from  the  early  settlers 
of  Virginia.  His  father  died  in  1832.  and,  eleven 
years  later,  his  mother,  having  married  Col. 
Richard  J.  Hamilton,  for  many  years  a  prominent 
lawyer  of  Chicago,  removed  with  her  family  to 
that  city.  Young  Tuley  began  reailing  law  with 
his  step-father  and  completed  his  studies  at  the 
Louisville  Law  Institute  in  1847,  the  same  year 
being  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Chicago.  About  the 
same  time  he  enlisted  in  the  Fifth  Illinois  Volun- 
teers for  service  in  the  Jlexican  War,  and  was 
commissioned  First  Lieutenant.  Tlie  war  having 
ended,  he  settled  at  Santa  Fe,  N.  JI.,  where  he 


530 


HISTOEICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF    ILLINOIS. 


practiced  law,  also  served  as  Attorney-General 
and  in  tlie  Territorial  Legislature.  Returning  to 
Chicago  in  IS'ii,  he  was  associated  in  practice, 
successively,  with  Andrew  Harvie,  Judge  Gary 
and  J.  N.  Barker,  and  finally  as  head  of  the  firm 
of  Tuley,  Stiles  &  Lewis.  From  1869  to  1873  he 
was  Corporation  Counsel,  and  during  this  time 
framed  the  General  Incorporation  Act  for  Cities, 
under  which  the  City  of  Chicago  was  reincor- 
porated. In  1879  he  was  elevated  to  the  bench 
of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Cook  County,  and  re- 
elected every  six  years  thereafter,  his  last  election 
being  in  1S07.  He  died  Dec.  2o,  190.5,  during  his 
fourth  term,  some  ten  years  of  liis  incumbency 
ha\'ing  been  spent  as  Chief  Justice. 

XrNMCLIFFE,  Damon  (}.,  lawyer  and  jurist, 
was  born  in  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.,  August  20, 
1829 ;  at  the  age  of  20,  emigrated  to  Illinois,  set- 
tling in  Vermont,  Fulton  County,  where,  for  a 
time,  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  He 
subsequently  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1853.  In  1854  he  established  himself 
at  Macomb,  McDonough  County,  where  he  built 
up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  In  1868  he 
was  chosen  Pi-esidential  Elector  on  the  Repub- 
lican ticket,  and.  from  February  to  June,  1885, 
by  appointment  of  Governor  Oglesby,  occupied  a 
seat  on  the  liench  of  the  Supreme  Court,  vice 
Pinkney  H.  Walker,  deceased,  who  had  been  one 
of  his  professional  preceptors.    Died  Dec.  20,  1901. 

TURCHIJf,  John  Basil  (Ivan  Vasilevitch  Tur- 
chinoff),  soldier,  engineer  and  author,  was  born 
in  Russia,  Jan.  30,  1822.  He  graduated  from  the 
artillery  school  at  St.  Petersburg,  in  1841,  and 
was  commissioned  ensign;  participated  in  the 
Hungarian  campaign  of  1849,  and.  in  1852,  was 
assigned  to  the  staff  of  the  Imperial  Guards; 
served  through  the  Crimean  War,  rising  to  the 
rank  of  Colonel,  and  being  made  senior  staff 
officer  of  the  active  corps.  In  1856  he  came  to 
this  country,  settling  in  Chicago,  and,  for  five 
years,  was  in  the  service  of  the  Illinois  Central 
Railway  Company  as  topographical  engineer.  In 
ISGl  he  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  the  Nine- 
teentli  Illinois  Volunteers,  and,  after  leading  his 
regiment  in  Missouri,  Kentucky  and  Alabama, 
was,  on  July  7,  1862,  promoted  to  a  Brigadier- 
Generalship,  being  attached  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  until  1864,  when  he  resigned.  After 
the  war  he  was,  for  six  years,  solicitor  of  patents 
at  Chicago,  but,  in  1873,  returned  to  engineering. 
In  1879  he  established  a  Polish  colony  at  Radom, 
in  Washington  County,  in  this  State,  and  settled 
as  a  farmer.  He  was  an  occasional  contributor  to 
the  press,  writing  usually  on  military  or  scientific 


sulijocts-;   was  the  author  cf  the  "Campaign  and 
Battle  of  riiick-imauga."    Pi-d  June  IS,  1901. 

TURXER  (now  WEST  CHICAGO),  a  town  and 
manufactiiiing  center  in  Win fidd  Township,  Du 
Page  County,  30  miles  west  of  Chicago,  at  the 
junction  of  two  divisions  of  the  Chicago,  Burling- 
ton it  Quincy,  the  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  and  the 
Chicago  &  Not th western  Railroads.  The  town 
has  a  rolling  mill,  manufactories  of  wagons  and 
pumps,  and  railroad  repair  shops.  It  also  has  five, 
churches,  a  traded  school  and  two  newspapers. 
Pop.  (1900),  1,877;  with  suburb,  2,270. 

TURNER,  (Col.)  Henry  L.,  soldier  and  real- 
estate  ojierator,  was  born  at  Oberlin,  Ohio, 
August  26,  1845,  and  received  a  part  of  his  edu- 
cation in  the  college  there.  During  the  Civil 
War  lie  served  as  First  Lieutenant  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fiftieth  Ohio  Volunteers,  and 
later,  with  the  same  rank  in  a  colored  regiment, 
taking  part  in  the  operations  about  Richmond, 
the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher,  of  Wilmington  and  of 
Gen.  Joe  Johnston's  army.  Coming  to  Chi- 
cago after  the  close  of  the  war,  he  became  con- 
nected with  the  business  office  of  "The  Advance," 
but  later  was  employed  in  the  banking  house  of 
Jay  Cooke  &  Co.,  in  Philadelphia.  On  the  failure 
of  that  concern,  in  1872,  he  returned  to  Chicago 
and  bought  "The  Advance,"  which  he  conducted 
some  two  years,  when  he  sold  out  and  engaged  in 
the  real  estate  business,  with  which  he  has  since 
been  identified — being  President  of  the  Chicago 
Real  Estate  Board  in  1888.  He  has  also  been 
President  of  the  Western  Publishing  Company 
and  a  Trustee  of  Oberlin  College.  Colonel  Turner 
is  an  enthusiastic  member  of  the  Illinois  National 
Guard  and,  on  the  declaration  of  war  between  the 
United  States  and  Spain,  in  April,  1898,  promptly 
resumed  his  connection  with  the  First  Regiment 
of  the  Guard,  and  finally  led  it  to  Santiago  de 
Cuba  during  the  fighting  there — his  regiment 
being  the  only  one  from  Illinois  to  see  actual  serv- 
ice in  the  field  during  the  progress  of  the  war. 
Colonel  Turner  won  the  admiration  of  his  com- 
mand and  the  entire  nation  bj-  the  manner  in 
which  he  discharged  his  duty.  The  regiment 
was  mustered  out  at  Chicago,  Nov.  17,  1898,  when 
he  retired  to  jirivate  life. 

TURNER,  John  Bice,  Railway  President,  was 
born  at  Colchester,  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  Jan. 
14,  1799;  after  a  brief  business  career  in  his 
native  State,  he  became  identified  with  the  con- 
struction and  operation  of  railroads.  Among  the 
works  with  which  he  was  thus  connected,  were 
the  Delaware  Division  of  the  New  York  &  Erie 
and  the  Troy  &  Schenectady  Roads.     In  1843  he 


HISTOKICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


531 


came  to  Chicago,  having  previously  purchased  a 
large  body  of  land  at  Blue  Island.  In  1S47  he 
joined  with  W.  B.  Ogden  and  others,  in  resusci- 
tating the  Galena  &  Chicago  Union  Railway, 
which  had  been  incorporated  in  1836.  He  became 
President  of  the  Company  in  1850,  and  assisted  in 
constructing  various  sections  of  road  in  Northern 
Illinois  and  Wisconsin,  which  liave  since  become 
portions  of  the  Cliicago  &  Northwestern  sy.stem. 
He  was  also  one  of  the  original  Directors  of  the 
North  Side  Street  Railway  Company,  organized 
in  1859.     Died,  Feb.  3(5,  1871.  ~ 

TURNER,  Joiiatliiiii  Baldnin,  educator  and 
agriculturist,  was  born  in  Templeton,  Mass.,  Dec. 
7,  1805 ;  grew  up  on  a  farm  and,  before  reaching 
his  majority,  began  teacliing  in  a  country  school. 
After  spending  a  short  time  in  an  academy  at 
Salem,  in  1837  he  entered  the  preparatory  depart- 
ment of  Yale  College,  supporting  himself,  in  part, 
by  manual  labor  and  teaching  in  a  gymnasium. 
In  1839  he  matriculated  in  the  classical  depart- 
ment at  Yale,  graduated  in  1833,  and  the  same 
year  accepted  a  position  as  tutor  in  Illinois  Col- 
lege at  Jacksonville,  111.,  which  had  been  opened, 
three  years  previous,  by  the  late  Dr.  J.  M.  Sturte- 
vant.  In  the  next  fourteen  3'ears  he  gave  in- 
struction in  nearly  every  branch  embraced  in  the 
college  curriculum,  though  holding,  during  most 
of  this  period,  the  chair  of  Rhetoric  and  English 
Literature.  In  1847  he  retired  from  college 
duties  to  give  attention  to  scientific  agriculture, 
in  which  he  had  always  manifested  a  deep  inter- 
est. The  cultivation  and  sale  of  the  Osage  orange 
as  a  hedge  plant  now  occupied  his  attention  for 
many  years,  and  its  successful  introduction  in 
Illinois  and  other  Western  States — where  the 
absence  of  timber  rendered  some  substitute  a 
necessity  for  fencing  purposes — was  largelj'  due 
to  his  efforts.  At  the  same  time  he  took  a  deep 
interest  in  the  cause  of  practical  scientific  edu- 
cation for  the  industrial  classes,  and,  about  1850, 
began  formulating  that  system  of  industrial  edu- 
cation which,  after  twelve  years  of  labor  and 
agitation,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
recognized  in  the  act  adopted  by  Congress,  and 
approved  by  President  Lincoln,  in  July,  1862, 
making  liberal  donations  of  public  lands  for  the 
establishment  of  "Industrial  Colleges"  in  the 
.several  States,  out  of  which  grew  the  LTniversity 
of  Illinois  at  Champaign.  While  Professor  Tur- 
ner had  zealous  colaborers  in  this  field,  in  Illinois 
and  elsewhere,  to  him,  more  than  to  any  other 
single  man  in  the  Nation,  belongs  the  credit  for 
this  magnificent  achievement.  (See  Education. 
and  University  of  Illinois.)     He  was  also  one  of 


the  chief  factors  in  founding  and  building  up 
tlie  Illinois  State  Teachers'  Association,  and  the 
State  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Societies. 
His  address  on  "The  Millennium  of  Labor,"' 
delivered  at  the  first  State  Agricultural  Fair  at 
Springfield,  in  1853,  is  still  i-emembered  as  mark- 
ing an  era  in  industrial  i)rogress  in  Illinois.  A 
zealous  champion  of  free  thought,  in  both  political 
and  religious  affairs,  he  long  bore  the  reproach 
which  attached  to  the  radical  Abolitionist,  only 
to  enjoy,  in  later  years,  the  respect  universally 
accorded  to  those  who  had  the  courage  and 
independence  to  avow  their  honest  convictions. 
Prof.  Turner  was  twice  an  unsuccessful  candidate 
for  Congress — once  as  a  Republican  and  once  as 
an  "Independent" — and  wrote  much  on  political, 
religious  and  educational  toi^ics.  The  evening  of 
an  honored  and  useful  life  was  spent  among 
friends  in  Jacksonville,  which  was  his  home  for 
more  than  sixty  years,  his  death  taking  place  in 
that  city,  Jan.  10,  1899,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
93  years.— Mrs.  Mary  Turner  Carriel,  at  the  pres- 
ent time  (1899)  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Illinois,  is  Prof.  Turner's  only  daughter. 

TURNER,  Thomas  J.,  lawyer  and  Congress- 
man, born  in  Trumbull  County,  Ohio,  April  5, 
181.5.  Leaving  home  at  the  age  of  18.  he  spent 
three  years  in  Indiana  and  in  the  mining  dis- 
tricts about  Galena  and  in  Southern  Wisconsin, 
locating  in  Stephenson  County,  in  1836,  where  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1840,  and  elected 
Probate  Judge  in  1841.  Soon  afterwards  Gov- 
ernor Ford  appointed  him  Prosecuting  Attorney, 
in  which  capacity  he  secured  the  conviction  and 
punishment  of  the  murderers  of  Colonel  Daven- 
port. In  1846  he  was  elected  to  Congress  as  a 
Democrat,  and,  the  following  year,  founded  "The 
Prairie  Democrat"  (afterward  "The  Freeport 
Bulletin"),  the  first  newspaper  published  in  the 
county.  Elected  to  the  Legislature  in  1854,  he 
was  chosen  Speaker  of  the  House,  the  next  year 
becoming  the  first  Mayor  of  Freeport.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Peace  Conference  of  1861,  and,  in 
May  of  that  year,  was  commissioned,  by  Governor 
Yates,  Colonel  of  the  Fifteenth  Illinois  Volun- 
teers, but  resigned  in  1863.  He  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1869-70, 
and,  in  1871,  was  again  elected  to  the  Legisla- 
ture, where  he  received  the  Democratic  caucus 
nomination  for  United  States  Senator  against 
General  Logan.  In  1871  he  removed  to  Chicago, 
and  was  twice  an  unsuccessful  candidate  for  the 
office  of  State's  Attorney.  In  February,  1874,  lie 
went  to  Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  for  medical  treatment, 
and  died  there,  Ajiril  3  following. 


532 


lIISTUiacAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


'rrSCOLA,  a  city  and  the  county-seat  of 
Douglas  County,  located  at  the  intersection  of  the 
Illinois  Central  and  two  other  trunk  lines  of  rail- 
way. 2'^  miles  south  of  Champaign,  and  30  miles 
east  of  Decatur.  Besides  a  brick  court-house  it 
lias  five  churches,  a  graded  school,  a  national 
bank.  t«'o  weekl.y  newspajiers  and  two  establish- 
ments for  the  manufactui'e  of  carriages  and 
wagons;  in  a  farming  district.  Pop.  (1S90),  1,897; 
(1900),  2..569;  (1910),  2,4.5:?. 

TUSCOLA,  CHARLESTON  &,  VIXCENNES 
RAILROAD.  (See  Toledo.  St.  Umis  cfr  Kansas 
City  l\(ii!i-oad.) 

TUTHILL,  Richard  Stanley,  jurist,  was  born 
at  Vergennes,  Jackson  County,  111.,  Nov.  10,  1841. 
After  passing  through  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  county,  he  took  a  preparatory  course  in  a 
high  school  at  St.  Louis  and  in  Illinois  College, 
Jacksonville,  when  he  entered  Middleburj'  Col- 
lege, Vt.,  graduating  there  in  1863.  Immediately 
thereafter  he  joined  the  Federal  army  at  Vicks- 
burg,  and,  after  serving  for  some  time  in  a  com- 
pany of  scouts  attached  to  General  Logan's 
command,  was  commissioned  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
First  Michigan  Light  Artillery,  with  which  he 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  meanwhile 
being  twice  i>romoted.  During  this  time  he  was 
with  General  Sherman  in  the  march  to  Meridian, 
and  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  also  took  part  with 
General  Thomas  in  the  operations  against  the 
rebel  General  Hood  in  Tennessee,  and  in  the 
battle  of  Nashville.  Ilaving  resigned  his  com- 
mission in  May,  18G.J,  he  took  up  the  study  of 
law,  which  he  had  prosecuted  as  he  had  opportu- 
nity while  in  the  army,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  at  Nashville  in  1860,  afterwards  serving  for 
a  time  as  Prosecuting  Attorney  on  the  Nashville 
circuit.  In  1873  he  removed  to  Chicago,  two 
years  later  was  elected  City  Attorney  and  re- 
elected in  1877;  was  a  delegate  to  the  Reijublican 
National  Convention  of  1880  and,  in  1884,  was 
appointed  United  States  District  Attorney  for 
the  Northern  District,  serving  until  1880.  In 
1887  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  of 
Cook  County  to  fdl  the  vacancy  caused  by  the 
death  of  Judge  Kogers,  was  re-elected  for  a  full 
term  in  1891,  ,-ind  again  in  1S97. 

TYXU.VLE,  Sharon,  Secreta.ry  of  State,  born  in 
Philadelphia.  Pa.,  Jan.  19,  1816;  at  the  age  of  17 
came  to  Belleville,  111.,  and  was  engaged  for  a 
time  in  mercantile  business,  later  being  employed 
in  a  surveyor's  corps  under  the  internal  improve- 
ment system  of  1837.  Ilaving  married  in  1839, 
he  returned  soon  after  to  Philadelphia,  where  he 


then  came  to  Illinois,  a  second  time,  in  1845,  spend- 
ing a  year  or  two  in  business  at  Peoria.  About 
1847  he  returned  to  Belleville  and  entered  upon  a 
course  of  mathematical  study,  with  a  view  to 
fitting  himself  more  thoroughly  for  the  profession 
of  a  civil  engineer.  In  18.51  he  graduated  in 
engineering  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  after  which  he 
was  employed  for  a  time  on  the  Suubuiy  &  Erie 
Railroad,  and  later  on  certain  Illinois  railroads. 
In  1857  he  was  elected  County  Surveyor  of  St. 
Clair  County,  and,  in  1861,  by  appointment  of 
President  Lincoln,  became  Postmaster  of  the  city 
of  Belleville.  He  held  this  position  until  1804, 
when  he  received  the  Republican  noniiiiation  for 
Secretary  of  State  and  was  elected,  remaining  in 
office  four  years.  He  was  an  earnest  advocate, 
and  virtually  author,  of  the  first  act  for  the  regis- 
tration of  voters  in  Illinois,  passed  at  the  session 
of  1865.  After  retiring  from  office  in  1809,  he 
continued  to  reside  in  Springfield,  and  was  em- 
ployed for  a  time  in  the  survey  of  the  Gilman, 
Clinton  &  Springfield  Railway — now  the  Spring- 
field Division  of  the  Illinois  Central.  At  an  early 
hour  on  the  morning  of  April  29,  1871,  while 
going  from  his  home  to  the  railroad  station  at 
Springfield,  to  take  the  train  for  St.  Louis,  he  was 
assassinated  upon  the  street  bj'  shooting,  as  sup- 
posed for  the  purpo.se  of  robbery — his  dead  bodj' 
being  found  a  few  hours  later  at  the  scene  of  the 
tragedy.  Mr.  Tyndale  was  a  brother  of  Gen. 
Hector  Tyndale  of  Pennsylvania,  who  won  a 
high  reputation  by  his  services  during  the  war. 
His  second  wife,  who  survived  him,  was  a 
daughter  of  Shadrach^  Penn,  an  editor  of  con- 
siderable reputation  who  was  the  contemjwrary 
and  rival  of  George  D.  Prentice  at  Louisville,  for 
some  years. 

"rJiDERGROrXD  RAILROAD,"  THE.  A 
history  of  Illinois  would  be  incomplete  without 
reference  to  the  unique  system  which  existed 
there,  as  in  other  Northern  States,  from  forty  to 
seventy  years  ago,  known  by  the  somewhat  mys- 
terious title  of  "The  Underground  Railroad." 
The  origin  of  the  term  has  been  traced  (probably 
in  a  sjjirit  of  faeetiousiiess)  to  the  expre-ssion  of 
a  Kentucky  planter  who.  having  pursued  a  fugi- 
tive slave  across  the  Ohio  River,  was  so  surprised 
b}-  his  sudden  disappearance,  as  soon  as  he  had 
reached  the  opposite  shore,  that  he  was  led  to 
remark,  "The  nigger  must  have  gone  off  on  an 
underground  road."  From  "underground  road" 
to  "underground  railroad."  the  transition  would 
appear  to  have  been  easy,  especial!}'  in  view  of 
the  increased  facility  with  which  the  work  was 
performed  when  railroads  came  into   use.     For 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


533 


readers  of  the  present  generation,  it  may  be  well 
vo  explain  what  "The  Underground  Railroad" 
really  was.  It  may  be  defined  as  the  figurative 
appellation  for  a  spontaneous  movement  in  the 
free  States — extending,  sometimes,  into  the 
slave  States  themselves — to  assist  slaves  in  their 
efforts  to  escape  from  bondage  to  freedom.  The 
movement  dates  back  to  a  period  close  to  the 
Revolutionary  War,  long  before  it  received  a 
definite  name.  Assistance  given  to  fugitives 
from  one  State  by  citizens  of  another,  became  a 
cause  of  complaint  almost  as  soon  as  the  Govern- 
ment was  organized.  In  fact,  the  first  President 
himself  lost  a  slave  who  took  refuge  at  Ports- 
mouth, N.  H.,  where  the  public  sentiment  was 
so  strong  against  his  return,  that  the  patriotic 
and  philosophic  "Father  of  his  Country"  chose 
to  let  him  remain  unmolested,  rather  than  "excite 
a  mob  or  riot,  or  even  uneasy  sensations,  in  the 
minds  of  well-disposed  citizens. "  That  the  mat- 
ter was  already  one  of  concern  in  the  minds  of 
slaveholders,  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  a  provision 
was  inserted  in  the  Constitution  for  tlieir  concili- 
ation, guaranteeing  the  return  of  fugitives  from 
labor,  as  well  as  from  justice,  from  one  State  to 
another. 

In  179-3  Congress  passed  the  first  Fugitive  Slave 
Law,  which  was  signed  by  President  Washing- 
ton. This  law  provided  that  the  owner,  his 
agent  or  attorney,  might  follow  the  slave  into 
any  State  or  Territory,  and,  upon  oath  or  afK- 
davit  before  a  court  or  magistrate,  be  entitled 
to  a  warrant  for  his  return.  Any  person  who 
should  hinder  the  arrest  of  the  fugitive,  or  who 
should  harbor,  aid  or  assist  him,  knowing  him 
to  be  such,  was  subject  to  a  fine  of  §500  for  each 
offense. — In  18.50,  fifty -seven  years  later,  the  first 
act  having  proved  inefficacious,  or  conditions 
having  changed,  a  second  and  more  stringent 
law  was  enacted.  This  is  the  one  usually  referred 
to  in  discussions  of  the  subject.  It  provided  for 
an  increased  fine,  not  to  exceed  §1,000,  and  im- 
prisonment not  exceeding  six  months,  with 
liability  for  civil  damages  to  the  part}'  injured. 
No  proof  of  ownership  was  required  beyond  the 
statement  of  a  claimant,  and  the  accused  was  not 
permitted  to  testify  for  himself.  The  fee  of  the 
United  States  Commissioner,  before  whom  the 
case  was  tried,  was  ten  dollars  if  he  lound  for 
the  claimant:  if  n.ot,  five  dollars.  This  seemed 
to  many  an  indirect  form  of  liribery ;  clearly,  it 
made  it  to  the  Judge's  pecuniary  advantage  to 
decide  in  favor  of  the  claimant.  The  law  made 
it  possible  and  easy  for  a  white  man  to  arrest, 
and  carry  into  slavery,  any  free  negro  who  could 


not  immediately  prove,  by  other  witnesses,  that 
he  was  born  free,  or  had  purchased  his  freedom. 

Instead  of  discouraging  the  disposition,  on 
the  part  of  the  opponents  of  slavery,  to  aid  fugi- 
tives in  their  efforts  to  reach  a  region  where 
they  would  be  secure  in  their  freedom,  the  effect 
of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of  1850  (as  that  of  1793 
had  been  in  a  smaller  degree)  was  the  very  oppo- 
site of  that  intended  by  its  authors — unless, 
indeed,  the)-  meant  to  make  matters  worse.  The 
provisions  of  the  act  seemed,  to  many  people,  so 
unfair,  so  one-sided,  that  they  rebelled  in  spirit 
and  refused  to  be  made  parties  to  its  enforce 
ment.  The  law  aroused  the  anti-slavery  senti- 
ment of  the  North,  and  stimulated  the  active 
friends  of  the  fugitives  to  take  greater  risks  in 
their  behalf.  New  efforts  on  the  part  of  the 
slaveholders  were  met  by  a  determination  to 
evade,  hinder  and  nullify  the  law. 

And  here  a  strange  anomaly  is  presented.  The 
slaveholder,  in  attempting  to  recover  his  slave, 
was  acting  within  his  constitutional  and  legal 
rights.  The  sla%"e  was  his  property  in  law.  He 
had  purchased  or  inherited  his  bondman  on  the 
same  plane  with  his  horse  or  his  land,  and,  apart 
from  the  right  to  hold  a  human  being  in  bond- 
age, regarded  his  legal  rights  to  the  one  as  good 
as  the  other.  From  a  legal  standpoint  his  posi- 
tion was  impregnable.  The  slave  was  his,  repre- 
senting so  much  of  money  value,  and  whoever 
was  instrumental  in  the  loss  of  that  slave  was, 
both  theoretically  and  technically,  a  partner  in 
robbery.  Therefore  he  looked  on  "The  Under- 
ground Railway"  as  the  work  of  thieves,  and  en- 
tertained bitter  hatred  toward  all  concerned  in  ita 
operation.  On  the  other  hand,  men  who  were, 
in  all  other  respects,  good  citizens — often  rebg 
iously  devout  and  pillars  of  the  church — became 
bold  and  flagi-ant  violators  of  the  law  in  relation 
to  this  sort  of  property.  They  set  at  nought  a 
plain  provision  of  the  Constitution  and  the  act  of 
Congress  for  its  enforcement.  Without  hope  of 
personal  gain  or  reward,  at  the  risk  of  fine  and 
imprisonment,  with  tlie  certainty  of  social  ostra- 
cism and  bitter  opposition,  they  harbored  the 
fugitive  and  heljied  him  forward  on  every 
occasion.  And  why?  Because  they  saw  in  him 
a  man,  with  the  same  inherent  right  to  "life, 
liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness"  that  they 
themselves  posses.sed.  To  them  this  was  a  higher 
law  than  any  Legislature,  State  or  National,  could 
enact.  They  denied  that  there  could  be  truly 
such  a  thing  as  property  in  man.  Believing  that 
the  law  violated  human  rights,  they  justified 
themselves  in  rendering  it  null  and  void. 


534 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF  ILLINOIS. 


For  the  most  jjart,  the  "Underground  Rail- 
riiiid"  operators  and  promoters  were  jjlain, 
obscure  meu,  without  hope  of  fame  or  desire  for 
notoriety.  Yet  tliere  were  some  wliose  names 
are  conspicuous  in  history,  such  as  Wendell 
Philhps,  Thomas  Wentworth  Higginson  and 
Theodore  Parker  of  Massachusetts:  Gerrit  Smith 
and  Thurlow  Weed  of  New  York:  Joshua  K. 
Oiddings  of  Ohio,  and  Owen  Lovejoy  of  Illinois. 
The.se  had  their  followers  and  sympathizers  in 
all  the  Northern  States,  and  even  in  some  por- 
tions of  the  South.  It  is  a  curious  fact,  that 
some  of  the  nn)st  active  spirits  coimected  with 
the  "Underground  Railroad"  were  natives  of  the 
South,  or  had  resided  there  long  enough  to 
Jecome  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  "insti- 
tution." Levi  Coffin,  who  had  the  reputation  of 
being  the  "President  of  the  Underground  Rail- 
road"— at  least  so  far  as  the  region  west  of  the 
Ohio  was  concerned — was  an  active  operator  on 
the  line  in  North  Carolina  before  his  removal 
from  that  State  to  Indiana  in  IsiG.  Indeed,  as  a 
.>iystem,  it  is  claimed  to  have  had  its  origin  at 
(luilford  College,  in  the  "Old  North  State"  in 
1~-:19,  though  the  evidence  of  this  may  not  be 
conclusive. 

Owing  to  the  peculiar  nature  of  their  business, 
no  official  reports  wei"e  made,  no  lists  of  officers, 
conductors,  station  agents  or  operators  preserved, 
and  few  records  kept  which  are  now  accessible. 
Consequently,  we  are  dependent  chiefly  upon  the 
personal  recollection  of  individual  operatt)rs  for 
a  history  of  their  transactions.  Each  station  on 
the  road  was  the  house  of  a  "friend"  and  it  is 
s-iguificant,  in  this  connection,  that  in  every 
settlement  of  Friends,  or  Quakers,  there  was 
ture  to  be  a  house  of  refuge  for  the  slave.  For 
this  reason  it  was,  perhaps,  that  one  of  the  most 
O'equently  traveled  lines  extended  from  Vir- 
ginia and  Maryland  t!irough  Eastern  Pennsyl- 
Viinia,  and  then  on  towards  New  York  or  directly 
to  Canada.  From  the  proximity  of  Ohio  to 
Virginia  and  Kentucky,  and  the  fact  that  it 
offered  the  shortest  route  through  free  soil  to 
Canada,  it  was  traver.sed  by  more  lines  than  any 
other  State,  although  Indiana  was  pretty 
thoroughly  "grid  ironed"  by  I'oads  to  freedom. 
In  all,  however,  the  routes  were  irregular,  often 
zigzag,  for  purposes  of  security,  and  the  "con- 
ductor" was  any  one  who  conveyed  fugitives  from 
one  station  to  another  The  "train"  was  some- 
times a  farm-wagon,  loaded  with  produce  for 
market  at  some  town  (or  depot)  on  the  line,  fre- 
(jiK^ntly  a  closed  oarri:i';e.  and  it  is  related  that 
once,  in  Ohio,  a  number  of  carriages  conveying 


a  large  party,  were  made  to  represent  a  funeral 
procession.  Occasionally  the  train  ran  on  ft)Ot, 
for  convenience  of  side-tracking  into  the  wooda 
or  a  cornfield,  in  case  of  pursuit  by  a  wild  loco- 
motive. 

Then,  again,  there  were  not  wanting  hiwyers 
who,  in  case  the  operator,  conductor  or  station 
agent  got  into  trouble,  were  ready,  without  fee  or 
reward,  to  defend  either  him  or  his  human 
freight  in  the  courts.  These  included  such 
names  of  national  repute  as  Salmon  P.  Cliase, 
Thaddeus  Stevens,  Charles  Sumner,  William  IL 
Seward,  Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  Richard  II.  Dana, 
and  Isaac  N.  Arnold,  while,  taking  the  whole 
country  over,  their  "name  was  legion  "  And 
there  were  a  few  men  of  wealth,  like  Thomas 
Garrett  of  Delaware,  willing  to  contribute  money 
by  thousands  to  their  assistance.  Although 
technically  acting  in  violation  of  law — or,  as 
claimed  by  themselves,  in  obedience  to  a  "higher 
law" — the  time  has  already  come  when  there  is  a 
disposition  to  look  upon  the  actors  as,  in  a  certain 
sense,  heroes,  and  their  deeds  as  fitly  belonging 
to  the  field  of  romance. 

The  most  comprehensive  collection  of  material 
relating  to  the  liistory  of  this  movement  has 
been  furnished  in  a  recent  volume  entitled,  "The 
Underground  Railroad  from  Slavery  to  Free- 
dom," by  Prof.  Wilbur  H.  Siebert,  of  Ohio  State 
University ;  and,  while  it  is  not  wholly  free  from 
errors,  both  as  to  individual  names  and  facts,  it 
will  probably  remain  as  the  best  compilation  of 
historj-  bearing  on  this  subject — especially  as  the 
principal  actors  are  fast  passing  away.  One  ot 
the  interesting  features  of  Prof.  Sieberfs  book  is 
a  map  purixirting  to  give  the  principal  routes 
and  stations  in  the  States  northwest  of  the  Ohio, 
yet  the  accuracy  of  this,  as  well  as  the  correct- 
ness of  personal  names  given,  has  been  questioned 
by  some  best  informed  on  the  subject.  A? 
might  be  expected  from  its  geographical  position 
between  two  slave  States — Kentucky  and  Jlis- 
souri — on  the  one  hand,  and  the  lakes  offering  3- 
highway  to  Canada  on  the  other,  it  is  naturally 
to  be  assumed  that  Illinois  would  be  an  attract- 
ive field,  both  for  the  fugitive  and  his  sympa- 
thizer. 

The  period  of  greatest  activity  of  the  sj"stem  in 
this  State  was  between  1840  and  1861 — the  lattej 
being  the  year  when  the  pro-slavery  party  in  the 
South,  by  their  attempt  forcibly-  to  dissolve  the 
Union,  took  the  business  out  of  the  hauds  of  the 
secret  agents  of  the  "Underground  Railroad,' 
and — in  a  certain  sense — placed  it  in  the  hands 
of  the  Union  armies.     It  was  in  1841  that  Abra- 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


535 


ham  Lincoln — then  a  conservativr  opponent  of 
the  extension  of  slavery — on  an  appeal  from  a 
judgment,  rendered  by  the  Circuit  Ccurt  in  Taze- 
well County,  in  favor  of  the  holder  of  a  note 
given  for  the  service  of  the  indentured  slave- 
girl  "Nance,"  obtained  a  decision  from  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Illinois  uplioldiug  the  doctrine 
tliat  the  girl  was  free  under  the  Ordinance  of 
1787  and  the  State  Constitution,  and  that  the 
note,  given  to  the  person  who  claimed  to  be  her 
owner,  was  void.  And  it  is  a  somewhat  curious 
coincidence  that  the  same  Abraham  Lincoln,  as 
President  of  the  United  States,  in  the  second 
year  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  issued  the 
Proclamation  of  Emancipation  wliich  finally 
resulted  in  striking  the  shackles  from  the  limbs 
of  every  slave  in  the  Union. 

In  the  practical  operation  of  aiding  fugitives 
in  Illinois,  it  was  natural  that  the  towns  along 
the  border  upon  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers, 
should  Iiave  served  as  a  sort  of  entrepots,  or 
initial  stations,  for  the  reception  of  tliis  class  of 
freight — especially  if  adjacent  to  some  anti- 
slavery  community.  Tliis  was  the  case  at  Ches- 
ter, from  wliich  access  was  easy  to  Sparta,  where 
a  colony  of  Covenanters,  or  Seceders,  was 
located,  and  whence  a  route  extended,  by  way  of 
Oakdale,  Nashville  and  CentraUa,  in  the  direction 
of  Chicago.  Alton  offered  convenient  access  to 
Bond  County,  where  there  was  a  community  of 
anti-slavery  people  at  an  early  day,  or  the  fugi- 
tives could  be  forwarded  northward  by  way  of 
JerseyviUe,  Wav^rly  and  Jacksonville,  about 
«ach  of  which  there  was  a  strong  anti-sla%'erj- 
sentiment.  Quincv,  in  spite  of  an  intense  ho.s- 
tiUty  among  the  r«ass  of  the  community  to  any- 
thing savoring  of  abolitionism,  became  the 
tiieater  of  gre^ji-  activity  on  the  part  of  the 
opponents  of  the  institution,  especially  after  the 
advent  thtire  of  Dr.  David  Nelson  and  ,Dr.  Rich- 
ard Eells,  both  of  whom  had  rendered  themselves 
obnoxious  to  the  people  of  Missouri  by  extending 
aid  to  fugitives.  The  former  was  a  practical 
abolitionist  who,  having  freed  his  slaves  in  his 
native  State  of  Virginia,  removed  to  Missouri  and 
attempted  to  establish  Marion  College,  a  few  miles 
from  Palmyra,  but  was  soon  driven  to  Illinois 
Locating  near  Quincy,  he  founded  the  "Mission 
Institute"  there,  at  which  he  continued  to  dis- 
seminate his  anti-slavery  views,  while  educating 
young  men  for  missionary  work.  The  "Insti- 
tute" was  finally  burned  by  emissaries  from  Mis- 
souri, while  three  young  men  wlio  had  been 
connected  with  it,  having  been  caught  in  Mis 
,souri,  were  condemned  to  twelve  years"  confine 


ment  in  the  penitentiary  of  that  State — partly  on 
the  testimony  of  a  negro,  although  a  negro  was 
not  then  a  legal  witness  in  tlie  courts  against  a 
white  man.  Dr.  Eells  was  prosecuted  before 
Stephen  A.  Douglas  (then  a  Judge  of  the  Circuit 
Court),  and  fined  for  aiding  a  fugitive  to  escape, 
and  tlie  judgment  against  him  was  finally  con- 
firmed by  the  Supreme  Court  after  his  death,  in 
18.'32,  ten  years  after  the  original  indictment. 

A  map  in  Professor  Siebert's  book,  showing  the 
routes  and  principal  stations  of  the  "Undergound 
Railroad,"  makes  mention  of  the  following  places 
in  Illinois,  in  addition  to  those  already  referred 
to  Carlinville,  in  Macoupin  County;  Payson 
and  Menaon,  in  Adams,  Washington,  in  Taze- 
well; Metamora,  in  Woodford,  Magnolia,  in  Put- 
nam; Galesburg,  in  Knox.  Princeton  (the  home 
of  Owen  Lovejoy  and  the  Bryants),  in  Bureau; 
and  many  more.  Ottawa  appears  to  have  been 
tlie  meeting  point  of  a  number  of  lines,  as  well 
as  the  home  of  a  strong  colony  of  practical  abo- 
litionists. Cairo  also  became  an  important 
transfer  station  for  fugitives  arriving  by  river, 
after  the  completion  of  the  Ilhnois  Central  Rail- 
road, especially  as  it  offered  the  speediest  way  of 
reaching  Chicago,  towards  which  nearly  all  the 
lines  converged.  It  was  here  that  tlie  fugitives 
could  be  most  safely  disposed  of  bj-  placing  them 
upon  vessels,  which,  without  stopping  at  inter- 
mediate ports,  could  soon  land  them  on  Canadian 
soil. 

As  to  methods,  these  differed  according  to  cir- 
cumstances, the  emergencies  of  the  occasion,  or 
the  taste,  convenience  or  resources  of  the  oper- 
ator. Deacon  Levi  Morse,  of  Woodford  County, 
near  Metamora,  had  a  route  towards  Magnolia, 
Putnam  Count}';  and  liis  favorite  '"ear"  was  a 
farm  wagon  in  which  there  was  a  double  bottom. 
Tlie  passengers  were  snugly  placed  below,  and 
grain  sacks, filled  with  bran  or  other  light  material, 
were  laid  over,  so  that  the  whole  presented  the 
appearance  of  an  ordinary  load  of  grain  on  its 
«  ay  to  market.  The  same  was  true  as  to  stations 
and  routes.  One,  who  was  an  operator,  says; 
"Wherever  an  abolitionist  happened  on  a  fugi- 
tive, or  the  converse,  there  was  a  station,  for  the 
time,  and  the  route  was  to  the  next  anti-slavery 
man  to  the  east  or  the  north.  As  a  general  rule, 
the  agent  preferred  not  to  know  anything  bej'ond 
the  operation  of  his  own  immediate  section  of  the 
road.  If  he  knew  nothing  about  the  operations 
of  another,  and  the  other  knew  notliing  of  his, 
they  could  not  be  witnesses  in  court. 

W^e  have  it  on  the  authority  of  Judge  Harvey  B. 
Ilm-d.  of  Chicago,  that  runaways  were  usually 


536 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


forwarded  from  that  city  to  Canada  by  way  of  the 
Lakes,  there  being  several  steamers  available  for 
that  purjjose.  On  one  occasion  thirteen  were 
put  aboard  a  vessel  under  the  eyes  of  a  United 
States  ilaishal  and  his  deputies.  The  fugitives. 
secreted  in  a  woodshed,  one  by  one  took  the 
places  of  colored  stevedores  carrying  wood 
aboard  the  ship.  Possibly  the  term,  "There's  a 
nigger  in  the  woodpile,"  may  have  originated  in 
this  incident.  Thirteen  was  an  "unluckj-  num- 
ber" in  this  instance — for  tlie  masters. 

Among  the  notable  trials  for  assisting  runaways 
in  violation  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  case  of  Dr.  Eells.  already  mentioned, 
were  those  of  Owen  Lovejoy  of  Princeton,  and 
Deacon  Gushing  of  Will  Count}',  both  of  whom 
were  defended  by  Jutlge  J.as.  H.  Collins  of  Chi- 
cago. John  Hossack  and  Dr.  Joseph  Stout  of 
Ottawa,  with  some  half-dozen  of  their  neighbors 
and  fi'iends,  were  tried  at  Ottawa,  in  18.59.  for 
assisting  a  fugitive  and  acquitted  on  a  techni- 
cality. A  strong  array  of  attorneys,  afterwards 
widely  known  through  the  northern  part  of  the 
State,  appeared  for  the  defense,  including  Isaac 
N.  Arnolil,  Joseph  Knox,  B.  C.  Cook,  J.  V.  Eus- 
tace, Edward  S.  Leland  and  E.  C.  Earned.  Joseph 
T.  Jlorse,  of  Woodford  County,  was  also  arrested, 
taken  to  Peoria  and  committed  to  jail,  but 
acquitted  on  trial. 

Another  noteworthy  case  was  that  of  Dr. 
Samuel  Willard  (now  of  Chicago)  and  his  father, 
Julius  A.  Willard,  charged  with  assisting  in  the 
escape  of  a  fugitive  at  Jacksonville,  in  18-13,  when 
the  Doctor  was  a  student  in  Illinois  College. 
"The  National  Corporation  Eeporter, "  a  few 
years  ago,  gave  an  account  of  this  affair,  together 
with  a  letter  from  Dr.  Willard.  in  wliich  he  states 
that,  after  protracted  litigation,  during  which 
the  case  was  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court,  it  was 
ended  by  his  pleading  guilty  before  Judge  .Samuel 
D.  Lockwood.  when  he  was  fined  one  dollar  and 
costs— the  latter  amounting  to  twenty  dollars. 
The  Doctor  frankly  adds:  "My  father,  as  well 
as  myself,  lielped  many  fugitives  afterwards." 
It  did  not  always  liapjien,  however,  that  offenders 
escaped  so  easily. 

Judge  Harvey  B.  Hurd,  alreadj-  referred  to, 
and  an  active  anti-slavery  man  in  the  days  of  the 
Fugitive  Slave  Law,  relates  the  following:  Once, 
when  the  trial  of  a  fugitive  was  going  on  before 
Justice  Kercheval,  in  a  room  on  the  second  floor 
of  a  two-story  frame  building  on  Clark  Street  in 
the  city  of  Chicago,  the  crowd  in  attendance 
filled  the  room,  the  stairway  and  the  adjoining 
sidewalk.     In  some  way  the  prisoner  got  mixed 


in  with  the  audience,  and  passed  down  over  the 
heads  of  tliose  on  the  stairs,  where  the  officers 
were  unable  to  follow. 

In  another  case,  tried  before  United  States 
Commissioner  Geo.  W.  Meeker,  the  result  was 
made  to  hinge  iqjon  a  point  in  the  indictment  to 
the  effect  that  the  fugitive  was  "copper-colored." 
The  Commissioner,  as  the  story  goes,  being  in- 
clined to  favor  public  sentiment,  called  for  a  large 
copper  cent,  that  he  might  make  comparison. 
The  decision  was,  that  the  prisoner  was  "off 
color,"  so  to  speak,  and  he  was  hustled  out  of  the 
room  before  the  officers  could  re-arrest  him,  as 
they  had  been  instructed  to  do. 

Dr.  Samuel  Willard,  in  a  review  of  Professor 
Sieberfs  book,  published  in  "The  Dial"  of  Chi 
cago,  makes  mention  of  Henry  Irving  and  Will- 
iam Chauncey  Carter  as  among  his  active  allies 
at  Jacksonville,  with  Rev.  Bilious  Pond  and 
Deacon  Lyman  of  Farmington  (near  the  present 
village  of  Farmingdale  in  Sangamon  County), 
Luther  Ransom  of  Springfield,  Andrew  Borders 
of  Randolph  County,  Joseph  Gerrish  of  Jersey 
and  William  T.  Allan  of  Henry,  as  their  coadju- 
tors in  otlier  parts  of  the  State.  Other  active 
agents  or  promoters,  in  the  same  field,  included 
such  names  as  Dr.  Charles  V.  Dyer,  Philo  Carpen- 
ter, Calvin  De  Wolf,  L.  C.  P.  Freer,  Zebina  East- 
man. James  II.  Collins,  Harvey-  B.  Ilurd,  J.  Young 
Scammon,  Col.  J.  F.  Farnsworth  and  otiiers  of 
Chicago,  whose  names  have  already  been  men- 
tioned ;  Rev.  Asa  Turner,  Deacon  Ballard,  J.  K. 
Van  Dorn  and  Erastus  Benton,  of  Quincy  and 
Adams  County :  President  Ruf us  Blanchard  of 
Knox  College,  Galesburg;  John  Leeper  of  Bond; 
the  late  Prof.  J.  B.  Turner  and  Elihu  Wolcott  of 
Jacksonville;  Capt.  Parker  Jlorse  and  his  four 
sons — Joseph  T.,  Levi  P.,  Parker,  Jr..  and  Mark 
— of  Woodford  County;  Rev.  William  Sloane  of 
Randolph  ;  William  Strawn  of  La  Salle,  besides  a 
host  who  were  willing  to  aid  their  fellow  men  in 
their  aspirations  to  freedom,  without  advertising 
their  own  exploits. 

Among  the  incidents  of  "Underground  Rail- 
road" in  Illinois  is  one  which  had  some  importance 
politically,  liaving  for  its  climax  a  dramatic  scene 
in  Congress,  but  of  wliich,  so  far  as  known,  no 
full  account  has  ever  been  written.  About  1855, 
Ephraim  Lombard,  a  Missi.^sijipi  plantei',  but  a 
New  Englauder  by  birth,  purchased  a  large  body 
of  prairie  land  in  tlie  northeastern  part  of  Stark 
County,  and,  taking  vq)  his  residence  temporarily 
in  the  village  of  Bradford,  began  its  improve- 
ment. He  had  lirought  with  him  from  Slississippi 
a  negro,  gray-haired  and  bent  with  age,  a  slave 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


537 


of  probably  no  great  value.  "Old  Mose, "  as  he 
was  called,  soou  came  to  be  well  known  and  a 
favorite  in  the  neighborhood.  Lombard  boldly 
stated  that  lie  had  brought  liim  there  as  a  slave; 
that,  by  virtue  of  the  Dred  Scott  decision  (then 
of  recent  date),  he  had  a  constitutional  right  to 
take  his  slaves  wherever  he  pleased,  and  that 
"Old  Mose"  was  just  as  much  his  property  in 
Illinois  as  in  Mississippi.  It  soon  became  evident 
to  some,  that  liis  bringing  of  the  negro  to  Illinois 
was  an  experiment  to  test  the  law  and  the  feel- 
ings of  the  Northern  people.  This  being  the  case, 
a  shrewtl  play  would  have  been  to  let  him  have 
his  way  till  other  slaves  should  have  been 
brought  to  stock  tlie  new  plantation  But  this 
was  too  slow  a  process  for  the  abolitionists,  to 
whom  the  holding  of  a  slave  in  the  free  State  of 
Illinois  appeared  an  unbearable  outrage.  It  was 
feared  that  he  might  take  the  old  negro  back  to 
Mississippi  and  fail  to  bring  anj-  others.  It  was 
reported,  also,  that  "Old  Mose"  was  ill-treated; 
that  he  was  given  only  the  coarsest  food  in  a 
back  shed,  as  if  he  were  a  liorse  or  a  dog,  instead 
of  being  permitted  to  eat  at  table  with  the  family. 
The  prairie  citizen  of  that  time  was  very  par- 
ticular upon  this  point  of  etiquette.  The  hired 
man  or  woman,  debarred  from  the  table  of  his  or 
her  employer,  would  not  have  remained  a  day. 
A  quiet  consultation  with  "Old  Mose"  revealed 
the  fact  that  he  would  hail  the  gift  of  freedom 
joyously.  Accordingly,  one  Peter  Risedorf,  and 
another  equally  daring,  met  him  by  the  light  of 
the  stars  and,  before  morning,  he  was  placed  in 
the  care  of  Owen  Lovejoy,  at  Princeton,  twenty 
miles  away.  From  there  he  was  speedily 
"franked"  by  the  member  of  Congress  to  friends 
in  Canada. 

There  was  a  great  commotion  in  Bradford  over 
the  "stealing"  of  "Old  Mose. "  Lombard  and  his 
friends  denounced  the  act  in  terms  bitter  and 
profane,  and  threatened  vengeance  upon  the  per- 
petrators. The  conductors  were  known  only  to  a 
few,  and  they  kept  their  secret  well.  Lovejoy's 
part  in  the  affair,  however,  soon  leaked  out. 
Lombard  returned  to  Mississippi,  where  he 
related  his  experiences  to  Mr.  Singleton,  the 
Representative  in  Congress  from  his  district. 
During  the  next  session  of  Congress,  Singleton 
took  occasion,  in  a  speech,  to  sneer  at  Lovejoj"  as  a 
"nigger-stealer, "  citing  the  case  of  "Old  Mo.se." 
Mr.  Lovejoy  replied  in  his  usual  fervid  and 
dramatic  style,  making  a  speech  which  enssured 
his  election  to  Congress  for  life — "Is  it  desired  to 
call  attention  to  this  fact  of  mj'  assisting  fugitive 
slaves'?"  he  said.   "Owen  Lovejoy  lives  at  Prince- 


ton, 111.,  three-quarters  of  a  mile  east  of  the 
village,  and  he  aids  every  slave  that  comes  to  his 
door  and  asks  it.  Thou  invisible  Demon  of 
Slaverj',  dost  thou  think  to  cross  my  humble 
threshold  and  forbid  me  to  give  bread  to  the 
hungry  and  shelter  to  the  homele.ss?  I  bid  you 
defiance,  in  the  name  of  my  God!" 

With  another  incident  of  an  amusing  charac- 
ter this  article  may  be  closed:  Hon.  J.  Young 
Scammon,  of  Chicago,  being  accused  of  conniving 
at  the  escape  of  a  slave  from  officers  of  the  law, 
was  asked  by  the  court  what  he  would  do  if  sum- 
moned as  one  of  a  posse  to  pursue  and  capture  a 
fugitive.  "I  would  certainly  obey  the  summons," 
he  replied,  "but — I  should  probably  stub  my  toe 
and  fall  down  before  I  reached  him." 

Note.— These  who  wish  to  pursue  the  subject  of  the 
"  Underground  Kailroad  "  in  Illinois  further,  are  referred 
to  the  work  of  Dr.  Slebert,  already  mentioned,  and  to  the 
various  County  Histories  wliieh  have  been  Issued  and  may 
befoimdinthe  ijublic  libraries;  also  for  interesting  inci- 
dents, to  "Keminiscences  of  Levi  Coffin,"  Johnson's 
"  From  Dixie  to  Canada."  Tetit's  Sketches,  "Still,  Under- 
groimd  Railroad,"  and  a  pamphlet  of  the  same  title  by 
James  H.  Fairchild,  ex-President  of  (iberliu  College. 

UNDERWOOD,  William  H.,  lawyer,  legislator 
and  jurist,  was  born  at  Scholiarie  Court  House, 
N.  Y.,  Feb.  21,  1818,  and,  after  admission  to  the 
bar,  removed  to  Belleville,  111.,  where  he  began 
practice  in  1840.  The  following  year  he  was 
elected  State's  Attorney,  and  re-elected  in  1843. 
In  1846  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  lower 
house  of  the  General  Assembly,  and,  in  1848-54, 
sat  as  Judge  of  the  Second  Circuit.  During  this 
period  he  declined  a  nomination  to  Congress, 
although  equivalent  to  an  election.  In  1856  he 
was  elected  State  Senator,  and  re-elected  in  1860. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion of  1869-70,  and,  in  1870.  was  again  elected  to 
the  Senate,  retiring  to  private  life  in  1872.  Died, 
Sept.  23,  1875. 

UNION  COUNTY,  one  of  the  fifteen  counties 
into  which  Illinois  was  divided  at  the  time  of  its 
admission  as  a  State — having  been  organized, 
under  the  Territorial  Government,  in  January, 
1818.  It  is  situated  in  the  southern  division  of 
the  State,  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  Mississippi 
River,  and  has  an  area  of  400  square  miles.  The 
eastern  and  interior  portions  are  drained  by  the 
Cache  River  and  Clear  Creek.  Tlie  western  part 
of  the  county  comprises  the  broad,  rich  bottom 
lands  lying  along  the  Mississippi,  but  is  subject 
to  frequent  overflow,  while  the  eastern  portion  is 
hilly,  and  most  of  its  area  originally  heavily  tim- 
bered. The  county  is  especially  rich  in  minerals. 
Iron-ore,  lead,  bituminous  coal,  chalk,  alum  and 


538 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


potter's  clay  are  found  in  considerable  abun- 
dance. Several  lines  of  railway  (the  most  impor 
tant  being  the  Illinois  Central)  either  cross  or 
tap  the  county.  The  chief  occupation  is  agri- 
culture, although  manufacturing  is  carried  on  to 
a  limited  extent.  Fruit  is  extensively  cultivated. 
Jonesboro  is  the  county -seat,  and  Cobden  and 
Anna  important  shipjiing  stations.  The  latter  is 
tlie  location  of  the  Southern  Hospital  for  the 
Insane.  The  population  of  the  county,  in  1890, 
was  21,529.  Being  next  to  St.  Clair,  Randolph 
and  Gallatin,  one  of  the  earliest  settled  counties 
in  the  State,  many  prominent  men  found  their 
first  home,  on  coming  into  the  State,  at  Jones- 
boro. and  this  region,  for  a  time,  exerted  a  strong 
influence  in  public  affairs.    Pop.  (1910),  21,8.36. 

UNION  LE.VGUE  OF  .\5IERICA, a  secret  polit- 
ical and  patriotic  order  which  had  its  origin 
early  in  the  late  Civil  War,  for  the  avowed  pur- 
pose of  sustaining  the  cause  of  the  Union  and 
counteracting  the, machinations  of  the  secret 
organizations  designed  to  promote  the  success  of 
the  Rebellion.  The  first  regular  Council  of  the 
order  was  organized  at  Pekin,  Tazewell  County, 
June  25,  1862,  consisting  of  eleven  members,  as 
follows  John  \V.  Glasgow,  Dr.  D.  A.  Cheever, 
Hart  Montgomery,  Maj.  Richard  N.  CuUoni 
(father  of  Senator  CuUom),  Alexander  Small, 
Rev.  J.  W.  51.  Vernon,  George  11.  Harlow  (after- 
ward Secretary  of  State),  Charles  Turner,  Col. 
Jonathan  Merriam,  Henry  Pratt  and  L.  F.  Gar- 
rett. One  of  the  number  was  a  Union  refugee 
from  Tennessee,  who  dictated  the  first  oath  from 
memory,  as  administered  to  members  of  a  some- 
what similar  order  which  had  been  organized 
among  tlie  Unionists  of  his  own  State.  It  sol- 
emnlj-  pledged  the  taker,  (1)  to  preserve  invio- 
late the  secrets  and  business  of  the  order;  (2)  to 
"support,  maintain,  jirotect  and  defend  the  civil 
liberties  of  the  Union  of  these  United  States 
against  all  enemies,  either  domestic  or  foreign, 
at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances,"  even 
"if  necessary,  to  the  sacrifice  of  life";  (3)  to  aid 
in  electing  only  true  Union  men  to  oflices  of 
trust  in  the  town,  county.  State  and  General 
Government;  (4)  to  assist,  protect  and  defend 
any  member  of  the  order  who  might  be  in  peril 
from  his  connection  with  the  order,  and  (5)  to 
obey  all  laws,  rules  or  regulations  of  any  Council 
to  which  the  taker  of  the  oath  might  be  attached. 
The  oath  was  taken  upon  the  Bible,  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence  and  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  the  taker  pledging  his  sacred 
honor  to  its  fulfillment.  A  special  reason  for  the 
organization  existed  in  the  activity,  about  this 


time,  of  the  "Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle,"  a 
disloyal  organization  which  had  been  introduced 
from  the  South,  and  which  afterwards  toQk  the 
name,  in  the  North,  of  "American  Knights"  and 
"Sons  of  Liberty. "  (See  Secret  Treasonable  Soci- 
eties.) Three  months  later,  the  organization  had 
extended  to  a  number  of  other  counties  of  the 
State  and,  on  the  25th  of  September  following, 
the  first  State  Council  met  at  Bloomington — 
twelve  counties  being  represented — and  a  State 
organization  was  effected.  At  this  meeting  the 
following  general  officers  were  chosen:  Grand 
President  —  Judge  Mark  Bangs,  of  Marshall 
County  (now  of  Chicago);  Grand  Vice-President 
— Prof.  Daniel  Wilkin,  of  McLean  ;  Grand  Secre- 
tary— George  H.  Harlow,  of  Tazewell;  Grand 
Treasurer — H.  S.  Austin,  of  Peoria,  Grand  Mar- 
shal—J.  R.  Gorin,  of  Macon;  Grand  Herald — 
A.  Gould,  of  Ilenr}-;  Grand  Sentinel — John  E. 
Rosette,  of  Sangamon.  An  Executive  Committee 
was  also  appointed,  consisting  of  Joseph  MediU 
of  "The  Chicago  Tribune";  Dr.  A.  J.  McFar- 
land,  of  Morgan  County ;  J.  K.  Warren,  of  JIacon ; 
Rev.  J.  C.  Rybolt,  of  La  Salle ;  the  President, 
Jutlge  Bangs ;  Enoch  Emery,  of  Peoria ;  and 
John  E.  Rosette.  Under  the  direction  of  this 
Committee,  with  Mr.  MediU  as  its  Chairman, 
the  constitution  and  by-laws  were  thoroughly 
revised  and  a  new  ritual  adopted,  which  materi- 
ally changed  the  phraseology  and  removed  some 
of  the  crudities  of  the  original  obligation,  as  well 
as  increased  the  beauty  and  impressiveness  of 
the  initiatory  ceremonies.  New  signs,  grips  and 
pass-words  were  also  adopted,  which  were  finally 
accepted  by  the  various  organizations  of  the 
order  throughout  the  Union,  which,  by  this  time, 
included  many  soldiers  in  the  army,  as  well  as 
civilians.  The  second  Grand  (or  State)  Council 
was  held  at  Springfield,  January  14,  1803,  with 
only  seven  counties  represented.  The  limited 
representation  was  discouraging,  but  the  mem- 
bers took  heart  from  the  inspiring  words  of  Gov- 
ernor Yates,  addressed  to  a  committee  of  the 
order  who  waited  upon  him.  xVt  a  si^ecial  ses- 
sion of  the  Executive  Committee,  held  at  Peoria, 
six  daj's  later,  a  vigorous  campaign  was 
mapped  out,  under  which  agents  were  sent 
into  nearly  every  county  in  the  State.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1862,  the  strength  of  the  order  in  Illi- 
nois was  estimated  at  three  to  five  thousand; 
a  few  months  later,  the  number  of  enrolled 
members  had  increased  to  50,000  —  so  rapid 
had  lieen  the  growth  of  the  order.  On  March 
25.  I860,  a  Grand  Council  jnet  in  Chicago — 
4U4  Coimcils  in  lUiuois  being  represented,  with 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


539 


a  number  from  Oliio,  Indiana,  Michigan,  Wiscon- 
sin, Iowa  and  Minnesota.  At  this  meeting  a 
Committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  plan  of 
organization  for  a  National  Grand  Council,  which 
■was  carried  out  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  on  the  20tli 
of  May  following — the  constitution,  ritual  and 
signs  of  the  Illinois  organization  being  adopted 
with  slight  modifications.  The  lovised  obligation 
— taken  upon  the  Bible,  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence and  t'lie  Constitution  of  tlie  United 
States — bound  members  of  the  League  to  "sup- 
port, protect  and  defend  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  and  the  flag  thereof,  against  all 
enemies,  foreign  and  domestic,"  and  to" 'bear  true 
faith  and  allegiance  to  the  same";  to  "defend 
the  State  against  invasion  or  insurrection";  to 
sujiport  only  "true  and  reliable  men"  for  offices 
of  trust  and  profit;  to  protect  and  defend 
worthy  members,  and  to  preserve  inviolate  the 
secrets  of  the  order.  The  address  to  new  mem- 
bers was  a  model  of  impressiveness  and  a  powerful 
appeal  to  their  patriotism.  The  organization 
extended  rapidly,  not  only  throughout  the  North- 
west, but  in  the  South  also,  especially  in  the 
army.  In  1864  the  number  of  Councils  in  Illinoi.s 
was  estimated  at  1,300,  with  a  membership  of 
175,000;  and  it  is  estimated  that  the  total  mem- 
bership, throughout  the  Union,  was  2,000,000. 
The  influence  of  the  silent,  but  zealous  and  effect- 
ive, operations  of  the  organization,  was  shown, 
not  only  in  the  stimulus  given  to  enlistments  and 
support  of  the  war  policy  of  the  Government, 
but  in  the  raising  of  supplies  for  the  sick  and 
wovmded  soldiers  in  the  field.  Within  a  few 
weeks  before  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  over  $35,000  in 
cash,  besides  large  quantities  of  stores,  were  sent 
to  Col.  John  Williams  (then  in  charge  of  the 
Sanitary  Bureau  at  Springfield),  as  the  direct 
result  of  appeals  made  through  circulars  sent  out 
by  the  officers  of  the  "League."  Large  contri- 
butions of  money  and  supplies  also  reached  the 
sick  and  wounded  in  hospital  through  the  medium 
of  the  Sanitary  Commission  in  Chicago.  Zealous 
efforts  were  made  by  the  opposition  to  get  at  the 
secrets  of  the  order,  and,  in  one  case,  a  complete 
copy  of  the  ritual  was  published  by  one  of  their 
organs;  but  the  effect  was  so  far  the  reverse  of 
what  was  anticipated,  that  this  line  of  attack  was 
not  continued.  During  the  stormy  session  of  the 
Legislature  in  1883,  the  League  is  said  to  have 
rendered  effective  service  in  protecting  Gov- 
ernor Yates  from  tlireatened  assassination.  It 
continued  its  silent  but  effective  operations  until 
the  complete  overthrow  of  the  rebellion,  when  it 
ceased  to  exist  as  a  political  organization. 


UNITED  STATES  SENATORS.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  list  of  United  States  senators  from  Illinois, 
from  the  date  of  the  admission  of  the  State  into 
the  Union  until  1899,  with  tlie  date  and  duration 
of  the  term  of  each:  Ninian  Edwards,  1818-24; 
Jesse  B.  Thomas,  Sr.,  1818-29;  John  McLean, 
1824-25  and  1829-30;  Elias  Kent  Kane,  1825-35; 
David  Jewett  Baker,  Nov.  12  to  Dec.  11,  1830; 
John  M.  Robinson,  1830-41 ;  William  L.  D.  Ewing, 
1835-37 ;  Richard  M.  Young,  1837-43 ;  Samuel  Mc- 
Roberts,  1841-43;  Sidney  Breese,  1843-49;  James 
Semple,  1843-47;  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  1847-61; 
James  Shields,  1849-55;  Lyman  Trumbull,  1855-73; 
Orville  H.  Browning,  1861-63;  William  A.  Rich- 
ardson, 1863-65;  Richard  Yates,  1865-71;  John  A. 
Logan,  1871-77  and  1879-86;  Richard  J.  Oglesby, 
1873-79;  David  Davis,  1877-83;  Shelby  M.  Cullom, 
first  elected  in  1883,  and  re-elected  four  times,  his 
fifth  term  expiring  in  1912;  Charles  B.  Farwell, 
1SS7-91;  John  Mc.\uley  Palmer,  1891-97;  William 
E.Mason,  1897-1903;  Albert  J.  Hopkins,  1903-09; 
William  Loriiner,  1909 — . 

UM  VERSITY  OF  CHICAGO  (The  New).  One 
of  the  leading  educational  institutions  of  the 
countrj',  located  at  Chicago.  It  is  the  outgrowth 
of  an  attempt,  put  forth  by  the  American  Educa- 
tional Society  (organized  at  Washington  in  1888), 
to  supply  the  place  whicli  the  original  institution 
of  the  same  name  had  been  designed  to  fill.  (See 
University  of  Chicago — Tlie  Old.)  The  following 
year,  Mr.  John  D.  Rockefeller  of  New  Y'ork  ten- 
dered a  contribution  of  §600,000  toward  the  endow- 
ment of  the  enterprise,  conditioned  upon  securing 
additional  pledges  to  uhe  amount  of  §400,000  by 
June  1,  1890.  The  offer  was  accepted,  and  the 
sum  promptly  raised.  In  addition,  a  site,  covering 
four  blocks  of  land  in  the  city  of  Chicago,  was 
secured — two  and  one-half  blocks  being  acquired 
by  purchase  for  5283,500,  and  one  and  one-half 
(valued  at  .5135,000)  donated  by  Mr.  Marshall 
Field.  A  charter  was  secured  and  an  organiza- 
tion effected,  Sept.  10,  1890.  The  Presidency  of 
the  institution  was  tendered  to,  and  accepted  by, 
Dr.  William  R.  Harper.  Since  that  time  the 
University  has  been  the  recipient  of  other  gener- 
ous benefactions  by  Mr.  Rockefeller  and  others, 
until  the  aggregate  donations  (1898)  exceed  $10,- 
000,000.  Of  this  amount  over  one-half  has  been 
contributed  by  Mr.  Rockefeller,  while  he  has 
pledged  himself  to  make  additional  contributions 
of  §3,000.000,  conditioned  upon  the  raising  of  a 
like  sum,  from  other  donors,  by  Jan.  1,  1900.  The 
buildings  erected  on  the  campus,  prior  to  1896, 
include  a  chemical  laboratory  costing  §183,000,  a 
lecture    hall,    §150,000;    a    physical     laboratory 


540 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OP    ILLINOIS. 


8150,000;  a  museum,  §100,000;  au  academy  dor- 
mitory, §30,000;  three  dormitories  for  women, 
§150,000;  two  dormitories  for  men,  §100,000,  to 
which  several  important  additions  were  made 
during  1896  and  97.  The  faculty  embraces  over 
150  instructors,  selected  with  refei^euce  to  their 
fitness  for  their  respective  departments  from 
among  tlie  most  eminent  scholars  in  America  and 
Europe.  Women  are  admitted  as  students  and 
graduated  upon  an  equality  with  men.  The  work 
of  practical  instruction  began  in  October,  1893, 
witli  589  registered  students,  coming  from  nearly 
every  Northern  State,  and  including  250  gradu- 
ates from  otlier  institutions,  to  whicli  accessions 
were  made,  during  the  year,  raising  the  aggregate 
to  over  900.  Tlie  second  year  the  number  ex- 
ceeded 1,100;  the  third,  it  rose  to  1,750,  and  the 
fourth  (1895-90),  to  some  2,000,  including  repre- 
sentatives from  every  State  of  the  Union,  besides 
many  from  foreign  countries.  Special  features 
of  the  institution  include  the  admission  of  gradu- 
ates from  other  institutions  to  a  post-graduate 
course,  and  the  University  Extension  Division, 
whicli  is  conducted  largelj'  by  means  of  lecture 
courses,  in  other  cities,  or  through  lecture  centers 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  University,  non-resident 
students  having  tlie  privilege  of  written  exami- 
nations. The  various  libraries  embrace  over 
300,000  volumes,  of  which  nearly  60,000  belong 
to  what  are  called  the  "Departmental  Libraries,'" 
besides  a  large  and  valuable  collection  of  maps 
and  pamphlets. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO  (The  Old),  au 
educational  institution  at  Chicago,  under  the 
care  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  for  some  years 
known  as  the  Douglas  University.  Senator 
Stejihen  A.  Douglas  offered,  in  185-t,  to  donate  ten 
acres  of  land,  in  what  was  then  near  the  southern 
border  of  the  city  of  Chicago,  as  a  site  for  an 
institution  of  learning,  provided  buildings  cost- 
ing $100,000,  be  erected  thereon  within  a  stipu- 
lated time.  The  corner-stone  of  the  main  building 
was  laid,  July  4,  1857,  but  the  financial  panic  of 
that  year  prevented  its  coniisletiou,  and  Mr.  Doug- 
las extended  tlie  time,  and  finally  deeded  the 
land  to  tlie  trustees  without  reserve.  For  eighteen 
years  the  institution  led  a  precarious  existence, 
struggling  under  a  heavy  debt.  By  1885,  mort- 
gages to  the  amount  of  §320,000  having  accumu- 
lated, the  trustees  abandoned  further  effort,  and 
acquiesced  in  the  sale  of  the  projierty  under  fore- 
closure proceedings.  The  original  plan  of  the 
institution  contemplated  preparatory  and  col- 
legiate departments,  together  with  a  college  of 
law  and  a  theological  school. 


UMVERSITV  OF  ILLINOIS,  the  leading  edu- 
cational institution  under  control  of  the  State, 
located  at  Urbana  and  adjoining  the  city  of 
Champaign.  The  Legislature  at  the  se-ssion  of  1863 
accepted  a  grant  of  480,000  acres  of  land  under 
Act  of  Congress,  approved  July  3,  1862,  making  an 
appropriation  of  public  lands  to  States — 30,000 
acres  for  each  Senator  and  each  Representative  in 
Congress — establisliing  colleges  for  teaching  agri- 
culture and  the  mechanic  arts,  though  not  to  the 
exclusion  of  classical  and  scientific  studies.  Land- 
scrip  under  this  grant  was  issued  and  placed  in 
the  hands  of  Governor  Yates,  and  a  Board  of 
Trustees  appointed  underthe  State  law  wasorgan- 
ized  in  Man-li,  1867,  the  institution  being  located 
the  same  year.  Departments  and  courses  of  study 
were  established,  and  Dr.  John  M.  Gregory,  of 
Michigan,  was  cho.sen  Regent  (President). — The 
landscrip  issued  to  Illinois  was  sold  at  an  early 
day  for  what  it  would  bring  in  open  market, 
except  25,000  acres,  which  was  located  in  Ne- 
braska and  Minnesota.  This  has  recently  been 
sold,  realizing  a  larger  sum  than  was  received 
for  all  the  scrip  otherwise  disposed  of.  The  entire 
sum  thus  secured  for  permanent  endowment  ag- 
gregates §613,036.  Tlie  University  revenues  were 
further  increa.sed  by  donations  from  Congress  to 
each  institution  organized  under  the  Act  of  1863, 
of  §15,000  per  annum  for  tlie  maintenance  of  an 
Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  and,  in  1890,  of 
a  similar  amount  for  instruction — the  latter  to  be 
increased  §1,000  annually  until  it  should  reach 
§25.000.— A  mechanical  building  was  erected  in 
1871,  and  this  is  claimed  to  have  been  the  first  of 
its  kind  in  America  intended  for  strictly  educa- 
tional purposes.  What  was  called  "the  main 
building"  was  formally  opened  in  December, 
1873.  Other  buildings  embrace  a  "Science  Hall,"' 
opened  in  1892;  a  new  "Engineering Hall,"'  1894; 
a  fine  Library  Building,  1897.  Eleven  other  prin- 
cipal structures  and  a  number  of  smaller  ones 
have  been  erected  as  conditions  ■■equired.  The 
value  of  property  aggregates  nearly  §3, .500, 000,  and 
appropriations  from  the  State,  for  all  purposes, 
previous  to  1904,  foot  up  §5,123,517.90.— Since 
1871  the  institution  has  been  open  to  women. 
The  courses  of  study  embrace  agriculture,  chem- 
istry, polytechnics,  military  tactics,  natural  and 
general  sciences,  languages  and  literature,  eco- 
nomics, household  science,  trade  and  commerce. 
The  Graduate  School  dates  from  1891.  In  1896 
the  Chicago  College  of  Piiarmacy  was  connected 
with  the  University:  a  College  of  Law  and  s. 
Library  School  were  opened  in  1897,  and  the  same 
year  the  Chicago  College  of  Physicians  and  ,Sur- 


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HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


541 


germs  n"as  affiliated  as  the  College  of  Medicine — a 
School  of  Dentistry  being  added  to  the  latter  in 
1901.  In  1885  the  State  Laboratoryof  Natural 
History  was  transferred  from  Normal,  111.,  and  an 
Agrioultui-al  Experiment  Station  entablished  in 
1888,  from  which  bulletins  are  sent  to  farmers 
throughout  the  State  who  may  desire  them. — The 
fir.st  name  of  the  Institution  was  '"Illinois  Indus- 
trial University,"  but,  in  1885,  this  was  changed 
to  "University  of  Illinois."'  In  1887  the  Trustees 
Cof  whom  there  are  nine)  were  made  elective  by 
popular  vote — three  being  elected  every  tv.-o 
years,  each  holding  office  six  years.  Dr.  Gregory, 
having  resigned  the  office  of  Regent  in  1880,  was 
succeeded  by  Dr.  Selim  H.  Peabody,  who  had 
been  Professor  of  Mechanical  and  Civil  Engineer- 
ing. Dr.  Peabody  resigned  in  1891.  The  duties 
of  Regent  were  then  discharged  by  Prof.  Thomas 
J.  Burrill  until  August,  1891,  when  Dr.  Andrew 
Sloan  Draper,  former  State  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction  of  the  State  of  New  York,  was 
installed  as  President,  serving  until  1901. — The 
corps  of  instruction  (1901)  includes  over  100  Pro- 
fessors, 60  Associate  and  Assistant  Professors  and 
200  Instructors  and  Assistants,  besides  special 
lecturers,  demonstrators  and  clerks.  The  num- 
ber of  students  has  increased  rapidly  in  recent 
years,  as  shown  by  the  following  totals  for  suc- 
ces.sive  years  from  1890-91  to  1903-01,  inclusive: 
519;  583;  714;  713;  810;  853;  1,075:  1,582;  1,831; 
2,231;  2,505;  2,932;  3,289;  3,589.  Of  the  last  num- 
ber, 2,271  were  men  and  718  women.  During 
1903-04  there  were  in  all  departments  at  Urbana, 
2,517  students  (256  being  in  the  Preparatory  Aca- 
demy) ;  and  in  the  three  Professional  Departments 
in  Chicago,  1,043,  of  whom  694  were  in  the  Col- 
lege of  Medicine,  185  in  the  School  of  Pharmac}-, 
and  163  in  the  School  of  Dentistry.  The  Univer- 
sity Library  contains  63,700  volumes  and  14,500 
pamphlets,  not  including  5.350  volumes  and 
15,8.50  pamphlets  in  the  State  Laboratory  of  Nat- 
ural History. — The  Uuiver.sity  occupies  a  con- 
spicuous and  attractive  site,  embracing  220  acres 
adjacent  to  the  line  between  Ui  bana  and  Cham- 
paign, and  near  the  residence  portion  of  the  two 
cities.  The  athletic  field  of  11  acres,  on  which 
stand  the  gymnasium  and  armory,  is  enclosed 
with  an  ornamental  iron  fence.  The  campus, 
otherwise,  is  an  open  and  beautiful  park  with 
fine  landscape  effects. 

UNORCiANIZEl)  COUNTIES.  In  addition  to 
the  103  counties  into  which  Illinois  is  divided, 
acts  were  passed  by  the  General  Assembly, 
at  diiferent  times,  providing  for  the  organiza- 
tion of  a    number  of  others,    a   few   of   which 


were  subsequently  organized  under  different 
names,  but  the  majority  of  which  were  never 
organized  at  all — the  proposition  for  such  or- 
ganization being  rejected  by  vote  of  the  people 
within  the  proposed  boundaries,  or  allowed  to 
lapse  by  non-action.  These  unorganized  coun- 
ties, with  the  date  of  the  several  acts  authorizing 
them,  i.nd  the  territory  which  they  were  in- 
tended to  include,  were  as  follows:  Allen 
County  (1841)  —  comprising  portions  of  Sanga- 
mon, Morgan  and  Macoupin  Counties;  Audobon 
(Audubon)  County  (1843) — from  portions  of  Mont- 
gomery, Fayette  and  Shelby ;  Benton  County 
(1843) — from  Morgan,  Greene  and  Macoupin; 
Coffee  County  (1837) — with  substantially  the 
same  territory  now  comprised  within  the  bound- 
aries of  Stark  County,  authorized  two  years 
later;  Dane  County  (1839) — name  changed  to 
Christian  in  1840;  Harrison  County  (1855) — 
from  McLean,  Champaign  and  Vermilion,  com- 
prising territory  since  partially  incorporated 
in  Ford  County;  Holmes  County  (1857) — from 
Champaign  and  Vermilion;  Marquette  County 
(1843),  changed  (1847)  to  Highland — compris- 
ing the  northern  portion  of  Adams,  (tliis  act 
was  accepted,  with  Columbus  as  the  county- 
seat,  but  organization  finally  vacated);  Michi- 
gan County  (1837) — from  a  part  of  Cook;  Milton 
County  (1843) — from  the  south  part  of  Vermil- 
ion; Okaw  County  (1841) — comprising  substan- 
tially the  same  territory  as  Moultrie,  organized 
under  act  of  1843;  Oregon  County  (1851) — from 
parts  of  Sangamon,  Morgan  and  Macoupin  Coun- 
ties, and  covering  substantially  the  same  terri- 
tory as  proposed  to  be  incorporated  in  Allen 
County  ten  years  earlier.  The  last  act  of  this 
character  was  passed  in  1867,  when  an  attempt 
was  made  to  organize  Lincoln  County  out  O-' 
parts  of  Champaign  and  Vermilion,  but  whicn 
failed  for  want  <if  an  afHrmative  vote. 

UPPER  ALTON,  a  city  of  Madison  County, 
situated  on  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad,  about 
1^  miles  northeast  of  Alton— laid  out  in  1816.  It 
has  several  churches,  and  is  the  seat  of  Shurtleff 
College  and  the  Western  Military  Academy,  the 
former  founded  about  1831,  and  controlled  by  the 
Baptist  denomination.  Beds  of  excellent  clay  are 
found  in  the  vicinity  and  utilized  in  pottery 
manufacture.     Pop.  (19(10),  2.373:  (1910),  2,918. 

UPTOX,  George  Putnam,  journalist,  was  born 
at  Roxbury.  Mass.,  Oct.  25,  18:34;  graduated  from 
Brown  University  in  18.54,  removed  to  Chicago 
in  1855,  and  began  newspaper  work  on  ''The 
Native  American,"  the  following  year  taking 
the  place  of  city  editor  of  "The  Evening  Jour- 


542 


HISTOEICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


nal."  In  1863,  Mr.  Upton  became  musical  critic 
oil  "The  Cliicago  Tribune."  serving  for  a  time 
also  as  its  war  correspondent  in  the  field,  later 
(about  1881)  taking  a  place  on  the  general  edi- 
torial staff,  which  he  still  retains.  He  is  regarded 
as  an  authority  on  musical  and  dramatic  topics. 
Mr.  Upton  is  also  a  stockholder  in,  and,  for  sev- 
eral years,  has  been  Vice-President  of  the  "Trib- 
une" Company.  Besides  numerous  contributions 
to  magazines,  his  works  include:  "Letters  of 
Peregrine  Pickle"  (1869)  ;  "Memories,  a  Story  of 
German  Love,"  translated  from  the  German  of 
Ma.M  Muller  (1879);  "Woman  in  Music"  (1880); 
"Lives  of  German  Composers"  (3  vols. — 1883-84); 
besiiles  four  volumes  of  standard  operas,  oratorios, 
cantatas,  and  symphonies  (1885-88). 

UBB.-iNA,  a  flourishing  city,  the  county-seat 
of  Champaign  County,  on  Ihe  "Big  Four,"  the 
Illinois  Central  and  tlie  W.iha«li  Railways:  130 
miles  .south  of  Chicago  nn.l  31  miles  west  of  Dan- 
ville; in  agricultural  and  ccal-mining  region. 
The  mechanical  industries  include  extensive  rail- 
road sliops,  manufacture  of  brick,  suspenders  and 
Iawn-;nowerR.  Tlie  Cunningham  Deaconesses' 
Home  and  Orphanage  is  located  here.  The  city 
lias  water-works,  gns  and  electric  light  plants, 
electric  car-liups  (local  and  interurban),  superior 
scliocls.  nine  churches,  three  banks  and  three 
newspapers  Ur  bRna  is  tlie  seat  of  the  University 
of  Ii:i:i.  i;.     Po;!.  (1900),  .5,72,8;  (1910),  S,24.5. 

CSREY,  William  J.,  editor  and  soldier,  was 
born  at  Washington  (near  Natchez),  Mi.ss.,  May 
16,  1827;  was  educated  at  Natchez,  and,  before 
reaching  manhood,  came  to  Macon  County,  111., 
where  he  engaged  in  teaching  until  1846,  when 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Comjiany  C,  Fourth 
Illinois  Volunteers,  for  the  Mexican  War.  In 
18.5.'),  he  joined  with  a  Jlr.  Wingate  in  the  estab- 
lishment, at  Decatur,  of  "The  Illinois  State  Chron- 
icle," of  which  he  soon  after  took  sole  charge, 
conducting  the  paper  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted 
in  the  Thirty-fifth  Illinois  Volunteers  and  was 
appointed  Adjutant.  Although  born  and  edu- 
cated in  a  slave  State.  Mr.  Usrey  was  an  earnest 
opponent  of  slavery,  as  proved  by  the  attitude  of 
his  paper  in  opposition  to  the  Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill.  He  was  one  of  the  most  zealous  endorsers 
of  the  proposition  for  a  conference  of  the  Anti- 
Nebraska  editors  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  to  agree 
upon  a  line  of  policy  in  opposition  to  the  further 
extension  of  slavery,  and.  when  that  body  met  at 
Decatur,  on  Feb.  23,  IS.'iG.  he  served  as  its  Secre- 
tary, thus  taking  a  prominent  part  in  the  initial 
steps  wliich  resulted  in  the  organization  of  the 
Republican  party  in  Illinois.    (See  Anti-Xebraska 


Editorial  Convention.)  After  returning  from 
the  war  he  resumed  his  place  as  editor  of  "The 
Chronicle,"  but  finally  retired  from  newspaper 
work  in  1871.  He  was  twice  Postmaster  of  the 
citj'  of  Decatur,  first  previous  to  1850,  and  again 
under  the  administration  of  President  Grant; 
served  also  as  a  member  of  the  City  Council  and 
was  a  member  of  the  local  Post  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  Secretary  of  the  Macon  County  Association 
of  Mexican  War  Veterans.  Died,  at  Decatur, 
Jan.  20,  1894. 

UTIC.4,  (also  called  North  LTtica),  a  village  of 
La  Salle  Count}',  on  the  Illinois  &  Michigan 
Canal  and  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific 
Railway,  10  miles  west  of  Ottawa,  situated  on  the 
Illinois  River  opposite  "Starved  Rock,"  also 
believed  to  stand  on  the  site  of  the  Kaskaskia 
village  found  by  the  French  Explorer,  La  Salle, 
when  he  first  visited  Illinois.  "Utica  cement"  is 
produced  here;  it  also  has  several  factories  or 
mills,  besides  banks  and  a  weekly  paper.  Popu- 
lation (1S90),  1,094;  (1900),  1,1.50;  (1910),  976. 

VAN  ARNASI,  John,  lawyer  and  soldier,  was 
liorn  at  Plattsburg,  N.  Y.,  March  3,  1820.  Hav- 
ing lost  his  father  at  five  years  of  age,  he  went  to 
live  with  a  farmer,  but  ran  away  in  his  boyhood; 
later,  began  teaching,  studied  law,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  New  York  City,  beginning 
practice  at  Marshall,  Mich.  In  1858  he  removed 
to  Chicago,  and,  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Walker,  Van  Arnam  &  Dexter,  became  promi- 
nent as  a  criminal  lawyer  and  railroad  attorney, 
being  for  a  time  Solicitor  of  the  Chicago,  Burling- 
ton &  Quincy  Railroad.  In  1862  he  assisted  in 
organizing  tlie  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-seventh 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  and  was  commissioned 
its  Colonel,  but  was  compelled  to  resign  on 
account  of  illness.  After  spending  some  time  in 
California,  he  resumed  practice  in  Chicago  in 
1865.  His  later  years  were  spent  in  California, 
dying  at  San  Diego,  in  that  State,  April  6,  1890. 

VANDALIA,  tlie  principal  city  and  county -seat 
of  Faj'ette  County.  It  is  situated  on  the  Kas- 
kaskia River,  30  miles  north  of  Centralia,  63 
miles  south  by  west  of  Decatur,  and  68  miles 
east-northeast  of  St.  Louis.  It  is  an  intersecting 
point  for  the  Illinois  Central  and  the  St.  Louis, 
Vandalia  and  Terre  Haute  Railroads.  It  was  the 
capital  of  the  State  from  1820  to  1839,  the  seat  of 
government  being  removed  to  Springfield,  the 
latter  year,  in  accordance  with  act  of  the  General 
Assembly  passed  at  the  session  of  1837.  It  con- 
tains a  court  house  (old  State  Capitol  building), 
six  churches,  two  banks,  three  weekly  papers,  a 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


543 


graded  school,  flour,  saw  and  paper  mills,  foundry, 
stave  and  heading  mill,  carriage  and  wagon 
and  lirick  works.    Pop.  (lOOt)),  2,665;  (1910),  2,974. 

VANDEVEEI!,  Horatio  M.,  pioneer  lawyer, 
was  born  in  Washington  County,  Ind.,  March  1, 
1816;  came  with  his  family  to  Illinois  at  an  early 
age,  settling  on  Clear  Creek,  now  in  Christian 
County;  taught  school  and  studied  law,  using 
books  borrowed  from  the  late  Hon.  John  T.  Stuart 
of  Springfield ;  was  elected  first  County  Recorder 
of  Christian  Count}'  and,  soon  after,  appointed 
Circuit  Clerk,  filling  both  offices  three  years. 
He  also  held  the  office  of  County  Judge  from  1848 
to  18:)7 ;  was  twice  chosen  Representative  in  the 
General  Assembly  (1843  and  1S50)  and  once  to  the 
State  Senate  (18G2);  in  1846,  enlLsted  and  was 
chosen  Captain  of  a  company  for  the  Mexican 
War,  but,  having  been  rejected  on  account  of  the 
quota  being  full,  was  appointed  Assistant-Quarter- 
master, in  this  capacity  serving  on  the  staff  of 
General  Taylor  at  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista. 
Among  other  offices  held  by  Mr.  Vandeveer,  were 
those  of  Postmaster  of  Taylorville.  Master  in 
Chancery,  Presidential  Elector  (184H),  Delegate 
to  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1803,  and 
Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  (1870-79).  In  1868 
Judge  Vandeveer  established  the  private  banking 
firm  of  H.  M.  Vandeveer  &  Co.,  at  Taylorville, 
which,  in  conjunction  with  his  sons,  he  continued 
successfully  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
Died,  March  13,  1894. 

VAN  HORKE,  William  C,  Railway  Manager 
and  President,  was  born  in  Will  County,  111., 
February,  1843 ;  began  his  career  as  a  telegraph 
operator  on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  in  1856, 
was  attached  to  the  Michigan  Central  and  Chi- 
cago &  Alton  Railroads  (18.'J8-72),  later  being 
General  Manager  or  General  Superintendent  of 
various  other  lines  (1872-79).  He  next  served  as 
General  Superintendent  of  the  Chicago,  Milwau- 
kee &  St.  Paul,  but  soon  after  became  General 
Manager  of  tlie  Canadian  Pacific,  which  he 
assisted  to  construct  to  the  Pacific  Coast;  was 
elected  Vice-President  of  the  line  in  1884,  and  its 
President  in  1888.  His  services  have  been  recog- 
nized by  conferring  upon  bim  the  order  of 
knighthood  by  the  British  Government. 

VASSEl'R,  Noel  C,  pioneer  Indian-trader,  was 
born  of  French  parentage  in  Canada,  Dec.  2.'j, 
1799;  at  the  age  of  17  made  a  trip  with  a  trading 
party  to  the  West,  crossing  Wisconsin  by  way  of 
the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers,  the  route  pursued 
by  Joliet  and  JIarquette  in  1673 ;  later,  was  associ- 
ated with  Gurdon  S.  Hubbard  in  the  service  of 
the  American  Fur  Company,  in  1830  visiting  the 


region  now  embraced  in  Iroquois  County,  where 
he  and  Hubbard  subsequently  established  a  trad- 
ing post  among  the  Pottawatomie  Indians, 
believed  to  have  been  the  site  of  the  present  town 
of  Iroquois.  The  way  of  reaching  their  station 
from  Chicago  was  by  the  Chicago  and  Des 
Plaines  Rivers  to  the  Kankakee,  and  ascending 
the  latter  and  the  Iroquois.  Here  Vasseur  re- 
mained in  trade  until  the  removal  of  the  Indians 
west  of  the  Missi.ssippi,  in  which  he  served  as 
agent  of  the  Government.  While  in  the  Iroquois 
region  he  married  Watseka,  a  somewhat  famous 
Pottawatomie  woman,  for  whom  the  town  of 
Watseka  was  named,  and  who  had  ijreviously 
been  the  Indian  wife  of  a  fellow-trader.  His 
later  years  were  spent  at  Bourbonnais  Grove,  in 
Kankakee  County,  where  he  died,  Dec.  13,  1879. 

VENICE,  a  city  of  Madison  County,  on  the 
Mississii'pi  River  opposite  St.  Louis  and  3  miles 
north  of  East  St.  Louis;  is  touched  by  six  trunk 
lines  of  railroad,  and  at  the  eastern  apjjroach  to 
the  new  "Merchants'  Bridge,"  with  its  rouml- 
house,  has  two  ferries  to  St.  Louis,  street  oar  line, 
electric  lights,  water-works,  some  manufirntures 
and  a  newspappr.    Pop.  (lODO),  2,4.53;  (1910),  3,713. 

VEMCE  &  CAROS'DELET  RAILROAD.  (See 
LdiiisviUe.  EiviisviUc  cf'  St.  Louis  {Consolidated) 
Radrond.) 

VERMILION  COUNTY,  an  eastern  county, 
bordering  on  the  Indiana  State  line,  and  drained 
!)}•  tlie  Vermilion  and  Little  Vermilion  River^ 
from  which  it  takes  its  name.  It  was  originally 
organized  in  1826,  when  it  extended  north  to 
Lake  Michigan.  Its  present  area  is  SS2  square 
miles.  The  discovery  of  salt  springs,  in  1819, 
aided  in  attracting  immigration  to  this  region, 
but  the  manufacture  of  salt  was  abandoned 
many  years  ago.  Early  settlers  were  Se3'mour 
Treat,  James  Butler,  Henry  Johnston,  Harvey 
Lidiugton,  Gurdon  S.  Hubbard  and  Daniel  W. 
Beckwith.  James  Butler  and  Achilles  Morgan 
were  the  first  County  Commissioners.  Many 
interesting  fossil  remains  have  been  found, 
among  them  the  skeleton  of  a  mastodon  (1868). 
Fire  clay  is  found  in  large  quantities,  and  two 
coal  seams  cross  the  county.  The  surface  is  level 
and  the  soil  fertile.  Corn  is  the  chief  agricultural 
product,  although  oats,  wheat,  rye,  and  potatoes 
are  extensively  cultivated.  Stock-raising  and 
wool-growing  are  important  industries.  There 
are  also  several  manufactories,  chiefly  at  Dan- 
ville, which  is  the  county-seat.  Coal  mining 
is  carried  on  extensively,  especially  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Danville.  Population  (1880).'41, 588;  (1890), 
49,905;  (1900),  6.5,635;  (1910),  77,996. 


544 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


VERMILION  RITER,  a  tributary  of  the  Illi- 
nois; rises  in  Ford  and  the  northern  part  of 
McLean  Countj",  and,  running  northwestward 
through  Livingston  and  the  southern  part  of 
La  Salle  Counties,  enter.s  the  Illinois  Eirer 
nearly  opposite  the  city  of  La  Salle ;  has  a  length 
of  about  80  miles. 

YERMILIOX  RITER,  an  affluent  of  the  Wa- 
bash, formed  by  the  union  of  the  North,  Middle 
and  South  Forks,  which  rise  in  Illinois,  and 
come  together  near  Danv".lle  in  this  State.  It 
flows  southeastward,  and  enters  the  Wabash  in 
Vermilion  County,  Ind.  The  main  stream  is 
about  28  miles  long.  The  South  Fork,  however, 
which  rises  in  Oiampaign  County  and  runs  east- 
ward, has  a  length  of  nearlj-  75  miles.  The 
Little  Vermilion  River  enters  the  Wabash  about 
7  or  8  miles  below  the  Vermilion,  which  is  some- 
times called  the  Big  Vermilion,  bj'  way  of 
distinction. 

TERMONT,  a  village  in  Fulton  County,  at 
junction  of  Galesburg  and  St.  Louis  Division  of 
the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  24 
miles  north  of  Beardstown;  has  a  carriage  manu- 
factory, flour  and  saw-mills,  brick  and  tile  works, 
electric  light  plant,  besides  two  banks,  four 
churches,  two  graded  schools,  and  one  weekly 
newspaper.  An  artesian  well  has  been  sunk  here 
to  the  depth  of  2,600  feet.     Pop    (1910),  1,11S. 

VERSAILLES,  a  town  of  Brown  County,  on 
the  ^\'a1),'lsh  Railway,  48  miles  east  of  Quincy;  is 
in  a  timijer  and  agricultural  district;  has  a  bank 
and  weekly  newspaper.     Pop.  (1910),  557. 

VIENNA,  the  county -seat  of  Johnson  County, 
situated  on  the  Cairo  and  Vincennes  branch  of 
the  Cleveland,  Cincinnati,  Chicago  &  St.  Louis 
Railroad,  36  miles  north-northwest  of  Cairo.  It 
has  a  court  house,  several  churches,  a  graded 
school,  banks  and  two  weekly  newspapers. 
Pop.  (1890),  828;  (1900),  1.217;  (1910),  1,124. 

VKtO,  Francois,  pioneer  and  early  Indian- 
trader,  was  born  at  Mondovi,  Sardinia  (Western 
Italy),  in  1747,  served  as  a  private  soldier,  first  at 
Havana  and  afterwards  at  Xew  Orleans.  AVheu 
he  left  the  Spanish  army  lie  came  to  St.  Louis, 
then  the  military  headquarters  of  Spain  for  L^i>per 
Louisiana,  where  he  became  a  partner  of  Com- 
mandant de  Leba,  and  was  extensively  engaged 
in  the  fur-trade  among  the  Indians  on  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  Rivers.  On  the  occupation  of 
Kaskaskia  by  Col.  George  Rogers  Clark  in  177S, 
he  rendered  valuable  aid  to  the  Americans,  turn- 
ing out  supplies  to  feed  C'lark"s  destitute  soldiers, 
and  accepting  Virginia  Continental  money,  at 
par,  in  payment,  incurring  liabilities  ia  excess  of 


§30,000.  This,  followed  by  the  confiscation  policy 
of  the  British  Colonel  Hamilton,  at  Vincennes, 
where  Vigo  had  considerable  property,  reduced 
him  to  extreme  penury.  H.  W.  Beckwith  says 
that,  towards  the  close  of  his  life,  he  lived  on  his 
little  homestead  near  Vincennes.  in  great  poverty 
but  cheerful  to  the  last  He  was  never  recom- 
pensed during  his  life  for  his  sacrifices  in  behalf 
of  the  American  cause,  though  a  tardy  restitution 
was  attempted,  after  his  death,  by  the  United 
States  Government,  for  the  benefit  of  his  heirs. 
He  died,  at  a  ripe  old  age,  at  Vincennes,  Ind., 
March  22,  1835. 

VILLA  GROVE,  a  village  of  Douglas  County  on 
tlie  Chicago  &  Eastern  Illinois  Railroad,  eight  miles 
northeast  of  Tuscola.     Pop.  (1910).  1,S28. 

VIXCEN'XES,  Jean  Baptiste  Bissot,  a  Canadian 
explorer,  born  at  Quebec,  January,  1G88,  of  aris- 
tocratic and  wealthy  ancestry.  He  was  closely 
connected  with  Louis  Joliet  —  probably  his 
brother-in-law,  although  some  historians  .say  that 
he  was  the  latter"s  nephew.  He  entered  the 
Canadian  army  as  ensign  in  1701,  and  had  a  long 
and  varied  experience  as  an  Indian  fighter. 
About  1725  he  took  up  his  residence  on  what  is 
now  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Vincennes, 
Ind.,  which  is  named  in  his  honor.  Here  he 
erected  an  earth  fort  and  established  a  trading- 
post.  In  1726,  under  orders,  he  co-operated  with 
D'Artaguiette  (then  the  French  Governor  of  Illi- 
nois) in  an  expedition  against  the  Chickasaws. 
The  expedition  resulted  disastrously.  Vincennes 
and  D'Artaguiette  wei-e  captured  and  burned 
at  the  stake,  together  with  Father  Senat  (a 
Jesuit  priest)  and  others  of  the  command. 
(See  also  D'Artaguiette;  Freiich  Goi'ernors  of 
inhtoix.) 

VIRDEN,  a  city  of  Macoupin  County,  on  the 
Chicago  &  Alton  and  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  Railroads,  21  miles  south  by  west  from 
Springfield,  and  31  miles  east-southeast  of  Jack- 
sonville. It  has  five  churches,  two  banks,  two 
newspapers,  telephone  service,  electric  lights, 
grain  elevators.  luachine  shop,  and  extenisive  coal 
mines.     Pop.   (1900),  2,2S0;  (1910),  4,000. 

VIRGIM.\,an  incorporated  city,  the  county- 
seat  of  Cass  County,  situated  at  the  intersection  of 
the  Chicago,  Peoria  &  St.  Louis,  with  the  Spring- 
field Division  of  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  South- 
western Railroad,  15  miles  north  of  Jacksonville, 
and  33  miles  west-northwest  of  Springfield.  It 
lies  in  the  heart  of  a  rich  agricultural  region. 
There  is  a  flouring  mili  here,  besides  manu- 
factories of  wagons  and  cigars.  The  city  has  two 
National  and   one  State   bank,  five  churches,  a 


HISTOKICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLIXOIS. 


545 


high  school,  and'two  weekly  papers.     Pop   (1890), 
1,602;  (1900),  1,600;  (1910),  1,301. 

VOCKE,  William,  lawyer,  was  boru  at  Min- 
den,  Westphalia  (Germany),  in  1839,  tlie  son  of  a 
Government  Secretary  in  the  Prussian  service. 
Having  lost  his  father  at  an  early  age,  he  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1806,  and,  after  a  short 
stay  in  New  York,  came  to  Chicago,  where  he 
found  employment  as  a  paper-carrier  for  "The 
Staats-Zeitung,"  meanwhile  giving  his  attention 
to  the  study  of  law.  Later,  he  became  associated 
with  a  real-estate  firm ;  on  the  commencement 
of  the  Civil  War,  enlisted  as  a  private  in  a 
three  months'  regiment,  and,  finally,  in  the 
Twenty-fourth  Illinois  (the  first  Hecker  regi- 
ment), in  which  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  Captain. 
Returning  from  the  army,  he  was  emploj-ed  as 
city  editor  of  "The  Staats-Zeitung,"  but,  in 
1865,  became  Clerk  of  the  Chicago  Police  Court, 
serving  until  1869.  Meanwhile  he  had  been 
admitted  to  the  bar,  and,  on  retirement  from 
ofl5ce,  began  practice,  but,  in  1870,  was  elected 
Representative  in  tlie  Twenty-seventh  General 
Assembly,  in  which  he  bore  a  leading  part  in 
framing  "the  burnt  record  act"  made  necessary 
by  the  fire  of  1871.  He  was  still  later  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  having  been, 
for  a  number  of  years,  attorney  for  the  German 
Consulate  at  Chicago,  also  ser\-ing,  for  several 
years,  on  the  Chicago  Board  of  Education.  Mr. 
Vocke  was  a  man  of  hii;h  literary  tastes,  as  shown 
b}'  his  publication,  in  1869,  of  a  volume  of  poems 
translated  from  the  German,  which  has  been 
highly  commended,  besides  a  legal  work  on 
"The  Administration  of  Justice  in  the  United 
States,  and  a  Synopsis  of  the  :Mode  of  Procedure 
in  our  Federal  and  State  Courts  and  All  Federal 
and  State  Laws  relating  to  Subjects  of  Interest 
to  Aliens,''  which  has  been  published  in  the  Ger- 
man Language,  and  is  highly  valued  by  German 
lawyers  and  business  men.  Mr.  Vocke  was  a 
member  of  the  Republican  National  Convention 
of  1872  at  Philadelphia,  which  nominated  General 
Grant  for  the  Presidency  in  1S72.  Died  May  3,  1907. 
YOLK,  Leonard  Wells,  a  distinguished  Illinois 
sculptor,  born  at  Wellstown  (afterwards  Wells), 
N.  Y.,  Nov.  7,  1828.  Later,  his  father,  who  was 
a  marble  cutter ,  removed  to  Pittsfield,  Mass., 
and,  at  the  age  of  16,  Leonard  began  work  in  his 
shop.  In  1848  he  came  west  and  began  model- 
ing in  clay  and  drawing  at  St.  Louis,  being  only 
self-taught.  He  married  a  cousin  of  Stephen  A. 
Douglas,  and  the  latter,  in  1855,  aided  him  in 
the  prosecution  of  his  art  studies  in  Italy.  Two 
years  afterward  he  settled  in  Chicago,  where  he 


modeled  the  first  portrait  bust  ever  made  in  the 
city,  having  for  his  subject  his  first  patron — the 
"Little  Giant."  The  next  year  (1858)  he  made  a 
life-size  marble  statue  of  Douglas.  In  1860  he 
made  a  portrait  bust  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  which 
passed  into  the  possession  of  the  Chicago  His- 
torical Society  and  was  destroyed  in  the  great  fire 
of  1871.  In  1868-69,  and  again  in  1871-72,  he 
revisited  Italy  for  purposes  of  study.  In  1867  he 
was  elected  academician  of  the  Chicago  Academy, 
and  was  its  President  for  eight  years.  He  was 
genial,  companionable  and  charitable,  and  always 
ready  to  assist  his  younger  and  less  fortunate  pro- 
fessional brethren.  His  best  known  works  are  the 
Douglas  Monument,  in  Cliicago,  several  soldiers' 
monuments  in  different  parts  of  the  country, 
the  statuary  for  the  Henry  Keep  mausoleum  at 
Watertown,  N.  Y.,  life-size  statues  of  Lincoln 
and  Douglas,  in  the  State  House  at  Springfield, 
and  numerous  portrait  busts  of  men  eminent 
in  political,  ecclesiastical  and  commercial  life. 
Died,  at  Osceola,  Wis.,  August  18,  1895. 

VOSS,  Arno,  journalist,  lawyer  and  soldier, 
born  in  Prussia,  April  16,  1821 ;  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Cliicago,  in  1848,  the  same  year  becoming  editor 
of  "The  Staats-Zeitung";  was  elected  City 
Attorney  in  1852,  and  again  in  1853;  in  1861 
became  Major  of  the  Sixth  Illinois  Cavalry,  but 
afterwards  assisted  in  orgcinizing  the  Twelfth 
Cavalry,  of  which  he  was  commissioned  Colonel, 
still  later  serving  with  his  command  in  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  at  Harper's  Ferry  at  the  time  of 
the  capture  of  that  place  in  September,  1862,  but 
succeeded  in  cutting  his  way,  with  his  command, 
through  the  rebel  lines,  escaping  into  Pennsyl- 
vania. Compelled  by  ill-health  to  leave  the  serv- 
ice in  1863,  he  retired  to  a  farm  in  Will  County, 
but,  in  1869,  returned  to  Chicago,  where  he  served 
as  Master  in  Chancery  and  was  elected  to  the 
lower  branch  of  the  General  Assembly  in  1876, 
but  declined  a  re-election  in  1878.  Died,  in  Chi- 
cago, March  23,  1888. 

WABASH,  CHESTER  &  WESTERN  RAIL- 
ROAD,  a  railway  running  from  Chester  to  Mount 
Vernon,  111.,  63.33  miles,  with  a  branch  extend- 
ing from  Chester  to  Menard.  1.5  miles;  total 
mileage,  64.83.  It  is  of  standard  gauge,  and 
almost  entirely  laid  with  60-pound  steel  rails. — 
(History.)  It  was  organized,  Feb.  20,  1878,  as 
successor  to  the  Iron  Mountain,  Chester  &  East- 
ern Railroad.  During  the  fiscal  j-ear  1893-94  the 
Company  purchased  the  Tamaroa  &  Mount  Ver- 
non Railroad,  extending  from  Mount  Vernon  to 


546 


HISTOKICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


Tamaroa,  23.5  miles.  Capital  stock  (1898),  Sl,- 
250,000;  bonded  indebtedness,  §690,000;  total 
capitalization,  §2,038.573. 

WABASH  COUNTY,  situated  in  the  southeast 
corner  of  the  State ;  area  230  square  miles.  The 
county  was  carved  out  from  Edwards  in  1824, 
and  the  first  court  house  built  at  Centerrille,  in 
May,  1826.  Later,  Mount  Carmel  was  made  the 
county-seat.  (See  Mount  Carmel.)  The  Wabash 
River  drains  the  county  on  the  east;  other 
streams  are  the  Bon  Pas,  Coffee  and  Crawfish 
Creeks.  The  surface  is  undulating  with  a  fair 
growth  of  timber.  The  chief  industries  are  the 
raising  of  live-stock  and  the  cultivation  of  cere- 
als. The  wool-crop  is  likewise  valuable.  The 
county  is  crossed  by  the  Louisville.  Evansville  & 
3t.  Louis  and  the  Cairo  and  Viucennes  Division 
of  the  Cleveland.  Cincinnati,  Chicago  &  St. 
Louis Raib-oads.  Population  (1880),  4,945;  fl890), 
11,866;  (1900),  12,.tS.3;  (1910),  14,913. 

WABASH  RAILROAD,  an  extensive  railroad 
system  connecting  the  cities  of  Detroit  and 
Toledo,  on  the  east,  with  Kansas  City  and  Covmcil 
Bluffs,  on  the  west,  with  branches  to  Chicago,  St. 
Louis,  Quincy  and  Altamont,  111.,  and  to  Keokuk 
and  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  The  total  mileage  (1898) 
is  1,874.96  miles,  of  which  677.4  miles  are  in  Illi- 
nois— all  of  the  latter  being  the  property'  of  the 
company,  besides  176.7  miles  of  yard-tracks,  sid- 
ings and  spurs.  The  company  has  trackage 
privileges  over  the  Toledo,  Peoria  &  Western  (6.5 
miles)  between  Elvaston  and  Keokuk  bridge,  and 
over  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  (21.8 
miles)  between  Camp  Point  and  Quinc}-. — (His- 
tory.) A  considerable  portion  of  this  road  in 
Illinois  is  constructed  on  the  line  upon  which  the 
Northern  Cross  Railroad  was  projected,  in  the 
"internal  imiirovement"'  scheme  adopted  in  1837, 
and  embraces  the  only  section  of  road  completed 
under  that  scheme — that  between  the  Illinois 
River  and  Springfield.  (1)  The  construction  of 
this  section  was  begun  by  the  State,  May  11, 
1837,  the  first  rail  laid.  May  9,  1838,  the  road 
completed  to  Jacksonville,  Jan.  1,  1840,  and  to 
Springfield,  May  13,  1842.  It  was  operated  for  a 
time  by  "mule  power."  but  the  income  was  in- 
sufficient to  keep  the  line  in  repair  and  it  was 
finally  abandoned.  In  1847  the  line  was  sold  for 
531,100  to  N.  H.  Ridgely  and  Thomas  Mather  of 
Springfield,  and  by  them  transferred  to  New 
York  capitalists,  who  organized  the  Sangamon  & 
Morgan  Railroad  Company,  reconstructed  the 
road  from  Springfield  to  Najjles  and  opened  it  for 
business  in  1849.  (2)  In  1853  two  corporations 
were  organized  in  Ohio  and  Indiana,  respectively, 


under  the  name  of  the  Toledo  &  Illinois  Railroad 
and  the  Lake  Erie,  Wabash  &  St.  Louis  Railroad, 
which  were  consolidated  as  the  Toledo,  Wabash 
&  Western  Railroad,  June  25,  1856.  In  1858 
these  lines  were  sold  separately  under  foreclo- 
.sxu-e,  and  finally  reorganized,  under  a  special  char- 
ter granted  by  the  Illinois  Legislature,  under  the 
name  of  the  Great  Western  Railroad  Company. 
(3)  The  Quincy  &  Toledo  Railroad,  extending 
from  Camp  Point  to  the  Illinois  River  opposite 
Jleredosia,  was  constructed  in  1858-59,  and  that, 
with  the  Illinois  &  Southern  Iowa  (from  Clay- 
ton to  Keokuk),  was  united,  July  1,  1865,  with 
the  eastern  divisions  extending  to  Toledo,  the 
new  organization  taking  the  name  of  the  main 
line,  (Toledo,  Wabash  &  Western).  (4)  The 
Hannibal  &  Naples  Division  (49  6  miles),  from 
Bluffs  to  Hannibal,  Mo.,  was  chartered  in  1863, 
opened  for  business  in  1870  and  leased  to  the 
Toledo,  Wabash  &  Western.  The  latter  defaulted 
on  its  interest  in  1875,  was  placed  in  the  hands 
of  a  receiver  and,  in  1877,  was  turned  over  to  a 
new  company  under  the  name  of  the  Wabash 
Railway  Company.  (5)  In  1868  the  companj', 
as  it  then  existed,  promoted  and  secured  the  con- 
struction, and  afterwards  acquired  the  owner- 
ship, of  a  line  extending  from  Decatur  to  East  St. 
Louis  (110.5  miles)  under  the  name  of  the  Deca- 
tur &  East  St.  Louis  Railroad.  (6)  The  Eel  River 
Railroad,  from  Butler  to  Logansport,  Ind.,  was 
acquired  in  1877,  and  afterwards  extended  to 
Detroit  under  the  name  of  the  Detroit,  Butler  & 
St.  Louis  Railroad,  completing  the  connection 
from  Logansport  to  Deti'oit. — In  November,  1879, 
the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railway  Com- 
pany was  organized,  took  the  property  and  con- 
solidated it  with  certain  lines  west  of  the 
Jlississippi,  of  which  tlie  chief  was  the  St.  Louis, 
Kansas  City  &  Northern.  A  line  had  been  pro- 
jected from  Decatur  to  Chicago  as  early  as  1870, 
but,  not  having  been  constructed  in  1881,  the 
Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  purchased  what  was 
known  as  the  Chicago  &  Paducah  Railroad, 
imiting  with  the  main  line  at  Bemeut,  and  (by 
way  of  the  Decatur  and  St.  Louis  Division)  giv- 
ing a  direct  line  between  Chicago  and  St.  Louis. 
At  this  time  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  wal 
operating  the  following  additional  leased  lines: 
Pekin,  Lincoln  &  Decatui-  (67.2  miles) ;  Hannibal 
&  Central  Missouri  (70.2  miles);  Lafayette,  Mun- 
cie  &  Bloomington  (36.7  miles),  and  the  Lafayette 
Bloomington  &  Muncie  (80  miles).  A  connection 
between  Chicago  on  the  west  and  Toledo  and 
Detroit  on  the  east  was  established  over  the 
Grand  Trunk  road  in  1882,  but,  in  1890,  the  com- 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


547 


pany  constructed  a  line  from  Montpelier,  Ohio,  to 
Clark,  Ind.  (149.7  miles),  theuce  by  track  lease 
to  Chicago  (17.5  miles),  giving  an  independent 
line  between  Chicago  and  Detroit  by  what  is 
known  to  investors  as  the  Detroit  &  Chicago 
Division. 

The  total  mileage  of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  & 
Pacific  system,  in  188-1,  amounted  to  over  3,600 
miles;  but,  iu  May  of  that  year,  default  having 
been  made  in  the  payment  of  interest,  the  work 
of  disintegration  began.  The  main  line  east  of 
the  Mississippi  and  that  on  the  west  were  sepa- 
rated, the  latter  taking  the  name  of  the  "Wabash 
Western."  The  Eastern  Division  was  placed  in 
the  hands  of  a  receiver,  so  remaining  until  Slay, 
1889,  when  the  two  divisions,  having  been 
bought  in  by  a  purchasing  committee,  were 
consolidated  under  the  present  name.  The  total 
earnings  and  income  of  the  road  in  Illinois,  for 
the  fiscal  year  1898,  were  §4,402,G':i,  and  the 
expenses  §4,836,110.  The  total  capital  invested 
(1898)  was  $139,889,643,  including  capital  stock 
of  §53,000,000  and  bonds  to  the  amount  of  §81,- 
584.000. 

WABASH  BIVER,  rises  in  northwestern  Ohio, 
passes  into  Indiana,  and  runs  northwest  to  Hun- 
tington. It  then  flows  nearly  due  west  to  Logans- 
port,  thence  southwest  to  Covington,  finally 
turning  southward  to  Terre  Haute,  a  few  miles 
below  which  it  strikes  the  western  boundary  of 
Indiana.  It  forms  the  boundary  between  Illinois 
and  Indiana  (taking  into  account  its  numerous 
windings)  for  some  200  miles.  Below  Vincennes 
it  runs  in  a  south-southwesterly  direction,  and 
enters  the  Ohio  at  the  south-west  extremity  of 
Indiana,  near  latitude  37°  49'  north.  Its  length 
is  estimated  at  557  miles. 

WABASH  &  MISSISSIPPI  RAILROAD. 
(See  Illinois  Central  Railroad.) 

WABASH,  ST.  LOUIS  &  PACIFIC  RAIL- 
ROAD.     (See  Wabash  Eailroad. ) 

WABASH  &  WESTERN  RAILROAD.  (See 
Wabash  Railroad.) 

WAIT,  William  Smith,  pioneer,  and  original 
suggestor  of  tlie  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  was 
born  in  Portland,  Maine,  March  5,  1789,  and  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place. 
In  his  youth  he  entered  a  book-publishing  house 
in  which  his  father  was  a  partner,  and  was  for  a 
time  associated  with  the  publication  of  a  weekly 
paper.  Later  the  business  was  conducted  at 
Boston,  and  extended  over  the  Eastern,  Middle, 
and  Southern  States,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
making  extensive  tours  in  the  interest  of  the 
firm.     In    1817    he    made  a    tuur  to    the  West, 


reaching  St.  Louis,  and,  early  in  the  following 
year,  visited  Bond  County,  111.,  where  he  made 
his  first  entry  of  land  from  the  Government. 
Returning  to  Boston  a  few  months  later,  he  con- 
tinued in  the  service  of  the  publishing  firm  until 

1820,  when  he  again  came  to  Illinois,   and,    in 

1821,  began  farming  in  Ripley  Township,  Bond 
County.  Returning  East  in  1824,  he  spent  the 
next  ten  years  in  the  employment  of  the  publish- 
ing firm,  with  occasional  visits  to  Illinois.  In 
1835  he  located  jiermanently  near  Greenville, 
Bond  County,  and  engaged  extensively  in  farm- 
ing and  fruit-raising,  planting  one  of  the  largest 
ap]ile  orchards  in  the  State  at  that  early  day.  In 
1845  he  presided  as  chairman  over  tlie  National 
Industrial  Convention  in  New  York,  and,  iu 
1848,  was  nominated  as  the  candidate  of  the 
National  Reform  Association  for  Vice-President 
on  the  tic^ket  with  Gerrit  Smith  of  New  York, 
but  declined.  He  was  also  prominent  iu  County 
an<l  State  Agricultural  Societies.  Mr  Wait  has 
been  credited  with  being  one  of  the  first  (if  not 
the  very  first)  to  suggest  the  construction  of  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad,  which  he  did  as  early 
as  1835 ;  was  also  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the 
construction  of  the  Mississippi  &  Atlantic  Rail- 
road— now  the  "Vandalia  Line" — giving  much 
time  to  the  latter  enterprise  from  1846  for  many 
years,  and  was  one  of  the  original  incorporators 
of  the  St.  Louis  &  Illinois  Bridge  Company. 
Died,  July  17,  1865. 

WALKER,  Cyrus,  pioneer,  lawyer,  born  in 
Rockbridge  County,  Va.,  May  14,  1791 ;  was  taken 
while  an  infant  to  Adair  Count)-,  Ky.,  and  came 
to  Macomb,  111.,  in  1833,  being  the  second  lawyer 
to  locate  in  McDonough  County.  He  had  a  wide 
reputation  as  a  successful  advocate,  especially  in 
criminal  cases,  and  practiced  extensivel}-  in  the 
courts  of  Western  Illinois  and  also  iu  Iowa.  Died, 
Dec.  1,  1875.  Mr.  Walker  was  uncle  of  the  late 
Pinkney  H.  Walker  of  the  Supreme  Court,  who 
studied  law  with  him.  He  was  Whig  candidate 
for  Presidential  Elector  for  the  State-at-large  in 
1840. 

WALKER,  James  Burr,  clergyman,  wa.s  born 
in  Philadelphia,  July  29,  1805;  in  his  youth 
served  as  errand-boy  in  a  country  store  near 
Pittsburg  and  spent  four  years  in  a  printing 
office ;  then  became  clerk  in  the  office  of  Mordecai 
M.  Noah,  in  New  York,  studied  law  and  gradu- 
ated from  Western  Reserve  College,  Ohio;  edited 
various  religious  papers,  including  "The  Watch- 
man of  the  Prairies"  (now  "The  Advance")  of 
Clncago,  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Chicago,  and  for  some  time  was  lecturer  on 


548 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


"Harmony  between  Science  and  Revealed  Reli- 
gion" at  Oberlin  College  and  Chicago  Theological 
Seminary.  He  was  author  of  several  volumes, 
one  of  which — "The  Philosophy  of  the  Plan  of 
Salvation,"  published  anonj-mously  under  the 
editorship  of  Prof.  Calvin  E.  Stowe  (185.5) — ran 
through  several  editions  and  was  translated  into 
five  different  languages,  including  Hindustanee. 
Died,  at  Wheaton,  111.,  March  6,  1887. 

WALKER,  James  Monroe,  corporation  lawyer 
and  Railway  President,  was  born  at  Claremont, 
N.  H.,  Feb.  14,  1820.  At  fifteen  he  removed  with 
his  parents  to  a  farm  in  Michigan ;  was  educated 
at  Oberlin,  Ohio,  and  at  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan, Ann  Arbor,  graduating  from  the  latter  in 
1849.  He  then  entered  a  law  office  as  clerk  and 
student,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  the  next  year, 
and  soon  after  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney  of 
"Washtenaw  County ;  was  also  local  attorney  for 
the  Michigan  Central  Railway,  for  which,  after 
his  removal  to  Chicago  in  1853,  he  became  Gen- 
eral Solicitor.  Two  years  later  the  firm  of  Sedg- 
wick &  Walker,  which  had  been  organized  in 
Michigan,  became  attorneys  for  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  and,  until  his 
death,  Mr.  AValker  was  associated  with  this  com- 
pany, either  as  Greneral  Solicitor,  General  Counsel 
or  President,  filling  the  latter  position  from  1870 
to  1875.  Mr.  Walker  organized  both  the  Chicago 
and  Kansas  Citj'  stock-yards,  and  was  President 
of  these  corporations,  as  also  of  the  Wilmington 
Coal  Company,  down  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  Jan.  23,  1881,  as  a  result  of 
heart  disease. 

WALKER,  (Rev.)  Jesse,  Methodist  Episcopal 
missionary,  was  born  in  Rockingham  County, 
Va.,  June  9,  1766;  in  1800  removed  to  Tennessee, 
became  a  traveling  preacher  in  1802,  and,  in 
1806,  came  to  Illinois  under  the  presiding-elder- 
ship  of  Rev.  William  McKendree  (afterwards 
Bishop),  locating  first  at  Turkey  Hill,  St.  Clair 
County.  In  1807  he  held  a  camp  meeting  near 
Edwardsville — the  first  on  Illinois  soil.  Later, 
he  transferred  his  labors  to  Northern  Illinois; 
was  at  Peoria  in  1824;  at  Ottawa  in  1825,  and 
devoted  much  time  to  missionary  work  among 
the  Pottawatomies,  maintaining  a  school  among 
them  for  a  time.  He  visited  Chicago  in  1826,  and 
there  is  evidence  that  he  was  a  prominent  resident 
there  for  several  j-ears,  occupying  a  log  house, 
which  he  used  as  a  church  and  living-room,  on 
"Wolf  Point"  at  the  junction  of  the  North  and 
South  Branches  of  the  Chicago  River.  While 
acting  as  superintendent  of  the  Fox  River  mis- 
sion, his  residence  appears  to  have  been  at  Plain- 


field,  in  the  northern  part  of  WiU  County.  Died, 
Oct.    5,  1835. 

WALKER,  Pinkney  H.,  lawyer  and  jurist, 
was  born  in  Adair  County,  Ky.,  June  18,  1815. 
His  boj'hood  was  chiefly  passed  in  farm  work  and 
as  clerk  in  a  general  store ;  in  1834  he  came  to  Illi- 
nois, settling  at  Rushville,  where  he  worked  in  a 
store  for  four  years.  In  1838  he  removed  to 
Macomb,  where  he  began  attendance  at  an  acad- 
emy and  the  study  of  law  with  his  uncle,  Cyrus 
Walker,  a  leading  law3'er  of  his  time.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1839.  practicing  at  Macomb 
until  1848,  when  he  returned  to  Rushville.  In 
1853  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Fifth  Judicial 
Circuit,  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  re-elected  in  1855. 
This  position  he  resigned  in  1858,  having  been 
appointed,  by  Governor  Bissell,  to  fill  the  vacancy 
on  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Comt  occasioned  bj' 
the  resignation  of  Judge  Skinner.  Two  months 
later  he  was  elected  to  the  same  position,  and 
re-elected  in  18G7  and  '76.  He  presided  as  Chief 
Justice  from  January,  1864,  to  June,  "67,  and 
again  from  June,  1874,  to  June,  '75.  Before  the 
expiration  of  his  last  term  he  died,  Feb.  7,  18S5. 

WALL,  George  Willard,  la%vyer,  pohtician  and 
Judge,  was  born  at  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  April  23, 
1839;  brought  to  Peny  Countj',  111.,  in  infancy, 
and  received  his  preparatory  education  at  McKen. 
dree  College,  finally  graduating  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan  in  1858,  and  from  the 
Cincmnati  Law  School  in  1859,  when  he  began 
practice  at  Duquoin,  111.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1802,  and,  from 
1864  to  "68,  served  as  State's  Attorney  for  the 
Third  Judicial  Di-strict ;  was  also  a  Delegate  to  the 
State  Constitutional  Convention  of  1869-70.  In 
1872  he  was  an  unsuccessful  Democratic  candi- 
date for  Congress,  although  running  ahead  of  his 
ticket.  In  '1877  he  was  elected  to  the  bench  of 
the  Third  Circuit,  and  re-elected  in  "79,  '85  and 
'91,  much  of  the  time  since  1877  being  on  duty 
upon  the  Appellate  bench.  His  home  is  at 
Duquoin. 

WALLACE,  (Rev.)  Peter,  D.D.,  clergyman 
and  soldier;  was  born  in  Mason  County,  Ky., 
April  11,  1818;  taken  in  infancy  to  Brown 
Count}',  Ohio,  where  he  grew  up  on  a  farm  until 
15  years  of  age,  when  he  was  apprenticed  to  a 
carpenter;  at  the  age  of  20  came  to  Illinois, 
where  he  became  a  contractor  and  builder,  fol- 
lowing this  occupation  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
was  converted  in  1835  at  Springfield,  III,  and, 
some  }"ears  later,  having  decided  to  enter  the 
ministrj-,  was  admitted  to  the  Illinois  Conference 
as  a  deacon  by  Bishop  E.  S.  Janes  in  1855,  and 


HISTOEICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


549 


placed  in  charge  of  the  Danville  Circuit.  Two 
years  later  he  was  ordained  by  Bishop  Scott,  and, 
in  the  next  few  j-ears,  held  pastorates  at  various 
places  in  the  central  and  eastern  parts  of  the 
State.  From  1867  to  1874  he  was  Presiding  Elder 
of  the  Mattoon  and  Quincy  Districts,  and,  for  six 
years,  held  the  position  of  President  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  Chaddock  College  at  Quincy,  from 
which  he  received  the  degree  of  D.D.  in  1881. 
In  the  second  year  of  the  Civil  War  he  raised  a 
company  in  Sangamon  County,  was  chosen 
its  Captain  and  assigned  to  the  Seventy-third 
Illinois  Volunteers,  known  as  the  "preachers' 
regiment" — all  of  its  oflQcers  being  ministers.  In 
1864  he  was  compelled  by  ill-health  to  resign  his 
commission.  While  pastor  of  the  church  at  Say- 
brook,  111.,  he  was  offered  the  position  of  Post- 
master of  that  place,  which  he  decided  to  accept, 
and  was  allowed  to  retire  from  the  active  minis- 
try. On  retirement  from  office,  in  1884,  he 
removed  to  Chicago.  In  1889  he  was  appointed 
by  Governor  Fifer  the  first  Cliaplain  of  the  Sol- 
diers" and  Sailors'  Home  at  Quincy,  but  retired 
some  four  years  afterward,  when  he  returned  to 
Chicago.  Dr.  Wallace  was  an  eloquent  and 
effective  preacher  and  continued  to  preach,  at 
intervals,  until  within  a  short  time  of  his  decease, 
which  occurred  in  Chicago,  Feb.  21,  1897,  in  his 
84th  year.  A  zealous  patriot,  he  frequently 
spoke  very  effectively  upon  the  political  rostrum. 
Originally  a  Whig,  he  became  a  Republican  on 
the  organization  of  that  party,  and  took  pride  in 
the  fact  that  the  first  vote  he  ever  cast  was  for 
Abraham  Lincoln,  for  Representative  in  the  Legis- 
lature, in  1834.  He  was  a  Knight  Templar.  Vice- 
President  of  the  Tippecanoe  Club  of  Chicago, 
and,  at  his  death,  Chaplain  of  America  Post,  No. 
708,  G.  A.  R. 

WALLACE,  William  Henry  Lamb,  lawyer  and 
soldier,  was  born  at  Urbana,  Ohio,  July  8,  1831 ; 
brought  to  Illinois  in  1833,  his  father  settling 
near  La  Salle  and,  afterwards,  at  Jlovmt  Morris, 
Ogle  County,  where  j-oung  Wallace  attended  the 
Rock  River  Seminary ;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
184o ;  in  1S4G  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  First  Illi- 
nois Volunteers  (Col.  John  J.  Hardin's  regiment), 
for  the  Mexican  War,  rising  to  the  rank  of  Adju- 
tant and  participtingin  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista 
(where  his  commander  was  killed),  and  in  other 
engagements.  Returning  to  his  profession  at 
Ottawa,  he  served  as  District  Attorney  (1852-56), 
then  became  partner  of  his  father-in-law.  Col. 
T.  Lyle  Dickey,  afterwards  of  the  Supreme  Court. 
In  April,  1861,  lie  was  one  of  the  first  to  answer 
the  call  for  troops  by  enlisting,  and  became  Colo- 


nel of  the  Eleventh  Illinois  (three-months' 
men),  afterwards  re-enlisting  for  three  years. 
As  commander  of  a  brigade  he  participated  in 
the  capture  of  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1863,  receiving  promotion  as  Brigadier- 
General  for  gallantry.  At  Pittsburg  Landing 
(Shiloh),  as  commander  of  Gen.  C.  F.  Smith's 
Division,  devolving  on  him  on  account  of  the 
illness  of  his  superior  officer,  he  showed  great 
courage,  but  fell  mortally  wounded,  dying  at 
Charleston,  Tenn.,  April  10,  1862.  His  career 
promised  great  brilliancy  and  his  loss  was  greatly 
deplored.— Martin  U.  M.  (  Wallace),  brother  of 
the  preceding,  was  born  at  Urbana.  Ohio,  Sept. 
29,  1829,  came  to  La  Salle  County,  111.,  with  his 
father's  family  and  was  educated  in  the  local 
schools  and  at  Rock  River  Seminary ;  studied  law 
at  Ottawa,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1856, 
soon  after  locating  in  Chicago.  In  1861  he 
assisted  in  organizing  the  Fourth  Regiment  Illi- 
nois Cavalry,  of  which  he  became  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  and  was  complimented,  in  1865,  with  the 
rank  of  brevet  Brigadier-General.  After  the 
war  he  served  as  A.ssessor  of  Internal  Revenue 
(1866-69) ;  County  Judge  (1869-77) ;  Prosecuting 
Attorney  (1884);  and,  for  many  years  was  one  of 
the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  the  city  of  Chicago. 
Died  March  6,  1902. 

WALNUT,  a  town  of  Bureau  County,  on  the 
Mendota  and  Fulton  branch  of  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington &  Quincy  Railroad,  26  miles  west  of 
Mendota;  is  in  a  farming  and  stock-raising  dis- 
trict; has  two  banks  and  two  newspapers.  Popu- 
lation (1900),  791;  (1910),  763. 

WAR  OF  1813.  Upon  the  declaration  of  war 
by  Congress,  in  June,  1812,  the  Pottawatomies, 
and  mast  of  the  other  tribes  of  Indians  in  the 
Territory  of  Illinois,  strongly  sympathized  with 
the  British.  The  savages  had  been  hostile  and 
restless  for  some  time  previous,  and  blockhouses 
and  family  forts  had  been  erected  at  a  number 
of  points,  especially  in  the  settlements  most 
exposed  to  the  incursions  of  the  savages.  Gov- 
ernor Edwards,  becoming  apprehensive  of  an 
outbreak,  constructed  Fort  Russell,  a  few  miles 
from  Edwardsville.  Taking  the  field  in  person, 
he  made  this  his  headquarters,  and  collected  a 
force  of  250  mounted  volunteers,  who  were  later 
reinforced  by  two  companies  of  rangers,  under 
Col.  William  Russell,  numbering  about  100  men. 
An  independent  company  of  twenty-one  spies,  of 
which  John  Reynolds — afterwards  Governor — 
was  a  member,  was  also  formed  and  led  by  Capt. 
Samuel  Judy.  The  Governor  organized  his  little 
army  into  two  regiments  under  Colonels  Rector 


550 


HISTOKICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


and  Stephenson,  Colonel  Russell  serving  as 
second  to  tlie  commander-in-chief,  other  mem- 
bers of  his  staff  being  Secretarj-  Nathaniel  Pope 
and  Robert  K.  McLaughlin.  On  Oct.  18,  1812, 
Governor  Edwards,  with  his  men,  set  out  for 
Peoria,  where  it  was  expected  that  their  force 
would  meet  that  of  General  Hopkins,  who  had 
been  sent  from  Kentucky  with  a  force  of  2,000 
men.  En  route,  two  Kickapoo  villages  were 
burned,  and  a  number  of  Indians  unnecessarily 
slain  by  Edwards'  party.  Hopkins  had  orders  to 
disperse  the  Indians  on  the  Illinois  and  Wabash 
Rivers,  and  desliroy  their  villages.  He  deter- 
mined, however,  on  reaching  the  headwaters  of 
the  Vermilion  to  proceed  no  farther.  Governor 
Edwards  reached  the  head  of  Peoria  Lake,  but, 
failing  to  meet  Hopkins,  returned  to  Fort  Russell. 
About  the  same  time  Capt.  Thomas  E.  Craig  led 
a  party,  in  two  boats,  up  the  Illinois  River  to 
Peoria.  His  boats,  as  he  alleged,  having  been 
fired  upon  in  the  night  by  Indians,  who  wei'e  har- 
bored and  protected  by  the  French  citizens  of 
Peoria,  he  burned  the  greater  part  of  the  village, 
and  capturing  the  population,  carried  them  down 
the  river,  putting  them  on  shore,  in  the  early  part 
of  the  winter,  just  below  Alton.  Other  desultory 
expeditions  marked  the  campaigns  of  1813  and 
1814.  The  Indians  meanwhile  gaining  courage, 
remote  settlements  were  continually  harassed 
by  marauding  bands.  Later  in  1814,  an  expedi- 
tion, led  by  Major  (afterwards  President)  Zachary 
Taylor,  ascended  the  Mississijipi  as  far  as  Rock 
Island,  where  he  found  a  large  force  of  Indians, 
supported  by  British  regulars  with  artillery. 
Finding  himself  unable  to  cope  with  so  formida- 
ble a  foe.  Major  Taylor  retreated  down  the  river. 
On  the  site  of  the  present  town  of  AVarsaw  he 
threw  up  fortifications,  which  he  named  Fort 
Edwards,  from  which  point  he  was  subsequently 
ccmpelled  to  retreat.  The  same  j'ear  the  British, 
with  their  Indian  allies,  descended  from  Macki- 
nac, captured  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  burned  Forts 
Madison  and  Johnston,  after  which  they  retired 
to  Cap  au  Gris.  The  treaty  of  Ghent,  signed 
Dec.  24,  1814,  closed  the  war,  although  no  formal 
treaties  were  made  with  the  tribes  until  the  year 
following. 

WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION'.  At  the  outbreak 
of  the  Civil  War,  the  executive  chair,  in  Illinois, 
was  occupied  by  Gov.  Richard  Yates.  Immedi- 
ately upon  the  issuance  of  President  Lincoln's 
first  call  for  troops  (April  15,  1861),  the  Governor 
issued  his  proclamation  summoning  the  Legisla- 
ture together  in  special  session  and,  the  same 
day,  issued  a  call  for  "six  regiments  of  militia," 


the  quota  assigned  to  the  State  under  call  of  the 
President.  Public  excitement  was  at  fever  heat, 
and  dormant  patriotism  in  both  sexes  was 
aroused  as  never  before.  Party  lines  were 
broken  down  and,  with  comparatively  few  excep- 
tions, the  mass  of  the  people  were  actuated  by  a 
common  sentiment  of  patriotism.  On  April  19, 
Governor  Yates  was  instructed,  by  the  Secretary 
of  War,  to  take  possession  of  Cairo  as  an  important 
strategic  point.  At  that  time,  the  State  militia 
organizations  were  few  in  number  and  poorly 
equipped,  consisting  chiefly  of  independent  com- 
panies in  the  larger  cities.  The  Governor  acted 
with  great  promptitude,  and,  on  April  21,  seven 
companies,  numbering  595  men,  commanded  by 
Gen.  Richard  K.  Swift  of  Chicago,  were  en  route 
to  Cairo.  The  first  volunteer  company  to  tender 
its  services,  in  response  to  Governor  Yates'  proc- 
lamation, on  April  16,  was  the  Zouave  Grays  of 
Springfield.  Eleven  other  companies  were  ten- 
dered the  same  day,  and,  by  the  evening  of  the 
18th,  the  number  had  been  increased  to  fifty. 
Simultaneously  with  these  proceedings,  Chicago 
bankers  tendered  to  the  Governor  a  war  loan  of 
§500,000,  and  those  of  Springfield,  8100,000.  The 
Legislature,  at  its  special  session,  passed  acts  in- 
creasing the  eflSciency  of  the  militia  law,  and 
provided  for  the  creation  of  a  war  fund  of  §2,- 
000,000.  Besides  the  six  regiments  alreadj-  called 
for,  the  raising  of  ten  additional  volunteer  regi- 
ments and  one  battery  of  light  artillery  was 
authorized.  The  last  of  the  six  regiments, 
apportioned  to  Illinois  under  the  first  presidential 
call,  was  dispatched  to  Cairo  early  in  May.  The 
six  regiments  were  numbered  the  Seventh  to 
Twelfth,  inclusive — the  earlier  numbers.  First  to 
Sixth,  being  conceded  to  the  six  regiments  which 
had  served  in  the  war  with  Mexico.  The  regi- 
ments were  commanded,  respectively,  by  Colonels 
John  Cook,  Richard  J.  Oglesby,  Eleazer  A.  Paine, 
James  D.  Morgan,  William  H.  L.  Wallace,  and 
John  Mc Arthur,  constituting  the  "First  Brigade 
of  Illinois  Volunteers."  Benjamin  M.  Prentiss, 
having  been  chosen  Brigadier-General  on  arrival 
at  Cairo,  assumed  command,  relieving  General 
Swift.  The  quota  under  the  second  call,  consist- 
ing of  ten  regiments,  was  mustered  into  service 
within  sixty  days,  200  companies  being  tendered 
immediately.  Many  more  volunteered  than  could 
be  accepted,  and  large  numbers  crossed  to  Mis- 
souri and  enlisted  in  regiments  forming  in  that 
State.  During  June  and  July  the  Secretary  of 
War  authorized  Governor  Yates  to  recruit  twenty- 
two  additional  regiments  (seventeen  infantry  and 
five  cavalry),  which  were  promptly  raised.     On 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


551 


July  32,  the  day  following  the  defeat  of  the  Union 
army  at  Bull  Run,  President  Lincoln  called  for 
500,000  more  volunteers.  Governor  Yates  im- 
mediately responded  with  an  offer  to  the  War 
Department  of  sixteen  more  regiments  (thirteen 
of  infantry  and  three  of  cavalry),  and  a  battalion 
of  artillery,  adding,  that  the  State  claimed  it  as 
her  right,  to  do  her  full  share  toward  the  preser- 
vation of  the  Union.  Under  supplemental  author- 
ity, received  from  the  Secretary  of  War  in 
August,  1861,  twelve  additional  regiments  of  in- 
fantry and  five  of  cavalry  were  raised,  and,  by  De- 
cember, 18C1,  the  State  had  43,000  volunteers  in 
the  field  and  17,000  in  camps  of  instruction. 
Other  calls  were  made  in  Julj'  and  August,  1802, 
each  for  300,000  men.  Illinois"  quota,  under  both 
calls,  was  over  52,000  men,  no  regard  being  paid 
to  the  fact  that  the  State  had  already  furnished 
16,000  troops  in  excess  of  its  quotas  under  previ- 
ous calls.  Unless  this  number  of  volunteers  was 
raised  by  September  1,  a  draft  would  be  ordered. 
The  tax  was  a  severe  one,  inasmuch  as  it  would 
fall  chiefly  upon  the  prosperous  citizens,  the  float- 
ing population,  the  idle  and  the  extremely  poor 
having  already  followed  the  army's  march,  either 
as  soldiers  or  as  camp-followers.  But  recruiting 
was  actively  carried  on,  and,  aided  by  liberal 
bounties  in  many  of  the  counties,  in  less  than  a 
fortnight  the  52,000  new  troops  were  secured,  the 
volunteers  coming  largelj'  from  the  substantial 
classes  —  agricultural,  mercantile,  artisan  and 
professional.  By  the  end  of  December,  fifty  nine 
regiments  and  four  batteries  had  been  disiMitched 
to  the  front,  besides  a  considerable  number  to  fill 
up  regiments  already  in  i;he  field,  which  had  suf- 
fered severely  from  battle,  exposure  and  disease. 
At  this  time,  Illinois  had  an  aggregate  of  over 
135,000  enlisted  men  in  the  field.  The  issue  of 
President  Lincoln's  preliminar}'  proclamation  of 
emancipation,  in  September,  1862,  was  met  by  a 
storm  of  hostile  criticism  from  his  political 
opponents,  who — aided  by  the  absence  of  so 
large  a  proportion  of  the  loyal  population  of  the 
State  in  the  field — were  able  to  carry  the  elec- 
tions of  that  year.  Consequently,  when  the 
Twenty-third  General  Assembly  convened  in 
regular  session  at  Springfield,  on  Jan.  5,  1863.  a 
large  majority  of  that  body  was  not  only  opposed 
to  both  the  National  and  State  administrations, 
but  avowedly  opposed  to  the  further  prosecution 
of  the  war  under  the  existing  policy.  The  Leg- 
islature reconvened  in  June,  but  was  prorogued 
by  Governor  Yates  Between  Oct.  1,  1863,  and 
July  1,  1864,  16,000  veterans  re-enlisted  and 
37,000  new  volunteers  were  enrolled;  and,  by  the 


date  last  mentioned,  Illinois  had  furnished  to  the 
Union  army  244,490  men,  being  14,596  in  ex- 
cess of  the  allotted  quotas,  constituting  fifteen 
per  cent  of  the  entire  population.  The.se  were 
comprised  in  151  regiments  of  infantry,  17  of 
cavalry  and  two  complete  regiments  of  artillery, 
besides  twelve  independent  batteries.  The  total 
losses  of  Illinois  organizations,  during  the  war, 
has  been  reported  at  34,834,  of  which  5,874  were 
killed  in  battle,  4,020  died  from  wounds,  22,786 
from  disease  and  2,154  from  other  causes — being 
a  total  of  thirteen  per  cent  of  the  entire  force  of 
the  State  in  the  service.  The  part  which  Illinois 
played  in  the  contest  was  conspicuous  for  patriot- 
ism, promptness  in  response  to  every  call,  and 
the  bravery  and  efficiency  of  its  troops  in  the 
field — reflecting  honor  upon  the  State  and  its  his- 
tory. Nor  were  its  loyal  citizens — who,  while 
staying  at  home,  furnished  moral  and  material 
support  to  the  men  at  the  front — less  worthy  of 
praise  than  those  who  volunteered.  By  uphold- 
ing the  Government — National  and  State — and 
by  their  zeal  and  energy  in  collecting  and  sending 
forward  immense  quantities  of  supplies — surgical, 
medical  and  other — often  at  no  little  sacrifice, 
they  contributed  much  to  the  success  of  the 
Union  arms.  (See  also  Camp  Douglas;  Camp 
Douglas  Conspiraci/;  Secret  Treasonable  Soci- 
eties.) 

WAR  OF  THE  REBELLIOiX  (History  op  Illi- 
nois Regiments).  The  following  is  a  list  of  the 
various  military  organizations  mustered  into  the 
service  during  the  Civil  War  (1861-65),  with  the 
terms  of  service  and  a  summary  of  the  more 
important  events  in  the  history  of  each,  while 
in  the  field: 

Seventh  Ixf.\xtry.  Illinois  having  .sent  six 
regiments  to  the  Mexican  War,  by  courtesy  the 
numbering  of  the  regiments  which  took  part  in 
the  war  for  the  Union  began  with  number 
Seven.  A  number  of  regiments  which  responded 
to  the  first  call  of  the  President,  claimed  the  right 
to  be  recognized  as  the  first  regiment  in  the 
field,  but  the  honor  was  finally  accorded  to  that 
organized  at  Springfield  b_y  Col.  John  Cook,  and 
hence  his  regiment  was  numbered  Seventh.  It 
was  mustered  into  the  service,  April  25,  1.861.  and 
remained  at  Mound  City  during  the  three  months' 
.service,  the  period  of  its  first  enlistment.  It  was 
subsequently  reorganized  and  mustered  for  the 
three  years'  service,  July  25,  1861,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh, 
Corinth,  Cherokee,  Allatoona  Pass,  Salkahatchie 
Swamp,  Bentouville  and  Columbia.  The  regi- 
ment re-enlisted  as  veterans  at  Pulaski,  Tenn., 


552 


HISTOEICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


Dec.  22,  1863;  was  mustered  out  at  Louisville, 
July  9,  1865,  and  paid  off  aud  discharged  at 
Springfield,  Jul}-  11. 

Eighth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Springfield, 
and  mustered  in  for  three  months'  service,  April 
26,  1861,  Ricliard  J.  Oglesby  of  Decatur,  being 
appointed  Colonel.  It  remained  at  Cairo  during 
its  term  of  service,  when  it  was  mustered  out. 
July  25,  1861,  it  was  reorganized  and  mustered  in 
for  three  years'  service.  It  iiarticipated  in  the 
battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Port  Gibson,  . 
Thompson  Hill,  Raymond,  Champion  Hill,  Vicks- 
burg,  Brownsville,  and  Spanish  Fort;  re-enlisted 
as  veterans,  March  24,  1864 ;  was  mustered  out  at 
Baton  Rouge,  May  4,  1866,  paid  off  and  dis- 
charged. May  13,  having  served  five  years. 

Ninth  Infantry.  Mustered  into  the  service 
at  Springfield,  April  26,  1861.  for  the  term  of 
three  months,  under  Col.  Eleazer  A.  Paine.  It 
was  reorganized  at  Cairo,  in  August,  for  three 
years,  being  composed  of  companies  from  St. 
Clair,  Madison,  Slontgomery,  Pulaski,  Alexander 
and  Mercer  Counties ;  was  engaged  at  Fort  Donel- 
son, Shiloh,  Jackson  (Tenn.),  Meed  Creek 
Swamps,  Salem,  Wyatt,  Florence,  Montezuma, 
Atliens  and  Grenada.  The  regiment  was  mounted, 
March  15,  1863,  and  so  continued  during  the 
remainder  of  its  service.  Mustered  out  at  Louis- 
ville, July  9,  1865. 

Tenth  Infantry-.  Organized  and  mustered 
into  the  .service  for  three  months,  ou  April  29, 
1861,  at  Cairo,  aud  on  July  29,  1861,  was  mustered 
into  the  service  for  three  years,  with  Col.  James 
D.  Morgan  iu  command.  It  was  engaged  at 
Sykeston,  New  Madrid,  Corinth,  Missionary 
Ridge,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Resaca,  Rome,  Keuesaw, 
Chattahoochie,  Savannah  and  Bentonville.  Re- 
enlisted  as  veterans,  Jan.  1,  1864,  and  mustered 
out  of  service,  July  4,  1865,  at  Louisville,  and 
received  final  discharge  and  jiay,  July  11,  1865, 
at  Chicago. 

Eleventh  Infantry-.  Organized  at  Spring- 
field and  mustered  into  service,  April  30,  1861, 
for  three  months.  July  30,  the  regiment  was 
mustered  out,  and  re-enlisted  for  three  years' 
service.  It  was  engaged  at  Fort  Donelson, 
Shiloh,  Corinth,  Tallahatchie,  Vicksburg,  Liver- 
pool Heights,  Yazoo  City,  Spanish  Fort  and 
Fort  Blakely.  W.  H.  L.  Wallace,  afterwards 
Brigadier-General  and  killed  at  Shiloh,  was  its 
first  Colonel.  Mustered  out  of  service,  at  Baton 
Rouge,  July  14,  1865;  paid  off  and  discharged  at 
Springfield. 

Twelfth  Infantry.  Mustered  into  service 
for  three  years,  August  1,  1861 ;  was  engaged  at 


Columbus,  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Lay's 
Ferry,  Rome  Cross  Roads,  Dallas,  Kenesaw, 
Nickajack  Creek,  Bald  Knob,  Decatur,  Ezra 
Church,  Atlanta,  AUatoona  and  Goldsboro.  ■  On 
Jan.  10,  1804,  the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veter' 
ans.  John  McArthur  was  its  first  Colonel,  suc- 
ceeded by  Augustus  L.  Chetlain,  both  being 
promoted  to  Brigadier-Generalships.  Mustered 
out  of  service  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  July  10,  1865, 
and  received  final  pay  and  discharge,  at  Spring- 
field, July  18. 

Thirteenth  Infantry.  One  of  the  regiments 
organized  under  the  act  known  as  the  "Ten  Regi- 
ment Bill";  was  mustered  into  service  on  May  24, 
1861,  for  three  years,  at  Dixon,  with  John  B. 
Wyman  as  Colonel;  was  engaged  at  Chickasaw 
Bayou,  Arkansas  Post,  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  Rossville  and  Ringgold  Gap. 
Mustered  out  at  Springfield,  June  18,  1864,  hav- 
ing served  three  years  and  two  months. 

Fourteenth  Infantry.  One  of  the  regiments 
raised  under  the  "Ten  Regiment  Bill,"  which 
anticipated  the  requirements  of  the  General 
Government  by  organizing,  equipping  and  dril- 
ling a  regiment  in  each  Congressional  District  in 
the  State  for  thirty  days,  unless  sooner  required 
for  service  by  the  United  States.  It  was  mustered 
in  at  Jacksonville  for  three  years.  May  25,  1801, 
under  command  of  John  IM.  Palmer  as  its  first 
Colonel;  was  engaged  at  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Meta- 
mora,  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Fort  Beauregard  and 
Meridian ;  con.solidated  with  the  Fifteenth  Infan- 
try, as  a  veteran  battalion  (both  regiments  hav- 
ing enlisted  as  veterans),  on  July  1,  1864.  In 
October,  1864,  the  major  part  of  the  battalion 
was  captured  by  General  Hood  and  sent  to 
Andersonville.  The  remainder  participated  in 
the  "March  to  the  Sea,"  and  through  the  cam- 
paign in  the  Carolinas.  In  the  spring  of  1865  the 
battalion  organization  was  discontinued,  botk 
regiments  having  been  filled  up  by  recruits.  The 
regiment  w-as  mustered  ovit  at  Fort  Leaven- 
worth, Kan.,  Sept.  16,  1865;  and  arrived  at 
Springfield,  111.,  Sept.  22,  1865,  where  it  received 
final  payment  and  discharge.  The  aggregate 
number  of  men  who  belonged  to  this  organization 
was  1,980,  and  the  aggregate  mustered  out  at 
Fort  Leavenworth,  480.  During  its  four  years 
and  four  months  of  service,  the  regiment 
marched  4,490  miles,  traveled  by  rail,  2,330  miles, 
and,  by  river,  4,490  miles — making  an  aggregate 
of  11,670  miles. 

Fifteenth  Infantry.  Raised  imderthe  "Ten 
Regiment  Act,"  in  the  (then)  First  Congressional 
District;    was  organized  at  Freeport,  and  mus- 


HISTOEICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


553 


tered  into  service,  May  34,  1861.  It  was  engaged 
at  Sedalia,  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Metamora  Hill, 
Vicksburg,  Fort  Beauregard,  Champion  Hill, 
AUatoona  and  Bentonville.  In  March,  1864,  the 
regiment  re-enlisted  a.s  veterans,  and,  in  July, 
1864,  was  consolidated  %vith  the  Fourteenth  Infan- 
try as  a  Veteran  Battalion.  At  Big  Slianty  and 
Ackworth  a  large  portion  of  the  battalion  was 
captured  by  General  Hood.  At  Raleigh  the 
Veteran  Battalion  was  discontinued  and  the 
Fifteenth  reorganized.  From  July  1,  to  Sept.  1, 
186.5,  the  regiment  was  stationed  at  Forts  Leaven- 
worth and  Kearney.  Having  been  mustered  out 
at  Fort  Leavenworth,  it  was  sent  to  Springfield 
for  final  payment  and  discharge — having  served 
four  years  and  four  months.  Miles  marched, 
4,299;  miles  by  rail,  2.403.  miles  by  steamer, 
4,310;  men  enlisted  from  date  of  organization, 
1,963;  strength  at  date  of  muster-out,  640. 

Sixteenth  Infantry.  Organized  and  mus- 
tered into  service  at  Quincy  under  the  "Ten-Regi- 
ment Act,"  May  24,  1861.  The  regiment  was 
engaged  at  New  Madrid.  Tiptonville,  Corinth, 
Buzzards'  Roost.  Resaca,  Rome,  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, Chattahoocbie  River.  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Atlanta,  Savannah,  Columbia,  Fayetteville, 
Averysboro  and  Bentonville.  In  December, 
1864,  the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans;  was 
mustered  out  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  July  8,  186.5, 
after  a  terra  of  service  of  four  years  and  three 
months,  and,  a  week  later,  arrived  at  Spring- 
field, where  it  received  its  final  pay  and  discharge 
papers. 

Seventeenth  Infantry.  Mustered  into  the 
service  at  Peoria,  111.,  on  May  24,  1861;  was 
engaged  at  Fredericktown  (Mo.),  Greenfield 
(Ark.),  Shiloh,  Corinth.  Hatchie  and  Vicksburg. 
In  May,  1864,  the  term  of  enlistment  having 
expired,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Sjiringfield 
for  pay  and  discharge.  Those  men  and  officers 
who  re-enlisted,  and  those  whose  term  had  not 
expired,  were  consolidated  with  the  Eighth  Infan- 
try, which  was  mustered  out  in  the  spring  of  1866. 

Eighteenth  Infantry.  Organized  under  the 
provisions  of  the  "Ten  Regiment  Bill,"  at  Anna, 
and  mustered  into  the  service  on  May  28,  1861, 
the  term  of  enlistment  being  for  three  years. 
The  regiment  participated  in  the  capture  of  Fort 
McHenry,  and  was  actively  engaged  at  Fort 
Donelson,  Shiloh  and  Corinth.  It  was  mustei-ed 
out  at  Little  Rock.  Dec.  16,  1865,  and  Dec.  31, 
thereafter,  arrived  at  Springfield,  111.,  for  pay- 
n?.?nt  and  discharge.  The  aggregate  enlistments 
in  the  regiment,  from  its  organization  to  date  of 
discharge  (rank  and  file),  numbered  2,043. 


Nineteenth  Infantry^.  Mu.stered  into  the 
United  States  service  for  three  years,  June  17, 
1861,  at  Chicago,  embracing  four  companies 
which  had  been  accepted  under  the  call  for  three 
months'  men;  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Stone  River  and  in  the  Tullahoma  and  Chatta- 
nooga campaigns;  was  also  engaged  at  Davis' 
Cross  Roads,  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge  and 
Resaca.  It  was  mustered  out  of  service  on  July 
9,  1864,  at  Chicago.  Originally  consisting  of 
nearly  1,000  men,  besides  a  large  number  of 
recruits  received  during  the  war,  its  strength  at 
the  final  muster-out  was  less  than  350. 

Twentieth  Infantry-.  Organized,  May  14, 
1861,  at  Joliet,  and  June  13,  18G1,  and  mustered 
into  the  service  for  a  term  of  three  years.  It 
participated  in  the  following  engagements,  bat- 
tles, sieges,  etc.:  Fredericktown  (Mo.),  Fort 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Thompson's  Planta- 
tion, Champion  Hills,  Big  Black  River,  Vicks- 
burg, Kenesaw  Mountain  and  Atlanta.  After 
marching  through  the  Carolinas,  the  regiment 
was  finally  ordered  to  Louisville,  where  it  was 
mustered  out,  July  16,  1865,  receiving  its  final 
discharge  at  Chicago,  on  July  24. 

Twenty-first  Infantry.  Organized  under 
the  "Ten  Regiment  Bill,"  from  the  (then)  Sev- 
enth Congressional  District,  at  Mattoon,  and 
mustered  into  service  for  three  years,  June  28, 
1861.  Its  first  Colonel  was  U.  S.  Grant,  who  was 
in  command  until  August  7,  when  he  was  com- 
missioned Brigadier-General.  It  was  engaged 
at  Fredericktown  (Mo. ),  Corinth,  Perry  ville.  Mur- 
freesboro.  Liberty  Gap,  Chickamauga,  Jonesboro, 
Franklin  and  Nashville.  The  regiment  re-enlisted 
as  veterans,  at  Chattanooga,  in  February,  1864. 
From  June,  1864,  to  December,  1865,  it  was  on 
duty  in  Texas.  Mustered  out  at  San  Antonio, 
Deo.  16,  1865,  and  paid  oil  and  discharged  at 
Springfield,  Jan.  18,  1866. 

Twenty-second  Infantry.  Organized  at 
Belleville,  and  mustered  into  service,  for  three 
years,  at  Ca.sey ville.  III.,  June  25,  1861;  was 
engaged  at  Belmont,  Charleston  (Mo.).  Sikestown, 
Tiptonville,  Farmington,  Corinth,  Stone  River, 
Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Resaca,  New 
Hojie  Church,  and  all  the  battles  of  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  except  Rocky  Face  Ridge.  It  was 
mustered  out  at  Springfield,  July  7,  1864,  the  vet- 
erans and  recruits,  whose  term  of  service  had  not 
exijired.  being  consolidated  with  the  Forty-second 
Regiment  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers. 

Twenty-third  Infantry'.  The  organization 
of  the  Twenty-third  Infantry  Volunteers  com- 
menced, at  Chicago,  under  the  popular  name  of 


554 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


the  "Irish  Brigade,"  immediately  upon  the 
opening  of  hostilities  at  Sumter.  The  formal 
muster  of  the  regiment,  under  the  command  of 
Col.  James  A.  Mulligan,  was  made.  June  15,  1861, 
at  Chicago,  when  it  was  occupying  barracks 
known  as  Kane's  brewery  near  the  river  on 
West  Polk  Street.  It  was  early  ordered  to  North- 
ern Missouri,  and  was  doing  garrison  duty  at 
Lexington,  when,  in  September,  1861,  it  surren- 
dered witli  the  rest  of  the  garrison,  to  the  forces 
under  the  rebel  General  Price,  and  was  paroled. 
From  Oct.  8,  1861,  to  June  14,  1862,  it  was  detailed 
to  guard  prisoners  at  Camp  Douglas.  Thereafter 
it  participated  in  engagements  in  the  Virginias, 
as  follows:  at  South  Fork,  Greenland  Gap,  Phi- 
lippi,  Hedgeville,  Leetown,  Maryland  Heights, 
Snicker's  Gap,  Kernstown,  Cedar  Creek,  Win- 
cliester,  Charlestown,  Berryville,  Opequan  Creek, 
Fisher's  Hill,  Harrisonburg,  Hatcher's  Run  and 
Petersburg.  It  also  took  part  in  the  siege  of 
Richmond  and  the  pursuit  of  Lee.  being  present 
at  the  surrender  at  Appomattox.  In  January 
and  February,  1864,  the  regiment  re-enlisted  as 
veterans,  at  Greenland  Gap,  W.  Va.  In  August, 
1864.  the  ten  companies  of  the  Regiment,  then 
numbering  440.  were  consolidated  into  five  com- 
panies and  designated,  "Battalion,  Twenty-third 
Regiment,  Illinois  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry." 
The  regiment  was  thanked  by  Congress  for  its 
part  at  Lexington,  and  was  authorized  to  inscribe 
Lexington  upon  its  colors.  (See  also  Mulligan, 
James  A.) 

Twenty-fourth  Infantry,  (known  as  the 
First  Hecker  Regiment).  Organized  at  Chicago, 
with  two  companies^to-wit:  the  Union  Cadets 
and  the  Lincoln  Rifles — from  tlie  three  months' 
service,  in  June,  1861,  and  mustered  in,  July  8, 
1861.  It  participated  in  the  battles  of  Perry  ville, 
Murfreesboro,  Chickamauga,  Resaca,  Kenesaw 
Mountain  and  other  engagements  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign.  It  was  mustered  out  of  service  at 
Chicago,  August  6,  1864.  A  fraction  of  the  regi- 
ment, which  had  been  recruited  in  the  field,  and 
whose  term  of  service  had  not  expired  at  the  date 
of  muster-out,  was  organized  into  one  company 
and  attached  to  the  Third  Brigade,  First  Divi- 
sion, Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  and  mustered  out 
at  Camp  Butler,  August  1,  1865. 

Twenty-fifth  Infantry.  Organized  from 
the  counties  of  Kankakee,  Iroquois,  Ford,  Vermil- 
ion, Douglas,  Coles,  Champaign  and  Edgar,  and 
mustered  into  service  at  St.  Louis,  Augu.st  4,  1861. 
It  participated  in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  Stone 
River,  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Moun- 


tain, the  siege  of  Atlanta,  and  innumerable  skir- 
mishes ;  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield,  Sept.  5, 
1864.  During  its  three  years'  service  the  regi- 
ment traveled  4,962  miles,  of  which  3,252  were  on 
foot,  the  remainder  by  steamboat  and  railroad. 

Twenty'-sixth  Infantry.  Mustered  into  serv- 
ice, consisting  of  seven  companies,  at  Springfield, 
August  31,  1861.  On  Jan.  1,  1864,  the  regiment 
re-enlisted  as  veterans.  It  was  authorized  by  the 
commanding  General  to  inscribe  upon  its  ban- 
ners "New  Madrid";  "Island  No.  10;"  "Farming- 
ton;"  "Siege  of  Corinth;"  "luka;"  "Corinth — 
3d  and  4th,  1863;"  "Resaca;"  "Kenesaw;"  "Ezra 
Church;"  "Atlanta;"  "Jonesboro;"  "Griswold- 
ville;"  "McAllister;"  "Savannah;"  "Columbia," 
and  "Benton ville."  It  was  mustered  out  at 
Louisville,  July  20,  1865,  and  paid  off  and 
discharged,  at  Springfield,  July  28 — the  regiment 
having  marched,  during  its  four  years  of  service, 
6,931  miles,  and  fought  twenty-eight  hard  battles, 
besides  innumerable  skirmishes. 

Twenty-seventh  Infantry^.  First  organized, 
with  only  seven  companies,  at  Springfield, 
August  10,  1861,  and  organization  completed  by 
the  addition  of  three  more  companies,  at  Cairo, 
on  September  1.  It  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Bel- 
mont, the  siege  of  Island  No.  10,  and  the  battles 
of  Farmington,  Nashville,  Murfreesboro,  Chicka- 
mauga, Missionary  Ridge,  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
Resaca,  Calhoun,  Adairsville,  Dallas,  Pine  Top 
Mountain  and  Kenesaw  Mountain,  as  well  as  in 
the  investment  of  Atlanta;  was  relieved  from 
duty,  August  25,  1864,  while  at  the  front,  and 
mustered  out  at  Springfield,  September  20.  Its 
veterans,  with  the  recruits  who.se  term  of  serv- 
ice had  not  expired,  were  consolidated  witli  the 
Ninth  Infantry. 

Twenty-eighth  Infantry'.  Composed  of 
companies  from  Pike,  Fulton,  Schuyler,  Mason, 
Scott  and  Jlenard  Counties;  was  organized  at 
Springfield,  August  15,  1861,  and  mustered  into 
service  for  three  years.  It  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Shiloh  and  Metamora,  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg  and  tlie  battles  of  Jackson,  Mississippi, 
and  Fort  Beauregard,  and  in  the  capture  of 
Spanish  Fort,  Fort  Blakely  and  Mobile.  From 
June,  1864,  to  March,  1866,  it  was  stationed  in 
Texas,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Brownsville,  in 
tliat  State,  March  15,  1866,  having  served  four 
years  and  seven  months.  It  was  discharged,  at 
Springfield,  May  13,  1866. 

Twenty'-ninth  Infantry.  Mustered  into  serv- 
ice at  Springfield,  August  19.  1861.  and  was 
engaged  at  Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh,  and  in  the 
sieges  of  Corinth,  Vicksburg  and  Mobile.     Eight 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


555 


companies  were  detailed  for  duty  at  Holly  Springs, 
and  were  tliere  captured  by  General  Van  Dorn, 
in  December.  18G3.  but  were  exchanged,  .six 
months  later.  In  January,  1SC4,  the  regiment 
re-enlisted  as  veterans,  and,  from  June,  18G4,  to 
November,  1865,  was  on  duty  in  Texas.  It  was 
mustered  out  of  service  in  that  State,  Nov.  6, 
186.5,  and  received  final  discharge  on  November  28. 

Thirtieth  Inf.^ntry.  Organized  at  Spring- 
field, August  28,  18G1 ;  was  engaged  at  Belmont, 
Fort  Donelson,  the  siege  of  Corinth,  Medan 
Station,  Raymond,  Champion  Hills,  the  sieges  of 
Vicksburg  and  Jackson,  Big  Shanty,  Atlanta, 
Savannah,  Pocotaligo,  Orangeburg,  Columbia, 
Cheraw,  and  Fayetteville;  mustered  out,  July 
17, 186.5,  and  received  final  payment  and  discharge 
at  Springfield,  July  37,  186.5. 

Thirty-first  Infantry.  Organized  at  Cairo, 
and  there  mustered  into  service  on  Sept.  18, 
1861 ;  was  engaged  at  Belmont,  Fort  Donelson, 
Shiloh,  in  the  two  expeditions  against  Vicks- 
burg, at  Tliompson's  Hill,  Ingram  Heights,  Ray- 
mond, Jackson,  Champion  Hill,  Big  Shanty, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  Atlanta,  Lovejoy  Station  and 
Jonesboro;  also  participated  in  the  "March  to 
the  Sea"  and  took  part  in  the  battles  and  skir- 
mishes at  Columbia,  Cheraw,  Fayetteville  and 
Bentonville.  A  majority  of  the  regiment  re- 
enlisted  as  veterans  in  March,  1864.  It  was 
mustered  out  at  Louisville,  July  19,  1865,  and 
finally  discharged  at  Springfield,  July  23. 

Thirty-second  Inf.\ntry.  Organized  at 
Springfield  and  mustered  into  .service.  Dec.  31, 
1861.  By  special  authority  from  the  War  Depart- 
ment, it  originally  consisted  of  ten  companies  of 
infantry,  one  of  cavalry,  and  a  battery.  It  was 
engaged  at  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  in  the  sieges 
of  Corinth  and  Vicksburg,  and  in  the  battles  of 
La  Grange,  Grand  Junction,  Metamora,  Harrison- 
burg, Kenesaw  Mountain,  Nickajack  Creek, 
AUatoona,  Savannah,  Columbia,  Cheraw  and 
Bentonville.  In  January,  1864,  the  regiment 
re-enlisted  as  veterans,  and,  in  June,  1865.  was 
ordered  to  Fort  Leavenworth.  Mustered  out 
there,  Sept.  16,  1865,  and  finally  discharged  at 
Springfield. 

Thirty-third  Infantry.  Organized  and  mus- 
tered into  service  at  Springfield  in  Septemljer, 
1861;  was  engaged  at  Fredericktown  (Mo.),  Port 
Gibson,  Champion  Hills.  Black  River  Bridge,  the 
assault  and  siege  of  Vicksburg,  siege  of  Jackson, 
Fort  Esperanza.  and  in  the  expeditii:>n  against 
Mobile.  Tlie  regiment  veteranized  at  Vicksburg. 
Jan.  4,  1804;  was  mustered  out,  at  the  same  point, 
Nov.  34,  1865,  and  finally  discharged   at  Spring- 


field, Dec.  6  and  7,  1865.  The  aggregate  enroll- 
ment of  the  regiment  was  between  1,900  and 
2,000. 

Thirty-fourth  Infantry.  Organized  at 
Springfield.  Sept.  7,  1861 ;  was  engaged  at  Shiloh, 
Corinth,  Murfreesboro,  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Re- 
saca.  Big  Shanty,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Atlanta, 
Joneshoi'o,  and,  after  participating  in  the  "March 
to  the  Sea"  and  through  the  Carolinas,  took  part 
in  the  battle  of  Bentonville.  After  the  surrender 
of  Johnston,  the  regiment  went  with  Sherman's 
Army  to  Washington,  D.  C,  and  took  part  in  the 
grand  review.  May  24,  1865;  left  Washington, 
June  13,  and  arrived  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  18, 
where  it  was  mustered  out,  on  July  13;  was  dis- 
charged and  paid  at  Chicago,  July  17,  1865. 

Thirty-fifth  Infantry.  Organized  at  De- 
catur on  July  3,  1861,  and  its  services  tendered  to 
the  President,  being  accepted  by  the  Secretary  of 
War  as  "Col.  G.  A.  Smith's  Independent  Regi- 
ment of  Illinois  Volunteers,"  on  July  23,  and 
mustered  into  service  at  St.  Louis,  August  13.  It 
was  engaged  at  Pea  Ridge  and  in  tlie  siege  of 
Corinth,  also  participated  in  the  battles  of  Perry- 
ville.  Stone  River,  Cliickamauga,  Missionary 
Ridge,  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Re.saca.  Dallas  and 
Kenesaw.  Its  final  muster-out  took  place  at 
Springfield,  Sept.  37,  1864,  the  regiment  having 
marched  (exclusive  of  railroad  and  steamboat 
transportation)  3,0.56  miles. 

Thirty-sixth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Camp 
Hammond,  near  Aurora,  111.,  and  mustered  into 
service,  Sept.  23,  1861,  for  a  term  of  three  years. 
The  regiment,  at  its  organization,  numbered  965 
officers  and  enlisted  men,  and  had  two  companies 
of  Cavalry  ("A"  and  "B"),  186  officers  and 
men.  It  was  engaged  at  Leetown,  Pea  Ridge, 
Perryville,  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  the  siege 
of  Chattanooga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Rock}'  Face 
Ridge,  Resaca,  Adairsville,  Nesv  Hope  Church, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Jones- 
boro, Franklin  and  Nashville.  Mustered  out, 
Oct.  8.  1865,  and  disbanded,  at  Springfield,  Oct. 
27.  having  mart^hed  and  been  transported,  during 
its  term  of  service,  more  than  10,000  miles. 

Thirty-seventh  Infantry.  Familiarly  known 
as  "Fremont  Rifies";  organized  in  August,  1861, 
and  mustered  into  service,  Sept.  18.  The  regi- 
ment was  presented  with  battle-flags  by  the  Chi- 
cago Board  of  Trade.  It  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  Neosho.  Prairie  Grove  and 
Chalk  Bluffs,  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  and  in  the 
battles  of  Yazoo  City  and  Jlorgan's  Bend.  Id 
October,  1863,  it  was  ordered  to  the  defense  of  the 
frontier  along  the    Rio    Grande;    re-enlisted   as 


55G 


PIISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


veterans  in  Februarj-,  1864;  took  part  in  the 
siege  and  storming  of  Fort  Blakely  and  the  cap- 
ture of  Mobile;  from  July,  1865,  to  May,  1866, 
was  again  on  duty  in  Texas ;  vca-s  mustered  out 
at  Houston.  Slay  15,  1866,  and  finally  discharged 
at  Springfield,  May  31,  having  traveled  some 
17,000  miles,  of  which  nearly  3,300  were  by 
inarching. 

Thirty-eighth  Infantry.  Organized  at 
Springfield,  in  September,  1861.  The  regiment 
was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Fredericktown, 
Perry vi  He,  Knob  Gap,  Stone  River,  Liberty  Gap, 
Chickamauga,  Pine  Top,  Kenesaw  Jlountain, 
Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Franklin  and  Nashville; 
re-enlisted  as  veterans  in  February,  1864;  from 
June  to  December,  1865,  was  on  duty  in  Louisi- 
ana and  Texas;  was  mustered  out  at  Victoria, 
Texas,  Dec.  81,  1865,  and  received  final  discharge 
at  Springfield. 

Thirty-ninth  Inf.\ntry.  The  organization  of 
this  Regiment  was  commenced  as  soon  as  the 
news  of  the  firing  on  Fort  Sumter  reached  Chi- 
cago. General  Thomas  O.  Osborne  was  one  of  its 
contemplated  field  oflScers,  and  labored  zealously 
to  get  it  accepted  under  the  first  call  for  troops, 
but  did  not  accomplish  his  object.  The  regiment 
had  already  assumed  the  name  of  the  "Yates 
Phalanx"  in  honor  of  Governor  Yates.  It  was 
accepted  by  the  War  Deiiartment  on  the  day 
succeeding  the  first  Bull  Run  disaster  (Juh-  23. 
1861),  and  Austin  Light, of  Chicago,  was  appointed 
Colonel.  Under  his  direction  the  organization  was 
completed,  and  the  regiment  left  Camp  Mather, 
Chicago,  on  the  morning  of  Oct.  13,  1861.  It  jmr- 
ticipated  in  the  battles  of  Winchester,  Malvern 
Hill  (the  second),  Morris  Island,  Fort  Wagner, 
Drury's  Bluff,  and  in  numerous  engagements 
before  Petersburg  and  Richmond,  including  the 
capture  of  Fort  Gregg,  and  was  present  at  Lee's 
surrender  at  Appomattox.  In  the  meantime  the 
regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  at  Hilton  Head, 
S.  C. ,  in  September,  1863.  It  was  mustered  out 
at  Norfolk,  Dec.  6,  1865,  and  received  final  dis- 
charge at  Chicago,  December  16. 

Fortieth  Infantry.  Enlisted  from  the  coun- 
ties of  Franklin.  Hamilton.  W^ayne,  White, 
Wabash,  Marion,  Clay  and  Fayette,  and  mustered 
into  service  for  three  years  at  Springfield, 
August  10,  1861.  It  was  engaged  at  Shiloh,  in 
the  siege  of  Corinth,  at  Jackson  (Miss.),  in  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg.  at  Missionary  Ridge,  New 
Hope  Church,  Black  Jack  Knob,  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Ezra  Chapel,  Gris- 
woldville,  siege  of  Savannah,  Columbia  (S.  C), 
and  Bentonville.     It  re-enlisted,  as  veterans,  at 


Scottsboro,  Ala.,  Jan.  1,  1864,  and  was  mustered 
out  at  Louisville,  July  24,  1865,  receiving  final 
discharge  at  Springfield. 

Forty-first  Infantry.  Organized  at  Decatur 
during  July  and  August,  1861,  and  was  mustered 
into  service,  August  5.  It  was  engaged  at  Fort 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  the  siege  of  Corinth,  the  second 
battle  of  Corinth,  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and 
Jackson,  in  the  Red  River  campaign,  at  Guutown, 
Kenesaw  Mountain  and  Allatoona,  and  partici- 
pated in  the  "March  to  the  Sea."  It  re-enlisted, 
as  veterans,  March  17,  1864,  at  Vicksburg,  and 
was  consolidated  with  the  Fifty-third  Infantry, 
Jan.  4,  1865,  forming  Companies  G  and  H. 

Forty'-second  Infantry.  Organized  at  Chi- 
cago, July  22,  1861 ;  was  engaged  at  Island  No.  10, 
the  siege  of  Corinth,  battles  of  Farmington, 
Columbia  (Tenn.),  was  besieged  at  Nashville, 
engaged  at  Stone  River,  in  the  TuUahoma  cam- 
paign, at  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Rocky 
Face  Ridge,  Resaca,  Adairsville,  New  Hope 
Church,  Pine  and  Kenesaw  Mountains,  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Lovejoy  Station, 
Spring  Hill,  Franklin  and  Nashville.  It  re- 
enlisted,  as  veterans,  Jan.  1,  1864;  was  stationed 
in  Texas  from  July  to  December,  1865 ;  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Indianola,  in  that  State,  Dec.  16, 
1865.  and  finally  discharged,  at  Springfield,  Jan. 
12.  18G6. 

Forty-third  Infantry'.  Organized  at  Spring- 
field in  September,  1861,  and  mustered  into 
service  on  Oct.  12.  The  regiment  took  part  in 
the  battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh  and  in  the 
campaigns  in  West  Tennessee,  Mississippi  and 
Arkan.sas;  was  mustered  out  at  Little  Rock, 
Nov.  30.  1865.  and  returned  to  Springfield  for 
final  pay  and  discharge,  Dec.  14,  1865. 

FoRTY-FOUKTH  INFANTRY.  Organized  in  Au- 
gust, 1861,  at  Chicago,  and  mustered  into  service, 
Sept.  13,  1861 ;  was  engaged  at  Pea  Ridge, 
Perryville,  Stone  River,  Hoover's  Gap,  Shelbj'- 
ville,  Tullahoma,  Chickamauga,  Missionary 
Ridge,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
Adairsville,  Dallas,  New  Hope  Church,  Kene- 
saw Mountain,  Gulp's  Farm,  Chattahoochie 
River,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro, 
Franklin  and  Nashville.  The  regiment  re-enlisted 
as  veterans  in  Tennessee,  in  January,  1864. 
From  June  to  September,  1865,  it  was  stationed 
in  Louisiana  and  Texas,  was  mustered  out  at 
Port  Lavaca,  Sept.  25,  1865,  and  received  final 
discharge,  at  Springfield,  three  weeks  later. 

FORTY'-FIFTH  INFANTRY.  Originally  called 
the  "Washburne  Lead  Mine  Regiment" ;  was 
organized  at  Galena,  July  23,  1861,  and  mustered 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


557 


into  service  at  Chicago,  Dec.  2.5,  1861.  It  was 
engaged  at  Fort  Donelson.  Shiloh,  the  siege  of 
Corinth,  battle  of  Medan,  the  campaign  against 
Vicksburg,  tlie  Meridian  raid,  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign, the  "March  to  the  Sea,"  and  the  advance 
through  the  Carolinas.  The  regiment  veteran- 
ized in  January,  18Gi;  was  mustered  out  of  serv- 
ice at  Louisville,  Ky.,  July  12,  18G.5,  and  arrived 
in  Chicago,  July  1^,  186.5,  for  final  pay  and  dis- 
charge. Distance  marched  in  four  years,  1,7.50 
miles. 

Forty-sixth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Spring- 
field, Dec.  28,  18G1 ;  was  engaged  at  Fort  Donel- 
son, Shiloh,  the  siege  of  Corinth,  battle  of 
Metamora,  siege  of  Vicksburg  (where  five  com- 
panies of  the  regiment  were  captured),  in  the 
reduction  of  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakeley, 
and  the  capture  of  Mobile.  It  was  mustered  in 
as  a  veteran  regiment,  Jan.  4,  1864.     From  May. 

1865,  to  January,  1866,  it  was  on  duty  in  Louisi- 
ana ;  was  mustered  out  at  Baton  Rouge,  Jan.  20, 

1866,  and,  on  Feb.  1,  1866,  finally  paid  and  dis- 
charged at  Springfield. 

FORTY'-SEVENTH  INFANTRY'.  Organized  and 
mustered  into  service  at  Peoria,  111.,  on  August 
16,  1861.  The  regiment  took  part  in  the  expe- 
dition against  New  Madrid  and  Island  No.  10; 
also  participated  in  the  battles  of  Farmington, 
luka,  the  second  battle  of  Corinth,  the  capture 
of  Jackson,  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  the  Red 
River  expedition  and  the  battle  of  Pleasant  Hill, 
and  in  the  struggle  at  Lake  Chicot.  It  was 
ordered  to  Chicago  to  assist  in  quelling  an  antici- 
pated riot,  in  1864,  but,  returning  to  the  front, 
took  part  in  the  reduction  of  Spanish  Fort  and 
the  capture  of  Mobile;  was  mustered  out,  Jan. 
21,  1866,  at  Selma,  Ala.,  and  ordered  to  Spring- 
field, where  it  received  final  paj'  and  discharge. 
Those  members  of  the  regiment  who  did  not  re-en- 
list as  veterans  were  mustered  out,  Oct.  11,  18G4. 

FORTY'-EIGHTH  INFANTRY.  Organized  at  Spring- 
field, September,  1861,  and  participated  in  battles 
and  sieges  as  follows:  Fort  Henry  and  Fort 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  Corinth  (siege  of),  Vicksburg 
(first  expedition  against).  Missionarj'  Ridge,  as 
well  as  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  the  "^larch 
to  the  Sea."  The  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veter- 
ans, at  Scottsboro,  Ala.,  Jan.  1.  1864;  was  mus- 
tered out,  August  15,  1.8G5,  at  Little  Rock,  Ark., 
and  ordered  to  Springfield  for  final  discharge, 
arriving,  August  21,  1865.  The  distance  marched 
was  3,000  miles;  moved  by  water,  5,000;  by  rail- 
road, 3,450~total,  11,450. 

FORTY-NINTH  INFANTRY".  Organized  at  Spring- 
field,  111.,   Dec.   31,   1861;    was  engaged  at  Fort 


Donelson,  Shiloh  and  Little  Rock;  took  part  in 
the  campaign  against  Meridian  and  in  the  Red 
River  expedition,  being  in  the  battle  of  Pleasant 
Hill,  Jan.  15,  1864;  three-fourths  of  the  regiment 
re-enlisted  and  were  mustered  in  as  veterans, 
returning  to  Illinois  on  furlough.  The  non- 
veterans  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Tupelo.  The 
regiment  participated  in  the  battle  of  Nashville, 
and  was  mustered  out,  Sept.  9,  1865,  at  Paducah, 
Ky.,  and  arrived  at  Springfield,  Sept,  15,  1865, 
for  final  payment  and  discharge. 

Fiftieth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Quincy.  in 
August,  18G1,  and  mustered  into  service.  Sept,  12, 
18()1 ;  was  engaged  at  Fort  Donelson,  Sliiloh,  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  the  second  battle  of  Corinth, 
Allatoona  and  Bentonville,  besides  many  minor 
engagements.  The  regiment  was  mounted.  Nov. 
17,  1803;  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  Jan.  1,  1864,  was 
mustered  out  at  Louisville,  July  13,  1865,  and 
reached  Springfield,  the  following  day,  for  final 
paj'  and  discliarge. 

Fifty-first  Infantry-.  Organized  at  Chi- 
cago, Dec.  24,  18G1 ;  was  engaged  at  New  Madrid, 
Island  No.  10,  Farmington,  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  JIi.ssionary  Ridge, 
Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Jones- 
boro.  Spring  Hill,  Franklin  and  Nashville.  The 
regiment  was  mustered  in  as  veterans,  Feb.  16, 
1864 ;  from  July  to  September,  1865,  was  on  duty 
in  Texas,  and  mustered  out,  Sept.  25.  1865,  at 
Camp  Irwin,  Texas,  arriving  at  Springfield,  111., 
Oct.  15.  1865,  for  final  payment  and  discharge. 

Fifty'-secoxd  Infantry-.  Organized  at  Ge- 
neva in  November,  1861,  and  mustered  into  serv- 
ice, Nov.  10.  The  regiment  participated  in  the 
following  battles,  sieges  and  expeditions ;  Shiloh, 
Corinth  (siege  and  second  battle  of),  luka,  Tou-n 
Creek,  Snake  Creek  Gap,  Resaca,  Lay's  Ferry, 
Rome  Cross  Roads,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Nickajack  Creek,  Decatur,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro 
and  Bentonville.  It  veteranized,  Jan.  9,  18G4; 
was  mustered  out  at  Louisville,  Julj-  4,  18G5, 
and  received  final  payment  and  discharge  at 
Springfield,  July  12. 

Fifty-third  Infantry*.  Organized  at  Ottawa 
in  the  winter  of  1861-62,  and  ordered  to  Chicago, 
Feb  27,  1.862,  to  complete  its  organization.  It 
took  part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  was  engaged 
at  Davis"  Bridge,  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  in  the 
Jleridian  campaign,  at  Jackson,  the  siege  of 
Atlanta,  the  "March  to  the  Sea,"  the  capture  of 
Savannah  and  the  campaign  in  the  Carolinas, 
including  the  battle  of  Bentonville.  The  regi- 
ment was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Louisville. 


558 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


July  22,  1865,  and  receiTed  final  discharge,  at 
Chicago,  July  28.  It  marched  2,855  miles,  and 
was  transported  bj'  boat  and  cars,  4,168  miles. 
Over  1,800  officers  and  men  belonged  to  the  regi- 
ment during  its  term  of  service. 

Fifty-fourth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Anna, 
in  November,  1861,  as  a  part  of  the  "Kentucky 
Brigade,"  and  was  mustered  into  service,  Feb. 
18,  1862.  No  complete  history  of  the  regiment 
can  be  given,  owing  to  the  loss  of  its  official 
records.  It  served  mainly  in  Kentuckj-,  Tennes- 
see, Mississippi  and  Arkansas,  and  alvrays  effect- 
ively. Three-fourths  of  the  men  re-enlisted  as 
veterans,  in  Januar}',  1864.  Six  companies  were 
captured  by  the  rebel  General  Shelby,  in  August, 
1864,  and  were  exchanged,  the  following  De- 
cember. The  regiment  was  mustered  out  at 
Little  Rock,  Oct.  15,  1865;  arrived  at  Springfield, 
Oct.  26,  and  was  discharged.  During  its  organi- 
zation, the  regiment  had  1,343  enlisted  men  and 
71  commissioned  officers. 

Fifty-fifth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Chi- 
cago, and  mustered  into  service,  Oct.  31,  1861. 
The  regiment  originally  formed  a  part  of  the 
"Douglas  Brigade."  being  chiefly  recruited  from 
the  young  farmers  of  Fulton,  McDonough, 
Grundy,  La  Salle,  De  Kalb,  Kane  and  Winnebago 
Counties.  It  participated  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh 
and  Corinth,  and  in  the  Tallahatchie  campaign; 
in  the  battles  of  Chickasaw  Bayou,  Arkansas 
Post,  around  Vicksbui-g,  and  at  Missionary  Ridge ; 
was  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  notably  in  the 
battles  of  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  Jonesboro.  In 
all,  it  was  engaged  in  thirt3--one  battles,  and  was 
128  days  under  fire.  The  total  mileage  traveled 
amounted  to  11,905.  of  which  3.240  miles  were 
actually  marched.  Re-enlisted  as  veterans,  while 
at  Larkinsville,  Tenn.  ,was  mustered  out  at  Little 
Rock,  August  14,  1865,  receiving  final  discharge 
at  Chicago,  the  same  month. 

Fifty-sixth  Ixf.\ntry'.  Organized  with  com- 
panies jirincipally  enlisted  from  the  counties  of 
Massac,  Pope,  Gallatin,  Saline,  White,  Hamilton, 
Franklin  and  Wayne,  and  mustered  in  at  Camp 
Mather,  near  Shawneetown.  The  regiment  par- 
ticipated in  the  siege,  and  second  battle,  of 
Corinth,  the  Yazoo  expedition,  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg — being  engaged  at  Champion  Hills, 
and  in  numerous  assaults;  also  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Missionary  Ridge  and  Kesaca,  and  in 
the  campaign  in  the  Carolinas,  including  the 
battle  of  Bentonville.  Some  200  members  of  the 
regiment  perished  in  a  wreck  off  Cape  Ilatteras, 
March  31,  1865.  It  was  mustered  out  in  Arkan- 
sas, August  12,  1865. 


Fifty-seventh  Inf.\ntey.  Mustered  into  serv- 
ice, Dec.  26,  1861,  at  Chicago;  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh.  the  siege  of 
Corinth,  and  the  second  battle  at  that  point ;  was 
also  engaged  at  Resaca,  Rome  Cross  Roads  and 
Allatoona;  participated  in  the  investment  and 
capture  of  Savannah,  and  the  campaign  through 
the  Carolinas,  including  the  battle  of  Benton- 
ville. It  was  mustered  out  at  Louisville,  July  7, 
1865,  and  received  final  discharge  at  Chicago, 
July  14. 

Fifty-eighth  Infantry.  Recruited  at  Chi- 
cago, Feb.  11,  1862;  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh.  a  large  number  of  the 
regiment  being  captured  during  the  latter  engage- 
ment, but  subsequently  exchanged.  It  took  part 
in  the  siege  of  Corinth  and  the  battle  of  luka, 
after  which  detachments  were  sent  to  Springfield 
for  recruiting  and  for  guarding  prisoners. 
Returning  to  the  front,  the  regiment  was  engaged 
in  the  capture  of  Meridian,  the  Red  River  cam- 
paign, the  taking  of  Fort  de  Russey,  and  in  many 
minor  battles  in  Louisiana.  It  was  mustered  out 
at  Montgomery,  Ala.,  April  1,  1866,  and  ordered 
to  Springfield   for  final  paj'ment  and  discharge. 

Fifty-ninth  Infantry-.  Originally  known  as 
the  Ninth  Missouri  Infantry,  although  wholly 
recruited  in  Illinois.  It  was  organized  at  St. 
Louis.  Sept.  18,  1861,  the  name  being  changed  to 
the  Fifty-ninth  Illinois,  Feb.  12,  1862,  by  order  of 
the  War  Department.  It  was  engaged  at  Pea 
Ridge,  formeii  part  of  the  reserve  at  Farmington, 
took  part  at  Perryville.  Nolansville,  Knob  Gap 
and  Murfreesboro,  in  the  Tullahoma  campaign 
and  the  siege  of  Chattanooga,  in  the  battles  of 
Missionary  Ridge.  Resaca,  Adairsville,  Kingston, 
Dallas,  Ackworth,  Pine  Top,  Kenesaw  ^lountain, 
Smyrna,  Atlanta,  Spring  Hill,  Franklin  and 
Nashville.  Having  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  the 
regiment  was  ordered  to  Texas,  in  June,  1865, 
where  it  was  mustered  ovit,  December,  1865, 
receiving  its  final  discharge  at  Springfield. 

Sixtieth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Anna,  111., 
Feb.  IT,  18G2:  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth 
and  was  besieged  at  Na.shville.  The  regiment 
re-enlisted  as  veterans  while  at  the  front,  in 
Januarj',  1864;  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Buzzard's  Roost,  Ringgold,  Dalton,  Resaca, 
Rome,  Dallas,  New  Hope  Church,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Nickajack,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta, 
Jonesboro,  Averysboro  and  Benton-.'ille ;  was 
mustered  out  at  Louisville,  July  31,  1865,  and 
received  final  discharge  at  Springfield. 

Sixty-first  Infantry.  Organized  at  Carroll- 
ton,  111.,  three   full  companies  being   mustered 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


559 


in,  Feb.  5,  1862.  On  February  21,  the  regiment, 
being  still  incomplete,  moved  to  Benton  Bar- 
rack.s.  Mo. ,  where  a  sufficient  number  of  recruits 
joined  to  make  nine  full  companies.  The  regiment 
was  engaged  at  Shiloh  and  Bolivar,  took  part 
in  the  Yazoo  expedition,  and  re-enli.sted  as  veter- 
ans early  in  18G4.  Later,  it  took  part  in  the  battle 
of  Wilkinson's  Pike  (near  Murfreesboro),  and 
other  engagements  near  that  point ;  was  mustered 
out  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Sept.  8,  180.5,  and  paid 
off  and  discharged  at  Springfield,  Septem- 
ber 27. 

Sixty-second  Infantry.  Organized  at  Anna, 
111.,  April  10,  1802;  after  being  engaged  in  several 
skirmi.shes,  the  regiment  sustained  a  loss  of  170 
men,  who  were  captured  and  paroled  at  Holly 
Springs,  Miss.,  by  the  rebel  General  Van  Dorn, 
where  the  regimental  records  were  destroyed. 
The  regiment  took  part  in  forcing  the  evacuation 
of  Little  Rock;  re-enlisted,  as  veterans,  Jan.  9, 
18G4 ;  was  mustered  out  at  Little  Rock,  March  6, 
1866,  and  ordered  to  Springfield  for  final  payment 
and  discharge. 

Sixty-third  Infantry.  Organized  at  Anna, 
in  December.  1801,  and  mustered  into  service, 
April  10,  1802.  It  participated  in  the  first  inve.st- 
ment  of  Vicksburg,  the  capture  of  Richmond 
Hill,  La. ,  and  in  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge. 
On  Jan.  1,  1864,  272  men  re-enlisted  as  veterans. 
It  took  part  in  the  capture  of  Savannah  and  in 
Sherman's  march  through  the  Carolinas.  partici- 
pating in  its  important  battles  and  skirmishes; 
was  mustered  out  at  Louisville,  July  13,  186.5, 
reaching  Springfield,  July  16.  The  total  distance 
traveled  was  6,453  miles,  of  which  2,2.50  was  on 
the  march. 

Sixty-fourth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Spring- 
field, December,  1861,  as  the  "First  Battalion  of 
Yates  Sharp  Shooters."  The  last  comjiany  was 
mustered  in,  Dec.  31,  1861.  The  regiment  was 
engaged  at  New  Madrid,  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
Chambers'  Creek,  the  second  battle  of  Corinth, 
Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Decatur,  the 
siege  of  Atlanta,  the  investment  of  .Savannah  and 
the  battle  of  Bentonville ;  re-enlisted  as  veterans, 
in  Janiiaiy,  1864 ;  was  mustered  out  at  Louisville, 
July  11,  1865,  and  finally  discharged,  at  Chicago, 
July  18. 

Sixty-fifth  Infantry.  Originally  known  as 
the  "Scotch  Regiment";  was  organized  at  Chi- 
cago, and  mustered  in.  May  1,  1862.  It  was  cap- 
tured and  paroled  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  ordered 
to  Chicago;  was  exchanged  in  April,  1863;  took 
part  in  Burnside's  defense  of  Knoxville;  re-en- 
listed as  veterans  in  March,  1804,  and  participated 


in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  the  "March  to  the 
Sea."  It  was  engaged  in  battles  at  Columbia 
(Tenn.),  Franklin  and  Nashville,  and  later,  near 
Federal  Point  and  Smithtown,  N.  C,  being  mus- 
tered out,  July  13,  1865,  and  receiving  final  pay- 
ment and  discharge  at  Chicago,  July  26,  1865. 

Sixty-sixth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Benton 
Barracks,  near  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  during  Septemter 
and  October,  1861 — being  designed  as  a  regiment 
of  "Western  Sharp  Shooters"  from  Illinois,  Mis- 
souri, Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Minne.sota,  Indiana  and 
Ohio.  It  was  mustered  in,  Nov.  23,  1861,  was 
engaged  at  Mount  Zion  (Mo.),  Fort  Donelson, 
Shiloh,  the  siege  of  Corinth,  luka,  the  second 
battle  of  Corinth,  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  the 
"March  to  the  Sea"  and  the  campaign  through 
the  Carolinas.  The  regiment  was  variously 
known  as  the  Fourteenth  l\Iis.souri  Volunteers, 
Birge's  Western  Sharpshooters,  and  the  Sixty- 
sixth  rUnois  Infantry.  The  latter  (and  final) 
name  %vas  conferred  by  the  Secretary  of  War, 
Nov.  20,  1862.  It  re-enlisted  (for  the  veteran 
service),  in  December,  1863,  was  mustered  out  at 
Camp  Logan,  Ky.,  July  7,  1865,  and  paid  off  and 
discharged  at  Springfield,  July  15. 

SixTY-SETENTH  INFANTRY.  Organized  at  Chi- 
cago, June  13,  1862,  for  three  months'  service,  in 
response  to  an  urgent  call  for  the  defense  of 
Washington.  The  Sixty -seventh,  by  doing  guard 
dut}-  at  the  camps  at  Chicago  and  Springfield, 
relieved  the  veterans,  who  were  sent  to  the  front. 

Sixty-eighth  Infantry.  Enlisted  in  response 
to  a  call  made  by  the  Governor,  early  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1862,  for  State  troops  to  serve  for  three 
months  as  State  Militia,  and  was  mustered  in 
early  in  June,  1862.  It  was  afterwards  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  as  Illinois  Volun- 
teers, by  petition  of  the  men,  and  received 
marching  orders,  July  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out,  at 
Springfield,  Sept.  26,  1862 — many  of  the  men  re- 
enlisting  in  other  regiments. 

Sixty-ninth  Inf.\ntry.  Organized  at  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago,  and  mustered  into  service  for 
three  months,  June  14,  1862.  It  remained  on 
duty  at  Camp  Douglas,  guarding  the  camp  and 
rebel  prisoners. 

Seventieth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Camp 
Butler,  near  Springfield,  and  mustered  in,  July  4, 
1862.  It  remained  at  Camp  Butler  doing  guard 
duty.     Its  term  of  service  was  three  months. 

Seventy-first  Infantry.  Mustered  into  .serv- 
ice. July  26,  1862,  at  Chicago,  for  three  months. 
Its  service  was  confined  to  garrison  duty  in  Illi- 
nois and  Kentucky,  being  mustered  out  at  Chi- 
cago, Oct.  29,  1862. 


560 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


Seventy-second  Infantry.  Organized  at  Chi- 
cago, as  the  First  Regiment  of  the  Chicago  Board 
of  Trade,  and  mustered  into  service  for  three 
years,  August  23,  1862.  It  was  engaged  at  Cham- 
pion Hill,  Vicksburg,  Natchez,  Franklin,  Nasli- 
ville,  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely;  mustered 
out  of  service,  at  Vicksburg,  August  6.  1865,  and 
discharged  at  Chicago. 

Seventy-third  Infantry.  Recruited  from 
the  counties  of  Adams,  Cliarapaign,  Cliristian, 
Hancock,  Jackson,  Logan,  Piatt,  Pike,  Sanga- 
mon, Tazewell  and  Vermilion,  and  mubterad  into 
service  at  Springfield,  August  21,  1862,  900  strong. 
It  participated  in  the  battles  of  Stone  River, 
Perryville,  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge, 
Resaca,  Adairsville,  Burnt  Hickory,  Pine  and 
Lost  Mountains,  New  Hope  Church,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Sjiring  Hill.  Frank- 
lin and  Nashville;  was  mvistered  out  at  Nashville, 
June  13,  1865,  and,  a  few  days  later,  "vent  to 
Springfield  to  receive  pay  and  final  discharge. 

Seventy-fourth  Infantry.  Organized  at 
Rockford,  in  August,  1862,  and  mustered  into 
service  September  4.  It  was  recruited  from  Win- 
nebago, Ogle  and  Stephenson  Counties.  This  regi- 
ment was  engaged  at  Perryville,  Murfreesboro 
and  Nolansville.  took  part  in  the  Tullahoma 
campaign,  and  the  battles  of  Missionary  Ridge, 
Resaca,  Adairsville,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Tunnel  Hill,  and  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  the  siege  of 
Atlanta,  and  the  battles  of  Spring  Hill,  Franklin 
and  Nashville.  It  was  mustered  out  at  Nashville, 
June  10,  1865,  with  343  officers  and  men,  the 
aggregate  number  enrolled  having  been  1,001. 

Seventy-fifth  Infantry.  Organized  at 
Dixon  and  mustered  into  service,  Sept.  2,  1862. 
The  regiment  jiartioipateil  in  tlie  battles  of  Perry- 
ville, Nolansville,  Stone  River,  Lookout  Mountain, 
Dalton,  Resaca,  Marietta, Kenesaw,  Franklin  and 
Nashville;  was  mustered  out  at  Nashville,  June 
12,  1865,  and  finally  discharged  at  Chicago,  July 
1,  following. 

Seventy-sixth  Infantry-.  Organized  at  Kan- 
kakee, 111.,  in  August,  1862,  and  mustered  into  the 
service,  August  23,  1862 ;  took  part  in  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  the  engagement  at  Jackson,  the  cam- 
paign again.st  Meridian,  the  expedition  to  Yazoo 
City,  and  the  capture  of  Mobile,  was  ordered  to 
Texas  in  June,  1865,  and  mustered  out  at  Galves- 
ton, July  22,  1865,  being  paid  off  and  disbanded 
at  Chicago,  August  4,  1805 — having  traveled 
10,000  miles. 

Seventv-sf.vfnth  Infantry.  Organized  and 
mustered  into  service,  Sept.  3,  1863,  at  Peoria; 
was  enK'TfT'^d  in  the  battles  of  Chickasaw  Bayou, 


Arkansas  Post,  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  (including 
the  battle  of  Champion  Hills),  the  capture  of 
Jackson,  the  Red  River  expedition,  and  the  bat- 
tles of  Sabine  Cross  Roads  and  Pleasant  Hill ;  the 
reduction  of  Forts  Gaines  and  Morgan,  and  the 
capture  of  Spanish  Fort,  Fort  Blakely  and  Mobile. 
It  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Jlobile,  July 
10,  1865,  and  ordered  to  Springfield  for  final  pay- 
ment and  discharge,  where  it  arrived,  Julj'  22,  1865, 
having  participated  in  sixteen  battles  and  sieges. 

Seventy-eighth  Infantry-.  Organized  at 
Quincy,  and  mastered  into  service,  Sept.  1,  1863; 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Resaca,  Rome, 
New  Hope  Church,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Averysboro  and 
Bentonville;  was  mustered  out,  June  7,  1865,  and 
sent  to  Chicago,  where  it  was  paid  off  and  dis- 
charged, June  12,  1.865. 

Seventy-nixth  Infantry-.  Organized  at  Mat- 
toon,  in  August,  1802,  and  mustered  into  service, 
August  28,  1862;  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Stone  River,  Liberty  Gap,  Chickamauga,  Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Resaca,  Kene- 
saw Mountain,  Dallas.  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta, 
Jonesboro,  Lovejoy,  Franklin  and  Nashville;  was 
mustered  out,  June  12,  1865;  arrived  at  Camp 
Butler,  June  15,  and,  on  June  33,  received  final 
jjay  and  discharge. 

Eightieth  Infantry".  Organized  at  Centralia, 
111.,  in  August,  1863,  and  mustered  into  service, 
August  35,  1863.  It  was  engaged  at  Perryville, 
Dug's  Gap,  Sand  Mountain  and  Blunt's  Farm, 
surrendering  to  Forrest  at  the  latter  point.  After 
being  exclianged,  it  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Wauhatcliie,  Missionary  Ridge,  Dalton,  Resaca, 
Adairsville,  Cassville,  Dallas,  Pine  Mountain, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  Marietta,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Lovejoy  Station  and  Nash- 
ville. The  regiment  traveled  6,000  miles  and 
participated  in  more  than  twenty  engagements. 
It  was  mustered  out  of  service,  June  10,  1865,  and 
proceeded  to  Camp  Butler  for  final  pay  and 
discharge. 

Eighty-first  Inf.^ntry-.  Recruited  from  the 
counties  of  Perry,  Franklin,  Williamson,  Jack- 
son, Union,  Pulaski  and  Alexander,  and  mustered 
into  service  at  Anna,  August  26,  1863.  It  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Raymond, 
Jackson,  Champion  Hill,  Black  River  Bridge,  and 
in  the  siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg.  Later, 
the  regiment  was  engaged  at  Fort  de  Russey, 
Alexandria,  Guntown  and  Nashville,  besides 
assisting  in  the  investment  of  Mobile.  It  was 
mustered  out  at  Chicago,  August  5,  186-1. 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


561 


irauHTY-SECOND  INFANTRY.  Sometimes  called 
the  '"Second  Hecker  Regiment,"  in  honor  of  Col- 
onel Frederick  Hecker,  its  first  Colonel,  and  for 
merly  Colonel  of  tlie  Twenty-fovirth  Illinois 
Infantry — being  chiefly  composed  of  German 
members  of  Chicago.  It  was  organized  at  Spring- 
field, Sept.  26,  1863,  and  mustered  into  service, 
Oct.  S3,  1862;  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  Wauhatchie,  Or- 
chard Knob,  Missionary  Ridge,  Resaca,  New 
Hope  Church,  Dallas,  JIarietta,  Pine  Mountain, 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta  and  Bentonville ;  was 
mustered  out  of  service,  June  9,  186.5,  and 
returned  to  Chicago,  June  16 — having  marched, 
during  its  time  of  service,  2,.503  miles. 

Eighty-third  Infantry.  Organized  at  Mon- 
mouth in  August,  1863,  and  mustered  into  serv- 
ice, August  21.  It  participated  in  repelling  the 
rebel  attack  on  Fort  Donelson,  and  in  numerous 
hard-fought  skirmishes  in  Tennessee,  but  was 
chiefly  engaged  in  the  performance  of  heavy 
guard  duty  and  in  protecting  lines  of  communi- 
cation. The  regiment  was  mustered  out  at  Nash- 
ville, June  36,  1865,  and  flnallj'  paid  off  and 
discharged  at  Chicago,  July  4,  following. 

Eighty-fourth  Infantry.  Organized  at 
Quincy,  in  August,  1862,  and  mustered  into  serv- 
ice, Sept.  1,  1862,  with  939  men  and  officers.  The 
regiment  was  authorized  to  inscribe  upon  its 
battle-flag  the  names  of  Perryville,  Stone  River, 
Woodbury,  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain, 
Missionary  Ridge,  Ringgold,  Dalton,  Buzzard's 
Roost,  Resaca,  Burnt  Hickory,  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, Smyrna,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Lovejoy  Sta- 
tion, Franklin,  and  Nashville.  It  was  mustered 
out,  June  8,  1865. 

Eighty-fifth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Peoria, 
about  Sept.  1,  1862,  and  ordered  to  Louisville.  It 
•look  part  in  the  battles  of  Perryville,  Stone  River, 
Chickamauga,  Knoxville,  Dalton,  Rocky-Face 
Ridge,  Resaca,  Rome,  Dallas,  Kenesaw,  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Savannah,  Ben- 
tonville, Goldsboro  and  Raleigh;  was  mustered 
out  at  ■yVashiiigton,  D.  C. ,  June  5,  1865,  and 
sent  to  Springheia,  wnere  the  regiment  was 
paid  off  and  discharged  on  the  20th  of  the  same 
month. 

Eighty-sixth  Infantry.  Mustered  into  serv- 
ice, August  27,  1863,  at  Peoria,  at  which  time  it 
numbered  933  men,  rank  and  file.  It  took  part 
in  the  battles  of  Perryville,  Chickamauga,  IMis- 
sionary  Ridge,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Resaca,  Rome, 
Dallas,  Kenesaw,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Jonesboro, 
Averysboro  and  Bentonville;  was  mustered  out 
CO  June  6,  1865,  at  Washington,  D.  C,  arriving 


on  June  11,  at  Cliicago,  where,  ten  days  later,  the 
men  received  their  pay  and  final  discharge. 

Eighty-seventh  Infantry.  Enlisted  in  Au- 
gust, 1862;  was  composed  of  companies  from 
Hamilton,  Edwards,  Wayne  and  White  Counties ; 
was  organized  in  the  latter  part  of  August,  1863, 
at  Shawneetown ;  mustered  in,  Oct,  3,  1863,  the 
muster  to  take  effect  from  August  2.  It  took 
part  in  the  siege  and  captui'e  of  Warrenton  and 
Jack.son,  and  in  the  entire  campaign  through 
Louisiana  and  Southern  Mississippi,  participating 
in  the  battle  of  Sabine  Cross  Roads  and  in  numer- 
ous skirmishes  among  the  bayous,  being  mustered 
out,  June  16,  1865,  and  ordered  to  Springfield, 
where  it  arrived,  June  24,  1865,  and  was  paid  off 
and  disbanded  at  Camp  Butler,  on  July  2. 

Eighty-eighth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Chi- 
cago, in  September,  1863,  and  known  as  the 
"Second  Board  of  Trade  Regiment."  It  was 
mustered  in,  Sept.  4,  1862 ;  was  engaged  at  Perry- 
ville, Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Missionary 
Ridge,  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Resaca,  Adairsville, 
New  Hope  Church,  Pine  Mountain,  Mud  Creek, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  Smyrna  Camp  Ground, 
Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Lovejoy  Station,  Franklin 
and  Nashville;  was  mustered  out,  June  9,  1865, 
at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  arrived  at  Chicago, 
June  13,  1865,  where  it  received  final  pay  and 
discharge,  June  33,  1865. 

Eighty-ninth  Infantry.  Called  the  "Rail- 
road Regiment" ;  was  organized  b}'  the  railroad 
companies  of  Illinois,  at  Chicago,  in  August, 
1863,  and  mustered  into  service  on  the  2Tth  of 
that  month.  It  fought  at  Stone  River,  Chicka- 
mauga, Missionary  Ridge,  Knoxville,  Resaca, 
Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Pickett's  Mills,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro, 
Lovejoy's  Station,  Spring  Hill,  Columbia,  Frank- 
lin and  Nashville;  was  mustered  out,  June  10, 
1865,  in  the  field  near  Nashville,  Tenn. ;  arrived 
at  Chicago  two  days  later,  and  was  finally  dis- 
charged, June  34,  after  a  service  of  two  years, 
nine  months  and  twenty -seven  days. 

Ninetieth  Inf.vntry.  Mustered  into  service 
at  Chicago,  Sept.  7,  1863 ;  participated  in  the  siege 
of  Vicksburg  and  the  campaign  against  Jackson, 
and  was  engaged  at  Missionary  Ridge.  Resaca, 
Dallas,  New  Hope  Church,  Big  Shanty,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Marietta,  Nickajack  Creek,  Rosswell, 
Atlanta,  Jonesboro  and  Fort  McAllister.  After 
the  review  at  Washington,  the  regiment  was 
mustered  out,  June  6,  and  returned  to  Chicago, 
June  9,  1865,  where  it  was  finally  discharged. 

Ninety-first  Infantry.  Organized  at  Camp 
Butler,   near    Springfield,  in  August,   1863,  and 


562 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


mustered  in  on  Sept.  8,  1863;  participated  in  the 
campaigns  against  Vicksburg  and  New  Orleans, 
and  all  along  the  southwestern  frontier  in 
Louisiana  and  Texas,  as  well  as  in  the  investiture 
and  capture  of  Mobile.  It  was  mustered  out  at 
Mobile,  July  12,  186.5,  starting  for  home  the  same 
da.v,  and  being  finally  paid  off  and  discharged  on 
July  28,  following. 

Nlnety-second  Inf.^ntry  (Mounted).  Organ- 
ized and  mustered  into  service,  Sept.  4,  1862, 
being  recruited  from  Ogle,  Stephenson  and  Car- 
roll Counties.  During  its  term  of  service,  the 
Ninety-second  was  in  more  than  sixty  battles  and 
skirmi-shes.  including  Ringgold,  Chickamauga, 
and  tlie  numerous  engagements  on  the  "March 
to  the  Sea."'  and  during  the  pursuit  of  Johnston 
through  the  Carolinas.  It  was  mustered  out  at 
Concord,  N.  C. ,  and  paid  and  discharged  from  the 
service  at  Chicago,  July  10,  1865. 

Ninety-third  Infantry.  Organized  at  Chi- 
cago, in  September,  1862,  and  mustered  in,  Oct. 
13,  998  strong.  It  participated  in  tlie  movements 
against  Jackson  and  Vicksburg,  and  was  engaged 
at  Cliampion  Hills  and  at  Fort  Fisher;  also  was 
engaged  in  the  battles  of  Missionary  Ridge, 
Dallas.  Resaca,  and  many  minor  engagements, 
following  Sherman  in  his  campaign  though  tlie 
Carolinas.  Mustered  out  of  service,  June  23, 
1865.  and,  on  the  25th,  arrived  at  Chicago,  receiv- 
ing final  payment  and  discharge,  July  7,  1865,  the 
regiment  liaving  marched  2,554  miles,  traveled 
by  water,  2,296  miles,  and.  by  railroad,  1,237 
miles — total,  6,087  miles. 

Ninety-fourth  Infantry*.  Organized  at 
Bloomington  in  August,  1862,  and  enlisted  wholly 
in  McLean  County.  After  some  warm  experi 
ence  in  Southwest  Missouri,  the  regiment  took 
part  in  the  siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg,  and 
was,  later,  actively  engaged  in  the  campaigns  in 
Louisiana  and  Texas.  It  participated  in  tlie  cap- 
ture of  Mobile,  leading  the  final  assault.  After 
several  months  of  garrison  duty,  tlie  regiment  was 
mustered  out  at  Galveston,  Texas,  on  July  17, 
1865.  reaching  Bloomington  on  August  9,  follow- 
ing, having  served  just  tliree  years,  marched  1.200 
miles,  traveled  by  railroad  610  miles,  and.  by 
steamer,  6,000  miles,  and  taken  part  in  nine  bat- 
tles, sieges  and  skirmishes. 

Ninety-fifth  Infantry.  Organized  at  Rock- 
ford  and  mustered  into  service,  Sept.  4,  1862.  It 
was  recruited  from  the  counties  of  JIcHenry  and 
Boone — tliree  companies  from  the  latter  and 
seven  from  the  former.  It  took  part  in  the  cam- 
paigns in  Northern  Mississippi  and  against  Vicks- 
burg. in  the  Red  River  expedition,  the  campaigns 


against  Price  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas,  against 
Mobile  and  around  Atlanta.  Among  tlie  battles 
in  which  the  regiment  was  engaged  were  those 
of  the  Tallahatchie  River,  Grand  Gulf,  Raymond, 
Champion  Hills,  Fort  de  Russey,  Old  River, 
Cloutierville,  Mansura,  Yellow  Bayou,  Guntown, 
Nashville,  Spanish  Fort,  Fort  Blakely,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Chattahoochie  River,  Atlanta,  Ezra 
Church,  Jonesboro,  Lovejoy  Station  and  Nash- 
ville. The  distance  traveled  by  the  regiment, 
while  in  the  service,  was  9,960  miles.  It  was 
transferred  to  the  Forty-seventh  Illinois  Infan- 
try, August  25,  1865. 

Ninety-sixth  Infantry'.  Recruited  during 
the  months  of  July  and  August,  18G2,  and  mus- 
tered into  service,  as  a  regiment,  Sept.  6,  1863. 
The  battles  engaged  in  included  Fort  Donelson, 
Spring  Hill,  Franklin,  Triune,  Liberty  Gap, 
Shelbyville,  Chickamauga,  Wauhatchie,  Lookout 
Mountain,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
Resaca,  Kingston,  New  Hope  Church,  Dallas, 
Pine  Mountain,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Smyrna 
Camp  Ground,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Rough 
and  Read}^  Jonesboro,  Lovejoy's  Station,  Frank- 
lin and  Nashville.  Its  date  of  final  pay  and  dis- 
cliai'ge  was  June  30,  1865. 

Ninety-seventh  Infantry.  Organized  in 
August  and  Seiitember,  1863,  and  mustered  in  on 
Sept.  16;  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickasaw 
Bluffs,  Arkansas  Post,  Port  Gibson,  Champion 
Hills,  Black  River,  Vicksburg,  Jackson  and 
Mobile.  On  July  29,  1865,  it  was  mustered  out 
and  proceeded  homeward,  reaching  Springfield, 
August  10,  after  an  absence  of  three  years,  less  a 
few  days. 

Ninety'-eighth  Infantry-.  Organized  at  Cen- 
tralia,  September,  1862,  and  mustered  in,  Sept.  3; 
took  part  in  engagements  at  Chickamauga,  Mc- 
Minnville,  Farmington  and  Selma,  besides  many 
others  of  less  note.  It  was  mustered  out,  June 
27,  1865,  the  recruits  being  transferred  to  the 
Sixty-first  Illinois  Volunteers.  Tlie  regiment 
arrived  at  Springfield,  June  30,  and  received  final 
payment  and  discliarge,  July  7.  1865. 

Ninety"-ninth  Inf.^ntry.  Organized  in  Pike 
County  and  mustered  in  at  Florence,  August  23, 
1862;  participated  in  the  following  battles  and 
skirmishes:  Beaver  Creek,  Hartsville,  Magnolia 
Hills,  Raymond,  Champion  Hills,  Black  River, 
Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Fort  Esperanza,  Grand 
Coteau,  Fish  River,  Spanish  Fort  and  Blakely: 
days  under  fire,  63;  miles  traveled,  5,900;  men 
killed  in  battle,  38;  men  died  of  wounds  and 
disease,  149;  men  discharged  for  disability,  127; 
men    deserted,   35;   officers   killed    in  battle,  3; 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


563 


ofl5(!ers  died,  3;  officers  resigned,  26.  The  regi- 
ment was  mustered  out  at  Baton  Rouge,  July  SI, 
1865,  and  paid  off  and  discharged,  August  9, 
following. 

One  Hundredth  Infantry.  Organized  at 
Joliet,  in  August,  1863,  and  mustered  iu,  August 
30.  The  entire  regiment  was  recruited  in  Will 
County.  It  was  engaged  at  Bardstown,  Stone 
Eiver,  Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge,  and 
Nashville ;  was  mustered  out  of  service,  June  13, 
186.5,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  arrived  at  Chicago, 
June  15,  where  it  received  final  payment  and 
discharge. 

One  Hundred  and  First  Infantry.  Organ- 
ized at  Jacksonville  during  the  latter  part  of  the 
month  of  August,  1862,  »nd,  on  Sept.  3,  1863, 
■was  mustered  in.  It  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Wauhatchie,  Chattanooga,  Resaca,  New  Hope 
Church,  Kenesaw  and  Pine  Mountains,  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Averj-sboro  and  Bentonville. 
On  Deo.  20,  1862,  five  companies  were  cajitured 
at  Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  paroled  and  .sent  to 
Jeffer.son  Barracks,  Mo.,  and  formally  exchanged 
in  June,  1863.  On  the  Tth  of  June,  1865,  it  was 
mustered  out,  and  started  for  Springfield,  where, 
on  the  21st  of  June,  it  was  paid  off  and  disbanded. 

One  Hundred  and  Second  Infantry.  Organ- 
ized at  Knoxville,  in  August,  1862,  and  mustered 
in,  September  1  and  2.  It  was  engaged  at  Resaca, 
Camp  Creek,  Burnt  Hickory,  Big  Shanty,  Peach 
Tree  Creek  and  Averysboro;  mustered  out  of 
service  June  6,  1865,  and  started  home,  arriving 
.  at  Chicago  on  the  9th,  and,  June  14,  received 
final  payment  and  discharge. 

One  Hundred  and  Third  Infantry.  Re- 
cruited wholly  in  Fulton  Count3',  and  mustered 
into  the  service,  Oct.  3,  1863.  It  took  part  in 
the  Grierson  raid,  the  sieges  of  Vicksburg.  Jack- 
son, Atlanta  and  Savannah,  and  the  battles  of 
Slissionary  Ridge,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Resaca,  Dal- 
las, Kenesaw  Mountain  and  Griswoldsville;  was 
also  in  the  campaign  through  the  Carolinas. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  out  at  Louisville, 
June  21,  and  received  final  discharge  at  Chi- 
cago, July  9,  1865.  The  original  strength  of 
the  regiment  was  808,  and  84  recruits  were 
enlisted. 

One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Infantry.  Organ- 
ized at  Ottawa,  in  August,  1863.  and  comjiosed 
almost  entirely  of  La  Salle  County  men.  The 
regiment  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Harts- 
ville,  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain,  Mission- 
ary Ridge,  Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Utoy 
Creek,  Jonesboro  and  Bentonville,  besides  many 
severe  skirmishes;  was  mustered  out  at  Washing- 


ton, D.  C. ,  June  6,  1865,  and,  a  few  days  later 
received  final  discharge  at  Chicago. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Infantr.y.  Mus- 
tered into  service,  Sept.  2,  1862,  at  Dixon,  and 
participated  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  being 
engaged  at  Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and 
Atlanta,  and  almost  constantly  skirmishing, 
also  took  part  in  the  "March  to  the  Sea"  and  the 
campaign  in  the  Carolinas,  including  the  siege  of 
Savannah  and  the  battles  of  Averysboro  and 
Bentonville.  It  was  mustered  out  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  June  7,  1865,  and  paid  off  and  dis- 
charged at  Chicago,  June  17. 

One  Hundred  and  Sixth  Infantry.  Mus- 
tered into  service  at  Lincoln,  Sept.  18,  1862, 
eight  of  the  ten  companies  having  been  recruited 
in  Logan  County,  the  other  two  being  from  San- 
gamon and  Menard  Counties.  It  aided  in  the 
defense  of  Jack.son,  Tenn.,  where  Company  "C" 
was  captured  and  paroled,  being  exchanged  in 
the  summer  of  1863;  took  part  in  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  the  Yazoo  expedition,  the  capture  of 
Little  Rock,  the  battle  of  Clarendon,  and  per- 
formed service  at  various  points  in  Arkansas.  It 
was  mustered  out,  July  12,  1865,  at  Pine  Bluff, 
Ark.,  and  arrived  at  Springfield,  July  24,  1865, 
where  it  received  final  payment  and  discharge 

One  Hundred  and  Seventh  Infantry.  Mus- 
tered into  service  at  Springfield,  Sept.  4,  1862; 
was  composed  of  six  companies  from  DeWitt  and 
four  companies  from  Piatt  County.  It  was 
engaged  at  Campbell's  Station,  Dandridge, 
Rocky- Face  Ridge,  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Atlanta,  Spring  Hill,  Franklin,  Nashville  and 
Fort  Anderson,  and  mustered  out,  June  21,  1865, 
at  Salisbury,  N.  C,  reaching  Springfield,  for 
final  payment  and  discharge,  July  3,  1865, 

One  Hundred  and  Eighth  Infantry.  Organ- 
ized at  Peoria,  and  mustered  into  service,  August 
28,  1863 ;  took  part  in  the  first  expedition  against 
Vicksburg  and  in  the  battles  of  Arkansas  Post 
(Fort  Hindman),  Port  Gibson  and  Champion 
Hills ;  in  the  capture  of  Vicksburg,  the  battle  of 
Guntown,  the  reduction  of  Spanish  Fort,  and  the 
capture  of  Mobile.  It  was  mustered  out  at  Vicks- 
burg, August  5,  1865,  and  received  final  discharge 
at  Chicago,  August  11. 

One  Hundred  and  Ninth  Infantry.  Re- 
cruited from  Union  and  Pulaski  Counties  and 
mustered  into  the  service,  Sept.  11,  1863.  Owing 
to  its  number  being  greatly  reduced,  it  was  con- 
solidated witli  the  Eleventh  Infantry  in  April, 
1863,     (See  Eleventh  Infantry.) 

One  Hundred  and  Tenth  Infantry.  Organ- 
ized at  Anna  and  mustered  in,  Sept.  11,  1862;  was 


564 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


engaged  at  Stone  River,  Woodbury,  and  in 
numerous  skirmishes  in  Kentuokj'  and  Tennessee. 
In  May,  1803,  the  i-cgimeut  was  consolidated,  its 
numbers  having  been  greatly  reduced.  Subse- 
quently it  participated  in  the  battles  of  Cliicka- 
mauga  and  Jlissionary  Ridge,  the  battles  around 
Atlanta  and  the  campaign  through  the  Carolinas, 
being  present  at  Jolmston's  surrender.  The  regi- 
ment was  mustered  out  at  Washington,  D.  C, 
June  5,  1865,  and  received  final  discharge  at 
Chicago,  June  15.  The  enlisted  men  whose  term 
of  service  liad  not  expired  at  date  of  muster-out, 
were  consolidated  into  four  companies  and  trans- 
ferred to  the  Sixtieth  Illinois  Veteran  Volunteer 
Infantry. 

One  Hundred  .\nd  Eleventh  Infantry.  Re- 
cruited from  Marion,  Clay.  Washington,  Clinton 
and  Waj'ne  Counties,  and  mustered  into  the  serv- 
ice at  Salem,  Sept.  18,  1863.  The  regiment  aided 
in  the  capture  of  Decatur,  Ala. ;  took  part  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  being  engaged  at  Resaca, 
Dallas,  Kenesavv,  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro ;  partici- 
pated in  the  "March  to  the  Sea"'  and  the  cam- 
paign in  the  Carolinas,  taking  part  in  the  battles 
of  Fort  McAllister  and  Bentonville.  It  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Washington,  D.  C,  June  7,  1865, 
receiving  final  discharge  at  Springfield,  June  27, 
having  traveled  3,736  miles,  of  which  1,836  was 
on  the  march. 

One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  Infantry.  Mus- 
tered into  service  at  Peoria,  Sept.  20  and  22, 
1862 ;  participated  in  the  campaign  in  East  Ten- 
nessee, under  Burnside,  and  in  that  against 
Atlanta,  under  Sherman;  was  also  engaged  in 
the  battles  of  Columbia,  Franklin  and  Nashville, 
and  the  capture  of  Fort  Anderson  and  Wilming- 
ton. It  was  mustered  out  at  Goldsboro,  N.  C, 
June  20,  1865,  and  finally  discharged  at  Chicago, 
July  7,  1865. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirteenth  Infantry. 
Left  Camp  Hancock  (near  Chicago)  for  the  front, 
Nov.  6,  1862;  was  engaged  in  the  Tallahatchie 
expedition,  participated  in  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
saw Bayou,  and  was  sent  North  to  guard  prison- 
ers and  recruit.  The  regiment  also  took  part  in 
the  siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg,  was  mustered 
out,  June  20,  1865,  and  finally  discharged  at  Chi- 
cago, five  days  later. 

One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Infantry. 
Organized  in  July  and  August,  1862,  and  mustered 
in  at  Springfield,  Sept.  18,  being  recruited  from 
Cass,  Menard  and  Sangamon  Counties.  The  regi- 
ment participated  in  the  battle  of  Jackson  (Miss. ), 
the  siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg,  and  in  the 
battles  of  Guntown  and  Harrisville,  the  pui-suit 


of  Price  through  Missouri,  the  battle  of  Nash- 
ville, and  the  capture  of  Mobile.  It  was  mustered 
out  at  Vicksburg,  August  3,  1865.  receiving  final 
payment  and  discharge  at  Springfield.  August  15, 
1865. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Infantry. 
Ordered  to  the  front  from  Sjn-ingfield,  Oct.  4, 
1802 ;  was  engaged  at  Chickamauga.  Chattanooga, 
Missionary  Ridge,  Tunnel  Hill,  Resaca  and  in  all 
the  principal  battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
and  in  the  defense  of  Nashville  and  pursuit  of 
Hood;  was  mustered  out  of  service,  June  11, 
1865.  and  received  final  pay  and  discharge,  June 
23,  1865,  at  Springfield. 

One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Infantry. 
Recruited  almost  wholly  from  JIacon  County, 
numbering  980  officers  and  men  when  it  started 
from  Decatur  for  the  front  on  Nov.  8,  1862.  It 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickasaw  Bayou, 
Arkansas  Post,  Champion  Hills,  Black  River 
Bridge,  Missionary  Ridge,  Resaca,  Dallas,  Big 
Shanty,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Stone  Mountain, 
Atlanta,  Fort  McAllister  and  Bentonville,  and 
was  mustered  out,  June  7,  1865,  near  Washington, 
D.  C. 

One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth  Infantry. 
Organized  at  Springfield,  and  mustered  in,  Sept. 
19,  1862;  participated  in  the  Meridian  campaign, 
the  Red  River  expedition  (assisting  in  the  cap- 
ture of  Fort  de  Russey),  and  in  the  battles  of 
Pleasant  Hill,  Yellow  Bayou,  Tupelo,  Franklin 
Nashville,  S])anish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely.  It 
was  mustered  out  at  Springfield,  August  5,  1865. 
having  traveled  9,276  miles,  2,307  of  which  were 
marclied. 

One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth  Infantry. 
Organized  and  mustered  into  the  service  at 
Springfield,  Nov.  7,  1862;  was  engaged  at  Chicka- 
saw Bluffs,  Arkansas  Post,  Port  Gibson,  Cham- 
pion Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  Jackson  (Miss.), 
Grand  Coteau,  Jackson  (La. ),  and  Amite  River. 
The  regiment  was  mounted,  Oct.  11,  1863,  and 
dismounted,  May  23,  1805.  Oct.  1,  1865,  it  was 
mustered  out,  and  finally  discharged,  Oct.  13. 
At  the  date  of  the  muster-in,  the  regiment  num- 
bered 820  men  and  oflicers,  received  283  recruits, 
making  a  total  of  1,103;  at  muster-out  it  num- 
bered 523.  Distance  marched,  3,000  miles;  total 
distance  traveled,  5,700  miles. 

One  Hundred  and  Nineteenth  Infantry. 
Organized  at  Quincy,  in  September,  1863,  and 
was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service, 
October  10 ;  was  engaged  in  the  Red  River  cam- 
paign and  in  the  battles  of  Shreveport,  Yellow- 
Bayou,  Tupelo,  Nashville,  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


565 


Blakely.  Its  final  muster-out  took  jjlace  at 
Mobile,  August  26,  186.5,  and  its  discharge  at 
Springfield. 

One  Hundred  and  Twentiety  Infantry. 
Miistered  into  the  sen-ice,  Oct.  28,  1862,  at  Spring- 
field ;  was  mu-stered  out,  Sept.  7,  186.5,  and  received 
final  payment  and  discharge,  September  10,  at 
Springfield. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-first  Infan- 
try. (The  organization  of  this  regiment  was  not 
completed.) 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-second  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Carlinville,  in  August,  1862, 
and  mustered  into  the  service,  Sept.  4,  with  960 
enlisted  men.  It  participated  in  tlie  battles  of 
Tupelo  and  Nashville,  and  in  the  capture  of 
Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely,  and  was  mustered 
out,  July  15,  1865,  at  Mobile,  and  finally  dis- 
charged at  Springfield,  August  4. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty'-third  Infan- 
try. Mustered  into  service  at  Mattoon,  Sept.  6. 
1862;  participated  in  the  battles  of  Perry ville, 
Milton,  Hoover's  Gap,  and  Farmington ;  also  took 
part  in  the  entire  Atlanta  campaign,  marching 
as  cavalry  and  fighting  as  infaniry.  Later,  it 
served  as  mounted  infantrj'  in  Kentucky,  Tennes- 
see and  Alabama,  taking  a  prominent  part  in  tlie 
captm-e  of  Selma.  The  regiment  was  discharged 
at  Springfield,  July  11,  186.5 — the  recruits,  whose 
terms  had  not  expired,  being  transferred  to  the 
Sixty-first  Volunteer  Infantry. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  Infan- 
try. Mustered  into  the  service,  Sept.  10,  1862,  at 
Springfield ;  took  part  in  the  Vicksburg  campaign 
and  in  the  battles  of  Port  Gib.son,  Raymond  and 
Champion  Hills,  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  the 
Meridian  raid,  the  Yazoo  expedition,  and  the 
capture  of  Mobile.  On  the  16th  of  August,  1865, 
eleven  days  less  than  three  years  after  the  first 
company  went  into  camp  at  Springfield,  the  regi- 
ment was  mustered  out  at  Chicago.  Colonel 
Howe's  history  of  the  battle-flag  of  the  regiment, 
stated  that  it  had  been  borne  4,lO0  miles,  in  four- 
teen skirimishes,  ten  battles  and  two  sieges  of 
fortj'-seven  days  and  nights,  and  thirteen  days 
and  nights,  respective!}'. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fifth  Infan- 
try. Mustered  into  service,  Sept.  3,  1862:  par- 
ticipated in  the  battles  of  Perryville,  Chicka- 
mau.ga.  Missionary  Ridge,  Kenesaw  Mountain. 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta  and  Joneshoro.  and  in 
the  "Ma'-ch  to  the  Sea"  and  the  Carolina  cam- 
paign, being  engaged  at  Averysboro  and  Benton- 
ville.  It  was  mustered  out  at  Washington,  D.  C, 
June  9,  186.5,  and  finally  discharged  at  Chicago. 


One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Alton  and  mustered  in,  Sept.  4, 
1862,  and  participated  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 
Six  companies  were  engaged  in  skirmish  line,  near 
Humboldt,  Tenn.,  and  the  regiment  took  part  in 
the  capture  of  Little  Rock  and  in  the  fight  at 
Clarendon,  Ark.  It  was  mustered  out  July  12, 186.5. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-seventh  Infan- 
try. Mustered  into  service  at  Chicago,  Sept.  6, 
1862;  took  part  in  the  first  campaign  against 
Vicksburg,  and  in  the  battle  of  Arkansas  Post, 
the  siege  of  Vicksburg  under  Grant,  the  capture 
of  Jackson  (Miss.),  the  battles  of  Missionary 
Ridge  and  Lookout  Mountain,  the  Meridian  raid, 
and  in  the  fighting  at  Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro;  also  accom- 
panied Sherman  in  his  march  through  Georgia 
and  the  Carolinas,  taking  part  in  the  battle  of 
Bentonville ;  was  mustered  out  at  Chicago.  June 
17.  186.5. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-eighth  Infan- 
try. Mustered  in,  Dec.  18,  1862,  but  remained 
in  service  less  than  five  months,  when,  its  num- 
ber of  officers  and  men  having  been  reduced  from 
860  to  161  (largely  by  de.sertions) ,  a  number  of 
officers  were  dismissed,  and  the  few  remaining 
officers  and  men  were  formed  into  a  detachment, 
and  transferred  to  another  Illinois  regiment. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  Infan- 
try*. Organized  at  Pontiac,  in  August,  1862,  and 
mustered  into  the  service  Sept.  8.  Prior  to  Maj*, 
1864,  the  regiment  was  chiefly  engaged  in  garri- 
son duty.  It  marched  with  Sherman  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign  and  through  Georgia  and  the 
Carolinas,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Resaca, 
Buzzard's  Roost,  Lost  JMountain,  Dallas,  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Averysboro  and  Benton- 
ville. It  received  final  pay  and  discharge  at  Chi- 
caf-o,  June  10,  1865. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Infantry. 
Organized  at  Springfield  and  mustered  into 
service,  Oct.  2.5,  1802;  was  engaged  at  Port  Gib- 
son. Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  Vicks- 
burg, Jackson  (Miss.),  and  in  the  Red  River 
expedition.  'While  on  this  expedition  almost  the 
entire  regiment  was  captured  at  the  battle  of 
JIausfield,  and  not  paroled  until  near  the  close  of 
the  war.  The  remaining  oflicers  and  men  were 
consolidated  with  the  .Seventy-seventh  Infantry 
in  January-,  1865,  and  participated  in  the  capture 
of  Mobile.  Six  months  later  its  regimental  re- 
organization, as  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth, 
was  ordered.  It  was  mustered  out  at  New- 
Orleans,  August  15,  186.5,  and  discharged  at 
Springfield,  August  31. 


566 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Infan- 
try. Organized  in  September,  1862,  and  mus- 
tered into  the  service,  Nov.  13,  with  815  men, 
exclusive  of  officers.  lu  October,  1863,  it  was 
consolidated  with  the  Tweutj-niutli  Infantry, 
and  ceased  to  exist  as  a  separate  organization. 
Up  to  that  time  tlie  regiment  liad  been  in  but  a 
few  conflicts  and  in  no  pitched  battle. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Inf-^n- 
TRY'.  Organized  at  Chicago  and  mustered  in  for 
100  days  from  June  1,  1864.  The  regiment  re- 
mained on  duty  at  Paducah  until  the  expiration 
of  its  service,  when  it  moved  to  Chicago,  and 
■was  mustered  out,  Oct.  17,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-third  Infan- 
try'. Organized  at  Springfield,  and  mustered  in 
for  one  hundred  days,  May  31,  1864;  was  engaged 
during  its  term  of  service  in  guarding  prisoners 
of  war  at  Rock  Island ;  was  mustered  out,  Sept. 
4,  1804,  at  Camp  Butler. 

One  Hundred  .\nd  Thirty'-fourth  Inf.«- 
TRY^.  Organized  at  Chicago  and  mustered  in. 
May  31,  1864,  for  100  days;  was  assigned  to 
garrison  duty  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  and  mustered 
out  of  .service,  Oct.  2.j,  1864,  at  Chicago. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fifth  Infan- 
try. Mustered  in  for  100-days'  service  at  31at- 
toon,  June  6,  1864,  having  a  strength  of  853  men. 
It  was  chiefly  engaged,  during  its  term  of  service, 
in  doing  garrison  duty  and  guarding  railroads. 
It  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield,  Sept.  28,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-sixth  Infan- 
try. Enlisted  about  the  first  of  May,  1864,  for 
100  days,  and  went  into  camp  at  Centralia,  111., 
but  was  not  mustered  into  service  until  June  1, 
follo\ving.  Its  principal  service  was  garrison 
duty,  with  occasional  scouts  and  raids  amongst 
guerrillas.  At  the  end  of  its  term  of  service  the 
regiment  re-enlisted  for  fifteen  days;  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Springfield,  Oct.  22,  1864,  and  dis- 
charged eight  days  later 

Ont:  Hundred  .^nd  Thirty-seventh  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Quincy,  with  ex-Gov  John 
Wood  as  its  Colonel,  and  mustered  in,  June  5, 
1864,  for  100  days.  Was  on  duty  at  Sleniphis, 
Tenn  ,  and  mustered  out  of  service  at  Spring- 
field. 111..  Sept.  4,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-eighth  Infan- 
try Organized  at  Quincy,  and  mustered  in, 
June  21,  1S64,  for  100  days ;  was  assigned  to  garri- 
son duty  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  and  in 
Western  Missouri.  It  was  mustered  out  of  serv- 
ice at  Springfield,  111.,  Oct.  14,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-ninth  Infan- 
try'.    Mustered  into  service  as  a  100-day's  regi- 


ment, at  Peoria,  June  1,  1864;  was  engaged  in 
garrison  duty  at  Columbus  and  Cairo,  in  making 
reprisals  for  guerrilla  raids,  and  in  the  pursuit  of 
the  Confederate  General  Price  in  Missouri.  The 
latter  service  was  rendered,  at  the  President's 
request,  after  the  term  of  enlistment  had  expired. 
It  was  mustered  out  at  Peoria,  Oct.  25,  1864,  hav- 
ing been  in  the  service  nearly  five  months. 

One  Hundred  and  Fourtieth  Inf.^ntry. 
Organized  as  a  100-daj's'  regiment,  at  Springfield, 
June  18,  1864,  and  mustered  into  service  on  that 
date.  The  regiment  was  engaged  in  guarding 
railroads  between  Memphis  and  Holly  Springs.and 
in  garrison  duty  at  Memphis.  After  the  term  of 
enlistment  had  expired  and  the  regiment  had 
been  mustered  out,  it  aided  in  the  pursuit  of 
General  Price  through  Missouri;  was  finally  dis- 
cliarged  at  Chicago,  after  serving  about  five 
months 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-first  Infan- 
try'. Mustered  into  service  as  a  100- days'  regi- 
ment, at  Elgin.  June  16,  1864 — strength,  842  men; 
departed  for  the  field,  June  27,  1804;  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Chicago,  Oct.  10,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty'-second  Infan- 
try". Organized  at  Freeport  as  a  battalion  of 
eight  companies,  and  sent  to  Camp  Butler,  where 
two  companies  were  added  and  the  regiment 
mustered  into  service  for  100  days,  June  18,  1834. 
It  was  ordered  to  Memphis,  Tenn. ,  five  days  later, 
and  assigned  to  duty  at  White's  Station,  eleven 
miles  from  that  city,  where  it  was  employed  in 
guarding  tlie  Jlemphis  &  Charleston  railroad. 
It  was  mustered  out  at  Chicago,  on  Oct,  27,  1864, 
the  men  having  voluntarily  served  one  month 
be3'ond  their  term  of  enlistment. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty'-third  Inf.vn- 
TRY.  Organized  at  Mattoon,  and  mustered  in, 
June  11,  1804,  for  100  daj-s.  It  was  assigned  to 
garrison  duty,  and  mustered  out  at  Mattoon. 
Sept.  26,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-fourth  Inf.wj- 
TRY.  Oi'ganized  at  Alton,  in  1864,  as  a  one-year 
regiment ;  was  mustered  into  the  service,  Oct.  21, 
its  strength  being  1,159  men.  It  was  mustered 
out,  July  14,  1805. 

O.NE  Hundred  and  Forty'-fifth  Infan- 
try. Mustered  intc  service  at  Springfield,  June 
9,  1864 ;  strength,  880  men.  It  departed  for  the 
field,  June  12,  1864;  was  mustered  out,  Sept.  23, 
1864. 

One  Hundred  .\nd  Forty-sixth  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Springfield,  Sept.  18,  1864,  for 
one  year.  Was  assigned  to  the  duty  of  guarding 
drafted  men  at  Brighton,  Quincy,  Jacksonville 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


567 


and  Springfield,  and  mustered  out  at  Springfield, 
July  5,  1865. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-seventh  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Chicago,  and  mustered  into 
service  for  one  year,  Feb.  18  and  19,  1865;  was 
engaged  chiefly  on  guard  or  garrLson  duty,  in 
scouting  and  in  .skirmishing  with  guerrillas. 
Mustered  out  at  Nashville,  Jan.  22,  1866,  and 
received  final  discharge  at  Springfield,   Feb.  -1. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Springfield,  Feb.  21,  1865,  for 
the  term  of  one  year;  was  assigned  to  garrison 
and  guard  duty  and  mustered  out,  Sept.  5,  1865, 
at  Nashville,  Tenu ;  arrived  at  Springfield,  Sept. 
9,  1865,  where  it  was  paid  off  and  discharged. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-ninth  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Springfield,  Feb.  11,  1865, 
and  mustered  in  for  one  year;  was  engaged  in 
garrison  and  guard  duty ;  mustered  out,  Jan.  27, 
1866,  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  and  ordered  to  Springfield, 
where  it  received  final  payment  and  discharge. 

One  Hundred  and  Fiftieth  Inf.yntry. 
Organized  at  Springfield,  and  mustered  in,  Feb.  14, 
1865,  for  one  year ;  was  on  duty  in  Tennessee  and 
Georgia,  guarding  railroads  and  garrisoning 
towns.  It  was  mustered  out,  Jan.  16,  1866,  at 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  ordered  to  Springfield,  where  it 
received  final  pa3'ment  and  discharge. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-first  Infantry. 
This  regiment  was  organized  at  Quincy,  111., 
and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service, 
Feb.  23,  1865,  and  was  composed  of  companies 
from  various  parts  of  the  State,  recruited,  under 
the  call  of  Dec.  19,  1864.  It  was  engaged  in 
guard  duty,  with  a  few  guerrilla  skirmishes,  and 
was  present  at  the  surrender  of  General  War- 
ford's  army,  at  Kingston,  Ga. ;  was  mustered  out 
at  Columbus,  Ga.,  Jan.  24,  1866,  and  ordered  to 
Springfield,  where  it  received  final  payment  and 
discharge,  Feb.  8,  1866. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-second  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Springfield  and  mustered  in, 
Feb.  18,  1865,  for  one  year;  was  mustered  out  of 
service,  to  date  Sept.  11,  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and 
arrived  at  Camp  Butler,  Sept.  9,  1865,  where  it 
received  final  payment  and  discharge. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-third  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Chicago,  and  mustered  in, 
Feb.  27,  1865,  for  one  year;  was  not  engaged  in 
any  battles.  It  was  mustered  out,  Sept.  15.  1865, 
and  moved  to  Springfield.  111.,  and.  Sept.  24, 
received  final  pay  and  discharge. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-fourth  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Springfield,  Feb.  21,  1865, 
for  one  year.     Sept.   18,  1865,  the  regiment  was 


mustered  out  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  ordered  to 
Springfield  for  final  jmyment  and  discharge, 
where  it  arrived,  Sept.  22 ;  was  paid  oft  and  dis- 
charged at  Camp  Butler,  Sept.  29. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-fifth  Infan- 
try. Organized  at  Springfield  and  mustered  in 
Feb.  28,  1865,  for  one  year,  9U4  strong.  On  Sept. 
4,  1865,  it  was  mustered  out  of  service,  and  moved 
to  Camp  Butler,  where  it  received  final  pay  and 
discharge. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-sixth  Infan- 
try. Organized  and  mustered  in  during  the 
months  of  February  and  March,  1865,  from  the 
northern  counties  of  the  State,  for  the  term  of 
one  year.  The  officers  of  tlie  regiment  have  left 
no  written  record  of  its  history,  but  its  service 
seems  to  have  been  rendered  chiefly  in  Tennessee 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Memphis,  Nashville  and 
Chattanooga.  Judging  by  the  muster-rolls  of 
the  Adjutant-General,  the  regiment  would  appear 
to  have  been  greatly  depleted  by  desertions  and 
otherwise,  the  remnant  being  finally  mustered 
out,  Sept.  20,  1865. 

First  Cav.^lry-.  Organized  —  consisting  of 
seven  companies.  A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  F  and  G — at 
Alton,  in  1861,  and  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service,  July  3.  After  some  service  in 
Missouri,  the  regiment  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Lexington,  in  that  State,  and  was  surrendered, 
with  the  remainder  of  the  garrison,  Sept.  20, 1861. 
The  officers  were  paroled,  and  the  men  sworn  not 
to  take  up  arms  again  until  discharged.  No  ex- 
change having  been  elTected  in  November,  the 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  were 
ordered  to  Springfield  and  discharged.  In  June, 
1862,  the  regiment  was  reorganized  at  Benton 
Barracks,  Mo.,  being  afterwards  emploj-ed  in 
guarding  supply  trains  and  supply  depots  at 
various  points.  Mustered  out,  at  Benton  Bar- 
racks, July  14,  1862. 

Second  Cavalry.  Organized  at  Springfield 
and  mustered  into  service,  August  12,  1861,  with 
Company  M  (which  joined  the  regiment  some 
months  later),  numbering  47  commissioned  offi- 
cers and  1,040  enlisted  men.  This  nmnber  was  in- 
creased by  recruits  and  re-enlistments,  during  its 
four  and  a  half  year's  term  of  service,  to  2,236 
enlisted  men  and  145  commissioned  officers.  It 
was  engaged  at  Belmont ;  a  portion  of  the  regi- 
ment took  part  in  the  battles  at  Fort  Henry, 
Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh,  another  portion  at 
Merri weather's  Ferry,  Bolivar  and  Holly  Springs, 
and  participated  in  the  investment  of  Vicksburg. 
In  January.  1864,  the  major  part  of  the  regiment 
re-enlisted  as  veterans,  later,  participating  in  the 


568 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


Eed  River  expedition  and  the  investment  of  Fort 
Blakely.  It  was  mustered  out  at  San  Antonio, 
Tex.,  Xov.  22,  1860,  and  finally  paid  and  dis- 
charged at  Springfield,  Jan.  3,  1866. 

Third  Cavalry.  Composed  of  twelve  com- 
panies, from  various  localities  in  the  State,  the 
grand  total  of  company  officers  and  enlisted  men, 
under  the  first  organization,  being  1,4.33.  It  was 
organized  at  Springfield,  in  August,  1861;  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  Haines'  Bluff, 
Arkansas  Post,  Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hills, 
Black  River  Bridge,  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 
In  July,  1864,  a  large  portion  of  the  regiment  re- 
enlisted  as  veterans.  The  remainder  were  mus- 
tered out,  Sept.  5,  1864.  The  veterans  participated 
in  the  repulse  of  Forrest,  at  Memphis,  and  in  the 
battles  of  Lawrenceburg,  Spring  Hill,  Campbells- 
ville  and  Franklin.  From  3Iay  to  October,  1865, 
engaged  in  service  against  the  Indians  in  the 
Northwest  The  regiment  was  mustered  out  at 
Springfield,  Oct.  18,  1865. 

Fourth  Cavalry.  Mustered  into  service, 
Sept.  26,  1861,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Fort  Henry,  Fort  Donelson,  and  Shiloh;  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  and  in  many  engagements  of 
less  historic  note ;  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield 
in  November,  1864.  By  order  of  the  War  Depart- 
ment, of  June  18,  1865,  the  members  of  the 
regiment  wliose  terms  had  not  expired,  were  con- 
solidated with  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry. 

Fifth  Cavalry,  Organized  at  Camp  Butler, 
in  November,  1861;  took  part  in  the  Meridian 
raid  and  the  expedition  against  Jackson,  Miss., 
and  in  numerous  minor  expeditions,  doing  effect- 
ive work  at  Canton,  Grenada,  "Woodville,  and 
other  points.  On  Jan.  1,  1864,  a  large  portion  of 
the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans.  Ite  final 
muster-out  took  place,  Oct.  27,  186.5,  and  it  re- 
ceived final  pa^'ment  and  discharge,  October  .30. 

Sixth  C.vv.vlry.  Organized  at  Springfield, 
Nov.  19,  1861 ;  participated  in  Sherman's  advance 
upon  Grenada ;  in  the  Grierson  raid  through  Mis- 
sissippi and  Louisiana,  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson, 
the  battles  of  Moscow  (Teun),  West  Point  (Miss.), 
Franklin  and  Nashville;  re-enlisted  as  veterans, 
March  30,  1864;  was  mustered  out  at  Se'lma,  Ala., 
Nov.  5,  18G5,  and  received  discharge,  November 
20,  at  Springfield. 

Seventh  C.vvalry".  Organized  at  Springfield, 
and  was  mustered  into  service,  Oct.  13,  1S61.  It 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Farmington,  luka, 
Corinth  (second  battle) ;  in  Grierson's  raid 
through  Mississippi  and  Louisiana;  in  the  en- 
gagement at  Plain's  Store  (La.),  and  the  invest- 
ment   of    Port    Hudson.     In    March,     1864,    288 


officers  and  men  re-enlisted  as  veterans.  The 
non-veterans  were  engaged  at  Guntown,  and  tha 
entire  regiment  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Frank- 
lin. After  the  close  of  hostilities,  it  was  stationed 
in  Alabama  and  Jlississippi,  iintil  the  latter  part 
of  October,  1865 ;  was  mustered  out  at  NashviUe, 
and  finally  discharged  at  Springfield,  Nov.  17, 
1865. 

Eighth  Cavalry.  Organized  at  St.  Charles, 
111.,  and  mustered  in,  Sept.  18,  1S61.  The  regi- 
ment was  ordered  to  Virginia,  and  participated 
in  the  general  advance  on  Manassas  in  JIarch, 
1862;  was  engaged  at  Mechanicsville,  Gaines' 
Hill,  JIalvern  Hill,  Sugar  Loaf  Mountain,  Jliddle- 
town,  Soutli  Mountain,  Antietam,  Fredericks- 
burg, Suljihur  Springs,  Warrenton,  Rapidan 
Station,  Northern  Neck,  Gettj-sburg,  Williams- 
burg, Funkstown,  Falling  Water,  Che.ster  Gap 
Sandy  Hook,  Culpepper,  Brandy  Station,  and  in 
many  raids  and  skirmishes.  It  was  mustered 
out  of  service  at  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  July  17, 
1865,  and  ordered  to  Chicago,  where  it  received 
final  paj-ment  and  discharge. 

Ninth  Cavalry  Organized  at  Chicago,  in 
the  autumn  of  1861,  and  mustered  in,  November 
30 ;  was  engaged  at  Cold  water,  Grenada,  Wj-att, 
Saulsbury,  Moscow,  Guntown,  Pontotoc,  Tupelo, 
Old  Town  Creek,  Hurricane  Creek,  Lawrence- 
burg, Campellsville,  Franklin  and  Nashville. 
The  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  March  16, 
1864;  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Selma,  Ala., 
Oct.  81,  1865,  and  ordered  to  Springfield,  where 
the  men  received  final  payment  and  discharge. 

Tenth  Cavalry.  Organized  at  Springfield  in 
the  latter  part  of  September,  1861,  and  mustered 
into  service,  Nov.  25,  1861 ;  was  engaged  at  Prairie 
Grove,  Cotton  Plant,  Arkansas  Post,  in  the 
"V'azoo  Pass  expedition,  at  Richmond  (La.), 
Brownsville,  Raj-ou  Metoe.  Bayou  La  Fourche 
and  Little  Rock.  In  Februar}-,  1864,  a  large 
portion  of  the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veter- 
ans, the  non-veterans  accompanying  General 
Banks  in  his  Red  River  expedition.  On  Jan.  27, 
1865,  the  veterans,  and  recruits  were  consolidated 
with  the  Fifteenth  Cavalry,  and  all  reorganized 
under  the  name  of  the  Tenth  Illinois  Veteran 
Volunteer  Cavalry.  Blustered  out  of  service  at 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  Nov.  22,  1865,  and  received 
final  discharge  at  Springfield,  Jan.  6,  1866. 

Eleventh  Cavalry.  Robert  G.  IngersoU  of 
Peoria,  and  Basil  D.  Meeks,  of  Woodford  Coimty, 
obtained  permission  to  raise  a  re.giment  of 
cavalry,  and  recruiting  commenced  in  October, 
1861.  The  regiment  was  recrviited  from  the 
counties  of  Peoria,  Fulton,  Tazewell,  Woodford, 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


569 


Marshall,  Stark,  Knox,  Henderson  and  Warren; 
was  mustered  into  tlie  service  at  Peoria,  Dec.  20, 
1861,  and  was  first  under  fire  at  Shiloh.  It  also 
took  part  in  the  raid  in  the  rear  of  Corinth,  and 
in  the  battles  of  Bolivar,  Corinth  (second  battle), 
luka,  Lexington  and  Jackson  (Tenn.);  in  Mc- 
Pherson's  expedition  to  Canton  and  Sherman's 
Meridian  raid,  in  the  relief  of  Yazoo  City,  and  in 
numerous  less  important  raids  and  skirmishes. 
Most  of  the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans  in 
December,  1863;  the  non-veterans  being  mus- 
tered out  at  Memphis,  in  the  autumn  of  1864.  The 
Teterans  were  mustered  out  at  the  same  place, 
Sept.  30,  1865,  and  discharged  at  Springfield, 
October  20. 

Twelfth  Cavalry.  Organized  at  Spi-ingfield, 
in  February,  1862,  and  remained  there  guarding 
rebel  prisoners  until  June  2.5,  when  it  was 
mounted  and  sent  to  Martinsburg,  Va.  It  was 
engaged  at  Fredericksburg,  Williamsport,  Falling 
Waters,  the  Rapidan  and  Stevensburg.  On  Nov. 
26,  1863,  the  regiment  was  relieved  from  service 
and  ordered  home  to  reorganize  as  veterans. 
SuUsequently  it  joined  Banks  in  the  Red  River 
expedition  and  in  Davidson's  expedition  against 
Mobile.  While  at  Memphis  the  Twelfth  Cavalry 
was  consolidated  into  an  eight-company  organi- 
zation, and  the  Fourth  Cavalry,  having  pre vioush- 
been  consolidated  into  a  battalion  of  five  com- 
panies, was  cou.solidated  with  the  Twelfth.  The 
consolidated  regiment  was  mustered  out  at 
Houston,  Texas,  May  29.  1866,  and,  on  June  18, 
received  final  pay  and  discharge  at  Springfield. 

Thirteenth  Cavalry.  Organized  at  Chicago, 
in  December,  1861 ;  moved  to  the  front  from 
Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  in  February,  1862,  and 
was  engaged  in  the  following  battles  and  skir- 
mishes (all  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas) :  Putnam's 
Ferry,  Cotton  Plant,  Union  City  (twice),  Camp 
Pillow,  Bloomfield  (first  and  second  battles).  Van 
Buren,  Allen,  Eleven  Point  River,  Jackson, 
White  River,  Chalk  Bluff,  Bushy  Creek,  near 
Helena,  Grand  Prairie,  White  River,  Deadnian's 
Lake.  Brownsville,  Ba3-ou  Metoe.  Austin,  Little 
Rock,  Benton,  Batesville,  Pine  Bluff,  Arkadel- 
phia,  Okolona,  Little  Missouri  River,  Prairie  du 
Anne,  Camden,  Jenkins'  Ferry,  Cross  Roads, 
Mount  Elba,  Douglas  Landing  and  Monticello. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  out,  August  31,  186.5, 
and  received  final  jmy  and  discharge  at  Spring- 
field, Sept.  13,  186.'i. 

Fourteenth  Cavalry.  Mustered  into  service 
at  Peoria,  in  January  and  February,  1868;  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  of  Cumberland  Gap.  in  the 
defense  of  Knoxville  and  the  pursuit  of  Long- 


street,  in  the  engagements  at  Bean  Station  and 
Dandridge,  in  the  Macon  raid,  and  in  the  cavalry 
battle  at  Sunshine  Church.  In  the  latter  Gen- 
eral Stoneman  surrendered,  but  the  Fourteenth 
cut  its  way  out.  On  their  retreat  the  men  were 
betrayed  by  a  guide  and  the  regiment  badly  cut 
up  and  scattered,  those  escaping  being  hunted  by 
soldiers  with  bloodhounds.  Later,  it  was  engaged 
at  Waynesboro  and  in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and 
Nashville,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Nashville, 
July  31,  186.5,  having  marched  over  10,000  miles, 
exclusive  of  dutj'  done  by  detachments. 

Fifteenth  Cavalry.  Composed  of  companies 
originally  independent,  attached  to  infantry  regi- 
ments and  acting  as  such;  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh,  and  in  the 
siege  and  capture  of  Corinth.  Regimental  or- 
ganization was  effected  in  the  spring  of  1863,  and 
thereafter  it  was  engaged  chiefly  in  scouting  and 
post  duty.  It  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield, 
August  25,  1864,  the  recruits  (whose  term  ot 
service  had  not  expired)  being  consolidated  with 
the  Tenth  Cavalry. 

Sixteenth  Cavalry*.  Composed  principally 
of  Chicago  men — Thieleman's  and  Schambeck's 
Cavalry  Companies,  raised  at  the  outset  of  the 
war,  forming  the  nucleus  of  the  regiment.  The 
former  served  as  General  Sherman's  body-guard 
for  some  time.  Captain  Thieleman  was  made  a 
Major  and  authorized  to  raise  a  battalion,  the 
two  companies  named  thenceforth  being  knowr- 
as  Thieleman's  Battalion.  In  September,  1862, 
the  AVar  Department  authorized  the  extension  of 
the  battalion  to  a  regiment,  and,  on  the  11th  of 
June,  1863,  the  regimental  organization  was  com- 
pleted. It  took  part  in  the  East  Tennessee  cam- 
paign, a  portion  of  the  regiment  aiding  in  the 
defense  of  Knoxville,  a  part  garrisoning  Cumber- 
aud  Gap,  and  one  battalion  being  captured  by 
Longstreet.  The  regiment  also  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Buzzard's 
Roost,  Resaca,  Kingston,  Cassville,  Carterville, 
Allatoona,  Kenesaw,  Lost  Mountain,  Mines 
Ridge,  Powder  Springs,  Chattahoochie,  Atlanta, 
Jouesboro,  Franklin  and  Nashville.  It  arrived 
in  Chicago,  August  23,  1865,  for  final  payment 
and  discharge,  having  marched  about  5,000  miles 
and  engaged  in  thirty-one  battles,  besides  numer- 
ous skirmishes. 

Seventeenth  Cavalry'.  Mustered  into  serv- 
ice in  January  and  February,  1864;  aided  in  the 
repulse  of  Price  at  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  and  was 
engaged  at  Boonevilie,  Independence,  Mine 
Creek,  and  Fort  Scott,  besides  doing  garrison 
duty,   scouting    and  raiding.     It  was    mustered 


570 


HISTOEICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


out  in  November  and  December,  1865,  at  Leaven- 
worth, Kan.  Gov.  John  L.  Beveridge,  who  had 
previously  been  a  Captain  and  Major  of  tlie 
Eighth  Cavalry,  was  the  Colonel  of  this  regi- 
ment. 

First  Light  Artillery.  Consisted  of  ten 
batteries.  Battery  A  was  organized  under  the 
first  call  for  State  troops,  April  21.  1861,  but  not 
mustered  into  the  tliree  years'  service  until  July 
16;  was  engaged  at  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh, 
Chickasaw  Bayou,  Arkansas  Post,  the  sieges  of 
Vicksburg  and  Jackson,  and  in  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign; was  in  reserve  at  Champion  Hills  and 
Nashville,  and  mustered  out  July  3,  1865,  at 
Chicago. 

Battery  B  was  organized  in  April,  1861,  en- 
gaged at  Belmont.  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  in  tlie 
siege  of  Corinth  and  at  La  Grange,  Holly  Springs, 
Memphis,  Cliickasaw  Bayou,  Arkansas  Post,  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  Mechanicsburg,  Richmond 
(La.),  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  the  battle  of 
Nashville.  The  Battery  was  reorganized  by  con- 
solidation with  Battery  A,  and  mustered  out  at 
Chicago,  July  2,  18G5. 

Battery  D  was  organized  at  Caii-o,  Sept.  2,  1861 ; 
was  engaged  at  Fort  Donelson  and  at  Sliiloh, 
and  mustered  out.  July  28,  1865,  at  Chicago. 

Battery  E  was  organized  at  Camp  Douglas  and 
mustered  into  service,  Dec.  19,  1861 ;  was  engaged 
at  Shiloh,  Corintli,  Jackson,  Vicksburg,  Gun- 
town,  Pontotoc,  Tupelo  and  Nasliville,  and  mus- 
tered out  at  Louisville,  Dec.  24.  1864. 

Battery  F  was  recruited  at  Dixon  and  mus- 
tered in  at  Springfield,  Feb.  25,  1862.  It  took 
part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth  and  the  Yocona 
expedition,  and  was  consolidated  with  the  other 
batteries  in  the  regiment,  March  7,  1865. 

Battery  G  was  organized  at  Cairo  and  mus- 
tered in  Sept.  28,  1861 ;  was  engaged  in  the  siege 
and  the  second  battle  of  Corinth,  and  mustered 
out  at  Springfield,  July  24,  1865. 

Battery  H  was  recruited  in  and  about  Chicago, 
during  January  and  February,  1862;  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and 
in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  the  "March  to  the 
Sea,"  and  through  the  Carolinas  with  Sherman. 

Battery  I  was  organized  at  Camp  Douglas  and 
mustered  in,  Feb.  10,  1862;  was  engaged  at 
Shiloh,  in  the  Tallahatchie  raid,  the  sieges  of 
Vicksburg  and  Jackson,  and  in  the  battles  of 
Chattanooga  and  Vicksburg  It  veteranized, 
Jlarch  17,  1864,  and  was  mustered  out,  July  26, 
1865. 

Battery  K  was  organized  at  Shawneetown  and 
mustered  in,  Jan.  9,  1862,  participated  in  Burn- 


side's  campaign  in  Tennessee,  and  in  the  capture 
of  Knoxville.  Part  of  the  men  were  mustered 
out  at  Springfield  in  June,  1865,  and  the  re- 
manider  at  Chicago  in  July. 

Battery  M  was  organized  at  Camp  Douglas  and 
mustered  into  the  service,  August  12,  1862,  for 
three  3-ears.  It  served  through  the  Chickamauga 
campaign,  being  engaged  at  Chickamauga;  also 
was  engaged  at  Missionary  Ridge,  was  besieged 
at  Chattanooga,  and  took  part  in  all  the  impor- 
tant battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign.  It  was 
mustered  out  at  Chicago,  July  24,  1864,  having 
traveled  3,102  miles  and  been  under  fire  178  days. 

Second  Light  Artillery.  Consisted  of  nine 
batteries.  Battery  A  was  organized  at  Peoria, 
and  mustered  into  service.  May  23,  1861 ;  served 
in  Missouri  and  Arkansas,  doing  brilliant  work 
at  Pea  Ridge.  It  was  mustered  out  of  service  at 
Springfield,  July  27,  1865. 

Battery  D  was  organized  at  Cairo,  and  mustered 
into  service  in  December,  1861 ;  was  engaged  at 
Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Vicksburg,  Jackson, 
Meridian  and  Decatur,  and  mustered  out  at 
Louisville,  Nov.  21,  1864. 

Battery  E  was  organized  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in 
August,  1861.  and  mustered  into  service,  August 
20,  at  that  jjuint.  It  was  engaged  at  Fort  Donel- 
son and  Shiloh,  and  in  the  siege  of  Corinth  and 
the  Yocona  expedition — was  consolidated  with 
Battery  A. 

Battery  F  was  organized  at  Cape  Girardeau, 
Mo.,  and  mustered  in,  Dec.  11,  1861;  was  engaged 
at  Shiloh,  in  the  siege  and  second  battle  of 
Corinth,  and  the  Meridian  campaign;  also 
at  Kenesaw,  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro.  It  was 
mustered  out,  July  27,  1865,  at  Springfield. 

Battery  H  was  organized  at  Springfield,  De- 
cember, 1861,  and  mustered  in,  Dec.  31,  1861;  was 
engaged  at  Fort  Donelson  and  in  the  siege  of 
Fort  Pillow;  veteranized,  Jan.  1,  1864,  was 
mounted  as  cavalry  the  following  summer,  and 
mustered  out  at  Springfield,  Jul}'  29,  18G5. 

Battery  I  was  recruited  in  Will  County,  and 
mustered  into  service  at  Camp  Butler,  Dec.  31, 
1861.  It  participated  in  the  .siege  of  Island  No. 
10,  in  the  advance  ui^on  Coruith,  and  in  the 
battles  of  Perryville,  Chickamauga,  Lookout 
Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge  and  Chattanooga. 
It  veteranized,  Jan.  1,  1864,  marched  with  Sher- 
man to  Atlanta,  and  thence  to  Savannah  and 
through  the  Carolinas,  and  was  mustered  out  at 
Springfield. 

Batter}-  K  was  organized  at  Springfield  and 
mustered  in  Dec.  31,  1863;  was  engaged  at  Fort 
Pillow,  the  capture  of  Clarkston,  Mo.,  and  the 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


571 


siege  of  Vicksburg.  It  was  mustered  oat,  July 
14,  1865,  at  Chicago. 

Battery  L  was  organized  at  Chicago  and  mus- 
tered in,  Feb.  28,  1863;  participated  iu  tlie  ad- 
vance on  Corinth,  the  battle  of  Hatchie  and  tlie 
advance  on  the  Tallahatchie,  and  was  mustered 
out  at  Chicago,  August  9,  1865. 

Battery  JI  was  organized  at  Chicago,  and  mus- 
tered in  at  Springfield,  June,  1862 ;  was  engaged 
at  Jonesboro,  Blue  Spring,  Blountsville  and 
EogersviUe,  being  finallj-  consolidated  with 
other  batteries  of  the  regiment. 

Chicago  Board  of  Trade  Battery.  Organ- 
ized through  the  efforts  of  the  Chicago  Board  of 
Trade,  which  raised  915,000  for  its  equipment, 
within  forty-eight  hours.  It  was  mustered  into 
service,  August  1,  1862,  was  engaged  at  Law- 
renceburg,  Murfreesboro,  Stone  River,  Chicka- 
mauga,  Farmington,  Decatur  (Ga.),  Atlanta, 
Lovejoy  Station,  Nashville,  Selma  and  Columbus 
(Ga. )  It  was  mustered  out  at  Chicago,  June  30, 
1865,  and  paid  in  full,  July  3,  having  marched 
5,268  miles  and  traveled  bj'  rail  1,231  miles.  The 
battery  was  in  eleven  of  the  hardest  battles 
fought  in  the  West,  and  in  twenty-six  minor 
battles,  being  in  action  forty-two  times  while  on 
scouts,  reconnoissances  or  outpost  duty. 

Chicago  Mercantile  Battery.  Recruited 
and  organized  under  the  auspices  of  the  Mercan- 
tile Association,  an  association  of  prominent  and 
patriotic  merchants  of  the  Cit}'  of  Chicago.  It 
was  mustered  into  service,  August  29,  1862,  at 
Camp  Douglas,  participated  in  the  Tallahatchie 
and  Yazoo  expeditions,  the  first  attack  upon 
Vicksburg,  the  battle  of  Arkansas  Post,  the  siege 
of  Vicksburg,  the  battles  of  Magnolia  Hills, 
Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge  and  Jackson 
(Miss.);  also  took  part  in  Banks'  Red  River  ex- 
pedition; was  mustered  out  at  Chicago,  and 
received  final  payment,  July  10,  1865,  having 
traveled,  by  river,  sea  and  land,  over  11,000 
miles. 

Springfield  Light  Artillery.  Recruited 
principally  from  the  cities  of  Springfield,  Belle- 
ville and  Wenona,  and  mustered  into  service  at 
Springfield,  for  the  term  of  three  years,  August 
21,  1862,  numbering  199  men  and  officers.  It 
participated  in  the  capture  of  Little  Rock  and  iu 
the  Red  River  expedition,  and  was  mustered  out 
at  Springfield,  114  strong.  June  30.  1805. 

Cogswell's  Battery,  Light  Artillery. 
Organized  at  Ottawa,  111.,  and  mustered  in,  Nov. 
11,  1861,  as  Company  A  (Artillery)  Fifty-third 
Illinois  Volunteers,  Colonel  Cushman  command- 
ing    the     regiment.      It     participated     in     the 


advance  on  Corinth,  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  the 
battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  and  the  capture  of 
Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely,  near  Mobile.  The 
regiment  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield,  August 
14,  1865,  having  served  three  years  and  nine 
months,  marched  over  7,500  miles,  and  partici- 
pated in  seven  sieges  and  battles. 

Sturges  Rifles.  An  independent  company, 
organized  at  Chicago,  armed,  equipped  and  sub- 
sisted for  nearly  two  months,  by  the  patriotic 
generosity  of  Mr.  Solomon  Sturges ;  was  mustered 
into  service,  May  6,  1861 ;  in  June  following,  was 
ordered  to  West  Virginia,  serving  as  body- 
guard of  General  McClellan;  was  engaged  at 
Rich  Mountain,  in  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  and  in 
tlie  seven  daj-s'  battle  of  the  Chickahominy.  A 
portion  of  the  company  was  at  Antietam,  the 
remainder  having  been  detached  as  foragers, 
scouts,  etc.  It  was  mustered  out  at  Washington, 
Nov.  25,  1863. 

WAR,  THE  SPANISH  -  AMERICAN.  The 
oppressions  and  misrule  whicli  had  character- 
ized the  administration  of  affairs  by  the  Spanish 
Government  and  its  agents  for  generations,  in  the 
Island  of  Cuba,  culminated,  in  April,  1898,  in 
mutual  declarations  of  war  between  Spain  and 
the  United  States.  The  causes  leading  up  to  this 
result  were  the  injurious  effects  upon  American 
commerce  and  the  interests  of  American  citizens 
owning  property  in  Cuba,  as  well  as  the  constant 
expense  imposed  upon  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  in  the  maintenance  of  a  large  navy 
along  the  South  Atlantic  coast  to  suppress  fili- 
bustering, superadded  to  the  friction  and  unrest 
produced  among  the  people  of  this  country  by  the 
long  continuance  of  disorders  and  abuses  so  near 
to  our  own  shores,  which  aroused  the  sympathy 
and  indignation  of  the  entire  civilized  world. 
For  three  years  a  large  proportion  of  the  Cuban 
population  had  been  in  open  rebellion  against  the 
Spanish  Government,  and,  while  the  latter  had 
imported  a  large  army  to  the  island  and  sub- 
jected the  insurgents  and  their  families  and 
sympathizers  to  the  grossest  cruelties,  not  even 
excepting  torture  and  starvation  itself,  their 
policy  had  failed  to  bring  the  insurgents  into 
subjection  or  to  restore  order.  In  this  condition 
of  affairs  the  United  States  Government  had 
endeavored,  through  negotiation,  to  secure  a  miti- 
gation of  the  evils  complained  of,  by  a  modifica- 
tion of  the  .Spanish  policj'  of  government  in  the 
island ;  but  all  suggestions  in  this  direction  had 
either  been  resented  by  Spain  as  unwarrantalile 
interference  in  her  affairs,  or  promises  of  reform, 
when  made,  had  been  as  invariably  broken. 


572 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


In  the  meantime  an  increasing  sentiment  had 
been  growing  up  in  the  United  States  in  favor  of 
conceding  belligerent  rights  to  the  Cuban  insur- 
gents, or  the  recognition  of  their  independence, 
which  found  expression  in  measures  proposed  in 
Congress— all  offers  of  friendly  intervention  by 
the  United  States  having  been  rejected  by  Spain 
with  evidences  of  indignation.      Compelled,  at 
last,  to  recognize  its  inability  to  subdue  the  insur- 
rection, the  Spanish  Government,  in  November, 
1897,  made  a  pretense  of  tendering  autonomy  to 
the  Cuban  people,  with  the  privilege  of  amnesty 
to  the   insurgents   on  laying  down  their  arms. 
The  long  duration  of  the  war  and  the  outrages 
jserpetrated  upon  the  helpless  "reconcentrados," 
coupled    with   the   increased    confidence  of  the 
insurgents  in  the  final  triumjjh  of  their  cause, 
rendered  this  movement — even  if  intended  to  be 
carried    out    to  the    letter — of    no    avail.      The 
proffer  came  too  late,  and  was  promptly  rejected. 
In  this  condition  of  affairs  and  with  a  view  to 
greater    security    for    American    interests,    the 
American    battleship     Maine    was    ordered    to 
Havana,  on  Jan.  24,  1898.     It  arrived  in  Havana 
Harbor  the  following  day,  and  was  anchored  at  a 
point  designated  bj-  the  Spanish  commander.     On 
the  night  of  February  15,  following,  it  was  blown 
up  and  destroyed  by  some  force,  as  shown  by  after 
investigation,  applied  from  without.     Of  a  crew 
of  3.54  men  belonging  to  the  vessel  at  the  time, 
266  were  either  killed  outright  by  the  explosion, 
or  died  from  their  wounds.     Not  only  the  Ameri- 
can people,    but    the  entire  civilized  world,  was 
shocked  by  the  catastrophe.     An  act  of  horrible 
treacheiy    had     been     perpetrated     against    an 
American  vessel  and  its  crew  on  a  peaceful  mis- 
sion in  the  harbor  of  a  professedly  friendly  na- 
tion. 

The  successive  steps  leading  to  actual  hostili- 
ties wei'e  I'ajiid  and  eventful.  One  of  the  earliest 
and  most  significant  of  these  was  the  passage,  by 
a  unanimous  vote  of  both  houses  of  Congress,  on 
March  9,  of  an  appropriation  placing  §50.000,000 
in  the  hands  of  the  President  as  an  emergency 
fund  for  purposes  of  national  defense.  This  was 
followed,  two  days  later,  by  an  order  for  the 
mobilization  of  the  army.  The  more  important 
events  following  this  step  were:  An  order,  under 
date  of  April  5,  withdrawing  American  consuls 
from  Spanish  stations ;  the  departure,  on  April  9, 
of  Consnl-Oeneral  Fitzhugh  Lee  from  Havana; 
April  19.  the  adoption  by  Congress  of  concurrent 
resolutions  declaring  Cuba  independent  and 
directing  the  President  to  use  the  land  and  naval 
forces  of  the  United   States  to  put  an  end  to 


Spanish  authority  in  the  island;  April  20,  the 
sending  to  the  Spanish  Government,  by  the  Presi- 
dent, of  an  xiltimatum  in  accordance  with  [his 
act;  April  21,  the  delivery  to  Minister  Woodford, 
at  Madrid,  of  his  passports  without  waiting  for 
the  presentation  of  the  ultimatum,  with  the 
departure  of  the  Spanish  Minister  from  Washing- 
ton ;  April  23,  the  issue  of  a  call  by  the  President 
for  125,000  volunters;  April  24,  the  final  declara- 
tion of  war  by  Spain ;  April  25,  the  adoption  by 
Congress  of  a  resolution  declaring  that  war  had 
existed  from  April  21;  on  the  same  date  an  order 
to  Admiral  Dewey,  in  command  of  the  Asiatic 
Squadron  at  Hongkong,  to  sail  for  Manila  with  a 
view  to  investing  that  city  and  blockading 
Philippine  ports. 

The  chief  events  subsequent  to  the  declaration 
of  war  embraced  the  following:  May  1,  the 
destruction  by  Admiral  Dewey's  squadron  of  the 
Spanish  fleet  in  the  harbor  of  Manila;  May  19, 
the  arrival  of  the  Spanish  Admiral  Cervera's  fleet 
at  Santiago  de  Cuba;  May  25,  a  second  call  by 
the  President  for  75,000  volunteers;  July  3,  the 
attempt  of  Cervera's  fleet  to  escape,  and  its 
destruction  off  Santiago;  July  17,  the  surrender 
of  Santiago  to  the  forces  under  General  Shafter; 
July  30,  the  statement  by  the  President,  through 
the  French  Ambassador  at  Washington,  of  the 
terms  on  which  the  United  States  would  consent 
to  make  peace ;  August  9,  acceptance  of  the  peace 
terms  by  Spain,  followed,  three  days  later,  by  the 
signing  of  the  peace  protocol ;  September  9,  the 
appointment  by  the  President  of  Peace  Commis- 
sioners on  the  part  of  the  United  States ;  Sept.  18, 
the  announcement  of  the  Peace  Commissioners 
selected  by  Spain;  October  1,  the  beginning  of  the 
Peace  Conference  by  the  representatives  of  the 
two  powers,  at  Paris,  and  the  formal  signing,  on 
December  10,  of  the  peace  treaty,  including  the 
recognition  by  Spain  of  the  freedom  of  Cuba, 
with  the  transfer  to  the  United  States  of  Porto 
Rico  and  her  other  West  India  islands,  together 
with  the  surrender  of  the  Philippines  for  a  con- 
sideration of  .§20, 000, 000. 

Seldom,  if  ever,  in  the  history  of  nations  have 
such  vast  and  far-reaching  results  been  accom- 
plished within  so  short  a  period.  The  war, 
which  practically  began  with  the  destruction  of 
the  Spanish  fleet  in  Manila  Harbor — an  event 
which  aroused  the  enthusiasm  of  the  whole 
American  people,  and  won  the  respect  and 
admiration  of  other  nations — was  practically 
ended  by  the  surrender  of  Santiago  and  the 
declaration  by  the  President  of  the  conditions  of 
peace    just     three    months    later.      Succeeding 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


573 


events,  up  to  the  formal  signing  of  the  peace 
trejvty,  were  merely  the  recognition  of  results 
previously  determined. 

History  of  Illinois  Eegiments.— The  part 
played  by  Illinois  in  connection  witli  tliese  events 
may  be  briefly  summarized  in  the  history  of  Illi- 
nois regiments  and  other  organizations.  Under 
the  first  call  of  the  President  for  12.5,000  volun- 
teers, eight  regiments — seven  of  infantry  and  one 
of  cavalry — were  assigned  to  Illinois,  to  which 
was  subsequently  added,  on  application  through 
Governor  Tanner,  one  battery  of  light  artil- 
lery. The  infantry  regiments  were  made  up 
of  the  Illinois  National  Guard,  numbered 
consecutively  froni  one  to  seven,  and  were 
practically  mobilized  at  their  home  stations 
within  forty -eight  hours  from  the  receipt  of  the 
call,  and  began  to  arrive  at  Camp  Tanner,  near 
Springfield,  the  place  of  rendezvous,  on  April  26, 
the  day  after  the  issue  of  the  Governor's  call. 
The  record  of  Illinois  troojis  is  conspicuous  for 
the  promptness  of  their  response  and  the  com- 
pleteness of  tlieir  organization — in  this  respect 
being  unsurpassed  by  tliose  of  any  other  State. 
Under  the  call  of  May  25  for  an  additional  force 
of  75,000  men,  the  quota  assigned  to  Illinois  was 
two  regiments,  which  were  promptly  furnished, 
taking  the  names  of  the  Eighth  and  Ninth.  The 
first  of  these  belonged  to  the  Illinois  National 
Guard,  as  the  regiments  mustered  in  under  the 
first  call  had  done,  while  the  Ninth  was  one  of  a 
number  of  "Provisional  Regiments"  which  had 
tendered  their  services  to  the  Government.  Some 
twenty-five  other  regiments  of  this  class,  more  or 
less  complete,  stood  ready  to  perfect  their  organi- 
zations should  there  be  occasion  for  their  serv- 
ices. The  aggregate  strength  of  Illinois  organi- 
zations at  date  of  muster  out  from  the  United 
States  service  was  13,280—11,789  men  and  491 
officers. 

First  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers  (orig- 
inally Illinois  National  Guard)  was  organized  at 
Chicago,  and  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  at  Camp  Tanner  (Springfield),  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Henry  L.  Turner,  May  13,  1898 ; 
left  Springfield  for  Camp  Thomas  (Chickamauga) 
May  17;  assigned  to  First  Brigade,  Third 
Division,  .of  the  First  Army  Corps;  started  for 
Tampa,  Fla.,  June  2,  but  soon  after  arrival  there 
was  transferred  to  Picnic  Island,  and  assigned  to 
provost  duty  in  place  of  the  First  United  States 
Infantry.  On  June  30  the  bulk  of  the  regiment 
embarked  for  Cuba,  but  was  det.ained  in  the  har- 
bor at  Key  West  until  July  5,  when  the  vessel 
sailed  for  Santiago,  arriving  in  Guantanamo  Bay 


on  the  evening  of  the  8th.  Disembarking  on 
the  loth,  the  whole  regiment  arrived  on  the 
firing  line  on  the  11th,  spent  several  days  and 
nights  in  the  trenches  before  Santiago,  and 
were  present  at  the  surrender  of  that  city 
on  the  17th.  Two  companies  had  previously 
been  detached  for  the  scarceh'  less  perilous  duty 
of  service  in  the  fever  hospitals  and  in  caring 
for  their  wounded  comrades.  The  next  month 
was  spent  on  guard  duty  in  the  captured  city, 
until  August  25,  when,  depleted  in  numbers  and 
weakened  by  fever,  the  bulk  of  the  regiment  was 
transferred  by  hospital  boats  to  Camp  Wikuff,  oa 
Montauk  Point,  L.  I.  The  members  of  the  regi- 
ment able  to  travel  left  Camp  Wikoff,  September 
8,  for  Chicago,  arriving  two  days  later,  where  they 
met  an  enthusiastic  reception  and  were  mustered 
out,  November  17,  1,235  strong  (rank  and  file) — a 
considerable  number  of  recruits  having  joined  the 
regiment  just  before  leaving  Tampa.  The  record 
of  the  First  was  conspicuous  by  the  fact  that  it 
was  the  only  Illinois  regiment  to  see  service  in 
Cuba  during  the  progress  of  actual  hostilities. 
Before  leaving  Tampa  some  eighty  members  of  the 
regiment  were  detailed  for  engineering  duty  in 
Porto  Rico,  sailed  for  that  island  on  July  12,  and 
were  among  the  first  to  perform  service  there. 
The  First  suffered  severely  from  yellow  fever 
while  in  Cuba,  but,  as  a  regiment,  while  in  the 
service,  made  a  brilliant  record,  which  was  highly 
complimented  in  the  official  reports  of  its  com- 
manding officers. 

Second  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry (originally  Second  I.  N.  G.).  This  regi- 
ment, also  from  Chicago,  began  to  arrive  at 
Springfield,  April  27,  1898 — at  that  time  number- 
ing 1,202  men  and  47  officers,  under  command  of 
Col.  George  M.  Moulton;  was  mustered  in 
between  May  4  and  May  15;  on  May  17  started 
for  Tampa,  Fla.,  but  en  route  its  destination  was 
changed  to  Jacksonville,  wliere,  as  a  part  of  the 
Seventh  Army  Coi'ps,  under  command  of  Gen. 
Fitzhugh  Lee,  it  assi.sted  in  the  deilieation  of 
Camp  Cuba  Libre.  October  25  it  was  transferred 
to  .Savannah,  Ga.,  remaining  at  "Camp  Lee"  until 
December  8,  when  two  battalions  embarked  for 
Havana,  landing  on  the  15tli,  being  followed,  a 
few  days  later,  bj'  the  Third  Battalion,  and  sta- 
tioned at  Camp  Columlna.  From  Dec.  17  to  Jan. 
11,  1899,  Colonel  Moulton  serveil  as  Chief  of 
Police  for  the  city  of  Havana.  On  March  28  to  30 
tlie  regiment  left  Camp  Columljia  in  detach- 
ments for  Augusta,  Ga.,  where  it  arriveil  April 
5,  and  was  mustered  out,  April  2(5,  1,051  strong 
(rank  and  file),  and  returned  to  Chicago.     Dur- 


674 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


ing  its  stay  in  Cuba  the  regiment  did  not  lose  a 
man.  A  liistory  of  tliis  regiment  lias  been 
written  by  Rev.  H.  W.  Bolton,  its  late  Chaplain. 
Third  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, composed  of  companies  of  the  Illinois 
National  Guard  from  tlie  counties  of  La  Salle. 
Livingston,  Kane,  Kankakee,  McHenry,  Ogle, 
Will,  and  Winnebago,  under  command  of  Col. 
Fred  Bennitt,  reported  at  Springfield,  with  1,170 
men  and  50  officers,  on  April  27;  was  mustered 
in  May  7,  1898;  transferred  from  Springfield  to 
Camp  Thomas  (Chickamauga),  May  li;  on  July 
22  left  Chickamauga  for  Porto  Rico ;  on  the  28th 
sailed  from  Newport  News,  on  the  liner  St.  Louis, 
an-ivingat  Ponce,  Porto  Rico,  on  July  31;  soon 
after  disembarking  captured  Arroyo,  and  assisted 
in  the  capture  of  Guayama,  which  was  the 
beginning  of  General  Brooke's  advance  across 
the  island  to  San  Juan,  when  intelligence  was 
received  of  the  signing  of  the  peace  protocol  by 
Spain.  From  August  13  to  October  1  the  Third 
continued  in  the  performance  of  guard  duty  in 
Porto  Rico ;  on  October  22,  986  men  and  39  offi- 
cers took  transport  for  home  by  way  of  New  York, 
arriving  in  Chicago,  November  11,  the  several 
companies  being  mustered  out  at  their  respective 
home  stations.  Its  strength  at  final  muster-out 
was  1,273  men  and  officers.  This  regiment  had 
the  distinction  of  being  one  of  the  first  to  see 
service  in  Porto  Rico,  but  suffered  severelj-  from 
fever  and  other  diseases  during  the  three  montlis 
of  its  stay  in  the  island. 

Fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  com- 
posed of  companies  from  Champaign,  Coles, 
Douglas,  Edgar,  Effingham,  Fayette,  Jackson, 
Jefferson,  Montgomery,  Richland,  and  St.  Clair 
counties;  mustered  into  the  service  at  Spring- 
field, 'May  20,  under  command  of  Col.  Casimer 
Andel;  started  immediately  for  Tampa,  Fla.,  but 
en  route  its  destination  was  changed  to  Jackson- 
ville, where  it  was  stationed  at  Camp  Cuba  Libre 
as  a  part  of  the  Seventh  Corps  under  command  of 
Gen.  Fitzhugh  Lee;  in  October  was  transferred 
to  Savannah,  Ga.,  remaining  at  Camp  Onward 
until  about  the  first  of  January,  when  the  regi- 
ment took  ship  for  Havana.  H6re  the  regiment 
was  stationed  at  Camp  Columbia  until  April  4, 
1899,  when  it  returned  to  Augusta,  Ga.,  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Camp  ^Mackenzie  (Augusta),  May 
2,  the  companies  returning  to  their  respective 
home  stations.  During  a  part  of  its  stay  at 
Jacksonville,  and  again  at  Savannah,  the  regi- 
ment was  employed  on  guard  duty.  While  at 
Jacksonville  Colonel  Andel  was  suspended  by 
court-martial,  and  finally  tendered  his  resigna- 


tion, his  place  being  supplied  by  Lieut. -Col.  Eben 
Swift,  of  the  Ninth. 

Fifth  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry was  the  first  regiment  to  report,  and  was 
nmstered  in  at  Springfield,  May  7,  1898,  under 
command  of  Col.  James  S.  Culver,  being  finally 
composed  of  twelve  companies  from  Pike,  Chris- 
tian, Sangamon,  McLean,  Jlontgomery,  Adams, 
Tazewell,  Macon,  Morgan,  Peoria,  and  Fulton 
counties;  on  May  14  left  Springfield  for  Camp 
Thomas  (Chickamauga,  Ga. ),  being  assigned  to 
the  command  of  General  Brooke;  August  3  left 
Chickamauga  for  Newport  News,  Va.,  with  the 
expectation  of  embarking  for  Porto  Rico — a 
previous  order  of  Jul}'  26  to  the  same  purport 
having  been  countermanded;  at  Newport  News 
embarked  on  the  transport  Obdam,  but  again  the 
order  was  rescinded,  and,  after  remaining  on 
board  thirty-six  hours,  the  regiment  was  disem- 
barked. The  next  move  was  made  to  Lexington, 
Kj'.,  where  the  regiment — having  lost  hope  of 
reaching  "the  front" — remained  until  Sept.  5, 
when  it  returned  to  Springfield  for  final  muster- 
out.  This  regiment  was  composed  of  some  of  the 
best  material  in  the  State,  and  anxious  for  active 
service,  but  after  a  succession  of  disappoint- 
ments, was  compelled  to  return  to  its  home  sta- 
tion without  meeting  the  enemy.  After  its  arrival 
at  Springfield  the  regiment  was  furloughed  for 
thirt}'  days  and  finally  mustered  out,  October  16, 
numbering  1.213  men  and  47  officers. 

Sixth  Reglment  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
F.\NTRY,  consisting  of  twelve  companies  from  the 
counties  of  Rock  Island,  Knox,  Whiteside,  Lee, 
Carroll,  Stephenson,  Henry,  Warren,  Bureau,  and 
Jo  Daviess,  was  mustered  in  May  11,  1898,  under 
ciinnnand  of  Col.  D.  Jack  Foster;  on  Maj'  17  left 
SiJringfleld  for  Camp  Alger,  Va. ;  July  5  the 
regiment  moved  to  Charleston,  S.  C,  where  a 
part  embarked  for  Sibonej',  Cuba,  but  the  whole 
regiment  was  soon  after  united  in  General 
Miles'  expedition  for  the  invasion  of  Porto  Rico, 
landing  at  Guanico  on  July  25,  and  advancing 
into  the  interior  as  far  as  Adjunta  and  Utuado. 
After  several  weeks'  service  in  the  interior,  the 
regiment  returned  to  Ponce,  and  on  September  7 
took  transport  for  the  return  home,  arrived  at 
Springfield  a  week  later,  and  was  mustered  out 
November  25,  the  regiment  at  that  time  consist- 
in,g  of  1,239  men  and  49  officers. 

Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
(known  as  the  "Hibernian  Rifles").  Two 
battalions  of  this  regiment  reported  at  Spring, 
field,  April  27,  with  33  officers  and  765  enlisted 
men,  being  afterwards    increased  to   the  maxi- 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


575 


mum ;  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  serv- 
ice, under  command  of  Col.  Marcus  Kavanagh, 
May  18,  l.s98 ;  on  May  28  started  for  Camp  Alger, 
Va. ;  was  afterwards  encamped  at  Thoroughfare 
Gap  and  Camp  Meade ;  on  September  9  returned 
to  Springfield,  was  furloughed  for  thirty  days, 
and  mustered  out,  October  20,  numbering  1,260 
men  and  49  officers.  Like  the  Fifth,  the  Seventh 
saw  no  actual  service  in  the  field. 

Eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  (col- 
ored regiment),  mustered  into  the  service  at 
Springfield  under  the  second  call  of  the  Pre.si- 
dent,  July  23,  1898,  being  composed  whollj-  of 
Afro- Americans  under  officers  of  their  own  race, 
with  Col.  John  R.  Marshall  in  command,  the 
muster-roll  showing  1,195  men  and  76  officers. 
The  six  companies,  from  A  to  F,  were  from  Chi- 
cago, the  other  five  being,  respectively,  from 
Bloomington,  Springfield,  Quincy,  Litchfield, 
Mound  City  and  Metrojjolis,  and  Cairo.  The 
regiment  having  tendered  their  services  to 
relieve  the  First  Illinois  on  dutj-  at  Santiago  de 
Cuba,  it  started  for  Cuba,  August  8,  by  way  of 
Kew  York ;  immediately  on  arrival  at  Santiago, 
a  week  later,  was  assigned  to  duty,  but  subse- 
quently transferred  to  San  Luis,  where  Colone, 
Marshall  was  made  military  governor.  The 
major  part  of  the  regiment  remained  here  until 
ordered  home  early  in  March,_  1899,  arrived  at 
Chicago,  March  15,  and  was  mustered  out,  April 
3,  1,226  strong,  rank  and  file,  having  been  in 
service  nine  months  and  six  days. 

Ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  was 
organized  from  the  counties  of  Southern  Illinois, 
and  mustered  in  at  Springfield  under  the  second 
call  of  the  President,  July  4-11,  1898,  under  com- 
mand of  Col.  James  R.  Campbell;  arrived  at 
Camp  Cuba  Libre  (Jacksonville,  Fla.),  August  9; 
two  months  later  was  transferred  to  Savannah, 
Ga. ;  was  moved  to  Havana  in  December,  where 
it  remained  until  May,  1899,  when  it  returned  to 
Augusta,  Ga.,  and  was  mustered  out  there,  JIa\- 
20,  1899,  at  that  time  consLsting  of  1,095  men  and 
46  officers.  From  Augusta  the  several  companies 
returned  to  their  respective  home  stations.  The 
Ninth  was  the  only  "Provisional  Regiment"  from 
Illinois  mustered  into  the  service  during  the 
war,  the  other  regiments  all  belonging  to  tlie 
National  Guard. 

First  Illinois  Cavalry  was  organized  at  Clii- 
cago  immediately  after  the  President's  first  call, 
seven  companies  being  recruited  from  Chicago, 
two  from  Bloomington,  and  one  each  from 
Springfield.  Elkhart,  and  Lacon ;  was  mustered  in 
at  Springfield,  May  21,  1898,  under  command  of 


Col.  Edward  C.  Young;  left  Springfield  for  Camp 
Tlionias,  Ga.,  Maj'  30,  remaining  there  until 
August  24,  when  it  returned  to  Fort  Slieridan, 
near  Chicago,  where  it  was  stationed  until  October 
11,  when  it  was  mustered  out,  at  that  time  con- 
sisting of  1,158  men  and  50  officers.  Although 
the  regiment  saw  no  active  service  in  the  field,  it 
established  an  excellent  record  for  itself  in  respect 
to  discipline. 

First  Engineering  Corps,  consisting  of  80 
men  detailed  from  tlie  First  Illinois  Volunteers, 
were  among  the  first  Illinois  soldiers  to  see  serv- 
ice in  Porto  Rico,  accompanying  General  Miles' 
exjjedition  in  the  latter  jiart  of  July,  and  being 
engaged  for  a  time  in  the  construction  of  bridges 
in  aid  of  the  intended  advance  across  the  island. 
On  September  8  they  embarked  for  the  return 
home,  arrived  at  Chicago,  September  17,  and 
were  mustered  out  November  20. 

Battery  A  (I.  N.  G.),  from  Danville,  III.,  was 
mustered  in  under  a  special  order  of  the  War 
Department,  May  12,  1898,  under  command  of 
Capt.  0.scar  P.  Yaeger,  consisting  of  118  men; 
left  Springfield  for  Camp  Thomas,  Ga.,  May  19, 
and,  two  months  later,  joined  in  General  Miles' 
Porto  Rico  expedition,  landing  at  Guanico  on 
August  3,  and  taking  part  in  the  affair  at  Gua- 
yama  on  the  12th.  News  of  peace  having  been 
received,  the  Battery  returned  to  Ponce,  where 
it  remained  until  September  7,  when  it  started 
on  tlie  return  home  by  way  of  New  York,  arrived 
at  Danville,  September  17,  was  furloughed  for 
sixty  days,  and  mustered  out  November  25.  The 
Battery  was  equipiJed  with  modern  breech-load- 
ing rapid-firing  guns,  operated  by  practical  artil- 
lerists and  prepared  for  effective  service. 

Naval  Reserves. — One  of  the  earliest  steps 
taken  by  the  Government  after  it  became  ap- 
parent that  hostilities  could  not  be  averted,  was 
to  begin  preparation  for  strengthening  the  naval 
arm  of  tlie  service.  The  existence  of  the  "Naval 
Militia,"  first  organized  in  1893,  placed  Illinois  in 
an  exceptionally  favorable  position  for  making  a 
prompt  response  to  the  call  of  the  Government,  as 
well  as  furnishing  a  superior  class  of  men  for 
service — a  fact  evidenced  during  the  operations 
in  the  West  Indies.  Gen.  John  McNulta,  as  head 
of  the  local  committee,  was  active  in  calling  the 
attention  of  the  Navy  Department  to  the  value  of 
the  service  to  be  rendered  by  tliis  organization, 
which  re.sulted  in  its  being  enlisted  practically  as 
a  body,  taking  the  name  of  "Naval  Reserves" — 
all  but  eighty -eight  of  the  number  passing  the 
physical  examination,  the  places  of  these  beirg 
promptly  filled  by  new   recruits.     The  first  de* 


576 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


tachment  of  over  200  left  Chicago  May  2,  under 
the  command  of  Lieut. -Com.  John  M.  Hawley, 
followed  soon  after  by  the  remainder  of  the  First 
Battalion,  making  the  whole  number  from  Chi- 
cago 400,  with  207,  constituting  the  Second  Bat- 
talion, from  other  towns  of  the  State.  The  latter 
■was  made  up  of  1-17  men  from  Moline,  58  from 
Quincy,  and  62  from  Alton — making  a  total  from 
the  State  of  667.  This  does  not  include  others, 
not  belonging  to  this  organization,  who  enlisted 
for  service  in  the  navy  during  the  war,  which 
raised  the  whole  number  for  the  State  over  1,000. 
The  Reserves  enlisted  from  Illinois  occupied  a 
different  relation  to  the  Government  from  that 
of  the  "naval  militia"  of  other  States,  which 
retained  their  State  organizations,  wliile  those 
from  Illinois  were  regularly  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service.  The  recruits  from  Illinois 
were  embarked  at  Key  West,  Norfolk  and  New 
York,  and  distributed  among  fifty-two  different 
vessels,  including  nearlj'  every  vessel  belonging 
to  the  North  Atlantic  Squadron.  They  saw  serv- 
ice in  nearlj'  every  department  from  the  position 
of  stokers  in  the  hold  to  that  of  gunners  in  the 
turrets  of  the  big  battleships,  the  largest  number 
(60)  being  assigned  to  the  famous  battleship  Ore- 
gon, while  the  cruiser  Yale  followed  with  47;  the 
Harvard  with  35;  Cincinnati,  27;  Yankton,  19; 
Franklin,  18;  Montgomery  and  Indiana,  each,  17; 
Hector,  14;  Marietta,  11;  Wilmington  and  Lan- 
caster, 10  each,  and  others  down  to  one  each. 
Illinois  sailors  thus  had  the  privilege  of  partici- 
pating in  the  brilliant  affair  of  July  3,  which 
resulted  in  the  destruction  of  Cervera's  fleet  off 
Santiago,  as  also  in  nearh'  every  other  event  in 
the  West  Indies  of  less  importance,  without  the 
loss  of  a  man  while  in  the  service,  although 
among  the  most  exposed.  They  were  mustered 
out  at  different  times,  as  they  could  be  spared 
from  the  service,  or  the  vessels  to  which  they 
were  attached  went  out  of  commission,  a  portion 
serving  out  their  full  term  of  one  year.  The 
Reserves  from  Chicago  retain  their  organization 
under  the  name  of  "Naval  Reserve  Veterans," 
with  headquarters  in  the  Masonic  Temple  Build- 
ing, Chicago. 

WARD,  James  H.,  ex-Congressman,  was  born 
in  Chicago,  Nov.  30,  1853,  and  educated  in  the 
Chicago  public  schools  and  at  the  University  of 
Notre  Dame,  gi'aduating  from  the  latter  in  1873. 
Three  years  later  he  graduated  from  the  Union 
College  of  Law,  Chicago,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar.  Since  then  he  has  continued  to  practice 
his  profession  in  his  native  city.  In  1879  he  was 
elected  Supervisor  of  the  town  of  West  Chicago, 


and,  in  1884,  was  a  candidate  for  Presidential 
Elector  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  and  the  same 
year,  was  the  successful  candidate  of  his  party 
for  Congress  in  the  Third  Illinois  District,  serv- 
ing one  term. 

WIXXEBAGO  INDI.4.NS,  a  tribe  of  the  Da- 
cota, or  Sioux,  stock,  which  at  one  time  occupied 
a  part  of  Northern  Illinois.  The  word  Winne- 
bago is  a  corruption  of  the  French  Ouinebe- 
goutz,  Ouimbegouo,  etc.,  the  diphthong  "ou" 
taking  the  jjlace  of  the  consonant  "w,"  which  is 
wanting  in  the  French  alphabet.  These  were, 
in  turn,  French  naisspellings  of  an  Algonquin 
term  meaning  "fetid,"  which  the  latter  tribe 
applied  to  the  Winnebagoes  because  they  had 
come  from  the  western  ocean — the  salt  (or 
"fetid")  water.  In  their  advance  towards  the 
East  the  Winnebagoes  early  invaded  the  country 
of  the  Illinois,  but  were  finally  driven  north- 
ward by  the  latter,  who  surpassed  them  in  num- 
bers rather  than  in  bravery.  The  invaders 
settled  in  Wisconsin,  near  the  Fox  River,  and 
here  they  were  first  visited  by  the  Jesuit  Fathers 
in  the  seventeenth  century.  (See  Jesuit  Rela- 
tions.) The  Winnebagoes  are  commonly  re- 
garded as  a  Wisconsin  tribe;  yet,  that  they 
claimed  territorial  rights  in  Illinois  is  shown  by 
the  fact  that  the  treaty  of  Prairie  du  Chien 
(August  1,  1829),  alludes  to  a  Winnebago  village 
located  in  what  is  now  Jo  Daviess  County,  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Pecatonica  River.  While,  as  a 
rule,  the  tribe,  if  left  to  itself,  was  disjjosed  to 
live  in  amity  with  the  whites,  it  was  carried 
away  by  the  eloquence  and  diplomacy  of 
Tecumseh  and  the  cajoleries  of  "The  Prophet. "' 
General  Harrison  especially  alludes  to  the  brav- 
ery of  the  Winnebago  warriors  at  Tippecanoe' 
which  he  attributees  in  part,  however,  to  a  super- 
stitious faith  in  "The  Prophet."  In  June  or 
July,  1827,  an  unprovoked  and  brutal  outrage  by 
the  whites  upon  an  unoffending  and  practically 
defenseless  party  of  Winnebagoes,  near  Prairie 
du  Chien  brought  on  what  is  known  as  the 
'Winnebago  War."  (See  Winnebago  War.) 
The  tribe  took  no  part  in  the  Black  Hawk  War, 
largely  because  of  the  great  influence  and  shrewd 
tactic  of  their  chief,  Naw-caw.  By  treaties 
executed  in  1832  and  1837  the  Winnebagoes  ceded 
to  the  United  States  all  their  lands  lying  east  of 
the  Mississippi.  They  were  finalh-  removed  west 
of  that  river,  and,  after  many  shiftings  of  loca- 
tion, were  placed  upon  the  Omaha  Reservation  in 
Eastern  Nebraska,  where  their  industry,  thrift 
and  peaceable  disposition  elicited  high  praise 
from  Government  oflicials. 


HISTOKICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF    ILLINOIS. 


577 


WAEXER,  Vespasian,  lawyer  and  Member  of 
Congress,  was  born  in  De  Witt  County,  III.,  April 
23,  1842,  and  has  lived  all  his  life  in  his  native 
county — his  present  residence  being  Clinton. 
After  a  short  course  in  Lombard  University, 
while  studying  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Law- 
rence Weldon,  at  Clinton,  he  enlisted  as  a  private 
soldier  of  the  Twentieth  Illinois  Volunteers,  in 
June,  1861,  serving  until  July,  186(5,  when  he  was 
mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  Captain  and 
brevet  Major.  He  received  a  gunshot  wound  at 
Shiloh,  but  continued  to  serve  in  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee  until  the  evacuation  of  Atlanta, 
when  he  was  ordered  North  on  account  of  dis- 
ability. His  last  service  was  in  fighting  Indians 
on  the  plains.  After  the  war  he  completed  his 
law  studies  at  Harvard  TTuiversity,  graduating  in 
1868,  when  he  entered  into  a  law  partnership 
with  Clifton  H.  Moore  of  Clinton.  He  served  as 
Judge- Advocate  General  of  the  Illinois  National 
Guard  for  several  year.s,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel, 
under  the  administrations  of  Governors  Hamil- 
ton, Oglesby  and  Fifer,  and,  in  1894,  was  nomi- 
nated and  elected,  as  a  Republican,  to  the 
Fifty-fourth  Congress  for  the  Thirteenth  District, 
being  re-elected  in  1896,  and  again  in  1898.  In 
the  Fifty-fifth  Congress,  Jlr.  Warner  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Committees  on  Agi-iculture  and  Invalid 
Pensions,  and  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Revision  of  the  Laws. 

TVARKEN,  a  village  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  at 
intersection  of  the  Illinois  Central  and  the  Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railways,  26  miles 
west-northwest  of  Freeport  and  21  miles  east  by 
north  of  Galena.  The  .surrounding  region  is 
agricultural  and  stock-raising ;  there  are  also  lead 
mines  in  the  vicinity.  Tobacco  is  grown  to  some 
extent.  Warren  has  a  flouring  mill,  tin  factory, 
creamery  and  stone  quarries,  a  State  bank,  water 
supply  from  artesian  wells,  fire  department,  gas 
plant,  two  weekly  newspapers,  five  churches,  a 
high  school,  an  academy  and  a  public  library. 
Pop.  (1890),  1,172:  (1900),  1,327. 

AVARREX,  Calvin  A.,  lawyer,  was  born  in 
Essex  County,  N.  Y. ,  June  3,  1807;  in  his  youth, 
worked  for  a  time,  as  a  typographer,  in  the  oflice 
of  "The  Northern  Spectator,"  at  Poultney,  Vt., 
side  by  side  with  Horace  Greeley,  afterwards  the 
founder  of  "The  New  York  Tribune."  Later,  he 
became  one  of  the  publishers  of  "The  Palladium" 
at  Ballston,  N.  Y.,  but,  in  1832,  removed  to 
Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  where  he  began  the 
study  of  law,  completing  his  course  at  Transyl- 
vania University,  Ky.,  in  1834,  and  beginning 
practice    at    Batavia,    Ohio,   as  the  partner   of 


Thomas  Morris,  then  a  United  States  Senator 
from  Ohio,  whose  daughter  he  married,  thereby 
becoming  the  brother-in-law  of  the  late  Isaac  N. 
Morris,  of  Quincy,  111.  In  1836,  Mr.  Warren 
came  to  Quincy,  Adams  County,  111.,  but  soon 
after  removed  to  Warsaw  in  Hancock  County, 
where  he  resided  until  1839,  when  he  returned  to 
Quincy.  Here  he  continued  in  practice,  either 
alone  or  as  a  partner,  at  different  times,  of  sev- 
eral of  the  leading  attorneys  of  that  city. 
Although  he  held  no  office  except  that  of  Master 
in  Chancery,  which  he  occupied  for  some  sixteen 
years,  the  possession  of  an  inexhaustible  fund  of 
humor,  with  strong  practical  sense  and  decided 
ability  as  a  speaker,  gave  him  great  popularity 
at  the  bar  and  upon  the  stump,  and  made  him  a 
recognized  leader  in  the  ranks  of  the  Democratic 
party,  of  which  he  was  a  life-long  member.  He 
served  as  Presidential  Elector  on  the  Pierce 
ticket  in  18.52,  and  was  the  nominee  of  his  party 
for  the  same  position  on  one  or  two  other  occa- 
sions.    Died,  at  Quincy,  Feb.  22,  1881. 

WARREX,  Hooper,  pioneer  journalist,  was 
born  at  Walpole,  N.  H.,  in  1790;  learned  the  print- 
er's trade  on  the  Rutland  (Vt.)  "Herald";  in 
1814  went  to  Delaware,  whence,  three  years  later, 
he  emigrated  to  Kentucky,  working  for  a  time 
on  a  paper  at  Frankfort.  In  1818  he  came  to  St. 
Louis  and  worked  in  the  office  of  the  old  "Mis- 
souri Gazette"  (the  i)redecessor  of  "The  Repub- 
lican"), and  also  acted  as  the  agent  of  a  lumber 
company  at  Cairo,  111.,  when  the  whole  popula- 
tion of  that  place  consisted  of  one  family  domi- 
ciled on  a  grounded  flat-boat.  In  March,  1819, 
he  established,  at  Edw-ardsville,  the  third  paper 
in  Illinois,  its  predecessors  being  "The  Illinois 
Intelligencer,"  at  Kaskaskia,  and  "The  Illinois 
Emigrant,"  at  Shawneetown.  The  name  given 
to  the  new  paper  was  "The  Spectator,"  and  the 
contest  over  the  effort  to  introduce  a  pro-slavery 
clause  in  the  State  Constitution  soon  brought  it 
into  prominence.  Backed  by  Governor  Coles, 
Congressman  Daniel  P.  Cook,  Judge  S.  D.  Lock- 
wood,  Rev.  Thomas  Lippincott,  Judge  Wm.  H. 
Brown  (afterwards  of  Chicago),  George  Churchill 
and  other  opponents  of  slavery,  "The  Spectator" 
made  a  sturdy  fight  in  opposition  to  the  scheme, 
which  ended  in  defeat  of  the  measure  by  the 
rejection  at  the  polls,  in  1824,  of  the  proposition 
for  a  Constitutional  Convention.  Warren  left 
the  Edwardsville  paper  in  182.5,  and  was,  for  a 
time,  associated  with  "The  National  Crisis,"  an 
anti-slavery  paper  at  Cincinnati,  but  soon  re- 
turned to  Illinois  and  established  "The  Sangamon 
Spectator" — the  first  paper  ever  published  at  the 


678 


HISTOKICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


present  State  capital.  This  he  sold  out  in  1829. 
and,  for  the  next  three  j-ears.  was  connected 
with  "The  Advertiser  and  Upper  Mississippi  Her- 
ald," at  Galena.  Abandoning  this  field  in  1833, 
he  removed  to  Hennepin,  where,  within  the  next 
five  years,  he  held  the  offices  of  Clerk  of  the  Cir- 
cuit and  County  Commissioners'  Courts  and  ex- 
officio  Recorder  of  Deeds.  In  1836  he  began  the 
publication  of  the  third  paper  in  Chicago — "The 
Commercial  Advertiser"  (a  weekly) — which  was 
continued  a  little  more  than  a  year,  wlien  it  was 
abandoned,  and  he  settled  on  a  farm  at  Henry, 
Marshall  County.  His  further  newspaper  ven- 
tures were,  as  the  associate  of  Zebina  Eastman,  in 
the  publication  of  "The  Genius  of  Liberty,"  at 
Lowell,  La  Salle  County,  and  "The  Western 
Citizen" — afterwards  "The  Free  West" — in  Chi- 
cago. (See  Eastman,  Zebina,  and  Lundy.  Ben- 
jamin.) On  the  discontinuance  of  "The  Free 
West"  in  1856,  he  again  retired  to  his  farm  at 
flenry,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days. 
While  returning  home  from  a  visit  to  Chicago, 
in  August,  1864,  he  was  taken  ill  at  Mendota, 
dj'ing  there  on  the  22d  of  the  month. 

WARREN,  John  Esaias,  diplomatist  and  real- 
estate  operator,  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  in  1826, 
graduated  at  Union  College  and  was  connected 
with  the  American  Legation  to  Spain  during  the 
administration  of  President  Pierce:  in  1859-60 
was  a  member  of  the  Minnesota  Legislature  and, 
in  1861-62,  Mayor  of  St.  Paul;  in  1867,  came  to 
Chicago,  where,  while  engaged  in  real-estate 
business,  he  became  known  to  the  press  as  the 
author  of  a  series  of  articles  entitled  "Topics  of 
the  Time."  In  1886  he  took  up  his  residence  in 
Brussels,  Belgium,  where  he  died,  July  6,  1896. 
Mr.  Warren  was  author  of  several  volumes  of 
travel,  of  which  "An  Attache  in  Spain"  and 
"Para"  are  most  important. 

WARREN  COUNTY.  A  western  county, 
created  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  in  1825,  but 
not  fully  organized  until  1830,  having  at  that  time 
about  350  inhabitants ;  has  an  area  of  540  square 
miles,  and  was  named  for  Gen.  Joseph  Warren. 
It  is  drained  by  the  Henderson  River  and  its 
affluents,  and  is  traversed  by  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington &  Quincy  (two  divisions),  the  Iowa 
Central  and  the  Atchison,  Topeka  and  Santa  Fe 
Railroads.  Bituminous  coal  is  mined  and  lime- 
stone is  quarried  in  large  quantities.  The  county's 
earl}-  development  was  retarded  in  consequence 
of  having  become  the  "seat  of  war,"  during  the 
Black  Hawk  War.  The  principal  products  are 
grain  and  live-stock,  although  manufacturing  is 
carried  on  to  some  extent.     The  county-seat  and 


chief  city  is  Monmouth  (which  see).  Roseville 
is  a  shipping  point.  Population  (1880),  22,933. 
(1890),  21,281;  (1900),  23,163;  (1910),  23,313. 

WARREX,  a  village  of  Jo  Da^^ess  County  on 
the  111.  Cent,  and  the  Chi.,  Mil.  &  St.  Paul  Rys.; 
lead  is  extensively  mined  in  vicinity;  has  a  large 
creamery  and  some  factories.    Pop.  (1910),  1,331. 

WARSAW,  a  principal  town  in  Hancock 
County,  and  admirably  situated  for  trade.  It 
stands  on  a  bluff  on  the  Mississippi  River,  some 
three  miles  below  Keokuk,  and  about  40  miles 
above  Quincy.  It  is  the  western  terminus  of  the 
Toledo,  Peoria  &  Western  Railway,  and  lies  116 
miles  west-southwest  of  Peoria.  Old  Fort 
Edwards,  established  by  Gen.  Zachary  Taylor, 
during  the  War  of  1812,  was  located  within  the 
limits  of  the  present  city  of  Warsaw,  opposite  the 
mouth  of  the  Des  Moines  River.  An  iron 
foundry,  a  large  woolen  mill,  a  plow  factory 
and  cooperage  works  are  its  principal  manufac- 
turing establishments.  The  channel  of  the  Missis- 
sippi admits  of  the  passage  of  the  largest  steamers 
up  to  this  point.  Warsaw  has  several  churches,  a 
system  of  common  schools  comprising  one  high 
and  three  grammar  schools,  a  national  bank  and 
one  weekly  newspaper.  Population  (1880),  3,105; 
(1890),  2,721;  (1900),  2,335;  (1910),  2,254. 

W.VSHBURJi,  a  \-illage  of  Woodford  County,  on 
a  branch  of  the  Chicago  &  Alto.i  Railway  25  miles 
northeast  of  Peoria;  has  banks  and  a  weekly  paper; 
the  district  is  agricultural.  Population  (1890), 
598;  (1900),  703;  (1910),  777. 

WASHBURXE,  Ellhu  Benjamin,  Congressman 
and  diplomatist,  was  born  at  Livermore,  Maine, 
Sept.  23,  1816 ;  in  early  life  learned  the  trade  of  a 
printer,  but  graduated  from  Harvard  Law  School 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1840.  Coming 
west,  he  settled  at  Galena,  forming  a  partnership 
with  Charles  S.  Hempstead,  for  the  practice  of 
law,  in  1841.  He  was  a  stalwart  Whig,  and,  as 
such,  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1852.  He  con- 
tinued to  represent  his  District  until  1869,  taking 
a  prominent  position,  as  a  Republican,  on  the 
organization  of  that  part}'.  On  account  of  his 
long  service  he  was  known  as  the  "Father  of  the 
House,"  administering  the  Speaker's  oath  three 
times  to  Schuyler  Colfax  and  once  to  James  G. 
Blaine.  He  was  appointed  Secretary  of  State  by 
General  Grant  in  1869,  but  surrendered  his  port- 
folio to  become  Envoy  to  France,  in  whioli  ca- 
pacity he  achieved  great  distinction.  He  was  the 
only  official  representative  of  a  foreign  govern- 
ment who  remained  in  Paris,  during  the  siege  of 
that  city  by  the  Germans  (1870-71)  and  the  reign 
of   the    "Commune."     For   his   conduct   lie  was 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


579 


honored  by  the  Governments  of  France  and  Ger- 
many alike.     On  his  return  to  the  United  States, 
he  made  his  liome  in  Chicago,  where  he  devoted 
his  latter  j-ears    chiefly   to   literary   labor,   and 
where  he  died,  Oct.  22,  1887.     He  was  strongly 
favored  as  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency  in  1880. 
WASHINGTON,  a  city  in  Tazewell    County, 
situated   at   the   intersection   of  the  Chicago  & 
Alton,  the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe,  and  the 
Toledo,    Peoria   &   Western  Railroads.     It  is  31 
miles  west  of  El  Paso,  and  12  miles  east  of  Peoria. 
Carriages,   plows  and   farming  implements  con- 
stitute the  manufactured  output.     It  is  also  an 
important  shipping-point  for  farm  products.     It 
has  electric  light  and  water-works  plants,  eight 
churches,  a  graded   school,  two  banks  and  two 
weekly  papers.     Pop.  (1900),   1,459;  (1910),  1,530. 
WASHINGTON  COUNTY,  an  interior  county  of 
Southern  Illinois,  east  of  St.  Louis;  is  drained  by 
the  Kaskaskia  River  and  the  Elkhorn,   Beaucoup 
and  Muddy  Creeks;   was   organized   in    ISIS,   and 
has  an  area  of  557  square  miles.     The  surface  is 
diversified,  well  watered  and  timbered.     The  soil 
is    of    variable    fertility.     Com,    wheat    and    oats 
are  the  chief  agricultural   products.     Manufactur- 
ing is  carried  on  to  some  extent,  among  the  products 
being    agricultural     implements,     flour,     carriages 
and  wagons.     The  most  important  town  is  Nash- 
ville,   which    is    also     the    county-seat.     Popula- 
tion    (1900),     19,526;     (1910),     18,759.     Washing- 
ton  was   one   of   the   fifteen    counties   into   which 
Illinois   was   di\'ided    at    the    organization    of   the 
State   Government,    being    one    of   the    last   three 
created   during   the   Territorial    period^the   other 
two  being  Franklin  and  Union. 

WATERTOWN,  a  village  in  Rock  Island  County, 
on  the  Mississippi,  5  miles  east  of  Moline.  The 
Illinois  Western  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  located 
here  on  an  elevation  a  (luarter  of  a  mile  from  the 
river,  is  reached  by  a  switch  from  the  C,  B.  &  Q. 
Ry.     Pop.  of  the  village  (1910),  525. 

WEST  CHICAGO,  in  Du  Page  County,  on  the 
C,  B.  &  Q.  and  C.  &  N.  W.  Rys.,  30  miles  west  of 
Chicago;  has  railroad  repair  shops,  various  manu- 
factures and  two  weekly  papers.  Pop.  (1910),  2,378. 
WATERLOO,  the  county-seat  and  chief  town 
of  Monroe  County,  on  the  Illinois  Division  of  the 
Mobile  &  Ohio  Railroad,  24  miles  east  of  south 
from  St.  Louis.  The  region  is  chiefly  agricultural, 
but  underlaid  with  coal.  Its  industries  embrace 
two  flour  mills,  a  plow  factory,  distillery,  cream- 
ery, two  ice  plants,  and  some  minor  concerns. 
The  city  has  municipal  water  and  electric  light 
plants,  four  churches,  a  graded  school  and  two 
newspapers.    Pop.  (1900),  2,114;  (1910),  2,091. 


WATERMAN,  Arba  Nelson,  lawyer  and  jurist, 
was  born  at  Greensboro,  Orleans  County,  Vt., 
Feb.  3,  1830.  After  receiving  an  academic  edu- 
cation and  teaching  for  a  time,  he  read  law  at 
Montpelier  and,  later,  passed  through  the  Albany 
Law  School.  In  1861  he  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  removed  to  Joliet,  111.,  and  opened  an  ofiice. 
In  1862  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  One  Hun- 
dredth Illinois  Volunteers,  serving  with  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  for  two  years,  and 
being  mustered  out  in  August,  1864,  with  the 
rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel.  On  leaving  the 
army.  Colonel  Waterman  commenced  practice  in 
Chicago.  In  1873-74  he  represented  the  Eleventh 
Ward  in  the  City  Council.  In  1887  he  was  elected 
to  the  bench  of  the  Cook  County  Circuit  Court, 
and  was  re-elected  in  1891  and,  again,  in  1897.  In 
1890  he  was  assigned  as  one  of  the  Judges  of  the 
Appellate  Court. 

WATSEKA,  the  county-seat  of  Iroquois  County, 
situated  on  the  Iroquois  River,  at  the  mouth  of 
Sugar  Creek,  and  at  the  intersection  of  the  Chi- 
cago &  Eastern  Illinois  and  the  Toledo,  Peoria  & 
Western  Railroads,  77  miles  south  of  Chicago,  46 
miles  north  of  Danville  and  14  miles  east  of 
Gilman.  It  has  flour-mills,  brick  and  tile  works 
and  foundries,  besides  several  churches,  banks,  a 
graded  school  and  two  weekly  newspapers.  Artesian 
well  water  is  obtained  by  boring  to  the  depth 
of  100  to  160  feet,  and  some  200  flowing  streams 
from  these  shafts  are  within  the  city  limits.  Pop. 
(1890),  2,017;  (1900),  2,.505;  (1910),'  2,476. 

WATTS,  Amos,  jurist,  was  born  in  St.  Clair 
County,  111.,  Oct.  25,  1821,  but  removed  to  Wash- 
ington County  in  boj'hood,  and  was  elected  County 
Clerk  in  1847,  '49  and  '53,  and  State's  Attorney 
for  the  Second  Judicial  District  in  1856  and  '60; 
then  became  editor  and  proprietor  of  a  news- 
paper, later  resuming  the  practice  of  law,  and,  in 
1873,  was  elected  Circuit  Judge,  remaining  in 
office  until  his  death,  at  Nashville,  111.  Dec.  6, 
1888. 

WAUKEGAN,  the  county-seat  and  principal 
city  of  Lake  County,  situated  on  the  shore  of 
Lake  Michigan  and  on  the  Chicago  &  North- 
western Railroad,  about  36  miles  north  by  west 
from  Chicago,  and  50  miles  south  of  Milwaukee; 
is  also  the  northern  terminus  of  the  Elgin,  Joliet 
&  Eastern  Railroad  and  connected  by  electric 
lines  with  Chicago  and  Fox  Lake.  Lake  Michigan 
is  about  80  miles  wide  opposite  this  point. 
Waukegan  was  first  known  as  "Little  Fort," 
from  the  remains  of  an  old  fort  that  stood  on  its 
site.  The  principal  part  of  the  city  is  built  on  a 
bluflf,  which  rises  abruptly  to  the  height  of  about 


680 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLIXOIS. 


fiftj'  feet.  Between  tlie  bluff  ami  the  shore  is  a 
flat  tract  about  400  yanls  wide  which  is  occupied 
by  gardens,  dwellings,  warehouses  and  manu- 
factories. The  manufactui-es  include  steel-wire, 
refined  sugar,  scales,  agricultural  implements, 
brass  and  iron  products,  sash,  doors  and  blinds, 
leather,  beer,  etc. ;  the  city  has  paved  streets,  gas 
and  electric  light  plants,  three  banks,  eight  or 
ten  churches,  graded  and  high  schools  and  two 
daily  and  one  weekly  newspaper.  A  large  trade  in 
grain,  luml^er,  coal  and  dairj-  products  is  carried 
on.     Pop.  (1900),  9,426;  (1910),  10,009. 

WAUKEGAJi  <k  SOUTHWESTERN  RAIL- 
WAY.    (See  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  Eailway.) 

Waves LY,  a  city  in  Morgan  County,  18  miles 
southeast  of  Jacksonville,  on  the  Jacksonville  & 
St.  Louis  and  the  Chicago,  Peoria  &  St.  Louis 
Railroads.  It  was  originally  settled  by  enter- 
prising emigrants  from  New  England,  whose 
descendants  constitute  a  large  proportion  of  the 
population.  It  is  the  center  of  a  rich  agricultural 
region,  has  a  fine  graded  school,  six  or  seven 
churches,  two  banks,  one  weekly  newspai>er;  also 
brick  and  tile  works,  flour  mills  and  elevators. 
Pop.  (1S90),  1,.3.37;  (1900),  1,57.3;  (1910),  1,.538. 

WAYNE,  (Gen.)  Anthony,  soldier,  was  born  in 
Chester  County,  Pa.,  Jan.  1,  1745,  of  Anglo-Irish 
descent,  graduated  as  a  Surveyor,  and  first  prac- 
ticed his  profession  in  Nova  Scotia.  During  the 
years  immediately  antecedent  to  the  Revolution 
he  was  prominent  in  the  colonial  councils  of  his 
native  State,  to  which  he  had  returned  in  17G7, 
where  he  became  a  member  of  the  "Committee  of 
Safety."  On  June  3,  1776,  he  was  commissioned 
Colonel  of  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania 
troops  in  the  Continental  armj-,  and,  during  the 
War  of  the  Revolution,  was  conspicuous  for  his 
courage  and  ability  as  a  leader.  One  of  his  most 
daring  and  successful  achievements  was  the  cap- 
ture of  Stony  Point,  in  1779,  when — the  works 
having  been  carried  and  Wayne  having  received, 
what  was  supposed  to  be.  his  death- wound— he 
entered  the  fort,  supported  by  his  aids.  For  this 
service  he  was  awarded  a  gold  medal  by  Con- 
gress. He  also  took  a  conspicuous  part  in  the 
investiture  and  capture  of  Yorktown  In  October, 
1783,  he  was  brevetted  Major-General.  In  1784 
he  was  elected  to  the  Penn.S3'lvania  Legislature. 
A  few  j-ears  later  he  settled  in  Georgia,  which 
State  he  represented  in  Congress  for  seven 
months,  when  his  seat  was  declared  vacant  after 
contest.  In  April,  1792,  he  was  confirmed  as 
General-in-Chief  of  the  United  States  Army,  on 
nomination  of  President  Washington.  His  con- 
nection with  Illinois  history  began  shortly  after 


St.  Clair's  defeat,  when  he  led  a  force  into  Ohio 
(1783)  and  erected  a  stockade  at  Greenville, 
which  he  named  Fort  Recovery ;  his  object  being 
to  subdue  the  hostile  savage  tribes.  In  this  he 
was  eminently  successful  and,  on  August  3, 
1793,  after  a  victorious  campaign,  negotiated  the 
Treaty  of  Greenville,  as  broad  in  its  provisions  as 
it  was  far-reaching  in  its  influence.  He  was  a 
daring  fighter,  and  although  Washington  called 
him  "prudent,"  his  dauntlessness  earned  for  him 
the  sol)riquet  of  "Mad  Anthony."  In  matters  of 
dress  he  was  punctilious,  and,  on  this  account, 
he  was  sometimes  dubbed  "Dandy  Wayne.''  He 
was  one  of  the  few  white  oflioers  whom  all  the 
Western  Indian  tribes  at  once  feared  and  re- 
spected. They  named  him  "Black  Snake"  and 
"Tornado."  He  died  at  Presque  Isle  near  Erie, 
Dec.  15,  1796.  Thirteen  years  afterward  his 
remains  were  removed  by  one  of  his  sons,  and 
interred  in  Badnor  churchyard,  in  his  native 
county.  The  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society 
erected  a  marble  monument  over  his  grave,  and 
appropriately  dedicated  it  on  July  4  of  the  same 
year. 

WAYNE  COUNTY,  in  the  southeast  quarter  of 
the  State ;  has  an  area  of  720  square  miles ;  was 
organized  in  1819,  and  named  for  Gen.  Anthony 
Wa3-ne.  Thf-  county  is  watered  and  drained  bj- 
the  Little  Wabash  and  its  branches,  notably  the 
Skillet  Fork.  At  the  fir.st  election  held  in  the 
count}-,  only  fifteen  votes  were  cast.  Early  life 
was  exceedingly  primitive,  the  first  settlers 
pounding  corn  into  meal  with  a  wooden  pestle, 
a  hollowed  stump  being  used  as  a  mortar.  The 
first  mill  erected  (of  the  antique  South  Carolina 
pattern)  charged  25  cents  per  bushel  for  grinding. 
Prairie  and  woodland  make  up  the  surface,  and 
the  soil  is  fertile.  Railroad  facilities  are  furnished 
bj'  the  Louisville.  Evansville  &  St.  Louis  and  the 
Baltimore  &  Ohio  (Southwestern)  Railroads. 
Corn,  oats,  tobacco,  wheat,  hay  and  wool  are  the 
chief  agricultural  products.  Saw  mills  are  numer- 
ous and  there  are  also  carriage  and  wagon  facto- 
ries. Fairfield  is  the  county-seat.  Population 
(1890),  23,806;  (1900),  27,626;  (1910),  2r>fi97. 

WEAS,  THE,  a  branch  of  the  Miami  tribe  of 
Indians.  They  called  themselves  "We-wee- 
hahs,"  and  were  spoken  of  bj'  the  French  as  "Oui- 
at-a-nons"  and  "Oui-as."  Other  corruptions  of 
the  name  were  common  among  the  British  and 
American  colonists.  In  1718  they  had  a  village 
at  Chicago,  liut  abandoned  it  through  fear  of 
their  hostile  neighbors,  the  Chippewas  and  Potta- 
watomies.  The  Weas  were,  at  one  time,  brave 
and  warlike :  but  their  numbers  were  reduced  by 


niSTOEICAL  ENCYCLOPEDLV   OF   ILLINOIS. 


081 


constant  warfare  and  disease,  and,  in  the  end, 
debauchery  enervated  and  demoralized  them. 
They  were  removed  west  of  the  Mississipjji  and 
given  a  reservation  in  Jliami  County,  Kan.  This 
the}'  ultimately  sold,  and,  under  the  leader.?hip 
of  Bapti-ste  Peoria,  united  witli  their  few  remain- 
ing brethren  of  the  Miamis  and  with  the  remnant 
of  the  Ill-i-ni  under  the  title  of  the  "confederated 
tribes,"  and  settled  in  Indian  Territory.  (See  also 
Mia  m  is:  Pia  n  kesJi  a  ws. ) 

WEBB,  Edwin  B.,  early  lawyer  and  politician, 
was  born  about  1802,  came  to  the  vicinity  of 
Carmi,  White  County,  111.,  about  1828  to  1830, 
and,  still  later,  studied  law  at  Transylvania  Uni- 
versity. He  held  the  office  of  Prosecuting 
Attorney  of  White  County,  and,  in  1834.  was 
elected  to  the  lower  branch  of  the  General 
Assembly,  serving,  by  successive  re-elections, 
imtil  1842,  and,  in  the  Senate,  from  1842  to  "40. 
During  his  service  in  the  House  he  was  a  col- 
league and  political  and  personal  friend  of 
Abraham  Lincoln.  He  opposed  the  internal 
improvement  scheme  of  1837,  predicting  many 
of  the  disasters  which  were  actually  realized  a 
few  years  later.  He  was  a  candidate  for  Presi- 
dential Elector  on  the  Whig  ticket,  in  1S44  and 
'48,  and,  in  18.52,  received  the  nomination  for 
Governor  as  the  opponent  of  Joel  A.  Matte.son, 
two  years  later,  being  an  unsuccessful  candidate 
for  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  opposition  to 
Judge  W.  B.  Scates.  While  practicing  law  at 
Carmi,  he  was  also  a  partner  of  his  brother  in 
the  mercantile  basiness.  Died,  Oct.  14,  1858.  in 
the  ■'iGth  year  of  his  age. 

WEBB,  Henry  Liviiigrston,  soldier  and  pioneer 
(an  elder  brother  of  James  Watson  Webb,  a  noted 
Ne%v  York  journalist),  was  born  at  Claverack, 
N.  Y.,  Feb.  6,  179.5;  served  as  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1812,  came  to  Southern  Illinois  in  1817, 
and  became  one  of  the  founders  of  the  town  of 
America  near  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio ;  was  Repre- 
sentative in  the  Fourth  and  Eleventh  General 
Assemblies,  a  Major  in  the  Black  Hawk  War  and 
Captain  of  volunteers  and,  afterwards.  Colonel  of 
regulars,  in  the  Mexican  War.  In  1860  he  went 
to  Texas  and  served,  for  a  time,  in  a  semi-mili- 
tary capacity  under  the  Confederate  Govern- 
ment; returned  to  Illinois  in  18G9,  and  died,  at 
Makanda.  Oct.  .5,  1876. 

WEBSTER,  Fletcher,  lawyer  and  .soldier,  was 
born  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  July  28,  1813;  gradu- 
ated at  Harvard  in  1833,  and  studied  law  with 
his  father  (Daniel  Webster) ;  in  1837,  located  at 
Peru,  111.,  where  he  practiced  three  years.  His 
father  having  been  appointed  Secretary  of  State 


in  1841,  the  son  became  his  private  secretary, 
was  also  Secretary  of  Legation  to  Caleb  Gushing 
(Minister  to  China)  in  1843,  a  member  of  the 
Massachusetts  Legislature  in  1847,  and  Surveyor 
of  the  Port  of  Boston,  1850-61 ;  the  latter  year 
became  Colonel  of  the  Twelfth  Massachusetts 
Volunteers,  and  was  killed  in  the  second  battle 
of  Bull  Run,  August  30,  1862, 

WEIWTER,  Joseph  Dana,  civil  engineer  and 
soldier,  was  born  at  Old  Hampton,  N.  H., 
August  25,  1811.  He  graduated  from  Dart- 
mouth College  in  1832,  and  afterwards  read 
law  at  Newburyport,  Mass.  His  natural  incli- 
nation was  for  engineering,  and,  after  serv- 
ing for  a  time  in  the  Engineer  and  War  offices, 
at  Washington,  was  made  a  United  .States  civil 
engineer  (1835)  and,  on  July  7,  1838,  entered  the 
armj'  as  Second  Lieutenant  of  Topographical 
Engineers.  He  served  through  the  Mexican 
War,  was  made  First  Lieutenant  in  1849,  and 
promoted  to  a  captaincy,  in  March,  1853.  Thir- 
teen months  later  he  resigned,  removing  to  Chi- 
cago, where  he  made  his  permanent  home,  and 
soon  after  was  identified,  for  a  time,  with  the 
proprietorship  of  "The  Chicago  Tribune."  He 
was  President  of  the  commission  that  perfected 
the  Chicago  sewerage  system,  and  designed  and 
executed  the  raising  of  the  grade  of  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  city  from  two  to  eight  feet,  whole 
blocks  of  buildings  being  raided  by  jack  screws, 
while  new  foundations  were  inserted.  At  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  he  tendered  his  serv- 
ices to  the  Government  and  superintended  the 
erection  of  the  fortifications  at  Cairo,  111.,  and 
Paducah,  Ky.  On  April  7,  1861,  he  was  com- 
missioned Paymaster  of  Volunteers,  with  the 
rank  of  Major,  and,  in  Februaiy,  1862,  Cidonel  of 
the  First  Illinois  Artillery.  For  several  months 
he  was  chief  of  General  Grant's  staff,  participat- 
ing in  the  capture  of  Forts  Donelson  and  Henry, 
and  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  in  the  latter  as  Chief 
of  Artillery.  In  October,  1802,  the  War  Depart- 
ment detailed  him  to  make  a  survey  of  the  lUi 
nois  &  Michigan  Canal,  and,  the  following  month, 
he  was  commissioned  Brigadier-General  of 
Volunteers,  .serving  as  Military  Governor  of  Mem- 
phis and  Sui^erintendent  of  military  railroads. 
He  was  again  chief  of  staff  to  General  Grant 
during  the  Vicksburg  campaign,  and,  from  1864 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  occupied  the  same 
relation  to  General  Sherman.  He  was  brevetted 
Major-General  of  Volunteers,  March  13,  186.5,  but, 
resigning  Nov.  6,  following,  returned  to  Chicago, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  From 
1869  to  1872  he  was  Assessor  of  Internal  Revenue 


582 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


there,  and,  later.  Assistant  United  States  Treas- 
urer, and,  in  July,  1872,  was  aj>pointed  Collector 
of  Internal  Revenue.  Died,  at  Chicago,  March 
12,  1876. 

WELCH,  William  R.,  lawyer  and  jurist,  was 
born  in  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  Jan.  22,  1828, 
educated  at  Transylvania  University,  Lexington, 
graduating  from  the  academic  <iepartment  in 
1847.  and,  from  tlie  law  school,  in  1851.  In  1864  he 
removed  to  Carlinville,  Macoupin  County,  III., 
which  place  he  made  his  permanent  home.  In 
1877  he  was  elected  to  the  bench  of  the  Fifth 
Circuit,  and  re-elected  in  1879  and  '85.  In  1884 
he  was  assigned  to  the  bench  of  the  Appellate 
Court  for  the  Second  District.  Died,  Sept.  1, 
1888. 

WELDON,  Lawrence,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the 
United  States  Court  of  Claims.  'Washington, 
D.  C,  was  born  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  in 
1829;  while  a  child,  removed  witli  his  parents  to 
Aladison  County,  and  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  the  local  academy  and  at  Wittenberg 
College,  Springfield,  in  the  same  State ;  reiid  law 
with  Hon.  R.  A.  Harri.son,  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Ohio  bar,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in 
1854,  meiinwhile,  in  18.52-53,  having  served  as  a 
clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State  at 
Columbus.  In  1854  he  removed  to  Illinois,  locat- 
ing at  Clinton,  DeWitt  County,  where  he  engaged 
in  practic^e;  in  180(1  was  eUuted  a  Representative 
In  the  Twenty-second  General  Assembly,  was 
also  chosen  a  Presidential  Elector  the  same  year, 
and  assisted  in  the  first  electicm  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  to  the  Presidency.  Early  in  1801  he 
resigned  his  seat  in  the  Legislature  to  accept  the 
position  of  United  States  District  Attorney  for 
the  Southern  District  of  Illinois,  tendered  him  by 
President  Lincoln,  but  resigned  the  latter  office 
in  1800  an<l,  the  following  year,  removed  to 
Bloomington,  where  lie  continued  the  practice  of 
his  profession  until  1883,  when  he  was  appointed, 
by  President  Arthur,  an  Associate  Justice  of  the 
United  States  Court  of  CUiims  at  Washington — 
a  position  which  he  occupied  until  his  deatli. 
Judge  Wolilon  wa.s  anionji  the  last  of  those  who 
rode  the  circuit  and  practiced  law  with  Jlr.  Lin- 
coln. From  the  time  of  coming  to  the  State  in 
1854  to  1800,  he  was  one  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  most 
intimate  traveling  companions  in  the  old 
Eighth  Circuit,  which  extended  from  .Sangamon 
County  on  the  west  to  Vermilion  on  the  east,  and 
of  which  Judge  David  Davis,  afterwards  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  .States  and  United 
States  Senator,  was  the  presiding  Justice.  The 
Judge  held   in  his  memory   many  pleasant   remi- 


niscences of  that  day,  especially  of  the  eastern 
portion  of  the  District,  where  he  was  accustomed 
to  meet  the  late  Senator  Voorhees,  Senator  Mc- 
Donald and  other  leading  lawyers  of  Indiana,  as 
well  as  the  historic  men  whom  he  met  at  the 
State  ca])it:U.     Died  April   1(1,  190.5. 

WELLS,  -Vlbert  W.,  lawyer  and  legislator,  was 
born  at  Woodstock,  Conn.,  May  9,  1839,  and 
enjoyed  only  such  e<lucational  and  other  advan- 
tages as  belonged  to  the  average  New  England 
boy  of  that  period.  During  his  boyhood  his 
family  removed  to  Xew  Jersey,  where  he  attended 
an  academy,  later,  graduating  from  Columbia 
College  and  Law  School  in  New  York  City,  and 
began  practice  with  State  Senator  Robert  Allen 
at  Red  Bank,  N.  J.  During  the  Civil  War  he 
enlisted  in  a  New  Jersey  regiment  and  took  part 
in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  resuming  his  profes- 
sion at  the  close  of  the  war.  Coming  west  in 
1870,  he  settled  in  Quincy,  111.,  where  he  con- 
tinued practice.  In  1880  he  was  elected  to  tlie 
House  of  Rejiresentatives  from  Adams  County, 
as  a  Democrat,  and  re-elected  two  years  later. 
In  1890  he  was  advanced  to  the  Senate,  where, 
by  re-election  in  1894,  he  served  continuously 
until  his  death  in  office,  March  5,  1897.  His 
abilities  and  long  service — covering  the  sessions 
of  the  Thirty  lifth  to  the  Fortieth  General  .rVssem- 
blie.s — placed  him  at  the  head  of  the  Democratic 
side  of  the  .Senate  during  the  latter  part  of  his 
legislative  career. 

WELLS,  Williuni,  .soldier  and  victim  of  the 
Fort  Dearborn  m;issacre,  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
about  1770.  When  a  boy  of  12,  he  was  captured 
by  the  Miami  Indians,  whose  chief.  Little  Turtle, 
adopted  him,  giving  him  his  daugiiter  in  mar- 
riage when  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  was  highly 
esteemed  by  the  tribe  as  a  warrior,  and.  in  1790, 
was  pre.sent  .at  the  battle  where  Gen.  Arthur  St. 
Clair  was  defeated.  He  then  realized  that  he 
was  fighting  against  his  own  race,  and  informed 
his  father-in-law  that  he  intended  to  ally  liimself 
with  the  whites.  Leaving  the  Jliamis.  he  made 
his  way  to  General  Wayne,  who  made  him  Cap- 
tain of  a  company  of  scouts.  After  the  treaty  of 
Greenville  (1795)  he  settled  on  a  farm  near  Fort 
Wayne,  where  he  was  joined  by  his  Indian  wife. 
Here  he  acteil  .as  Indian  Agent  and  Justice  of  tlie 
Peace.  In  1812  he  learned  of  the  contemplated 
evacuation  of  Fort  Dearborn,  and,  at  the  head  of 
thirty  Miamis,  he  set  out  for  the  post,  his  inten- 
tion being  to  furnish  a  body-guard  to  the  non- 
comliatants  on  their  proposed  inarch  to  Fort 
Wayne.  On  August  13.  he  marched  out  of  the 
fort  with  fifteen  of    his  duskv  warriors  behind 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


5S3 


him,  the  remainder  bringing  up  the  rear.  Before 
a  mile  and  a  half  had  been  traveled,  the  party  fell 
into  an  Indian  ambuscade,  and  an  indiscrimi- 
nate massacre  followed.  (See  Fort  Dearborn.) 
The  Miamis  fled,  and  Captain  Wells'  body  was 
riddled  with  bullets,  his  head  out  off  and  his 
heart  taken  out.  He  was  an  uncle  of  Mrs.  Heald, 
■wife  of  the  commander  of  Fort  Dearborn. 

WELLS,  William  Harvey,  educator,  was  born 
in  Tolland,  Conn.,  Feb.  37,  1813;  lived  on  a  farm 
until  17  years  old,  attending  school  irregularly, 
but  made  such  progress  that  he  became  succes- 
sively a  teacher  in  the  Teachers"  Seminary  at 
Andover  and  Newburyport,  and,  finally,  Principal 
of  the  State  Normal  School  at  Westfield,  Mass. 
In  18.56  he  accepted  the  position  of  Superintend- 
ent of  Public  Schools  for  the  city  of  Chicago, 
serving  till  1864,  when  he  resigned.  He  was  an 
organizer  of  the  Massachusetts  State  Teachers' 
Association,  one  of  the  first  editors  of  "The 
Massachusetts  Teacher''  and  prominently  con- 
nected with  various  benevolent,  educational  and 
learned  societies :  was  also  author  of  several  text- 
books, and  assisted  in  the  revision  of  "Wehster's 
Unabridged  Dictionary."     Died,  Jan.  31,  1885. 

WENONA,  city  on  the  eastern  border  of  Mar- 
shall County,  20  miles  south  of  La  Salle,  has 
zinc  works,  public  and  parochial  schools,  a 
weekly  paper,  two  banks,  and  five  churches.  A 
good  quality  of  soft  coal  is  mined  here.  Popu- 
lation (1890),  1,0.5.3;  (1900),  1,486;  (1910),  1,442. 

WENTWORTH,  John,  early  journalist  and 
Congressman,  was  born  at  Sandwich,  N.  H., 
March  5,  1815,  graduated  from  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege in  1836,  and  came  to  Chicago  the  same  year, 
where  he  became  editor  of  ' 'The  Chicago  Demo- 
crat,"' which  had  been  estabUshed  by  John  Cal- 
houn three  years  previous.  He  soon  after  became 
proprietor  of  "The  Democrat,""  of  which  he  con- 
tinued to  be  the  publisher  until  it  was  merged 
into  "The  Chicago  Tribune,""  July  24,  1864.  He 
also  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Illinois 
bar  in  1841.  He  served  in  Congress  as  a  Demo- 
crat from  1843  to  1851,  and  again  from  1853  to 
1855,  but  left  the  Democratic  party  on  the  repeal 
of  the  Missouri  Compromise.  He  was  elected 
Mayor  of  Chicago  in  1857,  and  again  in  18G0, 
during  his  incumbency  introducing  a  number  of 
important  municipal  reforms ;  was  a  member  of 
the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1862,  and  twice 
served  on  the  Board  of  Education.  He  again 
represented  Illinois  in  Congress  as  a  Republican 
from  1865  to  1867 — making  fourteen  years  of 
service  in  that  body.  In  1873  he  joined  in  the 
Greelej'  movement,  but  later  renewed  his  alle- 


giance to  the  Republican  party.  In  187i  ylr.  Went- 
worth  published  an  elaborate  genealogical  work 
in  three  volmues,  entitled  "History  of  the  Went- 
worth  Family."  A  volume  of  "Congressional 
Reminiscences"  and  two  by  him  on  "Early  Chi- 
cago,'" published  in  connection  with  the  Fergus 
Historical  Series,  contain  some  valuable  informa- 
tion on  early  local  and  national  history.  On 
account  of  his  extraordinary  height  he  received 
the  sobriquet  of  "Long  John,"'  by  which  he  was 
familiarly  known  throughout  the  State.  Died, 
in  Chicago,  Oct.  16,  1888. 

WEST,  Edward  M.,  merchant  and  banker,  was 
bom  in  Virginia,  May  2,  1814;  came  with  his 
father  to  Illinois  in  1818 ;  in  1829  became  a  clerk 
in  the  Recorder's  office  at  Edwardsville,  also 
served  as  deputy  postmaster,  and,  in  1833,  took  a 
position  in  the  United  States  Land  Office  there. 
Two  years  later  he  engaged  in  mercantile  busi- 
ness, which  he  prosecuted  over  thirty  years — 
meanwhile  filling  the  office  of  County  Treasurer, 
ex-officio  Superintendent  of  Schools,  and  Delegate 
to  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1847.  In  1867, 
in  conjunction  with  W.  R.  Prickett.  he  established 
a  bank  at  Edwardsville,  with  which  he  was  con- 
nected until  his  death,  Oct.  31,  1887.  Mr.  "R^est 
officiated  frequently  as  a  "local  preacher"  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  in  which  capacity  he  showed 
nuicli  ability  as  a  public  speaker. 

WEST,  Mary  Allen,  educator  and  philanthro- 
pist, was  born  at  Galesburg,  lU.,  July  31,  1837; 
graduated  at  Knox  Seminary  in  1854  and  taught 
until  1873,  when  she  was  elected  County  Super- 
intendent of  Schools,  serving  nine  j-ears.  She 
took  an  active  and  influential  interest  in  educa- 
tional and  reformatory  movements,  was  for  two 
years  editor  of  "Our  Home  Monthly,"  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  also  a  contributor  to  other  journals, 
besides  being  editor-in-chief  of  "The  Union  Sig- 
nal," Chicago,  the  organ  of  the  Woman's  Chris- 
tian Temperance  Union — in  which  she  held  the 
position  of  President ;  was  also  President,  in  the 
latter  days  of  her  life,  of  the  Illinois  Woman's 
Press  Association  of  Chicago,  that  city  having 
become  her  home  in  1885.  In  1892,  Miss  West 
started  on  a  tour  of  the  world  for  the  benefit  of 
her  health,  but  died  at  Tokio.  Japan,  Dec.  1,  1892. 
WESTERX  HOSPITAL  FOR  THE  INSANE, 
an  institution  for  the  treatment  of  the  insane, 
located  at  Watertown,  Rock  Island  County,  in 
accordance  with  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly, 
approved.  May  22,  1895.  The  Thirty-ninth  Gen- 
eral Assembly  made  an  appropriation  of  $100,000 
for  the  erection  of  fire-proof  buildings,  while  • 
Rock  Island  County  donated  a  tract  of  400  acres 


684 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


of  land  valued  at  S4n.0()(),  The  site  selected  by  tlie 
Commissioners,  is  a  commanding  one  overlooking 
tlie  Mississijipi  River,  eight  miles  above  Rock 
Island,  and  five  and  a  half  miles  from  Moline,  and 
the  buildings  are  of  the  most  modern  style  of  con- 
struction. Watertown  is  reached  bj-  two  lines  of 
railroad— the  Chicago.  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  and 
the  Chicago.  Burlington  &  Quincy — besides  the 
Mississippi  River.  Tlie  erection  of  buildings  was 
begun  in  1890,  and  they  were  opened  for  the 
reception  of  patients  in  1898.  They  liave  a  ca- 
pacity for  800  patients. 

WESTERN  MILIT.VRT  ACADEMY,  an  insti- 
tution located  at  Upper  Alton,  Madison  County, 
incorporated  in  1892 ;  has  a  faculty  of  eight  mem- 
bers and  reports  eighty  pupils  for  1897-98,  with 
property  valued  at  §70,000.  The  institution  gives 
instruction  in  literary  and  scientific  brandies, 
besides  preparatory  and  business  courses. 

WESTERN  NOK.MAL  l'OLLE(JE,  located  at 
Bushnell,  McDoncnigh  County;  incorporated  in 
1888.  It  is  co-educational,  has  a  corps  of  twelve 
instructors  and  reiiorted  .500  pupils  for  1897-98, 
300  males  and  200  females. 

WESTERN  SPRINGiS,  a  village  of  Cook 
County,  and  residence  suburb  of  the  city  of  Chi- 
cago, on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Rail- 
road, 15  miles  we.st  of  the  initial  station. 
Pc)]).  (Kinov  m-2:  (I9in\  oo.'). 

WESTERN  THEOLO(;lCAL  SEMINARY, 
located  in  Chicago  and  controlled  by  tlie  Protes- 
t»uit  E])iscnpal  Church.  It  was  founded  in  1883 
through  the  munificence  of  Dr.  Tolman  Wheeler, 
and  was  opened  for  students  two  years  later.  It 
has  two  buildings,  of  a  superior  order  of  archi- 
tecture— one  including  the  school  and  lecture 
rooms  and  the  other  a  dormitory.  A  hospital 
and  gymnasium  are  attacheil  to  the  latter,  and  a 
school  for  boys  is  conducted  on  the  first  floor  of 
the  main  building,  which  is  known  as  AVlieeler 
Hall.  The  institution  is  under  the  general  super- 
vision of  Rt.  Rev.  William  E.  McLaren.  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Illinois. 

WESTKIELfl,  village  of  Clark  County,  on  Cin., 
Ilam.  i^  Dayton  R.  R.,  10  m.  s.-e.  of  Charleston; 
.seat  of  Westfield  College;  has  a  bank,  five 
churches  and  one  newspaper.     Pop.  (1910),  927. 

WEST  SALEM,  a  town  of  Edwards  County,  on 
the  Peoria-Evansville  Div.  111.  Cent.  R.  R.,  12 
miles  northeast  of  Albion;  has  a  bank  and  a  weekly 
paper.     Poii.  (1000),  TOO;  (1010),  72.5. 

WETHERELL,  Emma  Abbott,  vocalist,  was 
born  in  Chicago.  Dec.  9,  1849:  in  her  childhood 
attracted  attention  while  singing  with  her  father 
(a  poor  musician)  in  hotels  and  on  the  streets  in 


Chicago,  Peoria  and  elsewhere;  at  18  years  of 
age,  went  to  New  York  to  study,  earning  her  way 
by  giving  concerts  en  route,  and  receiving  aid 
and  encouragement  from  Clara  Louisa  Kellogg; 
in  New  York  was  patronized  by  Henry  Ward 
Beecher  and  others,  and  aided  in  securing  the 
training  of  European  masters.  Compelled  to  sur- 
mount many  obstacles  from  poverty  and  other 
causes,  her  after  success  in  her  profession  was 
phenomenal.  Died,  during  a  professional  tour, 
at  Salt  Lake  City,  Jan.  5,  1891.  Miss  Abbott 
married  her  manager,  Eugene  Wetherell,  who 
died  befcirc  her. 

WH EATON,  a  city  and  the  county-seat  of  Du 
Page  County,  situated  on  the  Chicago  &  North- 
western Railway.  2.5  miles  west  of  Chicjigo.  .Vgri- 
culture  and  stock-raising  are  the  chief  industries 
in  the  surrounding  region.  The  city  owns  a  new 
water-v.orks  plant  (co.sting  860.000)  and  has  a 
public  library  valued  at  §75  000.  the  gift  of  a 
resident,  Jlr.  John  Quincy  Adams;  has  a  court 
house,  electric  light  plant,  sewerage  and  drainage 
system,  seven  churches,  three  gradeil  schools, 
two  weekly  news|iapers  and  a  State  bank.  Wheaton 
is  tlie  seat  of  Wheaton  College  (which  see).  Popu- 
lation (18S0),  1,160;  (1890),  1,622;  (1900),  2,345; 
(1010),  3,423. 

WHEATON  COLLEGE,  an  educational  insti- 
tution located  at  Wheaton,  Du  Page  County,  and 
under  Congregational  control.  It  was  founded 
in  1853,  as  the  Illinois  Institute,  and  was  char- 
tered under  its  present  name  in  1860.  Its  early 
existence  was  one  of  struggle,  but  of  late  years  it 
has  been  estal)lished  on  a  better  founelation.  in 
1898  having  $.54,000  invested  in  productive  funds, 
and  property  aggregating  §136,000.  The  faculty 
comprises  fifteen  professors,  and,  in  1898,  there 
were  321  students  in  attendance.  It  is  co-edu- 
cational and  instruction  is  given  in  business  and 
preparatory  studies,  as  well  as  the  fine  arts, 
music  and  classical  literature. 

WHEELER,  David  Hilton,  D.D.,  LL.D.,clergy- 
man.  was  born  at  Ithaca.  N.  Y..  Nov.  19,  1829; 
graduated  at  Rock  River  Seminary,  Mount 
Morris,  in  1.851;  edited  "The  Carroll  County 
Reiniblican"'  and  held  a  professorship  in  Cornell 
College,  Iowa,  (1857-61);  was  United  States  Con- 
sul at  Geneva,  Switzerland,  (1861-66) ;  Professor  of 
English  Literature  in  Northwestern  University 
(1867-75);  edited  "The  Methodist"  in  New  York, 
seven  j-ears,  and  was  President  of  Allegheny 
College  (1883-87);  received  the  degree  of  D.D. 
from  Cornell  College  in  1867.  and  that  of  LL.D. 
from  the  Northwestern  University  in  1881.  He 
is  the  author  of   "Brigandage  in  South  Italy" 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


58A 


(two  volumes,  1864)  and  "By-Ways  of  Literature" 
(1883),  besides  some  translations. 

WHEELER,  Haiuiltou  K.,  ex-Congressman, 
was  born  at  Ballston,  N.  Y.,  August  5,  1848,  but 
emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Illinois  in  1853; 
remained  on  a  farm  until  19  years  of  age,  his 
educational  advantages  being  limited  to  three 
months'  attendance  upon  a  district  school  each 
year.  In  1871,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at 
Kankakee,  where  lie  has  since  continued  to  prac- 
tice. In  1884  he  was  elected  to  represent  the  Six- 
teenth District  in  the  State  Senate,  where  he 
served  on  many  important  committees,  being 
Chairman  of  that  on  the  Judicial  Deiiartment. 
In  1893  he  was  elected  Representative  in  Con- 
gress from  the  Ninth  Illinois  District,  on  the 
Republican  ticket. 

WESTVILLE,  a  village  of  Vermilion  County,  on 
the  C.  &  E.  I.  and  ''Big  Four"  Rys.,  8  miles  north 
of  Danville;  a  coal  mining  region.  Pop.  (1910),  3,007. 

WHISTLER,  (Maj.)  John,  soldier  and  builder 
of  the  tirst  Fort  Dearborn,  was  born  in  Ulster,  Ire- 
land, about  17.56;  served  under  Burgoyne  in  the 
Revolution,  and  was  with  the  force  surrendered 
by  that  officer  at  Saratoga,  in  1777.  After  the 
peace  lie  returned  to  the  United  States,  settled  at 
Hagerstown,  Md.,  and  entered  the  United  States 
Army,  serving  at  first  in  the  ranks  and  being 
severely  wounded  in  the  disastrous  Indian  cam- 
paigns of  1791.  Later,  he  was  promoted  tc^a 
captaincy  and,  in  the  summer  of  1803,  sent  with 
his  company,  to  the  head  of  Lake-  Michigan, 
where  he  constructed  the  first  Fort  Dearborn 
within  the  limits  of  the  present  city  of  Chicago, 
remaining  in  command  until  1811,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  Captain  Heald.  He  received  the 
brevet  rank  of  Major,  in  1815  was  appointed 
military  store-keeper  at  Newport,  Ky.,  and  after- 
wards at  Jefferson  Barracks,  near  St.  Louis, 
where  he  died,  Sept.  3,  1839.  Lieut.  William 
Whistler,  his  son,  who  was  with  his  father,  for  a 
time,  in  old  Fort  Dearborn — but  transferred,  in 
1809,  to  Fort  Wayne — was  of  the  force  included 
in  Hull's  surrender  at  Detroit  in  1813.  After 
his  exchange  he  was  promoted  to  a  captaincj-,  to 
the  rank  of  JIajor  in  1836  and  to  a  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nelcy in  1845,  dying  at  Newport,  Ky.,  in  1863. 
James  Abbott  McNiel  Whistler,  the  celebrated, 
but  eccentric  artist  of  that  name,  is  a  grandson 
of  the  first  Major  W^histler. 

WHITE,  Georare  E.,  ex-Congressman,  was  born 
in  Massachusetts  in  1848;  after  graduating,  at  the 
age  of  16,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Fifty- 
seventh  Jlassachusetts  Veteran  Volunteers,  serv- 
ing   under     General     Grant     in    the    campaign 


against  Richmond  from  the  battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness until  the  surrender  of  Lee.  Having  taken  a 
course  in  a  commercial  college  at  Worcester, 
Mass.,  in  1.867  he  came  to  Chicago,  securing  em- 
ployment in  a  lumber  yard,  but  a  year  later 
began  business  on  his  own  account,  which  he  has 
successfully  conducted.  In  1878  he  was  elected 
to  the  State  Senate,  as  a  Republican,  from  one  of 
the  Chicago  Districts,  and  re-elected  four  years 
later,  serving  in  that  body  eight  years.  He 
declined  a  nomination  for  Congress  in  1884,  but 
accepted  in  1894,  and  was  elected  for  the  Fifth 
District,  as  he  was  again  in  1896,  but  was 
defeated,  in  1898,  by  Edward  T.  Noonan,  Demo- 
crat. 

WHITE,  Horace,  journalist,  was  born  at  Cole- 
brook,  N.  H.,  August  10,  1834;  in  1853  graduated 
at  Beloit  College,  Wis.,  whither  his  father  had 
removed  in  1837 ;  engaged  in  journalism  as  city 
editor  of  "The  Chicago  Evening  Journal,"  later 
becoming  agent  of  the  Associated  Press,  and,  in 
1857,  an  editorial  writer  on  "The  Chicago  Trib- 
une," during  a  part  of  the  war  acting  as  its 
Washington  correspondent.  He  also  served,  in 
1856,  as  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Kansas 
National  Committee,  and,  later,  as  Secretary  of 
the  Republican  State  Central  Committee.  In 
1864  he  purchased  an  interest  in  "The  Tribune," 
a  year  or  so  later  becoming  editor-in-chief,  but 
retired  in  October,  1874.  After  a  protracted 
European  tour,  he  united  with  Carl  Schurz  and 
E.  L.  Godkin  of  "The  Nation,"  in  the  purchase 
and  reorganization  of  "The  New  York  Evening 
Post,"  of  which  he  is  now  editor-in-chief. 

WHITE,  JiiHus,  soldier,  was  born  in  Cazen- 
ovia,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  29,  1816;  removed  to  Illinois 
in  1836,  residing  there  and  in  Wisconsin,  where 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature  of  1849 ;  in 
1861  was  made  Collector  of  Customs  at  Chicago, 
but  resigned  to  assume  the  colonelcy  of  the 
Thirty-seventh  Illinois  Volunteers,  which  he 
commanded  on  the  Fremont  expedition  to  South- 
west Missouri.  He  afterwards  served  with  Gen- 
eral Curtiss  in  Arkansas,  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Pea  Ridge  and  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  Brigadier-General.  He  was  subsequently 
assigned  to  the  Department  of  the  Shenandoah, 
but  finding  his  position  at  Martinsburg,  W.  Va., 
untenable,  retired  to  Harper's  Ferry,  voluntarily 
serving  under  Colonel  Miles,  his  inferior  in  com- 
mand. When  this  post  was  surrendered  (Sept. 
15,  1863),  he  was  made  a  prisoner,  but  released 
under  parole;  was  tried  by  a  court  of  inquiry  at 
his  own  request,  and  acquitted,  the  court  finding 
that  he  had  acted  with  courage  and  capability 


C8G 


IIISTOPilCAL   E^•CYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


lie  resigned  in  1801.  anJ,  in  Marcli.  186.»,  \v:is 
brevetteil  Major-CJeneial  of  Volunteers.  Died, 
at  Kvaiiston,  Jlay  Vi,  ISIIO. 

WHITE  COINTY,  .situated  in  the  southeastern 
quarter  of  the  State,  and  bounded  on  the  eiist  by 
the  Wabash  River;  was  organized  in  1810.  being 
the  tenth  county  orgjinized  during  the  Territorial 
period:  area.  500  sijuare  miles.  The  county  is 
crossed  by  three  railroads  and  drained  by  the 
Wabash  and  Little  Wabiish  Rivers.  The  surface 
consists  of  prairie  and  \vo<idland.  and  the  soil  is, 
for  the  most  part.  lii;,'lily  jiroductive.  The  princi- 
pal agricultural  i)roducts  are  corn,  wheat,  oats, 
potatoes,  tobacco,  fruit,  butter,  sorglium  and 
wool.  The  principal  industrial  establishments 
are  carriage  factories,  saw  mills  and  Hour  mills. 
Carmi  is  the  county-seat.  Other  towns  are  Kn- 
field,  Grayville  and  Norris  City.  Population 
(I.SOO),  •2r>,Q0ry,  (1900),  25,3S0;  (1910),  2,3,052. 

WHITEHALL,  a  city  in  Greene  County,  at  the 
intersection  of  the  Cliicago  &  Alton  and  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  '^uincy  Rjiilroads,  Go  miles 
north  of  St.  Louis  and  24  miles  south-.southwest 
of  Jacksonville;  in  rich  farming  region;  has 
stoneware  and  sewer-iiipe  fa<'tories.  foundry  and 
macliine  shop.  Hour  mill,  elevators,  wagon  shops. 
creamery,  water  system,  sanitarium,  heating, 
electric  light  and  power  system  nurseries  and 
fruit-supply  houses,  and  two  poultry  packing 
hou.ses;  also  lias  five  churches,  a  graded  school, 
two  banks  and  two  nowspaiwrs — one  issuing  daily 
edition.     Pop.  (1000),  2,0:«):  (10101,  2.S.")4. 

WHITEHOl'SE,  Henry  John,  Protestant  Epis 
copal  liishoi),  was  burn  in  New  York  City.  August 
19,  IWKi;  graiUiated  from  C'idumbi.a  L'ollege  in 
1821,  and  from  the  (New  York)  General  Theolog- 
ical Seminary  in  1824.  After  ordination  he  was 
rector  of  various  parishes  in  Pennsylvania  and 
New  Y'ork  until  18,">1,  when  he  was  i-hosen  Assist- 
ant Bishop  of  Illinois,  succeeding  Bishop  Cha,se 
in  18.")2.  In  1807,  bj-  invitation  of  the  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury,  he  delivered  the  opening  sermon 
before  the  Pan-Anglican  Conference  held  in 
England.  During  this  visit  he  received  the 
degree  of  D.  D.  from  Oxford  University,  and  that 
of  LL.D.  from  Cambridge.  His  rigid  views  as  a 
churchman  an<l  a  disciplinarian,  were  illu.'itrateil 
in  his  prosecution  of  Rev.  Charles  Edward 
Cheney,  which  resulted  in  the  formation  of  the 
Reformed  Episcopal  Church.  He  wius  a  brilliant 
orator  and  a  trenchant  and  unyielding  controver- 
sialist.    Died,  in  Chicago.  August  10,  1874. 

WHITESinr,  COINTY,  in  the  northwestern 
portion  of  the  Slate  bordering  on  the  Mississippi 
River;  created  bj-  act  of  the  Legislature  jMissed  in 


1830.  and  named  for  Capt.  Samuel  White-side,  a 
noted  Indian  tigliter;  area. 070  si|U;ire  miles.     Tlie 
surface  is  level,  diversified  by  prairies  and  wood- 
land,   and    the    soil    is   extremely    fertile.     The 
county-.seat  wiis  first  fixed  at  Lyndon,  then  at 
Sterling,    and    finally   at    Morrison,    its    present 
location.     The   Rock   River    crosses  the  county 
and  furnishes  abundant  water  power  for  numer- 
ous factories,   turning    out   agricultural    imple- 
ments, carriages  and  wagons,  furniture,  woolen 
goods,  flour  and  wrai)i)ing  paper.     There  are  also 
distilling  ami  brewing  interests,  besides  saw  and 
planing  mills.     Corn   is    the  staple    agricultural 
product,    althougli     all    the  leading  cereals  are 
extensively    grown.     Tlie    principal    towns    are 
Morrison,  Sterling,  Fulton  and  Hock  Falls.  Popu- 
lation (l.SOO).  30..S.VI;  (1900),  31.710;  (1910),  34..507. 
WHITKSIDE,  Hilliaiu,  pioneer  and  soldier  of 
the  Kevolution,  eniigrateil  from  the  frontier  of 
North  Carolina  to  Kentucky,  and  thence,  in  1793, 
to  tlie   present   limits  of    Monrce   County,    111., 
erecting  a  fort  between  Cahokia  and  Kaskaskia, 
which    became    widely    known    as    "AVhiteside 
Station."     He  served  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and  was  active  in  organizing  the  militia  during 
the  War  of  1812-14.  ilying  at  the  old  Station  in 
181,").— John  (Whiteside),  a  brother  of  the  preced- 
ing, and  .also  a  Revolutionary  soldier,   came  to 
Illinois  at  the  same  time,  as  also  did  William  B, 
anJ  Samuel,  sons  of   the    two  brothers,   respec- 
tively.    All  of  them  Iwcame  famous  as  Indian 
fighters.     The  two  latter  served  as  Captains  of 
companies  of   "Rangers"    in   the   War  of   1812, 
Samuel  taking  jiart  in  the  battle  of  Rock  Island 
in  1814.  and  contributing  greatly  to  tlie  success 
of  the  day.     During  the  Black  Ilawk  War  (1832) 
he    attained     the    rank     of     Brigadier  Cieneral. 
Whiteside  County  was  named  in  his  honor.     He 
made  one  of  the  earliest  improvements  in  Ridge 
Prairie,  a  rich  section  of  Madison  County,  and 
represented  that  county  in    the    First    General 
Assembly.     William  B.  served  as  Sheriff  of  Madi- 
son County  for  a  number  of  years.  —  John  I). 
(Whiteside),    another   member  of    this   historic 
family,  became  very  prominent,   .serving  in  the 
lower  House  of  the  Seventh,  Eighth,  Ninth  and 
Fouiteenth  General  As.seniblies,  and  in  the  Sen- 
ate of  the  Tenth,   from  Jlonroe  County;   was  a 
Presidential    Elector    in     1830,    State    Treasurer 
(1837-411  and  a    member  of  the  State  Constitu- 
tional Convention  of  1847.    General  Whiteside,  as 
he  was  known,  w;us  the  second  of  James  Shields 
in  the  famous  Shields  and  Lincoln  duel  (so-called) 
in  1.S42.  and.  as  such,  c^irried  the  challenge  of  the 
former  to  Mr.  Lincoln.     (See  Duels.) 


HISTOEICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


587 


WHITING,  Lorenzo  D.,  legislator,  was  born 
in  Wayne  County,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  17,  1819;  came  to 
Illinois  in  1838,  but  did  not  settle  there  perma- 
nently until  1849,  when  he  located  in  Bureau 
County.  He  was  a  Representative  from  that 
county  in  the  Twenty-si.xth  General  Assembly 
(1869),  and  a  member  of  the  Senate  continuously 
from  1871  to  1887,  serving  in  the  latter  through 
eight  General  Assemblies.  Died  at  his  home 
near  Tiskilwa,  Bureau  County,  111.,  Oct.  10, 
1889. 

WHITING,  Richard  H.,  Congressman,  was 
born  at  West  Hartford,  Conn.,  June  17,  1826,  and 
received  a  common  school  education.  In  1862  he 
was  commissioned  Paymaster  in  the  Volunteer 
Army  of  the  Union,  and  resigned  in  1866.  Hav- 
ing removed  to  Illinois,  he  was  appointed  Assist- 
ant Assessor  of  Internal  Revenue  for  the  Fifth 
Illinois  District,  in  February,  1870,  and  so  contin- 
ued until  the  abolition  of  the  office  in  1873.  On 
retiring  from  the  Assessorship  he  was  appointed 
Collector  of  Internal  Revenue,  and  served  until 
March  4,  1875,  when  he  resigned  to  take  his  seat 
as  Republican  Representative  in  Congress  from 
the  Peoria  District,  to  which  he  had  been  elected 
in  November,  1874.  After  the  expiration  of  his 
terni  he  held  no  public  office,  but  was  a  member 
of  the  Republican  National  Convention  of  1884. 
Died,  at  the  Continental  Hotel,  in  New  York 
City,  May  34,  1888. 

WHITNEY,  James  W.,  pioneer  lawyer  and 
early  teacher,  known  by  the  nickname  of  "Lord 
Coke";  came  to  Illinois  in  Territorial  days  (be- 
lieved to  have  been  about  1800) ;  resided  for  some 
time  at  or  near  Edwardsville,  then  became  a 
teacher  at  Atlas,  Pike  County,  and,  still  later,  the 
first  Circuit  and  County  Clerk  of  that  county. 
Though  nominally  a  lawyer,  he  had  little  if  any 
practice.  He  acquired  the  title,  by  which  he  was 
popularly  known  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  by 
his  custom  of  visiting  the  State  Capital,  during 
the  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly,  when 
he  would  organize  the  lobbyists  and  visit- 
ors about  the  capital — of  which  there  were  an 
unusual  number  in  those  days — into  what  was 
called  the  "Third  House."  Having  been  regu- 
larly chosen  to  preside  under  the  name  of 
"Speaker  of  the  Lobby,"  he  would  deliver  a  mes- 
sage full  of  practical  hits  and  jokes,  aimed  at 
members  of  the  two  houses  and  others,  which 
would  be  received  with  cheers  and  laughter. 
The  meetings  of  the  "Third  House,"  being  held 
in  the  evening,  were  attended  ))y  many  members 
and  visitors  in  lieu  of  other  forms  of  entertain- 
ment.    Mr.  Whitney's  home,  in  his  latter  years, 


was  at  Pittsfield.  He  resided  for  a  time  at 
Quincy.     Died,  Dec.  1.3,  1860,  aged  over  80  years. 

WHITTEMORE,  Floyd  K.,  State  Treasurer,  is 
a  native  of  New  York,  came  at  an  earlj'  age,  with 
his  parents,  to  Sycamore.  111.,  where  he  was  edu- 
cated in  the  high  school  there.  He  purposed 
becoming  a  lawyer,  but.  on  the  election  of  the 
late  James  H.  Beveridge  State  Treasurer,  in  1864, 
accepted  the  position  of  clerk  in  the  office. 
Later,  he  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  banking 
house  of  Jacob  Bunn  in  .Springfield,  and,  on  the 
organization  of  the  State  National  Bank,  was 
chosen  cashier  of  that  Institution,  ret3,ining  the 
position  some  twenty  years.  After  the  appoint- 
ment of  Hon.  John  R.  Tanner  to  the  position  of 
Assistant  Treasurer  of  the  United  States,  at  Chi- 
cago, in  1893,  Mr.  Whittemore  became  cashier  in 
that  office,  and,  in  186,5,  Assistant  State  Treas- 
rure  under  the  administration  of  State  Treasurer 
Henry  Wulff.  In  1898  he  was  elected  State 
Treasurer,  receiving  a  plurality  of  43,450  over 
his  Democratic  opponent.    Died  March  4,  1907. 

WICKERSHAM,  (Col.)  Dudley,  soldier  and 
merchant,  was  born  in  Woodford  County,  Ky., 
Nov.  33,  1819;  came  to  Springfield,  111.,  in  1843, 
and  served  as  a  member  of  the  Fourth  Regiment 
Illinois  Volimteers  (Col.  E.  D.  Baker's)  through 
the  Mexican  War.  On  the  return  of  peace  he 
engaged  in  the  drj'-goods  trade  in  Springfield, 
until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Tenth  Regi- 
ment Illinois  Cavalry,  serving,  first  as  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  and  then  as  Colonel,  until  May,  1864, 
when,  his  regiment  having  been  consolidated 
with  the  Fifteenth  Cavahy,  he  resigned.  After 
the  war,  he  held  the  office  of  Assessor  of  Internal 
Revenue  for  several  j'ears,  after  wliich  he  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  trade.  Died,  in  Springfield, 
August  8,  1898. 

WIDEN,  Raphael,  pioneer  and  early  legislator, 
was  a  native  of  Sweden,  who,  having  been  taken 
to  France  at  eight  years  of  age,  was  educated  for 
a  Catholic  priest.  Coming  to  the  United  States 
in  1815,  he  was  at  Cahokia,  III.  in  1818,  where, 
during  the  same  year,  he  married  into  a  French 
family  of  that  place.  He  served  in  the  Hoase  of 
Representatives  from  Randolph  County,  in  the 
Second  and  Third  General  Assemblies  (1830-24), 
and  as  Senator  in  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  (1834-38). 
During  his  last  term  in  the  House,  he  was  one  of 
those  who  voted  against  the  pro-slavery  Con- 
vention resolution.  He  died  of  cholera,  at  Kas- 
kaskia,  in  1833. 

WIKE,  Scott,  lawyer  and  ex-Congressman,  was 
born  at  Meadville,  Pa.,  April  6,  1834;  at  4  years 
of  age  removed  with  his  parents  to  Quinej',  111., 


588 


IIISTOKICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


anil,  in  ISW.  to  Pike  County.  Having  Krailuateil 
from  LoniUird  University.  Ualesburg,  in  IS.JT,  he 
began  reading  law  with  Judge  O.  C.  Skinner  of 
Quincy.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1858, 
but.  before  commencing  practice,  spent  a  year  at 
Harvard  Law  School,  gi-aduatiug  there  in  18.59. 
Immediately  thereafter  he  opened  an  office  at 
Pittsfield,  111.,  and  has  resided  there  ever  since. 
In  politics  lie  lias  always  been  a  strong  Democrat. 
He  .served  two  terms  in  the  Legislature  (18G3-6T) 
and,  in  1874.  was  chosen  Representative  from  his 
District  in  Congress,  being  re-elected  inl8S8and, 
again,  in  18!)0.  In  1893  he  was  ajipointed  by 
President  Cleveland  Tliinl  Assistant  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury,  which  position  he  continued 
to  fill  until  Marcli,  1897,  wlien  he  resumed  the 
practice  of  law  at  Pittsfield.     Died  Jan.  1.",  1901 

WILEY,  (Col.)  ISenjaniiii  Ladd,  soldier,  was 
born  in  Smithlield,  JelTerson  County,  Ohio, 
March  2~>.  1821.  came  to  Illinois  in  184.5  and  began 
life  at  Vienna,  Johnson  County,  as  a  teacher. 
In  184G  he  enlisted  for  the  Mexican  War,  as  a 
member  of  the  Fifth  (Colonel  Xewby's)  Regiment 
Illinois  Volunteers,  serving  chiefly  in  Xew 
Mexico  until  mustered  out  in  1848.  A  year  later 
he  removed  to  Jonesboro,  where  he  spent  some 
time  at  the  cari)enter"s  trade,  after  which  he 
became  clerk  in  a  store,  meanwhile  assisting  to 
edit  "The  Jonesboro  Gazette"  until  IS.").");  then 
became  traveling  salesman  for  a  St.  Louis  firm, 
but  later  engaged  in  the  hardware  trade  at 
Jonesboro,  in  which  he  continued  for  several 
years.  In  18.50  he  was  the  Republican  candidate 
for  Congre.ss  for  the  Ninth  District,  receiving 
4,000  votes,  while  Fremont,  the  Republican  can- 
didate for  President,  received  only  825  in  the 
same  district.  In  1857  he  opened  a  real  estate 
office  in  Jonesboro  in  conjunction  with  David  L. 
Phillips  and  Col.  J.  W.  Ashley,  with  which  he 
was  connected  until  1800.  when  he  removeil  to 
Makanda,  Jackson  County.  In  September,  180 1, 
he  was  mustered  in  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 
Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry,  later  .serving  in  Missouri 
and  Arkansiis  under  Generals  Steele  and  Curtiss. 
being,  a  part  of  the  time,  in  conimandof  the  First 
Brigade  of  Cavalry,  and.  in  the  advance  on  Vicks- 
burg,  having  commaml  of  tlie  right  wing  of 
General  Gnint's  cavalry.  Being  disabled  by 
rheumatism  at  the  end  of  the  siege,  he  tendered 
liis  resignation,  and  was  immediately  appointed 
Enrolling  Officer  at  Cairo,  serving  in  this  capac- 
ity until  May,  1805,  when  he  was  mustered  out. 
In  1809  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Palmer 
one  of  the  Commissioners  to  locate  the  Southern 
Illinois  Ho.spital  for  the  Insiine.   and  served  as 


Secretary  of  the  Board  until  the  institution  vras 
opened  at  Anna,  in  May,  1871.  In  1.S09  he  was 
defeated  as  a  candidate  for  County  Judge  of 
Jackson  County,  and,  in  1872,  for  the  State  Sen- 
ate, by  a  small  majority  in  a  strongl3'  Democratic 
District;  in  1870  was  the  Republican  candidate 
for  Congress,  in  the  Eighteenth  District,  against 
William  Hartzell,  but  was  defeated  by  only 
twenty  votes,  while  carrying  six  out  of  the  ten 
counties  comprising  the  District.  In  the  latter 
years  of  his  life.  Colonel  Wiley  was  engaged  quite 
extensively  in  fruit-growing  at  Makanda,  Jack- 
son County,  where  he  died.  March  22,  1890. 

WILKIF,  Franc  ISanurs,  journalist,  was  born 
in  Saratoga  (.'ounty,  N.  Y..  July  2,  1830;  took  a 
I)artial  course  at  Union  College,  after  which  he 
edited  papers  at  Scbenectadj-,  N.  Y.,  Elgin,  111., 
and  Davenport  and  Dubuque.  Iowa;  also  serving, 
during  a  part  of  the  Civil  War,  as  the  western 
war  correspondent  of  "The  New  York  Times." 
In  1803  he  became  an  editorial  writer  on  "The 
Chicago  Times."  remaining  with  that  paper, 
with  the  exception  of  a  brief  interval,  until  1888 
— a  part  of  the  time  as  its  European  correspond- 
ent. He  was  the  author  of  a  series  of  sketches 
over  the  uom  de  plume  of  "Poliuto,"  and  of  a 
volume  of  reminiscences  under  the  title, 
"Thirty-five  Years  of  Journalism,"  published 
shortly  before  his  death,  which  took  place,  April 
12..1S92. 

WIIiKiX,  Jac(il)  W.,  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  wivs  liorn  in  Lickiug  County.  Ohio,  June 
7,  1837;  removed  with  his  parents  to  Illinois,  at 
12  years  of  age,  and  was  educated  at  McKendree 
College;  served  three  years  in  tlie  War  for  the 
Union ;  studied  law  witli  Judge  Scholfield  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1800.  In  1872,  he  was 
chosen  Presidential  Elector  on  the  Republican 
ticket,  and.  in  1879,  elected  Judge  of  the  Circuit 
Court  and  re-elected  in  1885 — the  latter  year 
being  assigned  to  the  Appellate  bench  for  the 
Fourth  District,  where  he  remained  until  his 
election  to  the  Supreme  bench  in  18S8,  being 
re-elected  to  the  latter  office  in  l.'<97.  His  home 
was  at  I):iiivilU\      Hied  April  3,  1007. 

WII.KIXSOX,  Ira  0.,  lawyer  and  Judge,  was 
born  in  Virginia  in  1822,  and  accompanied  his 
father  to  Jacksonville  (1835),  where  he  was  edu- 
cateil.  During  a  short  .service  as  Deputy  Clerk  of 
Morgan  County,  he  conceived  a  fondness  for  the 
l>rofession  of  the  law,  and.  after  a  cour.se  of  study 
under  Judge  William  Thomas,  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  1847.  Richard  Yates  (afterwards  Gov- 
ernor and  Senator*  was  his  first  partner.  In  1845 
he  removed  to  Rock  Island,  and,  six  years  laier, 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


68& 


was  elected  a  Circuit  Judge,  being  again  closen 
to  the  sauie  position  in  1861.  At  the  expiration 
of  his  second  term  he  removed  to  Chicago. 
Died,  at  Jacksonville,  August  24,  1894. 

WILKINSON,  John  P.,  early  merchant,  was 
born,  Dec.  14,  1790,  in  New  Kent  County,  Va., 
emigrated  fir.st  to  Kentucky,  and,  in  1828,  .settled 
in  Jacksonville,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile business.  Mr.  Wilkinson  was  a  liberal 
friend  of  Illinois  College  and  Jacksonville  Female 
Academy,  of  each  of  which  he  was  a  Trustee 
from  their  origin  until  his  death,  which  occurred, 
during  a  business  visit  to  St.  Louis,  in  December, 
1841. 

WILL,  Conrad,  pioneer  physician  and  early 
legislator,  was  born  in  Philadeli^hia,  June  4,  1TT8; 
about  1804  removed  to  Somerset  County  Pa.,  and, 
in  1813,  to  Kaskaskia.  111.  He  was  a  physician 
by  profession,  but  having  leased  the  saline  lands 
on  the  Big  Muddy,  in  the  vicinity  of  what  after- 
wards became  the  town  of  Brownsville,  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  salt,  removing 
thither  in  1815,  and  becoming  one  of  the  founders 
of  Brownsville,  afterwards  the  first  county-seat 
of  Jackson  Count}-.  On  the  organization  of 
Jackson  County,  in  1816,  he  became  a  member  of 
the  first  Board  of  Count}'  Commissioners,  and,  in 
1818,  served  as  Delegate  from  that  county  in  the 
Convention  which  framed  the  first  State  Consti- 
tution. Thereafter  he  served  continuously  as  a 
member  of  the  Legislature  from  1818  to  '34 — first 
as  Senator  in  the  First  General  Assembly,  then 
as  Representative  in  the  Second,  Third,  Fourth 
and  Fifth,  and  again  as  Senator  in  the  Sixth, 
Seventh,  Eighth  and  Ninth — his  career  being 
conspicuous  for  long  service.  He  died  in  ofl3ce, 
June  11,  1834.  Dr.  Will  was  short  of  stature. 
fleshy,  of  jovial  disposition  and  fond  of  playing 
practical  jokes  upon  his  associates,  but  very 
popular,  as  shown  by  his  successive  elections  to 
the  Legislature.  He  has  been  called  "The  Father 
of  Jackson  County."  Will  County,  organized  by 
act  of  the  Legislature  two  years  after  his  death, 
was  named  in  his  honor. 

WILL  COUNTY,  a  northeastern  county,  em- 
bracing 800  square  miles,  named  in  honor  of  Dr. 
Conrad  Will,  an  early  politician  and  legislator. 
Early  explorations  of  the  territory  were  made 
in  1829,  when  white  settlers  were  few.  The  bluff 
west  of  Joliet  is  said  to  have  been  first  occupied 
by  David  and  Benjamin  Maggard.  Joseph 
Smith,  the  Mormon  "apostle,"  expounded  his 
peculiar  doctrines  at  "the  Point"  in  1831.  Sev- 
eral of  the  early  settlers  fled  from  the  country 
during   (or  after)   a    raid  by   the   Sao   Indians. 


There  is  a  legend,  seemingly  well  supported,  to 
the  effect  that  the  first  lumber,  sawed  to  build 
the  first  frame  house  in  Chicago  (that  of  P.  F.  W. 
Peck),  was  sawed  at  Plainfield.  Will  County, 
originally  a  part  of  Cook,  was  separately  erected 
in  1836,  Joliet  being  made  the  county-seat. 
Agriculture,  quarrying  and  manufacturing  are 
the  chief  indiLstries.  Joliet.  Lockport  and  Wil- 
mington are  the  principal  towns.  Population 
(1890),  62,007;  (1900),  74,764;  (1910),  84,371. 

WILLARD,  Frances  Elizabeth,  teacher  and 
reformer,  was  born  at  Churchville,  N.  Y.,  Sept. 
28,  1839,  graduated  from  the  Northwestern 
Female  College  at  Evanston,  111.,  in  18.')9,  and,  in 
1862,  accepted  the  Professorship  of  Natural 
Sciences  in  that  institution.  During  1866-67  she 
was  the  Principal  of  the  Genessee  Wesleyan 
.Seminary.  The  next  two  years  she  devoted  to 
travel  and  study  abroad,  meanwhile  contribut- 
ing to  various  periodicals.  From  1871  to  1874  slie 
was  Professor  of  ^-Esthetics  in  the  Northwestern 
University  and  dean  of  the  Woman's  College. 
She  was  always  an  enthusiastic  champion  of 
temperance,  and,  in  1874,  abandoned  her  profes- 
sion to  identify  herself  with  the  Woman's  Chris- 
tian Temperance  Union.  For  five  years  she  was 
Correspondmg  Secretary  of  the  national  body, 
and,  from  1879,  its  President.  While  Secretary 
she  organized  tlie  Home  Protective  Association, 
and  i^repared  a  petition  to  the  Illinois  Legislature, 
to  which  nearly  200,000  names  were  attached, 
asking  for  the  granting  to  women  of  the  right  to 
vote  on  the  license  question.  In  1878  she  suc- 
ceeded her  brother,  Oliver  A.  Willard  (who  had 
died),  as  editor  of  "The  Chicago  Evening  Post," 
but,  a  few  months  later,  withdrew,  and,  in  1882, 
was  elected  as  a  member  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  National  Prohibition  party.  In 
1886  she  became  leader  of  the  White  Cross  Move- 
ment for  the  protection  of  women,  and  succeeded 
in  securing  favorable  legislation,  in  this  direc- 
tion, in  twelve  States.  In  1883  she  founded  the 
World's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  and,  in 
1888,  was  chosen  its  President,  as  also  President 
of  tlie  International  Council  of  Women.  The 
latter  years  of  her  life  were  spent  chiefly  abroad, 
much  of  the  time  as  the  guest  and  co-worker  of 
Lady  Henry  Somerset,  of  England,  during  which 
she  devoted  much  attention  to  investigating  the 
condition  of  women  in  the  Orient.  Miss  Willard 
was  a  prolific  and  highly  valued  contributor  to 
the  magazines,  and  (besides  numerous  pamphlets) 
published  several  volumes,  including  "Nineteen 
Beautiful  Years"  (a  tribute  to  her  si.ster) ; 
"Woman  in  Temperance";  "How  to  Win,"  and 


690 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOrEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


"Woman  in  the  Pulpit."     Died,  in  New  York, 
Feb.  IS.  ISflH. 

WILL.VUI),  Samiu'l,  A.M.,  M.D.,  IX.I).,  phy- 
sician  ami   educator,    \v;us  born    in   Luneuberg, 
Vt.,  Dec.  30,  1821— the  lineal  descendant  of  Maj. 
Simon  Willard,  one  of  the  founders  of  Concord, 
Mas.s.,  and  i)rominent  in  "King  Pliilip's  War," 
and  of  his  son,  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Willard,  of  the 
Old  South  Church.  Boston,  and  seventh  President 
of  Harvard  College.     The  .subject  of  this  sketch 
was  taken  in  his  infancy  to  Boston,  and,  in  1831, 
to  CarroUton,  111.,  where  his  father  pursued  the 
avocation   of   a  druggist.     After  a   preparatory 
course  at  Shurtlelf  College,  Upper  Alton,  in  1836 
he  entered  the  freshman  class  in  Illinois  College 
at  Jacksonville,  but  withdrew  the  following  year, 
re-entering  college  in  lfS4()  and  graduating  in  the 
class  of  1843,  as  a  cla.ssmate  of  Dr.  Newton  Bate- 
man,  afterwards  State  Sn|)erintendent  of  Public 
Instruction  an<l  Pre.sident  of  Knox  College,  and 
Rev.  Thomas  K.   Beecher,  now  of  Elmira.  N.  Y. 
The  next  year  lie  spent  as  Tutor  in  Illinois  Col- 
lege, when  he  l>egan  tlie  study  of  medicine  at 
Quincy,  graduating  from  the  Medical  Department 
of  Illinois  College  in  1848.     During  a  part  of  the 
latter  year  he  edited  a  Free-Soil  campaign  paper 
("The  Tribune")   at  Quincy,  and,   later,    "The 
Western    Temperance    Magazine"  at   the  same 
place.     In  1849  lie  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  St.  Louis,  but  the  next  year  removed 
toCollinsville.  111.,  remaining  until  1S.")T,  when  he 
took  charge  of  the  Department  of  Languages  in 
the  newly  organized  State  Normal  University  at 
Normal.     The  secoml  year  of  the  Civil  War  (1862) 
he  enlisted  as  a   private  in  tlie  Ninety-seventh 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  but  was  soon  after 
commissioned  as  Surgeon  with  the  rank  of  Major, 
partici])ating  in  the  campaigns  in  Tennessee  and 
in  the  first  attack  upon  Vicksburg.     Being  dis- 
abled by  an  attack  of  i)aralysis,  in  February,  1863, 
he  was  compelled  to  resign,  when  he  had  suflici- 
ently  recovei;ed  accepting  a  jmsition  in  the  office 
of   Provost  Mai-shal  General   Oakes,    at  Spring- 
field, where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the 
war.     Me  then  became  Grand  Secretary  of  the 
Inde])endent  Order  of  Odd-Fellows  for  the  State 
of  Illinois— a  position  which  he  had  held  from 
1856  to  1863— remaining  under  his  second  appoint- 
ment from  1805  to  '69.     The  next  year  he  served 
as    Sujierintendent    of    Schools    at    Springfield, 
meanwhile  assisting  in  founding  the  Springfield 
public  library,  and  serving  as  its  first  librarian. 
In  ISTO  he  accepted  the  profc.s.sorship  of  History 
in    the    West    Side    High    School    of    Chicago, 
which,  with  the  exception  of  two  years  (1884-86), 


he  continued  to  occupy  for  more  than  twenty- 
five  years,  retiring  in  1898.  In  the  meiintime. 
Dr.  Willard  has  been  a  laborious  literary  worker, 
liaving  been,  for  a  considerable  period,  editor,  or 
assistant  editor,  of  "The  IlUnois  Teacher,"  a  con- 
tributor to  "The  Century  Magazine"  and  "The 
Dial"  of  Chicago,  besides  having  published  a 
"Digest  of  tlie  Laws  of  Odd  Fellowship"  in  six- 
teen volumes,  begun  while  he  was  Grand  Secre- 
tary of  the  Order  in  18C4,  and  continued  in  1873 
and  "82;  a  "Synopsis  of  History  and  Historical 
Chart,"  covering  the  period  from  B.  C.  800 
to  A.  D.  1876— of  which  he  has  had  a  second 
edition  in  course  of  preparation.  Of  late  years 
he  has  been  engaged  upon  a  "Historical  Diction- 
ary of  Names  and  Places,"  which  will  include 
some  12,000  topics,  and  which  promises  to  be  the 
most  important  work  of  his  life.  Previous  to  the 
war  he  was  an  avowed  Abolitionist  and  operator 
on  the  "L'nderground  Railroad,"  who  made  no 
concealment  of  his  opinions,  and,  on  one  or  two 
occasions,  was  called  to  answer  for  them  in 
prosecutions  under  the  "Fugitive  Slave  Act." 
(See  "  Underground  Railroad.")  His  friend 
and  classmate,  the  late  Dr.  Bateman,  says  of 
him;  "Dr.  Willard  is  a  sound  thinker;  a  clear 
and  forcible  writer;  of  broad  and  accurate 
scholarship;  conscientious,  genial  and  kindly, 
and  a  most  estimable  gentleman." 

WILLI.VMS,  Archilmld,  lawyer  and  JMrist, 
was  born  in  Moiitg(Jiiiery  County,  Ky.,  June  10, 
1801 ;  with  moderate  advantages  but  natural 
fondness  for  study,  he  chose  tlie  profession  of 
law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Tennessee 
in  1828,  coming  to  Quincy,  111.,  the  following 
year.  He  was  elected  to  the  General  Assembly 
three  times — serving  in  the  Senate  in  1832-36,  and 
in  the  Hou.se,  1830-40;  was  United  States  District 
Attorney  for  the  Southern  District  of  Illinois,  by 
appointment  of  President  Taylor,  1849,';3;  wa-s 
twice  the  candidate  of  his  party  (the  Whig)  for 
United  States  Senator,  and  ajjpointed  by  Presi- 
dent Lincoln,  in  1861.  United  States  District 
Juilge  for  the  State  of  Kansas.  His  abilities  and 
high  character  were  widely  recognized.  Died, 
in  Quincy.  Sept.  21,  1863— His  son,  John  H.,  an 
attorney  at  Quincy,  served  as  Judge  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  1879-85. — Another  son,  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, was  twice  elected  Attorney-General  of 
Kansas. 

WILLIAMS,  F,rastu8   Smith,  lawyer  and  ju 
rist,  was  Uirn  at  Salem,  N.  Y.,  May  22,  1821.     In 
1843  he  removed  to  Chicago,  where,  after  reading 
law.  he  W.1S  admitlL'<l  to  the  bar  in  1844.     In  1854 
he  was  appointed   Master    in  Chancery,   which 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


591 


office  he  filled  until  1863,  when  he  was  elected  a 
Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Cook  County. 
After  re-election  in  1870  he  became  Chief  Justice, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  heard  most  of  the  cases  on 
iihe  equity  side  of  the  court.  In  1879  he  was  a 
candidate  for  re-election  as  a  Republican,  but 
was  defeated  with  the  party  ticket.  After  his 
retirement  from  the  bench  he  resumed  private 
practice.     Died,  Feb.  34,  1884. 

WILLIAMS,  James  R.,  Congressman,  was 
born  in  White  County,  111.,  Dec.  27,  1850,  at  the 
age  of  25  graduated  from  the  Indiana  State  Uni- 
versity, at  Bloomington,  and,  in  1876,  from  the 
Union  College  of  Law,  Chicago,  since  then  being 
an  active  and  successful  practitioner  at  Carmi. 
In  1880  be  was  appointed  Master  in  Chancery  and 
served  two  years.  From  1882  to  1886  he  was 
County  Judge.  In  1892  he  was  a  nominee  on 
the  Democratic  ticket  for  Presidential  Elector. 
He  was  elected  to  represent  the  Nineteenth  Illi- 
nois District  in  the  Fifty-first  Congress  at  a 
special  election  held  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned 
by  the  death  of  R.  W.  Townshend,  was  re-elected 
in  1890  and  1892,  but  defeated  by  Orlando  Burrell 
(Republican)  for  re-election  in  the  newly  organ- 
ized Twentieth  District  in  1894.  In  1898  he  was 
again  a  candidate  and  elected  to  the  Fifty  sixth 
Congress. 

WILLI.i3IS,  John,  pioneer  merchant,  was 
born  in  Bath  County,  Ky.,  Sept.  11,  1808;  be- 
tween 14  and  16  years  of  age  was  clerk  in  a  store 
in  his  native  State;  then,  joining  his  parents, 
who  had  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  in  a  part  of 
Sangamon  (now  Menard)  County,  111.,  he  found 
employment  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  Slajor  Elijah 
lies,  at  Springfield,  whom  he  succeeded  in  busi- 
ness at  the  age  of  22,  continuing  it  without  inter- 
ruption until  1880.  In  1856  Mr.  Williams  was 
the  Republican  candidate  for  Congress  in  the 
Springfield  District,  and,  in  1861,  was  appointed 
Commissary-General  for  the  State,  rendering 
valuable  service  in  furnishing  supplies  for  State 
.troops,  in  camps  of  instruction  and  while  proceed- 
ing to  the  field,  in  the  first  years  of  the  war ;  was 
also  chief  ofiicer  of  the  Illinois  Sanitary  Commis- 
sion for  two  years,  and,  as  one  of  the  intimate 
personal  friends  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  was  chosen  to 
accompany  the  remains  of  tlae  martyred  President, 
from  Washington  to  Springfield,  for  burial. 
Liberal,  entei-prising  and  public-spirited,  his  name 
was  associated  with  nearly  every  public  enter- 
prise of  importance  in  Springfield  during  his 
business  career — being  one  of  tlie  founders,  and, 
for  eleven  years  President,  of  the  First  National 
Bank;  a  chief  promoter  in  the  construction  of 


what  is  now  the  Springfield  Division  of  the  Illi- 
nois Central  Railroad,  and  the  Springfield  and 
Peoria  line;  a  Director  of  the  Springfield  Iron 
Company ;  one  of  the  Commissioners  who  con- 
structed the  Springfield  water-works,  and  an 
oflScer  of  the  Lincoln  Monument  Association, 
from  1865  to  his  death,  May  29,  1890. 

WILLIAMS,  >'oriiian,  lawyer,  was  born  at 
AVoodstock,  Vt.,  Feb.  1,  1833,  being  related,  on 
both  the  paternal  and  maternal  sides,  to  some  of 
the  most  prominent  families  of  New  England. 
He  fitted  for  college  at  Union  Academy,  Meriden, 
and  graduated  from  the  University  of  Vermont 
in  the  class  of  18.55.  After  taking  a  course  in 
the  Albany  Law  School  and  with  a  law  firm  in 
his  native  town,  he  was  admitted  to  practice  in 
both  New  York  and  Vermont,  removed  to  Chi- 
cago in  18.58,  and,  in  1860,  became  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  King,  Kales  &  Williams,  still  later 
forming  a  partnership  witli  Gea.  John  L.  Thomp- 
son, which  ended  with  the  death  of  the  latter  in 
1888.  In  a  professional  capacity  he  assisted  in 
the  organization  of  the  Pullman  Palace  Car  Com- 
pany, and  was  a  member  of  its  Board  of  Directors ; 
also  assisted  in  organizing  the  Western  Electric 
Company,  and  was  prominenth'  identified  with 
the  Chicago  Telephone  Company  and  the  Western 
Union  Telegraph  Company.  In  1881  he  served  as 
the  United  States  Commissioner  to  the  Electrical 
Exposition  at  Paris.  In  conjunction  with  his 
brother  (Edward  H.  W^illiams)  he  assisted  in 
founding  the  public  library  at  Woodstock,  Vt., 
which,  in  honor  of  his  father,  received  the  name 
of  "The  Norman  Williams  Public  Library." 
With  Col.  Huntington  W.  Jackson  and  J.  Mc- 
Gregor Adams,  Mr.  Williams  was  named,  in  the 
will  of  the  late  John  Crerar,  as  an  executor  of  the 
Crerar  estate  and  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the 
Crerar  Public  Library,  and  became  its  first  Presi- 
dent; was  also  a  Director  of  the  Chicago  Pub- 
lic Library,  and  trustee  of  a  number  of  large 
estates.  Mr.  Williams  was  a  son-in-law  of  the 
late  Judge  John  D.  Caton.  and  his  oldest  daughter 
became  the  wife  of  Major-General  Wesley  Mer- 
ritt.  a  few  months  before  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred at  Hampton  Beach.  N.  H.,  Juue  19,  1899 
— his  remains  being  interred  in  his  native  town 
of  Woodstock,  Vt. 

WILLI.\MS,  Robert  Ebenezer,  lawyer,  born 
Dec.  3,  1825.  at  Clarksville,  Pa.,  his  grandfathers 
on  both  sides  being  soldiers  of  the  Revolutionary 
War.  In  1830  his  parents  removed  to  Washing- 
ton in  the  same  State,  where  in  boyhood  he 
worked  as  a  mechanic  in  his  father's  shop, 
attending  a  common  school  in  the  is  inter  until 


M% 


III.STOUK'AL    P:XCVCL0I'EDIA    of    ILLINOIS. 


he  reached  the  ap;e  of  17  years,  when  he  entered 
AV;ushin};ton  College,  remiiining  for  more  than  a 
year.  He  tlien  l)e>r<in  teaching,  and.  in  1845 
went  to  Kentucky,  where  he  pursued  the  business 
of  a  teacher  for  four  years.  Then  he  entered 
Bethany  College  in  West  Virginia,  at  the  same 
time  prosecuting  his  law  studie.s,  but  left  at  the 
close  of  his  junior  year,  when,  having  been 
licensed  to  practice,  he  removed  to  Clinton, 
Texas.  Here  he  accepted,  from  a  retired  lawyer, 
the  loan  of  a  law  library,  wliich  he  afterwards 
purchased ;  served  for  two  years  as  State's  Attor- 
ney, and.  in  IS.JC,  came  to  Blooniington.  111., 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  tlie 
practice  of  his  prt>fession.  Much  of  his  time  was 
devoted  to  practice  as  a  railroad  attorney,  espe- 
cially in  connection  with  the  Chicago  &  Alton  and 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroads,  in  which  he 
acquired  prominence  and  wealtli.  He  was  a  life- 
long Democrat  and,  in  lyGS,  was  the  unsuccessful 
candidate  of  his  i)arty  for  Attornej--Cieneral  of 
the  Stivte.  The  last  tliree  years  of  his  life  he  liad 
been  in  bad  health,  dying  at  Bloomington,  Feb. 
l.j.  1899. 

WILLI.VMS,  Samuel,  Bank  President,  was  born 
in  Adams  I'ciuiity,  Oluo.  July  11,  1820;  came  to 
Wiuueliago  County,  111.,  in  1835,  and,  in  1842, 
removed  to  Iroquois  Count}',  where  lie  held  vari- 
ous local  offices,  including  that  of  County  Judge, 
to  wliich  he  was  elected  in  1861.  During  his 
later  years  lie  liad  been  President  of  the  Watseka 
Citizens"  Bank.     Died.  June  V>.  1896. 

WILLIAMSON,  KoUin  Samuel,  legislator  and 
jurist,  was  born  at  Cornwall,  Vt..  Maj-  23.  1839. 
At  the  age  of  14  he  went  to  Boston,  where  lie 
began  life  as  a  telegrapli  mes,senger  boy.  In 
two  years  he  had  become  a  skillful  operator,  and, 
as  such,  was  employed  in  various  offices  in  New 
England  and  New  York.  In  1857  he  came  to 
Chicago  seeking  emploj'ment  and,  through  the 
fortunate  correction  of  an  error  on  the  part  of 
the  receiver  of  a  message,  secured  the  position  of 
ojierator  and  .station  agent  at  Palatine,  Cook 
County.  Here  he  read  law  during  his  leisure 
time  without  a  preceptor,  and,  in  1870.  was 
ailmitted  to  the  Uir.  The  same  year  he  was 
elected  to  the  lower  House  of  the  General 
Assembly  and,  in  1872,  to  tlie  Senate.  In  1880  he 
was  elected  to  the  bench  of  the  Superior  Court  of 
Cook  County,  and,  in  1887,  was  chosen  a  Judge 
of  the  Cook  County  Circuit  Court.  Died,  Au- 
gust 10.  1889. 

WILLIAMSON  COUNTT,  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  State,  originally  set  off  from  Franklin  and 
organized  in  1839.     The  county  is  well  watered, 


the  principal  streams  being  the  Big  Muddy  and 
the  Soutli  Fork  of  the  Saline.  The  surface  is 
undulating  and  the  soil  fertile.  The  region  was 
originally  well  covered  with  forests.  All  the 
cereals  (as  well  as  potatoes)  are  cultivated,  and 
ricli  meadows  encourage  stock-raising.  Coal  and 
sandstone  underlie  the  entire  county.  Area,  440 
square  miles;  population  (1880).  19,324:  (1890) 
22,220;  (1900),  27.700;  (1010),  45.098. 

T>'ILLI.VMSVILLE,  village  of  Sangamon  Coun- 
ty, on  Chicago  &  .\lton  Railroad.  12  niilos  north 
of  Siiringfu'ld;  has  a  bank,  elevator.  3  churches,  a 
new.-spapor  and  coal-minos.    Pop.  (1910),  000. 

WILLIS,  Jonathan  Clay,  soldier  and  former 
Railroad  and  Warehouse  Commissioner,  wa.s  born 
in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  June  27,  1826;  brought 
to  Gallatin  Countj-,  111.,  in  1834,  and  settled  at 
Golconda  in  1843;  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Pope 
County  in  1856,  removed  to  Metropolis  in  1859, 
and  engaged  in  the  wharf-boat  and  commission 
business.  He  entered  the  service  as  Quarter- 
master of  the  Forty -eighth  Illinois  Volunteers  in 
18G1,  but  was  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of 
injuries,  in  1863;  was  elected  Representative  i" 
the  Twenty-sixth  General  Assembly  (1808), 
appointed  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  in  1869, 
and  Railway  and  Warehouse  Commissioner  in 
1892.  as  tlie  successor  of  John  R.  Tanner,  serving 
until  1893. 

WILMETTE,  a  village  in  Cook  County,  14  miles 
north  of  Chicago,  on  the  Chicago  it  Northwestern 
Railroad,  a  handsome  suburb  of  Chicago  on  the 
sliore  of  Lake  Michigan;  principal  streets  paved 
and  shaded  with  fine  forest  trees:  has  public 
library  and  good  schools.   Pop.  (1910).  4.943. 

WILMINGTON,  a  city  of  Will  County,  on  the 
Kankakee  River  and  the  Chicago  it  Alton  Rail- 
road, 53  miles  from  Chicago  and  15  south-south- 
west of  Joliet:  has  considerable  manufactures, 
two  National  banks,  a  graded  school,  churches 
and  one  newspaper.  Wilmington  is  the  location 
of  the  Illinois  Soldiers"  Widows'  Home.  Popu- 
lation (ISOO),  1..57r.;  (1000).  1,420;  (1010),  1,4.50. 

WILSON,  Charles  Lush,  journalist,  was  bom 
in  Fairfield  County,  Conn.,  Oct.  10,  1818,  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  and  at  an  academy 
in  his  native  State,  and,  in  1835,  removed  to  Chi- 
cago, entering  tlie  employment  of  his  older 
brothers,  who  were  connected  with  the  construc- 
tion of  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal  at  Joliet. 
His  brother,  Richard  L.,  having  assumed  charge 
of  "The  Chicago  Daily  Journal"'  (the  successor 
of  "The  Chicago  American"").  in|lS44,  Charles  L. 
took  a  jxisition  in  the  office,  ultimately  securing 
a  partnership,  which  continued  until  the  death 


HISTOEICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


593 


of  his  brother  in  1856,  when  he  succeeded  to  the 
ownership  of  the  paper.  Mr.  Wilson  was  an 
ardent  friend  and  supporter  of  Abraham  Lincoln 
for  the  United  States  Senate  in  1858,  but,  in  1860, 
favored  the  nomination  of  Mr.  Seward  for  the 
Presidency,  thougli  earnestly  supporting  Mr.  Lin- 
coln after  liis  nomination.  In  1861  he  was 
appointed  Secretary  of  the  American  Legation  at 
London,  serving  with  the  late  Minister  Charles 
Francis  Adams,  until  1864.  when  he  resigned  and 
resumed  his  connection  with  "The  Journal."'  In 
1875  his  health  began  to  fail,  and  three  years 
later,  having  gone  to  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  in  the 
hope  of  receiving  benefit  from  a  change  of  cli- 
mate, he  died  in  that  city,  March  9,  1878. — 
Richard  Lush  (Wilson),  an  older  brother  of  the 
preceding,  the  first  editor  and  publisher  of  "The 
Chicago  Evening  Journal,"  the  oldest  paper  of 
consecutive  publication  in  Chicago,  was  a  native 
of  New  York.  Coming  to  Chicago  with  his 
brother  John  L.,  in  1834,  they  soon  after  estab- 
lished themselves  in  business  on  the  Illinois  & 
Michigan  Canal,  then  in  course  of  construction. 
In  1844  he  took  charge  of  "The  Chicago  Daily 
Journal"  for  a  publishing  committee  wliich  Iiad 
purchased  tlie  material  of  "The  Chicago  Ameri- 
can," but  soon  after  became  principal  proprietor. 
In  April,  1847,  while  firing  a  salute  in  honor  of 
the  victory  of  Buena  Vista,  he  lost  an  arm  and 
was  otherwise  injured  by  the  explosion  of  the  can- 
non. Early  in  1849,  he  was  appointed,  by  Presi- 
dent Taylor,  Postmaster  of  the  city  of  Chicago, 
but,  having  failed  of  confirmation,  was  compelled 
to  retire  in  favor  of  a  successor  appointed  by 
Millard  Fillmore,  eleven  months  later.  Mr. 
Wilson  publislied  a  little  volume  in  184i  entitled 
"A  Trip  to  Santa  Fe,"  and,  a  few  years  later, 
a  story  of  travel  under  the  title,  "Short  Ravel- 
lings  from  a  Long  Yarn."  Died,  December,  18.j0. 
— John  Lush  (Wilson),  another  brother,  also  a 
native  of  New  York,  came  to  Illinois  in  1834,  was 
afterwards  associated  with  his  brothers  in  busi- 
ness, being  for  a  time  business  manager  of  "Tlie 
Chicago  Journal;"  also  served  one  term  as  Sher- 
iff of  Cook  County.  Died,  in  Chicago,  April  13, 
1888. 

AVILSON,  Isaac  Grant,  jurist,  was  born  at 
Middlebury,  N.  Y.,  April  26,  1817,  graduated 
from  Brown  University  in  1838,  and  the  same 
year  came  to  Chicago,  whither  his  father's 
family  had  preceded  liim  in  1835.  After  reading 
law  for  two  years,  he  entered  the  senior  class  at 
Cambridge  (Mass.)  Law  School,  graduating  in 
1841.  In  August  of  that  year  he  opened  an 
oflBce  at  Elgin,  and,  for  ten  years  "rode  the  cir- 


cuit." In  1851  he  was  elected  to  the  bench  of 
tlie  Thirteentli  Judicial  Circuit  to  fill  a  vacancy, 
and  re-elected  for  a  full  term  in  1855,  and  again 
in  '61.  In  November  of  the  latter  year  he  was 
commissioned  the  first  Colonel  of  the  Fifty- 
second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  but  resigned, 
a  few  weeks  later,  and  resumed  his  place  upon 
the  bench.  From  1867  to  1879  he  devoted  him- 
self to  private  practice,  which  was  largely  in 
the  Federal  Courts.  In  1879  he  resumed  his  seat 
upon  the  bench  (this  time  for  the  Twelfth  Cir- 
cuit), and  was  at  once  designated  as  one  of  the 
Judges  of  the  Appellate  Court  at  Chicago,  of 
which  tribunal  he  became  Chief  Ju.stice  in  1881. 
In  1885  he  was  re-elected  Circuit  Judge,  but  died, 
about  the  close  of  his  term,  at  Geneva,  June  8, 
1891. 

WILSON,  James  Grant,  soldier  and  author, 
was  born  at  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  April  28,  1833, 
and,  when  only  a  year  old,  was  brought  by  his 
father,  William  Wilson,  to  America.  The  family 
settled  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  where  James 
Grant  was  educated  at  College  Hill  and  under 
private  teachers.  After  finishing  his  studies  he 
became  his  father's  partner  in  business,  but,  in 
1855,  went  abroad,  and,  shortlj'  after  his  return, 
removed  to  Chicago,  where  he  founded  the  first 
literary  paper  established  in  the  Northwe.st.  At 
the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  he  disposed  of  his 
journal  to  enlist  in  the  Fifteenth  Illinois  Cavalry, 
of  which  he  was  commissioned  Major  and  after- 
wards promoted  to  the  colonelcy.  In  August, 
1863,  while  at  New  Orleans,  by  advice  of  General 
Grant,  he  accepted  a  commission  as  Colonel  of 
the  Fourth  Regiment  United  States  Colored 
Cavalry,  and  was  assigned,  as  Aid-de-camp,  to 
the  staff  of  the  Commander  of  the  Department  of 
the  Gulf,  filling  this  post  until  April,  1865. 
When  General  Banks  was  relieved.  Colonel  AVil- 
son  was  brevetted  Brigadier-General  and  placed 
in  command  at  Port  Hudson,  resigning  in  July, 
1865,  since  which  time  his  home  has  been  in  New 
York.  He  is  best  known  as  an  author,  having 
published  numerous  addresses,  and  being  a  fre- 
quent contributor  to  American  and  European 
magazines.  Among  larger  works  which  he  has 
written  or  edited  are  "Biographical  Sketches  of 
Illinois  Officers";  "Love  in  Letters";  "Life  of 
General  U.  S.  Grant";  "Life  and  Letters  of 
Fitz  Greene  Halleck";  "Poets  and  Poetry  o-f 
Scotland";  "Bryant  and  His  Friends",  and 
"Appleton's  Cyclopedia  of  American  Biography. " 

WILSOX,  James  Harrison,  soldier  and  mili- 
tary engineer,  was  born  near  Shawneetown,  111,, 
Sept.  3,  1837.     His  grandfather,  Alexander  WMI.- 


694 


HISTORICAL   EXCYCLOPEDTA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


son,  was  one  of  tlie  pioneers  of  Illinois,  and 
his  father  (Harrison  Wilson)  was  an  ensign  dur- 
ing the  War  of  1812  and  a  Captain  in  the  Black 
Hawk  War.  His  brother  (Bluford  Wilson) 
served  as  Assistant  Adjutant-Genei'al  of  Volun- 
teers during  the  Civil  War.  and  a.s  Solicitor  of  the 
United  States  Treasury  during  the  "whisky  ring" 
prosecutions.  James  H.  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools,  at  McKendree  College,  and 
the  United  States  Military  Academy  at  West 
Point,  graduating  from  the  latter  in  18G0,  and 
being  assigned  to  the  ToiHigrajihical  Engineer 
Corps.  In  September,  18G1,  he  w;vs  promoted  to 
a  First  Lieutenancy,  then  served  as  Chief  Topo- 
graphical Engineer  of  the  Port  Royal  expedition 
until  March,  1802;  was  afterwards  attached  to 
the  Department  of  the  South,  being  present  at 
the  bombardment  of  Fort  Pulaski;  was  Aid-de- 
camp to  McClellan,  and  participated  in  the  bat- 
tles of  South  Jiduutain  and  Antietam;  was  made 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  Volunteers  in  Noveml)er, 
1802;  was  Chief  Topographical  Engineer  and 
Inspector-(ieneral  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennes.see 
until  October.  1803,  being  actively  engaged  in 
the  operations  around  Vicksburg;  was  made 
Captain  of  Engineers  in  Slay,  18G3,  and  Brigadier- 
General  of  Volunteers,  Oct.  31,  following.  He 
also  conducted  operations  preliminary  to  the 
battle  of  Chattanooga  and  Missionary  Kidge.  and 
for  the  relief  of  Knoxville.  Later,  lie  was  placed 
in  command  <if  the  Third  Division  of  the  cavalry 
corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  serving  from 
May  to  Augu.st,  1804,  under  General  Sheridan. 
Subse(iuently  he  wa.s  transferred  to  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Mississippi,  where  he  so  distinguished 
himself  that,  on  April  20,  1865,  he  was  made 
Major-General  of  Volunteers.  In  twenty-eight 
days  he  captured  five  fortified  cities,  twenty- 
three  stands  of  (colors,  288  guns  and  6,820  jirison- 
ers — among  the  latter  being  .letTerson  Davis.  Ho 
was  mustereil  out  of  the  volunteer  service  in 
January.  is(i(),  and,  on  July  28,  following,  was 
commi.ssioned  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Thirty- 
fifth  United  States  Infantry,  being  also  brevetted 
Major-General  in  the  regular  army.  On  Dec.  31, 
1870,  lie  returned  to  civil  life,  and  was  afterwards 
largely  engaged  in  railroad  and  engineering  oper- 
ations, especially  in  West  Virginia.  Promptly 
after  the  declaration  of  war  with  Spain  (1898) 
General  Wilson  was  apixiinted,  by  the  President, 
Major-General  of  Volunteers,  serving  until  its 
close.  He  is  the  author  of  "China:  Travels  and 
Investigations  in  the  Middle  Kingdom"  ;  "Life  of 
Andrew  J.  Alexan<ler";  and  the  "Life  of  Gen. 
U.  S.   Grant,"  in  conjunction  with  Charles  A. 


Dana.     His  home,   in  recent  years,  has  been  in 
New  York. 

WILSOX,  John  M.,  lawyer  and  jurist,  was 
born  in  New  Hami)shire  in  1802,  graduated  at 
Bowdoin  College  in  1824 — the  classmate  of  Frank- 
lin Pierce  and  Xathaniel  Hawthorne ;  studied  law 
in  New  Ham|)shire  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1833, 
locating  at  Joliet;  removed  to  Chicago  in  1841, 
where  he  was  the  partner  of  Norman  B.  Judd, 
serving,  at  different  periods,  as  attorney  of  the 
Chicago  &  Rock  Island,  the  Lake  Shore  &  Michi- 
gan Southern  and  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern 
Railways;  was  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  of  Cook  County,  18.53-.')9,  when  he  became 
Presiding  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Chicago, 
serving  until  1808.     Died,  Dec.  7,  1883. 

WILSOX,  John  P.,  lawyer,  was  born  in  White- 
side County,  111.,  July  3,  1844;  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  at  Knox  College,  Galesburg, 
graduating  from  the  latter  in  180.5;  two  j-ears 
later  was  a<lmitted  to  the  bar  in  Chicago,  and 
.speedily  attained  jirominence  in  his  profession. 
During  the  World's  Fair  period  he  was  retained 
as  counsel  by  the  Committee  on  Grounds  and 
Buildings,  and  was  prominently  connected,  as 
counsel  for  the  city,  with  the  Lake  Front  litiga- 
tion. 

AVILSOX,  Kohort  L.,  early  legislator,  was  born 
in  Washington  t'ounty.  Pa.,  Sept.  11,  1805,  taken 
to  Zanesville,  Ohio,  in  1810,  graduated  at  Frank- 
lin College  in  1831,  studied  law  and,  in  1833, 
removed  to  Athens  (now  in  Menard  County).  111. ; 
was  elected  Keiiresentative  in  1830,  and  was  one 
of  the  members  from  Sangamon  County,  known 
as  the  "Long  Nine,"  who  assisted  in  securing  the 
removal  of  the  State  Capital  to  Springfield.  Mr. 
Wilson  removed  to  Sterling,  Whiteside  County, 
in  1840,  was  elected  five  times  Circuit  Clerk  and 
served  eight  years  as  Probate  Judge.  Immedi- 
ately after  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter,  he  enlisted  as 
private  in  a  battalion  in  Washington  City  under 
command  of  Cassius  M.  Clay,  for  guard  duty 
until  the  arrival  of  the  Seventh  New  York  Regi- 
ment. He  subsequently  assisted  in  raising 
troops  in  Illinois,  was  appointed  Paymaster  by 
Lincoln,  serving  at  Wsisliington,  St.  Louis,  and, 
after  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  at  Springfield — being 
mustered  out  in  November,  1865.  Died,  in  White- 
.>;ido  County,  18S0. 

WlliSOX,  Robert  S..  lawyer  and  jurist,  was 
born  at  Montrose,  Susipu'hanna  County.  Pa.,  Nov. 
6,  1812;  learned  the  printer's  art,  then  studied 
law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Allegheny 
County,  about  1833;  in  1836  removed  to  Ann 
Arbor,  Mich.,  where  he  served  as  Probate  Judge 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


595 


and  State  Senator ;  in  1850  came  to  Chicago,  was 
elected  Judge  of  the  Recorder's  Court  in  1853, 
and  re-elected  in  1858,  serving  ten  years,  and 
proving  "a  terror  to  evil-doers."  Died,  at  Law- 
rence, Mich.,  Dec.  23,  1882. 

WILSON,  William,  early  jurist,  was  born  in 
Loudoun  Comity,  Va.,  April  27,  1794;  studied  law 
with  Hon.  John  Cook,  a  distinguished  lawyer, 
and  minister  to  France  in  the  early  part  of  the 
century ;  in  1817  removed  to  Kentucky,  soon  after 
came  to  Illinois,  two  years  later  locating  in  White 
County,  near  Carmi,  which  continued  to  be  his 
home  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  1819 
he  was  appointed  Associate  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  as  successor  to  William  P. 
Foster,  who  is  described  by  Governor  Ford  as 
"a  great  rascal  and  no  lawyer,"  and  who  held 
office  onl}'  about  nine  months.  Judge  Wilson 
was  re-elected  to  the  Supreme  bench,  as  Chief- 
Justice,  in  1825,  being  then  only  a  little  over  30 
years  old,  and  held  office  until  the  reorganization 
of  the  Supreme  Court  under  the  Constitution  of 
1843 — a  period  of  over  twentj'-nine  j'ears,  and, 
with  the  exception  of  Judge  Browne's,  the  long- 
est term  of  service  iu  the  history  of  the  court. 
He  died  at  his  home  in  White  County,  April  29, 
1857.  A  Whig  in  early  life,  he  allied  himself 
with  the  Democratic  party  on  the  dissolution  of 
the  former.  Hon.  James  C.  Conkling,  of  Spring- 
field, says  of  him,  "as  a  writer,  his  style  was  clear 
and  distinct;  as  a  lawyer,  his  judgment  was 
sound  and  discriminating." 

WINCHESTER,  a  city  and  county-seat  of  Scott 
County,  founded  in  1839,  situated  on  Big  Sandy 
Creek  and  on  the  line  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington 
&  Quincy  Railroad,  29  miles  south  of  Beardstown 
and  84  miles  north  by  west  of  St.  Louis.  AVhile 
the  surrounding  region  is  agricultural  and  largely 
devoted  to  wheat  growing,  there  is  some  coal 
mining.  Winchester  is  an  important  shipping- 
point,  having  three  grain  elevators,  two  flouring 
mills,  and  a  coal  mine  employing  fifty  miners. 
There  are  four  Protestant  and  one  Catholic 
church,  a  court  house,  a  high  school,  a  graded 
school  building,  two  banks  and  two  weekly  news- 
papers. Population  (1880),  1,626;  (1890),  1,542; 
(1900),  1,711;  (1910),  1,039. 

WINDSOR,  a  city  of  Shelby  County  at  the 
crossing  of  the  Cleveland,  Cincinnati,  Chicago  & 
St.  Louis  and  the  Wabash  Railways,  11  miles 
northeast  of  Shelby ville;  in  agricultm-.al  district;  has 
bank  and  one  paper.  Pop.  (1900),  866;  (1910),  987. 
WINES,  Frederick  Howard,  clergynian  and 
sociologist,  was  born  in  Philadelphia.  Pa.,  April 
9,  1838,  graduated  at  Washington  (Pa. )  College 


in  1857,  and,  after  serving  as  tutor  thei-e  for  a 
short  time,  entered  Princeton  Theological  Semi- 
nary, but  was  comiielled  temporarily  to  discon- 
tinue his  studies  on  account  of  a  weakness  of 
the  eyes.  The  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis  licensed 
him  to  preach  in  1860,  and,  in  1862,  he  was  com- 
missioned Ho.spital  Chaplain  in  the  Union  army. 
During  1862-64  he  was  stationed  at  Springfield, 
Mo.,  participating  in  the  battle  of  Springfield  on 
Jan.  8,  1863,  and  being  personally  mentioned  for 
bravery  on  the  field  in  the  official  report.  Re- 
entering the  seminary  at  Princeton  in  1864,  he 
graduated  in  1805,  and  at  once  accepted  a  call  to 
the  pulpit  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Springfield,  111.,  which  he  filled  for  four  j  ears. 
In  1869  he  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  newly 
created  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Public  Chari- 
ties of  Illinois,  in  which  capacity  he  continued 
until  1893,  when  he  resigned.  For  the  next  four 
years  he  was  chiefly  engaged  in  literary  work,  in 
lecturing  before  universities  on  topics  connected 
with  social  science,  in  aiding  in  the  organization 
of  charitable  work,  and  in  the  conduct  of  a 
thorough  investigation  into  the  relations  between 
liquor  legislation  and  crime.  At  an  early  period 
he  took  a  prominent  part  in  organizing  the 
various  Boards  of  Public  Charities  of  the  United 
States  into  an  organization  known  as  the  National 
Conference  of  Charities  and  Corrections,  and,  at 
the  Louisville  meeting  (1883),  was  elected  its 
President.  At  the  International  Penitentiary 
Congress  at  Stockholm  (1878)  he  was  the  official 
delegate  from  Illinois.  On  his  return,  as  a  result 
of  his  observations  while  abroad,  he  submitted 
to  the  Legislature  a  report  stronglj'  advocating 
the  construction  of  the  Kankakee  Hospital  for 
the  Insane,  then  about  to  be  built,  upon  the 
"detached  ward''  or  "village"'  plan,  a  departure 
from  then  existing  methods,  which  marks  an  era 
in  the  treatment  of  insane  in  the  United  States. 
Mr.  Wines  conducted  the  investigation  into  the 
condition  and  number  of  the  defective,  depend- 
ent and  delinquent  classes  throughout  the  coun- 
try, his  report  constituting  a  separate  volume 
under  the  "Tenth  Census,"  and  rendered  a  simi- 
lar service  in  connection  with  the  eleventh 
census  (1890).  In  1887  he  was  elected  Secretary 
of  the  National  Prison  Association,  succeeding  to 
the  post  formerly  held  by  his  father,  Enoch  Cobb 
Wines,  D.D.,  LL.D.  After  the  inauguration  of 
Governor  Tanner  in  1897,  he  resumed  his  former 
position  of  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Public 
C'harities,  remaining  until  1899,  when  he  again 
tendered  his  resignation,  having  received  the 
appointment  to  the  position  of  Assistant  Director 


596 


HISTOHICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


of  the  Twelftli  Census,  which  he  held  2  years.  He 
is  the  author  of  "Crime  and  Reformation" '  (1895); 
of  a  vohuninous  series  of  reports;  also  of  numer- 
our.  pamphlets  and  brochures,  among  which  may 
be  mentioned  "The  County  Jail  S3-stem;  An 
Argument  for  its  Al)olition"  (1878),  "The  Kanka- 
kee Hospital"  (l8Si);  "Provision  for  the  Insane 
in  the  United  States"  (1885);  "Conditional 
Liberation,  or  the  Paroling  of  Prisoners"  (1886), 
and  "American  Prisons  in  the  Tenth  Census" 
(1S88).     Died  Jan.  '.U,  1912. 

WIXES,  Walter  B.,  lawyer  (brother  of  Freder- 
ick n.  Wines),  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  Oct. 
10,  1848,  received  his  primary  education  at  Willis- 
ton  Academy,  East  Hamn^on,  Mass.,  after  which 
he  entered  Middlebury  College,  Vt.,  taking  a 
classical  course  and  graduating  there.  He  after- 
wards became  a  student  in  the  law  department 
of  Columbia  College.  X.  Y.,  graduating  in  1871, 
being  admitted  to  the  bar  the  same  year  and 
commencing  practice  in  New  York  City.  In  1879 
he  came  to  Springfield,  111.,  and  was,  for  a  time, 
identified  with  the  bar  of  that  city;  was  engaged 
some  years  in  literary  and  journalistic  work  in 
Chicago;  died  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  July  31,  1901. 
WIXNEBAOO  COUXTY,  situated  in  the 
"northern  tier."  bordering  on  the  Wisconsin 
State  line;  was  organized,  under  an  act  pa.ssed  in 
1836,  from  La  Salle  and  Jo  I)avie.-;.s  Counties,  and 
has  an  area  of  540  square  miles.  The  county  is 
drained  by  the  Rock  and  Pecatonica  Rivers. 
The  surface  is  rolling  prairie  and  the  .soil  fertile. 
The  geology  is  simple,  the  quaternary  deposits 
being  underlaid  by  the  Galena  blue  and  buff 
limestone,  adapted  for  building  purposes.  All 
the  cereals  are  rai.sed  in  abundance,  the  chief 
product  being  corn.  The  Winnebago  Indians 
(wlio  gave  name  to  the  county)  formerlj*  lived 
on  the  we.st  side  of  the  Rock  River,  and  the  Potta- 
watoraies  on  the  ea,st,  but  both  tribes  removed 
westward  in  183.5.  (As  to  other  loading  inter- 
ests, see  Rockford.)  Population  (1.SS0),  3(),.W5; 
(1890),  3<),'.):!S;  (l(H)O),  47.S4.">;  (1910),  63,153. 
WINNEBAGO  WAR.  The  name  given  to  an 
Indian  disturbance  which  had  its  origin  in  1827, 
during  the  administration  of  Gov.  Ninian 
Edwards.  The  Indians  had  been  quiet  sine*  the 
conclusion  of  the  War  of  1812,  but  a  few  isolated 
outrages  were  sufficient  to  start  terrified  "run- 
ners" in  all  directions.  In  the  northern  portion 
of  the  State,  from  Galena  to  Chicago  (then  Fort 
Dearborn)  the  alarm  was  intense.  The  meiigre 
militia  force  of  the  State  was  summoned  and 
volunteers  i-ere  called  for.  Me.inwhile,  COO 
Uuiled  States  Regular  Infantry,  under  command 


of  Gen.  Henry  Atkinson,  put  in  an  appearance. 
Besides  the  infantry,  Atkinson  had  at  his  disposal 
some  130  mounted  sharpshooters.  The  origin  of 
the  disturbance  was  as  follows:  The  Winne- 
bagoes  attacked  a  band  of  Chippewas,  who  were 
(by  treaty)  under  Government  potection,  several 
of  the  latter  being  killed.  For  participation  in 
this  offense,  four  Winnebago  Indians  were  sum- 
marily apprehended,  surrendered  to  the  Chippe- 
was and  shot.  Meanwhile,  some  dispute  had 
arisen  as  to  the  title  of  the  lands,  claimed  by  the 
Winnebagoes  in  the  vicinity  of  Gale'ia,  which 
liail  been  occupied  bj-  white  miners.  Repeated 
acts  of  hostility  and  of  reprisal,  along  the  Upper 
Jlississippi,  intensified  mutual  distrust.  A  gather- 
ing of  the  Indians  around  two  keel-boats,  laden 
with  supplies  for  Fort  Snelling,  which  had 
anchored  near  Prairie  du  Chien  and  opposite  a 
Winnebago  camp,  w;us  regarded  bj-  the  whites  as 
a  hostile  act.  Liquor  was  freely  distributed,  and 
there  is  historical  evidence  that  a  half-dozen 
drunken  squaws  were  carried  off  and  shamefully 
maltreated.  Several  linndred  warriors  assembled 
tc  avenge  the  deception  which  had  been  practiced 
upon  them.  They  laid  in  ambush  for  the  boats 
on  their  return  trip.  The  first  passed  too  rapidly 
to  be  successfully  a.ssailed,  but  the  second 
grounded  and  was  savagelj',  yet  unsuccessfully, 
attacked.  The  presence  of  General  Atkinsou"s 
forces  prevented  an  actual  outbreak,  and,  on  his 
demand,  the  great  Winnebago  Chief.  Red  Bird, 
with  si.'c  other  leading  men  of  the  tribe,  sur- 
rendered themselves  as  hostages  to  save  their 
nation  from  e.vtermination.  A  majoritj'  of  the.se 
were,  after  trial,  acquitted.  Red  Bird,  however, 
unable  to  endure  confinement,  literallj-  pined  to 
death  in  prison,  dying  on  Feb.  16,  1828.  He  is 
described  as  liaving  I)een  a  savage  of  superior 
intelligence  and  noble  character.  A  treaty  of 
peace  was  concluded  with  the  Winnebagoes  in  a 
council  held  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  a  few  months 
later,  but  the  affair  seems  to  have  produced  as 
much  alarm  among  the  Indians  as  it  did  among 
the  whites.  (For  ^Vinnebago  Indians  see  y<a,ge!i76.) 

WIXXETKA,  a  village  of  Cook  County,  on  the 
Chicago  &  Kortliwcstern  Railway,  IG'/j  miles 
north  of  Chicago.  It  stands  eighty  feet  above 
the  level  of  Lake  Michigan,  has  good  schools 
(being  the  seat  of  the  M'iniietka  Institute),  sev- 
eral churches,  and  is  a  popular  residence  town. 
Pop.  (1S90),  1.079;  (1900),  1.S.33:  (1910),  3,1()S. 

WINSTON,  Froilcrifk  Hampton,  lawyer,  was 
born  in  Liberty  County,  Ga.,  Nov.  20.  lS:iO,  w.as 
brought  to  Woodford  County,  Ky.,  in  1835.  left 
an    orphan    at    12.  and    attended  the    common 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


597 


sciiools  until  18,  when,  returning  to  Georgia,  he 
engaged  in  cotton  manufacture.  He  finally 
began  the  study  of  law  with  United  States  Sena- 
tor W.  C.  Dawson,  and  graduated  fi'om  Harvard 
Law  School  in  1852;  spent  some  time  in  the  office 
of  W.  M.  Evarts  in  New  York,  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  and  came  to  Chicago  in  1853,  where  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  Norman  B.  Judd, 
afterwards  being  associated  with  Judge  Henry 
W.  Blodgett;  served  as  general  solicitor  of  the 
Lake  Shore  and  Michigan  Southern,  the  Chicago, 
Rock  Island  &  Pacific  and  the  Pittsburgh,  Fort 
Wayne  &  Chicago  Railwaj-s — remaining  with  the 
latter  twenty  j-ears.  In  1885  he  was  appointed, 
by  President  Cleveland,  Minister  to  Persia,  but 
resigned  the  following  year,  and  traveled  exten- 
sively in  Russia,  Scandinavia  and  other  foreign 
countries.  Mr.  Winston  was  a  delegate  to  the 
Democratic  National  Conventions  of  1868,  "76  and 
"84 ;  first  President  of  the  Stock  Yards  at  Jersey 
City,  for  twelve  years  President  of  the  Lincoln 
Park  Commission,  and  a  Director  of  the  Lincoln 
National  Bank.     Died  Feb.  19,  1904. 

WISCOXSIX  CENTRAL  LINES.  The  Wiscon- 
sin Central  Company  was  organized,  June  17, 
1887,  and  subsequently  acquired  the  Minnesota, 
St.  Croix  &  Wisconsin,  the  Wisconsin  &  Minne- 
sota, the  Chippewa  Falls  &  Western,  the  St. 
Paul  &  St.  Croix  Falls,  the  Wisconsin  Central,  the 
Penokee,  and  the  Packwaukee  &  Montebello  Rail- 
roads, and  assumed  the  leases  of  the  Milwaukee 
&  Lake  Winnebago  and  the  Wisconsin  &  Minne- 
sota Roads.  On  July  J.  1888,  the  company  began 
to  operate  the  entire  Wisconsin  Central  system, 
with  the  exception  of  the  Wisconsin  Central 
Railroad  and  the  leased  Slilwaukee  &  Lake  Win- 
nebago, which  remained  in  charge  of  the  AVis- 
consin  Central  Railroad  mortgage  trustees  until 
Nov.  1,  1889,  when  these,  too,  passed  under  the 
control  of  the  Wisconsin  Central  Company.  The 
Wisconsin  Central  Railroad  Company  is  a  re- 
organization (Oct.  1,  1879)  of  a  company  formed 
Jan.  1,  1871.  The  Wisconsin  Central  and  the 
Wisconsin  Central  Railroad  Companies,  though 
differing  in  name,  are  a  financial  unit;  the 
former  holding  most  of  the  first  mortgage  bonds 
of  the  latter,  and  substantially  all  its  notes,  stocks 
and  income  bonds,  but,  for  legal  reasons  (such  as 
the  protection  of  land  titles),  it  is  necessary  that 
separate  corporations  be  maintained.  On  April 
1,  1890,  the  Wisconsin  Central  Company  executed 
a  lease  to  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad,  but  this 
was  set  aside  by  the  courts,  on  Sept.  27,  1893,  for 
non-payment  of  rent,  and  was  finally  canceled. 
On  the  same   day  receivers   were  appointed    to 


insure  the  protection  of  all  interests.  The  total 
mileage  is  415.46  miles,  of  which  the  Company 
owns  2.58.90— only  .10  of  a  mile  in  Illinois.  A 
line,  58.10  miles  in  length,  with  8.44  miles  of 
side-track  (total,  66.54  miles),  lying  wholly  within 
the  State  of  Illinois,  is  operated  by  the  Chicago  & 
Wisconsin  and  furnishes  the  allied  line  an  en- 
trance into  Chicago. 

WITHROW,  Thomas  F.,  lawyer,  was  born  in 
Virginia  in  March,  1833,  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Ohio  in  childhood,  attended  the  Western 
Reserve  College,  and,  after  the  death  of  his 
father,  taught  school  and  worked  as  a  printer, 
later,  editing  a  paper  at  Mount  Vernon.  In  1855 
he  removed  to  Janesville.  Wis. ,  where  he  again 
engaged  in  journalistic  work,  studied  law,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  Iowa  in  1857,  settled  at 
Des  Moines  and  served  as  private  secretary  of 
Governors  Lowe  and  Kirkwood.  In  1860  he 
became  Supreme  Court  Reporter;  served  as 
Chairman  of  the  Republican  State  Central  Com- 
mittee in  1863  and,  in  1866,  became  associated 
with  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  in  the  capacity  of 
local  attorney,  was  made  chief  law  oflrcer  of  the 
Company  in  1873,  and  removed  to  Chicago,  and, 
in  1890,  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  General 
Counsel.     Died,  in  Chicago,  Feb.  3,  1893. 

WOLCOTT,  (Dr.)  Alexander,  early  Indian 
Agent,  was  born  at  East  Windsor,  Conn.,  Feb. 
14,  1790;  graduated  from  Y'ale  College  in  1809, 
and,  after  a  course  in  medicine,  was  commis- 
sioned, in  1812,  Surgeon's  Mate  in  the  United 
States  Army.  In  1820  he  was  appointed  Indian 
Agent  at  Fort  Dearborn  (now  Chicago),  as  suc- 
cessor to  Charles  Jouett — the  first  Agent — who 
had  been  appointed  a  United  .States  Judge  in 
Arkansas.  The  same  year  he  accompanied  Gen- 
eral Lewis  Cass  and  Henry  Schoolcraft  on  their 
tour  among  the  Indians  of  the  Northwest;  was 
married  in  1823  to  Ellen  Marion  Kinzie,  a 
daughter  of  Col.  John  Kinzie,  the  first  perma- 
nent settler  of  Chicago;  in  1825  was  appointed  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  Peoria  County,  which 
then  included  Cook  County;  was  a  Judge  of 
Election  in  1830,  and  one  of  the  purchasers  of  a 
block  of  ground  in  the  heart  of  the  pi-esent  city 
of  Chicago,  at  the  first  sale  of  lots,  held  Sept.  27, 
1830.  but  died  before  the  close  of  t'le  year.  Dr. 
Wolcott  appears  to  have  been  a  high-minded  and 
honorable  man,  as  well  as  far  in  advance  of  the 
mass  of  pioneers  in  point  of  education  and  intel- 
ligence. 

WOMAN'S  MEDICAL  COLLEGE  OF  CHI- 
CAGO. (See  Northwestern  University  Woman's 
Medical  School.) 


698 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCL0PP:DIA   OF    ILLINOIS. 


WOMAN  srFFRA(iE.     (See  Suffrage.) 

>VO()l>,  I5('n>iiiii,  kiwver  and  Congressman,  was 
born  in  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  in  1)^39;  re- 
ceived a  common  school  and  academic  education; 
at  the  age  of  20  came  to  Illinois,  and,  for  two 
years,  taught  school  in  Lee  County.  He  then 
enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  an  Illinois  regiment, 
attaining  the  rank  of  Captain  of  Infantry;  after 
the  war,  graduated  from  the  Law  Department  of 
the  old  Chicago  University,  and  has  since  been 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Twenty-eighth  Gen- 
eral Assembly  (1872)  and  was  a  delegate  to  the 
Republican  National  Conventions  of  1876  and 
1888 ;  also  served  as  JIayor  of  the  city  of  Effing- 
ham, where  he  now  resides.  In  1894  he  was 
elected  to  the  Fifty-fourth  Congress  by  the 
Republicans  of  the  Nineteenth  District,  which  has 
uniformly  returned  a  Democrat,  and,  in  office, 
proved  himself  a  most  indu.strious  and  efficient 
member.  Jlr.  Wood  was  defeated  as  a  candidate 
for  re-election  in  189(>. 

WOOD,  John,  pioneer,  Lieutenant-Governor 
and  Governor,  was  born  at  Moravia,  N.  Y.,  Dec. 
20,  1798— his  father  being  a  Revolutionary  soldier 
who  had  served  as  Surgeon  and  Captain  in  the 
army.  At  the  age  of  21  years  j-oung  Wood  re- 
moved to  Illinois,  settling  in  what  is  now  Adams 
County,  and  building  the  first  log-cabin  on  the  site 
of  the  i)resent  city  of  (^uincj'.  He  was  a  memlier 
of  the  upper  house  of  the  Seventeenth  and  Eight- 
eenth General  As.semlilies,  and  was  elected  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor in  ls.')9  on  the  same  ticket  with 
Governor  Bissell.  and  served  out  the  unexpired 
term  of  the  latter,  who  died  in  office.  (See  Bis- 
sell. William  II.)  He  was  succeeded  by  Richard 
Yates  in  1801.  In  February  of  that  year  he  was 
ajipointed  one  of  the  five  Commissioners  from 
Illinois  to  the  "Peace  Conference"  at  Wash- 
ington, to  consider  methods  for  averting 
civil  war.  The  following  May  he  was  appointed 
Qviarterniaster-General  for  the  State  by  Governor 
Yates,  and  assisted  most  efficiently  in  fitting  out 
the  troops  for  the  field.  In  June,  18G4.  he  was 
commi.ssioned  ('nlonel  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Tliirty-seventh  Illinois  Volunteers  (100-days'  men) 
and  mustered  out  of  service  the  following  Sep- 
tember. Died,  at  Quincy,  June  11,  1880.  He 
was  liberal,  patriotic  and  public-spirited.  His 
fellow-citizens  of  Quincy  erected  a  monument  to 
his  memory,  which  was  appropriately  dedicated, 
July  4.  1S8:!. 

WOODFORD  COUNTY,  situated  a  little  nortli 
of  the  center  of  the  State,  bounded  on  the  west 
by  the  Illinois  River ;   organized  in  1841 ;   area, 


556  square  miles.  The  surface  is  generally  level, 
except  along  the  Illinois  River,  the  soil  fertile 
and  well  watered.  The  county  lies  in  tlie  nortli- 
ern  section  of  the  great  coal  field  of  the  State. 
Eureka  is  the  county-seat.  Other  thi-iving  cities 
and  towns  are  Metamora,  Minonk,  El  Paso  and 
Roanoke.  Corn,  oats,  wheat,  potatoes  and  barley 
are  the  principal  crops.  The  chief  mechanical 
industries  are  Hour  manufacture,  carriage  and 
wagon-making,  and  saddlery  and  harness  work. 
Pop.   (1900),  21.822;   (1910),  20..506. 

WOODHl'LL,  a  village  of  Henr  County,  on 
Ki'ith>liuif:  l)ranch  Chicago,  Burlington  &  (Quincy 
Railroad.  l.'>  miles  west  of  Galva;  has  a  bank, 
electric  lights,  water  works,  brick  and  tile  works, 
six  churclic.-;  and  weekly  i)a|>er.     Pop.   (1910),  692. 

WOODMAX,  Charles  W.,  lawyer  and  Congress- 
man, was  born  in  Aalborg,  Denmark.  March  11, 
1844 ;  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  country,  but  took  to  the  sea  in  1800, 
following  the  life  of  a  sailor  until  1863,  when, 
coming  to  Philadelphia,  he  enlisted  in  tlie  Gulf 
Squadron  of  the  United  States.  After  the  war, 
he  came  to  Chicago,  and,  after  reading  law  for 
some  time  in  the  office  of  James  L.  High,  gradu- 
ated from  the  Law  Department  of  the  Chicago 
University  in  1871.  Some  3ears  later  he  was 
appointed  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  some  of  the 
lower  coiu-ts,  and,  in  1881,  was  nominated  by  the 
Judges  of  Cook  County  as  one  of  the  Justices  of 
the  Peace  for  the  city  of  Chicago.  In  1894  he 
became  the  Republican  candidate  for  Congress 
from  the  Fourth  District  and  was  elected,  but 
failed  to  secure  a  renomiuation  in  1896.  Died,  in 
Elgin  A.sylum  for  the  Insane.  March  18.  1898. 

WOODS.  Robert  Mann,  was  born  at  Greenville, 
Pa.,  April  17,  184(1;  came  with  his  parents  to  Illi- 
nois in  1842,  the  family  settling  at  Barry,  Pike 
County,  but  subsequently  residing  at  Pittsfield, 
Canton  and  Galesburg.  He  was  educated  at 
Knox  College  in  the  latter  place,  whiclftwas  his 
home  from  1849  to  ".W;  later,  taught  school  in 
Iowa  and  Misso\iri  vintil  1861.  when  he  went  to 
Springfield  and  began  the  study  of  law  with 
Milton  Hay  and  Shelby  M.  CuUom.  His  law 
studies  having  been  interrupted  by  the  Civil 
War,  after  spending  some  time  in  the  mustering 
and  disbursing  office,  he  was  promoted  by  Gov- 
ernor Yates  to  a  place  in  the  executive  office, 
from  which  he  went  to  the  field  as  Adjutant  of 
the  Sixt3"-fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  known  as  the 
"Yates  Sharp-Shooters."  After  participating, 
with  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  he  took  part  in  the  "March  to  the 
Sea,"'  and  the  campaign  in  the  Carolinas,  includ- 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


6'JS 


ing  the  siege  of  Savannah  and  the  forcing  of  the 
Salkahatchie,  where  he  distinguished  himself,  as 
also  in  the  taking  of  Columbia,  Fayetteville, 
Cheraw,  Raleigh  and  Bentonville.  At  the  latter 
place  he  had  a  horse  shot  under  him  and  won  the 
brevet  rank  of  Major  for  gallantrj'  in  the  field, 
having  previously  been  commissioned  Captain  of 
Company  A  of  his  regiment.  He  also  served  on 
the  staffs  of  Gens.  Giles  A.  Smith,  Benjamin  F. 
Potts,  and  William  W.  Belknap,  and  was  the  last 
mustering  officer  in  General  Sherman's  army. 
In  1867  Major  Woods  removed  to  Chicago,  where 
he  was  in  business  for  a  number  of  years,  serving 
as  chief  clerk  of  Custom  House  construction 
from  1872  to  1877.  In  1879  he  purchased  "The 
Daily  Republican"  at  Joliet,  which  he  conducted 
successfully  for  fifteen  years.  While  connected 
with  "The  Republican,"  he  served  as  Secretary  of 
the  Illinois  Republican  Press  Association  and  in 
various  other  positions. 

Major  Woods  was  one  of  the  founders  of  tlie 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  whose  birth-place 
was  in  Illinois.  (See  Orand  Army  of  the  Rejiub- 
lic;  also  Stej^hensoii.  Dr.  B.  F.)  When  Dr. 
Stephenson  (who  had  been  Surgeon  of  the  Four- 
teenth Illinois  Infantry),  conceived  the  idea  of 
founding  such  an  order,  he  called  to  his  assist- 
ance Major  Woods,  who  was  then  engaged  in 
writing  the  histories  of  Illinois  regiments  for  the 
Adjutant-General's  Report.  The  Major  wrote 
the  Constitution  and  By-laws  of  the  Order,  the 
charter  blanks  for  all  the  reports,  etc.  The  first 
official  order  bears  his  name  as  the  first  Adjutant- 
General  of  the  Order,  as  follows: 

Headquarters  Department  of  Illinois 
Grand  Army  op  the  Republic. 

Springfield,  III.,  April  1,  1866. 

General  Orders  ' 

No.  1.  \  The  following  named  officers  are  hereby 

appointed  and  aasigned  to  duty  at  these  headquarters.    They 

wiU  be  obeyed  and  respected  accordingl-y: 

Colonel  Jules  C.  Webber,  A.D.C.  and  Chief  of  Staff. 

Colonel  John  M.  Snyder,  Quartermaster-General. 

Major  Robert  M.  Woods.  Adjutant-General. 

Captain  John  A.  Lightfoot.  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

Cap'ain  John  S.  Phelps,  Ald-de-Camp. 

By  order  of  B.  F.  Stephenson,  Department  Commander. 

Robert  M.  Woods, 

Adjutant-General. 

Major  Woods  afterwards  organized  the  various 
Departments  in  the  West,  and  it  has  been  con- 
ceded that  he  furnished  the  money  necessary  to 
carry  on  the  work  during  the  first  six  months  of 
the  existence  of  the  Order.  He  has  never 
accepted  a  nomination  or  run  for  any  political 
office,  but  is  now  engaged  in  financial  business  in 
Joliet  and  Chicago,  with  his  residence  in  the 
former  place. 


WOODSON,  David  Meade,  lawyer  and  jurist, 
was  born  in  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  May  18, 
1806;  was  educated  in  private  schools  and  at 
Transylvania  University,  and  read  law  with  his 
father.  He  served  a  term  in  the  Kentucky  Legis- 
lature in  1832,  and,  in  1834,  removed  to  Illinois, 
settling  at  Carrollton,  Greene  County.  In  1839 
he  was  elected  State's  Attorney  and,  in  1840,  a 
member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  Legislature, 
being  elected  a  second  time  in  1868.  In  1843  he 
was  the  Whig  candidate  for  Congress  in  the 
Fiftli  District,  but  was  defeated  by  Stephen  A. 
Douglas.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Conventions  of  1847  and  1869-70.  In  1848  he  was 
elected  a  Judge  of  the  First  Judicial  Circuit, 
remaining  in  office  until  1867.     Died,  in  1877. 

WOODSTOCK,  tlie  county-seat  of  McHenry 
County,  situated  on  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern 
Railway,  about  .51  miles  northwe.st  of  Chicago 
and  32  miles  east  of  Rockford.  It  contains  a 
court  house,  eight  churches,  four  banks,  three 
newspaper  offices,  foundry  and  machine  sliops, 
planing  mills,  canning  works,  pickle,  cheese  and 
butter  factories.  The  Oliver  Typewriter  Factory 
is  located  here;  the  town  is  also  the  seat  of  the 
Todd  Seminary  for  boys.  Population  (1890), 
1,683;  (1900),  3,502;  (1910),  4,.331. 

WORCESTER,  Liiuis  E.,  State  Senator,  was 
born  in  Windsor,  Vt.,  Dec.  5,  1811,  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  State  and  at 
Chester  Academy,  came  to  Illinois  in  1836,  and, 
after  teaching  three  years,  entered  a  dry-goods 
store  at  Whitehall  as  clerk,  later  becoming  a 
partner.  He  was  also  engaged  in  various  other 
branches  of  business  at  different  times,  including 
the  drug,  hardware,  grocerj',  agricultural  imple- 
ment and  lumber  business.  In  1843  he  was 
appointed  Postmaster  at  Wliitehall,  serving 
twelve  years ;  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  of  1847,  served  as  County  Judge  for 
six  years  from  1853,  and  as  Trustee  of  the  Insti- 
tution for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,  at  Jacksonville, 
from  1859,  by  successive  reappointments,  for 
twelve  years.  In  1856  he  was  elected,  as  a  Demo- 
crat, to  the  State  Senate,  to  succeed  Jolm  M. 
Palmer,  resigned ;  was  re-elected  in  1860,  and,  at 
the  session  of  1865,  was  one  of  the  five  Demo- 
cratic members  of  that  body  who  voted  for  the 
ratification  of  the  Emancipation  Amendment  of 
the  National  Constitution.  He  was  elected 
County  Judge  a  second  time,  in  1863,  and  re- 
elected in  1867.  served  as  delegate  to  the  Demo- 
cratic National  Convention  of  1876,  and,  for  more 
than  thirty  j-ears,  was  one  of  the  Directors  of  the 
Jacksonville    branch    of    the    Chicago  &  Alton 


600 


IIISTOItlCAL   EXCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


Railroad,  serrinR  from  the  organization  of  the 
foriK)ration  until  his  deatli,  wliich  occurred  Oct. 
11),  IS91. 

WOKDEX,  a  village  of  Madison  County,  on  the 
Wabash  and  the  Jacksonville,  Louisville  &  St. 
Louis  Railways,  32  miles  northeiust  of  St.  Louis. 
Po|..  (ISl)U),  022:  (1900),  54!;  (I'tld),  1,082. 

WORLD'S  rOM  .MBI.VN  EXPOSITION.  An 
exhibition  of  the  sciciititic,  lilu-nil  and  nu'cliiin- 
ical  arts  of  all  nations,  held  at  Chicago,  between 
May  1  and  Oct.  31,  1893.  Tlie  project  had  its 
inception  in  Xoveml^er,  188.'),  in  a  re.solution 
adopted  by  the  directorate  of  the  Chicago  Inter- 
State  E-tixisition  Company.  On  July  6,  1888,  the 
first  well  defined  action  wiis  taken,  the  Iroquois 
Club,  of  Chicago,  inviting  the  co-operation  of  six 
other  leading  clubs  of  that  city  in  "securing  the 
location  of  an  international  celebration  at  Chi- 
cago of  the  -lIKItli  anniversiiry  of  the  discovery  of 
America  by  Columbus."'  In  July,  1889,  a  decisive 
step  was  taken  in  the  appointment  by  Jlayor 
Cregier,  under  resolution  of  the  City  Council,  of 
a  committee  of  K'O  (afterwards  increased  to  2.50) 
citizens,  who  were  charged  witli  the  duty  of 
promoting  the  selection  of  Cliicago  as  the  site  for 
the  Exposition.  New  York,  'Washington  and  St. 
Louis  were  competing  points,  but  the  choice  of 
Congress  fell  ujjon  Chicago,  and  the  act  establish- 
ing the  World's  Fair  at  that  city  was  signed  by 
President  Harrison  on  April  2.5,  1890.  Under  the 
reciuirenients  of  the  law,  the  President  appointed 
eight  Commis-sioners-at-large,  with  two  Commis- 
sioners and  two  alternates  from  each  Stiite  an<l 
Territory  and  the  District  of  Columbia.  Col. 
George  R.  Davis,  of  Chicago,  was  elected  Direc- 
tor-Genenil  by  the  body  thus  constituted.  Ex- 
Senator  Thomas  M.  Palmer,  of  Michigan,  was 
chosen  President  of  the  Commission  and  Jolm  T. 
Dickinson,  of  Texas,  Secretary.  This  Commis- 
sion delegated  nuich  of  its  power  to  a  Board  of 
Reference  and  Control,  who  were  instructed  to 
act  with  a  similar  number  appointed  by  the 
AVorld's  Columbian  Ex|K)sition.  The  latter 
organization  was  an  incorix)rati<>n.  with  a  direc- 
torate of  forty-live  members,  elected  annually  l>y 
the  stockholders.  Lyman  J.  Gage,  of  Chicago, 
was  the  first  President  of  the  corporati<in,  and 
was  succeeded  by  W.  T.  Baker  and  Harlow  N. 
Higinlxjtham. 

In  addition  to  these  bodies,  certain  powers  were 
Tested  in  a  Board  of  Lady  JIanagers,  composed 
of  two  meml)ers,  with  aUernate-s,  from  each 
State  and  Territorj-,  besides  nine  from  the  city 
of  Chicago.  Mrs.  Potter  Palmer  was  chosen 
President  of  the  latter.     This  Board  was  particu- 


larly charged  with  supervision  of  women's  par- 
ticipation in  the  Exi)osition,  and  of  the  exhibits 
of  women's  work. 

The  supreme  executive  power  was  vested  in 
the  Joint  Board  of  Control.  The  site  selected 
was  Jackson  Park,  in  the  Soutli  Division  of  Chi- 
cago, with  a  strip  connecting  Jackson  and 
Washington  Parks,  known  as  the  "Midway 
Plaisance,''  which  was  surrendered  to  "conces- 
sionaires"' who  purchased  tlie  jirivilege  of  giving 
exhibitions,  or  conducting  restaurants  or  selling- 
booths  thereon.  The  total  area  of  the  site  was 
G33  acres,  and  that  of  tlie  buildings — not  reckon- 
ing those  erected  liy  States  other  than  Illinois, 
and  by  foreign  governments — was  about  200 
acres.  When  to  this  is  added  the  acreage  of  the 
foreign  and  State  buildings,  the  total  space 
under  roof  approximated  250  acres.  These  fig- 
ures do  not  include  the  buildings  erected  by 
private  exhibitors,  caterers  and  venders,  wliich 
would  add  a  small  percentage  to  the  grand  total. 
Forty-seven  foreign  Governments  made  appropri- 
ations for  the  erection  of  their  own  buildings  and 
other  expenses  connected  with  official  represen- 
tation, and  there  were  exhibitors  from  eighty-six 
nations.  Tlie  L'nited  States  Ciovernment  erected 
its  own  building,  and  appropriated  $500,000  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  a  national  exhiljit,  besides 
$2.  .500, 000  toward  the  general  cost  of  the  Expo.si- 
tion.  The  appropriations  by  foreign  Governments 
aggregated  about  $(i.5()0,000,  and  tliose  by  the 
States  and  Territories,  §0,120,000— that  of  Illinois 
being  §800,000.  The  entire  outlay  of  the  World"s 
Coluniliian  Exposition  Company,  up  to  JIarch  31, 
1894,  including  the  cost  of  preliminary  organiza- 
tion, construction,  operating  and  post  Exposition 
expen.ses,  was  §27,151,800.  This  is,  of  course, 
exclusive  of  foreign  and  State  expenditures, 
which  would  swell  the  aggregate  cost  to  nearly 
§45,000,000.  Citizens  of  Chicago  subscribed 
§5,008,206  toward  the  capital  stock  of  the  ExiJosi- 
tion  Company,  and  the  municipality,  .§5.000,000, 
which  wiis  raised  by  the  sale  of  lionds.  (See 
Tliirlyni.rfh  Ooicral  Assembly.) 

The  sit«,  while  admirably  adapted  to  the  pur- 
pose, W!vs,  when  chosen,  a  marshy  flat,  crossed 
by  low  sand  ridges,  ujion  which  stood  occasional 
clumps  of  stunted  scrub  oaks.  Before  the  gates 
of  the  great  fair  were  opened  to  the  public,  the 
entire  area  had  been  transformed  into  a  dream  of 
beauty.  Mar.shes  had  been  drained,  filled  in  and 
sodded ;  driveways  and  broad  walks  constructed ; 
artificial  ponds  and  lagoons  dug  and  embanked, 
and  all  the  bigliest  skill  of  the  landscape  garden- 
•   er's    art  had   been  called    into  play  to  produce 


MAP  OF 

GROUNDS  OF  THE 

y/OjKLyS  pOJ.UM^IAJ\f  EXj'OpiJION 

AT 

Jackson  Park 

showing  the  General  Arrangement 

of 

Buildings  and  Grounds 

1893. 


.UUiLiUOUiU 


lUUfJ 


ErUra. 


laznar  of  I JL 
Nations    jy— 


I  German  Village 


Bazaar  of 
,     Nations 


^MIDWAV 


I]  iMoof'sh,   I  Turk 


y. 


■A 
•fi 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


COl 


varied  and  striking  effects.  But  tlie  task  had 
been  a  Herculean  one.  There  were  seventeen 
principal  (or,  as  they  may  be  called,  depart- 
mental) buildings,  all  of  beautiful  and  ornate 
design,  and  all  of  vast  size.  They  were  known 
as  the  JIanufacturers"  and  Liberal  Arts,  the 
Machinery,  Electrical,  Transportation,  Woman's, 
Horticultural,  Mines  and  Mining,  Anthropolog- 
ical, Administration,  Art  Galleries,  Agricultural. 
Art  Institute,  Fisheries,  Live  Stock,  Dairy  and 
Forestry  buildings,  and  the  Music  Hall  and  Ca- 
sino. Several  of  the.se  had  large  annexes.  The 
Manufacturers"  Building  was  the  largest.  It  was 
rectangular  (lG87xT8T  feet),  having  a  ground 
area  of  31  acres  and  a  floor  and  gallery  area  of 
44  acres.  Its  central  chamber  was  1280x380 
feet,  with  a  nave  107  feet  wide,  both  hall  and 
nave  being  surrounded  by  a  gallery  .'JD  feet  wide. 
It  was  four  times  as  large  as  tlie  Roman  Coliseum 
and  three  times  as  large  as  St.  Peter's  at  Rome: 
17,000,000  feet  of  lumber,  13,000,000  pounds  of 
steel,  and  3,000,000  pounds  of  iron  had  been  used 
in  its  construction,  involving  a  cost  of  81,800,000. 

It  was  originally  intended  to  open  the  Exposi- 
tion, formally,  on  Oct.  21,  1892,  the  quadri-centen- 
nial  of  Columbus'  discovery  of  land  on  the 
Western  Hemisphere,  but  the  magnitude  of  the 
undertaking  rendered  this  impracticable.  Con- 
sequently, while  dedicatory  ceremonies  were  held 
on  that  day,  preceded  by  a  monster  procession  and 
followed  l)y  elaborate  pyrotechnic  displays  at 
night,  May  1,  1893,  was  fixed  as  the  opening  day 
— the  machinery  and  fountains  being  put  in  oper- 
ation, at  the  touch  of  an  electric  button  by  Presi- 
dent Cleveland,  at  the  close  of  a  short  address. 
The  total  number  of  admissions  from  that  date 
to  Oct.  31,  was  37,.530,4G0 — the  largest  for  any 
single  day  being  on  Oct.  9  (Chicago  Day)  amount- 
ing to  101,944.  The  total  receijjts  from  all  .sources 
(including  National  and  State  appropriations, 
subscriptions,  etc.),  amounted  to  .$2S,1.51,1G8.7.'5, 
of  which  310,620,330.70  was  from  the  sale  of  tick 
ets,  and  §3,699,581.43  from  concessions.  The 
aggregate  attendance  fell  short  of  that  at  the 
Paris  Exposition  of  1889  by  about  500,000,  while 
the  receipts  from  the  sale  of  tickets  and  con- 
cessions exceeded  the  latter  bj-  nearly  §5,800,000. 
Subscribers  to  the  Exposition  stock  received  a 
return  of  ten  per  cent  on  the  same. 

The  Illinois  building  was  the  first  of  the  State 
buildings  to  be  completed.  It  was  also  the 
largest  and  most  costly,  but  was  severely  criti- 
cised from  an  architectural  standpoint.  The 
exhibits  showed  the  internal  resources  of  the 
State,  as  well  as  the  development  of  its  govern- 


mental system,  and  its  progress  in  civilization 
from  the  days  of  tlie  first  pioneers.  The  entire 
Illinois  exhibit  in  the  State  building  was  under 
charge  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  who 
devoted  one-tenth  of  the  appropriation,  and  a  like 
l^roportion  of  floor  space,  to  the  exhibition  of  the 
work  of  Illinois  women  as  scientists,  authors, 
artists,  decorators,  etc.  Among  special  features 
of  the  Illinois  exhibit  were:  State  trophies  and 
relics,  kept  in  afire-proof  memorial  hall;  the  dis- 
play of  grains  and  minerals,  and  an  immense 
topogi-aphical  map  (prepared  at  a  cost  of  Slo.OOO), 
drafted  on  a  scale  of  two  miles  to  the  inch,  show- 
ing the  character  and  resources  of  the  State,  and 
correcting  many  serious  cartographical  errors 
previously  undiscovered. 

WORTHEX,  Amos  Henry,  scientist  and  State 
Geologist,  was  born  at  Bradford,  Vt.,  Oct.  31, 
1813,  emigrated  to  Kentucky  in  1834,  and,  in  1836, 
removed  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Warsaw.  Teach- 
ing, surveying  and  mercantile  business  were  his 
pursuits  until  1842,  when  he  returned  to  the 
East,  spending  two  years  in  Boston,  but  return- 
ing to  Warsaw  in  1844.  His  natural  predilections 
were  toward  the  natural  sciences,  and,  after 
coming  west,  he  devoted  most  of  his  leisure  time 
to  the  collection  and  study  of  specimens  of 
mineralogy,  geology  and  conchology.  On  the 
organization  of  the  geological  sirrvey  of  IlUnois 
in  1851,  he  was  appointed  assistant  to  Dr.  J.  G. 
Norwood,  then  State  Geologist,  and,  in  1858,  suc- 
ceeded to  the  office,  having  meanwhile  spent 
three  years  as  Assistant  Geologist  in  the  first  Iowa 
survey.  As  St:ite  Geologist  lie  published  seven 
volumes  of  reports,  and  was  engaged  upon  the 
eighth  when  overtaken  by  death.  May  6,  1888. 
These  reports,  which  are  as  comprehensive  as 
they  are  volmninous,  have  been  reviewed  and 
warmly  commended  by  the  leading  scientific 
periodicals  of  this  country  and  Europe  In  1877 
field  work  was  discontinued,  and  the  State  His- 
torical Library  and  Natural  Historj-  Museum  were 
established,  Professor  Worthen  being  placed  in 
charge  as  curator.  He  was  the  author  of  various 
valuable  scientific  papers  and  member  of  numer- 
ous scientific  societies  in  this  country  and  in 
Europe. 

WORTHI>GTO\,  Mcholas  Ellsworth,  ex-Con- 
gressman, was  born  in  Brooke  County,  W.  Va., 
Jlarch  30,  1836,  and  comj^leted  his  education  at 
Allegheny  College,  Pa.,  studied  Law  at  ilorgan- 
town,  'Va.,  and  was  admitted  to  tlie  bar  in  1860 
He  is  a  resident  of  Peoria,  and,  by  profession,  a 
lawyer;  was  County  Superintendent  of  Schools 
of  Peoria  County  from  1868  to  1872,  and  a  mem- 


602 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


ber  of  tlie  State  Board  of  Education  from  1869  to 
1872.  In  18y.J  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  as  a 
Democrat,  from  the  Tenth  Congre-ssional  District, 
and  re-elected  in  1S,S4.  In  18SG  lie  was  again  a 
candidate,  but  was  defeated  by  his  Republican 
opponent,  Philip  Sidney  Post.  He  was  elected 
Circuit  Judge  of  the  Tenth  Judicial  District  in 
1891,  and  re-elected  in  1897.  In  1894  he  served 
upon  a  commission  appointed  by  President  Cleve- 
land, to  investigate  the  labor  strikes  of  that  year 
at  Chicago. 

WRUiHT,  John  Stephen,  manufacturer,  was 
born  at  Shellield,  Mivs.s.,  July  16,  1815;  came  to 
Chicago  in  1832,  with  his  father,  who  opened  a 
store  in  that  city ;  in  18;!7,  at  his  own  expense, 
built  the  fir.st  school  building  in  Chicago;  in  1840 
established  "The  Prairie  Farmer,"  which  he  con- 
ducted for  many  years  in  the  interest  of  popular 
education  and  progressive  agriculture.  In  1853 
he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  Atkins'  self- 
raking  reaper  and  mower,  was  one  of  the  pro- 
moters of  the  Galena  &  Chicago  Union  and  the 
Illinois  Central  Railways,  and  wrote  a  volume 
entitled,  "Chicago:  Past,  Present  and  Future," 
published  in  187(1.    Died,  in  Chicago,  Sept.  26,  1874. 

WULFF,  Henry,  ex-State  Treasurer,  was  born 
in  Jleldorf,  liermany,  August  24,  1854;  came  to 
Chicago  in  1863,  and  began  his  ix)litical  career  as 
a  Trustee  of  the  town  of  Jefferson.  In  1866  he 
was  elected  County  Clerk  of  Cook  County,  and 
re-elected  in  1890;  in  1894  became  the  Republican 
nominee  for  State  Treasurer,  receiving,  at  the 
November  election  of  that  year,  the  unprece- 
dented plurality  of  133,427  votes  over  his  Demo- 
cratic op|>onent.     Died  Dec.  27,   1907. 

WTANET,  a  town  of  Bureau  County,  at  the 
intersection  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
and  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  Railways, 
7  miles  southwest  of  Princeton.  Population  (1900), 
902:  (1910),  872. 

WYLIE,  (Rev.)  Samuel,  domestic  missionary, 
born  in  Ireland  and  came  to  America  in  boyhood ; 
was  educjited  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania 
and  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  ordained  in  1818. 
Soon  after  this  he  came  west  as  a  domestic  mis- 
sionary and,  in  1820,  became  jjiistor  of  a  church 
at  Siiarta,  111.,  where  he  remained  until  his  death, 
March  20,  1872,  after  a  piustorate  of  52  years. 
During  his  pastorate  the  church  sent  out  a  dozen 
colonies  to  form  new  cluireh  organizations  else- 
where. He  is  descril)ed  as  able,  elotjuent  and 
scholarly. 

WTMAX,  (Col.)  John  B.,  soldier,  was  born  in 
Massachusetts,  July  12,  1817,  and  educated  in  the 


schools  of  that  State  imtil  14  years  of  age,  when 
he  became  a  clerk  in  a  clothing  store  in  his  native 
town  of  Shrewsbury,  later  being  associated  with 
mercantile  establishments  in  Cincinnati,  and 
again  in  his  native  State.  From  1846  to  18.50  he 
was  employed  successively  as  a  clerk  in  the  car 
and  machine  shops  at  Springfield.  Mass.,  then  as 
Superiuteudentof  Construction,  and.  later,  as  con- 
ductor on  the  New  York  &  New  Haven  Railroad , 
finally,  in  18.50,  becoming  Superintendent  of  the 
Connecticut  River  Railroad.  In  1852  he  entered 
the  service  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Com- 
panj-,  assisting  in  the  survey  and  construction  of 
the  line  under  Col.  R.  B.  Ma.son.  the  Chief  Engi- 
neer, and  tinally  liecoming  Assistant  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Northern  Division.  He  was  one 
of  the  original  i)roprietors  of  the  town  of  Amboy, 
in  Lee  County,  and  its  first  Mayor,  also  serving 
a  second  term.  Having  a  fondness  for  military 
affairs,  he  was  usually  connected  with  some  mili- 
tary organization — while  in  Cincinnati  being 
attached  to  a  company,  of  which  Prof.  0.  M. 
Jlitchell.  the  celebrated  astronomer  (afterwards 
Major-General  Mitchell),  was  Captain.  After 
coming  to  Illinois  he  became  Captain  of  the  Clii- 
cago  Light  Guards.  Having  lef»  the  employ  of 
the  Railroad  in  1858,  he  was  in  private  business 
at  Amboy  at  the  teginning  of  the  Civil  War  in 
1861.  As  Assistant- Adjutant  General,  by  appoint- 
ment of  Governor  Vates,  he  rendered  valuable 
service  in  the  earlj-  weeks  of  the  war  in  securing 
arms  from  Jefferson  Barracks  and  in  the  organi- 
zation of  the  three-months'  regiments.  Then, 
having  organized  the  Thirteenth  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry — the  first  org-anized  in  the  State 
for  the  three  years'  service — he  was  commis- 
sioned its  Colonel,  and,  in  July  following,  entered 
upon  the  duty  of  guarding  the  railroad  lines  in 
Southwest  Jlissouri  and  Arkansas.  The  follow- 
ing year  his  regiment  was  attached  to  General 
Sherman's  command  in  the  first  campaign 
against  Vicksburg.  On  the  second  day  of  the 
Battle  of  Chicka-saw  Bayou,  he  fell  mortally 
wounded,  dying  on  the  field,  Dec.  28,  1862.  Colo- 
nel Wyman  was  one  of  the  most  accomplished 
and  promising  of  the  vidunteer  soldiers  sent  to 
the  field  from  Illinois,  of  whom  so  manv  were 
former  employes  of  the  Illinois  Central  Rail- 
road. 

WYOMING,  a  town  of  Stark  County,  31  miles 
north-northwest  from  Peoria,  at  the  junction  of 
the  Peoria  branch  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  and  the 
Rushville  branch  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  Railway;  has  two  high  schools,  churches, 
two  banks.    Hour   mills,   water-works,    machine 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


603 


shop,  and  two  weekly  newspapers.     Coal  is  mined 
here.      Population    (1900),    1,277;     (1910),    1,500. 

XEMA,  a  -lallage  of  Clay  County,  on  the  Balti- 
more &  Ohio  Southw-estern  Railroad,  87  miles 
east  of  St.  Louis.      Pop.  (1900),  800;   (1910),   634. 

YATES  CITY,  a  village  of  Knox  County,  at  the 
junction  of  the  Peoria  Division  of  the  Cliicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  with  the  Riishville 
branch,  23  miles  southeast  of  Galesburg.  The 
to%vn  has  banks,  a  coal  mine,  telephone  exchange, 
school,  churches  and  a  newspaper.  Pop.  (1890), 
687:  (1900),  0.50;  (1910),  380. 

YATES,  Henry,  pioneer,  was  born  in  Caroline 
County,  Va.,  Oct.  29,  1786 — being  a  grand-nephew 
of  Chief  Justice  John  Marshall ;  removed  to  Fa- 
yette County,  Ky.,  where  he  located  and  laid  out 
the  town  of  Warsaw,  which  afterwards  became 
the  county-seat  of  Gallatin  County.  In  1831  he 
removed  to  Sangamon  Coimty,  III. ,  and.  in  1832, 
settled  at  the  site  of  the  present  town  of  Berlin, 
which  he  laid  out  the  following  j-ear,  also  laying 
out  the  town  of  New  Berlin,  a  few  years  later,  on 
the  line  of  the  Wabash  Railway.  He  was  father 
of,  Gov.  Richard  Yates.  Died,  Sept.  13,  1865.— 
Henry  (Yates),  Jr. ,  son  of  the  preceding,  was  boi'u 
at  Berlin.  111. ,  March  7,  183.5 ;  engaged  in  merchan- 
dising at  New  Berlin;  in  1862,  raised  a  company 
of  volunteers  for  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixth 
Regiment  Illinois  Infantry,  was  appointed  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel and  brevetted  tolonel  and  Briga- 
dier-General. He  was  accidentally  shot  in  18G3, 
and  suffered  sun-stroke  at  Little  Rock,  from 
which  he  never  fidly  recovered.  Died,  August 
8,  1871. 

YATES,  Richard,  former  Governor  and  United 
States  Senator,  was  born  at  Warsaw,  Ky.,  Jan. 
18,  1815,  of  English  descent.  In  1831  he  accom- 
panied his  father  to  Illinois,  the  family  settling 
first  at  Sijringfield  and  later  at  Berlin,  Sangamon 
County.  He  soon  after  entered  Illinois  College, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1835.  and  subse- 
quently read  law  with  Col.  John  J.  Hardin,  at 
Jacksonville,  which  thereafter  became  his  home. 
In  1842  he  was  elected  Representative  in  the  Gen- 
oral  Assembh'  from  Morgan  County,  and  was 
re-elected  in  1844,  and  again  in  1848.  In  1850  he 
was  a  candidate  for  Congre.ss  from  the  Seventh 
District  and  elected  over  Maj.  Thomas  L.  Harris, 
the  previous  incumbent,  being  the  only  Whig 
Representative  in  the  Thirty-second  Congress 
from  Illinois.  Two  j'ears  later  he  was  re-elected 
over  John  Calhoun,  but  was  defeated,  in  1854, 
by  his  old  opponent,  Harris.     He  was  one  of  the 


most  vigorous  opponents  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill  in  the  Thirty -third  Congress,  and  an  early 
participant  in  the  movement  for  the  organization 
of  the  Republican  party  to  resist  the  further 
extension  of  slaverj',  being  a  prominent  speaker, 
on  the  same  platform  with  Lincoln,  before  the 
first  Republican  State  Convention  held  at  Bloom- 
ington,  in  May,  1856,  and  serving  as  one  of  the 
Vice-Presidents  of  that  body.  In  1860  he  was 
elected  to  the  executive  chair  on  the  ticket 
headed  by  Abraham  Lincoln  for  the  Presidency, 
aud,  by  his  energetic  support  of  the  National 
administration  in  its  measures  for  the  suppression 
of  the  Rebellion,  won  the  sobriquet  of  "the  Illi- 
nois War-Governor."  In  1865  he  was  elected 
United  States  Senator,  .serving  until  1871.  He 
died  suddenly,  at  St.  Louis,  Nov.  27,  1873,  while 
returning  from  Arkansas,  whither  he  had  gone, 
as  a  LTnited  States  Commissioner,  by  appointment 
of  President  Grant,  to  inspect  a  land-subsidy 
railroad.  He  was  a  man  of  rare  ability,  earnest- 
ness of  purpose  and  extraordinary  jiersonal  mag- 
netism, as  well  as  of  a  lofty  order  of  patriotism. 
His  faults  were  those  of  a  nature  generous, 
impulsive  and  warm-hearted. 

YORKVILLE,  the  county-seat  of  Kendall 
County,  on  Fo.x  River  and  Streator  Division  of 
Chicago,  Burlington  it  Quincy  Railroad,  12  miles 
southwest  of  Aurora;  on  interurban  electric  line; 
has  water-power,  electric  lights,  a  bank,  churclies 
and  weekly  papur.     Pop.  (1900),  413;  (1910),  431. 

YOL'Mi,  Brigliam,  Mormon  leader,  was  born 
at  Whittingham,  Vt.,  June  1,  1801,  joined  the 
Jlormons  in  1831  and,  the  next  year,  became  asso- 
ciated with  Joseph  Smith,  at  Kirtland,  Ohio,  and, 
in  1835,  an  "apostle."  He  accompanied  a  con- 
siderable body  of  that  sect  to  Independence,  Mo., 
but  was  driven  out  with  them  in  1837,  settling 
for  a  short  time  at  Quincy,  111.,  but  later  remov- 
ing to  Nauvoo,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  foun- 
ders. On  the  assassination  of  Smith,  in  1844,  he 
became  the  successor  of  the  latter,  as  head  of  the 
Mormon  Church,  and,  the  following  year,  headed 
the  exodus  from  Illinois,  which  finally  resulted  in 
the  Mormon  settlement  in  Utah.  His  subsequent 
career  there,  where  he  was  appointed  Governor 
by  President  Fillmore,  and,  for  a  time,  success- 
fully defied  national  authorit}',  is  a  matter  of 
national  rather  than  State  history.  He  remained 
at  the  head  of  the  Mormon  Church  until  his 
death  at  Salt  Lake  City,  August  29,  1877. 

YOUXtJ,  Bichard  Montgomery,  LTnited  States 
.Senator,  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1796,  studied 
law  and  removed  to  Jonesboro,  III.,  where  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1817;  served  in  the  Second 


604 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


General  Assembly  (1820-23)  as  Representative 
from  Union  County;  was  a  Circuit  Judge,  1825-27; 
Presidential  Elector  in  1S28;  Circuit  Judge  again, 
1829-157;  elected  United  States  Senator  in  1837  as 
successor  to  W.  L.  D.  Ewing,  serving  until  1843, 
when  he  was  commissioned  Justice  of  the  Su- 
preme Court,  but  resigned  in  1!^47  to  become 
Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office  at 
Wa-shington.  During  the  session  of  1850-51,  he 
served  as  Clerk  of  tlie  National  House  of  Eepre- 
sentatives.  Died,  in  an  insane  asylum,  in  Wash- 
ington, in  1853. 

YOUX(i  .MEX'S  CHUISTIAX  ASSOCIATION, 
first  ])ermanently  organized  at  Cluc.ago,  in  1858, 
although  desultory  movements  of  a  kindred  char- 
acter had  previously  been  started  at  Peoria, 
Quincy,  Chicago  and  Springfield,  some  as  early 
as  18.54.  From  1858  to  1872,  various  associations 
were  formed  at  different  points  tliroughout  the 
State,  wliich  were  entirely  independent  of  each 
other.  The  first  effort  looking  to  union  and 
mutual  aid,  was  made  in  1872,  when  Robert 
Weidensall,  on  behalf  of  the  International  Com- 
mittee, called  a  convention,  to  meet  at  Blooming- 
ton,  Noveml>er  6-9.  State  conventions  have  been 
held  annually  since  1872.  In  that  of  1875,  steps 
were  taken  looking  to  the  appointment  of  a 
State  Secretary,  and,  in  1870,  Charles  M.  Morton 
assumed  the  office.  Much  evangelistic  work  was 
done,  and  new  a.ssociations  formed,  the  total 
number  reported  at  tlie  Champaign  Convention, 
in  1877,  being  si.xtytwo.  After  one  year's  work 
Mr.  Morton  resigned  the  secretaryship,  tlie  office 
remaining  vacant  for  three  years.  The  question 
of  the  .ipiKiintment  of  a  succes.sor  was  discussed 
at  the  Decatur  Convention  in  1879.  and,  in  April, 
1880.  I.  B.  Brown  was  made  State  Secretary,  and 
has  occupied  the  position  to  the  present  time 
(1899).  At  the  date  of  his  api>ointment  the 
ofllcial  figures  showed  si.xteen  associations  in  Illi- 
nois, with  a  total  membership  of  2,443.  and  prop- 
erty valued  at  .?12ti.,500,  including  building  funds, 
tlie  associations  at  Chicago  and  Aurora  owning 
buildings.  Thirteen  officers  were  employed, 
none  of  them  being  in  Chicago.  Since  1880  the 
work  ha-s  steadily  grown,  so  that  five  Assistant 
State  Secretaries  are  now  employed.  In  1880,  a 
plan  for  arranging  the  State  work  under  depart- 
mental administration  was  devised,  but  not  put 
in  o|H>ration  until  ISOO.  The  jiresent  six  depart- 
ments of  sujiervision  are:  General  Supervision, 
in  charge  of  the  State  Secretary  and  his  Assist- 
ants; railroad  and  city  work;  counties  and 
towns;  work  among  students;  corresponding 
membership  deimrtment,  and  office  work.     The 


two  last  named  are  under  one  executive  head, 
but  each  of  the  others  in  charge  of  an  Assistant 
Secretary,  who  is  responsible  for  its  development 
The  entire  work  is  under  the  supervision  of  a 
State  Executive  Committee  of  twenty-seven 
members,  one-third  of  wliom  are  elected  annually. 
Willis  H.  Herrick  of  Chicago  has  been  its  chair- 
man for  several  years.  This  body  is  appointed 
by  a  State  convention  comjiosed  of  delegates 
from  tlie  local  Associations.  Of  these  there  were, 
in  October,  1898,  110,  with  a  membership  of 
15,888.  The  value  of  the  property  owned  was 
82,500,000.  Twenty-two  occupy  their  own  build- 
ings, of  which  five  are  for  railroad  men  and  one 
for  .students.  Weekly  gatherings  for  young  men 
numbered  248,  and  there  are  now  representatives 
or  corres[H)ndents  in  G(i5  communities  where  no 
oi-ganization  has  been  effected.  Scientific  phys- 
ical culture  is  made  a  feature  by  40  associations, 
and  educational  work  has  been  largely  developed. 
The  enrollment  in  evening  classes,  during  1898-99, 
was  978.  The  building  of  the  Chicago  branch 
(erected  in  1893)  is  the  finest  of  its  class  in  the 
world.  Recently  a  successful  association  has 
been  formed  among  coal  miners,  and  another 
among  the  first  grade  boys  of  the  Illinois  State 
Reformatory,  while  an  extensive  work  has  lieen 
conducted  at  the  camps  of  the  Illinois  National 
Guard. 

Z.IXE,  Charles  S.,  lawyer  and  jurist,  was  born 
ill  Ciimbcrhmd  County,  X.  J.,  March  2,  1831,  of 
English  and  New  England  stock.  At  the  age  of 
19  he  emigrated  to  Sangamon  County,  111.,  for  a 
time  working  on  a  farm  and  at  brick-making. 
From  1852  to  "55  he  attended  JIcKendree  College, 
but  did  not  graduate,  and,  on  leaving  colle.ge, 
engaged  in  teaching,  at  the  same  time  reading 
law.  In  1857  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and 
commenced  practice  at  Springfield.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  was  elected  City  .\ttorney.  He  had 
for  partners,  at  different  times,  AVilliam  H. 
Herndon  (once  a  partner  of  Abraham  Lincoln) 
and  Senator  Shelby  51.  CuUom.  In  1873  he  was 
elected  a  Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  for  the  Fifth 
Judicial  Circuit,  and  w;is  re-elected  in  1879.  In 
1883  President  Arthur  appointed  him  Chief  Jus- 
tice of  Utah,  where  lie  has  since  resided,  though 
superseded  by  the  appointment  of  a  successor  by 
Presiilent  Cleveland.  At  the  first  State  elec- 
tion in  Utah,  held  in  November,  1895,  he  was 
chosen  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  new  Commonwealth,  but  was  defeated 
for  re-election,  by  his  Democratic  opponent,  in 
1898. 


SCENES    IX    SOUTH   PARK. 


WORLD'S    FAIR    RUILDINGS. 

The  Peristyle.  Admitiistratioa    BniUliiiK.  Oerman   Ruikling. 

'"he    Fisheries. 


SUPPLEMENT. 


Tlie  following  matter,  received  too  late  for  Insertion  In  the  body  of  this  work.  Is  added  In  the  form  of  a  supplement 


COGHLAX,  (Capt.)  Joseph  Bullock,  naval 
•fficer,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and,  at  the  age  of 
to  years,  came  to  lUinoLs,  living  on  a  farm  for  a 
time  near  Carlyle,  in  Clinton  County.  In  18G0  he 
was  appointed  by  his  uncle,  Hon.  Philip  B. 
Fouke — then  a  Representative  in  Congress  from 
the  Belleville  District — to  the  Naval  Academy  at 
Annapolis,  graduating  in  1863,  and  being  pro- 
moted through  the  successive  grades  of  Ensign, 
Master,  Lieutenant,  Lieutenant-Commander,  and 
Commander,  and  serving  upon  various  vessels 
Hntil  Nov.  18,  1893,  when  he  was  commissioned 
Captain  and,  in  1897,  assigned  to  the  command 
of  the  battleship  Raleigh,  on  the  Asiatic  Station. 
He  was  thus  connected  with  Admiral  Dewey's 
squadron  at  the  beginning  of  the  Spanish-Ameri- 
can War,  and  took  a  conspicuous  and  brilliant  part 
in  the  affair  in  Manila  Bay,  on  May  1, 1898,  which 
resulted  in  the  destruction  of  the  Spanish  fleet 
Captain  Coghlan's  connection  with  subsequent 
events  in  the  Philippines  was  in  the  highest 
degree  creditable  to  himself  and  the  country. 
His  vessel  (the  Raleigh)  was  the  first  of  Admiral 
Dewey's  squadron  to  return  home,  coming  by 
way  of  the  Suez  Canal,  in  the  summer  of  1899,  he 
and  his  crew  receiving  an  immense  ovation  on 
their  arrival  in  New  York  harbor. 

CRANE,  (Rev.)  James  Lyons,  clergyman, 
army  chaplain,  was  born  at  Mt.  Eaton,  "Wav-ne 
County,  Oliio,  August  30,  1823,  united  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Chvirch  at  Cincinnati  in 
1841,  and,  coining  to  Edgar  County,  Illinois,  in 
1843,  attended  a  seminary  at  Paris  some  three 
years.  He  joined  the  Illinois  Conference  in  1846, 
and  was  assigned  to  the  Danville  circuit,  after- 
wards presiding  over  charges  at  Grandview,  Hills- 
boro,  Alton,  Jacksonville,  and  Springfield — at  the 
last  two  points  being  stationed  two  or  more 
times,  besides  serving  as  Presiding  Elder  of  the 
Paris,  Danville,  and  Springfield  Districts.  The 
importance  of  the  stations  which  he  filled  during 
his  itinerant  career  served  as  evidence  of  his 
recognized  ability  and  popularity  as  a  preacher. 


In  July,  18G1,  he  was  appointed  Chaplain  of  the 
Twentj'-first  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  at 
that  time  commanded  by  Ulysses  S.  Grant  as 
Colonel,  and,  although  he  remained  with  the 
regiment  only  a  few  months,  the  friendship  then 
established  between  liim  and  the  future  com- 
mander of  the  armies  of  the  Union  lasted  through 
their  lives.  Tliis  was  shown  by  his  appointment 
by  President  Grant,  in  1809,  to  the  position  of 
Postmaster  of  the  city  of  Springfield,  which  came 
to  him  as  a  personal  compliment,  being  re- 
appointed four  years  afterwards  and  continuing 
in  oflice  eight  years.  After  retiring  from  the 
Springfield  postofEce,  he  occupied  charges  at 
Island  Grove  and  Shelby  ville,  his  death  occurring 
at  the  latter  place,  July  29,  1879,  as  the  result  of 
an  attack  of  paralysis  some  two  weeks  previous. 
Mr.  Crane  was  married  in  1847  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Mayo,  daughter  of  CoL  J  Mayo — a  prominent 
citizen  of  Edgar  County,  at  an  early  day — his 
wife  surviving  him  some  twenty  years.  Rev. 
Charles  A.  Crane  and  Rev.  Frank  Crane,  pastors 
of  prominent  Methodist  chiu-ches  in  Boston  and 
Chicago,  are  sons  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

DAWES,  Charles  Gates,  Comptroller  of  the 
Treasur}',  was  born  at  Marietta,  Ohio,  August  27, 
1805;  graduated  from  Marietta  College  in  1884, 
and  from  the  Cincinnati  Law  School  in  1886; 
worked  at  civil  engineering  during  his  vacations, 
finally  becoming  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Toledo  & 
Ohio  Railroad.  Between  1887  and  1894  he  was 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Lincoln,  Neb., 
but  afterwards  became  interested  in  the  gas  busi- 
ness in  various  cities,  including  Evanston,  IlL, 
which  became  his  home.  In  1890  he  took  a  lead- 
ing part  in  securing  instructions  by  the  Republi- 
can State  Convention  at  Springfield  in  favor  of 
the  nomination  of  Mr.  McKinley  for  the  Presi- 
dency, and  d'u-ing  the  succeeding  campaign 
served  as  a  member  of  the  National  Republican 
Committee  for  the  State  of  Illinois.  Soon  after 
the  accession  of  President  JIcKinley,  he  was 
appointed  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury,  a  position 


605 


606 


HISTORICAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA   OF   ILLINOIS. 


wliich  he  now  lioKls.  Mr.  Dawes  is  the  son  of 
R.  B.  Dawes,  a  former  Congres-sniiiii  from  Oliio, 
and  the  gre;vt-griiinls;)n  of  Manasseli  Cutler,  who 
■was  an  influential  factor  in  tlie  early  history  of 
the  Northwest  Territory,  and  has  been  creiliteil 
with  exerting  a  strong  influence  in  shaping  and 
securing  the  atloption  of  the  Ordinance  of  17S7. 

DISTIJf,   (Col.)    William  L.,  former    Depart- 
ment Commander  of  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub- 
lic   for    the    State    of    Illinois,    was    born    at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Feb.  9,  1843,  his  father  being  of 
English  descent,  while  his  maternal  grandfather 
was  a  Colonel  of  the  Polish  Lancers  in  the  army 
«f  the  first  Xapoleon,  who,  after  the  exile  of  his 
lei>der.   came   to   America,    settling  in   Imliana. 
The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  settled  at 
Keokuk,  Iowa,  wliere  the  son  grew  to  manhood 
and  in  February,  1863,  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the 
Seventeenth  Iowa  Infantry,   having  been  twice 
rejected  previously  on  account  of  physical  ail- 
ment.    Soon  after  enlistment  he  was  detailed  for 
provost-marshal  duty,  but  later  took  part  with 
his  regiment  in  the  campaign  in  Alabama.     He 
served  for  a  time  in  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps, 
under    Gen.   John  A.   Ix>gan,   was  subsequently 
detailed  for  <luty  on  the  Staff  of  General  Rium, 
and   participated   in  tlie   battles  of  Resaca  and 
Tilton,  Ga.  Having  been  captured  in  the  latter, 
he  was  imprisoned  successively  at  Jacksonville 
^Ga.),    Montgomery,    Savannah,   and    finally  at 
Anderson ville.     From  the  latter  he  succeeded  in 
effecting    his  escape,  but    was    recaptured   and 
returned   to   that    famous  prison-pen.     Having 
escaped  a  second  time  by  as,suming  the  name  of 
a  dead  man  and  bribing  the  guard,  he  was  again 
captured  and  imprisoned  at  various  points  in  Mi.s- 
8issipi>i  until  excluvnged  about  the  time  of  the 
assa.ssination  of  Pre.-iident  Lincoln.     He  was  then 
so  weakened  by  his  long  confinement  and  scanty 
fare  that  he    had   to  be  carried  on  board  the 
steamer  on  a  stretcher.     At  this  time  lie  narrowly 
escaped   being  on    board   the  steamer  Sultana, 
which  was   blown   up   below   Cairo,    with   2,100 
soldiers  on  board,  a  large  jiroportion  of  whom  lost 
their  lives.     After  being  mustered  out  at  Daven- 
port, Iowa,  June  28,  IsG.'i,  lie  was  employed  for  a 
time  on  the  Des  Moines  Valley  Railroad,  and  as  a 
messenger  and  route  agent  of  tlie  United  .States 
Express  Company.     In  1872  he  established  him- 
self   in    business  in   Quincy,   111.,   in  which   he 
proved  very  successful.     Here  he  became  prom- 
inent in  local  Grand  Army  circles,  and,  in  1800, 
was   unanimously    elected    Commander    of   the 
Department  of  Illinois.     Previous  to  this  he  had 
been  an  olEcer  of  the  Illinois  National  Guard,  and 


served  as  Aid-de-Camp,  with  the  rank  of 
Colonel,  on  the  staff  of  Governors  Hamilton, 
Oglesby  and  Fifer.  In  1897  Colonel  Distin  was 
aiiiiointed  by  President  McKinley  Surveyor-Gen- 
eral for  the  Territory  of  Alaska,  a  position  which 
(1899)  he  .still  holds. 

DDMMEK,  Henry  E.,  lawyer,  was  born  at 
Hallowell,  Maine,  April  9.  1SU8,  was  educated  in 
Bowdoin  College,  graduating  there  in  the  class  of 
1827,  after  which  he  took  a  course  in  law  at  Cam- 
bridge Law  School,  and  was  soon  after  admitted 
to  the  bar.  Then,  having  spent  some  two  years 
in  his  native  State,  in  1832  he  removed  to  Illinois, 
settling  first  in  Springfield,  where  he  remained  six 
years,  being  for  a  part  of  the  time  a  partner  of 
John  T.  Stuart,  who  afterwards  became  the  first 
partner  in  law  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  Mr.  Dum- 
mer  had  a  brother,  Richard  AVilliam  Dummer, 
who  had  preceded  him  to  Illinois,  living  for  a 
time  in  Jacksonville.  In  1838  he  removed  to 
Beardstown,  Cass  Count}',  which  continued  to  be 
his  home  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century. 
During  his  residence  there  he  served  as  Aliler- 
man.  City  Attorney  and  Judge  of  Probate  for 
Civss  County;  also  represented  Cass  County  in  the 
Constitutional  Convention  of  1847,  and,  in  1800, 
was  elected  State  Senator  in  the  Twenty-second 
General  Assemblj',  serving  four  years.  BIr. 
Dummer  was  an  earnest  Republican,  and  served 
that  party  as  a  delegate  for  the  State-at-large  to 
the  Convention  of  1864,  at  Baltimore,  which 
nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  for  the  Presidenc}'  a 
second  time.  In  1804  he  removed  to  Jackson- 
ville, and  for  the  next  year  was  the  law  partner 
of  David  A.  Smith,  until  the  death  of  the  latter 
in  1805.  In  the  summer  of  1878  Mr.  Dummer 
went  to  Mackinac,  Mich.,  in  search  of  health,  but 
died  there  .Vugust  12  of  that  year. 

ECKELS,  James  H.,  ex-Comptroller  of  the 
Currency,  was  born  of  Scotch-Irish  parentage  at 
Princeton,  111.,  Nov.  22,  1858,  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  the  high  school  of  his 
native  town,  graduated  from  the  Law  School  at 
Albany,  N.  Y.,  in  1881.  and  the  following  year 
began  jiractice  at  Ottawa,  111.  Here  he  con- 
tinued in  active  practice  until  1893,  when  he  was 
appointed  by  President  Cleveland  Comptroller  of 
the  Currency,  serving  until  May  1,  1898,  when  he 
resigned  to  accept  the  presidency  of  the  Com- 
mercial National  Bank  of  Chicago.  Mr.  Eckels 
manifested  such  distinguished  ability  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  as  Comptroller  that  he 
received  the  notalile  compliment  of  being 
retained  in  office  by  a  Republican  administration 
more  than  a  year  after  the  retirement  of  Presi- 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF   ILLINOIS. 


607 


dent  Cleveland,  while  his  selection  for  a  place  at 
the  head  of  one  of  the  leading  banking  institu- 
tions of  Chicago  was  a  no  less  marked  recognition 
of  his  abilities  as  a  financier.  He  was  a  Delegate 
from  the  Eleventh  District  to  the  National 
Democratic  Convention  at  Chicago  in  1892,  and 
repiesented  the  same  district  in  the  Gold  Demo- 
cratic Convention  at  Indianapolis  in  189G,  and 
assisted  in  framing  the  platform  there  adopted — 
wliich  indicated  his  views  on  the  financial  ques- 
tions invdivcil  in  that  camiiaign.  Died  Apr.  14,  190S. 

FIELD,  Daniel,  early  merchant,  was  born  in 
Jefferson  County,  Kentucky,  Nov.  30,  1790,  and 
settled  at  Golconda,  111.,  in  1818,  dying  there  in 
1855.  He  was  a  man  of  great  enterprise,  engaged 
in  merchandising,  and  became  a  large  land- 
holder, farmer  and  stock-grower,  and  an  extensive 
shipper  of  stock  and  produce  to  lower  Jlississippi 
markets.  He  married  Elizabeth  Dailey  of 
Charleston,  Ind.,  and  raised  a  large  family  of 
children,  one  of  whom,  Philip  D.,  became  Sheriff, 
while  another,  John,  was  County  Judge  of  Pope 
County.  His  daughter,  Maria,  married  Gen. 
Green  B.  Raum,  who  became  prominent  as  a 
soldier  during  the  Civil  War  and,  later,  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  and  Commissioner  of  Internal 
Revenue  and  Pension  Commissioner  in  Wash- 
ington. 

FIELD,  Green  B.,  member  of  a  pioneer  family, 
was  born  within  the  present  limits  of  the  State  of 
Indiana  in  1787,  served  as  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
War  of  1812,  was  married  in  Bourbon  County, 
Kentucky,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Cogswell,  the 
daughter  of  Dr.  Joseph  Cogswell,  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolutionary  War,  and,  in  1817,  removed  to 
Pope  County,  Illinois,  where  he  laid  off  the  town 
of  Golconda,  which  became  the  county-seat.  He 
served  as  a  Representative  from  Pope  County  in 
the  First  General  Assembly  (1818-20),  and  was 
the  father  of  Juliet  C.  Field,  who  became  the 
wife  of  John  Raum ;  of  Edna  Field,  the  wife  of 
Dr.  Tarlton  Dunn,  and  of  Green  B.  Field,  who 
was  a  Lieutenant  in  Third  Regiment  Illinois 
Volunteers  during  the  Mexican  War.  Mr.  Field 
was  the  grandfather  of  Gen.  Green  B.  Raum, 
mentioned  in  the  preceding  paragraph.  He  died 
of  yellow  fever  in  Louisiana  in  1823. 

GtALE,  Stephen  Francis,  first  Chicago  book- 
e&Uer  and  a  railway  promoter,  was  born  at 
Exeter,  N.  H.,  March  8,  1812;  at  15  years  of  age 
became  clerk  in  a  leading  book-store  in  Boston; 
came  to  Chicago  in  1835,  and  soon  afterwards 
opened  the  first  book  arid  stationery  establish- 
ment in  that  city,  which,  in  after  years,  gained 
an  extensive  trade.     In  1842  the  firm  of  S.  F. 


Gale  &  Co.  was  organized,  but  Mr.  Gale,  having 
become  head  of  the  Chicago  Fire  Department, 
retired  fro:u  business  in  1845  As  early  as  1846 
he  was  associated  with  W  m.  B.  Ogden  and  John 
B.  Turner  in  the  steps  then  being  taken  to  revive 
the  Galena  &  Chicago  Union  Railroad  (now  a 
part  of  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern),  and,  in 
conjunction  with  these  gentlemen,  became 
responsible  for  tlie  means  to  purchase  the  charter 
and  assets  of  the  road  from  the  Eastern  bond- 
holders. Later,  he  engaged  in  the  construction 
of  the  branch  road  from  Turner  Junction  to 
Aurora,  became  President  of  the  line  smd  ex- 
tended it  to  Mendota  to  connect  with  the  Illinois 
Cential  at  that  Point.  These  roads  afterwards 
became  a  part  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  line.  A  number  of  years  ago  Mr.  Gale 
returned  to  his  old  home  in  New  Hampshire, 
where  he  has  since  resided. 

HAY,  John,  early  settler,  came  to  the  region  of 
Kaskaskia  between  1790  and  1800,  and  became  a 
prominent  citizen  of  St.  Clair  County.  He  was 
selected  as  a  member  of  the  First  Legislative 
Council  of  Indiana  Territory  for  St.  Clair  County 
in  1805.  In  1809  he  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the 
Common  Pleas  Court  of  St.  Clair  County,  and 
was  continued  in  office  after  the  organization  of 
the  State  Government,  serving  until  his  death  at 
Belleville  in  1845. 

HAYS,  John,  pioneer  settler  of  Northwest  Ter- 
ritory, was  a  native  of  New  York,  who  came  to 
Cahokia,  in  the  "Illinois  Country,"  in  1793,  and 
lived  there  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  early 
life  had  been  spent  in  the  fur-trade  about  Macki- 
nac, in  the  Lake  of  the  Woods  region  and  about 
the  sources  of  the  Jlississippi.  During  the  War 
of  1812  he  was  able  to  furnisli  Governor  Edwards 
valuable  information  in  reference  to  the  Indians 
in  the  Northwest.  He  filled  the  office  of  Post- 
master at  Cahokia  for  a  number  of  years,  and  was 
Sheriff  of  St.  Clair  County  from  1798  to  1818. 

MOULTON,  (Col.)  George  M.,  soldier  and 
building  contractor,  was  born  at  Readsburg,  Vt., 
March  15,  1851,  came  early  in  life  to  Chicago,  and 
was  educated  in  the  schools  of  that  city.  By  pro- 
fession he  is  a  contractor  and  builder,  the  firm  of 
wliicli  he  is  a  member  having  been  connected 
with  the  construction  of  a  number  of  large  build- 
ings, including  some  extensive  grain  elevators. 
Colonel  Moulton  became  a  member  of  the  Second 
Regiment  Illinois  National  Guard  in  June,  1884, 
being  elected  to  the  office  of  Major,  which  he 
retained  until  January,  1893,  when  he  was 
appointed  Inspector  of  Rifle  Practice  on  the  staff 
of  General  Wheeler.     A  year  later  he  was  con> 


608 


UISTUlilCAL   ENCYCLOPEDIA    OF    ILLI-NUIS. 


missioned  Colonel  of  the  regiment,  a  position 
whicli  he  occupied  at  tlie  time  of  the  call  b)'  the 
President  for  troops  to  serve  in  the  Spanisli- 
American  War  in  April,  1898.  He  pronijitly 
answered  the  call,  and  was  sworn  into  the  United 
States  service  at  the  head  of  his  regiment  early 
in  May.  The  regiment  was  almost  immediately 
ordered  to  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  remaining  there 
and  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  imtil  early  in  December, 
when  it  was  transferred  to  IIa\ana,  Cuba.  Here 
he  was  stwn  after  appointed  Chief  of  Police  for 
the  city  of  Havana,  remaining  in  office  until  tlio 
middle  of  January,  1809,  when  lie  retiirneil  to  his 
regiment,  then  stationed  at  Camp  Columbia,  near 
the  city  of  Havana.  In  the  latter  part  of  March 
he  returned  with  his  regiment  to  Augusta,  Ga., 
where  it  was  mustered  out,  April  26,  1899,  one 
year  from  the  date  of  its  arrival  at  Springfield. 
After  leaving  the  service  Colonel  Moulton 
rosunieil  liis  business  as  a  contractor. 

SHERMAN,  Lawrence  Y.,  legislator  and 
Si>eaker  of  tlie  Forty -lirst  General  Assembly,  was 
born  in  Miami  County,  Ohio,  Nov.  6,  1858;  at  :i 
years  of  age  came  to  Illinois,  his  parents  settling 
at  Industry,  SIcDoiiough  County.  Wlien  lie  had 
reached  the  age  of  10  years  he  went  to  Jasper 
County,  wlioro  he  grew  to  manhood,  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  and  in  the  law 


department  of  JIcKendree  College,  graduating 
from  tlie  latter,  and,  in  1881,  located  at  Macomb. 
McUonough  County.  Here  he  began  his  career 
by  driving  a  team  upon  the  street  in  order  to 
accumulate  means  enabling  him  to  devote  his 
entire  attention  to  his  chosen  profession  of  law. 
He  soon  took  an  active  interest  in  politics,  was 
elected  County  Judge  in  1886,  and,  at  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term,  formed  a  partnership  with 
George  D.  Tunniclilfe  and  D.  G.  Tunnicllffe, 
ex-Justice  of  the  .Supreme  Court.  In  1891  he  was 
a  candidate  for  the  Republican  nomination  for 
Representative  in  the  General  As.sembly,  but 
witlidiew  to  prevent  a  split  in  the  party;  was 
iioiiiiiiated  and  elected  in  1S96,  and  re-elected  in 
1898,  and,  at  tlie  succeeding  session  of  the 
Forty-first  General  Assembly,  was  nominated 
by  the  Republican  caucus  and  elected  Speaker, 
as  he  was  again  of  the  Forty-second  in  1901. 

A'INYAKD,  Philip,  early  legislator,  vi-as  born 
in  Pennsylvania  in  1800,  came  to  Illinois  at  an 
early  day,  and  settled  in  Pope  County,  which  he 
represented  in  the  lower  branch  of  the  Thirteentli 
and  Fourteenth  General  Assemblies.  He  married 
Miss  Matilda  McCoy,  the  daughter  of  a  prominent 
Illinois  ])ioneer,  and  served  .as  Sheriff  of  Pope 
County  for  a  number  of  years.  Died,  at  Gol- 
couda,  in  166)2, 


SUPPLEMENT   NO.   II. 


BLACK  HAWK  TVAB,  THE.  The  episode 
known  in  history  under  the  name  of  "The  Black 
Hawk  War,"  was  the  most  formidable  conflict 
between  the  whites  and  Indians,  as  well  as  the 
most  far-reaching  in  its  re.sults.  that  ever  oc- 
curred upon  the  soil  of  Illinois.  It  takes  its 
name  from  tlie  Indian  Chief,  of  the  Sac  tribe. 
Black  Hawk  (Indian  name,  M.akatai  Mesliekia- 
kiak,  meaning  "Black  Sparrow  Hawk"),  who 
was  the  leader  of  the  hostile  Indian  band  and  a 
principal  factor  in  the  struggle.  Black  Hawk 
had  been  an  ally  of  the  British  during  the  War 
of  1810-15,  served  with  Tecumseh  when  the  lat- 
ter fell  at  the  battle  of  the  Tliames  in  1813,  and, 
after  the  war,  continued  to  maintain  friendly  re- 
lations with  his  "British  father."    The  outbreak 


in  Illinois  had  its  origin  in  the  construction 
put  upon  the  treaty  negotiated  by  Gen.  William 
Henry  Harrison  with  the  Sac  and  Fox  Indians 
on  belialf  of  tlie  United  States  Government,  Xo- 
vember  3,' 1804.  under  which  the  Indians  trans- 
ferred to  the  Government  nearly  15,000,000  acres 
of  land  comprising  the  region  lying  between  the 
Wisconsin  River  on  the  north.  Fox  River  of  Illi- 
nois on  the  east  and  southeast,  and  the  Jlississii^pi 
on  the  west,  for  which  the  Government  agreed  to 
pay  to  the  confederated  tribes  less  than  §3,500  in 
goods  and  the  insignificant  sum  of  §1,000  per  an- 
num in  i)erpetuity.  While  the  validity  of  the 
treaty  was  denied  on  the  part  of  the  Indians  on  the 
ground  that  it  had  originally  been  entei'ed  into  by 
their  chiefs  under  duress,  while  held  as  prisoners 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


609 


under  a  charge  of  murder  at  Jefferson  Barracks, 
during  which  they  had  been  kept  in  a  state  of  con- 
stant intoxication,  it  had  been  repeatedly  reaf- 
firmed by  parts  or  all  of  the  tribe,  especially  in 
1815,  in  1816,  in  1822  and  in  1823,  and  finally  recog- 
nized by  Black  Hawk  himself  in  i831.  Tlie  part  of 
the  treaty  of  1804  which  was  the  immediate  cause 
of  the  disagreement  was  that  which  stipiilated 
that,  so  long  as  the  lands  ceded  under  it  remained 
the  property  of  the  United  States  (that  is,  should 
not  be  transferred  to  private  owners),  "the  Indians 
belonging  to  the  said  tribes  shall  enjoy  the  jiriv- 
ilege  of  living  or  hunting  upon  them."  Al- 
though these  lands  had  not  been  put  upon  the 
market,  or  even  surveyed,  as  "squatters"  multi- 
plied in  this  region  little  respect  was  paid  to  the 
treaty  rights  of  the  Indians,  particularly  with 
reference  to  those  localities  where,  by  reason  of 
fertility  of  the  soil  or  some  other  natural  advan- 
tage, the  Indians  had  established  something  like 
permanent  homes  and  introduced  a  sort  of  crude 
cultivation.  This  was  especially  the  case  with 
reference  to  the  Sac  village  of  "Saukenuk"  on 
the  north  bank  of  Rock  River  near  its  mouth, 
where  the  Indians,  when  not  absent  on  the  chase, 
had  lived  for  over  a  century,  had  cultivated 
fields  of  corn  and  vegetables  and  had  buried  their 
dead.  In  the  early  part  of  the  last  century,  it  is 
estimated  that  some  five  hundred  families  had 
been  accustomed  to  congregate  here,  making  it 
the  largest  Indian  village  in  the  West.  As  early 
as  1823  the  encroachments  of  squatters  on  the 
rights  claimed  by  the  Indians  under  the  treaty 
of  1804  began;  their  fields  were  taken  possession 
of  by  the  intruders,  their  lodges  burned  and  their 
^omen  and  children  whipped  and  driven  away 
during  the  absence  of  the  men  on  their  annual 
hunts.  The  dangers  resulting  from  these  con- 
flicts led  Governor  Edwards,  as  early  as  1828,  to 
demand  of  the  General  Government  the  expul- 
sion of  the  Indians  from  Illinois,  which  resulted 
in  an  order  from  President  Jackson  in  1S29  for 
their  removal  west  of  the  Mississippi.  On  appli- 
cation of  Col.  George  Davenport,  a  trader  of 
much  influence  with  the  Indians,  the  time  was 
extended  to  April  1,  1830.  During  the  preceding 
year  Colonel  Davenport  and  the  firm  of  Davenport 
and  Farnham  bought  from  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment most  of  the  lands  on  Rock  River  occupied 
by  Black  Hawk's  band,  with  the  intention,  as  has 
been  claimed,  of  permitting  the  Indians  to  remain. 
This  was  not  so  understood  by  Black  Hawk,  who 
was  greatly  incensed,  although  Davenport  offered 
to  take  other  lands  from  the  Government  in  ex- 
change or  cancel  the  sale  —  an  arrangement  to 


which  President  Jackson  would  not  consent.  On 
their  return  in  the  spring  of  1830,  the  Indiana 
found  whites  in  possession  of  their  village.  Pre- 
vented from  cultivating  their  fields,  and  their 
annual  hunt  proving  unsuccessful,  the  following 
winter  proved  for  them  one  of  great  hardship. 
Black  Hawk,  having  made  a  visit  to  his  "  British 
father"  (the  British  Agent)  at  Maiden,  Canada, 
claimed  to  have  received  words  of  sympathy  and 
encouragement,  which  induced  him  tc  determine 
to  regain  possession  of  their  fields.  In  this  he 
was  encouraged  bj'  Neapope,  his  second  in  com- 
mand, and  by  assurance  of  support  from  "White 
Cloud,  a  half  Sac  and  half  Winnebago  —  known 
also  as  "The  Prophet "  —  whose  village  (Prophet  "a 
Town)  was  some  forty  miles  from  the  mouth 
of  Rook  River,  and  through  whom  Black  Hawk 
claimed  to  have  leoeived  promises  of  aid  in  guns, 
ammunition  and  provisions  from  the  British. 
The  reappearance  of  Black  Hawk's  band  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  old  haunts,  in  the  spring  of  1831, 
produced  a  wild  panic  among  the  frontier  settlers. 
Messages  were  hurried  to  Governor  Reynolds, 
who  had  succeeded  Governor  Edwards  in  De- 
cember previous,  appealing  for  protection  against 
the  savages.  The  Governor  issued  a  call  for  700 
volunteers  "  to  remove  the  band  of  Sac  Indians  " 
at  Rock  Island  beyond  the  Mississippi.  Al- 
though Gen.  E.  P.  Gaines  of  the  regular  army, 
commanding  the  military  district,  thought  the 
regulars  sufliiciently  strong  to  cope  with  the  situa- 
tion, the  Governor's  proclamation  was  responded 
to  by  more  than  twice  the  number  called  for. 
The  volunteers  assembled  earlj'  in  June,  1831,  at 
Beardstown,  the  place  of  rendezvous  named  in 
the  call,  and  having  been  organized  into  two  regi- 
ments under  command  of  Col.  James  D.  Henr}  and 
Col.  Daniel  Lieb.  with  a  spy  battalion  under  Gen. 
Joseph  Duncan,  marched  across  the  country  and, 
after  effecting  a  junction  with  General  Gaines' 
regulars,  appeared  before  Black  Hawk's  village  on 
the  2.jth  of  June.  In  the  meantime  General 
Gaines,  having  learned  that  the  Pottawatomies, 
Winnebagos  and  Kickapoos  had  promised  to  join 
the  Sacs  in  their  uprising,  asked  the  assistance  of 
the  battalion  of  mounted  men  previously  offered 
by  Governor  Reynolds.  The  combined  armies 
amounted  to  2,.500  men,  while  the  fighting  force 
of  the  Indians  was  300.  Finding  himself  over- 
whelmingly outnumbered.  Black  Hawk  withdrew 
under  cover  of  night  to  the  west  side  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. After  burning  the  village,  General  Gaines 
notified  Black  Hawk  of  his  intention  to  pursue 
and  attack  his  band,  which  had  the  effect  to 
bring  the  fugitive  chief  to  the  General's  head- 


GIO 


HISTORICAL  E^•CYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


quarters,  where,  on  June  30,  a  new  treaty  was 
entered  into  by  whicli  he  bound  himself  and  his 
people  to  remain  west  of  the  Mississii)pi  unless 
permitted  to  return  by  the  United  .States.  This 
ended  the  camjjait^,  and  the  volunteers  returned 
to  their  homes,  although  the  alTair  had  produced 
an  intense  excitement  alon;;  tlie  whole  frontier, 
and  involved  a  heavy  expense. 

The  next  winter  was  spent  by  Black  Hawk  and 
his  band  on  the  site  of  old  Fort  Madison,  in  the 
present  State  of  Iowa.  Dissatisfied  and  humil- 
iated b}-  his  repulse  of  the  previous  year,  in  disre- 
gard of  his  pledge  to  General  Games,  on  April  6, 
1832,  at  the  head  of  500  warriors  and  their  fam- 
ilies, he  again  crossed  the  Mississippi  at  Yel- 
low Banks  about  the  site  of  the  present  city  of 
Oquawka,  fifty  miles  below  Rock  Island,  with  the 
intention,  as  claimed,  if  not  permitted  to  stop  at 
his  old  village,  to  proceed  to  tlie  Prophet's  Town 
and  raise  a  crop  with  the  Winnebagoes.  Here  he 
was  met  by  The  Prophet  with  renewed  assurances 
of  aid  from  the  Winnebagoes,  which  was  still 
further  strengthened  by  promises  from  the  Brit- 
ish Agent  received  through  a  visit  by  Xeapope  to 
Maiden  the  previous  autunm.  An  inciilent  of  this 
Invasion  was  the  effective  warning  given  to  the 
white  settlers  by  Shabona.  a  friendly  Ottawa 
chief,  which  probably  had  the  effect  to  prevent 
a  widespread  massacre.  Besides  the  towns  of 
Galena  and  Chicago,  the  settlements  in  Illinois 
north  of  Fort  Clark  (Peoria)  were  limited  to  some 
thirty  families  on  Bureau  Creek  with  a  few 
cabins  at  Hennepin.  Peru,  LaSalle.  Ottawa,  In- 
dian Creek,  Dixon,  Kellogg's  Grove,  Apple  Creek, 
and  a  few  other  points.  Gen.  Henrj-  Atkinson, 
commanding  tlie  regulars  at  Fort  Armstrong 
(Rock  Island),  having  learned  of  the  arrival  of 
Black  Hawk  a  week  after  he  crossed  the  Missis- 
sippi, at  once  took  stops  to  notify  Governor  Rey- 
nolds of  the  situation  with  a  reijuisition  for  an 
adequate  force  of  militia  to  co<">|>erate  with  the 
regulars.  Under  date  of  April  10,  1832,  the  Gov- 
ernor issued  his  call  for  "a  strong  det.ichment  of 
militia  "  to  meet  by  April  22,  Beardstown  again 
being  named  as  a  place  of  rendezvous.  The  call 
resulted  in  the  asseml)ling  of  a  force  which  was 
organized  into  four  regiments  under  command  of 
Cols  John  DuWitt,  Jacob  Fry.  Jolin  Thomas  and 
Samuel  M.  Thompson,  together  with  .a  sjiy  bat- 
talion under  Maj.  James  1).  Henry,  an  odd  l)at- 
talion  under  Maj.  Thomas  James  and  a  foot 
battalion  under  Maj.  Thomas  Long.  To  these  were 
subse<)uently  added  two  independent  battalions 
of  mounted  men,  under  command  of  Majors 
Isaiah  Stillmau  and  David  Bailey,  which  were 


finally  consolidated  as  the  Fifth  Regiment  under 
command  of  Col.  James  Johnson.  The  organiza- 
tion of  the  first  four  regiments  at  Beardstown 
was  completed  by  April  27,  and  the  force  under 
command  of  Brigadier  General  Whiteside  (but 
accompanied  bj-  Governor  Reynolds,  who  was 
allowed  pay  as  Major  General  by  the  GeneraV 
Government)  began  its  march  to  Fort  Armstrong, 
arriving  there  May  "and  being  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service.  Among  others  accompanj-- 
ing  the  expedition  who  were  then,  or  afterwards 
became,  noted  citizens  of  the  State,  were  Vital 
Jarrot,  Adjutant-General;  Cyrus  Edwards,  Ord- 
nance Officer;  Murray  McConnel,  Staff  Officer, 
and  Abraham  Lincoln,  Captain  of  a  company  of 
volunteers  from  Sangamon  County  in  the  Fourth 
Regiment.  Col.  Zacliary  Taylor,  then  commander 
of  a  regiment  of  regulars,  arrived  at  Fort  Arm- 
strong about  the  same  time  with  reinforcements 
from  Fort  Leavenworth  and  Fort  Crawford.  The 
total  force  of  militia  amounted  to  1,935  men,  and 
of  regulars  about  1,000.  An  interesting  story  is 
told  concerning  a  speech  delivered  to  the  volun- 
teers by  Colonel  Taylor  alx)ut  this  time.  After 
ren.inding  them  of  their  duty  to  obey  an  order 
promptly,  the  future  hero  of  the  Mexican  War 
added:  "The  safety  of  all  depends  upon  the  obe- 
dience and  courage  of  all.  You  are  citizen  sol- 
diers; .some  of  }-ou  may  till  higli  offices,  or  even  be 
Presidents  some  daj- — but  not  if  jou  refuse  to  do 
your  duty.  Forward,  march!"  A  curious  com- 
mentary upon  this  speecli  is  furnished  in  the  fact 
that,  while  Taylor  himself  afterwards  became 
President,  at  least  one  of  his  hearers — a  volunteer 
who  probably  then  had  no  aspiration  to  that  dis- 
tinction (Abraham  Lincoln) — reached  the  same 
position  during  the  most  dramatic  period  in  the 
nation's  history. 

Two  days  after  the  arrival  at  Fort  Armstrong, 
the  advance  up  Rock  River  began,  the  main  force 
of  the  volunteers  proceeding  by  land  under  Gen- 
eral Whiteside,  while  General  Atkinson,  with 
400  regular  and  300  volunteer  foot  soldiers,  pro- 
ceeded by  bo.at,  carrying  with  him  the  .artillery, 
provisions  and  bulk  of  the  bagg.T.ge.  Whiteside, 
advancing  by  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  was  the 
first  to  arrive  at  the  Prophet's  Town,  which, 
finding  deserted,  he  pushed  on  to  Dixon's  Ferry 
(now  Dixon),  where  he  arrived  Jlay  12.  Here  he 
found  the  independent  battalions  of  Stillman  and 
Bailey  with  ammunition  and  supplies  of  wliich 
AVliiteside  stood  in  need.  The  mounted  battalions 
under  command  of  Major  Stillman,  having  been 
sent  forward  by  Whiteside  as  a  scouting  party, 
left  DixoD  on  the  13th  and,  on  the  afternoon  of 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


611 


the  next  day,  went  into  camp  in  a  strong  position 
near  the  mouth  of  Sycamore  Creek.  As  soon  dis- 
covered, Black  Hawk  was  in  camp  at  the  same 
time,  as  he  afterwards  claimed,  with  about  forty 
of  his  braves,  on  Sycamore  Creek,  three  miles 
distant,  while  the  greater  part  of  his  band  were  en- 
camped with  the  more  war-like  faction  of  the  Pot- 
tawatomies  some  seven  miles  farther  north  on  the 
Kishwaukee  River.  As  claimed  by  Black  Hawk 
in  his  autobiography,  having  been  disappointed  in 
his  expectation  of  forming  an  alliance  with  the 
Winnebagoea  and  the  Pottawatomies,  he  had  at 
this  juncture  determined  to  return  to  the  west 
side  of  the  Mississippi.  Hearing  of  the  aiTival  of 
Stillman's  command  in  the  vicinity,  and  taking 
it  for  granted  that  this  was  the  whole  of  Atkin- 
son's command,  he  sent  out  three  of  his  young 
men  with  a  white  flag,  to  arrange  a  parlej-  and 
convey  to  Atkinson  his  offer  to  meet  the  latter  in 
council.  Tliese  were  captured  by  some  of  Still- 
man's  band  regardless  of  their  flag  of  truce,  while 
a  party  of  five  other  braves  vrho  followed  to  ob- 
serve the  treatment  received  by  the  flagbearers, 
were  attacked  and  two  of  their  number  killed,  the 
the  other  three  escaping  to  their  camp.  Black 
Hawk  learning  the  fate  of  his  truce  party  was 
aroused  to  the  fiercest  indignation.  Tearing  the 
flag  to  pieces  with  which  he  had  intended  to  go 
into  council  with  the  whites,  and  appealing  to  his 
followers  to  avenge  the  murder  of  their  comrades, 
he  prepared  for  the  attack.  The  rangers  num- 
bered 375  men,  while  Black  Hawk's  band  has  been 
estimated  at  less  than  forty.  As  the  rangers 
caught  sight  of  the  Indians,  they  rushed  forward 
in  pell-mell  fashion.  Retiring  behind  a  fringe 
of  bushes,  the  Indians  awaited  the  attack.  As 
the  rangers  approached.  Black  Hawk  and  his 
party  rose  up  with  a  war  whoop,  at  the  same  time 
opening  fire  on  their  assailants.  The  further 
history  of  the  affair  was  as  much  of  a  disgrace  to 
Stillman's  command  as  had  been  their  desecra- 
tion of  the  flag  of  truce.  Thrown  into  panic  by 
their  reception  by  Black  Hawk's  little  band,  the 
rangers  turned  and,  without  firing  a  shot,  began 
the  retreat,  dashing  through  their  own  camp  and 
abandoning  everything,  which  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  Indians.  An  attempt  was  made  by  one  or 
two  oflSeers  and  a  few  of  their  men  to  check  the 
retreat,  but  without  success,  the  bulk  of  the  fu- 
gitives continuing  their  mad  rush  for  safety 
through  the  night  until '  they  reached  Dixon, 
twenty-five  miles  distant,  while  many  never 
stopped  until  they  reached  their  homes,  forty 
or  fifty  miles  distant.  The  casualties  to  the 
rangers    amounted    to    eleven    killed    and   two 


wounded,  while  the  Indian  loss  consisted  of  two 
spies  and  one  of  the  flag-bearers,  treacherously 
killed  near  Stillman's  camp,  ihis  ill-starred  af- 
fair, which  has  passed  into  history  as  "Stillman's 
defeat,  "  produced  a  general  panic  along  the  fron- 
tier by  inducing  an  exaggerated  estimate  of  the 
strength  of  the  Indian  force,  while  it  led  Clack 
Hawk  to  form  a  poor  opinion  of  the  courage  ct 
the  white  troops  at  the  same  time  that  it  led  to 
an  exalted  estimate  of  the  prowess  of  his  own 
little  band — thus  becoming  an  important  factor 
in  prolonging  the  war  and  in  the  bloody  massacres 
which  followed.  Whiteside,  with  his  force  of 
1,400  men,  advanced  to  the  scene  of  the  defeat 
the  next  day  and  buried  the  dead,  while  on  the 
19th,  Atkinson,  with  his  force  of  regulars,  pro- 
ceeded up  Rock  River,  leaving  the  remnant  of 
Stillman's  force  to  guard  the  wounded  and  sup- 
plies at  Dixon.  No  sooner  had  he  left  than  the 
demoralized  fugitives  of  a  few  days  before  de- 
serted their  post  for  their  homes,  compelling  At- 
kinson to  return  for  the  protection  of  his  base  of 
supplies,  while  Whiteside  was  ordered  to  follow 
the  trail  of  Black  Hawk  who  had  started  up  the 
Kishwaukee  for  the  swamps  about  Lake  Kosh- 
konong,  nearly  west  of  Milwaukee  within  the 
present  State  of  Wisconsin. 

At  this  point  the  really  active  stage  of  the 
campaign  began.  Black  Hawk,  leaving  the 
women  and  children  of  his  band  in  the  fastnesses 
of  the  swamps,  divided  his  followers  into  two 
bands,  retaining  about  200  under  his  own  com- 
mand, while  the  notorious  half-breed,  MikeGirty, 
led  a  band  of  one  hundred  renegadePottawatomies. 
Returning  to  the  vicinity  of  Rock  Island,  he 
gathered  some  recruits  from  the  Pottawatomies 
and  Winnebagoes,  and  the  work  of  rapine  and 
massacre  among  the  frontier  settlers  began.  One 
of  the  most  notable  of  these  was  the  Indian 
Creek  Massacre  in  LaSalle  County,  about  twelve 
miles  north  of  Ottawa,  on  May  21,  when  sixteen 
persons  were  killed  at  the  Home  of  William 
Davis,  and  two  young  girls — Sylvia  and  Rachel 
Hall,  aged,  respectively,  17  and  15  years — were 
carried  away  captives.  The  girls  were  subse- 
quently released,  having  been  ransomed  for  $2,000 
in  horses  and  trinkets  through  a  Winnebago 
Chief  and  surrendered  to  sub-;vjent  Henry 
Gratiot.  Great  as  was  the  emergency  at  this 
juncture,  the  volunteers  began  to  manifest  evi- 
dence of  dissatisfaction  and,  claiming  that  they 
had  served  out  their  term  of  enlistment,  refused 
to  follow  the  Indians  into  the  swamps  of  Wis- 
consin. As  the  result  of  a  council  of  war,  the 
volunteers  were  ordered  to  Ottawa,  where  they 


612 


niSTOKICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


were  mustered  out  on  May  28,  by  I^ieut.  Robt. 
Aiiilersoii,  afterwards  General  Anderson  of  Fort 
Sumter  fame.  Meanwhile  ( iovernor  Reynolds  had 
issued  his  call  (with  that  of  1831  the  third,)  for 
2,0(10  men  to  serve  during  the  war.  Gen. 
"Win  field  Scott  was  also  ordered  from  the  East 
with  1,000  regulars  although,  owing  to  cholera 
breaking  out  among  the  troops,  they  did  not 
arrive  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  campaign.  The 
rank  and  file  of  volunteers  responding  under  the 
new  call  was  ;!,  118,  with  recruits  and  regulars 
then  in  Illinois  niaking  an  army  of  4,000.  Pend- 
ing the  arrival  of  the  tr(ioi)S  under  the  new  call, 
and  to  meet  an  inuuediate  emergency,  300  men 
were  enlisted  from  the  disbanded  i^angers  for  a 
period  of  twenty  days,  and  organized  into  a 
regiment  under  command  of  Col.  Jacob  Fry, 
with  James  D.  Henry  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  and 
John  Thomas  as  Major.  Among  those  who  en- 
listed as  privates  in  this  regiment  were  Brig.- 
Gen.  Whiteside  and  Capt.  Abraham  Lincoln.  A 
regiment  of  five  companies,  numbering  lO.^j  men, 
from  Putnam  County  under  command  of  Col. 
John  Strawn,  and  another  of  eight  companies 
from  Vermilion  County  under  Col.  Isaac  R. 
Moore,  were  organized  and  assigned  to  guard 
duty  for  a  i)eriod  of  twenty  days. 

The  new  volunteers  were  rendezvoused  at  Fort 
Wilbourn,  nearly  opposite  Peru,  June  15,  and 
organized  into  three  brigades,  each  consisting  of 
three  regiments  and  a  spy  battalion.  The  First 
Brigade  (Ol.'j  strong)  was  placed  under  command 
of  Brig. -Gen.  Alexander  Posey,  the  Second 
muler  Gen.  Milton  K.  Alexander,  and  the  third 
under  Gen.  James  I),  Henry.  Others  who  served 
as  officers  in  some  of  the.se  several  organizations, 
and  afterwards  became  prominent  in  State  his- 
tory, were  Lieut.-Col.  Gurdon  S.  Hubbard  of  the 
Vermilion  County  regiment;  John  A.  McClern- 
and,  on  the  staff  of  (ieneral  Posey;  Maj.  John 
Dement;  thou  State  Treasurer;  StinsonH.  Ander- 
son, afterwards  Lieutenant-Governor;  Lieut.- 
Gov.  Zadoc  Casey;  Maj.,  William  McHenry; 
Sidney  Breese  (afterwards  Judge  of  the  State 
Supreme  Court  and  United  States  Senator):  W. 
L.  D.  Ewing  (as  Major  of  a  spy  battalion,  after- 
wards United  States  Senator  and  State  Auditor) ; 
Alexander  W.  Jenkins  (afterwards  Lieutenant- 
Governor)  :  James  W.  Semple  (afterwards  United 
States  Senator) ;  and  William  Weatherford  (after- 
wards a  Colonel  in  the  Mexican  War),  and  many 
more.  Of  the  Hlinois  troops,  Posey's  brigade 
was  assigned  to  the  duty  of  dispersing  the  Indians 
between  Galena  and  Rock  River,  Alexander's  sent 
to  intercept  Black  Hawk  up  the  Rock  River, 


while  Henry's  remained  with  Gen.  Atkinson  at 
Dixon.  During  the  next  two  weeks  engage- 
ments of  a  more  or  less  serious  charactei  « ere 
had  on  the  Pecatonica  on  the  soutliern  border  of 
the  present  State  of  Wiscon.sin;  at  Apple  River 
Fort  fourteen  miles  east  of  Galena,  wliich  was 
successfully  defended  against  a  force  under  Black 
Hawk  himself,  and  at  Kellogg's  Grove  the  next 
day  (June  25),  when  the  same  band  ambushed 
Maj.  Demenfs  spy  battalion,  and  camo  near  in- 
flicting a  defeat,  which  was  prevented  by 
Demerit's  coolness  and  the  timely  arrival  of  re- 
inforcements. In  the  latter  engagement  the 
whites  lost  live  killed  be,sides47  horses  which  had 
been  tethered  outside  their  lines,  the  loss  of  the 
Indians  being  sixteen  killed.  SkirmLshes  also 
occurred  with  varying  results,  at  Plum  River 
Fort,  Burr  Oak  Grove,  Sinsiniwa  and  Blue 
Mounds — the  la,st  two  within  the  present  State  of 
Wisconsin. 

Believing  the  bulk  of  the  Indians  to  be  camped 
in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Koshkonong,  General 
Atkinson  left  Dixon  June  27  with  a  combined 
force  of  regulars  ;knd  volunteers  numbering  2, GOO 
men — the  volunteers  being  under  the  command 
of  General  Henry.  They  reached  the  outlet  of  the 
Lake  Julj'  2,  but  found  no  Indians,  being  joined 
two  daj-s  later  by  General  Alexander's  brigade,  and 
on  the  Cth  by  Gen,  Posey's.  From  here  the  com- 
mands of  Generals  Henry  and  Alexander  were 
sent  for  supjilies  to  Fort  Winnebago,  at  the  Port- 
age of  the  Wisconsin ;  Colonel  Ewing,  with  the 
Second  Regiment  of  Posey's  brigade  descending 
Rock  River  to  Dixon,  Posey  with  the  remainder, 
going  to  Fort  Hamilton  for  the  protection  of 
settlers  in  the  leail-mining  region,  while  Atkin- 
son, advancing  with  the  regulars  up  Lake  Koshko- 
nong, began  the  erection  of  temporary  fortifica- 
tions on  Bark  River  near  the  site  of  the  present 
village  of  Fort  Atkinson.  At  Fort  Winnebago 
Alexander  and  Henry  obtained  evidence  of  the 
actual  location  of  Black  Hawk's  camp  through 
Pierre  Poquette,  a  half-breed  scout  and  trader 
in  the  employ  of  the  American  Fur  Company, 
whom  they  employed  with  a  number  of  Winne- 
bagos  to  act  as  guides.  From  this  point  Alex- 
ander's command  returned  to  General  Atkin.son's 
headquarters,  carrying  with  them  twelve  day's 
provisions  for  the  main  army,  while  General 
Henry's(600strong),  with  Major  Dodge'sbattalion 
numbering  150,  with  an  equal  quantity  of  supplies 
for  themselves,  started  under  the  guidance  of 
Poquette  and  his  Winnebago  aids  to  find  Black 
Hawk's  camp.  Arriving  on  the  18th  at  the 
Winnebago  village  on  Rock  River  where  Black 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


613 


Hawk  and  his  band  had  been  located,  their  camp 
was  found  deserted,  the  Winnebagos  insisting 
that  tliey  had  gone  to  Cranberrj-  (  now  Horicon) 
Lake,  a  lialf-da3's  march  up  the  river.  Messen- 
gers were  immediately  dispatched  to  Atkinson's 
headquarters,  thirty-five  miles  distant,  to  ap- 
prise him  of  this  fact.  When  they  had  proceeded 
about  half  the  distance,  they  struck  a  broad, 
fresh  trail,  which  proved  to  be  that  of  Black 
Hawk's  band  lieaded  westward  toward  the  Jlis- 
sissippi.  The  guide  having  deserted  them  in 
order  to  warn  his  tribesmen  that  further  dis- 
sembling to  deceive  the  whites  as  to 
the  whereabouts  of  the  Sacs  was  use- 
less, the  messengers  were  compelled  to  follow 
him  to  General  Henry's  camp.  The  discovery  pro- 
duced the  wildest  enthusiasm  among  the  volun- 
teers, and  from  this  time-events  followed  in  rapid 
succession.  Leaving  as  far  as  possible  all  incum- 
brances behind,  the  pursuit  of  the  fugitives  was 
begun  without  delay,  the  troops  wading  through 
swamps  sometimes  in  water  to  their  armpits. 
Soon  evidence  of  the  character  of  the  flight  the 
Indians  were  making,  in  the  shape  of  exhausted 
horses,  blankets,  and  camp  equipage  cast  aside 
along  the  trail,  began  to  appear,  and  straggling 
bands  of  Winnebagos,  who  had  now  begun  to 
desert  Black  Hawk,  gave  information  that  the 
Indians  were  only  a  few  miles  in  advance.  On 
the  evening  of  the  20th  of  July  Henry's  forces 
encamped  at  "The  Four  Lakes,"  the  present 
site  of  the  city  of  Madison,  Wis.,  Black  Hawk's 
force  lying  in  ambush  the  same  night  seven  or 
eight  miles  distant.  During  the  next  afternoon 
the  rear-guard  of  the  Indians  under  Neapope  was 
overtaken  and  skirmishing  continued  until  the 
bluffs  of  the  Wisconsin  were  reached.  Black 
Hawk's  avowed  object  was  to  protect  the  passage 
of  the  main  body  of  his  people  across  the  stream. 
The  loss  of  the  Indians  in  these  skirmishes  has 
been  estimated  at  40  to  68,  while  Black  Hawk 
claimed  that  it  was  only  six  killed,  the  loss  of 
the  whites  being  one  killed  and  eight  wounded. 
During  the  night  Black  Hawk  succeeded  in 
placing  a  considerable  number  of  the  women  and 
children  and  old  men  on  a  raft  and  in  canoes 
obtained  from  the  Winnebagos,  and  sent  them 
down  the  river,  believing  that,  as  non-combat- 
ants, they  would  be  permitted  by  the  regulars 
to  pass  Fort  Crawford,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Wis- 
consin, undisturbed.  In  this  he  was  mistaken. 
A  force  sent  from  the  fort  under  Colonel  Ritner  to 
intercept  them,  fired  mercilessly  upon  the  help- 
less fugitives,  killing  fifteen  of  their  number, 
while  about  fifty  were  drowned  and  thirty-two 


women  and  children  made  prisoners.  The  re- 
mainder, escaping  into  the  woods,  with  few  ex- 
ceptions died  from  starvation  and  exposure,  or 
were  ma.ssacred  by  their  enemies,  the  Menomi- 
nees.  acting  under  white  officers.  Dviring  the 
night  after  the  battle  of  Wisconsin  Heights,  a 
loud,  shrill  voice  of  some  one  speaking  in  an  un- 
known tongue  was  heard  in  the  direction  where 
Black  Hawk's  band  was  supposed  to  be.  This 
caused  something  of  a  panic  in  Henry's  camp,  as 
it  was  supposed  to  come  from  some  one  giving 
orders  for  an  attack.  It  was  afterwards  learned 
that  the  speaker  was  Neapope  speaking  in  the 
Winnebago  language  in  the  hope  that  he  might 
be  heard  by  Poquette  and  the  Winnebago  guides. 
He  was  describing  the  helpless  condition  of  his 
people,  claiming  that  the  war  had  been  forced 
upon  them,  that  their  women  and  children  were 
starving,  and  that,  if  permitted  peacefully  to  re- 
cross  the  Mississippi,  they  would  give  no  further 
trouble.  Unfortunately  Poquette  and  the  other 
guides  had  left  for  Fort  Winnebago,  so  that  no 
one  was  there  to  translate  Neapope's  appeal  and 
it  failed  of  its  object. 

General  Henry 's  force  having  discovered  that  the 
Indians  had  escaped — Black  Hawk  heading  with 
the  bulk  of  his  warriors  towards  the  Mississippi — 
spent  the  next  and  day  night  on  the  field,  but  on 
the  followingday  (July  23)  started  to  meet  General 
Atkinson,  who  had,  in  the  meantime,  been  noti- 
fied of  the  pursuit.  The  head  of  their  columns 
met  at  Blue  Mounds,  the  same  evening,  a  com- 
plete junction  between  the  regulars  and  the 
volunteers  being  effected  at  Helena,  a  deserted 
village  on  the  Wisconsin.  Here  by  using  the 
logs  of  the  deserted  cabins  for  rafts,  the  army 
crossed  the  river  on  the  27th  and  the  28th  and  the 
pursuit  of  black  Hawk's  fugitive  band  was  re- 
newed. Evidence  of  their  famishing  condition 
was  found  in  the  trees  stripped  of  bark  for  food, 
the  carcasses  of  dead  ponies,  with  here  and  there 
the  dead  body  of  an  Indian. 

On  August  1,  Black  Hawk's  depleted  and  famish- 
ing band  reached  the  Mississippi  two  miles  below 
the  mouth  of  the  Bad  Ax,  an  insignificant 
stream,  and  immediately  began  trying  to  cross 
the  river;  but  having  only  two  or  three  canoes, 
the  work  was  slow.  About  the  middle  of  the 
afternoon  the  steam  transport,  "Warrior,"  ap- 
peared on  the  scene,  having  on  board  a  score  of 
regulars  and  volunteers,  returning  from  a  visit 
to  tlie  village  of  the  Sioux  Chief,  Wabasha,  to 
notify  him  tliat  his  old  enemies,  the  Sacs,  were 
headed  in  that  direction.  Black  Hawk  raised  the 
white  flag  in  token  of  surrender  but  the  oflSoer 


614 


niSTOKICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


in  command  cLiiminR  tliat  he  feared  treacher}-  or 
an  amliusli,  deniamlcHl  that  Black  Hawk  should 
come  on  board.  This  lie  was  unable  to  do,  as  he 
had  no  canoe.  After  waiting  a  few  minutes  a 
murderous  fire  of  canister  and  musketry  was 
opened  from  the  steamer  on  the  few  Indians  on 
shore,  wlio  made  such  feeble  resistance  as  tliey 
were  able.  The  result  w;is  the  killing  of  one 
white  man  and  twenty-three  Indians.  After  this 
exploit  the  "Warrior"  proceeded  to  Prairie  du 
Chien,  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  distiint,  for  fuel. 
During  the  night  a  few  more  of  the  Indians 
crossed  the  river,  but  Black  Hawk,  seeing  the 
hopelessness  of  furtlier  resistance,  accompanied 
by  the  Prophet,  and  taking  with  him  a  party  of 
ten  warriors  and  thirty-five  squaws  and  children, 
fled  in  the  direction  of  "the  delLs "  of  the  Wis- 
consin. On  the  momingof  the2d  General  Atkinson 
arrived  within  four  or  five  miles  of  the  Sac 
position.  Disposing  his  forces  with  the  regulars 
and  Colonel  Dodge's  rangers  in  the  center,  the  brig- 
ades of  Posey  and  Alexander  on  the  right  and 
Henry's  on  the  left,  he  began  tlie  pursuit,  but 
was  drawn  by  the  Indian  decoys  up  the  river 
from  the  place  where  the  main  body  of  the 
Indians  were  trying  to  cross  the  stream.  This 
had  the  effect  of  leaving  General  Henry  in  the  rear 
practically  without  orders,  but  it  became  the 
means  of  making  his  command  the  prime  factors 
in  the  climax  which  followed.  Some  of  the  spies 
attached  to  Henry's  command  having  accidental- 
ly discovered  the  trail  of  the  main  body  of  the  fu- 
gitives, he  began  the  pursuit  without  waiting  for 
orders  and  soon  found  himself  engageil  with  some 
300  savages,  a  force  nearly  equal  to  his  own.  It 
w.as  here  that  the  only  thing  like  a.  regiilar  liattle 
occurred.  The  savages  fought  with  the  fury  of 
despair,  while  Henry's  force  was  no  doubt  nerved 
to  greater  deeds  of  courage  by  the  insult  which 
they  conceived  had  Iteen  put  upon  them  by  Gen- 
eral Atkinson.  Atkinson,  hearing  tlie  battle  in 
progress  and  discovering  that  he  was  being  led 
off  on  a  fal.se  scent,  soon  joined  Henry's  force 
with  his  main  army,  and  the  steamer  '•  Warrior," 
arriving  from  Prairie  du  Chien,  opened  a  fire  of 
canister  upon  the  i)ent-up  Indians.  The  battle 
soon  degenerated  into  a  massacre.  In  the  course 
of  the  three  hours  through  which  it  la,sted,  it  is  es- 
timated that  150  Indians  were  killed  by  fire  from 
the  troops,  an  equal  number  of  both  .sexes  and 
all  ages  drowned  while  attempting  to  cross  the 
river  or  by  being  driven  into  it,  while  about  .'iO 
(chiefly  women  and  cliildren)  were  made  prison- 
ers. The  loss  of  the  whites  was  20  killed  and  13 
wounded.     When  the  "battle"  was  nearing  its 


clo.se  it  is  said  that  Black  Hawk,  having  repented 
the  abandonment  of  his  people,  returned  within 
sight  of  the  battle-ground,  but  seeing  the  slaugh- 
ter in  progress  which  he  was  powerless  to  avert,  he 
turned  and,  with  a  howl  of  rage  and  horror,  fle<l 
into  the  forest.  About  300  Indians  (mo.stly  non- 
combatants)  succeeded  in  crossing  the  river  in  a 
condition  of  exhaustion  from  hunger  and  fatigue, 
but  these  were  set  upon  by  the  Sioux  under  Chief 
Wabasha,  through  the  suggestion  and  agency  of 
General  Atkinson,  and  nearly  one-half  their  num- 
ber exterminated.  Of  the  remainder  many  died 
from  wounds  and  exhaustion,  while  still  others 
perished  while  attempting  to  reach  Keokuk's  band 
who  had  refused  to  join  in  Black  Hawk's  desper- 
ate venture.  Of  one  thousand  who  crossed  to  the 
east  side  of  the  river  with  Black  Hawk  in  April, 
it  is  estimated  that  not  more  than  150  survived 
the  tragic  events  of  the  next  four  months. 

General  Scott,  having  arrived  at  Prairie  du  Chien 
earh'  in  August,  assumed  command  and,  on 
August  15,  mustered  out  the  volunteers  at  Dixon, 
HI.  After  witnessing  the  bloody  climax  at  the 
Bad  Axe  of  his  ill-starred  invasion.  Black  Hawk 
fled  to  the  dells  of  the  Wisconsin,  where  he  and 
the  Prophet  surrendered  themselves  to  the  Win. 
nebagos,  by  whom  they  were  delivered  to  the 
Indian  Agent  at  Prairie  du  Chien.  Having  been 
taken  to  Fort  Armstrong  on  September  21,  he 
there  signed  a  treaty  of  peace.  Later  he  was 
taken  to  Jefferson  Barracks  (near  St.  Louis)  in 
the  custody  of  Jefferson  Davis,  then  a  Lieutenant 
in  the  regular  army,  where  he  was  held  a  captive 
during  the  following  winter.  The  connection  of 
Davis  with  the  Black  Hawk  War,  mentioned  by 
many  historians,  seems  to  have  been  confined  to 
this  act.  In  April,  1833,  with  the  Prophet  and 
Neapope,  he  was  taken  to  Washington  and  then 
to  Fortress  Monroe,  where  they  were  detained  as 
prisoners  of  war  until  June  4,  when  they  were 
released.  Black  Hawk,  after  being  taken  to  many 
principal  cities  in  order  to  impress  him  with  the 
strength  of  the  American  nation,  was  brought  to 
Fort  Armstrong,  and  there  committed  to  the 
guardianship  of  his  rival,  Keokuk,  but  survived 
this  humiliation  only  a  few  years,  dying  on  a 
small  reservation  set  apart  for  him  in  Davis 
County,  Iowa,  October  3,  1838. 

Sueli  is  the  story  of  the  Black  Hawk  War,  the 
most  notable  struggle  with  the  aborigines  in  Illi- 
nois history.  At  its  beginning  both  the  State 
and  national  autliorities  were  grossly  misled  by 
an  exaggerated  estimate  of  the  strength  of  Black 
Hawk's  force  as  to  nmnbers  and  his  plans  for 
recovering  the  site  of    his     old    village,    while 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


615 


Black  Hawk  had  conceived  a  low  estimate  of  the 
numbers  and  courage  of  liis  white  enemies,  es- 
pecially after  the  Stillman  defeat.  The  cost  of 
the  war  to  the  State  and  nation  in  money  has  been 
estimated  at  S'2,000,000,  and  in  sacrifice  of  life 
on  both  sides  at  not  less  than  1,200.  The  loss  of 
life  by  the  troops  in  irregular  skirmishes,  and  in 
massacres  of  settlers  by  the  Indians,  aggregated 
about  250,  while  an  equal  number  of  regulars 
perished  from  a  visitation  of  cholera  at  the 
various  stations  within  the  district  affected  by 
the  war,  especially  at  Detroit,  Chicago,  Fort 
Armstrong  and  Galena.  Yet  it  is  the  judgment 
of  later  historians  that  nearly  all  this  sacrifice  of 
life  and  treasure  might  have  been  avoided,  but 
for  a  series  of  blunders  due  to  the  blind  or  un- 
scrupulous policy  of  officials  or  interloping  squat- 
ters upon  lands  which  the  Indians  had  occupied 
under  the  treaty  of  1804.  A  conspicious  blunder — 
to  call  it  by  no  harsher  name  —  was 
the  violation  by  Stillman's  command  of  the 
rules  of  civilized  warfare  in  the  attack  made 
upon  Black  Hawk"s  messengers,  sent  under 
flag  of  truce  to  request  a  conference  to  settle 
terms  under  which  he  might  return  to  the  west 
side  of  the  Mississippi — an  act  whicli  resulted  in 
a  humiliating  and  disgraceful  defeat  for  its 
authors  and  proved  the  first  step  in  actual  war. 
Another  misfortune  was  the  failure  to  understand 
Neapope's  appeal  for  peace  and  permission  for  his 
people  to  pass  beyond  the  Mississippi  the  night 
after  the  battle  of  Wisconsin  Heights;  and  the 
third  and  most  inexcusable  blunder  of  all,  was 
the  refusal  of  the  officer  in  command  of  the 
"Warrior  "  to  respect  Black  Hawk's  flag  of  truce 
and  request  for  a  conference  just  before  the 
bloody  massacre  which  has  gone  into  history 
under  the  name  of  the  "  battle  of  the  Bad  Axe." 
Either  of  these  events,  properly  availed  of,  would 
have  prevented  much  of  the  butchery  of  that 
bloody  episode  which  has  left  a  stain  upon  the 
page  of  history,  although  this  statement  implies 
no  disposition  to  detract  from  the  patriotism  and 
•courage  of  some  of  the  leading  actors  upon  whom 
She  responsibility  was  placed  of  protecting  the 
frontier  settler  from  outrage  and  massacre.  One 
of  the  features  of  the  war  was  the  bitter  jealousy 
engendered  by  the  unwise  policy  pursued  by 
General  Atkinson  towards  some  of  the  volun- 
teers— especially  the  treatment  of  General  James 
D.  Henry,  who,  although  subjected  to  repeated 
slights  and  insults,  is  regarded  by  Governor  Ford 
and  others  as  the  real  hero  of  the  war.  Too 
brave  a  soldier  to  shirk  any  responsibility  and 
too    modest   to  exploit   his  own  deeds,    he   felt 


deeply  tlie  studied  purpose  of  his  superior  to 
ignore  him  in  the  conduct  of  the  campaign — a 
purpose  which,  as  in  the  affair  at  the  Bad  Axe, 
was  defeated  by  accident  or  by  General  Henrj''s 
soldierly  sagacity  and  attention  to  duty,  although 
he  gave  out  to  the  public  no  utterance  of  com- 
plaint. Broken  in  health  bj-  the  hardships  and 
exposures  of  tlie  campaign,  he  went  South  soon 
after  the  war  and  died  of  consumption,  unknown 
and  almost  alone,  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  less 
two  years  later. 

Aside  frorj  contemporaneous  newspaper  ac- 
counts, monographs,  and  manuscripts  on  file 
in  public  libraries  relating  to  this  epoch  in  State 
history,  the  most  comprehensive  records  of  the 
Black  Hawk  War  are  to  be  found  in  the  "  Life  of 
Black  Hawk,"  dictated  by  himself  (1834) ;  Wake- 
field's "History  of  the  War  between  the  United 
States  and  the  Sac  and  Fox  Nations"  (1834); 
Drake's"  Life  of  Black  Hawk"  (1854);  Ford's 
"History  of  Illinois"  (1854);  Reynolds'  "Pio- 
neer History  of  Illinois;  and  "My  Own  Times"; 
Davidson  &  Stuve's  and  Moses'  Histories  of  Illi- 
nois ;  Blanchard's  ' '  The  Northwest  and  Chicago" ; 
Armstrong's  "The  Sauks  and  the  Black  Hawk 
War,  '  and  Reuben  G.  Thwaite's  "Story  of  the 
Black  Hawk  War"  (1892.) 

CHICAGO  HEIGHTS,  a  village  in  the  southern 
part  of  Cook  County,  twenty-eight  miles  south  of 
the  central  part  of  Chicago,  on  the  Chicago  & 
Eastern  Illinois,  the  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  and 
the  Michigan  Central  Railroads;  is  located  in  an 
agricultural  region,  but  has  some  manufactures 
as  well  as  good  schools — also  has  two  weekly  news- 
papers.    Pop.  (1900),  5,100;  (1910),  14,525. 

GRAXITE  CITY,  in  Madison  County,  located 
five  miles  north  of  St.  Louis  on  the  lines  of  the 
Burlington;  the  Chicago  &  Alton;  Cleveland, 
Cincinnati,  Chicago  &  St.  Louis;  Chicago,  Peoria 
&  St.  Louis  (Illinois),  and  the  Wabash  Railways. 
It  is  adjacent  to  the  Merchants'  Terminal  Bridge 
across  the  Mississippi  and  has  considerable  manu- 
facturing and  grain-storage  business;  has  two 
newspapers.    Pop.  (1900),  3,122;  (1910),  9,903. 

CICEROj  a  city  and  towTiship  of  Cook  County, 
adjacent  to  and  west  of  the  city  of  Chicago,  and 
lies  between  Oak  Park  on  the  north  and  Ber\\-T,-n  on 
the  south;  is  a  popular  residence  section  and  has  long 
resisted  annexation  to  Chicago.    Pop.  (1910),  14,557. 

FOREST  PARK  (formerly  Harlem),  a  ^-illage 
and  suburb  of  Chicago,  on  the  line  of  the  C.  &  N.  W. 
R.  R.,  9  miles  west  of  the  terminal  station:  is  a 
favorite  residence  section.     Pop.  (1910),  6,594. 

HARVEY,  a  city  of  Cook  County,  and  an  im- 
portant manufacturing  suburb  of  the  city  of  Chi- 


61G 


HISTORICAL  E\X"YCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


ongo,  three  miles  southwest  of  the  southern  city 
limits  It  is  on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central 
and  the  Chicago  iS:  (Jriuul  Trunk  Riiihvays.  and 
has  extensive  man u fact ur(«  of  harvesting,  street 
and  steam  railway  macliinery,  gasoline  stoves, 
enameled  ware.  etc. ;  also  has  one  newspaper  and 
ample  school  facilitie.s.     Population  (1900),  5,395. 

IOWA  CKXTR.VL  RAILWAY,  a  railway  line 
having  its  [>rincipal  termini  at  Peoria,  111.,  and 
Manly  Junction,  nine  miles  north  of  Mason  City, 
Iowa,  with  .several  lateral  hranches  making  con- 
nections with  Centerville,  Newton,  State  Center, 
Story  City,  Algona  and  Northwood  in  the  latter 
State.  The  total  length  of  line  owned,  leased 
and  operated  by  the  Company,  officially  reported 
in  1899,  was  508.98  miles,  of  which  89,76  miles- 
including  3.5  miles  trackage  facilities  on  the 
Peoria  &  Pekin  Union  l>etween  Iowa  Junction 
and  Peoria — were  in  Illinois.  The  Illinois  divi- 
eion  e.\tends  from  Keithshurg — where  it  enters 
the  State  at  the  crossing  of  the  Mississippi — to 
Peoria.— (History.)  The  Iowa  Central  Railway 
Company  was  originally  chartered  as  the  Central 
Railroad  Company  of  Iowa  and  the  road  com- 
pleted in  Octol)er,  1871.  In  1873  it  passed  into 
the  hands  of  a  receiver  and,  on  June  4,  1879,  was 
reorganized  under  the  name  of  the  Central  Iowa 
Railway  Company.  In  May,  1883,  this  company 
purcha.sed  the  Peoria  &  Farmington  Railroad, 
which  was  incorporated  into  the  main  line,  but 
defaulted  and  pas.sed  into  the  hands  of  a  receiver 
December  1,  18sfl;  tlie  line  was  sold  under  fore- 
closure in  1887  and  ls88,  to  the  Iowa  Central 
Railway  Company,  wliich  had  effected  a  new 
organization  on  the  basis  of  .$11,000,000  common 
stock,  $0,000,000  preferred  stock  and  $1,379,625 
temporary  debt  certificates  convertible  into  pre- 
ferred stock,  and  $7,500,000  first  mortgage  bonds. 
The  transaction  was  completeil,  the  receiver  dis- 
charged and  the  road  turned  over  to  the  new 
company.  May  15,  1889.  — (Financi.\l).  The  total 
capitalization  of  the  road  in  1899  was  .$21,337,5,58, 
of  wliich  $14.1.59.180  wa.s  in  stock,  .$0.6.50.095  in 
bonils  and  $.528,283  in  other  forms  of  indebtedness. 
The  total  earnings  ami  income  of  the  line  in  Illi- 
nois for  the  same  year  were  -$532,568,  and  the  ex- 
penditures $.5fiG,,333. 

SPAKTA,  acity  of  liandolph  County,  situated 
on  the  Centralia  &  Chester  and  the  Mobile  & 
Ohio  Railroads,  twenty  miles  northwest  of  Ches- 
ter and  tifty  miles  southeast  of  St.  Louis.     It  has 


a  number  of  manufacturing  establishments,  in- 
cluding plow  factories,  a  woolen  mill,  a  cannery 
and  creameries;  also  luus  natural  gas.  The  first 
settler  was  James  JlcC'lurken,  from  South  Caro- 
lina, who  .settled  here  in  1818.  He  was  joined  by 
James  Armour  a  few  years  later,  who  bought 
land  of  McClurken,  and  together  they  laid  out 
a  village,  which  first  received  the  name  of  Co- 
lumlms.  About  the  same  time  Robert  G.  Shan- 
non, who  had  been  conducting  a  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  the  vicinity,  located  in  the  town  and 
became  the  first  Postmaster.  In  1839  the  name 
of  the  town  was  changed  to  Sparta.  Mr.  McClur- 
ken, its  earliest  settler,  appears  to  have  been  a 
man  of  considerable  enterprise,  as  he  is  credited 
with  having  built  the  first  cotton  gin  in  this  vi- 
cinity, besides  still  later,  erecting  saw  and  flour 
mills  and  a  woolen  mill.  Sparta  was  incorporated 
as  a  village  in  1837  and  in  1859  as  a  city.  A  col- 
ony of  members  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church  (Covenanters  or  "Seceders")  established 
at  Eden,  a  beautiful  site  about  a  mile  from 
Sparta,  alx)ut  1822,  cut  an  important  figure  in 
the  history  of  the  latter  place,  as  it  became  the 
means  of  attracting  here  an  industrious  and 
thriving  population.  At  a  later  period  it  became 
one  of  the  most  important  stations  of  the  "Under- 
ground Railroad"  (so  called)  in  Illinois  (which 
see).  The  population  of  Sparta  (1890)  was  1,979; 
(1000).  2,041:   (lOin)    3,081. 

WEST  FRANKFORT,  a  city  of  Franklin  County, 
on  the  line  of  the  Chicago  &  Eastern  Illinois  Rail- 
road; is  a  rich  coal  mining  region  and  has  some 
manufactures.     Pop.  (1910),  2,111. 

WITT,  a  city  of  Montgomery  County  on  the  "  Big 
Four"  and  C.  &  E.  I.  R.  R.,  10  miles  northeast  of 
Hillsboro;  in  mining  district.    Pop.  (1910),  2,170. 

WEST  HAMMOND,  a  village  situated  in  the 
northeast  corner  of  Thornton  Township,  Cook 
County,  adj<acent  to  Hammond,  Ind.,  from  which 
it  is  sep.arated  by  the  Indiana  State  line.  It  is  on 
the  Michigan  Central  Railroad,  one  mile  south  of 
the  Chicago  City  limits,  an<l  has  convenient  ac- 
cess to  several  other  lines,  including  the  Chicago 
&  Erie;  New  York,  Chicago  &  St.  Louis,  and 
Western  Indiana  Railroads.  Like  its  Indiana 
neighbor,  it  is  a  m.inufacturing  center  of  much 
importance,  was  incorporated  as  a  village  in 
1892,  and  has  grown  rapidly  within  the  last  few 
years,  having  a  jiopulation,  according  to  the  cen- 
sus of  1900,  of  2,935. 


SUPPLEMENT  NO.  III. 


DRAINAGE  DITCHES  AND  LEVEES.  The 
great  agricultural  district  of  Illinois  has  been 
immensely  imjiroved  from  the  state  of  nature, 
hy  expensive  drainage  ditches  and  levees,  or 
iiy  the  instjillation,  in  some  instances,  of  pump- 
ing machinery.  Millions  of  acres  of  former  wet 
or  overflowed  lands  have  thus  been  redeemed 
from  swamps,  sloughs  or  almost  worthless  river 
bottoms.  In  the  years  from  1S70  to  1874,  the  . 
great  Sny  Island  Levee  and  Drainage  District 
of  Adams,  Pilce  and  Calhoun  counties,  was  im- 
proved by  a  levee  .""lO  miles  in  length  along  the 
east  bank  of  the  Mississippi  Kiver.  This  stream 
called  the  Sny,  or  ".Snycarte,"  which  was  really 
a  bayou  of  the  Mississippi  River,  flowed  from 
an  opening  in  that  stream  in  Adams  County, 
through  the  enormously  rich  valley  lands  lying 
between  the  Mississippi  River  and  the  parallel 
line  of  bluffs,  and  emptied  itself  into  the  main 
stream  in  CUlhoun  County.  Upon  the  organiza- 
tion of  this  drainage  and  levee  district,  a  dam 
was  constructed  in  Adams  County  at  the  head 
of  the  Sny,  and  by  the  building  of  the  levee 
along  the  main  river  bank,  all  of  the  upper  part 
of  the  bottom  land  of  this  large  district  was 
enclosed.  The  channel  of  the  Sny  was  left  o|)en 
at  the  lower  end  and  ordinary  floods  were  car- 
ried off  into  the  Mississipiii  thereby,  and  over 
100,000  acres  were  thus  preserved  from  over- 
flow. This  work  was  constructed  under  drain- 
age laws  which  were  supposed,  under  the  con- 
stitution of  1S70.  to  give  authority  for  the  issue 
of  bonds  to  be  assessed  upon  the  land  benefited. 
After  the  completion  of  the  work  and  the  sale 
of  the  bonds,  the  courts  decided  the  bonds  were 
issued  under  a  law  which  violated  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  state,  and  the  $600,000  worth  of 
bonds  were  decided  to  be  worthless  and  have 
proved  a  loss  to  their  owners. 

In  187S,  the  people  of  Illinois  adopted  an 
amendment  to  the  constitution,  and  in  agree- 
ment with  this  carefully  worded  amendment, 
various  acts  of  the  legislature  have  since  been 


passed,  and  in  accordance  with  some  of  these, 
this  unfortunate  district  has  been  greatly  im- 
proved. Tnder  the  diflerent  acts  of  the  legisla- 
ture which  have  been  enacted  at  various  times, 
a  great  number  of  drainage  and  levee  projects 
have  been  carried  out  and  others  are  still  being 
lilanned.  Immense  tracts  of  swamps  and  over- 
flowed lauds,  considered  almost  worthless  by 
our  early  pioneers,  have  since  been  brought  to 
a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  are  now  by  far 
the  richest  farm  lands  in  Illinois.  Large  areas 
of  these  wet  lands,  once  called  sloughs,  which 
yielded  only  coarse  grass,  reeds  or  rushes,  have 
been  improved  by  what  are  called  "dredge 
ditches,"  excavated  by  powerful  steam  dredge 
boats. 

The  report  of  the  State  of  Illinois  Rivers  and 
Lakes  Commission  furnishes  a  tabulated  list 
of  all  the  drainage  and  levee  districts  in  this 
state.  It  gives  the  titles  of  505  of  these  dis- 
tricts, situated  in  81  different  counties,  and 
embracing  2,n57.000  acres,  with  enough  more 
land  under  contract  to  bring  the  total  much 
above  3,000,0(10  acres.  There  are  21  counties 
which  do  not  report  any  ditches  or  levees.  The 
cost  of  all  this  work  is  given  at  nearly  $10,000,- 
000.  It  includes  3,118  miles  of  open  dredged 
ditches  and  1,322  miles  of  levee.  These  3,000,- 
000  acres  are  easily  worth  $100  more  per  acre 
on  account  of  the  improvement  by  drainage  and 
levees  which,  for  the  whole  .state,  amounts  to 
.$;!00,000,000.  Nearly  all  of  this  additional  value 
has  come  from  the  intelligent  action  of  the 
voters  of  Illinois  in  the  adoption  of  the  drain- 
age amendment  to  our  state  constitution  in  1S7S, 
supplemented  as  it  was  by  the  pronijit  and  care- 
ful action  of  the  state  legislature. 

The  Cairo  District,  owned  almost  entirely  by 
the  Halliday  family,  consisting  of  fi,400  acres, 
is  a  sample  of  districts  constructed  on  over- 
flowed river  bottom  land  wholly  surrounded  by 
levees,  and  freed  from  water  b.v  powerful  jnimp- 
ing  machines.     The  Kask.iskia  Island  Drainage 


617 


618 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


and  he^ee  Pistriet  is  liein;;  constructed  on  tliis 
plan  of  plain  Icvce  construction.  Wlien  com- 
pleted, it  will  contain  about  11,000  acres  of  the 
Great  American  Bottom,  wholly  surrounded  by 
a  very  hi:i;h  levee.  The  Mississippi  River,  in 
ISSl,  broke  through  the  KasUasUia  River  a  few 
miles  above  the  old  town  of  KasUaskia.  and  has 
widened  that  stream  so  that  the  entire  current 
from  the  Mississippi  River  flows  throuiih  the  en- 
larged channel,  and  the  town  has  almost  en- 
tirely disajipeared.  The  old  river  channel 
around  the  west  side  of  the  island  is  now  closed, 
and  the  Kaskaskia  Commons  and  Common 
Lands,  amounting  to  about  11,000  acres,  includ- 
ing some  iirivate  property,  under  recent  legisla- 
tion, are  about  to  be  included  in  a  district  to  be 
surrounded  by  a  very  high  and  costly  levee,  and 
powerful  puni])s  will  drain  the  enclosed  area. 
Our  drainage  laws  have  been  gradually  adapted 
to  a  coniliination  of  land  and  sanitary  drainage 
which  will  allow  cities  or  villages  or  both,  to 
be  assessed  for  sanitary  improvements  in  com- 
pany with  adjacent  or  included  territory,  to  be 
Improved  for  agricultural  purposes.  It  is  al- 
most impossible,  in  general  statements,  to 
Indicate  clearly  all  of  the  peculiar  legal  pro- 
visions for  the  various  conditions  of  drainage 
required,  all  of  whiih  provisions  have  been  based 
upon  the  constitutional  amoniluient  of  IsTS. 

The  Ilillview  Iirain.ige  and  Levee  District  of 
Greene  and  .Scott  counties,  may  be  taken  as  an 
Illustration  of  a  very  common  variety  of  dis- 
tricts which  are  peculiar  to  Illinois  River  bot- 
toms, although  they  can  be  found  along  the 
Mississippi  and  in  other  parts  of  the  state.  The 
Hillview  district  is  about  7  miles  long  from 
north  to  south  and  3  miles  from  east  to  west 
and  contains  12..VI0  acres  of  land.  It  lies  nn  the 
east  side  of  the  Illinois  River.  Like  many  other 
river  bottom  districts,  it  formerly  contained 
several  lakes  which  had  been  leased  to  hunting 
and  fishing  club.s.  Hurricane  Creek  in  Greene 
County,  which  issues  from  the  bluffs  at  Ilill- 
view, is  kept  out  of  the  district  by  the  three- 
mile  embankment  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Rail- 
road which  forms  the  levee  along  the  south  side 
of  the  district.  The  Big  Sandy  Creek  in  S(  ott 
County,  is  leveed  on  both  of  its  banks,  carrying 
Its  water  out  to  the  Illinois  River,  and  the  levee 
on  the  north  bank  forms  the  south  levee  of  the 
next  district  in  Scott  County,  while  the  levee  on 
its  south  bank  is  the  north  levee  of  the  Ilillview 
district.  The  west  levee  of  this  district  is  along 
the  west  bank   of  the   Illinois  River  while  the 


east  side  of  the  river  consists  entirely  of  liigh 
hills  or  bluffs.  As  none  of  the  streams  coming 
from  the.se  hills  are  very  large,  the  flood  waters 
of  the  district  are  quite  easily  handled  by  its 
Iiumps.  There  are  about  10  miles  of  small 
lateral  dredge  ditches  conveying  the  drainage  all 
to  one  main  ditch  and  the  pumping  plant  is 
located  at  its  outlet.  The  whole  assessment  on 
the  district,  which  included  all  expenses,  except- 
ing such  tile  drains  as  the  land  owner  may 
desire,  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  .$300,000, 
making  an  average  assessment  of  about  $2.j  per 
acre.  In  this  district,  as  in  many  others,  there 
was  quite  a  large  area  of  practically  waste  land 
before  the  conunencement  of  the  work,  and  an- 
other very  large  area  which  had  long  been  culti- 
vated and  which  possessed  considerable  value, 
its  owners  running  the  risk  of  occasional  over- 
flows. Districts  like  the  Hillview  district  are 
very  connnon,  esjieciall.v  along  the  Illinois  River. 
Xow  that  the  flow  of  water  from  the  Chicago 
Sanitary  District  has  been  quite  fully  estab- 
lished, it  is  believed  that  districts  of  ths  char- 
acter combining  very  similar  features  with 
those  here  illustrated,  will  prove  to  be  of  great 
permanent  importance.  The  large.st  drainage 
project  in  this  state,  outside  of  Cook  Count.v,  is 
the  East  Side  Levee  and  Sanitary  District  of 
ICast  St.  Louis.  It  has  been  in  process  of  or- 
ganization for  several  years  and  work  has  been 
in  progress  for  over  three  years.  It  is  about  IS 
miles  in  length,  and  its  western  bonndary  is  the 
levee  along  th(>  Mississijipi  River,  much  of  which 
is  the  old  levee  raised,  enlarged  and  strength- 
ened. Its  average  width  is  7  miles  and  it  will 
enclose  the  cities  of  East  St.  Louis,  Granite  City 
and  Venice,  besides  .several  villages. 

Cahokia  Creek,  which  is  about  5.5  miles  in 
length,  with  a  drainage  area  of  jibout  300  square 
miles,  flows  through  the  central  portion  of  East 
St.  Louis  and  has  hitherto  been  an  almost 
insuperable  l)arrier  to  modern  improvements. 
Near  the  jioint  where  this  large  creek  comes  out 
of  the  bluffs  and  encounters  the  Great  Amer- 
ican Bottom,  quite  a  number  of  miles  above 
Granite  Cit.v,  a  large  canal  or  outlet  has  been 
dredged  to  the  Mississippi  bank.  It  is  100  feet 
in  width  at  the  bottom  and  on  its  south  bank 
has  been  thrown  up  a  levee  which  will  resist  the 
Mississijipi  River  at  times  of  overflow,  and 
forms  the  north  levee  of  the  district.  The  south 
levee  will  extend  from  the  line  of  bluffs  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  district  to  its  intersec- 
tion with  the  southwest  corner  of  the  district 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


619 


at  the  river  levee,  at  some  distance  below  the  old 
towu  of  Cahokia.  The  east  side  of  the  district 
will  consist  of  the  uiilands  and  bluffs  outside  of 
the  lowlands  ui.iou  which  the  cities  and  villages 
are  situated.  The  drainage  water  from  this 
high  laud,  and  also  from  the  old  bed  of  Cahokia 
Creek,  will  be  carried  in  a  southerly  direction 
near  the  line  of  upland,  away  from  most  of  the 
area  of  the  cities,  draining  some  of  the  lakes 
and  sloughs  and  having  its  lower  end  near  the 
southwest  corner,  where  ^"ill  be  situated  the 
great  pumping  machinery.  This  ditch  or  canal 
starts  at  the  northwest  corner  near  where  the 
Cahokia  Creek  is  thrown  outside  of  the  north- 
east corner  of  the  district.  It  will  be  SO  feet 
wide,  and  will  carry  all  the  surface  water  of  the 
enclosed  district,  and  will  have  lateral  ditches 
and  connections  with  the  sewers,  unless  the  dif- 
ferent cities  have  separate  sewer  connections 
near  their  several  old  outlets.  The  estimated 
cost  of  this  immense  undertaking  is  over  $6,000,- 
000,  and  the  work  is  one  of  untold  importance 
to  the  region  benefitted.  The  cities  and  villages 
included  already  contain  a  population  of  over 
100,000  and  are  growing  with  great  rapidity. 
The  importance  of  this  grand  improvement  can 
not  at  present  be  fully  estimated. 

J.  H.  BURNH.IM. 

ILLINOIS     STATE     HISTORICAL    SOCIETY. 

Beginning  with  ls27,  various  attempts  were 
made  to  establish  a  state  historical  society  in 
the  state  of  Illinois,  but  all  were  short  lived, 
however,  until  1S99.  when  the  present  Illinois 
State  Historical  Society  was  organized.  In  re- 
sponse to  a  call  signed  by  Judge  Hiram  W. 
Beckwith,  Dr.  Edunind  Janes  James  and  George 
N.  Black,  then  trustees  of  the  Illinois  State  His- 
torical Library,  and  J.  H.  Burnham,  E.  M. 
Prince,  George  P.  Davis,  David  JlcCulloch,  and 
other  citizens  interested  in  historical  work,  a 
preliminary  meeting  was  held  at  the  T'niversity 
of  Illinois.  On  May  23,  1000.  the  Illinois  State 
Historical  Society  was  chartered  as  a  corpora- 
tion under  the  laws  of  the  state.  The  objects 
of  the  society  were  thus  set  forth  in  the  articles 
of  incorporation:  "To  excite  and  stimulate  a 
general  interest  in  the  history  of  Illinois:  to 
encourage  historical  research  and  investigation 
and  to  secure  its  promulgation :  to  collect  and 
preserve  all  forms  of  historical  data  in  any 
way  connected  with  Illinois  and  its  peoples." 
Hon.  Hiram  W.  Beckwith  of  Danville,  111., 
served  as  president  of  the  society  from  1S09  to 


1!j03.  He  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  J.  F.  Snyder 
of  Virginia,  111.,  who  served  until  1U05,  when 
he  resigned  and  was  succeeded  by  Gen.  Alfred 
Orendorff,  of  Springfield.  On  the  death  of 
General  Orendorff  in  1009,  Col.  Clark  E.  Carr 
of  Galesburg,  111.,  was  elected  as  president  and 
served  in  that  capacity  until  1013,  when,  on 
account  of  ill  health  he  was  made  honorary 
president  for  life,  and  Dr.  Otto  L.  Schmidt  was 
elected  president.  The  society  has  been  served 
by  the  following  as  seci'etary:  Evarts  Boutell 
Greene,  J.  W.  Putnam,  J.  J.  McCan  Davis,  and  its 
present  secretary,  Mrs.  Jessie  Palmer  Weber. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature  approved  May 
16,  1903,  a  new  section  was  added  to  the  origi- 
nal act  by  which  the  State  Historical  Lilirary 
was  organized  in  18S9.  By  the  provisions  of 
this  section  (60)  the  State  Historical  Society 
is  declared  to  be  a  department  of  the  Illinois 
State  Historical  Library  and  the  board  of  tru.s- 
tees  is  authorized  to  pay  certain  expenses  of 
the  society  out  of  funds  appropriated  by  the 
legislature  to  the  library  for  this  purpose.  In 
accordance  with  the  provision  of  this  statute 
the  General  As.semlily  has,  from  time  to  time, 
made  special  appropriations  for  expenses  for 
the  State  Historical  Society. 

The  first  annual  meeting  of  the  society  was 
held  in  Peoria,  111.,  June  5-6,  1000.  These  an- 
nual meetings,  which  were  comparatively  small 
at  the  beginning,  have  grown  in  attendance  and 
general  interest  until  they  now  constitute  an  im- 
I>ortant  means  of  bringing  together  the  scat- 
tered workers  in  this  field  from  various  jiarts 
of  the  state.  The  membership  in  the  society 
now  numbers  over  sixteen  hundred  and  in  point 
of  membership  and  interest  it  ranks  as  the 
largest  historical  .society  in  the  United  States. 
When  the  society  was  first  organized  the  three 
trustees  of  the  library  were  made  directors  and 
the  president  of  the  board  was  also  made  the 
president  of  the  society.  The  society  as  now 
organized  has  a  hoard  of  officers  consisting  of 
an  honorary  president,  a  president,  four  vice 
presidents  and  a  board  of  directors  of  fifteen 
members,  elected  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
society.  The  present  officers  of  the  society  are : 
honorary  president,  Hon.  Clark  E.  Carr,  Gales- 
burg; president,  Dr.  Otto  L.  Schmidt,  Chicago; 
first  vice  president.  W.  T.  Xorton,  Alton ;  second 
vice  president,  L.  Y.  Sherman.  Springfield :  third 
vice  president,  Richard  Yates,  Springfield: 
fourth  vice  president,  George  A.  Lawrence. 
Galesburg;     secretary-treasurer,     Mrs.     Jessie 


620 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


rainier  Wolior.  The  lioanl  of  directors  are: 
Kdinuml  J.  James,  I'rbaua-Cliamiiaigu ;  J.  H. 
r.iirnliain,  HlouiiiinKtiui;  K-  B.  Greene,  frliaua- 
("liaiMiiai^'n ;  Mrs.  Jessie  I'almer  Welier,  Sprius- 
lii'.il;  Cliarli'S  II.  ltaniniell;aiiiii,  Jaelisonville ;  J. 
<).  t  iinniugliani,  I'rliana;  Georfre  W.  Smitli,  Car- 
lioiidale:  William  A.  Meese,  Moline;  Kichard 
V.  larpentcr.  I'.iOvidcre ;  Kdward  ('.  I'ase,  De- 
Kalli;  J.  W.  I'liiitoii.  Toio;  Andrew  Kiissol, 
Jacksonville ;  Walter  Col.ver,  AUiion  :  James  A. 
James.  Kvanston:  11.  \V.  Clendenin,  S|irin:.;lield. 
The  iinlilications  issued  hy  the  society  are  Its 
"TransjK'tions,"  which  contain  the  papers  read 
at  the  annual  nieetinss  and  contributions  to 
state  history,  and  the  Journal  of  the  society, 
which  was  liesun  in  April,  liiOS,  and  it  Is  now 
Lssued  quarterly  under  the  nianasement  of  a 
committee.  .Mrs.  Jessie  Talmer  Weber  is  chair- 
man of  this  committee  and  editor-in-chief  of 
the  Journal.  Iieins  also  secretary  of  the  Histori- 
cal Society  and  librarian  of  the  Illinois  State 
Historical  Library.  Mrs.  Weber  has  been  ex- 
tremely helpful  in  maintaining  a  vital  relation 
between  the  two  organizations. 

Jkssie   r.\I..MER    WEnEIt. 

THE  ILLINOIS  STATE  HISTORICAL  LI- 
BRARY was  created  by  an  act  of  the  General 
.\sscnilily  of  Jlay  2."i,  ISSO.  The  first  board  of 
trustees,  consistins  of  Ilirnm  W.  Beckwith  of 
Danville,  Dr.  Arthur  Kdwards  of  Ghicajro,  and 
Edward  F.  Leonard  of  Peoria,  organized  Novem- 
ber 25,  1SS9,  by  electing  Mr.  Beckwith  president, 
Mr.  Leonard,  secretary,  and  Miss  Josephine  P. 
Cleveland,  librarian.  Complying  with  a  re<iuest 
made  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  board,  the 
Secretar.v  of  State,  as  ex-officio  state  librarian, 
transferred  from  the  Illinois  State  Library,  442 
volumes  relating  distinctively  to  the  history  of 
the  state.  The  books  formed  the  nucleus  of 
the  State  Historical  I.il>rary  of  today,  which 
now  contains  .30,700  volumes,  besides  an  inter- 
esting collection  of  manuscripts.  It  has  a  large 
and  rare  collection  of  books,  pictures  and  manu- 
scripts relating  to  Abraham  Lincoln,  Illinois' 
greatest  citizen.  It  has  a  fine  collection  of 
newspaper  files  which  are  constantly  in  use  by 
all  classes  of  citizens.  The  libraiy  is  building 
up  a  fine  collection  of  genealogic-al  material 
which  is  of  great  assistance  to,  and  much  used 
by.  persons  interested  in  the  stud,v  of  ancestr.v 
and  by  those  seeking  admissioa  to  patriotic 
hereditary   societies.     The  library  collects  ma- 


terial along  all  lines  of  state  history,  natural 
history,  histories  of  counties,  town.s,  cities,  vil- 
lages, churches,  travels,  biographies  of  prom- 
inent citizens,  and  the  part  taken  by  the  state 
In  various  wars,  In  short  any  material  that  in 
any  way  touches  ui)on  the  history  of  the  state 
or  its  people.  The  purpo.se  of  the  library  as 
defined  b.v  the  act  creating  it  is  "to  procure  from 
time  to  time,  books,  pamphlets,  manuscripts, 
monographs,  writings  and  other  material  bear- 
ing u|>on  the  j)oIitical.  physical,  religious  or 
social  history  of  the  state." 

The  labors  of  the  trustees  have  resulted  in  the 
collection  of  a  well  .selected  library  relating  to 
Illinois,  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  the  old 
Northwest  Territory.  In  1899,  there  began  a 
series  of  small  volumes  designated  as  "Publica- 
tions of  the  Illinois  State  Historical  Library." 
Tlicy  were  prepared  largely  under  the  super- 
vision of  Dr.  Edmund  J.  James,  then  a  pro- 
fessor at  the  Iniversity  of  Chicago,  and  In- 
cluded a  bibliograph.v  of  Illinois  newspapers  and 
two  volunu's  dealing  with  the  "Territorial  Rec- 
ords of  Illinois."  In  1003  a  more  ambitious 
series  was  undertaken  under  the  title  of  the 
"Collections  of  the  Illinois  State  Historical 
Library,"  the  first  volume  of  which  was  edited 
by  Judge  II.  W.  Beckwith.  In  the  year  1005, 
the  work  of  publication  was  given  a  new  im- 
l>etus  by  the  more  liberal  action  of  the  General 
Assembl.v.  Prior  to  that  date,  beginning  with 
isoo,  small  apjiropriations  had  lieen  made  to  the 
library  specifically  for  publication.  In  1005,  this 
amount  was  Increased  and  In  addition  an  appro- 
]iriation  was  made  for  procuring  documents, 
papers  and  materials  and  publications  relating 
to  the  Northwest  and  the  State  of  Illinois.  This 
appropriation  made  possible  for  the  first  time 
tlml  examination  of  archives  within  and  with- 
out the  state  without  which  a  comprehensive 
policy  of  publication  could  not  be  carried  out. 
For  the  purpose  of  securing  the  services  of 
historical  students  in  shaping  this  larger  plan 
of  publication,  the  library  board  aiiixnnted  an 
Advisory  Commission,  and  acting  on  the  advice 
of  this  commission,  the  board  accepted  a  plan  of 
publication  in  series,  each  series  to  consist 
usually  of  material  belonging  to  a  particular 
period  in  the  political  history  of  the  state,  as. 
for  instance,  the  Virginia  .series,  dealing  with 
the  period  when  the  sovereignty  In  the  Illinois 
Country  was  claimed  by  the  State  of  Virginia. 
In  some  cases,  however,  a  topical  arrangement 


HISTORICAL  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  ILLINOIS. 


621 


is  also  provided  as  in  the  Lincoln  series.  Nine 
volumes  of  the  collections  have  been  published 
as  follows : 

Historical  Collections  of  the  Illinois  State  His- 
torical Library.     Ed.  by  H.  W.  Becliwith ; 
A'irgluia  Series.    Vol.  I.    Oaliokla  Records,  177S- 

1700.     Ed.  by  Clarence  Walworth  Alvord ; 
Lincoln    Series.      Vol.    I.      Lincoln-Douglas    De- 
bates.    Ed.  by  Edwin  Earle  Sparks: 
Executive  Series.    The  Governor's  Letter  Books, 

1N18-1S34.    Ed.  by  Evarts  Boutell  Greene  and 

Clarence  Walworth  Alvord ; 
Virginia   Series.     Vol.    II.     Kaskaskia  Records, 

1778-1700.    Ed.  by  Clarence  Walworth  Alvord  ; 
Executive  Series.     The  Governor's  Letter  Books. 

1S40-1S5.3.     Ed.  by  Evarts  Boutell  Greene  and 

Manfred  Thompson ; 
Virginia    Series.      III.      George    Rogers    Clark 

Papers,     1771-17S1.       Ed.     by     James     Alton 

James ; 
Biographical   Series.     Vol.   I.     Newspapers  and 

Periodicals    of    Illinois    1814-1879.      Ed.    by 

Franklin  William  Scott : 
Bibliographical    Series.      Vol.    II.      Travel    and 

Description,  17(iii-lNfi5.    By  Solon  Justus  Buck. 

The  volumes  so  far  i>u1ilished  have  attracted 
favorable  notice  from  the  general  public  and 
from  scientific  historians  as  well.  In  carrying 
-forward  the  work  of  pulilication  the  trustees 
have  had  the  cooperation  of  some  of  the  leading 
educational  institutions  of  the  state.  This  has 
been  done  chiefly  through  the  agency  of  the  Ad- 
visory Commission,  which  was  organized  by  the 
board  in  100.5.  aiid  included,  at  that  time.  Prof. 
E.  E.  Sparks,  of  the  T'niversity  of  Chicago:  J. 
A.  James  of  Northwestern  T'niversity:  Cliarles 
H.  Ramnielkamp.  of  Illinois  College :  E.  C.  Page, 
of  the  De  Kalli  Normal  School :  Henry  Johnson, 
of    the    Eastern    Illinois    Normal    School    and 


Evarts  B.  Greene,  chairman.  Since  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  commission  changes  in  the  personnel 
of  the  board  have  taken  place,  Prof.  Sparks 
leaving  to  accept  the  presidency  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania State  College,  his  place  lieing  taken  by 
I'rofessor  A.  C.  McLaughlin,  head  professor  of 
history  in  the  I'niversity  of  Chicago.  On  the 
resignation  of  Professor  Henry  Johnson,  of  the 
Eastern  Normal  School,  tliis  vacancy  was  filled 
by  the  appointment  of  William  A.  Meese,  of 
Moline,  a  well  known  writer  and  si)eaker  on 
Illinois  histor.v.  The  annual  Transactions  of 
the  Historical  Society  are  issued  as  publications 
of  the  lilirary :  these  volumes  contain  the  jiapers 
read  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  society  and 
additional  contributions  to  state  history.  The 
imlilications  of  the  lilirary  and  societ.v  are  used 
ly  students  and  clubs  throughciut  the  .state  and 
in  many  schools  they  are  used  as  text  Iwoks  for 
students  in  state  history.  During  the  years  of 
its  existence  the  library  board  has  had  init  four 
lire.sidents.  Judge  Lambert  Tree  occupied  the 
jiositidu  for  four  .vears.  Judge  Beckwith  until 
his  death  in  lOOIl.  Dr.  Eilmund  Janes  James 
resigned,  and  Dr.  Evarts  Boutell  Greene  was 
elected.  The  present  board  of  trustees  consists 
of  three  members. 

Dr.  Evarts  Boutell  Greene,  L'rbana. 

President, 

Dr.  Otto  L.  Schmidt.  Chicago, 

Secretary. 

Cliarles   H.    Ramnielkamp,   President   Illinois 
College,  Jacksonville. 

But  two  librarians  have  been  appointed.  Miss 
.Josephine  P.  Cleveland,  who  served  in  that 
capacity  for  eight  years  or  until  her  death  in 
INti".  and  Mrs.  Jessie  Palmer  Weber,  the  pres- 
ent librarian. 

Jessie  Palmer  Webee. 


PIATT  COUNTY 


PIATT  COITI^TY 

ILLINOIS 


T.  2;   N. 


T"   20    N. 


r.  19  N. 


T.  n   N . 


y    1  '-=y^i~v>y^-j)/<~-ry*-  j  ^ 
/•J   I  to  li/   I  ?•      ••'Np'''jj 


f  J.;li   1     "'    '  !^""d 


PREFACE 


I  believe  the  publication,  at  this  time,  of  a  history  of  Piatt  County  will  be 
appreciated  by  our  people.  With  the  exception  of  Miss  Emma  C.  Piatt's  excel- 
lent history,  published  in  1883,  no  extended  general  work  treating  of  the  progress 
and  development  of  the  county,  and  giving  an  account  of  its  social,  religious  and 
business  institutions,  has  appeared.  For  this  and  other  reasons,  I  feel  that  this 
work  will  be  welcomed  by  the  people  of  the  county. 

I  have  endeavored  to  obtain  correct  information,  but  it  is  probable  that  some 
mistakes  will  be  discovered.  However,  I  think  it  will  be  found  to  be  generally 
reliable. 

I  acknowledge  my  indebtedness  to  Miss  Piatt's  historj',  and  to  a  large 
number  of  citizens  of  the  county  who  were  most  obliging  in  furnishing  me  with 
authentic  data  and  valuable  information. 


Monticello,  Illinois,  June,  1917. 


INDEX 

CHAPTER  I. 

GENERAL  HISTORY. 

Earliest  Annals — Religious  Persecution  Led  to  Early  Colonization  in 
America — Coast  Settlements  First — English  and  French — Many- 
Conflicts  over  Possessions — French  and  Indian  War — The  Clark 
Expedition — Illinois  Country  Organized — Made  Part  of  the  North- 
west Territory — Becomes  Portion  of  Indiana  Territory — Made  Sep- 
arate Territory  in  1809— Admitted  to  Union  in  1818 623-625 

CHAPTER  II. 

GEOGRAPHICAL  AND  TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

Location — Area — Population — Great  Fertility — Exceptional  Market  Ad- 
vantages— Natural  Drainage — A  Water  Shed  Ridge — Sangamon  and 
Kaskaskia  Rivers  and  Tributaries — Present  Drainage  Districts — 
Time,  Money  and  Effort  Well  Expended — Coon's  Spring — Climate 
and  Geology — Flora — Fauna — Few  Snakes 625-628 

CHAPTER  in. 

INDIAN  HISTORY. 

The  American  Indian — His  Early  Treatment  Unjust — Many  Times  a  Vic- 
tim of  Ignorance — Lands  Wrested  from  Him — Present  General 
Status — Pacts  of  History — Early  Indian  Troubles  in  Illinois — Win- 
nebago War — Black  Hawk  War — Treaty  with  Sacs  and  Foxes — 
Death  of  Black  Hawk — Indians  in  Piatt  County — Friendly  with 
Piatt  Family 628-632 

CHAPTER  IV. 

EARLY  SETTLERS. 

The  First  Settler— Builder  of  Second  Cabin— Settlers  in  1824 — A  Promi- 
nent Pioneer — A  Notable  Event  in  Illinois — -Winter  of  the  Deep 
Snow — The  Big  Freeze — A  Personal  Experience — Settlers  Between 
1830  and  1840— First  Births  in  County— First  Deaths— The  "Coffin 
Tree" — Early  ]\Iills — Examples  of  Pioneer  Ingenuity — First  Grist 
Mill — Pioneer  Characteristics — Early  Postal  Annoyances — Much 
Tvphoid  Fever — Chills  and  Fever  Often  Prevailed — Green  Flv  Pest 
—A  Defender  of  Pioneer  Life '. 632-636 


CHAPTER  V. 

COUNTY  ORGANIZATION  AND  GOVERNMENT. 

Piatt  First  a  Part  of  .Maeoii  aiul  DeWitt — Separated  in  1841 — Given  Its 
Present  Name — Boundaries — Population — No  County  Seat  Struggles 
— First  County  Election — Division  into  Townsiiips — Courthouses — 
First  One  Destroyed  by  Fire — Secontl  Dismantled  by  Storm — Pres- 
ent Courthouse — Corner  Stone  Laid  in  Fall  of  1903 — Occupied  Jan- 
uary, 1905 — Circuit  Judges  Who  Have  Presided  Here — County  Jail 
— County  Poor  Farm — Pearly  I'rovision  ^Made — New  Buildings  Com- 
pleted in  1902 — Adecjuate  Accommodations — List  of  Stewards — Value 
of  Countv's  Public  Buildings— Much  Local  Pride 636-640 


CHAPTER  VI. 

POLITICAL  REPRESENTATION. 

Presidential  Elections  Iiiii)ortaMt  Kvcnts — Piatt  Voted  First  in  1844 — 
Three  Party  Organiaztions  .Sought  Power — Democrats  Successful — 
Whigs  Won  in  184S  and  Democrats  in  1852— In  1856  the  Republi- 
can Party  Entered  the  Field — How  Piatt  Treated  Abraham  Lincoln 
—Presidential  Election  of  1860— Re-election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  in  1864— 
Results  as  to  Leading  Parties  in  Piatt  in  1868-1872-1876-1880-1884- 
1888-1892-1896-1900-1904-1908-1912-1916- Piatt  Legislator.s— Local 
Repres<'iitation — State's  Attorney.s — County  Judges — County  Clerks 
— Circuit  Clerks — County  Treasurers — Sheriffs — County  School 
Superintendents — Surveyoi's — Coroners — -Alasters  in   Chancery 640-643 

CIl.APTER  VI 1. 

COIIKTS,  BHNCIl   AND  BAR. 

Early  Administration  of  Justice — Formation  of  Committees  of  Safety 
— Necessary  Organizations — First  Court  Held  in  Piatt  ("ounty — 
First  Presiding  .ludge  Was  lion.  Samuel  II.  Treat — Early  Law- 
yers— Present  .Attorneys — An  Able  Body — Justices  of  the  Peace 
by  TovvTishij)s — Bemeiit — Ceri-o  (iordo — Blue  Ridge — Goose  Creek — 
Monticello — Sangamon — Willow   Branch — Unity 643-644 

CHAPTER  VI II. 

.MILITARY  HISTORY. 

Patriotism  of  Piatt  County — Civil  War  Records  Prove  It — No  Conscrip- 
tion in  This  County — AppeTidcd  Military  Reeortl — List  of  Regiments 
in  Which  Piatt  County  ilen  Served — Ninth  Illinois  Infantry — Four- 
teenth Illinois  Infantry  Reorganized — Seventeenth  Illinois  Infantry 
— Tweuty-drst  Illinois  Infantry — This  Regiment  Organized  by 
Capt.  U.  S.  Grant— Twenty-si.xth  Illinois  Infantry— Thirtv-fourth 
Illinois  Infantry— Thirty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry— Thirty-eighth  Illi- 
nois Infantry — Thii-ty-ninth  Illinois  Infantry — P^orty-lirst  Illinois 
Infantry — Forty-ninth    Illinois   Infantry  —  Fiftv-fourth   Illinois  In- 


fantry— Sixty-second  Illinois  Infantry— Sixty-third  Illinois  Infan- 
try— Sevety-seeond  Illinois  Infantry— Seventy-third  Illinois  Infan- 
try— Many  Piatt  Soldiers  in  This  Regiment— Ninety-ninth  Illinois 
Infantry— One  Hundred  and  Seventh  Illinois  Infantry  with  Long 
Roster  of  Piatt  County  Soldiers— One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Illi- 
nois Infantry— One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Illinois  Infantry— One 
Hundred  and  Fiftieth  Illinois  Infantry— Second  Illinois  Cavalry- 
Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry— Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry— Tenth  Tlinois  Cav- 
alry—Sixteenth Illinois  Cavalry— First  Illinois  Light  Artillery— 
Spanish-American  War  Not  Heavily  Represented — Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic — Its  Inception  and  Organization — The  First  Grand 
Army  Post— First  Encampment— Harker  Post  at  Atwood — Three 
Charter  Jlembers  Surviving— Cerro  Gordo  Post  Has  Twenty-five 
Members— History  of  Mansfield  Post— One  Charter  :\Iember  Living 
at  Mansfield — Franklin  Post  at  :\Ionticello — Posts  Were  Also  Organ- 
ized at  Bemcnt  and  La  Place 644-665 

CHAPTER  IX. 

PHYSICIANS. 

A  Universal  Imiiulse — Neighborly  Helpfulness — First  Permanent  Physi- 
cian in  County — Early  Successors — Well  Remembered  Practitioners 
— Trials  of  Pioneer  Physicians — An  Amusing  Anecdote — Conditions 
All  Changed — Profession  Now  Ably  Represented — List  of  Leading 
Physicians  and  Surgeons — Piatt  County  Jledieal  Society — Date  of 
Organization — First  Officials — Present  Officers — Piatt  County  Has 
No  Hospitals   ! 665-667 

CHAPTER  X. 

THE  PRESS. 

Power  of  the  Press — First  Editor — First  Newspaper — The  Montieello 
Times — Subsequent  C'hanges  in  Name — The  Sucker  State — The  Con- 
servative— The  Piatt  County  Union — The  Piatt  Independent — The 
Piatt  Republican— The  Montieello  Bulletin  the  Present  Title— Oldest 
Paper  in  County — Present  Owners — Piatt  County  Herald — Piatt 
County  Republican — Piatt  County  Pilot — Benient  Union — The  Farm- 
ers Advocate — Bement  Gazette — Cerro  Gordo  Times — Bement  Regis- 
ter— Cerro  Gordo  News — Deland  Tribune — Mansfield  Express — At- 
wood Herald — Cisco  Review — Hammond  Courier — A  Word  of  Appre- 
ciation   667-668 

CHAPTER  XL 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Excellent  Schools — Subscription  Schools  at  First — Cabin  Sehoolhouses 
Social  Centers — Various  Buildings  Utilized — The  Typical  Pioneer 
Schoolhouse — Development  of  Schools  by  Townships — IMonticello — 
Earliest  Schools — Present  Fine  Building — High  School  ('ourse — List 
of  Educators — Valuation  of  School  Property — In  City — Schools  Out- 
side of  City— All  Well  Equipped— Bement— First  "School  in  1856 
— Present  Fine  Building — List  of  Educators — Bement  Rural  Schools 
— Cerro  Gordo  City  School  Facilities — On  Accredited  List  of  Univer- 
sity of  Illinois  . . .' 668-672 


CHAPTER  XII. 

BANKS  AND  OTHER  FINANCIAL  INSTITUTIONS. 

General  Financial  CniKlitioiis — Noees.sity  for  Banks — Power  of  Finan- 
cial Instifntions — First  Banks — Moore  State  Bank  of  Montieello — 
P'ir-st  National  Bank  of  Montieello — Farmers  National  Bank  of  ;\Ionti- 
eello — First  National  Bank  of  Atwood — State  Bank  of  Hammond — 
State  l^ank  of  Cerro  Gordo — Citizens  Bank  of  Cerro  Gordo — State 
Bank  of  La  Plaee — Bank  of  Milmine — State  Bank  of  Cisco — State 
Bank  of  De  Land — First  National  Bank  of  De  Land — Pierson  Bank — 
Peoples  State  Bank  of  Mansfield— State  Bank  of  Mansfield— S.  L. 
Sievers  &  Company  Bank  of  White  Heath — First  National  Bank  of 
Bement — State  Bank  of  Bement — Other  Financial  Institutions — 
Mortgage  Investments — Remarkable  Financial  Condition    672-676 

CHAPTER  XIIL 

RAILROADS. 

Transportation  Prolilems — First  Roads  Buffalo  and  Indian  Trails — Old- 
est Made  Road — First  State  Road— Stage  Routes  Established — Ac- 
commodated Travelers  for  Many  Years — Railroads  Sounded  Their 
Knell — First  Railroad  Construction  "Work  in  1855 — Wabash  Rail- 
road Began  Operating  as  the  Chicago  &  Paducah — Stations  on  the 
Waliash  in  I'iatt  County — Illinois  Central  Railroad — Branch  Line 
First  Bore  Name  of  the  Montieello  Railroad — Many  Changes  in 
Ownership — Piatt  Stations  Along  This  Road — Chicago,  Cleveland, 
Cincinnati  &  St.  l/ouis  Railroad — ilansfield  Only  Station  in  Piatt 
County — Chicago.  Indianapolis  &  Western — Piatt  Stations  on  This 
Line — McKinley  Traction  System — Bloomington,  Decatur  &  Cham- 
paign Railroad — Automobiles — ilanv  Valuable  .Alotors  Owned  in 
County    ■ 676-678 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

CLUBS  AND  FRATERNITIES. 

Women's  Clubs — Influence  of  Clubs — Advancement  of  Women — Monti- 
cello  Women's  Club;  Organization,  Work,  Officers — Bement  W^oman's 
Club;  Organization,  Work,  Oflicers — De  Land  Woman's  Club;  Or- 
ganization,  Work,   t)fficers — Fraternities    678-680 

CHAPTER  XV. 

AGRICI'LTURE. 

Importance  of  Agriculture — Stock  Raisiiig--Corn  Growing — Other  Grains 

—Land  Values— Farm  ^Machinery    680-681 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

THLHI'IIONE  LINES  AND  PUBLIC  LIGHTING. 

First  Telephone  Line — The  Telerema — Invented,  Patented  and  ^lanu- 
factui-ed  in  Piatt  Countv — Large  Demand  Prior  to  Introduction  of 


the  Bell  Telephone — First  Private  Telephone  Line — Organization  of 
the  Mutual  Telephone  Company — First  Toll  Telephones — Organiza- 
tion of  Piatt  County  Telephone  Company — Exchanges  at  Monticello, 
Bement  and  De  Land — First  Exchange  at  Cerro  Gordo — Exchange  at 
La  Place — Telephone  Line  with  Exchanges  at  Hammond,  Burrows- 
ville  and  La  Place  Built  in  1900 — Atwood  Mutual  Telephone  Company 
— The  National  Telephone  Company  Has  Exchanges  at  Mansfield, 
Clinton,  Parmer  City,  Cisco  and  Argenta — Excellent  Service  Given 
All  Over  the  County — Electrical  Works — First  OflBeials — Present 
Equipment — Other  Lighting  Interests   681-682 


CHAPTER  XVIL 

COUNTY  PAIRS. 

First  Agricultural  Society  Organized — Accomplished  Little  During  the 
First  Five  Years — Representative  Men  Accept  Official  Position  in 
1861 — Through  Concerted  Effort  Fair  Grounds  Were  Prepared — 
Character  of  the  Early  Pairs — The  Centennial  Exposition  Awakens 
Interest — Change  of  Name  in  1903 — Lists  of  Officials — Equipment 
and  Valuation — Recent  Features  and  Exhibits — Importance  of 
County  Fairs  682-683 


CHAPTER  XVIIL 

BEMENT  TOWNSHIP. 

Boundaries — Natural  Drainage — Early  Settlers — Village  of  Bement — 
Origin — Pounders  Bement  Post  Office — Bement  Postmasters — Pio- 
neer Incidents — Public  Improvements — Churches— Civic  History — 
Ivesdale — Officials — Highway  Commissioner — Justice  of  the  Peace 
— Constable — Supervisors    683-687 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

BLUE  RIDGE  TOWNSHIP. 

Boundaries — Natural  Drainage — Railroads — Early  Settlers — First  Elec- 
tion— Stringtown — Mansfield — General  Mansfield — Incorporatiori  of 
City — Churches — Blue  Ridge — Officials — Highway  Commissioner — 
Justice  of  the  Peace — Constable — Supervisors   687-688 

CHAPTER  XX. 

CERRO  GORDO  TOWNSHIP. 

Boundaries — Natural  Drainage — Origin  of  Name — Railroads — Early 
Settlements — Village  of  Cerro  Gordo — Village  Officials — Public  Im- 
provements— Churches — Business  Interests — La  Place — Churches — 
Milmine — Litner — Burrowsville — Officials — Supervisors 688-690 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

GOOSE  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 

Boundaries — Origin  of  Name — Railroads — De  Land — Churches — Chris- 
tian— Methodist  Episcopal — Carnegie  Library — Two-Mill  Tax — Vil- 
lage Board — Officials  of  Township — Highway  Commissioner — Justice 
of  the  Peace — Constable — Poundinaster — Supervisors 690-691 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

MONTICELLO  TOWNSHIP. 

Boundaries — First  Settlements — Railroads — City  of  Monticello — First 
Settlers — First  Hu'^iness  Houses — No  Controversy  Over  Location  of 
County  Seat — Inccrporation — Present  City  OfKcials — Post  Office — 
Public  Buildings — Public  Improvements — Water  Works — Sewerage 
— Fire  Department — Cemeteries — Manufactures — Allerton  Library 
— Churches — Methodist — Presbyterian  —  Christian  —  Catholic  —  An 
Old  Proclamation — Monticello  of  Today — Officials — Town  Clerk — 
Assessor — Collector — Highway  Commissioner — Justice  of  the  Peace 
— Constable — Supervisors 691-697 

CHAPTER  XXIIL 

SANGAMON  TOWNSHIP. 

Boundaries — Ha  11  roads — Early  Settlements — Centerville — Lickskillett — 
Present  Coiulitioiis — VViiite  Heath — Origin  of  Name — Present  Condi- 
tion— Churches — CJalesville — Origin  of  Name — Present  Condition — 
Lodge — Officials — Highway  Commissioner — Justice  of  the  Peace — 
Constable — Supervisors    697-698 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

UNITY  TOWNSHIP. 

Boundaries — Mound  Builders — Railroads — Early  Settlements — Mack- 
ville — Hammond — Pierson — Atwood — Origin  of  Name — Early  Set- 
tlers— Organization  of  Village — Organization  of  City — Mayors — 
Public  Improvements — Atwood  Townshij)  High  School — Odd  Fel- 
lows— Officials — Highway  Commissioners — -Justices  of  the  Peace — 
Constable — Supervisors    698-700 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

WILLOW  BRANCH  TOWNSHIP. 

Boundaries — Soil — Natural  Drainage — Origin  of  Name— Early  Settlers — 
Stringtown — Railroatls — Siseo — Churches — Officials — Commissioners 
of  Highway — Justice  of  the  Peace — Constable — Supervisors 701-702 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

The  Part  of  Biography  in  General  History — Citizens  of  Piatt  County 
and  Outlines  of  Personal  History — Personal  Sketches  Arranged  in 
Encyclopedic  Order   703-818 


PORTRAITS 


Alexander,  Jennie  M 624 

Alexander,  Ora  V 624 

Armsworth,  Sarah 630 

Armsworth,  Willis    62S 

Ater,   John   S 636 

Baumann,  Herman  B 642 

Baumann,  Sarah  C 642 

Bensyl,  John  A 646 

Bensyl,  Nellie  F 646 

Bondurant,  Thomas  E 650 

Burr,  Amos  S 654 

Caldwell,  Alvin  L 658 

Croninger,  Charles  L.,  and  Family 662 

Dighton,  John  X 666 

Grason,  Cliarles  F 672 

Grason,  ilartha  E 674 

Hadden,  Benjamin,  and  Family 682 

Hallstead,  John   686 

Heath,  Noble  P 690 

Kilton,  Obert  L 698 

Kingston,  John  W 702 

Leischner,  Daniel 706 

Leischner,  John    '''12 

Leischner,  L.  Annie   '^08 

Leischner,  Mrs.  John   '''12 

lycmen,  James  M 'i'16 

Llestman,  Frederick   '''SO 

Liestman,  Minnie '  -0 

Lodge,  Samuel  A '^24 

Lum-sden,  IDdmond  W ''^28 

Lumsden,  Mrs.  Edmond  W 1'28 

Lyons,  Elizabeth    '^'^- 

Lyons,  William  '^"'■^ 


Martin,  Francis   736 

Martin,  Henry   I' 740 

McBride,  Da\"id   744 

McBride,  Mrs.  David   744 

McFadden,  Mrs.  Mary  A 748 

Mitchell,  James  II 752 

Mitchell,  Myrtle  B 752 

Parr,  Ajidrew  E 756 

Parr,  Caroline    756 

Peck,  James  K.,  and  Granddaughter 760 

Phillips,  J.  Madison  764 

Phillips,  Mrs.  J.  Madison 764 

Phillips,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  M.,  Children  of..764 

Piatt,  James  A 768 

Piatt,  Mrs.  James  A 768 

Plnnk,  Emma  E 772 

Plunk,  Maria  M 778 

Plunk,  William  A 772 

Plunk,  William  H 776 

Quick,    Daniel     782 

Shively,  John  J 786 

Shonkwiler,  Francis  M 

Frontispiece,  Piatt  County 

Smock,  Samuel,  and  Family 790 

Sprinkle,  Simon   7(H 

Traxler,  Samuel  J.,  and  Family 798 

Tucker,  Tliomas  J.,  and  Family 802 

Van  Vickie,  Henry 804 

Warner,   Jesse  W 806 

Wilson,  Jacob  G 808 

Wilson,  Joseph   808 

Wolfe,  Eli  F.,  and  Family 812 

Wolfe.  Frank,  and  Family SIO 

Wood,   John   W 814 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Baling  Threshed  Straw 678 

Breakins  tlie  Soil 678 

Court  House   (  Old)    632 

Court  House   ( I'reseut )   638 

Biskiu};  the  Stiihlile  Field 678 

Farm  Team  al  Work 678 

High   School    668 

Honselmaii  Cabin    694 

Library   694 

Lincoln  School   668 

Map  of  Piatt  County 623 

Oiiera  House ' G94 

Residence  of  Daniel  I>eischner 710 

Residence  of  James  A.  Piatt  ( Sr. ) C32 

Steam  Threshinj;  Outfit 678 

Wheat  and  Corn  Fields i 678 

Wheat  in  the  Stack 678 


/? 


t/ 


II  I    I  III     -l       ■■■■III  > 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY 


CHAPTER  I. 


GENERAL  HISTORY. 


EABLIEST  ANNALS — KELIGIOtTS  PERSECUTION  LED  TO 
EAKLT  COLONIZATION  IN  AMERICA COAST  SET- 
TLEMENTS FIRST ENGLISH   AND  FRENCH — MANY 

CONFLICTS       OVER       POSSESSIONS — FRENCH       AND 

INDIAN    WAR — THE   CLARK   EXPEDITION ILLINOIS 

COUNTRY  ORGANIZED MADE  PART  OF  THE  NORTH- 
WEST  TERRITORY BECOMES   PORTION   OF  INDIANA 

TERRITORY MADE    SEPARATE    TERRITORY    IN    1809 

ADMITTED  TO  UNION  IN   1818.  i 

EARLIEST  ANNALS. 

It  has  been  truly  said  that  the  history  of  a 
country  or  community  dates  back  to  the  begin- 
ning of  time,  for  each  happening  has  its  cause 
in  those  that  preceded  it  from  the  time  that 
creation  was  accomplished.  Therefore  it  is 
proper  and  reasonable  to  liriefly  trace  the 
sequence  of  events  that  led  to  the  evolving  of 
the  great  state  of  which  Piatt  County  is  an 
important  section,  in  order  to  show  how  these 
historical  issues  had  their  bearing  upon  the 
settlement  and  subsequent  development  of  Piatt 
County.  Had  it  not  been  for  these  occurrences 
and  the  later  achievements  of  the  men  whose 
names  are  enrolled  upon  the  scroll  of  Illinois' 
heroes  and  statesmen,  it  is  very  probable  that 
the  Piatt  County  of  today  would  be  very  dif- 
ferent, mayhap  be  yet  a  prairie,  given  over  to 
wild  vegetation  and  the  home  of  domesticated 
animals,  and  the  nation  thereby  would  be  the 
poorer. 

When  the  earliest  settlers,  many  being  refu- 
gees, from  the  older  countries  ventured  forth, 
with  confidence  in  Providence  and  a  brave  con- 
sciousness of  the  justice  of  their  desire  to  escape 
religious  persecution,  or,  hoping  to  find,  across 
the  mighty  Atlantic,  better  opportunities  to 
develop    their    natural    talents    unoppressed    by 


tyrannical  rulers  and  their  favorites,  they  had 
no  idea  of  the  vast  territory  they  were  entering, 
nor  had  any,  even  those  of  the  broadest  minds 
and  most  optimistic  views,  any  conception  of  the 
magnitude  of  their  undertaking,  nor  could  they 
foresee  what  a  few  centuries  would  bring  forth. 
In  their  tiny  vessels  that  crossed  the  Atlantic 
at  the  mercy  of  wind  and  wave,  propelled  only 
by  the  sails  that  crowned  them,  they  took  weeks 
in  their  voyages,  and  doubtless  many  perished 
in  storms,  or  were  shipwrecked  upon  barren 
shores,  where  the  remainder  of  their  lives  were 
sperrtr'Tofttnmtely,  however,  for  the  stability 
of..tlj^  nevv^natiou' they  were  helping  to  found, 
a  majority,  strange  <as  it  seems  today  consider- 

.  ji^  the  iOp^ity  ^of  their  equipment,  reached  the 
shoreg^  pl^  tii£-j^w  continent  in  safety,  and  while 

•  liCHie-, 'perhapSr  fpjjn'd  here  a  full  realization  of 
their  hopes,  few  were  abls  to  return  and 
enough  were  .sufficiently  satisfied  to  remain  and 
make  tlie  best  of  conditions  as  they  found  them. 
Without  doubt  their  characters  were  developed, 
their  virtues  multiplied,  and  their  ability 
increa.sed  by  the  very  hardshijis  encountered, 
and  from  them,  the  forbears  of  the  Auierieaa 
people  of  today,  have  come  the  characteristics 
which  have  placed  the  United  States  in  its 
present  irosition. 

COAST    SETTLEMENTS    FIRST. 

As  the  newcomers  were  comparatively  few  in 
number,  and  restricted  as  to  means,  they  had 
little  or  no  interest  in  the  lands  which  lay 
beyond  the  strip  lying  along  the  coast.  Few, 
perhaps,  would  have  believed  it  possible  that 
the  time  would  ever  come  when  there  would  be 
any  need  of  traveling  many  miles  from  the  sight 
and  sound  of  the  ocean,  which  formed  tlie  sole 
connection  between  them  and  the  mother  coun- 
try. These  pioneers  found  it  dilticult  enough  to 
maintain  their  holdings,  wrested  from  the 
Indians,  and  long  had  no  desire  to  try  to  pene- 
trate the  fastnesses  which  they  believed  were 
peopled  by  savages,  and  covered  by  vast  forest 


623 


624 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


growths  that  the  axe  of  mau  could  not  hope  to 
fell.  They  had  uo  appreciation  of  the  great 
regions  of  prairie  laud  which  later  would  be 
developed  into  such  fertile  fields  that  the  rock- 
bound  farms  of  Xew  England  would  be  aban- 
doned for  them.  They  did  not  imagine  that  the 
day  would  come  when  their  descendants  could 
travel  in  greater  comfort  and  luxury  than  was 
then  enjoyed  by  any  of  the  reigning  kings  upon 
their  thrones  or  in  their  palaces,  from  the  ocean 
they  had  crossed  with  such  peril,  to  another  one 
much  larger,  in  less  time  than  it  then  took  them 
to  journey  from  one  little  settlement  to  another 
along  the  coast  line. 

Credit  is  due  to  the  French  voyageurs  and  the 
Catholic  missionaries  for  their  exploration  of 
the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  it  is  in  their  work 
that  the  people  of  Piatt  County  are  interested, 
for  they  gave  to  the  world  the  first  idea  of  the 
richness  of  the  lands  adjacent  to  the  Father  of 
Waters.  Xo  history  of  this  region  can  be  writ- 
ten without  mention  being  made  of  Marquette 
and  Joliet,  the  intrepid  missionaries  who  not 
only  succeeded  in  penetrating  the  fastnesses  of 
the  wilderness,  but  through  their  patience  and 
Christian  virtues  made  friends  with  the  savage 
Indians  and  converted  many  of  them  to  the 
worship  of  the  white  man's  God. 

England  had  been  content  with  her  occupancy 
of  the  eastern  coast  until  France  sought  to 
extend  her  territory  eastward,  when  that  nation 
awoke  to  the  necessity  of  not  only  defending 
her  possessions,  but  of  extending  her  domain  so 
as  to  avoid  further  trouble  along  this  line,  and 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury, the  colonists  of  both  English  and  French 
extraction  were  distressed  by  various  conflicts, 
which  took  place  coincident  with  those  which 
were  waged  between  the  mother  countries.  Eng- 
land maintained  her  supremacy  in  the  east,  but 
France  founded  a  series  of  fortified  posts  which 
connected  the  Mississippi  Valley  with  the 
Great  Lakes,  among  them  being  Kaskaskia, 
Cahokia.  Vincennes  and  Detroit,  all  of  which 
were  later  developed  into  towns,  and  the  first 
three  had  a  very  inii)ortant  bearing  upon  Illinois 
history. 

Other  trouble  followed  during  the  early  part 
of  the  eighteenth  century,  but  the  English 
colonists  were  not  favored  justly  by  the  mother 
countr.v,  and  a  realization  of  this  was  the 
foundation  of  the  bitter  feeling  that  culminateil 
in  the  mighty  protest  that  goes  down  in  history 
as  the  American  Revolution.     While,  however. 


the  English  possessions  were  not  materially 
increased,  in  spite  of  the  brave  and  capable 
warfare  of  the  settlers,  an  appreciation  of  the 
\alue  of  the  lands  to  the  west  of  them  was 
awakened,  and  they  sought  to  obtain  some  right 
to  them.  Colonial  population  was  increasing, 
and  the  more  advanced  among  them  saw  the 
necessity  of  providing  for  the  future  in  opening 
up  to  the  younger  generation  the  fertile  regions 
along  the  great  water  courses  between  the  coast 
on  the  east  and  the  Mississippi  River  on  the 
west.  To  the  reader  in  the  twentieth  century 
it  seems  strange  to  learn  that  in  the  middle  of 
the  eighteenth  century  the  present  site  of  Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.,  was  regarded  as  and  spoken  of  as 
"The  Gateway  to  the  West."  The  French  sought 
to  prevent  the  English  from  obtaining  jwsses- 
sion  of  this  strategic  point,  and  defeated  the 
latter  in  their  attempt  to  fortify  this  place, 
building  a  fort  of  their  own  which  they  called 
Fort  Duquesne.  In  moving  against  this  strong- 
hold of  the  enemy,  the  English  troops  were  com- 
manded by  a  Virginia  youth  by  the  name  of 
Washington.  He  fired  the  first  shot  of  the 
attaclv  on  May  2!<,  1754,  thus  coming  into  promi- 
nence in  the  history  of  a  country  of  which  he 
was  later  to  become  known  as  "the  Fatlier.'" 
Then  ensued  what  history  has  designated  the 
French  and  Indian  War,  and  during  the  years 
it  raged,  various  conquests  were  made  by  the 
English,  the  most  important  with  reference  to 
Illinois,  and  consequently  to  Piatt  County,  being 
that  which  gave  over  to  the  English  the  French 
possessions  which  had  hitherto  been  held  by 
France,  and  wliich  included  all  of  the  present 
stiite  of  Illinois.  Thus  ended  the  dominion  of 
the  French  in  our  present  comnaonwealth.  While 
the  French  flag  floated  no  longer  over  the  for- 
tified settlements,  being  replaced  by  the  English 
ensign,  there  was  little  change  in  the  few 
settlers  who  had  gathered  about  these  posts  in 
the  wilderness.  The  Indians  still  practically 
owned  the  land,  and  used  it  as  hunting  grounds. 
The  Revolutionary  War  had  jjut  little  effect 
upon  this  .section,  except  that  a  third  change 
was  made,  and  the  English  flag  was  lowered  to 
make  way  for  the  new  one  that  the  American 
colonists  had  given  the  world. 

In  1777-8  Col.  George  Rogers  Clark  made 
what  is  now  known  as  the  Clark  Expedition, 
and  through  it  much  was  discovered  about  what 
was  then  called  the  Illinois  Country.  Its  name 
had  been  given  it  from  an  Algonquin  Indian 
won].    I  Mini,    signifying   "the    men,"    which    the 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


625 


French  clianged  into  Illini,  meaiiinf;  "tbe  trilie.' 
In  the  latter  year.  177S,  Virginiii  a.sserted  its 
dominion  over  the  territory  covered  by  the  Clarli 
Expe<lition,  and  organized  tlie  Illinois  Country, 
lu  1TS7,  however,  Illinois  was  made  part  of  the 
Northwest  Territory,  and  in  1800  became  a  por- 
tion of  Indiana  Territory,  with  its  seat  of  gov- 
ernment at  Vinceunes. 

The  beginning  of  Illinois  as  a  separate  politi- 
cal division  had  its  beginning  in  its  organization 
as  a  territory  on  February  3,  1809.  witli  the 
capital  at  KaskasUia.  The  first  territorial  legis- 
lature was  held  in  1S12.  Illinois  came  into  the 
Union  as  a  state  December  3,  1818,  with  the 
capital  remaining  at  Kaskaskia.  A  complete 
and  detailed  history  of  Illlinois  as  a  state  Is 
found  elsewhere  in  this  work,  it  being  the  pur- 
pose of  this  chapter  to  give  merely  an  outline 
of  the  leading  historical  events  that  led  up  to 
the  opening  of  the  state  to  settlers  and  the 
encouragement  of  the  development  of  the 
natural  re.'^ources  of  this  great  commonwealth. 


CHAPTER  II. 


GEOGRAPHICAL  AND  TOPOGRAPHICAL. 


LOCATION  —  ARE.\  —  POPULATION  —  GREAT  FEBTIIy 
ITY — EXCEPTIONAL  MARKET  ADVANTAGES — NAT- 
tlKAL  DRAINAGE A  WATER  SHED  BIDGE — SANGA- 
MON AND  KASKASKIA  RIVERS  AND  TRIBUTARIES — 
PRESENT  DRAINAGE  DISTRICTS — TIME.  MONEY  AND 
EEFOET  WELL  EXPENDED C00N"S  SPRING — CLI- 
MATE     AND      GEOLOGY  -—  FLORA FAUNA FEW 

SNAKES. 

LOCATION. 

Piatt  Cougty  is  located  almost  in  the  center  of 
the  State,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
McLean  County,  on  the. east  by  Champaign  and 
Douglas  counties,  on  the  south  by  Moultrie 
County,  and  on  the  west  by  Macon  County.  Its 
area  is  50,000  square  miles,  or  280,320  acres  of 
land,  and  its  population  according  to  the  last 
census  was  10,370.  The  greater  jiortion  of  the 
land  is  undulating,  the  northern  portion  being 
more  rolling  than  that  of  the  southern  part. 
The  county  is  about  evenly  divided  as  to 
prairie  and  timber  land,  and  in  its  early  history 
had  some  very  valuahle  timber,  but  the  greater 


part  of  this  has  been  cleared  away.  It  is  one 
of  the  most  fertile  of  the  agricultural  counties 
of  the  state,  and  its  agricultural  interests  are 
lully  developed.  Located  about  midway  between 
Chicago  and  St.  Louis,  it  has  had  two  of  the 
best  markets  in  the  country  to  which  to  sell  its 
produce  and  from  which  to  obtain  its  necessities 
and  luxuries,  the  latter  increasing  annually  as 
the  wealth  and  ideas  of  the  people  have 
exijanded. 

NATURAL    DRAINAGE. 

Piatt  County  has  been  favored  by  nature  in 
being  remarkably  well  drained,  a  ridge  running 
a  little  north  of  Cerro  Gordo  in  a  northeasterly 
direction  through  the  county,  between  Bement 
and  Monticello,  and  passing  into  Champaign 
County,  is  the  water  shed  for  the  valley  between 
the  Illinois  and  Kaskaskia  rivers,  both  of  which 
are  tributaries  of  the  Mississippi  River.  From 
the  summit  of  this  ridge  a  beautiful  view  can 
be  ■  obtained  of  the  surrounding  country  for 
many  mUes,  and  the  scenery  in  Piatt  County, 
especially  along  this  ridge,  is  as  fine  as  any  in 
the  state.  North  of  the  ridge  is  the  Sangamon 
River,  along  which  lay  heavy  timber  before  the 
days  of  forest  sacrifices,  and  before  those  of 
conservation  of  natural  resources.  This  water 
course  has  a  number  of  tributaries,  including 
Madden's  Run,  Goose  Creek,  Wild  Cat  Creek 
and  Friend's  Creek  on  the  north ;  Camp  Creek 
and  Willow  Branch  on  the  south.  Salt  Creek 
is  another  tributary  of  the  Sangamon  River  to 
the  extreme  north.  The  Kaskaskia  River  drains 
the  southern  and  .southeastern  by  means  of  the 
West  Okaw  and  Lake  Fork  of  the  Okaw,  its 
tributiiries.  As  the  fall  of  country  along  Lake 
Fork  was  very  slight,  the  drainage  in  the  south- 
eastern part  was  totally  insufficient  until  the 
project  of  deepening  the  channel  of  the  Lake 
Fork  in  eastern  Bement  Township  and  southern 
Monticello  Township  was  taken  up,  which 
resulted  in  the  establishing  of  a  drainage  dis- 
trict, which  redeemed  many  acres  of  the  richest 
land  in  the  county.  The  history  of  this  move- 
ment may  be  briefly  toM. 

DRAINAGE   DISTRICTS. 

On  October  7.  1SS2,  at  an  election  held  in  the 
Concord  schoolhouse,  the  following  board  of 
drainage  commissioners  was  elected :  Alfred 
Jay.  Samuel  L.  Busich  and  Anthony  Clark.  The 
purpose  of  this  movement  was  to  dredge  the 
Lake  Fork  sufficiently  to  drain  the  surrounding 


626 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


district.  The  name  of  tUis  water  course  was 
talii'ii  from  the  fact  that  durlug  the  rainy  sea^^on 
the  water  overllowed  its  banks  to  such  an  extent 
that  a  hirgc  lake  was  formed  each  year,  utterly 
submerging  the  lauds  adjacent,  and  remleriuf; 
others  too  moist  for  practical  puriKise.s. 
Although  the  measure  had  been  imt  before  the 
licoiile  at  a  general  election  prior  to  tlie  electiou 
of  the  drainage  l»ard,  many  objections  were 
raised  as  to  the  decisions  of  the  drainage  com- 
missioners relative  to  the  assessments  and  bene- 
fits proiwsed,  and  the  project  dragged  because 
of  various  court  proceedings.  Finally  on  Sep- 
tonilier  21,  18S3,  the  county  surveyor,  C.  D. 
Moore,  was  instructeil  to  survey  the  ditch,  pre- 
pare a  plat  and  profile.  Accoixling  to  liis  original 
plans,  the  drainage  ditch  oxtendt'd  from  the 
northern  boundary  of  section  36,  township  18, 
range  (J,  to  the  Crain  bridge,  a  distance  of 
eleven  miles. 

This  plat  was  submitted  to  the  drainage  board 
at  their  March  meeting,  1884,  and  received  their 
approval.  l!ids  were  advertised  for,  but  none 
were  submitted  by  the  time  of  the  next  meeting, 
and  nothing  more  was  accomplished  until  the 
September  meeting,  1884,  when  the  original 
plans  were  amended  to  read  as  follows: 

"The  width  from  Grain's  bridge  to  the  south 
line  of  section  1,  township  17,  range  C,  be  thirty 
feet  at  the  top,  twenty-five  feet  from  thence  to 
tbe  south  line  of  section  .SO,  township  IS,  range 
0,  and  twenty  feet  from  thence  to  the  north 
line  of  said  ilitch  to  be  one-fourth  as  wide  as 
the  top.  and  the  depth  one  foot  more,  at  all 
points  thaiij  the  de|)th  fixed  by  V.  D.  Moore  in 
the  profile  approved  -March  1,  1884." 

It  was  the  intention  that  the  bid  be  awarded 
for  the  contract  by  October  10.  1884.  so  that 
worla  might  be  begun  that  year,  but  the  boaixl 
adjourned,  and  the  contract  was  not  let  until 
the  spring  of  ]S8.".  when  it  was  awarded  to 
McCillis  &  Company  at  11  0/10  cents  per  cubic 
yard,  with  the  proviso  that  if  the  ditch  were 
completed  by  Ajiril  1.  l.lsc,  Hio  contractors  were 
to  receive  a  bonus  of  1  0/10  cents  per  cubic  yard. 
Not  long  after  .securing  tlie  contract,  the  con- 
tractors let  it  to  Pollard,  Ooff  &  Company,  and 
the  new  firm  consented,  at  a  meeting  of  the 
drainage  board  held  .Tuly  22,  ISS.",  to  make  the 
ditch  0  feet  wide  on  the  bottom  from  one  end 
to  the  other,  ami  2  feet  deeper  than  the  bottom 
of  the  ditch  as  proposed  by  C.  D.  Moore,  from 
the  north  end  to  within  one  mile  of  the  south 
end,  and  from  Hint  jxiint  the  clo]ith  to  increase 


gradually  until  it  was  3  feet  deeper  than  the 
bottom  of  the  ditch  as  shown  by  the  plans  and 
specifications.  The  width  of  the  top  of  the 
ditch  was  to  remain  as  origiually  contracted. 
The  time  was  extended  to  June  1,  1880,  for  the 
completion  of  tlie  ditch. 

Active  work  was  begun  during  the  summer 
of  1885  at  the  north  end  of  the  proposed  chan- 
nel, in  Monticello  Township,  and  continued  until 
November,  18SG.  At  that  time  the  ditch  reached 
the  Moore  graveyard  in  I'nity  Township,  and 
on  February  2,  188",  the  boat  was  burned.  The 
completed  ditch  is  about  45  miles  in  length, 
and  cost  about  .$300,000.  This  ditch  was  after- 
wards extended  for  a  distance  of  three  mile.s 
by  a  special  mutual  .drainage  district,  formed 
by  the  farmers  in  the  vicinity  of  Mackville. 

Thirty-three  sub-districts  have  been  organized 
in  the  Lake  Fori;  Special  Drainage  District,  and 
the  entire  system  drains  about  155,000  acres  in 
Champaign,  Douglas  and  Piatt  counties.  The 
total  cost  was  near  $1,000.(X)0.  but  it  was  money 
well  spent,  as  it  resulted  in  the  reclamation  of 
many  thousands  of  acres  of  very  fertile  laud. 

coon"s  spring. 

Piatt  County  has  very  few  living  springs,  but 
one  that  has  attained  more  than  local  reputa- 
tion is  that  named  Coon's  Spring,  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  Sangamon  Kiver.  As  It  is  located 
in  the  midst  of  pleasant  surroundings,  it  has 
long  been  the  gathering  place  for  camp  meet- 
ings, picnics  and  similar  meetings. 


I'cw  roinities  in  the  stale  have  a  more  eciiiable 
climate  than  Piatt,  for  as  it  is  out  of  the  direct 
route  of  the  trade  winds  from  the  southwest. 
and  little  subject  to  the  cold  currents  from  the 
polar  regions  that  press  down  the  valley  of 
the  upper  Mississippi,  this  section  is  singularly 
fortunate,  and  these  conditions  mike  it  pecu- 
liarly suited  for  agricultural  purposes  and  fruit 
growing. 


There  are  no  formations  shown  in  Piatt 
County  older  than  the  Drift  Period.  Accoi-ding 
to  the  survey  taken  by  the  state  government  of 
the  county  in  1808.  the  following  observations 
are  given : 

"Appearance  of  the  (hill  at  the  Sangamon 
Kiver  bridge  near  Monticello: 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


627 


1  Yellowish-brown  clay 5  feet 

2  Clay,  sand  and  boulders 5  feet 

3  Dark  asb,  brown  clay,  fine  sand 

and  pebbles 4  feet 

4  Black  clay 1  foot 

5  Clay    streaked    brown    and   black 

with  ochery   red 8  feet 

Sangamon  bluffs : 

1  Brown  clay C  feet 

2  Pebbles  and  clay 10  feet 

3  At    top    dark-brown    clay,    below 

reddish      brown      finely      com- 
niingled  with  sand  and  clay. . .  .14  feet 

"Between  Monticello  and  Centerville  the 
road  washings  disclose  .3  to  4  feet  of  liright 
brown  clay,  sometimes  brown  sand,  pebbles  and 
boulders.  On  the  prairies  there  are  boulders  of 
granite  of  various  colors,  gray,  red,  sienitic, 
granite,  quartzite  and  altered  sandstone,  gneiss 
and  greenstone ;  and  in  the  altered  drift,  Devo- 
nian fossils  and  fragments  of  coal  mea.sure. 

"Springs  highly  colored  with  oxide  of  iron 
are  found.  On  section  29,  township  19,  N.,  range 
5,  E.,  there  are  many  such  springs.  Some  of 
them  are  strongly  chalybeate.  In  one,  gas  arises 
and  a  quantity  of  brown  sediment  is  deposited 
on  its  sides,  and  it  is  marshy  ground.  Some  of 
the  wells  dug  and  bored  from  60  to  100  feet 
are  supplied  with  a  seemingly  e.vhaustless 
amount  of  water.  This  great  vein  of  water  is 
thus  reached  at  various  depths  throughout  the 
county.  In  Goose  Creek  Township  a  well  was 
bored  lliO  feet,  Ijut  the  vein  was  not  reached. 
On  the  fair-grounds  it  was  reached  at  52." 
According  to  the  report,  other  wells  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  county  reached  water  at 
a  depth  from  12  to  20  feet.  For  surface  water, 
wells  in  the  timber  have  to  be  dug  deeper  than 
those  on  the  jirairie.  but  when  it  is  desired  to 
reach  this  underlying  stream  the  case  is 
reversed. 

FLORA. 

It  is  almost  impossible  in  a  work  of  this  kind 
to  give  at  length  the  plants  that  are  indigenous 
to  Piatt  County,  but  a  few  of  the  best  known 
may  be  mentioned.  Clematis,  anemone,  hepatica. 
wild  columbine,  larkspur,  white  and  red  bane- 
berry,  custard  apple  family,  monseed  family, 
may  apple,  water  lily,  poppy,  blood  root,  Dutch- 
man's breeches,  mustard  family,  mallow  family, 
sumac,  summer  grape.  Virginia  creeper,  buck- 
tliorn,   burning  bush,  sugar  or  rock  maple,  red 


clover,  sweet  clover,  tick-trefoil,  bush  clover, 
ground  nut,  kidney  bean,  hog  peanut,  red  bud, 
wild  senna,  honey  locust,  wild  yellow  or  red 
plum,  wild  strawberry,  wild  raspberry,  wild  rose, 
crab  apple,  pear  thorn,  wild  gooseberry,  stone- 
crop,  witchhazel,  evening  primrose,  gourds,  black 
snakeroot,  wild  carrot,  cowparsnip,  cowbane, 
meadow  parsnip,  spotted  cowbane  (deadly 
poison),  water  parsnip,  honeyroot.  ginseug,  dog- 
root,  honeysuckle,  aster,  goldenrod,  daisies,  sun- 
flower, thistle,  ironweed,  button  snakeroot, 
trumpet  weed,  boneset,  butter  weed,  ragweed, 
cocklebur,  ox  eye,  beggar  ticks,  fetid  marigold, 
sneeze  weed,  fire  weed,  Indian  plantain,  bur- 
dock, dandelion,  wild  lettuce,  Indian  tobacco, 
common  mullein,  figwort,  beards-tongue,  purs- 
lane, wild  mint,  water  horehound,  Aniericau 
jiennyroyal,  wild  bergamot,  catnip,  hedge  nettle, 
motherwort,  wild  morning  glory,  horse  nettle, 
thornapple,  milkweed,  white  ash.  wild  ginger, 
pigweed,  smartweed,  pale,  swamp,  curled  and 
bitter  dock,  sassafra.?,  spice  bush,  toadwax, 
lizard  tail,  slippery  elm,  hackberry,  red  mul- 
berry, nettle,  clearweed,  hoji,  plane  tree,  syca- 
more, buttonwood,  butternut,  shellbark  hickory, 
white,  burr,  laurel,  sbingle,  black-jack,  barren, 
yelUow-bark,  black  and  red  oak,  hazelnut,  iron 
wood,  heart  leaved,  black  and  long-leaved  wil- 
low, Cottonwood,  red  cedar,  Indian  turnip, 
dragon  root,  duckweed,  cat  tail,  bur  reed,  blue 
flag,  wild  yam,  trillium,  bellwort.  white  dog- 
tooth violet,  wild  hyacinth,  wild  onion  and  wild 
garlic,  spiderwort,  spikeljusb,  bullrush,  white 
grass,  water  oats,  reed  grasscord,  drop  seed, 
orchard  and  porcupine  grass,  wire  and  fowl 
meadow  grass,  wild  rye,  common  horsetail,  and 
maiden  hair,  lady,  marsh,  brittle  and  ostrich 
ferns.  The  connnon  or  local  names  of  the  above 
mentioned  flora  are  given  in  order  that  these 
Iilants  may  be  readily  recognized.  Some  of  these 
have  been  eliminated,  but  when  the  pioneers 
reached  Piatt  County,  they  found  all  of  them 
and  many  others,  and  soon  learned  the  various 
uses  to  which  they  could  be  put.  either  as  food 
for  themselves  and  stock,  or  as  medicine  to  cor- 
rect the  diseases  to  which  they  were  subject. 
Some  of  the  above  have  been  cultivated  and 
developed  to  a  considerable  extent,  especially 
the  fruits,  as  Piatt  County  is  well  adapted  for 
fruitgrowing. 

FAUNA. 

In  naming  the  fauna  of  Piatt  County  only  the 
(•(inuiionly   used   name   is   here   siven.   and   it   is 


628 


UISTOKY  OF  riATT  COUNTY. 


practically  impossible  to  mention  every  species 
in  an  article  like  tbis.  The  aim  is  to  cover  in 
a  general  way  the  subject  so  that  succeeding 
generations  will  have  a  fair  idea  of  I'iatt 
County  fauna  as  it  was  originally.  Before  the 
county  was  settled  the  buffalo  and  black  bear 
may  have  been  found,  and  there  wore  plenty  of 
Virginia  deer,  Canada  lynx,  wild  cat,  gray  or 
prairie  wolf,  red  and  gray  fox,  common  weasel, 
mink,  otter,  skunk,  raccoon,  brown  and  silver 
back  bat,  prairie  mole,  flying  fox,  gray  squirrel, 
chipmunk,  strii)ed  goplier,  gray  gopher,  wood- 
chuck,  Norway  rat.  comuion  mouse,  hare  and 
opossum. 

Among  the  most  widely  distributed  birds  may 
be  named  tlie  following:  Robin.  liermit-thru.sh, 
olive-backed  thrush,  brown  thrush,  mocking  bird, 
cat  bird,  blue  bird,  titmouse,  nut  hatch,  brown 
creeper,  house  wren,  shore  lark,  golden,  yellow- 
rumped,  magnolia,  red-start  and  chestnut 
warblers,  scarlet  tanager,  summer  red  bird,  barn, 
eave  and  bank  swallows.  i]urple  martin,  wax 
wing,  warbling  vireo.  yellow-throatetl  vireo, 
shrike,  wild  canary,  goldfinch,  English  sparrow, 
lark,  finch,  field  sparrow,  chippy,  song  sparrow, 
swamp  sparrow,  snow  bird,  fox  sparrow,  black- 
throated  bunting,  indigo  bird,  ground  robin, 
bobolink,  cow  bird,  red-winged  blackbird,  mead- 
ow lark,  oriole,  orchard  oriole,  rusty  grackle, 
purjjle  grackle.  crow,  blue  jay,  king  bird,  pewee. 
fly  catcher,  whippoorwill.  night  hawk,  chimney 
swallow,  luliy  throated  humming  bird,  kiui;- 
fisher,  yellow-liilled  cuckoo,  red-headed  wofid- 
pecker,  goldon-wiiigod  woodpecker,  short-eared, 
screech  and  great-horned  owl,  sparrow  hawk, 
chicken  hawk,  hen  hawk,  golden  eagle,  turkey 
buzzard,  wild  pigeon,  mourning  dove,  rufTed 
grouse,  prairie  hen,  quail,  golden  plover,  kill- 
deer  plover,  woodcock.  Wilson's  snitJo.  sandpiper, 
great  bine  heron,  groat  white  egret,  stake  driver, 
white  crane,  sandhill  crane,  brant  goose.  Canada 
goose,  mallard  duck,  blue  winged  teal,  green- 
winged  teal,  wood  duck  and  pied-billed  grebe. 

There  are  three  species  of  turtle,  the  snap- 
ping, mud  and  soft-shelled.  While  there  are  no 
lizards,  a  ■  li/.ard-like  reptile  has  been  found, 
known  as  a  salamander,  and  what  is  called  a 
glass  snake,  but  belongs  to  the  lizard  family, 
for  it  has  movable  eyelids,  which  the  true  snake 
has  not.  Of  the  true  snakes,  there  were  two 
species  of  the  rattlesnake  found  in  IMatt 
County,  the  only  poisonous  kind  here.  Other 
snakes  still  found  here  are  the  black,  the  blue 
racer,    the    fox.    the    milk,    and    three   or    four 


kinds  of  garter,  and  water  snakes.  Two  or 
three  kinds  of  frogs,  the  toad  and  the  mud 
puppy  have  been  found  here.  The  fish  are  repre- 
sented by  two  species  of  cat  fish,  the  buffalo, 
one  or  two  kinds  of  sun  fish,  bass,  pike,  perch 
and  gar  pike. 

Insect  life  injurious  to  crops  formerly  was 
well  represented  in  I'iatt  County,  as  in  other 
sections.  At  one  time  the  Colorado  potato  beetle 
was  found  in  countless  numbers,  but  has  now 
nearly  entirely  disappeared.  The  wild  potato 
bug  is  also  found,  the  cabbage  butterflies,  cut 
worm  and  white  grub.  The  ground  squirrel 
may  destroy  the  corn,  but  he  is  an  enemy  to 
beetles.  Tlie  army  worm,  the  cinch  bug,  the 
Hessian  fly,  have  been  enemies  of  the  farmer 
here,  but  these  are  pretty  well  eliminated. 


CHAPTER  III. 


INDIAN  HISTORY. 


THE     AMERICAN     INDIAN HIS     EARLY     TREATMENT 

UNJUST MANV   TIMES    A    ^^CTI.\I    OF   IGNORANCE 

LANDS  WRESTED  FROM   HIM — PRESENT  GENERAL 

STATUS — FACTS  OF  HISTORY — EARLY  INDIAN 
TROUBLES  IN  ILLINOIS — WINNEB.\GO  WAR — BLACK 
HAWK  WAR — TREATY"  WITH  S.\CS  AND  FOXES — • 
— DE-^TII  OF  BI.\CK  HAWK — INDIANS  IN  PIATT 
COUNTY — FRIENDLY    WITH    PIATT    FAMILY'. 

THE    A.MERICAX    INDIAN. 

Without  d<iubt  the  .American  Indian  has  been 
one  of  the  most  misunderstcxid  and  al)used  of 
mankind.  Inheriting  the  continent  of  which 
his  white  brethren  have  largely  dispossessed 
him,  by  right  of  prior  occupation  that  extends 
back  into  the  dim  recesses  of  history,  his  rights 
have  been  disregarded,  his  possessions  wrested 
from  him.  and  he.  who  is  the  original  American, 
is  now  the  ward  of  the  government  which  con- 
quered him.  It  is  imiios.sible.  perhaps,  for 
people  to  take  a  dispassionate  view  of  current 
events.  They  are  always  influenced  more  or 
less  by  personal  matters  and  the  trend  of  public 
opinion.  It  is  not  until  a  future  generation, 
entirely  removed  from  the  effects  of  any  great 
mo\ement.  can  look  back  upon  such  events,  that 
a  clear,  neutral  and  fair  judgment  can  be  ren- 


Oy^tyy^'Z/i^t^f^^^ 


-i-ILJa 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


629 


dered.  Although  it  is  many  years  since  the 
Indian  was  a  menace  to  others,  recollections  of 
dire  deeds  of  violence  and  injustice  on  both 
sides,  still,  in  some  sections,  inflame  public 
opinion,  and  the  wise  man  reserves  his  com- 
ments, unless  certain  of  not  rousing  old  issues. 
The  day,  however,  is  not  far  distant  when  the 
white  race  will  look  back  with  astonishment,  if 
not  shame,  upon  the  methods  by  which  white 
supremacy  was  flrst  secured  over  an  innocent 
and  ignorant  people. 

VICTIMS    OF   IGNORANCE. 

We  are  told  that  with  the  landing  of  the 
white  strangers  in  the  New  World,  came  a 
warm  welcome  from  the  native  red  men,  who 
saw  in  the  visitors  nothing  to  fear,  but  rather 
superiors  to  be  reverenced.  How  rude  must 
have  been  their  awakening  when  they  discovered 
that  those  whom  they  regarded  as  gods,  were 
made  of  the  same  clay,  although  differently 
colored,  as  that  from  which  they  were  fashioned, 
and  that  beneath  the  fairer  texture  of  their 
skin  dwelt  often  a  savagery  no  Indian  then 
comprehended.  It  is  an  admitted  fact,  thougli, 
that  evil  qualities  are  more  easily  imitated  than 
good  ones,  and  so  it  was  that  the  simple  Indians 
soon  learned  to  return  evil  for  evil,  and  when 
treated  treacherously,  responded  in  kind.  By 
the  time  Illinois  was  looked  upon  as  a  desirable 
place  for  settlement,  the  Indians  bad  advanced 
very  far  on  the  path  of  retaliation,  and  had  far 
distanced  the  worst  of  the  white  men  in  their 
barbaric  resentments.  Not  comprehending  the 
ways  of  white  men,  they  had  ignorantly  signed 
away  their  rights  to  the  lands  which  had  come 
down  to  them  through  countless  ancestors,  tak- 
ing in  payment  what  was  practically  worthless 
to  them.  The  white  men  who  arranged  such 
treaties,  however,  must  not  be  unduly  blamed, 
for  they  were  influenced  and  governed  by  public 
sentiment  and  the  trend  of  their  times.  The 
Indian  had  grown  so  savage  and  worthless,  from 
their  standpoint,  that  it  was  regarded  liut  the 
duty  of  competent,  patriotic  and  intelligent  oth- 
cials  to  send  the  warring  tribes  as  far  west  as 
possible,  and  make  way  for  the  oncoming  wave 
of  civilization,  whose  crest  bore  the  intrepid 
pioneers  who  were  to  blaze  the  trail  for  future 
progress. 

Fortunately  for  those  who  had  to  live  in  the 
Prairie  State  during  Indian  days,  the  triljes 
found  on  its  hunting  grounds  were  not  nearly 
as  savage  as  those  to  the  north,  west  or  south. 


and  but  few  of  the  terrible  atrocities  which  are 
chalked  up  against  the  red  man  had  Illinois  for 
their  scene  of  action.  The  Indians  of  the  Illini 
were  fortunate  probably  in  having  wise  men  in 
charge  of  their  affairs ;  men  who  tried  as  far 
as  lay  in  their  power  to  mingle  justice  with 
power,  and  certain  it  is  that  among  the  earliest 
settlers  were  found  a  number  who  understood 
the  Indian  character  enough  to  malvc  friends 
of  their  savage  neighbors.  It  was  no  unusual 
thing  in  the  pioneer  days  here  to  find  one  or 
more  of  the  red  men  trusted  members  of  the 
settler's  family,  while  the  interchange  of  fron- 
tier commodities  and  game  was  common.  Many 
are  the  instances  to  be  found  on  record  where 
the  friendly  Indians  rendered  services  of 
iucalculalile  value  to  their  white  friends,  and  it 
was  an  admitted  fact  that  once  an  Indian  made 
a  "blood  l)rother''  of  a  white  man.  lie  would 
serve  him  at  the  risk  of  his  own  life. 

FACTS    OF   HISTORY. 

_  The  historical  page  of  the  savage  Indian  has 
been  turned,  and  indeed  in  this  twentieth  cen- 
tury, some  of  the  most  responsible,  wealthy  and 
best  educated  people  in  certain  sections  of  the 
country  are  full-blooded  Indian.s,  or  can  proudly 
trace  Indian  blood  back  to  some  ancestor,  who, 
when  this  country  was  young  in  the  ways  of  the 
whites,  held  royal  sway  over  mighty  tribes. 
Many  characteristics  possessed  by  the  Indian  are 
worthy  of  emulation,  and  when  they  are  assimi- 
lated by  other  races,  a  country  profits  as  to  its 
sturdy  citizenship.  However,  during  that  period 
of  Illinois  history  when  the  Indian  was  still 
regarded  as  an  enemy  and  savage,  certain  events 
took  place  which  must  be  set  down  in  all  his- 
tories of  that  time  in  order  that  a  true  and 
complete  account  be  rendered  of  prevailing  con- 
ditions and  events. 

The  confederacy  of  tribes  composing  the  Illi- 
nois division  of  the  Indians  eniliraced  the  Kas- 
kaskias,  Cahokias  and  Tamaroas.  but  the  Pot- 
tawatomies,  Sacs,  Foxes,  and  KicUapoos  witli 
the  Winnebagoes  were  all  to  be  found  in  the 
territory  now  embraced  in  the  state  of  Illinois. 
The  two  Indian  disturbances  in  which  Illinois 
was  especially  interested  were  those  bearing 
the  name  of  the  Winnebago  War,  and  the  Black 
Hawk  War. 

WINNEBAGO    WAR. 

From  1S12  to  1827  the  Indians  of  the  north- 
western frontier  gave  the  government  but  little 


630 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


trouble,  ;iltlioiigh  liere  and  there  were  local 
disturbauees  which  were  generally  handled  by 
the  persons  most  concerned.  Forts  were  estab- 
lished and  surrounded  by  stockades,  and  every 
man  and  woman,  and  many  of  the  children 
among  the  whites,  were  taught  the  use  of  fire- 
arms. In  1825  the  Winnebago  Indians  became 
dissatisfied  with  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of 
1S04  because  in  it  they  were  not  mentioned,  and 
the  United  States  commissioners  made  arrange- 
ment admitting  that  the  Winnebagoes  were 
entitled  to  a  portion  of  the  laud  ceded  by  that 
treaty  to  the  Sacs  and  Foxes.  Acting  in  accord- 
ance with  this  admission,  the  Winnebagoes  laid 
claim  to  lands  lying  in  the  vicinity  of  Galena, 
and  when,  in  1S27,  white  settlers  began  to 
work  the  lead  mines  which  were  there  dis- 
covered, the  Indians  made  very  emphatic  remon- 
strances, which  were  not  heeded.  Not  being 
able  to  obtain  what  they  believed  was  justice, 
they  sought  assistance  from  their  own  people, 
and  were  joined  by  some  of  the  Sioux.  In  the 
meanwhile  an  encounter  between  some  of  the 
Indians  and  the  whites  in  the  vicinity  of  Prairie 
du  Chien,  resulted  in  the  killing  of  a  few  of  the 
whites  and  the  wounding  of  a  number.  The 
residents  about  Galena  obtained  help  from  the 
state  government,  and  General  Atkinson  with 
some  of  the  regular  troops,  in  conjunction  with 
the  Galena  militia  under  General  Dodge,  in  an 
engagement  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Fox  and 
Wisconsin  rivers,  so  routed  the  Indians  as  to 
compel  them  to  sue  for  peace.  In  this  engage- 
ment Red  Bird  and  Black  Hawk  and  several 
others  of  the  leading  Indian  chiefs  were  taken 
prisoners,  but  later  were  released. 

While  this  disturbance  was  of  short  duration, 
and  resulted  in  victory  for  the  whites,  a  feeling 
of  unrest  was  felt  among  all  the  tribes,  and  ani- 
mosities were  cngenderetl  that  Anally  resulted 
in  the  Black  Hawk  AYar.  Therefore,  while  as 
a  war  the  Winnebago  campaign  is  of  little  his- 
toric value,  its  importance  is  recognized  in  that 
it  was  one  of  the  leading  causes  that  contributed 
to  the  much  more  serious  hostilities  between  the 
government  and  the  Sacs  and  Foxes. 

THE   BLACK   llAWK   WAR. 

The  beginning  of  the  conflict  which  bears  the 
name  of  the  chief  of  the  Sac  and  Fox  tribes, 
dates  back  to  the  treaty  of  1804,  with  which 
the  Indians  were  not  satisfied,  so  that  they 
readily  were  induced  to  join  forces  with  the 
English  during  the  War  of  1812-14.    This  action 


was  regarded  by  the  United  States  government 
as  a  violation  of  the  treaty,  and  a  new  one  was 
made  in  ISlti,  and  another  in  1825.  Still  another 
was  signed  in  1830  in  which  the  Sacs  and  Foxes 
agreed  to  remove  to  territory  provided  for  them 
west  of  the  Mississippi  River.  This  and  all 
other  treaties.  Black  Hawk  declared  void  in 
ISol,  and  with  his  family  and  connections,  some 
ICickapoo  aud  Pottawatomie  allies,  and  300 
warriors,  recrossed  the  Mississippi  River  to 
retake  his  village  which  stood  on  the  present 
site  of  Rock  Island.  The  Indian  village  at  that 
point  had  Iieen  one  of  the  largest  and  most 
important  in  the  Northwest  Territory,  and  there 
is  no  doubt  liut  that  homesickness  played  some 
part  in  the  desire  of  the  Indians  to  return  to 
their  former  home.  Black  Hawk  declared  that 
the  treaties  had  been  obtained  through  fraud, 
and  he  and  his  warriors  began  destroying  the 
property  of  the  white  settlers. 

The  whites  immediately  complaiued  to  Gov- 
ernor Reynolds,  who  notified  General  Gaines  of 
the  regular  army,  and  superintendent  of  Indian 
affairs,  and  volunteers  responded  to  the  general 
call  to  the  number  of  1,000.  The  forces  were 
divided  into  two  regiments,  an  odd  battalion  and 
a  spy  battalion,  with  Col.  James  D.  Henry  com- 
manding the  first  regiment;  Col.  Dan  Lieb,  the 
second;  Maj.  Nathan  Buclunaster,  the  odd  bat- 
talion ;  and  Maj.  Gen.  Joseph  Duncan  of  the 
state  militia  was  in  command  of  the  entire 
brigade.  JIaj.  Sanniel  Whiteside  lieing  in  charge 
iif  the  spy  battalion.  The  fact  of  the  gathering 
of  this  force  is  interesting  to  the  people  of  Illi- 
nois, as  it  was  the  largest  force  the  state  had 
then  raised,  and  records  show  that  it  was 
regarded  as  truly  imposing  as  it  marched  to 
the  scene  of  the  disturbance. 

So  large  a  force  of  armed  whites  could  not 
advance  unobserved  upon  an  enemy  as  well 
versed  iii  frontier  warfare  as  the  Indians,  and 
l)efore  the  brigade  reached  them  the  Indians 
quietly  went  back  across  the  river,  not  caring 
to  match  their  strength  against  the  troops.  The 
government  was  not  willing  to  allow  matters  to 
rest,  however,  and  General  Gaines,  quartering 
his  troops  at  Fort  Armstrong,  now  Rock  Island 
.Vr.seual.  sent  word  to  Black  Hawk  that  unless 
he  would  consent  to  a  peace  council,  he  would 
pursue  his  tribes  into  their  reservation.  Once 
more  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  went  into  a  treaty 
with  the  government,  promising  to  remain  on  the 
west  bank  of  the  Mississippi  River,  and  not  to 
cross  it  except  by  permission  of  the  Governor 


<lcU^  cM     of     <^-^^^i^lAAA  c^-^MZ 


('U3LIc\lBRARV 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


631 


of  Illinois,  or  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
Having,  as  he  thought,  satisfactorily  adjusted 
mattei-s.  General  Gaines  withdrew  his  forces. 

The  following  year  Black  Hawk  again  crossed 
the  Mississippi  River,  bringing  with  him  500 
warriors,  and  Governor  Reynolds  was  again 
confronted  with  the  necessity  of  protecting  the 
people  of  his  state  from  the  encroachments  of 
the  Indians.  Naturally  feeling  was  .strong,  for 
the  ofiicials  as  well  as  the  settlers  felt  that  all 
agreements  were  disregarded,  but  Black  Hawk 
claimed  then  and  later  that  he  only  crossed  tlie 
river  to  join  his  friend.  White  Cloud,  who  had 
located  in  the  vicinity  of  Prophetstown,  this 
state,  citing  in  proof  that  he  and  his  men 
brought  their  wives  and  families  with  them, 
something  they  never  did  when  on  the  war 
path,  ^'olunteers,  1,800  strong,  met  at  Beacd.s- 
town.  where  they  were  formed  into  four  regi-. 
ments  and  a  spy  battalion,  commanded  by 
Colonels  DeWitt,  Fr.v,  Thomas  and  Thompson, 
in  the  order  named,  while  Col.  James  D.  Henry 
commanded  the  spy  battalion.  Brigadier-Gen. 
Samuel  W.  Whiteside  commanded  the  entire 
bi-igade.  The  line  of  march  was  taken  up  April 
27,  18.32,  and  General  Whiteside,  after  firing  the 
Indian  encampment  at  Prophetstown,  proceeded 
to  Dixon,  where  he  joined  Majors  Stillman  and 
Bailey,  with  .SOD  men.  Shabhona,  chief  of  the 
Pottawatouiies.  was  not  in  favor  of  any  further 
conflict  lietween  the  Indians  and  the  whites,  and 
endeavored  to  warn  the  latter  of  probable  trou- 
ble, and  in  many  cases  prevented  serious  engage- 
ments. There  were  some  massacres,  however, 
but  in  looking  back  from  a  distance  of  nearly  a 
century,  the  reader  is  amazed  at  the  small  loss 
of  life,  under  all  the  circumstances. 

The  first  quota  of  volunteers  was  discharged, 
but  a  new  contingent  had  lieen  raised,  and  many 
of  the  veterans  re-enlisted,  so  that  the  force 
numbered  3,000  strong  by  June  15,  when  the 
Indians  attacked  settlers  on  Apple  River,  near 
Galena,  and  at  Fort  Hamilton,  in  the  lead  mine 
district.  Colonel  Dement  attacked  the  Indians 
at  Kellogg's  Grove  and  defeated  them.  Troops 
were  stationed  at  various  points  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  state  where  it  was  believed  there 
was  danger  of  an  attack,  and  Generals  .\tkin- 
son  and  Henry  marched  upon  the  supposed  en- 
campment of  Black  Hawk.  After  many 
disappointments,  the  command  finally  en- 
countered the  Indians  on  the  borders  of  Wis- 
consin and  the  fight  was  kept  up  until  the  foe 
crossed  the  line.     Owing  to  lack  of  provisions. 


General  Henry  fell  back  to  Blue  Mounds,  where 
he  joined  General  Atkinson,  who  had  been 
guarding  other  points,  and  a  march  was  begun 
to  the  Mississippi  River.  An  engagement  was 
liad  with  a  small  force  of  the  Indians  which 
was  driven  into  the  river,  and  a  severe  engage- 
ment followed  on  Rock  Island,  in  which  the 
Indian  loss  was  heavy.  While  Black  Hawk 
escaped,  he  was  later  captured  by  some  Winne- 
bago chiefs,  wlio  delivered  him  into  the  hands 
of  the  white  officials.  The  troops  were  sent  to 
Prairie  du  Chien,  where  they  were  met  by 
Gener;!!  Scott,  he  having  been  sent  with  an 
army  from  the  East,  to  assume  charge  of  the 
war.  As  travel  was  extremely  slow  in  those 
days,  the  trouble  was  over  before  he  arrived  at 
the  scene.  His  army,  while  not  participating  in 
the  engagements,  suffered  severe  loss  from 
-Vsiatic  cholera.  Hostilities  being  over,  the  vol- 
•Tinteers  were  sent  to  Dixon,  and  there  dis- 
charged. The  prisoners  were  first  sent  to  Rock 
Island  and  thence  to  Jefferson  Barracks. 

Following  a  cessation  of  hostilities,  a  treaty 
was  made  at  Jefferson  Barracks  with  the  Sacs 
and  Foxes  which  ceded  to  the  United  States  a 
large  portion  of  the  territory  between  the  Des 
Moines  and  Turkey  rivers  in  Iowa.  From  the 
liarracks  the  prisoners  were  sent  to  Washington, 
thence  to  Baltimore,  Philadelphia.  New  York 
.Tnd  other  cities,  it  being  the  purpose  to  impress 
upon  them  the  power  and  importance  of  the 
licople  they  were  defying,  and  they  were  then 
returned  to  their  reservation  in  June,  183.3. 
Black  Hawk  lived  to  be  eighty  years  old,  dying 
in  1840,  and  he  was  laid  to  rest  on  the  west 
liank  of  the  river  that  .separated  him  from  his 
beloved   home. 

INDI.VNS   IK    riATT   COUNTY. 

The  Pottawatomie  and  Kickapoo  Indians  were 
the  most  numerous  in  Piatt  County,  although 
representatives  of  other  tribes  frequented  this 
section.  Shabhona  and  Shawnessah,  chiefs  of 
the  Pottawatomies,  were  well  known  here  and 
generally  liked,  for  both  had  many  admirable 
characteristics  and  were  fine  examples  of  the 
Indian  race.  One  of  the  survivors,  who  was  a 
liublic  character,  went  by  the  name  of  Captain 
John.  He  spent  several  winter  seasons  near 
Montirello,  and  held  the  family  of  James  Piatt 
in  warm  esteem.  There  is  an  interesting  stor.v 
told  by  the  Piatt  family  which  shows  that  even 
in  pioneer  days  some  of  the  Indians  were  well 
educated.    .•Vocording  to  it  several  Indians  called 


632 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


at  the  home  of  James  I'iatt.  and  after  beius  feil 
as  was  tlie  custom,  asked  William  Piatt  to  read 
to  them  from  a  booii  on  the  shelf.  After  Mr. 
I'latt  had  complied  with  the  request,  one  of 
the  Indians  took  the  ImjuU  and  continued  reading 
as  fluently  as  his  white  friend.  He  then  drew 
a  New  Testament  from  his  pocket  and  showed 
that  he  was  well  acquainted  with  its  contents. 
The  Piatts  were  very  friendly  with  the  Indians, 
and  they  responded  to  this  kindness.  One 
bestowed  uikiu  James  Piatt  a  part  of  a  deer  to 
show  that  he  had  not  forgotten  the  food  given 
him  during  the  War  of  1812.  Huck's  I'oud, 
north  of  Monticello,  is  named  for  a  Delaware 
brave  who  was  banished  for  marrying  a  squaw 
who  had  killed  two  children.  They  located  on 
the  banks  of  the  Sangamon  Uiver,  later  moving 
to  a  pond  on  land  owned  by  C.  W.  Piatt  Here 
in  time  the  Indian  squaw  was  talven  sick  and 
died  and  her  husband  and  ten-year-old  son, 
Calish,  buried  her  on  its  banks,  and  there  con- 
tinued to  camp.  From  then  on  the  uanie  of  lUick 
has  been  retaiueil,  although  long  ago  the  grave 
was  opened  and  the  bones  of  the  squaw  scat- 
tered broadcast. 

When  one  of  the  Indian  agents  was  moving  a 
band  of  from  500  to  600  Indians  westward,  he 
encamped  them  in  the  neighborhood  of  James 
Piatt,  from  whom  he  obtained  food  for  his 
charges.  The  money  Mr.  Piatt  received  for  this 
food,  he  invested  in  land  ad.joining  that  which 
he  had  already  .secured,  tlius  proving  his  faith 
in  the  future  of  the  section  he  had  chosen  for 
his  permanent  home. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


EARLY  SETTLERS. 


TIIK  FIRST  SETTIJvH — BUILDKR  OF  SECOND  CADIN^ 
SETTLtRS  IN  1S24 — .V  PRO.MIXEXT  PIONF.ER — A 
NOTABLE  F.VENT  IN  ILUNOIS — WINTER  OF  THE 
DEEP  SNOW — THE  BIO  FREEZE — A  PERSONAL  EX- 
PERIENCE— SETTLERS  BETWEEN  1830  AND  1810 — 
FIRST  BIRTHS  IN  COUNTY — FIRST  DEATHS — THE 
"COFFIN  TREE" — EARLY  MILLS — EXAMPLES  OF 
PIONEER  INGENUITY — FIRST  GRIST  MILL — PIONEER 
CHARACTERISTICS — L.\RLY      I'OSTAL     ANNOYANCES 

— MUCH      TYPHOID     FEVER CHILLS     AND     FEVER 

OITEN   PREVAIIJvD GREEN   FLY  PEST — A  DEFENDER 

OF  PIONEER  LIFE. 


THE   FIRST   SETTLER. 

The  lirst  whit(>  settler  to  locate  witliin  the 
Ijresent  limits  of  Piatt  County  was  George  Hay- 
worth,  who  came  to  Illinois  from  Tennessee  in 
1822  and  erected  the  first  cabin,  a  primitive 
affair,  on  the  present  Lodge  filace  in  what  is 
now  Monticello.  A  little  later  Mr.  Hayworth 
replaced  his  first  residence  by  another  cabin  a 
little  more  substantial,  having  the  assistance 
of  some  friendly  Indians  in  its  construction. 
He  left  in  lS2.j. 

Following  Mr.  Hayworth.  as  the  second 
settler,  was  James  Martin,  who  arrived  in  the 
county  in  the  fall  of  1822  from  Ohio.  Ilis  was 
the  second  cabin  to  be  built  and  he  proposed 
becoming  a  permanent  resident.  However,  after 
Mrs.  Martin  died  in  the  cabin,  which  stood  on 
the  Rhoades  place,  north  of  Monticello,  Mr. 
Martin  went  to  Indiana,  selling  hLs  property  to 
a  Mr.  Daggott.  The  next  spring  he  and  his 
nephew,  with  the  tatter's  wife,  returned  to  Piatt 
County,  and  they  built  a  cabin  in  the  vicinity 
of  White  Heath.  In  the  meanwhile  Mr.  Dag- 
gott continued  to  live  on  the  property  he  bought 
from  Mr.  Martin  until  his  removal  itito  Cham- 
paign County.  111.,  two  years  later. 

SEITLERS    IN    1S24. 

The  year  1824  brought  a  Mr.  HoUiday,  whose 
labin  was  built  near  Mr.  Hayworth's.  and  its 
site  is  now  included  in  the  city  of  Monticello. 
.\fter  a  short  time  he  sold  this  cabin  to  Solomon 
Carverm,  and  the  latter  in  turn  disposed  of  it, 
after  using  it  for  a  period,  to  a  Mr.  Cordell. 
who  moved  into  it  in  1S20.  In  this  way  the 
cabins  passed  from  one  owner  to  the  other. 
While  wood  was  plentiful  in  the  growing  state, 
time  and  tools  were  required  to  transform  the 
standing  trees  into  material  for  even  the 
simplest  home.  When  a  man's  famil.y  or  means 
outgrew  his  first  cabin,  he  usually  sold  it  to  one 
whose  requirements  were  less,  and  built  for  him- 
self a  home  more  commodious.  The  little  log 
shacks  were  easily  moved  from  one  claim  to 
another,  and  some  of  them  stood  for  many  years 
after  the  surrounding  country  had  l)een  built 
up.  Another  settler  of  1824  was  Abraham  Han- 
line,  w'ho  came  to  Piatt  County  in  April  of  that 
year,  accompanied  by  his  four  sons.  Abraham, 
Jacob,  James  and  Xathan.  Tlie  good  wife  and 
mother  of  the  family  had  died,  and  perhaps  the 
father  and  sons  sought  a  change  of  home  to 
divert  their  minds  from  their  great  loss.  Abra- 
ham Hanline  the  elder  took  up  a  claim  of  160 


niL  .lA.MI.S  A.  I  lATI,  (hR.)   RLSIDLMl..     I  IRM   IlOl  Si.  IN    llAiT  tOlXTY 


THE  OLD  COrKT  H()LSE 


n 


I  i^S 


A3TOr>    \|r,Nn 


i^lLnsK  .FC< 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


633 


acres  in  the  neighborhood,  of  Coon  Spring,  north 
of  Monticello,  and  began  at  once  the  usual  tasli 
of  the  pioneer  of  clearing  the  land  and  erecting 
a  cabin.  A  Mr.  York  built  a  cabin  in  1824, 
whicli  was  a  historic  one,  in  that  it  was  the  first 
to  be  put  up  within  what  is  now  Goose  Creek 
Townshij). 

A  PROMINENT  PIONEEB. 

I'or  several  years  there  appear  to  have  been 
no  further  settlements,  but  in  1829  there  came 
into  this  region  a  man  who  was  destined  to  play 
an  important  part  in  the  history  of  the  county, 
for  he  was  James  A.  Piatt.  Mr.  Piatt  was  a 
man  of  more  than  usual  intelligence,  and  pos- 
sessed some  means.  Having  traveled  through 
this  part  of  the  state  he  became  so  favorably 
impressed  with  the  section  which  embraces  the 
larger  portion  of  the  present  city  of  Monticello, 
he  bought  (Ml  acres  of  land  and  brought  his 
family  to  it  from  Indiana.  The  history  of  this 
typical  pioneer  and  his  family  will  be  taken 
up  at  length  further  on  in  this  work,  in  con- 
.lunetion  with  the  development  of  the  county. 
The  original  home  of  the  Piatt  family  in  the 
county  that  bears  its  name  was  the  cabin  built 
by  Mr.  Ilayworth,  bought  by  Mr.  Piatt  in  1820. 

In  1830  Mr.  Cordell.  whose  son,  William,  be- 
came one  of  Piatt's  reliable  co-laborers,  built  a 
cabin  on  what  is  now  known  as  Madden's  Run, 
and  It  was  the  first  in  that  section.  Later  a 
Mr.  Stout  bought  this  home,  and  the  stream  for 
a  time  boi'e  his  name,  being  called  Stout's 
Branch.  That  same  year  David  Cordell  Iniilt  a 
cabin  on  what  was  later  known  as  the  Welling- 
ton place,  and  his  cabin,  with  that  of  Mr.  York's. 
were  said  to  be  then  the  only  two  north  of  the 
Sangamon  River  between  Friend's  Creek  and 
Cheney's  Grove.  The  year  18.30  also  brought  a 
Mr.  Fry,  whose  cabin  was  built  north  of  the 
mouth  of  Goose  Creek ;  and  a  Mr.  Terry  also 
came  to  the  county  in  this  same  year,  and  not 
only  built  his  own  cabin,  but  one  for  his  mother- 
in-law,  Mrs.  Randolph,  and  these  were  in  what 
is  now  the  southern  part  of  the  fair  grounds. 

WINTER  OF  THE  DEEP  SNOW. 

During  the  winter  of  1S30-1  occurred  what 
was  known  as  the  "deep  snow,"  a  condition 
being  brought  about  that  has  not  since  been 
equaled  in  this  state.  In  the  late  fall  the  snow 
began  to  fall,  and  the  preciiiitation  continued 
with  but  brief  intervals  during  the  entire  winter. 
In  addition  to  the  snow,  conditions  were  made 


worse  by  storms  of  sleet,  so  that  there  were 
alternate  layers  of  ice  and  snow  from  3  to  4 
feet  deep  on  a  level,  and  many  feet  deep  in 
drifts.  As  the  weather  was  extremely  cold,  the 
ice  and  snow  had  no  chance  to  melt,  and  the 
settlers  suffered  extremely,  some  dying  from 
e.Kposure,  as  the  cabins  were  not  built  to  with- 
stand any  such  extremes  of  climate.  So  hard 
did  the  snow  become  packed  that  heavily  loaded 
wagons  could  be  drawn  over  the  crust  without 
breaking  through,  and  it  appeared  as  though 
nothing  could  be  done  to  bring  about  normal 
conditions  of  living.  Owing  to  the  unusual 
severity  of  the  winter,  the  wild  animals  either 
sought  hibernating  places  or  perished  from  the 
cold,  and  the  settlers  who  had  relied  upon  the 
animals  they  could  kill  to  supply  them  with 
meat  almost  starved  for  lack  of  sufficient  food. 
The  effects  of  the  deep  snow  were  felt  in  the 
lack  of  game  for  several  seasons  afterward,  but 
at  no  time  until  they  were  exterminated  were 
the.wild  denizens  of  tlie  woods  and  prairies  as 
scarce  as  during  the  winter  of  1830-1. 

With  the  opening  up  of  spring,  and  the  in- 
creasing heat  of  the  sun,  the  snow  melted, 
swelling  the  streams  and  covering  nearly  all 
of  the  surrounding  land  with  so  much  water 
that  for  a  time  it  appeared  that  the  settlers 
would  suffer  as  severely  from  an  overflow  of 
water  as  they  had  from  the  surplus  of  snow. 
While  Piatt  County  has  never  experienced  since 
such  a  heavy  fall  of  snow,  the  winter  of  1836 
was  very  severe,  and  it  was  marked  by  the  "big 
freeze,"  as  it  was  locally  called.  It  was  during 
.Tanuary  of  that  year  that  the  snow  then  on  the 
ground  was  turned  by  rain  into  a  heavy  slush, 
several  inches  in  depth.  .V  sudden  change  in 
temperature,  almost  Instantaneous,  from  tem- 
perate to  frigid,  congealed  the  slush  and  froze 
the  feet  of  wild  and  domestic  animals  and  the 
human  beings  unf<irtunate  enough  to  lie  caught 
out  in  the  storm.  An  authentic  aicount  of  the 
change  was  told  by  one  of  the  old  settlers.  Ezra 
Marquiss,  now  deceased,  as  follows: 

"It  was  raining  the  fore  part  of  the  day  and 
I  had  been  gathering  hogs.  I  reached  home 
about  ten  o'clock,  ate  my  dinner,  and  started 
out  to  see  how  the  weather  looked.  As  I  went 
out  of  the  south  side  of  the  house,  which  was 
16x18  feet  square,  it  was  still  raining.  I  walked 
slowly  to  the  west  side  of  the  house  to  find  it 
snowing,  and  by  the  time  I  liad  I'eached  the 
north  side  the  slush  on  the  ground  was  frozen 
over.     The  second  or  tliird  day  after  the  freeze, 


634 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


a  hired  man  antl  I  started  to  take  our  horses 
over  to  Salt  Creek  to  be  shod.  Father  helped 
us  to  start  and  we  got  the  horses  over  the  creek, 
v^hich  was  from  bluff  to  bluff,  quite  easily,  by 
carrying  ashes  and  scattering  for  them  to  walk 
on ;  but  when  we  reached  the  prairie  tlie  horses 
could  scarcely  move  in  some  places.  In  order 
to  get  them  over  sloughs  and  ponds  one  of  us 
would  take  hold  of  the  bridle  rein  while  the 
other  would  push  the  horse;  but  though  the 
start  was  made  early  in  the  mornin.g,  and  not- 
withstanding the  pushing  and  pulling,  night 
found  us  only  about  half  way  over,  five  or  six 
miles  from  home.  We  left  the  horses  standing 
on  the  icy  plain  and  returned  home  for  the 
night.  In  the  morning  we  returned  to  the 
horses,  and  the  remainder  of  the  journey  seemed 
less  difficult.'' 

During  1831,  Captain  Olney  built  a  cabin  on 
the  place  later  owned  by  Ezra  Marquiss  quoted 
as  an  authority  above.  A  son-in-law,  a  Mr. 
Lawrence,  built  the  cabin  that  was  the  first 
house  owned  by  Mr.  Marquiss.  Captain  Olney's 
sons  also  became  .settlers  for  a  time.  Their 
parents  died  in  the  county  and  were  Inuied  at 
Hickory  Point,  but  the  sons  later  moved  away. 
The  year  1833  brought  Abraliam  .Marcjuiss  and 
his  family  to  the  county. 

SETTLERS  FUOM    1830  TO  1840. 

Among  the  settlers  of  Piatt  County  from  1830 
to  1840  the  following  may  be  mentioned  in  addi- 
tion to  the  above:  William  Barnes,  John  and 
Richard  Madden,  Samuer  Olney,  Joseph  Mallory, 
Isaac  Williams,  Samuel  Suver,  Cyrus  Widick, 
and  Michael  Dillow.  A  little  later  on  came  the 
Aters,  the  Baileys,  James  Hart,  Jesse,  William 
and  Richard  Monroe,  Samuel  Harshbarger, 
James  Utterback,  Joseph  and  Luther  Moore, 
Ezra  Fay,  Daniel  Har.shiiarger,  Simon  and 
Nathaniel  Shonkwiler,  and  Samuel  Havely.  Not 
so  very  long  afterward  Piatt  County's  popula- 
tion was  increased  by  the  arrival  of  Abraham 
Collins,  John  Tenbrook,  Samuel  West,  A.  J. 
Wiley,  A.  Rizeor.  John  Argo,  John  Welsh,  Wil- 
liam Smock,  Peter  Adams,  George  and  Silas 
Evans,  the  .\rnisworths,  the  Coons,  Dr.  Burrill, 
and  others.  The  majority  of  these  early  settlers 
were  native  Americans,  but  later  on  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  county  England,  Ireland  and  Ger- 
many contributed  some  very  desirable  and  sub- 
stantial  citizens. 


FIRST    niRTIIS. 

The  first  white  child  in  Piatt  County  was  one 
born  to  a  family  which  had  temporarily  located 
near  Camp  Creek  bridge,  but  as  these  people 
soon  «eut  out  of  t;he  county,  no  record  has  been 
kept  of  either  the  name  or  date.  The  first  re- 
corded birth  was  that  of  a  daughter  of  Henry 
Sadorus,  who  was  born  at  the  home  of  James 
Piatt  in  the  spring  of  1830.  Tlie  first  male  child 
horn  in  the  county  was  Jacob  Piatt,  whose 
birth  occurred  in  January,  1831.  Probably  the 
ne.xt  children  born  to  white  settlers  in  the 
county  were:  Frances  Williams,  daughter  of 
Isaac  Williams,  and  Mary  E.  Monroe,  who  be- 
came Mrs.  Gamaliel  Gregory. 

FIRST    DE.^THS. 

The  first  person  to  die  in  Piatt  County  as  far 
as  known,  was  a  Mrs.  JIartin.  The  material 
for  her  coffin,  made  liy  the  neighbors,  was  taken 
from  a  walnut  tree  which  stood  on  an  island  a 
little  below  the  Bender  ford  of  the  Sangamon 
River.  Coffins  for  Mrs.  Randolph,  Mrs.  Terry 
and  Mrs.  Olney,  who  early  passed  away,  were 
also  made  from  this  tree,  as  were  those  for  Mrs. 
York,  Jlr.  Holliday  and  Mr.  Ayers,  and  it  gained 
the  grew.some  name  of  the  "coffin  tree."  It  not 
only  furnished  wood  for  coffins,  but  .\brahani 
Marquiss  and  Ezra  Marquiss  made  a  substantial 
table  from  some  of  its  branches,  while  William 
Piatt  secured  material  for  several  bedsteads. 

E.\RLY    MFLIS. 

AVhen  the  pioneers  located  in  Piatt  County 
they  found  none  of  the  necessary  aOjuncts  to 
civilization.  Not  only  were  they  forced  to  raise 
the  commodities  needed  for  food,  but  they  had 
to  crush  or  grind  their  grain  for  use  on  the 
table,  as  there  were  no  mills  within  a  distance 
that  would  permit  the  hauling  of  the  grain.  In 
order  to  crush  the  corn  and  wheat  into  a  coarse 
flour,  the  settlers  used  what  was  called  a  hom- 
iny iilock.  .\ccording  to  the  description  of  this 
rude  hand,  mill,  given  by  those  who  once  used 
it,  a  hominy  block  was  made  by  making  a  hole 
about  1%  feet  deep  in  a  block  of  wood  3  feet 
long  and  about  2Vj  feet  wide.  A  block  of  wood, 
in  which  a  wedge  had  been  forced  was  then 
fastened  to  a  joint  of  the  cabin,  the  board  with 
its  hole  was  placed  beneath  the  sweep  so  that 
when  it  was  forced  to  the  bottom  of  the  hole 
it  would  pound  the  grain  and  then  spring  back 
into  position.    The  finest  portion  was  made  into 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


635 


bread,  and  the  coarse  part  of  tbe  corn  was  used 
for  hominy.  A  little  less  crude  than  this  ap- 
pliance was  the  regular  hand  mill  that  had  mill 
stones.  Mr.  Ilanline  made  a  mill  with  two 
stones  10  inches  in  diameter,  which  he  fixed 
in  a  section  of  a  hollow  tree.  The  top  stone 
had  a  hole  iu  its  center  and  another  one  near 
its  circumference,  and  in  the  latter  a  staff  was 
fastened,  its  other  end  being  fastened  to  a  cabin 
joist.  This  shaft  could  be  moved  so  as  to  mal^e 
the  upper  stone  rotate  upon  the  lower,  but  as 
only  a  handful  of  corn  could  be  ground  at  once, 
it  took  three  men  to  grind  three  bushels  of  corn 
a  day. 

FIBST  GKIST   MILL. 

A  very  interesting  description  of  the  first  mill 
erected  in  Piatt  is  given  by  one  of  the  his- 
torians of  the  county,  who  quotes  William  Mon- 
roe as  saying  of  the  one  he  assisted  in 
building  in  Unity  Township : 

'•When  we  had  returned  home  after  the  sud- 
den freeze,  Mr.  Christopher  Mosbarger,  who  was 
a  millwright,  and  who  had  brought  his  tools 
along,  was  at  our  house.  We  were  without 
breadstuff,  and  he  said  to  us:  'Boys,  get  your 
axes  and  grub-hoes  and  cut  the  ice,  and  by 
gracious,  we  makes  a  mill  with  prairie  nigger- 
heads.'  All  went  to  work  and  in  about  four 
days  a  mill  was  made.  This  mill  was  afterward 
moved  from  Mr.  Jesse  Jlonroe's  to  where  Atwood 
is,  and  was  run  by  horse-power,  grinding  ten 
to  twenty  bushels  a  day." 

The  above  mill,  was,  of  course,  only  a  small 
one,  and  the  first  mill  of  any  size  was  not  built 
untU  1838,  when  Major  McRaynolds,  James 
Piatt,  Abraham  Marquiss,  William  Barnes,  Mr. 
Sadorus  and  William  Piatt  formed  a  stock 
company  and  erected  the  mill  that  was  run  by 
water  power,  on  the  site  later  occupied  by  the 
mill  owned  by  a  Mr.  Mcintosh. 

PIONEER  CHARACTERISTICS. 

Tlie  pioneers  of  Piatt  County  passed  through 
experiences  during  the  early  days  that  were 
similar  to  those  of  other  frontiersmen  of  the 
Middle  West.  As  has  been  stated;  they  were 
fortunate  in  escaping  any  serious  difficulties 
with  the  Indians,  but  endured  many  privations 
and  when  the  inclemency  of  the  weather  brought 
unusual  conditions  for  which  they  were  not  pre- 
pared, there  was  much  suffering.  They  were  a 
hardy  people,  however,  and  had  come  to  this 
region   fully  prepared   to  give  of  their  best  to 


develop  the  new  country-.  Had  they  been  less 
brave  and  hardy,  willing  to  work  and  endure, 
very  probably  I'iatt  County's  history  would  have 
been  entirely  different,  and  much  of  its  present 
prosperity  would  never  have  come  into  being. 

The  record  of  many  i)leasant  incidents  is  pre- 
served, as  well  as  those  of  graver  import,  for 
the  pioneers  naturally  enjoyed  mingling  with 
their  kind,  and  the  interchange  of  opinions  was 
as  interesting  then  as  now.  They  were  of  a 
practical  turn  of  mind,  and  oftentimes  made 
their  friendly  gatherings  yield  benefit  to  the 
community,  or  some  individual.  When  a  house 
or  barn  was  to  be  "raised,"  the  neighbors  would 
gather,  the  men  doing  the  outside  work,  the 
wives  perparing  a  bountiful  meal,  and  afterward 
all  would  join  in  the  social  recreations  that  were 
then  popular.  At  other  times,  when  fruit  be- 
came plentiful,  perhaps  apple-paring  bees  would 
bring  the  people  together,  and  a  traveling 
preacher  or  political  speaker  always  met  with  a 
warm  welcome.  When  sickness  visited  a  fam- 
ily, the  real  kindness  of  the  community  was 
called  forth,  and  friendships  were  formed  and 
cemented  that  have  been  carried  down  into  the 
present  generation. 

There  was  little  wealth  in  the  county  during 
pioneer  days,  but  neither  was  there  dire  poverty, 
perhaps  because  then  one  neighbor  shared  with 
another,  and  there  were  none  of  the  violent 
contrasts  offered  in  a  modern  community.  Money 
was  scarce,  but  the  greater  part  of  the  food- 
stuffs were  raised  on  the  farm,  and  such  as  were 
not  needed  were  traded  about  among  the  neigh- 
bors, or  for  store  goods  at  the  nearest  trading 
point.  Thus  it  was  that  as  their  needs  were 
few,  their  desire  for  wealth  was  not  strong, 
although  all  were  possessed  with  the  laudable 
ambition  of  lU'ovidlng  well  for  their  families, 
and  their  hospitality  was  unbounded.  They,  as 
a  class,  seemed  to  desire  to  amass  enough  to 
give  the  growing  children  a  better  chance  than 
was  vouchsafed  themselves,  and  when  such  a 
spirit  prevails,  a  community  is  bound  to 
flourish,  and  its  people  grow  in  character  and 
worldly  possessions,  for  it  urges  to  industry  and 
thrift,  and  guards  against  idleness  and  dis- 
sipation. 

The  early  settlers  liad  many  annoyances  with 
which  to  contend  that  would  seem  very  irksome 
in  the  twcntietli  century.  Government  jwstal 
service  was  practically  unknown,  the  mails 
being  carried  on  horseback  in  saddlebags  by 
one  or  another  neighbor  from  the  nearest  trad- 


6:?6 


IFISTOKV  Ol'   I'lATT  COIXTV. 


iiifi  point.  111:1  iiy  niilps  away.  IVstage  was  very 
high,  being  from  10  to  25  cents  a  letter,  accord- 
ing to  tlie  distance  it  was  sent,  and  it  was 
usually  paid  by  the  one  wlio  received  the 
epistle,  although  the  sender  could  also  pay  it  if 
lie  so  desired.  Of  course  when  the  stage  lines 
began  to  run  through  the  county,  tlie  mails  were 
carried  by  tlieiii.  and  letters  were  much  more 
sure  of  delivery.  It  is  easy  to  see  what  these 
harily  people  sulTered  from  Iiomesicknos.s  and 
an.\iety.  None  came  into  the  county  witliout 
leaving  relatives  and  friends  behind,  with  w  honi 
there  could  lie  only  limited  communication. 
Little  wonder  is  it  that  once  a  memlier  of  a 
family  became  estalilishetl  in  the  new  home,  he 
sought  in  every  way  to  have  his  near  and  dear 
ones  join  him,  so  that  it  often  happened  that 
there  were  whole  communities  corapo.^d  of 
those-  who  were  bound  together  by  bonds  of 
kinship  or  warm  friendship,  and  intermarriage.<! 
were  frequent. 

In  addition  to  the  severity  of  the  winter 
weather,  the  settlers  had  to  contend  with  the 
vagaries  of  other  sea.sons,  suffering  in  the  late 
sununer  and  early  fall  from  the  infections 
caused  by  malarial  exhalations  which  arose  from 
the  swauips  and  low  lands.  As  they  knew  noth- 
ing atwtut  modern  sanitation  or  preventive  meth- 
o<ls.  typhoid  fever  was  very  frequent,  and 
sometimes  the  visitation  of  the  disease  was  so 
heavy  as  to  become  a  plague,  while  "ague"'  was 
generally  iirevalent.  Green  flies  tormented  not 
only  the  cattle  and  horses,  but  people  as  well, 
there  lieing  well  authenticated  cases  where  death 
resulted  from  the  effects  of  the  sting  of  these 
pestiferous  insects.  To  avoid  these  pests, 
during  the  late  summer,  nearly  all  traveling  was 
done  at  night.  Prairie  fires  were  of  frefpient 
occurrence,  and  the  settlers  often  lost  everything 
they  possessed  liy  the  ravening  Hames  whicli 
they  were  but  jxiorly  prepare<l  to  overcome. 

I'ioneer  life,  however,  has  its  defenders.  One 
of  the  aged  settlers  of  the  county,  who  vividly 
recalls  the  early  days  when  his  fatlier's  house 
was  the  stopping  place  for  all  travelers,  declares 
that  while  people  now  have  more  luxuries  and 
their  homes  are  filled  with  comforts  not  in  ex- 
istence during  his  boyhood,  the  generous,  open- 
hearted  liospitalit.v  of  pioneer  days  is  one  of  the 
disai>|)earing  virtues.  When  he  was  a  lad, 
according  to  his  statement,  none  asked  who  a 
man  was.  but  welcomed  him  and  gave  him  of 
tlieir  best,  hospitality,  as  said  above,  being 
almost  a  religion.     Tliis  spirit  of  kindly  charity. 


however,  it  must  be  confessed,  met  sometimes 
witli  base  return,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  case  of 
the  generous  settler  who  sheltered  a  man  and 
Ills  family,  only  to  have  him  deprive  his  host  of 
the  very  home  in  which  they  had  visited.  Per- 
haps human  nature  was  much  the  same  then 
as  now,  both  good  and  bad  prevailed  in  those 
early  days,  just  as  at  present. 

With  the  further  opening  up  of  the  county, 
and  the  coming  into  it  of  more  peoiile.  I'iatt 
Count.v  emerged  from  its  pioneer  state  and  took 
upon  itself  the  re.siwnsibilities  of  a  .separate 
organization,  and  instituted  and  supported 
various  private  and  public  movements  calculated 
to  keep  pace  with  tlie  growth  of  similar  coun- 
ties. That  its  people  have  succeeded,  the 
remainder  of  this  volume  is  ample  proof. 


CIIAl'TEU  V. 


COUNTY  OUGAXIZATIOX  AND 
GOVERNMENT. 


PIATT     FIRST     A     PAKT     OF     MACON     AND     DEWITT — 
SKPAK-VTKD    IX    1841 — GIVEN    ITS    PRESENT    NAME 

— nOUXDARIES — POPILATION KO     COUNTY     SEAT 

STRrGGU:S — FIRST     COUNTY     EI£CTIOX DIVISION 

IXTO  TOWXSHIPS C0UBTH01SE.S — FIRST  ONE  DE- 

.STRO'i'ED       BY       FIRE — SECOND       DISMANTLED       I!Y 

STORM — PRESENT      COURTHOUSE CORNER      .STONE 

LAID  IN  FALL  OF  190.3 — OCCUPIED  .TANUARY,  1905 
— CIRCUIT  JUDGES  WHO  IIA^T;  PRESIDED  HERE — 
COUNTY  JAIL — COUNTY  POOR  FARM EARLY^  PRO- 
VISION    MADE — NEW     BUILDINGS     COMPLETED     IN 

1002  —  ADEQUATE      ACCOMMODATIONS LIST     OF 

STEWAKDS — VALUE  OF  COUNTY'S  PURLIC  RUILD- 
INGS— .MUCH    IXlCAL  PRIDE. 

PIATT  ONCE  PART  OF  OTHER  COUNTIES. 

When  the  first  settlers  came  to  Piatt  County, 
it  formed  a  part  of  Macon  and  DeWitt  counties, 
and  for  some  years  the  affairs  of  this  region 
were  administered  from  a  far  distant  county 
seat,  entailing  considerable  inconvenience  upon 
those  who  had  to  repair  to  a  central  seat  of 
government,  in  times  when  travel  was  done  in  a 
very  primitive  miinner. 

.\ltliough  there  was  considerable  discussion 
among  individuals  as  to  remedial  measures, 
nothing  of  a  public  nature  was  done  until  about 
1S.'!7.  when  a  meeting  was  called  to  take  up  the 


Fn^  c  fc  V  CampheU  BrothBt's  N  Y 


A -■''■' 


r'^'-i: 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


637 


luatttT  aud  deckle  upou  some  definite  plan  to 
obtain  a  separate  division  for  the  territoi-y  now 
comprised  in  Piatt  County.  Tlie  result  of  this 
meeting  was  that  Isaac  Demorest  and  William 
Wright  were  appointed  to  carry  a  petition, 
which  was  written  by  George  A.  Patterson,  an 
able  man  of  Champaign  County,  among  the 
people  who  were  to  be  affected  by  the  proposed 
legislation.  Mr.  Demorest  circulated  his  peti- 
tion in  Champaign  County  to  but  little  purpose, 
as  the  people  of  that  locality  were  apparently 
satisfied  with  affairs  as  they  were,  but  George 
A.  Patterson,  securing  the  assistance  of  James 
Piatt  and  John  I'iatt,  was  very  successful  in 
that  part  of  Macon  County  now  forming  the 
southern  part  of  Piatt  County  ;  while  Abraham 
and  Ezra  Marquiss  aud  William  Barnes  can- 
vassed DeWitt  County,  aud  they  too  succeeded 
in  getting  their  petitions  well  filled  with  names. 
Having  thus  obtained  the  expression  of  the 
majority  of  the  people,  Mr.  Patterson  was 
appointed  to  take  the  matter  up  with  the  legis- 
lature. He  called  a  meeting,  which  was  held 
at  the  home  of  Abraham  Marquiss,  at  which  a 
discussion  was  held  as  to  the  name.  Isaac 
Demorest  favored  naming  the  new  county  for 
Daniel  Webster,  while  William  Barnes  proposed 
that  of  Piatt,  and  both  men  spoke  at  length  in 
favor  of  their  choice.  The  name  of  I'iatt  was 
selected  by  the  meeting,  and  Mr.  Patterson 
went  to  Springfield,  from  which  he  wrote  back 
as  follows,  under  date  of  Januai-y  7,  1841 : 

"I  had  the  privilege  of  drawing  the  bill  and 
witli  only  one  amendment  it  was  presented  and 
read  yesterday  for  the  first  time.  One  gentle- 
man has  hintecl  that  he  would  propo.se  to  alter 
the  name  of  our  county  to  that  of  Grundy,  but 
I  have  opposed  it,  because  we  agreed  to  have  no 
party  political  name,  and  so  the  name  of  Piatt 
will  be  sustained."  In  this  connection  it  is 
interesting  to  note  that  later  on  in  the  history 
of  Illinois  another  county  took  the  name  of 
Grimdy,  which  it  bears  to  this  day. 

As  a  result  of  Mr.  Patterson's  efforts,  through 
an  act  of  legislature,  Piatt  County  was  formed 
in  January,  1841,  aud  the  following  e.\;tract  from 
the  record  gives  the  boundaries  of  the  new 
county : 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of 
Illinois  represented  in  the  General  Assembly : 
That  all  of  that  part  of  Macon  and  DeWitt 
counties,  included  within  the  following  boun- 
daries to-wit :  Beginning  where  the  north  line 
of  town  15,  north,  intersects  the  middle  of  range 
4,  east,   and  running  thence  north  through   the 


middle  of  range  4  to  the  middle  of  town  19; 
thence  east  to  the  west  line  of  range  5 ;  thence 
north  to  the  uortluvest  corner  of  town  19,  north, 
range  o,  east;  thence  by  a  direct  line  to  the 
southwest  corner  of  section  T,  town  21,  north, 
range  U ;  thence  ea.st  to  the  east  line  of  range 
0 ;  thence  south  along  the  east  line  of  range  6 
to  the  north  line  of  town  15,  north ;  thence 
west  along  the  north  line  of  town  15  to  the  place 
of  beginning,  shall  constitute  a  new  county  of 
I'iatt."  The  population  of  the  territory  included 
in  the  above  given  boundaries  was  then  between 
UOO  and  700. 

With  the  quoting  of  the  naming  of  the  new 
county  it  is  but  just  to  give  a  slight  account  of 
the  family  for  which  it  was  named,  and  the  part 
its  members  have  taken  in  its  history. 

JAMES   A.    PIATT. 

James  A.  Piatt,  whose  name  was  given  to 
Piatt  County;  was  born  April  21,  17S9,  probably 
in  -Pennsylvania,  and  he  was  a  son  of  Abraham 
I'iatt  who  went  at  a  very  early  day  to  New 
Jersey,  and  thence  to  Penn's  Valley,  Pa.,  he 
dying  when  James  A.  Piatt  was  a  child.  The 
family  subsequently  went  to  Ohio.  After  return- 
ing to  Pennsylvania  in  young  manhood,  Mr. 
Piatt  came  hack  to  Ohio,  married,  and  then 
went  to  Brookville,  lud.,  where  he  was  a  mer- 
chant. A  man  of  enterprise  even  then,  he  made 
several  changes,  finally  going  to  Indianapolis, 
where  he  became  a  tinner,  and  began  traveling 
out  from  that  city  in  the  interests  of  this  line 
of  busiuess.  His  travels  took  him  through  Illi- 
nois, and  he  was  so  pleased  with  conditions  and 
the  opportunities  he  saw  would  be  afforded  by 
the  country  when  it  was  opened  up  that  he 
bought  land  aud  moved  to  the  present  site  of 
Monticello  in  the  spring  of  1S29,  and  from  then 
until  his  death.  October  22,  1S3S,  he  was  prob- 
ably one  of,  if  not  the  leading  man  of  Piatt 
County.  His  children  were  William  H..  John, 
James  A..  Richard  F.,  Anna  Belle.  Noah  N.  and 
Jacob,  who  were  born  of  his  marriage  with 
Jemima  Ford,  who  died  March  IG.  1S36 ;  and  a 
posthumous  child,  Mary  J.,  whom  his  second 
wife,  Mahala  O.xley,  whom  he  married  Decem- 
ber 12,  1837,  bore  him  a  few  months  after  his 
death.  The  second  Mrs.  I'iatt  died  Novemlicr 
IG,  1S50. 

THE   COUNTY    SEAT. 

Piatt  County  is  unique  in  one  respect.  Fnlike 
UKUiy  of  its  sister  counties,  it  has  never  had  any 
iiiunty  seat  contest,  and  thus  has  liccn  preserved 


638 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY.    , 


from  the  evils  of  civil  conflict  over  tbe  location 
of  the  local  seat  of  government,  which  has 
wrought  so  much  dissension  in  some  localities. 
As  soon  as  the  new  county  was  created,  Monti- 
cello  was  named  the  county  seat,  and  has  since 
held  this  distinction. 

FIK.-ST    COUNTY   ELECTION. 

The  first  county  election  of  Piatt  County  was 
held  in  April,  1841,  and  John  Hughes,  W.  BaUey 
and  E.  Peck  were  elected  as  the  first  county 
commissioners'  court.  Joseph  King  was  elected 
circuit  clerli,  James  Pieber,  judge,  and  John 
Piatt,  sheriff.  The  Piatt  family  gave  the  new 
county  its  first  sheriff,  who  proved  an  able  offi- 
cial. 

DIVISION   INTO  TOWNSHIPS. 

For  a  number  of  years  the  county  was  divided 
into  four  precincts :  Liberty,  Montlcello,  San- 
gamon and  Okaw,  but  in  18G1  the  township 
organization  was  adopted,  and  Piatt  County  was 
divided  into  Montlcello.  Bement,  Unity,  Cerio 
Gordo,  Willow  Branch,  Sangamon.  Goose  Creek, 
Blue  Ridge  townships,  whose  history  will  be 
taken  up  at  length  in  a  subsecjuent  chapter. 

PI.VTT   COURTHOUSES. 

The  first  courthouse  owned  by  Piatt  County 
was  erected  in  1S43  by  Judge  Rickets,  on  the 
site  of  the  prescfnt  courthouse.  This  little  build- 
ing was  built  of  wood,  and  after  it  was  moved 
to  the  west  side  of  the  sipiare,  was  destroyed 
by  a  fire.  In  1856  a  substantial  brick  courthouse 
was  erected  by  Judge  Rickets,  George  Dempsey 
and  John  Lowry.  When  it  was  built  it  was 
regarded  as  being  one  of  the  best  of  its  kind  in 
this  part  of  the  state,  but  after  it  had  suffered 
severely  from  storms  which  tore  off  the  cupola 
and  a  portion  of  the  gable  end  and  roof  of  the 
building,  the  more  progressive  people  of  the 
county  felt  that  a  new  building  was  absolutely 
neces.sary.  In  addition,  it  had  become  inade- 
quate for  the  needs  of  count.y  business.  The 
first  floor  was  devoted  to  the  county  ofticials, 
all  of  whom  were  crowded,  while  the  courtroom 
proper,  and  two  small  rooms  adjoining  were  on 
the  second  floor. 

Although  it  was  recognized  that  a  new  court- 
house was  an  imperative  necessity,  no  definite 
action  was  taken  until  at  the  Seirtember  meeting 
in  1002  of  the  county  board,  William  L.  Plunk 
of  Sangamon  Township  proposed  a  motion  to 
submit  to  the  people,  at  the  next  general  elec- 


tion, a  proposition  to  issue  county  bonds  for 
$100,000,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  court- 
house not  to  cost  over  $75,000,  and  to  make  nec- 
essary repairs  upon  the  jail  at  a  cost  not  to 
exceed  $25,000.  The  motion  met  with  the  ap- 
proval of  his  fellow  members  and  was  carried. 
Such  a  radical  proposition  naturally  awakened 
much  interest,  and  the  subject  was  thoroughly 
discussed  at  public  meeting.s,  in  the  press  and 
by  individuals,  so  that  when  the  proposition 
came  before  the  voters  at  the  November  election, 
1902,  the  people  understood  its  value,  and  the 
importance  of  voting  intelligently  upon  it.  As  a 
result  of  the  publicity  given  the  measure,  it  was 
carried  by  a  majority  of  107  votes.  The  bond 
issue  was  made  and  .sold  January  20,  11)03,  to  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Montlcello  at  a  premium 
of  $1,050  and  accnied  interest. 

Matters  thus  being  satisfactorily  adjusted,  the 
supervisors  of  the  coimty  visited  a  number  of 
county  seats  and  carefully  inspected  standing 
courthouses  in  order  to  gain  an  idea  of  the  best 
style  of  architecture  to  adopt,  and  what  con- 
veniences and  improvements  were  most  needed. 
In  March.  liiO:!,  the  plans  which  had  been  pre- 
pared by  Joseph  W.  Royer,  of  Urbana,  were 
accepted  and  the  architect  was  instructed  to 
prepare  plans  and  specifications  upon  which  the 
contract  was  let  July  8,  1903,  to  H.  B.  Walters 
of  Danville  for  $75,000,  with  the  stipulation 
that  the  building  be  completed  by  July  15,  1904. 
The  old  courthouse  was  sold  at  public  auction 
on  Jlay  20,  1903.  and  was  bought  by  Lodge  Bros, 
for  $138.01,  which  included  the  heating  plant 
and  the  plumbing.  The  building  was  entirely 
removed  by  the  first  of  August. 

PRESENT   COURTHOUSE. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  new  building  was  laid 
b.v  tbe  Masonic  fraternity  with  imposing  cere- 
monies on  September  22.  1903.  Ex-Congressman 
Owen  Scott  of  Decatur  was  the  principal  speaker 
and  he  delivered  a   very  able  address. 

The  building,  which  is  a  modern  three-story 
brick  structure,  has  on  the  east  side  of  the  lower 
floor,  the  office  and  vault  of  the  county  treasurer, 
and  in  the  southeast  corner  the  room  for  the 
hoard  of  supervisors.  In  the  northwest  corner 
of  this  floor  are  the  rooms  for  the  county  school 
superintendent,  and  south  of  them  Is  the  vault  of 
the  county  clerk,  while  in  the  southwest  corner  is 
the  public  waiting  room.  On  the  second  floor, 
above  the  room  of  the  county  superintendent,  is 
that   of  the  sheriff,   while  south   of  it  are  the 


[  PUSLK 

I  AST' 


iS    \  ^  pU, 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


639 


rooms  of  the  county  clerk.  The  countj-  court 
room  extends  across  the  south  end  of  the  second 
floor,  and  in  the  southeast  corner  is  the  office 
of  the  county  judge.  Just  north  of  this  is  the 
state's  attorney's  otliee,  and  north  of  it  is  the 
office  and  vault  of  the  circuit  clerk.  On  the  third 
floor  is  the  circuit  court  room,  a  room  devoted 
to  the  law  lihrary.  the  circuit  .iudge's  jirivate 
room,  the  attorneys'  consultation  room,  the  petit 
jury  room,  tlie  grand  jury  rtxim,  and  the  ladies' 
and  gentlemen's  waiting  rooms. 

The  new  courthouse  was  occupied  by  the 
county  officials  the  fore  part  of  January,  1905. 
The  first  judicial  order  was  entered  by  County 
Judge  F.  M.  Shortwiler,  in  a  proceeding  for  the 
condemnation  of  land  for  right  of  way. 

Judges  Solon  I'hilbriek,  W.  C.  .Tohns,  W.  G. 
Cochran,  F.  H.  Boggs,  Wm.  H.  Whitfield  and 
Geo.  A.  Sentel  have  presided  at  ternis  of  the 
Circuit  court  held  in  the  new  courthouse. 

COUNTY   .JAIL. 

Until  llJOo,  the  jail  erected  in  1SG7  served 
Piatt  County  very  adequately  for  all  purposes 
for  which  it  was  designed.  It  was  in  the  rear 
of  the  sheriff's  bouse,  and  provision  was  made 
for  the  detention  of  female  pri.soners.  as  well  as 
six  iron  cells  for  male  prisoners.  In  190.3  the 
contiact  for  the  repairing  of  the  jail  was  let  to 
V.  Jobst  &  Son,  of  Peoria,  for  .$12,4SS,  \vliile  the 
contract  for  call  work  was  let  to  the  A'an  Dorn 
Iron  Works  Comjiany.  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  for 
$8,000.  The  contract  for  heating  plants  for  the 
courthouse  and  jail,  and  for  the  laying  of  mains, 
was  awarded  to  Field.  Shorb  &  Co.,  of  Decatur, 
for  $1,500,  at  .$1  per  lineal  foot  for  laying  the 
mainis.  The  grand  jury  at  the  October  term, 
1916.  of  the  Circuit  court  reported  that  the  jail 
was  in  excellent  condition. 

COUNTY    POOlt   FARM. 

To  provide  for  its  depemlents,  I'iatt  Couuly 
bought  293  acres  of  land  in  Monticello  and  Wil- 
low Branch  townships,  and  of  this  property, 
sixty  acres  was  in  timber.  The  first  almshouse 
was  built  of  brick,  two-story  and  basement  in 
height,  and  contained  six  rooms  on  each  floor, 
or  eighteen  in  all.  The  building  for  the  insane 
originally  was  14x24  feet,  and  contained  two 
rooms. 

For  some  time  prior  to  IDiil.  tlie  jieople  of 
Piatt  County  had  felt  that  they  ought  to  provide 
better  housing  an<l  modern  conveniences  for 
their  unfortunates,  and  the  matter  was  finally 

2 


lirought  to  the  notice  of  the  publi<-  .so  effectually, 
that  in  June,  1901,  the  county  board  visited  the 
lK)or  farm  officially  and  after  a  thorough  investi- 
gation, decided  that  it  was  necessary  to  rebuild 
and  remodel.  C.  S.  Baiuum,  an  architect,  pre- 
jiared  plans  and  specifications  which  were  ac- 
cepted, after  some  modifications,  and  bids  were 
advertised  for  Augu.st  2(5,  1901.  Tlie  liid  was  let 
to  George  Lux.  for  $11,7.50.  The  buildings  were 
completed  the  following  year  and  formally  ac- 
ccjited  by  the  board.  The  present  buildings  com- 
prise :  The  main  residence,  three  cottages,  three 
liarns,  and  the  engine  house.  The  farm  is  main- 
tained by  a  steward  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Poor  Farm  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors. 

The  following  men  have  been  stewards  of  the 
poor  farm:  .lames  G.  Miner,  1S03-G7 ;  W.  E. 
Dt-ivis,  1807-69;  Mrs.  E.  Davis.  ]  809-70;  E.  Car- 
ver, 1870-75 ;  G.  Turk.  1875-77 ;  Solomon  Leitz, 
1877-88 ;  W.  R.  Hyde,  iaS8-91 ;  John  Lohr,  1891- 
92 ;  W.  R.  Hyde,  1892-94  ;  D.  R.  Kemi^er,  1894-98  ; 
George  A.  Lindsley.  1898-1901;  Ben  Cole,  1901- 
13;  and  Charles  De  Vaux.  the  present  .steward. 

VALUE  OF  THE  BUILWNGS. 

Piatt  Count.T  values  its  jiublic  Iniildings  as 
foUlows : 

Courthouse  and  furnishings,  .');i3(),0IMt ;  .sheriff's 
house  and  jail.  .?.3.5,000;  poor  farm.  $55,000; 
houses  and  equipment  on  poor  farm,  $40,000. 

While  Piatt  Count.v  is  not!  one  of  the  larger 
divisions  of  the  state,  it  has  always  been  re- 
gardeil  as  one  of  importance  as  its  people  have 
lieen  so  reliable  and  dependable.  They  have 
taken  an  interest  in  sbite  and  national  affairs, 
while  maintaining  a  proper  pride  in  local  events, 
so  that  those  who  have  gone  from  the  county 
can  look  back  upon  its  history  and  their  resi- 
dence in  it  with  pride.  Its  organization  was 
accomplished  without  any  of  the  difliculty  other 
sections  so  often  exiierienced.  The  people  ask- 
ing for  a  new  division  knew  exactly  what  the.v 
wanted,  went  about  securing  the  necessary 
names  to  their  petition  in  ;in  intellligent  and 
oiderly  «a.v,  and  when  these  were  secureil,  sent 
an  able  and  upright  man  to  represent  them  be- 
fore the  legislature.  That  body,  recognizing  all 
these  facts,  granttnl  the  request  of  the  petition- 
ers quickly  and  without  controversy,  and  thus  it 
is  that  Piatt  County  was  born,  and  since  then 
it  has  been  developed  in  the  same,  quiet  unos- 
tentatious manner.  Its  leading  men  have  never 
sought  to  bring  it  into  undue  i)roniinence,  pre- 


640 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COrXTY 


ferriiig  to  have  it  known  as  a  solid,  conserva- 
tive region,  tile  home  of  men  of  probity,  and  not 
one  that  invited  the  entrance  of  industries  that 
were  not  proi^erly  backed.  The  results  speak 
for  themselves. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


POLITIC.VL  REPRESENTATION. 


PRESIUENTIAl,  ELECTIOKS  IMPORTANT  EVENTS — 
I'I.\I-r  VOTED  FIKST  IN  1844 — THREE  PARTY 
ORGANIZATIONS  SOUGHT  POWER — DEMOCRATS  SUC- 
CESSFUL— WHIGS  WON  IN  1S4S  AND  DEMOCRATS 
IN  1852 — IN  3850  THE  REPUBLICAN  PARTY  EN- 
TERED THE  FIELD — HOW  PIATT  TREATED  ABR^UIAM 
LINCOLN — PRESIDENTIAL  ELECTION  OF  ISOO — RE- 
ELECTION   OF  MR.   IJNCOLN   IN   18G-J RESULTS  AS 

TO  LEADING  PARTIES  IN  PIATT  IN  1S6S-1872-1S7G- 

18.S0-18S4-18S8-1S92-1S9C-1900-1904-  1908  -  3912- 
lOUi — piArr  ij-;gislators — local  representa- 
tion— state's      attorneys county-     JUDGES — • 

COUNTY'  clerks  —  CIRCUIT  CLERKS  —  COUNTY 
TREASURERS — SHERIFFS — COUNTY'  SCHOOL  SUPER- 
INTENDENTS    SURVEYORS  —  CORONERS  —  MAS- 
TERS IN  CHANCERY. 

PRESIDENTIAL   Er.ECTIONS. 

I'iatt  County,  like  other  counties  of  Illi- 
nois, was  affected  liy  the  various  national  cam- 
paigns. As  the  county  was  not  organized  as  a 
separate  unit  of  the  stiitc  until  after  the  election 
of  1840,  the  lirst  jiresidential  election  in  which 
Its  people  participate*!  as  citizens  of  I'iatt 
County,  was  that  of  1844,  when  there  were  three 
parties  in  the  field,  the  Dentoci-atic,  Whig,  and 
Liberty  or  Anti-Slavery.  The  Democrats  elected 
James  Knox  Polk  president,  and  George  M.  Dal- 
las vice  iiresidcnt.  Henry  Chiy  and  T.  Krcling- 
luiysen  headed  the  Whig  ticket,  and  James  G. 
Blrnwy  and  Thcmias  Morris,  the  Liberty  ticket. 

The  year  1848  brought  the  Whigs  again  into 
power.  Zachary  Taylor  and  Millard  Fillmore 
being  elected  on  that  ticket.  The  Democratic 
candidates  were  I,ewis  Cass  and  William  O.  But- 
ler, .and  the  Free  Soil  party  candidates  were 
Martin  Van  Buren  and  Charles  F.  Adams.  The 
Democrats  were  again  successful  in  18.")2.  elect- 
ing Franklin  Pierce  and  William  K.  King,  as 
against  the  Whig  candidates,  WinfieUl  Scott  and 


WilUaiii   A.   (irahaiij;  and  the  Free  Democracy 
t-andidates,  John  1'.  Hale  and  George  W.  Julian. 

NEW  PARTY  IN  THE  FIELD. 

In  isr>(i  there  came  into  being  a  party  that  was 
to  e.xert  a  power  over  the  country  second  to  none 
in  the  history  of  the  United  States.  Although 
its  candidates  in  that  year  were  unsuccessful,  it 
gathered  strength  and  four  years  later  brought 
into  the  presidential  chair  the  man  who  was  to 
carry  the  nation  through  its  greatest  struggle, 
and  free  the  laud  from  the  curse  of  slavery. 
The  Democrats  came  into  power  with  James 
Buchanan  as  president,  and  J.  C.  Breckinridge 
as  vice  president,  as  against  John  C.  Fremont 
and  William  L.  Dayton,  candidates  of  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

HOW   PIATT  TREATED  ABRAHAM   LINCOLN. 

Before  giving  the  result  of  the  campaign  of 
1800,  the  editor  quotes  interesting  matter  rela- 
tive to  Mr.  Lincoln,  from  a  former  history  of 
Piatt  County,  written  by  MLss  Piatt. 

"In  IS.-.O,  during  the  presidential  campaign, 
Lincoln  came  to  Mouticello  to  make  a  speech 
The  speaking  was  to  be  in  the  courthouse,  and 
when  the  time  came  to  proceed  to  the  said  place, 
only  two  persons  were  fovnid  who  were  willing 
to  walk  with  .Vbraham  Lincoln  through  the 
streets  and  to  the  courthouse.  These  men  were' 
Ezra  Marquiss,  Sr.,  and  Joseph  Guy.  who  carried 
the  flag.  The  speaking  began  with  these  two 
men  for  audience,  but  gradually  the  niunber  in- 
crea.sed  until  the  courtroom  was  nearly  full. 

"During  the  sen.itorial  campaign  in  1858,  a 
very  dift'erenl  greeting  awaited  Lincoln,  who  was 
called  by  his  party  to  speak  at  Mouticello.  A 
prot'ession  nearly  a  mile  long,  came  down  from 
Champaign  County,  and  another  delegation  ar- 
rive<l  from  DeWitt  County,  with  the  Piatt 
County  delegation  in  addition.  .V  magnificent 
(lispla.v  was  made  as  the  throng  proceeded  to 
meet  Lincoln  as  he  came  from  Hement.  Doug- 
las, who  had  just  fulfille<l  an  apiiointment  made 
li.v  his  party  in  Mouticello.  met  Lincoln  on  the 
hill,  one  mile  south  of  Mouticello.  and  according 
to  Judge  Spear,  they  arranged  to  meet  at  Be- 
ment,  in  F.  E.  Bryant's  house,  upon  Lincoln's 
return  to  the  place.  At  the  time  of  their  meet- 
ing arrangements  were  concluded  for  the  great 
senatorial  debate  wliich  soon  followed. 

"In  the  [irocession  that  went  to  meet  Lincoln 
were  carried  many  banners  with  suggestive  mot- 
toes.   One  was:    'Cham-paign  for  .\be:  real  jiain 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


641 


for  Dug.'  After  the  crowd  of  some  5,0(J0  persons 
reached  the  old  park,  just  west  of  Monticello, 
Lawrence  Weldou  of  DeWltt  County,  made  the 
first  speech.  Lincoln  followed  him  with  a  two 
hours"  concise  and  logical  speech.  Dinner  was 
sumptuously  served  in  the  park.  .Vltogether 
'twas  the  greatest  day  Piatt  County  had  ever 
seen. 

"It  seems  almost  incredible  that  so  great  a 
change  could  come  over  the  public  sentiment  of 
the  people  of  the  county  during  tn-o  short  years. 
In  1S5G  the  people  would  scarcely  pause  in  their 
work  to  look  at  him,  while  in  1858,  they  were 
ready  to  literally  carry  him  in  their  arms." 

PRESIDENTIAL  ELECTION  OF  1860. 

In  ISCO  the  new  Republican  party  elected 
Abraham  Lincoln  and  Hannibal  Hamlin,  as 
against  the  Democratic  candidates,  .T.  C.  Breck- 
enridge  and  Joseph  Lane ;  the  Independent 
Democratic  candidates.  Stephen  A.  Douglas  and 
H.  V.  .lohuson :  and  the  Constitutional  Tnion 
candidates.  .John  Bell  :in<l  Edward  Everett. 

ELECTION  OF  186-1. 

The  wise  handling  of  the  grave  issues  of  the 
Civil  War  endeared  Jlr.  Lincoln  to  the  people 
and  he  was  the  logical  and  successful  candidate 
of  the  Uepulilican  party  in  1864,  with  Andrew 
Johnson  as  vice  lu'esident.  The  Democrats  chose 
George  B.  McClellan  and  George  H.  Pendleton 
as  their  candidates:  while  the  southern  Seces- 
sionists elected  Jefferson  Davis  and  Alexander 
H.  Stephens  president  and  vice  president  of  the 
Confederacy. 

ELECTION    OF    1868. 

In  1S6S  the  Republicans  placed  Ulys.ses  S. 
Grant  and  Schuyler  Colfa.x  at  the  head  of  their 
ticket,  which  was  successful  at  the  polls  by  an 
overwhelming  majority.  The  Democratic  candi- 
dates were  Horatio  Seymour  and  F.  P.  Blair. 
The  Republicans  carried  the  county  by  4.50  ma- 
jority and  the  entire  county  ticket  was  elected. 
General  Grant,  with  Henry  Wilson  as  vice  presi- 
dent, was  re-elected  on  the  Republican  ticket  in 
1872 :  while  the  Democrats  and  Liberal  Repub- 
licans put  Horace  Greeley  and  B.  Gratz  Brow-n 
on  their  ticket:  the  Straight-Out  Democrats 
nominated  Charles  O'Connor  and  John  Quincy 
Adams:  the  Labor  Reform  party  nominated 
David  Davis  and  Charles  O'Connor;  and  the 
Prohibitionists  nominated  .Tames  Blaik  and  John 


Rus.sell.    Piatt  County  went  Republican  by  about 
000  majority. 

ELECTIONS  OF  1876  AND  1880. 

Rutherford  B.  Hayes  and  William  A.  Wheeler 
were  tlie  successful  candidates  of  the  Republican 
party  for  1876 ;  while  the  Democ-rats  had  Samuel 
J.  Tilden  and  Thomas  A.  Hendricks  before  the 
country  ;  the  Independent  Greenbackers  had  as 
candidates  Peter  Cooper  and  Samuel  F.  Cary ; 
the  American  National  had  as  candidates  James 
B.  Walker  and  D.  I"itzpatrick ;  and  the  Prohi- 
liitionists  had  as  candidates  Green  Clay  Smith 
and  Gideon  T.  Stewart.  I'iatt  County  gave  a 
Republican  majority  of  about  550. 

In  ISSO  James  A.  Garfield  and  Chester  A. 
.Vrthur  were  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket,  as 
against  Winfield  Scott  Hancock  and  William  H. 
English,  the  Democratic  candidates :  James  B. 
Weaver  and  B.  J.  Chambers,  the  Greenback  can- 
didates ;  and  Xeal  Dow  and  H.  A.  Thompson,  the 
Prohibitionist  candidates.  Piatt  County  gave  a 
majority  for  the  Republican  ticket. 

ELECTION  OF  1884. 

For  the  first  time  since  1856,  the  Democrats 
were  successful  in  1884,  electing  G  rover  Cleve- 
Umd  and  Thomas  X.  Hendricks,  as  against 
James  (i.  Blaine  and  John  A.  Logan  on  the 
Republican  ticket ;  Benjamin  F.  Butler  and 
A.  M.  West  on  the  Greenback  ticket:  and  John 
1'.  St.  John  and  William  Daniel  of  the  Prohibi- 
tion party.     Piatt  County  went  Republican. 

ELECTION  OF  18SS. 

In  1888  tlie  Republicans  retunutl  to  power, 
electing  Benjamin  F.  Harrison  and  Levi  P. 
.Morton,  as  against  the  Democratic  candidates, 
(J rover  Cleveland  and  Allen  G.  Thurman ;  the 
Prohibitionist  candidates.  Clinton  B.  Fisk  and 
John  .V.  Brooks;  the  Union  Lalior  candidates, 
.\l.son  J.  Streeter  and  C.  E.  Cunningham ;  the 
United  Labor  candidates.  Robert  H.  Cowdry 
and  W.  H.  T.  Wakefield ;  and  the  American 
liarty  candidates.  James  L.  Curtis  and  James  B. 
Greer.  Piatt  County's  returns  on  this  election 
were:     Republicans,  2.174;  Democrats,  1.030. 

ELECTION   OF  1892. 

In  1802  Grover  Cleveland  and  Adlai  E.  Stev- 
c  iison  were  electetl  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  as 
.igainst  Benjamin  Harrison  and  Whitelaw  Reid 
of  the  Republican  party;  James  B.  Weaver  and 
James  J.  Field  of  the  People's  party;  John  Bid- 


642 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


well  and  James  I'..  C'ranliill  of  tlio  Pioliilutidii 
party;  Simon  Wins;  and  ("Uarles  II.  .Matcliott  ol 
the  Socialist  I^alHir  party.  I'latt  County  returns 
on  this  election  show  Democrats,  1,890;  Itepnl)- 
licans.  2,13S. 

KI.KITION   Ol'    1890. 

In  \s[»;  William  .McKinley  and  »!airet  A. 
Ilobnrt.  the  Heimlilican  candidutos,  were  elected, 
as  afrainst  the  Free  Silver  Democratic  candi- 
dates. William  .Tenninss  HryaTi  and  Arthur 
Sewall;  the  ropnlist  candid.ites,  William  .Ten- 
nin^is  Bryan  and  Thomas  K.  Wat.son  ;  the  I'ro- 
hibition  candidates,  .Toshua  Levering  and  Hale 
•Tolinson :  the  Xational  D(>mocratic  candidates, 
.Tolin  M.  I'almer  and  Simon  B.  Buckner ;  the 
Xational  Silver  candidates.  William  .Tennings 
Bryan  and  .\rthur  Sewall ;  the  Socialist  Lahor 
candidates.  Charles  II.  Matchett  and  Matthew 
Mc(iuirc:  and  the  Xational  party  candidates, 
C^iarles  K.  Benlly  and  .Tames  II.  Southgate.  The 
Piatt  County  votes  were  as  follows;  Republi- 
can. L'..">7T  :  Free  Silver  Demixrat.  1.020. 

ELECTION.S  OF  100(>  A.Mi   I'.KM. 

In  1900  William  McKinley  and  Theodore 
Roosevelt  were  elected  on  tlie  Republican  ticket, 
as  against  William  Jeiniings  Bryan  and  Adiai 
E.  Stevenson,  the  Democratic  candidates;  John 
G.  Woolley  and  Henry  B.  Metealf,  the  Prohibi- 
tion candidates ;  William  .Tennings  Bryan  and 
Adiai  E.  Steven.son.  the  People's  party  candi- 
dates; Wharton  Barker  and  Ignatius  Donnelly 
of  tlie  Middle  of  the  Road  party ;  Eugene  V. 
Debs  and  .Tob  Ilarriman.  the  Social  Democratic 
candidates:  .To.seph  F.  Maloney  and  Valentine 
Remmel.  the  Socialist  T.abor  candidates:  and 
Seth  H.  Ellis  and  Sam  T.  Nicholson,  the  Fnion 
Reform  candidates.  The  vote  of  Piatt  County 
was:     Republican,  2.045;  Democrat.  1,902. 

In  1904  Theodore  Roosevelt  and  Charles  W. 
Fairbanks  were  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket. 
Piatt  County  giving  the  Repuhlic.nis  2.."1."  votes 
and  the  Democrats  l.:!;il. 

KI.KCTION   OF   1908. 

In  I'.HiS  Wllli.nii  II.  'I'aft  and  .lames  S.  Sher- 
man were  elecleil  on  the  Republican  ticket.  Wil- 
liam .T.  Br.van  and  .Tames  .T.  Kern  being  the 
Democnitic  candidates.  The  Piatt  County  re- 
turns in  190S  showed  the  following  figures: 
Retiublican.  2.:'.49 ;  Democrat.  1.."o(V 


ELECTIONS    OF    1912   .\ND    1910. 

The  Democrats  came  once  more  into  iiower  in 
1912,  electing  Woodrow  Wilson  and  Thomas  R. 
Marsliall  president  and  vice  i)resident.  The  can- 
didates of  other  parties  were:  Theodore  Roose- 
velt and  Iliram  W.  Johnson.  Progressive;  Wil- 
liam II.  Taft.  Republican:  Eugene  Debs,  Social- 
ist; Challn.  Prohibitionist;  and  Reimer,  Socialist 
Ijabor.  Piatt  County  nuide  the  following  returns 
on  this  election:  Democrats,  1.399;  Progres- 
sives, 1,142:  Republicans,  1,0.55. 

In  1910  both  President  Wilson  and  Vice  Presi- 
dent .Marshall  were  re-elected. 

I'lATT    I.ECISLATORS. 

The  lolhiwing  Piatt  County  men  have  served 
in  the  State  Assembly:  F.  E.  Bryant.  C.  F. 
Tenn<'y.  V.  S.  Ruby.  J.  .\.  Hawks.  A.  I-.  Rodgers. 
C.  P.  Davis.  W.  ('.  Hubbard.  Oscar  Mansfield, 
Jas.  P.  Ownby.  Thomas  I.amb,  J.  .X.  Rodman, 
II.  E.  Shaw. 

I.OCAI,   RLPUESENTATION. 

The  following  name<l  men  have  servwl  in  the 
several  oHices  since  Piatt  County  was  organized: 

state's  attor.neys. 

James  McDou.gal,  David  Campbell.  M.  I{.  Rust. 
John  R.  Eden.  J.  P.  Boyd.  D.  L.  Bunn,  M.  V. 
Thompson.  Sanuiel  R.  Reed.  Peter  A.  Hamilton. 
AllMTl  Emerson.  Charles  Hughes.  James  Hicks. 
II,  II.  Crea.  Charles  F.  Mansfield.  .V.  C.  Edie. 
Wm.  A.  Sloss.  T.  J.  Kastel.  The  present  incum- 
bent is  Chas.  W.  l''irke. 

county    .UllGES. 

James  IJeber.  John  Hughes.  A.  (i.  Boyer,  H. 
C.  McComas.  (J.  L.  Spear.  Iliram  Jackson.  Will- 
i.mi  McReynolds.  W.  (!.  Cloyd.  II.  E.  Huston, 
M.  R.  Davidson.  F.  M.  Slionkwiler.  E.  J.  Haw- 
b.-iker  and  Wm.   \.  Doss. 

COrNTV    (  I.KliKS. 

Joseph  ICing.  .1  D.  llillis.  James  F.  Ontten. 
J.  E.  Miller.  W.  F.  Cox.  J.  A.  Helman.  W.  L. 
Ryder,  .Tolin  Porter.  A.  E.  Rodgers.  B.  F.  ICagey 
and  Harvey  Fay. 

CIKCrlT   CLERICS. 

James  S.  Reber.  J.  C.  .Johnson.  .\.  <■.  Royer. 
E.  J.  Bond.  W.  T.  Foster.  W.  II.  Plunk.  C.  A. 
Stadler.  Robert  Iludgen.  J.  C.  Tippert  and  B.  G. 
Duncan. 


1^ 


;^BUC  ub^'^-s^" 


,..■1  '\ 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


643 


COUNTY   TBEASUREUS. 

N.  E.  Klioades,  Ctiailes  Watts,  S.  E.  Laugduu, 
J.  T.  VauGundy,  Nelson  Reid,  Theodore  Gross, 
E.  W.  Walker,  Uan  Hall,  E.  H.  Walker,  S.  M. 
Euiik,  Isaac  N.  Biebinger,  Jacob  11.  Cline,  Ona 
L.  Cliue  and  Wm.  Tiatt  Sniitli. 

SHliRIFFS. 

Jolni  I'latt,  Edward  Ater,  Charles  Harris, 
George  Heath,  Saaiuel  Moraiii,  (i.  M.  Brutt'et, 
I'eter  K.  Hull,  Iteulieu  Bowuiau,  F.  H.  I.rf)\vry, 
E.  P.  Fisher,  W.  B.  Plunk,  E.  P.  Fisher,  W.  M. 
Holmes,  J.  E.  Andrew,  George  E.  Miller,  J.  M. 
Woolington,  C.  A.  Shiveley,  J.  M.  Woolington, 
Freeman  Clow,  Ford  Duvall  and  Geo.  A.  Linds- 
ley. 

COUNTY    SUPERINTENDENTS. 

J.  W.  Coleman,  C.  A.  Tatmau,  C.  J.  Pitkin, 
Mary  I.  Reed,  G.  A.  Burgess,  George  N.  Snapp, 
Alien  B.  Martin,  James  H.  Martin  and  Charles 
Mcintosh. 

SURVEYOIiS. 

James  Keber,  George  Heath,  James  Bryden, 
C.  D.  Moore,  William  McReynolds.  C.  D.  Moore, 
Henry  Eatherton  and  W.  J.  Day. 

CORONERS. 

Reuben  Bowman,  Jacob  Barnes,  M.  N.  Secrist, 
and  W.  J.  Porter. 

MASTERS-IN-CIIANCERY. 

A.  G.  Bowyer,  A.  T.  Pipher,  S.  R.  Reed,  E.  A. 
Barringtoii.  Albert  Eujerson,  Frank  Pittman. 
H.  H.  Crea,  I{.  I.  Tatmau  and  A.  C.  Edie. 


CHAPTER  Vn. 


COURTS,  BENCH  AND  BAR. 


EARLY  ADMINISTR.\TION  OF  JUSTICE — FORMATION 
OF  COMMITTEES  OF  SAFETY — NECESSARY'  ORGANI- 
ZATIONS— FIRST  COURT  HELD  IN  PI.VTT  COUNTY — 
FIR.ST  PRESlniNG  .lUDOE  WAS  HON.  SAMUEL  II. 
TREAT — EARLY   LAWYERS — PRESENT  ATTORNEY.S — 

AN     ABLE     BODY JUSTICES     OF     THE     PEACE     BY 

TOWNSHIPS  —  BEMENT  —  CERRO     OORBO  BLUE 

KIDGE GOOSE      CREEK — MONTICELLO SANGAMON 

— WILLOW   BRANCH — UNITY. 


EARLY    AU.MINISTR.VTION    OF    JUSTICE. 

To  quote  f^om  one  of  the  early  historians  of 
I'latt  County  :  "The  pioneers  usually  found  a 
way,  and  sometimes  'twas  a  way  i>eculiarly  their 
own,  to  punish  persons  for  their  misdeeds. 
There  was  a  famous  rail  pulling  in  Macon 
County  about  1831  in  which  many  persons  from 
what  is  now  Piatt  County  participated.  Some 
movers  passing  through  the  county  stopped  niton 
invitation  for  lodging  at  the  house  of  a  man 
who  was  living  on  goverumeut  l.iud.  At  this 
house  the  mover  was  advised  to  enter  some  laud. 
He  accordingly  left  his  family  with  these  hos- 
pitable people  and  went  to  a  land  office  and 
entered  the  very  land  his  new  acquaintance  was 
living  on;  and  more  than  this,  he  returned  and 
ordered  him  off  the  place.  The  one  who  really 
had  the  best  right  to  the  place  quietly  left  the 
cabin  and  built  another  on  .some  land  of  his 
own,  and  notified  his  neighbors  of  the  rascality 
of  the  man  he  had  befriended.  'Twas  enough ! 
People  to  the  number  of  100  collected  one  night 
from  Sadorus  Grove,  Salt  Creek,  what  is  now 
Piatt  County,  and  Macon  County,  and  planned 
to  move  the  improvements  to  some  land  on  which 
the  new  cabin  was  and  which  had  been  entered 
by  the  man  who  had  befriended  the  mover.  A 
captain  was  chosen  and  the  'rail  pulling'  was 
fairly  begun,  when  the  guilty  party  made  his 
appearance  and  a  compromise  was  made.  The 
company  contentedly  dispersed  to  their  several 
homes. 

"Several  years  later  a  company  with  officers 
was  orgsinized  for  the  purpose  of  administering 
.justice  in  eases  that  the  law  could  not  well  get 
bold  of.  Among  themselves  they  were  known 
as  'The  Calithumiiians.'  They  were  in  organiza- 
tion eight  or  ten  years  and  'tis  thought  they  did 
a  good  deal  of  good  witli  tar  and  feathers;  for, 
while  some  were  quite  severely  punished  for 
misdeeds,  others  were  afraid  to  do  wrong."  The 
captain  and  first  lieutenant  lived  for  years  in 
Piatt  County,  and  the  captain  subsequently  be- 
came a  clergyman  in  Kansas.  Tliese  committees 
of  .safety  are  u.sually  to  be  found  in  all  frontier 
neighborhoods,  and  are  usually  comix)sed  of  the 
leading  men  of  the  community,  who  in  the 
alisenco  of  regularly  organized  courts  of  justice, 
enforce  some  rude  kind  of  law  and  order. 

FIR.ST    COURT. 

The  first  court  of  Piatt  County  was  held  in 
a    room   of   the   Devore   House,    known   as   Old 


644 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


Fort,  lion.  Samuel  U.  Treat  presiilin;;,  and  he 
was  succeetled  by  Hon.  David  Davis,  lloii. 
Charles  Emerson,  A.  F.  Gallaglier,  C  B.  Smith, 
Oliver  Davis,  J.  W.  Wilkin,  J.  F.  Hughes,  E.  1". 
Vail,  W.  G.  Cochran,  W.  C.  Johns.  Solon  Thil- 
hrick,  F.  H.  Boggs,  W.  K.  Whitfield  and  George 
.\.  Sentel  wore  other  judges,  all  of  whom  were 
lesirued  men,  [possessed  in  marked  degree  of 
those  characteristics  so  necessary  ti>  the  .judi- 
ciary. 

KABI-Y    lAWYKHS. 

During  the  earlier  days  the  lawyers  to  prac- 
tice in  riiitt  County  came  to  the  county  seat 
from  Decatur.  111.  Among  the  first  members  of 
the  legal  profession  to  make  Piatt  County  their 
home  were  Milligau  II.  C.  McComas,  A.  T. 
Pijjher,  Charles  Watts.  W.  K.  Lodge  aud  S.  R. 
Kecd. 


.Monticello — A.  J.  Wiley,  John  Hughes,  T. 
Hays,  J.  C.  Johnson,  John  Cassell,  M.  X.  Secrist, 
Alonsio  T.  Pipher,  A.  J.  Snyder,  David  McWil- 
liams,  E.  D.  Moore,  John  Keenan,  Daniel  Stickel, 
J.  R.  Tatman,  W.  J.  Porter,  Robert  Reutfro,  W. 
L.  Lord,  R.  M.  Bragg. 

Sangamon— E.  B.  McGinnis,  Wm.  B.  Bunyard. 
A.  H.  Young,  Xelsou  Reid,  J.  C.  Mackey,  Samuel 
Bowdle,  Ross  Mitchell,  Joseph  Close,  Wui. 
Wrench,  Geo.  DeLand,  S.  P.  Ewing.  Geo.  W. 
Wiggins,  F.  E.  Duvall.  H.  M.  Curl. 

Willow  Branch — ^Wm.  Saunders,  Jacob  Smith, 
John  M.  Dashiel,  J.  P.  Ownby,  R.  S.  Wilhoite, 
Joseph  G.  Kile,  Eugene  Neff,  A.  H.  Lyons,  J.  C. 
Weddle,  J.  B.  Irwin,  E.  E.  Dallas. 

Unity— J.  L.  Lewis,  J.  W.  Kagey,  J.  W.  Mer- 
ritt.  Wni.  A.  Liston,  Chas.  A.  Clark,  W.  F.  Bene- 
fiel.  John  P.  TeulirtK)k.  E.  Wren,  W.  C.  Pierson, 
M.  X.  Ilanshbarger,  Robert  Schultz. 


PRESENT   L,VWVI!:BS. 

The  present  bar  as.sociation  of  Piatt  County  is 
composed  of  some  of  the  ablest  lawyers  of  this 
part  of  the  state.  The  names  of  these  attorneys 
are  as  follows : 

W.  G.  Cloyd.  M.  R.  Davidson,  C.  F.  Mansfield, 
James  L.  Hicks,  A.  C.  Edie,  F.  M.  Shonkwiler. 
E.  J.  Ilawbaker,  C.  S.  Reed,  Geo.  M.  Thomii)son. 
Wm.  A.  Doss,  Chas.  W.  Firks  and  T.  J.  Kastet. 

JUSTICES  OF  THE  PE.\CE. 

Piatt  County  has  had  the  following  .iustices 
of  the  peace : 

Bement — Joseiili  F.  Alvord,  H.  C.  Rodman, 
John  Parker.  R.  II.  Noel,  J.  C.  Evans,  Geo.  L. 
Spear,  Joel  Dunn,  E.  Garrett,  J.  W.  Stark.  S.  L. 
Busick,  II.  Ilaldeman,  Ro.val  Thomas.  Wm. 
Parker,  W.  G.  Snyder,  T.  J.  Mitchell.  W.  W. 
Hammond,  Geo.  W.  Poole,  James  I^ndis,  T.  W. 
Marlow,  L.  D.  Pitts. 

Cerro  Gordo — Stillman  Barber,  Wm.  Saunders, 
W.  R.  Kions,  B.  Middleton.  E.  A.  Barnwell,  A. 
S.  Ilawtborne.  D.  Kellington,  C.  P.  Middleton. 
C.  E.  Overstake,  B.  G.  Duncan.  D.  B.  Espy,  T.  O. 
Holcomb,  W.  J.  Wilson.  F.  S.  Bcf/;,  T.  1.  David- 
son, James  A.  Fleck. 

Blue  Ridge — Franklin  Gordon.  H.  K.  (lillespie, 
Tliomas  Jess,  W.  D.  Fairbanks.  C.  J.  (iillespie, 
Fred  Gillespie,  Wm.  Doyle.  C.  R.  Diet/.,  II.  Peck, 
F.  D.  Rinehart. 

Goose  Creek — John  M.  Barnes,  Elias  Win- 
stead,  Henry  Marqniss,  R.  B.  Moody.  Hugh 
Wilson,  Henry  GiUuore.  Chas.  S.  Dewees.  C.  L. 
Gilmorc.  John  Muthersiinw. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


MILITARY   HISTORY. 


•ATKIOTIS.M   or   IMATT  COUNTY — CIVIL   W.Vl!   KE(  ORDS 

I'ROVE    IT — NO   CONSCKIl'TION    IN    THIS    COUNTY' 

APPENDED  MIUTABY"  nECOBD — LIST  OF  REGIMENTS 

IN    WHICH    PIATT    COUNTY    MEN    SERVED NINTH 

ILLINOIS  INFANTRY — FOURTEENTH  ILLINOIS  IN- 
FANTRY     REORGANIZED SEVENTEENTH      ILLINOIS 

INFANTRY — TWENTY-FIRST  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY — 
THIS  REGIMENT  ORGANIZED  BY'  C.\PT.  U.  S.  GRANT 
— TWENTY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY — TIIIRTY'- 
FOURTII  IIXINOIS  INFANTRY' — THIRTY-FIFTH  ILLI- 
NOIS INFANTRY — THIRTY-EIGHTH  ILLINOIS  IN- 
FANTRY— THIRTY-NINTH      ILLINOIS      INFANTRY 

FORTY-FIRST     ILLINOIS     INFANTRY' FORTY-NINTH 

ILLINOIS  INFANTRY' — FIFTY'-FOUBTH  ILLINOIS  IN- 
FANTRY—  SIXTY -SECOND     ILLINOIS     INFANTRY 

SIXTY'-THIIiD  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY' — SEVENTY'-SEC- 
OND  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY — SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLI- 
NOIS INFANTRY — MANY  PIA'IT  SOLDIERS  IN  THIS 
REGIMENT — NINETY-NINTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY' — 
ONE  HUNDRED  AND  SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY 
WITH  LONG  ROSTER  OF  PI.MT  COUNTY'  SOLDIERS — 
ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTEENTH  IIJJNOIS  IN- 
FANTRY'— ONE  HUNDRED  AND  SIXTEENTH  ILLI- 
NOIS    INFANTRY' ONE     HUNDRED    AND    FIFTIETH 

ILLINOIS    INFANTRY — SECOND    ILLINOIS    CAVALRY 

FIFTH     ILLINOIS     CAVALRY' SEVENTH     ILLINOIS 

I  AVAIJJY — TENTH    ILLINOIS  CAVALRY' SIXTEENTH 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


645 


ILUNOIS  CAVALRY — FIKST  ILLINOIS  LIGHT  ARTIL- 
LEBY — SPANISH-AMEKICAN  WAR  NOT  HEAVILY 
REPRESENTED — GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC — 
ITS  INCEPTION  AND  ORGANIZATION — THE  FIRST 
GRAND  ARMY'  POST — FIRST  ENCAMPMENT — BAR- 
KER POST  AT  ATWOOD THREE  CHARTER  MEMBERS 

SURVIVING — CERRO  GORDO  POST  HAS  TWENTY-FIVE 
MEMBERS — HISTORY     OF     MANSFIELD     POST — ONE 

CHARTER       MEMBER      LIVING      AT       MANSFIELD 

FRANKLIN  POST  AT  MONTICELLO — POSTS  WERE 
ALSO  ORGANIZEaj  AT  BEMENT  AND  LA  PLACE. 

PATRIOTISM  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 

In  a  history  dealing  witli  military  achieve- 
ment, the  people  of  Piatt  County  may  have  no 
feeling  of  shame  in  pointing  to  the  record  of 
men — and  in  their  field,  of  women — .in  the 
Nation's  wars.  From  the  earliest  period  of  the 
county's  settlement  a  spirit  of  patriotism  has 
been  definitely  manifest,  and  when,  in  1837, 
Judge  Emerson,  in  delivering  the  first  Fourth  of 
July  oration,  presented  the  toast :  "May  this 
Monticello  bring  forth  another  Jefferson,"  he 
voiced  tlie  ardor  and  fire  of  a  people  whose  love 
of  country  has  continued  to  be  a  leading  char- 
acteristic. The  call  of  the  country  for  men  to 
bear  arms  has  never  yet  failed  to  find  Piatt 
County  prepared  to  send  forth  its  full  quota,  or 
more,  and  the  men  who  have  gone  forth  from 
its  farms  and  villages  to  protect  the  Nation's 
honor  have  spread  the  fame  of  Piatt  as  one  of 
Illinois'  most  patriotic  counties.  The  men 
whose  courage  and  strength  led  them  to  the 
settlement  and  development  of  this  region,  and 
their  sons  and  grandsons  who  have  followed 
them  and  who  have  inherited  these  sturdy  and 
sterling  qualities,  have  responded  valiantly  to 
every  demand  made  upon  them,  and  the  same 
characteristics  that  contributed  to  argicultural, 
commercial,  educational,  professional  and  re- 
ligious progress,  have  combine<l  to  bring  forth  a 
first-class  race  of  fighting  men.  who  upon  scores 
of  battlefields  have  demonstrated  that  civilians, 
given  the  incentive,  are  formidalile  to  any  mili- 
tary force  which  may  be  organized. 

CIVIL   WAR   RECORDS. 

It  is  but  necessary  to  turn  to  the  records  of 
the  Civil  War  to  substantiate  the  foregoing 
statements.  In  that  struggle  Piatt  was  not  only 
the  banner  county  of  the  state  in  regard  to  send- 
ing soldiers  to  the  front  in  proportion  to  its 
population  but  it  even  outranked  Illinois  in  this 
respect.     With  the  census  of  ISCO  as  a  basis  for 


comparison,  Illinois  sent  out  1(M>  soldiers  for 
every  742  inhabitants,  while  I'iatt  County  sent 
out  100  men  for  every  580  inhabitants.  Out  of 
a  population  of  0,124,  I'iatt  County  gave  to  the 
Union  1,055  soldiers,  240  men  in  e.'icess  of  its 
share.  In  this  connection  I'iatt  County's  patriot- 
ism may  be,  iierhaps,  sliown  in  no  better  way 
than  by  quoting  from  a  speech  by  C.  D.  Moore, 
who,  in  referring  to  the  Civil  War,  remarked: 
"It  is  difficult  for  us  to  realize  what  our  little 
county  did.  It  is  easy  enough  for  us  to  read 
the  simple  statement  that  Piatt  County  sent  out 
1,055  men,  but  that,  when  compared  with  the 
vast  armies  that  were  marshalled  upon  the  field 
of  strife,  is  a  very  insignificant  number.  It  can 
only  be  made  a  large  number  in  a  relative  sense. 
Suppose  there  were  2,500  to  3,(J00  of  the  able- 
bodied  men  of  the  county  drawn  up  and  ready  to 
march  from  the  county  today.  Think,  if  you 
can,  what  a  depletion  that  would  make  in  the 
present  population  of  the  county.  Why,  that 
number  of  men  would  have  made,  in  the  days 
of  the  Revolution,  a  very  respectable  army,  a 
rather  formidable  force ;  and  yet  the  number 
would  be  no  greater  in  proportion  to  population 
than  1,055  was  at  that  time."  And  further  than 
this,  several  facts  may  be  taken  into  considera- 
tion. We  quote  from  the  same  authority : 
"Piatt  County  more  than  filled  her  quota,  and 
that,  too,  without  a  draft.  She  did  her  duty  by 
making  an  enrollment  of  all  her  able-bodied 
men,  according  to  law,  yet  she  passed  through 
the  fiery  ordeal  without  even  the  'smell  of  the 
draft  being  found  on  her  garments.'  Not  one 
of  that  brave  band  of  1,055  men  was  induced  to 
go  to  the  front  by  the  offer  of  a  bounty.  No 
bounties  were  necessar.v.  Tlie  only  thing  in  the 
shape  of  a  local  Inducement  held  out  was  that 
the  county,  through  the  authorities,  was  guar- 
anteed the  protection  of  the  families  of  the  men 
while  they  were  absent  at  the  front  doing  battle 
for  the  right.  No,  there  were  no  drafted  men 
or  tounty-jumpers  among  them.  The.v  were 
volunteers,  in  the  highest  and  noblest  sense  of 
the  term.  They  saw  that  the  nation's  life  was  in 
.jeopardy;  they  saw  the  uplifted  hand  of  trea- 
son prepared  to  strike  at  her  vitals:  they  beheld 
her  in  a  deadly  grapple  with  gigantic  rebellion ; 
they  heard  her  call  for  help,  and  bravely  and 
heroically  answered  that  call.  To  them  it  was 
no  holiday  parade,  no  boy's  play,  but  work — ■ 
earnest,  terrilily  earnest  work.  They  placed 
their  lives  upon  their  country's  altar,  and  dedi- 
cated their  best  energies  to  the  preservation  of 


646 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


the  loiintrys  iuH'giit.v,  tlic  viiulication  of  tbc 
nation's  honor,  and  the  re-estiiblishment  of  the 
jrlory  and  the  supreniaey  of  our  flag. " 

llECOItn  OF  PI.\TT   tOUNTY   SOLDIERS. 

Eight  large  volumes  of  the  adjutant-general's 
reports  of  Illinois  soldiers  were  carefully  sifted 
in  jiroparing  the  appended  record  of  regiments 
and  soldiers,  but  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  no 
pains  have  been  si)ared  to  make  the  report  accu- 
rate, mistakes  may  have  crept  in.  This  because 
throughout  the  reports  two  Monticellos  were 
given ;  in  a  number  of  cases  men  reported  them- 
selves from  places  the  liames  of  which  bave  been 
since  changed,  and  in  some  instances  the  same 
Ijerson's  name  was  spelle<l  in  two.  and  some- 
times in  three,  different  ways.  With  a  single 
exception,  only  histories  of  regiments  are  given 
the  original  of  which  appears  in  the  adjutant's 
reports,  and  histories  are  given  only  of  those 
regiments  having  the  greatest  number  of  Piatt 
County  soldiers. 

NINTH    II.I.I.NOIS   INKANTllY. 

Company  L) — Keller,  Mathias  ;  enlisted  Febru- 
ary S,  ],Sti4;  mustered  out  July  i),  1SC5. 

FOURTKENTH     ILLINOIS     INIANIRY.     KEORGaNIZED. 

Company  K — Clark,  Bra.xton ;  recruit,  enlisted 
and  mustered  in  April  10,  ISCJ. 

SEVENTEENTH    IIXINOIS   INFANTRY. 

Company  11 — Recruits:  Morgan,  Reuben  .\. : 
euli.sted  December  7,  1S03.  transferred  to  Com- 
pany F,  Kighth  Illinois  Infantry,  mustered  out 
July  2'),  ISGl.  Shaw,  Albert  U. ;  enlisted  Decem- 
ber 12,  180:3,  transferred  to  Company  F.  Eighth 
Illinois  Infantry.  Wheeler,  Peter  A. ;  enlisted 
Deceiiilicr  .''),  1803,  transferred  to  Company  F, 
Kighth  Illinois  Infantry. 

TWENTY-FIRST   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

The  Twenty-first  Illinois  Infantry  was  organ- 
ize<l  at  Mattoon,  III..  Jfay  !>.  ISO],  was  mustered 
into  the  state  service  May  10,  1801,  by  Capt. 
U.  S.  Grant,  was  mustered  into  the  United 
.States  service  for  three  years,  Juno  28,  by  Cap- 
tain Pitcher,  with  Col.  U.  S.  Grant,  who  was 
connnissioned  brigadier-general  August  0,  ISGl, 
and  it  ixirticipated  in  the  battle  of  Frederick- 
town,  Mo.,  October  21.  It  marched  with  Gen- 
eral Steele's  e.xiMjdition  to  Jacksonport,  Ark., 
was  then  ordered  to  Corinth,  and  arrived  at 
Hamburg  Landing,  .May  24,  1802.   It  was  ordered 


to  join  (Jcneral  Buells  army  in  Tennessee, 
.Vugust  24.  1802,  arrived  at  Louisville,  Septem- 
ber 27,  1802,  engaged  In  the  battles  of  Perry- 
ville  and  Chaplin  Ilill,  and  then  marched  to 
Xashvillc.  It  was  in  a  severe  engagement  near 
.Murfreeslmro,  December  .'il,  1802,  where  it  did 
gallant  duty,  losing  more  men  than  any  other 
regiment  engaged,  and  June  2.5,  ISO.'!,  was  in  a 
severe  skirmish  .it  Liberty  Gap.  In  the  battle 
of  Chi<kaniauga.  September  11)  and  20,  1803, 
2.'iS  ofliccrs  and  men  were  lost.  It  was  mus- 
tered out  December  10,  ISO.'i,  at  San  Antonio, 
Te.\.,  and  discharged  at  Ciimp  Butler,  January 
18,  ISOO.  The  roster  of  the  regiment,  as  far  as 
Piatt  County  is  concerned,  follows : 

Company  .\ — Second  Lieutenant  Joseph  C. 
.\lvonl.  enlisted  Juno  lo.  1801 :  promoted  second 
lieutenant  October  24,  18G2 ;  killed  December 
31.  1802.  Second  Lieutenant  Theodore  Gross, 
enlisted  June  22.  ISOl  ;  promoted  second  lieu-' 
tenant  January  1,  180;^;  resignal  May  12,  1805. 
Second  Lieutenant  Alvin  Colmus,  ranked  as  sec- 
ond lieutenant  and  niu.stered  out  December  10, 
1805.  Sergeant  Robert  Dines,  enlisted  June 
15,  1801;  killed  at  Stone  River,  December  30, 
1802.  Sergeant  Olarkson  S.  Colvig.  enlisted 
June  15,  lS(n,  nnistered  out  July  5,  ISCA.  Bell, 
Jonathan,  enlisted  June  15.  ISGl,  re-enlisted 
as  veteran  February  27,  1804;  nnistered  out 
December  10,  1S(V5,  as  corporal.  Bercher,  Alex- 
ander, enlisted  June  20,  1801 ;  killed  at  Stone 
River,  December  30,  1SG2.  Bonser,  James,  en- 
listed .lune  15.  1801;  died  at  Ironton.  Missouri, 
.Tanuary  1,  ISC,2.  Cornell.  William,  enlisteii 
Jinie  22,  isiil  ;  musterwl  out  July  5,  1S(!4. 
llicUniaii,  .buob.  enlisted  June  22.  1801;  killed 
.It  Chickamauga.  September  1!>.  1SC>:!.  Henry, 
James,  enlisted  June  22,  1801  :  nuLstered  out 
July  5.  ]8(W.  Miller,  James,  enlisted  June  20, 
1801  :  mustereil  out  July  5.  1N(W.  Peters,  Charles, 
enlisted  June  2(i.  l.SGl  ;  killed  at  Stone  River. 
December  31,  1,S(12.  Slusser.  JohiL  enlisted  June 
21.  18G1  :  nnistered  (mt  July  5,  1SG4.  Thomp- 
son. Uiilianl.  enlisted  June  15.  ISOl  ;  diseharged 
f)ctolier  11.  1S02:  disability,  rptmi,  lUMijumin. 
recruit;  died  J.inuary  !).  1802. 

Company  C— Col.  William  II.  .Tandson  ranked 
as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  (".  May  3,  1801; 
IH'omoted  captain  March  14,  1802;  promoted 
major  Xoveniber  15,  ^SrA■.  iironioted  lieutenant- 
colonel  July  2.  1805;  promoted  colonel  July  1.3, 
1805;  mustered  out  December  10.  1SG.5.  Cap- 
tain Josi.'ih  W.  Clark  ranked  as  captain  .May  3, 
INOl;  resigned  .M.-irch  14.  1S02.     Capl.-iin  Linids- 


AS-r- 


!  \-V-! 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


6-47 


field  J.  Liiider.  enlisted  June  14,  1861;  pro- 
moted secoml  lieutenant  December  31,  1862; 
promoted  captain  Xo\-ember  15,  1864;  musteretl 
out  December  16,  1860.  First  Lieutenant  Wal- 
ter B.  Iloag,  ranketl  as  second  lieutenant  Ma.v  ;?, 
1861;  promoted  first  lieutenant  Marcb  14,  1862; 
mustered  out  May  2,  1865.  First  Lieutenant 
Andrew  J.  Clark,  enlisted  as  sergeant  June  14, 
1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  March  24,  1864; 
promoted  first  lieutenant  June  8,  1865;  mus- 
tered out  December  16,  1865.  Second  Lieuten- 
ant Emanuel  Weigle,  enlisted  as  first  serijcant 
June  14,  1861;  promoted  second  lieutenant 
Marcli  14,  1862;  killed  December  31,  1862.  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  George  W.  Roberts,  enlisteil 
June  14,  1861 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  January 
4,  1864 ;  promoted  first  sergeant ;  promoted  sec- 
ond lieutenant ;  mustered  out  December  16,  1865. 
Caldwell,  John,  enlisted  June  14,  1861 ;  re-en- 
listed as  veteran  January  14,  1864;  promoted 
<iuartermaster  sergeant ;  mustered  out  Decem- 
ber 16,  1865.  Gorbon,  Sergeaut  Samuel  E.,  en- 
listed June  14,  1861  ;  discharged  August  4,  1861 ; 
di.sability.  Stark,  Sergeant  Benjamin  F.,  en- 
listed June  14,  1861  ;  discharged  April  17,  1SG3 ; 
disability.  Dawson,  Corporal  William  S.,  en- 
listed   June    14,    1861;    mustered    out    July    5, 

1864.  Iloldren,  Corporal  Marvm,  enlisted  June 
14,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  January  4, 
1864 ;  mustered  out  December  16,  1865.  Dove, 
Ciorporal  John  I!.,  enlisted  June  14,  1861  ;  mus- 
tered out  July  5,  1864.  Hensley,  Corporal  W., 
enlisted  June  14,  1861 ;  mustered  out  July   10, 

1865.  Dyer,  Coriwral  John  W.,  enlisted  June 
14,  1861;  mustered  out  July  5,  1864.  Randall, 
Corporal  Isaac  M.,  enlisted  June  14,  1861 ;  died 
January  3,  1862.  Dawson,  Corporal  George  R., 
enlisted  June  14,  1861 ;  discharged  December  5, 
1861 ;  disability.  Lowry,  Corporal  Lucien  W. 
B.,  enlisted  June  14,  1861  ;  killed  at  Stone  River, 
December  31,  1862. 

Privates — Abbott,  Shadrach  T.,  enlisted  June 

14,  1861 ;  died  October  5,  1861.  Argo,  David  J., 
enlisted  June  24,  1861 ;  dieil  at  St.  Louis  August 

15,  1863.  Baker,  Henry  J.,  enlisted  June  24, 
1861;  mustered  out  November  26,  1S64.  Bow- 
man, Daniel,  enlLsted  June  24,  1861 ;  dischargeil 
April  17,  1S<j3:  disability.  Bradley.  Daniel  ('., 
enlisted  June  24,  1861 :  mustered  in  June  28, 
ISGl.  Bray.  Conrad,  enlisted  June  26,  1861 :  re- 
enlLsted  as  veteran  January  4,  1864 ;  mustered 
out  January  17,  1866.  Car.son,  Samuel,  enlisted 
June  24,  1861 ;  mustered  in  June  28,  1861.  Cuni- 
mings,    .\braham    S.,    enlisted    June    14.    1861  : 


mustered  in  June  28,  1861.     Edwards,  Jesse  M., 
enlisteil  June  26,  1861 ;  died  May  8.  1862.  Frank, 
David  E.,  enlisted  June  14,  1861 :  re-enlisted  as 
veteran  January  4,  1864 ;  mustered  out  Decem- 
ber 16,   1865,  as  sergeant.     Falon,  John  C,  en- 
listed   June    14,    1861;    re-enlisted    January    4, 
1864 ;   mustered  out  December  10,  1865.     Fogy, 
Henry,    enlLsted    June    14,    1861,    mustered    out 
July   5,    1864.     Gum,   Moses,   enlisted   June   24, 
1861;   died  in  Andersonville  prison  January  4, 
1864.      Grooms,    Isaac,    enlisted    June   24,    1861, 
killed  at  Stone  River  December  30,  1862.     Gal- 
lagher, I'atrick,  enlisted  June  14,  1861,  died  in 
-Vndersonville  prison  March  21,  1864.     Grames, 
Isaac,  enlisted  June  14,  1S61 ;  re-enlisted  as  vet- 
eran January  4,  1864 ;   mustered  out  December 
16,  1865.     Garver,  John,  enlisted  June  24,  1861  : 
mustered  out  February  22,  1865.     Gay,  George, 
enlisted   June  14,   1861 ;    mustered   out   July   5. 
1864.      Ilaneline.    William,    enlisted    June    14, 
1861 ;   re-enlisted  as   veteran   January  4,   1864 ; 
mustered  out  December  16,  1865.    Ililliard,  Wil- 
liam J.,  enlisted  June  24,   1861  ;   transferred  to 
.Marine  Brigade  March  .30,  1863.     Hannah.  Peter 
IL,   enlisted   June  14.   1861 :   died  in   Anderson- 
ville  prison   June   23,    1864.     Jones,    John,    en- 
listed June  14,  1861 ;   missing  at  ChicUamau.ga 
September   20.    1863 ;    Kirkland,    Hiram   J.,   en- 
li.sted  June  14,  1861 ;  mustei-ed  out  July  5,  1864. 
Keller,  John,  enlisted  .June  14,  1861 ;  re-enlisted 
as    veteran    January    4.    1864;    absent,    sick    at 
muster  out  December  16,  1865.    Keller,  Edward, 
W.,  enlisted   June  14,  1861 ;   re-enlisted  as  vet- 
eran January  4,  1864 ;  mustered  out  December 
16,  1865.    Lesley,  Wiley,  enlisted  June  14,  1861 ; 
killed  at  Stone  River  December  31,  1862.     Lev- 
enway,    Reuben,    enlisted    June    26,    1861 ;    re- 
enlisted     as    veteran     January    4,    1864;     dis- 
charged January  8,  1865;  disabllit.v.     McGinnis, 
Theodore     W.,     enlisted     June    24,     1861 ;     re- 
enlisted    as    veteran.      Moore.    Aaron,    enlisted 
June  26.  18(il  :  mustered  out  July  5,  1864.     Mof- 
fitt,  Thomas,  ,Ir..  enlisted  June  14,  1861 ;  tran.s- 
ferred  to  Signal  Corps  November  1.  1863.    Mar- 
shall, Abraham,  enlisted  June  14,  1861 ;  mustered 
out   July   .5,    1864.     McLaughlin,   John   W.,   en- 
listed   June    14.    1N61  :    re-enlisted    as    veteran 
January  4.  18(;4.     .\I;uin.  Thomas,  enlisted  .Tune 
14,  1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  Januar.v  4,  1864. 
McShane.    James,    enlisted    June    14,    1861 ;    re- 
enlisti-d  as  veteran  January  4,   1864  ;  mustered 
out    December   16,    186.5.      Mattix.    Edward,    en- 
listed   June   24,    1.S61  ;    discharged    October    12, 
1861 :     disability.       .\ewl:ind.     Robert,     enlisted 


648 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


June  24,  IStn  ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  January  4, 
1S(J4;  mustered  out  December  IG,  1S65.  Nichols, 
Jacob,  enliste<l  June  1-4,  18G1 ;  re-enlisted  as 
veteran  January  4.  1SG4;  mustered  out  Decem- 
ber ](),  1805.  IJo.wrs.  Henry,  enlisted  June  22, 
lS(il  ;  re-enlisted  January  14.  18(14;  mustered 
out  December  10.  1S05.  Uasor.  James,  enlisted 
June  14,  ISO];  discliarjied  .Vpril  22,  1802:  dis- 
ability. Uatiibun.  James,  enlisted  June  14, 
1801  :  lulled  at  Stone  River  December  31,  1862. 
Staley,  Georjte  M.,  enlisted  June  14,  1861 ;  mus- 
tered out  July  r>.  1804.  Sanders.  William,  en- 
listed June  14,  1801;  mustered  out  July  5,  1864. 
Still,  Jesse  C,  enlisted  June  20,  1801 ;  trans- 
ferred to  Comi>any  D  as  veteran ;  mustered  out 
December  10,  ISO,").  Seymour,  William,  enlisted 
June  14,  1801  ;  re-enliste»l  as  veteran  January  4, 
1804;  mustered  out  December  10.  1800.  Tat- 
man,  Abia,  enli.sted  June  14.  1801 ;  re-enlisted  as 
\'«teran  January  4,  1804 ;  mustered  out  Decem- 
ber 10,  ISO.").  Thorn,  William  D.,  enlisted  June 
14,  ISGl;  re-enlisted  January  4.  1SG4.  Turby, 
Joseph,  enlisted  June  14,  1801 ;  discharged  May 
(■),  ]8G;5;  disaliility.  Kiser,  Lewis,  enlisted  as 
vcrteran  .Tanuary  4.  1804;  mustered  out  Decem- 
l)er  10,  lS(!."i.  Sarseant,  I'hillip  11,  enlisted  as 
veteran  January  4,  1804;  mustered  in  January 
7,  1804.  Uccruits— Bruffett,  David  E.,  enlisted 
February  1,  1.SG4 ;  nnistereil  out  December  16, 
ISO.'i.  Ruckley.  Sylvester,  enlisted  March  .''.1, 
1804;  mustered  out  December  10.  180.").  Claspill, 
William,  discharged  Xovembcr  16,  ISC,?,;  dis- 
al)ility.  Haneline,  Elijali,  enlisted  January  27. 
1804;  mustered  out  June  22,  18K).  Newport, 
-Mien  J.,  transferred  to  Company  D  as  veteran  ; 
nmstered  out  December  10,  lSG."i.  Patterson, 
Hamlin,  enlisted  April  14,  18G4 ;  mustered  out 
December  10,  1805.  Snyder.  James,  mustered 
out  July  5,  1864.  Skillen,  John,  enlisted  Janu- 
ary 27,  1SG4;  mustered  out  December  10,  1865. 

TWKNTV-SIXTII    ILLINOIS    CAV.XLRY. 

Company  I— Privates:  Creen,  Charles,  en- 
listed November  8,  1861 ;  transferred  to  Com- 
pany H  ;  mustered  out  July  20,  186.0.  Marvin. 
Andrew  J.,  enlisted  November  8,  1861 ;  died  at 
Cairo  iMarch  16,  1802.  Marvin,  Joshua,  enlisted 
November  8,  1801  ;  discharged  July  1.  1802;  dis- 
ability. Smith.  James  W.,  enlisted  November  8. 
1861 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  January  1,  1864 ; 
mustered  out  July  20,  1865.  Workman,  Francis 
W.,   enlisted   November   8.   1861  ;    re-enlisted   as 


veteran   January    1.    1m!I:   transferred  to   Com- 
pany .V:  mustered  out  .Inly  20,  1865. 

TIlIHTY-KOrHTII      ILLl.NOLS     INFANTRY. 

Company  V. — Itecruits  from  Seventy-eighth 
Illinois  Infantry — Drager,  Augustus  J.,  enlisted 
October  2(».  ISIM;  nuLStered  out  July  12,  18G5. 
Crewell.  Cliristni)her  H.,  enlisted  October  20, 
1804;  muslered  out  July  12,  1805.  Moore.  Enos 
P.,  enlisted  October  14,  1804  ;  mustered  out  July 
12,  1805.  Wilson,  John  II.,  enlisted  October  20, 
1804;   mustered  out  July   12,   1805. 

TIIIRTY-FIKTII     ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

Tlie  Thirty-tiftli  Illinois  Infantry  was  organ- 
ized at  Decatur,  July  .'5.  1801;  was  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Pea  Hidge  March  6  and  7,  1862; 
took  i)Jirt  in  tlie  siege  of  Corinth;  joined  Buell's 
army  at  Murfreeslioro,  Tenn.,  Seiitember  1, 
1862;  engaged  in  the  l)attle  of  Perryville,  Ky., 
October  8;  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Stone 
River;  Chiclianiauga,  September  19  and  20, 
18(!.3;  caitture  of  Missionary  Ridge,  November 
25:  in  tlie  .Vtlantic  campaign;  went  into  camp 
at  Chattanooga,  then  started  for  Springfield,  111., 
and  was  mustered  out  September  27.  1864.  It 
marched  a  total  distance  of  3,0,56  miles.  The 
roster  of  the  regiment  follows. 

Comi)any  .\ — Taliler,  Captain  Benjamin  M., 
enlisted  July  :;.  1801  ;  resigned  Deeeml)er  20, 
18<n.  Tbonu'is.  Captain  Pierre  W.,  enlisted  July 
3.  1801 ;  promoted  from  first  lieutenant  to  cap- 
tain December  25.  1801  :  resigned  January  ;i]. 
1804.  Company  A — Sergeants:  SowaslL  John, 
enlisted  July  .3.  1801  ;  discharged  for  disability 
at  St.  Louis.  Schoonover.  Jeremiah,  enlisted 
July  3,  1801  ;  died  at  St.  Louis  October  10,  1801  ; 
Kirliy.  Westwoo<l  C,  enlisted  July  3,  1861;  ab- 
sent, sick,  at  muster  out  of  regiment.  Corporals: 
Foster,  George  W.  T..  enlisted  July  3.  1801  ; 
(lisclmrged  January  8,  1862.  Kirby,  Francis  M., 
enlisted  July  3.  1801  ;  transferred  to  Invalid 
Corps.  Gilnian,  Noah,  enlisted  July  3,  1861  ; 
detailed  Eighth  Wisr-onsin  Battery.  Judd.  Wat- 
.son  W..  enlisted  July  :;.  IsOl  ;  died  at  St.  Louis. 
January  13,  1S02.  Mahaffey,  John,  enlisted  July 
3.  Isoi  :  transferred  to  Invalid  Corps.  Hinchey, 
Michael,  enlisted  July  3.  ISO]  ;  mustered  out 
December  27.  18(!4.  McDowell,  Sylvester  L., 
musician,  enlisted  July  3.  1.861  ;  mustered  out 
September  27.  1804.  Privates— Band.  WilliauL 
enlisted  July  3.  ISO!  ;  mustered  out  September 
27,  18(U.  Cherester.  Epbriam,  enlisted  July  :!. 
1861  ;  died  at  St.  Louis,  .Tanuary  16,  1SG2. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


649 


THIRTY-EIGHTH     ILLINOIS     INFANTRY. 

Compauy  (,' — FrauU,  Fi-eilerick,  enlisted  Aug- 
ust 4,  1801 ;  discharged  February  6,  1SC3 ;  dis- 
ability. Coon.  Aloiizo,  enlisted  as  veteran 
February  20.  1804;  mustered  out  Marcli  20,  ISdti, 
as  first  sergeant. 

THIBTY-NINTH     ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

Company  H — Davis,  Isaac  T..  enlisted  June 
28,  18G1.  Howell.  William,  enlisted  June  28, 
18C1;  killed  August  10,  1804. 

Oomi»ny  I — Jolmson,  Thomas  J.,  enlisted 
February  32,  18G4;  mustered  out  December  6, 
1865,  as  sergeant. 

FORTY-FIRST     ILLINOIS     INFANTRY. 

Second  Assistant  Surgeon  Coleman,  John  W., 
enlisted  September  30,  1862 ;  term  expired  1864. 

Company  A — Buck,  Xathan,  enlisted  Decem- 
ber 18,  1863 ;  transferred  to  Company  A,  veteran 
battery.  Cole,  Aaron,  enlisted  January  4,  1864 ; 
transferred  to  Company  A,  veteran  battery. 

Company  C — Short,  John,  enlisted  August  5, 
1861 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  and  transferred  to 
Company  A,  veteran  battery.  Lacey,  Benjamin 
F.,  enli-sted  August  25,  1861 ;  discharged  Oc- 
tober 10,  1862;  disability. 

FORTY- .NINTH     ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

The  Fort.v-nintU  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
was  organized  at  Ciiinp  Butler,  111.,  December 
31,  1861.  by  Col.  W.  R.  Morrison,  and  was  at 
Fort  Donelson  February  11.  1802,  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Shiloh  April  6  and  7  and  the 
siege  of  Corinth  and  in  August,  1803,  moved  to 
Arkansas,  returning  after  the  capture  of  Little 
Rock  to  Memphis,  November  21,  1863.  Three- 
fourths  of  the  regiment  re-enlisted  January  15, 
1864,  and  March  10  it  was  assigned  to  the  Red 
River  expedition.  It  was  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber 9,  180.5,  at  Padueah,  Ky.,  and  was  discharged 
at  Camp  Butler  September  15.  1805. 

Company  D  —  Captain  Samuel  Goshorn, 
ranked  as  captain  May  10,  1805 ;  mustered  in 
Ma.y  10,  1805 ;  mustered  out  September  9,  ISOo. 

Company  E — First  Lieutenant  James  M. 
Maguire,  ranked  as  such  October  23,  1S61 ;  mus- 
tered in  December  30,  1801 ;  died  of  wounds 
May  8,  1803. 

Enlisted  men  of  Company  D — Byron,  Xoah. 
enlisted  October  10,  1801 ;  mustered  in  De- 
cember 30,  ]S61 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran.  Burt, 
Harrison,  enlisted  October  19.  1801 ;  mustered 
in   December   30,    1861;    re-enlisted  as   veteran. 


Cleverstine,  John,  enlisted  November  15,  1861 ; 
mustered  in  December  30,  1861 ;  transferred  to 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps  June  15,  1864.  Frump, 
Stephen,  enlisted  November  15,  1861 ;  mustered 
in  December  30,  1861 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 
I'arro,  Tliomas,  enlisted  November  15,  1861 ; 
mustered  in  December  30,  1861;  re-enlisted  as 
veteran.     Gray,  Salathiel  F.,  enlisted  November 

15,  1861 ;  mustered  in  December  30,  1861 ;  re- 
enlisted  as  veteran.  Moore,  Jacob,  enlisted 
December  1,  1801 ;  mustered  in  December  30, 
1861 ;  died  of  wounds  February  20,  1862.  Moore, 
William,  enlisted  December  1,  1861 ;  mustered 
in  December  30,  1861 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 
Peck,  John,  enlisted  December  1,  1861 ;  mus- 
tered in  December  30,  1801 ;  discharged  August 
26,  1862;  disability.  Rlnck,  John  J.,  enlisted 
December  1,  1861 ;  mustered  in  December  30, 
1861 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran.  Welch,  Samuel 
J.,  enlisted  October  19,  1861 ;  mustered  in 
December  30,  1861;  discharged  May  4,  1862; 
disability.  Veterans  of  Coimpany  D — Goshorn, 
Samuel  C,  promoted  first  sergeant,  then  Cap- 
tain. Gray,  Salathiel  T.,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 0,  1865,  as  sergeant.  Moore,  William, 
enlisted  January  1,  1804;  mustered  in  January 

16,  1864;  mustered  out  September  0,  1865. 
Riuck,  John  J.,  mustered  in  January  28,  1864 ; 
mustered  out  September  9,  1865,  as  corporal. 
Ward,  John,  mustered  in  January  23,  1864 ; 
mustered  out  September  9,  1865,  as  sergeant. 

Privates  of  Company  E — Boyd,  William  H., 
mustered  in  December  .30, '  1861 ;  re-enlisted  as 
veteran.  Patterson,  William  S.,  enlisted  De- 
cember 21.  1801 ;  mustered  in  December  30, 1801 ; 
mustered  out  January  9.  1865.  Veterans — Pem- 
broke, William  K.,  enlisted  January  20,  1864 ; 
mustered  in  January  21,  1864;  mustered  out 
September  9,  1805,  as  first  sergeant ;  commis- 
sioned second  lieutenant  but  not  mustered. 
Boyd,  W.  H.,  enlisted  January  20,  1864;  mus- 
tered in  January  2],  1864:  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 0,  1865,  as  sergeant.  Benwell,  John  H., 
enlisted  January  i,  1804;  mustered  in  January 
12,  1804  ;  mustered  out  September  0,  180.5.  Re- 
cruits— Lyies,  William,  enlisted  January  1, 
1802;  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  February  13, 
1802.  I'embroke,  William  K.,  enlisted  January 
1.  1802;  mustered  June  11,  1863;  re-enlisted  as 
veteran. 

1  III  Y-I'OURTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

The  I'ifty-fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
was  organizwi  at  Camp  Dubois,  Anna,  III.,  by 
Col.  Thomas  W.  Harris,  in  November,  1801,  as 


650 


IIJSTOKY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


a  iiart  of  tlie  ••Kentucky  r.rigaUe."  It  was 
Didcrcd  to  Cairo,  111.,  February  24,  18C2,  left 
Jackson  for  Vicksliur;;  May  3".  ISU:?,  as  a  part 
of  the  Third  IJrijraUe,  and  July  24,  1SC3,  was 
ordered  to  Helena  a.s  a  part  of  General  Steele's 
expedition  a^'ainst  Little  KocU,  .Vrk.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1.SIJ4.  tliree-fourtlis  of  the  regiment  re- 
enlisted  as  veteran  volunteers.  A  part  of  the 
regiment  was  captured  in  18(14,  while  guarding 
a  portion  of  the  Memphis  &  Little  Rock  Uail- 
road,  but  were  iiaroled  and  arrived  at  Benton 
Barracks  Septendier  0,  1864.  The  regiment  was 
mustered  out  October  15,  18G."),  and  discharged 
from  ("amp  Butler  October  2(i.  lSr,.j.  I'iatt 
County  was  well  represented. 

Company  F — Second  Lieutenant  Joshua  Tat- 
man,  enlisted  December  l.">,  lS(jl  ;  mustered  in 
February  lO,  18()2;  re-enllsted  as  veteran;  mus- 
tered out  October  15,  1805,  as  first  sergeant ; 
commissioned  second  lieutenant  but  not  mus- 
tered. Sergeant  James  Caonp,  enlisted  Decem- 
ber 15,  ISGl  ;  nnistered  in  February  l(j,  lSti2: 
re-enlisted  as  veteran  .January  1,  1S(J4 ;  mus- 
tered out  October  15,  18C5.  ("orijoral  Henry 
Wildinan,  cnlistc-d  December  15,  18G1 ;  mus- 
tered in  February  10,  1S02 ;  re-enlisted  as  vet- 
eran. Campbell  I'ostlewait,  musician,  enlisted 
December  15,  ISO!  ;  mustered  in  February  10, 
1802. 

Privates — Alvord,  Oscar,  enlisted  December 
15,  18(;i  ;  mustered  in  February  10,  18G2.  Birch, 
Daniel,  enlisted  December  15,  1S(!1  :  mustered  in 
February  10,  1S('2:  re-enlisted  as  veteran.  Hil- 
dreth,  William.  eTiHsted  December  15.  ISGl  ; 
mustered  in  February  10,  1802;  re-enlisted  as 
veteran  Jan\iary  1.  1SG4 ;  mustered  out  October 
15,  1805.  l.inder.  William  II.,  enlisted  Dccem 
her  15,  ISOl ;  mustereil  in  February  10,  1862; 
re-enlisted  as  veteran  January  1,  1804;  mustered 
out  January  31.  1,805.  Pickens,  William,  en- 
listed December  15.  ISOl  ;  mustered  in  February 
K;,  1802;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  January  1,  Isoi  ; 
nnistered  out  October  15.  1805.  Tatman.  IJiley, 
enlisted  December  15,  1801  ;  mustered  in  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1.802:  re-eidlsted  as  w'teran  January 
1.  1804 ;  nnistered  out  as  corporal  (Jctober  15. 
1805;  Wat.son,  William,  enlisted  December  15, 
ISGl;  mustered  in  February  10,  1802;  mus- 
tered out  February  17,  1SG5.  Veterans — Can)p- 
bell,  John  F.,  enlisted  January  1,  1.804.  mus- 
tered in  January  25.  1,S04;  mustered  out  October 
15,  18<;."i.  Davis,  Joseph  M.,  enlisteil  January 
1.  18<i4  ;  mustered  in  January  25.  1804;  mustered 
out   October   15.   1805.      It(Hruits — Kerns,    Shep- 


herd L.,  enlisted  JIarch  2(;,   1S04  ;  mustered  out 
October   15,  18G5. 

SIXTY-SKCO.M)     ILLINOIS    IXIANTKY. 

Kecruits — Kichlnger.  Daniel  B..  enlisted  Jan- 
uary 1!»,  1804;  transferred  to  C<miiiaiiy  A;  nius- 
lercd   mil    .M.ircb   0.    ISOO. 

SIXTV-TIIIIil)     ILLI.NOIS     I.NIANTKV. 

The  .si.\ty-thir(l  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
was  organized  at  Camp  Dubois,  Anna.  111.,  in 
December,  1801,  and  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  .\pril  10,  1802.  It  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  November 
2".  24,  1802.  and  after  going  into  winter  quarters 
.It  Iluntsville.  a  part  of  the  men  re-eulistetl  as 
veterans  and  after  a  furlough  rejoiued  the  com- 
mand. June  15,  ISO-'!.  The  regiment  was  ordered 
to  join  General  Sherman,  November  11,  and  in 
January,  1805,  started  on  a  trip  through  the 
Carolinas  and  participated  in  the  battles  and 
skirmishes  of  that  famous  campaign.  The  regi- 
ment was  complimented  by  the  inspector  general 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  for  the  ajipear- 
ance  of  the  camp  and  the  soldierly  bearing  of 
the  men.  It  took  part  in  the  Grand  Review  at 
W.ishington,  D.  ('..  May  24,  1805,  and  was  mus- 
tered out  July  1."!,  1805,  having  marched  in  all 
0,4.53  miles.  The  soldiers  of  the  Sixt.v-third 
niinois  Volunteer  Infantry  who  came  from 
I'i.itt  County  were  as  follows  : 

Veterans:  Company  D — Beasley,  Thomas,  en- 
listed January  4.  18(i4:  mustered  out  July  13, 
isi;5,  as  sergeant.  Case,  James  F..  enlisted 
January  1,  ISfhl;  mustered  out  July  13,  18G.5. 
Dawson.  Lewis  N..  enlisted  January  1,  18G4 ; 
mustered  out  July  i:!.  1805.  Siders,  William, 
enlisted  January  1,  18G4 ;  musteretl  out  July  13, 
1.80.5.  Smith.  Charles,  enlisted  January  1,  1SG4; 
mustered  out  July  13,  1,805.  as  corporal.  Re- 
cruits r.iirton.  Loreir/.o  D..  enlisted  June  1, 
IS02:  mustered  out  May  .'JO.   1,805. 

Veterans:  Company  11 — Barnes.  William  H., 
enlisted  January  1,  1,S04  ;  mustered  out  July  K!, 
lso.5.  Burch.  (Jeorge,  enlisted  January  1,  1864; 
mustered  out  July  i:5,  1,^0.5.  t'adwallender,  An- 
drew, enlisteil  January  1,  1,804;  nnistered  out 
July  i:!.  ISO.".  Freeman.  Richard  J.,  enlisted 
January  1.  1804;  first  .sergeant;  discharged  Sep- 
teJMber  20.  1,S0-1.  dl.-inbility.  Harmon.  .Tesse.  en- 
listed January  1.  l.S(;4  ;  mustered  out  July  13, 
1805.  Recruits — Freeman.  William,  enlisted 
July  l!l.  1S02;  die<l  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  November 
18.    l.VOL'. 


,     ^,  /S^-yXfA^-O-xn^ 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


651 


SEVENTY-SECOND   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

The  Seventy-second  Illinois  Voluntcfr  Infan- 
try iucluded  about  ninety-four  men  in  Company 
E,   nearly  one-fiftU  of  whom  were  from   Piatt 
County.     This  regiment  rendezvoused  at  Camp 
Douglas,   Chicago,   and   was   mustered   into   the 
service   of  the   United   States  August  IS.   18G2, 
five  days  later  leaving  for  Cairo.    It  left  Colum- 
bus, Ky.,  for  the  field  November  21,  marched  six 
miles  south  of  Oxford,  Miss.,  with  a  part  of  the 
army  of  General  Grant,  left  Memphis,  March  1, 
1803,  with  the  Yazoo  Pass  expedition,  marched 
from    MiUikens    Bend    to    Hai-dtimes    Landing, 
crossed    over    to   Grand   <iulf    and    marched    to 
Raymond.    Miss.,    and   at    Champion's    Hill    de- 
feated   the    Confederates    after    an    extremely 
hard-fought  battle.     At  the  I!ig  Black  River  the 
enemy    was    pushed    so   close    that    the    bridge 
was  "set    fire    too    soon    and    several    hundred 
prisoners  were  taken  by  the  Tniou  forces.    The 
Seventy-second    l>ridged    this    stream    and    ad- 
vanced to  within  four  miles  of  Vicksburg,  May 
19,  1SG.3.  and  with  the  forces  of  Sherman  and 
others    formed   a    line    of    battle    corresponding 
with  the  twelve  miles  of  breastworks  and  forts. 
On  May  2li  It  charged  the  whole  line,  but  failed 
to  take  the   works,   and   laid   down   to  a   siege 
which  lasted  forty-six  days.     On  .Tune  2.-,  a  line 
of  battle  was  again  formed  to  talce  the  works, 
and  when   Fort  Ilill   was  blown  up  by  (Jeueral 
Logan's    men.    the    iM.rty-Hfth    Illinois   charged, 
but  was  subseipiently  forced  to  retire.     On  .July 
.3    the    Confederates    surrendered,    and    on    the 
following      day      the      Seventy-second      Illinois 
marched  into  the  caiitured  city.     On  (Jctober  « 
it    left    Vicksburg   and    November   9   arrived   at 
I'aducali,   Ky..  left  Nashville  November  1-t  and 
went  to  Columbia.     On   Novenihcr  2!i  the  regi- 
ment left   for  Franklin   and   liy   hard   marching 
reached  that  place  ahead  of  the  enemy,  and  tlie 
next    day    was    spent    in    raisiug    breastworks. 
After  the  battle  of  Franklin  the  Seventy-second 
marched    to   Nashville,   where   it    received   rein- 
forcements, and  December  l.'.  started  in  pursuit 
of  Hood's  army,  capturing  its  works  and  a  few 
prisoners.    The  regiment  went  into  winter  ipiar- 
ters  at  Eastport.  Miss.,  and  during  the  winter 
suffered  from  lack  of  rations,  but  reached  New 
Orleans    February    20.    18C.5.    and    camped    on 
General     .Jackson's     camiiing     grounds.       From 
there    it    went    to    -Mobile    Bay,    securing    I'ort 
BlaUely  and  Mobile,  and  after  marcbing   some 
time  in  Alabama  started  homeward  .July  19  and 


was  mustered  out  at  CliiCiigo  August  14.  1865. 
The  men  who  belonged  to  the  Seventy-second 
and  came  from  Piatt  County  were  as  foUows: 

Privates:  Company  E— Adam,  Madison  A., 
enlisted  August  11,  1S02;  mustered  out  August 
T.  186.5,  as  corporal.  Dean,  William  S..  en- 
listed August  1.  18(i2;  mustered  out  August  7, 
180.5.  Mench.  .John  A.,  enlisted  August  1,  1S62; 
dietl  at  Columbus.  Ky.,  (Xtober  2!».  1862.  EUi- 
cott,  Peter  F.,  euli.sted  August  9,  1862;  dis- 
charged April  13,  1S63;  disability.  Hammer, 
Jeremiah,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  discharged 
.January  18,  1864;  disability.  Ingram,  .John  W., 
enlisted  August  9,  1862;  mustered  out  as  cor- 
iporal  August  7,  186.5.  Company  G— (Jrofft, 
Amasa  L.  De,  enlisted  August  14.  1862;  mus- 
tered out  July  15,  1865. 

SEVENTY-THIRD    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

The  record  of  the  Seventy-third  Illinois  Vol- 
unteer Infantry  is  a  particularly  honorable  one. 
Leaving  the  state  one  of  the  largest  regiments, 
it  returned  one  of  the  smallest,  and  its  members, 
officers  and  men  alike,  won  great  reputation  for 
bravery.     It  is  calculated  that  nearly  two-thirds 
of  the  organization  was  wiped  away  by  disease, 
death  or  battles  during  its  three  years  of  serv- 
ice.    It  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler  in  Aug- 
ust,   1862,    becoming    a    part    of    the    army    of 
General    Buell.    and    after    fighting    fiercely    at 
I'erryville,   Ky.,   October  8,   1862,   took  part   in 
every  battle  fought  by  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland, from  then  on  to  the  comi.lete  rout  of 
General    Hood's    army,    at    Nashville,    and    the 
close   of   the   war.      After    Perryville.    It   fought 
;it      Murfreesboro.      Chlckanuuiga.      Missionary 
Ridge  and  the  succession  of  l>attles  from  Chick- 
amauga   to  the  fall  of  Atlanta;   formed  a   part 
of  OinJyke's  Brigade  at   Franklin,  which  .saved 
the  day   for   the   North,   and   lost   its   last   man 
killed  in  driving  Hood's  army  from   NashvUle. 
I'iatt    County    men    in    the    Seventy-third    were 

as  follows : 

Company  D— Ma.ior  Thomas  Mollieispaw 
ranked  as  captain  of  Company  D :  musteied  in 
August  21.  isi;2:  promoted  ma.ior.  September 
20.^186:!;  mustered  in  June  27.  1804;  died  of 
wounds  Decemljer  18.  1804. 

Captain  Jonas  Jones  ranked  as  first  lieuten- 
ant August  21,  1862;  promoted  captain  Septem- 
ber 20.  ISCs! ;  mustered  in  October  10,  1864; 
honoraiily  <liscbarged  May  15.  1805.  First  Lieu- 
tenant Henry  A.  Boflman.  enlisted  as  sergeant 
Julv    26.    1802:    nuistered    in    August    21.    1862; 


652 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


promoted  second  Jiouteniuit  Septeiiihei'  120,  ISt;::; 
mustered  in  October  10,  1S04 ;  resigned  Marcli 
10,  180.5.  Fir.st  Ueutenaiit  Marri.son  M.  Alvord. 
enlisted  July  24,  1SU2 ;  mustered  in  Au.^'ust  21, 
1SG2;  promoted  first  lieutenant  April  11,  1805; 
mustered  out  .Tune  12,  ISC').  Second  Lieutenant 
Reuben  B.  Winchester  ranked  as  such  and  mus- 
tered in  August  21,  1S02;  resigned  December 
10,  1802.  Sergeants:  Jones,  John  S.,  enlisted 
Jul.v  21.  1802;  mustered  in  August  21,  1802; 
mustered  out  June  12.  18«;r>,  as  first  sergeant. 
Glasgow,  Martin  V.  B.,  enlisted  in  July,  1802; 
musteretl  in  August  31,  lS(i2 ;  mustered  out 
June  12,  180.").  Rickets,  Barnabas,  enlisted  July 
18,  1802;  mustered  in  August  21,  1802;  trans- 
ferred November  25,  1863,  to  accept  promotion 
in  a  colored  regiment.  Corporals :  Jones. 
Thomas  S..  enlisted  July  22.  1802;  mustered  in 
August  2,  1802;  dietl  of  wounds  September  20. 
1803.  Hopkins.  Richard  S..  enlisted  July  20. 
1802;  mustered  in  August  21.  18<12;  mustered 
out  June  12,  180.">,  as  sergeant.  Rush,  Thomas 
S.,  enlisted  July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June 
12,  1805,  as  sergeant ;  Garver.  Siimuel  B.,  en- 
listed July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  12, 
1865 ;  wounded.  Gay.  John,  enlisted  July  22. 
1802;  died  at  Kingston,  Georgia.  Wiley,  .Mien, 
enlisted  July  2.'{.  1862;  dischargtnl  November 
10,  1804 ;  wounds.  SIcFadden,  Benjamin,  en- 
listed July  10.  1802;  transferred  to  Veteran 
Reserve  Corjis  October  17,  1804.  Xewton, 
Robert,  musician,  enli.sted  July  20.  1802;  mus- 
tered out  June  12.  1865.  Deter,  Martin  \".,  en- 
listed July  22,  1.802;  tran.sferred  to  Engli.sh 
C^orps  July  20,  1804. 

Privates:  .\bnett.  James  Y.,  enlisted  July 
20.  1802;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 
Albert,  John  M..  enlisteil  .\ugust  7,  1802;  mus- 
tered out  June  12,  180.5.  Barnes,  John,  enlisted 
July  26.  1S02;  died  May  10.  1804;  wounds. 
BrulTett,  Robert,  enlisted  July  20,  1802;  dis- 
charged February  10,  1863;  disability.  Branch, 
lOdward,  enlisted  July  26,  1S(!2;  died  at  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee.  December  10,  1802.  Brndshaw. 
.Toseph  N..  enlisted  July  25,  1802;  transforreil 
to  English  Corps  July  10,  1802.  Brown.  Jolin 
F.,  enlisted  July  24.  1862;  nnistered  out  June 
12,  1805.  Beall,  Williani,  enlisted  August  7, 
1862;  died  at  Nashville,  Tennesse<>.  Decemlier 
2.3,  1862.  Brady.  Elishmau.  enlisted  July  21, 
1862;  mustered  out  June  12,  1805.  Brown. 
David  S.,  enlisted  August  4,  1862;  discharged 
April  4,  1803;  disability.  Brunch.  James  M., 
enlisted    July    20,    1802;    died    April    5,    18(!5; 


wounds.  Ctxiper,  Levi  C.,  enlisted  July  30, 
1S(!2;  dieil  at  Murfreesboro,  March,  1S03.  Crou- 
ise.  John,  enlisted  July  20,  1802;  discharged 
-Vugust  20,  1803 ;  wounds.  Clover,  David,  en- 
li.sted July  28,  1862;  transferred  to  Invalid 
Corps.  Cooper,  Joshua  B.,  enlisted  August  12, 
1862;  died  at  Nashville,  February  12,  1863. 
Crevission.  Thomas,  enlisted  August  6,  1862; 
discharged  May  26.  1805;  wounds.  Duvall, 
William,  enllsteil  July  25.  1,802;  discharged  Feb- 
ruary 12.  18<;3;  disability.  Duvall.  Benjamin, 
enlisted  August  7.  1802;  discharged  February 
17.  1803;  disability.  Duvall.  Jeremiah,  enlisted 
.Vugtist  4,  1802;  discharged  December  13,  1802; 
disabilit.y.  Dence,  Wesley,  enlisted  August  7, 
1862;  died  Nashville,  Teun.,  December  5,  1862. 
Ewbank,  William  M..  enlisted  Augu.st  8.  1862; 
discharged  February  12,  1803;  disability. 
Frump,  Joseph,  enlisterl  July  20.  1802 ;  trans- 
ferred to  Invalid  Corps.  Furguson.  Nathaniel 
L..  enlisted  .Vugust  3,  1802 ;  mustered  out  June 
12.  1805.  (irundy,  William  H..  enlisted  July 
20.  1802;  mustered  out  June  12.  186.5.  (Jal- 
breath,  Hugh,  enlisted  July  20,  1802;  trans- 
ferred to  In\-alid  Corps.  January  16.  1804.  Gra- 
liani.  James,  enlisted  .July  26,  1802 ;  mustered 
out  June  12,  18«i5.  Garver,  Jonas  B..  enlisted 
.Vugust  7.  1802;  mustered  out  June  12.  1865, 
as  sergeant.  Hughs,  Thomas,  enlisted  July  23, 
l.S(i2;  died  .it  Nashville.  Tenn..  December  3. 
18i;2.  Howard.  Henry  JL.  enlisted  July  24, 
1802;  mustered  out  June  12,  1805.  Howard. 
James,  enlisted  July  24.  1802;  discharged  May 

I.  1803;  di.siibility.  Hold,  James  W.,  enlisted 
July  28,  1802;  mustered  out  June  12.  1865. 
Heath.  Samuel,  enlisted  July  20.  1802;  died  at 
Nashville.  December  8.  1802.  Ilotts.  Hiram, 
enlisted  July  20.  1802:  died  at  Xashville  De-. 
(•ember  17.  1.802.  Heath.  .Vllen.  enlisted  .-Vugust 
12.  1802;  nnistered  out  June  12.  1805.  Hobbs, 
Isaac,  enlisted  August  7,  1862 ;  transferred  to 
lOnglish  Corps  July  20,  1864.  Ua\'¥ly.  Warner, 
enlisted  July  26,  1862;  died  at  Nashville  Decem- 
ber 2.  1.862.  Idleman.  Edward  B..  enlisted  Au- 
gust   8.    1862;    died    at    Murfreesboro   February 

II.  1803.  Johnson,  Alexander,  enlisted  August 
7.  1802:  died  at  Nashville  November  20,  1802. 
ICnowles.  William  C  enlisted  July  23.  1802; 
mustered  out  June  12,  180.5.  Knapp,  Hiram, 
enlisted  .Vugust  4.  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  12, 
1805.  List,  Francis  M.,  enlisted  July  26,  1802; 
nmstered  out  June  12,  1865 ;  Langdon,  Lucien, 
<'nlisted  July  20.  1802;  mustered  out  June  12, 
1.805,    as   corporal.     Le   Varunay,    Francis,    en- 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


653 


listed  August  7,  1SC2;  died  at  Nashville  Febru- 
ary 2:i.  1863.  Loug,  AVilllaui  J.,  enlisted  August 
9,  18G2;  mustered  out  June  12,  1865.  Mussle- 
man,  John,  enlisted  July  21,  1862 ;  supposed 
killed  Xovember  30,  1862.  ilussleman.  William, 
enlisted  July  26,  1862 :  mustered  in  August  21, 

1862.  Miller,  Elias  M.,  enlisted  July  26,  1862; 
mustered  out  June  12,  186.5.  Mull.  Samuel,  en- 
listed August  8,  1862;  died  at  Nashville  June 
16,  1863.  Martin,  Joseph,  enlisted  August  7, 
1862;    transferred    to    English    Corps    July    20, 

1864.  McArdle.  Leonard,  enlisted  August  4, 
1862;  mustered  out  June  12,  1.S65.  McMillen. 
John  C.  E.,  enlisted  July  26,  1S62;  mustered 
out  June  12,  186.5,  as  conioral.  Murlile.  James 
H.,  enlisted  August  7,  1862;  died  at  Nashville 
December  25,  1862.  Madden.  William,  enlisted 
July  26.  1862;  nnistered  out  June  12.  1865.  as 
corporal.  Piper,  James  H.,  enlisted  August  7, 
1862;  mustered  out  June  12,  1865.  Quick,  Ells- 
bury,  enlisted  August  4,  1862;  mustered  in  Au- 
gust 24,  1862.  Ridietts,  Samuel  T.,  enlisted 
July  21.  1862;  mustered  out  June  12,  1865. 
Reynolds.  John,  enlisted  July  26.  1862;  mustered 
out  June  12,  1865.  Rainwater,  John,  enlisted 
July   26,    1862;    died    at   Nashville   February   6, 

1863.  Rice.  William  II..  eidisted  July  28.  1862 ; 
discharged  December  5.  1.S63:  disability.  Rich- 
ards. Samuel,  enlisted  August  7,  1862;  mustered 
out  June  12,  1865.  Sturnes.  Richard  M.,  en- 
listed   July   28,   1862;    mustered   out   June    12. 

1865.  Silencer,  James  C,  enlisted  August  7. 
1862;  mustered  out  June  12.  1865.  Spencer, 
Samuel  ('..  enlisted  August  7,  1862;  discharged 
February  4,  1863;  disability.  Secrist.  William 
H.,  enlisted  August  11.  1862;  mustered  out  June 
12,  1865.  Thorn.  James  L.,  enlisted  July  26. 
1862;  died  at  Stevenson.  Alabama.  November 
19.  1863.  Talliert.  John  T..  enlisted  August  7. 
1862 ;  mustered  out  June  12,  1865.  Vail,  Jack- 
son, enlisted  July  26,  1S62;  mustered  out  June 
12,  1865.  Vail,  Stephen,  enlisted  July  26,  1862; 
discharged  February  8,  1863;  wounds.  William- 
son. Edward,  enlisted  July  26.  1862 ;  mustere<l 
out  June  12,  1865.  Watrous.  Henry,  enlisted 
July  25.  1862 ;  discharged  March  8,  1863 ;  wound. 
Weddle.  .John,  enlisted  July  20,  1862;  died  De- 
cember II,  1863;  prisoner  Danville,  Virginia. 
Weddle  John  H.,  enlisted  .July  26,  1862;  mus- 
tered out  June  12,  1865.  Watson.  Hiram  L., 
enlisted  August  2.  1862 ;  died  September  20, 
186:! ;  wounds.  AVatson.  Charles  A.,  enlisted 
August  1.  1862;  died  Ilarrisburg.  I'ennsylvania. 
May  10.   1865.     William.son,  .Tohn,   enlisted   -Ui- 


gust  4,  1862;  mustered  in  August  21,  1862. 
Wilson,  Samuel,  enlisted  August  4.  1862 ;  died 
Nashville.  Tenne.vsee.  January  23,  186.3.  Wiley, 
Charles  M.,  enlisted  August  8,  1862 ;  discharged 
October  9,  18<;2 ;  disability.  Wiley,  George  N., 
enlisted  August  8,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,  De- 
cember 12.  1862.  Zorger,  Jesse,  enlisted  August 
7.  1862;  died  September  20,  1863;  wounds. 
Yost.  .Varon,  recruit,  mustered  out  June  12, 
1S65. 

.NINETY-NINTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

Company  E — Lonzadder,  George,  enlisted  Oc- 
tober 20,  1864 ;  transferred  to  Forty-sLxth  Illi- 
nois Infantry :  mustered  out  October  8,  1865. 

ONE    IILNUREU  SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   IXFANTBY. 

One  of  the  Illinois  regiments  in  which  many 
men  from  I'iatt  County  fought,  and  \^■hich  estab- 
lished a  particularly  brilliant  record,  was  the 
One  Hundred  and  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  which  was  nmstered  Into  the  United 
States  service  at  Camp  Butler  Septemlier  4, 
1.862.  and  con.sisted  of  six  companies  from  De- 
Witt  and  four  from  Piatt  counties.  It  pursued 
.ind  .issisted  in  the  capture  of  John  Morgan; 
had  an  encounter  with  the  Confederates  at 
London ;  later  fought  at  Campbell's  Station, 
Xoveniber  16,  1862,  and  at  Danbridge.  Decem- 
ber 2!.  J'artieipated  in  the  battle  of  Resaca, 
May  14-15,  1863;  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  18, 
.ind  in  the  engagements  thereabout  and  the  sub- 
swpient  fighting  around  Atlanta.  On  Septem- 
ber 28.  1864,  it  began  the  pursuit  of  Hood's 
arm.v.  which  was  met  November  22.  at  Colum- 
bia, where  several  days  of  skirmishing  began. 
Near  Columbia  Pike  the  regiment  suffered  a 
severe  loss  in  the  death  of  Colonel  Lowry,  who 
fell  mortally  wounded.  It  took  part  in  the 
bloody  battle  of  Franklin.  November  .30.  1864, 
.•mil  in  the  fight  near  Nashville,  and  left  camp 
January  26,  1865,  arriving  at  Washington  Feb- 
ruary 2.  After  skirmishing  with  and  pursuing 
the  enemy  until  March  19,  the  regiment  went 
to  Goldsboro.  arriving  March  21,  and  ihere 
awaited  clothing  and  supplies  for  Sherman's 
army.  It  remained  at  Raleigh  until  the  sur- 
render of  General  Johnson,  was  nnistered  out  at 
S.ilisbury,  N.  C  June  21,  1865,  and  was  dis- 
charged July  2,  1865. 

Otticers :  Colonel  Francis  H.  Lowry,  com- 
missioned captain  of  Company  E,  September 
24.  1S()2;  mustered  in  September  5.  1862;  pro- 
moted  as   lieutenant-colonel   February   6,   1863; 


654 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY 


promoted  coloiiel  Noveiiilier  1(1.  18ti3;  died  of 
wounds  retvived  near  Colnnihia  I'iUe,  battle  of 
Ki-iinkliii.  January  1,  lS(ir>.  Lieutenant-Colouel 
Hamilton  C.  .Met 'ouws.  connnissioned  Septem- 
l>er  4,  1S(PJ ;  mustered  in  Septemlier  4,  1X02 : 
resigned  February  (!.  ISC:!.  l.ieutcnant-Colonel 
John  W.  Wood,  commissioned  first  lieutenant 
of  Company  V  .September  4.  1802 ;  promoted 
captain  February  (!,  1SC3 ;  promoted  major  Jan- 
uary 1,  18<ir>:  promoted  lieutenant-colonel  June 
20,  1865:  mustered  out  (as  major)  June  21. 
1865.  Major  I'riali  M.  Lawrence,  commissiimed 
captain  Company  K  .September  I.  18(12;  pro- 
moted major  January  '.i.  isii4:  nuistered  in 
May  1,  ]S(!4;  lionoratily  discbarired  September 
25,  18(U.  .Vdjt.  Silas  11.  llubbell.  became  adju- 
tant .September  4.  ISO.'i :  mustereil  in  September 
4.  1862;  mustered  out  June  21.  1865.  First 
As.sistant  Surgeon  Nelson  C.  <'<il!in.  connnis- 
sioned September  2.  1862. 

Company  C — Captain  David  F.  Ford,  com- 
missioned and  mustered  in  Se|itwnber  4,  iSCi2; 
resigned  February  10.  18(U.  First  Lieutenant 
George  llnmniel.  enlisted  .Vugust  i:i.  1862:  pro- 
moted as  first  sergeant:  connnissioned  first  lieu- 
tenant February  10.  18()4:  mnstered  in  March 
24.  1,S64:  mustered  out  June  21.  1.865.  Second 
Lieutenant  William  F.  McMillen.  commissioned 
and  mustered  in  September  4,  1862:  resigned 
December  15.  18(r>.  Second  Taeutenaut  William 
\J.  riunli.  ((immissioned  Jmie  20.  18(55:  mns- 
tered out  June  21.  1865. 

Company  F — Captain  .lolni  ( '.  I.owry.  en- 
listed August  II.  1.S62:  promoted  second  lieu- 
tenant Febnuiry  6,  1863:  promoted  lirst  lieuten- 
ant December  14.  1864;  promoted  captain  Janu- 
ary 1,  1865:  mustered  out  Jinie  21.  1865.  First 
Lieutenant  Cridin  .M.  Hruflitt.  commissioned  sec- 
ond lieutenant  September  7.  1862:  pnmioted  first 
lieutenant  February  6.  186.^:  resigned  December 
14.  1S64.  First  Lieutenant  James  M.  Holmes, 
enlisted  August  11.  1862;  promoted  first  ser- 
geant, then  second  lieutenant  January  1,  1865: 
luustered  out  June  21.  1865.  Second  Lieutenant 
Thoiuas  Mearing.  enlisted  .\ngust  11.  1862: 
commissioned  second  lieuten.uit  but  not  mus- 
tered in;  mustered  out  June  21.  186.5. 

Company  H — Captain  .Monzo  Newton,  com- 
missioned September  4.  1S62:  resigned  Febru- 
ary V.',.  ]8(!;',.  Captain  Kdgar  Camp,  enlisted 
August  S.  1862;  iiromoted  lirst  lieutenant  Feb- 
ruary !).  186:!;  promoted  captain  February  i:'.. 
18(v:;  killed  June  16.  1864.  Captain  Samuel  J. 
Kidd.  enlisted  .\ngust  11.  1862:  promoted  secoiul 


lieutenant  February  i::.  18(j:!:  promuted  first 
lieutenant  February  Kl,  186:!;  promoted  captain 
June  16.  1864;  mustered  out  Jnne  21,  1865. 
First  Lieutenant  Aaron  Ilar.shberger.  commis- 
sioned first  lieutenant  Septendier  4.  1.S62 ;  re- 
signed February  II.  1.S6;!.  First  Lietnenant  An- 
drew J.  Williams,  enlisted  as  first  sergeant 
.Vugust  II.  1862;  promoted  sectind  lieutenant 
February  i:!.  186.3;  promoted  lirsi  lieutenant 
June  16.  1864;  mustered  out  June  21.   1865. 

Company  K^First  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Brit- 
tingham  raidced  as  second  lieutenant  September 
24.  1862;  promoted  first  lieutenant  January  9, 
1S64:  mnstered  out  June  21.  18(>5.  Second  Lieu- 
tenant .\ndrew  Uodgers  ranked  as  second  lieu- 
tenant June  2o,  IS65:  mustered  out  .Iinie  21. 
1865. 

Company  C — First  Sergeant  (Jeorge  I-.  Mar- 
cpiiss  enlisted  August  i:'..  1862:  discharged  Octo- 
ber IS,  1862.  disability. 

Sergeants :  Humiuel.  (Jeorge.  eidisted  .Vugust 
13.  1862;  protiioted  first  sergeant,  then  first 
lieutenant.  Adkins.  Benj.-imin  F..  enlisted  Au- 
gust i:!.  1862;  absent,  sick,  at  nnister  out  of 
regiment.  Downes.  Samuel  K.,  enlisted  .Vugust 
i:;.  1862:  nuistered  out  June  21.  1865.  Martin, 
Henry,  enlisted  August  13.  1862;  mustered  out 
June  21.  1S65.  Corporals:  >  Warner.  Reuben, 
eidisted  .Vugust  i:!.  1862;  mustered  out  June  21. 
1865.  Bondman,  (ieorge  W..  enlisted  .Vugust 
i:!,  18(i2;  discharged  April  11.  1865:  disability. 
I'hilliiis.  Joseiih  D..  enlisted  August  1.3.  1.862; 
died  as  serge.int  at  Woodsville.  Ky..  March  12. 
1S(K.  Manpiiss.  Ezra,  enlisted  August  13.  1862; 
discharged  July  11.  1862.  disability.  BuSh, 
Jesse,  enlisted  .Vugust  13,  1862 ;  mnstered  out 
June  21,  1865.  Bond.  B.  C.  enlisted  August 
13.  1862:  di.scharged  March  10.  1864;  disability. 
Dove.  Emanuel  H..  enlisted  August  i:!.  18C2; 
discharged  December  16.  18(i2;  disability. 
Cowen.  .Tacob.  enlisted  .Vugust  14.  1862 ;  mus- 
tered out  June  21,  18(i5.  as  sergeant.  Ooon, 
Flias  JI..  musician,  enlisted  August  13.  1802; 
ilischarged  October  11.  1863:  disabilit.v.  Holt. 
IVter.  wagoner,  enlisted  .Vugust  13,  1862 ;  died 
at  .Vndersonville  prison  September  3,  1,S64. 

I'rivates:  Barnes.  William  H..  enlisted  August 
13.  1862;  absent,  sick,  at  muster  out.  Byerly, 
Lewis  R..  enlisted  .Vugust  13.  1862;  mustered 
out  June  21.  1865.  Benden.  Thomas,  enlisted 
August  i:!.  1.862;  discharged  January  3.  1863; 
di.sability.  liurget.  Samuel,  enlisted  .Vugust  13, 
1862:  mustered  in  September  4,  1862.  Bradford, 
John  T..  enlisted  August  13.  1862:  died  at  Clas- 


yCc^<i<r^ 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


655 


gow,  Ky.,  iI-,1}-  12,  1SG3.  Cr.vstal,  Thomas  T., 
enlisted  August  13,  18C2 ;  mustered  out  June  21, 
1865.  Crystal,  Calvin,  enlisted  August  IS,  1802 ; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1805.  Carey,  Edwin, 
enlisted  August  13,  1862 ;  rei)orted  to  have  died 
in  Confederate  prison.  C-offelt,  John  R.,  en- 
listed August  13,  1862;  killed  near  Dallas, 
Georgia,  May  31,  1804.  Cowen,  John,  enlisted- 
August  14,  1802;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Coffin,  James  B.,  enlisted  August  13,  1802;  was 
ab.sent  at  muster  out.  Dyer.  John,  enlisted  Au- 
gust 13,  1802;  umstered  out  June  21,  1805,  as 
corporal.  Dean,  Charles,  enlisted  August  13, 
1862;  transferred  to  Company  E;  mustered  out 
June  21,   1865.     Elsea,   Jacob,   enlisted  August 

13,  1862;  reported  to  have  died  in  Confederate 
prison.  Elsea,  Abraham,  enli.sted  in  August, 
1862;  died  at  Glasgow.  Ky.,  June  21,  1863. 
Ellis.  John  R.,  enlisted  August  14.  1862;  trans- 
ferred   to    Colvin's    Illinois    Battery    April    10, 

1864.  England.  Isaac  W.,  enlisted  August  13, ' 
1862 ;  died  at  Atlanta,  Georgia,  October  28,  1864. 
Fitzwater,  Wesley,  enlisted  August  13,  1802 ; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1805.  Fogleseng,  Martin, 
enlisted  August  14,  18(i2 ;  detached  at  muster  out 
of  regiment.  Gross,  Henry,  enlisted  August  13. 
1802;  discharged  January  3,  1803;  disability. 
Grahiun,  Joseph,  enlisted  August  13,  1802;  trans- 
ferred to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  January  18, 
1S04.  Garwowl,  Silas  D.,  enlisted  August  13, 
1802 ;  died  at  Camp  Nelson.  Ky.,  December  13, 
1863.  HoUorin,  Hugh,  enlisted  August  13,  1862 ; 
discharged  May  12.  1863;  disability.  Hudson, 
William,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  died  at  Ander- 
sonville  prison.  August  18.  1804.  H.iucline, 
Peter,  enlisted  August  22,  1862;  discharged  Oc- 
tober 11,  1803 ;  disability.  Hubbart,  Thomas  C, 
enlisted  .Vugust  13.  1802;  absent,  sick,  at  muster 
out.  Haneline.  David,  enlisted  August  13,  1862; 
mustered  out  June  21^  1865.  Hannah,  James 
H..  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  died  at  Woodson- 
ville,  Ky.,  December  31,  18C2.  Hannah.  Hugh 
v.,  enlisted  August  13.  1862;  died  in  prison  at 
Richmond,  Va..  March  27.  1864.  Huffman, 
George,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  mustered  out 
June  21,   1865.     Houser,  John,  enlisted   August 

14,  1862 ;  died  at  Elizabethtown,  Ky.,  November 
18,  1862.  Havener,  John  A.,  enlisted  August 
13,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1805.  Ingiun. 
Harrison,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  discharged 
November  19.  1862;  disabilit.v.  Izer.  John,  en- 
listed August  14,  1862;   mustered  out  June  21, 

1865.  Lefever,  John  A.,  enlisted  Augu.st  11, 
1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865,  as  corporal. 

3 


Lefever,  David  S.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862; 
discharged  October  11,  1863,  as  corporal ;  disa- 
bility. Kesner,  Simeon,  enlisted  August  11, 
1802;  mustered  out  June  21,  1805,  as  corporal. 
Kearney,  Hintou,  enlisted  August  13,  1802 ;  dis- 
charged October  13,  1802.  Knott,  John  M.,  en- 
listed August  14,  1802;  ai.sdiarged  October  U, 
1863;  disability.  Miller,  Jacob,  enlisted  August 
13,  1862;  transferred  to  Colvin's  Illinois  Bat- 
tery April  30.  1804.  Miller.  John  N..  enlisted 
.Vugust  13.  1862;  killed  near  Dallas,  (ia.,  May 
27,  1864.  Milligan,  Thomas,  enliste*!  August 
13,  1862 ;  mustered  in  September  4,  lS(i2.  Mad- 
den, John  S.,  enlisted  August  13,  1802;  mustered 
in  September  4,  1802.  Montgomery,  John,  en- 
listed August  13,  1802 ;  died  in  prison  at  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  December  19,  1803.  Mitchell,  Nel- 
son, enlisted  August  13,  1862 ;  transferred  to 
Colvin's  Illinois  Battery  April  30,  1864.  Morse, 
James,  enli-sted  August  15,  1802;  mustered  in 
September  4,  1802.  Norris,  Elisha  B.,  enlisted 
August  13,  1862  ;  discharged  September  3,  1803  ; 
disability.      Nowlan,    Michael,    enlisted    August 

13,  1862 ;  died  in  prison  at  Richmond,  Va.,  De- 
cember 13,  1803.  Plunk,  John  E.,  enlisted  Au- 
gust 14,  1802 ;  died  in  Piatt  county,   111.,  June 

14.  1804.     Plunk,   William   H..  enlisted   August 

14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865,  as  first 
sergeant.      Rodgers,    John    B.,    enlisted    August 

15.  1802:  died  at  Elizabethtown.  Ky.,  November 
2!),  1862.  Roberts,  Aaron  B.,  enlisted  August 
13,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865.  Reid, 
Nelson,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  mustered  out 
June  21,  1865,  as  corporal.  Ross,  Aquilla,  en- 
listed Augast  13,  1802;  absent,  sick,  at  muster 
out.  Rowlin,  Leonard,  enlisted  August  11,  1802; 
transferred  to  Colvin's  Illinois  Battery  April 
30.  1804.  Rowlin,  Henry,  enlisted  August  13. 
1802;  transferred  to  Colvin's  Illinois  Battery 
April  30,  1804.  lUtchbark,  Isaac,  enlisted  Au- 
gust 13,  1802 ;  absent,  sick,  at  muster  out.  Sliep- 
pard,  John,  enlisted  August  14,  1862 ;  died  at 
Knoxville,  Tenn.,  January  10.  1864.  Smith, 
Alexander,  enlisted  .\ugust  13.  1802:  transferred 
to  Colvin's  Illinois  Battery  .Vpril  .'30.  1802.  Sclile- 
noker,  Jacob,  enlisted  August  13,  1802 ;  died 
near  Atlanta,  Georgia,  August  8,  1804.  Steel, 
Samuel,  enlisted  August  13,  1802;  killed  near 
Resaca.  Ga.,  May  14,  ]8(!4.  Senseny,  .Tames, 
enlisted  .\ugust  13,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21, 
180.5.  Sanders,  Andrew  J.,  enlisted  August  14, 
1,862;  died  at  Woodsonville,  Ky..  March  0.  1803. 
Snudts.  Michael,  enlisted  August  14,  1S62 ;  died 
at   Woodsonville,    Ky.,    July    9,    1803.      Shaffer, 


656 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  ("Ol'NTY. 


Heury,  enlisteil  August  IS.  J802;  niustered  out 
Juuf  21,  1805.  Taylor.  .John  L.,  enlisted  August 
13,  lS(i2;  discharged  April  4,  ISO.'!;  disability. 
Teiuplin,  Samuel  J.,  enlisted  July  14,  1S(;2 ; 
absent,  .sick,  at  muster  out.  Uhl,  John,  enlisted 
August  15,  1S02;  mustered  out  June  21,  1805, 
as  corporal.  Wingard,  ^Uidrew  J.,  enlisted 
August  14,  1802:  discharged  Ai>ril  18,  1863;  dis- 
ability. 

Company  E — Corporals:  Tritt,  Francis  M., 
enlisted  August  11,  1802;  mustered  out  June 
21,  1805.  Moore,  George,  enlisted  August  11, 
1862;  mustered  out  Jlay  20,  1805.  Sutherland, 
Orange  B.,  enlisted  August  1,  1862;  mustered 
out  June  21,  1865.  Albert,  Jacob,  enlisted  Au- 
gust 11,  1802;  mustered  in  in  September,  1862. 
Westcott,  Joel,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  mus- 
tered out  June  21,  1805.  ilcCann,  William,  en- 
listed August  11,  1802;  mustered  out  June  21, 
1805.  Tinuuons,  William  H.  H.,  enlisted  August 
11,  1802 ;  mustered  out  June  21,  1805.  Herron, 
James  II..  musician,  enlisted  August  11,  1802; 
transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  February 
6,  1864.  SepiJel,  Ajnbrose,  enlisted  August  11, 
18G2;  died  at  Ander.sonville  prison  April  1,  1804. 
Bush.  Jesse,  wagoner,  enlisted  August  11,  1802; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1805. 

I'rivatcs:  Anderson,  William,  enlisted  August 
11.  1S02;  discharged  March  27,  1863,  disability. 
Alliert.  James  M.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  died 
at  lOlizabethtown,  Kentucky,  December  8,  1802. 
Allman,  Edwin  J.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862 ; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1865.  Applegate,  Elias, 
enlisted  August  11,  1862 ;  mustered  in  Septem- 
ber 5,  1862.  Applegate,  Raudolph,  enlisted  Au- 
gust 11,  1862 ;  died  at  Knoxville.  Tenn.,  June 
16,  1864.  Andrews.  John,  enlisted  August  11, 
1862;  discharged  January  19,  1863;  disiibility. 
Bush,  Jacob,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  dis- 
charged February  19,  1863;  disability.  Bailey, 
James,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  discharged 
February  19,  1863;  disability.  Burch,  John  W., 
enlisted  .\ugust  11.  lS(i2;  mustered  out  June  21, 
1805.  Blacker.  .Joseph,  enlisted  August  11, 
1862:  mustered  out  June  21,  18tl5.  Blacker, 
William  II.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  mustered 
out  June  21,  1805.  Babcock,  Elia.s,  enlisted 
August  11.  1862;  transferred  to  Colvin's  Bat- 
tery July  8,  1803.  Brady,  Elias,  enlisted  in 
August,  1802;  died  in  Piatt  county.  111.,  Febru- 
ary 4,  1864.  Beasley,  Calvin,  enlisted  August  11, 
1SC2;  corporal,  absent,  sick,  at  muster  nnt 
Carlin,  Daniel,  enlisted  August  11.  1802;  mus- 
tered out  June  21,  1865.     Coles,  John  W.,  en- 


listed August  11,  1802;  mustered  out  June  21, 
1805.  Carter,  William,  enlistetl  August  11, 
1802;  mustered  out  June  21,  1.S0.5,  as  corporal. 
Cornprobst.  Itavid.  enlisted  August  11,  1862; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1865,  as  sergeant.  Coou- 
rod,  John  IJ.,  enlisted  August  11,  1802;  detained 
at  muster  out  of  regiment.  DeardorfE,  David 
W.,  enlisted  August  11,  1802;  discharged  Janu- 
ary 19,  1803;  disability.  Dodd,  Thomas,  en- 
listed August  n.  1802;  mustered  out  Juiie  21, 
1.S05.  Dodd.  Emanuel,  enlisted  August  11,  1862; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1805.  Dodd,  John,  en- 
listed .Vugust  11,  1802;  mustered  out  June  21, 
1805.  Dodd,  John,  Jr.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862 ; 
died  at  Richmond,  Va.,  February  5,  1864.  Dress- 
bach,  John  P.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  mus- 
tered out  June  21,  1865.  Dressbach,  William 
II.,  enlisted  August  11,  1802;  died  at  Woodson- 
ville,  Ky..  February  8,  1863.  Duvall,  Jacob, 
enlisted  August  11,  1802;  absent,  sick,  at  mus- 
ter out.  Eathertou,  Henry  II.,  enlisted  August 
11,  1862;  transferred  to  Colvin's  Illinois  Bat- 
tery July  S,  1863.  Fowler,  James  E.,  enlisted 
August  11,  1802;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve 
Coriis  in  September,  1863.  Foust,  George  W., 
enlisted  August  11,  1802;  died  at  Knoxville, 
Tenn..  AiJril  3,  1804.  Hays.  Elijah,  enlisted 
August  11.  1S(;2;  transferred  to  CWvin's  Illinois 
Battery,  J.niuary  20,  180;i.  Hubbart,  Thomas, 
enlisted  August  11,  1803;  mustered  out  June  21, 
1.805.  Hubbart,  Hamilton  J.,  enlisted  August 
11,  1.S02;  discharged  March  19,  1865;  disability. 
Hubbart,  William  C,  enlistetl  August  11,  1862; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1805.  Hubbart,  James 
F..  enlisted  August  11.  1802;  absent,  wounded, 
at  muster  nut.  Hart.  James  C.  enlisted  August 
11,  1802;  mustered  out  June  21,  1805,  as  cor- 
poral. Hall.  James  M.,  enlisted  August  11, 
18(i-';  died  at  I^noxville.  Tenn.,  March  20,  1864. 
Hickman,  Simon  W..  enlisted  August  11,  1863; 
sergeant,  sick,  at  muster  out.  Huston,  Henry 
C,  enlisted  August  11.  1802;  transferred  to 
Colvin's  Illinois  Battery.  January  26,  1863. 
Hussong.  Cornelius  C.,  enlisted  .\ugust  11,  1862; 
mustered  out  June  21.  1805.  Hodson.  Eli,  en- 
listeil  August  11,  1,S02;  mustered  in  September 
5.  1S(;2.  Hearst.  Thomas,  enlisted  August  11, 
lMi2:  discliingcd  January  9.  1803;  disability. 
IlirUman.  (Joorge  W..  enlisted  August  11,  1862; 
ilicci  .It  Woodsonville,  Ky.,  February  23,  1803. 
Large.  Stephen,  enlisted  August  11,  1802;  ab- 
sent, sick,  at  nnister  out.  Merritt,  Joseph,  en- 
listed August  11.  1,802;  discharged  April  5, 
1.S05;   disability.     .Mearing,   Thomas  J..  enlLsted 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


657 


August  11,  lSt)2;  luu.stereU  out  June  21.  1805. 
Miles,  James  V.,  enlisted  August  11,  1S02;  mus- 
tered out  June  21,  1805.  Miles,  Jolin  S.,  en- 
listed .Vustist  11,  1802;  absent,  sick,  at  muster 
out.  Matsler,  John,  enli.sted  August  11,  1802; 
transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  January 

20,  ISO.j.  Moore,  John  S..  enlisted  August  11, 
1S02;  mustered  out  June  21,  1805,  as  corporal. 
Moore.  Jacob  D..  enlisted  August  11,  1862; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1S65,  as  corporal.  Mar- 
vin. Thomas,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  ab.seut, 
wounded,  at  muster  out.  Mooney.  Lawrence, 
enlisted  August  11,  1802 ;  died  at  Woodsonville, 
Ky.,  July  3.  1803.  Morgan,  Samuel  B.,  enlisted 
August  11,  1S62 ;  discharged  June  20.  1864 ;  disa- 
bility.     McKinley,    Alexander,    enlisted    Augu.st 

11,  1862 ;  absent,  sick,  at  muster  out.  Miles, 
Thomas  S.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862 ;  mustered 
out  June  21,.  1805,  as  corporal.  Xorris,  Daniel, 
enlisted   August   11.   1802 ;    mustered   out   June 

21,  lSO."i.  Orrison.  Samuel,  enlisted  August  11, 
1802 ;    died    at    Elizabethtown.    Ky.,    December 

12,  1802.  Pifer,  Henry,  enlisted  August  11, 
1802 ;  transferred  to  Colvin's  Battery,  January 
29,  1803.  Payne,  John,  enlisted  August  11, 
1802;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865.  Rawlins, 
CHiarles  F.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  died  at 
Woodsonville,  Ky.,  in  January,  1863.  Rhoades, 
John,  enlisted  August  11,  1802 ;  discharged  Sep- 
tember .30.  1S63:  disability.  Smith.  .Tames,  en- 
li.sted Au.gust  11.  1802;  mustered  out  June  21. 
1865.  Sherman.  Edmond.  enlisted  August  11, 
1802 :  transferred  to  Colvin's  Illinois  Battery, 
July  8.  1803.  Stiuson,  James  W..  enlisted  Au- 
gust 11.  1802;  mustered  out  .Tune  21.  18a5.  Sim- 
mons, Thomas  A.,  enlisted  August  11,  1802 ;  died 
at  Knoxrille,  Tenn.,  November  22,  1863.  Stout, 
Amos,  enlisted  August  11,  1862 ;  iuustere<l  out 
June  21.  1865.  Sutherland.  Kdwin  J.,  enlisted 
August  11,  1862;  mustered  out  .Tune  21,  1805, 
as  sergeant.  Terwilliger,  William,  enlisted  Au- 
gust n,  1862;  discharged  September  4, 1863;  dis- 
abilit.T.  Woolington,  Harrison,  enlisted  August 
11,  1802;  mustered  out  in  1865,  as  corporal. 
Watson,  Jacob,  enlisted  .Vugust  11,  1802;  rnus- 
tered  out  June  21.  1805.  Welsh.  Thomas  F.,  en- 
listed August  11,  1802;  mustered  out  June  21, 
1S05,  as  sergeant.  Warner,  George,  enlisted 
August  11,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1805. 
Williamson,  William,  enlisted  August  11,  1802; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1805.  Wolf.  James,  en- 
li.sted August  11,  1S02 ;  discharged  February  24, 
ISOS;  disability. 


Company  H — First  Sergeant  Anderson  J. 
Williams,  enlisted  August  11,  18<;2:  promoted 
second  lieutenant. 

Kidd,  .Samuel  J.,  sergeant,  enlisted  August 
11.  1802;  promoted  second  lieutenant.  Linder, 
George  W.,  enlisted  August  11,  1802;  mustered 
out  June  21,  1805.  Hays,  William,  enlisted 
August  13,  1802;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Wise,  Lafayette,  enlisted  August  14,  1862 ;  mus- 
tered out  June  21,  1805.  Corporals :  Parks, 
Joseph  B.,  enlisted  August  13.  1862 ;  transferred 
to  ^'eteran  Reserve  Corps  August  12,  1863. 
Maxey,  Peter,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  absent, 
sick,  at  muster  out.  Vedder,  Isaac,  enlisted 
August  9,  1802 ;  died  at  Bacon  Creek.  Ky..  May 
1,  1863.  Gulliford,  Richard,  enlisted  August  11, 
1862;  mustered  in  September  4,  1862.  Davis, 
Henry,  enlisted  August  14,  1862;  died  at  New 
Albany,  Ind.,  June  8,  1864,  as  sergeant.  Moore, 
George,  enlisted  August  18,  1802;  died  at  Be- 
ment  March  14,  1804.  Alexander,  Richard  H.. 
enlisted  August  18,  1802 ;  mustered  out  June  21. 
1S05,  as  sergeant.  Conway,  Dempsey  M.,  en- 
listed August  11,  1802 ;  mustered  out  June  21, 
1865.  Quick,  Ellsberry,  musician,  enlisted  Au- 
gust 8,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Sturm,  Lemuel,  wagoner,  enlisted  August  13, 
1862;  sergeant;  detached  at  muster  out  of  regi- 
ment. 

Privates:  Ater,  Richard,  enlisted  August  15, 
1862 ;  mustered  out  June  21,  1805.  Boss,  Enoch 
L.,  enlisted  August  11,  1802;  transferred  to 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps  November  15,  1863. 
Barker,  William,  enlisted  August  13,  1862; 
transferred  to  Colvin's  Illinois  Battery  July  7, 
1863.  Burch,  James,  enlisted  August  12,  1862; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1805,  as  corporal.  Bry- 
son,  John  A.,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  mustered 
out  June  21,  1805.  Babb,  George  W.,  enlisted 
August  13,  1862;  tran.sferred  to  Colvin's  Illinois 
Battery  July  7,  1803.  Clark,  William,  enlisted 
Augu.st  9,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Chadd.  John,  enlisted  August  9,  1802;  died  at 
Libby  Prison  February  22,  1804.  Clapp,  James, 
enlisted  August  13,  1862;  discharged  November 
7,  1S63;  disability.  Comb,  John,  enlisted  August, 
13.  1.S62;  mustered  out  June  21,  1805.  Crane, 
John  S..  enlisted  .August  13,  1802:  absent, 
woundefl.  at  muster  out.  Ctollins,  Jacob,  en- 
listed August  11.  1,802;  transferretl  to  Colvin's 
Illinois  Battery  .January  27,  1.803.  Drake.  Cap- 
tain F.,  enlisted  August  9.  1.802;  died  at;Bement, 
111.,  .Tanuary  11,  LSG-'i.  Decker.  John  S.,  en- 
listed August  18,  1802;  mustered  out  June  21", 


658 


IITRTOKY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


1865.  Eperson.  Charles  T..  ciilistcil  August  22, 
1S62;  diseliargoil  Septenilier  11,  isii2:  ilisability. 
E\-«rett,  Wilsiiu,  onlisteil  August  11,  1802;  trans- 
ferred to  Colvin's  Illinois  Hatli'iy  .January  27, 
1S63.  Fay,  Jes.se,  enlisted  August  13,  18(12; 
mustered  in  September  4,  1SG2.  Fay,  Kicliard, 
enlisted  August  13,  1S62;  mustered  in  Septem- 
ber 4,  1862.  Frazell,  Josiab.  enlisted  August 
13,  1862;  mustered  in  September  4,  18G2.  Fitz- 
patrick,  Samuel,  enlisted  August  17.  1SG2 ;  trans- 
ferrc<l  to  Veteran  Keservo  Corps  November  1.5. 
ISO:;.  (luUil'ord.  William,  enlisted  August  'J, 
1SG2;  mustered  in  September  4,  1862.  Harper, 
John  O.,  enlisted  August  12,  1S62 ;  mustered  in 
September  4,  1862.  Harsbbarger,  Samuel,  en- 
listed August  13,  1862 ;  mustered  in  September 
4,  1862.  Hill,  Jolin,  enlisted  August  IS,  1862; 
mustered  in  September  4.  1862.  Hines.  William, 
enlisted  August  15.  1862 ;  discharged  June  2, 
186:;;  disability.  Hastings.  Thomas,  enlisted 
August  11,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21.  1865. 
Jarvis,  Levi,  enlisted  August  13.  1862;  dis- 
charged May  1,  18<').''. ;  disability.  Kidney,  Oli- 
ver, enlisted  August  11,  1S62;  died  at  Knox- 
ville,  Tenn..  February  15,  1864.  Long.  Nicholas. 
enlisted  August  8,  1862;  di.seharged  February 
0,  1863;  disability.  Lewis,  Erastus,  enlisted 
August  18,  1SG2 ;  transferred  to  Company  A. 
Lear.v,  Dennis,  enlisted  August  IS.  18G2;  died 
at  Kno.xville,  Tenn..  November  15.  1863.  Mc- 
Laughlin, James,  enlisted  August  '.).  1S62 ;  dis- 
charged January  10.  1863 ;  disability.  Morgan, 
Richard,  enlisted  August  9,  1862;  died  in  Piatt 
county,  Illinois,  June  1,  1865.  Martin,  Daniel 
L.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  mustered  in  Sej)- 
tember  4,  1862.  Mossbarger.  Peter,  enlisted 
August  13,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1S65. 
Moore,  Allen,  enlisteil  August  13.  1862 ;  mus- 
tered out  June  21,  1865.  Moore,  Alexander, 
enlisted  August  13,  1862;  transferred  to  \'et- 
eran  Ileser^^  Corps  February  10,  1863.  Mitch- 
ell, Thomas  J.,  enlisted  August  13.  1862;  de- 
tached at  muster  out  of  regimetit.  McGaffey, 
William,  enlisted  August  0,  1S(!2;  nuistered  out 
June  21,  1865,  as  corporal.  Xanghton.  Ueuben 
D..  enlisted  August  !),  1862;  mustered  out  June 
21,  1865.  Xcal.  .lohu  M..  eidisted  August  14, 
1862;  discharged  January  :!0,  18(;3 ;  disability. 
Quisjel.  James,  enlisted  August  0.  18G2;  ilis- 
charged  January  14,  IStvJ,  disability.  Quick. 
Isaac,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  mustered  out 
June  21,  1865,  as  corporal.  Quick.  Isaiah,  en- 
listed August  14,  1862;  transferre<l  to  A>teran 
Reserve  Corps  November  15,  18ft3.     Rubel,  Jon- 


athan, enlisted  August  !).  1862:  killed  at  Nash- 
ville. Tenn..  November  21.  1864.  Rose,  William, 
enlisted  August  11,  1S62;  mustered  in  Septem- 
ber 4.  1862.     Randall,  Ebeuezer,  enlisted  August 

12,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1865,  as  cor- 
jioral.  Rowan,  Robert,  enlisted  August  1.3, 
lS(i2;  dietl  at  Woodsonville,  Ky.,  February  10, 
1.SG3.  Stashrote,  John,  enlisted  August  8,  18(32; 
nmstered  in  September  4,  1862.  Spangler, 
Marion,  enlisted  August  0.  1862;  mustered  out 
June  21,  1865.  .Smetters.  George,  enlisted  Au- 
gust 12,  1862;  discharged  September  0.  1863; 
disability.     Shonkwiler,   N.  B.,  enlisted  August 

13,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  186.5.  Shonk- 
wiler, J.  W.,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  trans- 
ferred to  Oolvin"s  Illinois  Battery,  January  27, 
1863.  Sanders.  Jackson,  enlisted  August  13, 
1862;  dischargwl  September  2!t,  1SG3 ;  disability. 
Stinebouser.  John,  enlisted  August  13,  1862 ; 
discharged  August  1,  18(53;  disability.  Sorrels, 
Marquis,  enlisteil  August  11.  1862;  died  at  New 
.Vlbany,  Ind.,  May  14,  1S<54.  Trowbridge,  Enoch, 
enlisted  August  13,  18f)2 ;  died  at  Woodsonville, 
Ky.,  January  31,  186:j.  Terryl,  J.  N.,  enlisted 
August  17,  1862;  discharged  April  1,  1863;  dis- 
ability. Willis.  Joshua,  euflisted  August  11, 
1862:  mustered  out  Jime  21,  1865.  Wildman, 
Francis  M.,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  killed  at 
Lost  Mountain.  June  17.  1864.  Wilhelm.  Mar- 
tin, enlisted  August  13,  1S(!2 ;  mustered  in  Sei)- 
tember  4,  1862.  Wilburn,  John  T.,  enlisted 
.\ugust  13.  1862 ;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps  November  15,  1863.  White,  Fountain  F., 
enlisted  August  14,  1862 ;  discharged  Septem- 
ber 17,  1862 ;  disability.  Wollington,  Jacob,  en- 
listed August  11,  1862;  died  at  P.ement.  HI., 
July  5,  1864.  Williams,  Clarksou.  enlisted  Au- 
gust 13,  1862 ;  transferred  to  Company  K.  Wil- 
lis, William  E.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  died 
at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  March  16,  1864.  Recruits: 
Babb.  Thomas  J.,  enlisted  December  9,  1863; 
disc-liarged  December  2,  18(34;  wounds.  Boles, 
John,  enlisted  December  11,  1863 ;  died  at  Chat- 
tanooga. June  10.  1864 ;  wounds.  Bogard,  Wil- 
liam E.,  enlisted  December  0.  1863;  died  at 
Louisville.  Ky.,  December  10,  1864;  wounds. 
Kidney,  Henry,  enlisted  December  11,  1863; 
killed  at  I'^-anklin.  Tenn.,  November  30.  1864. 

Company  K — First  Sergeant  Andrew  Hut- 
sinpellar,  enlisted  August  11.  1862 ;  mustered 
out  June  21,  1865,  as  sergeant.  Sergeants : 
Jones,  (ieorge  B..  enlisted  .\ugust  11.  1862;  mus- 
tered out  May  13.  1S65.  Higman.  Charles  L., 
enlisted  .\ngtist  11,  1862;  transferred  to  Veteran 


i^cl^  Jj  ^^^'^^.^'^  ( 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


659 


Reserve  Coriis  December  1,  1S0:1  Peck.  David, 
enlisted  August  11,  1802:  mustered  out  June 
21,  1SC.5.  Coniorals :  Ilodges.  Augustus  M., 
enlisted  August  13,  1862;  musteretl  out  May  13, 
18e.j.  Temple,  Adam,  enlisted  August  11,  lS(i2; 
mustered  out  June  21.  1SC.">.  Morris,  George, 
enlisted  August  1,  1802;  mustered  out  June  21, 
1SC5 ;  Patterson.  Crawford,  enlisted  August  11. 
1862 ;  uuistered  out  June  21,  1865.  McKinney, 
Tbomas  X.,  enlisted  Augu.st  11,  1SG2 ;  mustered 
out  June  21,  1865.  Peck.  Peter  H.,  musician, 
enlisted  August  11.  1862 ;  mustered  out  June 
21,  1865.  Rickets,  Alexander,  enlisted  August 
11,  1862;  nuistered  out  June  21,  1805. 

Privates:  .\ter,  John,  enliste<l  August  11, 
1862 :  mustered  out  June  21,  1S65.  Brown, 
Marion,  enlisted  August  11,  1862 ;  died  at  Knox- 
ville.  Tenn.,  December  23,  1863.  Cole.  Monroe, 
enlisted  August  11,  1802 ;  mustered  out  June  21. 
1865.  Cornell,  Jobn,  enlisted  August  11,  1862 : 
absent,  sick,  at  muster  out.  Coon,  Franklin, 
enlisted  August  11.  1865;  died  at  Jeffersonville, 
July  4,  1864.  Drum.  Eli.  enlisted  August  13, 
1862 :  mustered  out  June  21.  1865.  Drum,  Jacob, 
enlisted  August  11,  1802 ;  absent,  sick,  at  muster 
out  of  regiment.  Deninon.  Theodore  F.,  enlisted 
Au.!,'ust  n,  1862;  di^cbargeil  March  31,  1865: 
disability.  Funk.  Samuel,  enlisted  August  11, 
1862 ;  mu.stered  out  June  21,  1865.  Flemniing. 
James,  enli.sted  .\ugust  11,  1862;  mustered  out 
June  21,  180i5.  Grove.  Robert  C.  enlisted  Au- 
gust 11,  1802;  mustered  out  June  21.  1865. 
Gale,  William  IT.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862:  mus- 
tered out  June  21,  1865.  Hallstead.  Elliott. 
enlisted  August  11.  1862;  died  near  Kenesaw 
Mountain.  July  1.  1864.  Howell.  William,  en- 
listed August  11,  1802;  discharge<l  August  25. 
1863;  disability.  Heath,  Frederick,  enlisted 
August  n.  1862:  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Hemiiiger,  .Vndrew.  enlisted  .'Vugust  11.  3862; 
nuistered  out  June  23.  1865.  Jones,  Shepherd 
H.,  enlisted  August  13.  1802;  nuistered  out  July 
21,  180.5.  Linton,  Walter,  enlisted  August  10, 
1862;  died  at  Madison,  Ind.,  April  7,  1804.  Mc- 
Kay. Charles  S..  enlisted  August  31,  1862;  mus- 
tere  dout  June  21,  1865.  Morgan,  John,  enlisted 
August  11,  1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1.865. 
McCollister,  Isaiah,  enlisted  .Vugust  11,  1802; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1865.  McKay.  Thomas, 
enlisted  .Vugust  35.  1862:  detached  at  muster 
out  of  regiment.  Peck.  Amos,  enlisted  August 
1.5,  1862;  died  at  Cerro  Gordo,  January  26,  1865. 
Rhodes,  Alexander,  enlisted  .\ugust  11,  1862; 
mustered  out  June  23.  1805.     Stickel,  Valentine 


P..,  enlisted 'August  11,  3802;  mustered  out  June 
21,  1865.  Sheppard,  James,  enlisted  August  11, 
1862;  mustered  out  June  21,  1S65.  WUliams, 
James  H.,  enlisted  August  11,  1862;  mustered 
out  June  21.  186.5.  Ward,  William  C,  enlisted 
Augusl  11,  1862;  died  July  11,  1864:  wounds. 
Williams,  Joseph,  enlisted  August  11.  1862 ; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1865.  Unassigned  Re- 
cruits: Kidney,  Samuel,  enlisted  December  11, 
1863;  transferred  to  Sixt.y-fifth  Illinois  Infan- 
try. Randall,  George  W.,  enlisted  December  0, 
1863;  transferred  to  Sixty-fifth  Illinois  Infan- 
try. 

ONE   HUNDRED  FIFTEENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

Company   F — Helms,    Jacob   A.,   enlisted   Au- 
gust   0,    1862;    discharged    January    8,    1865;. 
wounds. 

ONE   HUNDRED  SIXTEENTH   ILLINOIS   INF.\NTBV. 

Company  A — Corporals  :  Rodgers,  William 
M.,  enlisted  August  9,  1862;  died  at  Marietta. 
(Jeorgia,  September  20,  1S04 :  wounds.  Havely, 
Lafa.vette  R..  enlisted  July  21,  1862;  trans- 
ferred to  Invalid  Corps  January  35.  1864. 

Privates :  Bouser,  Cary  T..  enlisted  August 
21,  1862;  died  June  7,  1863;  wounds.  Caulk, 
.\lbert,  enlisted  August  0,  1802;  died  April  0. 
1864.  at  .\ndersonville  Prison.  Falconer.  Enoch 
McL..  enlisted  August  6,  1862;  died  Milllkeu's 
Beiid.  T,a..  April  IS.  1863.  Fields,  John,  enlisted 
.Vugust  !),  1802 ;  mustered  out  June  7,  1865. 
Jones.  George  .V.,  enlisted  August  21.  1862:  died 
at  Ya/.oo  Bottom,  Miss..  December  31.  1862. 
Recruits:     Bailey.   James  A.,  enlisted   January 

26,  1864 ;   died  at  Larkinsville,   Ala.,   February 

27,  1864.  Belzer.  .Tames  M.,  enlisted  January 
26,  1804;  transferred  to  Company  H,  Fifty-fifth 
Regiment.  Illinois  Infantry.  Bouser.  Tliomas, 
enlisted  January  26,  1802  ;  transfei'red  to  same. 
Blythe,  Joseph  H..  enlisted  Jaiuiary  28,  3802: 
transferred  to  .same.  Cla.v,  William,  enlisted 
J.-inuary  20.  1862;  transferred  to  same.  Davis. 
.Vlexander  K.,  enlisted  January  4,  3.862;  trans- 
ferred to  same.  Gromley,  Aquilla,  enlisted  Jan- 
uary 26,  1862;  transferred  to  same.  Gromley, 
Jiles  W.,  enlisted  January  28,  1862 ;  transferred 
to  same.  Lesley.  John,  enlisted  January  26, 
1.S62:  died  at  Rome,  Ga.,  Septemlier  20.  1.S64. 
Lux,  Peter,  enlisted  January  26.  1.862;  trans- 
ferred to  Company  II,  Fifty-fiftli  Illinois  In- 
fantr.v.  McKe<>.  .Tames  W..  enlisted  .Tanuary  4, 
38(i4  :  transferred  to  same.  Minick.  .Tosiah.  en- 
listed   January   28.   1864;    tran.sferred   to   same. 


660 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


Miller,  Joseph,  enlisted  Juuuury  20,  ]S(i4 :  tnuis- 
ferred  to  same.  Peck,  James,  enlisted  January 
2G,  lS^y^ :  transferred  to  same.  Stewoard, 
.Toslah  D.,  enlisted  January  26,  1804;  killed  it 
Jonesboro.  Ga.,  August  31,  1S64.  Steweard, 
John  W..  enlisted  January  2C,.  1S(;4:  died  at 
Marietta,   (ia..   .July    18.   iSM. 

ONE     lUNDRKU     Hmnil      ILLINOIS     IN'KANTKV. 

Company  G — Second  Lieutenant  Willlain  II. 
Smith,  commissioned  February  14,  1865:  re- 
signed June  20.  1865. 

SECOND  ILLINOIS    C.WALKY. 

Company  F:  Bowman.  Reuben,  ranked  as 
captain  August  24.  ISiil  ;  resigned  June  17, 
1SC2.  Musser.  Melville  II.,  ranke<l  as  first  lieu- 
tenant .Vugust  24.  ISGl  ;  promoted  captain  June 
17,  1SC2 ;  transferred  to  Company  A.  Shannon, 
Xeil  T..  ranked  as  second  lieutenant  August  24, 
1S(>1 ;  promoted  first  lieutenant  June  17,  1802 ; 
killed  in  battle  August  30,  1862.  Stickel;  Isaiah, 
ranked  as  second  lieutenant  June  17,  1S62;  pro- 
moted first  lieutenant  August  ,".0,  1862 ;  trans- 
ferred to  Company  A  as  consolidated;  mustered 
out  .Vpril  4,  1860.  Leib,  Levi  H..  ranked  as  sec- 
ond lieutenant  .Vugust  MO.  1862;  died  of  wounds. 
Co.\,  Jo.seph  E..  ranked  as  second  lieutenant 
September  26,  1802:  resigned  February  28,  1863. 
Wildman,  Stephen  C.,  ranked  as  second  lieuten- 
ant February  28,  1803 :  honorably  discharged 
June  14.  1864.  Kirby,  John,  enlisted  July  30. 
1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  January  .".  1864: 
ranked  as  sergeant  June  14,  1864.  and  trans- 
ferred to  Company  A  as  cousolidateil :  mustered 
out  Xoveml>er  22,  1865.  Clark,  Warren  C.  a 
hospital  steward,  enlisted  July  .30.  ].861  ;  pro- 
moted sergeant-major.  Inlow,  Harrison,  enlisted 
July  30,  1861;  furloughed  July  8,  1862.  Skill- 
Ings,  Charles  II..  enlisted  July  .30,  1861;  tUed 
at  Bird's  Point,  Mo.,  December  26,  1861, 
Corporals :  Weeduian,  Thomas  S.,  enli.sted 
July  30,  1801  ;  discharged  August  11,  1804.  as 
quarterniaster-.sergeant.  .Madden,  Silas  W..  en- 
listed July  :'.0.  1801  :  i-e-eiilisted  as  veteran 
January  .".  18(;4  ;  transferred  to  Company  A; 
mustered  out  .November  22.  1865.  Monroe. 
.Tames,  eidisted  July  :}0,  1.861  ;  killed  at  Holly 
Sjn-ing.s.  December  20.  1,802.  Storey,  .\ndrew 
T.,  enlistcMl  July  .30.  l.SOfl  :  killed  .-it  Holly 
Springs.  December  20.  1.862.  Carney.  Koliert. 
enlisted  July  3(t,  l.'^Ol  :  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran 
January  ."..  1S04;  transferred  to  Company  .\ ; 
mustered  out  July  21.   1.S05.     Tinder,  Amerlcus 


B..  bugler,  enlisted  July  30,  1801 ;  discharged 
August  14.  1863 ;  wounds.  Moore,  Samuel,  en- 
li.sted July  30.  1861;  discharged  May  8,  1862; 
disability.  Wildman.  Stephen  C.  enlisted  July 
;iO,  1861 ;  promoted  second  lieutenant.  Sted- 
nian.  Byron  W.,  wagoner,  enlisted  July  30, 
1801;  re-eullsted  as  veteran  January  5,  1864; 
transferred  to  (.''ompany  .V;  mustered  out  Xo- 
vemlier  22.  1865. 

Privates ;  Anderson,  James  W.,  enlisted 
July  30,  ISOl ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  trans- 
ferred to  Company  A  ;  mustered  out  November 
22,  1865,  as  first  sergeant.  Bradley,  Caleb, 
enlisted  July  30,  1861 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran 
January  5,  1804 ;  mustered  out  November  22, 
1865.  as  sergeant.  Bowman,  ,Tohn,  enlisted  July 
30,  1861;  di.scharged  May  12,  1862.  Barnes, 
John  M..  enlisted  July  .30,  1861 ;  discharged 
April  24,  1.862.  Burns.  Robert  L.,  enlisted  July 
.30,  1862;  discharged  April  4.  1.862.  Bushee, 
John  R..  enlisted  July  .30.  1861 ;  re-enlisted  as 
veteran.  Batty,  Edmoud,  enlisted  July  30,  1861 ; 
discharged  June  14,  1863 ;  disability.  Dennis, 
Francis,  enli.sted  July  .30,  1861 ;  re-enli.sted  as 
veteran.  Diller.  John  R.,  enlisted  July  .30,  ISOl ; 
dii-^charged  .Vpril  24.  1803.  Doran,  Peter,  en- 
li.steil  July  30,  1801;  discharged  August  11,  1864; 
term  expired.  Elerton,  Chester,  enlisted  July 
.30,  1.S61  ;  killed  at  Bolivar.  Tenn.,  August  .30. 
1862.  Emerson,  Albert,  enlisted  July  30,  1861; 
enlisted  as  veteran  January  5,  1.864;  transferred 
to  Company  A  as  consolidated;  mustered  out 
November  22.  1.8(!5.  Gilbert.  Truman,  enlisted 
July  .30.  l.S(!l  :  transferred  to  Company  E.  Hol- 
iiiigswortb.  James  H..  enlisted  July  30,  1861; 
iliscliarged  in  Decemlier,  1801  ;  disability.  Hide, 
William,  enlisted  .fuly  :!0.  ISi'.l :  re-enlisted  as 
vi'ter.'ui  January  5.  1,S04;  transferred  to  Com- 
pany A:  sii-k  :ii  muster  out  of  regiment. 
llustuii.  Henry,  enlisted  July  30,  1861;  re-en- 
listed as  veteran  .lanu.iiy  7,.  1,864;  transferred 
to  C'ompan.v  .V ;  mustere<l  out  November  22, 
1805.  Iluddleston.  Samuel  W..  enlisted  July 
30,  tsoi  ;  discharged  .March  20.  1803:  disability. 
Ilubbart.  Harrison,  enlisted  July  .30.  1S61 ;  re- 
enlisted  as  \eter.-Mi  J.innary  5.  1804;  corporal; 
discharged  for  promotion  in  Fourth  United 
States  Colored  Cavalry.  .V|iril  IS.  1,864.  Jones, 
Albert,  enlisted  July  :!(i.  l.SOl  ;  killed  at  Holly 
SiH'ing.s,  December  20.  1,802.  Knli^it.  .Vrad, 
enlisted  July  30.  1,801  ;  re-enlisted  as  veteiTin. 
Liitz.  Jose|ih,  enlisted  July  .30.  1801  ;  re-enlisted 
as  veteran  January  5.  18i;4  ;  transferred  to  Com- 
pany   .\.      l.eigh.    (ieorge   .V..   enliste<l   July   .30, 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


661 


1S61 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  January  5,  1864; 
mustered  out  June  24,  18Go,  as  sergeant.  Llu- 
ti)n,  John  Z.,  enlisted  July  30,  1861 ;  discUarged 
May  26,  1862.  List,  Willi;im  R.,  enlisted  July 
30,  1861 ;  discharged  August  11,  18G4 ;  term  ex- 
pired. Morris,  Jeffrey,  enlisted  July  30,  1861 ; 
discharged  in  December.  1801 ;  disability.  Mil- 
ler, George,  enlisted  July  30,  1801 ;  re-enlisted 
as  veteran  January  7>,  1864;  transferred  to  Com- 
pany A ;  mustered  out  November  22,  1865,  as 
sergeant.  MePadden,  John  M.,  enlisted  July 
30,  1861;  discharged  August  11,  1864;  term  ex- 
pired. Miles,  Edward  B.,  enlisted  July  30,  1861 ; 
discharged  August  11,  1864.  Marton,  Frank  M., 
enlisted  July  30.  1S61 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran 
January  5.  1864.  Moore,  George  W.,  enlisted 
July  30,  1861 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  January 
5,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A  as  consol- 
idated. McComb.  Cyrus  C,  enlisted  July  30, 
1861 ;  discharged  December  10,  1862 ;  disability. 
Maranville,  Francis  M.,  enlisted  July  30,  1861 ; 
discharged  August  11,  1864;  term  expired.  Mil- 
llsson,  Omer  H.,  enlisted  July  30,  1861 ;  dis- 
charged August  11.  1864,  as  sergeant.  Pattison, 
Lysander  W.,  enlisted  July  30,  18G1 ;  promoted 
battalion  adjutant.  I'ayne.  George  W.,  enlisted 
July  30,  1861 ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran ;  trans- 
ferred to  Company  A.  Pembertou,  Richard  H., 
enlisted  July  30,  1861 ;  mustered  in  August  12, 
1861.  Pifer,  Theodore,  enlisted  July  30,  1861; 
re-enlisted  as  veteran;  transferred  to  Company 
A;  mustered  out  November  22,  1865,  as  ser- 
geant. Ryder,  Watkins  L.,  enlisted  July  30, 
1861;  discharged  August  11,  1864,  as  first  ser- 
geant. Settle.  Abraham,  enlisted  July  30,  1861 ; 
re-enlisted  as  veteran  January  5,  1864;  trans- 
ferred to  Company  A.  Sullivan,  Benjamin  F., 
enlisted  July  30.  ISGl ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran 
January  5.  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A; 
mustered  out  November  22,  1865.  Sparks, 
Samuel  J.,  enlisted  .July  30,  1861;  discharged 
July  20,  1862;  disability.  Shumaker.  Jeremiah, 
enlisted  July  ;^n.  1861  :  (lisch.irged  August  14, 
1803;  wounds.  Shafer.  Peter,  enlisted  July  30, 
1861 ;  discharged  August  11,  1864  ;  term  expired. 
Tuthill.  John  W.,  enlisted  July  .30,  1861 ;  re- 
enlisted  as  veteran  January  5,  1864;  mustered 
out  June  24,  1865,  as  first  sergeant.  Weaver, 
George  R.,  enlisted  July  30,  1861 ;  re-enlisted 
as  veteran ;  transferred  to  Company  A  as  con- 
solidated :  nuistered  out  November  22,  1865. 
Watson.  Martin  W.,  enlisted  July  30.  1861  ; 
killed  at  Bolivar.  Tenn..  August  30,  1862.  Work- 
man, Isaac  L..  enlisted  July  .30.  1S(!1 :  re-enlisted 


as  veteran  January  5,  1804  ;  transferred  to  Com- 
pany A.  Wimmer,  William,  enlisted  July  30, 
1861;  re-enlisted  as  veteran  January  5,  1864; 
transferred  to  Company  A ;  mustered  out  No- 
vember 22,  1865.  Webb,  Richard,  enlisted  July 
30,  1861;  discharged  July  24,  1802. 

Veterans:  Alban,  John  T.,  enlisted  July  5, 
1S65 ;  transferred  to  Company  A;  mustered  out 
November  22,  1865,  as  sergeant.  Donahoe,  Hugh, 
enlisted  January  5,  1864;  mustered  out  June  11, 
1865.  Goodspeed.  William,  enlisted  January  5, 
1864;  mustered  out  June  12,  1865.  Jelly.  Cor- 
nelius, enlisted  January  5,  1864;  mustered  out 
March  20,  1865.  Riley,  Patrick,  enlisted  Jan- 
uary 5, 1864 ;  transferred  to  Company  A.  Stickel, 
Fletcher  A.,  enlisted  January  5,  1864;  mustered 
out  February  5.  1864.  Recruits:  Anderson, 
John,  enlisted  February  12,  1864 ;  transferred 
to  Company  A ;  mustered  out  November  22, 
1865,  as  sergeant.  Arrowsmith,  John  W.,  en- 
listed February  29,  1864 ;  transferred  to  Com- 
pany A ;  mustered  out  August  24,  1865.  Betts, 
Jonathan,  enlisted  August  13,  1862;  mustered 
out  June  11,  1865.  Bovvdel,  Jesse  W.,  enlisted 
November  21,  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A; 
mustered  out  November  22,  1805.  Burns,  Wil- 
liam H.,  enlisted  November  21.  1803;  trans- 
ferred to  Company  .V  ;  mustered  out  November 
22,  1865.  Bailey.  William  F..  enlisted  January 
15,  1864 ;  transferred  to  Company  A ;  mustered 
out  November  22,  1865.  Coon,  William,  enlisted 
November  21,  1863 ;  transferred  to  Company  A ; 
mustered  out  November  4,  1865.  Copeland, 
Marion,  enlisted  January  19,  1864  :  transferred 
to  Company  A ;  mustered  out  November  22, 
1865.  Dixon,  William,  enlisted  November  21, 
1863;  transferred  to  Company  .V :  mustered  out 
November  4,  1865.  Dearduff,  David  W..  en- 
listed January  19,  1864;  transferred  to  Com- 
pany A ;  mustered  out  November  22,  1865.  Dur- 
ham, Samuel,  enlisted  February  29,  1864;  trans- 
ferred to  Company  A.  FoUensby.  David,  died 
at  Du  Quoin  February  8,  1863.  Hill,  Thomas, 
enlisted  August  13,  1862;  discharged  August  14, 
1863 ;  wounds.  Huffman.  Cyrus  S..  enlisted  Au- 
gust 13,  1862:  discharged  February  27,  1863; 
disability.  Hall,  Robinson,  enlisted  March  17, 
1864;  died  at  Baton  Rouge,  September  5,  1804. 
Haney.  Robert,  enlisted  February  14,  1864 ; 
transferred  to  Company  A ;  mustered  out  No- 
vember 22.  1S(J5,  as  corporal.  Hubbart,  Jacob 
P..  enlisted  February  10,  1804 ;  transferred  to 
Company  A  ;  mustereil  out  November  22,  1865. 
Hall.  Erastus.  enlisted  February  8.  1.864;  trans- 


662 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


f erred  to  ('omi)any  A;  mustered  out  November 
22,  18(15.  Joues.  Ta.vlor,  enli-sted  Januar.v  4, 
1864;  transferred  to  ('onii>au.v  A;  mustered  out 
Novemlier  22.  1805.  Kious.  John,  enliste<l  Au- 
gust 14.  1S62;  died  at  La  Grange,  111.,  February 
4,  1S(;;!.  Kelley,  Henry  C,  enlisted  January  5, 
1864:  transferred  to  Company  A;  mustered  out 
November  22,  1865.  Lacey,  l{en.jamin,  enlisted 
January  5,  1864;  mustered  out  June  22,  1S65. 
List.  John  D..  enlisted  Feliruary  9,  1804;  died 
at  Monticello,  111.,  February  15,  1S04.  Moore, 
Joseph,  enlisted  August  i:!,  1S62 :  discharged 
November  15,  1863;  disability.  Morris,  John  D., 
enlisted  August  19,  1862;  died  June  27,  1863. 
MeMillian.    William,    discharged    November    21, 

1864.  Moore.  John,  enlisted  November  21.  1S63 ; 
tninsferred  to  Comi)any  A ;  mustered  out  No- 
vemlier 4,  1.S65.  Moffett,  lOdward  H.,  enlisteil 
I'ebiuary  5.  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A: 
mustered  out  November  22.  1865.  Musselman. 
Jacob  G.,  enlisted  January  25,  iSG4;  transferred 
to    Company    A ;    mustered    out    November    22, 

1865.  Musselman,  Benjamin,  enlisted  January 
15,  1864 ;  transferred  to  Company  A ;  mustered 
out  November  22.  1865.  Alonham,  William,  en- 
liste<l  January  4,  1864:  transferred  to  Company 
.\ ;  mustered  imt  November  22.  1.S05.  Nelson. 
James  B..  enlisted  .January  20.  1864;  trans- 
ferred to  Company  A ;  musteretl  out  September 
25.  1865.  Pifer,  Cornelius,  enlisted  August  14. 
IStU:  died  at  Memphis.  Tenn.,  September  .30, 
1863.  I'erry.  Dnvid  I'.,  enlisted  November  21, 
1863;  killed  near  .Vlex.mdria.  La..  May  1.  1864. 
I'atterson.  William  I'.,  enlisted  Febniary  19. 
1864;  transferred  to  Comiiany  .V:  mustered  out 
November  22.  186.5.  Itobertson.  George  P..  en- 
listed March  12.  1S64;  transferred  to  Company 
A ;  mustered  out  November  22.  1865.  IJobbins, 
John  W.,  enlisted  January  15,  1864 ;  transferred 
to  Company  .\.  Stein,  William  H.,  enlisted 
Mardi  23,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A; 
mustered  out  November  22.  1865.  Six,  Daniel 
C.  enlisted  March  19.  1S(!4;  transferred  to 
Company  A;  nnistered  out  November  22.  1865. 
Six.  Dorson,  enlisted  March  17,  1864;  died  June 
4,  1864.  Swisher.  Calvin,  enlisted  January  19, 
1804;  transferred  to  Company  A.  Stickel, 
Charles  W.,  enlisted  January  15,  18(54;  trans- 
ferred to  Company  A ;  mustered  out  September 
18,  1865.  Welsh,  David  C.  enlisted  March  23, 
1804:  transferred  to  Comiiany  A;  musterwl  out 
November  22,  1865.  Williams.  Samuel  T..  en- 
listed March  2:!,  18(U:  died  at  Monticello,  111.. 
.Taiuiary  IS,  1S65.     West,  Iliram.  enlisted  Febru- 


ary 9,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A;  mus- 
tered out  November  22,  1865.  Bolen,  John,  en- 
listed September  8,  1864 ;  transferred  to  Com- 
pany A.  carter,  Peter,  enlisted  September  8, 
1864  ;  transferred  to  Company  A ;  mustered  out 
July  22.  18(55.  Field,  John,  enlisted  September 
8,  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A;  mustered 
out  Novemlier  22.  1S(j5.  Grant,  Charles,  enlisted 
Sept«>mber  15.  1864;  transferred  to  Company  A; 
mustered  out  November  22.  1865. 

Company  1 — Veterans  :  Coffman,  Aaron,  en- 
listed January  5,  1864;  mustered  out  June  10, 
1865.  Nowlin,  Elijah  B.,  enlisted  January  5, 
1S(J4:  nuistered  out  June  10,  1865.  Recruits: 
Blasbell,  James  W.,  enlisted  August  16,  1862; 
mustered  out  June  10,  1865.  Blasdell,  Jacob 
W.,  enlisted  August  16.  1862 ;  discharged  Janu- 
ary 1.  18(54;  promoted.  Cro.sby.  Lewis,  enlisted 
November  17,  1863;  killed  at  Mansfield,  La., 
April  8,  1864.  Friesuer,  Henry  C,  enlisted 
August  16.  18(52;  discharged  August  10,  1863; 
disability.  Kauffman.  E.  B.,  enlisted  August 
11.  1862;  transferred  to  Company  C. 

FIFTH     ILLINOIS     CAV.\LKY. 

(Vimpnny  It — Privates:  Bell.  Joseph,  en- 
listed .Vnmist  27,  1861;  trau.sferred  to  Veteran 
Heserve  Corps  October  1,  1863.  Davis.  Thomas 
K..  enlisted  August  27,  18<51 ;  discharged  May  12, 
1863;  disability.  Dowding.  John  C'..  enlisted 
August  27,  1861 ;   died  at  Helena.  Ark.,  March 

4.  1863.  Honnman.  James,  enlisted  August  27, 
1861  :  died  at  Benton  Barracks,  December  31, 
1S(5;5.  Ryce.  Daniel,  enlisted  August  27,  1861 ; 
died  at  Vicksburg.  October  11,  1863.  Riggen, 
Wilson,  enlisted  August  27.  1861 ;  died  at  St. 
Louis.  Mo.,  Febniary  21.  18(53.  Riggen,  George 
AV..  enlisted  .\\igiist  27.  18(51  :  died  at  St.  Louis, 
February  21,  1.8(;:!.  .Shire.  Jeremiah,  enlisted 
August  27.   1S61  :   died   at   Helena.   Ark..   March 

5,  1863:  wounds. 

SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    C.W.M.RY. 

('(uniiany  1 — Merricks.  Alonzo  N.,  private,  en- 
listed December  21.  1863:  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 4.  1865. 

TENTH     ILLINOIS    C.\V.\LBV. 

The  Tenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry  was 
organized  at  Camp  Butler,  111.,  November  25, 
1861.  and  after  November  13.  1862,  formed  a 
part  of  the  .\rmy  of  the  Frontier,  operating 
from  Springtield,  Mo.,  to  Cane  Hill,  Ark.  A  por- 
tion  of   this  civalry   participated   in   the  battle 


o 
> 


THI  HEW  lOttfi 
PUBLIC  LIBSARY 


AST  OF        r.NO* 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


663 


of  Prairie  Grove,  Arl<.,  Deceiulier  7,  1862.  The 
regiment  was  mustered  out  of  tlie  service  No- 
vember 22,  1865.  at  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  and 
ordered  to  Springfield,  111.,  for  final  paynioiit 
and  discharge. 

Company  A — Samuels,  David  A.,  corporal, 
enlisted  September  21,  18G1 ;  re-enlisted  as  vet- 
eran. Halderman.  Samuel  N..  farrier,  enlisted 
September  21.  ISCl ;  discharged  October  24, 
1863 ;  disability.  Wolf,  Emerson,  wagoner,  en- 
listed September  21.  1861;  discharged  May  20, 
1862. 

Privates :  Conner,  Edward,  enlisted  Septem- 
ber 21,  1861 ;  died  at  Springfield.  Ho.,  July  15, 
1862.  Coneen,  Michael,  enlisted  September  21, 
1861;  re-enli.sted  as  veteran.  Connelly,  John, 
enlisted  September  21.  1861 ;  died  at  Rapp's 
Landing.  Arlc.  September  20.  ],S62.  Hardman, 
Patrick,  enlisted  September  21.  1861  ;  died  at 
Ctoldwater,    Miss.,    December    8,    18G2.      Kofler, 


vember  22,  lS6.j,  as  corporal.  JIaddeu,  James 
N.,  enlisted  September  21,  1861 ;  mustered  out 
December  30,  1864.  Madden,  Francis  M.,  en- 
listed September  21,  1861 ;  mustered  out  Decem- 
licr  30,  1S64 ;  as  bugler.  Recruit ;  Barber, 
Charles  W.,  enlisted  August  IS,  1802 ;  discharged 
March  30,  1803;  disability. 

SIXTEENTH  -  ILLINOIS    CAVALKY. 

Company  L — ^Ivey,  Peter,  private,  enlisted 
August  6,  1S63 ;  was  prisoner ;  absent  at  muster 
out. 

F1R,ST   LIGHT   ABTILLEKY. 

Battery  K  (Colvin's  Battery)  :  Babcock,  Elias, 
enlisted  August  11,  1802 ;  mustered  out  June 
10,  186.1.  Barker,  ^^■i!liam,  enlisted  August  15, 
1S(!2;  mustered  out  June  10,  IMlo.  Babb,  George 
M..  enlisted  August  13,  1861 ;  mustered  out 
June  10,  1865.  Collins,  Jacob,  enlisted  August 
Joseph,  enlisted  September  21,  1801;  re-enltSfe'd"  "-i*l'^"l«|lj  Wtfgtered  out  June  10,  1865.  Etherton, 
as  veteran,  January  3.  1864.  Lynn,  John;''!'; ', '^i*i97*.wT,.  eiijisted  August  13,  1801;  mustered 
enlisted  September  21.  1801:  died  at  OUit<iw'iir  SLfit  vituite' I'O,  1865,  as  firs-t  .sergeant.  Everett, 
Landing,  Ark..  September  0.  1802.  Millar.  John  Wilsoii  Y.,  eulisted  August  11,  1801 ;  mustered 
G.,  enlisted  September  21.  1861;  re-enli.sted  1i?''.<»'t',Mi\,y  25,  186.5.  Ellis.  John  K..  enlisted  Au- 
veternn  January  3.  1864.  Rodgers.  Joseph^  em  gu*it»l-4»" .1861- ;'  died  near  Knoxvllle.  Tenn.,  Jauu- 
listed  September  21.  1801 ;  mustered  out  Decern-      !ii\v  28.  1804.     Hays.  Elijah,  enlisted  August  11, 


her  .30,  1864.  Sindle,  Thomas  J.,  enlisted  Se])- 
temlier  21,  1,%1;  diwl  at  Little  Rock.  Ark.,  Sep- 
tember 16,  1863.  Veterans:  Coneen,  Michael, 
enlisted  .January  3,  1864;  transferred  to  Com- 
pany A  :  mustered  out  November  22,  1805.  as 
corporal.  O'Brien,  John,  enlisted  January  3, 
1804;  transferred  to  Con]]iany  .\  :  mustered  out 
November  22.  ISO.'i.  Samuel,  David  A.,  farrier, 
enlisted  January  3.  1804:   transferred  to  Com- 


isoi  ;  mustered  out  June  19,  1865,  as  corporal. 
Miller.  Jacob,  enlisted  August  13,  1801 ;  mus- 
tered out  June  19,  1865,  as  corporal.  Nassal- 
rnd,  .Jesse,  enlisted  August  13.  1861  :  mustered 
out  June  19,  1865,  as  corporal.  Mitchell,  Nel- 
son, enlisted  August  13.  1801 ;  mustered  out  June 
10.  1865.  Plfer.  Henry,  enlisted  August  11, 
ISiil  ;  nuistered  out  June  10.  1865.  Rowlen, 
Leonard,    enlisted    August    13,    1801;    mustered 


pany  A:  absent,  sick,  at  muster  out  of  regiment.      ""t  June  19,  1805,  as  artificer.     Rowlen,  Henry, 


Recruits :  Bru.shwiler.  Hanson,  enlisted  Janu- 
aiy  17,  1862;  discharged  April  13,  1803;  disa- 
bilit.v.  Green.  Gilbert,  enlisted  January  2.  1864; 
transferred  to  Company  A :  mustered  out  No- 
vember   22.    180.5.      Wilkins.    Lewelin,    enlisted 


enlisted  August  13,  1861 ;  mustered  out  June  19, 
1865.  Shonkwiler,  Jacob  W.,  enlisted  August 
13,  ISO!  ;  mustered  out  June  19,  1805,  as  cor- 
poral. Smith.  Alexander,  enlistetl  August  13, 
1861  ;    dischargwl   October  20,    1864.     Sherman, 


December  31.  1863;  transferred  to  Company  A:       John,  enlisted  August  11,  1861;  died  at  Monti- 


mustered  out  November  22.  1865. 

Company  L — S'v\artz.  Jacob,  corporal :  en- 
listed September  21.  1801  ;  re-enlisted  as  veteran 
.January  3,  1864;  mustered  out  November  22, 
1865,  as  corporal.  Irwin,  John,  farrier,  enlisted 
September  21,  1861 ;  discharged  June  17,  1802 ; 
disabilit.v.  Privates:  Cole,  William  H..  en- 
listed September  21,  1861 ;  died  at  Camp  Bloom- 
ington.  Mo..  February  18,  1802.  Graham, 
Thomas,  enlisted  September  21,  1861;  re-enlisted 


cello.  111..  November  0,  1S04.     Sherman.  Edmund, 
enlisted  August  11,  1801  ;  mustered  out  May  25, 

186.5. 

SPANISH-AMERICAN     WAH. 

While  the  limited  number  of  soldiers  called 
for  in  the  Spanish-American  War  left  it  un- 
necessary for  Piatt  County  to  supply  anything 
like  the  i)roportion  of  soldiers  which  it  gave 
to  the  Civil  War.  still  when  the  call  came  the 


as  veteran  January  3.  1864;  musterwl  out  No-      county   responded   and   its  men  deported  them- 


664 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


selves  ill  :i  iiwiniu'i-  that  demonstnited  that  the 
fightiiij;  (|iialitii's  of  their  fatliers  weie  uot  laclc- 
ing  in  the  sons. 

.V    I'KOI'O.SKI)    .MO.NLMEXT. 

Mr.  .\.  T.  Isnijlanil.  .i  wealthy  resident  of 
Xlonticelld.  wIki  was  a  member  of  the  Second 
Illinois  C'avah-.v  in  tile  Civil  War,  offered  to 
erect  in  1!)12  a  iiionunient  in  Courthouse  Square 
to  cost  not  less  tlian  .$10,n(X),  but  the  board  of 
supervisors  decided  that  there  was  no  suitable 
place  in  the  courthouse  .vard  to  put  it  and  no 
other  suitalile  site  has  been  found.  The  erec- 
tion of  the  nioiiunieiit  was  tlierefore  abandone<l 
by  Mr.  linsland. 

OR.\NI)    .\RMV    OF    THl-j    REPUBLIC. 

The  (Jrand  .\niiy  of  the  Republic,  that  highly 
and  justly  honored  organization  of  old  heroes 
of  the  Civil  War.  had  its  inception  in  Illinois, 
its  founder  being  Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin  Steph- 
enson, who  had  served  bravely  and  helpfully 
as  a  surgeon  of  the  Fourteenth  Illinois  Infan- 
try. In  the  work  of  organization  he  was  as- 
sisted by  the  Rev.  W.  .1.  Rutlcdge,  a  Methodist 
clergyman  who  had  served  as  a  chaplain  of  the 
same  regiment,  and  with  whom,  even  before  the 
close  of  the  war.  Doctor  Stephenson  had  dis- 
cussed plans  for  a  brotherhood  of  the  survivors 
of  the  struggle.  .Vftor  the  close  of  their  military 
service.  Doctor  Stephenson  and  Reverend  Rut- 
ledge,  with  other  veterans,  jirepared  a  ritual  for 
the  pi-oposed  organization,  and  for  this  paper 
two  printers  of  Decatur,  111..  Isaac  Coltrin  and 
Joseph  Prior,  who  had  served  in  the  Union 
army,  were  employed  to  set  the  tyiie. 

FIRST  ORj\Ni)  .\RMY   POST. 

The  first  post  of  the  (Jraiid  Army  of  the  Re- 
public was  organized  by  Doctor  Stephenson, 
assisted  by  Capt.  .John  S.  Phelps,  at  Decatur, 
111.,  April  (;,  l.SCO.  this  lieing  the  fourth  anni- 
versary of  the  first  day's  bloody  encounter  on 
the  field  of  Shiloh.  There  were  twelve  charter 
members,  the  last  survivor  of  whom  was  Chris- 
tian Reibsame,  of  Bloomington,  whose  death  oc- 
curre<l  in  1914.  Doctor  Stephenson  held  the 
position  of  provisional  department  commander, 
and  in  that  «ipaeity  issued  a  call  for  a  general 
convention  to  be  lield  at  Springfield.  III..  .Tune 
20,  l.SCC.  and  at  that  time  a  state  organization 
was  effected,  with  Gen.  .John  M.  Palmer  in  the 
office  of  commander-in-chief. 

.Vs  a  national  organization,  the  Grand  Army 


of  the  Reimblic  held  its  first  enwimpinent  at 
Indianapolis.  Ind.,  Xovember  20,  ISOi;.  pursuant 
to  tlie  call  of  Doctor  Stephenson.  There  (Jen. 
Stephen  A.  Hurlbut.  of  Belvidere,  111.,  was 
elected  first  commander-in-chief.  It  is  of  inter- 
est to  note  that  at  the  .second  encampment,  held 
at  Philadeljihia,  Pa..  January  15,  ISOS,  another 
of  Illinois'  distinguished  sons.  Gen.  Johu  A. 
Logan,  was  chosen  to  lead  the  organization. 

It  is  but  natural  that  a  county  which  has  al- 
ways shown  itself  so  patriotic  as  has  Piatt 
.should  have  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  work 
and  movements  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public. Posts  were  organized  at  Atwood.  Be- 
ment,  Cerro  Gordo,  La  Place,  Mansfield  and 
Monticello.  The  years  have  taken  their  toll 
of  the  Union  soldiers,  over  fifty  thousand  hav- 
ing passed  away  in  1916.  This'  explains  why 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  posts  have 
been  discontinued  at  many  iwints,  there  not  be- 
ing enough  old  soldiers  left  to  maintain  an 
organization. 


On  February  20,  1S&3,  Barker  Post  Xo.  189, 
Department  of  Illinois,  of  Atwood,  111.,  was 
organized    with    the    following   named    officers: 

Edward  Anderson,  commander ;  Joseph  W. 
Merritt,  .senior  vice  commander ;  L.  C.  Taylor, 
junior  vice  commander;  Peter  Mosbarger.  adju- 
tant: Whit  Iteed.  quartermaster;  F.  M.  ICirby, 
chaplain;  W.  T.  Sniitson.  surgeon;  .\.  C.  Bishop, 
sergeant-major;  Richard  MeCombs,  ([uarter- 
ma.ster  sergeant;  John  Linton,  officer  of  guard; 
M.  (1.  Drake,  officer  of  day. 

The.v  were  installed  by  C.  H.  Ki'plcr.  of  De- 
catur, 111. 

The  present  organization  is  as  follows : 

Joseph  W.  Merritt.  commander :  John  S. 
Crain.  senior  vice  commander;  A.  C.  Bishop, 
junior  vice  coniniander;  John  IL  Easton,  adju- 
tant; James  Reeder.  chaplain;  Stephen  Duke- 
m.ui,  quartermaster;  John  T.  Quick,  officer  of 
the  day ;  Joshua  Gosnell,  officer  of  the  guard ; 
John  Hook.  sergeant-ma.ior ;  John  R.  Shelton, 
quartermaster  sergeant;  J.  F.  Graham,  guard. 

Of  the  original  organization  only  three  are 
living:  Joseph  W.  Merritt.  .\.  C.  Bishop  and 
F.  M.  Kirby. 

CERRO   GORDO. 

Cerro  Gordo  Post  No.  219  was  organized 
March  27.  188.3,  with  Alva  Shively  as  first  com- 
mander.   The  full  roster  was  as  follows; 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


665 


C.  A.  Shively,  Edward  Shasteen,  S.  L.  Kerns, 
William  Lyons,  Benjamin  Middleton,  Andrew 
Heminser,  J.  H.  Bentley,  John  Hefkler,  Daniel 
Ziun,  T.  J.  Winimer,  J.  H.  Moyer,  William  Hick- 
man, Joseph  Blythe,  T.  N.  MelCinney,  L.  C. 
Shasteen,  V.  B.  Clifton,  C.  U.  Patten,  John 
Fields,  A.  M.  Cole,  Joseph  Miller,  Tliomas  Long, 
Joseph  Cash,  Milton  Billinss.  W.  11.  Edie,  M.  C. 
Hatfield,  Frederick  Born,  Jacob  Peck,  S.  C. 
McKay,  H.  C.  Laugliman.  John  Dawson,  George 
Peck,  .L  G.  Quinn,  W.  H.  Bowdle,  J.  C.  Booker, 
Dexter  Wynegan,  Josiah  Bell,  N.  L.  Hurtt. 

This  post  has  had  a  niemliership  of  sixty-two, 
but  has  now  a  niembershi])  of  only  twenty-five. 
John  Fields,  the  present  commander,  is  aged 
eighty-six  years. 

The  post  at  La  Place  was  dnly  organized  and 
served  its  purpose,  but  has  been  discontinued 
for  several  years. 

Hr.\NSFIELD. 

The  charter  for  General  John  L.  Mansfield 
Post  No.  357,  Department  of  Illinois,  G.  A.  R., 
was  issued  by  Samuel  A.  Harper,  department 
commander:  J.  L.  Bennett,  assistant  adjutant 
general,  Flmwood,  111..  October  10,  l,S8.i,  with 
these  charter  members : 

James  Trussler,  Levi  Goodell,  Joseph  Welch, 
Thomas  Jess.  George  W.  Davis,  Thomas  B. 
Stueker,  Jacob  E.  Hyre,  Wm.  H.  H.  McCall, 
John  D.  Pike.  John  M.  G.  Brown,  Charles  Jess, 
James  McDowell,  Charles  W.  Snell.  Ira  McKee, 
Charles  Afger,  Jlinor  Grooms.  Thomas  M.  Lit- 
tleton, William  Znniwalt,  Edwin  L.  Drake. 

Post  No.  .3.57.  Department  of  Illinois,  G.  A.  R., 
was  organized  November  7,  1SS3.  Following  are 
the  names  of  the  ofiicers  elec-ted : 

Thomas  Jess,  commander;  Levi  Goodell,  sen- 
ior vice  cominiander ;  James  Trussler,  junior 
vice  commander;  Thos.  M.  Littleton,  quarter- 
master ;  Chas.  W.  Snell,  adjutant ;  Charles 
Apgai',  chaplain  ;  Wm.  H.  II.  McCall.  oflicer  of 
the  day ;  James  McDowell,  quartermaster  ser- 
geant; Charles  Jess,  sergeant-major;  John  M. 
C.  Bron-n,  oflicer  of  the  guard.  The  last  officers 
elected  were : 

Wm.  Clemans.  commander ;  N.  Patterson,  ad- 
jutant ;  M,  J.  Van  Note,  chaplain ;  .lesse  Nash, 
quartermaster;  Wm.  H.  H.  McCall.  officer  of 
the  day;  Daniel  Reed,  officer  of  the  guard. 

From  fir.st  to  last  this  post  has  had  a  member- 
ship of  sixty-seven.  At  time  of  writing.  Janu- 
ary, 1917,  there  are  nine  ex-Union  soldiers  re- 
siding in  and  around  Mansfield  and  one  charter 


member  of  the  post  is  found  in  William  H.  H. 
McCall,  who  lives  In  Mansfield.  The  members 
no  longer  meet  as  a  post,  but  the  survivors  re- 
tain their  charter  and  pay  their  per  capita  tax. 
These  old  soldiers  range  in  age  from  seventy  to 
eighty-seven  years.  The  last  elected  adjutant- 
general,  N.  Patterson,  to  whom  we  are  indebted 
for  post  history,  is  in  his  seventy-ninth  year. 
He  was  born  in  Ohio,  October  7,  1838,  and 
.served  in  the  Union  army  in  the  Civil  War  as  a 
member  of  Company  D,  Thirty-second  Ohio  In- 
fantry, from  1861  to  1805. 

IIONTICELLO, 

Franklin  Post  No.  2.j<;,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  has  had  the  following  names  on  its 
honorable  roll :  A.  B.  Fender,  D.  W.  Deardurff, 
R.  J.  Tatman.  M.  Haygard,  W.  R.  Hyde,  R.  K. 
Meredith,  J,  .V.  Brown,  Joshua  Tatman.  J.  E. 
Evans.  W.  H.  McMillen,  Daniel  Norris,  Paphyrus 
B.  Keys,  George  R.  Dawson,  W.  II.  Plunk,  J.  T. 
Vangundy,  \.  F.  Morrison,  W.  E.  Smith,  S.  A. 
Ilubbill,  E.  P.  Fowler.  T.  C.  Hodge,  Joseph  Piper, 
William  G.  Jones,  George  Rhoades,  A.  II.  Wilde- 
man,  George  R.  Weaver,  Charles  Mallatt,  Elam 
W.  Bruffitt,  Thomas  White,  James  B.  Davis, 
.Vndrew  F.  Davis,  Da\id  Burffitt,  Joseph  Blacker, 
John  Bowman,  R.  W.  Bowman,  George  R.  Riuck- 
ard,  George  E.  Woolington,  Shepherd  Jones,  Ezra 
Marquiss,  Jr.,  Jacob  Bush.  J,  B.  Walsh,  Henry 
H.  Laird,  L.  G.  T.  Ellis,  L.  C.  McMillen,  B,  F. 
Siegfried,  Oliver  Montgomery,  James  Brown, 
David  Hainline.  William  B.  Baird,  Henry  Wool- 
ington. Chester  P.  Davis,  W.  H.  Barnes.  Daniel 
Russell. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


PHYSICIANS. 


A  UNIVERSAL  IMPULSE — NEIGHBORLY  HELPFULNESS 

— FIRST    PERMANENT    PHYSICIAN     IN    COUNTY 

— EARLY  SUCCESSORS WELL  REMEMBERED  PRAC- 
TITIONERS— TRLALS  OF  PIONEER  PHYSICIANS — AN 

AMUSING    ANECDOTE CONDITIONS    ALL    CHANGED 

PROFESSION    NOW    ABLY   REPRESENTED — LIST   OF 

LEADING  PHYSICIANS  AND  SURGEONS — PLVTT 
COUNTY'  MEDICAL  SOCIETY — DATE  OF  ORGANIZA- 
TION   FIRST    OFFICIALS PRESENT    OFFICERS 

PI.ATT  COUNTY  HAS  NO  HOSPITALS, 


666 


HISTORY  OK  PIATT  COUNTY. 


A  UNIVEItSAL  1MPII.SK. 


Tbe  crudest  savage  seeks  to  preserve  his 
health,  safeguaixl  his  well  being  and  guard  off 
death.  These  instincts  seem  to  be  imbedded  in 
every  human  being,  and  to  have  existed  from 
the  lieginning  of  recorded  history.  No  peoples 
of  any  age  have  been  without  their  physicians 
of  some  kuid,  men  who  are  above  their  associates 
in  mental  endowments  and  knowledge.  If  this 
be  true  of  savage  or  semi-civilized  nations,  how- 
much  more  is  it  true  of  those  who  have  advanced 
sufficiently  to  appreciate  the  necessity  for  the 
sen-ices  of  the  medical  men.  and  to  appreciate 
their  knowledge  and  skill. 

PIHST   PERMANENT   PHYSICIAN. 

Ill  the  pioneer  days  of  I'iatt  County  this  sec- 
tion was  forced  to  depend  upon  the  ministra- 
tions of  some  of  tlie  good  housewives,  who  were 
really  untrained  members  of  the  noblest  of  pro- 
fessions, or  to  send  far  away  to  some  physician 
in  a  more  deiLsely  settlwl  part  of  the  state.  It 
was  not  until  lS:iN  that  the  county  had  a  per- 
manent physician,  when  Dr.  Buriill  loc-ated 
within  its  confines  and  beg:in  his  labor  of  serv- 
ice to  those  afflicted.  IJr.  King  located  in 
Macon  County  in  1S39  but  his  practice  extemied 
over  a  large  piirt  of  what  is  now-  Piatt  County. 
Dr.  llillis  followed  soon  afterwaixl,  and  In  1841 
Dr.  Hull,  one  of  the  best  beloved  of  the  county's 
earlier  physicians,  came  hero.  In  1845  Dr.  C.  It. 
Ward  !o«ited  at  Monticello  and  built  up  the 
largest  pi-actice  liitherto  enjoyed  by  any  physi- 
cian of  the  county.  Me  w.is  in  practice  until 
his  death,  April  22,  1S81. 

Dr.  Coffin  came  to  Monticello  in  1847;  Dr 
Xoecker  in  18r,.S;  Dr.  Knott  in  1855,  and  Dr. 
Coleman  in  1S60.  Dr.  Wheeler  came  to  Monti- 
cello prior  to  ]85t;.  Dr.  Mitchell,  who  later  went 
to  Bement.  came  to  Lake  Fork  in  IS.'ia  and  was 
the  firet  physician  at  Mackville.  Dr.  I'rosser 
settled  at  Cerro  Gordo  before  18G0.  Dr.  T:iylor 
was  at  Bement  before  ISfiO.  as  was  Dr.  .7.  II. 
Leal.  Some  otlier  prominent  early  physicians 
were:  Dr.  Ruth.  Dr.  Ruby  and  Dr.  Vance  of 
Bement,  and  Dr.  Smitson  and  Dr.  Marshall  of 
Mackville. 

TBULS    OF   PIONEER    PHYSICIANS. 

Quoting  from  Miss  Piatfs  interesting  history 
of  the  county,  the  following  gives  an  excellent 
idea  of  the  hardships  of  the  pioneer  physician, 
which  she  doubtless  heard  from  the  lips  of  some 


of  the  brave  and  self-sacrificing  men  who  had 
endured  them : 

•The  pioneer  physicians  of  the  county  had 
trials  that)  those  of  a  later  date  know  nothing 
of.  It  was  a  frequent  occurrence  for  them  to 
be  c-alled  to  see  a  patient  twenty  or  thirty  miles 
distant.  And  oftentimes  it  was  not  the  distance 
that  was  to  be  dreaded.  The  ride  would  often 
have  to  be  made  on  a  dark  night,  along  muddy 
roads,  andl  through  swamps  and  ponds.  Some- 
times the  horse  would  have  to  swim  streiims. 
while  the  rider  on  his  knees  on  the  saddle  held 
his  medicine  case  or  rlie  liridle  reins  in  his 
teeth. 

"We  heard  a  good  joke  told  not  long  since  rela- 
tive to  a  physician  of  a  neighboring  county.  He 
was  called  to  a  see  a  patient  who  lived  on  the 
Sangamon,  and  accordingly,  after  bidding  his 
wife  giXKlbye,  he  started  in  the  dark  to  ride 
across  the  prairie.  After  riding  a  long  time  he 
came  to  a  house.  lie  alighted,  knocked,  at  the 
dor)r,  to  hear  the  ipiestion.  -Who's  there?'  He 
answered  by  asking  the  way  to  the  house  of  the 
liatient  he  started  to  see.  What  was  his  aston- 
ishment to  hear  instead  of  the  requested  dire<-- 
tions,  a  lady's  voice  questioning :  'Why  William, 
is  that  you?'  and  the  worthy  physician  found 
that  he  had  alighted  at  his  own  door,  and  was 
talking  to  his  own  wife." 

Since  those  early  days  conditions  have 
changed  very  materially.  The  miMlern  physician 
is  better  fitted  by  study,  training  and  equipment 
to  follow  his  profession,  and  he  is  given  oppor- 
tunities through  medical  societies  and  journals 
of  keeping  abreast  of  the  times.  The  members 
of  the  medical  profession  in  Piatt  County  have 
not  neglected  their  opportunities,  and  are  num- 
bered among  the  most  alert,  skilled  and  capable 
physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  state.  They  are 
fre<iuently  called  into  consultation,  and  some 
of  them  enjoy  more  than  local  reputation 
through  their  papers  i)ublished  in  the  medical 
journals  or  read  at  meetinsrs  of  the  societies 
connected  with  their  iirofession. 

PROFESSION   ABLY   REPRESENTED. 

Tho.  leading  physicians  and  surgeons  of  Piatt 
County  are  as  follows:  Monticello:  B.  L. 
Barker,  C.  M.  Bumstead.  W.  B.  Caldwell,  J.  M. 
Holmes,  W.  G.  AIcDeed  and  J.  D.  Knott,  and 
also  Dr.  C.  C.  Cline,  osteopath.  Bement:  W.  G. 
McPherson.  A.  L.  Trabue.  Albert  Field.  S.  C. 
Vance.  Mansfield:  .T.  V.  Champion,  E.  Y. 
Young.     DeLand:     G.  S.  Walker.  J.  F.  Barton. 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


667 


Cisco:  B.  L.  Groves.  Hammond:  .1.  H.  Mc- 
Nutt,  O.  D.  Xoe  aud  Dr.  Lewis.  White  Heath  : 
W.  N.  Sievers. 

PI.\rr  COUNTY  MEDICAL  .SOCIETY. 

The  Piatt  County  Medical  Society  was  organ- 
ized in  1904  with  the  following  officials:  Dr. 
X.  N.  Vance  of  Bement,  president;  Dr.  C.  M. 
Bumstead,  vice  president ;  and  Dr.  B.  L.  Barker, 
secretary. 

Its  present  officers  are  as  follows :  Dr.  B.  L. 
Barker,  president;  Dr.  J.  G.  Ume,  vice  presi- 
dent; Dr.  W.  G.  McDeed,  secretary. 

This  society  holds  meetings  quarterly,  where 
papers  are  read  and  general  discussions  follow. 


CHAPTER  X. 


THE  PRESS. 


POWER  OF  THE  PBESS — FIRST  EDITOR — FIRST  NEWS- 
PAPER— THE      MONTICELLO     TIMES SUBSEQUENT 

CHANGES  IN  NAME — THE  SUCKER  STATE — THE 
CONSERVATIVE — THE  PIATT   COUNTY  UNION — THE 

PIATT    INDEPENDENT — THE    PIATT    REPUBLICAN 

THE    MONTICELLO    BULLETIN    THE    PRESENT   TITLE 

OLDE.ST  PAPER  IN  COUNTY' — PRESENT  OWNERS — 

PIATT  COUNTY'  HERALD — PLVTT  COUNTY'  REPUBLI- 
CAN— PIATT     COUNTY'     PILOT — BEMENT     UNION — 

THE      FARMERS      ADVOCATE — BEMENT      GAZETTE 

CEBRO  GORDO  TIMES — ^BEMENT  REGISTER — CERRO 
GORDO  NEW.S DELAND  TRIBUNE — MANSFIELD  EX- 
PRESS— ATWOOD  HER^VLD-^CISCO  REVIEW — HAM- 
JitOND  COURIER — A   WORD  OF  APPRECIATION. 

POWER   OF   THE  PRESS. 

In  these  days  when  the  power  of  the  press  is 
so  generally  recognized,  wlien  through  the 
pages  of  the  journals  evils  are  exiiosed  and 
reforms  are  advocated  that  many  times  are  car- 
ried out  to  a  .successful  termination  thereby,  it 
is  difficult  to  conceive  a  time,  or  recognize  Ihe 
limitations  of  a  period  when  there  were  no  news- 
papers in  Piatt  and  other  counties  in  the  state. 
To  be  sure  outside  papers  were  sent  to  the  resi- 
dents from  other  .sections,  either  fi-om  one  or 
the  other  of  the  great  cities,  or  from  a  former 
place  of  residence,  so  the  jieople  were  kept  in- 
formed of  the  doings  of  the  outside  world,  yet 


it  was  not  until  ISoti  that  Piatt  County   had  a 
paper  of  its  own. 

THE   MONTICELLO  TIMES. 

James  D.  Moody  was  the  first  editor  of  the 
first  newspaper  of  Piatt  County,  the  first  copy 
of  which  was  issued  in  November  of  1850  aud 
called  The  Monticello  Times.     Mr.  Moudy  con- 
tinued  the   editor   aud   proprietor   for   a   short 
time  and  then  disposed  of  his  interests  to  J.  C. 
Johnson,  who  continued  to  issue  the  paper  under 
its  original  name  for  a  time,  but  later  .sold  it  to 
James  Outten,  and  he  continued  the  paper  under 
this  same  name  until  he  took  a  Mr.  Has.sett  Into 
partnership,  when  the  name  was  changed  to  that 
of   The    Sucker   State.     Subsequently   Gilliland 
and  Tritt  bought  out  Outten  and  Hassett,  and 
were  issuing  the  paper  in  1859.    About  that  time 
the   paper   was   sold   to  Thomas  Milllgan,   who 
changed    the    name    to    The    Conservative    and 
■'edited  it  until   1802,   when  he  sold  it  to  W.  E. 
■  I-odge;    who    continued    the    owner    until    1804, 
during  a  portion  of  that  period  baving  J.  M. 
Holmes  assisting  him.    Mr.  Lodge  sold  the  i)aper 
to.'N.  E.  Rhoades  aud  it  was  continued  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Union  League,  Mit.  A.  Bates 
being  its  editor  during  the  presidential  campaign 
of  1S04,  when  the  paiier  was  issued  under  the 
name   of  The   Piatt  County   Union.     The  next 
change  was  made  when  James  M.   Holmes  be- 
came the  owner  and  again  tlie  name  was  changed 
to  The  Piatt  Independent,  aud  was  Issued  first 
as  such  November  23,  1865.    After  seven  years, 
Mr.  Holmes  changed  the  name  to  The  I'iatt  Re- 
publican, and  three  years  later  sold  It  to  H.  B. 
Funk.     In  ISTC)  the  paper  received  still  another 
name,  it  then  being  imblished  as  The  Monticello 
Bulletin.     Mr.  Funk  sold  it  to  Mise  and  Wagner, 
the  firm  later  becoming  Jlise  Bros.,  but  in  1882 
Mr.  Funk  bought  the  paper  liack  again.     It  still 
later  passed  into  the  hands  of  W.  E.  Krebs,  who 
was  a  very  forceful  writer,  and  one  long  to  be 
remembered  for  his  work.     Mr.  Krebs  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Evan   Stevenson,  who,  after  a  .year, 
sold  it  to  C.  E.  Gauiner,  aud  he  In  turn  dlsjiosed 
of  it  to  H.  W.  Buckle.    The  present  owners  are 
Mrs.   Bettie  D.  Kelley  and  Richard  Whitehead. 
The  Bulletin  is  Democratic  in  politics  and  de- 
voted to  iiromoting  the  interests  of  Piatt  County. 

THE   PIATT   COUNTY'    HERALD. 

The  exact  date  of  the  founding  of  The  Piatt 
County  Herald  is  not  known,  but  when  II.  D. 
Peters  came  to  Monticello  in  1874  it  was  being 


668 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


issued  by  Scroggs  mid  Peters,  aud  he  soon 
became  its  sole  owner  and  etlitor  and  was  con- 
nected with  it  lor  many  years,  it  later  being 
merged  with  tlie  Independent  in  lS'.r2,  the  latter 
Ijaper  having  been  founded  in  1S87  by  O.  A. 
Burgess,  who  bought  the  Herald  and  issued  it 
under  the  name  of  The  Piatt  County  Kepublican. 
It  is  now  owned  by  the  Republican  Printing 
Company,  which  was  incorporated  under  the 
laws  of  Illinois  May  loth,  1S90,  with  a  capital 
stock  of  !i;io,UU(i.  Its  present  manager  is  J.  C. 
Tippett,  ex-circuit  clerk  and  ex-mayor  of  Mou- 
ticello.  It  is  Hepul)llcan  in  politics  and  devote<l 
to  advancing  the  interests  of  Piatt  County. 

THE   PIATT   COUNTY   PILOT. 

In  AprU,  1S9G,  The  Piatt  County  Pilot  came 
into  existence,  being  established  by  L.  .S.  Kil- 
born  and  Son.  The  succeeding  November  a  stock 
company  was  incorpoi-atod  under  the  name  of 
the  Piatt  County  Pilot  Company,  and  C.  H.  Kil- 
born  was  made  editor  and  manager.  The  paper 
was  the  property  of  the  stock  company  until 
1900,  when  it  was  bought  by  L.  S.  Kilborn  and 
Son.  In  April,  1908,  L.  S.  Kilborn  &  Sou  sold 
the  Pilot  to  the  Republican  Printing  Company. 

THE   BEMENT   UNION. 

Bement  was  the  home  of  The  Bement  Union, 
established  in  April,  18G0,  by  James  Shoaff,  of 
Decatur,  and  Mr.  Outten,  of  Monticello.  The 
jounial  was  a  small  one,  brought  out  under 
disadvantages,  in  the  warehouse  of  Freese  & 
Company.  Owing  to  the  enlistment  of  Mr. 
Shoaff  for  service  during  the  Civil  War,  April 
18,  18G1,  Mr.  Sanehes  became  editor  and  pub- 
lisher, but  within  n  few  montlis,  the  pa|ier  was 
discontinued. 

Till':   F.\U.\ll;liS   .\1)V0CATK. 

The  next  paiier  owned  lay  Bement  was  The 
Farmers  Advocate,  issued  by  John  Smith,  John 
S.  Harper  and  Mit  Bates.  The  Bement  Register 
was  another  early  paper,  founded  by  J.  H. 
Jacobs,  who  was  succeeded  by  a  Mr.  ("onnor. 
The  Independent  and  the  Bement  Gazette  were 
two  otlier  very  early  pajiers.  .T.  I.  (^liiNoii 
start(Hl  the  Bcinciit  Oazette,  hut  later  sold  it  to 
Eli  Drum. 

TIIK   CERRO  (iORl)O  TIMKS. 

Many  years  ago  Cerro  Gordo  had  a  paper 
known  as  The  Cerro  Gordo  Times,  which  was 


eilited  by  J.  II.  Jacobs,  but  it  was  discontinued 
after  a  short  existence. 

Other  papere  in  the  couuty  are  as  follows : 
The  Bement  Kegistei',  edited  by  Roy  A.  Dane; 
The  ("erro  Gordo  News,  editetl  by  E.  T.  Gossett ; 
The  DeLand  Tribune,  edited  by  J.  S.  MuriJiy  & 
Son ;  The  Mansfield  Expres.s,  edited  by  J.  W. 
Hilligoss ;  The  Atwood  Herald,  edited  by  Harry 
Gilpin  ;  The  Cisco  Review,  edited  by  A.  B.  Glenn  ; 
The  Hammond  Courier,  edited  by  E.  B.  Leavitt. 

A    WORD   OF   APPRECIATION. 

Too  much  cannot  be  said  relative  to  the  sin- 
cerity, progressiveness  and  alertness  of  the 
present  editors  and  their  assistants  now  engaged 
in  conducting  the  journals  of  Piatt  County.  To 
one  who  has  never  had  any  of  the  responsibili- 
ties of  editorial  work,  these  duties  may  not 
appear  so  onerous,  but  to  one  who  understiinds 
and  appreciates  them,  their  weight  and  value 
are  appreciable.  The  editor  of  a  li\'e  newspaper 
is  tlie  educator  of  his  readers,  the  source  from 
whence  comes  their  conception  of  public  policies, 
and  the  one  who  shapes  in  no  small  degree  the 
moral  standing  of  the  community.  When  all 
this  is  taken  into  consideration,  there  is  little 
wonder  that  the  newspaper  men  of  any  count}' 
stand  among  the  leading  and  responsible  citi- 
zens, and  that  their  advice  and  influence  are 
sought  by  those  desiring  to  achieve  success  along 
any  line  of  work  that  requires  the  sanction  of 
the  majority. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


EDUCATIONAL. 


EXCELLENT     SCHOOLS — SUBSCRIPTION     SCHOOLS     AT 
FIB.ST — CARIN    SCHOOLHOUSES    SOCI.VL   CENTERS — 

VARIOUS   BUII.mNGS   UTILIZED THE  TYPICAL  PIO- 

NF.KJ!    SCIIOOLHOUSE — DEVELOPMENT    OF    SCHOOLS 

IIY      TOWNSHIPS     MONTICELLO     — ■    EARLIEST 

SCHOOLS  —  PRESENT  FINE  BUILDING  —  HIGH 
SCHOOL  COURSE — LIST  OF  EDUCATORS — VALUA- 
TION OF  SCHOOL  PROPERTY — IN  CITY— SCHOOLS 
OUTSIDE  OF  CITY^ALL  WELL  EQUIPPED — BEMENT 
— FIRST  SCHOOL  IN  185G — PRESENT  FINE  BUILD- 
ING —  LIST  OF  EDUCATORS  —  BEMENT  RURAL 
SCHOOLS — CERRO  GORDO  CITY  SCHOOL  FACILITIES 
ON    ACCREDITED    LIST    OF    UNIVERSITY    OF    II.LI- 


LINfOLX  SCHOOL.  ilOXTICELLO 


-; 

iiJ 

'-.  •  ■■■/• 

■* 

HIOH   SCTIOOL.  JIONTICKLLO 


POILIC  UBBARY 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


669 


*^i^«    .  ^_ 


HOIS — LIST  OF  EDUCATORS — MILMINE  GRADED 
SCHOOL  AND  EDUCATORS — LA  PLACE  GRADED 
SCHOOL      AND      EDUCATORS  —  OTHER      TOWNSHIP 

SCHOOLS — GOOSE    CREEK INITIAL    SCHOOLS  — 

MODERN   BUILDING  AT  DE  LAND — TEACHERS    HERE 

— ■  OTHER     TOWNSHIP      SCHOOLS  • —  SANGAMON 

PRINCIPAL    SCHOOL    AT    WHITE    HEATH — LIST    OF 

EDUCATORS  —  WILLOW    BRANCH FIRST    SCHOOL 

BUILDING   ON  THE  CREEK — ONLY  VILLAGE  SCHOOL 

AT    CISCO LIST   OF   TOWNSHIP    EDUCATORS — LIST 

OF  RURAL  SCHOOLS  —  UNITY  —  FIRST  SCHOOL- 
HOUSE  BUILT  IN  1842 — PIERSON  DISTRICT  FORMED 

IN     18S3  —  DISTRICT    TEACHERS FINE     MODERN 

BUILDING   AT   ATWOOD — SOME  OF  THE  EDUCATORS 

—  TOWNSHIP    RURAL    SCHOOLS BLUE    RIDGE  — 

MANSFIELD      GRADED       SCHOOL — HIGH       SCHOOL 

COURSE  ON  ACCREDITED  UNIVERSITY  LIST T»WfI- 

SHIP  EDUCATORS — RURAL  SCHOOLS — VALUES  ^j^ 

ENROLLMENT    IN     COUNTY OTHER    EDUCATIONAL 

FACILITIES SCHOOL    AND    PUBLIC    LIBRARIE*-*^^ 

VALUABLE    PRIVATE    LIBRARIES GENERaLjL' l^titll^A^^ 

TIONAL  STANDING   HIGH. 

EXCELLENT    SCHOOLS. 

It  is  a  matter  of  pride  in  Tlatt  County  tliat 
its  scliools  rank  among  the  best  of  their  gi-aUe  in 
the  state,  a  stand  well  taken  by  the  people  who 
recognize  that  the  public  schools  are  vital  fac- 
tors in  tlie  upbuilding  of  the  nation.  No  country 
can  substantially  advance  without  good  schools, 
for  in  them  the  plastic  minds  of  youtli  are 
moulded  and  opportunity  for  development  of 
individuality  is  afforded.  The  people  of  Piatt 
County  are  to  be  commended  for  the  special 
attention  they  have  given  to  their  schools,  estab- 
lishing them  early  and  advancing  from  primitive 
conditions  to  a  position  that  reflects  credit  upon 
the  county  and  state. 

During  the  early  days  of  Piatt  County,  the 
schools  were  conducted  upon  the  subscription 
plan.  A  teacher,  sometimes  a  young  man  who 
was  studying  for  the  ministry,  the  law  or  for  the 
medical  profession,  would  go  around  among  the 
parents,  and  secure  the  i)roniise  of  a  certain 
amount  for  each  cbild  of  school  age.  AMien 
enough  promises  had  been  secured,  the  teacher 
would  open  up  his  school,  oftentimes  in  his  own 
cabin,  or  that  of  a  neighlx>r  who.  longing  to 
secure  advantages  for  his  own  children,  was 
willing  to  put  up  with  the  annoyance  of  lending 
his  own  home  for  school  puri)Oses.  Again,  the 
neighbors  banded  together,  each  promising  a 
definite  amount,  and  a  teacher  was  secured.  In 
either  case  the  school   was  founded  ujwn   sub- 


scriptions. Not  only  was  money  scarc-e  in  these 
early  days,  but  in  some  cases  it  was  almost  an 
unknown  quantity,  so  the  pioneer  teacher  often 
received  his  remuneration  in  produce.  An  old 
settler  of  Piatt  County  laughiugiy  tells  of  the 
number  of  weeks  he  attended  one  of  these  primi- 
tive schools  for  a  calf  his  father  gave  in  return 
for  the  knowledge  imjiarted  to  him. 

As  soon  as  possible  after  settlement,  a  little 
cabin  was  erected  by  neighbors  in  various  sec- 
tions, the  material  and  work  being  usually  gladly 
contributed  by  parents  who  were  anxious  to 
secure  for  their  offspring  proper  educational 
advantages.  These  little  cabins  generally  served 
various  purposes.  During  the  week  days,  in 
them  were  gathered  the  children  seeking  to  learn 
of  this  world's  knowledge;  on  Sunday,  whenever 
a  clei^yman  could  be  secured,  their  parents 
gathered  with  them  to  learn  of  the  promises  of 
aiBotlier  woild.  The  cburch-schoolhouse  at  times 
«Iso' ;w«s;jpsed  as  a  ix)lling  place,  and  now  and 
then  "tol*' political  discussions,  so  that  these 
cabins  were,  in  fact,  the  cradle  of  the  county's 
future. 

THE   TYPICAL   SCHOOLHOUSE. 

The  pioneer  schoolhouse  has  been  described 
SO  often  as  to  be  as  well  known  to  the  present 
generation  of  readers  as  it  was  to  those  who 
attended  school  in  it,  but  a  few  words  relative 
to  it  may  not  come  amiss  here.  While  these 
little  cabins  were  crude,  so  were  those  in  which 
the  pioneers  lived.  Every  frontier  community 
has  faced  the  necessity  of  roughing  it  until 
civilization  brings  in  its  train  the  luxuries  of 
life.  Far  away  from  mills,  the  pioneers  had  to 
cut  and  hew  out  their  logs  for  the  buildings  to 
keep  them  from  tlie  weather,  and  used  mud  and 
sticks  to  fill  up  the  crevices.  They  had  no  great 
school  furniture  establishments  to  fill  orders  for 
desks  and  seats,  so  chopped  out  makeshifts  for 
themselves.  A  slab  with  pegs  for  legs  did  for  a 
seat.  Larger  slabs,  fastened  against  the  wall, 
served  for  writing  desks.  The  floor  was  made 
of  what  were  called  puncheons,  and  the  one 
room  was  heated  by  a  great  fire))lace  made  of 
stones,  mud  and  sticks,  which,  while  it  accom- 
modated large  logs,  sent  so  much  of  the  heat  up 
the  chimney  that  it  was,  perhaps,  just  as  well 
that  there  were  not  too  many  windows  and 
doors,  or  the  poor  pupils  might  have  eongealetl 
during  those  cold  winter  months,  when  they 
studioNl  their  .scraps  of  books,  eagerly  absorbing 
all  the  knowledge  their  untrained  teacher,  often- 


670 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


times  younger  than  themselves,  had  to  impart. 

Judging  from  the  standard  raised  by  our  mod- 
ern inibllc  schools,  these  pioneer  schools  appear 
almost  impossible,  and  until  due  thought  is  given 
the  nii^tter,  it  would  seem  that  they  imparted 
little  information,  but,  out  of  them  came  the 
real,  upbuilding  men  of  the  country.  In  those 
ti-ny  cabins  the  men  who  have  made  this  country 
what  it  is  today,  gained  their  first  acquaintance 
with  books,  and  had  awakened  in  them  a  thirst 
for  knowledge  that  impelled  them  ever  forward 
until  they  themselves  brought  into  existence  the 
tinest  school  system  the  world'knows.  The  earn- 
est purpose  to  learn  and  profit  was  there,  and- 
the  crude  facilities  and  poorly  equipiJed  in- 
structors could  not  dampen  the  enthusiasm  or 
retard  the  progress. 

A  history  of  the  development  in  the  schools 
of  Piatt  County  is  best  given  by  reviewing  the 
work  accomplished  In  each  township. 

MONTICELLO   TOWNSHIP. 

James  Outen  taught  the  first  .school  in  Monti- 
<-ello  Townsliip,  in  a  cabin  that  stood  west  of 
the  city  of  Monticello,  in  tlie  vicinity  of  the 
river.  The  first  school  In  the  city  proper  v\'as 
taught  by  George  A.  Patterson  in  the  courthouse, 
and  to  it  went  many  whose  names  have  be- 
come household  words  in  the  county.  An  early 
sehoolliouse  was  known  as  the  old  brick  school- 
house,  and  was  erected  in  the  southern  end  of 
the  town  in  18,">7-8,  with  Isaiah  Stickle  as  the 
first  teacher.  Improvements  were  made  In  this 
Iniilding  In  1S(J9,  but  in  1903  it  was  torn  down. 

When  the  time  came  that  the  people  of  Mon- 
ticello decided  to  erect  a  suitable  building  that 
would  house  the  school  children,  with  a  gener- 
osity characteristic  of  those  times,  A.  J.  Wiley 
not  only  donated  the  land,  located  a  block  south 
of  the  square  next  to  the  Presbyterian  Church 
lot,  but  helped  his  neighbors  to  build  the  school- 
house. 

A  .spacious  ten-room  schoolhouse  ^vas  built  in 
1894,  at  a  cost  of  il!22.ono,  heated  by  steam  and 
Iirovided  with  water.  A  fine  library  was  pro- 
vided, and  the  grounds  were  beautified.  The 
high  school  course  was  establi.shed,  which  em- 
braces the  following  studies,  divided  into  four 
years : 


First  Year. 


English, 

Algebra, 

Latin, 

(ireek  History, 


Physiography, 
Roman  History, 
Botany, 
Manual  Training. 


English, 

Plain  Geometry, 
Latin  (Owsar), 
Med.  History, 

Zoology, 


English, 
Algebra, 
I-atia  (Cicero), 
English  History, 
Physics, 


Second  Year. 

Modem  History, 
Physiology, 
German, 
Manual  Training. 

Third  Year. 

Solid  (ieonietry, 
German. 
Economics. 
I'.oiikkeepiug. 


Fourth  Year. 


English, 

Com.  Arithmetic. 

American  History, 

Chemistry, 


Com.  Geography, 
Civics, 
Educational 
Psychology. 


Some  of  the  educators  who  have  been  asso- 
ciated with  this  school  are  as  follows :  John 
P.  Mcintosh,  P.  T.  Nichols,  G.  A.  Burgess,  F.  V. 
Dilatush.  J.  II.  Martin.  Mary  Reed,  Joseph  Gale, 
W.  R.  Humphrey,  W.  H.  Skinner,  W.  C.  Hobson, 
E.  A.  Fritter,  J.  H.  Meneely,  A.  W.  Gross  and 
B.  D.  Reniy. 

Some  idea  of  the  advance  made  can  be  gained 
from  the  following  figures :  In  1900  the  entire 
school  iiroperty  of  Monticello  was  valued  at 
$30,000,  and  the  attendance  was  500  pupils.  In 
191.J  the  valuation  was  .$T.5,<KI0.  while  the  nuni- 
ler  of  pupils  enrolled  was  .50.^).  The  following 
schools  outside  the  city  are  in  Monticello  Town- 
ship: Strlngtown.  Dighton.  Prairie  Chapel, 
Ridge,  Hanellne,  Independent.  New  York,  Cas- 
ner,  Ander.son  and  Dublin. 

BEMENT   TOWKSnlP. 

In  1S5G  Henry  C.  Booth  opened  the  first 
school  In  Bement  Township,  the  school  term 
being  three  months  out  of  the  year,  for  which 
he  received  a  compensation  of  $120  for  the  entire 
period. 

It  was  not  until  1S.")9  that  a  schoolhouse  was 
built,  the  schools  prior  to  that  being  held  In 
rented  buildings.  As  was  .so  usual  in  early  times, 
the  ground  was  given,  L.  B.  Wing  and  William 
Rea  being  the  donators.  This  school  had  two 
rooms,  and  In  ISCt;  four  more  rooms  were  added. 
A  still  further  addition  was  made  of  two  rooms 
in  ISSfi,  and  four  more  In  1892,  making  in  all 
twelve  rooms.  This  schoolhouse  had  a  steam 
plant  that  was  put  In  In  1884.  Damages  were 
sustained  through  lightning  in  1898,  which  were 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


671 


reijaired,  but  in  April,  1899,  tlie  building  was 
destroyed  by  flro.  A  new  building  was  erected 
in  1900,  at  a  cost  of  |27,000.  The  building  is 
now  valued  at  $33,000,  and  there  is  an  attend- 
ance of  -150  pupils.  Some  of  the  educators  who 
have  been  associated  with  this  school  are  as 
follows : 

H.  E.  Coffeen,  S.  K.  Boduian,  J.  W.  Richards, 
C  D.  Moore,  J.  B.  Lovell,  A.  S.  Norris,  J.  A. 
Hilman,  J.  R.  Johnson,  J.  .\.  Patrick,  E.  M. 
Chenney,  Mrs.  Shirk,  F.  M.  Fowler,  A.  W.  Mason, 
W.  J.  Cousins,  J.  H.  McConias,  G.  C.  Gantz, 
A.  C.  Butler,  Thomas  Sterling  (now  U.  S.  Senator 
from  S.  Dakota),  Miss  Belle  Sterling,  R.  0. 
Leickman,  T.  C.  Clenderen,  I.  N.  Wade,  W.  E. 
Mann,  Chas.  W.  Groves,  A.  B.  Martin  and  J.  M. 
Martin. 

The  Bement  Rural  school  had  its  beginning  in 
1878,  when  a  frame  sohoolhouse  was  built  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  township  for  the  pupils 
who  lived  too  far  away  from  the  Bement  Village 
school,  and  Joanna  Fleming  was  the  first 
teacher.  This  school  is  still  being  conducted. 
The  niral  schools  in  Bement  Township,  out- 
side the  two  mentioned  above,  are :  Ray,  Moma, 
Davies,  Fisher,  Concorn,  Mitchell,  Bement, 
Rural,  Coffin  and  Moore. 

CERBO   GORDO   TOWNSHIP. 

Until  1857  the  pupils  of  Cerro  Gordo  Town- 
ship attended  a  school  held  over  the  line,  in 
Macon  County,  but  in  that  year  a-  schoolhouse 
was  erected  on  the  site  of  the  pre.sent  buUding, 
with  Andrew  McKinney  as  the  first  teacher. 

A  two-room  brick  building  was  erected  in 
1868,  and  in  1873  an  addition  of  two  rooms  v^as 
added,  while  in  1881  its  capacity  was  enlarged 
by  addition  of  another  room.  Those  additions, 
while  adding  to  its  seating  space,  made  It  some- 
what awkward  to  heat,  and  otherwise  incon- 
venient, and  in  1000  it  was  replaced  by  a  mod- 
ern, six-room  building,  steam  heated,  and  sup- 
plied with  modern  conveniences.  Two  rooms 
have  recently  been  added  to  the  building.  This 
school  has  a  four-year  high  school  course,  and 
is  on  the  accreilited  list  of  the  University  of 
Illinois. 

Tlie  following  educators  have  been  as.sociated 
with  the  work  at  this  school : 

Olivel  E.  Coffeen.  G.  X.  Snapp.  John  Loeffler. 
A.  L.  Starr.  Fred  T.  Ullricli,  GiK).  S.  Morris,  Geo. 
N.  Cade,  F.  P.  Worth. 

A  two-story  brick  schoolhouse  was  built  at 
Milmlne  in  1871,  and  Jasper  N.  Wilkinson  was 
the  first  principal.     Other  educators  associated 

4 


with  this  school  have  been :  A.  C.  Duncan, 
Thomas  Gilvere,  C.  C.  Wash,  Chas.  Mcintosh, 
C.  E.  Leathers,  R.  H.  McAfee,  Everett  Garrett, 
Linley  Howver,  Warren  Sanders. 

Tile  first  La  Place  school  building  was  erected 
In  1S84,  and  another  took  Its  place  In  1903. 
This  school  has  a  high  school  course,  and  an 
attendance  of  about  130  pupils.  Some  of  the 
educators  connected  with  this  school  have  been : 
X.  C.  Duncan,  Arthur  Verner,  L.  F.  NIchol,  J.  E. 
Underwood,  C.  E.  Leathers  and  Evertt  Garrett. 

In  addition  to  the  three  graded  schools  above 
given,  Cerro  Gordo  Township  has  the  following 
schools :  Guilford.  Pemble,  East  Union,  Star, 
Pleasant  View,  Voorhies,  Center  16-5,  Centen- 
nial. Prairie  Dell,  Center,  Center  16-4,  Clark  and 
Lintner. 

GOOSE   CREEK   TOWNSHIP. 

George  A.  Patterson  was  the  teacher  of  the 
first  school  held  in  the  first  schoolhouse  that 
was  built  in  Goose  Creek  Township,  near  the 
present  site  of  the  Piatt  school.  Another  early 
school  was  that  known  as  the  Morain  .school, 
and  both  were  well  attended. 

DeLand  has  a  comfortable  si.v-room  school- 
house  that  was  built  in  1905,  and  iC  Is  heated 
by  steam.  Some  of  it.s  educators  have  been  as 
follows:  H.  H.  Kirkpatriek.  H.  S.  Davis, 
Thomas  Gilvere,  A.  C.  Staley,  Otto  Weedman. 
Arthur  Verner.  E.  C.  Grayblll.  O.  X.  Keger. 
Francis   Thompson.   Lewis   Boyer. 

The  rural  schools  In  Goose  Creek  Township 
are  as  follows :  Mount  Vernon,  Wisegarver. 
Western,  Falrview,  Pleasant  Falls,  Harmony, 
Piatt,  Morain,  Ashland,  Prospect,  Enterprise  and 
Kentucky. 

S.VNGAMON  TOWNSHIP. 

That  veteran  teacher,  George  A.  Patterson, 
taught  the  first  school  In  Sangamon  Township. 
The  school  was  kept  in  a  log  house  north  of 
White  Heath,  near  the  old  White  schoolhouse. 

White  Heath's  schoolhouse  was  built  In  1803, 
but  additions  have  been  made  to  the  original 
building,  .\mong  those  who  have  been  associated 
with  the  educational  work  in  this  school  are : 
Alfred  Ewington.  Clark  Blacker.  J.  T.  Gale,  C. 
M.  Morris.  .Vdani  Volcker,  Geo.  Larrick,  Lewis 
Boyer.   W.   TI.   Skinner. 

WILLOW    BRANCH    TOWNSHIP. 

Willow  Branch  Township  has  the  distinction 
of  being  able  to  claim  Judge  Edward  Ater  as 
the  first  teacher  of  the  school   kept  within  Its 


672 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


limits,  tliis  being  about  1840.  This  primitive 
Iniilding  stood  on  the  creel;  from  which  Willow 
Branch  gets  its  name.  The  only  village  school 
iu  the  tiiwuship  is  at  Cisco,  and  it  shows  com- 
mendable growth.  Some  of  the  educators  of  this 
township  have  been :  D.  O.  Shaff,  Tenney  Pease, 
Charley  C.  Walsh,  Geo.  Larrlck,  J.  H.  Glaeser, 
R.  H.  McAtee. 

The  rural  schools  of  Willow  Branch  Township 
are:  New  Union,  Excelsior.  Wild  Cat,  Shady 
Nook,  East  Cisco.  West  Cisco,  Oak  Grove,  AVil- 
low  Branch,  Havely.  Riverside,  Dillow,  Hanover, 
Baker  and  Grove. 

UNITY  TOWNSHIP. 

The  first  schoolhonse  of  Unity  Township  was 
built  in  ].S42  and  the  teacher  was  John  Collins. 
Mackville  had  a  schoolhonse  as  early  as  1S5S, 
and  school  was  taught  by  James  r^ewis.  In  1876 
a  schoolhonse  was  moved  to  Hammond  from  a 
site  near  the  present  Hammond  cemetery.  This 
building  was  replaced  by  a  better  one  in  1SS2, 
and  with  another  in  1914. 

The  Pierson  District  was  formed  In  ISS.S.  and 
George  F.  Righter  taught  the  first  .school.  A 
larger  schoolhonse  was  built  in  1802.  Teachers 
of  this  district  have  been  :  Geo.  Morris,  H.  C. 
Gross.  Alice  AVithers,  John  P.  Rose.  May  Burks, 
Maggie  Walker,  Ruby  Quick,  Florence  Eskridge. 

The  Atwood  District  was  organized  into  a 
union  school  district  in  1SS4.  The,  village  of 
Atwood  has  the  novel  feature  of  lying  on  the 
county  line  lietween  Pintt  and  Douglas  counties, 
the  line  being  the  main  street  of  the  place.  The 
present  schoolhonse  was  built  in  1914.  and  is  a 
floe  modern  building.  .Vmong  the  educators  who 
have  been  associated  with  this  district  are: 
Geo.  S.  Morris.  James  Hicks,  Thomas  W.  Sam- 
uels, Arthur  Niedermier,  V.  Smith.  Ij.  P.  Baird, 
M.  A.  Thresher.  M.  A.  Hester.  P.  J.  Heaney, 
Chas.  Gott.  Arthur  O.  Fraser. 

The  rural  schools  in  the  township  are :  Bainl, 
McCabe,  Shonkwiler.  Baker,  Morgan,  Leavit. 
Easton,  Harshbarger,  Love  and  Maple  Grove. 

nLI'E  RIDGE  TOWNSHIP. 

The  first  schoolhonse  of  Blue  Ridge  Township 
was  built  in  1854.  The  only  graded  school  in 
this  township  is  that  at  Mansfield,  and  there  is 
a  high  school  course  and  is  on  the  accredited 
list  of  the  State  University.  Among  the  educa- 
tors associated  with  work  in  the  town.ship  are: 
G.  X.   Snapp,  L.  B.  White,  Xellie  Yursk,  T.  L. 


Cook,  C.  C.  Forest,  O.  N.  Kiger,  James  Morkel, 
J,  A.  Alexander,  L.  E.  Gohn. 

The  rural  schools  are  as  follows  :  Blue  Ridge, 
Langley,  Van  Meter,  West  Point,  Gillespie,  Mc- 
Gath,  Watson,  South  Prairie,  Klinger,  Victory, 
Pleasant  Grove,  Number  Six  and  Elwood. 

V.VLUES    AND    ENROLLMENT. 

Piatt  County  values  its  school  property  at 
$330,705.  There  are  5  high  schools  (four  year)  ; 
14  graded  schools :  and  89  country  schools ;  also 
2  three-.\ear  and  2  two-year  high  schools.  The 
number  of  teachers  employed  is  180,  of  which 
14  are  principals.  There  are  5  accredited  schools 
in  the  county,  namely :  Montieello,  Bement,  At- 
wood, Cerro  Gordo  and  Mansfield.  The  schools 
of  this  county  rank  as  first  grade.  The  per- 
centage of  Piatt  County  pupils  who  attend 
higher  institutions  of  learning  is  high.  The 
annual  enrollment  of  1915  was  4.124  pupils. 

SCHOOL    AND    PUBLIC    LIBR.\RIES. 

Excellent  libraries  are  maintaineil  in  the  fol- 
lowing schools :  Montieello,  Bement,  Atwood, 
Cerro  Gordo  and  Mansfield. 

Piatt  County  has  four  public  libraries,  located 
as  follows :  Montieello,  Bement,  De  Land  and 
Atwood. 

PRIVATE  LIBEARIES. 

Among  the  people  who  have  very  fine  private 
libraries  may  be  mentioned  the  following : 
George  K.  Trenehard,  of  De  Land ;  Frank  V. 
Dilatush.  of  Montieello ;  H.  E.  Shaw,  of  Bement ; 
Rev.  Shirey.  of  Bement ;  Mrs.  J.  X.  Dighton,  of 
Montieello. 


C5HAPTER  Xn. 


P.AXKS  AXD  OTHER   FIXAXCIAL 
IXSTITUTIOXS. 


GENERAL  FINANCIAL  CONDITIONS — NECESSITY  FOR 
BANKS — POWER  OF  FINANCIAL  INSTITUTIONS — ■ 
FIRST  BANKS — .MOORE  STATE  BANK  OF  MONTI- 
CELLO FIRST   NATIONAL  BANK   OF   MONTICELLO 

FARMERS  N.\TIONAI.  BANK  OF  MONTICELLO — FIRST 

NATION.\L    BANK     OF     ATWOOD .ST.\TE    B.\NK     OF 

HAM.MOND — STATE    BANK    OF    CERRO    GORDO CITI- 
ZENS  BVNK   OF  CERRO  GORDO STATE  BANK   OF  LA 


TH£  ^i"'^ 


,^H 


PUILIC  UbHARI' 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


673 


PLACE — BANK  OF  MH.MINE — STATE  BANK  OF  CISCO 
— STATE  BANK  OF  DE  LAND — FIRST  NATIONAL 
BANK  OF  DE  LAND — PIERSON  BANK — PEOPIJES 
STATE  BANK  OF  MANSFIELD — STATE  BANK  OF 
MANSFIELD — S.  L.  SIEVERS  &  COMPANY  BANK  OF 
WHITE  HEATH — FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK  OF  BE- 
MENT — STATE  BANK  OF  BEMENT OTHER  FINAN- 
CIAL INSTITUTIONS — MORTGAGE  INVESTMENTS — 
REJIARKABLE   FINANCIAL  CONDITION. 

GENERAL    FINANCIAL   CONDITIONS. 

When  the  world  was  new  and  there  was  no 
accepted  standard  for  bartering,  the  people  had 
no  need  for  banking  institutions.  Each  man 
was  his  own  merchant,  exchanging  some  com- 
modity of  which  he  was  possesssed,  for  some-_ 
thing  another  had  that  he  wanted.  However,  as 
separate  nations  grew  ui>  out  of  scattered  tribes,  ■ 
with  permanent  places  of  residence,  the  neces- 
sity arose  for  establishing  some  medium  of  ex- 
change that  would  represent  to  all  a  certain 
value,  and  would  be  taken  in  exchange  for 
articles  of  various  (jualities  and  ijuantities.  At 
one  time  rings  ofprecious  metals  were  used  as 
this  medium  of  exchange,  but  many  centuries 
ago  gold,  silver  and  copiier  coins  were  struck 
off.  each  to  represent  a  certain  stated  value. 
This  monetary  s.vstem,  at  first  very  crude  and 
inadequate  as  coni]jared  to  the  presents  methods, 
was  regarded  as  a  wonderful  advance  ujion 
former  customs,  as  it  was.  -Vs  the  .years 
progressed,  improvements  were  made  until  the 
banking  system  of  today  with  its  varied  and 
multiform  departuicnts  has  been  evolved,  to  meet 
tlie  demands  and  requirements  of  international 
and  internal  transactions. 

NECESSITY    FOR    BANKS. 

Prom  very  early  times  the  services  of  some 
one  or  othei-  have  been  required  l).v  those  who 
had  neither  the  time  nor  the  understanding  of 
finances,  to  manage  transactions  between  parties, 
es|jecially  those  whom  distance  so  separated  as 
to  make  a  personal  interview  impossible.  From 
these  money  changers  of  olden  days  have  come 
the  bankers  of  today.  As  is  but  natural  these 
men  in  whose  keeping  has  been  entrusted  tlie 
wealth  of  a  people,  have  occupied  a  place  of 
moment  in  their  day  and  country.  The  weight 
of  their  .iudgment,  the  wi.sdom  of  their  advice 
and  the  power  of  their  influence  have  been 
recognized  and  accepted  from  the  days  of  the 
New  Testament. 


POWER    OF    FIN.iNCIAL    INSTITUTIONS. 

It  has  long  ago  been  admitted  that  were  it  not 
for  the  remarkable  advance  and  development  of 
the  banking  system,  with  its  international  com- 
plexities, and  connections,  civilization  would 
never  have  been  developed  to  its  present  state. 
In  war  or  peace,  the  bankers  of  a  country,  in 
large  measure  control  its  policies,  and  its  stabil- 
ity and  wealth  most  certainly  depend  upon  the 
wisdom  and  sagacity  of  the  men  who  hold  its 
moneys.  For  these  and  many  other  reasons  that 
might  well  be  given,  the  banking  interests  of 
any  community  are  among  its  most  important, 
and  the  men  at  the  head  of  such  institutions 
are  .iustly  numbered  among  its  most  representa- 
tive and  solid  citizens. 

rlR.ST   BANKS. 

The  first  bank  of  I'iatt  County  was  the  Moore 
Sta't-e  Ba»k:of  .Monticello.  Another  early  bank 
AVJstbat  condjictetl  by  F.  E.  Bryant  &  t'ompany 
under  the  luuiie'  oT  The  Benient  Bank. 

MOORE    STATE    B.-VNK    OF    .MONTICELLO. 

The  oldest  bank  in  I'iatt  County  is  the  Moore 
.State  Bank,  which  has  been  continuously  in 
Inisiness  since  its  organization  in  1870.  Its 
present  officials  are  as  follows:  D.  M.  Moore, 
president :  A.  F.  Moore,  vice  president ;  R.  B. 
Weddle,  cashier;  W.  L.  Plankerhorn,  assistant 
cashier,  and  G.  P.  Martin,  second  assistant  cash- 
ier. The  boai-d  of  directors  is  coiniiosed  of  the 
following  members:  Heber  Husttm.  D.  M.  Moore, 
.1.  P.  Knitz,  K.  B.  Weddle  and  A.  F.  Moore.  The 
capital  stock  is  .flW.lXiO:  the  surplus  and  un- 
divided profits  are  .'?35.000 :  the  loans  are  .$."40,- 
(1(1(1.  and  the  deposits  are  .$400,000. 

FIR.ST  NATIONAL  BA.NK  OF  -MONTICELLO. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  .Monticello  was 
established  in  1S02  by  William  Xoecker.  John 
W.  Dighton  and  G.  .\.  8tadler,  and  incorporated 
that  same  year  with  William  Xoecker  as  presi- 
dent ;  John  ,\.  Dighton  as  vice  president,  and 
O.  W.  Moore  as  cashier,  with  a  capital  stock  of 
.$."0,000.    The  present  condition  is  as  follows : 

RESOURCES. 

Loans  and  Discounts .$727,019.09 

Overdrafts    3,977.95 

Bonds,  Securities,  etc 47,089.66 

United   States  Bonds  at  Par 100,000.00 


674 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


Hanking   Ilonsc.   Fiirnitiiic   and    Fix- 
tures        10,000.00 

Revenue  Stamps  :j!52.00 

Stocks  in  Feileral  Reserve  Bank 0,000.00 

Due   from    Banks $172,0(i().7.'i 

Redemption  Fund  with  XT. 

S.  Treasurer 5,000.00 

Cash   58,170.69 

235,2.37.44 


Reserve  for  Interest  and  Ta.Kes. .  , 
Deposits     


1.107.S4 
410,100.35 


Total $1,130,570.14 

LIABILITIES. 

t'aiiitai  stock  .$100,000.00 

Surplus    100,000.00 

Undivideti    Profits    1,022.10 

National   Rank   Xotes  Outstanding...    ]00,f)00.00 
Deposits     .S20,554.04 


Total .$l.i:».."0.14 

The  present  officials  and  hoard  of  directors  are 
as  follows:  William  Dighton,  president;  John 
X.  Dighton.  vice  president;  Frank  Iletishee.  vice 
Iiresident;  Geo.  B.  Xoecker.  cashier;  Ernest  E. 
Lohr.  assistant  cashier ;  and  Robert  H.  Allerton, 
C.  J.  Bear.  William  Dighton.  John  N.  Dighton. 
Pi-ank  V.  Dilatush.  W.  H.  England,  Firank 
Iletishee.  John  ICirli.v.  C.  B.  Noecker,  W.  F. 
Stevenson.  ( '.  X.  Tatman.  directors. 

F.VRllKliS    STATL    l:A^'K    OF    MONTICELLO. 

The  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Monticello  was 
organizeii  in  1011  by  J.  W.  Ayre,  J.  A.  Salyes 
and  James  L.  AUraan.  Sr.,  with  a  capital  stock 
of  .f.^O.OOO.  The  first  ofiicials  were :  J.  A.  Sal- 
yers  as  president :  James  L.  .MlmaiL  Sr..  as  vice 
president,  and  J.  W.  Ayre  as  cashier.  The  pres- 
ent condition  of  the  hank  is  as  follows: 

RESOURCES. 

I,(jaiis   .'Uicl    I  )isciinnts .S;'>(l."i.i;i7.54 

Overdrafts :l.0.'i8.1(! 

I'.aiiking   Mouse,   Fnrnitui-e   and    Fi.\- 

tures     1(i,(;s8.2L' 

Cash    a  nil    i:\ch;inge 100,(;S!).40 


.1:470.573.38 


I.LMUI.ITIES. 

Capital    SfiM-k     .$50,000.00 

Surplus    10,000.00 

FndiNided    I'rotits    2.185.19 


$479,573.38 

The  present  officials  and  hoard  of  directors 
are  as  follows :  J.  A.  Salyers,  president ;  W.  F. 
StevensoiL  vice  president;  J.  A.  AUman.  Sr., 
vice  president ;  J.  W.  Ayre,  cashier ;  W.  Har- 
rington, assistant  cashier ;  A.  M.  Foster,  assist- 
ant cashier ;  and  W.  F.  Stevenson,  M.  Hazzard, 
J.  F.  Heath,  J.  L.  Allman,  J.  W.  McCollister, 
J.  E.  Rankin.  G.  W.  Widick.  John  Smock,  A.  C. 
I'-die,  J.  A'.  Ayre.  J.  A.   Salyers.  directors. 

FIRST    NATIONAL    [SANK    OF   ATWOOI). 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Atwixid  was 
f'oundeil  in  11X12  with  a  capital  stock  of  .$.'!< i.OOO. 
with  Tlieodpre  Gross  as  president :  lOdward 
I'arsons  as  vice  ijresideut ;  and  Theodore  Gross, 
Jr..  as  cashier.  The  present  ofBcials  are  as 
follows :  Joseph  Lewis,  president ;  C.  JI.  Flick- 
inger.  vice  president,  and  C.  E.  Morrison,  cashier. 

ST.VTE    ISANK    OF    IIA.M.MOXU. 

The  State  Bank  of  Hammond  was  founded  in 
1808  by  T.  J.  Kiyer  and  otiiers,  and  incorporated 
in  that  .vear  with  a  capital  .stock  of  .$35,000. 
Tile  present  ofiicials  are:  T.  J.  Ki.ver,  president ; 
O.  1).  Nnc.  vice  president,  .uid  J.  W.  Vent, 
cashier. 

sTATi:  MAXK  or  (  i;rku  <;(iE!I)o. 

In  18!i4  the  State  B:ink  of  Cerro  (Jordo  was 
founded  with  a  capital  stock  of  .$83,000,  John 
N.  Dighton  being  its  fir.st  president.  The  present 
ofiicials  are  as  follows :  S.  JI.  Funk,  president ; 
F.  y.  Dilatush.  vice  president,  and  John  W. 
Vent,    cashiei-. 

CITIZENS    DANK    OF    CKIUJO    (KIKIH). 

The  Gitizens  Bank  of  Cerro  (Jordo  was  founded 
in  100S.  The  individual  responsibility  is  $:!00.- 
iXIO.  it  being  a  ]irivatc  bank.  The  otHcials  at 
present  are  iis  follows:  J.  C.  I'eek.  president; 
S.  J.  still,  vice  president,  and  F.arl  (iriswold. 
cashier. 

STATE     I:ANK     ok     I,A     IT^4-(E. 

John  S.  .Vter  founded  a  private  banking  house 
.it  I..I  Place  that  in  lltOO  was  Incoriiorated  as 
the  State  Bank  of  La  Place.  Isaac  Shively  Is 
the  lu'esent  president ;  John  Shivele.v  is  the  vice 
Iiresident.  and  P>.  F.  Kagey  is  the  cashier. 


h(^^lfn>y[. 


THE  NtW  r.KK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

ASTOR      .»^0X 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


675 


BANK    OF    MII.MINE. 

Ill  1!)(»:!  the  l^.iiik  of  Milmiiie  was  founded  as  a 
jirlvate  liaiikiii.;:  house.  The  individual  resjioii- 
slbility  i.s  .f.jO.OOd.  James  Fisher  is  the  iiresi- 
dent;  Isaac  Ilawver  is  the  vice  president,  and 
1!.  I..  Ilawvcv  is  the  ca.shiei-. 

STATE    BANK    Ol'    CISCO. 

The  State  Baiiic  of  Cisco  was  founded  as  tlie 
Croninger  Baiilv  and  was  incorporated  in  IS'JT 
witli  a  capital  stoclv  of  .$52,000.  Tlie  present 
officials  are  as  follows :  E.  O.  Martin,  president ; 
Charles  Doane.  vice  president,  and  W.  T.  Har- 
din, cashier. 

STATE  BANK  OF  DE  LAND. 

The  State  Banli  of  De  Laud  was  organized  in 
1889  and  incorporated  with  a  c-apital  stock  of 
$25,000.  Its  present  rinaneial  condition  is  as 
follows:  "  \., 

RESOUBCES. 

Loans  and  Discounts .$213,071.28 

Overdrafts    8fiO..'51 

Bankins-  House.   Furniture   and    Fix- 

tui.es" 10,000.00 

Cash  and  Due  from  Banks 45,931.13 


BESOURCES. 

Loans  and  Discounts. , $170,401.25 

Overdrafts    2,105.12 

Bonds,  Securities,  etc 500.00 

I'nited  States  Bonds  at  Bar 35,000.00 

Banking   House,   Furniture   and   Fi.x- 

tures    8,788.00 

Stock  in  Federal  Reserve  Bank 1,G50.00 

Itedeinptioii  Fund  with  U.  S.  Treas.  .  1,7.50.00 

Casli  and  Dne  from  Banks 42,7.59.75 


$200,862.72 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital  Stock   $  25,000.00 

Surplns 10,000.00 

I'ndivided   Profits  less  Expenses  and 

Taxes   Paid    1,385.07 

Deposits  219,477.05 

Borrowed 14,000.00 


$269,802.72 


The  present  officials  are  as  follows:  John 
Kirby,  president ;  J.  N.  Rodman,  vice  president ; 
E.  T.  ilcMillen,  cashier,  and  E.  R.  Rinehart, 
assistant  cashier.  The  board  of  directors  is  com- 
p.>sed  of  the  following:  .Tolm  Kirby,  II.  H. 
(iiliuoie,  Reemt  Lul>liers.  .1.  N.  Hodman,  Jurko 
O.  Lubbers,  I.  L.  Kinehart.  \V.  W.  Kirkland. 

FIRST   NATIONAL  BANK   OK   DE   LAND. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  De  Land  was 
estalilished  in  1901.  Tlie  present  condition  of 
the  bank  is  as  follows: 


$272,044.12 

LIABILITIES. 

Gipital  Stock  $  35,000.00 

Surplus    20,000.00 

Undivided  Profits  l,3GG.0O 

National  Bank  Notes  Outstanding. . .     35,000.00 

Due  to  Banks' 0,124.51 

deposits    174,053,61 

$272,044.1^2 

The  present  officials  are  as  follows:  O.  R. 
Trenchard,  president;  C.  E.  England,  vice  presi- 
dent ;  J.  B.  Rinehart,  cashier ;  C.  L.  BoUenbach, 
assistant  cashier.  The  present  board  of  directors 
is  as  follows :  George  Bosler,  C.  E.  England, 
H.  W.  Gantz,  D.  W.  Hursh,  M.  E.  Miller,  Ellis 
Reed,  G.  R.  Hursh,  T.  G.  Wisegarver,  Smith 
Wisegarver.  (J.  R.  Trenchard. 

PIEESON  BANK. 

The  Pierson  Bank  was  founded  in  1902,  at 
Pierson.  At  present  Joseph  Lewis  is  its  presi- 
dent and  B.  Erhardt  is  its  cashier. 

PEOPLES    STATE    BANK    OF    MANSFIELD. 

In  1910  the  Peoples  State  Bank  of  Mansfield 
was  incorporated  with  a  capital  stock  of  $30,000. 
The  iiresent  officials  are  as  follows:  Samuel 
Howe,  president ;  George  Howe,  vice  president, 
and  Charles  Slater,  cashier. 

At  one  time  tliere  was  a  bank  at  Mansfield 
liiiown  as  tlie  First  National  Bank  of  Mansfield, 
but  it  failed  in  1902.  later  being  re-organized  as 
the  Mansfield  Banking  Company,  with  a  capital 
stock  of  .$25.(100.  Tliis  last  named  organization 
was  al.so  dissolved. 

.STATE    BANK    OF    MANSFIELD. 

In  1899  the  State  Bank  of  Mansfield  was 
organized,  and  later  incorporated.     The  present 


676 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


officials  are  as  follows:  W.  H.  FirUe.  president; 
Alvah  James,  vice  president,  and  W.  H.  Burn, 
easbier. 

S.   L.   SIE\'ERS   &    COMPANY  BANK  OF   WHITE  HEATH. 

In  1M3  S.  L.  Sievers  founded  a  private  banli- 
ing  house,  whicli  is  conducted  under  the  firm 
name  of  8.  L.  Sievers  &  Compan.v,  with  S.  L. 
Sievers  as  president;  and  Carl  De  Laud  as 
cashier. 

FIRST    NATIONAL   BANK    OF   BEMENT. 

In  1888  The  First  National  Bank  of  Bemeut 
was  founded.  It  is  in  a  very  sound  financial 
condition,  its  capital  stock  and  surplus  being 
.$5G,(I00.  The  present  officials  are  as  follows : 
W.  M.  Camp,  [u-esident ;  W.  R.  Cnnip,  vice  presi- 
dent ;  and  W.  A.   Steel,   cashier. 

STATE    BANK    OF    BEMENT. 

The  state  Bank  of  Bement  was  founded  in 
1014,  and  incorporated  under  its  present  cap- 
tion. Its  capital  and  surplus  of  ^50,000  gives 
It  solidity.  Its  present  officials  are  as  follows : 
H.  E.  Shaw,  president;  A.  L.  Wilkerson,  vice 
president ;  and  li.  M.  Fleming,  cashier. 

OTHER   FINANCIAL  INSTITUTIONS. 

Piatt  County  has  several  other  financial  insti- 
tutions, among  them  being  the  following:  The 
riatt  County  Loan  Association  of  Monticello, 
and  the  Dighton-DUatush  Loan  Company  ot 
Monticello. 

irORTGAGE   INVESTMENTS. 

A  very  important  feature  of  the  financial 
transactions  of  any  comnuinity,  is  the  loaning 
of  money  upon  good  security.  Jlany  men  of 
means  prefer  this  form  of  investment  to  any 
other,  and  some  refuse  to  consider  an.v  other 
kind,  feeling  that,  no  other  can  offer  the  sure 
returns  and  gild  edged  security,  as  that  given 
by  mortgages  upon  real  estate.  Farm  lands 
have  of  late  years  been  a  favored  security,  and 
those  desiring  to  raise  funds  to  meet  unusual 
conditions,  or  to  expand  their  operations,  find 
that  they  have  little  or  no  difficulty  in  obtaining 
what  they  need  upon  a  fair  valuation  of  their 
proiierty. 

RE.\L\RKABLE     FINANCIAL     CONDITION. 

There  are  eighteen  banks  in  I'iatt  County,  or 
a  bank  for  less  than  each  one  thousand  of  the 
population.     This   is   not   all,    for   there   are   a 


number  of  banking  institutions  located  but  a 
short  distance  across  the  county  line  that 
naturally  absorb  some  of  the  business;  and  De- 
catur and  Champaign  are  nearliy  cities,  and 
some  of  the  financial  transactions  are  made  In 
them.  The  fact  that  the  county  supports 
eighteen  sound  banking  houses  Is  but  another 
[iroof  of  the  claim  the  penple  have  long  made, 
and  successfully  maintained,  that  Piatt  County 
is  the  wealthiest  county  for  its  size  in  the  state, 
and  with  one  e.\ce]ition.  in  the  United  States. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 


RAILROADS. 


TRANSPORTATION    PROBLEMS — FIRST  ROADS   BUFFALO 

AND    INDIAN    TRAILS OLDEST    MADE   ROAD — FIRST 

STATE  ROAD — STAGE  ROUTES  ESTABLISHED AC- 
COMMODATED    TRAVELERS      FOR      MANY      YEARS 

RAILROADS  SOUNDED  THEIR  KNELL — FIRST  RAIL- 
ROAD CONSTRUCTION  WORK  IN  1855 — WABASH 
RAILROAD    BEGAN    OPERATING    AS    THE    CHICAGO   & 

PADUCAH STATIONS   ON    THE    WABASH   IN   PIATT 

COUNTY — ILLINOIS    CENTRAL    RAILROAD BRANCH 

LINE  FIRST  BORE  NAME  OF  THE  MONTICELLO  KAIL- 
ROAD MANY     CHANGES     IN     OWNERSHIP PIATT 

STATIONS  ALONG  THIS  ROAD — CHICAGO,  CLEVE- 
LAND, CINCINNATI  &  ST.  LOUIS  RAILROAD MANS- 
FIELD ONLY  STATION  IN  PIATT  COUNTY CHICAGO, 

INDIANAPOLIS    &    WESTERN — PIATT    STATIONS    ON 

THIS      LINE M'KINLEY      TRACTION      SYSTEM 

BLOOMINGTON,    DECATUB  &   CHAMPAIGN   RAILROAD 

— ■  AUTOMOBILES  MANY       VALUABLE       MOTORS 

OWNED  IN   COUNTY. 

TRAN.SPORTATION    PROBLEMS. 

The  buffalo  herds  which  undoubtedly  once 
roamed  over  Piatt  County  and  surrounding  ter- 
ritory, made  marked  trails,  traces  of  which  are 
still  to  be  seen,  although  the  buffalo  has  long 
since  been  driven  from  this  part  of  the  country. 
The  Indians,  who  probably  were  antedated  by 
the  buffalo,  also  made  distinct  trails,  many  of 
which  were  used  by  the  white  men  when  they 
invaded  the  hunting  grounds  of  the  red  men. 
However  other  roads  were  needed  by  the  settlers 
to  connect  their  settlements,  and  as  needed  these 
were  worn  across  the  prairies,  across  streams, 
and  through  timberland. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


677 


OLDEST    MADE    ROAD. 

The  oldest  known  made  road  was  that  from 
Sadorus  Grove  to  the  cabin  of  James  Piatt,  and 
from  thence  to  the  trading  house  in  the  vicinity 
of  Friend's  Creelv.  For  many  years  remaining 
traces  of  tliis  old  road  could  be  seen,  but  by 
now  even  these  have  been  oljllterate<l.  These 
early  roads  left  much  to  be  desired,  for  they 
were  usually  built,  when  they  emerged  from  the 
primitive  state  of  a  trail,  by  hitching  oxen  to  a 
log  and  having  them  drag  it  along  the  trail. 
In  order  that  there  should  be  no  mistake  as  to 
the  presence  of  the  road,  a  furrow  was  usually 
plowed  along  it.  Whenever  possible  the  streams 
were  forded,  but  when  they  were  too  deep,  fer- 
ries were  established.  The  Sangamon  River 
during  the  spring  season  was  too  high  to  cross 
save  by  means  of  a  ferry,  and  one  was  main- 
tained by  Nathan  Henline  and  his  brother,  one 
mile  west  of  Jlonticello. 

FIRST  STATE  ROAD. 

The  first  state  road  through  Piatt  County  led 
from  Danville,  by  way  of  Urbana,  through  what 
is  now  Monticello,  and  on  to  Springfield.  The 
one  extending  diagonally  across  Blue  Ridge 
Township,  now  called  the  State  Road,  was  not 
so  surveyed,  but  gained  its  name  because  of  the 
people  who  located  on  it.  This  latter  road  was 
used  before  1833,  and  once  ran  by  Clieney's 
Grove.  It  is  believed  that  Richard  Webb  was 
the  first  Piatt  County  man  to  settle  on  it. 

The  first  local  road  constructed  ran  from 
Monticello  to  the  head  of  Lake  Fork,  and  along 
the  east  side  of  that  stream.  It  was  surveyed  by 
.lohn  Tenhrooke,  and  the  furrow  was  mad"  by 
William  Monroe  with  the  oxen  owned  by  Hiram 
Heath.  A  second  road  was  surveyed  by  George 
Heath  from  Cliarleston  to  Bloomington.  which 
followed  much  the  same  route,  and  a  mail  route 
was  established  and  mail  carriers  rode  over  it 
on  horseback. 

Piatt  County  felt  that  a  great  advance  had 
been  made  when  the  stage  routes  were  estab- 
lished, about  1839,  running  from  Urbana  to 
Decatur.  The  la.st  stage  coach  route  of  Piatt 
County  ran  lietween  Monticello  and  Bement. 
after  the  first  railroad  was  built,  but  the  con- 
struction of  the  raUroads  practically  did  away 
with  the  business  of  the  stage  lines,  and  tlie 
routes  were  discontinued. 


RAILROADS. 

Pitttt  County  had  its  first  railroad  construc- 
tion work  done  in  1S55,  on  the  main  line  of  the 
Wabash  Railroad  through  Bement  and  Cerro 
Goixlo  townships,  running  east  and  west,  the 
gangs  working  from  each  end  and  meeting  in 
ISiiiti  near  what  is  now  Cerm  Gordo.  Connec- 
tion of  this  road  with  the  Chicago  Division  was 
effected  in  1873.  The  original  name  of  the 
road  was  the  Chicago  &  Paducah.  The  statiotts 
along  this  road  are  as  follows:  Hammond, 
Bement,  Monticello,  Lodge,  Galesville  and  Mans- 
field, on  the  Paducah  branch,  and  Bement,  .Mil- 
mine  and  Cerro  Gordo,  on  the  main  line. 

ILLINOIS    CENTRAL. 

In  December,  1S70,  what  is  now  a  branch  of 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  but  was  then  the 
Monticello  Railroad,  was  completed  betiveen 
Champaign  and  Decatur,  through  Sangamon, 
Monticello  and  Willow  Branch  townships.  Al- 
though chartered  in  1861,  no  actual  work  was 
done  until  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  and 
it  was  not  comiileted  until  ISTO,  after  several 
changes  in  charters  and  management.  It  was 
later  purchased  by  the  Indiana,  Bloomington  & 
Western,  and  reorganized  by  new  parties  as  the 
Champaign,  Havana  &  Western.  Subsequently 
it  became  the  property  of  the  Wabash  Railroa<l, 
and  finally  of  the  Illinois  Central.  The  stjitions 
along  this  line  are  as  follows:  On  the  Cham- 
paign &  Decatur  branch :  White  Heath.  Monti- 
cello and  Cisco.  On  the  Champaign  &  Clinton 
branch  :     White  Heath,  Lodge  and  DeLand. 

CHICAGO,  CLEVELAND,   CINCINN.^TI  i   ST.   LOUIS. 

The  Big  Four  Railroad  was  built  through 
Blue  Ridge  Township  in  18G7.  I'nder  its  charter 
it  was  known  as  the  Danville.  Urbana,  Bloom- 
ington &  Pekin  Railroad,  but  was  later  consoli- 
dated with  the  Indianapolis  and  Danville,  to  be 
known  as  the  Indianaiwlis.  Bloomington  &  West- 
ern, and  sub.sequently  became  the  Chicago,  Cleve- 
land, Cincinnati  &  St.  LouLs.  Mansfield  is  the 
only  station  in  Piatt  County. 

CHICAGO,  INDIANAPOLIS  &   WESTERN. 

In  18-17  a  company  was  formed  and  a  road 
was  chartered  known  as  tiie  Indiana  &  Illinois 
Central  Railroad,  but  many  changes  took  place 
before  work  was  completed  in  1873,  the  road 
then  being  known  as  the  Indiana.  Decatur  & 
Western,  which  is  now  the  Chicago,  Indianapolis 


678 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


&  Western.  The  stations  along  this  line  are  as 
follows:  La  Place,  Lintner,  Burrowsville, 
Hammond,  Piersou  and  Atwood. 

The  McKinley  Traction  System  in  Piatt 
County  has  one  interurban  road  traversing  its 
territory,  the  Bloomington,  Decatur  &  Cham- 
paign Railroad.  This  road  was  completed 
through  Piatt  County  in  the  fall  of  1006  and 
passes  thi-ough  White  He;ith,  Montieello,  Bement, 
Milmine  and  Cerro  Gordo.  The  road  is  a  very 
great  convenience  to  the  people  of  the  county. 

AUTOMOBILES. 

As  a  mode  of  transportation  the  automobile 
must  be  included  in  a  chapter  of  this  nature,  for 
it  has  given  the  people,  especially  those  in  the 
rural  regions,  means  of  rapid  transit,  facilitating 
business  and  connecting  beyond  every  other  way, 
the  country  and  the  city.  There  are  930  auto- 
mobiles owned  in  Piatt  County,  whose  valuation 
is  assessed  at  $92,026. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 


CLI'BS   AND   FRATERNITIES. 


WOMEN  S    CLUBS — INFLUENCE   OF    CLUBS — ADVANCE- 
MENT  OF   WOMEN — MONTICELLO   WOMAN'S    CLUB  ; 

ORGANIZATION,        WORK,        OFFICERS BEMENT 

woman's  club  ;  organization,  work,  OFFICERS 
— DE  LAND  woman's  CLUB  ;  ORGANIZATION, 
WORK.    OFFICERS FRATERNITIES. 

WOMEN'S    CLUBS. 

A  new  element  has  couie  into  civic  affairs, 
the  power  of  the  clubs  organized  and  conducted 
by  women.  Long  before  Illinois  grunted  limited 
suffrage  to  its  women  they  liad  through  their 
clubs  made  their  influence  felt  in  matters,  which 
although  outside  their  homes,  so  very  materially 
concerned  these  selfsame  homes  and  the  ones 
dear  t«  them.  They  investigated  into  the 
.schools,  and  insisted  upon  a  betterment  of 
lourses  of  stiid.v,  teachers  and  general  require- 
ments. They  had  introduced  into  the  schools 
mannal  training  and  domestic  science,  both 
branches  now  being  recognized  as  absolutely 
necessary  to  any  first  class  school.  They  took 
into  consideration  the  better  lighting  of  the 
.streets,  the  keeping  of  their  communities  sani- 


tary and  .safe,  and  .sought  to  bring  about  a 
sane  consideration  of  the  liquor  traffic.  While 
thus  displaying  an  intelligent  interest  in  public 
matters,  wliich  no  doubt  largely  influenced 
public  opinion  towards  extending  the  franchise 
to  women,  they  occupied  themselves  in  broad- 
ening their  minds  by  study,  elevated  their  taste 
by  a  consideration  of  art  and  music,  and  in 
every  way  sought  to  gain  a  wider  vision  and 
to  increase  their  value  to  their  communities  as 
individuals.  From  little  social  gatherings,  these 
Woman's  t'lubs  have  grown  into  mighty  organ- 
izations whicli  wield  a  powerful  inHuence,  and 
have  in  many  recent  instances  turned  the  tide 
of  an  election. 

MONTICELIX)    WOMAN'S    CLUB. 

The  Montieello  Woman's  Club  was  organized 
iu  1893,  although  there  had  been  a  club  in  ex- 
istence in  1802,  known   as  the  Columbia   Club, 
which  had  for  its  object  the  forwarding  of  the 
Columbian    Exposition    at    Chicago.      With    the 
opening  of  the  World  Exposition,  the  work  of 
the  Columbian  Ciub   was  considered  completed, 
but  those   who  liad  been  active  iu  it  felt  that 
the  lessons  taught  by  organized  effort  were  too 
valuable  to  be  lost,  and  fifteen  ladies  met,  after 
the  original  club  was  disbanded,  and  as  a  re- 
sult, on  February  22,  1803,  the  present  Woman's 
Club  was  organized  with  the  following  officers : 
Mrs.    Jeanette    Crea,    president :    Mrs.    Ella    B. 
Xoecker,   first  vice  president ;   Jlrs.   Kate  Piatt, 
second  vice  president;  Mrs.  Inez  Bender,  secre- 
tary; Mrs.  .Vnnii   Peters,  treasurer.     The  ob.1ect 
of  the  <lub  was  "to  form  an  organized  center  by 
means  of  which  we  can  secure  the  best  practical 
metlioils   for   the  [u-omotion  of  the   educational, 
industrial   and   social   interests  of   woman."      In 
bsii.")  the  club  was  state  federated,  and  district 
feder.-ited    in    11102.      The    Montieello    club    was 
honored  liy  having  tlie  District  Federation  Meet- 
ing held  iit    .Montieello  on  February  27  and  28, 
T.MiT,  when  the  president  of  the  local  club.  Miss 
Itachi'l  lluslun,  was  elected  to  the  district  presi- 
dency.    The  olticers  for  1910-17  were  as  follows: 
.Mrs.  Mary  I'lunk.  president ;  Mrs.  Amy  Hefner. 
lirst  vice  iiresident ;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Cole,  second 
vice  president ;   Miss  Rachel  Huston,  recording 
secretary ;     Jlrs.     Lucy     Kaiser,     corresponding 
secretary:   Mrs.  Kathryn  Smith,  treasurer;  and 
Mrs.  Amy  .lohnson,  official  correspondent.     The 
motto    of    the    club    is    "From    Possibility    to 
Reality."     It   has  adopted  green  and  white   as 
its  club  colors,  while  its  club  flower  is  the  w'hite 


THS  !«&W  VD»K 
PUBLIC  U8RARY 


'        -  ^                                   * 

-=  ?K 

Hft  jfiCa^  ;Sj^,^|8tt||i^  i?;^if^ 

f^ 

1 

t 
t 

Ills 

' 

^^d^^ySB 

WHEAT  IX  THE  STACK  EEAIi\    ]-ii|;  THE  TIHtESHER 


STEAM  THRESHJ-\U  ULXiiX  AT  AVORK 


RA1.IN(;  THE  THHKSHKI)  STKAW 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


679 


carnation.  At  present  tliere  are  fort.v-seven 
members,  and  wliile  the  women  have  always 
been  found  ready  and  willing  to  do  auythiuf; 
and  evei-ything  to  advance  the  welfare  of  their 
community,  their  efforts  in  the  main  have  been 
along  literary  lines.  With  other  Woman's  Clubs 
they  have  rendered  effective  service  in  selling 
Hed  Cross  seals,  and  in  the  future  as  in  the 
]iast,  they  may  be  counted  upon  to  bear  an 
efficient  and  intelligent  part  in  the  world's 
progress. 

nE-MENT   WOMAN'S   CLUU. 

The  Bement  Woman's  Club  was  organized  in 
lSf)6,  and  federated  in  the  same  year.  Its 
colors  are  pink  and  green,  and  its  flower  is  the 
carnation.  The  motto  of  this  club  is  "An  in- 
vestment in  knowledge  always  jiays  the  best 
interest."  The  club  commenced  with  a  charter 
membersliip  of  ten,  and  some  idea  of  its  growth, 
may  be  gleaned  from  the  fact  that  Nvith  the 
opening  of  the  year  1010-17.  it  had  a  lii^uiber-  ■ 
ship  of  fifty-seven.  The  official.s  during  1010-17 
were  as  follows:  Mrs.  Sheila  Pelton,  presiflentN.- 
Mrs.  Alvira  Hammond,  first  vice  -pr'esidenf  J 
Mrs.  L/izzie  Lamb,  second  vice  president :  Mrs. 
Grace  McPherson,  secretary ;  and  Mrs.  Lillian 
Cloyd.  During  the  twenty-one  years  the  Bement 
Woman's  Club  has  been  in  existence,  its  mem- 
bers have  always  taken  an  intelligent  interest 
in  local  affairs,  and  oftentimes  have  come  for- 
ward in  civic  matters.  The  improvement  of  the 
members  along  literary  lines  has  been  marked, 
and  some  idea  of  the  work  accomplished  by  this 
club  during  the  year  just  ended  may  be  gained 
from  the  subjects  taken  up  at  the  meetings. 
Beginning  with  September  4  when  Current 
F>-ents  were  discussed,  the  club  handled  Flag 
Day,  Modern  Scripture.  What  Woman's  Clubs 
Are  Doing,  Woman  Suffrage,  Our  State,  Pana- 
ma, America,  A  Government  for  the  People. 
Guest  Day,  Amusements,  Thanksgiving,  Music, 
Robert  Louis  Stevenson,  Christmas,  Armenia. 
Home  Economics,  Thimble  Party,  Music,  Home, 
Benedicts'  Night,  Washington  and  Lincoln, 
rx)ngfellow.  Domestic  Science,  r.inl  Day.  and 
several   other  to]iics. 

DE  LAND   woman's  CLUB. 

The  De  Land  Woman's  Club  was  organized 
October  14,  1900.  state  federated  in  lOOl,  dis- 
trict federated  in  1002,  and  national  federatetl 
in  1914.  Its  colors  are  pink  and  white,  its 
flower  is  the  white  carnation,  and  its  motto  is 


"Kvery  njind  was  made  for  grdwtli.  knowledge; 
and  its  nature  is  sinned  against  when  it  is 
doomed  to  ignorance."  During  1910-17  the  club 
adojited  the  Bay  View  Reading  Course  on  music, 
lionsehold  science  and  literature,  but  did  not 
confine  itself  to  mental  culture  only,  for  this 
club  has  from  its  organization  been  very  active 
in  civic  improvement  and  moral  uplift  work. 
The  beautiful  Carnegie  Library  at  De  Land  is 
the  result  of  the  energetic  work  of  the  women 
of  the  club.  During  1010  the  club  observed 
B.iby  Week  ifnd  out  of  this  movemont  grew  the 
cleaiiip  campaign  which  has  resulted  so  advan- 
tageously for  De  Land  and  the  township,  and  its 
pui'pose  is  to  branch  out  still  further  along  civic 
betterment  work.  For  two  years  the  club  held 
lecture  courses  at  De  Land  which  were  en- 
thusiastically patronized.  For  the  past  si.x 
years  the  club  has  entertained  the  .senior  class 
of  the  high  school  with  reference  to  school  work, 
iyid  this  feature  has  resulted  in  mentally  stimu- 
lating the  pupils  in  a  ver.v  encouraging  manner. 
.Vniong 'other  plans  for  the  coming  year,  the 
■iClub  ])roi)oses  to  set  on  foot  a  movement  for 
'  tinprov.ing  the  public  hall,  locally  known  as  the 
"•'Wigwam,''  so  that  it  will  be  a  credit  to  the 
village. 

The  first  ollicials  of  the  club  were  Mrs.  Lmy 
Trcnchard.  i)resident ;  Mrs.  L.  C.  Cox.  first  vice 
jiresident;  Mrs.  L.  W.  Reid.  second  vice  presi- 
dent ;  Mrs.  L.  B.  Hurst,  .secretary,  and  Mrs. 
('.  10.  England,  treasurer.  The  club  was  orig- 
inally known  as  The  Woman's  Improvement 
Club.  The  present  oHicials  are  as  follows :  Mrs. 
Margaret  Hurst,  president;  Mrs.  Lora  Poter- 
Held,  first  vice  president ;  Mrs.  Mabel  Walker, 
second  vice  ju'esident :  Mrs.  Harriet  Bowsher, 
se<retar.v:  and  Mrs.  Addle  Carter,  treasurer. 
The  club  has  a   membershij)  of  forty. 

KRATKKNITIKS. 

The  Masons  and  Odd  Fellows  are  the  oldest 
fraternal  orders  in  Piatt  County,  and  the.v  are 
particularly  strong  at  Monticello.  Bement, 
.Mansfield,  and  Atwood.  While  a  history  of 
those  ordcis.  and  other  secret  societies  which 
have  organizations  in  the  county,  including  the 
Rcbekahs,  Eastern  Star,  Modern  Woodmen, 
Royal  Xeighbors,  and  Knights  of  Pythias,  would 
would  lie  interesting,  the  limitations  of  this  his- 
tor.v  make  it  almost  impossible  for  sntficicnl 
space  to  be  given  to  the  separate  lodges.  The 
Masons  and  Odd  Fellows  have  erected  buildings 
in    several    of    the    villages    and    cities    of    the 


680 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


eoiiuty  that  are  a  credit  to  the  locality  in  which 
they  are  fouiul.  Perhaps  of  them  all,  the  Odd 
Fellows  are  the  strongest  numerically,  and  the 
lodge  at  Monticello  has  the  largest  membershiii 
of  any  in  the  county.  The  aim  of  all  fraterni- 
ties to  encourage  a  higher  standard  of  living, 
a  recognition  of  obligations  and  a  furtherance 
of  brotherly  love,  is  commendable  and  ought 
to  be  encouraged. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


AGRICULTURE. 


IMPORTANCE     Ol'     -VGlilCULTUBE — STOCK     RAISING — 

CORN     GROWING OTHER     GRAINS — LAND     VALUES 

— FARM    MACHINERY. 

IMPORTANCE    OF    .\GRICULTrRE. 

I'iatt  County  is  essentially  an  agricultural  sec- 
tion, and  it  is  by  tilling  the  soil  that  its  people 
have  gained  their  wealth  and  prominence  in 
large  measure.  It  is  tlierefore  very  fitting  in 
a  work  of  this  nature  to  deal  somewhat  at  length 
uixin  this  very  important  subject  in  order  that 
the  principal  industry  of  the  people  receive 
proper  recognition.  Within  the  la.st  quarter  of  a 
century  many  improvements  have  been  effected 
by  reason  of  several  movements.  The  introduc- 
tion and  use  of  improved  machinery  :  the  employ- 
ment of  scientific  methods,  and  the  utilization 
of  government  exiwrimentation ;  the  redemption 
of  swamp  and  low  lands  through  the  drainage 
ditch  and  local  drainage  systems,  and  the 
awakening  of  the  farmers  themselves  to  the 
dignity  and  importance  of  their  work,  and  the 
subsequent  recognition  of  them  by  the  world 
at  large  as  powerful  factors  in  the  country's 
lirogress. 

STOCK  RAISING. 

When  Piatt  County  was  in  its  infancy,  stock 
was  raised  to  some  extent,  but  it  was  not  until 
1870  that  blooded  stock  was  introduced  into  the 
c<iunty — cattle  by  L.  B.  Winger  and  hogs  by 
William  D.  Coffin.  Since  then  the  majority  of 
the  farmers  have  improved  their  quality,  ami 
many  are  breeding  and  raising  only  registered 
horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs.    That  their  grade 


is  unusually  liigli.  the  exhibits  at  the  county 
clearly  indicate. 

Some  idea  of  the  extent  to  which  stock  rais- 
ing is  cai'ried  on  in  this  county  may  be  gathered 
from  the  following : 

During  lOl."!)  Piatt  County  raised  l,.j5!)  horses, 
valued  at  .$27n.OOO ;  3,841  cattle,  valued  at  $250,- 
000 ;  26,302  hogs,  valued  at  .$500.000 ;  G30  sheep, 
valued  at  $5,000,  and  poultry  to  the  amount  of 
.$55,669. 

CORN  GROWING. 

Located  as  it  is  in  the  midst  of  the  great 
corn  belt  of  the  Middle  West,  Piatt  County  has 
naturally  paid  great  attention  to  the  growing 
of  -'King  Corn,"  with  remarkable  results.  Some 
of  the  banner  crops  raised  within  recent  years 
on  Piatt  County  farm  land  have  reached  ninety 
bushels  an  acre,  while  the  average  crop  aver- 
ages fifty  bushels. 

A  conservative  estimate  of  the  corn  yield  for 
1015  is  5,738,400  bushels,  valued  at  about  $2,900,- 
000. 

OTHER  GRAINS. 

Wheat,  barley,  oats,  rye  and  some  alfalfa  are 
grown  to  advantage  in  Piatt  County.  The  total 
yield  of  other  grain  besides  wheat  for  1915  is 
figured  as  being  about  2.985,000  bushels,  valued 
at  $1.5<Vt,000.  The  1915  yield  of  wheat  was  fully 
789.700  bushels,  valued  at  $775,000. 

LAND  VALUES. 

It  is  a  far  cry  today,  friuu  the  time  when  the 
l)est  of  Piatt  County  land  could  be  obtained 
from  the  government  for  the  land  entry  of 
$1.25  per  acre,  and  yet  had  this  land  been 
allowed  to  lie  fallow,  without  any  energy  lieing 
expended  upon  its  cultivation,  it  is  likely  it 
would  be  wortli  but  little  more  today  than  it 
was  when  the  pioneers  came  to  Illinois  seeking 
•a  new  home.  It  is  through  the  efforts  of  these 
pioneers  and  their  descendants  that  today  Piatt 
County  land  is  quoted  at  from  $200  to  $250  per 
acre.  The  highest  price  paid  for  farm  land  in 
this  county  was  $275  per  acre.  Other  industries 
may  fail ;  city  property  may  depreciate,  but  farm 
laud  is  bound  to  rise  in  price,  for  the  world 
must  have  foodstuffs,  and  each  year  sees  land 
available  for  farming  purposes,  owing  to  the 
extension  of  cities.  Fortunate  indeed  is  the  man 
who  owns  land  in  this  favored  section.  The 
total  valuation  of  Piatt  County  farm  lands  for 
1915  is  $45,000,000. 


HISTORY  OF  PIxVTT  COUNTY. 


681 


lAli.M    MACHINEKY. 

The  iiitruiliu'tioii  aiicl  use  ol'  iuiprnvi'd  farm 
machinery  aiiJ  a|>i)liancos  have  proven  a  very 
important  factor  in  the  asri'icultural  life  of  I'iatt 
County,  and  the  farmer  who  has  not  a  modern 
equipment,  no  matter  how  hard  he  may  worlj, 
cannot  hope  to  compete  with  his  ueiirhbor  who 
possesses  one.  Tlie  following;  figures  may  {,'i\e 
some  idea  of  the  amount  of  money  invested  in 
the  equi]iment  of  the  farmers  of  the  county.  In 
TJIO  the  total  amount  invested  in  farm  machin- 
ery in  I'iatt  County  amounted  to  $1.2.jO.0OO.  Iu 
1015  it  was  .$l.riOO.0OO:  twent.v-flve  farmers  use 
automobiles  in  their  work.  There  are  twenty- 
five  threshing  outfits  in  the  county,  and  100 
men  are  engaged  in  operating  them. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


TELEPHONE    LINES    AND    PUBLIC 
LIGHTING. 


FIRST  TELEPHONE  LINE  THE  TELEREMA  IN- 
VENTED, PATENTED  AND  MANUFACTURED  IN  PIATT 
COUNTY — LARGE  DEMAND  PRIOR  TO  INTRODUCTION 
OP  THE  BELL  TELEPHONE — FIRST  PRIVATE  TELE- 
PHONE    LINE ORGANIZATION     OF     THE     MUTUAL 

TELEPHONE    COMPANY — FIRST    TOLL    TELEPHONES 

ORGANIZATION    OF    PIATT    COUNTY    TELEPHONE 

COMPANY — EXCHANGES   AT   MONTICELLO,  BEMENT 

AND  DELAND FIRST  EXCHANGE  AT  CERRO  GORDO 

EXCHANGE  AT  LA  PLACE — ^TELBTHONE  LINE  WITH 
EXCHANGES  AT  HAMMOND,  BURROWSVILLE  AND 
LA  PLACE  BUILT  IN  1000 — ATWOOD  MUTUAL  TELE- 
PHONE COMPANY' — THE  NATIONAL  TELEPHONE 
COMPANY'  HAS  EXCHANGES  AT  MANSFIELD,  CLIN- 
TON, FARMER  CITY,  CISCO  AND  ARGENTA EXCEL- 
LENT SERVICE  GIVEN  ALL  OVER  THE  COUNTY — 
ELECTRICAL  WORKS — FIRST  OFFICIALS — PRESENT 
EQUIPMENT — OTHER    LIGHTING    INTERESTS. 

FIRST    TELEPHONE    LINE. 

Th'e  first  telephone  line  through  Piatt  County 
was  a  toll  line  of  the  Central  T'nion  Tele|)hone 
Company,  with  exchanges  at  Ccrro  Gordo, 
Milmine,  Bement,  Monticello  and  White  Heath. 
This  toll  line  was  finished  about  the  year  1880. 

About  1883  tliere  was  an  acoustic  teleplione  in 
use  in  Piatt  County,  known  as  the  Telerema. 
Judge    Harvey    E.    Huston    was    the    inventor 


patentee  and  manufacturer  of  this  instrument, 
and  it  was  in  use  from  about  1SS3  to  1888.  At 
one  time  Mr.  Huston  had  several  men  in  his 
employ  promoting  the  sale  of  the  Telerema,  and 
orders  were  received  by  him  from  almost  every 
stiite  in  the  Union.  Upon  the  introduction  of 
the  Bell  telei)lione  the  \ise  of  the  Telerema  was 
discontinued. 

About  1S02  W.  F.  Lodge  installed  private 
telephone  lines  from  the  residence  of  his  father, 
William  E.  Lodge,  iu  Monticello,  to  Mr.  Lodge's 
law  ofBce,  the  tile  factory  and  the  electric  light 
plant.  In  1893  additional  telephones  were  put 
in,  connecting  various  business  houses  in  Mon- 
ticello with  this  private  exchange,  and  in  1894 
the  Mutual  Telephone  Company  was  organized 
and  incorporated  iu  April,  1805.  There  were 
shareholders  to  the  number  of  forty,  and  they 
owned  all  the  telephones  and  furnished  none  to 
people  outside  the  company.  About  1807  W.  F. 
Lodge  began  putting  in  telephones  for  toll,  and 
iu  1809  the  company  was  organized  under  the 
name  of  the  Piatt  County  Telephone  Company, 
and  in  1000  this  company  absorbed  the  old  Mu- 
tual Telephone  Company.  This  company  has 
exchanges  at  Monticello,  Bement  and  DeLand, 
and  has  connection  with  the  Central  Union  and 
American  Telephone  and  Telegraph  Companies. 
There  are  1,500  telephones  connected  with  the 
Piatt  County  Telephone  Company's  exchanges. 

In  1897  and  ISOS  W.  F.  Lodge  put  iu  a  tele- 
phone exchange  in  the  village  of  Cerro  Gordo, 
and  sold  out  to  the  Cerro  Gordo  Mutual  Tele- 
phone Company  iu  1901.  The  latter  company  is 
now  operating  this  telephone  with  an  exchange 
at  La  Place.  E.  F.  VanCuren  of  IIammi>nd  built 
a  telephone  line  with  exchanges  at  Ilanunoiul. 
Burrowsville  and  La  Place  about  the  year  1:m)0. 
The  At  wood  Mutual  Telephone  Compan.v  was 
organized  about  1003.  The  National  Telephone 
Company  has  exchanges  at  Mansfield,  Clinton 
and  Farmer  City.  In  190-1  an  exchange  was  put 
in  at  Cisco,  connecting  with  the  exchange  at 
.Vrgenta.  -Vn  excellent  telephone  service  is 
given  to  the  farmers  and  residents  of  towiis 
throughout  the  entire  county. 

ELECTRIC    WORKS. 

In  1801  The  Monticello  Light  and  Power  Com- 
pany was  organizwl.  with  a  fifty-year  franchise 
from  the  city  of  Monticello.  .V  brick  power 
house  was  built  west  of  the  Illinois  Central 
de|)ot,  and  the  plant  was  in  oi)eration  in  1892. 
This  conip.iny  was  organized  liy  C.  A.  Tatman. 


682 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


W.  F.  aiKl  J.  P.  LdUsje.  The  tirst  otticiuls  of  the 
company  were:  Jas.  P.  Lc«l,s;e,  piesident.  and 
('.  A.  Tatmau,  .secretary. 

In  i'JVi  tile  i>lant  was  sold  to  the  couiiumy 
of  which  W.  B.  MeKinley  is  the  pre-sident,  and 
It  lias  since  been  conducted  by  the  MeKinley 
Company.  The  present  eiiuipment  for  lighting 
the  city  of  Montieello  and  the  residences  of  the 
city  is  very  comjilete.  and  very  excellent  service 
is  given. 

Other  lighting;  interests  in  I'iatt  (Onnty  arc 
as  follows :  Bemeut,  Cerro  Goitlo,  Atwood.  De 
Land  and  Mansfield  each  have  electric  light 
I)lants.  under  jirivate  ownership. 


CHAPTER   XVII. 


COUNTY  FAIRS. 


FIBST       AGEICULTUBAL       SOCIETY       ORGANIZED AC- 

COMPLISITED  LITTLE  DURING  THE  FIRST  FIVE 
YEARS — REPRESENTATIVE     MEN     ACCEPT    OFFICIAL 

POSITION    IN    1S61 THROUGH    CONCERTED  EFFORT 

FAIR  GROUNDS  WERE  PREPARED — CHARACTER  OF 
THE  EARLY  FAIRS — THE  CENTENNIAL  EXPOSITION 

AWAKENS   INTEREST CHANGE  OF   NAME  IN    1903 

■ — LISTS  OF  OFFICIALS EQUIPMENT  AND  VALUA- 
TION  RECENT  FEATURES  AND  EXHIBITS  —  IM- 
PORTANCE  OF   COUNTY   FAIRS. 

FIRST  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

In  1856  The  Piatt  County  Agricultural  So- 
ciety was  organized,  but  apparently  little  or 
notblng  was  accomplished  by  this  organization 
during  the  first  years  of  its  existence,  as  there 
is  no  record  obtainable  regarding  its  action. 
In  1S61,  however,  an  election  was  held  in  the 
courthouse  at  Montieello  and  the  following  were 
elected  to  serve  as  its  officers:  .Jacob  Smith, 
president ;  J.  C.  Johnson,  H.  S.  Coonrod  and 
Ezra  Marquiss,  vice  iiresidents :  A.  T.  Pipher, 
secretary;  Ellas  Hall,  treasurer;  and  John  M. 
Barnes  and  Dr.  Kelly,  directors.  These  officials, 
acting  In  behalf  of  the  society,  the  first  year  of 
their  incumbency  of  office,  bought  fifteen  acres 
of  land  nortli  of  Montieello  on  which  there  were 
no  buildings.  The  property  was  fenced  with 
rails.  As  it  was  evident  much  work  was  neces- 
sary to  turn  this  unimproved  tract  into  model 
fair  grounds,  a  committee  was  appointed,  com- 


posed of  Jesse  Warner,  C.  P.  Davis  and  Dr, 
Farra  to  take  charge  of  the  improvements.  In 
order  to  obtain  the  necessary  funds  the  land 
was  mortgaged  to  J.  C.  Johnson,  and  a  fence 
was  put  up,  and  two  temporary  buildings 
erected.  The  work  of  preparing  the  grounds 
was  done  gratis  by  members  of  the  society,  for 
the  money  was  not  sufficient  to  cover  all  ex- 
penses. 

The  flr.st  fairs  held  in  these  grounds  bore 
little  resemblance  to  those  of  totlay.  The  idea 
of  using  them  to  advance  the  cause  of  agricul- 
ture had  not  then  been  developed.  Rather  were 
these  fairs  regarded  as  huge  picnics,  where  old 
friends  could  meet,  and  new  associations  be 
formed.  They  were  considered  then  as  simply 
siM-ial  gatherings  and  not  seriously  regarded  as 
praetiail  helps  in  the  business  of  farming.  Their 
scojve  and  influence  had  to  be  developed.  Until 
1870  Piatt  County  fairs  were  conducted  without 
horse  racing,  but  in  that  year  the  board  of 
citficials  changed,  and  as  a  bu.siness  proposition 
it  was  decided  to  make  a  race  track.  This  was 
done  as  cheaply  as  possible,  the  survey  being 
made  by  the  surveyor  of  Montieello  without 
charge,  and  J.  W.  Warren  and  C.  P.  Davis  car- 
ried the  chain,  also  without  pay,  the  track 
being  a  mile  in  length.  With  this  innovation 
an  adde<l  interest  was  given  to  the  annual  gath- 
ering, and  the  fair  of  ISTti  was  a  decided  suc- 
cess. 

THE    CENTENNIAL   EXPOSITION   RE-AWAKENS 

INTEREST. 

Following  1870  the  officials  of  the  society 
realized  the  necessity  for  providing  added  at- 
tractions to  induce  the  people  to  come  to  the 
fairs,  for  they  were  beginning  to  tire  of  the 
excess  of  social  features,  and  long  for  some- 
thing more  exciting.  This  was  only  natural, 
for  1876  had  given  the  country  its  first  great 
exi)osition  in  the  Centennial,  and  each  coni- 
unniity  had  sent  to  the  gathering  at  Philadelphia 
its  representatives  who  brought  back  enticing 
accounts  of  what  they  had  seen.  Naturally 
every  society  organized  fur  the  imrpose  of  giv- 
ing annual  gatherings  sought  to  emulate,  in 
some  degree,  the  example  .set  by  the  promoters 
of  that  great  expo.sition.  Piatt  County  fair  pro- 
moters were  not  to  be  left  behind  in  this  very 
natural  forward  movement  and  sought  for  novel 
features  to  supply  the  needed  stimulus  to  excite 
more  interest  in  their  events.  At  one  time  bal- 
loon ascensions  were  very  poiiular  and  the  Piatt 


THE  NEW  YO-M 

PUBLIC  U8RARY 

^ST-OR    '.UNO  I 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


683 


County  fair  liad  its  exiHjrieiite  witli  tills  form 
of  amusement,  and  other  amusements  and  spe- 
cialties were  provided,  but  experience  taught 
that  the  best  drawing  feature  for  the  quiet,  in- 
telligent people  here  was  the  presence  of  some 
noted  man  who  would  adilross  the  people  in  the 
oi)en  air  uiion  some  current  topic.  A  number  of 
the  distinituished  men  of  the  country  have  thus 
spoken  in  the  I'iatt  County  fair  grounds,  and 
been  given  respectful  and  interested  attention 
by  those  who  thronged  to  listen. 

CHANGE  IX  NAME  AND  OFFICIALS. 

In  190o  the  name  of  the  society  was  changed 
to  The  I'iatt  County  Hoard  of  Agriculture,  a 
more  dignified  caption,  and  the  following  were 
elected  as  otheials :  C.  E.  Motlitt.  president;  J. 
D.  Mackey,  vice  president:  C.  H.  Kidgely,  secre- 
tary; O.  W.  Moore,  treasurer;  and  \V.  W.  Royer, 
J.  A.  Mathews.  M.  F.  McMillen.  .7.  L.  Rodman, 
B.  R.  White  and  Samuel  Howe,  directors.  The 
present  officials  are:  Win.  Dighton.  president; 
.John  Heath,  vice  president ;  II.  P.  Harris,  secre- 
tary: Dr.  C.  M.  BuMistead.  treasurer. 

EQUIPMKNT    AXn    VALUATION. 

The  present  etinipment  of  the  fair  grounds  is 
as  follows :  Amphitheater.  .30x210  feet,  with  seat- 
ing capacity  of  about  .".000;  four  horsebams; 
pens  for  sheep  and  hogs ;  new  floral  hall ;  secre- 
taries' office :  water  works,  witli  water  piped  all 
over  the  grounds:  poultry  house,  and  horticul- 
tural building.  The  total  valuation  of  the 
grounds  and  buildings  is  !f25.000. 

FEATURES    AND   EXHIBITS. 

Within  recent  years  some  of  the  features  of 
the  fairs  have  been  the  horse  and  cattle  shows. 
In  1916  the  saddle  and  driving  horse  show  at 
night  was  an  especially  enjoyable  feature.  Some 
of  the  best  horses  in  tlie  country  were  shown. 
The  track  in  front  of  the  amphitheater  was  bril- 
liantly lighted  by  electricity  and  large  crowds 
were  in  attendance.  The  exhibits  of  live  .stock, 
including  sheep,  hogs,  horses  and  cattle,  and 
the  poultry  exhibits  were  especially  good.  Other 
exhibits  of  interest  were  of  farm  machinery, 
automobiles  and  agricultural  products. 

IMPORTANCE   OF   COUNTY    FAIRS. 

It  would  be  almost  impossible  to  overestimate 
the  influence  and  importance  of  these  annual 
fairs.  The  old  idea  of  social  intercour.se  be- 
tween   the   .Tgriculturalists   of   various   sections 


has  not  been  forgotten,  but  there  is  now  a  deeper 
and  more  urgent  cause  for  their  support  and 
encouragement.  Xo  one  man  can  live  entirely 
to  himself.  No  matter  how  intelligent  or 
capable  he  may  be  he  needs  to  have  the  assist- 
ance of  others  in  order  to  expand.  He  must 
give  forth  his  own  ideas,  and  absorb  others,  or 
he  will  retrograde.  While  many  are  able  to 
visit  larger  expositions,  some  cannot,  and  then 
too  the  local  pride  is  absent  at  the  international 
exhibits,  that  is  to  be  found  in  every  county 
gathering.  The  farmer  visiting  such  a  fair  can 
not  only  see  what  his  neighbors  have  accom- 
plished but  view  the  latest  machinery  and  ap- 
Iiliances ;  learn  of  new  methtKis,  and  usually 
listen  to  the  views  of  .some  expert  on  agriculture. 
If  his  own  exhibits  take  a  prize  or  receive 
honorable  mention,  he  is  encouraged,  and  if  not, 
he  goes  back  filled  with  the  determination  to  so 
improve  his  methods  as  to  gain  such  distinction 
in  the  near  future.  Perhaps  no  one  factor  has 
played  so  important  a  part  in  the  development 
of  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  county  as 
tiiese>  county  fairs,  and  their  exixinsiou  shows 
that  their  promoters  are  aware  of  this  fact  and 
areStriving'to  give  the  people  who  attend  some- 
thing li^tter  each  succeeding  year. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


KE.MEXT   TOWNSHIP 


l;OUNDAKIES  —  NATURAL      DRAINAGE  —  EARI.Y      SET- 
TLERS— VILLAGE    OF    DEMENT ORIGIN — FOUNDERS 

DEMENT     POST    OFFICE — BEMENT    POSTMASTEBS — • 

PIONEER      INCIDENTS — PUBLIC      IMPROVEMENTS 

CHURCHES  —  (  n  K  HISTORY  —  IVESDAI.E  —  OFFI- 
CIALS— HIGHWAY  COMMISSIONER — .lUSTICE  OF 
THE    PEACE CONSTABLE SIPERVISORS. 

BOUNDARIES. 

Bement  Township  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
Monticello  Townsliip.  on  tlie  east  by  Champaign 
County,  on  the  south  liy  I'nity  Township,  and 
on  the  west  by  Cerro  (iordo  and  Willow  Branch 
townships.  It  contains  forty-eight  sections  of 
land,  and  is  divided  by  a  ridge  that  runs  across 
the  northwestern  corner  so  that  it  is  com))osed 
of  both  high  and  low  land.  This  fact  of  a 
portion  of  the  township  being  so  low.  and  there- 
fore subjected  to  inundations  at  icrtain  portions 


684 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


of  the  year,  caused  settlement  in  the  south  of 
the  towushi]!  to  be  dehi.vetl  for  some  .vears.  Of 
course  that  hmd  is  now  accounted  as  being 
some  of  the  most  valuable  in  Piatt  County,  since 
it  has  been  properly  drained,  and  the  erstwhile 
swamps  converted  into  rich  bearing  farm  lands. 
The  Sangamon  drains  the  extreme  northwestern 
part  of  the  township,  but  the  remainder  is 
drained  by  the  hake  Fork  of  fhe  Okaw. 

EARLY     SETTLEMENTS. 

It  has  been  decided  that  William  Bailey  was 
the  first  settler  of  Benient  Township,  not  com- 
ing here,  however,  until  1S.53  or  1854.  .Vnother 
who  arrived  soon  thereafter  was  John  Hughes. 
Joseph  Moore,  Smith  Quick,  Joseph  Rodman, 
J.  H.  and  J.  M.  Camp  and  Thompson  and 
Marion  Pettit  were  other  early  settlers.  Some 
who  came  a  little  later  were  as  follows :  Charles 
Smith.  Mr.  Pitkins.  Mr.  X.ve,  S.  B.  Wing,  the 
Alvoids,  A.  J.  Force,  the  Hawks,  and  W.  C. 
Tralme.  After  the  building  of  the  Wabash 
Railroad  through  Bement  Tomiship,  other  .set- 
tlers came  in  rajiidly.  and  progress  was  rapid. 

VILLAGE     OF    BEMENT. 

The  village  of  Bement  is  located  seven  miles 
souHi  of  the  county  seat,  and  has  a  population 
of  ],">:'.0.  being  a  very  jirosperous  community, 
with  some  very  substantial  residents. 

In  1S.")4  Josejih  Bodman  bought  0,000  acres 
of  land  in  Piatt  County,  and  through  his  in- 
fluence and  generosity,  Bement  came  into  being, 
his  efforts  being  seconded  by  L.  B.  Wing  and 
Henry  P.  Little,  who  also  contributed  land  for 
the  purpose,  and  the  town  of  Bement  was  laid 
out  ill  1.S54.  That  same  year  Mr.  Wing  dis- 
posed of  thirty-three  acres  of  land  in  section 
19.  to  Hunt  &  Carter  who  were  agents  for  the 
Great  Western  Railroad,  for  the  sum  of  one 
dollar,  thus  furthering  the  advancement  of  the 
town,  as  the  railroad  buildings  were  erected 
upon  this  land,  as  well  as  some  of  the  business 
houses.  -Associated  in  the  work  of  laying  out 
the  town  with  the  three  gentlemen  mentioned 
above  were  Joseph  Mallory,  Sullivan  Burgess 
and  James  Br.vden,  and  later  an  addition  was 
made  to  the  town  by  these  men.  The  record  of 
the  town  plat  bears  the  date  of  .January.  18.5.5, 
and  was  entered  by  Josiali  Hunt. 

Joseph  Bodman,  J.  H.  and  J.  M.  Camp.  Wil- 
liam Ellis  and  Thompson  and  Marion  Pettit 
became  the  original  settlers  of  Bement.  In 
order  to  have  a  lodging  place  for  the  men  work- 


ing upon  the  first  residence  of  the  new  town, 
Joseiih  Alvord  moved  a  log  house  that  was  stand- 
ing on  Dr.  Rodman's  farm,  to  the  site,  and 
there  housed  the  workmen.  It  was  he  who 
hauled  the  first  lumber  for  this  first  house.  .\s 
it  is  of  importance  as  being  the  first  building 
to  be  erected  in  Bement,  its  location  is  of  in- 
terest. It  stood  just  west  of  the  present  Chris- 
tian Church,  and  was  owned  by  Joseph  Bodman. 
but  was  occupied  by  .Joseph  Xye  and  his  wife 
when  completed,  and  in  it  they  kept  a  boarding 
house.  After  they  left  it,  a  Mr.  Criiipen  took 
up  the  business  of  providing  food  and  shelter 
for  those  engaged  in  putting  up  other  buildings 
in  the  town.  The  second  house  was  also  owned 
by  Mr.  Bodman.  and  he  also  had  built  a  small 
office  building,  which  had  the  distinction  of 
being  the  first  business  house  of  Bement,  and 
was  used  for  various  purposes  including  that  of 
depot  until  18.5(!. 

The  third  house  was  oc-cupied  by  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Force,  who  came  from  Monticello  to  Be- 
ment in  the  spring  of  1S5G.  The  Yosts  also 
arrived  that  same  spring,  but  later  moved  to 
a  farm  in  Bement  Township.  F.  E.  Bryant 
became  a  resident  of  Bement  in  ISoC,  and  he 
opened  the  first  store,  and  established  a  grain 
business.  It  is  thought  that  a  dance  held  in  his 
warehouse  was  probably  the  first  public  euter- 
taiiiiiient  of  Bement. 

I'litil  Bement  was  made  a  po.st  office  the  mail 
was  brought  to  Jlontieello.  and  there  dis- 
tributed, liut  this  .state  of  affairs  was  not  sat- 
isfactor.v.  and  the  government  appointed  Joseph 
Bodman  the  first  ])ostmaster  of  Bement,  and  he 
held  that  office  for  some  years.  The  following 
article  on  the  Bement  post  office  is  so  interesting 
that  it  is  quoted  in  full.  It  is  taken  from  the 
Decatur  Review  under  date  of  November  1, 
IfllG: 

nEMENT    POST    OFFICE. 

"The  post  office  at  Bement,  111.,  was  est^ih- 
lislied  January  23,  18.56,  with  Joseph  Bodman 
as  postmaster.  His  successor  was  P.  E.  Bryant, 
who  was  appointed  July  7,  18-57.  Mr.  Bryant's 
successor  was  J.  O.  Sparks,  who  was  appointed 
October  18.  18.58  and  was  succeeded  by  George 
L.  S|jear.  who  was  ap]ioiiiteO  April  20,  18G1. 
under  the  administration  of  President  Lincoln. 

"On  October  G,  18G5,  Sereno  I^.  Bodman,  a 
nephew  of  the  first  postmaster,  Joseph  Bodman. 
was  appointed  to  succeed  Judge  Sjiear  and  held 
the   office   until    his   .successor,    Chester    School- 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


685 


craft,  whose  appointment  was  made  October  12. 
l.SiiG,  took  cbarge  of  the  office. 

"Mr.  Schoolcraft  was  succeeded  hy  Sereno 
K.  Bodman,  who  w^as  the  first  'come-back' 
occupant  of  the  office,  being  reappointed  March 
31,  1860,  under  the  a<lmini.stration  of  President 
Grant. 

"On  .Tilly  1,  1884.  the  office  was  advanced  to  a 
tliird  class  or  presidential  office,  and  on  .July  4. 
lS-84.  Frank  X.  Jones  was  appointed  to  the  office, 
Mr.  Bodman  retiring  after  a  continuous  service 
of  more  than  fifteen  years. 

"Mr.  Jones  was  succeeded  by  John  MeXamee, 
who  was  appointed  by  President  Grover  Cleve- 
land, March  22.  1887.  He  'came  back'  and 
succeeded  Mr.  MeXamee  under  appointment 
by  President  Harrison,  July  1,  1891. 

"William  B.  Fleming  was  the  successor  of 
Mr.  Jones  under  appointment  made  by  President 
Cleveland.  January  2."!,  1800.  Fleming  was  suc- 
ceeded liy  Horace  Haldeman,  prominent  in 
business  and  political  activities  of  the'  commu- 
nity, who  was  apix)lnted  June  29,  1900,  and  was 
succeeded  by  George  M.  Thompson,  who  was 
named  January  11,  IOO.0.  and  was  succeeded 
b.v  W.  (3.  Oloyd,  the  present  incumbent,  ap- 
pointed by  President  Wilson.  August  1.  1013. 

"In  all  twelve  postmasters  have  served  the 
office  since  its  establishment,  and  of  the  ex- 
postmasters.  MeXamee.  Jones,  Fleming  and 
Thompson  are  living.  F.  E.  Siiear.  a  son  of 
Judge  George  L.  .Spear,  former  postmaster,  is  a 
rural  carrier  from  the  office  to  which  his  father 
was  appointed  in   1.8()1. 

"Fi-ank  A.  Jones,  flic  first  presidential  aj)- 
pointee,  now  a  resident  of  Tallapoosa.  Ga.,  and  a 
rural  carrier  from  the  post  office  in  that  city, 
was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  and  was 
literally  shot  to  pieces  on  the  firing  line.  He 
was  informed  by  a  hospital  surgeon  at  one  time 
that  he  had  hut  a  few  hours  to  live,  Ijut  Jones 
says  that  he  absolutely  refused  to  die,  marched 
'uji  the  avenue'  in  Washington  at  the  close  of 
the  war  in  1865,  and  fift.y  years  afterward 
marched  with  the  veterans  over  the  same  route 
during  the  national  encampment  of  the  G.  .\.  H. 
in   Washington.   D.   C.   in  1915. 

"Tlie  somewhat  limited  e(|uipment  installed 
b.v  Postmaster  Jones  on  taking  charge  of  the 
office  in  1S84  descended  (for  a  consideration) 
from  i)ostmaster  to  jiostmaster.  until  it  was 
displaced  by  a  new  and  modern  equipment  In 
an  office  leased  by  the  department  for  ten  years 
from  December  15,  1015. 


"Three  rural  routes  are  served  from  the  office, 
which  is  modestly  claimed  to  be  one  of  the  best 
of  Its  grade  in  the  nineteenth  congressional 
district.  Since  the  present  postmaster.  Judge 
W.  G.  Cloyd,  has  been  in  charge  of  the  office, 
the  liusiness  has  greatly  increased.  He  is  mak- 
ing a  record  for  efficiency  and  jirogressiveness 
and  his  many  accommodating  acts  for  the 
patrons  have  made  him  one  of  the  most  popular 
men  that  has  ever  held   the  office." 

PIONEEB    INCIDENTS. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  i)loneers  were 
healthy,  for  Bement  was  two  years  old  before 
death  visited  the  little  community,  the  victim 
being  a  child  of  Mr.  James  who  died  in  1856, 
and  was  burled  near  the  Haldeman  mill. 

In  lS.">ii  Bement  celebrated  its  first  marriage, 
the  occasion  being  the  union  of  Thomas  W.  Bane 
and  Martha  W.  Iladshall.  the  ceremony  taking 
place  in  the  home  of  Aaron  Yost. 

In  reviewing  the  history  of  that  early  day. 
lierhaps  no  better  account  can  be  obtained  than 
that  to  be  found  in  the  entertaining  record  com- 
piled by  Miss  Piatt,  which  runs  as  follows : 

"Mrs.  Yost  says  that  the  first  she  knew  of 
the  public  square.  Mr.  Alvord  took  her  father 
and  mother.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stanton.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Henry  Booth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Force,  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yost,  saying,  'Xow  ladies  and 
gentlemen,  I  will  take  you  a  drive  around  the 
public  square,'  and  they,  with  laughter  and 
.jokes,  went  around  the  present  public  square, 
which  then  was  but  staked  out.  T.  P.  Pettit 
thinks  that  the  fir.st  sermon  in  the  town  was 
lircaehed  by  Mr.  Samuel  Harshbarger.  in  the 
depot,  and  that  Mr.  Huston  was  the  first  sta- 
tionary minister.  The  first  hotel  of  the  place, 
the  .Sherman  House,  was  built  in  18,57,  and 
until  the  erection  of  the  elegant  Masonic  build- 
ing, stood  on  the  main  business  street  of  the 
town.  It  now  stands  to  the  rear  of  the  Masonic 
building.  John  Townsend  built  it  and  kept  the 
hotel  lor  a  time,  until  his  death,  when  his 
widow  undertook  the  supervision  of  the  same. 
In  the  spring  of  l.S,5S,  James  McDowell  came  to 
Bement  and  with  Mr.  Thomas  Postlethwaite 
erected  the  hotel  known  as  the  Pennsylvania 
House.  This  biiilding  is  still  standing,  and, 
und(>r  the  name  of  the  Bement  House,  is  kept 
by  its  worthy  projirietor,  Mr.  Royal  Thomas. 
Mr.  C.  F.  Tenney  moved  to  Bement  in  1850,  and 
says  that  at  that  time  Mr.  Bryant's  was  the 
only  dry  goods  .store  in  the  place.     There  were 


686 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


no  sidewalks,  the  streets  were  not  graded,  aud 
there  was  not  a  tree  In  the  town.  There  were 
just  enoiish  hidles  In  the  town  who  danced  to 
form  one  set.  School  aud  sometimes  church 
was  held  in  a  house  built  by  Mr.  Harper.  Mil- 
mine  &  Bodmau  had  the  first  bank  of  the  town  ; 
Freese  &  Co.  the  second  ;  Fisher  &  Gregory  the 
third;  and  Bryant  &  Bodman  the  fourth.  The 
first  three  of  these  were  in  a  building  iu  which 
the  'Benient  (Ja/.ette'  ofiice  is  now  located,  but 
the  building  then  stood  on  the  present  site  of 
D.  S.  Cole's  shoe  store." 

rUllLIC    IMPnOVEMENTS. 

Bement  has  put  in  over  $17,000  worth  of 
paving,  aud  it  has  a  Hue  water  works  system 
installed  in  l.Siu;,  which  gives  the  city  au  un- 
limited supply  of  pure  water.  Other  improve- 
ments are  proposed  for  the  near  future,  for  its 
people  are  jirogressive  aud  an.xious  to  keep  the 
eomiiiunily   up  to  a   high  standard. 

CHUliCHES. 

'i'he  Methodists  have  a  flue  representation  at 
Bement,  their  organization  dating  back  to  ISSS 
when  the  society  was  founded  by  Rev.  Edward 
Itutledge,  who  was  the  first  pastor.  The  first 
meetings  were  held  in  .1  schoolhouse  and  then 
in  Bryant's  Hall,  until  a  church  edifice  was 
liuilt. 

While  the  lOpisKipalians  liad  a  church  organ- 
ization at  Bement,  known  as  the  Church  of  the 
Atonement,  it  was  abandoned  twenty  years  ago. 

The  Christian  Church  was  established  in  Jan- 
uary. 1S02,  at  the  residence  of  William  Monroe, 
but  it  did  not  have  a  church  edifice  until  later. 

The  I'resbyteriau  Church  of  Bement^  was 
established  August  2!),  lS(i8,  with  Rev.  Thomas 
M.  Chestnut  as  the  first  pastor,  and  a  charter 
membership  of  eight  members.  In  1870  a 
church  edifice  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $G,000, 
arid  a  parsonage  in  1S74  at  a  cost  of  $.3,500.  In 
1914  the  0I1I  parsonage  was  replaced  by  one 
whicli  cost  $1."(00.  There  are  af  present  oiJC 
members,  but  of  the  charter  members  only  Mrs. 
Williiim  Camp  remain.s.  William  Camp  has 
been  one  of  the  church  trustees  from  the  organ- 
ization of  the  church  to  the  present  date.  Rev. 
M.  C.  Sbirey  is  the  i)astor. 

St.  Michael's  Catholic  Church  of  Bement.  The 
first  Catholic  settlers  came  to  Piatt  County  in 
1850,  but  for  some  years  there  was  no  definite 
church  organization  and  tlieir  .spiritual  needs 
were  ministered  to  by  Father  Toner,  of  Cham- 


paign County,  111.  In  1891  the  parish  of  St. 
Michael  was  established  with  Rev.  F.  G.  Lentz 
as  the  first  resident  priest.  Rev.  E.  Hawley 
succeeded  Father  Lentz  and  remained  in  charge 
until  1904,  v*'hen  Re\'.  Louis  Selva  assumed 
charge  and  immediately  began  a  movement  to 
secure  the  erection  of  a  church  at  Bement  In 
1015  the  present  beautiful  church  edifice  at 
Bement  was  c^ompleted,  it  having  been  erected 
at  a  cost  of  $19,000,  all  of  which  has  been  paid. 
Father  Selva  also  has  charge  of  St.  I'hilomina 
Church  at  Monticello,  which  was  erected  in 
_190G. 

CIVIC    HI.ST0BY. 

Bement  was  incorporated  iu  1801  with  Joseph 
Bodman  as  the  first  president.  Among  those 
who  have  served  Bement  as  presidents  have 
been  the  following:  F.  E.  Bryant,  I.  I.  Pettitt. 
W.  S.  Ryder,  D.  C.  Miles,  W^  W.  Cam]),  G.  H. 
Barnes,  N.  J.  Day  aud  Thomas  Dunn,  the  pres- 
ent mayor  being  J.  F.  Sprague.  The  present 
village  clerk  is  R.  A.  Richard,  aud  W.  W.  Body, 
Itichard  Fleming.  JI.  C.  Camp,  Carl  Thompson 
and  Charles   Grant   are  the  trustees. 

IVESD.^LE. 

When  the  Great  Western  Railroad  was  built, 
one  of  its  way  stations  was  named  Xoria  in 
honor  of  one  of  the  owners  of  the  road,  but 
this  name  was  later  changed  to  Ivesdale  after 
a  Mr.  Ives  who  owned  c-onsiderable  property  in 
the  vicinity.  This  village  was  laid  out  iu  18G7, 
on  land  owned  by  Messrs.  King,  Harbinson  and 
Chapin,  and  several  years  later  an  addition 
was  made  by  S.  K.  Donovan.  A  peculiar  fea- 
ture of  this  village  lies  iu  the  fact  that  its  busi- 
ness ixirtion  is  across  the  count.\'  liue  in 
Cliamjiaign  County.  The  I'iatt  iwrtion  was  in- 
cor|>orated  in  1870  or  1871,  and  the  school  dis- 
trict covers  both  portions.  The  first  school  was 
held  in  a  log  house  iu  1803,  and  taught  by  Miss 
L.  White.  .V  post  oHice  was  established  in  1S64, 
with   W.   M.  .Tohnson  as  the  first  postmaster. 

OFFICI.M.S. 

Otis  Wiggins  is  the  commmissioner  of  high- 
ways for  Bement  Township ;  James  I^audis  is 
a  .justice  of  the  peace,  and  J.  W.  Coles  is  a 
constable. 

SUPEIiVISOBS. 

Since  ]S7"2  the  following  have  served  Bement 
Township    as    ineml)ers    of    the    county    board : 


'       THi  NtW  roJJiC 
WSi-fC  LIBRARY 

ASTOR      .|B»V  01 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


687 


William  Morton,  J.  C.  Evans,  C.  F.  Tenney, 
John  Kirby,  G.  A.  Stadler,  Joseph  Bodman,  C.  F. 
Tenney,  Ferdinand  Knajip,  McXamee,  lihoades, 
William  D.  Coffin,  W.  W.  Hammond,  Charles 
Adklns,  L.  11.  Alvord,  Roy  Smith,  E.  Walters, 
B.  L.  Baker,  and  William  Hughes. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


BLUE    RIDGE   TOAVNSHIP. 


BOUNDARIES  —  NATURAL  DRAINAGE  —  RAILROADS  — 
EARLY  SETTLERS — FIRST  ELECTION — STRINGTOWN 
MANSFIELD  —  GENERAL  MANSFIELD INCOR- 
PORATION OF  CITY — CHURCHES — BLUE  RIDGE-—- 
OFFICIALS — HIGHWAY  COMMISSIONER — JUST.ICE 
OF    THE    PEACE — CONSTABLE — SUPERVISORS. 

BOUNDARIES.  ■       • 

Blue  Ridge  Township  was  probably  so  named 
because  of  the  ridge,  extending  across  the  north 
and  northeastern  part  of  the  township,  which 
looks  blue  in  the  distance.  This  township  Ls 
bounded  on  the  north  by  McLean  County,  on  the 
east  by  Champaign  County,  on  the  south  by 
Sangamon  and  Goose  Creek  townships,  and  on 
the  -west  by  DeWitt  County.  The  land  is 
drained  by  Madden's  Run  in  the  eastern  part; 
by  Goose  Creek  on  the  south,  and  Silt  Creek 
ill  the  northwestern  part.  In  early  days  there 
was  not  as  much  timber  in  this  portion  as  in 
.some  of  the  other  townships,  but  the  laud  has 
always  been  very  rich  and  conseciuently  val- 
uable. 

RAILROADS. 

Two  railroads  run  through  Bhie  Ridge  Town- 
ship, the  Wabasli  and  the  Big  Four,  and  they 
intersect  at  Mansfield. 

EARLY    SETTLERS. 

Owing  perliaps  to  the  scarcity  of  timber,  this 
township  was  not  settled  as  early  as  Monticello. 
but  among  the  early  settlers  were  William 
Pierce,  Richard  Webb,  Jacob  Denning,  Joseph 
.\ikens.  Noah  Coflfman,  Squire  Gillespie,  LaFay- 
ette  Cox.  James  Watson,  Mr.  Keenan.  and  the 
Thomas  brothers.  It  is  generally  admitted  that 
the  house  erected  by  William  Pierce  near 
Gardners  Switch  was  the  first  to  tie  built  in 
this  townshi]!.  and  it  was  near  this  settlement 


that  the  first  death  occurred,  in  1n.">(i.  when 
Dulsiua  Webb  passed  away.  The  fir.st  lecordeil 
birth  in  the  township  is  that  of  Mary  Webb. 
The  first  election  was  held  at  the  Stringtown 
sehoolhouse,  and  as  there  were  no  aeiommoda- 
tions  for  the  hor.ses,  the  voters  coming  to  exer- 
cise their  right  of  franchise  used  to  carry  with 
them  stakes  which  they  would  dri\-e  into  the 
ground  to '  which  to  fasten  their  steeds,  and 
this  practice  continued  as  late  as  IS.jS.  This 
same  sehoolhouse  housed  the  congregation  that 
listened  to  the  tirst  sermon  preached  in  Blue 
Ridge  Township,  by  Minor  Chew.  After  the 
township  was  organized  in  1S60.  elections  took 
place  for  a  short  period  at  the  Littleton  place 
until  other  arrangements  could  be  made. 

MANSFIELD. 

The'  city  of  Mansfield  was  named  in  honor  of 
Gen.  J.  L.  Mansfield,  who  located  ou  the  farm 
^iu"  1870,  which  he  laid  out  in  a  village  that  was 
destined  to  bear  his  name.  Xot  only  did  he 
found  the  town,  but  he  was  exceedingly  gen- 
erous in  making  donations  to  it  of  land,  money 
and  time,  and  had  he  been  longer  spared,  the 
growth  during  its  early  days  would  have  been 
more  rapid.  Others  later  arose  to  carry  on  his 
work,  and  Mansfield  today  has  a  population  of 
about  700,  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.  It 
was  incorporated  in  1873.  In  101(5  a  city  hall 
was  erected  that  is  a  credit  to  Mansfield.  The 
present  jiresident  of  the  village  board  is  A.  R. 
Vaughn. 

After  the  little  settlement  was  organized, 
record  was  kept  of  the  various  events,  and  ac- 
cording to  it,  the  first  person  born  in  the  new 
village  was  Josephine  Ruch,  a  daughter  of  Uriah 
Ruch.  The  first  permanent  ]ihysician  was  J.  T. 
Tremble,  who  was  not  long  afterward  followed 
by  Dr.  Scott.  General  Mansfield  not  only  pro- 
niotetl  the  material  welfare  of  the  place,  but 
encouraged  its  spiritual  welfare,  and  the  first 
Sunday  school  was  held  in  his  dining  room 
October  10,  1S70.  and  that  same  .vear  through 
his  influence  an  I'^piscopallan  minister  held  serv- 
ice at  Mansfield.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the 
Episcoiial  Church. 

CHURCHES. 

The  Methodists  organized  a  cluircli  at  Mans- 
field with  Horatio  S.  Beavis  as  the  first  pastor. 
The  Presbyterians  bought  in  1880  the  church 
edifice  which  the  United  I'.rethren  congregation 
had  begun  in  1870.     The  Baptists  have  a  church 


688 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


building  but  no  resident  pastor.  The  German 
Baptists,  tlie  Churc-li  of  the  Brethren  and  the 
Church  of  the  Xazarene  are  all  represented  at 
Mansfield. 


BLUE    RIDGE. 


Bhie  Ridge  is  a  shipping  point  for  grain  on 
the  Wabasli  Railroad,  and  Harri.s  is  another 
one  on  the  Cincinnati,  Indianapolis  and  Western 
Railroad. 


OFFICIALS. 

J.  O.  Batonian  i.s  the  coniuii.ssioner  of  high- 
ways for  Blue  Ridge  Township;  C.  O.  Gillespie 
Is  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  Frank  Hilligoss  is 
the  constable. 

SDPERVISOBS. 

Since  1872  the  following  have  served  on  the 
county  board  from  Blue  Ridge  Township :  Jacob 
Vanmeter,  C.  J.  Gillespie,  J.  A.  Langby,  Oscar 
Mansfield,  J.  R.  Breighton,  W.  H.  Kirke,  A.  R. 
Ross,  J.  H.  Morris,  and  L.  J.  Cope,  the  present 
incumbent. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


OERRO  GORDO  TOWNSHIP. 


B0UND.\RIES  —  NATURAL       DBAINAGE  —  ORIGIN        OF 
NAME — R.\ILROADS  —  EARLY      SETTLEMENTS — VIL- 

I.AGE     OF     CERRO     GORDO VILLAGE     OFFICIALS  — 

PUBLIC    IMPROVEMENTS CHURCHES BUSINESS 

INTERESTS — LA     PLACE — CHURCHES — MILMINE 

LITN  E  R BURROW SVILLE  —  OFFICIALS  —  SUPER- 
VISORS. 

BOUNDARIES. 

Corro  Gordo  Township  lies  In  the  extreme 
southwestern  part  of  I'iatt  County,  and  is 
bounded  on  the  north  liy  Willow  Branch  Town- 
shij),  on  the  east  by  Bement  and  Unity  town- 
ships, on  the  south  by  Moultrie  County,  and 
on  the  west  by  Macon  County.  It  is  seven 
miles  wide,  and  eight  and  one-half  miles  in 
length,  and  contains  fifty-nine  and  one-half 
sections,  .\lmost  all  of  the  township  was  prairie 
land,  there  being  but  little  timber,  and  with 
the  exception  of  a  slight  rise  in  the  extreme 
southwestern,  and  northwestern,  the  township 
is  very  flat.     A  small  branch  of  the  Okaw  pro- 


vides the  greater  part  of  the  natural  drainage, 
and  the  land  is  among  the  best  in  the  township 
for  agricultural  purposes. 

ORIGIN    OF    NAAIE. 

("onsidcr.ible  dispute  has  arisen  concerning 
the  origin  of  the  name,  and  several  stories  are 
credited.  One  is  to  the  effect  that  Colonel 
Williams,  one  of  the  heavy  landowners  in  the 
eastern  jiart  of  the  townshii)  during  pioneer 
days,  bore  the  sobriquet  of  Cerro  Gordo  on  ac- 
count of  his  valor  during  the  Mexican  War. 
The  other  one  is  that  during  the  Mexican  War, 
the  name  of  Cerro  Gordo  was  given  to  the  post 
office  then  located  in  the  house  of  George  Peck. 
With  the  building  of  the  Wabash  Railroad,  a 
settlement  grew  up  around  this  post  office,  and 
the  town  was  named  Cerro  Gordo,  and  from  it 
came  the  name  of  the  township.  At  any  rate 
it  is  evident  that  the  name  was  in  some  way 
connected  with  the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo  fought 
during  the  Mexican  War. 

RAILROADS. 

There  are  two  railroads  passing  through  the 
township,  namely:  Cincinnati,  Indianapolis  and 
Western,  and  the  Wabash  Railroad,  so  that  the 
transportation  facilities  are  excellent  and  heavy 
shipments  of  stock  and  grain  are  carried  to  the 
Chicago  and   St.  Louis  markets. 

EARLY     SETTLEMENTS. 

Prior  to  the  sudden  freeze  in  I8?i0,  a  family 
l)y  tile  name  of  Cunningham  located  in  what  is 
now  C«rro  (iordo  Township,  in  a  grove  that 
stood  in  the  vicinity  of  La  Place.  Joseph,  Isaac 
and  Daniel  Howell  and  .John  Sea  were  the  first 
settlers  of  the  village  of  Cerro  Gordo,  and  an- 
other early  settler  was  William  Lee  who  was 
the  first  to  die  in  the  township.  Others  who 
came  into  the  township  after  the  building  of  the 
railroads  were :  A.  L.  Rodgers.  Isaac  McKinney, 
Jolin  Fields,  William  Long.  William  Cole.  John 
Smith.  Amos  Peck,  Doctor  Prosser  (first  doc- 
tor), William  Wells  (first  shoemaker)  and  Weed 
Woods.  In  the  summer  of  1857  a  child  of  Tlieo- 
dore  Denman  died  as  a  result  of  a  rattlesnake 
bite  and  this  was  the  first  tragic  death  In  the 
township.  John  Field  and  Samaiitha  Long  were 
the   first  couple  married  in   the   township. 

VILLAGE   OF  CERRO  GORDO. 

It  was  some  time  after  Cerro  Goixlo  was 
made  a  station  for  the  Wabash  Railroad,  that 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


689 


it  was  (ir^Miiizfd  as  a  villauo.  it  liaviii^  liecii  at 
first  called  (iriswold.  Imt  this  iiaiiii'  was 
clianjjcd  t(i  corrospond  to  tliat  of  tlic  post  ollice. 
CeiTo  (iordo  was  incorporated  as  a  village  May 
■22.  isr,.-).  with  W.  L.  I'itts  as  the  first  president 
of  the  lioard.  Among  those  who  have  later 
served  in  the  same  caiiacit.v  may  lie  mentioned: 
.1.  W.  Vent,  A.  C.  Doyle,  E.  K.  Kdw,irds,  .James 
Hays,  and  Philip  Dodson.  The  board  for  lOlG-17 
was  as  follows:  S.  I,.  Landi.s,  president;  and 
William  Loiiganecker,  .V.  I..  Peck,  J.  H.  Grove, 
C.  K.  Voiiiii;,  Xoah  Dorr,  and  Isaac  Erkenherry, 
trustee.s ;   and   H.   C.   Phillips,   clerk. 

The  first  station  agent  of  the  place  was  a  Mr. 
McJIurray,  and  Andrew  McKinney  was  the  first 
postmaster.  These  with  A.  L.  Rodgers  who  in 
18."i(;  established  tlie  first  store,  w-ere  the  pion- 
eers of  the  place.  Others  numhered  among  the 
first  residents  were  Doctor  Prosser,  John  Fields, 
.Tohn  Garver,  Isaac  McKinney  and  a  Mr.  Pitts. 
It  now  has  a  population  of  about  900. 

PUBLIC    I.MPROVEMENTS. 

Ccrro  < iordo  has  an  excellent  system  of  water 
works  which  was  installed  at  a  cost  of  .$20,000, 
;iinl  provides  the  village  with  ]iure  water  in  un- 
limited quantity.  I'pward  of  22.000  feet  of 
water  mains  have  been  laid,  and  it  would  ho 
difficult  to  find  better  water  in  any  place  of  its 
size,  or  even  in  those  much  larger.  Further 
improvements  are  in  contemplation,  and  will  he 
inaugurated   in   the  near  future. 

CHlUiCIIES. 

Cerro  Cordo  has  not  been  liackward  in  |ii'0- 
viding  for  the  religious  welfare  of  its  people 
from  the  early  days  wlien  church  services  were 
held  in  private  residences,  schoolhou.ses  or  any 
other  available  audience  room.  The  Christian, 
Brethren  and  Methodists  all  have  separate 
houses  of  worship,  and  the  congregations  are  in 
very  flourishing  conditions.  Tlie  First  Brethren 
Church  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  own  in 
partnership  a  church  edifice,  and  alternate  in 
holding  services  in  it.  Suitable  societies  are 
maintained  by  all  of  the  deiii)ininati(ms.  and 
special  attention  is  iiaid  In  the  Siniday  scliool 
work. 

BUSINli.S.S     INTKHK.STS. 

The  .'-state  P.ank  of  Cerro  (Jordo  and  the  Citi- 
zens Bank  of  Cerro  Gordo  are  the  two  lianking 
institutions  which  handle  tlie  lianking  business 
of   this   conuniuiity   aixl    the   territory    adjacent 


to  it.  Some  of  the  most  reliable  business  men 
of  Piatt  County  are  located  here,  and  their 
stocks  are  complete  and  varied.  The  Saekriter 
Hotel  affords  accommodations  to  the  traveling 
jiublic.  The  jirofessioual  men  are  recognized  as 
lieing  in  the  front  rank  of  their  calling,  and 
the  peoiile  of  the  county  are  proud  of  the  prog- 
ress^ and  standing  of  this  prosperous  and  flour- 
ishing village. 

I.A    PLACE. 

In  1S7:>  eighty  acres  of  land  were  laid  off 
into  a  town  and  named  after  G.  W.  Stoner,  but 
was  also  called  Gatewood.  This  Is  one  of  the 
mo.st  attractive  of  the  villages  of  Piatt  County, 
and  a  little  stream,  a  branch  of  the  Okaw, 
called  Bonnie  Brook  runs  through  the  i)lace. 
A  hotel  erected  iu  1874  was  the  first  building 
there,  but  others  followed  in  quick  .succession. 
Jacob  Reedy,  the  first  postmaster,  and  Dr. 
Pierson  .ioiued  with  Mr.  Stoner  in  advancing 
La  Place,  and  it  now  has  a  population  of  some- 
thing less  than  '.'AX)  peojile.  There  are  two  ele- 
vators at  this  point,  and  large  shipping  interests 
center  here,  for  it  is  an  important  station  with 
reference  to  traffic,  on  the  Cincinnati,  Indian- 
apolis and  Western  Railroad. 

CHURCHES. 

In  the  fall  of  1874  the  Methodists  organized  a 
society,  and  three  years  later  built  a  church 
edifice.  This  church  is  still  maintained,  and 
supplies  the  people  of  La  Place  with  religious 
instruction. 

MILSIINE. 

ICnos  Funis  worth  laid  out  a  town  to  which  he 
gave  his  own  name  and  for  a  time  it  w'as  called 
Farnsworth,  but  when  the  founder  sold  his 
holdings  to  George  Milniine  and  David  Kuns, 
the  name  was  chiinged  to  the  present  one  of 
.Milniine.  This  village  has  a  population  of  about 
200.  and  O.  X.  East  and  Harnman  Bros,  have 
elevators. 

Two  (■liunli  <irgaiiizatioiis  are  located  here, 
the  Christian  and  the  Church  of  God.  .\bout 
three  miles  south  of  Milniine  there  is  .i  church 
known   as  Prairie  Chapel. 

I.IT.N-ER. 

I.itner,  which  was  named  for  William  Litner 
of  Decatur,  III.,  is  a  station  on  the  Cincinnati, 
Indianapolis  and  Western  Railroad.  There  is 
a  I'liion  Church  at  this  point  where  services  are 


690 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


held    hy   vMiii.iis    luiulsteis   whose   services   can 
be  olitalueil  from  time  to  time. 

Bl'BROWSVII.LE. 

Iluiiow.sville  is  .inothei'  station  on  tin-  Cin- 
cinnati, Indianapolis  and  Western  Railroad,  lo- 
cated about  two  miles  east  of  Litner. 

0FF1CIAI.S. 

Cerro  Gordo  Township  has  the  following'  ofli- 
cials:  Jesse  Roberts,  commissioner  of  highways; 
James  M.  Goodwin,  justice  of  the  i)eace;  and 
D.  M.  I-acy,  constable. 

SUPEIIVI.SORS. 

Since  1S72  the  following  have  servetl  Cerro 
Gordo  Township  as  niombeis  of  the  county 
board:  Supervisors,  rliUip  Dodson,  Bowman, 
Pitts,  Clifton,  Green,  Benjamin  Middleton, 
Sutherland,  A.  M.  Cole,  Charles  S.  McIIay.  Syl- 
vester Craw.  B.  F.  Iluft',  William  Longanecker, 
Sylvester  Criiw,  P.  ii.  Kast,  and  Jacob  B.  Miller 
who  is  the  present  incumbent. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


GOOSK  CKKKK   TOWXSIIII'. 


BOUNDARIES ORIGIN     OF     NAMF,  —  K.\lI.RO.\I)S  —  1)E 

LAND  —  CH  liRCHES CHRl.STIAN MEIITODIST 

EPISCOPAL CARNEGIE    LIBRARY TWO-MILL    TAX 

—  V1LI./\GE  HOARD  —  OFFICIALS  OF  TOWNSHIP  — 
HIGHWAY  COM. MISSIONER  — JUSTICE  OF  THE 
P  E  A  C  E  —  CONSTABLE  —  POUNDMASTEU  —  SUPER- 
VISORS. 

UOUNDARIE.S. 

Goose  Creek  Township  lies  south  of  Blue 
Ridge  Township,  west  of  Sangamon  Township, 
north  of  AVlUow  Branch  Township,  and  east  of 
DeWltt  County,  with  the  DeWitt  County  line 
forming  a  small  portion  of  the  nortliorn  boun- 
dary as  well.  It  CDntiiins  fifty-six  sections,  and 
the  soil  is  admirably  ailaiitiii  for  larniing  i)ur- 
poses.  Puring  pioneer  d.iys.  the  settlers  found 
ciinslderable  timber  in  tills  township,  but  the 
greater  part  of  it  has  been  cleared  away.  The 
natural  drainage  is  excellent,  being  provided  by 
(Joose  and  Friend's  creeks,  both  of  which  are 
branches  of  the  Sangamon  River. 


OBIOKN     OF    NA.ME. 

The  name  of  Goo.se  Creek,  according  to  pop- 
ular acceptance,  came  from  the  fact  that  two 
geese  had  their  nest.s  in  the  tops  of  the  trees 
along  the  creek  that  bears  the  name  later  given 
to  the  township.  These  geese  were  permanent 
settlers  along  this  creek  lor  a  number  of  years, 
and  their  jiermanency  called  attention  to  them. 

EAltI.^•    SEITI.EUS. 

Tlie  Illinois  Central  K.iilroad  runs  through 
Goo.se  Creek  Township,  but  long  before  it  was 
built  the  OIneys  settled  here,  as  did  the  Mar- 
(luiss  brothers.  William  Piatt,  the  Welches, 
Kiibiird   lluliliart.   the  Bondurauts  and  otEers. 


Do  Land  was  laid  out  by  Tliomas  Bondurant, 
and  was  organized  as  a  village  in  1S72.  The 
lu-csent  president  of  the  bo.ird  is  J.  B.  Boteu- 
field;  Harry  Bickel  is  clerk,  and  the  other 
members  of  the  village  board  are  G.  S.  Walker, 
J.  B.  Rinehart  and  James  D.  Miller. 

De  Land  is  correctly  called  "The  Greatest 
Little  Town  on  Earth."  Although  its  jwpula- 
tion  is  not  much  over  .500.  support  is  given  to 
two  banks  and  .i  niunber  of  flourishing  business 
houses.  There  is  a  handsome  Carnegie  Library, 
two  fine  church  edifices,  and  the  village  is  pur- 
posing (be  laying  of  one  and  one-half  miles  of 
pavement  within  the  next  few  months.  A  very 
important  element  in  the  civic  life  of  De  Land 
is  its  Woman's  Club,  through  whose  agency  the 
library  was  established  and  many  reforms  in- 
augurated and  maintained. 

CHURCHES. 

The  De  Land  Christian  Church  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  Protestant  Methodists  organized 
the  I'nion  Church  of  Dc  Land,  but  later  a 
separation  was  effected  and  the  Christian 
Church  has  since  continued  alone.  On  January 
12,  ISO*;,  the  present  luuwlsome  church  edifice 
was  dedicated,  and  services  have  been  lield  In 
it  continuously  ever  since.  Tlie  present  pastor 
is  J.  >L  Ice.  The  church  maintiiins  several 
.Sdcicties.  inclndiiig  the  Christian  Woman's 
Board  of  Missions,  the  Ladies'  .Vid  Society,  the 
Christian  Endeavor  and  a  flourishing  Sunday 
school. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organ- 
ized during  or  before  1880.  In  ]!)00  tlie  present 
church    was   erected    at    an    estiiuate<l    cost   of 


/7  /; 


i  i  V'.'    V  '.'AK 


1  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  1 
i  { 

I  ASTOR.  •vW^OX  I 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


691 


.$20,0(Xl.      Tlie    prest'Ut.  liastoi-    is    Harris    Keck. 
Tbere  is  a   present  uiembersliii)  of  40(1. 

GOOSE    CREEK    TOVVNSIIIF   C.MiNEGIE    LI1!HAI{Y. 

Tile  Woiiiaii's  Chib  (iT  Dc  I.aiul  fur  several 
years  suiiported  a  lecture  course  at  De  Land, 
and  appreciating  the  necessity  for  a  library  in 
the  village,  set  aside  the  proceeds  from  the 
course  during  1908-9  as  the  beginning  of  a  library 
fund.  A  committee  later  ajipointed  to  false 
under  consideration  the  establishment  of  a 
libniry,  decided  to  api>eal  to  private  individuals 
for  subscriptions,  and  the  response  was  so  grati- 
fying that  the  matter  was  i>ut  before  the  people 
of  the  township  on  .Vpril  4,  1911,  and  a  measure 
was  carried  by  a  good  majority  voting  a  two- 
mill  tax  for  the  imnJose  of  raising  the  necessary 
amount  for  the  supiiort  of  a  free  lilirary.  Nego- 
tiations were  then  entered  into  with  .\ndrew 
Carnegie  with  the  result  that  he  generously 
contributed  ^S.OOO  for  the  purpose  of  building 
a  library  to  bear  his  name  at  De  Land.  This  ' 
building.  «liich  was  dedicated  November  30,, 
1912,  is  30-X47  feet,  with  a  ba.senient  arid  main- 
floor.  The  architects  were  Deal  &  Ginzel'  of 
Lincoln.  111.,  and  the  contractor  was  F.  R. 
Krauel  of  Danville,  111.  The  building  commit- 
tee was  composed  of  the  following:  K.  T.  Me- 
Millen.  .T.  II.  Campbell  and  Clyde  11.  Porter. 
Tliere  are  now  over  4.(100  volumes  in  the  library, 
.•md  all  of  the  best  magazines  are  to  be  found 
in  the  reading  rooms.  As  it  was  found  that 
the  two-mill  ta.x  was  more  than  sufficient  for 
the  purpose,  the  tax  was  reduced  to  one  and 
one-half  mills.  One  of  the  stipulations  at  the 
time  of  the  establishment  of  the  library  was 
that  two  members  of  the  library  Ijoard  were 
always  to  be  taken  from  the  Woman's  Club. 
The  lilirary  is  conveniently  located  at  the  cor- 
ner of   Highway   .Vvoiuie   and    Secon<l    Street. 

OFFICIALS. 

(ioose  (^reek  Township  has  as  highway  coiii- 
mi.ssioner  .1.  L.  Rorton  :  .1.  1\  >Iiithersi)aw  is  a 
justice  of  the  peace :  the  constable  is  Fred 
Haines,  while  the  pnundniaster  is  K.  M.  PaiTisli. 

SfCKKVI.SOKS. 

Since  1S72  (loose  Creek  Towiisbiii  lias  lieeii 
represented  on  the  count.v  board  b.v  the  follow- 
ing: Dennis  Hondurant.  Hawks.  .T.  H.  Wood. 
John  Kirby.  William  McMillen,  .1.  11.  Wood. 
John  Kirby,  J.  H.  CiimiibcU.  Wiley  M.  Dewees. 
W.  H.  Dilatusli,  Wiley  M.  Dewees.  L.  M.  Marvel. 


S.  C.  Kodnian,  J.  Olson,  and  G.  K.  Trenchard, 
the  present  incumbent,  who  has  held  this  office 
for  several  terms. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


M(J.\TICKLLO    TOWNSHIP. 


noUNDARIE.S — FIRST      SETTLEMENTS  —  KAILBOADS  — 

CITY    OF    MONTICELLO  —  FIRST    SETTLERS FIRST 

BUSINESS  HOUSES — NO  CONTROVERSY  OVER  LOCA- 
TION OF  COUNTY  SE.\T — INCORPORATION — PRESENT 
CITY  OFFICIALS  —  I'OST  OFFICE  —  PUBLIC  BUII.D- 
INCS — PUBLIC    IMPROVEMENTS — WATER    WORKS — 

SEWERAGE FIRE    DEPARTMENT  —  CEMETERIES  — 

MANUFACTURES — ALI.ERTON  LIBRARY — CHURCHES 
— .ME  T  H  O  D  I  S  T — PRESBYTERIAN — CHRLSTIAN — 

CATHOLIC — AN    OLD   PROCLAMATION MONTICELLO 

■"      OF     TbOAY OFFICIALS — TOWN     CLERK ASSESSOR 

— COLLECTOR HIGHWAY   COMMISSIONER  —  JUS- 

..     ..    \r-: 
l.jV'TW:     OF    THK     PEACE — CONSTABLE — SUPERVISORS. 

BOUNDARIES. 

While  Moiiticcllo  Town.ship  is  oiio  of  the  four 
smallest  townships  in  Piatt  County  with  regaril 
to  actual  area,  it  is  the  most  important  owing 
to  the  fact  that  it  is  in  the  very  center  of  the 
cnuiity  and  contains  the  county  seat.  It  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Goose  Creek  and  San- 
gamon townships ;  on  the  east  by  Champaign 
County ;  on  the  .south  by  Bement  Township,  and 
on  the  west  by  Willow  IJranch  Township,  and 
contains  forty-eight  scpiare  miles.  The  land 
rises  in  a  ridge  in  the  soutliwestern  part  and  so 
runs  diagonally  to  the  northeast  so  that  the 
whole  township  is  slightly  rolling,  and  very 
beautiful.  Lake  Fork  and  the  Sangamon  River 
drain  the  townslii|).  and  there  has  never  been 
very  much  of  it  submerged  land.  In  t'lie  early 
days  considerable  timber  was  found  along  the 
u'.itcr  courses,  and  the  soil  is  black  loam,  with 
.-I  little  ilay  in  the  hills  near  the  river. 

FIRST    SETTLEMENT. 

Tlie  first  settlements  nf  Pi;itt  County  were 
iii.-ide  in  Moiiticello  Township,  the  pioneers  being 
the  Hay  worths.  Daggetts  and  Martins. 

R.\  1  LRO.V  DS. 

Two  railroads,  the  Wabash  and  llie  Illinois 
Central.   ]iass   through   the  township,   so   that   it 


692 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


has  excelli'iit  fiicilitios  for  passenger  and  freight 
transportation,  whilo  the  interurban  service  of 
the  Illinois  Traction  makes  still  closer  connec- 
tions between  the  county  seat  and  other  por- 
tions of  the  county. 

(  ITV     ()!•      MOXTK  KLI.O. 

In  1837.  some  years  liefore  the  county  of 
I'iatt  was  organized,  the  people  who  had  locatcil 
in  that  portion  of  Macon  County  that  later  was 
to  form  the  new  division,  found  that  it  was 
Imrdensome  to  have  to  travel  as  far  as  Decatur 
for  their  trading,  and  so  took  up  the  matter 
of  founding  a  town  of  their  own.  Abraham 
Mnrquiss.  William  Barne.s,  Major  McReynolds 
and  James  A.  Piatt  formed  themselves  into  a 
comudttee  to  decide  upon  the  most  desirable 
site  on  the  Sangamon  Itiver.  They  selected  the 
liresent  site  of  Monticello  us  the  one  most  de- 
sirable on  either  bank  of  the  river,  and  a  .ioint 
stock  company  was  founded  which  bought  the 
lanil,  once  owned  by  .Tames  A.  I'iatt,  and  a  town 
was  laid  out  that  is  now  embraced  within  the 
confines  of  the  county  scat.  On  July  1,  ].s;!7, 
the  town  was  recorded.  Iieing  named  by  Ma.ior 
McReynolds  after  the  country  seat  of  Thomas 
.Jefferson.  It  was  jilatted  by  James  A.  I'iatt  and. 
surveyed  by  a  Mr.  .McClelland,  and  it  would 
have  been  difficult  for  these  gentlemen  to  have 
aiipiired  a  more  desirable  or  more  beantiful  site 
tlian  the  one  their  judgment  selected.  Three 
ibiys  after  tlic  pbif  i>f  the  town  was  placed 
on  record.  July  4.  1s;iT.  a  grand  barbecue  was 
hebl.  to  which  the  whole  surrounding  country 
••ittended.  and  the  promoters  of  this  entertain 
ment  sold  .$2,700  worth   of  town   lots. 

As  the  orignial  plat  of  Monticello  did  not 
include  the  Ilayworth  house,  which  stood  for 
many  years  after  those  later  built  had  been 
torn  down,  so  it  cannot  be  said  to  be  the  tirst  in 
Monticello,  although  it  was  for  years  the  oldest 
in  the  city,  sub.se(pient  to  the  extension  <if  the 
city  limits  way  be.vond  it.  Houses  did  not  go 
up  very  rapidly,  for  the  records  show  tliat  in 
\s:;\>  there  were  lull  finir  residences  in  llie 
original  town,  (be  lirst  liaving  lieen  a  small 
storeliouse  bnilt  on  a  site  later  occupied  by  I)i-. 
Noecker's  drug  store.  In  it  a  Mr.  Oass  carried 
on  a  small  mercantile  business.  Tlie  residence 
of  N'icbolas  licvurc,  which  was  (piite  large  for 
th:ir  time,  luliiu'  a  foui'-room  hou.-ie.  was  long 
liiiown  as  tlic  --old  fort."  .\nother  early  resi- 
dent was  .lolni  'I'enbrookc,  who  kept  the  lirst 
tavern,    and    .I.imes    Onttcn    li.ul    another    resi- 


dence. .V  Mr.  Hull,  a  blacksndth,  built  a  shop 
and  ojiened  it  for  business,  and  all  this  occurred 
before  the  close  of  1839. 

FIRST    DUSI.VESS     MEN. 

Daniel  Stickel  may  be  regarded  as  the  first 
regular  merchant,  and  he  established  himself  in 
1S41.  The  first  druggist  was  J.  C.  Johnson  and 
he  was  also  tlie  first  regular  iwstmaster,  while 
Dr.  King  was  the  first  physician.  For  a  few 
months,  during  the  very  early  forties,  a  law.yer 
spent  a  few  months  ;it  Monticello,  but  foiuid  the 
place  so  law  abiding  that  be  left.  Mr.  Outten's 
home  was  open  to  all  the  clergy,  and  among 
those  who  held  services  in  the  restricted  .space 
of  his  home  was  old  Peter  Cartwright,  who 
held  a  number  of  services  during  184.1  and  1844 
ill  the  idurthouse.  and  he  also  organi'/.ed  and 
conducted  several  camp  meetings. 

It  is  interesting  to  readers  to  (|Uote  the  fol- 
lowing from  Miss  Piatt's  account  of  the  city  in 
18."(;: 

■'In  is.'o  (piite  a  good  deal  of  luisiiiess  was 
done  in  Monticello.  In  the  Monticello  Times 
of  that  date  we  find  that  T.  Milligan  and  H.  C. 
McC'omas  advertised  as  attorneys-at-law ;  X.  G. 
Cofiin,  Xoecker  &  Hull  and  T.  Wheeler  as  phy- 
sicians: It.  P..  Winchester  as  saddle  &  harness 
makers;  Marbleston  &  P.ro.  as  clothiers:  J.  E. 
Duncan  as  tailor:  Young  &  Co.  as  furniture 
de.ilers;  J.  11.  IIollingsw(n-th.  O.  P.aile.v.  Piatt 
&  Kerr,  and  Uruffctt  &  Foster  as  dry  goods 
merchants:  J.  C.  Joliiisoii  &  Pro.  as  druggists: 
Dnnseth  &  Sbroeder  as  bricklayers:  D.  Kek- 
kelier  as  boot  and  shoe  merchant:  B.  T.  Meeks 
as  hardware  merchant:  David  Cornprost  as 
grocer,  and  ,T()hn   Painter  as  butcher." 

xo  (  oM'ii(ivi:i!sv   ovn;  lor.vrv  skat. 

There  was  never  any  <piestioii  as  to  the  de- 
sirability of  Monticello  as  the  seat  of  county 
government,  so  the  county  was  spared  the  dis- 
sensions which  have  racked  so  many  other 
sections  of  the  state  relative  to  tliis  important 
nialter.  Local  jealousy  lias  been  so  fomented 
In  some  counties  as  to  actually  retard  progress, 
and  the  tax  jiayers  have  been  taxed  many  times 
over  to  meet  the  cost  of  the  moving  of  old  build- 
ings from  one  site  to  another,  or  the  erection 
of  new  ones  to  meet  tlie  demands  of  such  a 
change.  Piatt  County  Is  to  be  congratulated 
ii|ion  its  freedom  from  these  troubles  and  upon 
the  united  work  of  its  people  toward  a  Iiar- 
mniildus  advancenicnt  of  ,\]|  sections. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


693 


IN'CORPOKATION. 

On  A|iiil  1(1,  IS72,  the  president  and  lioard  of 
trustees  of  tlie  village  of  Montieello  (■:illed  a 
meeting  in  order  to  take  steps  for  incorporating' 
it  as  a  city.  Tliese  officials  were  J.  L.  Bond, 
president;  Charles  Watts,  E.  G.  KiiigLt,  J,  M. 
Holmes  and  Samuel  Bender  were  trustees,  and 
W.  D.  8hulz  was  clerk.  The  population  was 
then  l.OfiO,  it  now  being  3.000,  and  a  mayor  and 
six  aldermen  were  elected,  as  follows :  Daniel 
Stickel,  mayor;  and  Williani  T.  Foster,  B.  B. 
Jones,  E.  G.  Knight.  .1.  A.  Hill.  .Tohn  Keenan 
and  James  M.  Holmes  were  the  aldermen.  The 
officials  at  [iresent  are :  Charles  Mcintosh, 
mayor;  Frank  F.  Miner,  clerk;  Ernest  M.  Dil- 
saver,  treasurer,  and  E.  M.  Shonkwiler,  at- 
torney. 

POST   OFFICE. 

During  General  Grant's  second  term  of  otHce 
as  president  of  the  I'nited  States.  Monticello 
became  a  second  class  post  office,  and  for  man.v 
years  Samuel  Webster  was  tlie  postmaster.  The 
present  postmaster  is  E.  C.  Jloffett.  lUiral  free 
delivery  was  adopteil  at  Monticello  in  ltiO:i,  and 
this  office  now  has  five  rural  routes.  It  has 
two  cit.v  carriers,  and  in  all  gives  emjiloymcnt 
to  thirteen  men.  The  annual  amount  of  busi- 
ness done  by  this  post  office  is  .$24.f)flO. 

With  the  incorporation  of  Monticello  as  a 
city,  other  Industries  and  business  enterprises 
were  established,  among  them  being  the  grain 
eIe^■ator  of  Piatt.  Hubbel  &  Co..  and  a  gristmill 
built  in  1S7S  by  E.  A.  Townley  &  Co.  In  1870 
an  elevator  was  built  liy  Knight  &  Tinder,  and 
about  the  same  time  several  lumber  .vards  were 
established.  The  Sackriter  Hotel  affords  ac- 
commodation to  the  traveling  public. 

Monticello  has  long  been  noted  for  the  beauty 
of  its  lor-ation.  the  neatness  of  its  yards,  the 
cleanliness  of  its  streets,  and  the  elegance  of  its 
residences. 

PUBLIC    BUILDINOS. 

In  addition  to  the  county  buildings  Monti- 
cello has  the  following  public  buildings ;  The 
city  hall,  which  was  built  in  1912  at  a  cost  of 
$10,500,  the  money  for  which  was  raised  by  a 
bond  issue  for  .$l.j.000  in  mil.  This  building, 
which  is  a  liamlsome  brick  one.  contains  the 
jwst  office,  fire  department  and  several  offices 
on  the  second  floor  which  are  occupied  by  pro- 
fessional men.     The  township  hall  was  erected 


during  l.s9fi.7  at  a  cost  of  $1S,00(J.  This  build- 
ing, which  is  a  very  pretentious  one,  contains 
the  AUerton  Library,  the  gift  of  Mr.s.  Samuel 
W.  .Vllerton.  the  opera  house,  which  has  a  seat- 
ing capacity  of  800,  and  several  club  rooms. 

PUBLIC    I.MPBOVEMEN'TS. 

•  )n  September  3,  1880,  a  petition  was  read  at 
the  regular  meeting  of  the  city  council  of  Monti- 
cello, that  was  signed  by  forty-four  of  the 
residents,  asking  that  steps  be  t^iken  to  secure 
an  adequate  water  supply.  A  committee  was 
com|K)sed  of  three  aldermen  and  four  citizens 
outside  the  council,  who  investigated  thor- 
oughly and  made  the  following  report  to  the 
council  on   November  ."i.   1889 ; 

W.\TEK    WORKS. 

■■.V  supi>ly  of  water  can  he  obtained  anywhere 
in  the  northern  portion  of  the  city  in  three  dif- 
ferent ways — by  using  the  well  purchased  of  the 
c«il  conixwny,  by  sinking  a  large  surface  well 
fifty  or  se\enty  feet  deep,  or  by  initting  down 
two  or  three  tubular  wells  about  300  feet  deep. 
.Vny  of  these  methods  will  furnish  water  in 
abundance;  but  for  the  best  and  purest  water 
we  recommend  the  deep  tubular  wells,  as  that 
will  give  the  mo.st  satisfactory  results  for  the 
least  money.  Of  the  various  systems  of  water 
works  in  use  the  combined  s.vstem  of  direct 
pressure  from  the  i)ump.  together  witli  an  ele- 
vated tank,  would  be  the  most  durable  and 
economical  for  our  city.  This  system  would  be 
the  most  effecti\e  in  use,  least  expensive  to 
operate,  and  the  first  cost  to  protect  a  width 
of  .six  blocks  from  north  to  south  would  not 
exceed  .Sl.l.OOO.  This  includes  sinking  the  wells, 
pump,  tank,  power  house,  etc.,  in  fact,  the  sys- 
tem completed,  tested  and  ready  to  be  received 
by  the  city.  Under  the  present  law,  owing  to 
the  low  valuation  of  the  city's  taxable  property, 
but  $1.3.r)00  could  he  raised  by  bonds,  five  per  cent 
of  the  valuation  being  the  limit  for  which  a 
cit.v  can  bond  itself  for  water  works.  By 
raising  .'>;l,."iOO  additional  by  a  special  tax  our 
city  can  be  as  effectively  protected  as  any  city 
can  be,  and  In  view  of  the  helpless  condition 
in  case  of  fire  at  present,  we  believe  our  city 
cannot  alTurd  to  be  longer  without  this  aid. 

"We  therefore  reconunend  that  you  submit  the 
question  to  the  vote  of  the  people,  placing  the 
cost  at  a   maximum  of  .«:i."i.O'V).  all  of  which  Is 


694 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


iiiiiiiiiiiioiisly   concurretl   in   by   your  comiiiittee. 

Signed   by  all   members  of  committee : 

J.  A.  Bender, 
W.  R.  Yazle, 
K.  R.  Meridith, 
J.  A.  Brown, 
W.  H.  Plunk, 
G.  A.  Stadler, 

P.    V.    DlIATUSH." 

In  s|)ite  of  this  complete  report,  nothing  fur- 
ther was  done  for  a  year,  and  then  on  Septem- 
ber 2.  1800.  the  clerk  was  directed  by  the 
council  to  adverti.<!e  for  bids  for  sinking  a  six 
inch  well,  and  on  October  15,  1890,  the  bid  was 
let  to  J.  W.  Mohler  Company  at  the  following 
figures : 

First  100  feet,  .$2.2.5  per  foot ;  next  fifty  feet, 
.«2.75  per  foot,  and  from  150  to  500  feet,  $3.00 
per  foot.  The  well  when  completed  was  311 
feet  deep. 

The  ordinance  passed  for  bonding  Monticello 
for  $9,000  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  water 
plant  on  the  land  which  contained  the  well  that 
had  been  bought  from  H.  E.  Huston  for  $330,  it 
being  the  east  half  of  lots  5  and  fl  and  all  of 
block  10,  in  Rawlins  addition  to  Monticello. 
These  bonds  were  liought  by  Farson,  Leach  & 
Co..  and  the  contract  was  let  to  George  Cadogan 
Morgan  for  $10,450,  which  included  all  the 
work  except  the  pipe  lines,  that  contract  being 
let  to  Mueller  Plumbing  and  Heating  Company 
for  .$12,890,  and  the  plant  was  finally  installed 
in  1S92. 

.\nother  well.  209  feet  in  depth,  was  sunk,  and 
the  water  in  each  well  is  very  pure  and  clear. 
In  1015  a  bond  issue  was  made  for  $10,000  to 
further  improve  the  water  works  system  of 
.Monticello,  and  during  1910  reconstruction  was 
carried  on  with  tlie  result  that  the  city  now 
has  one  of  the  best  equipped  plants  in  the  state. 
The  expenditures  according  to  the  reports  fur- 
nished the  city  council,  were  as  follows : 

Reservoir    .$4.37;i44 

Pumphou.se   275.00 

Razing  standpipe   450.00 

Service  pump    2,425.77 

Dee])  well  pump   1.030.03 

Kngineers  4  percent  contract  price. . .  .      .■!8;3.04 


Less    litjuidated    damas 


.$9,959.18 
CO.OO 

$9,899.18 


There  is  one  12  inch  well  that  is  208  feet 
deep ;  one  8  inch  well  that  is  206  feet  in  depth, 
and  one  10  inch  well  that  is  212  feet  in  depth. 

SEWERAGE. 

In  1S9(J  the  present  sewerage  system  was  in- 
stalled, which  with  the  fine  water  supply  makes 
.Monticello  one  of  the  best  equipped  cities  of  its 
size  in  the  country  from  a  sanitary  standpoint. 

The  tire  department  has  an  equipment  that  is 
adequate  and  there  are  thirteen  men  enrolled 
as  members  of  tlie  fire  department. 

CEMETERIES. 

On  May  2,  1873,  the  Monticello  Cemetery  As- 
sociation was  organized  with  the  following  offi- 
cers: J.  W.  Coleman,  president;  H.  E.  Huston, 
secretary  and  treasurer;  and  W.  E.  Lodge, 
Charles  Watts,  and  George  F.  Miller,  directors. 
This  association  bought  twenty  acres  of  land 
about  one  mile  north  of  Monticello,  and  had  it 
laid  out  on  modern  landscape  plans  so  that  it 
is  very  beautiful.  Intermingled  with  the  natu- 
ral forest  growth  .ire  many  cedars  planted  by 
Mr.  Coleman.  On  the  highest  point  is  a  block 
devoted  to  the  heroes  of  the  Civil  War  who 
have  answered  the  last  call.  Later  more 
acreage  was  added  as  needed.  W.  F.  Lodge  is 
the  present  i)resident  of  this  as.sociation.  Other 
cemeteries  in  Piatt  County  are:  Ater  Cemetery, 
Croninger  Cemetery,  Frantz  Cemeter.v,  and 
Willow  Branch  Cemetery,  beside  several  old 
liurial  places  wliich  were  used  by  the  pioneers. 

-\fANUKACTURES. 

As  Piatt  County  is  essentially  an  agricultural 
district,  the  business  centers  around  those  in- 
dustries connected  with  this  branch  of  activity, 
but  there  is  one  concern  at  Monticello  that  has 
attained  a  nation-wide  celebrity.  The  Pepsin 
Syrup  Company  was  organized  in  1893  by  C.  H. 
Ridgely,  Dr.  AV.  B.  Caldwell,  Harry  H.  Crea 
;ind  others  for  the  purpose  of  producing  Dr. 
Caldwell's  Syrup  Pepsin.  In  June,  1800,  Mr. 
Ci-ea,  who  had  secured  control  of  the  comixiny, 
sold  to  Allen  F.  Moore  and  A.  c;.  Tliomp.5on, 
the  former  becoming  president  and  manager, 
and  tlie  latter  vice  president.  Still  later  John 
F.  Hott  became  the  vice  jiresident.  and  the  sec- 
retary is  John  F.  Thompson.  Mr.  Moore  con- 
tinuing president  and  ma-nager  and  is  treasurer 
as  well.  The  annual  output  aggregates  nearly 
$1,000,000 ;  employment  is  given  to  eighty-seven 
people  at  the  home  plant  and  there  are  twenty- 


HONSELJIAX  CA15IX.  :\I()XTlCKLLn 


l,llil!.\l!V  AND  Ol'F.r.A  IIOISK.   Ml  INI'U  Ki.l.i  > 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


G95 


two  men  on  the  road.  The  advertising  cam- 
paign costs  .$200,000  annually.  In  1914  the  plant 
was  enlarged  an*  made  fireproof,  and  it  and  the 
beiiiitiful  grounds  are  an  ornament  to  Monti- 
cello.  Sales  are  made  all  over  the  T'liited 
States. 

THE  ALLERTON    I.IURARV. 

In  ]8f)5  Hon.  Samuel  W.  Allertou  offered  to 
the  people  of  Monticello  Township  that  if  they 
would    erect   a    suitable    building    In    which    to 
house  it,  Mrs.  Allertou  would  donate  a  library, 
and  when  the  proposition  was  put  to  the  vote 
at  the  town   meeting  in   April,   it  was   carried 
unanimously.      A    library    committee,   composed 
of  O.  A.  Tatman.  chairman,  and  F.  V.  Dilatush, 
George     F.     Khodes,     H.     D.     Peters.     W.     F. 
Stevenson    and    A.    C.   Thompson    proceeded    to 
push  matters  vigorously.     A  lot  was-^mKchased 
one  block  north  of  the  courthouse  .squaHajiH.  ^. 
Gill  of  Urbana  was  chosen  as  archi6d(^,_Kfiag  .a," 
building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  .$18,000  win«i 
was  ready  for  occupancy  during  t\u-  earl»-»»g:U-t^ 
of  1S97.     The  building  also  inclu<Ies  ah- opemi. , 
house  with  a  seating  cajmcity  of  SCO,  a  wonlan's-- 
club  room  and  another  commodious  club  room. 

The  library  room  is  70.x40  feet,  with  a  large 
circular  bay  window  in  the  southwest  corner, 
and  it  is  decorated  ta.stefully.  There  are  some 
very  valuable  prints  and  reproductions  of  some 
of  the  most  notable  paintings.  The  original  gift 
comprised  2.r,(tO  volumes,  but  tJiere  are  now 
over  s.fioo  volumes  in  the  lilirary.  and  there  are 
in  addition  some  very  valualile  pamphlets  owned 
liy  the  association.  Among  other  valuable  vol- 
umes are  a  number  of  liound  periodicals,  and 
books  of  general  reference,  and  all  of  the  lead- 
ing magazines  are  carried.  Stacks  for  lioldinL' 
books,  of  monumental  iron  are  in  the  east  half 
of  the  room  ;  a  handsome  oak  counter  which  ex- 
tends two-thirds  across  the  center,  imrtly  sepa- 
rating the  reading  room  from  that  part  in 
which  the  books  are  kept:  library  tables  and 
chairs  of  polished  oak.  movable  book  racks, 
cases  for  periodicals  and  other  handsome  fur- 
nishings add  to  the  comfort  and  beauty  of  this 
library.  The  library  is  liberally  patronized  and 
shows  a  gratifying  increase  annually.  Miss 
Lena  Bragg  is  the  librarian,  and  Miss  Kuth 
Marquiss  is  her  assistant.  The  present  library 
board  is  comiwsed  of  the  following:  F.  V. 
Dilatush.  chairman,  and  Mrs.  G.  A.  Burgess, 
Mrs.  Mary  I.  Dighton.  .Tames  L.  Hicks,  and  Mrs. 
Jessie  Dighton. 


CHUBCHES. 

The  Methodist  Church  at  Mouticello  can   be 
traced  back  to  184:^,  so  that  it  is  only  two  years 
younger   than   Piatt   County.     The   first  church 
building   was   erected  in  1851,   while  James  C. 
Buckner  was  the  iwstor,  and  later  a  parsonage 
was  added  to  the  north.     During  a  remarkable 
revival  held  in  1857,  400  members  were  added, 
and  an  era  of  prosperity  came  to  this  church, 
so  that  improvements  were  made  in  it  and  the 
[larsonage.     In  1SC9  the  original  church  edifice 
was  found  to  be  too  small  to  accommodate  the 
congregations,    and    a    new   church    was   begun, 
tliat   was  dedicated   the  close  of  the  following 
year,  while  in  1800,  a  new  parsouage  was  built. 
The  following  have  served  this  church  as  pas- 
tors:    Revs.  Addison  Godrid,  John  A.  Britten- 
ham.   L.  C.  Pitner,  J.  C.   Rucker,   I.   L.  Green, 
W.  J.  Newman,  Joseph  Lane,  A.  Doncarlos,  W. 
/^('•V."Ti]'Pn«^ll.   C.    Arnold.    Miles   A.    Wright,    Ed- 
'•;war^:   Rijtledge,    C.    Y.    Hecox,    A.    R.    Garner, 
*I«ia^  (irove,  D.  P.  Lyon,  J.  B.  Honts,  J.  T.  Orr, 
,_;.Iia   Kniffe'son,  W.   H.   H.   Adams.   P.   C.   Carroll. 
•Jti^. Fortune,  Isaiah  Villars.  M.  W.  Everhart,  J. 
■  *irTmtgomery.    J.    W.    .Muse,    David    Gay,    G.    S. 
.Vlexander,  E.  A.  Hamilton,  Joseph  Long,  J.  D. 
Fry.   M.   S.   McCoy,    J.   F.   Wohlfourth,    Joseph 
I''o\worthy,   W.   S.   Calhoun,   J.   H.   Waterbury, 
.].  s.  Dance.v,  W.  Aitken,  H.  H.  O'Xeal,  Walter 
WU'u.   W.   V.   Gowdy,  W.   E.   Bell,  A.  B.  Peck, 
and  W.  (i.  Lloyd,  the  present  pastor.    The  hand- 
some new  church  e<lifice  was  built  in  1911  at  a 
lost     of    .$18,W0,    while    the    furnishings    cost 
.ST.nOii.    making    the   entire   cost   something   like 
*L>."i.(i(Mi,  which  is  a  very  conservative  figure.     A 
magnificent  .$2,000  pipe  organ  was  installed,  so 
that  this  church  is  one  of  the  finest  in  this  part 
of  the  state.     The  sesiting  capacity  is  300. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Monticello 
was  organized  on  October  27.  1842,  by  Rev. 
Joseiib  Adams.  Previous  to  that  time  a  Cum- 
lierland  Presbyterian  minister  held  frequent 
services  in  the  village  of  Monticello,  when  con- 
veniences for  such  services  could  be  provided. 
The  .irganizatlon  of  this  church  was  elTected 
with  the  following  named  persons  as  charter 
members:  James  Huston,  Sarah  Huston.  Mary 
Neyhart.  Elizabeth  Young,  Archibald  Moffltt, 
Samuel  Motntt,  James  J.  Patterson,  Anna  Pat- 
terson, Hugh  O'Neal  and  Mary  O'Neal.  Two 
of  their  number  were  chosen  ruling  elders,  viz. : 
James  Huston  and  Archibald  Moffitt. 

For  the  first  nine  years  of  Us  existence  serv- 


696 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


ices  were  irregular,  aud  most  of  that  time  tbe 
chureh  was  witliout  a  iiastor.  lu  ISol  Rev.  K. 
H.  Lilly  came  anil  gathered  uj*  the  fragments 
of  the  memliership  and  effected  a  re-organiza 
tlon.  and  held  services  sometimes  lu  the  court- 
house, the  Methodist  Episcoixal  Church  building 
and  sometimes  at  private  houses.  Twenty  years 
later  the  organization  was  sufficiently  strong  to 
undertake  to  liuild  a  church  house.  The  late 
George  F.  Miller,  at  one  time  sheriff  of  Piatt 
Ctounty,  donated  the  site  for  tlie  church  build- 
ing. Tliey  built  n  wooden  structure  o.jxGO  feet 
fronting  on  South  Charter  Street,  on  the  north 
side  of  lot  .J,  block  S  of  out  lots  in  Monti- 
cello.  The  building  cost  about  $4,000,  and  the 
bell  purchased  for  the  old  building  still  calls 
the  people  to  worship. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  several 
Iiastors  who  have  servetl  the  chureh  and  the  ap- 
l)roximate  year  of  their  coming  to  the  same: 
IJ.  H.  Lilly.  1S.-)1  ;  John  Huston,  18.58 ;  T.  T. 
Kmerson,  lS(i.5 ;  J.  IL  Dinsmore,  1867;  S.  A. 
Iluinnier,  18G!) ;  William.  R.  Glenn,  1873:  A.  F. 
Ashley,  1876;  M.  V.  Ormsby,  1880;  Rev.  Coyle 
of  Tennessee,  1883 ;  Milton  E.  Todd,  1883 ;  Fred 
L.  Forbes,  188.'5;  Maurice  Waller,  18ST;  Daniel 
E.  Long,  18!X);  Milton  E.  Todd,  1894:  Henry  G. 
(lleiser.  1S!»8:  (Jeorge  W.  Gill,  1!>11 :  Morton  C. 
Long.  I'tlL':  I!.  I'..  Fislier,  1014:  Taul  .1.  Gilbert, 
IflKl,  and  the  present  incumbent,  with  an  aver- 
age pastorate  of  three  .vears  and  six  months  for 
each  since  ]8.")1.  Reverend  Coyle's  pastorate 
was  the  shortest,  while  Reverend  Gleiser's  pas- 
torate was  nearly  thirteen  years  in  duration. 
Rev.  George  W.  fJill  met  a  tragic  death  at 
Harper's  Ferry.  \a.,  wliile  rescuing  his  son 
from  being  run  over  by  ji  loi-ouiotive  engine  in 
Augu.st,    T.I12. 

In  the  ye;ir  l!iO;!  the  church  began  casting 
about  to  build  a  new  house  of  worship.  To 
this  end  it  purchased  lots  '.)  and  10  in  block  11, 
of  the  original  town  of  Monticello,  where  the 
building  now  stands.  The  work  began  in  190C, 
anil  the  church  was  dedicated  on  .Tuly  21.  1007. 
at  a  cost  of  about  .$20,000. 

The  working  boards  ;ind  societies  connected 
with  this  chunh  follow  :  Ruling  elders,  C.  J.  Bear, 
M.  R.  Davidscm.  William  Dighton,  Frank  Heti- 
shee.  H.  E.  Kaiser.  tMiarles  Mcintosh;  deacons: 
Henry  Sackriter.  .Vugust  Lehr  and  Charles  Mos- 
grove;  Ladies"  .Vid  Society.  Mrs.  Mary  Mcintosh, 
presiilent :  .Monday  Evening  Club, '  Miss  Pearl 
Martin,  president;  Christian  Endeavor  Society, 
Robert  Shonkwiler,  i)resident :  .Junior  Endeavor 


Society,  Miss  Lena  Bragg,  president ;  Home  and 
Foreign  Missionary  Society,  Mrs.  Elsie  lletishee, 
president ;  Sunday  .school  .superintendent.  Mrs. 
Jessie  Dighton;  trustee.?,  William  Dighton, 
Frank  V.  Dilatu.sh.  J.  D.  Leiper,  Carl  S.  Reed, 
D.  W.  Culp  and  A.  C.  Miller.  The  church  ha.s  a 
membership  of  about  250  and  is  in  a  healthy 
condition.  It  raises  in  revenues  on  an  average 
of  .t!2.(i(K»  a  year  for  running  expenses,  and  for 
the  various  boai-ds  connected  with  the  church. 

The  Catholics  have  a  mission  at  Monticello 
known  as  St.  Pbilomena's  Chureh.  There  is  a 
little  brick  church  edifice,  built  in  llMiO,  and 
services  are  held  in  it  by  jtriests  from  other 
parishes,  usually   from   Bement. 

The  First  Christian  Church  of  Monticello  had 
its  beginnings  some  twenty-one  years  ago  under 
the  pastorship  of  one  of  the  ablest  nnnisters  of 
this  denomination,  although  for  some  ye.irs  the 
congregation  worshi|)ed  without  any  regular 
home.  Then  aljout  1908  or  1909,  the  congrega- 
tion purchased  from  the  Baptists  the  grounds 
and  church  edifice  at  the  corner  of  East  Main 
and  Indeiiendenee  streets,  where  services  are 
held  regularly.  The  membership  has  increased 
until  it  now  numbers  about  eighty.  Tbe  present 
t>astor  is  Rev.  E.  W.  Akeman.  A  strong  Sun- 
day school  is  maintained  in  connection  with  the 
church  and  several  well  organized  church  socie- 
ties. In  191  ."i  .V.  T.  England  made  tbe  church 
a  jiresent  of  a  parsonage  which  adjoins  the 
church  proi>erty  on  East  Washington  Street. 

AN    OIJ)    PROCLAMATION. 

Interesting  in  these  days  when  once  more  our 
country  is  engaged  in  a  ndghty  war,  is  the  fol- 
lowing, which  apiieared  throughout  Piatt 
County  during  the  exciting  days  of  the  early 
sixties.  In  connection  with  this  it  may  be 
stated  that  during  the  Civil  War  Piatt  County 
furnished  more  troops  pro  rata  than  any  other 
county  in  the  United  States. 

"WAR  !  WAR  ! 
18000  MORE   MEN  WANTED 
FROM  ILLINOIS! 
WILL     BE    DRAFTED     IF    THEY    DO    NOT 
IMMEDIATELY    ENLIST! 
Tbe  War  is  assuming  gigantic  proportions — 
\  regiment  is  to  be  raised  in  Piatt  and  adjoin- 
ing counties.    There  will  be  a  large  war  meeting 
held  in  Monticello  on 

NEXT    S.\TURDAY 
Let  all  the  people,  men,  women  and  children. 


IIISTOKY  OF  PIATT  LOLXTY. 


697 


turn    out.     GofKl    speakers   and    niarti.il    music 
will  be  iirocured. 

.Montiffllo.  July  aotli.  lSf,2. 

MANV   CITIZEXS." 

MONTICELrX)    OF    TODAY. 

The  beautiful  little  fit.%-  of  Xlonticello  i.s  one 
of  the  Important  centers  of  this  part  of  the 
state.  AA'hile  it  is  not  wide  in  area,  nor  does 
it  boast  as  large  a  population  as  some  otlier 
conmiunities,  .vet  this  is  a  distributing  center  for 
a  wide  territory,  and  an  important  slii])ping 
l)oint  for  many  of  the  leading  agriculturalists 
over  one  of  the  richest  and  most  productive 
farming  sections  of  Illinois.  Its  well  i>ave<I 
streets,  handsome  public  buildings,  substantial 
business  houses  and  elegant  residences  iirove  to 
the  visitor  that  it  rightly  lays  claim  to  being 
tlie  wealthiest  county  of  its  size  in  tlie  state. 

OFFIcr.VI.S. 

Monticello  Townsliip  has  W.  1  >.  I'.ritton  as 
township  cleric:  R.  A.  GrilHth  as  assessor; 
Harley  Harris  as  collector;  Charles  Yoekey  Is 
a  highway  conupissiouer ;  L.  M.  Taylor  is  a  jus- 
tice of  the  iwacc:  and  William  Wildmau  is  a 
constable. 

SUPERVISORS. 

Since  ISTl!  the  following  have  served  Monti- 
cello  on  tlic  county  board:  Daniel  Stickle.  An- 
drew Deightou.  .John  Tiatt.  W.  G.  Wack.  A.  J. 
Langley,  L.  .T.  Kond.  W.  II.  Kratz.  Pitts.  W.  II. 
Kratz.  John  Bender.  (Jeorge  A.  Stj\dler.  ('.  A. 
Tatman.  C.  .J.  Bear.  C.  A  Tatm.-ui.  \V.  V.  Steven- 
son. E.  E.  Moffett,  H.  P.  Harris.  .John  Bender. 
A.  J.  Pike,  and  when  he  resigned  Cliarles  Watts 
was  appointed  to  complete  his  term,  and  Ko,\ 
II.  .Tones,  v.lio  is  the  present  incumbent. 


CHAPTER   XXI II. 


SAXGAMOX    TOWNSIlll'. 


BOUNDARIES  —  RAILROADS  — EARLY  SETTI.ESIEXTS  — 
CENTERVILLE  —  LICKSKILLETT  —  PRESENT  CONDI- 
TIONS—WHITE HEATH— ORIGIN  OF  NAME— PRES- 
ENT CONDITION  —  CHURCHES  —  GALESVII.LE  — 
ORIGIN  OF  NAME  —  PRE.SENT  CONDITION  —  IX)IX;E 
OFFICIALS  —  HIGHWAY-  CO.M  MISSIONER  —  JUS- 
TICE   OF    THE     PEACE — CONSTABLE — SUPERVISORS. 


UOUNDARIES. 

Sangamon  Townshii)  is  Ijoundeti  on  the  north 
by  Blue  Ridge  Townslii|i;  on  the  east  by  Cham- 
paign Cnuiity:  on  tlie  south  by  -Monticello 
Township,  .unl  mj  tlic  west  by  Goose  Creek 
Townsliip.  iind  contains  forty-eight  sections  of 
land.  As  this  township  is  drained  by  the 
Saugamou  River.  Camp  Oi-eek  and  Madden's 
Run.  it  in  an  early  day  contained  considerable 
timber,  and  the  soil  is  very  fertile,  so  that  there 
are  many  valuable  farms  in  this  section  of  the 
county.  Three  railroads  run  tbrougli  the  tciwn- 
ship,  giving  it  unusual  trans|K)rlation  facilities, 
tliey  being  branches  of  tlie  Illinois  Ccntnil,  the 
Wabash  Railroad  and  tlie  Illinois  Traction  Sys- 
tem. 

EARLY    SETTLEMENTS. 

Sangamon  Towushiii  was  one  of  the  first  to 
1)0  settled  in  Piatt  CiMuity,  this  portion  being 
very  attractive  to  the  pioneer,  who  naturally 
in  loniting  in  the  wilderness  looked  for  two 
necessary  sources  of  supply— water  courses  an<l 
timber— from  which  he  could  obtain  much  that 
he  needed  in  a  new  land.  Among  the  earliest 
of  these  settlers  were  the  Ingrams,  Uanliues, 
Wrights.  Souders,  Oulerys,  Maddens,  Mackeys, 
Coons,  and  Argos.  It  is  conceded  that  a  child 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  .\.ndy  Wright  was  the 
first    while   child    Imni    in   this   townshiii. 

CENTEIiVILLE. 

The  oldest  community  in  the  township  was 
Centerville.  which  was  founded  l>y  .\rihibald 
Maffett.  who  erected  its  first  house,  and  resided 
in  it.  prior  to  1S40.  About  15*42,  Samuel  Maflfett 
and  Thomas  Xewcll.  yielding  to  a  demand  for 
sucli  a  mill,  built  a  sawmill,  and  soon  thereafter 
added  a  gristmill,  anil  jieoplc  c.imc  to  them  from 
a  wide  territory,  for  in  those  days  there  were 
few  mills,  and  all  of  the  [iroducts  used  on  the 
table  or  f<u-  building  pnriwses  were  home  iiro- 
dviieil.  Samuel  French  sjiw  an  opportunity  to 
start  a  blacksmith  sho])  about  this  time  and  «ir- 
ried  on  a  profitable  busine.ss  for  a  number  of 
years.  It  is  a  notice-able  fact  that  in  the  records 
of  any  of  these  pioneer  settlements,  the  black- 
smith is  one  of  the  first  business  men  to  open  a 
shop,  aiipearing  oflentimes  before  the  merchant, 
for  the  settlers  could  raise  their  food,  and  get 
along  for  a  time  without  new  clothing,  but  they 
had  to  have  their  horses  shod,  and  rei>airs  done 
on   their  w.igons  and   few   implements.     It  was 


698 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


not,  liowever,  until  1850  that  tlie  town  was  laiil 
off  and  the  name  of  (Vnterville  given  to  it,  at 
which  time  a  i)ost  otlice  was  estaWislied,  and 
called  by  that  same  name,  and  a  Mr.  Yonng 
apiiears  to  have  been  the  first  iwstmaster.  Old 
residents  of  .Centersille  remember  the  time 
when  Centerville  was  called  LicksUillet,  that 
name  having  been  given  the  settlement  by  a  dis- 
gruntled old  man  who  lived  outside  of  it.  At 
the  present  time  Centerville  is  practically  aban- 
doned as  a  village,  although  ('.  H.  Mackey  con- 
ducts a  general  store  at  this  point. 

WHITE    HEATH. 

.\liout  1872  Porter  Heath  bought  the  land  on 
wliich  stands  the  present  village  of  White  Heath 
from  Frank  White,  in  the  interests  of  a  stock 
company,  and  the  name  is  a  happy  combination 
of  the  names  of  these  two  gentlemen.  From  all 
accounts  the  first  house  in  the  place  was  built 
by  .Tames  Webster,  who  became  the  first  post- 
master after  the  government  made  White  Heath 
;i  iwst  office.  Tlie  first  hotel,  in  which  a  .store 
was  opened,  was  erected  by  a  Miss  Frank  and 
Vin.  Williams.  W.  H.  .Tones  conducts  a  liard- 
ware  store ;  William  Murray  lias  a  general 
store,  and  there  are  other  business  interests 
centered  here,  although  there  is  no  village  or- 
ganization. The  private  hanking  hou.se  of  S.  L. 
Sievers  &  Co.  affords  hanking  accommodations 
for  tiie  shipijers  and  the  agriculturalists  in  the 
adjacent  territory.  The  United  Brethren  and 
the  Methodists  are  reiiresented  at  White  Heath, 
and  services  are  held  in  the  churches  ownetl  by 
both  denominations,  although  at  ]>resent  there 
.-ire  no  resident  pastors. 

(i.\T.ESVrLI.K. 

\\lien  the  Waliash  Railroad  made  a  shipping 
point  on  the  land  owned  by  Rnfus  Oalef,  the 
station  was  called  after  him,  but  later  Mr.  Calef 
opentHl  a  store  and  built  a  hou.se  which  wa.s 
occupied  by  John  Donlan.  and  in  ISTfi  had  the 
name  changed  to  (Jalesville  in  honor  of  his 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Gale,  and  this 
name  was  given  to  the  post  office,  established 
in  that  same  year.  Wilbur  Alvord  was  the 
first  postmaster  and  held  office  for  a  number  of 
years.  .\t  present  Galesville  is  a  milroad  cross- 
ing. The  elevator  at  Galesville  is  operated 
under  the  firm  name  of  I{.  H.  Jones  and  Co., 
and  Ora  O.  Pike  has  a  general  store. 


In  loriner  years  a  post  office  was  located 
.■I  bout  half  a  mile  below  the  crossing  of  the 
Chicago  division  of  the  Waba.sh  and  Havana 
branch  of  the  same  road,  and  named  Woods  in 
honor  of  the  sui^erinteudent  of  the  Chicago  di- 
vision of  the  Wal>ash  road.  Later  on,  the  post 
ollice  at  Lodge  was  moved  to  Woods,  and  the 
post  office  department  ruled  that  the  former 
name  should  be  retained  for  the  combined 
offices,  and  so  the  station  is  known  as  Lodge  to 
the  pre.sent  day.  There  i§  an  elevator  at  Lodge 
operated  by  R.  H.  Jones  and  Co.,  and  Ij.  Mc- 
ICinley  conducts  a   general  store. 

OFFICIALS. 

Sangamon  Town.slilp  has  the  following  town- 
shi))  officials :  John  Luscalett,  commissioner  of 
bighways;  Joseph  Close,  .lustice  of  the  peace, 
and  James  Pryke,  constable. 

SITPERVISOBS. 

Since  1872  the  following  men  have  repre- 
sented Sangamon  Township  on  the  county 
hoard :  J.  C.  Heath.  Isaac  Richbark,  H.  R. 
I'alef,  William  Mosgrove,  J.  H.  Cline,  A.  J.  Pike. 
J.  C.  Heath,  W.  A.  Plunk.  J.  L.  Foster,  J.  C. 
Heath.  Mack  Branch.  Earl  Deland,  Jesse  Foster, 
lOarl  Deland,  R.  W.  Plunk  and  Bryon  Thompson, 
I  be  present  incumbent. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 


rXITY  TOWNSHIP. 


ItorND.iRIES —  M01:M>     builders  —  BAILROAnS  — 
EARLV    SETTLEMENTS — JIACKVILLE — HAMMOND — 

PIERSON — ATWOOD ORIGIN        OF        NAME EABLT 

SETTLERS  —  ORGANIZATION  OF  VILLAGE ORGAN- 
IZATION OF  CITY MAYORS PUBLIC  IMPROVE- 
MENTS  ATWOOD   TOWNSHIP    HIGH    SCHOOL — ODD 

FELLOWS OFFICIALS — HIGHWAY  COMMISSIONERS 

— JUSTICES    OF    THE   PEACE CONSTABLE — SUPER-. 

VISORS. 

BOUNDARIES. 

One  of  the  oldest  settled  townships  in  the 
coinity.  I'nity  Township  from  a  historical  iwint 
of  view  is  very  interesting.  It  is  equal  in  size 
to    either    Bement   or    Montieello,    although    its 


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HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


699 


lx)pulatiou  is  less,  aud  is  bouiicled  on  the  north 
by  Benieut  Township;  on  the  east  hy  Doui;las 
County;  on  tlie  south  by  Moultrie  County,  and 
on  the  west  by  Cerro  Gordo  Townsliiii.  The 
drainage  is  effected  by  means  of  the  Lalce  Fork 
of  the  Olvaw  River,  and  alons  this  stream  in 
early  daj-s  a  considerable  amount  of  timber  was 
found.  The  slope  of  the  land  is  towaitls  the 
c.ist  and  southeast,  although  it  rolls  very  grad- 
ually. 

RKI.ICS    OF    MOLND   BUILDERS. 

In  Unity  Townshii)  ;ire  to  l>e  found  relics  of 
the  mound  builders,  the  only  part  of  Piatt 
County  where  there  are  traces  of  this  perislied 
race.  Mornids  three  feet  in  lieight  and  two 
rods  in  circumference  are  on  the  banlvs  of  Lalie 
Forlf,  on  the  farm  owned  by  Jalie  Odensten  and 
on  them  immense  trees  are  growing,  sliowitig 
that  these  mounds  have  been  undisturbedi,fol; 
many  generations.  Not  only  hJive  stone  axes  and 
arrow  points  lieen  found  in  tliis  vicinitj-,  Mit 
excavation  into  the  mounds  resulted  in  J:he"djgf 
covery  of  human  bones.  "■" •-.^-. 

E.\ILROADS. 

T'uity  Township  has  two  railroads,  the 
Wabash  Railroad  and  the  Cincinnati,  Indian- 
apolis &  Western  Railroad,  so  that  this  section 
is  in  easy  reach  of  the  great  markets  of  the 
middle  west. 

E.\RLY     SETTLEMENTS. 

.\mong  the  earliest  .settlers  of  Unity  Township 
were  the  Monroes,  Shonkwilers,  Harshbargers. 
Moores  and  James  Utterbaek.  all  of  whom  lo- 
cated on  the  U\\^e  Fork  during  1S3G  and  IS.'iT. 
Others  who  came  a  little  later  were  the  Quicks, 
Crains,  Gregorys,  Wildmans,  Joseph  Rhodes, 
Thomas  Blaekwell,  John  H.  Easton,  George 
Wiley,  John  P.utler,  Wesley  Reed  Bucks.  Lucas 
Dehart. 

To  quote  from  the  eminent  authority  already 
referred  to,  Miss  I'iatt,  some  of  the  interesting 
items  regarding  Unity  Township  in  the  early 
days  were  as  fnllows  : 

"Mr.  Daniel  Ilarshbarger  was  the  first  per.-ion 
to  make  a  profession  of  religion  and  the  first 
person  who  was  baptized  on  Lake  Fork.  Mrs. 
Gamaliel  Gregory  was  the  first  person  born  In 
Unity  Township.  Harrison  and  Jessie  Monroe 
were  the  first  who  died  within  the  limits  of 
t'nlty  Township.  They  were  buried  on  the 
banks    of    Lake    Fork.      Mr.    and    Mrs.    I>.inirl 


Harshbarger's  twins  were  prolcably  the  first  who 
were  Ijuried  in  the  Ilarshliarger  cemetery.  This 
cemetery,  which  contains  two  or  three  acres  of 
ground,  was  deeded  to  the  public  by  Mr.  Daniel 
Ilarshbarger.  Mr.  Joseph  Taylor  and  Sarah 
.Monroe  (now  .Mrs.  Tliomus  (jood.son)  were  mar- 
ried in  1S38,  on  the  site  of  Richard  Monroe's 
present  home,  :ind  were  the  first  couple  married 
in  the  township.  Mr.  Daniel  Harshbarger  was 
the  first  .instice  of  the  peace  of  Unity  Township, 
and  Jonathan  Wildnian  the  first  .schoolteiicher. 
Coflins  for  the  dead  were  made  by  the  neigh- 
bors of  the  deceased.  Mr.  Joseph  Moore  has 
an  old  drawing  knife  which  he  u.sed  many  a 
time  to  make  coffins.  Mr.  Monroe  says  that  it 
was  twelve  years  after  the  first  settlements 
were  made  in  the  township  before  there  were 
any  bridges  over  the  Lake  Fork  or  before  there 
was  a  blacksmith  shop  in  the  neighborhood. 
Before  hlacksmithing  was  done  it  was  customary 
to'  fnit  buckskin  boots  on  the  horses  for  them 

•  to  sliOe  over  the  ice  with." 

■•  •    >  ■. 
'    ■  '•  *# 

**     *'^Xr         >  MACKVILLE. 

Iir'"a"Vcry  early  day  a  Mr.  McXutt  bought 
three  acres  of  land  of  Xathaniel  Shonkwiler, 
and  built  a  store,  later  owned  by  James  Samp- 
.son.  .Vbout  this  store  sprung  up  a  little  settle- 
ment, that  was  first  called  Mack's  village,  and 
later  Maekville.  The  first  school  of  the  iilace 
was  kept  in  a  log  housfe  and  taught  by  Mrs. 
Shonkwiler,  a  widow,  and  in  1S58  James  Lewis 
was  the  first  teacher  in  the  first  schoolhouse. 
In  this  same  schoolhouse,  the  first  religious 
services  of  Maekville  were  held.  Maekville  is 
numbered  among  the  abandoned  villages  of 
I'iatt  County. 

HAMMOND. 

llamMKiml  is  one  of  the  older  cities  of  Piatt 
County,  having  been  laid  out  in  July,  187:?.  It 
has  had  several  names,  first  being  called  Shum- 
way.  then  Unity,  but  neither  suiting  the  resi- 
dent-s  the  owners  of  the  land  finally  gave  the 
place  th.it  of  Ilanunond,  in  honor  of  the  president 
of  the  Indianai>oIis.  Decatur  &  .<pringfielii  R;ill- 
riiad.  on  whiili  it  was  located.  .\  grain  office 
w;is  the  first  building  of  Hannnond,  and  was  put 
up  b.v  a  Mr.  Sanford  of  Bement,  and  he  also 
erected  a  residence  which  was  later  included 
in  a  hotel  kept  by  John  Tenbrooke,  whose  wife 
cooked  the  first  meal  eaten  in  the  new  village. 
For  many  years  J.  R.  Wortham,  the  fir.st  raer- 
iliant.    I'ontiiiueil    in    business.    J.    M.    Baldwin 


700 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


beiii?  the  second  in  tliut  lino.  The  first  post- 
uiiistei-  was  JI.  I>.  fook,  who  wa.s  also  the  first 
(liu^'S,'ist ;  W.  I{.  Evans  was  the  first  grain  mer- 
chant and  Iiardware  dealer;  while  George  Hag- 
land  was  the  first  blacksmith,  and  Dr.  Arbaui 
the  first  i)h.vsician.  The  first  tow  mill  in  the 
count.v  was  liuilt  and  o|)erated  at  Hammond  by 
(;.  \V.  Fdlkerth.  llamnioiid  was  incorporated  as 
,1  \illage  May  2(1,  ISliO.  with  T.  J.  Ivaizer  as 
the  first  iM-esideut  of  the  village  board.  The 
president  of  the  hoard  is  (".  .\.  Bul.van.  while 
William  E.  Fisher.  .Jr.,  is  acting  Clerk.  The 
other  members  of  the  hoanl  are  \V.  R.  Evans, 
L.  T.  Kaizer,  Fred  Deuard,  Fred  South  and 
Jjimes  A.  A'ent,  The  Church  of  Christ,  the 
H.iptists  and  Methodists  are  repre.sented  al 
Ilaiiinioiid. 


When  the  I'ierson  station  was  established  on 
the  Indianapolis,  Decatur  &  Springfield  Rail- 
road, in  l.STii,  it  was  named  in  honor  of  a  Mr. 
Pierson  wIki  nwned  considerable  land  in  that 
locality,  and  in  the  year  following  the  post 
ottice  was  established,  but  given  the  name  of 
Dry  Ridge.  This  name  was  later,  howevei', 
changed  to  Pierson,  which  it  still  retains.  The 
first  man  to  hold  the  oHlce  of  postmaster  was 
Francis  F.  Flack,  while  Reuben  Willey  was  the 
second  in  oHice.  The  village  was  not  laid  out 
until  May.  ISSl.  when  it  was  surveyed  by  (".  D. 
.Moore,  the  laud  then  being  (iwueit  by  W.  C 
I'ierson  for  wliom  it  had  been  named.  Pierson 
has  practically  become  a  rural  conuuuuity. 

ATWOOI). 

The  beginning  of  .\twood  was  the  erection  of 
of  a  mill  run  by  horse  power,  by  Christopher 
Mos.sbargar,  and  with  it  he  ground  corn  for  his 
neighbors.  In  IST.'i,  .\twood  was  laid  out,  the 
old  horsc'-niill  site  being  included  in  the  plat, 
although  the  land  was  then  owned  by  Cc(M-g(^ 
Xoliiid  and  Harvey  Otter,  and  in  18S1  an  addi- 
tion was  made  to  it.  The  origin  of  the  name  is 
another  instance  of  local  conditions  being  re- 
si>onsible  for  nomencLaturc  of  i)laces,  for  in  tlu' 
lieginning  this  settlement  was  known  .is  tlic 
one  at  the  wood,  which  finall.v  became  .Vtwocxl. 
.\twood  lies  in  two  counties,  Douglas  claiming 
one  portion,  and  Piatt  the  other,  .\niong  llie 
early  settlers  were  I..  C.  Taylor,  the  first  post- 
master: Dr.  Pennerfield,  the  first  physician: 
.Tolin    Lucas,   the    first    druggist ;    .Tosei>Ti    Moore, 


the  first  hotel  owner;  Richard  Helton  and  David 
Hai'rett,  the  first  owners  of  residence  proi>erty  ; 
and  Clarence  Snodgrass,  whose  death  Decem- 
ber 14.  lS7o,  was  the  first  in  the  village. 

.Vtwood  was  organized  as  a  village  in  1S73, 
and  incorporated  as  a  city  in  1883,  with  Harvey 
otter  as  its  first  mayor.  Others  who  have 
served  Atwood  ,is  mayors  during  succeeding 
years  have  been:  William  Moore,  V.  Oaretl 
and  William  Hamilton.  The  iiresent  mayor  is 
i:.  C.   Berger. 

PUBLIC    IMPROVE.XrENTS. 

.Vtwood  has  an  electric  light  jilant  which  cost 
between  .'JiS.tXIO  and  .$0,0(10, 

.\TW0OD    TOWNSHIP    HIGH    SCHOOL. 

The  township  high  .school  of  Atwood  is  an 
Institution  of  whicli  not  only  Atwood,  but  Unity 
Township  is  deservedly  jiroud.  The  school  is 
one  of  the  finest  in  this  part  of  the  state,  and 
cost  .$50,000.  It  is  a  two-story  structure,  con- 
taining twenty  rooms,  and  the  grounds  embrace 
five  acres.  Owing  to  a  .$30,000  loss  occasioned 
b.v  fire  during  the  course  of  construction,  the 
structure  was  delayed  but  will  be  comjileteil  in 
Sejttendier,  1017. 

The  Odd  Fellows  building  at  Atwood  is  one 
of  the  finest  structures  of  the  village,  having 
been  jiut  uj)  in  180."i.  There  are  102  members  of 
this  lotlge.  which  was  established  in  1SS9.  Prob- 
,ibly  this  order  is  the  strongest  of  any  other 
fraternity  in  Piatt  County,  and  Atwood  Lodge 
is  one  of  the  most  imjiortant. 

The  First  Christian  Church  of  Atwood,  one 
of  the  strong  religious  organizations  of  the  vil- 
lage, has  a  present  meniber.ship  of  114  members, 
and  Rev.  Robert  Harris  is  the  i)resent  i)astor. 

OFFICI.\I..S. 

lOlnier  Eskridge  is  highway  commissioner  of 
I'nity  Township;  .\.  .M.  Newhouse  is  a  justice 
of  the  jieaee ;  and  liavid  Vakey  is  a  constable. 

SrPKKVlSORS. 

since  l.sTJ  the  following  have  served  on  the 
county  board  for  Fnity  Township:  Theodore 
<;ross.  .1.  W.  Sn.vder.  Samuel  Ilarshberger,  .7,  A. 
Il.iwks.  W.  F.  Moore.  .1.  W.  Hamilton,  E.  S. 
Keener.  .T.  A,  Osier.  .1.  A,  A'ent,  W.  R.  Evans. 
W.  Fislier.  and  II.  II,  Wildman,  tlie  present  in- 
cumbent. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


701 


CHAPTEK     XXV. 


WILLOW   BRANCH  TOWNSHIP. 


BOUNDARIES  —  .SOIL  —  NATURAL    URAIN.\OE  —  ORIGIN 
OF      NAME — EARLY      SETTLERS  —  STRINGTOWN  — 

RAIiaOADS  —  CISCO CHURCHES OFFICIALS  — ■ 

COMMISSIONER    OF    HIGHWAYS — JUSTICE    OF    THE 
rEACE — CONSTABLE — SUPERVISORS. 

BOUNDARIES. 

Willow  IJranch  Towuship  is  bouuded  on  the 
north  b.v  (Joose  Creek  Townshiij;  on  the  east  by 
Monticello  and  Bement  townships ;  on  the  south 
by  Cerro  Gordo  Township,  and  on  the  west  by 
Macon  County,  and  contains  fifty-nine  and  one- 
half  sections.  Rolling,  prairie  and  timber  land 
make  up  this  township,  although  the  growth 
from  the  last  named  has  long  ago  been  cut,  so 
that  but  little  remains  of  the  groves  which  once 
made  this  portion  of  Piatt  County  so  desirable 
a  place  to  the  pioneers. 

The    Sangamon   River   gives    the    township    a 
very    tine   natural    drainage,    and   its   land    has 
always  been  rated  high  for  farming  and  stock 
raising.     The  Cedar  I'.luffs  along  the  Sangamon 
River  are  of  consideralile  height,   and   are  the 
highest  point  in  the  township,  if  not  along  the 
Wabash   and   Illinois   rivers.     The  part  in   the 
northwestern  jiortion  of  the  township  that  for 
years   was   swampy,   has   lieen   drained,   and   is 
now   held    at   a    higher   value    than    any    other 
acreage  in   the   township.     (\>ntributlng   to   the 
Sangamon  River  are  Wolf  lUiii  and  Wild  Cat 
Creek.     The  .story  goes  that  these  two  streams 
gained  their  names  from  the  animals  which  in- 
fested them,  and  no  doubt   it  is  well   founded 
in  fact.     In  the  early  days  when  the  pioneers 
had   no  maps   to   guide   them,   nor   any   si)eeial 
names  by   which   to  go,   they  were  apt  to  use 
some    local    incident    to    designate    streams    or 
localities,  and   from   these   neighborhood  occur- 
rences come  many  of  the  jiresent  day   .•ippclUi- 
tions.      Willow    Branch    is    the    main    tributary 
from  the  south,  and  it  re<-oived  its  name  from 
a  large  willow  tree  that  for  years  was  a  familiar 
sight  on   its   bank   near   the   fording   jilace.      It 
is" very  probable  that  the  townshiii  received  its 
name  from  the  same  source. 

EARLY     SF.TTLERS. 

The   following   were  among   the   earliest   set- 
tlers:    The  Aters,  Pecks,  Anuswortbs,  William 


-Madden,  John  West,  Samuel  D.  Ilavely,  Michael 
Dillow,  tieorgc  Widick,  Peter  Cronlnger,  and 
llcnry  .\dams. 

The  .\ters  were  very  proniMicnt  in  this  town- 
ship, and  Edward  Ater  taught  its  first  school. 
One  of  this  family  owned  the  first  brick  house 
made  in  the  township,  the  brick  for  it  being 
bought  from  George  Widick  who  made  brick  in 
the  vicinity  of  Monticello  as  early  as  1842. 

The  first  settlement  centered  about  and  along 
a  lane  called  Stringtown,  and  one  of  the  school- 
houses  in  the  township  was  called  the  String- 
town  school.  There  are  still  to  lie  found  lanes 
in  this  township  bearing  the  names  of  Christian 
and  Cow.  The  southeastern  jKirt  of  the  town- 
ship liad  a  large  settlement  called  Kentucky,  be- 
cause nearly  all  of  the  pioneers  of  that  locality 
came  from  some  part  of  Kentucky,  and  the 
homesick  ones  were  glad  to  have  .something  in 
their  new  home  to  recall  the  old  one. 

The  Illinois  Central  Railroad  runs  through 
Willow  Branch  Township,  thus  connecting  it 
with  the  great  market  centers  of  Chicago  and 
St.  Louis.  The  shipments  of  grain  and  live 
stock  are  heavy  from  this  township  as  it  is  the 
center  of  a  fertile  farming  region,  and  a  n\im- 
ber  of  the  leading  men  of  the  township  devote 
Ihoniselvcs   to   handling  the.se   shipments. 

CISCO. 

Willow  Branch  Township  has  but  one  village, 
which  is  Cisco,  which  was  founded  in  1S74,  with 
E.  V.  Dallas,  Oscar  Ilariier,  Dr.  Caldwell,  Wasli- 
ington  .\ewbaker.  Walker  &  Carter,  .Tames 
Click.  ,1.  B.  Hamilton  and  Dr.  Weinsteln  as 
the  first  business  and  professional  men  of  the 
l)lace.  It  is  accepted  as  a  fact  that  the  place 
was  named  by  one  of  the  men  on  the  surveyor's 
corps  for  a  town  in  Nevada  which  he  had  as- 
sisted in  surveying.  Cisco  now  has  a  ix)pula- 
lion  of  about  4(h).  and  some  excellent  business 
men  are  located  in  its  midst,  including  the 
icH.ible  banking  house  of  Croiiinger,  which  is 
conducted  under  the  name  of  the  Cronlnger 
State  Bank  of  Cisco. 

Cisco  has  two  religious  organizations  that 
aie  particularly  active,  the  .Methodists  an^ 
Presbyterians,  while  there  are  several  rural 
churches  in  the  township,  uswl  princii>ally  as 
union  i-hurches.  ilitTerent  <>len.'ymen  holding 
services    in    them    wilbmit    reference    to    creed. 


702  HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


The   present  president   of  the   village   board  of  supervisors 

Cisco  is  Jason  Simer.  while  the  village  clerk  is 
K.  Pettingell. 


OFFICIALS. 


.Since  1872  the  following  men  have  served  oq 
the  county  board  as  representatives  from  Wil- 
low Branch  Township :  Peter  Cronlnger,  David 
Moyer,  W.  F.  Stevenson,  Thomas  Ater,  Thomas 
S.  L.  Grove  is  serving  Willow  Branch  Town-      Mintun,  James  Ownby,  F.  H.  McCartney,  E.  L. 
ship  as  commissioner  of  highways ;  A.  H.  Lyons      Croninger.  F.  S.  Weilipp.  W.  W.  Parish.  Charles 
is  justice  of  the  peace,  and  Edward  Salsbury  is      Baker,  Oeorge  W.  Widick,  and  Charles  T.  Parr, 
constable.  the  i)resent  supervisor. 


.lUHX   W.  K1X(;ST0X 


I  IO>*i-.    «Oi« 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


THE  PART  OF  lilOOUAPHY  IN  GENERAr.  HISTORY — 
CITIZENS  OF  PIATT  COUNTY  AND  OUTLINES 
OF  PERSONAL  IIISTOBY' — PERSONAL  SKETCHES  AR- 
RANGED  IN    ENCYCLOPEDIC    ORDER. 


The  verdict  of  mankind  has  awarded  to  the 
Muse  of  History  the  his;hest  place  anions  the 
Classic  Nine.  The  extent  of  her  ofiice,  however, 
appears  to  lie.  hy  many  minds,  but  imperfectly 
understood.  The  task  of  the  historian  is  compre- 
hensive and  exacting.  True  history  reaches 
beyond  the  doings  of  court  or  camp,  be.vond  the 
issue  of  battles  or  the  effects  of  jti;eiit_ifl^,  aijd.  re- 
cords the  trials  and  the  triumiihs.  the  fi^lures 
and  the  successes  of  the  men  who  make  history. 
It  is  hut  an  imiierfect  conception,  of  the.pliilo.so- 
phy  of  events  that  fails  to  accoixl  to  portfaiturfe 
and  biography  its  rightful  position  <iif  a  paMi— 
and  no  unimportant  part — of  historic  narrative. 
Behind  and  beneath  the  activities  of  outward 
life  the  motive  power  lies  out  of  sight,  just  as 
the  furnace  fires  that  work  the  piston  and  keep 
the  ponderous  screw  revolving  down  in  the  dark- 
ness of  the  hold.  So,  the  impulsive  power  which 
shapes  the  course  of  communities  may  be  found 
in  the  molding  influences  which  form  its  citizens. 

It  is  no  mere  idle  curiosit.v  that  prouipts  men 
to  wish  to  learn  the  private,  as  well  as  the  pub- 
lic, lives  of  their  fellows.  Rather  is  it  true  that 
such  desire  tends  to  jirove  universal  brother- 
hood; and  the  interest  in  i>ersonalit.v  and  biog- 
raphy is  not  confined  to  men  of  any  particular 
caste  or  vocation. 

The  list  of  those,  to  whose  lot  it  falls  to  play  a 
conspicuous  part  in  the  great  drama  of  life,  is 
comparatively  short :  yet  communities  are  made 
up  of  individuals,  and  the  aggregate  of  achieve- 
ments— no  less  than  the  sum  total  of  human  hap- 
piness— is  made  up  of  the  deeds  of  those  men  and 
women  who.se  primar.v  aim.  tlirough  life,  is  faith- 
fully to  jierform  the  duty  that  comes  nearest  to 
hand.  Individual  influences  upon  human  affairs 
will  lie  considered  potent  or  insignificant,  accord- 
ing to  the  standiKiint  fmni  which  it  is  viewed.  To 
him  who.  staniling  upon  tlie  seashore,  notes  the 
ebl)  and  flow  of  llie  tides  and  listens  to  tlie  sullen 
roar  of  the  waves,  as  they  break  upon  the  beach 
in  seething  foam,  seemingly  chafing  at  their  lim- 
itations, the  ocean  apiiears  so  vast  as  to  need  no 
tributaries.  Yet.  without  the  smallest  rill  that 
helps  to  swell  the  "Fatlier  of  Waters."  the  mighty 
6 

703 


torrent  of  the  Mississippi  would  be  les.sened,  and 
the  beneficent  influence  of  the  Gulf  Stream  di- 
minished. Countless  streams,  currents  and  coun- 
ter currents  —  sometimes  mingling,  sometimes 
counteracting  each  other — collectively  combine 
to  give  motion  to  the  accumulated  mass  of  waters. 
So  is  it — and  so  must  it  ever  he — in  the  ocean  of 
human  action,  which  is  formed  by  the  blending 
anil  repulsion  of  currents  of  thought,  of  influence 
and  of  life,  yet  more  nuniei'ous  and  more  tortu- 
ous than  those  which  form  the  "fountains  of  the 
deep."  The  acts  and  characters  of  men.  like  the 
several  faces  that  comjiose  a  composite  picture, 
are  wrought  together  into  a  compact  or  hetero- 
geneous wliole.  nistor.\'  is  condensed  biography  ; 
"Biogniphy  is  Ilistor.v  teaching  by  example." 

It  is  tioth  interesting  and  instructive  to  rise 
above  the  generalization  of  history  and  trace,  in 
the  personality  and  careers  of  the  men  from 
whom  its  prang,  the  principles  and  influences, 
the  impulses  and  ambitions,  the  labors,  strug- 
gles and  triumplis  that  engross  their  lives. 

Here  are  recorded  the  careers  and  achieve- 
ments of  pioneers  who,  "when  the  fullness  of  time 
had  come,"  came  from  widely  separated  sources, 
some  from  beyond  the  sea,  impelled  b.v  divers 
motives,  little  conscious  of  the  import  of  their 
acts,  and  but  diudy  anticiixiting  the  harvest 
which  would  spring  from  the  sowing.  They  built 
their  promitive  homes,  toiling  for  a  ])resent  sub- 
sistence while  laying  the  foundations  of  private 
fortunes  and  future  advancement. 

Most  of  these  have  passed  away,  but  not  before 
they  beheld  a  development  of  business;  and  popu- 
lation surjiassiug  the  wildest  dreams  of  fancy  or 
exi)ectation.  A  few  yet  remain  whose  years  have 
passed  the  allotted  threescore  and  ten.  and  who 
love  to  recount,  among  the  cherishe<l  memories 
of  their  lives,  their  reminiscences  of  earlv  days. 


ITIie  following  items  of  personal  nnd  family  history, 
h.ivinc  been  arrnnpert  in  encyclopedic  (or  alphabetical) 
order  as  to  names  of  the  Individual  subjects,  no  special 
index  to  this  part  of  the  wori<  will  he  found  necessary.] 

ADAMS,  Madison  A.,  now  living  retired  at  Cerro 
Gordo,  is  one  of  the  stjible  men  of  Piatt  County, 
who  in  former  days  held  a  high  position  among 
the  leading  agriculturists.  He  was  born  In 
Madison  roiuity.  Ohio.  Febnniry  2.1.  1.S4.'?,  a  son 
of  .Tacol)  and  Sydney  (^Faches^  .\dams,  natives 
of  Kentucky  and  Ohio.'  The  father  was  a  car- 
penter and  farmer,  and  upon  coming  to  Piatt 
County  in  1.S4I1.  he  entereil  eighty  acres  of  land 
on  the  county  line  between  Piatt  and  Macon 
counties.    This  land  was  all  in  a  raw  state,  but 


704 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


lie  erected  a  log  cabiu  and  developed  it  into 
a  valiialile  pi-operty.  His  deatli  occurred  when 
he  was  forty-four  years  old,  and  he  left  a  widow 
and  seven  children.  The  mother  die<l  three 
years  later,  and  the  children  were  divided  among 
the  nei^diliors  and  cared  for. 

Madison  A.  .Adams  had  very  few  educational 
advantaKes.  but  he  attended  school  when  he 
could  during  the  winter  months  and  made 
the  most  of  his  scant  opportunities.  For  one 
j-ear  after  the  death  of  his  mother  he  worked 
without  receiving  any  pay,  but  earning  some 
money  for  his  next  year's  labors,  he  took  five 
of  the  chil<lren  back  to  Ohio  so  they  could  be 
among  relatives.  Itetnrning  to  Piatt  County, 
he  resumed  work  for  farmers,  and  so  continued 
to  be  engaged  until  in  .June.  1862,  he  enlisted  for 
service  during  the  Civil  War  in  Company  E, 
Seventy-second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  at 
Chicago,  lieing  assigned  to  the  army  under  di- 
rect command  of  Genera!  Grant.  He  was  in  the 
Vicksburg  campaign,  and  that  of  Xashville,  par- 
ticipated in  the  liattle  of  Franklin  and  that  of 
Mobile.  .\la..  and  was  mustered  out  in  August, 
1SG5,  at  Vick.sburg,  and  was  honoralily  dis- 
charged at  Chicago,  after  which  he  returned  to 
Piatt  County.  Mr,  Adams  then  bought  an  eighty- 
acre  farm,  of  swamp  land,  in  Willow  Branch 
Township,  which  he  improved,  and  in  1SG7 
moved  on  it.  adding  another  eighty  acres.  This 
100  acre  farm  is  now  one  of  the  best  in  the 
county.  In  addition  to  this,  he  secured  740  acres 
of  land  in  Cross  County.  Ark.,  whicli  is  parti.-illy 
improved,  ha\ing  a  house,  windmill  and  other 
improvements.  Init  principally  in  timber.  Mr. 
Adams  rents  it  i>rofitably.  He  also  owns  a  tine 
residence  in  Cerro  (iordo.  in  which  he  has  lived 
since  190.3. 

On  Feliniary  14.  1S7i!.  Mr.  Adams  was  married 
to  -Mary  Zellers,  of  Piatt  County,  a  daughter  of 
.Tolm  and  .Mnry  Zellers.  natives  of  Germany. 
Mr.  and  Jlrs.  .\dams  became  the  parents  of  the 
folbiwing  chiblren  :  Otto,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  twenty-three  years;  Calvin  W..  who  lives  at 
Cerro  Gordo,  is  in  business  with  his  father  con- 
ducting an  automobile  and  garage  business, 
handling  the  Ford,  Maxwell.  Overland,  Dodge 
and  .Tefl'ery  c.irs,  with  main  oftiee  at  Cerro  Gordo, 
and  liranches  jit  P.enient  and  Monticello;  Olive 
E.,  who  is  Mrs.  K.  II.  Boling,  of  Welsh.  La.  ; 
Mary  S..  wlio  is  Mrs.  .Snuford  L.  Grove,  of  Wil- 
low Brancb  Township;  and  Ruth,  who  is  at 
home.  Mr.  .\dams  is  a  member  of  the  Method- 
ist Church,  and  has  served  as  a  trustee  .since 
190.".  He  Is  ;i  Progressive  Republican  polit- 
ically. For  two  years  he  was  assessor  of  Cerro 
Gordo  Town.ship,  and  for  nine  years  was  a 
school  trustee.  His  memliership  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Post  No.  210.  G.  A.  R.  is  a  source  of  interest  to 
him,  and  he  enjoys  meeting  his  old  comrades. 
In  war  and  peace  Mr.  Adams  has  proven  his 
true  worth,  and  no  man  stands  any  higher  in 
pulilic  esteem  than  does  he. 

ADKINS,  Charles,  (hie  of  the  leading  agricul- 
turists of  Piatt  County,  Charles  Adkins  has  also, 
at    various    times,    been    called   to   iwsitious   of 


imblic  preferment,  and  for  three  terms  served 
.IS  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Legislature, 
He  was  born  in  Pickaway  County,  O.,  February 
7.  isii:!,  and  is  a  son  of  Samp.sou  and  Eliza  A. 
iMintum)   Adkins. 

Sampson  .\dklns  was  born  in  1839,  in  Pick- 
away County,  O..  was  there  reared  and  edu- 
cated, and  during  the  Civil  War  fought  as  a 
soldier  in  Company  A,  Xinetieth  Regiment, 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  died  in  1882.  In 
J:)eceml)er.  188.5,  his  widow  and  her  children 
moved  to  Monticello  Township.  Piatt  County, 
111.,  and  rentwl  a  farm  of  240  acres,  upon  which 
members  of  the  family  residetl  for  twenty  years. 
.Mrs.  Adkins  then  moved  to  Monticello,  where 
she  died  in  1910,  aged  SLXty-seven  years,  her 
birth  having  occurred  in  1839  in  Athens  County, 
O.  The  following  children  comprised  tlie  fam- 
ily:  Charles;  B.  F..  who  is  deceased;  Elizalieth, 
deceased,  who  was  Mrs.  Charles  Reeves;  Reu- 
ben, of  Bement,  111. :  Ida  M.,  who  died  as  the 
wife  of  KV/.:\  Anderson;  Harry  II.,  deceased; 
.\nianda.  who  is  Mrs.  Charles  .Tones,  of  Monti- 
cello; Nancy  A.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Elsworth 
.Vnderson,  of  Champaign  County,  III. :  William 
M.  and  Clara  A.,  of  Monticello ;  .Joyce,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Samuel  Armsworth,  of  Monticello; 
and  Samp.sou,  of  Chicago,  111. 

Charles  .\dkins  was  reared  in  Ohio,  where  he 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools, 
and  taught  school  in  the  district  schools  there. 
Following'  Ills  marriage,  in  1888.  he  rented  a 
farm  in  Willow  Branch  Township.  Piatt  County, 
on  which  he  resided  until  -January,  1893,  at 
wliich  time  be  moved  to  the  farm  upon  which  he 
now  resides,  a  fine  .~)00  acre  farm  owned  by  W.  F, 
Stevenson,  of  Monticello.  and  he  has  carried  on 
general  farming  and  stockraising  as  a  tenant 
farmer.  His  thorougb  knowledge  of  agricultural 
anil  live  stock  conditions  nmke  his  services  much 
in  demand  as  a  lecturer  and  instructor  at  Farm- 
ers' Institutes  and  other  agricultural  organ- 
izations, and  he  is  president  of  the  Illinois  Live 
Stock  P.reeders'  Association.  Fraternally  he  is 
connected  with  the  Lodge,  Chapter,  Command- 
ery  and  Shrine  of  the  Masonic  order,  the 
Kiiights  of  Pythias,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
.Vmericn  and  the  Tribe  of  Ben  Ilur.  During  a 
perifxl  of  twenty  years  he  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Bement  Board  of  Education,  and  in  this 
time  has  done  nuich  for  the  schools  of  this  com- 
nmnity.  In  iiolitics  he  is  a  Republican.  After 
serving  four  years  as  supervisor  of  Bement 
Township.  Mr.  .Vdkins  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  Forty-fifth  General  Assembly,  and  his 
services  as  a  memlier  of  that  distinguished  body 
were  of  such  an  able  and  helpful  character  that 
he  was  sent  as  representative  to  the  Forty-sixth 
and  Forty-seventh  sessions,  and  in  the  latter 
was  made  sjieaker  of  the  House. 

In  1888  Mr.  .\dkins  was  married  to  Miss  Dora 
E.  Farrow,  who  was  born  in  Piatt  County.  111., 
daughter  of  Frank  and  Elizalieth  (Lorish)  Far- 
row, the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  the 
latter  of  Pennsylvania.  Ten  children  have  been 
born  to  this  iniion,  as  follows:  Ella,  who  is  the 
wife   of    Romia    Camli)bell.   a    farmer   of   Monti- 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


705 


cello  T<i\vnslii|i :  Cli.-ii'li's  Otis,  of  AVillow  Brniich 
Towii.slii]!;  and  Hcnjaiiiin  1"..  l!eulioii.  Ku.v, 
Ruth,  (Jnice.  Howard.  Martha  \Vasliiii;;toii  and 
Mary  Elizabeth,  residinj;  at  home. 

ALEXANDER,  Ora  Vernon,  one  of  the  most  pro- 
grefeislve  .vounf;  farmers  of  the  section  in  which 
he  lives,  has  just  completed  arrangements  for 
the  purchase  of  the  uiiignihceut  farm  in  Cerro 
Gordo  Township  on  which  he  has  resided  for 
several  .years.  lie  was  born  at  Rossville,  Clin- 
t(m  Count.v.  Ind..  December  15,  1891,  a  son  of 
Benjamin  Franklin  and  Ella  (Crlpe)  Alexan- 
der, natives  of  Indiana.  In  1903  the  family 
moved  to  Fayette  County,  111.,  where  the  father 
continued  farming  until  1909,  and  then  went 
to  Mc<'une.  Kas..  where  he  spent  a  year,  and 
then  returned  to  Illinois  and  rented  land  in 
Cerro  Gordo  Township. 

Ora  Vernon  Alexander  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  state,  and  then  in  1909 
came  to  Illinnis.  where  for  the  succeetling  three 
years  he  worked  by  the  mouth  in  Moultrie 
County.  For  the  subsequent  two  years  he 
worked  in  Macon  County,  111.,  and  then  in  1915 
he  moved  to  his  20o  acre  farm  in  the  southwest 
corner  of  Cerro  (iordo  Township.  Here  he 
carries  on  general  farming,  and  raises  I'ereheron 
horses,  and  cattle,  and  has  been  very  successful. 
He  recently  liought  a  .$1.2."i0  Oldsmobile  that  is 
the  pride  of  the  whole  locality. 

On  Xoveniber  2:\.  191.3.  Mr.  Alexander  was 
married  to  .Tennie  .Vdkhis,  lioru  in  Moultrie 
County.  111..  May  20.  lS9(i.  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam S.  and  Laura  .Vnn  (Myers)  Adkins.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Alexander  have  two  children,  namely: 
Fred  Vernon,  born  .luly  s.  1914.  anil  William 
Franklin,  born  May  21.  lOlC.  In  ]«jlitics  Mr. 
Alexander  is  a  I{c|iublicaii.  .\lthough  still  in 
the  very  prime  of  young  manhood,  he  has  ac- 
complished much,  .ind  the  future  is  very  bright 
before  him. 

ALLERTON,  Samuel  W.,  «  as  born  in  New  York 
State  in  ls29.  and  carlx-  developed  a  fondness 
for  live  stock  that  led  to  bis  devoting  himself 
to  the  raising  and  marketing  of  cattle,  hogs 
and  sheep  upon  an  immense  scale.  He  decided 
upon  Piatt  County  as  the  home  of  his  immense 
.stock  farm,  and  in  all  acquired  11,069  acres 
of  land  in  Sangamon.  Willow  Branch,  Cerro 
Gordo  and  Unity  townships.  The  beautiful 
Allerton  home,  now  the  pnijierty  of  his  son, 
Robert  Allerton,  is  in  Willow  Branch  Town- 
ship, and  on  it  has  lieen  exjiended  some  ST.'iO.- 
000,  making  it  one  of  the  finest  properties  of 
its  kind  in  the  country.  During  191»i  Robert 
Allerton  spent  .?S0.00<>  building  a  brick  road 
and  a  concrete  bridge  over  the  Sangamon  River 
to  connect  up  with  the  State  Aid  brick  road 
that  leads  southwest  from  the  city  of  Monti- 
cello.  The  Allerton  home  is  five  miles  from 
Monticello.  and  the  brick  road  extends  between 
the  two  places.  Samuel  W.  .\llerton  was  mar- 
ried, in  IsnO.  to  Paduella  W.  Thompson,  by 
whom  he  had  two  children,  and  after  her  death 
he  was  married   to  his  sister-in-law,   Agnes  C. 


Thonipson,  who  survives  him.  Mrs.  Samuel  W. 
.\llerton  gave  Monticello  its  itublie  library  that 
bears  her  name,  and  continues  her  interest  In 

it. 

ALLMAN,  James,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1839, 
and  in  1n."i4  be  came  to  I'iatt  County  to  join  two 
brothers  who  bail  already  come  to  this  locality. 
In  time  he  became  a  heavy  landowner.  In  1877 
lie  was  married  to  Anna  McSbeffry  and  they 
bad  three  children,  namely  :  Mary.  Agnes  and 
Margaret. 

ALVORD,  George  Briggs,  who  lias  been  asso- 
ciated with  numerous  business  entenirises  in 
I'iatt  County.  Is  one  of  the  most  highly  re- 
siiei-ted  men  of  Kement.  He  was  born  at  East 
Hampton,  M.i.s.sachusetts.  .lune  10,  1845,  a  son 
of  .loseph  F.  and  Maryette  iClapp)  Alvord, 
natives  of  East  Hampton.  Massachusetts.  The 
grandiiarents  were  Caleb  and  Naomi  (Bodman) 
.\lviinl.  the  former  born  at  Northampton.  Mass., 
.Inly  :;,  1772.  and  the  latter  born  at  Williams- 
burg. Massachusetts.  .March  ?,.  1777.  Caleb  Al- 
vord was  a  son  nf  /.ebediah  Alvord,  a  soldier 
of  the  Uevohitiomiry  War.  born  at  Northampton. 
.Massachusetts.  February  14.  1724.  He  m.irried 
Keliecca  Searl  in  May.  17."iii.  Zebediah  .Vlvonl 
was  a  son  of  John  .Vlvord.  a  grandson  of  .Jona- 
rlian  Alvord.  and  great-grandson  of  .\lexander 
.Vlvord.  who  was  liorn  at  Bridgeport.  England, 
October  l.'i.  1027.  On  October  29.  KUO.  Alex- 
.inder  .Vlvord  married  Mary  Vore.  a  daughter  of 
Uiihard  and  Ann  A'ore. 

In  18.")2  Joseph  F.  and  M.iryette  .Vlvonl  came 
as  far  west  as  Manstield.  Ohio,  where  he  became 
a  candv  salesman  for  a  lirother-in-law  who  was 
.1  maiiufai-turer  of  candy.  Eighteen  months 
later.  Mr.  .Vlvord  lame  to  I'iatt  County.  HI.,  and 
located  on  a  farm  half-way  between  Beiuent 
and  Monticello.  and  the  family  lived  in  a  log 
cabin  until  the  following  fall,  when  they  went 
to  Bement.  from  whence  he  operated  a  farm 
in  Bement  Townsbi]i.  Later  he  botight  land  in 
I'.ement  Townsliip.  but  after  liis  retirement  re- 
turned to  Bement.  wliere  be  lived  until  his  death 
.Taniiary  27.  1'.«Ki.  Tli(>  niotber  died  Febiiwry 
2."..  loos.  Their  i-bililren  were  as  follows: 
.Iose|ib.  who  w.-is  burn  February  l(i.  1837.  was 
killed  at  .Murphreesboro.  Tenn..  December  31, 
1^02:  Harrison  M..  who  was  born  .Tanuary  4, 
IS4II.  resides  at  Mansfield.  Ohio:  Oscar  L..  who 
was  born  Deceinlier  19.  1,S42.  died,  a  rniim  sol- 
dier. .Tune  3.  1802;  (Jeorge  Briggs:  Wilbur  Clin- 
ton, wbii  was  born  Sept<>mber  .">.  1S49.  resides  at 
l.us  .Vngeles.  Cal. :  .\lberl  I'ield.  who  was  born 
October  9.  1S51  :  Lewis  Henry,  who  was  born 
.Vjiril  10.  1,8.">8. 

George   Briggs   .Vlvord   attended   the   common 

schools  and   grew   U| a    farm,   remaiinng  at 

bome  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old.  He 
I  hen  spent  two  years  in  the  employ  of  F.  E. 
Bryant,  and  for  a  time  w.is  with  the  Wabash 
Kailio.iil.  now  the  (Jreat  Western  Kailrniil.  For 
aniitbei-  two  years  he  was  in  a  grocery  business, 
•  ind  then  sold  it  and  went  to  llurcbinson.  Reno 
County.   Kas..   where   he   bomesteadeil    100  acres 


706 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


of  liiiKi.  Mild  l:it<'i-  olitjiiiied  HiO  acres  of  a  timber 
claim.  Tills  lie  |>ic)ve(i  up,  and  improved  liotli 
claiiiis.  and  xvliiie  lioiii^'  so  was  associated  witb 
a  ;:ro(cry  Imsiiic-s  at  lIutcliiiisoH.  His  stay  in 
Kaiisjis  e.\tendeil  from  1ST:!  to  ISSO,  but  in  tbe 
latter  year  lie  returned  to  Beiuent  and  became 
sisnal  man  for  tbe  Wabasli  Uailroad.  later  being 
made  transfer  man  in  tbe  freight  office  at 
P.ement.  Still  Liter  be  was  ticket  agent,  remain- 
ing witb  this  road  for  seven  years.  He  then 
enitiarked  in  a  market  gardening  business  on 
fifteen  acres  of  land  on  tbe  edge  of  Bement.  and 
so  continued  for  nine  years.  For  the  ue.xt  six 
years  be  ei>ndiieted  a  grocery  business,  which  he 
sold,  and  since  the  spring  of  lOl.j  be  has  been 
maiiiifacturlng  cotton  flannel  gloves  and  has 
built  up  a  fine  trade. 

In  September,  isr.c.  Mr.  .Vlvord  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Eunice  Diana  Tpton.  Iiorn  at 
cliarlemont.  Mass..  in  December.  1844.  a  daugh- 
ter of  I'.enjaiiiin  and  Mary  (Tlark)  Upton,  he  of 
Now  Haiiilisliire.  .-umI  she  of  Massachusetts.  The 
grandparents  were  P.en.iamin  and  Tliirza  (Flint) 
I'plon.  natives  of  Iteading.  Conn.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
-Vlvord  became  the  iiareiits  of  tbe  foUnwiiig  chil- 
dren:  George  Xewtoii.  who  was  born  .Tuly  22. 
1807,  resides  at  Lafayette.  Ind..  married  May 
Potter,  and  tliey  have  two  chiMren.  Ethe!  and 
Ileb'ii :  Nellie  M.irietta.  who  was  born  Februar.y 
S.  1ST1.  resides  witli  her  p;irents:  Albert  Clinton, 
who  was  born  .Tuly  22.  l.ST.'i.  resides  at  Lafay- 
ette. Ind..  married  Puby  Stewart:  Lewis  T'jtton. 
who  was  born  December  7.  1S7."i.  married  Lillie 
'Wolfnrd.  and  they  have  tbiee  children.  Eunice. 
Lucille  and  Oscar  Vi.  Mr.  .\lvord  is  a  Presb.v- 
teriaii.  While  living  in  Kansas  he  served  as  a 
.iustice  of  tbe  ]ieace.  and  for  three  terms  he  was 
township  collector  of  P.ement.  and  for  a  year  he 
w.-is  a  iiiemlier  of  tlie  city  council  of  Bement.  and 
the  president  of  tbe  board.  Tn  politics  be  is  a 
Pepnlilican.  .\  Mason  in  blah  standing,  be  has 
Iias.sed  throudi  all  the  degrees  that  entitle  him 
to  membershiii  in  Decatur  Conmiandery.  and  the 
Jfystic   Sbiiiie   cf   SiM-Jn^field. 

ARMSWORTH,  James  (deceased),  bclonge.l  tn 
one  of  tbe  pioneer  families  of  Piatt  County,  and 
was  reared  among  very  primitive  surroundings. 
He  was  born  in  Willow  Branch  Township,  in 
.\prll.  l.«4.''>.  a  .son  of  Samuel  and  Cella  C.Vter) 
Armsworth.  natives  of  Willow  Branch  Township, 
whose  parents  came  from  Virginia,  and  entered 
laud  from  the  government  in  Piatt  County. 
The.v  all  became  extensive  landowners  and 
prominent  peojile.  and  here  all  the  grandparents 
died. 

.Tames  .\rmsworth  i(>slded  with  bis  parents 
until  their  deatb,  and  ;itteiided  tbe  common 
.schools.  Inberitiicj  the  old  homestead,  he  kejit 
on  living  there,  having  a  family  live  with  him 
until  be  w.-is  married.  Decemlier  0.  I.Sfid.  to 
Emma  Culliford.  born  in  Somersetshire.  Eng- 
land, where  she  was  educated.  She  was  a 
danirbter  of  William  and  Mary  CAshford)  Cnl- 
liford.  who  came  to  this  couiitv  in  l.S.")^.  first 
stO|)ping  In  Ohio,  from  whence  they  later  drove 
overland     witb     wagons    to    Beiuent.     Til.,     but 


bought  land  in  Cerro  (iordo  Townsbii).  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Armsworth  beeaine  tbe  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children  :  William  Edwin,  who  was 
born  March  0.  1809,  died  November  29,  18S5 ; 
Ernest  ,  A.,  who  n^as  born  November  28,  1876, 
died  August  IS.  1877:  Samuel  S..  who  was  born 
May  13.  1871.  lives  at  Monticello.  111.:  Cella  L.. 
who  was  born  October  :30.  187:^.  died  .Tuly  15, 
1887:  Bertha  E..  who  was  born  July  0,  1S75, 
died  December  8.  188.'i :  Floyd  F..  who  was  born 
May  s.  18,84.  died  September  .j.  188.5:  and  Edith 
May.  who  was  born  May  4.  ISSfi.  is  Mrs.  Har- 
rison M.  Itennaborger  of  Plymouth.  Mich. 

Frouv  time  to  time  Mr.  .Vrmsworth  added  to 
his  first  farm  until  he  owned  3?,G  acres  of  land, 
on  which  he  built  a  brick  house,  and  made  other 
imiirovements  about  the  place.  There  be  died 
October  2.'i.  188."i.  and  four  years  later  Mrs. 
Armsworth  moved  to  Monticello.  where  she  lived 
for  a  few  years,  renting  tbe  farm  until  189:1. 
In  that  year  she  returnetl  to  the  farm  and  with 
tbe  assistance  of  her  ,«on  Samuel  conducted  it 
until  the  fall  of  1905,  when  she  again  rented  it 
and  moved  to  Cisco,  ^yhere  .she  bought  a  home. 
In  December.  1910.  she  sold,  and  came  to  Monti- 
cello and  here  built  a  fine,  modern  reis<lence,  her 
present  home.  Mr.  Armsworth  was  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  politics  he  was 
a  Deniocrat.  and  for  many  years  \vas  a  school 
director  and  be  held  other  township  ofliees. 
Mrs.  Armsworth  distinctly  remembers  coming 
to  Piatt  County  in  ber  childhood,  and  says  that 
at  that  jierlod  deer,  wolves  and  other  wild  ani- 
mals were  very  common,  and  she  frequently  saw 
tliem  while  riding  all  over  the  countrv  on  horse- 
back. 

ARIVISWORTH,  Willis,  who  is  conducting  a  con- 
crete cniitractiui.'  business  at  Cei'ro  Oordo  upon 
a  large  scale,  is  a  man  widely  known  tbrongbont 
Piatt  County.  He  was  born  In  Willow  Branch 
Township.  .Tanuary  29.  1847.  a  son  of  Scott  and 
Charity  fAter)  .Vrmsworth.  natives  of  Virginia 
and  Oliio.  respectivel.v.  They  were  marrierl  in 
Ohio  in  1840.  lived  in  Pike  County.  111.,  for  about 
one  year,  and  then  moved  to  Piatt  County.  111., 
buying  a  farm  in  Willow  P.r.incb  Townsliip.  but 
after  a  year  there,  returned  to  Ohio.  Subse- 
quently they  came  b.u-k  to  Willow  Branch  Town- 
ship, where  the  father  conducted  bis  farm  until 
bis  death  in  lsS2.  Their  cliildren  were:  Ann. 
who  was  born  February  11.  1841.  married  George 
Stills,  both  now  being  deceased.  Mrs.  Stills  dying 
.Tanuary  2.  1879:  Daniel,  who  was  born  Novem- 
ber 8.  1842.  died  .\pril  4.  1.848;  Alirabnni.  bom 
.Tanuary  2.  184.".  died  .Tune  2.  1.84.".:  and  Willis. 

During:  the  time  be  was  attending  the  schools 
of  Willow  Branch  Townshi|i.  Willis  .Vrmsworth 
learned  farming,  and  remained  witb  his  parents 
until  1872.  when  be  took  charge  of  the  home- 
stead, of  which  he  inherited  200  acres  after  his 
father's  death.  For  twelve  years  this  farm 
remained  hLs  home,  and  then  he  went  to  Cisco, 
where  he  conducted  a  lumber  business  for  two 
years.  Selling  this,  be  came  to  Cerro  Gordo, 
and  having  rented  his  f.irm.  did  work  as  a  car- 
penter for  seviH'al  years,  carrying  out  contracts 


^  t^t^iiljdc    (7t>  JLiM^'^ryJi''^ 


f*'"^^;^-'^^^^' 


.-jc  •• 


\  ^\'^.\\^ 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


707 


as  well  as  workiuj;  by  the  day,  for  ten  years. 
At  one  time  he  secured  two  liloo<l-hoiinds.  which 
in  the  course  of  year.s  uiultii>lied  until  he  had  a 
pack  of  tliirteen  that  he  trained  for  hunting 
criminals,  and  he  made  a  fine  record  in  render- 
ing in  this  way  efficient  'service  to  his  eom- 
nuuiity.  Since  1009  he  has  been  a  concrete 
contractor,  making  a  specialty  of  bridges,  doing 
all  the  work  of  this  class  in  his  section,  he  being 
the  first  to  make  cenient  tile  from  5  to  00  inches 
in  size  in  the  county.  His  plant  includes  con- 
crete mixers,  which  he  has  owned  since  1009. 
He  is  also  quite  an  inventor,  having  invented 
•several   \-ery  useful  apiiliances. 

On  February  112,  1S72,  Mr.  Armswortb  was 
married  to  Sarah  Cornell,  born  in  Hardy 
County,  Va.,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
Cornell,  who  came  to  Piatt  County  In  1859.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Armsworth  have  no  children,  but 
reared  as  a  daughter.  Mai-y  E.  Peck,  who  married 
Elmer  Heckman,  and  has  two  children,  Glenn 
W.  and  Edith  M.  Mr.  Heckman  is  now  deceased 
and  Mrs.  Heckman  married  (second)  Aaron 
Ater.  In  politics  Mr.  Armsworth  is  a  Demo- 
crat. Very  prominent  as  an  Odd  Fellow,  he 
belongs  to  Cerro  Gordo  Lodge  Xo.  34(3.  having 
held  all  the  offices  in  the  lodge,  and  be  also 
belongs  to  Decatur  Encampment  No.  .37  and  Can-- 
ton  0,  and  tlie  Rebekahs.  Mr.  Armsworth  Is ' 
one  of  the  men  who  attended  the  first  county 
fair  held  at  Jlonticello,  and  recalls  it  well,  with 
many  other  incidents  of  eai-lier  days. 

ARTMAN,  Hiram,  proprietor  of  the  valuable 
"Dew  Drop  Inn  Stock  Farm,"  in  Sangamon 
Township,  one  of  the  leading  stock  farms  of 
Piatt  County,  was  horn  at  Mt.  Carroll,  111..  De- 
cember 1,  18.55,  a  son  of  Alon/.o  and  Jane  (Shaf- 
fer) Artman,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
liarents  were  married  in  Pennsylvania,  and  s^ion 
thereafter  moved  to  the  vicinity  of  Mt.  Carroll, 
111.,  where  they  bought  land  and  farmed  it.  In 
18(10  they  moved  to  Piatt  County.  Sangamon 
Township,  and  in  August  of  that  year,  the 
father  was  accidentally  killed  by  the  engine  of 
an  Illinois  Ctotral  train,  while  he  was  cross- 
ing the  railroad  tracks  on  his  way  to  secure  a 
load  of  lumber.  His  children  were  as  follows : 
.\aron  and  Margaret  who  are  deceased,  the 
latter  having  married  Frank  Arville;  Andrew, 
who  is  deceased;  Lewis:  Hiram;  and  Frank, 
who  lives  at   Beaumont.   Kas. 

Hiram  Artman  attended  the  common  schools 
of  his  neighborhood,  and  after  the  death  of  bis 
father  lived  with  his  sister  Margaret  at  White 
Heath,  111.,  in  a  log  house,  until  1871.  In  that 
year  he  began  working  by  the  month  for  farm- 
ers, and  so  continued  until  1880.  when  lie 
engagiHl  with  Jacob  ('line  at  White  Ileatli. 
During  bis  six  years  resilience  at  White  Heath, 
he  served  for  two  years  as  township  assessor. 
In  1892  Mr.  .\rtman  rented  220  acres  and  in 
1,894  bought  the  farm,  to  which  he  has  added 
until  there  are  now  2(i0  acres  and  on  it  car- 
ries on  general  farming  and  ,ilso  raises  Poland- 
China  hogs,  cattle  and  horses. 

On   January   4.    1894.   Mr.    .Vrtnian   was   mar- 


ried to  Mrs.  Alice  L.  Newell,  widow  of  Wesley 
.Newell  and  daughter  of  Henry  Dy.son,  horn  in 
Chamijaign  County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Eliza  (Steele)  Dyson,  natives  of  Ohio  and 
]-:ngl;uid,  respectively.  Mrs.  Newell  at  the  time 
of  lier  marriage  to  Mr.  Artmian  had  three  chil- 
dren, namely :  Oscar  and  Otis,  twins,  who  now 
live  at  Decatur.  Mich.;  and  Agnes,  who  is  Mrs. 
Harold  Sides,  of  Rankin,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
-Vrtman  have  the  following  children:  (Jallie," 
wlio  is  Mrs.  John  Valentine,  of  Sang;imon  Town- 
shi|i :  and  Jo.sephine.  Lloyd,  Floyd.  Ruth  and 
Emeline  who  are  all  .-it  home.  Mr.  Artman 
attends  the  Methodist  Cliurch.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican.  He  served  nine  years  as  eom- 
mi.ssioner  of  highways,  has  been  assessor,  and 
since  1895  has  been  a  school  director,  giving 
entire  satisfaction  as  a  jnUilic  official. 

ATER,  Franklin,  who  for  many  years  was  asso- 
ciated witli  the  agricultural  life  of  Piatt  County 
;ind  its  development,  and  also  with  the  growth 
of  Cerro  Gordo,  w'here  for  some  years  he  was 
an  honored  and  most  respected  citizen,  is  now 
deceased.  He  was  born  in  Ohio,  in  March, 
1835.  a  son  of  James  and  Sabrina  (Thomas) 
-Vter.  natives  of  Ohio.  The  family  came  to 
Illinois  in  1852.  locating  In  Willow  Branch 
Ti>\vnship. 

"^The  educational  training  of  Franklin  Ater 
was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  his  na- 
f.i.re-  county,  and  he  accompanied  his  parents 
to.  .Piatt  Count.v.  Here,  in  October.  18(33.  he 
was  married  to  Eliza  .T.  McArty.  born  in  Ohio, 
and  they  moved  on  a  farm  of  100  acres  given 
to  them  Iiy  the  father  of  Mr.  Ater.  in  Willo\v 
Branch  Townsbiji.  Tliey  had  the  following 
children :  Adella  M..  who  is  Mrs.  A.  L.  Peek, 
of  Cerro  Gordo ;  Jennie  Bell,  who  is  Mrs,  Ford 
Dobson.  of  Cerro  Gordo;  and  Bertha  F.,  who 
was  Mrs.  George  E.  Dobson.  but  is  now  deceased. 
In  Oetolier.  1901,  Mr.  Ater  was  married  (.sec- 
ond) to  Ida  F.  Fr.vdenger  of  Pleasant  Plain, 
Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Jac-ob  JI.  and  Nanc.v 
(.\nies)  Frydenger,  natives  of  Baden,  Germany, 
and  Unity,  Maine.  There  were  no  children  by 
the  second  marriage,  but  Mrs.  Ater  has  reared 
her  nephew.  Ralph  E.  Frydenger.  who  was  bom  ■ 
March  10,  ISO.s.  After  the  death  of  his  first 
wife.  Mr.  .Vter  rented  his  farm,  and  moved  to 
Cerro  (iordo.  where  be  lived  in  retirement.  His 
death  occurred  June  10,   1905. 

.Vfler  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Ater 
r(»built  her  home  and  it  is  one  of  the  most 
modern  and  comfortable  in  the  place.  She  owns 
an  eighty-acre  farm  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township, 
which  she  rents.  For  some  years  prior  to  her 
niarriaire  Mrs.  Ater  was  an  educator,  and  is 
:ift'ertionately  remembered  by  the  many  pupils 
slie  taught  in  I'iatt  County  and  for  fifteen  years 
she  taught  in  the  C*>rro  Gordo  schools.  She 
has  been  on  the  school  board  for  six  years  since 
her  marriage.  In  relisrious  faith  Mrs.  .Vter  is 
a  Methodist,  and  socially  she  is  an  important 
factor  in  the  Woman's  Club  and  on  its  board 
of  directors.  Mr.  Ater  was  a  Democrat,  and 
served  in  a  ninnber  of  townshi]i  offices.     He  was 


70S 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


a  Mason  and  scrveil  that  fraternity  as  troa.s- 
Ufor  for  a  Ions:  i>t"rio(l.  A  man  of  npright  pfin- 
(■iples  and  stronj;  in'i'souality,  lie  made  his  intlu- 
ence  felt,  and  dnrini;  his  lifetime  was  an  iniiinr- 
taiit  fignre  amoni;  tlio  prominent  men  of  his 
times. 

ATER,  John  Smith.  After  many  years'  opera- 
tions alonj;  aixricnltnral  lines  the  late  John 
Smith  Ater  proved  his  husiuess  ability  by  the 
sueeessful  condnet  of  a  large  lumber  concern, 
and  Hnallv  retired  to  Cerro  Gordo,  where  he 
spent  the  last  years  of  his  life.  He  was  born 
in  Ohio,  March  7,  3S40,  a  sou  of  James  and 
Sabiua  (Thomas)  Ater,  natives  of  Ohio  aud 
Virginia,  respectivel.v,  who  came  to  Willow 
Branch  Township,  Piatt  County,  111.,  at  an  early 
day,  and  here  lionght  a  tract  of  laud. 

.Jolin  Smith  Ater  was  reared  as  any  farmer's 
son  of  his  day,  and  received  his  educational 
training  in  the  schools  in  his  district.  When 
his  country  had  need  of  him  during  the  Civil 
War,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  One  Hundred 
and  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
l>articipated  in  the  liattles  of  Resaca,  Buzzard's 
Roost,  Nashville  and  Franklin,  and  was  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign.  At  the  close  of  his  military 
service,  he  returned  to  his  father's  home,  aud 
resided  there  until  the  fall  of  1S()7,  when  he 
moved  to  his  own  farm  of  IdO  acres  in  Willow 
Branch  Townshiii.  He  erected  a  house  upon 
it  and  made  other  improvements,  and  added 
eighty  acres  to  his  farm.  Ivater  he  moved  to 
Mouticello  from  whence  he  conducted  his  own 
and  his  nu>ther's  farm.  After  some  years,  he 
returned  to  his  farm  for  a  period,  and  then 
went  to  Cerro  Gordo,  where  he  went  into  a 
lumber  business  and  conducted  It  for  a  time. 
Subseciuently  he  sold  this  business  and  lived  re- 
tired until  Ills  death.  November  12,  1903,  in  the 
handsome  residence  he  had  bought  in  Cerro 
ttordo.     Here  his  widow  has  since  resided. 

On  March  7,  1SG7,  Mr.  Ater  was  married  to 
Mary  A.  Towl,  born  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  April  2, 
1839,  a  daughter  of  Efferson  and  Mary  (I'luni- 
mer)  Towl.  natives  of  Maine.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ater  had  no  children.  Mr.  .\ter  was  a  Demo- 
crat, was  assessor  in  1S70  and  collector  in  1871, 
and  held  other  township  otTices  in  Willow 
Branch  Townshi]).  .\  man  of  consequence,  he 
exerted  a  strong  influence  among  his  associates, 
and  is  remenibei'eil  with  kindly  consideration. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  was 
dee]ily  interested  in  all  matters  pertaining 
thereto.  He  was  a  prominent  Mason  for  many 
years,  .and  was  buried  according  to  that  order. 

ATER,  Thomas,  was  bom  in  Loudoun  Coimty, 
Va..  in  17!i.">.  but  in  1802  the  family  moved  to 
I'ickaway  County,  Ohio,  where  Thomas  was 
reared,  and  from  there  he  went  into  the  service 
of  his  country  during  the  W.-ir  of  1S12.  In  1S13 
he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Brown  and  they 
bad  five  children,  luimely :  Edward,  Solomon, 
Willis,  Celia  and  ,Tohn.  Tn  1S'_>7  Thomas  .Vter 
brought  his  family  to  Illinois,  and  they  sjient 
eleven  years  in  \'ermilion  County,  after  wliich 


they  came  to  Piatt  County,  locating  near  Wil- 
low" Branch,  where  Thomas  Ater  died  in  1852. 

ATER,  Thomas  J.,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Willow  P.r.inch  Township,  came  to  the  county 
in  183.'^,  aud  was  there  married  to  Nancy 
Fisher  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  namely  : 
Thomas  .Tefferson  and  .lohn.  T^ater  he  was 
married  (second)  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Williams. 
In  1851  Mr.  Ater  died,  owning  at  that  time  313 
acres  of  land.  He  had  held  a  number  of  town- 
ship offices  and  was  a  man  of  importance. 

BAKER,  George  W.,  inw  of  the  farmers  of  Blue 
Ridge  Township  who  is  now  deceased,  was 
born  in  Ohio  and  came  to  Piatt  County  when 
he  was  twenty-two  years  old.  With  his  savings 
he  bought  ICO  acres  of  land  on  which  he  lived 
until  his  death  in  1897.  He  was  married  in 
18S0  to  Miss  Mary  Leach,  and  they  had  one 
daughter,  Millie  Jane,  who  was  married  to 
Wallace  Walk. 

BAKER,  Jeremiah,  undeniably  Is  worth.v  of  a 
place  in  a  record  of  the  county's  history,  for 
he  lived  here  long  and  was  a  man  of  probity 
and  u)irightne.ss,  and  in  his  death  left  behind 
a  meuKU'y  that  is  still  preserved  although  many 
years  have  pas.sed  since  he  was  calU-d  away. 
He  was  born  in  Ohio,  in  1821.  a  son  of  James 
and  Mary  (Dines)  Baker,  who  were  born, 
reared,   married  and  died  in  Ohio. 

Growing  up  amid  rural  surroundings  and 
attending  the  loc-al  schools,  Jerenuah  Baker 
attained  his  ma.lority  in  his  native  state,  after 
which  he  came  to  Piatt  County,  111.,  and  for  a 
time  was  employed  by  the  farmers  In  this  sec- 
tion. On  Xoveniber  2.  18.53.  he  was  married 
to  Jane  Ater.  born  in  Ross  County.  Ohio,  a 
daughter  of  .Tames  and  .Sabrina  (Thomas)  Ater. 
who  came  to  Piatt  C(mnty  and  located  on  a 
Willow  Branch  Township  farm,  becoming  in 
time  the  owners  of  1.50(i  acres  of  land  where 
the  father  farmed  until  his  death.  After  their 
marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  took  uji  their 
residence  in  the  .southern  jiart  of  Willow  Branch 
Townshiii.  He  attended  land  sales  at  Danville. 
111.,  and  In  that  way  secured  his  first  land. 
Later  he  .'uldeil  until  he  had  several  hundred 
acres,  and  did  general  farming  and  stockrais- 
ing.  In  the  years  that  followed  he  made  sev- 
eral changes,  spending  a  few  years  at  Decatur, 
III.,  but  in  1877  moved  to  Mouticello,  where 
he  had  a  modern  residence  built  for  him.  and 
he  also  invested  in  other  city  iiroperty.  retain- 
ing at  the  same  time  his  farming  jiroiierty.  His 
death  occnrred  at  Mouticello.  in   ISOCi. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  had  no  children,  and  after 
his  death  Mrs.  Baker  took  her  sisters  and 
brother  and  their  families  to  live  with  her, 
and  reared  the  children  who  are  as  follows: 
John  .\.  Smith,  ii  retired  farmer,  who  niffrried 
Charity  .\ter,  and  they  have  three  children: 
Blanche,  who  is  Mrs.  Charles  Huston  who  lives 
at  St.  Joseph.  111.:  Mabel,  who  is  with  Mrs. 
Baker:  an<l  Floy,  who  is  Mrs.  James  Heath  of 
Piatt   County.     .Mr.   Baker   was  a   Democrat   in 


^^«  C^yn-n^UfL  -^ia-^^^^^::^-?!^^ 


i  AHvasn  Dnsnd 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


709 


politics  and  fi'iiterually  was  a  Mason.  Mrs. 
Baker  is  a  Methodist  and  in  former  years  was 
active  in  churcli   work. 

BALCH,  Henry  Alfred,  who  not  only  owns  some 
very  valualile  I'iatt  County  farm  laud,  but  is 
also  engaged  in  a  ttourishiug  business  at  Cerro 
Gordo,  where  he  is  acting  manager  for  the 
Dan\ille  Creamery  Comi)any,  is  one  of  the  rep- 
resentative men  of  this  section,  and  one  who 
stands  very  high  in  public  esteem.  He  was  born 
in  Macon  County,  111.,  in  August,  1858,  a  son 
of  Alexander  Houston  and  Harriet  (Page) 
Balch,  natives  of  Coles  County,  111.,  and  New 
York  state  respectively.  The  mother  was 
brought  by  her  parents,  Michael  Page  and  wife, 
natives  of  JIaine.  but  residents  of  Xew  York, 
to  Macon  County,  111.,  and  there  Harriet  Page 
met  and  was  .subsequently  married  to  Mr.  Balch. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Balch  located  on  a  farm  that  occu- 
pied the  present  site  of  Orion,  111.,  but  two 
years  later  came  to  I'iatt  County,  locating  in 
Oakley  Township,  on  the  county  line  between 
Macon  and  Piatt  counties.  It  was  from  here 
that  the  father  of  Henry  A.  Balch  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Civil  War.  in  1861.  iii  Company 
A,  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  lUinoi.s  Vol-, 
unteer  Infantry,  and  died  at  Milligan's  Bend, 
La.,  in  181)2.  his  widow  continuing  to  reside  on 
the  I'iatt  County  farm.  Their  children  were  as 
follows:  Martha  Emma,  who  lives  at  Chicago; 
Henry  Alfred ;  Luther  Bradford,  who  died  in 
childhood ;  and  Edward  Xelson,  who  died  in 
Infancy. 

Henry  .Vlfred  Balch  attended  the  Peck  dis- 
trict school,  and  Valparaiso  (Ind.)  College,  re- 
maining with  his  mother  until  her  death,  in 
1878.  For  some  fifteen  years  thereafter  Mr. 
Balch  was  engaged  in  farming  on  an  eighty- 
aci-e  farm  he  bought  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township, 
and  then  moved  to  C'erro  Cordo.  where  he  was 
engaged  as  a  clerk  for  O.  J.  Harland  in  his 
grocery  store  for  five  years,  and  later  was  with 
George  C.  Grove.  In  101.J  he  became  manager 
for  the  cream  station  at  Cerro  Gordo  for  the 
Danville  Creamery  Company,  which  in  sum- 
me  handles  l.">0  gallons  of  milk,  and  in  the 
winter,  forty  gallons,  per  day.  Since  conjing 
to  Cerro  Gordo,  Mr.  Balch  has  rented  his  farm. 

In  October,  1879,  Jlr.  Balch  was  married  to 
Mary  E.  Dobson.  born  in  Morgan  County.  111., 
a  daughter  of  Philip  and  Isabel  (Morley)  Dob- 
.son.  natives  of  England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Balch 
have  one  daughter.  Harriet  Elizabeth,  who  is 
Mrs.  Earl  A.  Griswold.  of  Cerro  Gordo,  \^ilpre 
Mr.  Griswold  is  cashier  of  the  Citizens  Bank. 
Mr.  Balch  belongs  to  Cerro  Gordo  Lodge  Xo. 
600.  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  a  Democrat.  Since 
1004  he  has  been  a  commissioner  of  the  drain- 
age district.  A  consistent  Presbyterian,  he  has 
been  an  elder  in  that  religions  body  since  1014. 
and  is  a  man  of  high  standing  in  every  way. 

BARNES,  Jacob  H.,  who  was  born  in  Virginia, 
came  to  Bement  in  18C6.  and  for  years  was 
coroner  of  I'iatt  County,  and  a  school  trustee 
at  Bement.     In  1844  he  was  married  to  Eliza- 


beth Kimmel,  and  they  had  the  following  chil- 
dren:  Mrs.  Kobert  Haseltiue,  Marcelous,  Irene 
and  Kimmel. 

BARNES,  John,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  .July  1, 
182o,  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1833.  He  was 
married  in  1846  to  Martha  M.  I'hiJipps,  and 
they  had  eight  children,  namely:  Hannah  II.. 
Mary  E.,  Ellen,  George  A.,  .luseph  I...  John  G., 
Etta,  and  one  deceased.  Ills  home  w.is  in  the 
vicinity  of  Centerville,  and  there  he  died  Febru- 
ary 4,  1871. 

BARNES,  William,  was  born  in  1792.  and  in 
1813  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Sarah 
Marquiss,  who  was  born  in  1794.  In  1833  they 
came  to  Piatt  County  and  located  in  Mouticello 
Township.  They  had  three  children,  but  only 
two  grew  to  maturity,  namely :  Henry  and 
Williaui   Harrison. 

BARNETT,  WiUiam  E.,  came  to  Piatt  Countv  in 
18o0  and  for  years  was  a  resident  of  Goose 
Creek  Township,  moving  there  in  1868.  He 
was  married  in  1844  to  Mrs.  Julia  A.  Mil- 
burn,  a  widow  with  three  children. 

BARTLEY,  Harrison,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in 
1808.  became  one  of  the  successful  farmers  of 
Monticello  Township,  where  he  came  in  1868. 
He  was  married  in  1835  to  Elizabeth  Xewhouse, 
and  they  had  nine  children :  Edward,  Sarah, 
Catherine.  Louis,  Nelson,  Lemuel,  Ella,  William 
and  Benjamin.  Harrison  Bartley's  father  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812. 

BAUMANN,  Herman  B.,  one  of  the  substantial 

business  meu  and  property  owners  of  tliis  sec- 
tion, living  at  Milmine  where  he  has  heavy 
interests,  was  born  in  Germany,  February  24, 
1SG5,  a  son  of  William  and  Bertha  (Hacker) 
Baumann,  natives  of  Germany.  The  father  was 
born  in  January.  ISIS,  while  the  mother  was 
born  in  April,  1828.  By  trade  the  father  was  a 
blacksmith  and  worked  at  his  trade  until  his 
death  in  1807.     The  mother  died  in  1890. 

Herman  B.  Baumann  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  Germany,  when  he  was  six- 
teen years  old  being  apprenticed  to  the  black- 
smith trade.  After  completing  his  apprenticeship, 
he  came  to  .Vmerica  and  in  18S;j  hx-ated  at  Belle- 
ville, St.  Clair  County,  III.  Here  he  worked  at 
his  trade  for  four  years,  but  in  the  spring  of 
18.87  he  came  to  Milmine  and  opened  a  lilack- 
smith  shop  of  his  own.  and  has  conducted  it  for 
twenty-three  years.  He  al.so  started  in  a  farm 
implement  and  machinei-j-  l)usiness,  handling 
the  Emerson  buggies.  Paige  automobiles,  Janes- 
ville  farm  implements  and  other  standard  makes 
of  machinery.  After  he  had  establisheil  the 
Iiusiness  and  placed  it  upon  a  firm  foundation, 
he  turned  it  over  to  Archer  Hamm,  who  acts 
as  manager  of  the  blacksmith  shop,  and  still 
conducts  the  implement  business.  The  house 
has  a  very  large  trade,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
reliable  of  its  kind  in  the  county.  Mr.  Bau- 
mann owns  230  acres  of  valuable  farm  land  in 


710 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


Willow  BnuK-li  Townshii),  a  business  block, 
i::n:ij,'e  and  his  residence  at  Milmine,  and  is  a 
stock  bolder  in  tbe  ItaiiU  of  MlUnine. 

On  March  1-.  JSItd.  Mr.  liaunianu  was  mar- 
ried at  Milmine  to  Sarah  C.  Lux.  a  daughter 
of  I'cter  and  Christiana  (l<'rank)  Lux,  old  set- 
tlers of  Piatt  County.  Ml-,  and  Mrs.  Baumann 
have  tliree  cliildren,  naniel.v:  Grace,  Wayne 
and  Kmuia.  all  of  whom  are  at  home.  Mr.  Bau- 
mann belongs  to  the  Christian  Church,  In  which 
he  is  highly  valued.  In  politics  he  is  a  Rep\ib- 
lican.  His  fraternal  atiiliations  are  with  the 
Benieiit  Lodge  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Milmine  Lodge 
I.  f).  O.  F.  A  man  of  excellent  business  .iudg- 
nicnl  .•md  a  hard  worlier,  he  has  forged  ahead, 
and  his  present  prosperity  is  the  result  of  his 
own  efforts. 

BAUMANN,  Theodore  Andrew,  M.  D.,  one  of  the 

successful  practitioners  of  medicine  of  Piatt 
County,  uot  only  enjoys  a  large  clientage  at 
DeLand  and  from  the  surrounding  territory. 
but  exemplifies  in  his  devotion  to  bis  work  the 
fact  that  bis  calling  is  the  noblest  and  hardest 
of  all  the  learned  profession.?,  and  that  no  man 
can  bojie  to  excel  in  it  unless  he  gives  years  of 
preparation  to  it.  and  at  the  same  time  pos- 
sess a  natural  inclination  toward  relieving  suf- 
fering. Dr.  Baumann  was  born  in  Cherry  Val- 
ley. 111..  March  Ki.  188!),  a  son  of  Casjier  Carl 
and  Susan  E.  (Mclvinney)  Baumann,  he  born 
at  Morris.  III.,  and  she  as  Augusta,  Maine. 
They  were  married  at  Beloit,  Wis.,  later  locat- 
ing .-It  Cherry  Valley,  111. 

Dr.  P.auniann  attended  the  public  .schools  of 
Cherry  Valley,  and  the  high  school  at  Rock- 
f(U'd,  and  then  matriculated  at  the  University 
of  Illinois,  following  wbieb  be  took  a  medical 
course  at  the  Northwestern  University,  from 
which  lie  was  graduated  in  .Tune.  1914.  He  then 
spent  one  year  at  the  Bockford  City  Hos|iital, 
and  .\ngust  1.  101.",  having  thoroughly  fitted  him- 
self f(n'  the  work,  established  himself  in  a  gen- 
eral jiractice  at  DeLand,  where  he  has  met  with 
very  gratifying  success. 

In  politics  Dr.  Baumann  is  a  Democrat.  A 
Mason  in  high  standing  be  belongs  to  DeLand 
Lodge,  A.  F.  &  .\.  M..  and  also  belongs  to 
DeLand  Lodge.  I.  ( ).  O.  F..  and  Cherry  Valley 
Camp.  M.  W.  .\.  .V  young  man  of  genial  man- 
ner and  engaging  iiersonality,  Dr.  Baumann 
attaches  his  patients  to  him,  and  gaining  tlieir 
confi<lence  in  his  ability  and  skill,  is  all  the 
more  able  to  hel])  them  to  regain  health  and 
guard  them  against  invasions  of  disease.  Lil;e 
other  men  of  bis  calling  be  takes  an  intelli- 
gent interest  in  civic  matters,  and  is  a  valuable 
addition   to   DeLand. 

On  .Tune  2,  lilK!.  Dr.  Baumann  was  marrie<l 
to   Miss   ALihel    Id:i    Prentice,   of   Bockford.    III. 

BEAR,  Lewis  E.,  one  of  the  most  progiessivc 
farmers  or  Piatt  County,  has  a  fine  farming 
)>roperty  in  Cerro  Gordo  'J'ownsbip.  He  was 
born  near  Decatur.  III..  .Tune  2.5.  1884.  a  son  of 
.Tobn  and  Mary  (Lewis)  Bear,  natives  of  Cum- 
berland.   Pa.,    and     Berkshire.    England.      The 


maternal  grandparents,  Charles  and  Martha 
(Betts)  Lewis,  left  England  in  1SC4,  and  after 
a  time  spent  in  Vermont,  in  1SG5  located  at 
Decatur,  where  Mr.  Lewis  operated  one  of  if 
not  tbe  first  tile  yards  in  Macon  County,  111. 
The  paternal  grandparents,  Ephraim  and  Susan 
(Ham.sberi  Bear,  wei'e  uatlves  of  Pennsyl- 
vania who  came  to  Mac-on  County  about  1852. 
-ifter  farming  for  a  time,  tbe  grandfather  be- 
came a  merchant  at  Decatur.  After  their  mar- 
riage the  parents  located  on  a  farm  in  the 
vicinity  of  Decatur  and  still  reside  in  Hicliory 
Point  Township. 

I>ewis  E.  Bear  attended  the  schools  of  his 
native  t(jwnshi]i.  and  the  Decatur  common  and 
high  scliools,  and  then  matriculated  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois  at  Champaign,  111.,  where  he 
took  an  agricultural  course.  Returning  home 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  witli  his  father  until 
1!)0T,  when,  on  Januai-y  29  of  that  year  he 
movtNl  to  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Cerro  Goi'do 
Township.  Piatt  County,  which  he  had  bought 
in  10(1.5.  This  jn-operty  bad  a  house  and  barn 
on  it.  but  he  remodeled  both  and  erected  new 
buildings  as  tliey  were  needed,  and  put  up 
fences  and  laid  tile  until  he  has  one  of  the 
best  inijiroved  farms  in  tlie  township.  On  it 
be  carries  on  general  farming  and  is  a  large 
feeder  of  hogs.  His  training  at  the  university 
lias  given  him  a  scientific  insiglht  into  liis 
work,  and  his  advice  is  often  sought  by  his 
neiglibors  who  a|ipreciate  the  value  of  his  prac- 
tical knowledge. 

On  Decemlier  2S,  1903.  Mr.  Bear  was  married 
to  Edna  Brett,  born  in  Macon  County.  111.,  a 
daughter  of  D.  E.  and  Addie  (Rife)  Brett,  na- 
tives of  Macon  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bear 
have  no  children.  Both  he  and  bis  wife  are 
.Alethodists.  and  politically  be  is  a  Repulilican, 
and  during  I'.iI.'i-K;  served  as  tax  collector  of 
Cerro  Gordo  Towiisbi|i.  Since  1907  he  has  been 
;i  school  director.  In  fraternal  matters  he  be- 
longs to  Cerro  Gordo  I/Odge  No.  (lOO,  A.  F.  & 
.V.  M..  Bement  Cbajiter  Xo.  0."),  li.  A.  N.,  Beau- 
mont Commamlery.  l\.  T..  of  Decatur,  and  .\nsar 
Shrine  of  S|U-ingfield.  Both  lie  and  wife  are 
inemliers  of  the  I'^astern  Star. 

BEERY,  Lewis  Francis,  whose  agricultural  ac- 
tivities entitle  bini  to  a  ]>rominent  jilace  among 
I  he  farmei-s  (jf  Cerro  (iordo  Townsbij),  was  born 
in  Ohio.  .Tuly  il.  I8.V1.  a  son  of  .Tobn  and  Mary 
(Strobni)  Iiieery.  be  born  near  Bremen,  Ohio, 
February  (i.  1S24.  and  he  died  .Tanuary  1.*!,  1.877, 
In  Hocking  County.  Ohio.  Tbe  mother,  who 
was  born  February  2:\.  lS2(h  died  November  4. 
1887.  at  the  home  of  her  son,  Lewis  Francis 
Beery,  near  Cerro  Gordo.  111.,  and  her  burial 
was  in  Frantz  Cemetery,  nearby.  Tbe  grand- 
f.-itlier.  .\liraham  Beery,  who  was  of  Swiss  de- 
scent, married  a  Jliss  Dillman.  The  grand- 
father was  drafted  into  service  during  the  War 
of  1812.  The  |)arents  of  Lewis  F.  Beery  bad 
eleven  children,  namely:  Ephraim.  Andrew. 
.Tacob.  Isaac.  Lewis.  James.  Levi.  Salem.  Eliza- 
beth. Hiram  and  Henry. 

In    1S7S    f,ewis   I-'.    Beery   began    working   on 


u.\ 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


711 


farms   in   Cerio   Gordo   Township,   and   so   con- 
tinued for  tliree  years,  wlieu  lie  rented  land  one 
mile   west   of  Cerro   GokIo,    in   Macon    County, 
and   after   nine   years    tbere,    went    to    Lincoln 
County,    Neb.,    where    he   took    up    government 
land.  "  Mr.  Beerv  has  proved  an  excellent  busi- 
ness man.     After  he  paid  for  it  and  improved 
the  above  land  he  sold  and  returned  to  Oakley 
Township,  Macon  County.     In   1000  lie  bought 
forty  acres  of  land  for  $2,00tl,   thirty  acres  of 
which  was  cleared.     Three  years  later  he  sold 
this  farm  '>n   which  he  had  never   resided,  for 
$J,500,  and  in  the  fall  of  1003  bought  IGO  acres 
of  lanU  on   section   :.'0,   Cerro   Gordo  Township, 
which   was  iiartlv   improved.     For   this  laud  he 
paid  $18,400,  or  $115  per  acre,     lie  has  rebuilt 
the    house,    making   It    modern    in    every    way, 
rebuilt  the  barns  and  in  other  ways  Increased 
the   value   of   the   property.      Still   further   add- 
iu"-  to   his  holdiuns,   in   1014   he   bought  eighty 
acres  for  $0,040,  paying  .$211.75  an  acre,   one- 
half  mile  south  of  his  homestead,  on  which  his 
sou    Oscar   resides.     Land   ad.ioiuing   this   prop- 
erty is  now  held  at  $250  per  acre.     Mr.  Beery 
raises   horses,    cattle,    hogs   and    sheep,    having 
always  been  a  very  heavv  handler  of  live  stock. 
On  February   10.  1SS2,   Mr.   Beery  was  mar- 
ried to  I'hoebe  Girl,  who  was  born  in  Stephen- 
son Couutv,  111.,  March  22,  1S5S,  a  daughter  of 
Cliristiau    and    Lucinda    (Brillheart)    Girl,    na- 
tives   of    Stark    County.    Ohio,    where    he    was 
born  in  1825,  and  she  January  :!,  1S37.     He  died 
.\ugust   27,   1802,   and   she   died  April   17,   1910. 
Thev  were  married  April  20,  1857.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Beery  became  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren': -Vda  May,  born  December  :!,  1882.  is  Mrs. 
Xoah    Buckingham    of    Cerro    Gordo    Township, 
and    has    two    children,    Herman    and    Merlin; 
Oscar  J.,  born  December  10,  1884,  married  Pearl 
Frantz;  Lester  F..  a  successful  auctioneer,  born 
August  1,  1880,  married  Bertha  Cripe,  issue.  Iva 
and  Everett:  Chester  A..  Iwrn  October  18,  1SS7, 
married    Ola    Hendricks,    and    lias    three    chil- 
dren.  Lucille.   Leo    and   Joseph,   all    these    sons 
being  farmers  of  Cerro  Gordo  Township:  Jose- 
phine, born  May  12.  1889,   is  Mrs.   Karl   Landis 
of   Decatur,    111.,    has    one   daughter.    Miklrath : 
Hattie  Edna,  born  April  12,  1891.  is  Mrs.  Isaac 
Hoots,   of  Cerro  (Jordo  Township ;   Lucinda   F., 
born    June    13,    1803,    is   Mrs.    Arvil    Landis    of 
Cerro  Gordo  Townshiii ;  Phoebe  .\nn.  born  May 
31,  1803,  and  Mabel  Augusta,  born  July  13,  1897, 
who  are  at  home.     I'rior  to  her  marriage  while 
still    living   at   home,    Mrs.    Lucinda    F.    Landis 
taught   five   terms   of   school   very   successfully. 
The  families  belong  to  the  Church  of  the  Breth- 
ren.    Mr.  Beery  not  only  attended  tlie  common 
.schools,  but  has  borne  his  part  in  liettering  them 
for  the  present  generation  by  serving  as  a  school 
director    for   several    years.      In    politics    he    is 
independent. 

BELL,  T.  George,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  moved 
to  Bement  during  the  early  sixties,  and  there 
died  in  1880.  He  was  married  to  Sarah  Sam- 
ple, who  survived  him,  and  their  children  were 


as     follows :      Mrs.     Jacob     Slotherspaw,     and 
John  I). 

BENDER,  Jeremiah,  wlio  was  also  engaged  in 
merchandising  at  Monticello  for  .some  years, 
was  born  in  Ohio,  and  came  to  Piatt  County  in 
1842,  becoming  the  owner  of  property  in  Monti- 
cello.  About  18t0  Mr.  Bender  was  married  to 
M.  J.  Mollitt,  who  died  in  June,  1872,  leaving 
tn,i  children,  namely:     Charles  and  Annie. 

BENDER,  John  Andrew,  whose  honorable  con- 
nection with  the  business  and  public  interests 
of  Jlonticello  extends  over  a  long  period,  is 
justly  rec-ognized  as  one  of  the  representative 
men  of  Piatt  County.  He  was  born  in  this 
county,  November  10,  1849,  a  son  of  Henry  and 
Mary  Ann  (Barnes)  Bender,  born  in  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio.  Both  the  Barnes  and  Bender  fam- 
ilies were  early  .settlers  of  Piatt  County.  After 
their  marriage  the  iiarents  of  John  A.  Bender 
located  on  a  farm  in  Piatt  County,  in  Monticello 
Towiishii),  and  there  the  father  died  in  the 
fall  of  1854.  The  mother  lived  until  1878,  and 
John  A.  was  their  only  child. 

As  long  as  his  mother,  to  whom  he  was  deeply 
attached,  lived,  John  A.  Bender  lived  with  her, 
and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1883  he  moved 
to  APiiiticello  and  for  seven  years  was  profitably 
.  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  tile  and  brick, 
-then  went  into  a  grain  business,  but  sold  it  after 
four  year.s,  and  in  1893  embarked  in  a  coal  and 
feed  business  which  he  still  conducts,  handling 
all  kinds  of  hard  and  soft  coal  and  feed. 

In  1874  Mr.  Bender  was  married  to  Lydia  M. 
Bailey,  of  Piatt  County,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Mary  (Hubbard)  Bailey,  of  Ohio.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bender  became  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
iug  cliildren :  Mabel,  who  died  December  24, 
1915,  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  years;  Lola,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years;  Welma, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  ten  years ;  and  Arthur, 
who  dieil  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  years. 

Mr.  Bender  is  a  very  well  educated  man  hav- 
ing ,itt ended  the  district  .schools  and  afterward 
Lombard  College,  at  Galesburg,  111.  For  three 
terms  he  ser\ed  as  supervisor  of  Jlonticello 
Township,  was  mayor  of  the  city  of  Monticello 
for  two  years,  and  alderman  of  the  same  city  for 
ten  years,  being  elected  in  every  case  ou  the 
I!e]iuiilic;in  ticket.  He  is  a  man  of  unusual 
force  „f  character  and  is  held  in  high  esteem. 
His  fratcni.-il  relations  are  with  the  (5dd  Fel- 
lows  .-uid    Kniuhts   of   Pythias. 

BENDER,  Samuel,  who  tor  many  years  was 
associated  with  the  mercantile  life  of  Monti- 
cello, came  to  Piatt  County  in  1842.  and  be- 
came the  owner  of  considerable  farm  land  in 
Goose  Creek  Township,  as  well  as  city  property 
at  Jlonticello.  In  184()  he  was  married  to  Eliz- 
abeth Manpiiss.  who  died  leaving  a  daughter, 
Elbe.  .Mr.  Bender  was  again  married  iu  1853, 
bis  .second  wife  bearing  the  maiden  name  of 
Itebecca  Itea.  and  she  died  in  1877.  leaving  six 
chihlren.   namely :      Ida,   Bertie,   William,   Rich- 


712 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


aid,  Louise  B..  ami  S.  K.     lu  July,  1SS2,  Samuel 
Homier  and  Inez  Jamison  were  married. 

BENSON,  Harvey,  oame  to  Piatt  County  in  1856 
and  Ijoe-ame  a  iirosperous  farmer  of  Sangamon 
Townsliip.  In  December,  1S77,  he  was  married 
to  Mrs.  Mary  Piatt.  His  deatli  occurred  some 
years  ago. 

BENSYL,  John  A.,  one  of  the  heavy  land  opera- 
tors of  Saniiunion  Townsliip.  who  is  a  recog- 
nized authoritv  on  ajiricultural  matters,  was 
born  in  this  townsliip  October  ;',().  ISTo.  a  son 
of  Harvey  and  Minerva  (Campbell)  Bensyl, 
natives  of  Oliio  :ui(l  Piatt  County,  111.,  resfiect- 
ively.  The  paternal  grandparents,  lialser  and 
Rebecca  (Blacker)  Bensyl  were  natives  of  Ohio. 
The  grandmother  survives,  being  now  m  her 
nineties,  and  lives  near  Monticello,  111.  She  is 
the  only  living  person  in  the  county  who  had 
two  sons  in  the  Civil  War.  The  grandfather 
died  in  ISOO.  The  maternal  grandfather  was 
William  Campbell,  a  native  of  Ohio  who  came 
to  Piatt  Couutv,  111.,  at  an  early  day,  and  he 
and  the  graiul'motlier  both  died  iu  early  life. 
.Vfter  their  marriage.  Harvey  Bensyl  and  his 
wife  located  in  Sangamon  Township,  and  later 
went  to  Champaign  County,  111.,  remaining  in 
this  state  until  1N!M!.  when  they  went  to  Har- 
rison County,  Mo.,  where  they  are  still  engaged 
in  farming.  Their  children  were  as  follows: 
John  .v.:  Cassius  and  William,  both  of  whom 
live  in  Harrison  County.  Mo.:  and  Florence, 
who  is  Mrs.  WalUer  (Jibsou  of  Harrison  County. 
Mo. 

.\fter  his  parents  moved  to  .Missouri.  John  A. 
r.ciisyl  wt)rl<ed  by  the  month  among  different 
f;iniiers  until  1,SU8,  when  he  engaged  for  a  year 
in  farming  on  a  rented  farm  along  Camp  Creek, 
and  then  moved  to  Timmons"  farm,  then  owned 
by  Mr.  Allerton.  .Vfter  a  year  he  moved  to 
another  part  of  this  same  farm,  in  Jlonticello 
Township,  remaining  until  .  Xovember.  1002. 
when  be  located  on  his  present  farm  of  480 
acres  in  Sangamon  Township,  owned  by  the 
AUertons.  He  raises  and  feeds  many  hogs,  cat- 
tle and  horses,  and  carries  on  general  grain 
farming,  his  operations  being  conducted  upon 
an  immense  scale. 

On  January  20.  1807.  .Mr.  Bensyl  was  imar- 
ried  to  Frances  Fo raker,  born  in  Sangamon 
Township.  .Vugust  17.  1N70,  a  daughter  of  Frank 
and  Melissa  (Ferrell)  Foraker,  natives  of  Ohio. 
Tlie  graiul]iarents.  Franklin  I'ierce  and  Clarissa 
(Justus)  Foraker,  and  Selby  and  Jliranda 
((Jray)  Ferrell  were  all  natives  of  Ohio,  and 
early  settlers  of  Piatt  County,  111.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Foraker  were  married  in  Piatt  County,  lo- 
cating in  Sangamon  Townsliiii,  but  since  lttl2 
they  have  lived  in  Butte  County,  S.  D.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bensyl  have  had  the  following  children: 
Bi'ulab  F.thel,  who  was  born  Decemlier  !).  1,897; 
Liila  Opal,  who  was  born  November  2.'?,  ]8!>9; 
Donald  Lee,  who  was  liorn  December  1,"?,  1901; 
Kuby  Patiliiie,  who  was  born  January  fi,  19<M! : 
Ruth   Aline,  who  was  born   Jiilv  10,   P.HJO;   and 


Frances  Mildred,  who  was  born  October  30, 
1912.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bensyl  both  attended  the 
same  school  in  Sangamon  Township,  to  which 
Clrey  have  sent  their  children  who  are  old 
enough,  and  for  ten  years  Mr.  Bensyl  was  a 
member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  this  dis- 
trii-t.  In  religious  faith  Mr.  Bensyl  belongs  to 
the  United  Brethren  Church.  In  ixilitics  he  is 
a  Republican. 

BENTLEY,  John  F.,  now  living  retired  at 
Bemeut.  was  for  a  number  of  years  actively 
engaged  in  farming  in  I'iatt  County,  and  is  rec- 
ognized as  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  com- 
munity. He  was  born  in  Wood  County,  Ohio, 
June  28,  lSo2,  a  sou  of  David  and  Sarah  J. 
(Roberts)  Bentley,  natives  of  New  York  and 
Ohio,  resiieeti\ely.  When  he  was  twenty-five 
.vears  old,  the  father  went  to  Ohio,  and  there 
engaged  in  farming  until  1J?72,  when  he  came 
to  I'iatt  County.  111.,  ami  here  lived  in  retire- 
ment until   his  death. 

John  F.  P.entley's  educational  advantages  were 
limited  to  those  afforded  by  the  schools  of  his 
native  county,  and  there  he  lived  until  the 
spring  of  1872  when  he  moved  to  a  rented  farm 
in  Milmine.  this  county,  wliich  he  operated  for 
one  year.  lie  then  moved  on  a  raw  farm  of 
eighty  acres  in  Bemcnt  Towiisliii),  the  ground 
of  wliicli  he  had  to  break,  and  on  which  he  had 
to  erect  all  the  buildings.  From  time  to  time 
he  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  now  has  280 
acres  in  his  homestead,  and  100  acres  one  mile 
east.  .\11  of  the  Improvements  on  the  homestead 
were  made  liy  him.  and  on  it  he  carried  ou 
grain  raising  and  stock  breeding  and  raising 
upon  a  large  scale.  In  1911  he  moved  to  his 
lu'esent  [a'operty  of  five  acres  just  east  of  Be- 
nieiit.  where  he  built  a  tine  modern  frame 
house,  and  he  is  en.ioying  the  comforts  his 
f(n-iiier  laboi-s  ha\e  secured  for  him.  The  home 
farm  is- rented  by  his  youngest  son,  and  another 
son   is  on  the  lOO-acre  farm. 

On  Aiiril  2i;.  1879,  Mr.  Bentley  was  married 
to  Susan  J.  Sayler,  of  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel K.  and  Juriah  (Culp)  Sayler  of  Ohio.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bentley  became  the  i>a rents  of  the  fol- 
lowing cliildreii :  Frank :  Pearl,  who  is  Mrs. 
Herman  Weiiipon.  of  Bement,  111.,  and  Walter, 
who  is  on  the  home  farm.  In  religious  faith 
Mr.  Bentley  is  a  Presbyterian.  An  active  Re- 
pul)lican.  he  lias  served  as  school  director  and 
road  commissioner  for  fourteen  years.  Fra- 
ternally he  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  the 
Encami)meiit  of  Monticello,  and  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  tile  Itebekahs.  During  his  active  years 
he  (lid  Ills  full  duty  as  a  man  and  a  citizen,  and 
is  worthy  of  the  esteem  and  confidence  he  in- 
spires. 

BICKEL,  John  E.,  one  of  the  substantial  busi- 
ness men  of  r>e  Land.  Ii.-is  long  lieen  associated 
with  the  development  of  Piatt  County.  He  was 
Imrn  in  Oerniany,  D(^cember  27,  1852,  a  son  of 
Paldus  and  Fexlea  (Frank)  Blckel,  who  passed 
their  useful  lives  in  Oermany.  John  E.  Bickel. 
who  hail  been  educated  in  his  native  land,  came 


MI?.  AND  MRS.  .lOHN  LEISC^HNER 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


713 


to  the  Uuitt'd  States.  1S69,  and  arrived  at  Spring- 
field, 111.,  on  Sfpteiulier  20,  and  from  there  went 
to  New  Kerliu,  111.,  to  join  his  two  sisters.  He 
began  workin;;  on  farms,  so  continuing  for 
four  years,  ;\n(l  then  returned  to  Springfield, 
and  commenced  learning  the  wagon-making 
trade,  which  he  later  followed  at  Springfield 
and  Montieello,  and  eventuall.v  he  and  H.  D. 
Herrington  estalilished  a  wagon  shop  at  Monti- 
cello,  which  the.v  conducted  from  1ST4  to  June 
2,  1S75.  Then  Mr.  Bickel  ciime  to  De  Land 
.and  estabiished  a  wiigon  s1jo]i  which  he  con- 
ducted in  con.junction  with  handling  agricultural 
implements,  from  1875  until  1013,  when  the 
implement  part  of  the  business  become  of  such 
volume  he  gave  up  his  wagon  shop  to  devote 
himself  exclusively  to  dealing  in  implements, 
and  now  handles  all  the  leading  makes  includ- 
ing those  of  the  JlcCormiek,  John  Deere  and  the 
International   Harvester  companies. 

On  December  12,  1878,  Mr.  Bickel  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  I.orinda  McBride,  Iiorn  at  West 
Alexandria,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Sarah  Caroline  (Kelley)  McBride,  natives  of 
Maryland  and  Eaton.  Ohio,  resjiectively.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bickel  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  .\lta,  who  is  deceased;  Itoland, 
who  is  at  home;  Flossie,  who  is  deceased  ;  .John, 
who  dierl  in  infancy;  Claude,  who  lives  at  Clin-  . 
ton.  111. ;  Daisy,  who  is  Mrs.  John  Q.  Adams,  of  ' 
Rutland,  HI.;  Harry,  who  is  at  home:  Joseph, 
who  died  in  infancy;  Herbert,  who  lives  at 
Centerville,  Iowa  ;  and  Lola  and  Opal  who  are 
at  home. 

In  religious  faith  Mr.  Bickel  is  a  Methodist. 
He  served  for  eight  years  as  a  school  director, 
and  for  six  yeai-s  was  on  the  De  Land  lioard  of 
trustees,  and  was  president  of  the  board  two 
different  times.  In  addition  he  rendered  effi- 
cient service  as  village  treasurer,  and  was 
elected  to  these  <lifrerent  offices  on  the  Kepub- 
lican  ticket,  and  was  his  party's  township 
committeeman  one  term.  Fraternally  he  belongs 
to  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  both  of  r)e  Land.  Both  as  a  public 
official  and  private  citizen,  Mr.  Bickel  stands 
very  high,  and  people  have  full  confidence  in 
him  and  his  integrity  and  ability. 

BLICKENSTAFF,  David  D.,  proprietor  of  a  re- 
liaiile  livery  stable  and  feed  barn  at  Cerro 
Gordo,  is  a  man  who  understands  his  business 
thoroughly  and  takes  a  pride  in  giving  his 
patrons  good  service  and  fair  terms.  He  was 
born  in  Oakley  Township,  Macon  County,  III., 
September  l.'i,  1872,  a  son  of  Leonard  A.  and 
Susanna  (Frantz)  Blickenstaff.  liorn  in  Clin- 
ton County.  Iml.  They  were  early  settlers  of 
Macon  County.  HI.,  where  the  father  engaged  in 
farming.  His  death  occurred  in  June,  1878. 
The  mother  survives  and  makes  her  home  with 
a  son  Le\i.  in  JI.tcou  County. 

David  D.  Blickenstaff  attended  the  .schools 
in  his  district  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old, 
at  which  time  he  began  working  for  farmers  by 
the  month.  As  soon  as  he  was  alile  he  began 
farming  for  himself,  and  so  continued  for  fifteen 


years,  but  in  1008  moved  to  Cerro  (jordo,  and 
embarked  in  a  livery  business  which  he  has 
since  conducted  very  successfully.  He  has  10 
head  of  horses,  and  as  many  vehicles,  and  his 
men  are  reliable  and  steady. 

In  December,  1804,  Mr.  Blickenstaff'  was 
married  (first)  to  Sarali  Jackson  who  died  in 
L>ecember  of  the  following  year,  leaving  no 
issue.  In  May,  1001,  .Mr.  Blickenstaff'  was  mar- 
ried (second)  to  Knuna  Mohler,  born  in  I'iatt 
County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Mohler.  a 
native  of  I'enn.sylv.-inia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blick- 
enstaff' have  bad  the  following  children:  Myra, 
ilyrtie,  Edwin,  Irwin,  Edna,  I'aul  and  l^eonard. 
He  belongs  to  the  Church  of  the  Brethren,  and 
is  active  in  its  good  work.  In  polities  he  is  a 
Kepubllcan.  A  hardworking  man,  he  has  had 
but  little  time  to  form  outside  connections,  and 
is  not  a  member  of  any  fraternities  or  clubs, 
but  takes  his  pleasure  in  his  home  .and  family. 

BLICKENSTAFF,  John  (deceased),  was  for  a 
number  of  years  associated  with  important  in- 
terests of  I'iatt  Count.v,  especially  at  Cerro 
(.Jordo,  although  for  a  time  prior  tt)  his  demise, 
he  was  afflicted  by  trouble  with  his  eyes  which 
necessitated  a  partial  retirement.  lie  was  born 
in  (.'arroll  County,  Ind.,  November  10,  18.8.5,  a 
sou  of  Leonard  and  Catherine  (Ulery)  Blink- 
enstafl'.  born  and  married  in  the  vicinity  of  Day- 
ton, Ohio.  Following  their  marriage  they  moved 
to  Indiana,  settling  near  Lafayette,  but  sub- 
sequently moved  to  Macon  County,  III.,  buying 
land  and  farming  it  the  remainder  of  their 
lives.  The  father  died  in  18(10.  and  the  mother 
in  ISGO. 

John  Blickenstaff'  had  a  very  limited  educa- 
tion, but  learned  to  be  a  careful  farmer.  On 
September  !.">.  18r>7,  he  was  married  to  Catherhie 
Kuns.  born  in  Carroll  County,  Ind.,  May  20, 
1842.  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Maria  (Lesley) 
Kuns.  born  in  Ohio.  They  went  to  Indiana 
when  they  were  children,  and  married  in  that 
state,  afterwards  connng  to  Macon  County.  III., 
locating  on  a  farm  there  in  ISn.'j.  He  died  in 
180:'.,  aged  forty-one  years.  Subsequently  JIi's. 
Kuns  married  (second)  Martin  Swank,  and 
moved  to  Kansas,  but  returned  in  the  fall  of 
18S0,  to  Cerro  (Jordo,  where  Mrs.  Swank  died 
in  June.   lOOO,  aged  seventy -eiglit  years. 

Following  their  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blick- 
enstaff went  on  a  farm  in  Macon  County,  three 
miles  south  of  Cerro  Gordo,  he  owning  three 
pieces  of  land  in  that  neighliorhood,  of  100  acres 
in  the  home  farm,  and  another  eight.v-acre  farm 
and  a  third,  of  120  acres.  I'ntil  1S7!»  they  con- 
tinued to  live  here,  and  then  niovi^l  to  Cerro 
Gordo  where  Mr.  Blickenstaff  bought  ten  acres 
of  land  at  the  city  limits,  on  which  he  erected  a 
fine  residence,  and  put  up  other  buildings.  He 
gave  to  his  two  daugliters  each  a  farm.  His 
death  occurred  November  11,  1014,  but  he  had 
been  a  sufferer  from  failing  eyesight  from  1000. 
Since  his  denuse  bis  widow  has  resided  in  the 
home  jilace.  Their  two  children  were  Ida.  who 
is  Mrs.  .\.  J.  Chichester  of  Cerro  Gordo;  and 
Emma,   who   is  Mrs.    Isaiah  Wheeler,   also     of 


714 


lllsToia'  OK  riATT  (Ul'NTV 


rci-ni  (M.rilii.  .Mr.  lUirliciistiiil'  liclini^'cd  to  the 
I'lmrcli  iif  the  IticllirtMi.  iis  ilncs  his  widow,  in 
whiili  lie  was  a  (hMcnn  Idr  inaiiy  .voais,  hold- 
iiii:  the  nlhcc  I'roiii  ISTS  iiiilil  his  dcatli.  In 
piilltics  lie  was  a  IU'|iiilili<-an  aiitl  lie  was  just  as 
I'althful  In  his  support  ol'  tliat  part.v  as  lie  was 
In  all  other  relations  of  lil'e. 

BLOOD,  Luther,  is  one  of  tlie  oiicrgi'tic  men  of 
I'd-ro  (iiirdii  who  has  lieen  alile  to  tnrn  his  nat- 
ural .iMIities  to  Kood  account.  Horn  with  a 
love  (if  mechanics,  he  li.is  I'nr  .voars  used  his 
talents  in  this  <lireitinn  I'dr  the  pnrpose  ol'  oper- 
atllii;  eli,'lit  threshin;,'  machines,  two  corn  shell- 
ers  and  similar  inachiner.v,  and  is  also  asent  for 
the  Mitchell  .Viitomoliile  Conipan.v.  lie  owned 
the  llrst  aiitonioliile  in  I'iatt  Conid.v,  It  was  a 
steamer  rniiabont  two-pasesnu'er.  liought  in  1001. 
IIo  was  hoiii  in  the  state  of  New  York,  in 
March,  isci;,  a  son  of  It.  C.  and  S.vlvina  (I'itchI 
Itlodd,  natives  of  New  York,  who  spent  the 
.vear.s  between  1>-70  and  1nT4  at  Mexico,  .Mo. 
From  that  point  they  went  to  Cerro  (iordo.  111., 
where  the  father  became  a  well  known  farmer 
and  stock  dealer,  lie  owned  and  operated  a 
larRC  stock   farm   in   \Villow   Branch  Township. 

Luther  Itlocid  not  oidy  attended  the  district 
scIkioIs  in  New  York,  but  took  a  commercial 
course  in  a  business  c(illc;;c.  He  remained  with 
his  [lareids  until  1S!)(I,  when  he  moved  on  an 
eli,'hty-acre  farm  in  Corro  (Jordo  Township, 
oper.itin;.'  it  until  1001.  when  he  came  to  ("erro 
Cordo.  Mr.  RIood  still  superintends  the  con- 
duct of  the  farm,  hut  devotes  a  jrood  deal  of 
time  to  his  iither  lines  nf  business. 

Ill  M.irch.  IS'.Mi,  .Mr.  r.hind  w.is  niarrie<l  to  Kva 
Howell,  born  near  Cerro  (iordo.  a  daushter  of 
Lsaiic  and  .Mary  (WidicUl  Howell,  natives  of 
Ro.ss  County.  Ohio,  anil  Air-inia.  .Mr.  Howell 
ennie  with  his  parents,  (Jeorite  and  Martha  How- 
ell, of  Ohio,  to  I'iatt  County,  at  an  early  day, 
locatins  in  Cerro  Cordo  Township,  w  heiv  lliey 
ini|ir<)ved  land  which  was  entered  from  the 
;;overnmeiit.  The  •;raiid[i.ireiits  of  Mrs.  r.lnod 
ilied  on  this  farm,  and  ber  father  lived  en  this 
riinii  for  a  time,  and  then  boiiirhl  another  farm 
just  north  of  Cerro  Cordo.  improving  it  from 
raw  prairie  Into  a  cultivated  property.  He 
also  improved  several  other  farms,  and  was  a 
Minn  of  laru'e  means,  who  spent  his  last  davs 
in  retirement  at  Cerro  Cmilo.  He  passed  awav 
ill  1S!I.",  while  on  a  visit  in  Missouri.  .Mr.  anil 
.Mrs.  Hloiid  have  two  children:  [-iicille.  who  is 
Mrs.  I'aul  .7.  Fr<Mlerick.  of  Havana.  HI.;  Ralph, 
who  Is  at   home. 

Mrs.  Itlood  attended  Hie  ciuiiiiion  and  hii;li 
scli<«)ls  and  Y.iliiaraiso  (Ind.  1  Cniversitv.  and 
lialdwiii  City  (Kas.)  miversity.  receivini:  from 
both  universities  a  di|iloma  in  art.  FollowiiiL- 
her  :.'radualioii  she  taiiirht  school  for  two  vears 
prior  to  her  marrlaue.  She  li.-is  been  president 
of  the  Cerro  (Jordo  Woman's  Club  since  I'.HL', 
and  is  also  president  of  the  H.  H.  Rible  class 
of  the  >retliodist  Church  to  which  she  and  ber 
husband  belong'.  She  is  patriotic  instructor  of 
the  Wonian's  Hclief  Corjis.  and  beloiiirs  to  the 
Knstern    Star,    the    Woman's    Forei-n    and    the 


Home  Missionary  societies,  and  is  a  great 
church  worker  and  one  who  takes  an  active 
interest  in  local  improvements  and  civic  uplifht. 
She  is  also  secretary  of  the  local  advisory 
hoard  of  the  Illinois  Children's  Home  and  .\id 
Society. 

Mr.  Rkiod  is  .in  iiide|iendent  Democi'at  po- 
litically, and  has  serveil  on  the  town  board  and 
on  the  school  board.  l''rateraidly  he  beloiifis  to 
the  chapter  .iiiil  coiiiiii.-iiidery  of  the  Masonic 
or.ler.  ,iiid  to  the  Kniirhts  of" Pythias. 

BOBB,  Daniel  IVI.,  formerly  a  sucecssful  farmer, 
and  now  a  suiist.iiitial  retired  resident  of  Cerro 
(iordo.  was  born  in  rennsylvania.  .July  13,  184!). 
There  he  resided  until  ,ib(uit  187S.  when,  having 
lost  his  parents,  he  decided  to  make  a  new 
lioiiie  in  the  West,  came  to  I'i.itt  County,  111.. 
and  located  at  Cerro  (iordo.  Willi  him  c.inie 
his  first  wife,  whom  he  had  married  in  his  na- 
tive state  in  1871.  and  thev  had  the  following 
<hildren:  Kllie,  who  is  Mrs.  .Mathew  (iregg.  oif 
Cerro  (ionio  Township:  Klizabeth.  who  is  Mrs. 
I).  S.  Cibson.  of  Troy.  III.;  Rachel,  who  is  Mrs. 
1».  l:.  Williams,  of  Fooslaiid.  111.:  .Mattie.  who 
is  .Mrs.  I.saac  .\lleii.  of  liemeiit.  III.:  Daniel,  who 
lives  near  Clarksburg.  III. ;  Callie.  who  lives  in 
Alberta.  Canada:  David,  who  lives  at  Des 
.Moines,  Iowa:  Harvey,  who  also  lives  at  Des 
■Moines,  Iowa:  suid  Susan,  who  is  Mrs.  Iva 
Sinn,  of  Des  Moines.  Iowa. 

.\fter  coming'  to  IMatt  County.  Mr.  Robb  rented 
land  which  he  ojiorateil  during  the  summers,  and 
in  the  winters  conducted  a  butcher  slioj)  at 
Cerro  Cordo.  In  l.sii.-)  he  went  to  Xorth  D.akota 
and  took  up  ■.V2(\  acres  of  land,  occnpving  it 
until  1110.-,  when  be  lost  his  first  wife,  and  then 
returned  to  Cerro  (iordo.  Here  on  December 
i;;.  1008,  he  was  married  (second  t  to  Mrs.  Sarah 
K.  llladoii)  (iri'eiiawalt,  born  in  Sang.inion 
Coiint.v.  111.,  a  daiii-'hter  of  .Vluier  and  Fli7,;ibetli 
i\:iiii-iin  Hadoii.  natives  of  Indi.-iiia  and  early 
settlers  of  Sangamon  County.  III.  Mrs.  Tiobb 
.11  the  time  of  her  niarri;me  to  Mr.  I?obb  was 
the  widow  of  .Noah  (ireenawalt.  born  in  H.-irdin 
County.  Ky..  who  came  to  Piatt  County  at  an 
early  day.  and  bought  an  eisrhtv-acro  farm  on 
wliicli  he  liv(M  until  ISCS.  when  he  moved  to 
Cerro  (iordo  and  bought  the  residence  now  ocou- 
I'led  by  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robb.  Here  he  died  In 
1800.  The  f,-irni  is  still  owned  bv  .Mrs.  Robb. 
Ry  her  first  maninge  Mrs.  Bobi,  iiad  two  chil- 
dren, namely:  Cora,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
three  years;  and  Harry  Kliner.  who  was  born 
111  1.877.  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  .Mr.s.  Robh 
are  members  of  the  Church  of  the  Rrefhren. 
They  are  very  highly  respected  iieople  and  are 
prominent   in  eburch   work. 

BODMAN,  Samuel  E.,  whose  coiiiiection  with  the 
aiiloiiinhile  interests  of  Rement.  is  an  important 
one.  has  .proven  himself  a  progressive  husiness 
man  and  .a  reliable  citizen  of  I'iatt  County. 
He  was  born  in  Ohio.  .Vugust  tl.  184:1,  a  sdu 
of  Samuel  and  Susan  (Kingsley)  Rodman,  na- 
tives of  Williamsburg.  Mass..  where  they  were 
married.     Later  tliey  moved  to  Ohio,  where  .Mr. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


715 


Bodman  lieeame  agent  for  a  large  tract  of  land, 
and  also  did  survejlng.  in  time  becoming  associ- 
ate county  judge,  and  a   very  prominent   man. 

Samuel  E.  Bodman  attended  the  public  and 
high  schools  of  Ohio,  and  remained  with  his 
parents,  assisting  them  with  the  farm  worlv 
until  l.snrt,  when  he  became  a  clerk  in  tlie  store 
of  Sndtli  Wright,  so  continuing  for  nine  years. 
For  the  subseciuent  four  years  lie  was  county 
treasurer  in  Ohio,  and  then  went  into  a  mer- 
cantile business  at  Chardon.  Ohio,  selling  at  the 
e.xpiration  of  four  years,  to  embark  in  a  lumber 
business  in  Lafayette  County,  W.  Va.  This 
bu.siness  he  sold  five  years  later,  and  came  to 
Befment,  111.,  to  engage  in  a  clothing  business. 
Selling  his  concern  at  the  close  of  five  years, 
Mr.  Bodman  went  to  St.  Petersburg,  Fla..  which 
lias  continued  liis  winter  home  ever  since.  In 
1010  his  son.  Samuel  W.  Bodman.  and  William 
Hughes  went  into  an  autoiiioliile  and  garage 
business,  and  also  handled  farm  implements. 
In  May,  191,i,  Samuel  E.  Bodman  bought  Mr. 
Hughes'  interest,  and  the  father  and  son  now 
carry  on  the  business.  The  firm  handles  the 
Jeffery  and  Studebaker  cars,  and  have  tbe 
agenc.v  for  twent.v-four  counties  of  Central  Illi- 
nois, of  the  Bull  tractor,  manufactured  at  Slin- 
neapolis.  Minn.  The  distributing  point  is  Be- 
ment.  and  tlie  .iuiiior  member  of  the  firm  travels 
in  the  interest  of  the  business,  and  looks  after 
the  sales  end  of  it. 

On  Septenilier  2fi.  l.ofiO,  Mr.  Bodman  was  mar- 
ried to  Delia  Lazette  Wriglit.  born  at  Hunts- 
burg,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Smith  and  Jeanette 
(Scott)  Wriirht,  the  former  of  whom  was  a 
native  of  Massachusetts.  Sir.  Bodman  has  one 
son.  Samuel  W..  who  married  Carrie  Hammond, 
and  they  have  two  children,  namely :  Samuel 
W.,  and  Wilbur  Ilammoucl.  Samuel  E.  Bod- 
man belongs  to  the  Congregational  Church,  and 
is  a  generous  supporter  of  that  denomination. 
He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  city  council 
of  Beiiient.  and  on  the  school  lioard.  being 
elected  on  the  Republican  ticket.  He  is  a 
Chapter  and  Comma iidery  Jlasoii  of  high  stand- 
ing. 

BODMAN,  Samuel  Wright.  Some  men  are  far- 
sighted  enough  to  move  witli  the  times  and  take 
advantage  of  changiiis  conditions.  Witli  tlie  al- 
most universal  adoption  of  the  automoliile  as  a 
means  of  rapid  transit  for  the  public,  the 
demand  for  first  class  cars  and  supplies,  as  well 
as  for  e.xpert  repair  work,  was  created,  and 
those  who  went  into  business  to  supply  these 
exactions  are  now  reaping  a  satisfactory  har- 
vest. Samuel  Wright  Bodman  of  Benient  Is 
one  of'  the  men  who  has  thus  lienefited,  and 
deserves  the  success  to  which  he  has  attained. 
He  was  born  in  Ohio,  April  27,  1S'<2,  a  son  of 
Samuel   Edaar  and  Lazette    fWriglit)    Bodman. 

Samuel  Wright  Bodmnn  was  educated  in  Ken- 
yon  College  at  Cambier.  Ohio,  and  Culver  Mili- 
tary .\cademy  at  Culver.  Ohio,  and  after  com- 
pleting his  courses,  lie  was  in  a  mercantile  Imsi- 
ness  with  his  father  at  Bement.  111.,  until  1909, 
when  he  went  to  St.  Petersburg.  Fla..  for  two 


years,  but  returning  to  I'.ement,  lie  established 
an  automoliile  business,  and  also  handled  farm 
implements  witli  William  Hughes  as  a  partner. 
On  May  1,  U)l.j,  Mr.  Hughes'  Interest  was  pur- 
chased by  Mr.  Bodman's  father,  and  the  firm 
continues  as  before,  Boilman  &  Co.  This  com- 
pany rejiresents  the  Bull  Tractor  Compau.v  in 
twenty-four  counties  in  t'entral  Illinois,  and  the 
house  of  .Tohn  Deere  &  Company.  They  have 
had  an  automobile  garage  in  connection  with  this 
other  business,  since  its  organization,  with  tlie 
main  office  at  Bement.  Four  men  on  an  average 
are  employed  in  the  garage. 

In  .Tune,  1908.  Mr.  Bodman  was  married  to 
Carrie  II.  Hammond,  born  at  Bement.  III.,  a 
daughter  of  W.  W.  and  Elvira  (Worthing)  _Ham- 
mond,  natives  of  Jlonroe  Count.v,  N.  Y.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bnduian  li.-ive  two  children,  namel.v : 
Samuel  W.,  ,Jr..  and  Williur  H.  In  religious 
faith  Mr.  Bodman  is  ,i  Presliyterian.  He  served 
on  the  Bement  board,  being  elected  on  the  Re- 
publican ticket.  In  Masonry  he  has  taken  the 
Tliirty-second  degree,  and  he  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  A  man  of  jirogres- 
sive  ideas.  Mr.  Bodman  has  steadily  advanced, 
and  is  one  of  flic  thriving  business  men  of 
Bement. 

BODY,  Thomas  C,  born  in  England,  caim-  to 
I'iatt  County  in  1S5S,  and  in  1867  left  his  farm 
and  located  at  Bement,  where  he  died  in  1S76. 
He  was  married  in  1850  to  Hannah  D.  Turn- 
bolt  and  their  children  were  as  follows :  Fan» 
nie.  Charles  L..  Darlington,  Edward,  William 
and  Harry. 

BOND,  D.  S.,  wlio  was  born  in  Virginia,  came  to 
I'iatt  County  in  18.52.  and  became  one  of  the 
successful  farmers  of  the  county,  owning  at  one 
time  160  acres  of  land.  In  1859  he  was  married 
to  Mary  Gates  and  they  had  eiglit  children  who 
grew  to  maturity,  namely :  Edwin,  Albert. 
Ernest,  Lillie.  Florence.  Charlie.  Irving  and 
Nellie.  A  man  of  substance  and  reliability,  he 
was  called  upon  several  times  to  hold  office. 

BOND,  L.  J.,  who  was  born  in  West  Virginia, 
lived  in  Indiana  for  some  years  prior  to  coming 
to  Piatt  County  in  1854,  at  which  time  he 
located  in  Montieello  Township  and  developed 
a  fine  farm  of  forty-four  .acres  .iust  outside  of 
the  city  limits  of  Montieello.  In  1S49  he  was 
married  to  Margaret  V.  Bond  and  they  had 
eleven  children,  six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity, 
namely :  Lona,  Oswick,  Bert,  Ada.  Lena  and 
Louis.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Bond  served 
his  township  as  supervisor,  and  was  circuit 
clerk,  and  a  member  of  the  State  Assembly. 
A  Mason  in  high  standing,  he  was  connected 
with  the  Commandery  at  Decatur. 

BONDURANT,  Thomas  E.  Tlio  records  of  Piatt 
County  .show  no  more  finished  life  in  way  of 
public  achievement  and  development  of  private 
character  than  is  shown  in  the  life  history  of  the 
late  Thomas  E.  Bondurant  who,  for  years, 
was  one  of  the  dominating   figures  in  the  life 


716 


lllSToin'  OF  IMATT  CDINTY. 


of  Del.iind  iind  the  couiitj-  at  large.  There  he 
not  only  was  eoiinected  with  the  leading  linau- 
elal  Institution  of  the  village,  but  he  also  took 
an  a<-tive  and  forceful  part  in  all  public  move- 
ments, and  at  the  s;inie  time  developed  and  main- 
tained a  choice  social  circle  in  wliich  he  was  held 
in  the  highest  esteem. 

Thomas  E.  Konduraut  wa.<  born  in  Sangamon 
County.  111.,  December  21),  1S31,  a  son  of  Joseph 
and  Martha  (Thorpe)  Fiondurant.  Jose|ih  Bon- 
durant  was  born  in  Bedford  County.  Va..  Septem- 
ber l.'i.  ]S01.  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret 
(Drury)  Bondurant,  natives  of  Virginia  who 
later  became  residents  of  Kentucky.  .Martha 
Thorpe  was  l)orn  in  Boone  Comity.  Ky..  a  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Conley)  Thori)e, 
natives  of  Virginia  and  Ireland,  respectively. 
After  marriage  Joseph  Bondurant  and  wife 
settled  on  a  farm  in  lioone  (^ounty.  Ky..  where 
they  lived  until  1s2n.  in  that  year  coming  to  Illi- 
nois and  buying  a  claim  on  which  was  a  log 
cabin.  In  IS.'i'!  they  moved  to  Menard  County, 
III.,  and  still  later  tliey  made  Mechanicsburg 
their  home,  and  there  Joseph  Bondurant  died 
April  3.  18(14.  After  his  death  Mrs.  Itcmdiirant 
came  to  live  with  her  son.  Thomas  E.,  at  I)el>aud. 
where  she  died  August  l."i,  ]S02.  The  children 
of  Joseph  Bondurant  and  wife  were  as  follows: 
John  Tilmaii  who  died  on  his  way  to  the  Califor- 
nia gold  fields:  I.ucretia  Jane  who  was  ni;irried 
to  Joel  Chnrcliill.  is  now  (lcc(>ased :  Elizulicth 
who  was  married  to  William  Miller,  is  deceased: 
1\lexandcr  ('..  Thomas  E.  and  Samuel  T.,  all  oT 
whimi  are  dcce.ised  ;  Maigaret  D.,  who  was  mar- 
ried to  T.  J.  Cnderwood.  is  deceased;  Mary  E.. 
who  lives  at  Del.and:  Martha  F..  who  was  mar- 
ried to  William  Thornton,  is  decea.sed  :  Josejih  X.. 
who  is  a  farmer  of  I'a.xton.  111.:  and  Amanda 
E.,  who  died  in  childhood. 

After  attending  the  primitive  Illinois  subscrip- 
tion school.  Thomas  E.  Bondurant  went  to  the 
Walnut  (Jrove  .\cademy  at  Eureka.  111.,  for 
three  months.  During  his  boyhood  Thomas  E. 
Bondurant  made  himself  useful  on  the  farm,  and 
work  in  those  days  was  a  serious  affair  for  con- 
ditions were  such  that  none  of  the  farmers  had 
the  implements  considered  absolutely  necessary 
today,  and  much  of  the  development  and  clear- 
ing of  the  land  was  done  by  hand.  When  Josejih 
Bondurant  t<K)k  the  contract  for  furnishing  the 
Wabash  Kailroad  with  ties.  Thomas  E.  Bondurant 
commenced  working  for  his  father  at  two  dollars 
per  day.  so  contiiuiing  until  the  contract  was 
completed,  after  which  he  did  sod  breaking  for 
neighboring  farmers.  In  the  meanwhile  he  en- 
ter(Hl  2m  acres  of  land  in  Piatt  County,  paying 
fifty  cents  per  acre  for  it.  and  later  added  by 
purchase  until  at  the  time  of  his  demise  he 
owned  l.-lOO  acres  in  Piatt  County,  2,(;S2  acres 
In  Kankakee  County.  111.,  and  .«;00  acres  in  Kan- 
sas. In  addition  to  carrying  on  general  farm- 
ing on  a  largo  scale,  he  siiecialized  on  raising 
cattle,  hoi-ses  and  hogs.  In  inOO,  when  the  First 
National  Bank  of  DeLand  was  organized,  Mr. 
Bondurant  took  an  active  part  in  its  establish- 
ment, becoming  n  large  stockholder  and  its  first 


president.  This  office  he  held  until  1902.  when 
his  health  necessitated  his  relinquishing  some  of 
his  responsibilities. 

The  Christian  Church  of  DeLand  had  in  him 
an  active  member  and  earnest  elder,  and  he 
contriliuted  very  generously  toward  its  sup- 
I)ort,  Eureka  College  had  in  him  one  of 
its  most  effective  trustees  for  eight  years, 
and  he  did  much  to  raise  its  high  standard  of 
e.Kcellence.  A  Republican  from  the  formation 
of  the  party,  he  gave  the  I'niou  staunch  sup- 
jiort  during  the  dark  days  of  the  Civil  War.  For 
seven  years  he  served  his  township  as  supervisor, 
but  aside  from  that  would  not  accept  of  public 
ollice  although  often  urged  to  do  so  by  his  many 
.idmirers.  His  lieautiful  residence  at  DeLand, 
now  o<'cu|)ied  by  his  sister  Miss  Mary  E.,  was 
built  in  1SS2,  and  he  instiilled  his  own  system 
of  sewerage,  electric  light  i)lant  and  hot  water 
heating,  and  furnished  it  in  an  elegant  manner 
that  shows  the  artistic  taste  of  him  and  his  sis- 
ter. The  grounds  surrounding  the  house  are  an 
ornament  to  the  village,  and  are  pointed  out 
with   iiride  by  the  other  residents  of  DeLand. 

While  Mr.  Bondurant  had  been  in  ill  health 
for  some  years  prior  to  his  death,  his  final  pass- 
ing came  as  a  shock  to  his  friends  when  they 
Ic.irncd  that  his  demise  had  occurred.  He  was 
sincerely  nuiurned  by  a  wide  circle,  many  of 
wlidui  had  received  material  benefits  at  his 
hands,  all  of  whom  had  jirotited  by  contact  with 
liis  rare  cliai-.-icter.  Such  men  arc  not  often 
found  in  any  community,  and  when  they  are, 
they  leave  their  impress  \ipon  their  times  and 
localities,  and  they  are  not  forgotten,  for  theirs 
is  the  woik  th.\t  lives  on  in  the  lives  of  their 
nss(K-iates. 

BORN,  Henry.  It  is  a  very  interesting  fact  that 
many  of  the  most  sub.stantial  men  of  any  com- 
Mumity  in  Illinois  are  retired  farmers,  for  this 
proves  that  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  is  a 
lirofitalile  occupation,  and  serves  as  an  encour- 
.igement  to  tlKjse  oi'  the  rising  generation  to  turn 
toward  this  i-alling.  One  of  the  men  thus  rej)- 
reseiitative  of  tlie  liest  type  of  Americanism  is 
Henry  Horn,  of  Milndne.  He  was  born  in  Fair- 
Held  County.  Ohio.  September  2."i.  IS.V..  a  son  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Lemii)  Born.  The  father 
was  born  in  Switzerland  in  IMts,  and  in  ls.'>2 
lie  came  to  the  riiited  States,  locating  in  Fair- 
Held  County.  Ohio,  where  he  followed  his  trade, 
and  also  farmed  until  his  death  in  1S,S,S.  The 
mother  was  born  in  Switzerl.-ind  in  1S12,  and 
died   in    Fairfield   County.   Ohio,   in   1801. 

Henry  Born  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Ilamliiirg  in  his  native  county,  leav- 
ing school  when  eigliteen  years  old  to  engage 
in  farming,  on  forty  acres  of  land.  Here  he 
remained  until  18.84  when  he  came  to  Illinois, 
locating  in  Cerro  (Jordo  Township,  where  until 
i:)ll  he  oiMM-ated  l(!(t  acres  of  land.  In  that 
year  he  retired  .ind  moved  to  Mllmine  where  he 
owns  his  residence. 

In  1,8.S2  Mr.  Born  was  married  to  Lucinda 
Sackman,  wlios(>  parents  died  when  she  was 
an  infant.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Born  became  the  par- 


^  ^^ 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


717 


ents  of  the  following  ehiklreu:  Bertha,  who 
married  Homer  Carter,  resides  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Township;  Margaret,  who  is  a  teacher  in  the 
schools  of  Miliiiine,  resides  at  home;  KUa.  who 
is  a  trained  nurse,  is  employed  hy  the  city  of 
Chicago  to  look  after  destitute  families,  and  is 
n  graduate  of  the  Hahnemann  Hospital  of  Chi- 
cago; Aaron  >!.,  who  is  employed  hy  the  Wabash 
Uailroad  as  an  electrician,  resides  with  his 
parents ;  Grace,  who  was  a  public  school  teacher 
for  a  few  years,  is  now  living  at  home;  and 
.Sylvia,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Milmine  schools, 
is  at  home.  Mr.  Born-  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church  and  active  in  its  good  work.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican.  For  some  years 
he  has  been  a  valued  member  of  Milmine  Camp, 
M.  W.  A.  Having  worked  hard  during  the  ac- 
tive years  of  his  life,  he  has  fairly  earned  the 
rest  he  is  now  enjoying,  and  he  holds  the  con- 
fidence and  respect  of  those  wlio  know  liim. 

BORN,  John,  now  retired,  was  for  many  years 
an  imjiortant  factor  in  the  agricultural  life 
of  Cerro  (Jordo  Townshi|i.  He  was  born  in 
Switzerland,  .Tanuary  1".).  l.S.'ilJ,  a  son  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (  Lemp  i  Born.  During  his  boy- 
liood  he  attended  the  schools  of  his  native  land, 
and  he  also  went  to  schiMl  in  America  for  sev- 
eral months.  In  1852  he  crossed  the  Atlantic 
ocean,  being  forty-si.x  days  on  tlie  vo.vage,  the 
sailing  vessel  in  which  he  took  jwssage  being  a 
slow  one.  Upon  his  arrival  in  the  United 
States,  he  went  to  Fairtield  County,  Ohio,  where 
his  parents  who  had  accompanied  him.  both 
died. 

In  the  fall  of  18(il  .lohn  Born  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Civil  War.  in  Company  F.  Seven- 
teenth Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  as- 
signed to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  was 
in  many  battles  under  General  Thomas.  His 
record  is  remarkable  ;is  he  was  never  either 
wounded  nor  t.iken  iirisoner,  and  he  was  hon- 
oralily   discharged    in   .Inly.    180)5. 

Sir.  Born  moved  from  Ohio  to  Indiana  in 
18G0,  where  he  lived  until  188::!,  then  came  to 
Piatt  County  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land 
in  Cerro  Gordo  Township,  that  was  broken. 
On  it  was  an  old  house  and  a  portion  of  a  barn. 
In  1805  Mr.  Born  replaced  the  old  house  with 
a  nice  new  frame  one  nf  seven  rooms.  ,ind  relmilt 
the  barn,  as  well  as  built  other  new  buildings 
as  they  were  needed.  His  e(iuipmcnt  of  barns, 
stables,  corn  cribs  and  similar  buildings  is  a 
good  one.  and  until  lfMi5  he  carrietl  on  general 
farming,  but  since  then  has  hired  the  farming 
done  for  him.  In  order  to  drain  his  land  he  put 
In  considerable  tiling.  ,ind  in  other  way>-  made 
improvements  tliat  added  to  its  value. 

On  .lanuary  '24.  1M17,  Mr.  Born  was  married 
to  Regina  Brochers.  who  attended  the  common 
schools  in  Ohio.  Their  children  have  been  as 
follows:  Catherine,  Vho  is  Mrs.  Melvin  Bow- 
man, of  Cerro  Gordo  Township;  William  T., 
who  lives  in  Macon  County,  111. ;  Frank,  who 
lives  at  Hooper,  Col. ;  Emma,  who  is  Mrs. 
George  Lawrence,  of  Cerro  Gordo  Township; 
Clara,    who    is    Mrs.    Lawrence    Sutherland,    of 


I'rbana,  111.;  Mary,  who  Is  Mrs.  Charles  Gross 
of  Eagle  Grove.  Iowa  ;  Lillie.  who  was  born  in 
1S8(!,  died  in  ]!K)1 ;  and  Maurice,  who  has  oper- 
ated the  homestead  since  1009, 

In  politii'S  Mr.  Born  is  a  Republican.  He 
served  for  four  years  as  school  director,  and 
also  as  road  commissioner.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Church.  For  some  time  Mr. 
Born  lias  belonged  to  the  Milmine  Horse  Thief 
.Vssiiciation  which  was  organized  to  protect 
stock  dealers  against  marauding  thieves. 

BORN,  William  A.,  proprietor  of  the  "Lone 
I'ine  Tree  Homestead,"  in  Cerro  Gordo  Town- 
ship, was  liorn  in  Willow  Branch  Township, 
I'iatt  County,  III.,  .luly  2:!,  1800,  a  son  of  Fred- 
crick  and  Harriet  (Bentley)  Born,  natives  of 
Switzerland,  and  Wood  County,  Ohio,  respec- 
tively. In  1,852  the  father  came  to  the  United 
States  with  his  parents,  afterward  making  the 
trill  by  way  of  New  York  to  Ohio,  where  set- 
tlement was  made  in  Fairtield  County.  On  Sep- 
tember ?,,  18i;i,  the  father  enlisted  for  service 
during  the  Civil  War.  in  Company  F,  Seven- 
.  leenth  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantry,  and  iiartici- 
pated  in  some  of  the  principal  battles  of  the 
war.  took  part  in  the  famous  march  to  the  sea 
under  General  Sherman,  and  was  in  the  Grand 
Review  at  Washington.  In  July.  1.S05,  he  re- 
ceixed  his  honorable  discharge,  and  returned 
to  Wood  County.  Ohio.  C)n  December  22,  1867, 
be  was  married  to  Harriet  Bentley,  born  in 
Wood  County,  Ohio,  January  25.  1840,  a  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  Sar.ah  (Roberts)  Bentley,  na- 
tives of  New  York  state  and  Pennsylvania. 

In  18().S  Frederick  Born  came  to  Willow 
Branch  Township.  Piatt  County,  locating  on  the 
Jerry  Baker  farm,  where  he  spent  a  year.  He 
tlien  moved  to  the  Frantz  place  in  the  same 
township,  and  in  1871  bought  the  farm  in  part- 
nership with  his  brothers,  Ulrich  ami  Samuel. 
The  farm  consisted  of  KiO  acres  of  raw  prairie 
l;ind  on  which  tliey  erected  buildings  and  made 
many  im]U'ovements.  and  when  Ulrich  was  mar- 
ried, another  eighty  acres  was  addeil,  and  the 
bind  was  divided,  so  that  each  iirother  had 
eighty  acres,  and  Frederick  Born  secured  the 
homestead,  .\fter  taking  possession,  he  rebuilt 
and  added  to  the  house,  erected  new  buildings, 
including  barns  and  corn  cribs,  and  tiled  the 
farm.  In  time  he  added  forty  acres  of  the  Hess 
estate,  for  which  he  paid  .$42.,50  per  acre.  Still 
later  he  and  his  sons.  William  \.  and  David, 
bought  another  IGO  acres  which  the  sons  oper- 
ated and  paid  for.  In  the  fall  of  1804  they 
bought  forty  acres  from  L.  L.  Ilubell,  making 
the  farm  a  half  section.  In  1.800  the  father 
retired,  and  moving  to  Cerro  Gordo,  lived  there 
one  year  oidy,  then  went  liack  to  the  farm  to 
reside  with  his  children,  and  died  in  1005.  The 
mother  died  in  1805.  Their  children  were  as 
follows:  William  A.:  David,  who  lives  in  Cerro 
(Jordo  Township;  and  May.  who  is  Mrs.  Daniel 
Shiveley  of  Cerro  Gordo.   111. 

William  .\.  Born  was  educated  in  the  Centen- 
nial District  school,  and  a.ssisted  with  the  farm 
work.      In   1805   he   moved    to   eighty   acres   he 


718 


IIISTOKY  Of  PIATT  COUNTY. 


WHS  liuvlii;:  fnnii  liis  latluT.  ;iiul  coinpletprt  pa.v- 
iiu'iit  for  it  IVl.nniry  lU.  linrj.  This  coiitiiiuctl 
for  fiiurtiHMi  vcars.  ami  \\  lit'ii  his  lather  (lied  ho 
Inheriti'd  lV)rty  aires  of  the  homestead,  and 
added  cii.-lity  acres  more  to  his  farm.  In  lOOS 
he  solil  Ills  hist  purchase,  made  in  l!X)t;,  and 
ttoiiKlit  elk'htv  acres  of  tlie  liomestead  from  S. 
M.  I'mik,  and  moved  on  it  in  Au!,'ust.  190S. 
lie  now  owns  Jnii  acres  of  land  wliicli  he  oper- 
ates, doim:  i,'ener.il  irrain  farmins.  and  raising 
draft  liorses  and  nndes  and  cattle.  For  some 
time  tlie  farm  lias  been  (-.illed  the  "Lone  Pine 
Tree  I  lomestead." 

On  Marcli  1."..  ISO.J.  :\Ir.  liorii  was  married 
to  Ilattle  Iliirton.  horn  in  Macon  County.  111., 
a  daughter  of  Klcana  and  Mary  C.  (Ruckcr) 
Horton.  The  fatlier  was  liorn  in  Wasliington 
County.  Teiin..  a  son  of  .lesse  and  Anna  (Dikes) 
Horton  of  eastern  Tennessee.  Mr.  and  Mr.s. 
Born  have  had  the  following  children:  Elzie, 
Cladys.  Frederick.  I.loyd.  Horton.  Lynn.  Halph 
and  Wayne  who  are  deceased.  Sanmel  and 
Ruby.  Ill  politics  Mr.  Born  is  a  Uepublican. 
He  served  very  satisfactorily  as  a  school  direc- 
tor for  three  terms.  Fraternally  he  belongs 
to  Mlliiiine  Lodge.  I.  O.  (1.  F..  Cerro  Oordo 
Lodge.  K.  1"..  .Miliiiine  Camp.  Modern  Woodm(>ii 
of  .Vmerica.  and  the  Odd  Fellows  Lncampnient 
of  Monticello. 

BOWDLE,  Francis  Asburg,  proprietor  of  the  only 
drug  store  at  Cerro  Oordo,  is  a  man  who  knows 
his  business  tboroiiglily  and  is  c.ipable  of  meet- 
ing the  demands  and  sM]i|tlying  the  necessities 
of  his  conimunity  intelligently  and  expertly. 
He  was  born  in  I'iatI  County.  May  "I.  ISTS,  a 
son  of  William  Iliniter  and  Lucy  I'.  (McDon- 
ald) r.owdlo.  natives  of  IJoss  County.  Ohio,  and 
Armagh.   I'a..  respectively. 

The  educational  training  of  I"rancis  .\sburg 
Bowdle  was  secured  in  the  public  and  high 
schools  of  his  native  c(uinty.  and  in  a  business 
course  at  Brown's  Business  tvllege  of  Decatur, 
III.  Later  he  perfected  himself  in  civil  engineer- 
ing b.v  a  course  through  a  correspondetice  school. 
In  adiiition  to  his  business  connections.  Mr. 
Bowdle  is  an  accountant  for  telephone  and  elec- 
tric light  companies,  and  lias  back  of  him  the 
record  of  having  org;tnized  two  telephone  coni- 
Iianies.  one  at  Divernou,  HI.,  and  the  other  at 
Chalhaiii.  111.,  and  is  a  director  of  the  electric 
plant  .it  the  l.itter  |)Iace.  In  1!)I0  Mr.  Bowdle 
.  boui.'ht  stock  in  the  Cerro  Oordo  Tele|>hone  Com- 
pany. be<'omiiig  its  secretary  and  still  holds  that 
olhce.  In  December.  ItHlS.  Mr.  Bowdle  bought 
from  .1.  C.  Locher  the  only  drug  store  at  Cerro 
Oordo.  and  has  operated  It  ever  since,  carrying 
a  fnll  and  fine  stock  of  drugs,  books,  stationery 
and  kodaks,  and  supplies,  and  has  a  large  trade. 
On  October  Hi.  llVil,  Mr.  liowdle  was  mar- 
ried to  Mayme  Hayes,  born  in  Bement  Town- 
.ship.  a  daughter  of  Henry  .and  Olive  niolm) 
H;i,ves,  natives  of  Ohio,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowdle 
have  two  children,  namely:  William  H..  and 
Dimald  O.  Since  I'.KIO  Mr.  Bowille  has  served 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  is  a  con- 
sistent  rneniber.   as   an   eldei'.   and   stands   ver,v 


high  in  the  councils  of  that  organiziition.  A 
strong  Uepublican.  he  served  six  years  ou  the 
school  board,  and  Is  Interested  in  securing  civic 
iuiprovenieiit.  A  Mason  in  good  standing  he 
belongs  to  the  Bement  Chapter  of  that  order, 
and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  the  Modeiii  Woodmen  of  America,  both  of 
Cerro  Oordo.  .V  man  of  varied  interests,  Mr. 
r.owdle  is  never  too  occupied  to  give  attention 
lo  matters  which  seem  to  promise  a  betterment 
of  existing  conditions,  and  he  is  recognized  as 
being  one  of  the  best  types  of  the  live,  consci- 
entious business  men  of  Piatt  County. 

BOWDLE,  William  Hunter,  now  living  retired 
.-It  c.Tr..  (iord.i.  h.is  had  .'i  varied  experience 
ami  has  proven  bis  worth  as  a  man  in  every 
wav.  He  was  born  in  Boss  County,  Ohio.  Janu- 
ary 1.'!.  IS-U,  and  was  there  edueatcNl  in  the 
]iriniitive  log  schools.  His  parents  were  Francis 
.Vsburg  andCatherine  (Willis)  Bowdle.  native.s 
of  Boss  County.  Ohio.  The  mother  died  In  l.SGO, 
and  the  father  brought  his  chihlren  to  Macon 
County.  111.  From  this  county  William  Hunter 
Bowdie  enlisted  for  service  during  the  Civil 
War.  in  Comiiany  -V.  (1ne  Hundred  and  .Six- 
teenth Illinois  Viiliiiitcer  Infantry,  on  .Vugust 
(i,  l.stl2.  and  w.-is  Willi  General  Sherman  during 
the  caniiiaign  abimt  Atlanta,  and  at  the  Siege 
of  Vicksburg.  wliere  cm  May  10,  ISeS.  he  was 
wounded  by  a  gunshot  in  the  left  shinboue.  and 
was  .so  seriously  in.jured  that  he  was  in  the 
Overton  IIos]iital  at  Memiihis.  Tenn..  until  Sep- 
tember l."i.  lS(i:',.  when  he  was  invalided  home  and 
was  discharged  December  ^(K  1SG4.  on  account 
of  disabilily.  Xotwilbstanding  his  in.jury.  he 
began  farming,  at  lirst  riding  a  cultivator  for 
the  farmers.  In  l.*<7(l  he  bought  o20  .iere.s  of 
land  in  con.iunctinn  with  his  brother  .lames  W. 
BowiUe,  and  his  father,  and  cultivated  it  until 
1011,  when  he  sold  and  moved  to  C(>rro  (iordo. 
where  he  has  since  lived  retired.  It  is  remark- 
able how  much  these  veterans  of  the  Civil  War 
accomiilished  after  Iheir  military  service  ter- 
minated. Few  if  any  came  out  of  the  conflict 
without  some  disability,  although  fortunately 
for  them  only  a  few  suffered  as  severely  as  Mr. 
Bowdle.  It  is  doubtful  if  the  jircsent  generation 
can  endure  as  iiatiently  and  surmount  obstacles 
as  did  these  heroes  of  the  early  sixties. 

On  December  .",0.  l.Sfin.  Mr.  Bowdle  was  mar- 
ried to  Lucy  McDonald,  born  in  Indiana  County, 
Pa..  .-1  daughter  of  .Tames  and  Christiana  Mc- 
Donald, nalives  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bowdle  became  the  parents  of  the  following 
children :  Francis  A.,  who  is  a  dru,ggist  of 
Cerro  Gordo,  married  Mayme  M.  Hayes,  and 
they  have  two  children.  William  and  Donald; 
and  .Tennie,  who  is  Mrs.  L.  W.  Wise  of  Watseka, 
111.,  and  she  has  two  children.  Helen  and  Har- 
riet. A  conscientious  Presbyterian,  Mr.  Bowille 
has  served  that  body  as  .-in  elder  for  many  years. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Bepublican.  and  was  coui- 
■niissbmer  of  highways  and  held  other  township 
ortices  ably  and  faithfull,v.  A  Mason  in  high 
standing  lie  belongs  to  Bement  Lodge  No.  ."565, 
.\.    F.    &    .\.    M.      His    war    record    inakes    Mr. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


719 


Bowdle  an  lioiiored  menilier  of  the  local  G.  A.  R. 
Post.  In  tile  woik  of  which  he  takes  an  active 
part.  It  would  be  (litHcult  to  find  a  man 
who  enjo.vs  more  universal  esteem  than  he.  and 
certainly  no  one  deserves  the  confidence  he 
inspires  more  thoroughly  for  he  has  earned  it 
honorably  both  in  war  and  peace. 

BOWEN,  Daniel,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War, 
and  one  of  the  substantial  residents  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  is  accounted  one  of  the  well  to  do  men 
of  I'iatt  County,  his  ample  means  having  been 
accumulated  through  his  own  efforts.  He  was 
born  in  Itoss  County.  Ohio,  July  2.  1839,  a  son 
of  William  and  Area  ( Ashby)  Bowen,  natives  of 
Delaware  and  Ohio.  In  1S5.3  these  parents  set 
forth  in  a  wagon  drawn  by  two  horses  for  Oak- 
ley Township.  Macon  County,  111.,  bringing 
with  them  tlieir  three  sons.  The  father  liought 
land  in  this  township  and  here  lived  until  his 
death.  The  mother  died  in  1S43.  and  the  father 
later  married  (second)  Jane  Hood.  By  his  first 
marriage  tlie  father  had  three  sons,  namely: 
Daniel ;  John  I.,  who  was  killed  at  the  siege 
of  VicUsburg ;  and  James,  who  died  an  infant. 
By  his  second  marriage,  he  had  one  son,  Wil- 
liam H..  who  lives  in  Cerro  Gordo. 

Daniel  Bowen  had  but  few  educational  ad- 
vantages, but  made  the  most  of  the  instruction 
given  him.  In  IS'A  he  worked  as  a  laborer  on  the 
grading  work  in  the  construction  of  the  Wabash 
Railroad.  He  lived  at  home  until  he  enlisted 
for  service  in  the  Civil  War,  on  August  9.  18G2. 
in  Company  A.  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Infantry.  The  regiment  was 
sent  to  Meniiihis.  Teun..  and  then  on  to  Vicks- 
burg,  where  he  took  part  in  the  siege  of  that 
city.  He  was  wounded  by  a  gunshot  in  his 
right  foot,  and  was  in  the  hospital  for  three 
weeks,  but  then  re.i'oined  his  regiment.  Mr. 
Bowen  was  in  the  Iwttles  on  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, where  his  regiment  ran  the  blockade,  cap- 
tured the  i>ickets  and  built  a  pontoon  bridge 
across  the  river  there.  At  the  battle  of  Resaea, 
he  was  wonnded  by  a  gunshot  in  the  calf  of  his 
left  leg.  For  si.x  months  he  W'as  on  guard 
duty  at  Chattanooga,  his  service  terminating 
in  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington,  following 
whicli  he  was  mustered  out,  and  discharged  at 
Springfield,  111. 

Mr.  Bowen  then  returned  home,  and  remained 
with  his  father  until  lSO.o,  when  he  went  to 
live  in  a  log  house  in  the  timber,  and  had  to 
clear  off  his  land  before  he  could  put  in  a  crop. 
In  1S7.3  he  bought  land  in  the  northeast  corner 
of  Cham]iaign  County,  but  in  1S77  returneil  to 
Piatt  County,  and  bought  160  acres  of  land  two 
and  one-half  miles  south  of  Cerro  Gordo.  This 
land  was  improved,  and  he  added  to  it  until  he 
has  .340  acres.  He  paiil  the  highest  price  paid 
for  Piatt  County  land  in  1893.  when  he  liought 
an  addition  to  bis  homestead  at  .?S7..")(i  per  acre. 
His  good  .iudgment  was  justified  for  this  land  is 
now  worth  over  $200  per  acre.  On  October  19, 
1901,  he  left  the  farm,  liought  a  handsome  resi- 
dence  then   owned   by   John    S.   Kuns   in   Cerro 

7 


Gordo,  and  has  since  lived  retired,  renting  his 
farm. 

On  December  19.  186.5,  Mr.  Bowen  was  mar- 
ried to  Eveline  Wells,  liorn  in  Oakley  Town- 
ship, Macon  County,  111..  Jaiui.iry  3,"  IS.jO.  a 
dangliter  of  Bazzel  and  Catherine  (Jones) 
Wells,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Kentuckv.  The 
grandparents,  William  and  Elizabeth  '  ( Ander- 
son) Jones,  of  Kentucky,  were  among  the  earli- 
est settlers  of  Oakley  Townsliip,  Macon  County. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowen  liecanie  the  parents  of  tlie 
following  children :  Area,  wlio  is  .Mrs.  J.  W. 
Kuns,  of  Bringhurst,  Ind.  :  Jenetta,  who  is  Mrs. 
J.  II.  Hendricks  of  Hamlet.  Ind. :  Jolm  I.,  wlio 
resides  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township,  married  Maud 
Deal ;  William,  who  lives  on  the  homestead, 
married  Anna  Witter;  Harriet,  who  is  Mrs 
Mendota  I'eck,  of  Cerro  Gordo:  Ella,  who  is 
Mrs.  Charles  Dobson,  of  Cerro  Gonlo  Town- 
shijj;  Maud  C,  who  is  Mrs.  Charles  V.  Kuns, 
of  McCooI  Junction,  Xeb. ;  Xannie,  who  is  Mrs' 
Everhard  Xahrgang  of  MeCool  Junction.  Neb.  : 
Carrie  Eveline,  who  is  Mrs.  Je.sse  South  of 
Hanmiond.  111.:  and  Myrtle,  who  is  Mrs 
Homer  Mitchell,  of  Hammond,  111.  Mr. 
Bowen  is  a  Republican  and  has  served 
m  a  number  of  township  offices.  He  be- 
longs to  Cerro  Gordo  Post  \o.  210,  G.  .\.  R., 
and  is  as  highly  respected  In  it  as  be  is  else- 
where, for  he  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  integ- 
rity and  fine  character. 

BOWEN,  William  B.,  owner  of  340  acres  of  fine 
tarniing  land  in  Cerro  (iordo  Township,  is  one 
of  the  substantial  and  successful  farmers  of 
Piatt  County.  He  was  born  in  Champaign 
Count.v.  111.,  September  22,  1873,  a  son  of  Dan- 
iel and  Evelyn  ( Wells  i  Bowen.  Until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  old,  William  B.  Bowen  at- 
tended the  schools  of  his  home  district  and 
assisted  his  father  in  the  farm  work.  Upon 
attaining  his  nia.lority,  however,  he  began  work 
on  his  own  account  by  raising  corn  on  thirty 
acres  of  his  father's  farm,  and  so  continiiefl 
for  four  years.  Since  then  he  has  been  operat- 
ing the  entire  farm  of  240  acres  of  as  fine 
grain  farming  land  as  can  be  found  in  Illinois. 
Mr.  Bowen  generally  divides  his  crops  as  fol- 
lows. 100  acres  in  corn,  forty  acres  in  wheat  and 
forty  acres  in  oat.s.  leaving  twentv  acres  for 
his  buildings  and  one  pasture.  In  all  of  his 
operations  he  utilizes  the  experience  his  many 
.years  connection  with  the  agricultural  interests 
of  the  county  has  given  him.  and  the  profitable 
results  must  be  very  gratifying. 

On  Aiiril  1.5.  1914.  Mr.  Bowen  was  married  to 
.Vnna  M.  Witter,  born  in  Carroll  County.  Ind 
Xovember  18.  18S3,  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Mary  (Flora)  Witter,  natives  of  Indiana.  In 
jinlitics  Mr.  Bowen  is  a  Republican,  and  he  has 
l>eeii  highway  eonunissioner  of  Cerro  Gordo 
Townshi])  since  the  spring  of  191.5.  The  Meth- 
odist Church  of  Cerro  Gordo  holds  his  member- 
ship, and  he  has  been  one  of  its  stewards  since 
191.3.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  Cerro  Gordo 
Masonic  Lodge  Xo.  600,  Benient  Chapter  Xo.  65, 
R.   A.   M.,  Decatur  Commandery.   K.  T..   .\n.sar 


720 


lllSTURY  OF  PIATT  COlXTY. 


Slirine.  ul  Siniii^'liold.  and  lioth  ho  and  Mrs. 
Howon  lu'lonir  to  Corro  Cordo  Order  of  Kasteni 
Star  No.  17.'!,  and  ho  also  helonsis  to  the  Modoru 
Woodmen  of  Anioric.-a. 

BOWLS,  James,  was  burn  in  I'ennsylvania,  and 
came  to  1  iiit.v  Township  lu  1851!  and  there  died. 
Ho  was  married  and  had  nine  children,  namely  : 
Mrs.  William  Thoin|i.son.  .Mrs.  Frank  Trne. 
.lohn  J.,  (Jeorge  W.,  William  W.,  Kachael, 
•lames  A.  and  one  who  died  in  Infancy. 

BOWMAN,  Reuben,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
.hil.\  I.  1M»;.  and  was  married  in  1832  to  Sarah 
Itriidlcy.  and  their  children  were  as  follows: 
Saniaiitlia.  .Julia.  Harriot,  Mary,  George,  John, 
-Milton,  .lanios  K.  1'.,  .md  Harrison.  For  many 
years  Mr.  Hownian  lived  at  Monticello  where 
iie  was  held  in  high  esteem.  During  the  Mexi- 
can War  lie  served  his  country  and  received  a 
pension  from  the  government  on  account  of 
injuries  received  during  that  conflict. 

BOWSHER,  Hiram,  one  of  the  honored  veterans 
of  the  Civil  War.  now  living  retired  at  De  Land, 
is  a  substantial  man  of  Piati  County.  He  was 
born  in  Wyandot  County.  Ohio,  August  10.  ]S4.''>. 
a  son  of  Robert  and  .Vnn  (Clayton)  Riiwsher, 
both  natives  of  W.vandot  County.  Ohio,  where 
they  died.  They  brought  up  their  son  to  love 
his  country  to  such  an  e.xtent  that  when  the 
time  came  to  prove  it,  during  the  (Mvil  War, 
ho  tendered  the  governnu'iit  his  services,  en- 
listing in  Company  K.  Fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, in  the  spring  of  1SC.5.  After  being  one 
of  General  Sherman's  bravo  army  in  the  march 
to  the  sea,  he  partlcl)>ated  in  the  Grand  Review 
at  Wasliin^ton.  1).  C.  receiving  his  honorable 
di.schargo  in  .\ugnst.  ISO.". 

Jleturning  homo  after  his  war  .service.  Tliram 
P.owsher  remained  in  Ohio  until  the  fall  of 
ISCS.  wlien,  witli  his  parents,  lie  wont  to  the 
present  site  of  Parnel!,  DeWItt  County.  111., 
.and  siH'nt  several  years.  In  1S74  he  boucrht 
oinlity  acre.---  of  land  in  Goo.so  Creek  Towuslnii. 
Piatt  Couuly.  and  at  that  time  the  land  was 
all  in  iiralrie,  so  that  he  had  to  break  the  so<l, 
erect  suitable  buildings  for  his  family  and  stock, 
and  do  all  the  other  improvement  work  neces- 
sary on  a  place  of  that  kind.  After  ho  had 
materially  increased  the  value  of  the  farm, 
he  sold  it.  and  coming  to  Do  Land,  wont  Into 
t)artru^rshlp  with  H(>iiry  Oantz  in  a  tile  and 
brick  factory,  which  they  conducted  for  throe 
.vears.  For  the  subsecpient  few  years  Mr.  liow- 
shor  operated  a  d.iiry  and  then  dosposed  of  it. 
In  the  meanwhile  he  invested  in  city  i>roperty 
and  now  owns  eleven  lots  and  two  residences. 
For  the  past  few  years  he  has  lived  in  retire- 
ment. 

On  February  .".  1.S7I.  Mr.  Rowsher  was  mar- 
ried to  Man-  Porter,  liorn  in  DeWitt  County. 
III.,  a  daugliter  of  .Tames  and  Fli/.abeth  (I'liton) 
Porter,  natives  of  Tennessee  and  South  (^■lro- 
lina.  Tlio  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bdwsbor  are 
as  follows:  Frona.  who  is  :Mrs.  Walter  Thomas, 
of  .\ssumption,  HI.:  Ira  Cdojior.  who  lives  at  De 


Land:  \ "rana,  who  is  ilrs.  Uoy  Dewees,  of  Duu- 
laji,  Mo.;  Iva,  who  is  Mr.s.  Harry  .lohnstou,  of 
.Minneapdiis.  Minn.;  Gertlia,  who  lives  at  Kan- 
sjis  City,  Mo. ;  and  Cecil,  who  lives  at  home. 
In  religious  faith  Jlr.  Howsher  is  a  Methodist. 
His  pijiiti(:il  lonvictions  make  hini  a  Republi- 
can. 

BOWSHER,  Ira  C,  who  has  built  up  a  large 
anil  conslaMlly  increasing  business  at  De  Laud 
in  handling  standard  makes  of  automobiles,  is 
one  of  tile  men  of  Piatt  County  whose  success 
has  been  honorably  earned,  lie  was  born  at 
De  J-and.  May  2.5,  1877,  a  son  of  Hiram  and 
Mary  (  Porter  i  Kowsher.  natives  of  Ohio.  They 
wore  married  in  Illinois,  and  located  on  a 
farm  four  miles  south  of  De  Land,  in  Goose 
Crock  Township,  but  now  reside  at  De  Land, 
in  comforlalile  retirement. 

.Vfter  .-ittending  both  the  i-ommon  and  high 
schools  of  Do  Laud,  and  being  graduated  from 
the  latter,  Ira  C.  Bowsher  began  his  Imsiness 
life,  commencing  to  operate  a  threshing  machine 
and  corn  sheller,  and  tliis  led  him  into  handling 
agricultural  :iMi]ilomeuts.  into  which  line  of 
business  he  entered  in  100",  dealing  with  the 
productions  vt  the  International  Harvester  Com- 
pany, and  In  the  Oliver  chilled  plows.  Until 
l!Kl!>  he  continued  in  this  line,  and  then  estab- 
lished a  garage  business  that  he  broadened  by 
laying  in  a  stock  of  Rambler  automobiles.  In 
the  spring  of  ]!)!(!  lie  decided  to  meet  a  l)opn- 
lar  deman<l  by  handling  Ford  automobiles,  and 
Is  lioing  a  fine  fiusincss  along  all  lines. 

Oil  Xcivouibor  27,  lIMil),  Mr.  liowsher  was  mar- 
ried to  H;ii-riot  Grilllth.  born  In  Farmer  City, 
111.,  but  ro.ired  at  De  Land.  In  politics  Mr. 
liowsher  is  a  Uoiiublicau.  Fss(>iitia!ly  a  home 
man,  ho  finds  his  pleasure  there  .and  is  not  a 
member  of  .my   social  organizations. 

BOYER,  Ale.xander  George,  was  born  in  Oliio, 
.Vngust  .'>.  1S2.".,  .-ind  came  to  Piatt  County  at 
an  early  day.  being  engaged  in  farming  and 
school  teaching.  His  death  occurred  April  11, 
18(!,S.  In  1S4!1  he  was  married  in  Piatt  County 
to  Hannah  Duckett  and  they  had  eight  children, 
namely:  Lciiora.  Olive,  Frank,  .lames,  Dolly, 
.Marlh;i.  Douglas  and   P.orta. 

BRADY,  George,  was  lor  many  consecutive 
years  (irie  i>(  tlie  sound  and  reliable  men  of 
Piatt  County,  and  his  name  is  kept  green  by 
his  family  and  tlie  friends  .-nKl  assorlatos  who 
knew  and  appreciated  him.  Mr.  P.rady  w;is  born 
In  Ohio.  Docember  2."i.  18:i7.  a  son  of  .Tohu  and 
Sarah  I  Pu.soy  i  P.raiiy.  natives  of  Ohio,  who 
became  early  settlors  of  Piatt  County,  III. 
Coming  to  this  county,  tlioy  bought  a  farm 
in  Moiith-ollo  Township,  where  both  dieil.  Their 
children  wore  as  follows:  Flias.  Eliza  B.  and 
Mary  who  are  all  deceased:  .lane,  who  is  the 
widow  of  .\nilrew  Best,  of  Kansas  City.  Mo.: 
tU'orgo:  and  Snmantha  ('..  who  is  Mrs.  Ephraim 
Diesbeck.   of   Monticello   Town.ship. 

T'ntil  September.  l.Sfil.  George  Brady  re- 
iiiainoil    with    his    p:ironts.    having   during    boy- 


MR.  AND  MRS.  FREDERICK  LIESTMAN 


•"  XOkWi    ■BOi.S'V 

1 

ijro>  M'?K"  'iHi      1 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


721 


hooU  sitteiided  the  oommim  scbools  of  his  native 
state.  At  that  time  he  moved  on  a  farm  of 
elsrhtv  acres  he  owned  in  Mouticello  Township, 
Piatt  Count.v.  111.,  and  he  kept  on  adding  to 
his  lioldinus  nntil  he  owned  over  300  acres  of 
land.  (Jn  it  lie  carried  on  farming  and  stocli- 
raisinir  upon  an  extensive  scale.  In  18SG  he  sold 
the  farm  and  moved  to  Monticello.  where  he 
honsht  seven  acres  of  land  just  outside  of  the 
citv  limits.  Mr.  Brady  displayed  much  busi- 
ness eiiteiTirise.  This  prnperty  had  a  house  on 
it,  and  he  divided  tlie  seven  acres  into  lots  and 
erected  four  more  houses.  Now  there  are 
twenty-oue  lots  with  houses  on  them,  on  these 
seven" acres.  Prior  to  his  death  Mr.  Brady  had 
disposed  of  all  this  property  except  his  resi- 
dence and  the  ad.ioining  house  and  lot,  now 
the  propertv  of  his  widow.  He  died  at  his 
residence  .Tune  4.  1000.  An  earnest  ('hristian 
man,  he  was  a  niemlier  of  the  Tnited  Brethren 
Church  and  was  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school, 
and  for  some  time  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day school,  ill  which  position  he  was  well  liked. 
In"  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  served  in 
a  number  of  the  town  olfices. 

On  September  ]2,  1861.  Mr.  Brady  .was  united 
in  marriage  with  Mary  Dresbeek.  born  in  Ross 
County.  Ohio.  Avisust  3,  1845,  a  daughter  of 
.Tohn  and  Mary  (Ven.son)  Dre.sbeck.  the  former 
born  .Vusust  (i.  1.812.  and  the  latter  in  October. 
1812.  both  in  Boss  County.  Ohio.  The  parents 
of  Mrs.  Brady  came  to  Piatt  County.  111.,  in 
18.55,  locatins  on  a  farm  in  Monticello  Township, 
where  the  father  died  September  S.  1804.  and 
the  mother  died  .January  30,  180!>.  Their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows :  ilrs.  Brady  ;  K'jhraim. 
of  Monticello  Township,  and  Edward,  who  lives 
in  Chicago.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brady  had  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Luther,  who  lives  at  Desota, 
Mo.;  Meda,  who  is  Mrs.  Arthur  Maderas,  of 
Monticello.  111.:  Frank,  who  lives  at  Peoria.  111.: 
George,  James  and  .Ti>hii.  all  of  whom  are  farm- 
ers of  Jlonticello  Township;  lona.  who  is  at 
home  with  her  mother ;  Lona.  who  is  Mrs.  O.  L. 
Markle.  of  Monticello;  .\lina,  who  lives  with 
her  mother;  and  Charles,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  twenty-one  years. 

BRITTENHAM,  .John,  who  was  born  in  Ross 
County.  Ohio,  located  at  Monticello  in  1851,  and 
engaged  in  a  real  estate  business,  although  prior 
to  that  he  had  been  a  Methodist  circuit  rider. 
In  1S4(!  he  was  married  to  Martha  Harshbarger, 
and  the.v  had  two  children  that  grew  to  matur- 
ity, namely :  Charles  K.  and  William  R.  In 
1858  Mr.  Brittenham  was  married  (second)  to 
Sarah  .J.  Funk  and  they  had  four  children, 
namely :  .John  Richard.  Thomas  !>.,  Allen  C, 
and  Sarah  J.  During  his  last  years  Jlr.  Brit- 
tenham was  engaged  in  merchandisiilg.  and  had 
.iust  retired  from  this  line  when  he  died  May 
28,  1872.     Fraternally  he  was  an  Odd  Fellow. 

BRITTON,  John,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  anil 
came  to  Piatt  County  in  184(!.  locating  near 
Monticello,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming 
until    his    death,    which    occurred    in    1856.     In 


183f.  he  was  married  to  Jane  Graham,  and  had 
two  children,  who  survived  him,  namely:  Wil- 
liam J.  and  Ella. 

BROWN,  James,  came  from  Virginia  to  Piatt 
County  in  1857,  and  became  one  of  the  substan- 
tial farmers  of  Goose  Creek  Township,  there 
residing  until  his  death,  which  occurred  October 
22,  1S78.  In  1N44  he  was  married  to  JIargaret 
A.  Hull,  and  their  children  were:  Belle,  Bettie, 
Emma.  MoUie.  J.  Hull.  Lucy,  Ada  E.,  Floyd  F., 
Clara  M..  .md  Olive  F. 

BRYAN,  Thomas  Ezekial,  now  deceased,  was 
not  a  resident  of  Piatt  County,  but  his  widow- 
has  lived  at  Mansfield  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  the  family  name  is  a  well  known  one  in  this 
locality.  He  was  born  in  Sussex  County,  Del., 
August  S,  182:',,  a  son  of  William  and  Sarah 
(Johnson)  Bryan,  natives  of  Delaware.  There 
they  lived  until  death  claimed  them,  the  father 
pa.ssing  away  in  1844.  The  family  was  then 
broken  up.  and  Thomas  E.  Bryan  went  to  Cin- 
cinnati. Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  farming, 
and  he  followed  the  same  calling  In  White 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  .spent  about  a  .vear, 
le.iving  there  for  Champaign  County.  111.  There 
he  bought  forty  acres  of  land,  adding  to  it 
until  he  owned  nearly  400  acres,  and  he  lived 
on  this  farm  until  his  death,  Jlay  14,  1898.  His 
educational  training  was  confined  to  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Delaware,  but  he  was  a  man 
of  intelligence  and  keen  judgment. 

While  living  in  White  County,  Ind..  Mr.  Bryan 
was  married  (first)  to  Hettie  Timmons,  who 
died  in  Champaign  County,  111.,  in  18.52,  leav- 
ing two  daughters,  namely:  Mary  Ellen,  who 
became  Mrs.  James  Brown  and  died  in  Vermil- 
ion County,  111. ;  and  Katura,  who  died  In  in- 
fancy. On  March  4.  1858,  Mr.  Bryan  was  mar- 
ried (second)  to  Sarah  M.  Kimliall.  born  in 
Perry  County,  III.,  December  15,  1S41,  a  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Hannah  (Jones)  Kimball, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  near  Columbus. 
Ohio,  and  the  latter  in  Tennessee.  The  grand- 
parents of  Mrs.  Br.vaii  were  Moses  Kiml)all.  of 
Ohio,  and  James  and  Martha  (Haggaiil)  Jones, 
natives  of  Tennessee.  They  all  came  to  Perry 
County.  111.,  and  in  1847  moved  to  Champaign 
County,  and  there  Mrs.  Br.yan  was  educated. 
At  the  time  the  Kimball  family  came  to  Cham- 
jiaign  County,  the  land  was  in  a  wild  state, 
and  Mr.  Kimball  broke  the  prairie  with  oxen, 
and  Mrs.  Kimball  dropped  the  corn  in  the  rows 
thus  made,  b.v  liaiid.  .\fter  the  corn  was  har- 
vested it  had  to  be  hauled  eighteen  miles  to 
Ch.-impaigii.  where  it  sold  from  ten  to  twelve 
cents  jicr  bushel.  In  order  to  have  their  grain 
ground  they  had  to  go  to  Wabash  River,  and 
the  trip  took  three  days  going  and  coining. 
Many  other  pioneer  conditions  prevailed,  but 
they  prospered  and  developed  into  fine,  sturdy 
men  and  women. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bryan  had  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Everett  and  George,  who  live  at  Wil- 
liams. Iowa  ;  Charles,  who  died  in  Champaign 
County   during  1911  ;    Matilda,   who   lives   with 


722 


iriSTOlx'Y  OF  PIATT  COrNTY. 


lior  motlier;  Dell,  who  is  Mrs.  ilaiiuii  II;iines 
of  Wflister.  lown  ;  Lola,  who  is  Mrs.  Ira  Meu- 
(leiihall  of  Kiiid.  (Ikla. ;  Jesse,  who  lives  in 
Chaiiiii.-iimi  ((Miiity.  HI.;  Fred  and  l-'ranU.  tnins, 
who  died  in  infancy;  and  Harris,  who  lives 
in  Cliainpaii-'n  County.  HI.  There  are  twenty 
iirandehildren  and  seventeen  .;;reat-f;ran(i(lul- 
dren  iu  the  family.  After  the  death  of  Mr. 
Itryan,  Mrs.  I'.ryan  moved  to  Mansfield,  wliich 
eoMlinnes  to  he  her  home.  She  owns  L'T.S  acres 
of  land  in  timher.  and  km;  acres  of  land  that  is 
in  ;i  hiirh  state  of  cultivation  in  ('hanipaign 
County.  Hi  Fehrnary.  I'.IOl.  she  liouLrhf  her 
present  residence,  and  is  now  enjoyini;  the  vom- 
forts  of  life. 

BUNYAN,  Azor,  was  horn  in  Enj;land  and  died 
at  I'.cnient  in  1.S71,  although  for  some  years 
IJiror  to  that  he  had  heen  a  farmer  of  Unity 
Townsliiii.  haviii};  come  there  in  1S(!4.  He  was 
married  to  Catherine'  ("arpenter  and  their  chil- 
dren W(>re  as  follows:  Mrs.  Henry  Keller,  Al- 
liert,  Mrs.  Wallace  Dav.v,  Silvester,  George, 
John,  .Mrs.  John  Brown.  Mrs.  Thomas  Dtrick- 
ler,  and  William.  During  the  Civil  War  Mr. 
Bunyan  was  a  sanitary  agent  of  the  govern- 
ment. 

BUNYAN,  Charles  A.,  actively  engaged  in  a 
lumlier  and  grain  business  at  Hammond.  111., 
was  horn  in  .\shland  County.  Ohio.  February 
24.  IStn.  a  sou  of  (Jeorge  W.  and  ICleanor  (Draft) 
Bunyan.  the  forni(>r  born  in  England  June  1.5, 
IS."!!,  and  the  latter  at  South  Butler.  Wayne 
Count.v,  N.  Y..  June  10,  ^H2'.).  Jlr.  Biuiyau  came 
to  the  T'nited  .States  in  Is:',:!.  when  about  two 
.years  old.  being  brought  by  his  parents  who 
settled  near  Fort  Wayne.  Ind..  where  the.y 
entered  land  and  ileveloped  if  from  a  very  wikl 
stale,  clearing'  off  the  timber,  and  making  many 
improvements.  Here  tlie  t:ither  lived  until  his 
death  in  1S:!T, 

(Jeorge  W.  Bunyan  was  early  ai>prentice(l  to 
the  tailor's  trade  and  worked  at  it  in  Ash- 
land County  until  he  began  to  farm.  In  May, 
1S(;4.  during  the  Civil  War,  he  abandoned  his 
peaceful  oc<aipation  ami  enlisted  in  the  Ohio 
National  rju.arcls.  as  a  member  of  Couiiiany  T>. 
One  Hundred  .■md  Sixly-tliird  liegiment.  uniler 
Col.  Hiram  Miller.  After  a  few  months  of 
service  he  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the  hosju- 
tal  at  Fort  Pocahontas.  Va.  In  September, 
^.'^(■>4.  he  was  honorably  discharged  on  account 
of  disability  and  retui-ned  to  Ohio  where  he 
resumed  his  farming  in  .\shland  County,  there 
contiimiM-  until  IsC.T.  In  thai  .vear  he  came 
to  Illinois  anil  located  In  Piatt  County,  buying 
120  acres  of  land  in  Fnity  Towusliip.  .\t  this 
time  it  was  ;ill  o]ien  i)r,-iirie  from  Hammond  to 
Bement.  with  only  one  house  between  the  two 
places.  Fntil  Fe)u-nary  21.  LSii.-).  Jlr.  Bun.van 
continued  to  farm  this  property,  making  many 
improvements,  and  greatly  increasing  its  value, 
but  on  that  date  moved  to  a  residence  he  had 
erected  at  Hanuucind.  and  since  then  lias  lived 
retired.  He  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  Ham- 
mond, and  has  seen  many  remarkable  changes. 


The  children  born  to  him  and  his  wife  have 
heen  as  follows:  Sarah  J.,  who  married  John 
McCabe,  lives  on  a  farm  in  Unity  Township; 
John  W..  who  m.-irried  .lane  Wallace,  after  her 
dealh  in  l^'N."),  married  (second)  Jane  Dobson, 
.•md  lives  in  Kansas;  C.  A.;  Wilbur  W..  who 
married  lUitli  Shaw,  lives  in  Wabash  County. 
Ind.;  ,ind  Margaret  K„  who  married  Dayton 
.M.  Lincoln,  lives  with  her  father  at  Ilam- 
inuiid. 

C.  .\.  Bun.N'.m  attended  the  common  .schools 
of  I'i.itt  C(Muity  at  a  time  when  the  nearest 
.school  was  held  iu  ;i  very  i)rimitive  liuilding 
ccnisti'uclcd  from  rough  boards,  the  entire  floor 
sp.-ice  being  not  more  than  IC.  feet  square.  His 
attendance  at  school  was  limited  to  the  winter 
months,  and  terminated  when  he  was  eighteen 
ye.-irs  old.  Until  he  attained  his  majority  he 
worked  with  his  father,  and  then  began  fariniug 
for  himself  in  Unity  Township,  but  in  1891  went 
to  .Minni'sota  and  farmed  in  that  state  for  two 
years.  Moving  back  to  Hammond,  111.,  he  went 
into  a  hardware  business  a\  ith  John  Bryson, 
coutinuing  this  ;>ssociation  for  six  years,  when 
he  began  operating  a  dredge  boat.'  After  .six 
.vears.  he  entered  a  lumber  business  with  Karl 
K.  Evans  at  Hannnond.  and  the  firm  handles 
lumber,  coal  and  grain,  and  have  the  large.st 
and  best  eipiiiiped  lumber  yards  in  the  couutv, 
and  control  a  large  share  of  the  business  in 
their  line.  Having  spent  .so  manv  vears  in 
Piatt  County.  Mr.  Bunyan  natnrallv  lias  many 
recollections  of  the  early  days,  and  recalls  herd- 
ing cattle  in  Unity  Township  before  the  rail- 
roads hiid  gone  through   Hammond. 

On  July  25.  USUI.  Jlr.  Bunyan  was  married 
to  Lillie  Bernard,  who  was  born  in  Jloultrie 
county.  111..  October  27.  1800,  n  dauu'liter  of 
Lewis  and  Mary  (Smithers)  Bernard.  F(n-  sev- 
eral years  Mr.  Bernard  was  a  shoemaker  of 
Bement.  and  then  moved  to  Moultrie  Cminty 
where  lie  eugag(>d  in  farming  until  coniim.'  to 
I  nity  Towiishi|),  I'iatt  County,  where  he  bought 
a  I  arm.  Mr.  Bunyan  is  a  Beiniblican  and  for 
the  past  five  years  has  heen  jiresident  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  Il.-nniiKaid.  In  addition  he 
has  served  as  a  school  director  for  a  long  i)erioil. 
Ihe  Chri.sti.-m  Church  of  Hamninnd  holds  his 
membership.  Tn  every  resiiect  Mr.  P.uiivan  is  a 
rep reseiit.'i five  man  and  e.vcellent  citizen,  and 
bears  his  ii.irt  in  the  advancement  and  uplift 
of  Ins  comninnity. 

BURGESS,  Henry  B.,  owned  and  improved  .SCiO 
acres  of  land  in  Bement  Township,  but  lived 
during  his  later  years  at  Bement.  where  he 
died  in  1S7(!.  He  was  married  to  Mary  iMiller 
who  survived  him.  Their  children  were  as 
follows;  Mrs.  B.  B.  Bacon.  Clark  M.,  Mrs 
James  Webster,  and  Grow. 

BURNS,  John  H.,  was  born  in  Maryland 
January  19,  ISIS,  and  he  came  to  Piatt  County 
about  1S74,  at  which  time  he  hought  212  acres 
of  land  in  Blue  Ridge  Township.  On  Decem- 
ber 21.  1870  he  was  married  to  Rebecca  A 
Petry,    and    they    had    the    following   children- 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


723 


Mrs.  David  P.  Smith.  William,  Corda,  Irene. 
Am.v  R..  Ida  Blanclie,  Catherine  R.  and  Charles 
L.     Mr.  P.iirns  died  April  25,  1SS7,  on  his  farm. 

BURR,  Mrs.  Sydney  Amelie,  one  of  the  honored 
residents  of  I'.cnuMit  Townsliip.  is  the  witlow 
of  a  Piatt  t'ount.v  man  of  well  known  charac- 
ter. Amos  Shelton  Bnrr,  for  many  years  a  sub- 
stantial asriculturalist  of  this  same  township, 
but  now  deceased.  Jlrs.  Burr  was  horn  in  Rap- 
ides Parish,  ha.,  in  October.  1855,  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  L.  and  Anna  (Voorhies)  Compton,  the 
former  liorn  in  Louisiana  in  .July,  1824.  and  the 
latter  in  the  sanje  state  in  1820.  The  father 
was  a  ])lanter  and  a  man  of  means.  Mrs.  Burr 
was  etiucated  at  Bonham  Female  Seminary.  St. 
Louis,  and  spent  two  years  at  Christian  Collejre 
at  Columbia.  Mo.,  and  is  well  informed  upon 
current  matters.  In  December,  1882,  she  was 
married  to  .\mos  Shelton  Burr,  a  son  of  Fred- 
eric and  Mary  ( Burke  i  Burr,  who  was  born  at 
Bridgeport,  Conn..  February  20,  18-18. 

The  educational  trainins  of  Jlr.  Burr  was  re- 
ceived in  the  common  and  high  schools  of 
Bridgeport.  Conn.,  and  after  he  left  school  he 
went  into  a  commission  business  at  Bridge- 
port, and  conducted  it  for  several  years.  In 
February,  1880.  he  eame  to  Illinois,  locating  at 
Benient,  and  took  charge  of  the  Bodman  land 
which,  at  that  tinie.  comprised  many  thousands 
of  acres.  After  running  this  land  for  a  short 
tune.  Mr.  Burr  went  into  jiartnership  with  Mr. 
Bo<lnian.  this  association  continuing  for  a 
time,  when  Mr.  Burr  bought  of  his  jtartner  and 
other  parties,  040  acres.  This  land  he  operated 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  adding  to  it  from 
time  to  time  until  when  he  died,  he  owned  l.-HOO 
acres  in  Bement  Township.  His  death  oc- 
curred .June  23,  1011,  and  in  his  passing  his 
community  lost  a  valued  citizen  and  public- 
spirited   m.-m. 

The  cbildren  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burr  were 
as  follows:  Kllen  Voorhies.  wlio  marrie<l  Uan- 
dolph  Sim]ison.  and  resides  at  New  Orleans, 
La.;  ALmee  Shelton.  who  is  at  home:  .\ni('lie 
Compton.  who  married  Francies  Manierre.  and 
resides  at  Chicago :  and  Mary  F.  Gordon,  who 
lives  at  liome.  During  his  lifetime  Mr.  Burr 
was  very  active  in  his  agricultural  ojierations 
and  many  of  the  methods  he  inaugurateil  or 
approveil.  have  been  adopted  by  otliers.  and  the 
standard  of  etticiency  be  set  is  being  maintaineil 
by  those  who  come  after  him. 

BUSH,  0.  P.,  who  for  years  was  engaged  in 
carpentering  at  Monticell'o.  was  born  in"  Ohio 
in  1820.  and  came  to  the  county  seat  in  t8.")3. 
there  acrpiiring  city  property,  in  ls."il  he  was 
married  to  Barbara  .T.  Clark  and  they  had  four 
children,  three  of  whom  grew  to  maturity, 
namely:     William  .T..  Maria  .T..  and  Charles  W. 

BUSHEE,  Jesse,  now  deceased,  but  for  many 
years  an  honored  resident  of  Piatt  County,  and 
a  man  who  proved  his  worth  as  a  soldier  and 
citizen,  was  liorn  in  Pickaway  Count.v.  Ohio.  Sep- 
tember 11.   3840.  a   son   of  .Jacob  .ind  Eliz.\beth 


Bushee,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  mother  died  in  Ohio,  and 
the  father  after  her  death,  came  to  Piatt 
County,  111.,  arriving  here  in  1850.  Jesse  Bushee 
assisted  his  father  in  his  farming  during  his 
lioyhood,  and  tlien  hired  out  to  neighboring 
farmers  by  the  month,  so  continuing  until  he 
enlisted  for  service  during  the  Civil  War,  for 
three  months.  After  his  discharge,  he  re-en- 
li.sted  on  June  13,  1SG2,  In  the  Tenth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  received  his  second 
discharge  June  21,  18G5,  with  the  rank  of  cor- 
poral. During  all  his  service  he  was  never' 
wounded  or  taken  prisoner,  but  endured  many 
severe  hardships  and  privations. 

-Vfter  his  return  home,  he  began  farudng  on 
his  own  account,  in  Sangamon  Town.ship.  this 
county,  living  with  a  sister  until  his  marriage, 
wliich  took  pl.'ice  September  2,  1866,  when  he 
was  united  with  Matilda  Jane  Teats,  born  In 
Ross  County.  Ohio.  March  27,  1840,  a  daughter 
of  Mathias  and  Mary  (Puffinbarger)  Teats,  born 
in  Ross  County.  Ohio,  who  came  to  Piatt  County 
in  1N.5<).  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bushee  became  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children :  Mary  Eliza- 
lieth,  who  died  In  Infancy :  Carrie,  who  is  Mrs. 
John  Cox  of  De  Land.  111. :  Estella,  who  lives 
with  her  widowed  mother ;  and  Ralph  W..  who 
is  a  dentist  of  Montlcello.  Mr.  Bu.shee  belonged 
to  the  United  Brethren  Church,  of  which  he  was 
a  trustee,  and  his  widow  is-  a  member  of  the 
same  I'ongregation.  In  politics  he  was  a  Repub- 
lican. After  a  long  and  useful  life.  Mr.  Bushee 
died  Seiitember  20.  1015.  Hard  working  and 
thrifty,  he  accumulated  a  fair  competency,  and 
also  gained  and  retained  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  all   who  knew  him. 

BUSHEE,  Ralph  W.,  D.  D.  S.,  one  of  the  able 
and  skilled  repi-esentatives  of  the  dental  profes- 
sion of  Jlonticello  has  been  rewarde<l  by  the 
ac(]uisition  of  a  fine  practice  and  tlie  confidence 
and  esteem  of  his  conmiunitv.  Me  was  born  at 
White  Heath,  111.,  April  21,  1887.  a  son  of  Jesse 
and  Jane  (Teats)  Bu.shee,  the  former  horn  at 
Circlevllle,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  at  Delphos.  Ohio. 
'I'he  paternal  grandparents,  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Cettings)  Bushee  were  early  settlers  of  Piatt 
( 'ounty.  to  which  they  came  aliout  1857.  The 
I)arents  married  ;ind  located  on  a  farm  at 
White  Heath.  111.  During  the  Civil  War.  the 
father  enlisted  for  service  in  defense  of  his 
country,  and  after  the  e.xpiration  of  his  three 
months'  enlistment,  re-enlisted  In  Comiiany  C, 
One  Hundred  and  SeTOnth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  continued  in  it  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  i:(>turning  to  White  Heath,  he  con- 
tinued to  farm  until  ]S04.  when  he  retired  to 
."Montlcello.  there  living  until  his  death.  Septem- 
ber 20.  1015.     The  mother  survives. 

Dr.  Bushee  attended  the  I'rbana  High  school 
.ind  Normal  s<-hool  and  then  for  two  years  he 
taught  school.  Following  this  he  attended  tlie 
.Vorthwestern  University  at  Chicago,  and  was 
graduated  from  its  dental  dejiartnient  in  June. 
1011.  Inunediately  thereafter  he  estaldished 
liim.self  at   Montlcello.   and   has   become  one  of 


24 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COrNTY. 


the  leadiug  pnuUtioners  at  the  county  seat.  Ou 
June  24  1914.  Dr.  Bushee  was  married  to  Bes- 
sie E.  Kitsvvater.  born  In  Goose  Creek  1  own- 
ship,  I'iatt  County,  a  daughter  ot  James  II  and 
Elenor  (Barnes)  Fitswater.  Dr.  Bushee  belongs 
to  the  United  Brethren  Church.  In  poliUcs  he 
is  a  Hepul'H.an.  Fraternally  he,  is  a  Mason 
belonu'in-  to  the  Montieello  Chapter  of  that 
„rder:  tlie  White  Heath  Lodge  of  Odd  lei  ows, 
iind  the  White  Heath  Camp  of  the  Modern  A\  o«l- 
men  of  Amerha.  Thoroughly  trained,  and  <om- 
petent  in  his  line.  Dr.  Bushee  commands  a 
large  and  constantly  increasing  practice,  ami 
deserves  the  success  which  has  attended  his 
efforts. 

CALDWELL,  Alvin  Lewis,  at  one  time  one  of 
the  heaviest  landowniM-s  of  I'iatt  County,  but 
now  deceased,  was  a  man  who  is  kimlly  remem- 
bered by  those  who  had  the  honor  of  his  ac- 
(piainlance.  altliougli  death  claimed  him  some 
years  agi>.  He  was  born  in  Mercer  County.  Pa.. 
December  10,  1S30,  a  sou  of  Charles  and  Har- 
riet   (Johnson)    Caldwell,    natives    of    IVnns.vl- 

vania    and   C lecticut.      The   grandparents   on 

the  paternal  side  were  Charles  and  Isabel  (Mor- 
rison!   Cablwell.     The  parents  of  Alvin    I-ewis 
Caldwell  came  as  far  west  as  Wyandot  County, 
(tlii.i.  where  the  .notber  died.     The  father  wont 
U>  Ileiirv  Coiintv.  Ohio,  where  he  died  in  1S72. 
In  the'  fall  of  ls4.s  Alvin  Lewis  Caldwell,  who 
had    been    reared   and   cducatctl    in   Ohio,    came 
to   Illinois,   and   worked  among   the   farmers  of 
I'iatt    Crninty    until    he    accumulated    sufficient 
nionev  to  invest  in  an  eighty-acre  tract  of  land. 
A  litfle  later  lie  bought  a   farm  of  eighty  acres 
near  l.<»Ige.     For  a  niuiiber  of  years  he  and  his 
brotherin-l.iw.   Felix  M.\ddcn.  were  in   partner- 
ship, whicli  association  terminated  in  ISSO.  when 
Mr.   Madden   died.     Mr.   Caldwell  added   to  his 
holdings  until  he  had  a  homestead  of  .".SO  acres. 
Snbsecpientiy    he    bought   a    new    homestead    of 
:!00  acres,  lint  retained  his  old  farm,  and  kept 
on  imiiroving  both  properties  .-ind  creeled  liiiild- 
iugs   \iiion   them,   until    lie   ha<l   very   materially 
increased    their    value.      In    the    meanwhile    he 
did  not  stop  his  investments  in  farm  lands,  buy- 
ing   additional    acreage    until     he   owned    2.1(10 
acres,   a    portion   of   which   he   rented    out.   and 
cultivated    the    remainder.      He    was    a    heavy 
feeder   and    raiser   of   cattle,    horses   and    hogs. 
On  December  18.  lOd."..  his  useful  life  was  ter- 
minated  by  death. 

On  Novendier  22.  IS.'.T.  Mr.  Caldwell  was  mar- 
ru'd  to  Mary  Kli/.a  Madden,  born  in  Ohio.  .Vug- 
ust  27t.  1.s:!-;.'a  daughter  of  John  S.  and  Kli/abeth 
(West)  Madilen.  natives  of  Ohio.  v>ho  in  1«.'> 
came  to  I'iatt  County,  and  entered  a  large  tract 
of  land.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Caldwell  dying. 
Mr.  Madden  m.-irried  a  second  time,  and  moveil 
to  Montgomery  County.  Kas..  where  he  became 
the  owner  of  a  l.ngc  amount  of  land.  Mr.  .and 
Mrs.  Ciildwell  Iccame  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing ehildren:  John  Charles,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  six  years:  Harriet  Kli/.abeth.  who  died 
at  the  age  of  four  years;  Laura  May  Bell,  who 
is   living   with    her    mother   on    the   h(Unestend : 


(irace  Fllsworth,  who  married  William  Nicholas 
Tatman,  who  was  born  in  Wilson  County%  Ivas,; 
;,nd  Alvin  Lewis,  Jr.,  who  died  in  I'-W',  aged 
thirtv-nine  years.  The  large  ho  duigs  of  Ml. 
Caldwell  are  controlled  by  Mrs.  Caldwell  an(l  her 
two  daughters.  Mr.  Caldwell  was  a  Republican 
in  politics. 

CAMPBELL,  James  E.,  was  born  in  Koss 
Countv  Ohio,  and  located  in  Sangamon  Towii- 
ship  later  moving  to  what  was  known  as  the 
John  I'iatt  farm  in  Montieello  Township.  He 
was  married  to  Nancy  J.  Glpson,  and  among 
their  <-hiIdren  were  the  following :  Mary  Alice, 
Ceorge  W..  Permelia  Catherine.  Ruth,  Theodore, 
F.inma.  Allen.   Kva  and  Robert. 

CAMPBELL,  John  H.,  one  of  the  enterprising 
and  successful  men  of  i'iatt  County,  residing  at 
De  L.aml  has  ]U-oven  in  his  life  and  work  that 
agrhailture  pays  as  a  business.  He  was  born  at 
Winterset.  Iowa,  June  19,  ISiK!,  a  son  of  Joseph 
\  and  Marg,iret  J.  (Wood)  Campbell,  natives 
of  I'eniisvlvania  and  Illinois,  who  were  married 
in  Iowa.'  A  contractor  and  builder,  the  lather 
moved  about  considerably,  executing  his  con- 
tracts, ,iud  was  in  Texas  and  Pennsylvania, 
and  after  the  Civil  W,ir  went  to  Audrain  County. 
Mo  and  remained  until  1S67.  In  that  year  he 
moved  to  Virdeii.  111.,  and  there  lived  until  he 
came  to  I  )e  Land,  in  the  fall  of  bSSl,  where  he 
died  May  14,  l!>lo.  The  mother  died  in  1899. 
John  II.  Campbell  has  a  sister  younger  than 
himself  Marv  Eveline,  who  is  the  widow  of 
C  S  McCurrv  and  lives  at  Osagus,  Minn.,  these 
two  ((instituting  tlie  family  of  children  born 
to   their   parents. 

John  11.  Campbell  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon .-Hid  high  schools  of  Virdeii.  111.  For  the 
tirst  live  vears  of  his  business  life  he  was  with 
his  father.  Iheii  iKMiidit  2(«>  acres  of  land  in 
(ioose  Creek  Townshiii.  this  county,  all  of  which 
was  unbroken  prairie  land.  After  he  had  im- 
proved it  thoroughly,  putting  in  tiles  and  erect- 
ing the  n(>cessary  buildings,  in  190.S  he  sold  this 
farm  and  bought  land  to  the  extent  of  420  acres 
suitable  for  stock  farming  in  Marinette  County. 
Wis.,  and  '■'.'■'■7,  acres  in  Dunn  County.  Wis.,  the 
former  of  wliidi  he  rents,  and  the  latter  he 
conducts  liimself. 

On  January  2.  18s:;.  Mr.  Campbell  was  mar- 
ried to  Jennie  M.  Lynch.  Iwrn  at  Girard,  111., 
a  daughter  of  .Vlfred  and  Eli^.abeth  ( Bristol  I 
Lynch,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Illinois.  In 
religious  failh  Mr.  Campbell  is  a  Methodist.  In 
polidcs  he  is  a  lte]iiililii-aii  and  served  as  super- 
visor of  CJoosc  Creek  Towiishij)  for  t\vo  terms, 
and  held  other  township  oHices.  proving  him- 
self a  faithful  olhclal  as  he  alwa.vs  has  a  good 
business  man.  On  .March  1.  V.)^^H.  he  became 
cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  De  Land, 
holding  that  jiosition  two  years,  and  was  also  a 
stockholder  ill  the  hank. 

CANTNER,  D.  G.,  is  rciiicmbercd  bv  the  older 
residents  of  Montieello  for  his  services  as  ex- 
press agent.     He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and 


f 


c^-zL 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


725 


came  to  .Monticello  in  1S74  as  agent  for  the  road 
then  known  as  the  Chicago  &  Padueah  Rail- 
road. In  1SC4  he  was  married  to  Lettie  M. 
Johnson,  and  they  had  three  children,  namely  : 
Cirace,  Jennie  and  Charlie.  During  the  Civil 
Wai-  he  served  in  a  Pennsylvania  regiment. 

CARBERRY,  Denison  Edwin,  who  for  a  number 

of  years  wns  one  of  the  leading  Imsiness  men 
of  JIanstiekl.  is  now  deceased,  but  the  record 
of  his  life  and  what  he  accomplished  is  worthy 
a  place  in  a  volume  of  this  nature.  He  was 
liorn  on  Long  Island,  X.  Y.,  in  -Vpril.  1839. 
When  he  was  thirteen  years  old  he  joined  an 
uncle  in  Wisconsin,  and  spent  two  .years  in 
that  state,  leaving  to  go  to  Chicago.  In  that 
village,  later  to  become  the  metropolis  of  the 
w'est,  he  herded  cattle  in  what  is  now  one  of 
the  congested  portions  of  the  city.  In  the 
meanwhile  he  attended  school  whenever  the 
oi>i)ortunity  offered.  When  the  Civil  War  broke 
upon  the  country  lie  felt  that  his  .services  were 
required,  and  enlisted  at  Sandwich,  111.,  in 
company  with  Dr.  Marriam,  in  the  Thirty-third 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  mitil  . 
the  close  of  his  enlistment.  Following  this  he 
re-enlisted  an  as.sistant  surgeon  for  a  ninety  days' 
service.  After  liis  second  honorable  discharge 
he  went  into  a  drug  liusiuess  at  Sandwich,  111., 
but  three  years  later  becamie  the  traveling  rep- 
resentative for  Sears  &  Wade,  handling  all 
kinds  of  notions.  Within  four  years  more,  he 
once  more  went  into  a  drug  business,  this  time 
at  Secor,  111.,  but  after  five  years,  sold  it  and 
on  January  2.  1.S7S,  located  at  Mansfield,  111., 
where  ho  continued  in  the  drug  business  until 
1895,  at  which  time  be  retired  and  so  lived  until 
his  death,  January  4,  190.^. 

On  Deccmlier  28.  1871,  Mr.  Carlierry  was 
married  at  Buckley.  Iroquois  County,  III.,  to 
Emily  Dunbar,  born  in  Lycoming  County,  Pa., 
.•I  daughter  of  John  N.  and  Sally  Ann  (Batcher) 
Dunbar,  natives  of  New  York  state  who  in  1854 
came  to  Iroquois  Count.v.  111.,  and  there  engaged 
in  farming'  until  death  claimed  them,  she  dying 
in  March,  1S7:1.  and  be  in  1898.  Since  the  death 
of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Carberry  has  lived  in  her 
home  at  Mansfield.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carberry 
became  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Ray  S.,  who  lives  at  Imperial,  Cal.,  is  superin- 
tendent of  the  California  Development  Com- 
pany: Roy  E..  who  died  in  .\.ugust.  1907,  aged 
thirty-three  years:  and  Mabel,  w-bo  is  engaged 
in  a  nnisic  store  at  Los  .Vngeles,  Cal.  Mrs.  Car- 
berry attended  the  district  schools  for  her  native 
county.  In  religious  faith  she  is  a  Methodist. 
Mr.  Carberry  served  as  president  of  the  town 
board  of  .Mansfield  two  terms,  being  elected  on 
the  Republican  ticket. 

CARLIN,  Daniel.  The  records  of  Piatt  County 
show  that  many  representative  men  of  this 
section  have  already  passed  to  their  reward, 
but  much  they  accomplished  of  good  in  life  re- 
mains, and  serves  to  lienetit  those  who  come 
after  theiii.  One  of  tliese  men  was  the  late 
Daniel    r.irlin,    one    of    the    countv's    most    re- 


spected men.  He  was  born  in  County  Tyrone, 
Irelaud.  March  8.  1834.  He  was  a  posthumous 
ihild,  his  father  dying  before  he  was  horn,  and 
had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  mother  when 
he  was  two  years  old,  so  that  all  he  accom- 
plished  was  attained   through   his  own  efforts. 

In  boyhood  Daniel  Carlin  came  to  New  York, 
,ind  in  IS.'ifi  reached  Piatt  County.  Here  he 
worked  as  a  farm  hand  until  he  was  able  to 
engage  in  farming  on  bis  own  account,  and 
be  so  continued  until  he  felt  the  stir  of  patri- 
otism for  his  adopte<l  country,  and  enlisted  on 
.Vugust  11,  ]8(!2,  in  Company  E,  One  Hundred 
and  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  for 
service  during  the  Civil  War.  lie  was  taken 
I)risoner  by  General  Morgan  during  one  of  the 
famous  raids  of  that  Confederate  commander, 
and  was  held  for  eight  months.  During  his 
army  service  he  jiarticipated  in  the  campaign 
of  .itlanta.  the  battles  of  Nashville  and  Frank- 
lin- and  several  others. 

Upon  the  close  of  his  term  of  enlistment,  he 
came  liack  to  Piatt  County  and  for  the  following 
few  years  worked  at  Monticello.  The  first  land 
owned  by  Mr.  Carlin  was  a  farm  of  120  acres, 
and  at  the  time  be  bought  it.  there  were  no 
improvements  on  the  raw  prairie,  and  no  trees 
for  miles  about.  With  characteristic  energy  he 
set  to  work,  and  in  time  developed  a  fine  proji- 
erty.  To  his  original  purchase  Mr.  Carlin  added 
thirty -eight  acres,  there  being  100  acres  in  all, 
located  in  Bement  Township,  which  is  now 
rented  from  Mrs.  Carlin  by  her  sons.  In  1896  Mr. 
Carlin  bought  five  acres  of  land  .iust  east  of 
Bement.  on  which  he  built  a  beautiful  resi- 
dence, and  in  it  be  resided  until  his  death, 
October  5.  1914.  having  lived  there  from  1898. 
It  is  now  the  home  of  Mrs.  Carlin.  The  prem- 
ises have  been  imiiroved  by  the  planting  of  trees 
and  shrubs,  and  the  house  is  supplied  wiMi 
modei-n  conveniences. 

On  February  20.  1884.  Mr.  Carlin  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Coogan.  born  at  Chicago,  111., 
Sei)teml)er  17,  18(11,  a  daughter  of  Martin  and 
Bridget  (Wbalen)  Coogan.  Mr.  Coogan  was  a 
native  of  Tipperary.  Ireland,  and  came  to  the 
I'nited  States  when  quite  young,  and  was  here 
married.  He  was  a  farmer  all  his  life.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Carlin  became  the  jiarents  of  the 
following  children  :  Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  Samuel 
F.  Shay,  of  Bement  Township:  .Vnna.  who  is 
Mrs.  Irving  Bogue.  of  Bement  Township;  Cath- 
erine, who  is  Mrs.  Orville  Rucker.  of  Bement, 
111.:  and  .Vdelia.  Margaret,  Eliz.-ibeth,  Daniel, 
John  and  Ellen  who  are  living  with  their 
mother.  Mr.  Carlin  was  a  consistent  member 
of  St.  MTchael's  Catholic  Church,  as  are  his 
family.  He  did  not  definitely  athich  himself 
to  any  political  jiarty.  but  cast  his  vote  for  the 
man  he  believed  best  fitted  for  the  office  in 
question. 

CHICHESTER,  Andrew  J.,  whose  success  as  a 
farmer  and  worth  /is  a  man  entitle  him  to  a 
place  in  a  book  of  this  nature,  was  born  at 
Park(nsburg.  W.  Va.,  October  8,  1865.  He 
woi'ked  on  a  farm  as  soon  as  old  enough  to  be- 


26 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COINTY. 


cuiiic  self  suiiportiii!,'.  anil  tlieii  became  a  tool 
<lrosser  fur  oil  well  ilrillers,  in  the  oil  regions. 
In  l!Ki7  lie  came  to  Illinois  anil  spent  some  time 
in  the  oil  <listriets  ot  tliis  slate.  FoUowiiif;  liis 
niarria;,'!' in  I'.ilii.  .Mr.  Cliicliester  loiuiJ  employ- 
ment I'lir  his  aliililies  aii<l  eneru'ies  in  conductinR 
the  in;  acres  <<(  lanil  owneil  \,y  his  wife,  in  con- 
junction with  IL'O  acres  of  land  owned  hy  her 
mollier.  Since  taUin^'  hold  of  this  property  he 
has  made  a  nunilier  of  improvements  and  liis 
methoils  show  th.it  he  understands  his  work. 

On  ll(Mvnriicr  2'J.  liiUi.  Mr.  Chichester  was 
married  lo  Kla  Wagner.  widi>»v  of  Xoah  Wagner, 
and  horn  in  .Macon  t'oiinty,  111.,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Catherine  iKuns)  lUickenstaflf.  Xoah 
Wagner  was  horn  in  Macon  County,  and  was  a 
son  of  .Tolm  and  Uarhara  Wagner,  .\fter  his 
marriage  in  l.'^ST,  Mr.  Wagner  was  engaged  in 
farnung  in  Ma<-on  County  for  two  years,  and 
then  in  l.SS!i  came  to  Cerro  Cordo.  where  he  was 
eni|iloyeil  liy  the  Metzger  grocer.v  store.  His 
death  iH-curred  ()i  toiler  (1.  I'.Hi."..  leaving  one  son, 
I<ynn,  who  was  horn  .l.uuiary  2:5.  1S;>7.  who  is 
now  attending  Mr.  Morris  College.  Mrs.  Chi- 
chester was  educated  In  the  inihlic  schools  of 
Cerro  (Jordo.  Mrs.  Chichester's  mother  is  still 
living  in  her  seventy-fourth  year,  hut  her  father 
died  Xovemher  11.  l!)l."i.  Hoth  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
•  'liichestei-  are  members  of  the  Cluiri-b  of  the 
Itrethren.  In  politics  Mr.  Chichester  is  a  Demo- 
crat. .\  man  of  high  principles,  hardworking  and 
thrifty,  he  stands  well  in  his  (omninnity.  and 
deserves  the  progress  he  has  made. 

CLARK,  Alfred,  who  was  born  in  Kcntuuky  in 
1^17.  came  to  I'iatt  Comity  in  ls70.  and  became 
a  prosperous  farmer  on  eighty  acres  in  Unity 
Towiislii|i.  He  was  m;irried  to  Mary  E.  Chevls 
who  died,  leaving  two  children,  namely:  Mrs. 
l!en.jamin  Cpham.  and  .Tohn  II.  Mr.  ciark  was 
ni.'irried  (second)  to  .\ancy  A.  I'oiitman  and 
their  children  were  as  follows:  Charles  A.. 
Thomas.  Henry  Clay,  Francis.  William  E..  Mrs. 
Thomas  Killian.  .\lfred.  Mary  X.  and  Jennie  D. 

CLARE,  William,  who  for  a  quarter  of  a  century 
was  known  .is  an  industrious  and  energetic 
farmer  of  I'iatl  County,  has  long  since  passed 
away,  but  his  name  is  still  ju-eserved  by  his 
widow  and  son.  well  known  and  highly  esteemed 
resideiils  of  Montii-ello.  Mr.  Clark"  was  born 
in  England,  .-ind  w.is  a  lad  when  brought  to 
.\nierica  by  the  Oullit'ord  family,  being  engaged 
in  farming  up  to  tlu'  time  of  his  marriage. 

On  J;iiinary  L'lt.  bsso.  William  Clark  was  mar- 
ried to  Mrs.  M;iry  Elizabeth  (Kamnliiicr)  Min- 
ier,  the  widow  of  Kev.  Samuel  .Miiiier,  a  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  minister,  who  had  three  children 
by  a  former  marriage,  all  of  whom  arc  deceased. 
Hy  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Clark  had  four  chil- 
dren :  Sarah  Ann.  who  is  the  wife  of  Frank 
I'iatt.  of  Monticello:  Penelope,  who  is  the  wife 
of  William  I'iatt.  also  of  Monticello;  Angel- 
etta.  who  married  fleorge  Music,  both  being 
deceased:  and  Samuel,  who  is  deceased.  Mrs. 
Clark  resided  in  Koss  County,  Ohio,  until  her 
first     husband's     death,     following     which     she 


brought  her  children  to  I'iatt  County,  111.,  and 
located  on  a  farm  of  i:;o  acres  in  Monticello 
Township.  Here  she  met  and  married  Mr. 
Clark,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  live 
children,  namely  :  Sherman,  who  is  a  resident 
of  Iowa  ;  John,  who  lives  with  his  mother  at 
.Monticello  and  looks  after  her  business  affairs; 
Cliarlcs;  Francis;  and  an  infant,  who  is  de- 
ceased. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  added  to  their 
farm  holdings  until  they  had  a  handsomely 
cultivated  projH-rty  of  over  :',IM  acres,  which 
Mrs.  Clark  still  owns,  and  on  which  they  re- 
sided until  their  retirement,  when  they  moved 
to  Kenient.  Tliere  Mr.  Clark  passed  away.  In 
1SS5  Mrs.  Clark  rented  her  laud  and  bought  a 
jiroperty  at  Monticello,  on  which  she  erected 
a  handsome  niiHlcrn  residence,  in  which  she 
still  makes  her  lioiiie.  .Mrs.  Clark  is  one  of  the 
highly  cslecnie<l  ladies  of  Monticello  and  has 
been  active  and  bel|>fu!  in  the  work  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Cliurcli. 

CLASS,  James,  was  born  in  Xew  .Icrsey  in  1832, 
and  came  to  I'iatt  Ccmnty  in  lNo.5,  becoming  one 
of  the  early  blacksmiths  of  Monticello.  He  was 
married  in  l>S"iO  to  Whoeba  Heunion,  and  their 
children  were  as  follows:  Asa.  Sarah,  Jane, 
Clara.  Ella,  .\manda.  and  Willie.  James  Class 
held  the  ollices  of  .school  director,  school  trus- 
tee and  town  marshal,  and  was  a  very  \vorthy 
man.     Fraternally  he  was  a  Mason. 

CLINE,  Corria  0.,  who  has  the  distinction  of 
being  llu'  only  osteopathic  ph.vsician  in  I'iatt 
County,  may  be  numbered  among  the  men  who 
have  labored  with  fruitful  results  in  bringing 
the  iinlilic  to  a  realizati<iii  of  the  value  of  his 
scieiii  c.  Doctor  ('line  was  born  at  Wliite  Heath, 
111.,  December  I's,  l.S7,"i,  and  is  a  son  of  J.  H. 
and  Josephine  (Knott)  Cline. 

The  luiblic  schiKils  of  his  native  place  fur- 
nished Doctor  Cline  with  his  earl.v  education, 
following  which  lie  attended  the  Xormal  school 
at  Dixon.  He  ne.\t  took  siiecial  work  prepara- 
tory to  teaching,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years  entered  tli;it  vocation,  of  which  he  re- 
mained .-1  devotee  for  two  year.s.  In  1!)00  he 
went  to  Kirksville.  .Mo.,  wlun-e  in  September  he 
entere<l  the  School  of  Osteojiathy,  from  which 
he  was  duly  graduated  ;ifter  a  course  of  two 
year.s.  Keturning  to  .Monticello,  111.,  he  was  en- 
gaged in  practice  for  tliree  years,  and  then  re- 
turned to  Kirksville  fi)r  one  year  of  jiost-gradu- 
ate  work.  He  tlu'ii  practiced  fen-  another  year, 
and  in  order  to  further  himself  spent  one  year 
in  study  at  the  llciing  Medical  College,  at  Chi- 
cago. Since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in 
practice  at  Monticello,  where  he  has  built  up  a 
largo  and  ivpre.sentative  clientele.  Tlie  many 
cures  attributable  to  Doctor  ('line's  abilities  and 
talents  in  lomplicatcMl  cases  of  long  standing, 
have  gained-  him  .a  rciiul.-ition  that  extends  far 
beyond  the  limits  or  his  iniiiicdiate  fiehl  of  activ- 
ity. His  professional  standing  is  of  the  highest, 
and  ;is  a  citizen  he  has  helped  tt)  forw:ird  prog- 
ress in  civic  atfairs.  politically  he  is  a  Uepubli- 
c;in.   while   his   fr;iternal   connection   is  with   the 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


727 


Blue  Lodge.  Chapter  and  Oouncil  of  the  Masonic 
order,  the  Knights  of  I'.vthlas  and  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  He  Is  a  member  of  the 
Pre.sb.vterian  Church. 

On  Deeemher  2<i,  1900,  Doctor  Cllne  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Pearl  Martin,  who  was  born  at 
Benient,  111.,  tlaughter  of  Charles  Martin. 

CLINE,  Ezra,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  an  early  day, 
and  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1839.  In  1854  he 
was  married  to  Mrs.  Eliza  (Williams)  Ater, 
and  they  had  five  children  to  attain  to  maturity, 
namely  :  John  T.,  .Jacob  C,  Sarepta  C,  Joseph 
D.,  and  Mary  M.     Mr.  Cllne  died  in  1877. 

CLOW,  Berlyn,  who  is  connected  with  the  busi- 
ness iiiterests  of  Monticello  Is  engaged  as  a  hard- 
ware dealer  at  the  county  seat.  He  was  born  at 
Cisco,  111.,  in  ISSl,  a  son  of  G.  H.  and  Jennie 
(Kistler)  Clow,  natives  of  Post  Oak.  111.,  and 
Fairfield  Count.v,  O..  respectively.  Tliey  were 
married  in  Illinois  and  located  on  a  farm  near 
Cisco,  liut  in  1S99  moved  to  Monticello.  There 
the  father  embarked  in  a  hardware  business,  but 
latei-  traded  it  for  a  livery  business,  which  he. 
In  con.lunction  witli  anotlier  son,  Lewis  Clow, 
is  conducting  at  ])re.sent. 

After  attending  the  granmiar  and  high  schools 
of  Monticello,  Mr.  Clow  was  gi-aduated  from  the 
latter,  and  then  began  his  business  career  as  a 
hardware  merchant.  For  the  past  three  years 
he  lias  been  engaged  in  this  line  of  endeavor, 
and  h,-is  liuilt  up  a  ja-ofitalile  trade,  which  shows 
a  healthy  and  steady  increase  annually. 

On  Xovendjer  11.  190S.  Mr.  V\o\y  was  married 
at  Monticello,  to  Eva  L.  Woollington.  born  at 
Monticello.  in  1889,  a  daughter  of  A.  V.  Wool- 
lington. who  has  been  in  tlie  moiniment  business 
at  Monticello  for  about  tbirt.v  years.  Mrs.  Wool- 
lington died  when  Mrs,  Clow  was  four  years  old. 
.Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clr>w  Iia\e  bad  three  cliildren  as 
follows:  Elizabetli,  who  was  born  July  I'l.  ^Ul^■',■. 
George  Vinson,  wlui  was  liorn  Septenilier  1,  ]91.''i, 
and  one  unnamed  infant,  who  died  March  10, 
1912.  Fraternally  Jlr.  Clow  belongs  to  the  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  .Vmerica.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican.  Roth  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clow  belong  to 
the  First  Methodist  Church,  of  .Monticello,  and 
are  beld  in  high  esteem  li.v  their  fellow  members. 

CLOW,  Lewis,  whose  activities  have  led  him 
into  several  avenues  of  endeavor,  is  now  conduct- 
ing a  livery  stalile  at  Monticello,  and  making  a 
success  of  this  undertaking  as  he  has  of  his  otiier 
enterprises  in  the  jiast.  He  was  born  near 
Cisco,  this  county.  September  22,  1S77.  a  son  of 
G.  II.  and  Jennie  (Kistler)  Clow,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  near  Post  Oak,  Fayette  County, 
111.,  and  the  latter  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio. 
They  were  married  in  Illinois,  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Cisco.  In  1899  removal 
was  made  to  Monticello.  where  the  father  em- 
barked in  a  hardware  business,  and  conducted 
it  for  three  years  when  lie  traded  it  for  a  livery 
business,  the  only  one  in  the  city,  and  later  he 
took  his  son  Lewis  as  a  co-partner.  The  firm 
has  a  co-ojierative  delivery  system  which  was 
started  .\pril  8,  1912.  by  Berlyn  Clow,  who  inid 


anotlier  livery  business.  The  o1)ject  of  this  .sys- 
tem is  to  deliver  groceries  and  other  merchan- 
dise, and  to  make  these  deliveries  the  firm  owns 
four  automobile  cars.  There  are  eighteen  liorses, 
four  delivery  wagons,  two  e.xpress  wagons,  two 
carriages,  two  storm  buggies,  ten  single  rigs, 
four  cabs  and  one  farm  wagon  in  the  equipment. 

Lewis  Clow  attended  the  district  schools  and 
the  Monticello  High  school,  after  which  be  went 
to  Brown's  Business  College.  He  then  went  to 
Nebraska  and  worked  at  ranching  for  eight 
years,  having  cliarge  of  the  ranch  for  two  years 
of  this  jjeriod.  Fpon  iiis  return  to  Illinois  he 
traveled  for  six  months,  and  then  was  agent  for 
the  Inited  States  Express  Company  at  Cham- 
paign. 111.,  for  a  year.  For  the  next  fifteen 
iiiontlis  be  conductetl  a  jioultry  business,  and 
then  went  into  his  father's  lousiness,  and  has 
since  then  devoted  his  entire  time  to  its  interests. 

On  .Vugust  19,  1897,  Mr,  Clow  was  married  to 
Dollie  .\.  .Vdams.  born  at  Minier,  111.,  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Johnson)  Adams.  Sir. 
and  Mrs.  Clow  have  no  children  of  their  own, 
lint  they  have  an  adopted  son.  William  \'erner, 
wlio  was  born  Februarv  1,  1911.  to  whom  they 
are  giving  loving  parental  care. 

In  religious  faith  Mr.  Clow  is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church,  in  which  he  is  president 
of  the  board  of  elders,  and  be  is  also  a  trustee 
of  the  church.  Since  the  spring  of  1915  Mr. 
Clow  has  been  a  constable,  and  is  proving  him- 
self an  efficient  man  for  the  office.  His  fraternal 
relations  are  with  the  Kuights  of  Pytliias  and 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  .Vmerica. 

COFFIN,  Nelson  G.,  M.  D.,  who  was  born  in 
Xiirth  Carolina  in  1820,  came  to  Piatt  Count,v 
aliout  1S47,  and  settled  at  Monticello.  In  1848 
he  was  married  to  Phoebe  D.  Johnson  and  they 
bad  three  children,  namely  :  Eugene  and  two 
who  died  in  childhood.  Dr.  Coffin  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Medical  College  of  Ohio,  and 
Ijcgan  his  lu-actice  in  Vermilion  County,  Ind., 
in  184.^.  From  August,  1802,  to  July,  18(35,  he 
served  in  the  I'nion  Army  during  the  Civil  War, 
as  assistant  surgeon  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Seventli  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 

COFFIN,  William  D.,  a  successful  operator  in 
real  estate,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a 
man  wliose  probity  is  generally  recognized,  is  one 
of  the  leading  business  men  of  Bement.  He  was 
born  in  Vermilion  County,  Ind.,  near  Newport, 
January  22,  1842.  a  son  of  Berkley  P.  and  Nar- 
rissus  (Davidson)  Colfin,  natives  of  Xorth  Caro- 
lina anil  Indiana.  The.v  were  married  in  Indi- 
•  ina.  where  the  father  carried  mi  blacksmithing 
and  farming.  The  mother  died  when  William  D. 
was  a  lad.  and  the  father  married  Elizabeth 
.Vrnott.  In  the  sjiring  of  lS."i8  the  fainil.i-  came 
to  Illinois,  locating  in  Bement  Townshij),  Piatt 
County,  where  the  father  bought  a  farm,  there 
carrying  on  farming  until  his  death  in  Decem- 
ber, 18(;0.  His  widow  later  married  again,  but 
is  now  deceased.  There  were  two  children  by 
the  first  marriage,  namely :  William  D.,  and 
.\iin  who  is  now  deceased.    He  had  two  children 


728 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


liy  his  liisl  iii:iiii.;:.'i\  naiiii'ly  :  Wiley,  who  lives 
ill  Ni-w   Yiiik  sr.ilr;  ami  I'l'iry  who  is  dcceaseil. 

William  1).  Collin  attemkil  the  schools  in  Ills 
(llstriet  and  was  taught  fanning  hy  his  father, 
and  followinjj;  the  latter's  death,  he  conducted 
the  honu'steaU  until  his  enlistment  for  service 
during  the  civil  War.  on  .\u:,'iist  7,  ISIG.  in  Com- 
pany 1),  .ScMMity-lhird  Illinnis  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  was  .sent  to  Camp  Butler,  where  tUe 
reiriment  was  assigned  to  the  Twentieth  Army 
Corips,  in  (Jen.  I'hil  Sheridan's  division.  At  the 
liattle  of  .Missionary  Uidiie.  Mr.  Collin  was 
wounded  hy  a  cunshot  through  the  left  arm, 
haviii;;  alre.idy  a  sli!,'ht  wound  in  the  right  hip 
receiveil  at  the  hattJe  of  Chickaniauga.  After 
recoverin;;  from  his  wounds  a  I  home,  having 
heen  fiiven  a  furlough,  .Mr.  Colhii  rejoined  hi.s 
regiment  in  April.  l.S(;4,  ami  was  sent  on  the 
.\tlaiita  campaign,  lieing  in  the  Fourth  .\rmy 
Corps,  nnder  General  Thomas,  .^fter  partici- 
pating in  the  hattle  of  Kranklin  the  command 
went  to  N.isln  illc,  where  it  was  re-enforced  and 
then  drove  Ceiieral  Hood  from  Tennessee.  Dur- 
ing the  winter  the  connnand  w.is  in  camp  at 
Iluntsville.  .Vhi.,  hut  on  .March  1.  ISO,",  moved 
on  (Jreeiiville,  and  there  remained  until  after 
the  death  of  I'lesident  Jyincoln.  He  was  mus- 
tered out  .lune  11'.  lsi;.j,  .-It  Nashville,  Tenn..  and 
returned  lo  Camp  liMller,  where  he  was  dis- 
charged. 

Mr.  Colhn  then  went  to  Indiana  and  resumed 
farming,  reniiiining  until  October  1,  of  that 
year,  when  he  returned  to  liemcnt  Township. 
Iiought  a  farm,  and  since  then  has  made  I'iatt 
County  his  place  of  residence.  He  is  a  large 
dealer  and  trader  in  real  estate,  and  in  1S0(! 
iiiove<l  lo  ISemeiit  to  operate  upon  a  liroader 
scale.  Ills  residence  is  a  very  line  one.  and  he 
owns  property  in  eastern  Indiana  and  a  large 
tract  ill  Beiiient  Township,  in  all  .something  like 
7(Kt  .acres. 

On  Septemlier  i:'..  ISii.'i.  Mr.  ColHn  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Holt/.,  horn  in  X'ermilion  County. 
Ind.,  a  daughter  of  .John  and  Lavina  (Whipple) 
Iloltz,  natives  of  New  lOngland  states.  Mr.  and 
iMrs.  Collin  hecanie  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
ing children:  Kva.  who  is  Mrs.  Alhert  Harsh- 
liargar,  of  Danville.  III.;  Harry  and  Homer, 
twins,  the  former  lixing  at  Benient,  the  latter 
deceased:  IJIward.  who  is  deceased :  William, 
who  died  in  infancy  ;  Kinma.  who  is  dece.ised  : 
.•iiid  Bessie  and  Kred  who  are  hoth  at  home. 
Mr.  CoMin  is  a  Jlelhodist.  and  active  In  pro- 
moting church  work.  He  .served  as  townshiii 
supervisor  for  two  terms,  assessor  for  one  term, 
was  road  commissioner  and  held  other  offices, 
being  elected  on  the  Uepuhlican  ticket.  The 
IoimI  (irand  .\riiiy  of  the-  Kepuhlic  Post  liolds 
his  menihcrship. 

COLE,  Ben,  whose  e.\periences  have  been  some- 
what varied,  is  one  of  the  successful  farmers 
of  (ioose  Creek  Township.  He  was  horn  in 
Beiuent  Township.  I'iatt  County,  III.,  .March  7, 
1872,  a  still  of  Sivm  and  Oitherine  (Mc(5uire) 
Pole,  natives  of  Pike  County,  III.,  and  Ireland, 
aiie  grandparents  were  Klijali  :nid   S.n-.ih  Cole. 


natives  of  Kentucky  and  (ihio.  and  .lames  Mc- 
(iuire,  and  all  were  early  settlers  of  Illinois. 
The  [larents  after  marriage  locate<l  on  a  farm 
in  Bemi'Ut  Townsliip,  where  the  motlier  died  in 
IssC.  Tlie  father  survi\-es  and  lives  with  his 
cliildreu, 

Ben  Cole  attended  the  public  schools  of  Piatt 
County  until  he  was  fifteen  years  ol<l  when  he 
liegaii  working  among  the  neighboring  farmers 
by  the  month.  In  1S!K!  he  went  on  a  farm  in 
lienry  County.  III.,  but  five  years  later  returned 
to  Pi.'itt  County,  ami  for  five  years  more  con- 
tinued ills  agricultural  work  in  Monticello  Town- 
ship. Being  appointed  superintendent  of  the 
jMior  f.irm  of  I'iatt  t'ounty,  he  served  faithfully 
.IS  such  until  the  spring  of  lOlo,  when  he  moved 
lo  a  f.'irm  of  l',"!  acres  of  land  in  (Jcjose  Creelv 
Township,  liJii  acres  of  which  are  under  culti- 
vation, and  the  balance  in  pasture.  Here  he 
carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
and  has  been  very  successful  in  his  work. 

In  ,Ianuary,  ISftS,  Mr.  Cole  was  married  to 
M.iud  Weaver,  born  in  Monticello  Township. 
Their  children  were  as  follows:  Florence,  who 
is  a  nurse  residing  at  Kochester,  Minn, ;  and 
I!al]>h  and  Nellie,  wlio  live  at  home.  Mrs.  Cole 
died  in  October.  l!Mi!l.  On  October  21.  1011, 
Mr.  Cole  was  married  a  second  time  ;ind  has 
by  that  union  the  following  children:  Pauline, 
Keiuieth  and  Marian.  In  politics  Mr.  Cole  is  a 
Deiniocrat.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  .Vmerica  at  Monticello.  An 
industrious  worker,  he  has  made  his  way  in 
the  world,  .ind  has  every  right  to  feel  proud 
of  flic  progress  he  has  made. 

COLEMAN,  John  W.,  M.  D.,  for  some  years  in 
.'ictive  i)racti<'e  at  Monticello,  is  now  deceased. 
He  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  .Tan- 
uary  8,  1^,11,  and  was  graduated  from  Miami 
College,  Cincinn.ili.  Ohio,  in  LSoO,  with  the 
degree  of  M.  I).,  following  which  he  i)racticed 
medii'iiic  in  McLean  County.  111.  In  ISIIO  he 
moved  to  Monticello.  but  with  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  War  he  offered  his  services  to  his 
country,  and  was  .assistant  surgeon  in  the  Forty- 
first  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  On  .Tune  8, 
1S."S.  Dr.  Coleman  was  married  and  he  and  his 
wife  had  several  children,  but  only  one.  T.ida, 
reached  maturity.  It  was  Dr.  Coleman  who 
planted  the  beautiful  evergreens  in  the  Monti- 
cello Cemetery,  which  stand  to  his  memory, 
although  all  that  is  mortal  of  him  lies  in  this 
same  cemetery. 

COLLINS,  Abraham,  oamc  to  Goose  Greek  Town- 
ship in  is.'l^,  .ind  was  engaged  there  in  farm- 
ing for  many  years,  but  is  now  deceased.  He 
was  married  in  Indiana  to  Eliza  Biddle  and 
their  children  were  as  follows:  William,  .\bra- 
liam.  .Tohn.  Surrihla.  Simeon.  Mary  Jane, 
.I.imes.    Mrs.    Wilson   Williams  and  Joseph. 

CONAWAY,  Amos,  was  born  in  Bourbon 
County,  Ky.,  and  came  to  Piatt  County  In  1S52, 
He  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Boyd  and  they 
had    nine    children,    namely:     .Tane    C,    Bvron, 


a 
o 


O 
2! 


jLHYHsn  onanti 

IfOi  M3K  ^Hl 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


729 


lloi'tense,  Amos  C,  Lizzie,  Nauey,  James  E., 
Mary  E.,  aud  Allen  R.  For  a  number  of  years 
Mr.  Conaway  was  a  prosperous  mercliant  of 
Cisco. 

CONNER,  Abner,  at  one  time  a  promiiicnt  stock 
buyer  and  dealer  of  Mouticello,  was  born  in 
West  Virginia,  and  came  to  I'iatt  County  in 
1S51.  In  lS-10  he  was  married  to  Itachel  Motb- 
erspaw,  and  fur  a  time  tbey  lived  on  a  portion 
of  the  AUerton  farm,  and  then  in  l.N'iS  came  to 
Montlcello.  where  Mr.  Conner  died  May  23,  18S0. 
He  had  eight  children,  namely  :  Edward.  Kate, 
Louisa.  Olive,  Ella  and  three  who  died  early 
in  life. 

COX,  Wilson  F.,  was  bom  at  Xashville,  Mo., 
February  2s,  1827.  and  in  July,  18.57,  he  located 
at  Mouticello,  where  he  was  deputy  recorder; 
circuit  clerk,  deputy  assessor,  deputy  sheriff, 
and  clerk  of  the  county  court,  wheii.be  enlisted 
in  Company  H,  .Sixty-third  llHnoit>  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and-  served  until  Maj4j2i^  1SJ.J5.  'In 
August  of  that  year  be,  was  appointed  '  post- 
master of  .Mouticello.  but  ijjJsigHetl.  tiLe,  iallQv;- 
ing  year  and  went  to  ChduipaiiaA  <:'Ciuntji((ifi)^'  ;, 

••-::■   ■■■:./'.    ,-;>,r 

CRONINGER,  Charles  Luthfer;  of  Giseo,  a*«i  .one,, 
of  the  prijuiincnt  men  <it  I'iatt  County  whose 
interests  are  many  and  varied,  was  liorn  in  Wil- 
low Kranch  Township,  this  county,  June  11, 
1872,  a  son  of  Mahlon  and  Anna  V.  ( Rinehart) 
Croninger.  the  former  of  whom  was  born  Janu- 
ary 1.  1841.  and  the  latter  September  17,  1847, 
both  in  I'iatt  County.  They  were  married  De- 
cember 12.  18(17.  The  jKiternal  grandparents 
were  Peter  and  Cynthia  .V.  (.Madden)  Cronin- 
ger, the  fnrnier  of  whom  was  born  in  Ohio, 
.March  2.  ISIS,  and  the  latter  in  the  same  local- 
ity, .Vugust  li.  1817.  They  weie  married  May 
.".,  1840.  lie  died  December  27,  1807.  and  she, 
January  27,  1802.  The  maternal  grandparents 
were  .lames  .-ind  Catlierine  Ftinebart  of  Virginia. 
Both  the  Croninger  and  Rinehart  families  be- 
came early  settlers  nt  I'iatt  County,  locating  on 
tlie'cdunty  line  Ijctween  this  and  Macon  County, 
making  the  trip  overland  from  Ohio  and  Vir- 
ginia, respectively,  in  the  covered  wagons  of 
the  emigrant,  drawn  by  teams.  After  the  par- 
ents married,  they  located  on  a  farm  in  Willow 
Rrancli  Township,  and  the  father  devoted  his 
life  to  farming  and  stock  dealing.  The  parents 
bad  the  following  children :  Ernest  L.,  who 
was  born  .March  8.  1870.  died  Seiiteraber  10, 
lOO;; :  Charles  L. :  Nellie  (Irace,  who  was  born 
June  20.  187.").  married  Dr.  M.  I'attengill  of 
Cisco,  and  died  January  8,  1010:  ami  Pearley 
F..  who  was  liorn  October  1.  1870.  died  .Vjiril  11, 
190.5. 

Charles  L.  Croninger  attended  the  grade  aud 
high  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  Brown's 
Business  College  of  Decatur,  111.,  and  resided  on 
the  farm,  carrying  on  farming  and  stock  dealing 
until  after  the  death  of  his  brother.  Ernest  L. 
Croninger.  .^t  that  time  he  wont  into  the  bank 
at  Cisco  as  cashier  and  general  manager,  so 
continuing  initil  May,  1014,  when  he  resigned  to 


devote  all  of  his  attention  to  his  farm  property. 
He  owns  30;}  acres  on  section  23,  Willow  Branch 
Township;  loO  acres  on  section  34,  of  the  same 
township;  400  acres  of  Whitmore  Township, 
Macon  County;  and  eighty  acres  in  Lafayette 
County.  111.  In  the  spring  of  1004  he  moved  to 
Cisco,  where  he  had  built  a  handsome  frame 
re.sidence.  but  this  he  sold  in  March,  1011, 
and  moved  into  his  i>resent  home,  selling  his 
former  one. 

On  October  10,  1800,  Mr.  Croninger  was  mar- 
ried to  Iva  M.  Kile,  born  in  Macon  County,  111., 
a  daughter  of  Reuben  and  Olive  (Renolds) 
Kile,  natives  of  Macon  County,  III.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Croninger  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Harvey  L.,  who  was  born 
June  27.  1807;  Grace  Loraine,  who  was  born 
.November  17,  180s,  died  -Vpril  8.  1000;  and 
Charles  Luther,  Jr..  who  was  born  December 
1.5.  liM:o.  The  religious  faith  of  Mr.  Croninger 
is  that  of  the  Methoilist  Church.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  Mason  in  high  stand- 
ing, and  has  attained  to  the  Shriuer  degree. 

CROOK,  Jesse  Jefferson,  proprietor  of  the  Valley 
View  Sfnck  Farm,  in  Willow  Branch  Township, 
owning  a  well  developed  and  finely  improved 
propertv  consisting  of  120  acres,  was  born  in 
I'iatt  County,  111.,  March  8,  1808,  and  is  a  son 
of  James  Monroe  and  Charity  (Peck)  Crook. 
James  Monroe  Crook  was  born  in  Fotintain 
County.  Ind..  June  2.5,  1831,  a  son  of  William 
and  Delilah  Crook.  He  came  to  Illinois  with 
his  mother  when  he  was  about  eighteen  years 
of  a.ge  and  tbey  settled  in  Willow  Branch  Town- 
shiji.  I'iatt  County,  and  there  he  devoted  him- 
self entirely  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  died 
November  10.  1884.  On  November  0.  1850,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Charity  Peek, 
who  was  born  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  June 
2,  1838.  a  daughter  of  Enoch  and  Elizabeth 
I'eck,  with  whom  she  came  to  Piatt  County  in 
1S51.  Four  children  were  born  to  James  M. 
Crook  and  wife:  William  M.,  who  lives  at  Mon- 
tlcello. III.;  Jesse  Jeft'erson ;  Ora,  who  is  the 
wife  of  William  Mc<,!uay.  of  Cerro  Gonlo  Town- 
ship. Piatt  County;  and  James  M..  who  is  de- 
ceased. 

Jesse  Jefferson  Crook  attended  the  public 
schools  until  the  age  of  fifteen  years  when  the 
death  of  his  father  placed  heavy  responsibili- 
ties on  his  shoulders  and  he  was  compelled  to 
assume  the  management  of  the  home  farm  for 
bis  mother.  lli>  continued  at  home  until  his 
marriage.  October  8.  1801,  when  be  took  charge 
of  the  place  for  himself,  renting  it  from  his 
mother,  operating  120  acres  and  eighty  acres 
belonging  to  D.  Kuns.  He  fell  heir  to  forty 
.acres  of  the  homestead  and  then  l)Ought  the 
other  eighf.v  acres.  He  devotes  his  own  farm 
of  120  acres  and  a  rented  farm  of  120  acres  to 
grain  farnung  and  the  raising  of  horses.  He  is 
widely  knmvn  .-is  a  reliable  breeder  of  Percheron 
stock  .-ind  at  the  [iresent  writing  (1017)  bis  sta- 
bles contain  twent.v-one  head  of  registered  Per- 
cheron stallions  and  three  imjiorted  n)ares.  He 
deserves    much    credit    for    his   efforts    to    raise 


730 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY 


tlif  stMiidMid  ill  horse  liroiMliiii:  ami  his  animals 
are  jircat  atti'ai-tions  at  linth  ((Hiiity  anil  state 
fairs,  always  laiiyiii^'  nlT  pii/.es  at  those  cx- 
hiliitions. 

Mr.  CrdciU  was  married  (J.-tober  S,  ISOl.  to 
Miss  Aiistie  Snyder,  who  was  horn  In  Ross 
County.  Ohio.  Aiiril  30,  1874,  and  was  hrousiht 
to  I'iatt  county  in  ISTi;  liy  lior  parents,  who 
settled  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township.  She  is  a 
daiifihter  of  ISeiiner  and  .Mary  (Christian)  Sny- 
der. Her  father  was  liorn  in  Oliio  July  10. 
is:;ii.  and  died  .Iinie  l.'i,  1!MI4.  Her  mother  was 
born  in  Ohio  in  1^41.  and  died  in  1.SS2.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  CrooU  liavi>  seven  cliildren :  Emma,  who 
was  horn  Aufiust  11,  1S!I2,  is  the  wife  of  Homer 
Peck;  Ix>ster.  who  was  horn  June  ."0,  ISO."?,  mar- 
ried Dora  Kelly  and  they  live  at  Kemeut :  Kay. 
who  was  horn  Oetoher  4.  IS'.lli;  Dimple,  who  was 
horn  February  i:!.  lilOl  ;  Jessie,  who  was  horn 
Oetoher  IS.  liKCi;  Lola,  who  was  horn  Novem- 
ber HI.  l!)(l(l;  and  I.ynii.  who  w.is  horn  Mareh 
i::.   l!Mi!i.     One  child'  ilied   in    infane.y. 

Mr.  Crook  and  family  are  attendants  of  the 
Cliristian  Church  at  Milmine.  He  belongs  to  no 
ofKanization  other  than  the  Milmine  Protective 
Asso<Malion.  He  has  taken  iiride  in  improv- 
ing his  pro|ierty  at  different  times  and  in  1914 
he  erected  a  handsiime  residence  of  fifteen  rooms 
and  has  insl.illed  all  modern  improvements.  lie 
prohahly  has  one  of  the  Miicst  i-ura.l  homes  in  the 
county. 

CURRY,  Mrs.  Catherine  June,  one  of  the  highly 
esteemed  residents  of  Inity  Township,  was  born 
in  Ireland,  May  10,  1.S4S,  a  dausbter  of  Lawrence 
and  Catherine  ((forman)  .luric.  natives  of  Ire- 
land wlio  never  came  to  the  United  States.  Mrs. 
Curry  attemled  the  coninion  schools  of  Ireland, 
and  after  completiii;:  her  studies,  remained  with 
her  parents  until  ISTO,  when  she  came  to  Be- 
ment.  111.,  and  worked  by  the  week  for  about 
two  year.s.  In  1872  site  was  married  to  Patrick 
Curry,  who  was  born  in  County  Clare.  Ireland. 
in  IS-IO.  a  Sim  of  John  and  Bridf;et  (Conway) 
Curry,  natives  of  Ireland.  The  mother  died  in 
Ireland,  and  then  the  father  i-anie  to  the  United 
Stjites  on  a  visit  and  here  died.  In  yonni;  man- 
hood, Mr.  Curry  came  to  the  United  States,  and 
\vas  enprased  In  railroadiiif;  in  I'iatt  County  for 
a  time.  Later  he  lietian  farmiii},'  in  ITnity  Town- 
ship, where  lie  bous;ht  eiffhty  acres  of  land,  pay- 
ing .flit)  per  acre  for  it.  This  land  was  swampy 
and  was  considered  of  no  value,  but  be  drained 
and  developed  it  and  made  it  one  of  the  most 
valuable  in  the  township.  Uroni  time  lo  time 
Mr.  Curry  added  to  bis  holdinss  until  at  the 
time  of  his  death  be  owned  (14(1  acres  of  land. 
all  in  one  body,  and  all  under  cultivation.  On 
this  he  carried  on  seueral  .grain  farmlni;  and 
was  very  sui'cessful.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cun-y  he- 
came  the  iiarents  of  the  following  children: 
Jolin,  Patrick.  Daniel,  Micliael  and  Lawrence, 
all  of  whom  are  deceased:  Catherine,  who  mar- 
ried Malachi  Ford,  lives  on  a  farm  in  Unity 
Township;  and  Delia,  who  married  Joseiih  Ue<'d- 
ing  who  farms  Mrs.  Curry's  farm  in  Unity 
Township,    Mr.    and    Mrs.    Reading   living    with 


.Mrs.  Curry.  Mrs.  Curry  is  a  consistent  mem- 
ber of  St.  Michael's  Catholic  Church  of  Bement, 
111.  The  Curry  family  is  beld  in  high  esteem 
in  the  township  and  county,  and  Mr.  Curry  is 
remembered  as  a  prosperous,  upright  and  hon- 
orable man  and  good  citizen. 

CURRY,  James  W.,  a  grain  farmer,  owning  one 
of  tile  liiiest  improved  farms  in  Piatt  County, 
is  one  of  the  snhstantiiil  men  of  Sangamon  Town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  Cumlierland  County,  111., 
September  .">,  18(H).  a  sou  of  Timothy  and  Rosa 
(.Nicholson)  Curry,  born  in  Jaeksou  County. 
111.  They  went  to  Cumberland  County  In  1860, 
.settling  on  a  farm  where  the  father  died  in 
187;!.  The  mother  survived  for  many  years, 
passing  away  at   C.alesville.  111.,  in  100!). 

Owing  to  the  early  death  of  his  father,  James 
\V.  Curry  was  forced  to  exert  himself  while 
young  to  assist  his  mother,  and  be  received  no 
educational  advantages.  Until  Febrnry  27,  1881. 
he  lived  with  her.  and  then  began  working  for 
John  Bender,  being  on  his  farm  for  two  sea- 
sons, and  was  also  with  James  Trlmby  and 
other  farmers  until  l.SSo,  when  he  engaged  with 
l\Ir.  Tinder  of  Galesville  and  remained  with 
him  foi-  three  years.  Mr.  Cnrry  then  rentwl  400 
acres  of  land  from  John  Kirb.v.  and  four  years 
later  sold  his  stock  to  Mr.  Kirby.  and  rented 
from  I'M.  Lodge  a  farm  at  Galesville.  For  the 
next  eighteen  years  he  was  on  that  farm,  leav- 
in.g  it  to  move  on  a  farm  of  loO  acres,  fort.v 
acres  of  which  were  in  Sangamon  Township  and 
ninety  acres  in  Bine  Ridge  Township.  Later 
he  moved  to  the  Marciline  farm  of  240  acres 
tlint  he  bought  in  Sangamon  Township,  rent- 
ing his  former  farm  to  bis  son  until  1911,  when, 
i-eceiving  an  exi'cllent  offer  for  it.  he  sold  the 
projierty.  His  new  farm  is  one  of  the  best  in 
the  county  for  grain  farming,  in  which  he  is 
engaged  and  be  keeps  on  improving  and  de- 
veloping it. 

On  March  28.  IS.Sfi.  Mr.  Curry  was  married 
lo  Jose]ihine  Kritz.  born  in  Champaign  County, 
III.,  a  daughter  of  Jose|)h  Kritz.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Curry  have  the  following  i-bildren  :  Etta,  who 
is  Mrs.  Jacob  Swartz  of  Galesville,  111.;  Tim- 
othy, who  lives  in  Blue  Ridge  Township;  Orphie, 
who  is  Mrs.  Charles  Ilanners,  of  Mansfield,  111.; 
.■md  Blanche.  Fred  and  Lewis,  who  are  at  home. 
In  jiolitics  Mr.  Cnrry  is  a  Republican  and  has 
been  called  upon  by  his  party  to  serve  as  a 
school  director  .■mil  road  commissioner.  His 
firogrcss  in  life  has  been  all  the  imu-e  remark- 
able when  it  is  considered  that  all  he  owns  he 
has  earned  himself,  and  that  he  was  denied  the 
privilege  accorded  the  humblest  child  of  today. 
•■1    liberal    public   school    edm-.-ition. 

CURRY,  John  W.,  whose  family  is  numberpfl 
among  the  pioneer  ones  of  Piatt  County,  was 
for  years  closely  connected  with  the  best  agri- 
cultural interests  of  Unit.v  Township.  He  was 
born  at  Voorhies.  111..  July  4.  1871.  and  died 
.\ugnst  29.  190.8.  He  was  a  son  of  Patrick  and 
(Catherine  (Juric)  Curry,  natives  of  County 
Clare.   Ireland.     They  became  early  settlers  of 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


731 


Piatt  County,  where  they  owned  and  operated 
640  acres  of  hiud,  and  liVed  at  VoorUies,  Unity 
Township,  until  death  claimed  them. 

John  W.  Curry  was  reared  ou  his  father's 
farm  and  attended  the  schools  of  his  district. 
Until  his  marriage  in  1900  he  remained  at  home, 
hut  after  that  event  went  to  live  on  a  farm  of 
ICO  acres  adjoining  that  of  his  father,  and  there 
he  carried  on  general  farming  until  his  death. 
In  political  faith  he  was  a  Democrat  and  held 
the  office  of  school  director.  Fraternally  he  be- 
longed to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and 
A.  O.  H.  His  religious  home  was  St.  Michael's 
Catholic  Church  of  Bement. 

On  April  2.5,  lOOC,  John  W,  Curry  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizaheth  Sheay,  who  was  born  at  Voor- 
hies,  111.,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Ardilla  (Da- 
vis) Sheay,  ilatives  of  Bantry  Bay  County, 
Cork,  Ireland,  and  Fulton  County.  lud.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Curry  became  the  parents  of  two  children, 
namely :  John  Joseph,  who  was  born  April  3, 
1907;  and  Elizabeth  Catherine  Sylvia,  who  was 
boru  September  7,  1908.  After  the  death  of 
Mr.  Curry,  Mrs.  Curry  conducted  the  farm  un- 
til she  went  to  live  with  her  father.  In  No- 
vember, 1915,  .she  moved  to  Bement  and  had 
erected  for  her  a  handsome  residence,  where 
she  and  lier  children  now  live.  The  farm  is 
rented.  Although  Mr.  Currey  died  in  young 
manhood,  he  left  behind  him  au  enviable  rec- 
ord for  duty  faithfully  performed,  and  responsi- 
bilities honorably  discharged,  and  no  man  is 
remembered  with  higher  esteem. 

CYPHERS,  John  W.,  a  prosperous  general 
farmer  of  (joose  Creek  To>\'nship  in  the  village 
of  De  Land,  is  one  of  the  l>est  types  of  a  self- 
made  man  Piatt  County  is  furnishing  toilay. 
He  was  born  in  Morgan  County.  Va..  August  21, 
1843,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Zeger) 
Cyphers,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  later 
moved  to  Virginia.  In  the  fall  of  ISOO  the  fam- 
ily came  to  Fairview.  Fulton  County,  111.,  where 
the  parents  passetl  away. 

Tlie  educational  training  of  John  W.  Cyphers 
was  very  scanty,  he  only  having  the  advantages 
of  attendance  for  a  sliort  time  at  a  subscription 
.school  in  his  native  state.  As  he  came  of  a 
loyal  family  who  were  forcefl  to  leave  the  South 
on  account  of  their  views  ou  slavery,  it  was 
but  natural  that  the  son  should  enlist  to  help 
preserve  the  I'nion  in  tbe  Civil  War.  He  be- 
came a  member  of  Company  D.  One  Hundred 
and  Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Fair- 
view,  111.,  and  was  with  tbe  army  of  (ieneral 
Grant,  and  later  with  that  of  (Jeneral  Sher- 
man, being  at  tbe  siege  of  Vickslmrg.  in  the 
.\tlanta  campaign,  at  tbe  battles  of  Kenesaw 
.Mountain.  Looiiout  Mountain,  and  many  others 
including  numerous  skirmishes.  He  had  the  dis- 
tinction of  being  in  the  famous  march  to  the 
.sea,  and  in  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington, 
D.  C,  and  «'as  honoralily  discharged  in  .Vugust, 
186.0,  after  which  he  returned  to  Illinois  by  way 
of  Louisville.  Ky..  then  to  Chicago,  and  on  to 
his  home.  Until  tbe  spring  of  1S70.  he  worked 
for  farmers  by  the  month,  but  then  came  to  De 


Land  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  for 
•iilO  per  acre.  To  this  he  added  until  ho  now 
owns  lO.j  acres  adjoining  De  Land  on  the 
ea.st,  a  part  in  the  De  Land  village  limits.  This 
he  has  always  devoted  to  general  farming,  and 
he  had  taken  pride  in  bringing  his  property 
up  to  a  high  standard,  ills  buildings  and  appli- 
ances being  modern  in  every  particular,  so  that 
hi.s  worlv  can  be  done  expeditiously  and  effec- 
tively. 

The  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Cj'pbers  took  place 
at  Canton,  111.,  when  he  was  united  witli  Ellen 
Cook,  who  died  two  weeks  later.  His  second 
wife  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Mary  J.  Reg- 
nold,  born  at  Canton,  111.,  and  she  died  five  years 
later.  In  1880  Mr.  Cyphers  was  married  (third) 
to  Caroline  Zeger,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
they  have  had  the  following  children :  John  Wes- 
ley, Frank  and  Joseph,  all  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased; and  Jeremiah,  who  is  working  the  home 
fai-m.  lu  religious  faith  Mr.  Cyphers  Is  a 
Methodist,  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
fraternally  he  is  an  Odd  Fellow.  His  comrades 
in  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  find  him  a  pleasant  asso- 
ciate, and  they  enjoy  living  over  again  the 
days  when  they  stood  between  the  Union  and 
dissolution. 

DALLAS,  Elmer  Ellsworth,  whose  general  mer- 
(  handise  and  meat  establishment  at  Cisco,  is  one 
of  the  olde.st  and  largest  business  houses  of 
that  plac-e,  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  substan- 
tial business  men  of  Piatt  County.  He  was 
liorn  at  Cisco,  March  26,  1870,  a  son  of  Eras- 
tus  F.  and  Mary  Ann  Dallas.  The  father  was 
born  in  Ohio,  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  and 
from  that  state  enlisted  for  service  during  the 
Civil  War.  After  his  honorable  discharge  from 
an  Ohio  volunteer  infantry  regiment  in  1805, 
the  father  located  on  a  farm  in  Willow  Branch 
Township.  Piatt  County,  111.,  which  he  bought 
from  the  railroad.  Jn  addition  to  his  farming, 
he  was  a  grain  dealer,  and  became  quite  pros- 
perous. In  1.S81  he  sold  his  farm  in  Piatt  and 
bought  land  in  Ethngham  County,  111.,  where  he 
carried  on  .i  stock  business  until  1806.  In  tliat 
year  he  sold  again  and  went  to  Arizona,  and 
died  in  that  state  in  1911.  Tbe  mother  sur- 
vives and  lives  at  Saffortl.  Ariz. 

Elmer  Ellsworth  Dallas  attended  the  public 
schools  of  CLsco,  and  lived  with  his  i>arents 
until  1895  when  he  opened  a  restaurant  at  Cisco, 
and  ,ilso  conducte*!  a  barber  shop  for  four  .vears. 
For  tbe  subsequent  two  years  he  was  a  clerk 
In  a  general  mercantile  store,  then  in  1901  he 
embarked  in  a  general  merchandise  Inisiness  of 
his  own.  conducting  it  and  a  meat  market,  it 
being  the  largest,  as  well  as  one  of  the  oldest 
of  its  kind  in  this  locality.  His  trade  is  a 
large  and  valuable  one.  and  his  sales  show  a 
steady  and   healthy   increase  annually. 

On  December  24.  W94.  Mr.  Dallas'  was  mar- 
ried to  Bertha  Wmneth.  born  In  Eftingbam 
County.  111.,  a  daughter  of  Harvey  and  Mary 
.\nn  Wllmeth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dallas  have  one 
dau'-'bter.  Naonn  M.  In  religious  faith  he  Is 
a  Methodist.     .\  Democrat  in  politics  Mr.  Dallas 


732 


IIISTOKY  OF  PIATT  fOCNTY, 


served  as  ii()li<e  inaiiistiate  for  live  years,  aud 
has  held  otlicr  ItK-al  olMccs  at  Cisco.  Fraternally 
he  Is  an  (hid   Felluw  and  a   Chai)ter  Mason. 

DAVIES,  Fred  E.,  ii  prosperous  farmer  of 
Henient  Townsliiii,  is  .setting  an  e.VL-elleut  ex- 
aniiile  for  others  to  follow,  in  the  management 
of  his  pro|K'rty.  He  was  horn  in  r.eniont  Town- 
shii).  in  ISTS.  a  son  of  \V.  K.  Davies,  horn  at 
.lacUsonville,  111.,  in  1!S.J4.  AV.  11  Davies  came 
to  Piatl  Connly,  111.,  in  1807  witli  his  father, 
and  luiyint;  ind  acres  in  Hement  Townshij).  spent 
all  his" life  on  this  iiroperty.  On  .Tuly  H,  1S77, 
he  married  Alice  Alli.son,  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam  and   .Mary    (I'riestly)    AlMsou. 

Fred  E.  D.avies  wms  educated  in  the  common 
aud  hi^'h  scIkkiIs  of  I'.enient.  and  at  Bryant  & 
Stratton's  Business  t"ollei;e.  Chicago,  III.  \Vli(>n 
he  was  twenty-two  years  old.  Mr.  Davies  worked 
In  Iowa  and  Colorado,  where  he  remained  for 
two  year.s.  The  sul)se<iuent  seven  years  he  spent 
in  Missouri,  hein^  en^a^'ed  in  lariiUni;  and  con- 
traetiuK.  and  tlien  retnrneil  to  I'iatt  (Vninty 
and  located  on  his  father's  homestead,  where 
he  has  since  continued,  the  property  comprising 
300  acres.  The  family  owns  KiO  acres  in  ilis- 
.souri.  While  li\inu  in  Missouri.  lie  was  one 
of  the  leaders  in  secnrini;  the  draiiiasre  of  22.(I0<) 
aeres  at  a  cost  of  .s:«l(i,(KKl. 

On  Aufcust  27.  llMi.'i.  .Mr.  D.ivies  was  married 
to  Hirdie  Holland,  who  died  Decemher  2s.  1!)18, 
a  dan-hter  of  Parviu  and  Maltida  (Gilliland) 
Holland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davies  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  William  P.  and  .Mice  M..  the 
latler  of  whom  died  Septeiriher  7,  1!)13,  at  the 
ase  of  three  years.  Mr.  Davies  helongs  to  tlie 
Bement  Preshyterian  Church.  Politically  he  is 
a  Uopuhlican.  While  living  in  Missouri  he 
.serve<l  as  road  connnissioner  for  six  years.  His 
fraternal  alliliations  are  with  the  Masons  jind 
Modern  Woodmen  of  .\nierica.  hotli  of  Bement. 

DAVIES,  James,  was  born  in  Enarland  in  1812, 
and  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1S07,  heconiing  a 
farmer  of  Fnity  Township.  He  was  married 
to  Anne  I'hillips  in  1S40,  and  their  children 
were  as  follows:  Walter.  Mrs.  Klizahetli  Kas- 
ton.  Diana,  .Anna,  and  Hortense. 

DAY,  William  James.  Few  men  have  contrih- 
uted  in  u're.-iter  degree  to  the  U|ilinildin'_'  and 
develoi>nient  of  Bement.  III.,  than  li.is  William 
.Tames  Day.  For  (wenty-fonr  years  surveyor 
of  I'iatt  Coinity.  he  has  served  also  as  mayor  of 
Bement.  jiresident  of  the  new  towiishi|i'  hlL'h 
.school  and  m<Muher  of  the  city  school  lio.inl. 
and  is  at  lu-esent  manager  of  tiie  electric  li-ht 
plant  at  Bement.  of  which  he  was  one  of  Ihe  in-- 
gnniicers.  Mr.  Day  is  a  native  of  lOimland.  and 
was  horn  in  Somersetshire,  in  M.ircli.  1S.-,7,  a 
son  of  Rohert  and  Sarah  (Gulliford)  Day.  Imlh 
of  whom   silent  their  lives  in   that  countrv. 

William  .T.  Day  secured  a  good  education  in 
his  native  land,  ccnnpletiug  his  si-hooling  at 
the  A.  O.  Pernian  Academy,  nt  Wimantou.  Kni:- 
land.  where  lie  studied  civil  engineering'.  In 
1S77  he  came  to  the  I'nited   States,  first   locat- 


ing at  Lorain,  Ohio,  lint  after  a  few  montlis 
came  to  Bement,  HI.,  and  for  two  or  three 
ye.irs  worked  at  fanning.  Suhse(]uently  lie 
went  lo  Hamilton,  Ontario,  Canad.i,  where  he 
was  employed  in  the  passenger  department  of 
the  (;reat  Western  Kailroad,  and  then  returned 
to  Bement  and  for  a  short  time  resumed  his 
fai-niing  .-ictivities.  He  was  then  again  called 
to  I'auada.  this  time  to  Manitoha,  where  he  was 
cniiiloyed  as  .\:udmaster  liy  the  Canadian  Pa- 
cific Uailro;id.  and  in  various  other  jtositions 
.■it  Portage  La  Prairie.  In  ISS^  Mr.  Day  again 
returned  to  Bement  and  took  up  farming,  later 
going  to  Cerro  (Jordo  Township.  Piatt  County, 
where  he  purchased  a  farm.  This  lie  conducted 
a  few  years,  or  until  1W12.  when  he  was  elected 
surveyor  of  Pititc  County,  and  moved  to  Be- 
niciu,  to  live  iierinaiiently.  He  has  held  this 
position  witliout  interruption  to  the  present 
time,  and  his  record  in  this  office  has  been  one 
that  does  credit  to  his  higli  ideas  of  public 
service. 

In  1891.  in  company  with  Ihn-.-ice  llalderman. 
William  M.  ('.•imp  and  Harry  P.owcr,  Mr.  Day 
organized  llie  electric  liijht  pl.ant  at  Bement 
and  imt  it  into  ojienition.  .Mr.  H.ilderman.  now 
deceaserl.  becoming  ]iresident.  and  Mr.  Bower 
secretary  iind  treasurer.  William  M.  Cam]>  is 
now  president  of  this  enterpri.se.  AVilli.im  M. 
Steel  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  Mr.  Dav  man- 
ager. Mr.  Day.  aside  from  his  oflicial  duties, 
carries  on  a  general  practice  in  civil  engineer- 
ing, and  also  devotes  much  of  his  attention  to 
his  large  f,-irmiiiL'  in-operty  in  Piatt  Conut.v. 
From  l!)(is  until  1912  he  was  mayor  of  Bement. 
.■ind  all  the  improvements  of  any  imiiortance  of 
.1  civic  character  were  installed  under  his  di- 
rection during  that  time.  He  has  also  given  of 
Ills  time  and  energies  in  the  cau.se  of  education, 
h;iving  been  for  some  .vears  a  member  of  the 
school  board  of  the  city,  and  lielns  at  this 
tiiiic  presidiMit  of  the  now  townshi]>  bi-h  school. 
I'ratcrnally  he  is  a  iK.pular  member  of  the  Tnde- 
pedeut  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  .\merica  and  the  Lodse.  Chapter  and 
Council  of  the  Masonic  Order.  His  political 
faith  is  that  of  the  Uepulilican  p:irty.  and  his 
religious  lielief  makes  him  an  Episcopalian. 

Mr.  Day  married  Miss  Sarah  A.  Cnlliford. 
who  was  born  at  Bement.  III.,  daughter  of 
.lames  and  Mary  n'rimhy)  OuHiford.  natives 
of  England.  Eight  children  have  been  born 
to  this  union,  as  follows:  Mayine.  who  Is  the 
wife  of  Warren  Passwater:  Emma,  who  resides 
with  lier  parents:  Violet,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Mver  Kaiiffmaii.  of  Fort  Scott.  Kas.  ■  and  Mabel 
Kalph.  mill.  Esther  and  Maxine.  who  reside 
.It  home. 

DEAHL,  Samuel  Benjamin,  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful farmers  of  Cerro  (Jordo  Township,  is 
reciigiiized  as  one  of  the  representative  men  of 
Pi.itt  County.  He  was  born  In  Stark  Couiitv 
Ohio.  .Taiiuary  29.  1S.-|4.  a  son  of  Samuel  aiid 
Fli:/abeth  Amanda  rSnider)  Deahl.  natives  of 
Pciiiisylvania  and  Ohio.  Thov  were  married 
in  Ohio,  and  there  she  died  in' 18.^8.  in  April. 
18(;.-,.   the   father,   with   his   four  children,   went 


'%/,„.. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


733 


tu  Fort  Wayne,  lud.,  wLiere  Lie  was  a  gardener, 
reiiiaiuinif  tliere  until  about  1S71'  when  he  came 
to  Illinois  and  s[ient  his  remaining  years  in 
Edgar  County. 

Hanuiel  Benjamin  Deahl  was  ten  years  old 
when  he  was  taUeu  by  John  Denham  of  Edgar 
County,  and  lived  on  his  stock  farm  until  1870. 
In  that  year  he  married  and  began  renting  land, 
so  continuing  until  1880.  when  he  moved  to 
Macon  County,  111.,  and  rentetl  land  there  until 
1888.  In  that  year  he  came  to  I'latt  County, 
renting  22t)  acres  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township, 
near  Lintner.  and  remained  on  this  land  until 
1!>04.  In  the  siiring  of  1004  he  bought  sixty- 
tive  acres  of  land  on  section  30,  Cerro  (5ordo 
Township,  which  was  partly  improved.  Since 
buying,  Mr.  Deahl  has  remodeled  all  the  build- 
ings, and  has  put  in  tiling  so  that  what  was 
swam|i  land,  loft  to  snakes  and  grasses,  is  now 
producing  banner  crops.  This  swamp  land  com- 
prised thirty  acres  of  his  fai-m,  and  he  would 
not  now  take  many  times  what  lie  i)aid-  tor  Hi- 
He  has   always   carried   on   grain   farmiiig.,;.;     ■  - 

On   November   ."i.    1S7(J,    Mr.    Deahl'  was   riia'i--' 
ried  to  Anna  E.  Etnoyer,  born  in  Pejunsylyania, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  JIary    (H<^llijli,'<;f  j  ;Et- ; 
noyer.     Their  children  are  as  follows  :_■  fSInud,' 
who  is  Mrs.  John  Bawen.  of  Cerro  Gordi)  Tovvti'  ' 
.ship;  Mai-j-  Bell,  who  is  at  home  :  Emma,  wlio  is 
Mrs.  Herman  Weiland  of  Cisco,  111. :  and  Grace, 
who   is  at  hon\e.     In   politic-s   Mr.   Deahl    is  a 
Kepnblican.     His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with 
Cerro  Gordo  Lodge  No.  r'>46,   I.  O.   O.   F.,  while 
in  religious  faith  he  is  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church.     A   man  of  broad  outlook   he  has 
embraced  modern  agi  icultural  methods,  and  has 
reaiied    alinndantly    from    his    investments    of 
time  and  money. 

DEARDURFF,  D.  W.,  who  was  a  successful 
grocer  of  Monticello  for  a  number  of  years,  was 
born  in  Ohio,  and  came  to  Piatt  County  iu  1S57. 
For  some  time  he  was  a  farmer,  and  then  moved 
to  Monticello,  where  he  embarked  in  the  grficei-y 
business.  In  1877  Mr.  Deardnrff  was  married 
to  Nannie  M.  Davis  and  they  have  two  children, 
namely:  Lavina  M.  and  William.  During  the 
Civil  War  D.  W.  Deardnrff  served  in  Company 
C,   Twenty-first   Illinois   Volunteer   Infantry. 

DELAND,  Earl  E.,  cashier  of  the  Seivers  & 
Clirie  Bank,  of  White  Heath,  is  one  of  the 
reliable  men  of  Piatt  (^ounty  in  whose  capable 
b.inds  the  finances  of  the  connnunity  may  safely 
rest.  He  was  born  at  Union  City.  Darke  County, 
Ohio,  May  8.  1878.  a  .son  of  George  and  Ellen 
(( 'onver.se)  DeLand.  natives  of  Portland.  Vt., 
and  Ohio.  The  father  was  taken  to  Ohio  by 
his  parents  when  he  was  five  years  old.  and  they 
settled  near  Richmond  that  state.  There  he 
married  and  engaged  iji  farnnng.  During  the 
Civil  War  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-first  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  was  wounded  by  gun  shots  In  the 
knees  and  in  other  i)arts  of  his  liody.  and  suf- 
fered a  rupture  which  has  never  lieen  cured,  in 
later   years   this   somewhat   incapacitating   him. 


In  1881  he  moved  to  White  Heath,  111.,  and 
embarked  iu  a  mercantile  business,  but  iu  1881) 
retired  on  account  of  this  injury.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  survive.  Their  children  were  as  fol- 
lows :  Linda,  who  is  deceased ;  Ernest,  who 
died  in  IStXi ;  Edward,  who  lives  at  White 
Heath  ;  Lola,  who  dieil  iu  Itttrj,  married  B.  R. 
White  and  Earl   E. 

Earl  E.  DeLiind  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  White  Heath,  and  when  he  was 
eighteen  years  old  he  began  farnnng,  .so  con- 
tinuing for  five  year.s.  He  then  started  the 
first  confectionery  store  and  restaurant  at  White 
Heath,  and  after  placing  it  on  a  firm  basis,  two 
years  later  he  sold,  and  resumed  farming  for 
three  years.  Once  more  he  entered  the  busi- 
ness field,  this  time  as  a  general  merchant  of 
White  Heath,  but  sold  three  years  later  on 
account  of  poor  health.  After  a  period  of 
rest,  on  November  10,  I'jlo,  he  became  cashier 
of  Seivers  &  Cline  Bank,  of  White  Heath,  and 
is  .still  discharging  the  duties  of  this  position. 
•  pu.  February  23,  1!J02,  Mr.  DeLand  was  mar- 
ried to  Minnie  L.  Perr.\-,  of  De  Soto,  Mo.,  who 
was  born  in  tihuksprings,  Va.,  a  daughter  of 
•;f»|ephen  and  Lon  (Kennedy)  I'erry,  natives  of 
'  •■^^■gihia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  DeLand  have  two  chll- 
iJt'tJlk:  Ora  L..  who  was  born  May  3,  1003;  and 
-  Lola  Peqrl,  who  was  born  July  22,  1005.  Mr. 
DeLand  belongs  to  the  Universalist  faith,  and 
Mrs.  DeLand  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  of  DeL;ind,  111.  He  has  been  very 
lirominent  ]ioliticalIy.  serving  as  townshij)  clerk 
for  seven  years,  .-ind  supervisor  for  four  .rears, 
making  an  enviable  record  in  both  ortiees."  His 
fraternal  connections  are  with  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  of  White  Heath,  the 
Court  of  Honor  of  the  same  place,  and  the 
Masons,  of  Monticello.  A  man  of  unusual  caiiae- 
ity.  he  is  universally  respected  and  stands  high 
in  White  Heath. 

DEVORE,  Nicholas,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  ISOS, 
and  came  to  Piatt  County  in  18.34.  In  1835  he 
was  married  to  Susan  Barnes,  and  of  their  five 
children  two  grew  to  maturity,  namely  :  Sarah 
M.  and  William  C.  Mr.  Devore  became  a  farmer 
and  died  in  1842. 

DICKSON,  Amos,  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1850, 
his  farm  of  160  acres  lying  partly  in 'this  and 
partly  in  Chamiiaign  County.  His  death  oc- 
(■ured  in  1881.  Before  settling  on  his  farm  he 
worked  i)roducing  salt  at  Danville  and  in  the 
(Jalena  lead  mines,  and  was  a  well  known 
man  of  Blue  Ridge  Township. 

DIGHTON,  John  N.  It  often  appears  that  the 
best  men  of  .m  counininity  are  gathered  to  their 
fathers  long  before  their  span  of  life  is  run, 
and  yet,  in  i>assing  to  the  great  beyond  many 
bring  out  forcibly  lessons  of  right  living  and 
bro:id  charities  that  leave  so  strong  an  impres- 
sion upon  a  eonununit.v.  that  the  sense  of  the 
loss  is  lightened  in  the  remembrance  of  the 
influence  tlie  one  who  is  gone,  still  exerts  over 
his  former  .associates.     Perhaps  no  man  is  fully 


734 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COIXTV. 


!il>i>rcc-l;iti'(l  wliilu  living'.  It  takes  death  to 
lirove  up  liis  clianuter  ami  brliij;  to  lU'lit  his 
I.est  ileuds.  While  he  is  aiuous  his  frienUs, 
good  liaits  ami  kiiuU.v  deeds  are  takeu  too  much 
for  s'aiited.  Wluii  these  m>  longer  exist,  fhej 
are  more  truly  appreiiated.  A  man  need  not 
spend  his  life  In  the  halls  of  legislation,  nor 
among  the  mighty  of  earth  to  be  a  potent  inllu- 
enee  in  the  world.  There  are  men  who  have 
never  left  their  home  eomnuinities.  who  have 
revoliilionizeil  them,  and  brought  about  reforms 
of  so  lasting  a  nature  that  their  names  will 
endure  as  long  as  history  is  written.  As  a  man 
is  deep  down  in  his  heart,  so  he  should  be  re- 
membered after  death,  and  judged  by  this  stand- 
ard, the  late  John  N.  Dighton  of  Houtitello, 
is  held  in  the  tenderest  and  most  grateful 
reeoUeetion  by  those  who  really  knew  him. 

.John  N.  I>ighton  was  born  March  20,  1S57, 
;it  Uniwiisbiiro.  Ky.,  a  son  of  .\ndrew  J.  Digh- 
ton, a  native  of  Erie,  Pa.,  and  a  self-made  man. 
The  father  moved  to  I'iatt  County,  HI.,  when 
his  son  was  a  year  old,  buying  land  here  on 
which  the  child  was  reared,  so  that  it  can  be 
truly  said  that  .lohn  N.  Uighton  was  a  product 
of  this  county.  Losing  his  father  when  he  was 
still  a  lad.  Mr.  Diglit<m  took  charge  of  the 
estate  for  his  mother,  and  in  time  became  a 
man  of  large  means  and  great  responsilulities. 
Not  only  did  lu»  become  the  owni-r  of  many 
farms,  but  lie  lent  liis  intlueuce  and  lueans 
towards  developing  the  hanking  Interests  of 
this  loi-iility,  .-md  for  some  years  was  identified 
with  the  banking  house  of  Houston.  Moore  & 
Dighton.  and  was  one  of  the  iiiiorpnrators  of 
the  First  .\,ili>>n;il  Haid;  of  .MonticcUo.-uf  which 
he  became  president.  \u  agriculturalist  of  an 
advanced  type,  upon  his  farms  he  introduced 
nuiny  novel  methods,  and  used  machinery  of  the 
most  modern  kind.  Some  of  his  farms  he 
rented  to  substantial  men :  others  were  in 
charge  of  his  sons,  while  he  superintendeil  the 
cultivation  of  a  large  amount  of  acreage  him- 
self, and  he  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 
authorities  on  agricultural  matters  in  this  part 
of  the  state. 

In  .lune.  l.s,si.  .Tohn  N.  Dighton  was  married 
to  Mary  1.  liecd.  one  of  the  poi)Ular  teachers 
of  I'iatt  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dighton  became 
the  jMirents  of  the  following  children :  John 
Xetherton.  Jr..  of  .Monticello:  Samuel  Retnl  and 
Sar.ih  C:ilherine.  twins:  and  .\ndrew  Jackson. 
Samuel  IJeed  Dighton  resides  in  Savannah,  Ga. 

.Tohn  N.  Dighton  was  a  man  of  strong  re- 
religious  convictions,  and  became  early  in  life 
a  memlier  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs. 
Iiightiin  is  also  a  member  of  the  same  church. 
A  Mason  in  high  standing.  Mr.  Dighton's  funeral 
was  in  i-harge  of  the  Champai'.:n  Commandery,  of 
which  he  was  a  mendier.  With  his  passing  Piatt 
County  lost  one  of  its  most  rein-esentative  and 
liberal  minded  men,  and  his  friends  a  genial, 
loyal  and  considerate  ((unpanion  who  rejoiced 
with  their  good  fortune,  and  .sympathized  over 
their  losses  as  only  could  one  of  his  broad  and 
well  trained  ndnd. 


DIGHTON,  William.  Some  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial men  of  Piatt  County  are  those  who 
have  left  their  fortieth  milestone  l)t;liind,  aud 
in  the  \ery  prime  of  life  they  give  the  vigor 
of  youth,  cinnbined  with  the  e.>:perience  of  their 
years,  to  the  conduct  of  the  many  affairs  iu 
which  they  are  interested.  Such  is  the  case 
with  William  Dighton,  of  Monticello.  He  was 
born  at  .Monticello.  June  4,  187:;,  a  son  of  An- 
drew J.  anil  Sarah  C.  (Xetherton)  Dighton, 
natives  of  Erie,  Pa.,  and  the  vicinity  of  Louis- 
ville, Ky..  respectively.  In  IS.Jo  the  father 
came  to  Monticello  and  became  a  heavy  land- 
owner in  Piatt  County  and  Champaign  County, 
and  also  becjime  a  member  of  the  banking  firm 
(if  Houston.  Dighton  and  Moore  at  Monticello, 
for  many  ye.irs  the  only  bank  of  the  county. 
Ills  death  took  iilaie  December  L','),  1S7S.  The 
mother  survives  and  makes  her  home  at  Monti- 
cello. Their  children  were  as  follows:  Annie, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty  years,  having  mar- 
ried Dr.  F.  E.  Antin.  of  Belleville,  111. :  Elvira 
.M.,  who  married  F.  \'.  Dilatiish,  died  in  1010; 
John  .\..  who  died  in  1011.  aged  fifty-three  years, 
while  he  was  president  of  the  First  National 
ISank   of   Monticello;    and   William. 

William  Dighton  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon  and  (ligh  schools  of  Monticello,  and  the 
liiiversity  of  Illinois.  In  1893  he  was  made 
b(H)kkeeper  in  the  bank  of  which  his  father 
was  part  owner,  and  in  1S07  was  made  assistant 
cashier.  He  has  also  been  cashier  and  vice 
president,  and  in  inil  was  elected  jiresident  of 
the  First  National  Batik  of  Monticello.  the  larg- 
est bank  of  the  Cdnnly.  He  is  also  vice  jiresi- 
dent  of  the  State  Bank  of  Cerro  Corilo.  and 
a  director  of  the  State  Bank  of  La  Pl.-ice.  the 
St.ate  Baid<  of  Hammond  and  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Ivesdale.  What  leisure  time  he  finds 
outside  of  bis  banking  interests,  he  devotes  to 
agriculture.  His  family,  e.veept  that  of  .\IIer- 
ton.  is  the  largest   landowners  in  Piatt  County. 

The  First  .National  Bank  of  Monticello  has 
held  that  name  since  isn2.  with  a  capital  stock 
of  .SllMt.ddO.  and  a  surplus  of  .SlOO.ddd.  and  de- 
liosits  of  .$7."o.oiio.  In  addition  to  Mr.  Dighton, 
the  olHcials  ;ire:  John  W.  Dighton,  vice  presi- 
dent; Frank  Iletishee.  .second  vice  president; 
George  R.  Xoecker,  cashier:  and  Ernest  i;.  liOhr. 
assistant  cashier. 

On  Jinie  .S.  ISOS.  Mr.  Dighton  married  Jessie 
L.  Thompson,  born  at  Citnton.  III.,  a  daughter 
(if  Charles  X.  and  Caroline  (Putnam)  Thomii- 
son.  and  they  have  two  children,  namely:  Wil- 
liam T.  and  Asler  C.  An  earnest  Presbyterian, 
Mr.  Digliton  has  been  an  elder  of  the  local  oon- 
gregation  since  1011.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
State  Board  of  .\griculture.  and  represents  the 
Ninc-teenth  District  on  that  body.  lie  is  presi- 
deid  of  the  Piatt  (^ounty  Fair  .Xssociation  and 
I'xerts  himself  to  make  the  .animal  gatherings 
a  success.  lie  is  also  president  of  the  Dighton. 
Dilatush  Loan  Companv.  and  very  iiroininent  in 
every  way.  .\s  president  of  the  city  school 
board,  and  of  the  township  high  .school  board, 
he  has  given  effective  service  to  the  people  of 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


735 


Monticello.  He  always  supiHii-ts  the  in'inci- 
and  is  a  Masou  iii  high  sUiiKliiij;.  having  at- 
ples  and  candidates  of  the  Democratic  party, 
tained  to  the  thirty-second  degree. 

DILATUSH,  Frank  V.,  whose  association  with 
I'iatt  t'ciuiily  Hnaiices  lias  been  long  and  iuti- 
Hiate.  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Monticello. 
He  was  lioi'n  near  .Lebanon.  Warren  County, 
Ohio.  August  il,  lS.ji;,  a  son  of  (ieorge  V.  and 
Cynthia  (.Jeffries)  Dihitusli.  natives  of  Tren- 
ton. X.  J.,  and  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  re- 
spectively. They  were  married  in  Ohio,  where 
the  father  engaged  in  farming  until  the  fall 
of  1S(J«  at  which  time  he  went  to  Logan  County, 
111.  In  .January.  1871.  he  came  to  I'iatt  County, 
and  in  IS'X',  retired,  going  to  Decatur.  111.,  wiiere 
he  died  February  J."..  1S14.  aged  eighty-three 
years.  The  mother  died  March  1"..  llJlo,  aged 
eighty-one  years. 

Frank  V.  Dilatush  attended  the  district 
schools  of  his  native  place,  the  high  school  at 
Cerro  flordo.  111.,  and  the  Lebanon  (Ohio)  nor- 
mal school.  lie  worked  on  the  hometstead  until 
twenty-one  years  old.  and  then  began  teaching 
school,  being  in  the  home  district  for  two 
terms,  and  one  term  in  the  I'.aUer  district.  In 
the  fall  of  18S(t  he  came  to  Monticello  and 
taught  for  four  years,  llis  .services  as  an  educa- 
tor received  due  appreciation  in  his  appointment 
as  .suiierintendent  of  town  schools  which  (losi- 
tion  lie  held  until  1SS7.  after  which  he  went  into 
a  grain  business  with  Morrison  Wilson.  Two 
.years  later  he  sold  his  interest  in  this  business 
to  .T.  .V.  Bender,  and  bougiit  forty-two  ami  one- 
half  acres  of  land  ad.lnining  Monticello  on  the 
north.  For  a  time  he  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, operating  this  and  other  proi)erty  which  he 
owned.  In  18;i2  the  First  .National  Bank  of 
Monticello  was  organized,  with  Dr.  W.  E. 
Xoecker  as  jiresident  and  John  X.  Dighton.  vice 
jiresident.  Mv.  Dilatush  was  made  one  of  its 
directors,  and  he  took  an  active  part  in  its 
work  until  18i)S.  when  he  .iikI  John  X.  Dighton 
founded  the  Dighton  and  Dilatush  I,oan  Co.  In 
Octolier.  r.iOn.  they  organized  their  Inisiness  as 
a  state  bank,  with  Mr.  Dilatush  as  cashier, 
and  lie  was  also  a  director.  IJe  and  .Mr.  Dighton, 
who  is  his  brother-in-law.  bouglit  a  (irivate 
bank  at  Cerro  Gordo.  111.,  and  made  it  a  state 
bank.  May  .31.  1S<)4.  it  now  being  known  as  the 
State  Bank  of  Cerro  Oordo.  and  Mr.  Dil.-itu.sh 
is  its  vice  president,  with  S.  M.  Funk  as  presi- 
dent. In  con.iunclioii  with  Mr.  Dighton  and  otli- 
ers.  Mr.  Dilatush  organized  the  State  Itank 
of  Mansfield.  .January  8.  1800,  but  no  longer  re- 
tains  his   interest   in   it. 

On  May  2.'5.  188.").  Mr.  Dilatush  was  married 
to  Klvira  M.  Dighton.  born  in  I'iatt  County,  a 
daugliter  of  .\ndrew  .J.  and  Sarah  C.  ( Xetlier- 
ton)  DiL'hton.  natives  of  Xew  York  and  Pros- 
pect. Ky.  They  became  the  jiarents  of  three 
children  as  follows :  Ruth,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twelve  years;  Annie,  who  is  at  liome ;  and 
Frank  I>ighton.  who  dieil  in  .January.  1!H)1.  aged 
three  months.  Mrs.  Dilatusli's  death  occurred 
October  10.  lillli.  In  politics  Mr.  Dilatush  is  .-i 
s 


Deinocral.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sons, and  has  attaineil  to  the  Knight  Templar 
degree.  A  man  of  more  than  usual  executive 
ability,  he  has  used  his  talents  in  organization 
and  promotion  work. 

DILLOW,  Michael,  came  to  Piatt  County  in 
1S34,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Wil- 
low Branch  Township.  He  was  married  to 
Racliel  (Cawbel)  Shuman,  and  their  children 
were  as  follows :  Mrs.  A.  W.  Lingle,  Charles, 
Mrs.  Isaac  Collins,  Mrs.  Edward  Wollington, 
and  Michael.  Mr.  Dillow  has  been  dead  for  a 
number  of  years  but  is  remembered  for  his 
work  as  a  I'resbyterian  minister  who  was  sta- 
tioned  for  a  long  time  at  Friend's  Creek. 

DILLON,  Patrick,  who  for  many  years  was  one 
of  the  highly  resjiec-ted  men  of  Piatt  County 
hut  is  now  decease<l.  left  his  mark  upon  his  times 
and  community.  lie  was  born  in  Ireland.  .Janu- 
ary 0,  1841.  a  son  of  Patrick  and  Bridget  (Mal- 
le.v)  Dillon.  The  parents  came  to  the  J'uited 
States  in  18."i2.  locating  on  a  farm  near  Ottawa, 
La  Salle  County.  111.  The  trip  was  made  by 
way  of  Xew  Orleans  ami  thence  up  to  St.  Louis 
on  the  Mississi]i])i  Uiver.  and  from  there  teams 
took  the  little  party  to  La  Salle  County.  Dur- 
ing the  long  voyage  on  the  ocean,  severe  storms 
were  encountered,  and  the  ship  was  wrecked. 

Patrick  Dillon  attended  the  public  schools 
of  La  Salle  Count.v.  and  assisted  on  his  father's 
farm.  In  April.  1871.  he  was  married  to  Bridget 
Feeney,  of  Ireland,  a  daughter  of  Luke  and 
Margaret  (Green)  Feeney.  who  came  to  La 
Salle  County  in  18.57.  making  the  trip  by  way  of 
Xew  York,  from  whence  tliey  journe.ved  on  the 
Great  I.,akes  to  Chiwigo.  and  comjileted  the  trip 
by  teams.  After  his  marriage.  Mr.  Dillon  bought 
a  farm  near  Ivesdale.  Champaign  County,  III., 
and  occupied  it  until  18ii.').  when  he  sold,  and 
came  to  Bement  Township,  lociiting  two  and 
one-half  miles  east  of  the  city  of  Bement.  on 
a  farm  of  liJO  acres  of  imjiroved  land  where 
Mr.  Dillon  carried  on  grain  farming.  This  con- 
tinued his  home  until  1!HI8.  when  he  bought  a 
handsome  residence  at  Bement  and  retired,  there 
living  until  his  death  .July  :'.0.  V.nS.  Since  then 
llis  widow  has  continued  to  make  Bement  her 
home.  Mr.  and  Jlrs.  Dillon  had  the  following 
cliildren :  Margaret,  who  is  Mrs.  Micliael  Can- 
non, of  Chamiiaign  County.  111.:  .James,  who 
is  operating  the  homestead :  and  Mar.v.  who 
died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dillon  reared  as 
their  own.  Mrs.  Dillon's  sister's  daughter  and 
son.  I^rank  I'arrell  and  .\nna  Farrell,  of  Be- 
ment Townslii|).  Their  i)areiits  were  Thomas 
and  Anna   (Feeney)   Farrell. 

Mrs.  r)illon  was  educated  in  a  Catholic  eon- 
vent,  at  La  Salle.  III.,  and  she  is  a  member 
of  .St.  Michael's  Catholic  Cliurch.  to  which  her 
luisliand  also  belonged.  He  served  as  school 
commissioner  and  drainage  commissioner,  and 
held  other  offices,  being  elected  on  the  Republi- 
can ticket.  During  Mie  Civil  War  he  enlisted, 
.Seiiteml>cr  24.  1N(;2,  in  ("apt.  Ilenshaw's  batter.v 
.■iiid  served   until  .Inly   18.  ISil."!.  and   was  never 


736 


HISTORY  OF  PTATT  COFNTY. 


woiinilcd  (u-  lakon  a  jirisoiier.  Mr.  Dillon  be- 
loii;,'c(l  to  Sadonis  I'ost.  G.  A.  R..  and  was  as 
popular  ill  it  as  ho  was  wherever  known,  and 
his  nieinor.v  is  cherished  by  those  who  recog- 
nized bis  many  exeellent  (iiialities.  A  station 
called  I'iatt  is  located  on  the  Dillon  farm,  and  lo- 
cated there  is  a  grain  elevator,  erected  by  the 
farmers  of  the  community. 

DOANE,  Edwin,  recognized  for  a  number  of 
years  as  one  of  the  largest  landowners  of  Piatt 
County  and  a  leading  agriculturalist  of  Willow 
Branch  Township,  was  a  man  of  whom  nothing 
but  ijood  is  remembered.  lie  jiossessed  In 
marked  degree  those  qualities  which  go  toward 
the  m.iUins  of  substantial  anil  reliable  Ameri- 
canism, and  his  example  of  industrious  and  up- 
right living  still  is  felt  in  the  conununity  where 
for  so  long  he  made  his  home.  Edwin  Doaue 
was  born  in  Ohio,  in  1S8S,  a  son  of  Noble  and 
Saniantha   Doane,  natives  of  Conneeticnt. 

.\ftcr  a  boyhood  spent  in  attendance  at  the 
local  schools,  and  work  upon  the  farm.  Edwin 
Doane  became  a  farmer,  conducting  rural  prop- 
erties in  Ohio  luitil  ISTI  when  he  moved  to 
Piatt  County.  111.,  and  bought  seventy  acres  and 
lateY  added  fifty  acres,  making  120  acres  in  liis 
home  farm  in  Willow  Branch  Township.  To 
this  he  added  1150  acres,  and  later  bought  IGO 
acres  in  DeWitt  County.  111.,  and  continued 
to  ojK'rate  his  T'iatt  (^o\inty  land  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  .Tune  17.  1910. 

In  I.SCi.S  Kihvin  Dtiane  was  married  to  Nan- 
nie K.  Shafl".  Ihu'u  in  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Fred- 
erick and  Nannie  (.Jordan)  Sliaff.  natives  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Missouri,  resjiectively.  Mr. 
and  Afrs.  Doane  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowiiiir  children  :  Claude,  who  lives  at  Coving- 
ton. Ind. :  Clement  .1..  who  lives  in  DeWitt 
County,  III.:  .-ind  Charles,  who  lives  in  Willow 
Branch  Township.  .\fter  the  death  of  Mr. 
Doane.  Mrs.  Doane  rented  the  homestead,  and 
buying  a  comfortable  residence  at  Cisco,  has 
Bince  made  that  place  her  home.  The  Doane 
fanuly  is  one  of  the  well  known  and  honored 
ones  i)f  Piatt  County,  and  the  confideiu'e  the 
several  members  of  its  inspire,  is  justly  merited. 

DONOVAN,  Hershel  V.,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  highly 
trained  j.hysicians  and  surgeons  of  Piatt  County. 
Is  engazed  in  an  active  iu'acti<e  at  Cerro  Cordo. 
He  was  born  at  Cornishville.  K.v..  .July  1.  1872, 
a  son  of  Dr.  .T.  D.  and  Jfary  mriscoin  Dono- 
van, natives  of  Kentucky.  Tt  is  a  remarkable 
fact  that  not  only  was  the  father  a  physician, 
but  that  all  of  his  seven  sons  belonged  to  that 
same  learned  profession. 

Dr.  Donovan  came  to  Lovington.  111.,  in  18.87 
ami  there  attended  both  the  granunar  and  high 
schools,  beinu'  gi-adu.ited  from  the  latter  .-it  the 
ase  of  sixteen  years.  Later  he  matrioil.ifed  at 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Sui-geims.  St. 
T^iouls.  Mo.,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
Mari-h.  ISfKi.  and  for  the  succeeding  one  year 
was  in  active  practice  at  I.ovinston.  111.,  but 
then  went  to  Toledo.  111.,  and  remained  there 
in  practice  for  seven  years.    For  the  subsequent 


four  years  he  was  at  Oakley.  111.,  and  then 
came  to  Cerro  (Jordo,  where  he  has  since  re- 
miiined.  His  skill,  sincerity  and  personality 
have  been  strong  factors  in  the  upbuilding  of  the 
line  practice  be  now  enjoys,  ,uid  no  man  stands 
any   higher   .imontf  his   fellow   ju-actitioners. 

in  September.  l.S!)(i.  Dr.  Donovan  was  mar- 
ried to  .Miss  Maude  Mangier,  born  at  Sullivan. 
HI.,  in  .Tanuary,  1S72,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Susan  Mangier.  Dr.  and  Jlrs.  Donovan  became 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Herschel, 
I.ora.  (Jlenn.  Crace.  Florence  and  Cannon.  Mrs. 
Donovan  died  .Inly  1".  1!)1">.  lu  polities  Dr. 
D(niovan  is  a  liepublican.  while  his  fraternal 
alhliations  are  with  the  Odd  Fellows  and 
Knights  <if  Pythias,  both  of  Cerro  Gordo. 

DOVE,  John  R.,  who  for  many  years  was  a 
hardware  merchant  of  Montieello.  was  born  in 
Clark  County.  Ohio,  and  came  to  Piatt  County 
in  IS.'i.'J.  In  1S70  he  moved  to  Montieello.  In 
isoii  lie  was  married  to  Catharine  Williams, 
and  they  had  seven  children :  Lillie.  Willie, 
lOdward.  Addie.  John.  Alice  and  an   infant. 

DOYLE,  Aaron  C,  vice  president  and  general 
managci-  of  the  Cerro  Gordo  Telephone  Com- 
pany, ex-mayor  and  ex-postmaster  of  Cerro 
(tordo  and  a  man  widely  and  favorably  known 
all  over  Piatt  and  Macon  counties,  is  one  of 
the  most  highly  respected  business  men  of 
Cerro  fjordo.  He  was  born  in  Oakley  Town- 
ship. Macon  C.unty.  111..  December  .".  1S0S.  a 
son  nf  Owen  and  Frances  dlud'-renl  Doyle,  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania  and  Kentucky,  re.spee- 
tively.  .\fter  their  marriage.  tl>c  parents  came 
to  Illinois,  locatimr  in  Oakley  Township.  Macon 
County,  where  both  died  durini  l.S72-:'>.  Tlieir 
children  were  as  follows:  Rosette,  who  is  Mrs. 
George  Peck,  of  Lou-  Beach,  Cal. :  William  T., 
who  lives  at  Maryville.  Mo.:  .Tames,  who  is 
deceased:  and  .\aroii  C. 

.\aron  C.  Doyle  attende<I  the  district  and  high 
schools  of  Cerro  Gordo,  and  resided  with  his 
mother  until  her  death  in  1.87.3  when  he  -went 
to  live  with  his  sister.  Mrs.  George  Peck,  with 
whom  be  remained  until  1801.  at  which  time  lie 
moved  on  an  eigbty-aci'e  farm  he  owned  in  Wil- 
low Branch  Townsliiii.  and  this  he  conducted 
luitil  18(1.'.  In  that  vear  he  came  to  Cerro  Gordo, 
.•lud  lived  retired  for  a  few  years,  then  with 
Oscar  Y:irne!l  and  Melvin  Welty.  promotefl  and 
built  the  tele]>lione  line  in  Cerro  Gordo  and  vi- 
cinit.v.  .\bout  irM12  they  organized  a  stock  com- 
pany, with  O.scar  Yarnell  as  president;  Mr. 
Doyle  as  vice  iiresident :  and  F.  .\.  Bowdle. 
Lewis  Wise  and  B.  F.  Huff  as  a  board  of  directors. 
The  comi»any.  which  oi»erates  und(>r  the  name 
of  the  ('(>rro  Gordo  Telephone  Comjiauy.  has  the 
Bell  and  independent  long  ilistancc  and  local 
service,  ami  two  miles  of  standard  iniderLrround 
conduits.  The  company  have  placed  over  700 
telephones  with  the  exchanges  at  T,a  Place  and 
Oakley,  and  reach  Milmine.  Lintner.  Lake  City 
and  Casner  with  their  own  lines.  They  have 
the  be.st  country  system  in  the  state.  Mr.  Doyle 
sei-ved  as  postmaster  of  Cerro  Gordo  from  1000 


^-^^^^irrLQ^  /y^o^Jt^^j^ 


f'wnuvr.N  .;-,   -.Jail: 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


737 


to  1013.  when  the  change  hi  the  iuhiiinistration 
lenioved  him  from  office.  For  live  terms,  or 
ten  years,  he  was  mayor  of  Cerro  (Joixlo.  and 
for  several  years  was  chairmtui  of  the  Piatt 
Ctiunty  Repuhlican  Central  Committee,  and  for 
twelve  years  has  been  chairman  of  the  Republi- 
can Township  Central  Committee  of  ('erro 
Gordo. 

On  January  14,  1891,  Mr.  Doyle  was  married 
to  Josie  .Jones  of  Cerro  Gordo,  a  daughter  of 
George  B.  and  Lo\iise  .Jones.  Mr.  and  Jlrs. 
Doyle  have  had  no  children  of  their  own,  hut 
have  reared  a  nephew  of  Mrs.  Doyle,  named 
George  B.  .Jones.  Mr.  Doyle  is  a  Mason  in  high 
standing,  and  belongs  to  all  the  branches  of  that 
order,  including  the  Shrine,  and  has  been  wor- 
shipful master  of  the  Blue  Iwlge  for  f(jur  terms. 
He  is  also  a  menilier  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
having  held  the  olfice  of  chancellor  of  that  order 
for  two  terms.  Few  men  stand  any  liigher  in 
pulilic  esteem  than  he.  and  his  long  pulijic  service 
in  various  cajiacities  have  endeared  him  to  the 
people  of  his  vicinity,  and  taught  them  his  abil- 
ity and  conscientious  performance  of  dut.v. 

DRESBACK,  John  P.,  certainly  was  one  of 
the  forceful  men  of  his  time.s  in  Piatt  County, 
and  a  man  universally  respected  by  a  wide  circle 
of  friends  and  business  associates.  On  August 
20,  1835.  he  was  horn,  his  parents  being  Gabriel 
and  Maria  (Piles)  Dresback.  His  grandfather, 
.John  Dresback.  was  born  in  Germany,  but  came 
to  the  United  States,  and  after  stopjiing  for  a 
time  in  Bucks  County.  Pa.,  came  on  as  far  west 
as  Boss  County.  Oliio.  where  he  died.  In  1.S4S 
Gabriel  Dre.sliack  brought  his  family  to  Edgar 
County.  III.,  and  there  his  wife  died  soon  after 
arrival. 

From  the  time  he  was  seventeen  years  old 
.John  P.  Dresback  was  self-supporting,  working 
as  a  carpenter.  When  he  felt  that  conditions 
were  such  that  his  country  had  need  of  him  as 
a  soldier,  he  did  not  let  personal  considerations 
deter  hlni.  liut  enlisted  for  service  during  the 
Civil  War  in  Company  E.  One  Ilundreil  and 
Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  This 
regiment  was  sent  against  General  Morgan  dur- 
ing the  famous  Morgan  raid,  along  the  Ohio 
River,  and  after  tlie  capt\u-e  of  the  Confederate 
brigadier-general  in  ]8<!3.  the  regiment  went  to 
Kentucky  and  then  to  Tennessee.  Mr.  Dresback 
participating  In  several  iiufiortant  engagements, 
inchiiling  tlie  siege  of  Knoxville.  Huff's  Ferry 
and  Campliell's  Station.  He  was  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign  from  the  beginning  to  tlie  close,  and 
then  was  sent  under  General  Thomas  to  Nash- 
ville, and  took  jiart  in  the  battle  of  Franklin 
and  many  skirmishes.  Not  only  did  he  escape 
capture,  but  he  was  never  woundeil.  and  was 
in  the  hosjiital  but  once,  and  that  at  .Mliany.  Md. 
In  .June.  1.80.").  be  was  mustered  o\it  at  Sallslniry. 
X.  C..  and  came  liack  to  Illinois.  For  some  ye.-irs 
thereafter  he  worked  at  his  trade  in  Monticollo. 
and  then  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Monti- 
cello  Towiislii|i.  Thirteen  years  l.-iter  he  sold 
this  and  bought  a  farm  of  100  acres  in  Goose 
Creek   Township,   on    which   he   moved   in    1.8,82, 


.■ind  he  conducted  this  farm  until  February,  1003, 
when  he  nuoved  to  De  I>and,  into  a  modern  resi- 
dence he  had  .iust  erected. 

On  March  25.  18(;8,  Mr.  Dresback  was  married 
to  Anna  R.  Miles.  Iiorn  in  Hardy  County,  Va., 
wliicli  is  now  included  in  West  Virginia.  The 
family  moved  from  the  <ild  home  on  April  3, 
1802,  owing  to  conditions  superinduced  liy  the 
Civil  War,  with  two  teams,  one  for  tlie  family 
and  one  for  the  household  goods.  One  of  these 
teams  was  driven  by  Mrs.  Dresback  and  her 
sister  and  the  other  by  her  father  and  son.s, 
while  the  father  and  small  lioys  drove  the  stock. 
The  fatlier  liad  owned  •■in  800-acre  farm  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  bad  owne<l  a  farm  of  TOO  acres  of 
land  in  Willow  Branch  Township.  Piatt  County, 
since  18."i5.  and  this  was  their  objective  point. 
The  land  was  all  in  the  prairie  and  nuich  hard 
work  was  required  to  i)ut  it  in  shape.  Here  tlie 
father  dieil  as  did  the  mother. 

Jlr.  and  Mrs.  Dresback  had  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Lena,  who  is  Mrs.  John  O.  Briggs  of  Sand 
Lake.  Mich.  :  Charles  Edwin,  who  lives  at  St. 
Louis.  Mich.  ;  John  Weston,  who  lives  in  DeWitt 
County.  111. ;  Jessie  \'ernon.  who  married  T.  J. 
Ennis.  lives  at  Wagner.  111. :  Irma  Catherine, 
who  married  J.  F.  Rankin,  lives  at  Sidney.  111. ; 
Artliur  .Miles,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three 
years :  Robert  Chester,  who  is  on  his  mother's 
farm;  and  Eva  Myrtle,  who  is  Mrs.  L.  R.  Cath- 
arf.  lives  at  De  Land.  Mr.  L>resliack  died  Oc- 
tober 10.  1013.  and  is  liuricd  in  the  cemetery 
at  De  J^and.  He  was  a  man  who  took  ills  pleas- 
ure in  his  home,  and  delighted  to  have  his  chil- 
dren and  their  families  aliout  him.  For  some 
.vears  he  was  an  interested  member  of  the  local 
G.  A.  R.  Post.  In  1804  Mrs.  r)iesback  joined 
the  Methodist  Clnirrh.  and  Mr.  Dresliack  was 
also  a  niemlior  of  tliat  clnir<-li.  Home  loving, 
genial  and  considerate.  Mr.  Dresback  had  many 
friends  and  his  woi-fh  was  aiijireciateil  in  his 
coranMinity. 

DUBSON,  Samuel,  one  of  the  important  agricul- 
turalists of  Piatt  County  is  operating  420  acres 
of  land  in  Goose  Creek  Township.  He  was  born 
in  Berks  County,  Pa.,  October  27,  1848,  a  son 
of  Reul)en  and  Elizalieth  (Grieiswite)  Dubson, 
natives  of  Berks  County,  Pa.  In  1855  they  came 
to  Piatt  County.  Illinois,  and  located  in  Sanga- 
mon Township,  where  the  father  rented  land, 
so  continuing  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
that  township,  where  tlie  mother  also  passed 
awa.v. 

Sanuiel  Dubson  was  e<Iucated  in  the  district 
schools  of  Piatt  Count.v.  and  when  eighteen 
years  old  began  working  liy  the  month  for  farm- 
ers, so  continuing  until  he  reached  the  age  of 
twenty-three  years.  Xt  that  time  he  rented 
land  and  farmed  for  himself  in  Sangamon  Town- 
sliiji  .md  in  Willow  Branrb  Township,  as  well  as 
in  other  townshiiis  of  I'i.att  County.  In  1004  he 
moved  on  the  old  .Vbraham  Mar<iuiss  farm  in 
Goose  Creek  Townsbiii.  <omiu-ising  420  acres  of 
land.  100  acres  of  which  is  in  timber  and  pasture, 
and  the  balance  is  under  cultivation. 

In  INTO  Mr.  L)ub.son  was  married  to  Ella  Var- 


738 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COl'NTY. 


11CI-.  liorii  ill  I'iMit  Couiil.v.  111.,  a  (lauf-'Uri-r  of 
Amlivw  mill  Kiiiil.v  (  I'.iiiitcil  \':uiu'r.  natives 
of  Marjlaiui.  Mr.  ami  Mrs.  Dulisdii  liecaiiip  the 
pa  rents  i>{  the  fi)llc>\viii:;  cliildren  ;  -Vila  and  Mar.v. 
who  are  at  home:  Kmnia.  who  is  .Mrs.  Orville 
Hanu'hert.v.  of  I'iatt  t'onnt.v.  111.;  .Tolin.  who  is 
of  Kantonl.  III.;  .Vndrew.  who  is  deceased; 
I.anr.i.  who  is  at  home;  I'earl.  who  is  Mrs.  ISedel 
Hloi>mer.  of  I'nil.v  Townshi]i;  Doroth.v.  who  is 
at  Montiiello;  and  Crover.  (Jladys.  .^dali.  Ford, 
and  IJohert.  who  .ire  at  home.  In  i>oliti<'S  Mr. 
Dnhson  is  a  Denioerat.  and  since  IS'.KI  has  served 
liis  district  as  a  .school  director.  In  fraternal 
matters  he  is  a  .Mason  and  helonus  to  tlie  lodsre 
at  .Monticello.  .\  harilworUim;  m.in.  he  has  di- 
i'ecl(»<l  his  enerj;ies  alon;;  ;i;.'ricnlliiral  lines,  and 
deserves  the  sneee.ss  which  li.is  alliMided  him. 

DUNCAN,  Augustus  C,  i)ostnu«ster  and  a  gen- 
eral merchani  at  l.intner.  111.,  was  horn  in  York 
Connt.v.  I'a..  .Xmrnst  :!1,  l.s.'iT,  a  son  of  Israel  and 
Siis.inna  (Ilenr.v)  Duncan,  n.itives  of  .\dams 
Connt.v.  I'a.  The  |i;irents  were  farmini;  iieoi)le 
who  ilied  in  VorU  Connt.v.  fa.,  the  father  in 
I'.Mio.  anil  the  mother  in   l.ywi. 

.\nuustns  C.  Duncan  :iltende<l  the  common 
schools  of  Vorli,  I'a..  the  academy  ,ind  .New  ().\- 
ford  C'ollew  at  VorU.  I'a.,  and  ,ilso  Smitirs  Col- 
k'i;e.  and  ni.ide  himself  useful  on  the  homestead 
until  1,S,SL'.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Illinois,  and 
for  three  years  thereafter  tauu'ht  school  at 
l.intner.  ;imi1  I'rairiehall.  and  for  four  ye;\rs  was 
|irinci|ial  of  the  school  at  .Milmine.  From  there 
Ik-  went  lo  I, a  I'lace.  ;ind  was  princi|ial  of 
s<-liools  (here  for  ei.u'ht  years.  In  ISI).-,  he  hou.!;ht 
.an  interc'st  in  the  husiness  owned  hy  his  hrother. 
.lerry  .M..  .ind  a  .Mr.  Clasehrool;,  the  two  form- 
iji4,'  the  hrni  of  Dinican  Hros..  which  still  eon- 
liinies.  This  firm  carries  on  a  general  nu-rclian- 
disinir  husiness,  h;indlini.'  in  addition  to  dry 
i-'oods,  airricnltural  implemenls,  co.-il.  i;rain  and 
simil.-ir  commcidilic-s.  ami  it  owns  a  j;r:iin  eleva- 
tor at  Huri'owsvillc.  111.,  .-md'one  at  Mntnev. 
SiiKe  he  went  inio  husiness  at  l.intner,  Mr. 
Duncan  has  heen  jiostniaster  at  this  place,  and 
from  it  operates  one  rural  free  delivery  loute  in 
addition  to  the  village  husiness. 

In  .Vmiust,  1,S.S.".,  .Mr.  Duncan  was  inairied  to 
.M.iry  Cannon,  horn  at  Dec.atur.  111..  ,i  dau?.'liter 
of  \V.  T.  and  H.arh.ara  ( Carver  i  (Jannon.  the 
latter  of  whom  w,is  horn  in  I'ennsylvania.  Mr. 
and  -Mrs.  Dinican  hecume  the  iiarents  of  the 
following'  children:  Kenneth,  who  is  at  home: 
Cedrii-,  who  died  at  the  aue  of  ei^'lit  years.  ,ind 
Helen  who  is  at  home.  In  politics  .Mr.  Duncan 
is  a  IJe|ml'li<-an.  .\  Ma.son  in  hi^'h  standing',  he 
helonu's  to  I.oviu'-'ton  I.odi.'e.  .\.  F.  *:  .\.  .M..  I'.e- 
meTit  Chapter.  1!.  .\.  .M..  Decatur  Connnandery. 
iv.  T..  and  is  also  a  mendier  of  the  L.-i  I'lace 
I.i.d'.'e  of  Olid  Felhiws,  and  I, a  I'lace  Camp, 
.M.  \V.  .\.  In  IMKi  he  helped  to  or'_'ani-/.e  and 
was  one  of  the  charter  memhers  of  the  I,;i  I'lace 
l.odire  of  Odd  Fellows,  haviu'.'  joined  that  cu-der 
ill   I"^ss.  while  residing-  al   .Milmine. 

DUNN,  Thomas,  was  horn  in  Kentuckv.  and 
came    to    I'iatt    County    in    l.'^.'i!).    and    died    in 


.lauuiiry,  \S7U.  at  which  time  he  owned  li;0 
acres  of  land  in  I'iatt  County,  hut  for  a  nutu- 
her  of  .years  jirior  to  that  had  heen  a  pros- 
perous nu'rchant  of  Hement,  lie  was  married 
in  1.S4;!  t<i  Catherine  Freeman,  and  their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows:  Thomas  .\..  .Toel.  I'.ettie, 
(Jeneva,  Mrs.  Thomas  Sterlini;.  and  Hve  who 
died  earlier  in  life. 

DYARMAN,  Byron  E.,  one  of  the  substantial 
citizens  uf  I'iatt  County,  carries  on  general 
farmiui;  and  stockraisin;;  in  Willow  Branch 
Townsiii|i.  operating  4(K)  acres,  200  of  which 
lie  three  miles  from  his  home  and  2(Kt  com- 
prised in  the  farm  on  which  he  lives.  He  has 
heen  a  resident  of  Illinois  since  childhood  hut 
was  horn  in  Lickini;  County.  Ohio.  Fehruary 
IS,  1S(iL'.  Ilis  |);irents  were  I'hilip  and  Sarah 
Louisa  (Fvaus)  Dy.irniau,  the  former  of  whom 
was  IxuMi  at  Fniontown,  Pa.,  in  1820,  and  the 
latter  at  Xinvark,  in  I.ickim;  County,  Ohio, 
.Inly    12.   1.s:!(l. 

Phili|>  l)y,inn,in  w,is  a  child  when  his  iiar- 
ents removed  from  I'enns.vlvania  to  Licking 
County,  Ohio.  lie  had  the  usual  school  advan- 
tages of  the  time.  atteiKling  until  si.xteen  years 
of  age  an<I  then  deteriuined  to  learu  a  self-siii>- 
porting  trade.  F(U'  this  jmrpose  he  went  to 
Brownsville  anil  there,  under  .John  Oldham, 
leariu^d  the  harnessmaking  trade  and  remained 
with  Mr.  Oldham  for  the  next  lifteen  years, 
after  whicli  he  siient  a  short  time  on  a  farm. 
In  -Novemher.  ISiiO,  he  came  with  his  family  to 
Illinois  and  settled  at  Bement,  in  I'iatt  County, 
starting  work  in  this  village  al  his  trade  and 
continued  for  two  years  when  he  decided  to  try 
farming  ,ind  worked  for  the  next  seven  years 
on  the  farm  of  L.  ]'..  Wing.  For  the  next  four 
.vears  he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself  in 
Bement  Township.  .\liout  this  time  he  was 
given  an  opportunity  to  work  in  the  Hour  mill 
at  Bement,  for  Il.-ilderman  &  Co..  and  this 
seemed  very  s.itisl'actory  both  to  himself  and 
his  employers  for  he  remained  with  the  ahove 
Hrni  for  twenty-one  years.  He  was  a  man  of 
great  energy  hul  advancing  years  finally  eom- 
lielleil  him  to  retire  from  hard  work  and  in  l.SfKi 
he  gave  \ip  and  two  years  later,  in  Xovemher, 
LSiW,  passed  away  at  the  home  of  his  son 
Myron.  On  March  12.  1.S."i(l,  in  Ohio,  he  was 
married   lo  s.irah   Louisa   Kv;ins. 

Byron  i:.  Dy;irm;in  attended  school  ,it  Be- 
ment. 111.,  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old  and 
then  assumed  the  res|ionsihility  of  a  farm  in 
Hement  Township  and  conducted  it  for  three 
years.  In  tlie  meanwhile  C.  F.  Tenny  was  eon- 
ducting  a  ireamery  at  Bement  aTid  .Mr.  Dyar- 
man  became  one  of  his  employes  and  continued 
siuh  fin-  four  and  one-half  years  and  then  went 
ba(k  to  larming  lor  live  more  years  in  Hem(>nt 
Townshi|i.  In  ls'.)+  Mr.  Dy.-innan  moved  to  the 
.\.  D.  Siders  f.nni  in  Willow  Branch  Town- 
ship, where  he  still  lives.  He  does  general  f:irm- 
ing.  devoting  much  attention  to  grain  and  also 
r.iises  some  stock,  keejiing  abo^t  twenty-li\'e 
head  of  horses  and  the  same  of  cattle  To  suc- 
cessfully manage  so  large  an  acreage  keeps  Mr. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


739 


Dyanuaii  a  laisy  man  but  it  is  said  in  his  sec- 
tion tliat  he  finds  time  to  be  a  land  neighl)oi- 
and  a  good  citizen. 

Mr.  byainum  was  married  February  If),  1889. 
to  Lucie  Siiragiie,  who  was  l)oru  in  Coshocton 
County.  Ohio.  May  20,  18(k..  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dy- 
arnian  have  three  daugliters :  JIaliel.  who  was 
born  December  2:1,  188!),  is  the  wife  of  Earl 
Totteu  and  they  live  in  Bemeut  Township; 
Margaret,  who  was  born  March  Iti,  18'J8.  and 
Carrie,  who  was  born  October  .">.  l'.)()1.  both  re- 
.side  at  home  and  attend  the  higli  school  at 
Benient. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Dyarman  were  Maro  and 
Elizabeth  (McKee)  Sprague,  the  latter  of  whom 
was  born  in  Coshocton  County.  Ohio,  Septem- 
ber 16,  1840,  and  died  January  1.3,  1871.  The 
fatlier  of  Mrs.  Dyarman  was  born  in  Coshocton 
County,  Ohio,  December  21,  1837,  and  died  at 
the  home  of  his  youngest  daughter  at  Milmine, 
111..  September  :!,  ]!»12.  Ilis  second  marriage 
was  to  Margaret  Beall.  who  was  born  in  Harri- 
son County.  Ohio.  September  (!,  183!l.  and  died 
IVbruary  s,  1S<M.  In  the  fall  of  1871  Mr. 
Si)rague  brought  his  family  to  Illinois  and  ehi- 
barked  in  a  grocery  busine.ss  at  Bement,  iu 
piirtnership  with  his  brother,  in  which  he  con- 
tinued until  1878.  lie  then  worked  in  tJie  grain 
office  of  J.  C.  MeCord.  at  Bement,  for  the  next 
twelve  years,  .\fter  the  death  of  his  second 
wife,  he  s|ient  his  time  with  his  two  daughters, 
dying  at  the  home  of  the  younger,  Mrs.  Lizzie 
Sprague  Baker  near  Jlilmine,  111. 

DYER,  Isaac,  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1813,  and 
came  to  .Monticello  at  an  early  date,  where  Jlr. 
Dyer  worked  as  a  carjienter.  He  was  married 
to  Catherine  .J.  Carothers  in  1833,  and  their 
children  were  as  follows:  Thomas  C.,  Mary, 
-Vnn.  Laura,  Merab.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dyer  were 
consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

EAST,  Thomas,  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1864. 
buying  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Township,  where  he  died  a  few-  months  later. 
He  was  married  in  1832  to  Priscilla  McCrackeu 
and  they  had  the  following  children :  Mrs. 
William  I,.  Hammer.  Mrs.  .7.  L.  Davis,  William 
H.,  Leander.  Qnincy.  .losefih,  Wheatley.  Francis 
O..  riric,  Oscar,  and  Homer. 

EDIE,  William  Henry,  who  was  for  many 
.years  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  Piatt 
County,  was  born  in  Hancock  County.  Ohio. 
February  27.  1842.  a  son  of  Robei-t  and  Margai'et 
f Smith  1  Edie.  of  Scotch  descent.  The  jiarents 
died  when  their  son  was  ten  years  old,  and  lie 
was  bound  out  to  Uol  ert  Patterson,  a  tanner, 
with  whom  he  remained  until  lie  enlisted  for 
service  during  the  Civil  War.  in  Company  L.  in 
an  Ohio  volunteer  infantry  regiment,  and  served 
until  the  clo.se  of  the  war.  Following  his  honor- 
able discharge  from  the  service.  Mr.  Edie  re- 
turned to  Ohio.  an<l  made  his  home  with  a  sister. 
Mrs.  E.  Bell,  until  February.  ISCil.  when  he  came 
to  Illinois,  and  hired  out  ft)  f.-irmers  in  Cerro 
Gordo    Township,     Piatt    County    for    .$18    [ler 


month  during  the  first  season.  He  then  worked 
for  an  uncle.  II.  I>.  Dnrphy,  at  Decatur,  111.,  for 
soihe  months,  but  retunied  to  Cerro  (Jordo  Town- 
ship. 

Later  .\Ir.  ImUc  iiio\ed  on  a  forty-acre  tract 
his  father-in-l;i\v  had  bought  some  .vears  previ- 
,msly.  ;ind  on  which  lie  had  built  a  house.  Sub- 
seifuently  Jlr.  Edie  bought  Uve  acres  of  land  in 
Cerro  (iordo  (jii  which  was  a  fine  nur.sery  and 
fruit  farm,  and  on  it  he  lived  for  twelve  years. 
He  then  sold  the  jilace  and  moved  to  Monti- 
cello  where  he  bought  half  a  block  on  which 
was  one  cottage,  and  there  he  died  Februar.v 
14,   1!)14. 

On  October  (i.  18(i(>.  Mr.  Edie  was  married  to 
-Vmelia'Jane  Funk,  born  in  Washington  County, 
Ind.,  a  daughter  of  Aliraliam  and  Eliza  .Jane 
(McKinney)  Funk,  natives  of  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
and  Washington  County.  Ind..  respectively.  In 
1840  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Funk  ilrove  with  covered 
wagons  to  Cerro  Gordo  Towiishii>,  and  bought 
an  eighty-acre  farm  there.  .Vt  this  time  there 
were  no  houses  in  Cerro  Gordo,  and  the  grand- 
father built  the  tirst  large  house  in  what  later 
became  the  town  of  Cerro  Gordo.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Edie  became  the  parents  of  the  followifig  chil- 
dren: Albert  C.,  who  liv,es  at  Monticello  T  Wal- 
ter N..  who  lives  at  Decatur.  111.:  Chai-les  Edgar, 
who  also  lives  at  Decatur:  and  Fred  Lincoln, 
who  lives  at  Monticello.  Mr.  Edie  never  received 
iii.-iny  educational  advantages.  .Vlways  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Methodist  Church  he 
served  his  local  congregation  as  steward  and 
helfied  to  build  two  church  edifices.  In  politix-s 
he  was  a  Reimblican.  His  fraternal  connections 
were  with  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  he  was  also 
a  member  of  the  G.  .V.  R.  Since  his  death  Mrs. 
Edie  has  divided  her  time  between  a  sister, 
Mrs.  Emma  Tracy,  of  Cerro  Gordo,  and  her 
children  at  Monticello. 

EDWARDS,  Wellington,  was  born  near  Buflalo, 
X.  y.,  Febrnary  14,  1831,  and  came  to  Piatt 
County  iu  18.^4,  buying  land  in  Sangamon 
Township,  his  holdings  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
December  2,  180.5.  being  282  acres.  On  January 
11,  18i')2,  Mr.  Edwards  was  married  to  Sarah 
Jane  .MePheeter.s  and  they  bad  the  following 
ihildren  :  Susan  J.,  Samuel,  Willis,  Joseph  C, 
Selah  R..  Adeline.  Almeda  Ellen,  Charles  W., 
.\lonzo  L..  Sarah  E.,  Meleana.  Harry  V.,  and 
Harvey. 

EMERSON,  Charles,  who  was  born  in  New 
Hampshire.  .Vpril  1.'.  1811,  came  to  Decatur  in 
1N33,  and  began  the  lu-actiee  of  law.  In  1850 
he  was  sent  to  the  State  Assembly,  and  re- 
elected in  18ril,  and  in  18.^3  he  was  elected  judge 
of   the  circuit   court.     He  died   in   1^70. 

EMIG,  Zachariah,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  came  to  Piatt  County  in  18."'>2.  and  for  a 
number  of  years  made  Monticello  his  home.  In 
ls."i7  he  was  married  to  Mary  Piper,  and  their 
children  were  as  follows :  Ella,  Kate,  Lizzie, 
Charles,  Dolly,  Minnie  and  Francis. 


740 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  (OrNTV. 


ENGLAND,  Albert  T.,  one  of  the  rcpresenlatiTe 
imii  Ml  .Mciiilii  I'llo.  ;unl  line  of  tlio  lu'aviest  land- 
owiuTs  vC  ri.ill  IXiuiit.v,  was  born  in  San^aiuou 
Coiuity,  111.,  Ma.v  10,  KS.''.0,  a  sou  of  Jolin  and 
Polly  (.Sniitli)  England.  John  England  was 
horn  on  a  farm  noai-  Crab  Orchard,  Ky.,  but 
was  taken  in  1S14,  when  about  three  years  old, 
to  11  farm  in  Ohio,  where  his  father  alternated 
farming  his  land  with  preaehing  the  gospel, 
marrying  and  burying  according  to  what  was 
called  the  New  Light  Doctrines.  Mis  farm  of 
eighty  acres  was  entered  from  the  government 
in  .Sangamon  County.  111.,  about  isll).  nine  miles 
north  of  .Sjiringtielil.  After  coming  to  this  local- 
ity he  organized  the  tirst  church  of  his  faith. 
It  is  probable  that  he  (lied  about  1S27,  and  soon 
after  his  death  the  family  home  and  all  its 
contents  was  consumed  by  fire. 

John  Kngland  followed  in  his  father's  foot- 
ste|is  and  also  became  a  preacher,  and  at  the 
same  time  carried  on  farming  in  Logan  County, 
HI.,  on  forty  acres  of  land  he  entered  from  the 
government,  and  on  1(X)  acres  more  which  he 
later  juirchased.  and  this  continued  to  be  his 
homo  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  John  England 
preachiNl  at  Cantrall,  Athens,  Wolf  Creek.  Fancy 
Creek.  Mt.  I'ulaski  and  other  jiolnts  on  the  I^ake 
Fork,  and  for  many  years  [irior  to  the  close  of 
his  life  at  Xiantic,  in  the  Dingmon  neighbor- 
hood. Althotigh  a  man  of  limited  education  ho 
was  very  elocpient,  but  was  too  conscientious 
to  accept  any  money  for  his  religious  ministra- 
tions, and  carried  his  scrujiles  into  his  busi- 
ness life,  always  being  afraid  that  in  some  w.ay 
he  might  get  the  better  of  the  one  with  whom 
he  was  dealing.  His  mind  W'as  centered  ujion 
what  good  he  might  do  to  others.  It  was  no  un- 
common thing  fur  him  to  go  fifteen  miles  to 
preaih  in  the  eveiung,  and  then  ride  back  home. 
So  interesti'd  was  he  in  religious  matters  that 
he  wouM  freipieidly  sit  up  a  large  part  of  the 
night  to  ili-scuss  church  affairs,  while,  should 
the  conver.sation  turn  on  financial  matters  he 
would  be  asleep  in  less  than  ten  minutes.  A 
man  whose  actions  were  ever  beyond  reiu'oach, 
he  rounded  out  a  blameless  life  ami  died  in 
1S,V4,  talking  to  the  last  of  his  religious  faith. 
He  was  twice  married  and  reareil  nine  cliildren, 
five  of  whom  belonged  to  his  second  wife.  Three 
of  his  own  children  survive,  n.amely  :  Albert  T. ; 
Lucy  A.,  who  is  the  widow  of  David  Hubbcrt 
of  Deciittir.  III. ;  and  Elizabeth,  who  is  Mrs. 
Ezra  .McMaster. 

When  he  was  twenty-three  years  old  Alliert 
T.  England  came  to  I'iatt  County,  having  found 
that  here  he  could  secure  wild  prairie  land  for 
from  ,$.">  to  iflin  jier  .acre,  and  luirchased  eighty 
acres  in  .Sangamon  Townshiii.  Soon  thereafter, 
however,  he  exchanged  this  land  for  another 
farm  in  C.oose  Creek  Township,  comprising  1G0 
acres  of  land,  forty  acres  of  which  were  im- 
proved, having  on  the  land  a  small  house  and 
burn.  This  exchange  was  eflected  throtigh  the 
kimlness  of  his  warm  personal  friend.  Wm.  A. 
liranch.  to  whom  he  has  always  coidinned  to 
feel  gratitude,  as  well  as  to  the  Murns  family. 


In  1S(;,">  Mr.  England  bought  of  Wm.  A.  Braucll 
his  larni  for  .'fUl  jier  jicre. 

On  August  VJ,  IMi'J,  he  enlisted  for  service 
during  the  Civil  War,  in  Comjiauy  F,  Second 
Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was  as.sigued  to  tlie  Army 
of  the  Mississippi,  and  was  assigned  to  patrol 
duty  and  scout  service.  He  was  taken  prisoner 
on  November  11,  ISO;!,  at  Biou  Tash,  in  western 
Louisiana  by  Gen.  Dick  Taylor's  conunaud.  but 
after  live  weeks  was  exchanged.  His  honorable 
discharge  is  dated  June  l.">,  IStio. 

Iteturning  h<^nie  Mr.  Englaml  was  married  in 
the  fall  oi  tli.il  year  and  mo\ed  on  the  above 
farm,  that  was  princiiially  swamp  land.  There 
«ere  so  many  wild  geese,  ducks  and  cranes  ou 
this  property  that  they  would  actually  "blind 
the  sun."  This  continued  his  home  until  Feb- 
ruary, 1.S74,  when  he  moved  to  Monticello,  and 
emiiarked  in  a  real  estate  and  loan  business 
which  be  still  carries  on.  Mr.  England's  hold- 
ings in  I'iatt  County  .■imomit  to  about  2,000 
acres,  all  of  which  land  be  rents. 

On  Sejitember  li:,  l!Si;.'i.  Mr.  England  was  mar- 
rietl  to  Harriet  i:.  I'luidi,  who  was  born  in  Ross 
County,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
lEngle)  riunk.  of  Koss  County,  Ohio.  Mr.  and 
-Mrs.  England  became  the  jjarents  of  the  follow- 
ing children;  Charles  E..  who  lives  at  Decatur. 
HI.;  (Jeorge,  who  died  in  1012,  aged  thirty-live 
years;  and  William  II..  who  lives  at  Monticello. 

Although  Mr.  England  was  given  very  few 
educational  .-idvantages,  his  attendance  at  school 
being  limited  to  a  few  months  in  the  district 
schools  of  his  neighborhood,  he  is  a  well  in- 
formed man,  and  thoroughly  posted  ou  current 
events.  Casting  his  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln 
for  the  luesidency  of  the  I'nlted  States  in 
isili).  Mr.  England  has  voted  the  Uepublican 
ticket  ever  since.  His  associ.itions  with  the 
(J.  A.  K.  I'ost  are  pleasant.  His  religious  cou- 
nections  are  with  the  Christian  Church^  of  which 
he  is  a  consistent  member.  Fraternally  he  be- 
longs to  Jlonlicello  Lodge  No.  .'iS,  A.  F."&  A.  M. 
X  man  of  sterling  character,  he  is  heUI  up  as 
.•in  examjile  of  one  of  the  most  desirable  repre- 
seidatives  of   I'iatt   County. 

ESHELMAN,  William  Elsworth,  who  is  engaged 
in  business  at  Monticello.  is  the  ]iroprietor  of 
the  oidy  tailoring  est.iblishment  of  this  thriving 
comnninity.  Jlr.  Eshelman  was  born  at  Clay- 
ton. 111.,  October  12.  lS7t;,  and  is  a  son  of  Weii- 
del  and  Hainiah   a^iiunger)    Eshelman. 

Wendel  Eshelman  was  born  at  Reading,  Pa., 
where  in  yotnig  manhood  he  learned  the  Jrade 
of  tailor.  He  was  an  industrious  and  skilled 
workman,  and  when  he  had  firmly  established 
him.self  was  married  to  a  .voung  lady  of  IJead- 
iug  and  coiUinued  to  reside  in  that  citv  until 
the  early  'TOs,  when  he  moved  to  Clayton,  111. 
In  1878  he  removed  with  his  fanulv  to  Moidi- 
cello.  and  here  engaged  in  all  kinds  of  work 
coiuiected  with  his  trade.  At  the  time  of  his  re- 
tirement, in  1!H2.  he  had  a  well  established  and 
sulist.'inli.al  business.  Mr.  Eshelman  was  a  man 
who  was  esteemetl  in  his  communit.V  as  an  hon- 
orable transactor  of  business,  and  as  a  citizen 


%  (f^  '/Vt^^yii^ 


THE  NEW   YCKK 

PUBLIC  UBRAKY 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


741 


who  took  :in  interest  iu  his  community's  affairs. 
His  death  ofcurred  at  Monticello,  February  27, 
1913,  Mrs.  Eshelman  having  passed  away  here 
in  April,  lSi)S.  They  were  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  Mary,  who  is  the  widow 
of  F.  W.  Norris,  of  Monticello;  Kate,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Frank  Gregory,  of  this  city ;  Sadie, 
who  married  John  McCamish,  of  Springfield, 
111. :  Jennie,  wlio  married  William  Dresback,  of 
Piatt  coiintv.  111.:  William  Elsworth ;  James,  a 
resident  of  Springfield ;  and  Hattie,  who  is  Mrs. 
Albert  R.  Unliolz,  of  I'rincetou.  111. 

William  Elsworth  Eshelman  attended  the 
grammar  schools  of  Monticello,  to  which  city  he 
was  brought  as  a  child  of  two  years,  and  also 
spent  one  year  in  the  Monticello  high  school. 
Under  the  practiced  eye  of  his  father,  he  learned 
the  trade  of  tailor,  and,  having  inherited  the 
elder's  skill  and  taste,  soon  became  a  master  of 
his  trade.  He  worked  iu  the  establishment 
founded  by  his  father  until  the  latter's  retire- 
ment, when  he  succeeded  to  the  owner.ship  of 
the  business.  His  trade  has  grown  to  such  an 
extent  that  he  now  employs  a  skilled  assistant, 
and  the  Iiusiness,  the  only  one  of  its  kind  at 
Monticello,  continues  to  develop  and  prosper. 
Mr.  Eshelman  is  a  good  and  public-siiirited  citi-. 
zen,  but  his  activities  in  public  or  political  atfairs" 
are  confined  to  his  voting  the  Republican  ticte^f 
at  elections.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  .Vmerica  and  has  been  clerk- of  his 
lodge  since  1U05,  and  also  holds  menrbership  in 
the  Royal  Neighbors,  of  which  he  is  manager  of 
his  lodge.  With  his  family,  he  belongs  to  the 
Christian  Church,  and  since  lOl.j  has  served  as 
clerk  and  elder. 

Mr.  Eslieliiuin  was  married  in  September, 
r.JOl,  to  AFiss  Hattie  Ilougli,  who  was  born  at 
Seymour.  Ind..  daughter  of  Frank  M.  and  Jennie 
(Perry)  Hough,  natives  of  the  Hoosier  state. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eshelman  have  two  children: 
Bernice  and  A'crna. 

E'VANS,  James  C,  born  in  1825,  was  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Bement  to  which  he  came  in 
ISoCi.  becoming  a  prosperous  merchant  and 
landowner  of  160  acres  of  land  in  Bement 
Township.  Mr.  Evans  was  also  engaged  as  a 
lumlier  dealer  and  had  other  interests,  dying 
JIarch  U.  1903,  at  a  ripe  old  age.  He  was  mar- 
I'ied  to  Mary  Elizabeth  Hopkins,  and  they  had 
thirteen  children,  of  whom  eight  grew  to  ma- 
turity, namely :  William  G.,  Mrs.  S.  S.  JOnes, 
Mrs.  George  D.  McKay,  Albert  A.,  Darley,  and 
Mrs.  PI.  A.  De  Vaux. 

FARNSWORTH,  E.  L.,  was  born  in  New  York 
in  1827,  and  for  years  was  a  hotel  man  and 
carlienter  of  Bement,  where  he  located  in  1S71. 
He  was  twice  married. 

FAY,  Harvey,  county  clerk  of  Piatt  County, 
and  one  of  the  most  efficient  and  economical 
officials  the  county  has  ever  possessed,  is  a 
native  son  of  this  section,  having  been  born 
at  Bement,  March  21,  1S71.  a  son  of  William 
Henry    and    .Vmy    (Hunt)    Fay,   the   former   of 


whom  was  born  January  S,  1829.  and  the  latter 
February  1,  183.3.  The  place  of  liirth  of  William 
Henry  Fay  was  Louisville,  Ky.,  while  his  wife 
was  born  "at  Winchester,  Ind.  In  1S5.5,  William 
Henry  Fay  came  to  Piatt  County,  but  later  went 
to  Randolph  County,  Ind..  where  he  was  married 
January  3.  1850.  In  1862  he  came  back  to  Piatt 
County,  and  this  has  continned  to  be  his  home. 
The  ancestors  on  the  Fay  side  of  the  house 
were  of  German  and  Irish  stock,  and  they  came 
to  New  England  during  the  latter  part  of  the 
seventeenth  century.  The  Hunts  were  of  Eng- 
lish origin  and  settled  in  Virginia  in  1040,  emi- 
grating from  there  to  Tennessee,  thence  to 
Kentucky,  and  from  there  to  Indiana. 

Harvey  Fay  was  reared  in  his  native  township 
and  attended  the  Bement  public  schools  and  La 
Fayette  Business  College.  During  his  boyhood 
he  became  self  supporting  and  worked  diligently 
at  whatever  offered  in  order  to  earn  an  honest 
living.  On  December  27,  1894,  Mr.  Fay  lost 
bis  left  arm  in  an  accident,  but  with  character- 
istic pluck  so  readjusted  his  life  that  no  one 
now  notices  any  lack  in  his  efficiency,  and  it  Is 
doubtful  if  he  himself  does  either.  Possessing 
a  natural  aptitude  for  public  affairs,  he  soon 
,  became  a  dominent  factor  in  politics,  and  a 
leader  among  the  Republicans  of  his  district, 
l.'pon' many  occasions  Mr.  Fay  has  been  i)laced 
ui)on  the  ticket  of  his  i>arty,  and  elected  to 
j.-MumerouiS  offices,  among  them  being  town  clerk 
of  Bement  Township  for  three  years,  tax  col- 
let-tor for  four  years,  village  clerk  of  Bement 
for  ten  years,  and  in  December,  1906,  he  was 
elected  county  clerk  and  has  held  that  respon- 
sible office  continuously  ever  since.  He  has 
been  secretary  of  the  Piatt  County  Republican 
Central  Committee  for  nine  years,  corresponding 
secretary  for  the  State  organization  of  Super- 
visors, Count.v  Commissioners,  County  and  Pro- 
bate Clerks,  and  for  one  year  was  president  of 
this  organization. 

Mr.  Fay  is  very  prominent  fraternally,  be- 
longing to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  which  he 
joined  in  .Vugust.  1S92.  in  which  he  has  filled  all 
of  the  offices  of  the  subordinate  lodge,  and  he 
has  also  been  grand  lodge  representative  and 
liistrict  deputy.  He  is  also  an  Odd  Fellow, 
joining  that  lodge  in  December.  1907,  lias  filled 
all  the  chairs  of  the  subordinate  lodge  and  the 
Encampment,  and  he  also  joined  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  about  1899.  He  is  a 
Jlethodist. 

Mr.  Fay  is  unmarried.  Forceful,  aggressive 
and  competent,  Mr.  Fay  has  ably  discharged 
the  duties  of  the  several  oflices  he  has  filled, 
and  he  is  looked  iipon  as  one  of  the  most  reliable 
jniblic  men  iu  the  county.  Courteous  and  ac- 
(•(munodating,  those  who  have  reason  to  call 
upon  him  for  assistance  in  his  oflBce  find  him 
never  lacking,  and  it  is  an  open  .secret  that  the 
future  liolds  many  possibilities  for  him,  and 
iliat  he  has  not  reached  his  goal,  but  will  be 
called  upon  to  fill  other  and  higher  offices 
within  the  gift  of  the  people  he  has  served  so 
faithfully  and  conscientiously. 


742 


IIlSTOliV   VF  I'lATT  COIXTY 


FIELD,  Albert,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  reliable  and 
skilk'il  iili.vsiriaiis  uikI  smjieous  of  I'iatt  lounty, 
who  is  comliKtiiiL;  a  tn-uenil  iiractice  at  ISemeut, 
was  born  in  \Viiiil>U'duu,  County  Surrey,  Eug- 
laud.  in  October.  ISTO,  a  son  of  William  and 
Mary  Field.  They  came  to  Kansas  in  1ST2,  and 
the  lather  bought  a  tannery  in  the  vicinity  of 
Ft.  Leavenworth  and  bought  and  tanned  butralo 
hides  for  thiee  years.  They  returned  to  Eng- 
land in  IST.'i. 

l>r.  Field  hrst  attended  school  in  Enidand 
and  was  graduated  from  a  medical  school  in 
Chicago.  111.,  in  UKCi.  following  which  he  began 
practicing  medicine  at  Chicago,  and  was  a  lec- 
turer. instr\ictlng  the  junior  and  .senior  classes 
on  s|iccial  medical  sul)jects  at  his  alma  mater 
for  three  years.  l»r.  Field  was  also  on  the  col- 
lege board  of  censors.  In  Decemlier,  l!i(KJ.  he 
went  to  Stonington,  111.,  where  he  carried  ou  a 
general  practice  until  January,  1912,  wheu  he 
came  to  Hemeut. 

lu  IS'JT  Ur.  Field  was  married  to  Clarice  Ilau- 
sou,  of  Chicago,  and  they  have  two  children, 
namely:  Noble  and  Thelina.  In  |iolitics  Dr. 
Field  is  .m  independent  voter.  Fraternally  he 
belongs  to  the  .Masons.  Knights  of  Tythias  and 
•  -Mystic  Workers  of  the  World. 

.\  member  of  llr.  Field's  family  on  the  mater- 
nal side  was  Sir  Arthur  Uolt.  a  member  of 
I'arliameiit,  and  a  man' of  considerable  distinc- 
tion in  England.  William  Field,  father  of  Dr. 
Field,  died  in  t.ssc.  and  although  urged  by  Dr. 
Field,  the  mother  has  continued  to  reside  ill 
London,  where  she  was  born  in  l.s.";^,  coming  of 
a  prominent  English  family.  The  children  born 
to  William  FieM  and  hfs  wife  were  as  follows: 
Frederick,  who  died  at  the  age  of  tifty-four 
years,  in  England :  Arthur,  who  lives  in  Van 
Buren  County.  Mich.;  .John  Morris,  who  lives 
at  Seattle.  Wash. :  Jesse,  who  lives  in  Van 
Huren  County,  .Midi.;  Dr.  Field;  Emily,  who 
lives  in  Yorkshire.  England;  .Vlice,  who  is  Mrs. 
W.  JetTrey  of  London,  England;  and  Elizabeth, 
who  is  .Mrs.   Harry  Katie,  of  London,  England. 

FIRKE,  Charles  Wesley.  From  the  beginning 
of  histoi-j-  in  the  .\nieri(an  colonies  to  the  jjres- 
ent  day.  the  le-'al  inofession  has  playi-d  a  very 
important  part  in  the  develoimient  and  progress 
of  events  and  the  men  who  have  and  are  giving 
their  lives  to  the  enforcement  of  law  are  those 
who  are  numbered  among  the  most  imjiortant 
citizens  of  the  country.  The  rewards  of  the 
.suec«'ssful  legal  i>ractitioner  are  many,  for 
avenues  leading  to  public  preferment  open  up 
liel'ore  him.  but  before  he  can  enter  them,  many 
bing  years  of  careful  preparation  lie  before  him, 
and  also  those  in  which  he  must  secure  the 
experience  that  will  enable  him  to  distance 
others  who  are  rumdng  the  same  race.  For 
these  and  many  other  cogent  reasons,  the  law- 
yers of  the  country  are  accounted  the  most 
intelligent  and  brilliant  men  of  any  connnunity, 
and  one  who  has  always  shown  that  he  pos- 
sessed these  qualities  is  Charles  Wesley  Firke 
of  Mnnstield. 


FIRKE,  William  Henry,  bank  president,  heavy 
landowner,  one  of  the  leading  stockmen  of  the 
country,  and  a  njan  whose  s<iuud  judgment  and 
business  capacity  places  him  in  the  foremost 
rank  of  successful  men  of  this  part  of  the 
state,  is  an  excellent  example  of  what  can  be 
accomplished  through  agricultural  activities  by 
one  with  intelligence  and  natural  inclination 
for  this  kind  of  work.  -Mr.  Firke  was  born  at 
Wi.seburg.  Dearborn  County.  Ind..  January  17, 
l.s."i2.  a  son  of  Conrad  and  Annie  (.\ufencanip) 
Firke.  The  mother  was  a  native  of  Hamburg, 
(ierniany.  She  early  had  an  ambition  to  come 
to  the  tiiited  States,  and  to  earn  the  money 
for  her  passage  worked  in  (Jcrmany  for  nine 
years  for  the  small  wage  of  .$i'>  iJer  annum. 
Even  then  her  meagre  means  forced  her  to  take 
])assage  on  a  sailing  vessel,  which  took  thirteen 
weeks  to  make  the  vo.vage.  and  she  landed  at 
Kallimore  with  .St  in  her  purse,  her  ticket 
across  the  ocean  having  cost  her  .$.jO.  During 
the  last  three  weeks  the  rations  given  the  pas- 
sengers consisted  of  a  half  a  slice  of  bread  and 
a  very  little  water,  so  that  an  ordinary  woman 
wouhl  have  been  in  poor  condition  when  she 
landed,  but  this  stout-hearted  ticrman  was  not 
discouraged,  but  used  her  remaining  mone.v  to 
pay  her  way  to  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  where  sliehad 
friends.  'I'lirough  tliem  slie  .secured  work  as  a 
domestic  and  so  continued  working  until  her 
marriage  about  1S4!). 

Conratl  Firke  was  a  carpenter,  but  as  Mr.s. 
Firke  had  been  reared  on  a  farm  and  had 
great  faith  in  the  possibilities  of  farming  in  the 
new  world,  she  induced  her  husband  to  buy  sev- 
enty acres  of  land,  covered  with  brush,  on  which 
there  was  a  log  cabin  and  barn.  He  did  not 
have  his  wife's  energy  or  constitution  and  did 
not  long  sin-vive  the  change,  and  when  he  died 
January  i'l».  IS.jl*.  left  her  with  a  tiny  infant, 
and  three  other  small  children.  Her"  farndng 
eipiipnient  was  very  meagre  for  she  had  no 
plow,  practically  no  furniture,  while  a  blind 
mule,  a  few  chickens  and  two  or  three  cows 
(iiini  rised  her  live  stock.  Deterndne<l  to  get  ;i 
start,  she  saved  KKi  dozen  eggs  and  hauled  them 
to  Cincinnati,  a  distance  of  thirty-tive  miles, 
selling  them  lor  nine  lents  a  dozen!  With  this 
money  she  bought  a  l)low.  Her  brother  then 
joined  her  .uid  together  they  conducted  the  farm 
until  she  married  again,  her  second  husband 
being  Henry  .Myers,  by  whom  she  h;id  two 
sons,  namely:  (Jeorge.  who  lives  at  .Vnie.s,  Iowa; 
and  Henry,  who  lives  at  (Jreenwood.  Neb.  This 
remark.ilile  woman  died  at  the  home  of  this 
youngest  son,  September  22,  I'Jll,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-eight  years, 

William  Henry  Firke  attend^l  fir.st  a  sub- 
scription school  held  in  a  log  cabin,  and  later 
the  public  schools.  He  resided  with  his  mother 
until  he  was  seventeen  years  old  at  which 
tinn-  his  stei>father  gave  him  the  privilege  to 
work  for  liim.sclf.  He  contracted  to  work  by 
the  month  for  .$17.  and  was  so  engaged  for  five 
.vears.  being  i>rincipally  employed  in  Indiana, 
.md  during  that  jieriod  his  wages  were  increa.sed 
from  time  to  time.     Inheriting  many  of  the  qual- 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


743 


itios  of  hi*  remarUable  motlier,  be  carefully 
saved  hi.s  money,  and  his  majority  saw  him 
with  .$TUU  iu  cash,  and  he  also  had  his  share 
of  the  original  brush  farm,  which  netted  him 
$700,  so  that  he  had  a  capital  of  $1,400.  This 
he  loaned  out  at  7  per  cent,  which  amounted  to 
$il,s  per  year  iu  iuterest.  As  his  wages  only 
amounted  to  $200  in  that  time,  he  used  to  say 
that  he  had  another  man  working  for  him 
half  of  the  time.  In  1S74  he  came  to  Farmer 
City,  111.,  to  work  for  D.  W.  Smith  of  Blue 
liidge  Township  for  $22  per  mouth.  \  few 
months  later  he  hauled  brick  for  J.  C.  Smith's 
barn,  and  also  made  the  mortar  for  it. 

By  that  time  desiring  to  begin  farming  on  his 
own    account,    he    investigated    conditions    and 
finally  rented  a  si.xty-acre  farm,  paying  $3  per 
acre   rent,   but   was   given    lo   [ler   cent   off   for 
cash,   so  the  actual  rent   was  only  $2.70.     Two 
years  later  he  bovight  100  acres  of  land  in  Blue 
Kidge  Township   of   partly   improved   land,   for 
which   he   paid  $35   per   acre,   and   made   many 
Improvements  ou   it.  Including   tiling  a   portion 
of   It.      This   he    sold   in    1S!)4   and    bought    400 
acres  in   Vermilion  County,  for  which   he  paid 
$U5  per  acre.     In  the  meanwhile  he  bought  240 
acres  of  land  that   was  all  swamp,  paying  .l;40 
per  acre,  and  tiled  it,  adding  forty  acres  more 
in   l«lt;,  for  which   he  paid  $100  per  acre.     In 
1^88  he  bought  ;;20  acres  iu  Blue  Kidge  Town- 
ship, paying  SCO  per  acre,   and   in   1800   moved 
on  it  and  lived  there  for  thirteen  years,  it  being 
known  as  the  Bill   Lindsey  farm.      In   ISHK  he 
moved  to  the  General  JIanstield  farm  at  Maus- 
tield,  that  he  bought  in  the  fall  of  1002  for  $171 
per  acre,  it  containing  1721^  acres.     In  1014  he 
added   twelve  and  one4ialf  acres  for  which   he 
pjiid    .$;i00    I'er   acre.      In    1012    he    bought    OO.j 
acres  of  land  in  Gratiot  County,   Mich.,   which 
he  rents.     Iu  the  spring  of  lOK;  he  bought  the 
L.   JI.   Fairbanks   farm   of   277   11-100  acres   in 
Blue  Kidge  Township,   for  which  he  paid  $.300 
per  acre,  and  800  acres  of  land   known  as  the 
Kobert    and     Samuel     McKee    farm     ad.loining. 
-Mr.  Firke  owns  320  acres  additional  in  Kitchen 
County,  Jlinn.     He  started  raising  and  tViMliug 
hogs,  "cattle,  horses  and  sheep,  and  in   1010  lie- 
gau   feeding   and   buying   geese,   and   from   1010 
to  1012  he  was  in  partnership  in  this  line  with 
L.    Clouser,    feeding    a    carload    the    first    year, 
and  two  the  second.     Mr.  Firke  then  dissolved 
the    partnershiii    and    continued    alone    and    in 
101.")  he  handled  32,000  geese,  having  increased 
his    business    each    year.      In    101."i    he    sbip|ieil 
twenty-iuie  carloads  of  livestod;,  comprising  cat- 
tle, horses,  hogs  and  sheep. 

On  .Tnne  8,  1893,  Mr.  Firke  ajid  .V.  J.  Lang- 
ley  established  a  private  bank  with  a  eajiital 
stock  of  $10,000,  and  in  1807  organized  it  as 
the  State  Bank  of  Mansfield,  with  a  capital 
stock  of  $40,000,  of  which  Mr.  Firke  is  jiresi- 
dent ;  A.  J.  Langley  is  vice  president:  .Vlvah 
James  is  second  vice  president ;  and  W.  H. 
Burns  is  cashier.  The  surplus  is  $20.(l(Ki.  and 
the  deposits  are  $l."jO.O0O. 

Mr.  Firke  was  married  March  0,  187.8,  to 
Elizabeth  J.  Petrey,  born  at  Westminster,  Md., 


a  daughter  of  Jaco'i  .oid  Kebecca  (Hoop)  I'et- 
rey,  natives  of  Maryland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Firke 
became  the  parents  of  the  following  children  : 
Anna  Bell,  who  married  Seiitejnber  12,  1000, 
.1.  It.  Bateman,  died  September  It!,  1012,  at  Los 
Auimas,  Col.,  is  buried  at  Mansfield,  111. ; 
Charles  W.,  who  is  at  home;  Lutie  1'.,  who  was 
born  November  0,  1S82,  died  December,  1887; 
Ada,  who  was  born  in  ]88;>;  Halph  \V.,  who 
was  born  August  22,  1804 ;  and  I'rank  F..  who 
was  born  Augiist  7,  1890.  A  strong  Jlethodist, 
Mr.  i'lrke  has  been  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Mansfield  church  for  over  twenty  years.  A 
Democrat,  he  served  as  supervisor  for  one  term, 
and  has  also  been  a  school  trustee.  The  life 
of  such  a  man  requires  no  comment.  What  he 
has  accomplished  speaks  louder  than  words  with 
relation  to  his  success,  while  his  standing  In 
the  conununity  shows  that  his  association  with 
any  niovenuMit  insures  Its  ultimate  accomplish- 
ment. 

i?'ITZWATER,  Da,  one  of  the  prosperous  and 
progressive  farmers  of  I'iatt  County,  owns 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Goose  Creek  Township, 
but  lives  in  Sangamon  Township  on  the  Fitz- 
water  estate.  He  was  born  in  Sangamon  Town- 
ship, June  29,  IsiiO,  a  son  of  William  and  Mary 
C.    iMarijulss)    Fitzwater. 

Like  the  ma.jority  of  farmer's  sons.  Da  Fltz- 
water  attended  the  schools  iu  his  district,  .and 
assisted  his  father  with  the  farm  work,  la 
1897  he  began  farming  a  portion  of  the  home- 
stead, with  his  father  and  lu-other.  William  J., 
all  working  fogether  until  the  father's  death  in 
the  fall  of  191;;.  after  which  he.  his  brotlier 
and  their  brother-in-law.  Willis  Fristoe.  worked 
the  farm  together  for  two  years.  Since  then 
Da  and  his  brother  have  been  in  partnership 
iu  farming  the  Fitzwater  estate,  it  being  2.30 
acres  In  Sangamon  and  Goose  Creek  townships, 
and  eighty  acres  iu  Goose  Creek  Township, 
owned  by  Da,  all  of  w^hich  they  farm.  The 
brother  owns  forty  acres  in  (Joose  Creek  Town- 
ship. On  it  they  carry  on  general  grain  farm- 
ing and  raise  horses,  cattle  and  hogs. 

On  Xovember  24.  1897.  in  Ch.ampaign,  III., 
Da  Fitzwater  was  married  to  Delia  McFeeters, 
liorn  in  Sangamon  Township.  July  18,  187.5,  a 
daughter  of  Ben.laniin  and  Margaret  (William- 
son) McFeeters,  natives  of  Ohio  and  De  Witt 
Count.v,  111.,  resiiectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fitz- 
w.-iter  have  the  following  chihlren  :  Sylvia  Marie. 
born  July  2."').  1901  ;  Elsie  M..  born  .Vliril  13,  1913; 
and  Lola  .M..  born  August  27.  1007.  In  politics 
Mr.  Fitzwater  is  a  Kepulilican.  Having  al- 
wa.vs  devoted  him.self  to  farming.  Mr.  Fitzwater 
understands  his  business  thoroughly,  and  his 
property  is  among  the  most  valuable  In  the 
county,  and  his  methods  are  followed  by  many 
who  recognize  his  expert  knowledge  in  his  line. 
.Mr.  Fitzwater  owns  stock  In  the  Farmers  State 
•  ind  the  .Moore  State  banks  at  Monticello. 

FITZWATER,  William  James,  one  of  the  pro- 
gressive farmers  of  Sangamon  Township,  and 
.■I  .voung  man  of  means  and  position,  was  born 


744 


lllSTOKV   OF  I'lATT  COl'XTY. 


ill  (his  towiislilp  Marcli  22,  IS'.Xl,  ii  son  of  Wil- 
liiiiii  ami  .M.iiy  ('.  (Maniu'^s)  Fitzwater,  na- 
tives ol'  I'a.veltf  Ciiiiiit.v,  Oliio,  aiiU  .Sau^'amou 
TdwiiHliip,  I'iiitt  tViuiit}-,  resi<t'i,'tively.  Jesse 
FitzwatiT,  the  paternal  ^i-andfatlier,  was  born 
at  Harper's  Ferry.  Va.  Alter  their  inarriajie  the 
parents  located  on  a  farm  of  4(>;!  acres  in  Goose 
Creek  and  Saiiiranion  townships.  In  addition  to 
this  farm,  the  mother  owned  liHi  acres  of  land 
in  Sanpini'iii  Township.  On  this  property  the 
father  coiitinned  farmins;  nntil  his  death  IS'o- 
veinlier  I'l',  ]!)l.l.  The  mother  still  lives  on  the 
farm,  and  oversees  its  operation.  There  were 
the  followini;  children  in  the  family:  John,  who 
is  deceased;  Joseph,  who  lives  at  Mansfield, 
111.  ;  Estella,  who  is  Mrs.  Aquila  Hays  of  Jet- 
more.  Kas. ;  Charles,  who  lives  in  (Joose  Creelc 
Township:  Da.  who  lives  in  Saiiwunon  Town- 
ship; Nellie,  who  is  at  home;  Allie,  who  is  Mrs. 
W.  L).  Fristoe,  of  Hemeiit,  111. ;  Edna  Blanche, 
who  lives  at  Monticello;  and  William  James, 
who  is  tlie  youngest,  and  has  always  livetl  on 
the  homestead,  .ind  since  1!»10  has  assisted  in 
its  conduct.  After  the  death  of  his  father, 
he  and  two  of  his  brothers  took  over  the  man- 
agement of  the  jilace.  When  the  estate  was 
settled.  .Mr.  I'itzwater  liouglit  forty  acres  of 
land  in  (ioose  Creek  Towiisliip.  and  operates 
it  in  coii.j\iiicti<iii  with  the  homestead.  His  edn- 
cational  training  was  in  the  district  schools  of 
his  native  towiishi|i.  and  fonr  years  at  the  Mon- 
ticello lliiili  .school.  Ill  politics  he  is  an  Inde- 
liendent  liepiiblican.  Mr.  Fitzwater  is  not  mar- 
ried. 

William  Fit:'.w:iter.  father  of  William  James 
Fitzw.-iter.  was  born  in  Ohio,  in  Aj'ril.  1S4:!. 
n  son  of  Jesse  and  Mary  (,Mc.\elt>  Fitzwater. 
who  in  I.s.'d  came  to  I'iatt  Connty,  111..  Imyinj: 
land  in  Sang.imon  Township,  after  renting  land 
for  a  time.  They  rounded  out  their  last  years 
with  their  son.  AVilliam.  In  ]Si\;\  Willi.im  Fitz- 
water was  married  to  Mary  Cei(>iia  .Manpilss. 
born  in  Saniranion  Townsbi]i.  February  4.  1S4.S. 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Harriet  (.Mallory)  Mar- 
ipiiss.  .\fter  his  marriage.  Mr.  Fitzwater  moved 
to  IfiO  acres  his  wife  owneil  in  .Sangamon  Town- 
ship, but  later  acnuired  his  homestead  of  4(^5 
acres  in  Ooose  Creek  and  Sangamon  townships 
and  made  many  improvements  upon  the  prop- 
ert.v.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  schools. 
but  his  wife  hatl  the  additional  lienefit  of  a  year 
in  the  schools  of  Monticello.  "William  Fitzwaler 
served  as  a  school  director  for  twenty  five  years, 
and  was  road  commissioner  for  a  time.  In  pol- 
itus  he  was  imlependent. 

FOSTER,  Jesse  Lorin,  owner  of  one  of  the  fine 
farms  in  I'iatt  County,  is  one  of  the  progressive 
agriculturalists  of  Sangamon  Townsliij*.  He 
was  born  at  .Monticello.  January  L'^.  l.'ilu.  a  son 
of  Joseph  Creen  and  Caroline  (  W;iller>  Foster, 
natives  of  Itellefonte.  Ta..  and  Ohio,  respectively, 
who  were  nnirried  nt  Clinton.  111.  Willi.im  Fos- 
ter, the  imtern.il  grandfather,  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvanin.  but  b(>came  an  early  settler  of  Piatt 
County,  locating  at  M(Uiticello  when  it  was  but 
a   little  settlement.     Captain   F.    I,.   Waller,  the 


maternal  grandfather,  served  as  a  member  of 
the  One  Hundred  and  .Seventh  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infanliy  in  the  Civil  War. 

Joseph  CJreeu  Foster,  the  father,  was  the  tirst 
freiglil  agent  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
at  Clinton  and  was  a.ssistaut  postmaster  there 
under  Po.stmaster  Van  Druver.  On  A|)ril  28, 
1S4'.),  he  moveil  with  his  family  to  Bloomington, 
HI.,  and  later  cime  to  .Monticello.  where  he  was 
deputy  clerk  for  eight  years  of  the  Circuit  Court. 
.Vlter  coiui>leting  his  second  term,  tlie  fatlier 
moved  to  Monticello  Township  and  farmed  for 
si.\  years,  then  going  to  Sangamon  Townsliip, 
where  he  continued  his  farming  ojierations  un- 
til his  death.  Marcli  4.  I'.iH.  The  mother  died 
in  lUUT.  Tlieir  cihidren  were  as  follows:  James 
K.,  who  lives  at  Muiiticello:  Jesse  L.  ;  Charles 
M.,  who  lives  at  (luymon,  Okla. :  and  Mamie, 
who  is  Mrs.  John  M.  Hr.idley  of  Monticello. 

.Ies.se  L.  Foster  attended  the  public  schools  in 
Monticello  and  Sangamon  Township,  and  re- 
mained with  his  parents  until  he  .was  twenty- 
one  years  old.  At  that  time  he  began  farming 
on  his  own  account,  renting  land  until  lOol, 
when  he  bought  UU)  .acres  of  land  in  Sangamon 
Township  which  forms  a  portion  of  his  pres- 
ent farm,  to  which  he  added  until  he  now  owns 
2TM  acres  all  in  one  body.  On  this  he  lias  made 
so  many  improvements  that  he  has  developed 
his  property  into  one  of  the  best  In  the  county, 
if  not  in  this  part  of  the  state.  His  buildings, 
fences  and  eMUiimient  denote  his  etticiency  and 
good   management.     He  has  always   carried   on 

gi lal    fa  lining    .-iiid    cattle    raising    and    also 

raises  horses  and  hogs,  conducting  his  business 
upon  a  prolitable  basis. 

Oil  January  22,  1S8!),  Mr.  Foster  was  married 
to  Josephine  Olentine.  born  at  Yellow  Springs, 
Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mary  (Apple- 
gate)  Olentine.  natives  of  (Jreene  County.  Ohio. 
Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Foster  have  had  the  following 
chihlren:    .\rlhur   .Murray,   of   Monticello;    Inez 

.May,   at   I le :    (;ladys   JIarie.    at   home:    lona 

Clare,  of  Cliam|iaign.  III.;  and  Florence,  Walter 
h.  and  Roscoe  .Newkirk.  Walter  F..  who  was 
next  to  the  youngest,  died  at  tlie  age  of  ten 
years.  Mr.  Foster  is  a  member  of  the  Inter- 
national Millie  Stmlents'  .\ssociation.  He  has 
espoused  the  principles  of  the  Progressive  Re- 
publicans. In  public  service  he  held  the  oftice 
of  tax  collector  for  five  years,  and  that  of 
supervisor  for  two  terms.  Frateruallv  he  be- 
longs to  White  Heath  Camp.  M.  W.'  A.,  the 
Royal  Neighbors,  and  the  Monticello  Fodge.  I. 
O.  O.  F..  and  also  to  the  Fncaiii]imeiit  of  that 
order.  .\  man  of  proniineiice  in  his  conimnnity. 
he  has  earned  his  standing  through  his  own 
personality  and  ability. 

FOSTER,  Thomas  J.,  D.  D.  M.,  is  one  of  the 

men  who  are  devoting  their  skill  and  trained 
knowledge  1o  the  preserv:ition  of  the  health  and 
well  being  of  live  stock,  and  his  name  is  known 
all  over  Piatt  and  surrounding  counties.  He 
was  horn  in  Perry  County.  Ohio.  January  27, 
1SS(!.  a  son  of  Havid  S.  and  Matilda  J.  (Love) 
Foster.     The  mother  died  .March  20,   1915,  but 


MK.   AND   MRS.   DAVID   McBRIDE 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


745 


the  father  survives,  now  liviug  in  retirement  at 
Thornville,   Ohio. 

Dr.  Foster  attended  the  eomuion  and  high 
seliools  of  Perry  County,  and  the  Ohio  State 
University,  following  which  he  took  a  full  course 
in  the  Ohio  St;ite  Veterinary  College,  being  grad- 
uated therefrom  in  the  spring  of  1909.  Im- 
mediately afterward  he  began  practiciug  at 
Monticelio.  buying  the  [irac-tice  of  Frank  Bales, 
and  since  then  has  firmly  established  himself 
in  the  confidence  of  the  people. 

In  June,  19U).  Dr.  Foster  was  married  to 
Agues  E.  Nichol.  born  at  Granville.  Ohio,  a 
daughter  of  Edward  A.  and  Matilda  (Green) 
Dale.  Dr.  aud  Mrs.  Foster  have  had  the  fol- 
lowing children  :  William  Leland,  Lawrence  Ed- 
ward, and  Anice  Elizabeth.  In  politics  Dr.  Fo.s- 
ter  is  independent,  preferring  to  cast  the  weight 
of  his  influence  for  the  man,  rather  than  for 
the  party.  He  is  a  Chapter  and  Council  Mason, 
belonging  to  Zodiac  Grotto,  and  a  Knigbt  of 
Pythias,  and  is  popular  in  fraternal  circles. 
During  the  last  few  years  Dr.  Foster  has  built 
a  tine  brick  hospital  for  livestock,  where  he  Is 
able  to  care  for  the  animals  he  is  treating  under 
the  most  favoral'le  conditions.  He  also  o\\Tis  . 
his  handsome  residence  at  Monticelio.  and  iS' 
considered  a  man  of  substance  and  high  stand- 
ing. 

FRANTZ,  Wilbur  E.,  one  of  the  leading  fanners 
and  stock  men  of  I'iatt  County,  who  for  years 
was  operating  land  in  Cerro  Gor<Io  Township, 
is  now  the  owner  of  a  feed  and  livery  stable 
at  Cerro  Gordo.  He  was  born  in  Macou  County, 
111.,  April  0,  1.S92,  a  son  of  Levi  and  Miranda 
(Groff)  Frantz,  natives  of  Macon  and  Piatt 
counties.  After  their  marriage  the  parents  lo- 
cated on  a  farm  of  100  acres  of  land  in  Macon 
County,  and  they  also  own  100  acres  of  land 
in  Cerro  Gordo  Township.  Their  children  have 
been  as  follows :  Pearl,  who  is  Mrs.  Oscar 
Berry  of  Unity  Township,  Piatt  County ;  Mabel, 
who  is  Mrs.  Joseph  Ilamni  of  Colorado  City, 
Col.:  Wilbur  E. :  Lawrence,  who  lives  at  De- 
catur, 111. ;  and  Editli  and  Orpha,  who  are  at 
home. 

ITntil  1912  Wilbur  E.  Frantz  resided  with  his 
parents,  but  at  that  time  he  went  to  live  on  a 
]2S-acre  fanm  owned  by  his  father-in-law.  and 
there  spent  two  years.  In  1914  he  moved  on  his 
father's  farm  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township,  and 
since  then  has  carried  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  owning  a  fine  registered  imported 
Percheron  stallion. 

On  July  .3.  1912.  Mr.  Frantz  was  married  to 
Rilla  Turney.  born  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township, 
a  daughter  of  .Vmandus  and  Sarah  (Garry) 
Turne.v,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania,  re- 
siKH'tively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frantz  have  one 
daughter,  namel.v:  Uuby.  who  was  born  March 
M.  191.'!.  Jlr.  Frantz  attended  the  Hess  district 
school,  while  his  wife  attended  the  Star  and 
I'leasant  View  district  schools.  The  First 
Brethren  Churcli  of  Cerro  Gordo  holds  his  mem- 
bership. In  polities  he  Is  a  Republican.  A 
young  man  of  energy  and  enterprise,  he  is  likely 


to   succeed    in    his   new    venture,   as   he   has    in 
his  other  ones. 

FUNK,  Samuel  M.,  president  of  the  State  Bank 
of  Cerro  Gordo,  which  he  bellied  to  found,  and 
one  of  the  most  progressive  men  In  securing  the 
development  of  this  part  of  the  state,  is  a  recog- 
nized leader  in  the  affairs  of  I'iatt  County.  He 
was  born  at  iavonia,  Washington  County,  Ind., 
February  8,  1.S41,  a  son  of  Abraham  and  Eliza 
.1.  (McKinneyj  Funk,  natives  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Indiana.  The  grandfather,  Joseph  Funk, 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  while  the  grand- 
father, Ale-\and'er  McKiuney,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky. Both  these  grandfathers  became  early 
settlers  of  Indiana,  and  there  the  parents  of 
Samuel  M.  Funk  were  married.  In  185o  they 
came  to  Piiitt  County,  buying  land  in  Cerro 
Gordo  Township.  The  father  died  in  1S90,  aud 
the  mother,  who  survi\ed  him,  passed  away  at 
tlie  age  of  niuety  years. 

S'amuel  M.  Funk  attended  the  common  schools 
of  Indiana  and  Illinois,  and  remained  with  his 
parents  until  ISGl,  when  he  went  to  live  on  a 
farn»  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township.  In  August, 
li.02.  he  enlisted  for  service  iu  the  Civil  War, 
in  the  One  Hundred  and  Seventh  Illinois  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland.  Later  he  became  connected 
with  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  aud  he  took  part 
in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Jonesboro,  Franklin,  and  many  others  of  equal 
iiuiiortance,  but  was  never  wounded  nor  talven 
prisoner.  In  June,  1805,  he  received  his  hon- 
orable discharge  in  North  Carolina,  and  was 
nuisteretl  out  at  Camp  Butler,  July  10,  lSt;5. 

Returning  home  Mr.  Funk  resumed  farming, 
so  continuing  until  18S3  when  he  embarked  iu 
a  hardware  business  which  he  conducted  for 
eighteen  years  in  Cerro  Gordo.  Becoming  then 
treasurer  of  Piatt  County,  he  sold  his  hardware 
interests,  but  at  the  expiration  of  his  four  years 
of  service,  he  bought  back  this  business  and 
conducted  it  until  1911,  when  once  more  he  .sold 
it.  In  190;'),  he  became  a  stockholder  and  a 
director  of  the  State  Bank  of  Cerro  Gordo,  and 
In  1910,  at  the  death  of  John  Dighton,  who  was 
president,  Mr.  Funk  was  elected  to  fill  his  place, 
and  has  since  been  the  e.xecutive  head  of  this 
institution.  Frank  V.  Dillatush  Is  the  vice 
president.  The  capital  stock  of  the  bank  is 
.fSO.OOO,.  while  the  surplus  is  .$32,000.  Mr.  Funk 
owns  240  acres  of  fine  laud  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Township  that  he  rents. 

On  JIarch  (i,  1801,  Mr.  Funk  was  married  to 
Sarah  A.  Chilson.  born  in  Hancock  County,  Ohio, 
a  daughter  of  William  A.  and  Malinda  (Cole) 
Chilson,  natives  of  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Funk 
have  had  the  following  children  :  E.  M.,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  forty  years;  John  E.,  who  lives 
at  Bement,  III.;  Samuel  E.,  who  lives  in  Cerro 
Gordo  Township;  Elvaretta,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twcnty-eigbt  years,  was  Mrs.  Grant  Huff; 
Cora  A.,  who  is  at  home ;  and  Aaron  L.,  who  is 
teaching  in  the  public  school  at  'Wblte  Heath, 
111. 

Mr.    Funk    is    a    member    of    the    Methodist 


746 


HISTORY  OK  PIATT  COLXTY 


Cliiui-h.  iiiiU  has  held  all  tlie  ilmivli  ultici's.  and 
is  now  cliaiiiiian  ui  tin-  linaiicc  coniniitfi-i'.  In 
polilii-s  he  is  a  Iti'i'i'hlican  and  served  for  live 
years  as  lax  lolleitor  of  the  township,  and  was 
also  school  tieasiii-ef.  feiro  (ioido  I'ost  .No. 
liltl,  <;.  A.  K.,  lias  in  him  a  very  enthu.siastie 
and  helpful  nieinlier  and  he  is  now  servln;;  as 
adjutant  of  the  post.  .\  man  of  untiriii.^  eneriiy 
and  1  road  ideas,  he  has  exerted  himself  to  se- 
cure the  .-idoption  of  measures  that  would  lend 
toward  the  opeuini;  up  and  development  of  re- 
.souri  es.  and  the  eoniniiinity  owes  him  a  heavy 
delit  for  his  pnhlic  spirit. 

GARVER,  John  H.,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
l.s:.i."i.  and  came  to  I'iatt  County  when  he  was 
fourteen  years  old  and  located  at  C'erro  Cordo 
in  youiiK  maidiood.  and  thereafter  was  enf;a;;ed 
lu  .irrain  Inlying  ami  shipiiin;;  until  his  death. 
in  Xovemlier,  i.Si)S.  He  was  married  in  De- 
cember, 1S4S.  to  Sarah  Jane  Hudson,  and  they 
had  the  followins;  children  ;  Heiijamiu  F.. 
Samuel  D.,  Mrs.  11.  K.  McKinney.  Charles  A. 
and  several   who  died  in  childhood. 

GARVER,  Samuel,  who  siunt  his  dccliniii>;  years 
in  .Moiitici'llo.  was  born  in  Lancaster  County. 
I'a..  .March  li.  IMMi.  While  livins;  in  reunsyl- 
vania  he  was  married  to  .\iiiia  I'.oyer.  and  their 
children  were  as  follows:  .lohn.  ,lo.se|)h.  .Mary. 
Jacob,  Jonas,  Nancy,  Jesse  and  l.ydia.  In  IS.'i.". 
they  came  to  StriiiKtowii  Lane.  IMatt  County. 
ami  .Mr.  Carver  invested  fpiite  heavily  in  farm 
land  which  he  operated  until  he  retired  and 
went    to    Monticello. 

GESSFORD,  James  William,  now  prosixiously 
en;;a~cd  in  (Minductin','  a  h;uiicss  niaUin;.;  Inisi- 
ness  and  thi-  handling'  of  truiiUs  and  other 
leather  articles  at  l)e  Land,  is  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative business  men  <if  I'iatt  County,  lie  was 
born  at  rarmer  City,  111.,  September  14,  lS(l."i, 
a  s<ui  of  Henry  A.  and  Mary  KUoii  (Jacksou) 
Cessford.  The  father  was  of  Kreiich  extraction, 
and  the  mother  a  native  of  i:n',.'land.  coniinj;  to 
.Xnu'rica  when  ei;;ht  years  old  and  to  Farmer 
City.  III.,  in  childhood,  and  there  4:iew  to  matur- 
ity. The  lather  became  one  of  the  merchants 
of  Farmer  City.  The  family  went  to  I>e  Land 
in  ISTM.  and  there  the  father  conducted  a  store 
mid  did  paintins;  and  palter  hauKini;,  jirior  to 
fioiii;;  to  Florid.i,  where  he  died  May  (I,  1!)11. 
Ills  widow  resides  at  Monticello  with  a  daii^'h- 
ter.  Mrs.  K.  .\.  Johnson. 

James  William  Cessl'ord  had  an  o]i|»irt unity  to 
.'illend  the  public  schools  of  1  )e  Land  and  learn 
business  methods  in  his  father's  establishment. 
When  he  attained  his  ma.iority.  he  be^-'an  worU- 
ini;  for  neishbnrin:;  farmers  by  the  month,  and 
after  nine  years  of  this  kind  of  wiu'k,  went  ba<-k 
to  Farmer  City  where  he  lesirned  the  harness 
and  saddle  m.ikiiif.'  trade,  workim;  at  it  for  three 
years.  In  the  sprini:  of  LSiK!  he  returned  to  De 
Land  and  fcu-  sevi>ral  months,  or  until  July  of 
that  year,  continued  to  be  emi'loyed  at  his  tr.ide. 
but  in  that  month  boU!;ht  the  harness  makiiis 
business  of  J.  L.  Heed  at  Pe  Land,  and  has  eon- 


diK  ted  it  ever  since.  In  addition  he  handles 
trunks,  valises  and  .similar  j;oods,  and  has  a 
larire  trade. 

On  September  14,  IMIS.  Mr.  (Jessl'ord  was 
marritil  to  .Nannie  .\maiin,  born  in  Farmer  City, 
HI.,  a  daughter  of  John  and  .Margaret  (l>e  Vail) 
.VniiUiii,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of 
fJermany.  I'nlil  his  tleath  in  isDii.  Mr.  .\uiann 
Worked  ,it  his  trade  of  shoemaking.  Mrs.  .\maun 
survives  and  lives  ,it  De  Land.  The  religious 
alliliaiions  of  .Mr.  (Jessford  are  witli  the  .Metho- 
dist Church  of  which  he  is  a  member.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  licpublicaii.  One  of  the  things 
rc'lative  to  his  tanjily  history  of  which  Mr. 
(jessford  is  Justitiably  proud  is  the  fact  that 
during  the  Civil  War  his  father  was  a  defender 
of  the  Cnioii.  serving  in  Company  .\,  Forty-tirst 
Illinois  \'oluntecr  Infantry,  for  three  years  and 
lliriM'   months. 

GILLESPIE,  Hamxnon  Kuhn,  one  ol  the  rcpie 
scntatives  of  the  best  class  of  farmers  Piatt 
County  produced,  but  now  deceased,  was  boru 
in  Pennsylvania,  in  IMi."),  and  came  to  this 
county  ill  is.^li,  buying  KiO  acres  of  laud  which 
he  improved  and  lived  upon  until  1891,  when 
he  moved  to  Farmer  City,  and  there  he  died, 
June  li."),  1!)UI.  He  was  a  Mason.  In  1S4."j  .Mr. 
Cillespif  was  married  to  Nancy  Moore,  and 
they  had  the  following  cliildren :  Christian, 
(ieorge  .Moore.  .Mrs.  Philip  Wiedman,  Samuel 
Joseph,  John  Wesley,  Henry  Martin,  Mrs. 
lleiH-y  C.  Eakin,  (^orl  O.,  and  Frank  Leslie, 
-Mr.  Gillespie  was  largely  instrumental  in  se- 
curing the  building  of  the  Kig  Four  Railroad 
from  frbana  to  Peoria,  and  was  superintendent 
of  construction  when  this  road  was  known  as 
the    Illinois.    P.loomiugt<ui   &    Western   Kailroad. 

GILMORE,  Henry  Harrison,  whoso  activities 
with  reference  In  nioilcrn  fiiruiing  have  placeil 
him  in  the  front  r.ink  of  those  who  have  made 
Piatt  County  what  it  now  is  as  a  producing 
(•enter  lor  foodstuffs,  is  now  living  in  relative 
retirement  on  the  edge  of  Farmer  City.  He  was 
born  October  .">.  In4(I.  .-i  son  of  William  and 
So]>hia  P.  (Whitel  Cilmore.  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania .-iml  Ohio.  They  were  married  in  Ohio 
ill  l.s."4  and  nioveil  to  M(d,ean  County.  III.,  and 
in  ls:;c,  went  thence  to  Fulton  County,  tlie  same 
stale.  The  brother  of  William  Cilmore  had 
entered  government  land  in  Fulton  County,  and 
this  William  (Jilmore  purchased.  Of  this  home- 
stead. Henry  II.  Cilmore  now  owns  sixty  acres. 

In  aihlition  to  attending  the  schools  of  his 
dislricf.  lleiiiy  II.  Cilmore  .also  went  to  Lom- 
bard rnivcrsily  at  (Jalesburg.  111.  rntil  he 
was  twenty  years  old.  Mr.  Cilmore  resiib'd  with 
his  parents,  and  then  betran  farming  on  his  own 
ai-couiit.  first  renting  land  near  Canton.  III.,  but 
some  years  l.-iter  bought  a  farm  in  McLean 
County.  111.,  whicli  .i  year  later  he  traded  f<ir 
.'SL'ii  acres  in  (Joose  Creek  Township.  Piatt 
County.  .Mthough  he  later  sold  this  farm,  de- 
fault in  |i:iyn!ent  on  the  p;irt  of  the  purchaser 
resulted  in  his  baving  to  t.ake  it  back,  and  he 
later  added    lu   the   properly   until    be   now    has 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


747 


>^'>2  aci'cs  ill  f;<n>se  Creek  To\viishi]i  and  De 
Witt  County.  Until  tlie  fall  iif  llil:;  he  con- 
tinued farniin;;.  but  tlien  moved  on  a  .~imall  tract 
of  land  couiprisinff  si.\  and  one-half  acres  of 
land  on  the  edfte  of  Farmer  Cit.v.  During  the 
time  he  has  lived  here  lie  has  made  inaii.v  Im- 
provements, either  re'ouildini:  or  remodeling  all 
the  buildinf;s.  and  introduciii;.'  some  very  suitable 
.•uid  desirable  improvements,  so  that  he  now  has 
a  very  fine  proiierty.  He  is  the  largest  stock- 
holder in  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  De  Land 
and  a  director. 

The  chiklren  of  Mr.  (Jilniore  are:  Charles  L., 
who  lives  in  Goose  Creek  Townsliiii;  and  Mrs. 
T.ertlia  Wheeler,  a  widow,  who  lives  with  her 
fallier.  Not  only  is  Mr.  Gilmore  a  member  of 
the  Jletliodist  Church,  but  is  a  member  of  the 
Imard  of  stewards.  In  politics  a  Iteiuililican. 
the  men  of  liis  party  have  turned  to  him  for 
public  service  and  made  him  a  school  director 
and  trustee  for  twenty  .vears.  lie  has  been  a 
justice  of  the  peace  for  two  terms,  and  is  now 
serving. 

GOODMAN,  Samuel  A.  (deceased),  was  for  a 
number  of  years  a  strong  factor  in  the  business 
life  of  De  Land,  where  his  operations  were  e.x- 
teiislve,  and  his  interests  manifold.  He  was 
born  at  Piper  City.  111..  May  li,  1S-")S,  a  son  of 
.John  and  Sarah  (Bellamy)  fioodman.  natives  of 
Fngland.  r]ion  their  arrival  in  the  T'nited 
States,  they  spent  some  years  in  Ohio,  where 
the  father  was  in  a  dairy  business,  and  then 
came  to  Ford  County.  III.,  where  the  father 
engaged  in  farming  until  his  death  which  oc- 
curred at   Kemiiton.   111. 

During  his  boyhood,  Samuel  (J.  (ioodnian  at- 
tended the  ]iublic  scliools  of  his  vicinit.v,  and 
learned  farming  in  .all  its  details  on  the  family 
homestead.  Uealizing  the  advisibility  of  gain- 
ing a  commercial  training,  after  attaining  his 
nia,iority  he  went  to  Chicago,  and  took  a  book- 
keeping course  at  a  business  college  in  that 
city,  and  then  was  with  a  large  concern  of  Chi- 
cago as  bookkeeiier  for  four  years.  Later  he 
went  to  Kempton.  III.,  to  assume  the  duties  of 
a  similar  |K)sition  for  a  hardware  and  furniture 
and  undertiiking  establishnient  owiu-d  liy  his 
lii-other-in-law.  and  in  1SS7  he  embarked  in  a 
hardware  and  lumber  business  with  a  Mr.  Perry 
at  Cabery.  III.  Selling  the  business  In  1S01. 
he  went  to  Rockford.  111.,  and  established  the 
wholesale  cutlery  house  of  (Joodman  &  Riggs 
P.ros.,  and  maintained  this  connection  until  the 
spring  of  1800  when  he  sold  to  his  partners 
.and  benight  the  lumber  and  general  business  of 
Charles  Dewees.  ;it  De  Land  and  at  that  time 
Mr.  (Joodman  also  established  a  hardware  store 
.and  conducted  it  until  his  death  which  ociairred 
.\ugust  3.  1;M)3. 

On  November  l.'i.  1S,S.S.  Mr.  Gof«lman  was 
married  to  Marguerite  K(>ighin.  horn  at  Peoria. 
III.,  a  daughter  of  Diivid  and  -Mary  (Ci)wley) 
Keighiii.  natives  of  Peel  and  Ramsey  of  the 
Isle  <if  Man.  The  father  was  born '  in  182.5. 
Sometime  during  the  forties,  they  came  to  the 
T'nited   States   atnl    were   married   at    Memphis. 


Tenii.,  from  whence  tliey  came  to  Peoria,  III., 
where  the  father  became  one  of  the  earliest  eon- 
tractors  of  masonry  In  that  city,  building  a 
numlier  of  the  important  structures  in  the  early 
(lays.  During  the  Civil  War,  he  enlisted  in 
1802  in  an  Illinois  regiment,  and  gave  his  coun- 
try his  services  until  the  close  of  the  struggle, 
wiien  he  was  honorably  discharged.  He  then 
went  to  the  vicinity  of  Yazoo,  Miss.,  and  spent 
three  years  on  a  cotton  plantation,  but  then 
returned  to  Peoria.  Sinm  thereafter  he  went 
on  a  farm  in  that  vicinity  and  conducted  it  until 
]S!I2  when  he  retired,  moved  to  Ford  County, 
Til.,  and  there  died  April  7,  101.5.  The  mother 
died  Febniary  1,  1004.  aged  seventy-six  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goodman  had  two  children: 
Frank,  who  is  the  oflicial  dairy  supervisor  for 
the  t'niversity  of  Illinois:  and  .Mabel,  who  is 
living  with  her  mother.  .Vfter  the  death  of  Mr. 
(Jniidman.  Mrs.  (ioddnian  disposed  of  the  lum- 
ber and  hardware  Imsiness  and  is  living  in  De 
Laiifl.  Mrs.  (ioodnian  attended  the  high  school 
at  Galva,  111.,  and  the  Pa.xton  Collegiate  Normal 
Institute  at  I'axton  and  was  a  school  teacher  in 
Ford  County.  111.,  for  years.  Mr.  Goodman  was 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  to  which  JTrs, 
Goodman  also  belongs,  and  he  was  on  its  offi- 
cial board  for  a  number  of  years.  A  Repub- 
lican, he  was  callp<l  upon  by  his  party  to  serve 
as  town  clerk  and  to  hold  other  village  offices. 
T""raternally  .Mr.  Goodman  belonged  to  the  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  .Vmerica  and  the  Odd  Fellows. 
TTis  loss  to  his  community  was  a  severe  one,  and 
his  memory  is  held  in  grateful  recollection  by 
those  with  whom  he  was  associated. 

GORDON,  John,  owner  of  120  acres  in  Unity 
Township  for  a  number  of  year.s,  located  in 
I'iatt  County  in  l^m.  and  died  in  ISsO.  He 
was  married  to  .\iiiia  Sloam.  an<l  they  had  the 
following  children;  Felix  <;..  Rosealla.  Mag- 
gie, Mary,  Ida  May.  Catherine  S.  and  two  who 
died  in  infancy. 

GRASON,  Charles  Fremont.  Many  of  the  men 
who  were  resiionsible  for  the  devebjpment  of 
the  farming  lands  of  I'iatt  County  have  passed 
to  their  reward,  but  it  is  only  fitting  that  some 
record  be  made  of  their  lives  so  that  their  names 
may  lie  handed  down  to  posterity.  One  of 
those  who  for  many  years  was  associated  with 
tiie  agricultural  activities  of  this  section,  was 
the  late  Charles  Fremont  Grason  of  Cerro  Gordo. 
He  was  born  in  Scott  County,  Til.,  August  16, 
18.".0.  a  son  of  William  and  Helen  (Burres)  Gra- 
son. of  Scotch  descent. 

1^11  September  21.  iso:^,  Mr.  Grason  was  mar- 
ried to  Martha  Chambers,  born  in  Macon 
Count.v.  III.,  a  daughter  of  James  R.  and  lOliza- 
beth  (Dicky)  Chamliers,  natives  of  I'^lorence. 
-Via.,  and  Kentucky.  Mr.  Chambers  was  horn 
February  21.  182.5.  and  died  December  23,  1800, 
in  Piatt  County,  III.,  where  for  years  he  had 
lieen  a  prosjierous  farmer.  Mrs.  Chambers  was 
born  November  4.  1822,  and  died  .May  20.  1003. 

.Vfter  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grason 
moved  to  a  farm  south  of  Cerro  Gordo,  where 


748 


IIISTOKY  OF   PIATT  COrXTY 


tlio.v  siK'iit  one  year,  anil  then  went  to  a  farm 
of  ll!0  aeii'S  owned  liy  Mrs.  Grasou,  in  Cerro 
(Jtirdo  Township.  Two  years  Jater  they  went  on 
another  farm  for  a  year,  then  renting'  tlio  farm 
of  lUd  acres,  tliey  went  to  L'erro  Gorilo,  where 
Mr.  (Jrason  lived  retired  until  his  death  March 
.'{().  I'.ii:!.  Later  this  farm  of  120  acres  was 
sold,  and  anothei-  one  of  1(!0  acres  purchased 
in  .Milan  Townshiji,  Macon  County,  which  Mrs. 
(Jrason  now  rents.  Since  the  demise  of  Mr. 
(jirasoii,  Mrs.  Grason  lives  alone,  tliore  having 
hcen  no  issue  from  the  marriaue.  In  jiolitics 
Mr.  (Jrason  was  a  IJepuMican.  The  Knights  of 
I'ytliias  held  his  memhership.  He  .so  lived  that 
in  dying  lie  loft  liehiiid  him  a  record  for  hon- 
est endeavor  and  successful  conduct  of  his 
alTairs.  and  he  is  remembered  as  an  honoralile 
man  and  gowl   citizen. 

GRIFFIN,  Robert,  located  in  Piatt  County  in 
INTO,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  in  lenity 
Townshiji  when  he  died  in  the  later  seventies. 
He  was  married  to  Louisa  Thompson  and  their 
children  were  as  follows:  Mrs.  .John  Rogard, 
Mrs.  Christopher  Denny.  Mary  Ellen,  Henry 
Charles  aiul  William  Kdgar.  During  the  Civil 
War  .Mr.  (Jrillin  served  his  country  as  a  sol- 
dier. 

GRISWOLD,  Earl  A.,  cashier  of  the  Citizens 
I'.aiik  of  Cerro  Gordo,  and  a  man  of  considerable 
iniporlame  in  I'iatt  County,  is  also  interested 
in  agricultural  ni.itters.  lie  was  born  in  Cerro 
Gordo  Townshiii,  Septendier  10.  1S.SL  a  son  of 
.Tohii  A.  and  Kniily  (Peck)  Griswold.  The  fa- 
ther was  horn  in  Pennsylvania,  in  tlie  vicinity 
of  Pitlsburgh.  and  the  mother  in  Willow  Branch 
Townsbi)).  Piatt  County.  The  grandp.-uents, 
.\doni.iah  and  Mary  (.\ter)  Pe<'k.  were  born  in 
Ohio  but  became  early  settlers  of  Willow 
Pranch  Township,  this  county.  The  paternal 
grandiiiirents  moved  to  Indiana  at  an  early 
day,  hut  .lohn  A.  Griswold  at  the  same  time 
cnmo  on  to  Illinois  and  went  to  school  in  Piatt 
County.  Here  he  met  and  m.Trried  Emily  Peck, 
and  they  locatwl  on  a  farm  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Townshi]),  where  Mr.  Griswold  died  in  18S2. 
His  widow  never  remarried,  but  has  continued 
to  make  Piatt  County  her  home  .-nid  since  ISm 
has  lived  jif  f'orro  Gordo.  Their  children  wore 
as  follows:  Maggie,  who  is  Mrs.  Allison  Hord, 
of  I,oviugton,  111.:  Charles  M..  wlio  lives  in 
Cerro  Gordo  Township;  Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  P.  C. 
Macy.  of  Cerro  (Joiilo  Township;  William  T., 
who  lives  in  Moultrie  County.  111.:  Enmia,  who 
is  Mrs.  ,T.  W.  Slouu'h.  of  Stigler,  Okla. ;  Cather- 
ine, who  is  .Mrs,  Cb.irles  Mash,  a  widow,  of 
Cerro  Gordo;  ,Tohn.  who  died  in  infancy:  Lewis, 
who  lives  at  Decatur,  111. ;  Aaron  F.,  who  lives 
in  Cerro  Gordo  Township;  and  Earl  A. 

I'^-irl  .\.  Griswold  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon and  high  schools  of  Cerro  Gordo,  had  bis 
first  business  experience  as  a  clerk  in  a  gro- 
cery store,  so  continuing  until  1001.  when  he 
entered  the  State  Paidc  of  Cerro  Gordo  and  in 
l!Hi,s  he  became  assistant  cashier  of  the  Citi- 
zens Rank  of  the  same  place,  and  in  1011   was 


made  it.s  cashier,  which  ])ositiou  ho  still  holds 
to  the  general  .satisfaction  of  all.  This  admir- 
able institution  has  ,1.  C.  Peck  as  its  president, 
and  S.  J.  Still  as  its  vice  president. 

On  April  10.  lOdtJ.  Mr.  Griswold  was  married 
to  Harriot  Isabella  Raich,  born  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Townshii),  a  daughter  of  H.  Alfred  and  Mary 
E.  (Dob.soii)  Ralcli,  of  Piatt  County,  who  lived 
in  the  vicinity  of  Cerro  (iordo.  Mr.  and  Jlrs. 
(iriswolil  became  the  parents  of  two  cliildreji, 
n;imely :  ,7<>hn  .\lfreil.  who  was  born  .lanuary 
17.  1007:  and  Mary  lUnily,  who  waij  born  Jan- 
u.iry  7,  lOIL'.  .Mr.  Griswolil  and  his  family  be- 
long to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  he  is 
.an  elder.  lie  was  nominated  for  treasurer  of 
Pi.itt  County  before  he  was  twent.v-oue  years 
old.  and  has  always  been  jironiinent  in  Demo- 
cratic jiolitics.  Er.'iternally  he  is  a  Mason,  and 
a  member  also  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
.Vmerica.  In  addition  to  his  other  duties.  Mr. 
(Jriswold  is  conducting  a  farm  of  120  acres  in 
Cerro  (Jtu'do  Township  that  belongs  to  his  wife 
and  her  mother,  and  is  making  a  success  of 
that  as  he  has  of  everything  he  has  undertaken 
in  his  useful  life. 

GROFF,  Franklin  Henry,  a  man  of  piogressive 
ide.-is  and  sound  princi|iles  who  is  carrying  both 
into  his  everyday  work,  is  one  of  the  representa- 
tive men  of  Cerro  Gordo  Township.  He  was 
born  in  Stark  Coimt.v,  Ohio,  Xoveniher  28.  1S02, 
a  son  of  Pcuben  S.  and  Sarah   iKurtz)  Groff. 

Fr.-inklin  II.  (iroff  was  reared  as  any  farm- 
er's son.  and  in  l.ss.'i  came  to  his  jiresent  farm 
in  Cerro  (Jortlo  Township,  renting  eighty  acres 
of  it  for  four  yeari,  to  which  he  added  eighty 
acres  more,  and  in  liMlO  bought  eighty  acres  of 
this  farm.  Two  years  later  he  erected  on  it  a 
concrete  block  house,  making  all  the  blocks 
himself,  and  hauling  all  the  gravel  for  the 
cement  ;i  distance  of  s(>ven  and  one-half  miles. 
He  put  in  the  concrete  roundalion.  made  :i  solid 
concrete  floor,  in  fact  the  entire  house  is  made 
of  concrete.  There  are  eight  rooms  and  bath, 
with  i)antries  and  closets,  aiul  the  house  is  sup- 
plied with  hot  and  cold  water,  gasoline  li.ghts, 
and  a  hot  air  furnace.  Tn  fact  it  wo  ild  be 
difticult  to  find  a  city  home  with  more  modern 
conveniences.  Mr.  Groff  did  all  bis  own  finisli- 
ing.  decorating,  etc.  In  addition  to  bis  house. 
he  built  a  new  li.iy  barn,  .52  x  •''>n.  and  rebuilt  his 
other  barns,  putting  in  a  concrete  floor  in  his 
horse  barn.  In  f.act  his  is  <me  of  the  most  mod- 
ern farming  plants  in  this  or  any  other  county 
in  central  or  southern  Illinois. 

On  .Tanuary  2!t,  ISs.".  Mr.  Groff  was  married 
to  Charlotte  Ellen  (Junkie,  born  in  Indiana,  a 
daughter  of  Ren.iamin  F.  and  Rebecca  (Eich- 
ingerl  Gunkle.  natives  of  Indiana.  Mr.  and  .Mrs. 
(JrolT  became  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren :  K,  R..  who  died  at  the  age  of  fonrteeti 
.vears;  Orvil.  who  is  at  home:  Flora,  who  is 
Mrs.  Earl  Hendricks  of  Stark  County.  Tnd. :  and 
,Tesse.  who  is  of  Cerro  Gordo  Township.  Mrs. 
Groff  died  October  8,  ISOS.  In  December,  1000, 
Mr.  Groff  Wits  married  (second)  to  Lydia  Viola 


MRS.  MARY  A.  McFADDEN 


[      THi-  N£^'  '^'^^^ 
\  PUBLIC  U&RAR>' 


\T)La»' 


»,-r  SO».T!Ot«> 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


749 


Guukle,   of  Piatt   County,  a   sister  of  his   first 
wife.     They  have  one  son,  Itayuioud  Harold. 

GROFF,  Reuben  S.,  a  prominent  and  substantial 
retired  larnier  of  Cerro  Gordo,  who  for  many 
years  was  a  forceful  factor  in  the  agricultural 
life  of  Piatt  County,  has  honorably  earned  the 
ease  lie  is  now  enjoying.  He  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster County,  Pa.,  on  a  farm  in  Earl  Townsiilp, 
July  S,  1S39,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Susan  ( Sho- 
waiter)  Groff  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1841  the 
parents  moved  to  Wayne  County.  Ohio,  where 
the   father   carried   on  a   gunsmithiug   business. 

Keuben  Groff  attended  the  common  schools 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  and  early  learned 
farming.  As  soon  as  he  could  do  so,  be  began 
farming  for  himself,  first  oi)erating  in  Ohio, 
but  in  18118  he  moved  to  a  farm  of  lliO  acres  he 
had  Jiought  on  the  county  line  between  Piatt 
and  Macon  counties,  in  Illinois,  paying  $9  per 
acre  for  tills  raw,  iiiiini)jrove<I  land.  After  com- 
ing he  began  improving  it,  and  developed  it  into 
a  very  valual)le  jtroperty.  Later  he  bought 
sixty  acres  two  miles  from  Cerro  Goi'do,  and 
lived  on  tliis  farm,  while  continning  to  toiiduct 
his  larger  projierty.  In  .January.  100-t,  he  retired 
from  active  labor,  and  moved  to  Cerro  G.ftrdOj 
where  he  lias  since  resided. 

I)n  .Vpril  20.  1S(!2.  Mr.  Groff  was  married  to 
Sarah  Kurtz,  in  Wayne  County.  Ohio.  She  was 
born  in  Stark  County,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Henry 
and  .\nna  (Eshelman)  Kurtz  of  Penn.sylvania. 
Their  children  are  as  follows:  Franklin,  who 
lives  in  Piatt  County ;  Miranda,  who  is  Mrs. 
Levi  Frantz.  of  Macon  County.  111. :  Laura  M., 
who  is  Mrs.  Charles  Malony,  of  Battle  Creek, 
Mich.:  l>avid.  who  lives  at  Wawana.  Ind. ; 
C.vrus.  who  is  at  home:  and  .\lta  A.,  who  is 
Mrs.  Harry  Flora,  ot  Wabasli,  Ind.  Mr.  Groff 
is  a  liepuiilican.  For  some  time  lie  served  as 
townshi])  school  treasurer,  and  was  a  very  effi- 
cient ofticial.  The  Chui-ch  of  the  Brethren  holds 
his  memliership,  and  receives  his  supjiort.  An 
earnest,  reliable  man.  he  has  done  his  full  duty 
and  stands  very  high  in  his  community. 

GULLIFORD,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  one  of  the  highly 
respected  residents  of  Milmine,  who  is  promi 
ncnt  in  church  work,  and  a  heavy  property 
owner  of  valuable  farm  land  in  this  county, 
was  born  in  Ohio,  .\ugust  2.  1840,  a  daugliter 
of  .James  Torrance.  She  was  only  a  small  child 
when  her  parents  moved  to  Penns,vlvania,  and 
she  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Mercer  Count.v.  Pa.  In  18.5.")  .she  was  niarrie<:l  to 
John  Daily  of  Mercer  County,  keeper  of  a  blast 
furnace  in  a  foundry  at  Sharon  Run.  Pa.  In 
1SG2  Mr.  Daily  responded  to  the  call  of  his 
country,  and  enlisted  for  service  during  the 
Civil  War.  in  Company  K.  Pennsylvania  A'olun- 
teer  Infantr.v.  and  was  killed  a  year  afterwards 
at  the  battle  of  .\tlanta.  Mr,  and  Mrs,  Daily 
had  the  following  children  :  Elizalietb,  who  was 
married  in  1881  to  David  Gulliford :  Charles 
Dail,v.  who  is  a  large  cattle  raiser  and  lives  at 
Carlinville.  111. :  and  Fannie,  who  married 
Cliarles  Ilufflne  of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa.     After 


the  death  of  Mr.  Dailey  Mrs,  Dailey  went  to 
live  with  her  mother,  continuing  with  her  until 
180.5, 

In  ]80.">  Mrs.  Daily  was  married  to  William 
Gulliford,  a  native  of  England  who  had  come 
to  .\nierica  with  his  parents  when  fifteen  years 
of  age.  Two  years  later,  Mr,  and  Mrs,  Gulli- 
ford moved  to  Cerro  Gordo  Township,  Piatt 
County.  111.,  where  they  bought  200  acres  of 
land  that  is  still  owned  by  Mrs.  Gulliford,  and 
they  continued  tn  live  on  their  property  until 
1000.  when  they  moved  to  Milmine  and  there 
Mr.  (iulliford  died  in  September,  1907,  Mrs. 
Gulliford  has  continued  to  live  in  Milmine  ever 
since  the  death  of  her  husband.  They  had  the 
following  children  :  Lillian,  who  married  James 
Osborn,  and  lives  on  a  farm  in  Macon  County 
that  belongs  to  Mrs.  Gulliford :  Blanche,  who 
married  D.  H.  McLaughlin,  lives  at  Cerro 
Gordo.  111.:  James,  who  married  Sarah  Miles, 
resides  in  Bement,  III, :  Maude,  who  marrieil 
Mack  Noe,  lives  in  Bement  Township ;  aud 
Scott,  who  married  Ida  Fisher,  lives  at  Deca- 
tur, 111.  Mrs.  Gulliford  is  a  member  of  the 
Church  of  God  in  which  Mr.  Gulliford  was  an 
elder  for  thirty-five  years.  The  family  is  a 
prominent  one  in  Piatt  County,  and  Mrs.  Gulli- 
ford en.ioys  universal  esteem,  and  deservedly, 
while  her  neighbors  know  her  for  a  woman 
of  kindly  charity  and  sympathetic  feeling. 

HADDEN,  Benjamin,  a  substantial  agricul- 
turalist of  IJement  Township,  is  one  of  the  pro- 
gressive farmers  of  Piatt  County.  He  was  born 
in  Clarion  Count,v,  III..  November  17.  1S7.S,  a 
son  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Spittler)  Hadden, 
the  former  born  September  30,  1841,  and  the 
latter,  June  20,  1842,  both  being  natives  of 
Marion  County,  111.  Charles  Hadden  attended 
the  common  schools  of  his  native  county  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  old,  at  whicli  time  he  left 
home.  When  his  country  had  need  of  him.  he 
enlisted  for  serrice  during  the  Civil  War  in 
the  One  Hundred  and  Eleventh  Illinois  Volun- 
reer  Infantry,  and  continued  in  the  army  for 
three  ,vears.  .\fter  his  honorable  discharge 
at  the  close  of  hostilities,  he  returned  to  Marion 
County  and  renting  eighty  acres  of  land,  oper- 
ated it  for  about  eighteen  years.  He  then 
moved  to  Missouri,  where  he  rented  100  acres 
of  land,  but  after  five  years  returned  to  Illinois, 
and  rented  land  in  Macon  County.  In  1886  he 
came  to  Piatt  County,  and  from  then  on  until 
his  death  in  1900,  he  conducted  a  rented  farm 
of  190  acres. 

P.en.iamin  Hadden  attended  school  until  he 
was  seventeen  years  old.  and  then  began  work- 
ing for  his  father,  so  continuing  until  he  was 
twenty-two  years  old.  At  that  time  he  rented 
land  in  Macon  County  and  operated  it  until 
1890,  when  he  came  to  Piatt  County,  and  fanned 
here  for  a  year.  Returning  to  Macon  County 
at  the  expiration  of  that  ])eriod,  he  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  there  for  two  years,  and  then 
came  back  to  Piatt  County,  renting  eighty  acres 
of  land  in  Bement  Township,  For  three  years 
he  remained  on  this  farm,  and  then  joined  his 


750 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COrNTY. 


father  in  o|«eratiii2  :{(Mt  acres  of  land.  At  the 
death  of  bU  father,  he  rented  liS*  acres  more, 
and  at  present  oi*rates  4Jii  acres  of  land,  of 
which  he  owns  eiahty  acres,  his  first  jiurohase 
of  '     -  .    '  1  ■     •    :(le  in   IrttO,  and 

hS  "of  acres  being 

Ui..„i   _ ..    .;.,'.  rented  land  is 

located  in  Benient  Townshii>.  and  on  it  he  is 
carryins  on  senenil  sraiu  farmiui:. 

On  .\nenst  i'l.  l>5t<;.  Mr.  Hadden  was  married 
to  Linnie  .\.  Mitchell,  a  daughter  of  Uoff  and 
Jane  i  Hmlsim  i  Mitchell.  She  was  bom  Octo- 
ber S,  l"»Ty,  in  Indiana,  and  c-ime  to  Illinois 
with  her  i«reuts  when  a  year  old.  the  family 
settling  in  Mao*  I'ount.v.  >Ir.  and  Mrs.  Had- 
den have  had  the  followins  children :  RnsselL 
who  was  liom  An?u.*t  1.  ISiT.  is  at  home:  Den- 
xU.  who  was  Uim  May  is.  ISfct;  Eiirl.  who  was 
bom  April  .1.  llx'l :  Roy.  who  was  bora  Decem- 
ber ."Jl.  liMKl :  Hazel,  who  was  iRim  October 
17.  13(«".:  and  Ethel,  who  was  lH>m  December 
17.  19»i:».  In  iK.litics  Mr.  Hadtlen  is  a  Demo- 
crat- Fraternally  he  '  ■  -•<  'o  Beaient  Camp 
Xo.  1!»4.  M.  W.  .i...  ;.  •  Loiise  Xo.  li*9. 

K.   of  r.      \    -   ■.!..l  ..an.   Mr.  Hadden 

h.is  earncil  rity  and  the  respect  of  his 

assoc'iates  ■  -         -  omi  efforts. 

HALLSTEAD,  John,  who  has  the  distinction  of 
l«eini.'  I'lic  ..f  the  oldest  as  well  as  the  most 
active  of  Piatt  t"oanty"s  business  men,  is  also 
a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  well  known 
fisnire  in  local  affairs.  He  was  bom  in  Wyan- 
dot County.  Ohio.  January  .31.  ISilfi.  a  son  of 
James  and  Anna  i  Irwin  t  Hallstead  of  Dutchess 
County,  X.  Y..  who  liecame  very  early  settlers 
of  Ohio  where  they  were  farmins  people. 

The  eilui-itioiial  advantages  of  John  Hall- 
ste:id    wi-r-  ■■■-'    to    those    afforded    by    the 

primitivt-  -   of   his   native   state,   but 

he  made  i  -••  of  his  opivrtunities.  and 

exi'vrient-e  an<i  ciose  oUservation  have  made  of 
him  a  well  informed  man.  Cntil  he  reac-hed  his 
thirtieth  ye-.ir.  John  Hallstead  remainetl  with 
his  icirents.  and  then  came  to  Piatt  County. 
I"  for  a   time  he  worke>l   for  the  early 

their    fanns.    euca:rins    himself    by 
;  }■..■  ..^^■■  _■  t'  ,t  1...  ,ii,i  souic  farming 

I   went  to  Chase 
I  -  i  by  the  month  on 

farms  iliinn;:  i.if  stiinuicr.  ami  ensaised  in  trai>- 
pins  of  i:ainc  in  the  wirter  .\fter  about  five 
ye:ir>.  he  reture<l  !•  .nd  was  engaged 

in   farniiu:;  in   the   ;  d  of  Cisco  until 

!:«•<'.  when  he  retirci  t  w  i  i.iw  Branch  Town- 
ship. In  11>H  lie  moved  to  his  proi>erty  at 
t^x-c.  In  '  ■  >  I'l"  -  lMin::ht  a  SUixon  ron- 
aln.iit.    <  IV  ~.  this  (imnec-tion  with 

the  I'Usin> -  ■.tl  remarkable  enough 

for  the  n>ui|t;iii_\  III  uavf  him  photographed  in 
his  c-.ir  fi!!"!  fbfv  v^o  t^osp  pictures  as  a  part  of 
their  jn.  he  being  the  oldest 

man  lieir  cars. 

'■  -  .'i:    11  .    -  ••:ul  is      '■       '  "an.  and 

lie  I.clcngs  to  thi  r'  Cerro 

I^"i2.  Mr.  Hall.sleai:  ;  ..  :or  serv- 

i'-e  ilurins  the  Civil  War  in  the  Fifteenth  Ohio 


Volunteer  Infiintry  for  a  period  of  three  months 
and  re-enlUted  at  the  expiration  of  th.^t  time 
in  the  Fifty-fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  be- 
ins  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The 
regiment  saw  active  service  in  Tennessee.  Geor- 
gia ami  other  southern  states,  and  Mr.  Hall- 
stead was  in  the  battles  of  Manass;is.  More- 
field,  second  l>anle  of  Bull  Run.  and  others. 
He  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness  and  confined  in  the  prison  at  Rich- 
mond. Va..  near  Libby  Prison,  for  two  months, 
but  was  then  exchanged.  His  honoritble  dis- 
charge w-as  nn-eived  in  the  fall  of  iMio.  As 
soldier  and  citizen.  Mr.  Hallstead  has  done  his 
duty  as  he  has  seen  it.  and  has  so  lived  that  his 
years  of  activitj-  and  usefulness  have  extended 
over  a  longer  r>eriod  than  is  allotted  many,  so 
that  his  example  is  one  the  rising  generation 
will  do  well  to  follow. 

HAMMATT,  Charles  B,,  one  of  the  leading  men 
of  Cerro  Gordo,  who  has  made  himself  known 
throughout  Piart  County  through  his  skUl  as  a 
veterinary  surgeon,  was  bora  in  Xeivtonsville. 
Clermont  County,  Ohio,  in  April.  ls74.  a  son  of 
William  and  Martha  i  Martin)  Hammatt,  na- 
tives of  the  Isle  of  Xantucket  and  Clermont 
County,  Ohio,  resjiectivel.v.  The  father  was  a 
blacksmith  until  he  went  to  Olney.  Richland 
County.  111.,  when  he  engaged  in  farming,  and 
died  there  in  March.  190».  The  mother  died  in 
1ST7. 

Charles  B.  Hammatt  attended  the  grammar 
and  high  schools  of  Olne.v.  and  then  worked  at 
farming  on  the  honiesteiid  until  ISfK).  when  he 
went  to  Macon  County.  111.,  and  worked  as  a 
farai  hand  until  December.  If«"i0.  .\t  that  time 
he  went  to  Maroa.  and  studied  veterinary  sur- 
gery under  Xisbitt  Bros.,  until  December.  19»>3, 
when  he  tix'k  a  course  at  the  Chicago  Veterinary 
College,  from  which  he  was  gntduated  in  March. 
inOfi.  Ixicatins  at  Cerro  Gordo,  he  rented  quar- 
ters for  two  years,  and  then  in  partnership  with 
D.  D.  BlickenstafT.  Iwught  the  Peck  livery  and 
sales  iKirn.  In  July,  iftll.  he  sold  the  building 
and  ground  ami  I»ought  a  lot  00  x  ^  feet  on  the 
princii»al  business  corner  of  Cerro  Gordo,  where 
he  has  built  a  fine  c-oncrete  barn  and  hospital 
for  animals.  Dr.  Hammatt  has  built  ui>  a  fine 
practic-e.  and  his  hospital  is  e«ini]>i>eti  with  all 
nuidem  appliances  for  treating  the  diseases  of 
animals  and  making  necessar.v  oi^enttions,  in- 
cluding ele«-tric  lights  and  hot  and  cold  water. 
He  worked  his  way  through  college,  and  his 
succe.ss  is  entirely  due  to  his  own  efforts.  His 
CMnifortable  residence  was  built  by  him  at  a 
cost  of  W.IO". 

On  Dec'eml'cr  12.  litfc.'.  he  married  Mary  Phil- 
lilts.  l>om  near  Hammond,  II!.,  a  daughter  of 
.\ndrew  and  .Vnna  (Harris)  Phillips,  and  they 
have  one  son.  Harold  Wa.vne.  who  was  Iwm 
June  2.  inis.  Dr.  Hammatt  is  a  Democrat  and 
.served  as  deputy  sheriff  of  Richland  County  for 
two  .vears.  and  was  precinct  (nmmitteeman  of 
Prp<-inct  Xo.  1  of  Cerro  Gordo.  His  fraternal 
relations  are  with  Forsythe  I»dge  Xo.  700.  I. 
O.  O.  F. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


731 


HANELINE,  Nathan,  who  was  born  in  Xovem- 
lier.  ISl.'i.  in  Ohio,  came  to  Piatt  County  in 
1S24,  and  until  his  death,  in  1903,  continued 
to  reside  in  this  county.  For  many  years  he 
was  a  farmer  of  Monticello  Township,  where  he 
owned  240  acres  of  land.  On  November  12, 
1S3.3,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  Souder,  and 
they  had  the  following  children :  Mrs.  Jacob 
M.  Freeman.  Peter,  Mrs.  David  Shipman,  Sarah 
H.,  John  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

HANNA,  0.  D.,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
ISIO  and  was  for  years  a  c-arpenter  and  farmer 
of  Cerro  Gordo,  comins  to  Piatt  County  in 
1S7S.  He  was  married  in  1S44  to  Ann  Thomp- 
son and  their  children  were  as  follows  :  Mrs. 
William  Pitcher,  Mrs.  Richard  Hanna,  Sarah 
E.  S.  L..  B.  F.  and  Stephen.  O.  D.  Hanna  was 
the  first  assessor  of  Woodford  County,  111., 
where  he  lived  for  some  years  prior  to  coming 
to  Piatt  County. 

HARDIN,  William  Thomas,  cashier  of  the  Cro- 
ninger  State  Bank  of  Cisco,  is  one  of  the  sound, 
reliable  and  representative  men  of  Piatt  County, 
whose  connection  with  the  banking  business  of 
this  locality  entitles  him  to  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence he  undoubtedly  Inspires.  He  was  born 
at  Homer.  Champaign  County.  111..  March  29, 
1883,  a  son  of  George  and  Lucy  fPughl  Har- 
din, natives  of  Homer  and  Clark  County,  HI., 
respectively.  The  paternal  grandparents.  Wil- 
liam and  Prudence  Hardin,  were  natives  of 
Ohio:  while  tlie  maternal  grandparents,  Sher- 
wood and  Lavina  Pugh.  were  natives  of  Wales. 
The  parents  of  William  T.  Hardin  were  married 
at  Danville.  111.,  but  returned  to  Homer,  where 
the  father  was  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
death  in  1S9S.  The  mother  survives  and  lives 
in  that  neighborhood. 

.\fter  attendinsr  the  public  schools  of  Homer, 
William  T.  Hardin  took  a  course  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois,  at  Urhana.  HI.,  and  then 
ensaged  in  farming  in  the  vicinity  of  Homer 
until  1910.  when  he  went  to  De  Land  and  em- 
barked in  a  arnin  business,  so  continuing  until 
191.5.  when  he  left  DeLand  for  Cisco,  coming 
to  the  latter  place  to  become  assistant  cashier 
of  the  Croninger  State  Bank,  of  which  he  was 
later  made  cashier.  Tliis  bank  was  foimded 
in  1897  as  a  private  banking  institution  under 
the  name  of  M.  Croninger  &  Co..  but  in  1911 
was  organized  as  a  state  bank  of  which  E.  O. 
Martin  of  Welden.  111.,  is  president:  Charles 
Doane  of  Willow  Branch  is  vice  president : 
and  P..  Pettingill  is  assistant  cashier.  The 
capital  stock  is  §.50.000.  the  deposits  are  .?175.- 
000.  and  the  loans  are  .?200.0<X).  Mr.  Hardin 
is  a  Republican  and  served  one  year  as  pres-  • 
ident  of  the  village  board  of  DeLand. 

On  April  14.  1905,  Mr.  Hardin  was  married 
to  Ellen  Anderson  of  Homer.  111.,  and  they  have 
two  children,  namely :  Kenneth  and  Dorothy 
Maxine.  .\  man  of  sound  principles  and  excel- 
lent judgment.  Mr.  Harflin  is  well  placed  in  his 
present  responsible  position,  and  his  association 


with    the    bank    whose    interests    be    lonserves, 
gives  it  added  strength  in  the  community. 

HARSHBARGER,  Samuel  was  born  in  Ohio  in 
1^11,  and  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1.S37,  and 
became  one  of  the  farmers  of  I'nity  Township. 
In  addition  to  farming  he  cultivated  bees,  and 
was  a  minister  of  the  Christian  Church.  He 
was  married  to  Sarah  Quick  and  they  had 
eleven  children,  and  after  the  death  of  his 
first  wife  he  was  married  ( second j  to  Mrs. 
MelLssa  Holden,  who  died  in  1^70.  and  as  his 
third  wife  Mr.  Har.shbarger  married  Miss  Eliza 
Randolph.  His  children  were  as  follows : 
-Mrs.  Nathaniel  Shonkwiler,  Aaron.  Mrs.  Alfred 
Taylor,  Ambrose.  Jefferson.  Isaac,  Samuel,  Mrs. 
David  Corell,  and  Mrs.  David  Cade. 

HART,  John  F.,  came  to  Sangamon  Township 
in  1S.50  and  died  here  in  ISOo.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Peacock  and  their  children  were 
as  follows :  J.  C,  Sarah.  Mrs.  James  Parris, 
William,  Mrs.  George  Fisher.  Aaron,  and 
George.  John  F.  Hart  was  in  the  Black  Hawk 
War.  and  several  of  his  sons  were  soldiers  dur- 
ing the  Civil  War. 

HAVELY,  Samuel  D.,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania 
in  ISOO.  and  came  to  Piatt  County  iti  1837, 
and  in  1S3S  moved  to  Willow  Branch  Town- 
ship, although  his  last  days  were  spent  at 
Cerro  Gordo.  He  fenced  off  almost  a  half  sec- 
tion with  raUs  and  became  very  prosperous 
as  a  farmer.  In  1826  he  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth Wiley,  who  died  in  1S50,  leaving  four 
children,  namely :  William.  Mrs.  Washington 
.\llsup.  Mrs.  Isaac  Reed,  and  Minor.  In  lSo3 
Samuel  D.  Havely  was  married  (second)  to 
Mrs.  Rachel  (Font)  Reason  and  had  several 
step-children. 

HAWBAKER,  EUm  Jacobs.  Able  lawyer, 
learned  jurist  and  effective  citizen.  Judge  Elim 
Jacobs  Hanltaker  is  a  man  who  distinguishes 
any  community  in  which  he  may  reside  and 
gives  added  dignity  to  any  offices  he  may  hold. 
He  was  bom  in  Champaign  County.  111..  Octo- 
ber 1.  1880.  a  son  of  Henry  and  Catherine 
(Jacobs)  Hawbaker.  natives  of  Franklin  County. 
Pa.  In  1805  the  father  c-ame  to  Illinois  and 
established  himself  as  a  farmer  in  Champaign 
County,  and  then  returned  to  his  native  place 
and  married.  He  now  lives  in  retirement  at 
M.insfield.  HI. 

Judge  Hawbaker  after  completing  his  public 
and  high  school  courses,  in  1S99  entered  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois  at  Urbana.  and  in  1901  matric- 
ulated in  the  law  department  of  the  University 
of  Michigan  at  Ann  Arbor.  Mich.,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  June.  1904.  For  the  fol- 
lowing two  years  he  was  engaged  in  an  active 
law  practice  at  Mansfield,  with  C.  W.  Firke, 
and  in  November.  1900.  was  elected  county 
judge.  So  able  did  he  prove  himself,  that  he 
was  returned  to  this  important  office  in  1910. 
his  second  term  expiring  in  1914.  Following 
his    retirement    from    the    bench.    Judge    Haw- 


752 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


baker  euteri'il  upon  tiie  priictiie  of  his  profes- 
sion at  Moiitiwllo.  and  is  adniittedly  one  of 
tlie  ablest  lawjei-s  in  Uiis  part  of  the  state. 

On  July  L'2.  I'.MKl.  Judne  llawlialu>r  was  mar- 
ried to  Jiarv  Stevenson,  liorn  at  Monticello, 
a  dan^'hter  of  Willair  F.  and  .\liie  (Tolman) 
Stevenson.  .Indjie  and  .Mrs.  llawliaker  have  liad 
Ihe  followini;  ihildren  :  Alice  Catherine,  Willair 
Stevenson,  and  .Mary  lOlizaheth.  For  many 
years  .Tudi.'e  llawliaker  lias  heen  a  prominent 
tiijure  in  Itepnhlican  |Kilitics.  and  was  a  dele- 
irale  to  tile  liepnliliejiii  National  convention  at 
Cliicairo  in  \'.\^2.  X  Mason  in  hiuh  standing  he 
lias  risen  thronjrh  the  different  de.?rees  to  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  and  he  also  lielonj;s  to  the 
Kiiii;hts  of  I'ythias.  A  man  of  the  <'alil)re  of 
.luds-'c  llawbaker  shapes  Ihe  jiolicies  of  his  com- 
niniiily  to  a  certain  e.xtent.  and  his  |>osition 
amon,'  tiis  associates  is  such  as  to  work  out  for 
the  betterment  of  conditions  and  the  continued 
.idvancenient  and  prosperity  of  the  county  seat. 

HAWBAKER,  Henry.  It  is  a  fact  to  be  noted 
that  a  laiL-c  number  of  the  most  substantial 
men  ni  any  comnmnity  at  the  present  time,  are 
those  who  save  service  to  their  country  as 
volunteer  soldiers  durin;;  the  time  of  its  great 
peril,  when  civil  war  threatened  the  unity  of 
the  nation.  One  of  tlie  old  ("ivll  War  veterans 
of  I'iatt  County,  who  is  deserving  of  special 
mention  is  Menry  llawbaker,  of  Mansfield.  He 
was  born  in  Franklin  County,  I'a..  -Vugust  4, 
184.".,  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (F.yler)  Haw- 
baker,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Indiana, 
resiiectively.  .Vfter  their  marriage  they  lo- 
cated in  Fr.uiklin  County.  Pa.,  where  the  father 
carried  on  farming  until  his  death. 

Henry  llawbaker  maile  his  home  with  his  par- 
ents until  May,  18().5.  He  enlisted  November 
l(t,  ^S^l^2,  for  military  service  in  the  Maryland 
State  Cavalry,  which  in  18G;i  came  under  tJie 
control  of  the  regular  arm.v.  On  May  !.">.  18(;."i, 
Mr.  Ilawb.aker  was  honorably  discharged,  and 
returned  home.  .Vt  the  battle  of  (iettysburg  he 
sulTored  a  sabre  cut  on  the  liead.  but  aside  from 
that  was  not  wounded  dining  bis  period  of 
service. 

In  18(1.1  Mr.  llawbaker  came  to  Illinois  and 
until  18(:.8  resided  at  Canton,  but  in  that  .vear 
came  to  I'iatt  County,  bu.ving  a  farm  in  Blue 
Rldgc  Township.  In  187!)  he  bought  2(K1  acres 
In  Champaign  County.  111.,  .iust  across  the  county 
line.  .\t  present  he  owns  1(;o  acres  of  land  in 
Piatt  County,  and  24(1  acres  in  Champaign 
County.  His  first  farm  of  KiO  acres  he  improved 
from  raw  prairie  land,  and  it  is  now  very  val- 
uable. His  Chamiiainn  County  farm,  which  is 
in  Newconib  Towiis!ii]i,  was  partly  improved, 
but  he  rebuilt  structures  and  addi'd  m.iny  iin- 
provements.  livim;  on  this  property  until  IIHH 
when  be  rented  this  f.irTu  and  moved  to  Mans- 
flcbl.  where  he  purchased  a  modern  residence. 
In  .•uldition  to  bis  Illinois  f.irm  land.  .Mr.  llaw- 
liaker owns  8(jn  acres  in  Pope  and  Hamilton 
counties,  Iowa,  .Vt  one  time  he  owni^d  1.2,80 
acres  of  land  at  Butterfield.  Waterman  County, 
Minn.,  but  has  given  the  greater  part   of  it  to 


his  children.  Since  1!)()4  he  has  devoted  his 
time  to  merely  overseeing  his  ]iroperties. 

In  October,  IST.'i,  Mr.  llawbaker  wa.=;  married 
to  Catherine  .Tacobs,  born  in  Franklin  County, 
I'a.,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Susan  (Shank) 
.lacobs.  n.itives  of  Pennsylvania.  .Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ilawb.-ikcr  became  the  jiarents  of  the  following 
children  :  IMililialet,  who  lives  at  Stratford, 
Hamilton  County,  Iowa;  Elini,  who  lives  at 
.Monticello,  III.;  Julia,  who  is  Mrs.  Frank  Tho- 
man;  Anna  May.  who  is  Mrs.  Itobert  Morris  of 
Hutterfield,  Minn. ;  Goldie.  who  is  Mrs.  Robert 
Clark   of  St.   John,   Mich. 

While  living  in  Newcomb  Township.  Mr.  Haw- 
baker  served  as  road  comniissimier  for  three 
years,  .uiil  was  a  school  director  in  the  same 
towiishij)  for  nineteen  years,  being  elected  to 
both  ottices  on  the  Hepublican  ticket.  His  fra- 
ternal relations  are  with  JIansfield  Lodge  No. 
77.'{,  A.  F.  iV  A.  M.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows.  A  luan  of  high 
princijiles  .-ind  excellent  business  .judgment,  he 
has  made  a  success  of  his  life  work,  and  is 
held  in  the  highest  esteem. 

HAWKS,  Stephen  B.,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
I'iatt  Connly.  was  an  honored  resident  of  Re- 
ment.  He  was  born  at  Charlemout.  Mass.,  .Aug- 
ust 14,  1S2!I.  a  son  of  Orrin  and  Sophia  (Tay- 
lor) Hawks,  natives  of  Buckland  and  Charle- 
inont,  Mass..  icsjiectively,  and  they  were 
married  June  Uj.  1,822.  at  Buckland.  The 
grandfather  was  Reuben  Hawks,  who  was  born 
in  Massachusetts  in  1778;  and  he  was  a  son 
of  Crcsliam  Hawks  and  his  wife  Eliza,  and 
a  granilson  of  John  Hawks,  a  native  of  Con- 
iici-tlcut. 

Ste|ibcn  P..  Hawks  w.-is  reared  on  his  father's 
.Massachusetts  farm,  and  educated  in  the  local 
schools.  He  was  engaged  first  by  Dr.  Howe 
of  I?ostoii.  Mtiss..  to  work  in  ai.  asylum  for  the 
blind,  lie  left  that  city  in  18.Vi  and  came  to 
Illinois  aiKl  here  Joined  his  brother,  at  .Vurora. 
where  for  two  years  they  were  engagt>d  in 
farming.  Mr.  Hawks  then  came  to  P.enuMit. 
I'iatt  County,  ami  bec.ime  associated  with  the 
Wabash  Railroad,  with  which  he  remained  for 
forty-two  .years,  holding  various  positions  of 
trust  and  responsibility,  especially  those  con- 
nected with  the  mail  and  express  service. 

When  .\brabam  Lincoln  journeyed  to  Wash- 
ington to  lie  iu:mgurati-d  as  |iresident  the  first 
term.  Mr.  Htiwks  bad  the  honor  of  bi'iiig  one 
of  the  s|iccial  gujirils  of  a  swilcb  (ui  the  railro;id 
while  the  s]iecial  train  was  passing  on  its  way 
from  S|)ringlcld.  In  the  early  days  in  order 
to  move  the  switches  under  his  charge,  Mr. 
Hawks  had  to  use  either  o.xen  or  horses.  An 
int(>restin:,'  local  railro.-id  incident  of  those  days 
is  berewith  given.  There  w.as  an  excursion 
from  P.emcnt  to  St.  Loiii.s.  The  night  before 
the  engine  was  brought  to  Benicnt  to  be  ready 
for  the  early  start  the  next  morning.  The  fire- 
man fell  asleep  and  allowed  all  the  water  to 
run  out  of  the  boiler.  .\s  the  engine  was  a 
long  way  from  the  tank,  it  was  necessary  to 
haul  it  b.ick  with  oxen,  across  the  open  prairie, 


^ 


\  PUBLIC  Ui?s^>^  ^ 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


753 


when  the  loss  of  water  was  discovered,  and 
pnnip  in  the  water  sufticient  to  cany  the  train 
to  the  next  water  tank.  Owins  to  thi.s  delay, 
the  train  did  not  pull  out  of  Benient  until  nine 
the  next  niorniii!;. 

In  Itecemlier.  ].S.'i7.  Mr.  llawlis  was  married 
to  Catlierine  Booth,  who  was  Imrn  in  the  .same 
place  as  lie,  .March  2:!.  183!).  She  is  a  daughter 
of  .Tndson  and  I'^liza  (T'liton)  Booth,  natives  of 
Berkle.v  and  t'harleniont.  Mass.  The  grandpar- 
ents were  Siiniuel  and  Mahetihel  (Xewell)  BootTi. 
n.itives  of  England  and  Berkley,  Mass.,  respec- 
tively :  and  Joseph  and  Tluirza  (Flint)  Upton, 
natives  nt  ('harleninnt  and  Beading.  Mass.,  re- 
spectively. .Indsdn  IliJdth  was  a  lilaiksuiith  and 
shoemaker.  Mrs.  Hawks  came  to  Bement  In 
Fehrnary,  ].S.j7.  and  taught  school  until  her 
marriage.  At  that  time  there  were  only  twelve 
liuildings  in  the  place,  two  of  them  being  stores, 
and  one  the  depot.  Mrs.  Hawks  joined  her  si.s- 
ter.  wlio  had  come  to  Bement  during  the  winter 
of  lS.j.5-f!.  at  a  time  when  there  were  but  two 
liuildings,  and  she  and  her  husband  built  the 
third  one.  In  order  to  protect  the  pedestrians 
of  Bement  in  those  early  days,  the  sticks  of 
wood  that  Could  not  be  consumed  by  flTe  r.-vil- 
road  engines  which  were  tired  with  wood!  wei-e 
laid  in  the  mud  for  temporary  sidewalks  and 
later  corncobs  were  used.  Jlrs.  Hawks  recalls 
many  entertaining  incidents  of  those  early  da.Vs. ' 
all  of  which  would  make  interesting  reading  did 
space  permit  their  being  related  in  full. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawks  became  the  jiarents  of 
the  following  children  :  M.  Miller,  who  was 
born  in  1.s."is.  died  in  Massachusetts,  in  LSCO : 
Charles  F.  T.,  who  was  born  December  10, 
l.Sfi2.  is  ticket  agent  for  the  "Frisco  Railroad, 
at  Brownsville.  Tex.:  .T.  Willard  B.,  who 
is  living  with  his  mother,  was  born  in  July, 
1808.  Mr.  Hawks  was  a  Republican.  He  served 
as  a  school  director,  tax  collector,  and  held 
other  township  offices.  A  Mason  in  good  stand- 
ing, he  was  a  Knight  Templar.  Mrs.  Hawks 
was  carefully  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
her  native  jilace,  and  her  husband  was  edu- 
cated in  the  same  institutions  of  learning.  In 
religious  faith  both  early  became  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Hawks  at- 
tended I'resident  Lincoln's  funeral,  .ioining  with 
countless  others  in   mourning. 

HAWVER,  Arbie  Lester.  All  over  the  country 
tliere  are  successful  business  men  who  attest 
to  the  truth  nf  the  statement  that  the  best  citi- 
zens have  been  recruited  from  the  farms,  and 
that  an  uiibringing  annd  rural  surroundings 
develops  desirable  characteristics.  One  of  these 
men  is  Arbie  Lester  Ilawver,  cashier  of  the 
Bank  of  Milmine.  one  of  the  sound  financial 
institutions  of  Piatt  County.  Mr.  Ilawver  was 
born  in  Willow  Branch  Townshi]!.  this  co\uity, 
August  IS,  IS.Sn,  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Lulu  (Bran- 
denburg)   Ilawver. 

After  studying  in  the  local  schools  of  his 
townslu]).  and  the  Bement  High  school.  Mr. 
TI;iwver  took  a  commercial  course  at  Brown's 
Business  College,  Decatur,  111.     Returning  home 


in  l!Kl!(,  he  was  associated  with  his  fatfier  in 
conducting  the  homestead  farm  until  1911,  but 
iu  that  year  began  oiierating  a  Kid-acre  farm 
for  himself.  In  li)l"J  he  entered  the  Bank  of 
Milmine  .'ts  assistant  cashier,  and  in  May,  19i:J, 
became  its  casliier,  iind  continues  to  hold  that 
responsible  jjosition.  James  Fisher  is  the  presi- 
dent, and  Isaac  Ilawver  is  the  vice  president  of 
this  bank,  which  was  organizeil  iu  1903. 

On  February  2,  191.J,  Mr.  Ilawver  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Floy  Cochrane,  born  in  Piatt 
County,  a  daughter  of  AVilliam  aud  Ruth 
(Moyerl  Cochr.iiie,  natives  of  Ohio  and  I'iatt 
County,  respectively.  Mr.  Ilawver  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  his  piditical  belief.  The  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Bement  holds  his  membership.  Fra- 
ternally he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge  of 
Bement,  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Milmine,  and  the 
Fraternal    Kncampmeut   of  Monticello. 

HAWVER,  Isaac,  vice  president  of  the  State 
Bank  of  Milmine,  aud  one  of  the  solid,  conserva- 
tive, reliable  men  of  Piatt  County,  is  an  honored 
resident  of  Milmine.  He  was  born  in  Wabash 
County,  lud.,  May  18,  18G1,  a  son  of  John  and 
jRUizabeth  (Studebaker)  Hawver,  natives  of 
Indiana  and  Ohio.  They  were  married  in  Ohio, 
and  then  went  to  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Wayne, 
Ind.,  where  the  father  conducted  a  farm,  later 
moving  to  Wabash  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1869 
came  to  Willow  Branch  Town.ship,  Piatt  Couuty, 
111.  For  the  first  season  he  rented  laud,  and 
then  in  the  fall  of  18C9,  bought  a  farm  aud 
operated  it  until  the  spring  of  1887,  when  he 
moved  to  Cerro  Gordo.  The  mother  died  in 
1015.  Their  children  were  as  follows :  John 
W.,  who  resides  at  Decatur,  111. ;  Sarah,  who  Is 
Mrs.  John  S.  Kuns,  of  Los  Angeles,  Cal. ;  Isaac : 
and  Emma,  who  is  Mrs.  James  Brandenburg,  of 
Bement,  111. 

Isaac  Hawver  attended  the  district  schools  of 
Willow  Branch  Township,  and  for  eight  months 
was  a  sttident  in  the  Wesleyan  T'niversity  at 
Bloomington.  111.  For  two  years  he  was  in 
Kan.sas  and  then  returned  to  Piatt  County  and 
took  up  his  residence  on  the  home  farm,  remain- 
ing there  until  the  fall  of  1911.  when  he  moved 
to  Milmine.  In  June,  1913,  he  bought  an  inter- 
est in  the  State  Bank  of  Milmine,  and  is  now 
its  vice  president.  This  sound  financial  insti- 
tution w^as  organized  July  20,  190.S,  by  T.  O. 
Holcomb,  George  W.  Hay,  Oscar  Yarnell, 
Charles  Taylor,  Frank  J.  Phillips  and  Eli  Peck, 
and  Mr.  Hawver's  occupancy  of  the  vice  presi- 
dential chair  gives  it  added  strengtb  and  stand- 
ing. 

On  Feln-uary  8,  1887,  Mr.  Hawver  was  married 
to  Lula  Brandenburg,  born  in  Kentucky,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Adeline  (Haggard) 
Brandenburg,  natives  of  Kentucky.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hawver  have  the  following  children: 
Orbie  L. :  Linle.v  E.,  who  is  an  eilucator  of  Mil- 
mine  :  and  Edna  and  Be.ssie,  both  of  whom  are 
at  home.  Mr.  Hawver  is  a  Democrat  and  served 
as  township  trustee  and  on  the  school  board  and 
gave  intelligent  attention  to  his  duties  in  both 
offices.      He    is    a    Chapter,    Commandery    and 


754 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


Shriiie  Mason,  being  connected  with  tlie  Bement, 
Dccatiir  ami  SpriuKfleld  lodges  and  is  also  a 
menilier  of  the  Odd  Fellows.  A  man  whose  word 
has  weight  in  his  community,  Mr.  Hawver  holds 
a  digiiilied  iwsition,  and  e.xerts  a  strong  iiitlu- 
ence  toward  maintaining  the  stahllit.v  of  the 
finances  of  the  county. 

HEATH,  James  Roy,  one  of  the  cKtonsive  opera- 
tors in  grain  and  slock  farming.  Is  recognized 
as  one  of  the  prosiierons  anil  representative  men 
of  I'latt  County.  He  was  born  at  White  lle.itb. 
111..  Fehru.iry  f!.  ISS.'i.  a  son  of  .\lmer  I'ortcr 
and  Margaret  (Ingram!  Heath,  natives  of  White 
Heath.  The  paternal  granilp.irents,  James  and 
Jane  (Ilogeland)  Heath,  natives  of  Ohio,  came 
to  riatt  County.  111.,  about  lS-10.  being  accom- 
panied by  several  brothers  of  the  grandfather. 
(Jeorge  and  I'orter  l)y  name.  The  Ilogeland 
family  came  at  a  still  earlier  date,  and  entered 
government  land,  .\fter  their  marriage,  the  par- 
ents locate<l  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  White 
Heath,  and  they  still  survive,  making  their 
home  in  .Sangamon  Township. 

James  Roy  Heath  attended  the  Camp  Creek 
district  school,  and  the  public  schools  of  White 
Heath,  and  then,  at  the  age  of  twenty  years, 
took  an  agricultural  cour.so  at  the  University 
of  Illinois.  Tor  the  succeeding  two  years  he 
remained  with  his  jiarents.  and  then  rented  laud 
in  Sangamon  Townshlji.  so  continuing  for  the 
next  two  years.  After  several  changes,  during 
which  time  he  spent  a  year  in  Chan)paign 
County.  Til.,  ^fr.  Heath  moved  to  the  old  fleorge 
Heath  farm,  whirb  had  been  entered  by  the 
Heath  family  from  the  government.  Here  he 
has  since  resideil,  handling  .^OO  acres  of  land, 
and  carryini:  on  grain  and  stock  farming  ver.v 
successfully.  Ho  specializes  in  cattle  and  hogs, 
and  is  a  recognized  authority  upon  many  mat- 
ters coiuuHted  with  agriculture. 

On  September  21.  litlO.  Mr.  Ile.-itli  was  mar- 
ried to  Floy  Smith,  born  in  Willow  Uraneh 
Towiishi]!.  a  daughter  of  John  and  Charity 
(.Vter)  Smith,  natives  of  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Heath  have  one  son,  James  Kobert.  who  was 
born  August  12,  1011.  Poltically  .Mr.  Heath  is 
a  Democrat. 

HEATH,  Noble  Porter,  was  undoubtedly  at  one 
time  one  of  tlie  towering  ligiu'cs  in  the  history 
of  While  TIcMtli  an<l  T'latt  Counly.  He  was  born 
in  Itoss  County.  Ohio.  February  7.  1.s;!2.  a  son 
of  David  and  .\nna  (I'orler)  lieath.  natives  of 
Ohio.  Desiring  to  change  his  place  of  resi- 
dence, liis  father  sold  his  farm  and  belong- 
ings in  Ohio,  in  l.S4."i.  and  drove  overland  with 
his  family,  in  wagons  to  Piatt  County,  buy- 
ing a  farm  in  Sangamon  Township.  Having  to 
return  to  Ohio  the  following  year  to  collect  the 
money  owing  to  lilm  from  his  sale,  he  caught 
a  I'old  which  develojied  into  pnennionia.  and  he 
died  there,  leaving  a  widow  and  five  small  chil- 
dren in  Illinois  on  an  unlmiiroved.  pioneer  farm 
of  forty  acres.  The  money  owing  him  was  sent 
to  his  widow,  and  with  this  she  was  able  to 
purchase   forty   additional    acres   of   land.     On 


this  farm  Noble  I'orter  Heath  grew  to  manhood, 
his  educational  advantages  being  limited  to  the 
sdiools  of  the  neighborhood. 

In  December,  ]8(!.').  he  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth Hovel  Wilson,  liorn  in  Coles  County,  111., 
.March  l.'S,  1S.!S.  a  tlaughter  of  Christ  and  Eliza- 
beth (Strayer)  Hovel,  n.itives  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  moved  to  Coles  County,  HI.,  at  a  very  early 
day.  Trace  of  them  was  lost  by  their  eastern 
relatives  and  an  interesting  incident  is  told 
of  how  they  were  found  again.  Some  years 
after  their  settlement  In  Illinois  a  man  travel- 
ing tbnnigli  Coles  County  saw  a  tine  team  of 
bbick  horses,  and  .asked  to  whom  tbe.v  belonged. 
He  was  told  they  were  the  i)roiierty  of  a  man 
n.'imed  Ilevel.  On  bis  return  to  bis  own  home 
in  Ohio,  he  related  the  incident,  and  remarked 
on  I  be  unusual  name  of  the  owner  of  the  beau- 
1  if  111  horses.  .V  sister  of  Mrs.  Hevel  heard  the 
remark,  and  feeling  convinced  that  the  name 
belonged  to  her  lost  sister,  she  and  her  hus- 
band drove  to  Coles  County,  and  arrived  only 
to  llnd  that  !\rr.  and  Mrs.  Ilevel  had  ,iust  died 
from  cholera.  Mrs.  Heath,  who  was  a  small 
i-blbl  at  this  time,  was  reared  at  Charleston, 
111.,  by  a  family  nameil  Mount,  with  whom  she 
lived  until  her  marriage  to  John  Wilson  in  1S,5,5. 
-Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  had  two  children,  namely: 
Catherine  and  William,  but  both  dieil  when 
small.  Mr.  Wilson  died  In  1S,")S,  and  Mrs.  Wil- 
son with  her  sister  and  brother-in-law.  Dv.  and 
Mr.s.  Strickland,  located  at  Centervllle.  III.  Mrs. 
Heath  had  i)ractically  no  early  educational  ad- 
vantages, but  was  very  ambitious,  and  after 
she  became  a  widow,  she  studied  nnd  educated 
herself  to  such  an  extent  that  she  taught  school 
succ(>ssfully  in  Piatt  County  for  five  .vears, 
until  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Heath. 

.\fter  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  He.ath  lived 
with  his  mother  and  sister  for  five  years,  and 
then  moved  to  a  farm  also  in  Sangamon  Town- 
shi|i.  com]irising  -ino  acres  of  land  that  he  had 
owned  for  some  years.  The  place  was  onl.v 
partly  iniiiroved.  but  he  bro\ri-'ht  it  into  a 
high  state  of  cultivation,  among  other  things 
erecting  a  fine  residence.  This  home  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  in  ISO.",  and  Mrs.  Heath  and 
her  children  later  built  a  beautiful,  modern 
home,  and  necessary  Iiariis  and  ontbuildimis.  so 
tliat  their  place  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  conut.v. 
Mr.  I  lea  111  keiit  adding  to  his  holdings  until 
there  now  are  over  1.()00  acres  in  the  farm.  120 
of  uhicb  are  in  Monticello  Township,  and  the 
Iial.-ince  in  Sangamon  Township  For  years  Mr. 
Heath  was  a  large  stockraiser  and  general 
farmer,  and  continued  aelhe  until  the  time  of 
his  death  which  occurred  June  0,  1S9.'!.  Mr. 
and  .Mrs.  Heath  had  the  following  children: 
.Vniia  Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  W.  W.  AVilkinson  of 
I'.ethany.  111.:  P.essie  Peatrice,  who  is  Mrs. 
Custer  Snyder  of  I/in'aln.  Ohio:  Xoble  Porter, 
Jr..  who  married  Xdlie  .\mbrose  in  1002,  had 
one  daughter.  Katheriiie  Klizabeth.  but  lost  liis 
wife  in  lltll  :  and  lyillian.  who  resides  \vlth 
her  mother.  The  family  lias  always  been  active 
in  the  -work  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Mr.  Heath  was  a  Democrat  in  his  politics,  and 


HJSTOKY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


755 


fraternally  he  lieloiised  to  Monticello  Lodge, 
A.  P.  &  A.  M..  aud  waj;  ii  man  nnlversally  ve- 
speetwl  an<l  honored. 

HELTON,  Richard,  was  born  in  Xorth  Carolina 
iu  1S22,  and  came  to  Piatt  County  in  tbe  early 
seventies,  and  was  the  first  person  to  build  a 
residence  at  Atwood,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
merchandising  for  many  years.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Ann  Willis  in  1S3S.  Their  children  were 
as  follows :  Henry.  Joel,  Alexander,  George, 
Rebecca  and  Jlrs.  Thomas  Barnes. 

HEMPHILL,  Edward  S.,  one  of  the  substantial 
men  of  Piatt  County  who  carries  on  an  extensive 
contracting  business  as  a  carpenter  and  builder, 
with  headiiuarters  at  Monticello,  lias  practically 
spent  his  life  in  this  kind  of  endeavor.  He  was 
born  at  Mahomet,  III..  Xovember  2.j.  1872.  a 
.son  of  William  Orlando  and  Anna  (Cunnin,g- 
ham)  Hemphill,  the  father  born  in  Washington 
County,  Ohio,  and  tbe  mother  near  Richmond, 
Va.  In  l.S'dU  tbe  parents  of  William  O.  Hemp- 
hill went  to  Indiana,  and  from  that  state,  he 
enlisted  in  the  Fifty-first  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry  and  served  four  years  during  the  Civil 
War.  Returning  to  Indiana  and  Illinois,  he 
spent  some  time  .-it  Rantoul,  where  he  did  car- 
pentering and  contracting,  but  later  moved  to 
Mahomet.  111.,  there  remaining  until  1870,  in 
which  year  be  moved  to  Monticello,  and  de- 
veloped a  large  contracting  business  now  car- 
ried on  by  his  son.  Edward  S.  In  1895  he 
moved  to  Lake  Charles.  La.,  continuing  busi- 
ness relations  there  and  at  Sllo.-un  Sju'liigs,  Ark., 
as  a  contractor  until  1911,  when  be  retired,  and 
now  resides  at  Monticello.  After  the  death  of 
his  tirst  wife  in  1S.S4.  be  married  (second) 
Mary   Huston. 

Edw.-ird  S.  Hemphill  attended  the  common 
schools  until  he  was  tifteen  .vears  old.  at  which 
time  he  began  learning  tbe  carpenter  trade 
under  his  father,  and  finally  branched  out  as 
a  general  contractor,  taking  all  kinds  of  eon- 
tract  work  within  a  radius  of  twenty  miles,  and 
doing  a  liig  business.  Ilis  iiolicy  has  always 
been  to  live  uji  to  liis  contracts  in  every  jiar- 
licular  and  liis  word  is  considered  as  good  as 
bis  written  bond. 

On  December  10.  1:mi1.  Mr.  IlempbiU  was  mar- 
ried to  Edna  Floe  Parks,  born  at  Farmer  Cit.v. 
111.,  a  d.uighter  of  George  Henry  and  Hester 
Ann  (Iluddisten)  Park.s.  natives  of  Park 
Count.v.  Ind..  and  PeWitt  County.  111.,  who  are 
both  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  IIem]ibill  have 
two  children,  namely:  Dorothy  and  I'aul.  Mrs. 
Ilemfiliill  attended  the  common  and  high  schools 
of  her  native  place.  Mr.  Ilemiibill  is  ;i  Re|iub- 
lican.  For  one  term  be  |iroved  bis  wortli  in 
a  public  capacit.v  by  serving  as  a  member  of  the 
city  c(auicil  of  Monticello.  Fraternally  he  be- 
longs to  tbe  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is  highly 
resiiected  in  that  order  as  be  is  in  business  and 
social  circles. 

HEMPHILL,  William  Orlando,  who  for  many 
years  was  a  prominent  figure  in  Piatt  Countv, 


but  is  now  living  retired  at  the  county  seat, 
is  an  honored  vetenin  of  the  Civil  War  and 
has  the  satisfaction  of  knowmg  that  when  liis 
iduntry  had  need  of  him  he  was  not  found 
lacking  in  patriotism.  Mr.  IlempbiU  was  born 
in  Logan  County,  Ohio,  June  10,  1810,  a  .son  of 
John  and  Mary  (Rittenhouse)  Hemphill,  na- 
tives of  Ross  County,  Ohio.  In  IS-W  they  moved 
to  Washington  Court  House,  Ohio,  and  there  the 
father  carried  on  cabinetmakiiig  until  ISiil,  when 
he  moved  to  (ireeiie  County,  Ind.  From  the 
latter  county  William  Orlando  Ileiniibill  en- 
listed in  the  first  year  of  the  Civil  War,  on 
December  8,  ISCil,  in  Company  K,  Fifty-first 
Indiana  \'olunteer  Infantry,  from  which  he 
was  honorably  discharged  December  31,  18(i3. 
On  January  i,  1804,  he  re-enlisted  in  the  same 
company  and  regiment,  from  which  he  I'eceived 
his  honorable  discharge  December  13,  1805,  at 
San  Antonio,  Tex.  Following  the  battle  of 
Stone  River  be  was  taken  prisoner  and  con- 
liiied  at  Belle  Isle,  Richmond,  ^'a.,  but  within 
two  months  was  transferred  and  within  a  few 
days  was  paroled  to  a  camp  at  Columbus,  Oliio, 
and  three  months  later  he  was  exchanged. 

After  his  tinal  discharge  from  the  army,  Mr. 
IlempbiU  went  to  Jasper  County,  Ind.,  where 
bis  ]>arents  had  gone,  and  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing until  ISilN.  when  lie  came  to  Illinois,  and 
until  1S7(;  was  engaged  in  cariientering  work 
in  Champaign  County.  In  that  year  he  came  to 
Monticello.  and  continued  bis  contracting  busi- 
ness until  1S1I5,  when  be  moved  to  Lake  Charles, 
la.,  for  nine  and  one-half  ,vear.s,  when  he  again 
made  a  change,  and  until  1011  was  at  Siloam 
Sju-iugs,  Ark.  On  May  1  of  that  year  he  re- 
turned to  M(jnticelb>  and  bought  a  comfortable 
resideiK-e  in  which  be  has  since  lived  retired. 

Mr.  Ileinphill  is  a  lueniber  of  Monticello  Post, 
G.  A.  R,,  and  takes  a  gre:it  den]  of  interest  in 
its  work.  During  his  tirst  enlistment  he  was 
made  a  eorfioral,  and  received  ajiiiointment  to 
the  .same  office  during  his  second  enlistment, 
being  discharged  with  that  rank.  He  was  in 
many  battles  and  skirmishes,  the  first  engage- 
ment lieing  at  Howling  Green,  Ky.  Others  were 
Stone  River.  Perryville.  CoUimbia  :ind  Frank- 
lin. 

In  the  f.ill  i.f  ISOii  Air.  Hemphill  was  mar- 
ried tcj  .Viiiia  Cunningham,  born  at  Morefield, 
Hardy  County,  ^'a.,  and  their  children  were  as 
follows:  Ida,  who  married  George  Fisher,  is 
decea.sed ;  Claudina.  who  is  deceased:  Edward, 
who  lives  at  Monticello;  Elura,  who  died  at  tbe 
age  of  four  years;  and  Mary  Alice,  who  mar- 
ried Edward  Widdersheen,  of  Stocktnu.  Cal. 
Mrs.  Hemiibill  died  iu  IS.si.  and  Mr.  IIem|ihill 
111,1  rrieil  (sei-oncD  Mary  Huston  of  Ross  County, 
Ohio,  .a  daughter  of  John  and  Sophia  (Benner) 
Huston.  Mr.  Huston  was  one  of  the  first  to 
organize  tbe  Presbyterian  clinreb  at  Monticello. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hemphill  have  one  daughter.  Floy, 
who  is  Mrs.  Horace  H.  Clark  of  Chicago. 

In  religidiis  faith  Mr.  Hem]ihill  is  a  Presb.v- 
terian.  Politically  he  is  a  Reiiublicnn,  and  gives 
bis  suiipcirt  to  tbe  candidates  and  principles  of 
tb:it    p.irt.w      .\    man   of  lyiright   character   and 


756 


HISTORY  OF  riATT  COLNTY 


•hdiionililo  idfiils.  lie  lives  ii|i  ti>  liis  convietioiis. 
.111(1  is  ver.v  hi^'lily  respected  liy  iill  who  luive 
the   lioiior  of  liis  Mri|iiMiiitjitice. 

HENDRIX,  John  W.,  (iwiut  mid  iminager  of 
M:i|ile  Cresl  l.inii,  coiisisljii;;  of  L'oll  ;lcres  of 
fertile  I'iatt  County  l:nid.  well  represents  tlie 
elnss  of  sturdy,  industrious  a;;rioultiir.ilists 
which  have  liroii;.'ht  inuili  imisperity  to  this 
.section  of  llliiKds.  lie  ha.s  heon  eni;.i;,'e<l  in 
farniiii'.:  in  Willow  I'.rancli  Township  since  1S7S. 
lie  was  liorn  in  Tennessee.  Septenilier  "Jl.  l.S.">2. 
••ind  is  a  son  of  .lolm  .M.  and  .Mary  ililacU) 
Ilendrix. 

.lohn  .M.  Ilendrix  was  horn  in  Tennessee  in 
l.*<;{|.  He  had  hut  few  educational  advaiit.iiios 
and  liejian  lo  work  on  a  farm  in  lioyhood  and 
later  liec.iiue  :i  farmer  on  his  own  account.  lie 
WHS  married  in  Teiuiessee  to  Mary  Itlack.  who 
was  horn  in  that  stale  in  l.S."!.".,  and  they  had 
the  followim;  <hildren:  William,  who  was  horn 
in  Is.'iO.  lives  at  I)e<atur.  III.:  .lolm  W. ;  .lames. 
who  was  horn  in  \S'A.  lives  in  .Macon  ('(Umty. 
111.:  Thoophilns.  who  was  horn  in  l.**."i(!.  is  a 
resident  of  Clinton.  111.:  Fanny,  who  was  horn 
in  l.S."iS.  married  Thomas  Nelson  and  lives  in 
Montiiiia  :  Celia.  who  was  horn  in  I.SIiO.  married 
William  Kast  .uid  lives  in  Missouri:  Iteinu'tt. 
who  was  lioni  in  Im;2.  died  in  l.Si;:!:  Minerva, 
who  was  horn  In  l.SiJl.  m.irried  Perry  Cramer 
ami  lives  at  Clinlon.  HI.;  Knnna.  who  was  horn 
in  l.siiii,  iiiarricil  Tliomas  Hardin  and  lives  at 
Clinton:  Nellie,  who  was  luan  in  ISlWi.  mariied 
Uohert  .Xeshit  and  lives  at  Clinton:  anil  Kd- 
ward.  who  was  liiirn  in  1,S70.  lives  in  Macon 
County.  Til.  For  several  years  after  his  niar- 
riaire.  Mr.  Ilendrix  continued  farnuns  in  Ten- 
nessee .and  then  moved  to  .\rkaiisas  and  fol- 
lowed farmim:  in  that  stale  for  ten  .vears. 
removing'  llu-n  to  Illinois  and  for  live  years 
carried  on  farmim.'  in  Macon  County  and  then 
moved  to  DeWitt  County.  There  lie'liomrht  '210 
acres  of  lanit  and  aflerwanl  purchased  Itid 
ad.ioinluir  the  home  farm,  all  of  which  he  greatly 
inil'roved  .and  lived  on  it  for  some  years,  finally 
rentinu'  it  and  pnrch.-tsiui:  a  conifortahle  resi- 
lience .It  Maroa.  111.,  in  which  he  lived  retired 
until  his  death  in  liKls.  He  was  .ni  cMclleiil 
hiisiness  man.  was  liiL'hly  resiiected  .iimI  li.-id  a 
very  wide  acipi.-iintance. 

I'ntil  his  eiiihteeiith  year  .Tolin  W.  Ilendrix 
had  educalional  npiHirtunities  in  the  jiuhlic 
schools  in  IieWilt  County,  after  which  he  as- 
si.sted  his  father  and  remained  on  the  home  farm 
until  he  w;is  twenty-four  .vears  old.  .^fter  his 
nijirria^'e  he  hc-'an  f.irniini;  for  liimself  on 
I'cnted  land  in  I>eWitt  County,  hut  one  .vear 
later,  in  l.S7,>i.  came  to  I'iail  <"oiii;ty  and  for 
two  vears  worked  for  Havid  Kuhiis.  He  then 
hou'.'hl  ninety  acres  in  Willow  Uranch  Town- 
ship. cidtivatiiiL'  and  improviie^  it  and  in  a 
fow  .vears  hou'-'ht  forty  additional  acres  and 
later  120  acres  and  now  owns  210  acres  in  Wil- 
low Hranch  TownshiiK  Maple  Crest).  IdO  acres 
in  Cerro  Cordo  an  I  ei-.-hty  acres  in  Tfenient 
Township.  He  devotes  his  210-acre  homo  farm 
to  -.'rain  and  stnckraLsiii'.;. 


In  l.'^Tii  Mr.  Ilenili'ix  was  married  to  Sylvia 
Da.v.  horn  in  DeWitt  Comity.  111.,  in  lSi;2  and 
died  in  iss.'i.  She  w.is  a  il.i lighter  of  I'riah 
.and  l.ouisa  (l..imh)  Day.  natives  of  Kiisxland. 
In  l.ssi;  Mr.  Ilendrix  w.is  marriitl  to  Addle  Sny- 
der, horn  in  Koss  County,  Ohio.  May  1,  1871. 
Comiuj;  to  I'iatt  County  when  four  .years  of  age, 
a  daiifjliler  of  P.eiiner  and  Mary  (Christian) 
.Snyder,  the  former  horn  in  Ohio  ,Inly  10,  1830, 
and  died  .Iinie  I."),  lOO^l :  the  latter  horn  in  Ohio 
in  IMl.  died  in  lss2.  The.v  were  early  settlers 
in  I'i.itt  County.  Six  children  were  horn  to 
this  m.uria'.;e :  Lena  1).,  horn  .June  20.  hS**?, 
m.irried  .\rtlinr  I.amli  and  the.v  live  in  Henieut 
Townshi|i:  ld;i  Fern,  horn  in  ls,S!J.  dietl  in  l.SO.S; 
Edna  I'.,  a  student  in  the  State  Normal  scliool  at 
.Normal,  horn  March  I."!.  1MI3:  Xohle  10..  horn  June 
10.  1S'.I7:  .lohn  M..  horn  .Novemher  20.  ISO',1,  and 
I'aul  i:..  Iiorn  Fehriiary  lo.  ItiOS.  hoth  with  their 
p.i reals.  .Mr.  Ilendrix  is  an  adherent  of  the 
Democratic  party.  With  his  family  he  i.s  a 
memher  of  the  Church  of  Cod  and  for  soiue 
lime  has  heen  a  deacon  in  the  church  at  Mil- 
mine.  Perhaps  no  man  in  Willow  P.ranch  Town- 
ship is  held  in  more  respect  than  .lohn  W.  Ilen- 
drix. 

HICKS,  James  L.,  whose  career  as  a  member 
of  the  I'iatt  County  le^rai  profession  covers  a 
]ierioil  of  more  than  twenty -seven  years,  has 
won  his  way  to  tiie  forefront  anions'  his  fellow- 
liractitioners  hy  indnsti-y  and  honoralile  meth- 
ods. cou]iled  with  learnin";  and  inherent  talent. 
On  .several  occasions  he  has  heen  called  to  |iosi- 
tions  of  iiuhlic  importance,  in  which  he  has 
comported  hiniself  in  ;i  m.anuer  eminentl.v  .satis- 
fying to  the  voters,  ,iiiil  his  entire  record  has 
heen  one  which  has  lent  dimiit.v  to  his  honored 
ciillinir. 

Mr.  Hicks  was  liorn  at  Hartford.  Conn..  .Vu- 
.:.'ust  20.  l.si;:;.  Ile  was  hrouu'lit  to  Illinois  when 
still  a  lad.  and  afler  preliminary  work  in  the 
local  schools  spent  two  vears  at  the  Illinois 
Normal  Sclinol.  at  I'doominsiton.  Ills  legal 
studies  were  prosecuted  in  the  I'liiversity  of 
.Micliiixau.  at  .\nii  .Vrhor,  which  institntioii  he 
.■ittcnde.l  in  1NSr,-s7.  Prior  to  this  time  lie  liad 
lived  in  Willow  P.rancli  Township.  I'iatt  County, 
lint  when  re.-idy  to  |  ractice  he  came  to  Monti- 
ce!lo  and  o|iencil  an  oltice.  In  that  same  .vear, 
1SS8.  he  was  elected  st.ite's  attorney,  serving  in 
thai  capacity  until  1.S'.)2.  atid  later  was  the  suc- 
cessful candidate  of  the  Democratic  party  for 
the  ottice  of  (  ity  attorney  of  Monticello.  and 
acleil  as  such  two  years.  He  is  .justly  .accounted 
one  of  the  learned  niemhers  of  the  Piatt  County 
liar,  whose  success  in.  a  numlier  of  ini|iorl:int 
c.ises   has   civen    him    merited    prestiue. 

Mr.  Hicks  was  nnirried  in  1s,ss  to  Miss  Ceneva 
Dunn,  who  was  horn  at  Pemeiit.  HI.,  and  to  this 
union  there  !i;is  heen  horn  one  dau;;Iiter: 
Frances. 

HOLLOWAY,   Isaac   Newton.     The  agricultural 

iiiipcirtance  of  I'iatI  ('oiiiily  is  u'cnerally  recou'- 
nized.  and  it  has  heen  hroiiiiht  ahout  thriaish 
the  efforts  of  men   who  understand  their  hiisi 


A^^C^     A^    .^yLGlAJU^r     ^Ol^l^ 


\  PUBLIC  UB^^'- 


J, 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


757 


iie.ss  and  know  how  to  make  farming  profitable. 
One  of  these  is  Isaac  Newton  Ilolloway,  who  is 
conducting  eisihty  acres  of  the  old  Fisher  farm, 
beinj:  a  resident  of  White  Heath.  He  was  born 
in  Clinton  Count.v,  Ind..  .September  5.  1857,  a 
son  of  Thomas  Nelson  and  Sarah  (Truitt)  Hol- 
loway,  natives  of  Montgomery  and  Clinton 
counties,  Ind. 

Thomas  Nelson  Ilolloway  was  a  farmer  in 
Clinton  County.  Ind..  until  his  enlistment  in  the 
One  Hundredth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry 
during  the  early  part  of  the  Civil  War.  At 
Lookout  Mountain  lie  was  wounded  in  the  month 
by  a  gunshot,  resulting  in  the  shattering  of  his 
chin  bone,  and  the  loss  of  all  but  one  tooth  in 
his  lower  jaw.  In  spite  of  his  injuries  he  re- 
covered and  later  became  a  schoolteacher  in 
bis  native  state,  and  in  Missouri.  His  death 
occurred  at  Danville,  111.,  while  he  was  an  in- 
mate of  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  that  place,  De- 
cember 10,  I'HK).  Tlie  moUier  of  I.  N.  Ilolloway 
dieil  about  l,S<jl.  Their  children  were  as  fol- 
lows: Knoch,  who  lives  at  E.xcelsior,  Minn.; 
.Teffersou  I'.,  who  lives  at  Colfa.x,  Ind.  ;  .Tohn, 
who  lives  at  Frankfort,  Ind. ;  Mahala.  who  is 
the  widow  of  Richard  Harper,  of  Pasadena, 
Cal. ;  and  Isaac  Xewton.  After  the  death  of  his 
first  wife  the  father  married  (second)  Kllza- 
beth  Coon,  in  ISSS.  There  were  no  children 
by  this  marriage.  The  second  Mrs.  Ilolloway 
died  in  ISiW. 

After  his  mother's  death  Isaac  Xewton  Hollo- 
way  was  taken  by  his  maternal  grandfather, 
Anderson  Truitt,  and  he  lived  with  him  for 
some  years,  being  sent  to  the  common  schools. 
Later  he  went  with  the  family  of  Alfred  Doster 
in  Indiana,  and  there  spent  six  years,  .\bout 
1S70  young  Ilolloway  was  w-ith  a  Mr.  Travis, 
and  in  that  year  be  went  with  Mr.  Travis  to 
Shawnee  ('ounty,  Kas.,  and  obtained  employ- 
ment as  a  cowboy  on  the  Rock  Creek  ranch, 
and  there  spent  two  .vears.  He  then  went  to 
Jlissouri,  and  worked  as  a  logger  on  the  Mis- 
souri River  for  one  winter,  leaving  there  for 
Clinton  County,  Ind..  but  after  a  short  period 
lie  went  to  Minnesota,  thence  through  the  Da- 
kotas.  and  other  western  states,  coming  finally 
to  White  Heath.  111. 

On  Noveinber  !),  ISiti),  Mr.  HoUoway  was  mar- 
ried at  White  Heath  to  Margaret  Fishev,  born 
in  Sangamon  Township,  this  county,  a  daugh- 
ter of  .Tohn  and  Margaret  (Cline)  Fisher,  who 
died  when  Mrs.  Ilolloway  was  an  infant.  Their 
children  were  as  follows:  .Tacob,  who  was  born 
December  2,  18.37.  resides  at  White  Heath : 
<Jeorge  W..  who  was  horn  October  2(1,  1S30,  is 
deceased ;  .John,  who  was  born  December  17, 
1S41,  is  decea.sed :  Hiram,  who  was  born  Decem- 
ber 28.  1842.  is  deceased  :  Mary  Ann.  who  was 
born  November  12,  184(i.  is  deceased:  Martha, 
who  was  born  February  28,  1840.  is  deceased; 
David,  who  was  liorn  February  l.o.  18.51,  is  de- 
ceased; Sarah  M.,  who  was  born  Augu.st  25, 
18.5:!,  is  deceased;  Sarilla  C.  who  was  born 
.January  20.  1,S.">.5.  is  deceased;  .James,  who  was 
lioru  .Tune  20.  1S.">8.  is  a  resident  of  Sangamon 
Township:   Marg.-iret.   who  was  born   .Vugiist   ■'. 


ISCO,  is  Mrs.  Ilolloway;  and  Ezra,  who  was 
born  Februan-  !(!,  181!;',,  is  decea.sed.  .John 
Fisher  was  born  .\ugust  !),  1814,  and  his  wife 
was  born  October  (!,  1811t.  They  were  married 
•lanuary  14,  18:^7.  and  he  died  April  11,  1SG3, 
and  she  cUetl  May  II,  18(33. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  HoUoway  have  no  children. 
Their  farm  is  owned  by  Mrs.  Ilolloway,  being 
a  part  of  the  homestead  of  her  parents,  and  six 
acres  of  it  is  in  valuable  timber.  Mr.  HoUoway 
and  wife  both  belong  to  the  Methodist  Church. 
In  iMiIitics  he  is  independent.  Fraternally  he 
belongs  to  the  Modern  Woixlmen  of  America,  of 
White  Heath,  and  Mrs.  Ilolloway  is  a  member 
of  the  Court  of  Honor. 

HOLMES,  WiJUam  M.  In  bhe  life  of  the  late 
William  M.  Holmes  there  were  exhibited  those 
traits  of  sturdy  industry  and  sterling  integrity 
which,  wlien  directed  by  a  capable  mind,  seldom 
fail  of  success.  He  wrote  bis  name  large  and 
indelibly  on  the  business  history  of  Piatt  County, 
and  while  some  years  have  passed  since  his 
death  tiie  results  of  his  energies  still  remain 
as  a  monument  to  his  memory  and  as  guiding 
posts  to  point  the  direction  of  the  younger 
business  generation.  Jlr.  Holmes  was  born  in 
Pickaway  County.  Ohio,  in  1830,  a  son  of  Isaac 
and  Maria  Holmes,  also  natives  of  that  county. 

William  M.  Holmes  received  a  public  school 
education  and  farmed  in  Ohio  until  1800.  in 
whii-li  year  he  came  to  Piatt  County,  this  com- 
nnmity  continuing  to  lie  bis  home  from  that 
time  until  his  death.  -Vfter  farming  for  five 
years  on  rented  land,  in  Monticello  Township, 
he  became  a  trader  in  and  feeder  of  live  stock, 
subse<uiently  engaged  in  buying  and  selling 
land,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was 
the  representative  of  large  concerns  for  which 
he  bought  stock  and  was  the  medium  through 
which  large  transactions  were  consummated. 
He  accumulated  a  handsome  property,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  owned  much  desirable 
real  estate  at  Monticello.  Mr.  Holmes  was  a 
man  who  held  at  all  times  his  associates'  con- 
fidence, as  well  as  the  respect  of  his  community. 
He  never  .shirked  a  public  duty,  and  when  called 
upon  cheerfully  gave  of  his  time  and  talents 
to  the  iiromotiun  and  support  of  jmblic  enter- 
prises. His  death,  which  occurred  March  20, 
lOOVt.  took  from  this  section  one  of  its  most 
valued  and  v.aluable  citizens.  .Vfter  his  demise 
Mrs.  Holmes  traded  some  of  bis  propert.v  for 
the  beautiful  modern  residence  on  Piatt  Street, 
Miniticello,  which  she  now  occupies. 

Mr.  Holmes  was  married  March  20.  1855,  to 
Miss  Rebecca  McKIbinney.  who  was  born  in 
Hamilton  Count.v.  Ohio.  .Vpril  10,  1S.'!fi.  a  daugh- 
ter of  Hugh  and  Sarah  (Williams)  McElhinue.v. 
Her  father  w.-is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
her  mother  of  Ohio.  On  the  maternal  side  her 
grandparents  were  (Jeorge  W.  and  Rebecca  Wil- 
liams, and  .Mi-s.  Holmes  is  eligible  for  member- 
ship in  the  Daughters  of  the  .Vmerican  Revolu- 
tion, her  maternal  grandfather  having  fought 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Colonial  army  in  the  win- 
ning   of    .Vmerii-an    independence.      Seven    chil- 


758 


HISTORY  OK  PIATT  COINTY 


(Ireii  wpre  Ixini  to  Mr.  ami  Mrs.  Ilolnies, 
niiniely :  .Melfiin  M.,  wlio  is  of  Docatur,  111. ; 
Jessie  ('..  wlio  resides  witli  lier  mother;  Wil- 
liam, who  (lied  af;ed  two  and  one-half  years; 
Sarali  .M..  wlio  is  at  li(»me ;  Samuel,  who  is  of 
Deeatiir.  111. ;  John  M.,  who  is  at  home ;  and 
(Jeorjie  W.,  who  died  in  llli:;.  ai;ed  forty-four 
yeni-s. 

HOPKINS,  Benjamin  Gold,  wiis  born  in  Con- 
nectiiMi  ill  1M1.  and  came  to  Hement  Township 
in  isrc.  Later  he  lieeauu'  a  merchant  of  Be- 
nient,  and  was  very,  highly  esteemed.  In  1831 
he  was  married  to  Mary  Stanton,  and  their 
children  were  as  follows :  Samuel  J.,  Frank 
<;..  .Mrs.  J.  C.  Kvans.  Mr.s.  William  Godwin. 
Mrs.  N.  L.  Furgeson,  Richard,  and  Belle. 

HOTT,  Jacob,  inino  to  Piatt  County  alxnit  1S3S 
or  iN.'ilt.  He  was  married  to  Marsaret  Fisher 
and  they  had  seven  children.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  iwc,  after  he  had  hecome  quite  suc- 
cessful  as  a    farmer. 

HOWELL,  Isaac,  came  to  Cerro  (iordo  Townsliip 
in  1>^."S  and  imjiroved  a  fine  farm  of  eighty 
acres  iilantins;  2.")0  trees  and  erectins  n\imerous 
huildings.  He  was  married  in  1S43  to  Mary 
Widick  and  they  had  six  children  who  grew  to 
maturity,  namely:  George,  William,  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam Allsberry,  Mrs.  Edward  Zinn.  John  and 
Fva. 

HUBBART,  Oliver  S.,  who  is  operatins;  the  farm 
iu  Goose  Creek  Township  on  which  he  was 
horn  in  March.  187.3.  is  a  son  of  William  C.  and 
Lucindar  (Ilaml  Iluhhart.  natives  of  Ohio.  The 
Krandparcnts.  Kichanl  Hnlihart.  and  Rarthnlo- 
mew  and  I.ncinda  (McXett)  Ilam.  were  very 
early  settlers  of  Piatt  County. 

.\fter  their  ni.irriasre,  William  C.  Ilubbart  and 
wife  located  on  liOO  acres  of  land  in  Goose 
Creek  Township.  240  acres  of  which  is  now  con- 
ducted hy  I  heir  son.  Oliver  S.  Here  they  lived 
until  their  family  was  crown,  and  then  they 
spent  one  year  in  Champaign  County,  III.  Re- 
turnini:  to  Piatt  County,  they  lived  in  Monti- 
cello  Township  for  a  time  hut  died  at  Monti- 
cello,  where  their  last  days  were  spent.  The 
father  died  in  March.  1012.  and  the  mother 
passed  away  in  Septeniher  of  the  same  year. 
Their  children  were  as  follows:  Edith  P.,  who 
lives  at  Monticello;  Richard  B..  who  lives  in 
Goose  Creek  Township:  Jennie  May.  who  is 
Mrs.  Dr.  Stedeni.  of  Sayhrook.  111.:  Oliver  S. : 
Delia  S.,  who  resides  with  her  hrother  Oliver: 
Dwisht  C.  who  died  in  lOOfl,  aged  twcnty-.seven 
years;  and  William,  who  died  iu  infancy.  Mrs. 
Mnry  F.  Dewees  is  a  survivina  dausrhter  hy  the 
father's  former  niarriafre. 

Oliver  S.  lluhhart  attended  the  schools  of 
his  district,  and  took  a  one  year's  cour.se  at 
De  Land,  then  hegan  teachinR  school  and  fol- 
lowed that  calllnL:  for  two  years.  lie  then 
moved  on  a  farm  helouaing  to  his  father  in 
Goose  Creek  Township,  and  In  ISOS  he  started 
to  attend  and   was  graduated  from  the  Evans- 


ton  Academy  in  1001,  and  from  Northwestern 
University  in  i'Ma.  For  the  succeeding  two 
years  he  was  secretary  of  the  T.  M.  C.  A., 
and  princii)al  of  the  Rossville  High  School  for 
the  next  two  years.  To  pursue  special  studies, 
he  took  a  post-graduate  course  at  the  University 
of  Illinois,  and  took  a  master's  degree  in  his- 
tory in  1010.  Mr.  Hubbart  then,  in  1010,  became 
principal  of  the  high  school  at  Macomb,  111., 
and  hold  that  iiosition  for  one  .vear,  when  he 
accepted  a  iiosition  in  the  high  school  at  Catta- 
nooga,  Tenn.  In  June,  1015,  however,  he  left 
the  schoolroom  for  the  old  farm,  where  he  is 
carrying  on  general  farming.  Mr.  Hubbart  has 
never  married.  In  religious  belief  he  is  a  Uni- 
tarian. Accustomed  to  form  his  own  estimate 
of  men  and  lu-inciples,  he  does  not  tie  himself 
down  by  party  lines,  but  votes  independently. 

HUBBART,  Richard  B.,  now  engaged  in  general 
I'armiiig  and  sluck  feeding  and  raising  in  Goose 
Creek  Township,  is  a  native  son  of  the  town- 
ship, horn  July  2S,  ISOS,  a  son  of  William  C. 
and  l.uiiiida  (llani)  Hubbart.  natives  of  Ohio. 
Richard  P..  Ilnhbart  was  given  better  educa- 
tional advant.-igcs  than  the  usual  farmer's  boy, 
for  he  not  only  attended  the  Wesleyan  T'niver- 
sity,  .-it  Itliioniington.  hut  also  Denver  I'niver- 
sity.  hul  nn  arconnt  of  sickness  did  not  complete 
the  course.  He  was  ordained  a  minister  of  the 
Methodist  K|uscopal  Church,  and  his  first  charge 
was  at  Mt.  Olive.  111.,  from  whence  he  went  to 
Weedm.-in,  III.  He  was  also  at  Thoniasboro  and 
Ogdeu.  liolh  Illinois  charges,  but  after  six  years 
iu  the  ministry,  his  health  so  failed  him  that  he 
was  warned  to  get  into  an  outdoor  occujiation. 
He  spent  snm<>  time  at  I-atham,  IU..  Lovington, 
111..  Waveriy.  111.,  and  .Macon.  111.,  finall.v.  in 
l!n  1.  coining  to  the  homestead  of  his  father, 
of  wliich  Kid  acres  had  heeii  iulierited  hy  him. 
In  addition,  he  owns  the  forty  acres  ad.ioining. 
Here  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and  specializes  in  shorthorn  cjtttle. 
The  tine  modern  residence  on  his  farm  was 
elected  by  liiin,  and  is  a  model  for  otJier 
farmers. 

On  M.iy  !l.  1S01.  Mr.  Hubbart  was  married 
to  Iris  Porter,  born  in  DeWitt  County.  111.,  a 
daughter  of  .\iistin  and  lOIizabeth  (.Tones)  Por- 
ter, natives  of  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ilubbart 
have  the  following  children:  Faith,  who  is  con- 
nected with  (lie  musical  de])artinent  of  the  Illi- 
nois Wesleyan  t'niversity:  Itulli.  who  is  a  grad- 
uate of  tile  Monticello  High  scIkmiI  ;  Paul,  who 
is  attending  the  .Monticello  High  school,  and 
Lowell,  wlio  is  at  hoine,  Irviii.  the  third  child, 
dietl  in  infancy.  In  politics  Mr.  Ilubhard  is  a 
Republican.  Fraternallv  he  belongs  to  De  Land 
Lodge.  .\.  F.  &  A.  M.  ;  Livingston  Lodge.  I.  O.  O. 
F..  and  L.atham  Camp.  W.  W.  A. 

.Mtliough  he  is  no  longer  in  active  ministerial 
work.  Mr.  Hubbnrt  has  not  lost  his  interest  in 
it.  and  carries  his  faith  into  his  everyday  life 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  exert  a  |iowerful  influ- 
ence for  good  in  his  conininnity.  .V  true  Chris- 
tian. ii|irighl  and  honorable,  he  has  cheerfully 
accepted   the  cross  laid   upon   him.   and   instead 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


759 


of  relielliiig  has  made  his  efforts  effective  in  his 
agrioultnral  work,  just  as  he  did  in  the  min- 
istry. 

HUBBELL,  Charles  B.,  a  tarpcnter  and  builder 
of  Bement,  was  liorn  iu  N6w  Yorli  in  1S20, 
and  came  to  Bement  In  1857,  and  for  some 
time  was  engaged  iu  farmiug  just  outside  the 
village.  At  least  500  trees  in  or  near  Bement 
were  planted  by  him.  He  held  some  of  the 
local  oflices  and  was  a  very  responsible  man. 
In  1S45  he  was  married  to  Maria  C.  Vedder, 
and  their  children  were  as  follows :  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam I'utman.  Mrs.  Reber  Huston,  Mrs.  Frank 
Corser,  Helen.  Francis  F.  and  Lucius  L. 

HULL,  P.  K.,  M.  D.,  came  to  Moiiticello  in  1841. 
and  lived  there  until  the  death  of  his  wife, 
who  had  been  Mary  J.  Huston,  in  ISli).  For 
several  years  thereafter  he  lived  with  his  chil- 
dren, and  then  in  1.S.55  moved  liack  to  Monti- 
cello,  buying  a  home,  where  he  died  November 
20,  1859.  During  1S52  and  18.53,  during  a 
cholera  epidemic,  he  endeared  himself  to  the 
people  of  Piatt  County  by  his  fearless  treat- 
ment of  the  sticken  ones,  and  his  skill  received 
due  recognition. 

HUNSLEY,  Charles,  one  of  the  enterprising  and 
successful  business  men  of  White  Heath,  has 
raised  the  standard  of  reliability  and  honorable 
dealing  in  Piatt  County  through  liis  own  actions 
and  nietliods.  He  was  born  in  Willow  Branch 
Township,  tliis  county.  October  20.  1880.  a  son 
of  Kdmond  C.  and  Mary  E.  (Cantrell)  Hunsley. 
7intivos  of  Lancashire.  England,  and  Illinois, 
respectivel.v.  The  grandjiarents.  Charles  and 
Emily  Ilunsle.v.  came  to  Illinois  in  1850.  locat- 
ing in  Macon  County  on  a  farm.  During  the 
Civil  War  the  father  of  Cliarles  IlmisJey  served 
for  three  years  in  the  Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry, 
and  after  his  honorable  discharge,  located  In 
Willow  Branch  Township.  Piatt  Count.v.  Here 
he  was  married  iu  1871.  Durini;  his  younger 
days  he  taught  school,  but  later  in  life  was  a 
farmer.  an<l  since  IDOl  has  lived-  in  retirement 
near  Brith.  Iowa. 

CTiarles  Hunsley  attended  tlie  [>ublic  schools 
of  Cisco,  and  had  one  year  at  the  high  school. 
\t  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  became  a  clerk 
in  a  general  store,  but  after  two  years  he  became 
a  house  painter,  and  decorator  and  paper  hanger, 
following  these  callings  for  five  years.  He  then 
began  working  in  a  hardware  store  at  Cisco,  and 
there  gained  the  experience  that  enaliled  him 
on  Marcli  18,  191.1.  to  become  successful  man- 
ager of  the  W.  II.  .lones  White  Heath  branch  of 
his  Cisco  store,  handling  heavy  and  light  hard- 
ware, implements,  harness,  automobiles,  plumb- 
ing, heating  and  other  appliances,  and  doing  a 
large   and   steadily   increasing   business. 

On  October  20.  1907.  Mr.  Hnnslev  was  mar- 
ried to  [>ena  M.  Mintnn.  liorn  in  Xelu-aska.  a 
daughter  of  .'^teiiben  and  Rosa  (Lewis)  Min- 
tnn. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hunsley  have  two  chil- 
dren, namely:  Harwin.  who  was  bom  May  27. 
1909;  and  Milford.  who  was  born  .Tulv  19.  191.^. 


In  religious  faith  Mr.  Hunsley  is  a  Presbyterian. 
His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows and  Masons,  both  of  Cisco.  Live,  experi- 
enced, a  man  of  sound  principles  and  rational 
ideas,  Mr.  Hunsley  is  a  jjower  in  his  community, 
and  is  highly  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

JACKSON,  Hiram,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Blue 
Itidge  Township  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1814, 
and  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1854,  entering  land 
in  Blue  Ridge  Township,  where  he  lived  for 
many  years,  but  later  moved  to  Farmer  City. 
In  1837  he  was  married  to  Ruth  Blasdell  and 
they  had  a  large  family.  When  Mr.  Jackson 
came  to  Blue  Ridge  Township  only  about  four 
families  lived  In  the  township.  He  held  a  num- 
ber of  township  offices,  including  that  of  suiier- 
visor. 

JAMISON,  W.  H.,  was  born  in  New  York 
October  <!,  1831,  and  came  to  Monticello  in 
1855,  opening  a  blacksmith  shop  in  that  city. 
Enlisting  for  service  during  the  Civil  War  in 
the  Twenty-first  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
he  was  promoted  until  he  was  mustered  out 
with  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel.  His  health 
was  very  much  impaired,  and  he  died  at  Monti- 
cello  In  1S7S.  On  February  10,  1856  Colonel 
.lamison  was  married  to  Martha  J.  Tinder,  and 
they  had  two  daughters,  namely :  Inez  and 
Flora  A-. 

JOHNSON,  Frankhn,  eame  to  Piatt  County  in 
18.55.  settling  on  a  farm  one  and  one-half  ruiles 
east  of  Monticello.  where  he  owned  120  acres 
of  land.  In  1847  he  was  married  to  Hephzibah 
Dre.sbach.  and  they  had  two  children,  namely: 
Uosaltha  and  Georgiana.  Jlr.  .lohnson  died  in 
.May.   1S(J1. 

JOHNSON,  J.  C,  fonnerly  a  highly  respected 
merchant  of  Jlonticello,  was  born "  in  Rhode 
Island.  In  1839  he  was  married  to  Roxa  Maria 
Thomas,  and  they  had  nine  children.  In  1844 
he  moved  to  Monticello  and  conducted  a  mer- 
cantile establishment  until  1872.  When  he 
entered  the  hotel  business  in  1845  his  original 
hostelry  was  a  rude  affair,  but  he  secured  bet- 
ter quarters  and  continued  in  this  line  until 
1874  when  he  sold  his  business  to  Edward  Ater. 
From  1852  to  18.59  Mr.  .lohnson  was  postmaster 
of  Monticello. 

JONES,  B.  B.,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio,  in  1828.  and  in  1850!  he  came  to 
Piatt  County  and  embarked  in  a  general  prac- 
tice at  Monticello.  In  18.57  he  was  married  to 
Sadie  E.  Short,  and  they  had  two  children. 

JONES,  Roy  B.,  secretary  and  manager  of  a 
lumber  company,  operating  under  the  caption  of 
the  Bement  Lumber  Company,  at  Bement,  is  one 
of  the  most  substantial  men  of  Bement.  He 
was  born  at  Cerro  Gordo.  111..  June  15.  ISSO,  a 
son  of  George  B.  and  Louisa  (Tliompson)  Jones 
of  Ohio.  They  were  married  in  Illinois  and 
located  in  Willow  Branch  Township,  where  the 


760 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY, 


fiither  enwi«0(I  in  faruiiiii;  ;iii(l  caiiKMiteriiif;.  but 
after  his  rt'tiivnuMit  he  went  to  Cerro  (Joiilo. 
wliere  lie  died  in  1!(0S.  The  motlier  died  in 
1915.  Their  eliildren  were  as  follows :  Eva, 
who  is  Mrs.  Samuel  Smith  of  Decatur.  111.: 
Josie,  who  is  Mrs.  A.  C.  Doyle  of  Cerro  Gordo. 
111.;  and  Roy  B. 

Koy  R.  .Tones  spent  his  boyhood  at  ("erro 
Gordo,  and  al'ler  beinfr  ;.'ni(luated  from  the 
grammar  and  hi;;h  .schools  of  that  |>lace.  took 
a  course  in  a  commercial  collese  at  Dixon,  111. 
Returning  to  -his  native  i)lace,  he  worke<l  for 
George  C.  Groves  for  a  year  and  then  traveled 
as  a  cornetist  with  a  band.  Once  more  he  re- 
turned to  ("erro  fiordo.  and  entered  the  State 
Bank  as  liookke<^|ier.  ami  .-ifter  ci^'hteen  months 
took  chari;e  of  the  S.adorus,  111..  Lumber  Com- 
pany. For  lour  years  he  was  associated  with 
that  company,  when  in  September.  T.M)S.  he  be- 
came manager  of  the  Bement  Ltuuher  Company, 
later  becomin;;  its  secretary  as  well.  \V.  .T. 
Huff,  of  Decatur.  111.,  is  its  president,  and  B.  F. 
Huff  of  Cerro  (Jordo.  is  its  vice  president,  and 
treasurer.  This  com|>any  owns  and  operates 
eight  lumber  yard.s,  and  does  an  hnmense  busi- 
ness. 

In  l!Ml.-,  Mr.  Jones  was  married  to  Edith  F. 
Ilurtt.  who  was  born  in  Cerro  (Jordo.  111.,  and 
they  had  one  son.  George  B..  who  was  born  in 
November.  ItKKi.  Mrs.  Jones  died  .\uKust  30. 
1007.  On  September  10.  1914.  Mr.  Jones  was 
married,  (second)  to  Gladys  X.  Iloft'hoins,  who 
was  born  at  Bement.  111.,  a  dauL'liter  of  Samuel 
and  I,aura  (Kobor>  Iloffliclns  of  Ohio.  In 
religious  faitb  .Mr.  Jones  is  a  .Methodist.  He 
is  a  staunch  liepublican  and  has  served  as 
county  committeeman  of  his  jiarty.  and  is  nulte 
active  in  iK)litics.  A  Mason  in  high  standing. 
he  is  a  member  of  IJlue  Lodge.  Cha|iter.  Coni- 
mandery  and  Mystic  Shrine,  and  also  belongs 
to  the  Eastern  Star,  the  Odd  Fellows  and 
Knights  of  I'yihias.  both  of  r.ement.  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  .Vmerica  and  Yeoman  of  .\nierica. 
He  is  eligilile  to  the  Order  of  the  Sons  of 
Veterans,  as  his  father  had  an  honorable  war 
record  during  the  Civil  War.  serving  three  years 
as  a  member  of  (Vimiiany  K.  One  Hundred  and 
Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry. 

.\s  a  nnisici.an  Mr.  Jones  is  not  only  talented, 
but  he  b.is  given  very  valuable  service  as  a 
member  <>(  the  Sterling  Kegimental  Band,  the 
Champaign  Band,  and  the  Sprini.'field  Band. 
and  has  assisted  in  ors::Hiizing  and  instructing 
several  bands.  .\t  present  he  belongs  to  the 
Fourth  TJegimental  Band  of  Decatur,  and  of 
the  Ansar  Shrine  (Masonic)  Band  of  Sprinsi- 
field.  .\  man  of  high  principles  and  progressive 
Ide.is  Mr.  Jones  is  active  in  |iro]noting  and  for- 
waiilin;;  tlio.se  measures  he  believes  will  work 
out  for  the  (>levation  of  morals  .md  the  advance- 
ment of  material  conditions. 

KEE,  Joseph  A.,  came  to  Piatt  County  in  ISri.l. 
and  was  a  merchant  of  Monticello  until  bis 
death  July  A.  I.*;.").  He  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth Uhoades.  and  they  had  three  children, 
namely:      Kate.    Nathan    E..    and    Joseph    .\. 


KERNS,  Arthur  N.,  one  of  th.'  laigcst  building 
contractors  of  I'iatt  County,  and  a  man  whose 
work  stands  as  the  best  testimony  to  his  skill 
and  integrity  anyone  could  desire,  is  one  of  the 
substantial  men  of  De  Land.  He  was  born  at 
Strawn.  111..  October  2.  \SH2.  a  son  of  ICmaiuiel 
and  Martha  (  Hettinger)  Kerns,  natives  of  Ohio. 
The  maternal  grand]  la  rents.  William  and 
Martha  Hettinger,  came  to  Sangamon  Town- 
.ship.  I'ialt  Comity,  in  l.S(;2.  and  bought  a  farm 
of  swamp  land,  jiaying  $(i  iier  acre  for  It.  This 
the  grandfather  tiled  and  thoroughly  improved. 
He  still  lives  upon  this  property,  being  now 
eighty-nine  years  old.  The  parents  of  Arthur 
N.  Kerns  located  along  the  Sangamon  IJiver. 
but  later  moved  to  De  Land  where  the  father 
conducts  a  hardware  store,  and  is  a  prosperous 
business  man. 

When  he  was  eleven  years  old,  Arthur  N. 
Kerns,  wiio  had  been  attending  .school  for  .some 
time,  Ursjin  learning  the  carpenter  trade,  and 
was  at  Sildey,  111.,  until  19()T.  In  that  year  he 
went  to  I'anama.  111.,  and  took  a  contrait  for 
building  eiglity  bouses  from  the  Shoal  Creek 
Coal  Company.  Diiriic.;  the  two  years  he  re- 
mained there  be  not  only  carried  out  this  con- 
tract, but  built  in  all  147  residences,  five  busi- 
ness Mocks  and  one  liotel.  and  in  this  work 
firmly  established,  bis  reputation  as  an  efficient 
and  capable  contractor  and  builder.  For  the 
following  two  years  be  was  at  Hillsboro.  111., 
and  then  was  at  Edwanlsville.  111.,  until  1911, 
when  he  came  to  De  Land.  Mr.  Kerns  has 
don(>  the  L'reater  part  of  the  buildini;  here, 
including  the  erection  of  seven  brick  business 
houses  in  lOl.'i.  In  addition  to  contracts  in 
De  Land,  he  does  work  throughout  the  surround- 
ing country,  .and  has  from  six  to  twenty  men 
emiiloy(Ml.  and   is  always  busy. 

On  November  2(^  1902.  Mr.  Kerns  was  mar- 
rieil  to  Fannie  McCoy,  born  at  Streati>r,  111., 
a  daughter  of  James  and  Anna  McCoy,  natives 
of  Irel.-inil  anil  Indiana,  respectively.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Kerns  have  the  following  eliildren:  Wil- 
liam Emanuel.  Clarence  Arthur.  Violet  Bell, 
Thelma  and  floldie  May.  Mr.  Kerns  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  served  on 
the  toW'U  board  of  Panama.  III.,  and  bellied 
incorporate  the  town.  In  iKilitics  he  is  inde- 
pendent. Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Order 
of  Eagl(>s.  at  Hillsboro.  .\  man  of  sound  prin- 
liples.  skill  and  natural  ability,  he  has  risen 
liiL'h  and  deserves  the  success  to  which  be  has 
attained. 

KILTON,  Obert  L.,  a  skilled  workman,  is  niim- 
licved  amonir  tl'c  reliable  residents  of  Mimticello, 
where  he  has  been  for  several  years  ensa^'cd  in 
carriaire  and  :iiitoMiol>ile  i>aintiug.  He  w.as  iiorn 
.at  TuiM'crs  Plains.  Ohio,  .\pril  21.  1*<,>*li.  a  son 
of  Horace  and  Martha  (Culp)  Kilton.  natives 
of  Meii;s  County.  Ohio.  The  f.atlicr.  who  was  a 
farmer,  moved  in  ISlis  to  Christian  County.  III., 
where  be  continued  bis  agricultural  pursuit.s. 
comini;  in  1901  to  Monticello.  where  he  now 
lives  in  ri'tirement.  The  mother  died  in  1.S91. 
Their   children    were   as    follows:    Miles,    .\ddie. 


JAMES   K.   PECK   AND   GRANDDAUGHTER 


r 


THE  NEW  YOSK      j 

PUBLIC  UBR^-Tt'  . 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


761 


Kiiima,    SilMs,    I.iiinic.    .Iiulsoii.    l.ftlii'.    Wrldoii. 
Kstolla.  Itayiimnil.  and  ()))ert  I,. 

Oliert  L.  Kiltdii  attended  liotli  ciiiniiidii  and 
liiKli  seliool,  and  has  always  lived  with  Ills 
lather.  In  1!)02  he  he.tjan  dauis  house-pa intins;, 
.and  in  1012  Iminched  out.  learning'  iaiTiai;e  and 
;\\iti>in()lii!e  jjaintins.  and  est;ililisheil  himself  in 
tliis  line.  His  protieiene.v  is  adniitteil.  and  he 
cnjd.vs  a  larire  and  profitable  patmnaire.  In 
lltlii  he  Imilt  a  two-story  hricU  hnildinj.'.  loeated 
on  West  .Main  Street,  near  the  Sipiare.  4.">  x  100 
feet,  the  east  r(K)ni  of  the  tirst  floor  liein^r  used 
as  a  .salesroom  for  autos.  and  the  west  room 
heiuff .  occupied  by  Dr.  Caliill.  and  the  upper 
floor  is  used  by  Jlr.  Kilton  for  his  business.  Mr. 
Kilton  is  unmarried.  In  jxilitics  he  has  kept 
liimself  free  from  jinrty  ties,  and  ,i;ives  his  su])- 
poi't  to  the  men  and  primiples  that  come  near- 
est to  his  ideas  of  risrht.  Fraternally  he  be- 
lonss  to  the  JIasonic  (U'der  of  Monticello.  and 
the  Odd  Fellows  and  Eneamimient  of  the  latter 
order.  Mr.  Kilton  has  established  a  sond  busl- 
ue.«s  and  is  one  of  Monticello's  successful 
business  men. 

KINGSTON,  John  W.,  who  is  nndoubtoflly  one 
of  the  most  ailive  and  intelligent  men  of  the 
older  seneratiiai  to  be  found  in  I'iatt  Count.v. 
now  livinir  in  (loose  Creek  Township,  was  born 
in  Peoria  County.  111..  Ai>ril  .".  1S27.  a  son  of 
George  and  Susan  (Miller)  Kinsston.  natives  of 
Count.v  Cork,  Ireland,  and  Illinois,  resiiectively. 
The  date  of  the  father's  liirth  was  1700.  while 
the  mother  was  born  in  l.SOT.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  San.sanmn  County,  111.,  but  later  moved 
to  Peoria  County.  111.,  where  the  father  entered 
300  acres  of  land,  and  lived  many  years.  They 
had  a  family  of  six  sons  and  three  dauirhters 
that  reached  maturity.  After  the  death  of  the 
.?ood  mother,  the  father  came  to  live  with  his 
son,  John  W..  and  in  his  home  passed  aw,iy  six- 
teen  years  afterwards. 

When  he  was  twenty-three  .vears  old.  .Tohn 
W.  Kingston,  who  had  attended  the  little  log 
school  in  Woodftnvl  ('(rnnty.  111.,  left  home  and 
began  working  at  the  carpenter  trade.  For  fif- 
teen years  he  followed  this  tr.ide.  and  then 
bought  L'so  acres  of  land  near  Matamora.  in 
Woodford  County.  111.  I,ater  he  came  to  I'iatt 
County,  111.,  and  bought  eighty  acres  for  which 
he  paid  ten  dollars  per  acre,  and  still  later 
forty  acres  for  which  lie  paid  twent.\--five  dol- 
lars per  acre,  but  he  has  sold  the  last  named 
tract  to  his  son.  fJeorge.  The  first  land  was  all 
raw  prairie,  but  he  thoroughly  imjiroved  it.  and 
.also  the  balance  of  his  acreage,  and  upon  his 
land  carried  on  farming  and  stock  raising,  and 
was  very  successful  in  his  operations.  His 
land  in  Woodford  County  cost  him  two  dollars 
and  fifty  cents  jier  acre,  and  ten  years  later  lie 
sold  the  farm  for  forty  dollars  fier  acre.  He 
traded  eigility  acres  of  Woodford  County  land 
he  jxissessed  in  his  boyhood,  for  an  ox  wagon, 
not  then  imagining  that  the  land  had  any  real 
value,  Iiaving  obtained  it  in  exchange  for  a 
pony.  lie  sold  the  wagon  at  Decatur,  111.,  for 
forty  dollars.     His  father's  family  doctor  rode 


a  piaiy  to  Chicago  and  refused  to  trade  it  for 
eighty  acres  of  land  that  now  lies  in  the  very 
heart  of  that  metropolis. 

In  18.o2  Mr.  Kingston  was  married  to  Sarah 
Bunting,  horn  in  (Jhio,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  the  folhjwing  children :  Kosa,  who  is 
the  widow  of  Henry  Purkhiser,  keeps  liouse  for 
her  father:  .Susan,  who  married  Poke  Spurrin, 
is  now  deceased;  (ieorge  W.,  who  lives  in  (Joose 
Creek  Township:  .John  Henry,  who  died  in 
California:  Ancil,  who  lives  .at  Clinton,  111.; 
Ellis,  who  lives  at  Decatur,  111. :  and  Jennie, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years.  In  1854 
Mr.  Kingston  joinM  the  Baptist  Church,  while 
living  in  Woodford  County.  A  religious  meet- 
ing was  in  progress  at  Matamora,  and  although 
he  attended  it  as  a  doubter,  he  exi)erieuced  a 
change  of  heart,  and  according  to  his  belief 
was  born  again,  in  the  old  fashioned  way,  and 
has  never  forsaken  the  straight  and  narrow  jiath 
in  which  he  then  set  liis  feet,  nor  has  he  ever 
regretted  his  action.  For  o\er  fort.v  years  he 
has  been  a  deacon,  and  for  five  years  taught  a 
bible  class  at  Monticello,  and  for  over  forty 
years  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school 
which  he  attends,  and  the  greater  part  of  the 
time  conducted  a  Sunday  school  in  the  morning 
and  the  afternoon  as  well.  A  Democrat  in 
politics,  he  is  well  informed  upon  political  mat- 
ters, ami  served  his  district  as  a  school  director 
for  many  years.  On  December  l.">,  1011,  Mrs. 
Kingston  passed  away,  deeiily  mourned  by  her 
fannly  and  connnunity.  Few  men  are  held  in 
higher  esteem  than  Mr.  Kingston,  and  his  advice 
is  sought  and  followed  in  many  matters  of 
moment. 

KIRBY,  John,  who  is  not  only  a  self-made  man, 
but  is  also  one  of  the  most  substantial  residents 
of  Piatt  County,  whose  operations  here  and  es- 
pecially at  Monticello,  have  added  very  mate- 
rially to  the  pro.sperity  and  advancement  of  this 
.section  of  the  state.  He  was  born  in  County 
Limerick.  Ireland,  December  S,  1842,  a  son  of 
Morris  and  Mary  (TuUy)  Kirby.  The  mother 
died  in  1,S10  and  the  year  following,  the  father 
brought  John  and  his  brother  to  the  Ignited 
Stiites,  locating  at  Siu-ingfleld,  Ohio.  While  he 
was  a  farmer  in  Ireland,  after  coming  to  this 
country,  he  was  a  laborer. 

John  Kirby  was  placed  by  his  father  with  a 
farmer  who  lived  near  IJrbana,  (3hio.  but  after 
a  year  he  went  with  another  family  in  that 
neighborhood  named  McCoy.  These  people  came 
to  Illinois  in  1.8.50,  bringing  John  Kirby  with 
them,  and  they  located  near  Decatur.  '  Until 
July,  1S(J1,  John  Kirby  continued  to  live  with 
the  McCoys,  attending  the  local  schools  during 
the  winter,  and  working  for  them  during  the 
sunnners  and  did  chores  night  and  morning. 
In  July  of  that  ,vear,  however,  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Civil  War,  in  Company  F,  Secon(3 
Illinois  Cavalry,  which  was  organized  in  Monti- 
cello. This  command  was  with  General  Grant 
during  the  camitaign  against  Vieksburg,  but  after 
the  fall  of  that  stronghold,  was  transferreil  to 
the  Gulf  department  \nider  General  Banks,  and 


762 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  fOrXTY. 


Mr.  Kirby  contlmied  in  western  Louisiana  until 
dlseliarKed.  After  talvins  tlio  veteran  furlousli 
to  wliicli  lie  was  entitled.  Mr.  Kirliy  re-enlisted, 
and  alter  thirty  days  returned  to  the  Gulf  de- 
partment, partifipatinfr  in  the  battles  of  Mobile 
and  Klakeley.  followinu  which  was  in  the  de- 
tachment that  <lid  puard  duty  on  the  border 
line  between  Texas  and  Me.\ico,  until  discbarsed 
.January  3,  ISCUi,  being  diseharijed  as  lieutenant 
in  command  of  the  comiwny. 

On  returnini;  home,  Mr.  Kirby  besnu  farmin;: 
in  Willow  Branch  Townslii]),  and  in  18fl,S  was 
elected  sherilT  of  Piatt  County,  serving  for  liis 
full  (eriri,  following;  wliicli  he  lieiran  buy  ins, 
handling  and  shipping  stock.  In  IST;"  he  went 
on  a  farm  in  Goose  Creek  TowMiship.  and  there 
carri(»d  on  farming  and  stock  iTiising.  and  deal- 
ing in  .stock.  He  and  liis  wife  now  own  2..")00 
acres  of  fine  land.  .570  acres  of  it  being  in  La- 
porte  County.  Ind..  which  they  rent,  but  conduct 
the  balance  themselves,  raising  all  kinds  of  live 
stocl;.  and  carrying  on  general  farming.  Tn 
1N!>7  Mr.  Kirl>y  mnviNl  to  Monticello.  and  in 
1002  he  built  one  of  the  finest  residences  of  the 
city.  In  IflOrj  he  liought  the  abstract  business 
and  real  estate  office  at  Monticello.  and  con- 
ducted it  until  1014  when  he  sold  to  Harry  E. 
Reiser.  Beginning  life  without  a  cent,  and  witli 
no  outside  assistance.  >rr.  Kirby  has  become  a 
wealthy  and  successful  man.  and  yet  has  not 
forgotten  his  own  struggles,  but  has  assisted 
more  than  one  poor  boy  to  become  self-support- 
ing, by  starting  them  in  business,  lending  them 
money  on  their  own  notes. 

In  I^T.",  Mr.  Kirby  was  married  tn  Mary  E. 
Marquiss  and  they  have  one  daughter.  Nellie 
May.  who  is  >rrs.  W.  II.  England,  of  Monti- 
cello. Mr.  Kirby  is  a  Republican  and  served 
for  eleven  years  as  supervisor  of  Goose  Creek 
Township.  In  1S02  he  was  delegate  to  the 
T{ci)ulilican  National  Convention  .at  Minneapolis. 
Minn.,  and  has  been  committeeman  and  chair- 
man of  the  conunittee  for  many  years.  .\  M.ason 
in  high  standing  ho  has  taken  the  Boyal  .Vrch 
degi-ee.  and  be  is  a  charter  member  of  the  local 
G.  A.  It.  Post.  In  addition  to  his  other  inter- 
ests he  owns  stock  and  is  director  of  several 
of  the  hanking  institutions  of  the  county,  and 
is  president  of  the  Dp  Land  State  Bank. 

KIRKLAND,  Chester,  all  nf  wlinsp  pnergios  have 
been  profitably  directed  to  ftirther  developing 
and  improving  the  homestead  of  his  father,  was 
horn  at  DeLand.  111.,  .\pril  17.  1Sn2.  a  son  of 
■William  and  .\nna  (Hankinson')  Kirkland.  na- 
tives of  Piatt  County,  .\fter  their  marriage 
the  parents  spent  a  time  at  DeLand.  and  then. 
In  the  latter  part  of  1Sn2.  moved  to  ?,no  acres  of 
land  they  owned  in  Sangamon  Township.  The 
father  built  all  the  buildings  now  standing, 
and  made  other  improvements,  adding  to  his 
farm  until  it  comprised  400  acres,  all  in  one 
body.  Tliis  he  farmed  until  1002  when  he  moved 
to  Monticello.  and  for  a  time  was  interested 
in  conducting  n  moving  jMcture  playhouse.  Tlie 
children  born  to  these  parents  were  as  follows: 


Clarence,  who  lives  in  Sangamon  Township; 
Chester:  ICsther  and  Myrtle,  who  are  at  home. 

After  attending  the  Madison  di.striet  school, 
('hester  Kirkl.ind  devoted  himself  to  farming, 
and  in  1012  took  charge  of  ISO  acres  of  the  home- 
stead, and  his  brotlier  Clarence  the  balance  of 
the  farm.  Here  ho  carries  on  general  farming, 
.and  is  one  of  tlio  live  young  farmers  of  the 
township. 

On  February  24.  101.5.  Mr.  Kirkland  was  mar- 
ried to  Rosa  Wittig.  born  March  30,  1895,  in 
(Joose  Creek  'I'ownship.  a  daughter  of  Adam 
.and  Christhia  Wittig.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kirkland 
have  one  daughter.  Geneva  Louise,  who  was 
born  December  1,'i.  101,'').  In  politics  Mr.  Kirk- 
l.and  is  a  Democrat. 

KIRKLAND,  Clarence,  is  one  of  the  native  .sons 
of  Sangamon  Township,  and  comes  of  one  of 
the  old  pioneer  families  of  this  region.  He  was 
liorn  in  Sangamon  Township,  where  he  still 
icsidcs.  August  21.  1800.  a  son  of  William  and 
.\iuia  (  I  l.aiil;insiMi )  Kirkland.  After  attending 
the  connnon  schools  of  his  district.  Mr.  Kirkland 
had  tlie  further  educational  training  afforded 
by  the  Do  Land  High  school,  and  then  assisted 
his  parents  on  the  homestead.  In  1910  he  went 
to  De  Land  and  spent  one  year  in  that  village, 
in  school,  but  in  1012.  retnrning  to  Sangamon 
Tow^lship.  he  and  his  brother  commenced  oper- 
ating 400  acres  of  the  home  farm  in  partner- 
shiji.  so  contin\iing  until  lOI.'i.  when  they  divided 
tlie  property,  and  Mr.  Kirkland  now  has  100 
acres  on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming. 
Without  any  question  he  has  onei  of  the  finest 
farms  in  Piatt  Conny.  and  is  doing  all  he  can 
to  further  im]>rove  it  and  to  maintain  Its  high 
standard  of  excellence. 

On  March  s.  1010.  Mr.  Kirkland  was  mar- 
ried to  Florence  Rankin,  born  in  Sangamon 
Township,  a  d.aughter  of  James  and  Huld.a 
Kankin.  In  politics  Mr.  Kirkland  is  independ- 
ent, lu-eferring  to  cast  his  vote  for  the  man 
rather  than  to  liind  himself  down  by  party 
connections. 

KIZER,  Thomas  J.,  president  of  the  State  Bank 
of  Hammond,  a  prostierons  grain  dealer  and  one 
of  the  forceful  business  men  of  Piatt  County, 
has  long  been  an  important  factor  in  the  finan- 
cial and  commercial  life  of  Hammond.  He  was 
born  in  Macon  County.  111.,  .lune  11.  1847.  .1 
son  of  .lohn  S.  and  Lydia  (Davisl  Kizer.  na- 
tives of  Ohio  and  Kentucky.  .lohn  S.  Kizer 
came  to  Sangamon  Count.v.  111.,  with  his  par- 
ents and  settled  near  Springfield.  The  mater- 
nal griindparents.  .Toseph  and  Sarah  Davis,  na- 
tives of  Kentucky,  settled  soiitli  of  Si>ringfield. 
111.,  in  1S28.  Imt  soon  thereafter  moved  to  Macon 
County.  111.,  making  the  tri]>  with  horses  and 
wagons.  Tliey  owned  a  large  tract  of  land  in 
Macon  C(mnty.  Soon  after  their  marriage  the 
parents  spent  a  year  at  Mechanicshurg.  when 
they  went  to  Macon  County.  111.,  and  until  1S57 
lived  on  a  farm  east  of  Dec;itur.  from  whence 
they  went  to  Marion  County.  Mo.  Tlie  father 
opened   up   a    mercantile   Inisiness   at   Emerson, 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


763 


Mo.,  but  on  account  of  disturbances  occasioned 
by  tiie  outbreak  of  tbe  Civil  War,  returned  to 
Macon  County,  in  1S(J1,  and  bought  a  farm  whicli 
he  continued'  to  operate  until  ISSC,  wlien  be 
moved  to  Decatur,  111.,  and  there  he  died  April 
10,  1003.  The  mother  survived  bim  until  De- 
cember 25,  1908,  when  she  too  passed  away.  At 
the  time  of  his  deatOi  the  father  was  eighty- 
eight  years,  hut  the  mother  who  was  nnioh 
.A-ounger,  wa.s  eighty-three  years  old  when  she 
died. 

In  addition  to  attending  the  common  schools, 
Thomas  .J.  Ki/.er  took  a  Imsiness  course  at  the 
Jaclcsonville  Commercial  College,  thus  prepar- 
ing himself  for  a  business  career.  On  June  2, 
1873,  Mr.  Kizer  came  to  Hammond  and  bought 
out  the  lumber  business  of  Bryant  &  Bodman, 
and  in  1870  branched  out  into  a  grain  dealer  as 
well.  The  latter  line  proved  so  important,  that 
in  a  few  years  Mr.  Kizer  discontinued  handling 
lumber,  to  devote  himself  to  his  grain  business, 
and  is  now  the  oldest  in  bis  line  at  Hammond. 
Since  1900,  he  has  had  as  his  partner,  his  son, 
Loren  P.  When  the  State  Bank  of  Hammond 
was  organized.  Mr.  Kizer  was  one  of  the  men 
instrumental  in  establishing  it,  and  he  served 
as  its  vice-president  during  the  first  eighteen 
months  of  its  e.xistenee.  and  then  was  made  its 
executive  head,  which  office  he  still  holds,  lend- 
ing it  solidity  and  prestige  by  his  connection 
with  it. 

In  December,  1873,  Mr.  Kizer  was  married  to 
Eliza  A.  Adams,  born  in  Coles  County.  111.,  near 
Mattoon,  a  daughter  of  Christopher  B.  and 
Sarah  (Ganoway)  Adams.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kizer 
became  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Ethel  E„  who  is  Mrs.  F.  E.  Benard  of  Hammond, 
111. ;  and  Loren  Parker,  who  is  in  partnership 
witli  his  father.  Not  only  is  Mr.  Kizer  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church  of  Hammond,  but 
he  has  been  one  of  its  tnistees  since  187(5,  and 
at  that  time  took  part  in  the  organization  of 
the  church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and 
has  served  as  collector  three  terms,  school  treas- 
urer twenty-three  years,  and  was  the  first  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  Hammond,  and  was 
re-elected  to  that  office. 

KNAPP,  Charles  Oliver.  As  Bemcnt  is  situated 
in  tbe  center  of  a  rich  farming  district  that 
looks  to  it  as  a  source  of  supply,  it  is  but  nat- 
ural that  those  who  are  in  business  at  tliis  point 
should  sti'ive  to  meet  the  requirements  of  their 
trade  b.v  handling  goods  that  are  in  demand. 
One  of  tlie  men  who  has  a  record  of  faithful 
and  sui-cessfnl  endeavor  liebind  him  is  Charles 
Oliver  Knapp,  dealer  in  heavy  and  light  hard- 
ware, tinware  and  plumbing  and  heating  ap- 
pl  i;i  nces. 

The  liirth  of  Charles  Oliver  Knapp  occurred 
at  P.ement,  111..  October  10.  1878,  and  be  is  a  son 
of  .Tames  Ferdinand  and  Inez  Bell  (Sparks) 
Knapp.  After  attending  tbe  public  and  high 
schools  of  Bement,  Mr.  Knapp  was  graduated 
from  tile  latter  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years, 
following  which  he  entered  his  fatlier's  hard- 
ware store  at  Bement.     In  1010  the  store  and 


its  contents  were  destroyed  by  Hrc,  and  Mr. 
Knapp  and  his  brother,  Curtis  Ferdinand,  re- 
established the  business  as  partners.  They  con- 
tinued together  for  a  year,  and  then  Mr.  Knapp 
bought  out  his  brother's  interest,  and  has  since 
continued  alone,  his  stock  being  a  large  and 
varied  one,  and  the  volume  of  hi.s  trade  showing 
a   healthy  and  steady  annual  increase. 

On  December  I'S.  lilDl),  Mr.  Knapp  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Agnes  C.  AUuian,  born  at  Mon- 
ticello.  111.,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Anna 
( McShaft'ery)  AUman,  natives  of  Ireland  and 
I'hiladeliJhia,  Pa.,  respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Knapp  have  two  children,  namely :  John  Duane 
and  Anna  Mary.  Mr.  Knapp  served  for  three 
terms  as  tax  collector  of  his  township,  and  was 
a  capable  official.  Fraternally  be  is  a  Chapter 
Mason,  and  Knight  Temi)lar,  and  also  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Pytliias.  Alert,  sagacious  and 
far  sighted,  Mr.  Knapp  has  built  up  a  fine  busi- 
ness, and  is  worthy  tbe  esteem  he  inspires. 

KNAPP,  James  Ferdinand,  who  for  years  was 
connected  with  the  business  interests  of  Mou- 
ticello  and  Bement,  is  now  deceased,  but  his 
name  is  recognized  as  standing  for  the  best 
class  of  citizenship  of  Piatt  Cbuuty.  Mr.  Knapp 
was  l>orn  in  Elkhart  County,  Ind.,  December  2, 
1842.  a  Son  of  James  and  Sally  Ann  (Ben- 
ham)  Knapp,  the  former  of  wliom  was  born 
near  Haverstraw,  N.  Y.,  and  the  latter  at  Ovid 
Center,  N.  Y.  They  moved  to  Elkhart,  Ind., 
about  1832.  The  father  was  a  wagon  miaker  of 
Middleburg.  Ind.,  Imt  resided  on  a  farm  that 
he  owned  in  the  vicinity  of  Middleburg.  His 
death  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1S44.  The 
mother  lived  until  1801.  After  the  death  of 
hor  first   bnsiiand  the  mother  married  again. 

Until  be  was  fourteen  years  old,  James  F. 
Knapp  lived  with  his  mother  and  stei>-father, 
and  attended  the  neighljorhood  schools.  At  tbe 
age  of  fourteen  years  he  began  learning  the 
tinner  trade,  working  at  an  apprenticeship  in 
Indiana  and  New  York.  In  Septemlier,  18G5, 
he  came  to  Bement,  where  he  engaged  with 
William  Camp  as  a  tinner,  Iiut  later  with  Henry 
Canij)  embarked  in  a  hardware  business,  which 
he  conducted  until  188(!,  wlien  be  sold  and 
moved  to  Monticello.  There  for  eighteen  months 
be  conducted  a  livery  stable,  then  returned  to 
Bement  and  bought  back  his  old  business,  which 
with  Mr.  Camp  he  carried  on  until  he  turned 
over  bis  interests  to  his  two  sons,  Charles  O. 
and  Curtis  T.,  and  retired,  dying  June  2,  101.5. 
Althougli  bis  Imsiness  was  almost  destroyed 
liy  fire,  he  reluiilt  and  liranched  out,  so  that  his 
was  the  leading  store  of  its  kinii  at  Bement. 

.Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ivnajii)  liecame  the  parents  of 
tile  following  cbihlren  :  Duane  B..  who  died  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  years  ;  Charles,  who  resides 
at  Bement;  Fannie  Bell,  who  died  in  infancy; 
.■ind  Curtis  F..  who  is  a  rural  free  delivery  mail 
carrier,  lives  with  his  mother.  Mrs.  Knapii 
is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  a 
charter  member  of  the  Woman's  Club  of  Bement, 
of  which  she  was  president  for  one  term.  Mr. 
Knapp  was  a  Republican  and  served  as  super- 


764 


IIISTOUV  OK  PIATT  COIXTY. 


visiir  lor  two  yo.ivs.  iiiul  nkleiiii.ui  for  the  saiiie 
loii^rtli  of  tiiiic'.  Me  was  a  Cliaptcr  .Mason.  No 
man  of  till"  coiiiif.v  stood  any  lii:.rh('r  in  imb- 
lic  ro^ianl.  and  his  family  may  well  lie  proud 
of  the   lioiioi'.ililc   record   lie   maili'. 

KNOTT,  A.  B.,  M.  D.,  for  yiin>  .•nyaj;eil  in  an 
active  praefice  at  Moiitieello,  eaine  to  I'iatt 
l'<uiiity  in  IS."!.").  Iiitil  1S73  tie  lived  in  Sanga- 
mon Township,  hut  in  that  year  moved  to  Mon- 
tirello.  In  iNriO  Doctor  Knott  was  married  to 
Mary  !,aw,  and  they  had  five  children,  namely: 
I  >r.  1".  II..  .Tosephine.  .Mary  .\..  Sarah  and  .leji- 
tha.  In  l.SliS  Doctor  Knott  was  married  (sec- 
ond)  to  Mary  II.  Williams. 

KNOTT,  Jeptha  D.,  M.  D.  It  very  often  happens 
that  memhers  of  lh(>  medical  profession  are 
numhered  amon^  the  leadini;  men  of  the  eoni- 
munilies  in  which  they  reside,  and  this  is  true 
in  the  case  of  Dr.  .Tepiha  1).  Knott,  of  Monti- 
cello,  who  is  not  only  a  sl;ill(>d  pliysici.-ui,  hut  a 
reliahle  business  man  and  iiul)lic-s]>irited  citi- 
s!en.  lie  was  horn  in  San;;amon  Townshi]i. 
March  12.  ISCl.  a  son  of  Dr.  .Vmias  1'..  and 
Mary  (Law)  Knott,  natives  of  I'ennsylvania, 
who  were  married  at  ITnioutown  that  state.  The 
father  was  also  a  physician  and  moved  to  Fa.v- 
ette  County.  Ohio,  and  in  isri4  came  to  Tiatt 
County,  settling  in  Sangamon  Townshi]i,  uf 
which  he  hecame  the  first  supervisor,  .\fter 
practicing  there  for  many  years,  in  October, 
1S7.'!.  he  moved  to  Monticello,  where  he  contfn- 
ued  in  practice  until  his  death.  The  mother 
died  .Tune  21,  lllOS.  Their  children  were  as 
follows:  Dr.  F.  11.,  who  died  in  l.SSCi:  .Tose- 
phine, who  is  the  widow  of  .Tacob  II.  Cline,  of 
rrliana.  111.:  M.  .\.,  who  is  Mrs.  .1.  M.  Bender, 
of  MonticelIi>:  Sarah  .T..  who  is  Mrs.  .T.  W. 
Klsea.  of  Mattoon.  Ill,,  and  Dr.  .T.  D..  who  is  the 
youngest. 

Dr.  Knott  .-itlended  the  common  ;\nd  high 
schools  of  Del.-iware,  Ohio,  and  then  took  a 
mediciil  course  at  Hahnemann  Medical  College. 
Chii-igo.  from  whicti  he  was  graduatecl  in  ISS:!, 
following  which  he  locatefl  at  Monticello  where 
he  has  been  engaged  in  active  i>raclice.  lie  is 
the  originator  and  manufacturer  of  Cronpine. 
fonndin;.'  the  .T.  D.  Knott  Comiiany.  March  :Vt. 
1!)l."i,  for  the  purjiosc  of  i>lacing  this  remedy 
on  the  market.  Dr.  Knott  is  president  of  the 
company,  the  late  .Tohn  \.  Dighton  was  vice  ]ires- 
ident  and  W.  K.  liogers  is  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. The  company  also  manufactures  Iva 
Curine  for  the  c\ire  and  treatment  of  ivy  jioison- 
ing.  both  remedies  having  a  wide  sale. 

In  jiolitics  Dr.  Knott  is  a  Kepuhlican.  .\ 
Mason  in  good  slaTulini:  he  has  taken  all  the 
ileiirees.  includins;  the  Shrine,  and  serveil  thr(>e 
terms  as  worshipful  master  of  his  lod;;e.  Tie 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows. 

LAUGHMAN,  Henry  C,  an  lionoreil  veteran  of 
the  Civil  War.  who  is  not  only  the  sole  florist 
of  Cerro  Ocu-do,  but  the  leading  one  in  I'iatt 
County,  is  a  man  of  wide  and  long  experience, 
who  not  oidy  understands  his  business,  but  has 


a  natural  liking  for  it.  He  was  born  at  Union- 
town,  Muskingum  County,  Ohio.  February  14, 
1S44,  a  son  of  .John  and  Mary  (f.aird)  Laugh- 
man,  luitives  of  I'ennsylvania. 

fntil  he  eidisted  for  service  in  defense  of 
his  country  <lnring  the  Civil  War,  Henry  C. 
Laughman  remained  at  liome,  but  in  August, 
1862,  he  liecame  a  member  of  Company  H, 
.Ninetieth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in 
the  Twenty-first  .\rmy  Corps  until  after  the 
battle  of  Chickaniauga,  when  his  regiment  was 
transferred  to  the  Fourth  .Vrmy  Corps.  Mr. 
I/aughman  was  in  the  battles  of  PerryvilU', 
Wild  C.it  >ronidain.  Xenia.  Lexington,  Nash- 
ville.  Stone  Itiver.  Manchester,  Kingston,  Look- 
out .Moiuitain.  Cliickamauga,  Missionary  Itidge. 
Itesaca.  Big  Shanty,  Kenesav\'  Mountain. 
Manassa,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
.Vtlanta.  .Tonesboro,  Chattanooga.  I'Tdaski,  Spring 
Hill,  Franklin,  and  second  battle  of  Nashville. 
-Vfter  a  winter  at  Huntsville.  the  regiment  was 
sent  to  Knoxvllle.  Teim..  and  then  on  to  .Vsh- 
ville,  X.  ('.  In  .Tuly.  1S(;.">,  Mr.  Laughman  was 
nuistered  out  at  Cam|(  Harker,  Tenn.,  and  dis- 
charged at  Camp  Denison.  .\t  Kenesaw  Jloun- 
tain  he  was  slightly  wounded  on  the  right  cheek, 
and  at  .Tonesboro.  a  ball  grazed  his  back  bone, 
hut  neither  W(mnds  were  dangerous. 

After  his  return  to  Ohio.  Mr.  Laughman  w-as 
married,  .Vpril  1."),  ISOT.  to  Mrs.  Lucinda 
(Miller)  MeFarland.  l>orn  in  Ohio,  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Martha  Elizabeth  O'otts) 
Miller,  natives  of  Virginia.  Jlrs.  Lauglnunn 
was  the  widow  of  Thomas  MeFarland.  and  bad 
a  daughter,  .Mma  M.,  who  is  now-  Mrs.  Frank 
Michaels  of  Cerro  Goixlo.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Laugh- 
man have  a  daughter,  namely:  Nellie,  who  is 
Mrs,  Charles  Morgan  of  Decatiir.  111. 

In  the  spring  of  INTO  Mr,  Laughman  came  to 
Cerro  (lordo.  III.,  and  for  the  first  few  .vears 
after  bis  arrival  worked  in  a  wairon  shoji.  In 
ISrtS  he  built  the  first  greenhouse  in  Cerro 
tJordo,  and  r;iises  early  vegetables  and  flowers, 
being  the  oidy  man  engaged  in  this  line  in  the 
neighborhood.  In  addition  to  carrying  on  this 
l>rofitahle  business,  Mr.  Lau.ghman  has  been 
.ianitor  of  the  .Methodist  Church  building  at 
Cerro  (Jordo  since  ISSO. 

In  politics  Mr,  Laughman  is  a  Republican, 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  WoiKlmen  of 
.Vmerica  and  belongs  to  the  (!.  A.  R,  Post  .at 
Cerro  (!iu'(hi.  and  has  filled  all  the  oflices  in  th(^ 
latter  organizalion, 

LEAL,  J.  H.,  M,  D.,  lanie  to  Bement  in  1857  and 
"Ms  there  cnuaued  in  practice  for  about  a 
decade,  when  he  went,  on  account  of  failing 
health,  to  Los  .SuL'elcs,  Cal,.  where  he  died  in 
Is7s,  While  ill  I'iMtt  County  he  was  recognized 
as   111 f  the   leading  siir;.'eoiis  of   the  locality, 

LEAVITT,  Mrs,  Stella  Clark,  one  of  the  highly 
esteemed  women  of  Piatt  County,  and  an  im- 
I>ortaiit  factor  in  the  highest  social  set  of  Ham- 
mond, was  born  at  Hammond,  111,.  ,Tanuary  22. 
1SS4,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  .Mari.i  ,Tane 
(Kiir/.el)     Clark,      He    was    horn    in    Kentucky, 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


765 


October  5,  1S47,  but  was  brought  to  lUiuois  by 
his  parents  when  he  was  small,  and  was  reared 
and  eUuc-ated  lu  the  city  of  Charleston.  After 
leaving  school  Mr.  Clark  came  to  Piatt  Count.v, 
locating  near  Hammond,  where  he  bought  and 
improveil  eighty  acres  of  land,  and  placed  it  all 
under  cultivation.  Later  he  added  the  eighty 
acres  adjoining,  all  of  it  Ijeing  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Townsliip,  and  here  he  was  engaged  in  farming 
until  about  1SS5,  when  he  moved  to  Hammond, 
and  opened  a  restaurant.  For  aliout  ten  years 
he  continued  in  this  line,  and  then  r/etircd  owing 
to  ill  health.  His  death  occurretl  at  Hammond, 
January  17.  IIJOI.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Leavitt, 
Maria  Jane  (Kinzel)  Clark,  was  l>orn  in  Ohio, 
April  1.0,  1847.  She  died  at  Heudersouville,  X. 
C.  April  3,  1898. 

Mrs.  Leavitt  attended  the  common  schools  of 
Hammond,  and  the  Charleston  High  school,  fol- 
lowing which  she  studied  music  at  Decatur,  111., 
for  a  year.  Following  this  she  spent  a  year  in 
Nebraska,  and  then  returned  to  Hammond.  On 
October  19,  1904.  Miss  Clark  was  married  to 
Elmer  Leavitt.  born  in  L'nity  Township,  Piatt 
County,  January  20.  1SS4.  a  son  of  Harry  and 
Addie  (Orr)  Leavitt.  Mr.  Leavitt  attended  the 
connuon  schools  of  H.-inniiond.  and  then  worked 
on  a  farm  for  a  short  jieriod.  when  he  estab-. 
lished  himself  in  a  pul)lishing  business  at  Ham- 
mond, editing  and  ]iublishing  the  Hammond 
Courier  for  about  live  years,  leasing  the  plant 
for  a  year  but  conducts  it  at  present  himself. 
Mr.  Leavitt  built  a  large  garage  and  conducted 
it  about  four  years,  when  he  sold  his  business  to 
Neff  &  Asherman.  but  continues  owner  of  the 
garage  Imilding  and  the  printing  office.  In  1010 
Mr.  Leavitt  started  an  electric  light  plant,  which 
was  the  fii'st  at  Hammond,  and  continues  to 
ojierate  it.  Hoth  be  anil  Mrs.  Leavitt  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church  of  HamnKind.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  a  memlier  of  the  Elks,  at  Decatur, 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Bement,  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  .\merica  at 
Hammond.  A  Republican,  Mr.  Leavitt  has  been 
called  upon  to  serve  on  the  village  board  of 
Hammond,  and  is  a  very  efficient  and  capable 
man  in  every  particular. 

LEFEVER,  Frank  0.,  one  of  the  well  known 
men  of  Piatt  County,  a  large  landowner  and 
somewhat  active  in  jiolitics.  resides  on  his  valu- 
able farm  of  240  acres  in  Willow  Branch  Town- 
.ship  and  carries  on  grain  farming  and  stock- 
raising.  He  was  horn  in  Champaign  County.  111., 
October  24.  1809,  and  is  a  son  of  Isaac  L.  and 
.\nna  E.   (Peck)  Lefever. 

Isaac  L.  Lefever  was  born  in  Clinton  County, 
Ind.,  Sei)tember  8,  1832.  and  died  January  7. 
190.5.  He  had  district  scliool  advantages  for 
some  years  and  afterward  "orked  for  a  year  at 
the  carpenter  trade  in  Indiana  and  later  in 
Missouri.  There  are  many  people  yet  living  who 
can  recall  tlie  prevailing  excitement  when  guld 
was  discovered  in  California  and  Jlr.  Lefever 
was  one  v\-ho  crosse<l  the  plains  to  seek  a  for- 
tune. During  his  three  .vears  of  mining  experi- 
ence he  met  with  considerable  success.    .After  he 


returned  to  Indiana  he  worked  again  at  the 
carpenter  trade  for  about  five  years  and  then 
moved  into  Illinois  and  bought  forty  acres  of 
l;md  In  Willow  Branch  Towmyhiii.  in  I'iatt 
County.  .Vfter  cultivating  that  laud  for  four 
years  he  sold  it  and  bought  eighty  acres  in 
Ctianipaign  County  which  he  improved  and  lived 
on  for  nineteen  years.  He  then  rented  out  this 
farm  and  moved  back  to  Piatt  County  and  for 
five  years  operated  320  acres  for  hi.s  brother, 
wlien  he  liought  city  property  at  Urbana,  111., 
and  resided  there  for  thirteen  years,  selling  then 
and  retiring  to  Milmine,  where  he  lived  until  his 
death  in  190.5.  In  1801  he  was  married  to  Ann 
E.  Peck,  who  was  born  in  I'ickaway  County, 
Ohio,  September  20,  1841,  and  died"  June  13, 
1889.  When  young  she  was  brought  to  Piatt 
County  by  her  parents,  Isaac  and  Mary  (Shan- 
ton)   Peck. 

Frank  O.  Lefever  attended  school  at  Milmine 
more  or  less  regularly  until  he  was  eighteen 
years  old.  after  which  for  two  years  he  worked 
for  his  father  and  then  started  agricultural  op- 
erations on  his  own  account,  on  the  farm  in 
Willow  Br.inch  Township  on  which  he  now  lives 
and  owns.  At  that  time  It  belonged  to  his  uncle. 
He  remained  on  this  farm  for  four  years  and 
then  moved  to  anotlier  containing' 21(i  acres,  in 
the  same  township,  on  which  he  continued  for 
■thirteen  years.  He  then  returned  to  his  uncle's 
farm  for  nine  years.  In  1900  he  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  the  township  and  in  1910  bought 
an  ad.1oining  eighty  acres  and  in  1914  bought 
the  240-acre  farm  on  which  he  lives.  He  also 
owns  a  farm  of  IGO  acres  in  this  township  which 
he  rents  out  to  George  Larrick.  Almost  all  his 
business  life  Jlr.  Lefever  has  been  engaged  in 
extensive  agricultural  operations  and  undoubt- 
edly his  prosperity  can  be  attributed  to  his  care- 
ful industry  and  natural  gootl  judgment. 

On  September  10.  1S93.  Mr.  Lefever  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Josephine  .\rmsworth.  who  was 
horn  in  Piatt  Comity  Xovember  10,  1872,  a 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Martha  (.\ter)  Arms- 
worth.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Lefever  was  born  in 
Ohio  in  1,S2S  and  the  mother  in  18.34.  He  died 
July  17.  1914.  and  she  died  June  30.  190.5.  Mrs. 
Lefever  died  May  23,  1910.  leaving  one  son, 
Clarence,  who  was  born  .\ugust  7.  1894.  She 
was  a  lady  of  lieautiful  character  an<l  well  edu- 
cated and  taught  school  for  two  years  before 
her  marriage.  The  son  remains  with  Ills  father. 
Mr.  Lefever  is  a  deacon  in  the  Milmine  Chris- 
tian Church.  For  some  years  he  has  been  identi- 
fied with  Lodge  Xo.  270.  Odd  Fellows,  at  Mil- 
mine.  From  early  manhood  he  has  supported 
the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party. 

LEISCHNER,  Daniel,  a  general  grain  farmer 
nf  <;oosc  Creek  Township,  and  a  man  widely 
known  -Mid  universally  respected,  was  born  at 
.Mansfield,  III.,  March  .5,  1872,  a  son  of  John 
and  Catherine  (Long)  Leischner,  natives  of 
Saxony.  Germany,  and  Pennsylvania.  In  young 
manhood  the  father  came  to  the  United  State-s, 
locating  in  Illinois.  Soon  afterwards  he  estab- 
lished himself  at  Mansfield,  and  then  was  mar- 


766 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


ripd  111  Cass  County,  111.  Bu.viii;,'  forty  acres  of 
land,  he  hepan  farnilnf.'.  and  soon  traded  his 
farm  for  another.  re|>eatin!;  tlie  transaction  sev- 
eral times,  until  in  .Tanuary,  1S,SS,  he  hought 
IT,",  acres  of  land  in  (loose  Creel;  Township,  to 
wliich  he  and  his  son  Daniel  added  120  more. 
The  death  "f  this  excellent  man  occurred  Fehru- 
ary  11,   11)11.   Imt    the  mother  died   August  11, 

v.m. 

Daniel  lA'ischner  attended  the  schools  of  his 
district,  and  assisted  his  father  until  1001,  when 
he  moved  to  eighty  acres  of  land  he  ownnl  ad- 
joining the  homesiead.  On  this  lie  has  erected 
all  tlie  liuildings,  and  developed  it  into  a  very 
vahiahle  jiroperty. 

On  May  s,  I'joi.  Mr.  Leischuer  was  married  to 
I-yd;i  Annie  Musselman.  horn  at  Decatur,  111., 
.\ngnst  li.  1S(i7.  a  daughter  of  Hen.lamin  and 
Angeline  Musselman.  natives  of  I-ancaster 
County,  I'a..  and  Sangamon  County.  Til.,  respec- 
tively." There  are  no  children  of  this  marriage. 
.Mr.  I.eisclnier  belongs  to  the  (ierman  Lutheran 
Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  ItcpuMican.  An 
(■.\cellcnt  farmer  and  sound  husiness  man,  he  has 
forged  steadily  ahead,  and  deserves  the  pros- 
licrily  which  has  atti'uded  his  efforts. 

LEMEN,  James  Milton.  Tlip  late  .Tames  :Milton 
l.cmcn  was  one  of  Ihe  men  wlio  assisted  in 
ileveldping  tlie  .■igricnllur.il  interests  of  I'iatt 
County,  and  in  laying  liroad  and  deeji  the  foun- 
dations ui>on  which  these  interests  stand  secure 
and  suli.stanlial.  .\  man  of  industry  and  energy, 
he  was  successful  in  the  accumul:iti<m  of  a  well- 
won  comiK'tency  in  material  things,  and  he  also 
won  and  retained  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  those  with  whom  he  c.-iuie  into  contact  in 
either  a  husiness  or  social  way.  Tie  was  horn 
in  DeAVilt  County.  111..  October  ."..  1S40.  a  son  of 
George  15.  and  Charity  (  Swisher  t  Icemen.  The 
parents  of  Mr.  Lemen  were  natives  of  Clark 
County,  Ohio,  where  they  were  married,  and 
in  is:;0  they  became  residents  of  DeWitt  County, 
where  Ihe  father  entered  land  from  the  United 
Stales  Government  and  continued  to  reside 
thereon  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

.Tames  M.  T.enien  w.-is  given  a  district  and 
liish  school  education  and  resided  with  his  par- 
ents until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  men  of  his  county  to  enlist 
in  the  Cnion  ranks,  ioining  Company  K.  Twen- 
tieth Ttegiment,  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  fought  bravely  and  faithfully  until  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Ch.-imiiion's  Hill,  a  gunshot 
wound  through  his  nose  and  upper  liji  incapaci- 
tating liini  for  further  duty.  In  .luly.  1«(U.  he 
received  his  honoralile  discharge  and  returned 
to  his  home.  Xot  long  after  his  recovery  he 
was  married.  Seiitcmber  7.  isri4.  to  Miss  Sidne.v 
T'oley,  a  native  of  Ilanip.shire  County.  Va.,  and 
a  daughter  of  William  an<l  T'.arbara  (Leiither- 
man)  Foley,  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion.  Mr. 
Foley  died  in  M^A't  and  in  IS."  t  his  widow,  with 
her  children,  moved  to  Clark  County.  Ohio.  In 
IS.'iS  she  came  to  Illinois  and  settlerl  in  Dewitt 
County,  and  here  passed  awav  in  September, 
ISCT. 


After  his  marriage.  .Mr.  Lemen  look  up  his 
residence  in  DeWitt  County,  but  in  1S(!S  came 
to  Piatt  County,  locating  ne.ir  Mansfield.  Some 
years  Liter  he  moved  to  Normal.  111.,  where  he 
spent  one  year,  and  then  bought  a  tr.-ict  of 
land  in  Shelby  County,  where  he  farmed  for 
nine  year.s.  Returning  at  the  end  of  that  time 
to  Monticello.  he  bought  a  farm  in  Moiiticello 
Township.  He  resided  in  Jlonticello  and  con- 
tinued to  cultivate  his  land  with  great  success 
until  .Tanuary,  1S!)2.  when  he  rented  his  farm 
and  retired,  from  active  life.  His  home  at  Mon- 
ticello is  a  fine  frame  struct nre  where  liis  widow 
still  resides,  and  where  .Mr.  Lemen  died  .Tuly 
•Ji),  lilll.  The  family  still  owns  and  rents  out 
the  homestead  farm  of  '.i'lO  acres,  located  five 
miles  east  of  Monticello,  as  well  as  another 
handsome  tract  of  100  acres,  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Township,  I'iatt  Count.v.  Mr.  Lemen  was  a  citi- 
zen who  was  ever  ready  to  give  of  Ids  time,  his 
talents  and  bis  means  to  the  jjromotion  of 
beneficial  ni(>asures.  He  did  his  full  duty  in 
regard  to  public  service,  and  his  record  as  col- 
lector, assessor,  road  commissioner  and  town- 
ship treasurer,  is  one  which  will  bear  the  clos- 
est scrutiny  and  be  found  without  stain  or 
blemish  of  any  kind.  A  liepublican  in  his  pol- 
itics, he  advocated  the  cleanest  jirinciples  of  the 
party.  He  never  lost  his  interest  in  his  old 
army  comrades,  and  was  ever  a  popular  member 
of  tlie  (ir.-inil   .Vrmy  of  the  Kepulilic. 

Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Lemen  were  the  parents  of 
four  children:  Clmrles  Harlan,  who  makes  his 
home  with  his  mother  at  Monticello;  Grace 
Adella.  who  died  at  Xormal.  Til.,  in  March.  18.S.3, 
age<l  sevente(>n  years;  George  B..  of  Kockwell 
City.  1,1.:  .-mil  Libert  X.,  of  Godfrey.  Til. 

LIESTMAN,  Freaerick.  Although  more  than  two 
decades  have  p.issed  since  the  death  of  I'red- 
erick  Liestmaii.  evidence's  of  his  thrift  and  in- 
dustry can  still  be  fiaind  in  the  fine  propert.v 
owned  by  his  widow,  in  Goose  Creek  Township, 
while  his  name  is  being  ]>erpetuateil  by  his  son 
and  grandcliildren.  who  have  found  lionorable 
Iiositions  in  life.  Mr.  Liestnian  was  born  in 
Saxony.  Germany.  .Tanu.-iry  14.  is;;'.^i.  He  was 
educated  in  his  native  land,  and  there  as  a 
young  man  engaged  in  faniiiiig.  In  isiui  he  was 
married  to  Miss  .Minnie  Slinltz,  who  was  born 
in  Saxon.v,  Prussia,  Germany.  December  24, 
1S42.  and  in  I.SfiS  they  emigrated  to  the  United 
.states,  coming  on  a  sailing  vessel,  being  on  the 
ocean  for  ten  weeks,  landing  at  P.altimore.  Md., 
and  settling  at  Ploomiiigton.  111.,  in  the  vicinity 
of  which  pbu'C  Mr.  Li(>slman  worke<l  on  a  farm 
for  three  years.  He  then  took  his  small  cap- 
ital, and  leased  from  Mr.  Mansfield  a  farm  at 
.Mansfield,  I'iatt  County,  and  during  the  five 
years  that  he  cultivated  this  land  the  Wabash 
Ttailroad  was  built  through  the  property.  Sub- 
sequently he  inirchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres 
in  Goose  Creek  Township,  the  land  now  owned 
by  his  widow.  This  property  had  been  partly 
improved,  and  Mr.  Liestnian  coniiileted  Its  cul- 
tivation, installing  improvements  and  erecting 
new    buildings,   SO   that   it   was   developed   into 


HISTORY  OP  PIxVTT  COUNTY. 


767 


one  of  the  valuable  prupei'ties  of  the  seetiou. 
He  continued  t"  lie  engaged  in  geneial  farming 
and  stoeli-iaising  during  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  and  made  himself  known  as  au  enterpris- 
ing and  tlirifty  agriculturist.  As  a  citizen  he 
was  ever  ready  to  do  his  part  in  aiding  good 
movements,  but  his  official  service  was  contiued 
to  memliership  on  the  school  board.  As  a  voter 
be  sujiported  the  Democratic  ticket.  Mr.  Liest- 
man  died  May  L'li,  ISii;!.  the  possessor  of  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-men.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year  Mrs.  I.iestman  purchased  a  lot 
at  Mouticelio.  had  a  modern  residence  built, 
and  in  March,  lSil4,  moved  Into  it.  She  is  one 
of  the  well  known  and  highly  esteemeil  ladies 
of  the  city  and  has  been  an  active  factor  in  the 
work  of  the  Presbyterian  ('bnrch.  In  Germany 
she  jjelonged  to  the  Lutheran  t'hurch. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Liestman  were  the  parents  of 
one  son  :  rre<lerick  \V..  a  photographer  of  De 
Land.  111.,  who  married  Nettie  Kennebarger  and 
has  five  children,  namely :  William,  who  is  con- 
ducting the  operations  on  his  grandmother's 
farm;  Grace,  who  is  Mrs.  Roliert  Dent,  of  Cisco, 
111. ;  Lulu,  who  is  the  wife  of  Marion  Do.ss,  of 
I'iatt  County:  Cecil,  who  resides  in  this  county; 
and  Harry,  wlu)  lives  with  his  parents. 

LODGE,  Benjamin  F.,  was  born  in  Ohio,  Decem- 
ber 2(i.  is;i2,  and  came  to  Monticello  as  a  Metho- 
dist minister  in  1858,  and  was  stationed  at 
Bement,  Cerro  Gordo,  the  Baker  Schoolhouse, 
Camp  Creek,  and  other  places  In  nearby  coun- 
ties. In  1860  he  located  on  a  farm  near  Paris. 
111.,  but  finally  moved  back  to  Piatt  County, 
and  here  died  July  (>,  VM'2.  Mr.  Lodge  was 
married  A|iril  121.  ]S(i2.  to  Frances  E.  Lyou, 
and  they  had  the  following  children:  Charles 
Albert,  Frank,  Mrs.  II.  C.  Body,  Howard  F., 
Daisy  K..  and  several  who  died  in  childhood. 

LODGE,  Samuel  A.,  lor  many  peaceful  .years 
a  prominent  agriculturalist  of  I'iatt  County  and 
Imslness  man  of  Monticello.  was  one  of  tho.se 
who  fought  for  the  ])reservation  of  the  Union 
during  tlie  Civil  War.  He  was  born  in  New 
York  City,  on  the  present  site  of  the  New  York 
end  of  the  Brooklyn  bridge.  March  2(i.  ]S2(i.  a 
son  of  Iten.jamin  and  .Julia  (Brooks)  Lodge, 
natives  of  New  .Jersey.  At  a  very  early  date 
the  jiarcnts  jnoveij  to  Edgar  County.  111.  There 
Sanuiel  .\.  Lodge 'grew  up  and  became  a  hard- 
ware merchant,  his  business  being  located  at 
Paris,  in  that  county.  From  there  he  enlisted 
for  .service  in  the  Civil  War.  as  corporal  of 
Comiiany  E.  Twelfth  Illinois  \'olunteer  Infan- 
fr.v.  and  was  honcirably  discharged  November 
IN.  1,8(12.  He  i-e-enlisted  In  the  Ninth  Kentucky 
X'olunteer  Infantry,  and  was  made  captain  of 
M  company,  but  was  discharged  on  account  of 
disability   before  the  close  of  the  war. 

Mr.  Lodge  returne<l  to  Paris,  111.,  but  SfX>n 
after  went  to  Tuscol.i.  HI.,  where  he  conducted 
.•1  hanlware  store  for  ;i  time,  and  still  later  es- 
t;ililisliecl  himself  in  a  grain  business  at  He- 
ment.  111.,  in  partnership  with  Charles  W.  Piatt. 
.\fter  a  time.  Mr.  Lodue  came  to  Monticello  and 

10 


bought  and  sold  grain  for  many  years,  and  then 
invested  in  a  brick  yard  wliicb  he  conducted 
for  a  time,  also  became  interested  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  slat  fencing  and  dealt  heavily  in 
coal,  his  business  interests  being  many  and  va- 
ried. Finally  he  retired,  some  eight  .years  prior 
to  his  death,  in  this  interim  <lividing  his  time 
between  Florida  and  other  southern  states  in 
the  winter,  and  Monticello  In  the  summer. 

On  March  15,  1.S,S2.  Mr.  Lodge  was  married 
to  Ellen  Clayton,  born  in  La  Salle  County.  111., 
a  daughter  of  AVilliam  and  Eliziibeth  (Puntney) 
Clayton,  the  former  born  at  Philadeliihia.  I"a., 
March  13,  1800,  and  the  latter  born  near  Elli- 
cotfs  Mills,  Md..  June  10.  ]80.",.  The  paternal 
grandparents  were  born  in  England,  and  the 
maternal  grandii.irents  were  born  in  Maryland. 
William  Claytcjii.  fatlier  of  Mrs.  Lodge,  was 
one  of  the  prominent  early  .settlers  of  Deer 
Park  Township,  La  Salle  County,  111.,  and  \vas 
the  first  .sujiervisor  of  the  townshiji.  which  he 
also  served  as  a  .justice  of  the  peace  for  many 
years.  In  1875  he  went  to  Iroquois  Count.v, 
111.,  and  laid  out  the  town  of  Claytonville,  which 
was  named  in  his  honor.  His  death  occurred 
Decemlier  :'.,  1885.  The  famous  ]iark,  called  Deer 
■  Park,  be  owned,  and  twenty  acres  Just  at  the 
entrance  to  this  park  is  owned  by  the  heirs  of 
his  son.  John  S.  Claytc>n.  There  were  no  chil- 
dren born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lodge.  Mr.  Lodge 
died  January  10.  IflOO.  His  widow  has  since 
lived  in  her  beautiful  modern  residence  at  Mon- 
ticello. He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Paris.  III.,  and  Mrs.  Lodge  was  educated  in  the 
Oeneseo  (111.)  iiulilic  and  jirivate  schools.  In 
religious  faith  he  was  a  Methodist,  while  his 
widow  is  a  Congregationalist.  Politically  he 
was  a  Republican,  and  he  belonged  to  the  G. 
A.  I{.  Mrs.  Lodge  has  a  sister  and  brother  still 
living,  namely:  Caroline,  who  is  the  widow  of 
J.  C.  Reynolds,  of  Deer  Park  Township.  La  Salle 
County.  III.:  .-nid  Willi;ini  I!.,  who  lives  near 
(ii-idle.v.  Cal. 

LODGE,  William,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1834  and 
came  to  I'iatt  County  at  an  early  day  and  not 
only  engaged  in  practice  at  Monticello,  but 
liecame  the  owner  of  C(X)  acres  of  land  in  Mon- 
ticello and  Sangamon  townshijis.  He  was  con- 
nected with  the  Chicago  &  Paducah,  now  a 
part  of  the  W^aba.sh  Railroad,  and  one  of  the 
promoters  of  the  Monticello  &  Decatur  Rail- 
road, now  a  part  of  the  Illinois  Central  Rail- 
road. He  was  married  in  ISON.  to  Frances  A. 
Piatt,  and  they  had  the  following  children : 
William  F..  James  P..  Charles  V..  Paul  E.  and 
Fred  S.  He  died  September  24.  1001,  and  his 
wife  died  September  16,  1895. 

LONGANECKER,  William.  Not  only  is  Wil- 
liam Longanecker  a  |irominent  figure  in  the 
history  of  Piatt  County  from  a  material  stand- 
point, hut  he  has  been  equally  active  in  promot- 
ing its  advancement  in  spiritual  matters,  and 
his  name  will  always  be  connected  with  civic 
betterment  work.  He  was  horn  in  Wayne 
County,  Ohio,  June  4,  1850,  a  son  of  George  and 


(68 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


Martha  ( Westlicflfcr)  Longauocker,  natives  of 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  where  the  father  was  born  in 
1817.  Thev  were  married  in  Wa.vne  County, 
Ohio.  The  maternal  grandparont.s,  Uen,iamin 
and  Martha  WesthotTor,  were  early  settlers  In 
Ohio,  .\fter  their  marriaw  the  |iarents  located 
on  a  farm  near  Orrville,  Ohio,  where  the  father 
died  December  :50,  18!)^,  the  mother  having  died 
iu  1887.  Their  children  were  as  follows: 
Elizabeth,  who  is  deceased :  John,  who  lives  at 
Hiram.  Ohio;  William;  Anna,  who  is  Mrs. 
Samuel  I.eliinan  who  lives  on  the  old  homestead 
near  I'.urton  rity,  Ohio. 

William  LonpuiccUor  attended  the  common 
schools  at  a  i>lacc  in  Ohio  called  Bunker  Hill. 
In  187:;  he  left  Ohio  for  Illinois,  and  for  several 
months  was  at  Cerro  Gordo,  then  engaging  with 
the  Wabash  Railroad  on  construction  work. 
After  a  short  time  he  spent  six  months  working 
for  a  grain  elevator  at  Cerro  Gordo,  111.  For 
the  following  three  years  he  rented  land,  when 
he  was  able  to  buy  sixty  acres  of  i)rairie  land 
in  Cerro  Gordo  Township,  and  moved  on  this 
farm  which  continued  his  home  mitil  1S8.").  when 
he  bought  li;0  acres  of  land  in  Moultrie  County, 
111.  This  he  sw>n  rented  and  went  on  the  farm 
owned  by  his  father-in-law.  In  1890  he  sold  his 
Moultrie  County  farm,  and  bought  200  acres  of 
Mr.  Martin's  farm,  on  which  he  located,  farming 
it.  luitil  l'.K)7.  during  which  period  he  added 
forty  .icres  to  it.  In  this  year  he  went  back  to 
Cerro  Gordo,  buying  a  fine  residence,  and  here 
he  is  still  living,  lie  rents  his  farm,  which  is  as 
well  improved  a  farm  property  as  can  be  found 
in  the  county.  While  engaged  in  agricnillural 
juu'suits.  he  was  a  large  cattle  feeder,  and  dlil 
a  big  business.  Mr.  Longanecker  also  owned 
.■i2(l  acres  in  Deval  County.  Tex.,  which  he 
bought  in  lOKl.  It  was  all  luibroken  land,  but 
he  improved  it  and  operated  it  as  a  dairy  farm. 
Kecently  he  sold  this  farm  and  liought  :'M)  acres 
near  IIenders<in  Mi  mud.  New  Madrid  County, 
Mo. 

On  Oecendier  4.  187."?,  Mr.  Longanecker  was 
married  to  Eliza  Martin,  born  in  Wayne  County, 
Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Martha 
(Lidich)  Martin,  natives  of  reinisylv^mia,  who 
came  to  I'iatt  County  in  1871.  and  were  farm- 
ing people.  Mr.  .md  Mrs.  Longanecker  became 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Minerva, 
who  is  Mrs.  .lohn  I'eterson  of  Oakley  Town- 
ship. Macon  County.  111.:  JIartha,  who  is  Mrs. 
Miles  .Scott  of  Cerro  Gordo  Townshii>;  KImer, 
who  resides  in  Cerro  (iordo  Townshii>;  Clara, 
who  is  Mrs.  Wilson  Miller  of  Lone  Creek  Town- 
.ship,  Xrncon  County;  Harry,  who  resides  iu 
Cerro  Gordo  Township;  Harvey,  who  lives  in 
T'plaiid,  Cal. :  and  Kdna,  who  keejis  house  for 
her  father,  the  mother  having  died  .Tanuary 
2,'!.  1!Mm;.  Mr.  Longanecker  is  very  iirominent 
as  a  Metluxlist.  and  has  been  a  trustee  of  his 
church  since  1912.  and  is  now  collecting  steward. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  men's  class  of  the  Fore- 
ward  Movement.  .\  strong  Uepublican  he  has 
serveil  as  school  director  for  eight  years,  school 
trustee  for  six  years,  highway  commissioner  for 
nine  years,   drainage  commissioner   since    1004. 


was  supervisor  for  si.x  successive  years,  and  for 
three  terms  has  been  on  the  village  board.  He 
ser\-cd  two  terms  on  the  Iward  of  directors  of 
tlie  Farmers  Flevator  Company;  has  been  ceme- 
tery trustee  lor  three  terms,  and  was  one  of  the 
prime  movers  in  improving  the  cemetery.  While 
sujK'rvisor.  he  was  sent  to  the  state  convention 
of  supervisors  held  at  Chicago,  and  was  chair- 
man of  the  board  for  one  year,  and  for  one  year 
was  cliairmnn  of  the  board  of  review.  During 
.June.  1!I14.  Mr.  Longanecker  was  on  the  petit 
.inry  in  the  I'nited  States  court.  In  evei-y  office 
lie  has  filled,  whether  a  public  one,  or  one  in 
which  his  services  were  donated,  Mr.  Long- 
anecker has  shown  a  faithfulness  in  the  dis- 
charge of  the  duties  entrusted  to  him  that  marks 
him  as  conscientious  and  capable,  and  estab- 
lishes him  very  firmly  in  the  confidence  of  his 
associates. 

LO'WRY,  Reuben  A.,  who  was  born  in  DeWitt 
County.  111.,  lived  for  years  at  Mouticello,  and 
died  there  .March  s,  1S74.  On  August  27,  1858. 
he  was  married  to  Sarah  R.  Miles  and  they  had 
the  following  children:  William  Milton.  Thomas 
S.,  Eliza  .1.  and  Francis  Hubert. 

LUBBERS,  Jurko,  a  general  fanner  and  stock 
raiser  of  Gousc  Creek  Township,  belongs  to  the 
well  known  Lidibcrs  family,  of  I'iatt  County. 
and  is  an  excellent  representative  of  the  same. 
He  was  born  in  Gnose  Creek  Township,  in  .Tuly, 
1S82.  a  son  of  Otto  and  Katie  (Remmers)  Lub- 
bers, natives  of  Hanover.  Germany,  who  came 
to  Illinois  when  young,  locating  in  Ix>gan 
County.  There  they  met  and  married,  and  spent 
some  .vears.  but  subseipiently  hx-ated  in  Gnose 
Creek  Township,  riiitt  County.  Tlie  father  died 
.Tamiarv  It!.  1!t07.  and  the  mother  passed  away 
Decenilicr  :11.  1004. 

.Turko  Lubliers  resided  with  his  parents  until 
1007.  having  in  the  meanwhile  lived  as  other 
farmer's  sons,  who  attend  school  and  work  on 
the  farm.  In  that  .rear  he  moved  on  120  acres 
of  land  in  Goose  Creek  Township,  his  portion  of 
his  fathei-'s  estate,  and  lived  there  for  four 
year.s.  and  then  went  to  the  farm  of  a  brother- 
in-law.  Christian  Lnlibers.  in  the  same  town- 
shi)).  which  comprises  2<X)  acres.  Here  he  car- 
ries on  general  farming'  .and  stockraising. 

On  0<-tober  2,  1007.  Mr.  Lubbers  was  married 
to  Rincba  Meyei'.  who  was  liorn  October  ,S0, 
ISSO,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Ella  Bell  fReg- 
noldl  Meyer,  natives  of  Germany  and  Illinois, 
respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lubbers  have  two 
children,  namely:  .\rthin'  Grover.  who  was  born 
.Tidy  20.  100s :  ;\mi  (Geneva  .\rlene.  who  was 
born  .Tune  2(1.  1011.  Very  much  inlei'osted  in 
the  work  of  tl;e  Baptist  Churc-h.  of  which  he  is 
a  member.  Mr.  Lvibbers  is  serving  it  as  deacon, 
steward  and  trustee,  and  is  assistant  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school.  .\  Democrat  in 
Iiolitics.  he  has  served  for  si.x  years  as  a  school 
director.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  De  Land 
Lodge  Xo.  740,  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  addition  to  his 
other  interests.  Mr.  Lubbers  is  a  director  of 
tlie  He  Land  State  Bank,  anil  Is  a  man  of  sub- 


^ 


5-ro«  :-r''^!.  .-' 


^IlLO' 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


769 


stance  and  oeevijiies  n  prninincnt  imsition  in  Ills 
foinniunity. 

LUBBERS,  Reemt,  whose  life  has  been  spent 
upon  his  present  farm  in  Goose  Creek  Township, 
was  born  there  June  13,  1S70,  a  son  of  Otto  and 
Katie  (Itemmers)  Lubbers,  natives  of  Germany. 
The  parents  came  to  the  United  States  after 
their  marriage,  and  siK^nt  some  time  on  leased 
land  in  I>ogan  County.  Later  they  came  to  Piatt 
County  where  they  bought  2S0  acres  of  land  in 
Gorise  Creek  Township,  to  which  the  father 
added  until  he  had  400  acres  of  land.  This  farm 
he  Improved  and  conducted  until  his  death,  that 
occurred  on  .Jauuary  10,  1907.  The  mother  died 
on  December  "1,  1005.  Their  children  were  as 
follows:  Dena,  who  is  Mrs.  Louis  Myers;  Win- 
nie, who  is  Mrs.  Jordan  "Weets,  of  Goose  Creek 
Township;  Fannie,  who  is  Mrs.  Christ  Lubbers, 
of  eastern  Colorado;  Ueemt :  JurUo.  who  lives 
in  Goose  Creek  Township ;  Katie,  who  is  Mrs. 
Richard  Blaudau.  of  Tacoma,  Wash. ;  and  Otto, 
who  is  also  in  eastern  Colorado. 

Reemt  Lubbers  attended  the  Moraln  district 
school  in  his  native  town.shlp.  As  said  above, 
his  life  has  been  .spent  upon  the  home  farra, 
which  he  helped  to  develop,  and  when  his 
father's  estate  was  settled,  he  inherited  120 
acres,  to  which  he  has  since  added  twenty  acres, 
and  this  lie  oi>erates  very  profitably. 

In  Kansas,  on  September  20.  1907,  Mr.  Lubbers 
was  married  to  Anna  E.  Lubbers,  born  December 
7,  18S8.  in  Piatt  County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Isaac 
and  .\iiiiie  (Rearikes)  Lubliers,  natives  of  Ger- 
many. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lulibers  have  two  daugh- 
ters, ntimely  :  Katie  E..  born  October  14.  1909, 
and  Jlargiierite  L..  born  September  8,  1912.  Mr. 
Lubbers  is  not  only  a  consistent  member  of 
Emanuel  Baptist  Church,  but  is  a  deacon,  trus- 
tee and  treasurer  of  that  body,  and  a  very 
ini)iortant  factor  in  its  growth  and  good  work. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  In  addition  to  his 
agricultural  Interests  he  is  a  director  of  the 
DeLand  State  Bank,  owns  stock  in  the  Farmers' 
Elevator  Company  of  Monticello.  and  is  in  every 
way  worthy  of  the  trust  reposed  in  liliii  by  his 
associates. 

LUCAS,  John  A.,  who  was  born  in  Illinois,  came 
to  Bement  and  died  here  in  1869.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Matilda  Freeman,  and  their  children 
were  as  follows:  Franklin.  Sarah.  Henry  C. 
and  Emily  J.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he 
owned  ICO  acres  of  land  in  Bement  Townshlii. 

LUMSDEN,  Edmond  W.,  a  substantial  retircil 
resident  of  Monticello.  is  one  whose  long  service 
to  the  county  in  the  nink  of  a  successful  busi- 
ness man  entitles  him  to  the  comfort  he  is  now 
en.ioying.  lie  was  born  in  Mcirg.in  County.  III.. 
June  14.  1.S42.  a  son  of  Willlain  (i.  and  Lucy 
(Keeling*  Lninsden.  The  father  was  born  in 
Virginia  in  ISOO.  and  died  in  Morgan  Cnunty. 
III..  In  1802.  aged  eighty-six  years,  having  been 
a  farmer  all  his  life.  The  mother,  who  was 
born  in  ISO.",  died  in  1S9S.  aged  ninety-three 
years. 


Edmund  W.  Lumsden  w,-is  edncatrtl  in  Morgan 
County,  attending  a  school  held  in  a  log  cabin 
under  the  subscription  plan,  and  wlien  he  was 
lifteen  years  old.  his  school  days  ceased,  and 
be  began  working  on  the  farm  for  his  father, 
.so  contiiuiing  until  ls(i4  when  he  engaged  in 
farming  for  himself  in  Morgan  County.  Sub- 
sequently he  moved  to  (;hamiiaign  County.  111., 
and  after  four  years  came  to  Monticello.  where 
he  establisheil  himself  in  a  bntchering  busi- 
ness .lud  conducted  it  for  five  years.  He  then 
went  into  a  hardware  and  agricultural  imple- 
ment business  and  successfully  conducted  it  for 
ten  years.  For  some  time  following  this,  he 
handlod  real  estate,  and  then  retired.  Jlr. 
Lumsden  owns  240  acres  in  Piatt  County,  and 
-148  Jicres  in  Moultrie  County,  and  recently  sold 
:!20  acres  of  land  he  ownefl  in  Kansas. 

In  1864  Mr.  Lumsden  was  married  to  Peth- 
aney  Ayre,  a  daughter  of  Jonas  and  Anna  (Tow- 
ers) Ayre.  natives  of  England,  where  their 
daughter  was  also  liorn.  She  was  eleven  years 
old  when  brought  by  her  parents  to  the  United 
States  in  18."i6.  Jlrs.  Lumsden  died  January  4, 
1916,  aged  seventy-one  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lumsden  Jiecame  the  parents  of  the  following 
children :  Walter,  who  married  Ellen  Lowry, 
resides  in  Missouri;  Jonas,  who  married  Anna 
Jones,  resides  in  Moultrie  County,  III. ;  James, 
who  married  Hannah  Gulllford.  resides  in  Moul- 
trie County.  111.;  .Vnna.  who  lives  with  her  fa- 
ther, is  a  school  teacher  of  Monticello ;  Olive 
Edna  and  Ethel,  who  both  live  with  their  fa- 
thei-;  and  .Vlbert.  who  married  Vesta  Strawn, 
had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  wife  in  191."i.  since 
whlcli  time  he  has  lived  with  his  father.  Mr. 
Lumsden  votes  the  Ueiiublican  ticket,  and  was 
elected  alderman  of  Monticello  for  one  term, 
and  he  also  served  as  road  commissioner,  and 
gave  efficient  service  in  both  these  offices.  A 
man  of  high  jirinciples  and  moral  courage,  he 
has  always  su]iiior)ed  those  measures  which 
work  for  the  advancement  of  his  community  and 
the  betterment  of  humanity. 

LUX,  Peter,  was  born  in  Franco  in  18i:i.  and 
came  to  Piatt  County  in  1862.  buying  a  farm 
in  Willow  Branch  Township,  on  which  he 
planted  2.")0  trees.  He  was  married  to  a  lady 
who  was  born  at  Hagerstown.  Md..  in  1823, 
and  they  had  thirteen  children,  namely  :  John. 
Anna.  Peter.  Henry.  Susan.  Nicholas  I.,  Martin, 
Jacoli  O.,  Clara  L..  Augustus  !■,,  Charles  W., 
Harvey  A.  and  Sarah  K. 

LYONS.  WUliam.  Some  of  the  men  of  Piatt 
County  who  achieve  most  lasting  fame  are  those 
who  do  not  confine  their  efforts  to  one  line 
of  endeavor,  but  are  interested  along  diversi- 
fied paths.  One  of  these  who  reached  success 
in  several  directions  was  the  late  William 
Lyons  of  Cerro  Gordo.  He  was  born  near  De- 
catur. III.,  November  1(5,  1843.  a  son  of  John 
and  .Vnna  Margaret  ("Jacobs)  Lyons,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  at  a  very  early  day  came  to 
Macon  County.  111.,  where  they  bonglit  a  tract 
of  land.     The  fatlier  died  in  1840.  and  William 


771) 


HISTORY  OK  PIATT  COUNTY. 


Lyons  was  put  with  n  family  in  Macon  County. 
111.,  living  with  them  until  the  fall  of  ISdi;.  when 
lie  enlisted  lor  .-iervice  durin;;  the  Civil  \V;ii-  in 
Company  C.  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Infantry,  which  regiment  tooli 
Jtart  in  thirty-eifiht  l)attles.  William  Lyons 
partliipnted  in  the  followiuj;  b.ittles  :  Vicksliurg, 
('hi(l;.iniMn;;a.  .Mis.sion.iry  IJidije,  Kesaea,  Kene- 
saw  .Monntain,  Lookout  Mountain,  .\tlanta  and 
many  others.  He  servcfl  until  the  close  of  llic 
war.  ami  his  only  wound  was  received  wliile 
forajrin;;.  it  lieinj;  a  ;iunslu)t  wound  in  the  b-ok. 
the  bullet  passini;  tliroujxh  his  body  and  upper 
part  of  his  left  lunir.  l(«l;;ini;  on  the  rij;ht  side 
in  the  hollow  of  his  neck  near  the  skin.  For 
a  lonir  while  he  was  in  the  hospital,  but  recov- 
ered in  time  to  be  with  (Jeueral  Sherman  on  his 
.March  to  the  Sea,  and  he  was  se.nl  by  boat  to 
.New   York  City   where  he  was  ])aid  off. 

Ueturnin;:  to  Macon  County,  lie  was  enfiajred 
in  farmin;:  on  rented  laml  until  l.SC.;).  when  he 
boufjht  forty  acres  of  raw  land  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Township,  ami  lived  U])on  it  live  years,  improv- 
ing it  and  sellin;;  it  at  an  advanced  liiiure.  He 
then  bouu'ht  ei'^dity  acres  of  land,  to  whicli  he 
added  eighty  acres,  and  resided  ujion  this  prop- 
erty lifleen  years,  durin;:  which  period  he  matle 
many  valuable  improveiiicuts.  In  I'ecember, 
l.S,Ss,  he  nu)ved  to  Cerro  Gordo  and  in  cou- 
.iunetion  with  ids  son-in-law.  Oscar  X.  lOasl.  he 
built  a  ^'rain  elevator  in  Milmine.  and  cou- 
dwted  it  for  several  years,  after  which  he  sold 
It  to  a  Mr.  Shellab.irKer.  Later  lu'  houKht  and 
ran  an  elev.itor  at  Cerro  Gordo,  but  it  buriu>d 
and  lie  then  went  into  retirement.  .Vs  oppiu'- 
tunily  presented  itself,  Mr.  Lyons  aildeil  t.i  his 
homestead  until  it  now  contains  L'lp  acres,  and 
he  al.so  invested  in  a  handsome  residence  in 
Cerro  (Joiilo.  where  his  widow  now  resides,  as 
well  as  other  realty  in  that  city.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lyons  had  a  very  distre.ssins  experience  durin;; 
their  early  in.irried  life.  .Not  Ion;;  after  they 
took  possess!. Ml  of  their  first  farm,  the  house  was 
Idown  .away  and  demolished  by  a  cyclone.  M 
tlie  time  there  were  nine  jiersous  in  fhe  house, 
hut  fortunately  none  were  .seriously  injured  by 
the  accident. 

In  I'"ebru:iry.  I.scs,  Mr.  Lyons  was  married 
to  Llizabetli  Likins.  born  in  Marion  Countv. 
Ohio,  a  dauu'hler  of  .Tohn  10.  and  Sarah  .V. 
(Cole)  l.ikhis  of  Ohio.  Tliev  came  to  Macon 
County.  111.,  in  lsr.7.  setllin;;  on  a  farm.  Mr. 
and  .Mrs.  Lyi>ns  had  I  wo  children  :  Clara  .Mice, 
horn  February  17.  ISllll.  who  is  Mrs.  O.  .N.  Fast, 
has  two  children.— Olive  WinifriNl  and  Florence 
Mildred:  and  .Tohn  Willam.  bom  December  1."i. 
1S7L  liieil  September  It;.  1.S72.  Since  the  death 
of  Mr.  Lyons.  October  22.  1<)1L  Mrs.  Lvons  has 
lived  .ilone.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church  and  served  as  a  trustee  and  held  other 
church  oltices.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 
The  G.  .\.  l;.  bad  in  him  :in  earnest  meinlier  and 
worker,  and  Mrs.  Lyons  is  a  member  of  tlie 
Roman's  Relief  Corps,  servin;;  as  its  president 
for  two  years  ami  treasurer  for  six  .vears.  being 
in  the  former  olHee  during  the  time  the  inonu" 
ment  was  reared   to  the  unknown  dead  of  the 


Civil  War  liy  Cerro  Gordo  Coriis  So.  It*!.  She 
also  belongs  to  the  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary 
of  the  M.  K.  Church  and  the  Keheccahs.  Mr. 
Lyons  was  a  stockholder  of  the  State  Bank 
of  Cerro  Goitlo.  and  a  man  very  iiromiuent  in 
other  ways,  and  one  in  whom  implicit  trust 
could  always  be  jilaced. 

MACKEY,  George,  one  of  the  self  made  men -of 
.■^aMgamcin  Townsliiii.  is  a  splenilid  instance  of 
the  kind  oi'  larniers  and  desirable  citizens  I'iatt 
County  has  ju-odiiced.  He  was  biu'ii  in  Sanga- 
mon Township,  March  12,  ISW,  a  .son  of  Johu 
and  Leah  (Hubbard)  Mackey.  As  his  parents 
ueecled  tiis  .services  in  his  .vouth,  lie  remained 
with  Uieni  and  did  not  have  an  opportuuit.v  to 
sec-ure  an  I'ducation.  When  he  was  tweuty-si.x 
years  i>ld  he  moved  on  .-i  farm  just  north  of  the 
hoiiieslead  :ind  rcMled  Ibis  pro]ierly  for  eighteen 
years.  o|ieratiiig  24(i  acres,  .vffer  the  death  of 
his  parents,  lie  moved  on  ttie  fort.v-six  acres 
he  inherited  from  them,  and  to  this  added 
ninety-two  acres  more  of  the  old  homestead  he 
bought  from  the  other  heirs.  In  1!»0!)  he 
bought  Kid  acres  just  north  of  his  farm,  and  he 
and  his  two  sons  conduct  this  property,  raisiug 
corn  and  other  icreals.  catlle,  iiorses  and  hogs, 
being  very  successful   in  their  undertakings. 

On  September  12,  1ns2,  (ieorge  Ma<-key  married 
.leniiie  S]u-ague,  who  was  born  in  Piatt  County, 
a  daughter  of  .Nathan  and  Kutli  Sprague,  na- 
tives of  Ohio.  .Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Mackey  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Aimer,  who 
is  ;i  farmer  of  Saag.imon  Townshiii;  Myrtle, 
wh.i  is  Mrs.  l''iu-d  Combs,  of  .North  Dakota: 
Harhnid.  who  is  a  farmer  of  Sangamon  Town- 
ship: and  Wesley,  FIva.  .Maude  ami  .\IIierta, 
who  are  at  home.  The  family  are  Methodists. 
.\  Uepubliian  in  politics.  .Mr.  Mackey  lias  served 
as  roadinasler  and  on  the  towiishiii  school 
board.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the 
Galesville  Cinip  of  the  .Modern  Woodmen  of 
.Vmerica.  ll.-ird  working,  sagacious  and  pro- 
gressive. .Mr.  .Mac-key  has  pushed  ahead  and 
richly  deserves  the  success  which  lias  attended 
liiiii. 

MACKEY,  Samuel,  a  substantial  farmer  and 
stoikraiscr.  i<iiiics  of  one  of  the  ]iioiieer  families 
of  I'iatt  County,  .-ind  has  himself  done  much 
to  advance  the  general  prosperity  of  this  sec- 
tion. He  \v,-is  born  in  Sang.imon  Township, 
where  be  slill  resides.  .laiiuary  22,  IS.")!;,  a  son 
of  ,Iobii  and  Leah  (  llnbb.-ird  )  .Mackey,  natives 
of  New  .Tersey.  and  the  viiinily  of  Sandusky. 
Ohio.  They  were  married  in  Ohio,  and  in  tlie 
fall  of  ink;  drove  a  horse  and  wagon  across 
country,  eaiuping  by  the  way  at  iiiglil.  .Vt  that 
time  deer  and  other  wild  animals  were  very 
Iileiitiful.  and  <-ountless  numbers  of  geese  and 
ducks  were  I'oiind,  so  it  w.is  easy  to  provide 
fresh  meat.  The  rate  of  travel"  was  about 
twenty-live  miles  per  day.  so  that  the  trij) 
consumed  s(mi(>  time,  but  in  the  late  fall  they 
arrived  at  the  farm  of  Ezra  Maniuiss,  with 
wlumi  they  remained  until  they  bought  eighty 
acres    of    land    on    tlie    prairies    in    Sangamoii 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


771 


Towiisliii).  This  they  iiiuiroved,  aud  kept  ou 
iidUiiii,'  to  tlieir  holdill^'s  until  tlie  farui  ctim- 
priseci  ■.',20  acivs  of  iirairie  land.  Here  the 
father  died  Novemtier  »i,  1S'.I2,  aged  seventy- 
eight  yeafs  one  mouth  and  four  days,  and  the 
mother  iiassed  away  Septemher  .1,  LSilS,  aged 
seventy-nine  years  eleven  mouths  aud  nine  days. 
Their  "ehildreu  were  as  loUows :  Mary,  who  is 
Mrs.  Isaac-  Wright,  of  Blue  Kidge  Township; 
Catherine,  who  is  Mrs.  Wiliam  UetJrott,  a 
whlow,  of  Manstield,  111.;  Aliee.  who  is  Mrs. 
Lyme  UeGrott,  a  widow,  of  Saugauiou  Town- 
ship; Margaret,  who  is  Mrs.  Samuel  I'rimmer, 
of  .\Ianshelil,  111.;  Christian,  who  lives  at  leu- 
terville,  111.;  Samuel;  aud  George,  who  lives  iu 
Saugamon    Township. 

Samuel  Mackey  attended  the  schools  of  his 
district  aud  grew  up  amid  pioneer  conditious. 
He  distinctly  remembers  seeing  upon  many  oc- 
casions the  sun  obscured  hy  flocks  of  wild  ducks 
and  geese  on  their  annual  migrations.  Until 
1S8()  he  resided  with  his  iiareuts  and  then  moved 
to  eighty-seven  acres  of  prairie  laud  iu  Sauga- 
mon Township  that  forms  a  part  of  his  present 
farm.  The  land  was  broken,  but  no  other  im- 
provements had  been  made,  aud  Mr.  Mackey 
has  erected  all  the  huihlings  and  fences,  aud 
otherwise  has  increased  the  value  of  the  prop- 
erty aud  made  it  a  very  comfortable  home.  He 
owns  tweuty-tive  acres  of  timber  along  the 
Sangamon  Kiver.  in  addition  to  his  cultivated 
land.  All  his  life  he  has  carried  on  general 
farming,  and  is  now  specializing  on  raising 
registered  Shorthorn  cattle,  I'oland-China  hogs, 
aud  draft  horses. 

On  February  2(i.  1S8U.  .Mr.  Mackey  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarah  Xewell,  born  March  17,  IStKl,  iu 
Saugamon  Township,  a  daughter  of  James  and 
Klizabeth  (Kizer)  Xewell,  natives  of  Virginia 
and  l'enn.s.\lvania,  who  were  married  in  Ohio, 
liut  came  to  I'iatt  County  in  18.jl,  locating  near 
Ceuterville.  Mr.  aud  Mrs.  Mackey  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children  :  Edwin,  who 
was  born  .lanuary  1,  1SS2,  lives  iu  Sangamon 
Township ;  Leah,  who  was  born  .January  IM, 
l.S.S(i.  is  .Mrs.  Itoy  Thomas,  of  Detiauce  County, 
Ohio;  and  Elsie  and  Edna,  twins,  who  were  born 
December  Is,  IWl.j,  live  at  home;  and  Alice, 
Bertha  and  an  infant  are  deceased.  The  Cen- 
terville  Methodist  Church  holds  the  membership 
of  the  family.  In  politiis  he  is  a  Republican  aud 
served  as  township  collector  for  six  terms,  aud 
as  a  school  director  for  many  .years.  Frater- 
nally he  belongs  to  Manstield  Lodge  Xo.  7":!, 
.V.  F.  &  A.  M.,  aud  Oalesville  Camp,  M.  W.  \. 
.V  man  of  enterprise  he  has  forged  steadily  ahead 
and  deserves  the  success  which  has  come  to  him 
,is  a  result  of  his  industry  and  thrift. 

MADDEN,  Silas  W.,  one  of  the  sub.stantial  men 
of  I'iatt  County,  who  f(U-  many  years  has  been 
a  property  owner  of  Sangamon  Township,  as 
well  as  a  successful  fanner,  was  born  in  Sanga- 
mon Township,  May  2S,  hSM.S,  a  son  of  .lohu  S. 
.•ind  Elizalieth  (West)  Madden.  They  came  to 
this  locality  from  Ohio,  in  l.S.S.'l,  and  built  a 
cabin   on   the  edge  of   the   timber.      From    time 


to  time  the  father  entered  land  from  the  gov- 
ernment, obtaining  in  all  about  2.000  acres. 
From  IS.-il*  to  is.-i.'i  he  raised  so  many  hogs  aud 
cattle  t.lia't  he  fed  ;ill  of  his  corn  to  his  stock. 
In  all  he  develoiied  and  iniiiroved  a  large  amount 
of  laud,  buying  aud  selling  to  a  considerable 
e.vtent,  and  renuiiueil  in  I'iatt  County  until  the 
fall  of  1870,  when  he  weut  to  Montgomery 
County.  Kas..  and  died  there  in  1S7S,  having 
ac(piired  large  holdings  in  that  state.  The 
mother  died  in  1844. 

Silas  W.  Madden  went  to  school  held  in  log 
cabins,  the  majcu-ity  of  them  being  conducted 
upon  the  sub.scription  plan,  before  the  adoption 
of  the  public  school  system.  Until  18,")S  he  re- 
sided with  his  ])areuts,  and  then  branched  out 
for  himself  by  beginning  farming  a  portion  of 
his  father's  land.  He  continued  renting  from 
his  father  "util  his  enlistment  for  service  in 
defense  of  his  country  during  the  Civil  War, 
July  10,  istil,  in  Company  F.,  Second  Illinois 
Volunteer  Cavalry,  and  was  assigned  at  Cairo, 
from  whence  he  went  to  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  and 
from  there  his  regiment  went  to  Paducah,  Ky. 
.Vt  La  Grange.  Tenn.,  his  regiment  w'ere  engaged 
with  seven  regiuients  of  the  enemy's  f(n'ces. 
.Vinoug  other  engagements,  he  was  at  the  Siege 
of  \'icksburg,  and  from  there  the  regiment 
nu>ved  on  Jackson.  Mi.ss.,  and  May  .'5,  1864, 
Company  F  engaged  on  the  skirmish  line,  and 
twenty-two  Confederates  were  taken  ]irisoners. 
The  regiment  went  on  to  New  Orleans,  La., 
then  to  I'ensacola.  thence  to  Montgomery,  Ala., 
Iiack  to  Baten  Itouge,  and  was  finally  discharged 
at  San  .Vntonio,  Tex.,  in  November,  180.5.  Fol- 
lowing his  discharge.  Mr.  Madden  returned  to 
Piatt  County,  .■ind  resumed  farming  on  100  acres 
of  land  his  father  gave  him,  which  was  located 
just  northwest  of  Lodge  Station.  In  1871  he 
bought  170  acres  of  his  present  homestead, 
upon  which  he  has  made  many  improvements. 
In  addition  he  owns  twenty  acres  of  timber- 
land  on  section  16.  which  is  located  on  the 
Sangamon  Kiver.  All  his  active  life  he  has 
carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
.■\nd  has  been  successful. 

In  August.  1871,  he  was  married  to  Nancy 
Catherine  Burton,  born  in  Ohio,  a  daughter  of 
Enoch  I'.urtou.  who  came  to  Piatt  County  in 
1880.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Madden  liecanie  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children :  Sherman,  who 
was  named  after  his  father's  hero.  General 
Sheruiau.  lives  at  Decatur,  111. ;  Lena,  who  is 
Airs.  F.  E.  Devall  of  Dixon,  111. ;  Irvin,  who  is 
deceased;  and  Homer,  who  assists  his  father. 
Mr.  iladdeu  still  owns  the  farm  given  him  by 
his  father.  Ijut  rents  it  to  outside  parties.  In 
politics  he  is  independent,  ju'eferring  to  use  his 
own  .judgment  with  reference  to  giving  his 
su])iiort  to  a  candidate.  .\  man  of  much  expe- 
rieuc<'.  be  stands  well  in  his  community. 

MADDEN,  William,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Willow  Branch  Townshiii.  died  in  this  town- 
ship many  years  ago.  Among  his  children  were 
the  following :  Nelson.  Francis.  William,  Mrs. 
Tliomas  Glick.  and   Mrs.  T.   II.  McCartney. 


ifz 


IIISTOKY  OF  i'lATT  COUxXTY. 


MALLORY,  Joseph,  wlio  was  born  May  2:;,  ISIO, 
in  NiiL'ini.i,  was  for  lUMii.v  years  a  larnier  of 
rial!  Comity,  and  laicr  a  resident  ol'  Monti- 
cello.  lie  was  inarrieil  in  l(sr.(i  to  Cassantlria 
F.  (Lonsnockor)  Suiitli,  and  they  bad  one  child, 
Lizzie.  Diirinu  the  Civil  War  .Mr.  Mallory  was 
provost  marshal  of  I'iatt  County. 

MANSFIELD,  John  L.,  was  born  in  Hanover, 
Uerniany.  .Iiine  ().  1S03.  and  came  to  I'iatt 
County  in  1S70.  and  lived  in  lilue  Kidge  Town- 
shii)  the  remainder  of  his  life,  passing  away 
September  120.  ISTli.  at  Manslield.  which  he  had 
founded  and  which  was  named  in  honor  of 
him.  lu  1^41  he  was  married  to  Josephine  A. 
Turner  and  they  had  nine  children,  namely : 
Fielding,  Oscar,  .Mrs.  M.  C.  Straight,  and  six 
who  died  early  in  life. 

MARKEL,  Benjamin,  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
came  to  I'iatt  County  in  1!S57,  hut  siieut  the 
declinini;  years  of  liis  life  in  Kansas,  where  he 
was  a  Metliodist  minister.  He  had  nine  chil- 
dren, as  follows :  Eliza.  Matilda,  Thomas  N., 
Elvira,  Edward,  Henrietta,  Belle,  and  two  wTio 
died  young. 

MARKER,  David  L.,  wlio.'sp  activities  as  a  farmer 
of  r.ciiirnt  'I'ownsliip  entitle  him  to  a  place  in 
a  representative  work  of  tliis  kind,  was  born  in 
St.  .Joseph  County.  Ind.,  April  20.  ISOl,  a  son 
of  Elias  and  Susan  (I'lery)  Marker,  natives  of 
Maryl.iiid  and  Oliio.  They  went  from  Ohio  to 
Indiana  in  cldldhood.  and  were  etlucated  in  tlie 
public  scliools  of  tlie  latter  state.  After  their 
marriage,  Elias  Marker  engaged  in  farming  in 
Indi;ina  for  a  short  period  and  then  came  with 
Ills  family  to  Illinois,  locating  in  M;u-oii  County, 
having  traded  the  sixty  acres  they  owned  in 
Indiana  for  eighty  acres  in  Macon  County.  This 
jiroperty  continued  the  family  homo  until  the 
death  of  the  motlicr  in  1011.  Tlie  father  died 
in  IST!). 

David  L.  M.irker  was  educated  in  Macon 
County,  but  left  school  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years  to  become  self  su[>iiortiiig.  fntil  his 
father's  death,  he  worked  for  b.ini.  and  then 
he  and  his  brother  Henry  conducted  the  home 
farm  for  their  mother  for  about  ten  years. 
Henry  then  went  to  Kan.sas,  and  David  L.  and 
another  lirother.  .Tohn.  continued  farming,  re- 
)naining  together  for  about  five  years.  David  L. 
Marker  then  moved  to  I'iatt  County,  locating 
on  the  farm  wliicli  continues  to  be  Ills  home,  and 
is  now  his  pro]ierty,  allhougli  at  that  time  it 
was  owned  liy  his  falhiT-in-law.  A.  .7.  ("lark. 
After  the  dealli  of  Mr.  Clark.  Mrs.  Marker  in- 
herited it.  and  Mr.  Marker  continued  the  im- 
provements he  had  Ixmmi  making,  and  added  to 
his  holdings  until  he  now  has  2<Xt  acres,  and 
rents  '22t\  ailditional.  having  42t!  acres  under 
his  control. 

On  October  21.  1SS(!.  Mr.  Marker  was  married 
to  Laura  .7.  Clark,  a  daughter  of  A.  ,T.  and 
Missouri  (Croves)  Clark.  Mrs.  Marker  was 
born  December  H;.  1SC1,  and  died  July  1,  1902. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marker  lie<anie  the  parents  of 
the  following  cbildren:  Cliarles.  who  was  born 
August  25,  1S.S7,  married  .Mice  Long,  and  lives 
in  Hement  Township;  .lohn,  who  was  born  De- 
cember 2.").  Iss'J,  married  Margaret  Smith,  lives 
at  home  with  his  father;  Olive  May,  who  was 
liorn  October  22.  1S1)4.  is  at  home:  Dollie,  who 
was  born  December  20.  1MI7.  is  at  home:  Ceathe, 
who  was  born  .Vjiril  !i.  I'.MUi.  is  at  home;  Pearl 
M..  who  was  born  February  24.  1.'S'.)2.  died  June 
."p.  is;»2;  and  James  P...  who  was  born  June  10, 
IslHi,  died  Feliniary  l.s.  IS'.ir,.  Mr.  M.-irker  is  a 
Democrat  in  political   belief. 

MARQUISS,  Abraham,  Sr.,  was  one  of  tlie 
)iiniicers  of  Piatt  County  in  1833,  in  Goose 
Creek  Township,  and  dleil  in  the  county  iu 
In'p!!.  Not  only  was  he  successful  in  his  own 
farming,  but  he  assisted  his  children  in  obtain- 
ing homes  for  themselves.  In  ISOU  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Barnes  and  their  children 
were  as  follows :  Ezr.i.  John.  William,  Mrs. 
Williain   Piatt.   Elizabeth,   and   Henry. 

MARTIN,  Francis,  now  deceased,  was  for  many 
years  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  Moultrie 
County.  111.  He  was  born  at  Lewistown,  Pa., 
Novemlier  11,  1S22.  His  jjareuts  died  iu  Penn- 
.sylvania,  and  there  he  grew  to  maturity.  Ou 
December  3,  1844,  Francis  Martin  was  married 
to  Sarah  Bell,  born  in  Pennsylvania.  January 
2,  1823,  a  daugSiter  of  John  and  Mary  Bell, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1857  Francis  Mar- 
tin lirought  his  family  to  Lovington,  111.,  and 
for  eighteen  months  was  engaged  in  farming  at 
that  point,  aixl  Ibeii  moved  to  Hickory  tirove, 
111.,  where  he  spent  three  years.  Returning  to 
Pennsylvania,  he  remained  in  the  vicinity  of 
Lewistown  for  a  short  period,  and  then  in  IStil 
came  l>ack  to  Illinois,  and  located  at  Bement. 
.Vfter  building  a  comfortable  residence  on  his 
farm  in  Hickory  (!rove.  Moultrie  County,  he 
moved  into  it  and  was  ongagetl  in  farming  un- 
til \S'X',.  when  ho  moved  to  Hammond,  111., 
and  there  lived  until  death  claimed  him  Sep- 
temlier  2.  11)04.  The  mother  died  at  Hammond, 
111..  March  IS,  I'.IIO.  Their  children  were  as 
follows:  Nancy,  who  married  J.  Fernando  Esk- 
ridge,  is  now  deceaseil ;  Joseph  B..  who  lives  ui 
Unity  Townshi)),  a  sketch  of  whom  apt>ears 
elsewhere  in  this  volume ;  Mary  Adeline,  who 
lives  at  Hammond;  and  John  H.,  who  is 
deceased. 

Miss  Mary  A.  Martin  siient  her  life  with  her 
parents.  When  a  child  she  suffered  from  a  fever 
which  left  her  nerv<>s  impaired,  and  she  has 
never  fully  recovered  from  the  effects.  After 
the  death  of  her  ]>arents  she  innorited  the  old 
homestead  at  Hammomi  and  seven  lots  in  that 
village,  and  she  continues  to  live  in  the  old 
home.  Mr.  .Martin  was  a  consistent  Methodist, 
and  a  very  worthy  man.  His  political  allilia- 
tions  were  with  the  Re]iublicaii  party.  The 
.Martin  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  county, 
and  is  connected  with  some  of  the  best  stock 
in  the  country. 


> 


:■.  V 


,ya^ 


^"Ub^^''-\ 


i 


I  ii!':::: 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


773 


MARTIN,  Henry  Pleasant.  In  the  death  of 
Ileniw  I'luMsaut  Jlurtin,  which  uccurred  Octo- 
ber 15,  lUlo,  the  city  of  Jlouticello  lost  one 
of  its  best  citizens  and  conimercial  circles  a 
man  who  had  done  much,  through  his  integrity, 
enterprise  and  industry,  to  advance  the  city's 
prestige  as  a  business  center.  He  was  also 
well  Ivnowu  In  fraternal  circles  and  in  cliureh 
work,  and  as  a  citizen  did  much  to  promote 
movements  for  the  general  welfare. 

Mr.  Martin  was  born  at  Chillicothe,  Livlng.s- 
toii  C'ouut.\-,  Mo..  June  24,  ISoT,  and  was  a  son 
of  Azarlah  and  Letitia  (Ingrahaui)  Martin, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  His  parents  for  a 
time  lived  at  Stewardson,  111.,  and  later  moved 
to  Chillicothe,  Mo.,  where  the  father  was  en- 
gaged in  business  as  a  millwright.  Their  last 
years  were  siX-'ut  in  the  state  of  Washington, 
where  they  renio\'ed  iu  181^5.  Henry  P.  Martin 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
Cliillicothe.  Mo.,  and  Stewardson,  111.,  and  when 
he  was  about  thirteen  years  old  the  family 
moved  to  the  vicinity  of  Mattoon,  111.,  locating 
on  a  farm.  On  September  0,  18S2,  Mr.  Martin 
was  married  to  Miss  Ida  M.  Smutz,  of  Bethany, 
III.,  who  was  born  at  West  Cairo,  Ohio,  a  daugh- 
ter of  .loseph  a.  and  Sarah  A.  (Bushart)  Smutz, 
the  former  a  native  of  Maryland  and  the  latter 
of  Ohio.  From  Oliio  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Martin 
moved  to  Moultrie  County.  111.,  where  Mr.  Smutz. 
a  carpenter  by  trade,  engaged  in  the  undertak- 
ing and  furniture  business,  lines  iu  which  he 
continued  to  engage  during  the  remainder  of 
Ills  active  career.  Mr.  Smutz  was  postmaster  at 
Bethany  for  twelve  years.  He  died  at  Cerro 
Gordo.  111.,  in  18!)7.  Mrs.  Smutz  passing  away 
at  Bethany  in  1910. 

.\fter  Ins  marriage.  Mr.  Martin  continued  as 
clerk  in  the  dry  goods  store  of  A.  W.  Scott,  at 
Betliany,  III.,  where  he  had  been  emplo.ved  for 
aliout  two  years.  He  then  removed  to  Cerro 
<;ordo  to  take  charge  of  a  store  there,  also 
owned  by  A.  W.  Scott,  which  was  later  pur- 
chased by  .\.  R.  Scott  and  Henry  P.  Martin. 
Five  years  later  he  purchased  the  interest  of 
Mr.  Scott  and  Mr.  Martin  and  ostal)lishod  tlie 
department  store  business  of  H.  P.  Martin  & 
Company,  wliich  was  conducted  for  fourteen 
.\ears  at  Cei'ro  Gordo,  and  then  moved  to  Oak- 
land, where  it  continued  in  existence  for  nine 
?iu)ro  years.  In  l!)0."i  Mr.  Martin  came  to  Mnn- 
tieello  and  started  dealing  in  dry  goods,  clotli- 
ing,  slioes  and  millinery,  his  stock  includhig  all 
articles  usually  found  in  a  department  store, 
with  the  exception  of  groceries.  His  business 
talent,  sagacity,  foresight  and  alertness  caused 
the  store  to  prosper  from  the  start,  and  although 
he  lived  only  eight  years  longer  he  left  be- 
hind him  in  his  business  an  enduring  monument 
to  his  commercial  acumen  and  industry.  This, 
the  largest  store  in  Piatt  County,  is  now  owned 
liy  Orville  H.  Martin  (a  son  of  11.  P.  JIartin) 
and  Mrs.  W.  A.  Scott,  the  business  now  being 
successfullv  managed  bv  O.  II.  IMartin  and  W. 
A.  Scott. 

Mr.  Martin  was  a  prominent  Mason,  a  Knight 
Templar,   and   a   memlier  of  the   Eastern    Star, 


the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  .\merica.  X  liepublican  in  his  political 
views,  he  always  took  an  interest  in  civic  af- 
fairs, and  served  in  numerous  otticial  capaci- 
ties, including  president  of  the  school  board  iu 
both  Cerro  Gordo,  111.,  and  (Oakland,  111.  He  was 
one  of  the  county  committeemen  of  bis  party. 
He  was  one  of  tlie  most  active  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  served  as 
steward,  treasurer  and  member  of  the  boaixl 
of  trustees.  The  high  tsteeuj  In  which  he  was 
held  by  his  business  assnciates  is  siiown  in  the 
fact  that  at  the  time  of  liis  death  he  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Commercial  Club.  .\t  this  tune  a 
local  newspaper  said:  '"His  death  removes  a 
good  man,  a  devoted  husband,  a  kind  father, 
a  loyal  citizen,  a  conscientious  Cliristian  gentle- 
man. He  was  the  kind  of  a  man  whose  life  was 
such  that  the  comnmnity  was  made  better  by  his 
haling  lived  in  it." 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  were : 
A'erna  Eileen,  who  is  the  wife  of  W,  A.  Scott, 
of  Mouticello;  Orville  H.,  of  this  city;  and. 
Hubert  Paul,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Martin 
still  resides  at  Mouticello. 

MARTIN,  Joseph  Bell,  one  of  the  substantial 
men  of  Unity  Township,  and  formerly  a  force- 
ful character  iu  the  Methodist  ministry,  was 
born  in  Mifflin  County,  Pa..  February  5,  1848, 
a  sou  of  Francis  and  Sarah  (Bell)  Martin, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  November  11, 
1822,  and  the  latter,  January  2,  1823.  They 
were  married  December  3,  1844,  and  lived  on 
the  Martin  homestead  near  Vira,  Pa.,  imtil 
IS.jT,  when  they  moved  to  a  farm  the  father  had 
bought  near  Lovington.  111.  On  account  of  IU 
health  in  the  family,  they  returned  to  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1859,  but  in  1861  there  was  a  return 
to  Bement,  111.  Still  later  a  removal  was  made 
to  Hickory  Grove,  where  the  father  developed 
Into  a  jirosperous  farmer.  Subsequently  he 
moved  to  Hammond,  111.,  where  he  built  a  fine 
residence  and  tliere  resided,  while  his  sons  and 
grandsons  continued  to  operate  his  homestead. 
At  his  death  he  left  about  1,500  acres  of  land, 
which  Joseph  Bell,  and  the  Eskridge  boys,  his 
grandsons,  now  own  Jointly,  The  father  died 
September  2,  1904.  He  was  always  extremely 
active  in  religious  work  and  was  what  was 
called  a  shoutlngl  Jlethodist.  In  prayer  he  was 
considered  specially  effective  and  was  always 
called  upon  to  voice  his  sentiments  at  religious 
meetings.  Both  ho  and  his  wife  outlived  all  of 
their  brothers  and  sisters,  dying  at  an  advanced 
age.  Their  children  were  as  follows:  Nancy 
Jane,  who  was  born  October  18,  1845,  died 
.Vpril  25,  1880,  at  Hammond,  111.,  having  been 
the  wife  of  Fernando  Eskridge,  and  leaving 
four  children, — Elmer,  who  Is  of  Hammond,  III. ; 
John  Bell,  who  is  of  Moultrie,  III.;  Minnie,  and 
Fraufls;  Joseph  B. ;  Mary,  who  lived  at  Il.-im- 
riiond.  III.,  is  deceased;  and  John  Henry,  who 
was  born  July  20,  1851,  died  March  17,  1910. 

The  Martin  family  Is  of  English  extraction, 
the  .Vmerican  progenitor  having  come  from 
England  to  Virginia  with  Capt.  John  Smith,  in 


774 


HIKTOKY  OF  PIATT  corxTY. 


IfiL'L'.  Tho  Iniiiily  later  lot-.itcd  iu  l>aui)l)iii 
(•(piiiil.v.  I'M.  The  ;;rciiti.'roat-f;ran(ll'atlR'r  of  Jo- 
sciili  H.  Martin,  Saniiiol  Martin,  organized  the 
first  Masonic  lodu'e  in  Tennsylvania.  lie  had 
five  sons  who  all  served  in  the  .Vnierican  Kevo- 
hition.  His  two  sons-in-law.  one  of  whom  was 
Lieutenant  Mefleland.  were  also  soldiers  in  the 
American  Kevolution.  The  u'reat-grandfather 
was  Joseph  Martin,  servc<l  under  General  Wash- 
iHfrton  during  the  American  Kevolution,  and 
was  lost  on  a  trip  from  (Jeorgetown,  doulttle.ss 
falling  a  victim  to  the  enemy.  His  son,  Samuel 
M.utln,  the  grandfather  of  .Toseph  B.  Martin, 
w.is  liorn  Dccemher  17.  177.">.  lie  married  .Nancy 
St,-ii-li,  a  sei-ond  cousin  of  Ceneral  StarU  of  Rev- 
olutionary fame.  Sanniel  Martin  died  Septem- 
ber 24.  1S42,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the  grand- 
luother   died    Xovemher  27.    1S.50. 

Joseph  15.  Martin  attended  the  puhli<-  schools 
of  his  iieighliorhood,  and  Mt.  Zion  .\cademy. 
In  l.Sdit  he  joined  the  Illinois  Methodist  Con- 
ference, and  Hll(>d  charges  at  Mahome.  Mans- 
tield.  Xewman.  'roloiia,  Savoy.  Fairmount, 
riiilo.  Cliristman.  .Vrcola.  I'atomac.  and  t'erro 
(lordo,  and  was  tlien  superannuated,  and  moved 
to  2(M)  acres  of  land  in  Inity  Township  tliat  his 
father  had  liouglit  for  him.  Since  then  he  has 
been  interested  in  agricultural  matters.  For- 
merly he  was  an  extensive  raiser  of  Herkshire 
hogs  and  lied  Poll  cattle.  Mr.  .Martin  now  rents 
his  430  acres  of  laud  in  Moultrie  t'ounty.  111., 
and  his  homestead  in  I'nity  Township,  to  his 
son-in-law.  He  is  the  lirst  man  who  used  the 
shallow  cultivator  in  this  region,  and  the  first 
who  dragged  tlie  roads,  while  iu  many  other  in- 
stances he  was  tho  pioneer  iu  trying  out  new 
methods,  and  ni;iking  e.vperimenfs  tending  to 
increase  the  eflieiency  of  the  farmer. 

On  October  211.  1S72,  Jlr.  Martin  was  married 
to  S.arah  .Mc.Vllesfer,  horn  .Vjiril  !),  lS,'):i.  a  daugh- 
ter of  .\udrew  Jackson  and  Jane  lA\illi,uns1 
Mc.Mlester.  the  father  Ikumi  iu  Shelby  Cdinity. 
Ind.,  and  the  mother  born  in  Milllin  I'ouuty, 
Pa.,  October  27,  1M!».  Mrs.  Martin's  grandpar- 
ent.s  were  Zachariah  and  Margaret  (Sterling) 
McAUester,  natives  of  Wales  and  Ireland,  re- 
spectively. Mr.  and  Mrs.  .M.irtiu  became  the 
Iiarents  of  the  following  children:  Mabel,  who 
was  born  at  Newmau.  111..  July  2!).  1S7.'!,  mar- 
ried December  211.  IMin.  Williaiii  lOverett  Jumper 
of  I'nity  Township;  Francis,  who  was  born 
June  2!l,  1S.V(i,  is  at  home;  John,  who  was  born 
May  2.-I.  1,'<,S2,  at  (Miristman,  III.,  died  March 
20,  l,S,S-t ;  Florence,  who  was  lnu-n  JIarch  17. 
1S.S4,  at  Areola,  111.,  married  June  20,  liXK!, 
Joseiih  Elgar  I.eachman  of  Douglas  County, 
III.;  Clarence,  who  was  born  J.amiary  S.  l.ssn,  at 
.\rcobi.  111.,  married  Dccemlier  II.  11)12,  Irene 
Jones,  and  lives  at  Warika,  Okla.;  and  Mary, 
who  was  born  Xovemher  20, 1890,  at  Cerro  (5ordo. 
111.,  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Martin  held  the  first  religious  meeting 
at  Mansfield  with  the  object  of  inducing  (Jeueral 
Manslield  to  donate  a  lot  for  a  church  build 
lug  He  is  the  fifth  cousin  of  Ale.vander  11. 
Stephens  who  was  vice-president  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy.      Mr.s.    Martin    is    related    to    the 


branch  of  the  family  descended  from  Betsy 
Ross  who  made  the  first  flag  of  the  new  Ameri- 
c.in  government.  In  politics  Mr.  Martin  is  in- 
dependent. During  his  long  and  useful  life  Mr. 
Martin  has  given  his  support  to  those  measures 
he  has  believed  would  work  nut  for  the  advance- 
nient  of  Ills  cominuiiity  and  the  uplift  of  human- 
ity. 

McBRIDE,  David  T.  There  are  a  number  of 
wealthy  men  in  I'iatf  County  who  prove  iu  their 
lives  that  as  a  calling  farming  is  very  profit- 
able provided  a  man  is  willing  to  work  hard 
.•ind  direct  his  efforts  intelligently.  One  of 
fliese  I'eiiresenfatives  of  the  agricultural  ele- 
ment that  e.ich  year  is  becoming  more  and  more 
imiiorl.ant  in  the  life  of  the  nation,  is  David  T. 
McBride  of  (Joiise  Creek  Township.  He  was 
born  in  Washington  County,  Md.,  in  1S51,  a 
son  of  (Jeorge  and  Kliza  (I-oug)  MeBride.  na- 
tives of  Maryland.  In  ls."'i2  the  family  moved 
to  Fulton  Ci)unty,  111.,  and  bought  a  small  tract 
of  land.  To  the  original  purchase  the  father 
addeil  from  time  to  time  until  in  1.S7;!  he  had 
considerable  land.  In  that  year  he  sold  his 
land  and  came  to  Goose  Creek  Township,  Piatt 
County,  where  he  bought  240  acres  of  raw- 
prairie  land  and  broke  it  out  and  improved  it, 
adding  to  it  140  acres  in  the  southern  i)art  of 
the  county.  This  also  he  later  sold.  His  deatli 
(K'lurred  in  1S,S7.  The  mother  of  I_)avid  T.  Me- 
Bride was  his  second  wife,  and  after  her  death, 
in   Is.'iO.  lie  married  a  tliinl  time. 

Growing  U]i  iu  Fulton  County,  David  T.  Mc- 
Bride attended  its  common  schools,  and  learned 
farming  from  the  very  beginuifig  on  the  farm 
place,  where  he  lived  until  187:5.  In  that  .vear 
he  inherited  forty  acres  of  land  of  the  home- 
stead, ami  by  |>aying  ,'j;i.."'>00  obtained  forty  acres 
from  bis  fatlicr.  to  be  iiaid  when  bis 'father 
died.  He  kept  on  buying  forty  acres  at  ;i  time 
from  the  other  lieirs  of  his  father's  estate  until 
he  now  owns  .■;20  acres,  in  two  pieces  i)f  KiO 
acres  each,  one-half  a  mile  apart.  Ilis  home 
farm  ad.ioins  Del/and.  Mr.  McBride  has  always 
been  a  hard  working  man.  and  takes  a  pride  in 
the  fact  that  in  the  fall  of  l!»l.-i  he  kept  up  with 
the  others  iu  husking  corn;  although  that  was 
the  lifty-liftli  year  be  had  been  engaged  in  that 
work.  In  Iimi:;  he  erected  on  his  farm  a  modern, 
eighl-i'ooui  house,  heated  with  a  hot  water  pl.-int. 
and  furnished  with  hot  and  cold  water,  electric 
ligjlits  and  other  modern  conveniences,  and  his 
home  is  a  model  one  iu  every  respect. 

On  .January  IS.  1S77  .Mr."  McBride  was  mar- 
ried to  I.:iura  Klla  Fvillenwider.  born  at  Des 
Moines.  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  John  Huston  and 
Harriet  Kmiline  (Harper)  Fulleuwider,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  at  Cr.iwf'ordsville, 
Indiana,  .and  the  later  at  (ireeulic'Id.  Ohio.  They 
were  married  in  Iowa,  and  died  iu  Nodaway 
County,  Mo.  Mr.  and  Mis.  McBride  became 
the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Jesse 
H..  who  lives  in  Goo.se  Creek  Township  on  one 
of  his  father's  farms,  known  as  the  Jim  Moody 
Farm;  Olive  V..  who  is  Mrs.  Ilarvev  demons 
of  DeWitt  County,  111. ;  Bertie  Wood,  who  farms 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


775 


the  other  farm  owned  by  his  lather;  Hattie 
Ann,  who  is  Mrs.  Ilovvanl  Bartison  of  (Joose 
Creek  Township;  and  Glenn  Harrison,  who  is  on 
a  portion  of  the  hijniestead.  In  religious  faith 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  MeBride  are  Methodises.  His 
jiolitieal  convietion.s  make  him  a  liepublicau. 
In  fraternal  matters  he  is  connected  with  the 
Del^and  Cam])  of  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
and  the  Mutual  Protective  League.  In  addition 
to  his  other  interests  Mr.  McBride  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  State  Bank  of  DeLaud.  Few  men 
stand  as  higli  in  public  esteem  as  does  Mr. 
McBride  who  has  proven  his  worth  as  a  farmer 
and  man,  and  his  success  is  all  the  more  to  be 
commended  as  it  has  come  through  his  own 
efforts. 

McDowell,  James,  was  born  in  1820,  and  died 
in  IStiU,  having  been  a  hotel  man  of  Bemeut 
for  some  years.  In  lf545  he  was  married  to 
Lydia  McKinstry  and  their  children  were  as 
follows :  J.  Virgil.  Samuel,  Mary  E.,  Charles 
B.  and  Mrs.  Gary  Moore.  After  the  death  of 
Mr.  McDowell,  his  widow  was  married  to  James 
Wharton. 

McFADDEN,  Henry  S.  (deceased),  lor  many 
ye.irs  widely  known  and  respected  .as  an  honor- 
.ilile  man  and  efficient  farmer,  was  born  at  Car- 
lisle, Pa.,  May  1,  1S17,  a  sou  of  Michael  and 
Sarah  McFadden  of  .Scotch  and  Irish  descent. 
After  attending  the  eonmion  scliools  of  his  na- 
tive place,  Henry  S.  McFadden  learned  the  sad- 
dler's trade,  and  worked  at  it  in  Butler,  Pa., 
until  1.S42,  when  he  moved  to  Franklin,  Pa., 
and  .spent  the  succeeding  tliree  years  at  that 
place,  working  at  his  tra<le.  He  then  went  to 
Armstrong  County,  Pa.,  but  in  lS."i7  decided  to 
go  further  west,  and  selected  Monticello,  111., 
as  his  <)l]je<-tive  point.  For  ten  years  he  alter- 
nated Work  at  his  trade  and  house  painting.  In 
1807  he  liought  320  acres  of  land  in  Goose  Crock 
Townshi]].  I'iatt  County,  and  became  a  farmer, 
continuing  as  sucli  until  liis  useful  life  was 
ended   liy   death,   June   td,   100::i. 

In  April.  1.S42.  Mr.  McFadden  was  married 
to  Mary  Ann  Mechling.  born  in  .\rmstrong 
County.  Pa..  Decemljcr  i:!.  1S2:!,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Aiui  Eliza  (lleiucr)  Jlcchiing.  natives 
of  Greonsburg,  Pa.,  and  Charleston,  Va.  After 
tile  death  of  Mr.  McFadden.  Mrs.  McFadden 
moved  to  DeLand.  111.,  h.id  a  modern  cottage 
built  and  she  and  her  daughter  Emma,  are  now 
living  in  comfort,  in  their  own  home.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McFadden  had  tlie  following  children: 
John  M..  wlu)  lives  in  Clav  Center.  Xeli. :  Fan- 
nie, wlio  is  tlie  widow  of  William  II.  Bover,  lives 
in  Pi.itt  County;  Sarah  A.,  who  is  Mrs.  Ed- 
ward Blanchard  of  Los  Angeles.  Cal.  ;  Louise, 
who  is  the  widow  of  W.  T.  Bean  of  Cliicago; 
Enuna.  who  lives  with  her  mother;  Ilarrv.  who 
Is  living  on  the  homestead  ;  Juliette,  who  is  Mrs. 
J.  M.  Francis  of  Knoxville.  III.  ;  and  Franklin! 
who  lives  at  Marion.  Xeb.  Mrs.  McFadden  at- 
tended the  subscrii>tion  schools  of  her  native 
lilace.  and  also  a  senjinar.v.  Mr.  McFadden  was 
brought  up  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  Church 


Mrs.  McFadden  is  a  Methodist.  In  politics  Mr. 
McFadden  was  a  Kepublican.  Hard-working 
and  thrifty,  Jlr.  .McFadden  worked  and  saved, 
and  left  his  family  in  comfortalile  circumstances 
.is  a   result   of   bis  economy   and   foresight. 

McKINNEY,  Alexander,  was  a  pioneer  of 
Indiana  and  Illinois,  and  came  to  Piatt  County 
at  an  early  day,  and  died  In  Cerro  Gordo 
Townshi|i  in  1S7S.  He  was  married  to  Mary 
Orchard,  who  died  in  ISSl,  having  borne  him 
the  following  children:  Mrs.  A.  Funk,  William, 
Andrew.  John,  Samuel,  Isaac,  Mary,  T.  \. 
.■ind   .Martha. 

McMILLEN,  Ezra  Thomas,  ca.shier  of  the  State 
Bank  of  De  Land,  and  a  man  widely  and  favor- 
ably known  for  his  knowledge  of  i)anking  and 
his  general  reliability,  was  born  in  (ioose  Creek 
Township.  January  4.  186!),  a  son  of  William 
Franklin  and  Pelina  (Marquiss)  McMillen.  the 
father  a  n.-itive  of  Longansport.  Ind.,  and  the 
mother  of  Piatt  County,  III.  The  grandparents. 
Thomas  and  .Mary  McMillen,  and  Ezra  Maniuiss 
were  natives  of  Ohio. 

Ezra  Thomas  McMillen  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  township,  and  titted 
himself  for  the  profession  of  teaching,  entering 
ujion  that  calling  when  only  .seventeen  years  old. 
Two  yeai's  later  he  went  into  a  hardware  busi- 
ness at  Monticello,  under  the  name  of  Saint, 
McMillen  &  Co.,  and  a  year  later  began  con- 
ducting the  homestead.  There  he  remained 
until  liJO;-!  when  he  became  cashier  of  the  State 
Bank  of  De  Land.  In  addition  he  owns  and 
ojierates  KiO  acres  of  fine  land  in  Goose  Creek 
Townshi]).  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most 
.■iilvanced  agriodturalists  of  Piatt  County 

On  March  2(i,  1.S8!).  .Mr.  McMillen  was  nu'irried 
to  Eliza  Alay  Linton,  born  near  Ellsworth  Mc- 
Lean County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  (Jeorge  \'  and 
Martha  Linton.  .Mr.  .-ind  .Mrs.  .McMillen  have 
the  following  children:  Edna,  who  is  Mrs  J  E 
Haitt.  of  <ireen  Valley,  111. ;  Martha,  who  Is  a 
.school  teacher;  and  Frank  and  Wayne,  who  are 
both  at  home.  .Mr.  McMillen  is  a  Ke]iublican  and 
IS  serving  as  townshiji  committeeman  of  his 
party,  of  which  he  is  a  leader.  Fraternally  he 
IS  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pvthias  of  De 
Land.  Shrewd,  far-.seeing  and  ])ossessed  of  ex- 
cellent judgment.  Mr.  .McMillen  has  succeeded  in 
all  his  undertaking.s  and  is  a  man  of  power  in 
Ills  community. 

McMILLEN,  Thomas,  came  to  Piatt  County  i„ 
18..(.,  and  later  moved  to  Champaign  County 
He  was  inarrie<l  to  Mary  Hathawav  and  their 
children  were  as  follows:  Mary  .Vnn,  Frank, 
i  ■'?;,  ^'■j;"0"i'  -Marqui.ss,  E.  J.,  Mrs.  Philii) 
Smith,  Thomas,  George  E.,  Mrs.  Dr.  Davis 
Sylvanus,   and   Lucinda   M. 

McREYNOLDS,  William,  was  born  February  13 
1842  and  came  to  Piatt  County  at  an  early 'day.' 
On  October  18,  1806,  he  was  married  to  Mrs 
Jennie  (Pendergast)  Beard,  and  thev  liad  four 
children,  namely  :     Willie,  John  A.  I^gan    Mary 


77U 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


:iik1  Mvi-a.  Foi-  some  years  alter  tbeir  mar- 
riaf;e  Mr.  aiul  Mrs.  MeKeynolds  lived  lii  Mon- 
tieello.  and  then  moved  to  a  farm  al)OUt  a  wile 
outside  Montieello,  where  Mr.  MeKeynolds  died 
May  13,  IsTLi.  -Mr.  .MelJeynolds  was  in  the  olliee 
of  "the  Vounty  surveyor,  and  held  the  olhee  of 
county  judge"  for  two  terms,  being  in  that  otiice 
when"  death  claimed  him. 

McSHURLEY,  John  Wesley  (deceased),  was  one 

of  the  liiiili  iiiindiil.  intelligent  and  trustworthy 
men  of  I'iatt  County,  who  is  rcnuMnliered  as  one 
who  did  inueli  for  iiis  eominnnity.  as  an  honest 
business  man,  and  was  also  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  War.  lie  was  born  in  Keiitueky,  August 
r>.  lS2!t,  and  died  at  Monticello.  May  22,  I'JOi. 
He  was  a  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Riley) 
MeShurlev,  natives  of  Kentueky. 

.John  \Vesley  .M<Shurley  attended  the  common 
s<lio<)ls  of  his  nalive  state,  and  learned  black- 
smithing  and  brickinaking.  In  young  manhood 
he  went  to  Henry  County.  lud..  and  there 
worked  at  brickmaking  until  he  became  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Civil  War,  eidisting  at  Uichmond, 
Ind..  in  Company  (i.  Eighty-fourth  Indiana  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  lie  was  a  brave  and  gallant 
soldier  and  was  honorably  discharged  .Tune  IT, 
1S(^1.  Iteturning  then  to  Indiana  he  lived  at 
.Millville.  that  state,  until  ist*^.  when  he  moved 
to  .Monticello.  111.,  ami  engaged  in  maiuifactur- 
ing  and  dealing  in  lu-ick  up  to  within  a  couple 
of  .vears  of  his  death.  He  purchased  an  acre 
or  land  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Monticello, 
where  he  built  a  brick  house  from  brick  he  had 
made.  ,ind  here  his  widow  has  continued  to 
reside  since  his  death. 

On  -May  IS.  is."!.  Mr.  McShurley  was  married 
to  llaiuiah  Tiiisman.  born  in  I.ii  king  County. 
Ohio,  ,Ianuary  2(;,  ISU,  a  daughter  of  rhilip  and 
Itebecca  (HulTi  Tinsnian,  natives  of  Virginia. 
.Mr.  and  .Mrs.  -MiShurley  became  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  Laura,  who  is  deceased: 
.Monroe,  who  lives  at  Monticello;  .Vrrel,  who  is 
deceased:  Charles  W..  who  lives  at  Monticello; 
and  Hurras,  who  lives  at  .Monticello  with  his 
mother.  Mr,  McShurley  belonged  to  the  liaptist 
Ihurch.  while  his  widow  is  a  Methodist.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Hepublican,  and  he  was  long 
connected  with  the  local  V<.  .V.  IS. 

MELLINGER,  Lee  Lemon,  a  general  grain  far- 
uier  of  Cerro  Cordo  'I'ownsliip,  ami  a  man 
largely  interested  in  business  enteriirises  of 
Cerro  (Jordo,  was  born  in  Cerro  Gordo  Town- 
ship. December  :!,  is"!),  a  son  of  Eeinon  and 
-Mary  Ellen  (Hess)  Mellinger.  natives  of  Ohio 
and  .Macon  Comity,  111.,  respectively.  The  ma- 
ternal grandiiarents.  .lacob  and  Elizabeth  Hess, 
were  early  settlers  of  Macon  County,  coming 
here  from  renn.sylvania.  while  the  Mellingers 
came  to  Illinois  from  Ohio.  From  the  time  he 
was  seventeen  years  ohl.  when  he  located  in 
Macon  County,  until  1S7S,  Eemon  Mellinger 
made  that  county  his  home,  but  in  1S7S 
moved  to  Cerro  Gordo  Townshiii,  where  he 
renteil  the  Stair  farm  for  fifteen  years,  and  in 
1803  he  bought  100  acres  in  this  same  township. 


This  property  was  finely  improved,  and  with  it 
he  carried  on  grain  farming  until  November, 
r,)08.  when  he  retired,  moving  to  Cerro  Gordo, 
where  he  now  lives.  His  wife  died  in  August, 
l!)l.-j. 

The  children  born  to  Lemon  and  Mary  E. 
Mellinger  were  as  follows:  Lydia.  who  is  Mrs, 
I'erry  15ooher  of  Cerro  (ionlo:  Hose  and  Ella, 
who  are  both  deceased:  Etlie.  who  died  at  the 
age  of  five  years;  Lee  L.  and  his  twin  sister, 
lilva,  the  latter  of  whom  is  married  to  Noah 
Miller  of  Cerro  Gordo  Township;  .losephine, 
who  is  Mrs.  Charles  Weidner  of  Johnstown, 
Pa.  ;  Frank,  who  lives  in  Cerro  Gordo  Town- 
shiii.  married  Kate  Wrightsman,  and  they  have 
four  children,  as  follows:  Edith,  Ethel,  Harold 
and  Wayne  L. ;  and  Florence,  who  is  Mrs.  Clif- 
foiNl  Van  Horn  of  .Macon  County.  III. 

In  .luly,  1!)U7.  L.  L.  Mellinger  was  married  to 
Uose  Lawrence,  who  was  Imrn  in  .Vllcn  County, 
Ind..  a  daughter  of  .Milo  and  Catherine  (Bow- 
ersock)  Lawrence,  natives  of  Wayne  County, 
Ohio,  and  Allen  County,  Ind.  Jlr.  and  Mrs. 
Mellinger  have  one  son,  Donald,  who  was  boru 
October  IS.  iiioS.  For  one  year  following  his 
marriage  Mr.  Mellinger  lived  with  Itis  parents, 
conducting  the  homestead,  and  then  rented  the 
place  from  them  and  is  now  carrying  on  gen- 
eral farming.  His  educational  training  was 
more  extended  than  that  of  the  average  farmer's 
son,  as  he  went  to  the  I'leasant  View  district 
school,  for  one  term  attending  the  Normal  school 
at  Normal,  III.,  and  took  a  commercial  course 
at  I'.i-own's  business  College  of  Decatur.  111. 
The  .Methodist  Cliurch  of  Cerro  Gordo  holds 
his  membership.  I'olitically  he  is  a  Itepublican. 
Mr.  Mellinger  lielongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  .Vnierica.  Cerro  Gordo  Camp,  and  the  Cerro 
Gordo  Protective  .VsstK-iation.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder and  director  of  the  Cerro  Gordo  Grain 
and  Coal  Company,  and  was  secretary  of  this 
(■oni|iany  for  live  years. 

MEYER,  Henry,  one  of  the  successful  farmers 
of  .Monticello  Townshij).  was  born  in  Hanover, 
tiermany,  September  21.  ISll.  a  son  of  George 
and  Katherine  t.Vlbers)  Meyer.  Leaving  his 
native  land  in  ISCm  Mr.  Meyer  came  to  the 
United  States,  and  for  two  years  worked  as  a 
coal  miner  at  Peoria.  HI.,  but  then  went  to 
Logan  County.  111.,  and  was  a  cattle  feeder  for 
eighteen  months.  Having  accumulated  .some 
cajiital  by  that  time,  he  rented  160  acres  of 
land  and  was  on  it  for  seven  years,  as  a  renter, 
during  which  jierioil  he  develo|)ed  the  land  from 
raw  prairie  and  I'aid  the  taxes,  paying  .$2.."il) 
jier  ;icre  these  seven  years.  During  this  iierioil 
lie  had  formed  a  iiartnershi])  with  his  brotlier, 
but  after  ten  years'  association,  they  parted,  and 
the  |iroi)erty  with  its  imiu'ove;nents  was  sold. 
During  the  subsequent  year  Mr.  Meyer  traveled 
in  Kansas,  but  in  1.S79  came  back  to  Illinois  and 
bought  eighty  acres  of  land  from  George  Carr. 
This  farm  was  jiartly  improved,  but  he  further 
developed  it.  and  made  other  improvements,  re- 
maining on  it  for  five  years.  Once  more  he  sold 
and  bought  240  acres  of  land  In  Goose  Creek 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


I  i  i 


Township,  that  was  partly  improved.  Until  ISOO 
this  continued  his  place  of  residence,  during 
which  period  Mr.  .Meyer  thoroughly  improved 
the  farm  and  raised  horses,  cattle  and  hogs, 
and  engaged  in  general  farming.  In  that  year 
he  rented  his  farm  to  his  son-in-law,  William 
Kiddie,  and  moved  to  Monticello  where  he  bought 
tive  acres  of  land  just  outside  of  the  city  limits 
on  the  northwest,  section  li!.  Monticello  Town- 
ship. Since  buying,  he  has  rebuilt  the  house, 
making  it  a  seven-room,  tW(^-story  residence,  and 
he  also  built  a  barn  and  other  structures.  To 
provide  water,  he  has  dug  a  fine  well.  His 
residence  is  on  a  beautiful  building  site,  and  is 
surrounded  by  shade  and  ornamental  trees, 
that  he  set  out  himself. 

In  1S70  Mr.  Me.ver  was  married  to  Anna  Silts, 
born  In  Germany,  who  died  in  1SS2.  In  June, 
1.SS4,  Mr.  Me.ver  was  married  (second)  to  Delia 
Ubbhiga,  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Clans  and  Jennie  (Johnson)  Ubblnga. 
Three  children  were  born  to  the  second  mar- 
riage :  Jennie  and  George,  who  live  with  their 
father;  and  Henrietta,  who  is  Mr.s.  William 
Riddle,  lives  on  her  father's  farm.  The  par- 
ents of  Mrs.  Meyer  came  to  I'iatt  County  in 
ISSl  and  became  farming  people  of  this  re- 
gion. Mr.  Meyer  is  a  Presbyterian.  His  polit- 
ical opinions  m;ike  him  a  Democrat  and  he 
served  as  road  master  in  Goose  Creek  Town- 
shlj).  Fraternall.v  he  belongs  to  Monticello 
Lodge  Xo.  58,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 

MIKELS,  Milton  N.,  one  of  the  prosperous  mer- 
chants of  Cerro  Gordo,  and  a  man  whose  influ- 
ence in  the  Republican  party  is  strong  and 
exerted  toward  the  general  uplifting  of  his 
community,  was  born  in  Montgomery  County, 
Ind.,  December  10,  ISni,  a  son  of  J.  W.  and 
Christiana  (Smith)  Mikel.s,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky and  Indiana,  respectively.  Tliey  were 
married  in  Indiana,  where  the  father  alternated 
working  at  his  trade  of  cariienter  and  farming, 
being  assisted  in  the  latter  by  his  sons.  About 
18S0  the  family  went  to  Darlington,  Ind.,  and 
later  came  to  Cerro  Gordo,  111.,  where  the  father 
(lied,  January  11,  191G,  the  mother  having  passed 
away  in  1802. 

Milton  N.  Mikels  attended  grammar  and  high 
schools  in  Indiana,  and  the  Central  Normal 
School  at  Danville,  111.,  and  having  prepared 
himself  for  the  profession  of  an  educator,  be- 
gan teaching  school,  so  continuing  for  four 
years.  In  ISSG  he  came  to  Cerro  Gordo  and 
embarked  in  a  hardware  business,  handling  both 
heavy  and  light  hardware,  and  agricultural  im- 
plements, operating  under  a  partnership  name 
until  the  spring  of  1016.  when  this  partnership 
was  dissolved,  and  Mr.  Mikels  bought  the  hard- 
ware business  of  J.  C.  Locher,  and  has  since 
continued  alone.  His  long  experience  in  this 
line  renders  him  a  valuable  ad.iunct  to  thi.s 
branch  of  industrial  activity,  ami  he  enjoys  a 
large  and  valuable  trade. 

In  January,  1880,  Mr.  Mikels  was  married  to 
Alice  Kell,  born  at  Cerro  Gordo,  a  dangliter  of 
Richard  and   Sarah    (Minnick)    Bell,  natives  of 


I'ennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mikels  have  the 
following  children  :  Alta  and  Bessie,  who  are 
at  home ;  Clara,  who  is  Mrs.  Lewis  I'erkins  of 
Cerro  Gordo  Township ;  and  Ward.  One  clilld, 
Doris,  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  Mr.  Mikels 
is  a  Methodist  and  has  .served  on  the  oliicial 
board  of  his  church  for  many  years,  and  has 
been  director  of  the  choir  since  1801.  For  fifteen 
years  he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board,  and 
for  a  portion  of  that  time  was  its  liresident. 
From  1800  to  1000  he  was  a  meml)er  of  the 
Republican  Central  Committee,  and  was  its  pres- 
ident and  treasurer.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to 
Cerro  Gordo  Lodge  Xo.  o47,  K.  of  1'. 

MILES,  Samuel,  born  in  1812  in  Virginia,  came 
to  I'iatt  County  in  1855,  and  bought  160  acres 
of  land  in  1856  in  Willow  Branch  Township, 
to  which  he  later  added  eighty  acres  and  was 
living  on  this  farm  when  he  died  in  1881.  He 
was  married  to  Betsey  A.  Simmons  and  their 
children  were  as  follows :  Mrs.  Reuben  Lowry, 
James  V.,  William,  Mrs.  Henry  Cornell,  Thomas 
S.,  Mr.s.  J.  E.  Welton,  David  C,  Mrs.  William 
McCartney,  George  W.,  Adam  S.,  and  Joseph  L. 

.  MILES,  Weston,  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1807 
and  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1861,  acquiring 
by  purchase  160  acres  of  land  in  Willow 
Branch  Township,  where  he  died  April  27, 
1875.  In  1837  he  was  married  to  Sarah  R. 
Simmons,  and  their  children  were  as  follows: 
I'^dward.  John  S.,  Mrs.  John  P.  Dresback,  Mary 
C,  William  M.,  Henry  T..  Charles  S.,  Jesse 
and  David  T. 

MILLER,  George  W.,  a  minister  of  the  Dunkard 
faith,  also  a  farmer  of  Cerro  Gordo  Township, 
was  born  in  Allen  Comity,  Ohio,  near  Lima, 
January  27,  1870,  a  son  of  S.  S.  and  Mary  (Mil- 
ler) Miller.  After  attending  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  place,  Mr.  Miller  went  to  Mt.  Mor- 
ris College,  and  the  Bethany  Bible  School  of 
Chicago.  He  resided  with  his  parents  until  1801, 
working  on  the  farm  in  the  summer,  and  teach- 
ing school  in  the  winter.  In  1801  he  moved 
on  tlie  farm  owned  by  Ira  Cripe,  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Townshij).  and  spent  twelve  years  upon  it,  when 
he  went  to  La  Place,  and  during  the  year  he 
was  attending  the  Bible  school  at  Chicago,  made 
that  city  his  home.  The  following  year  he 
moved  to  Dixon,  III,  and  was  pastor  of  the 
I>nnl<ard  church  there,  at  the  same  time  con- 
tinuing bis  Bible  study  in  Chicago.  On  account 
of  ill  health,  he  returned  to  La  Place  for  a  year, 
but  in  101(1,  he  bought  his  present  farm  of  240 
acres,  lie  operates  this  land  himself,  raising 
registered  shorthorn  cattle.  Pereheron  horses 
and  O.  I.  C.  hogs,  and  is  one  of  the  leading 
agriculturalists  of  this  section.  In  addition  to 
i-aising  grain  for  feeding,  he  sells  in  the  market. 

On  July  11.  1805.  Mr.  Miller  was  married  to 
Minnie  Crijie.  a  daughter  of  George  W.  and 
B.-irbara  (Shively)  Cripe.  natives  of  Indiana. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  have  had  five  children, 
namely :  Mabel,  who  is  Mrs.  Elting  Wyne  of 
Cerro  Gordo  Township ;  Carl,  who  died  May  4, 


778 


IIISTOKV   OK  PIATT  COrXTY. 


iniC.  afTfil  iiiiictcc'ii  years;  I>i';\ii.  wlio  is  at 
lioine :  Kiiu'isoii.  wild  (lied  at  tlie  age  of  seven 
years;  and  Iiine.  who  dieil  at  tlic  asie  of  two 
.years.  In  politiis  .Mr.  .Miller  is  a  Iteimliliean. 
ilis  evanuelical  work  has  always  lie»Mi  produc- 
tive of  satisfactory  results,  and  lie  lias  served  in 
fourteen  nieetinirs.  and  had  not  ill  health  jire- 
vented  lie  would  undoubtedly  have  ri.sen  high  in 
his  cluirili.  While  he  is  a  suiee.ss  a.s  a  farmer, 
his  heart  is  with  tlie  work  of  the  cliurcli,  and 
he  never  fails  to  cndirace  every  opimrtunity  to 
lalior  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 

MILLER,  Solomon  Smith,  one  of  the  sul)stan- 
tial  retirevl  Imsiness  men  of  La  Place,  has  a 
record  for  honorable  dealiuir  and  uprijihtness 
of  purpose  that  ^dves  him  a  di^niified  standins; 
in  his  community.  lie  was  horn  in  .Vllen  Coun- 
ty, Ohio,  Kehruary  L',s,  1.S47,  a  son  of  Solomon 
and  L.vdia  (Smith)  Miller,  native's  of  -Mary- 
land. The  iiarents  were  farmin",;  jieople.  .Vfter 
a  hoylu>od  that  differed  very  little  from  that 
of  aiiy  farmer's  son  of  the  iieriod.  duriiis:  which 
time  he  alternated  attendance  upon  the  district 
.sdiools  with  farniinfi,  Solomon  S,  Miller  iirew 
to  manhood,  and  remained  with  his  parents 
until  1S('.7.  In  tJiat  ,vear  lie  hejjan  farming  for 
himself  on  the  homestead,  .so  continuinir  until 
the  fall  of  IS7],  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  ami 
spent  three  months  in  ICdgar  County.  From 
there  he  came  to  I'iatt  County,  locatiiii;  on  a 
farm  of  Kid  acres  in  Cerro  Cordo  Towusliip, 
owned  by  his  father-in-law.  In  time  he  bouslit 
forty  acres  of  this  farm,  suliseipiently  adding 
forty  acres  more,  and  put  many  imjirovements 
iiIKiii  this  land.  In  1S8(>  he  sold  this  farm,  and 
bought  '2AU  acres  from  the  Kious  Ijrothers  and 
Ilcnry  Kuntz.  and  to  this  he  later  .-idded  eiglity 
acres.  In  buying  this  land  he  had  his  father-in- 
law  for  a  partner,  ami  they  improved  it  and  con- 
ducted it  for  some  years.  Later  Mr.  Jliller  sold 
a  portion  of  the  land  to  his  sons,  but  still  owns 
12(»  acres  which  he  rents.  In  1S!)2  he  moved  to 
I/a  I'lace,  111.,  and  bought  a  hardware  store  he 
coidiiuieil  to  conduct  for  about  twenty  years, 
when  he  sold  the  stock  and  good  will,  luit  .still 
owns  the  building  anil  another  business  house, 
as  well  as  his  residence  at  La  I'lace.  Since 
liMlS  he  has  n<it  been  actively  engaged  in  busi- 
ness,  feeling  that   he   has  earned   his   leisure. 

In  February.  ISti"  Mr.  Miller  was  married  to 
.Mary  Miller,  born  in  Virginia,  a  daughter  of 
.Jacob  and  .Salome  (Wine)  Miller,  natives  of 
Virgini.i.  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Miller  have  had  the 
following  children;  Lydia,  who  is  Mrs.  Frank 
I'rban  of  <ireene  County.  111.:  and  (leorge  W., 
,lacob  I'.,  and  Noah  II„  all  of  whom  are  f.irniers 
of  Cerro  (lordo  Township;  and  .\nn.i.  who  is 
at  home.  In  1!I12  Mr.  .Miller  t(M>k  a  <onrse 
of  stm1y  at  Chicago  in  the  doctrine  of  tlie 
Brethren  Church,  of  which  he  is  a  member,  and 
in  which  he  has  held  nearly  all  the  ollices.  in- 
cluding that  of  elder  for  many  years.  In  |K)li- 
tics  he  is  a  Kepublican,  .and  for  nine  y(>ars  was 
a  school  director.  .\n  earnest,  conscientious 
man,  Mr.  Miller  has  always  done  what  he  be- 
lieved   was   his   full    duty,   and   is   held   in   hii:h 


regard    by    his   neighbors    and    former    business 
a.s.sociates. 

MINER,  James  E,,  one  of  the  most  progressive 
farmers  of  his  section  of  the  .state,  is  a  man 
whose  methods  and  e.Kperiments  have  proven  an 
encouragement  to  others  to  get  out  of  the  rut 
of  the  ordin.iry  in  their  work  and  test  way.s  that 
lironiise  an  advance  in  various  directions.  He 
was  l)orn  in  (Joise  Creek  Township,  I'iatt 
County.  111.,  where  he  is  now  located.  February 
'■K  l^T.j,  a  son  of  Ira  and  Mary  iHruffett)  Miner, 
natives  of  Ohio.  In  l.s.-ii;  Ira  Miner  came  with 
his  parents,  .Tames  (i.  and  Kmeline  (Fienmiingi 
.Miner,  from  his  native  state  to  Illinois,  riding 
on  hor.seback  all  the  way.  The  trip  was  varie<i 
by  incidents,  such  .as  killing  deer  ami  other  wild 
animals,  and  when  settlement  was  made  in 
(ioose  Creek  T(jwnsliip.  Pi.att  County,  the  county 
w;is  still  largely  undeveloped.  .Vbout  the  same 
time  the  maternal  grand)i,irents  of  .James  K. 
.Miner.  William  and  Amanda  (Freeman)  IJnif- 
t'ett.  arrived  in  I'i.itt  Cotinty.  .Vfter  their  mar- 
riage, Ira  and  .Mary  .Miner  located  on  a  farm 
in  (ioose  Creek  Townshij).  Inheriting  a  portion 
of  his  father's  homestead,  he  added  to  Ids 
.acreage  until  he  owned  ninety-six  acres.  .\t 
]>resent  the  i>arents  of  .J.imes  E.  Miner  live 
retired  at  .Monticello. 

.Tames  K.  Miner  attended  the  district  scliools 
of  his  township,  and  later  took  a  commercial 
course  in  a  business  college  at  Valparaiso.  Ind. 
I'ntil  ISlis  he  remained  with  his  parents,  liut 
then  moved  to  a  farm  in  Bement  Township, 
where  he  alternated  farming  with  school  teai-h- 
ing  for  si.x  years,  anil  for  the  succeeding  two 
years  resided  in  Monticello  Township,  then  went 
to  l,a  I'orte.  Ind..  and  spent  a  year.  T'pon  his 
return  to  I'iatt  County,  he  occupied  ](t2  acres 
of  land  in  (Joo.se  Creek  Township  given  to  his 
wile  by  her  father,  to  which  he  later  added 
sixty-.six  acres.  On  this  farm  he  raises  O.  I.  C. 
registered  hogs,  and  specializes  in  high  grade 
road  hor.ses  and  draft  horses.  In  addition  to  his 
stockraising  he  does  general  farming  in  accord- 
.ance  with  the  iidensive  system,  making'  each 
acre  yield  its  full  ipiota.  From  lilln  to  llli:!. 
.Mr.  Miner  was  tank-wagon  agent  for  the  Stand- 
ard Oil  Com]iany  at  Monticello,  and  for  a  year 
was  general  salesman  for  that  company  at 
Charleston,  III.,  during  which  period  he  rented 
his  farm,  but  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  re- 
turned to  his  agricultural  work. 

On  .Xjiril  1."..  1S;iS.  Mr.  Miner  was  married  to 
OIlie  Warner,  born  in  I'iatt  County.  111.,  a  daugh- 
ter of  ,lesse  W.  and  Lonie  (Connor)  W.irner. 
Their  children  .ire  as  follows:  .T.  Harold.  Huth. 
Uai-hel.  Warner,  and  Iiavid  I'.rnlfett.  living',  and 
Lois,  who  died  in  inl'ancy.  In  imlitiis  Mr.  Miner 
is  a  Hepulilican.  and  for  six  years  served  as  a 
school  director.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  .\merica  ;ind  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows, both  of  Monticello. 

MITCHELL,  Carl  V.  The  business  interests  of 
I'iatt  Ciiunty  are  m.iinly  conducted  by  men  of 
excellent    .judgment    ;ind    high    principles,    and 


Idyioc^a     ^>/.  /^.^/^ 


^-tf^" 


Miner', .. 

have  tl. 

HI,,' 

-   ^vas 

i;.  Hrowu  ot  1'nir.v 

|-,i~  -hi"!'  liu.siiioss!. 

!.  iliuij'  tried  to 

who    Ml  ::    North' 

parents 

Ctiunty, 


Bertha  i 


'  'Oi).     At  ! 

I    ii;!-- 


■■i':ii    ii:! 

( 

>!iio  iiiK'i 

Ml    aifil 

.   ilr. 

1  r       (••)(. 

■f<\\   fliriH 

IS  ami 

''l«;n;  pro:.: 

;'o\vuship. 

Pi:; 

'^f   nnV 

T!  - 

James  H.,  a 

il  .    \Vi!s   luir: 

Uivoh    11. 

til"     -i'-lV 

Mil  cm  I   ■  M09TA,  To^"  H.,  ^n^  bnrn  in  Viri'tnin  in  1797, 

Mr^.   y  ■  .  :"         .hip. 

ih'ci;  :   \:  ■■■II- 

Kciirier  aiii! 
.Mrs.   Xoi;. 
■'■s.   A.  T. 
;  iiiham   }: 
iioiB    .il    Hi-  '..  Julii)  )■  Bert,  Stella  L.  atui  Wiiiiii  111 

1850,    Ijut    V;  viilton. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


779 


some  of  these  have  lieeii  ie\v:ii(le<l  fur  their 
service  to  their  eomimiiiities  hy  recoixiiitioii  from 
the  United  States  goverument,  iu  refiaril  to  feil- 
eral  patronage.  One  of  these  representative  men 
is  Carl  V.  Miteliell.  a  prosi)erons  merchant  of 
White  Heath,  who  in  June,  1014,  was  aiipointetl 
postmaster  at  this  point.  He  was  liorn  at 
Wliite  Heath,  l)e<^'ember  17,  1SS2.  a  son  of 
Charles  K.  and  Ada  M.  (Heath)  Mitchell,  natives 
of  Union  Connt.v,  Ohio,  and  I'iatt  Count.v,  111. 
The  grandiiarents.  Ross  and  Hannah  (Helaud) 
Mitchell,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Vir;,'inia.  respec- 
tively, and  .James  and  Jane  Heath,  were  early 
settlers  of  I'iatt  Count.v. 

Carl  V.  Mitchell  attended  tlie  common  and 
hitih  schools  of  his  native  place,  and  as  soon  as 
old  enoujrh,  lieiiau  to  lie  self  supportinK.  In 
July,  1!)14,  he  lioairht  a  restaurant  at  White 
Heath,  and  added  groceries  and  coufei-tioner.v  to 
his  stock,  and  conducts  this  business  iu  .-iddition 
to  discharging  the  duties  of  jiostmaster,  to  which 
he  was  appointed  as  above  stated,  Mrs.  Mitchell 
acts  as  his  assistant,  and  they  have  one  rural 
free  delivery  route  from  their  office. 

In  October.  lOOi;,  Mr.  Mitchell  was  married  to 
Tessie  Lane,  who  was  horn  in  Sanganmn  Town- 
ship, this  county,  a  daughter  i>f  William  and 
Minerva  ((irovet  Lane.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mitchell 
have  three  children,  namely :  Lynn.  Ross  and 
Glenn.  Mr.  Mitchell  is  a  Democrat,  and  served 
one  year  as  constable.  He  belongs  to  White 
Heath  Camp  Xo.  2110.  M.  W.  .\..  and  is  active 
in  that  order.  .Vn  alert  man  of  ability,  Mr. 
.Mitchell  Is  a  forceful  tigure  iu  local  affairs  and 
his  iutlueuce  is  felt  ahmg  lines  of  modern  jirog- 
re.ss  and  uplift. 

MITCHELL,  James  H.,  a  prosperous  farmer  of 
r!iit.\  Tduiiship.  was  born  on  a  farm  in  this 
same  township  M.ircli  11,  1887.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  Unity  Town- 
ship, and  Rrown's  Rusiness  College  of  Deca- 
tur. 111.  In  100(i.  he  left  school  to  work  on 
the  farm  with  his  father,  so  continuing  until 
the  hitter's  death  in  lOiiO.  He  then  ccninieuced 
farming  for  himself,  near  H.iuuiiond.  in  Unity 
Towushi[i,  uow  operating  ](!(»  acres  of  land,  on 
which  he  does  general  grain  farming,  liis  prop- 
erty being  well  ecjuiiiped  with  modern  imiirove- 
meuts  which  render  the  work  easier  and  add  to 
the  etliciency  of  all  concerned.  In  addition  to 
his  homeste.id  he  owns  eight.\-  aires  iu  Cerro 
(iiu-do  Township  and  is  a  man  of  me.-ins  and 
influence  in  his  conmiunity. 

On  February  20.  1012.  he  was  married  to 
Myrtle  Rowen.  born  February  11.  1800.  a  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  and  Kvelyu  Rowen.  Mr.  Rowen 
was  born  in  Ohio.  July  .">,  1840,  Mrs.  Rowen  in 
.Macon  County.  111..  January  2,  IS.iO.  Mr.  and 
-Mrs.  Mitchell  became  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren: W.iyne  Woodrow.  born  December  s.  1012, 
.and  .M.ix  Junior,  born  November  27.  1014.  Mr. 
Mitchell  belonsrs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Ham- 
mond, is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  is  very 
liberal. 

Mr.  Mitchell  is  a  son  of  Jacob  It.  Mitchell, 
born  in  Ohio,  Pickaway  County,  January  1, 
1859,    but    was    brought   to    Piatt    County. "  III.. 


when  ,a  small  boy  Iiy  his  parents  who  located  in 
Willow  Rranc  b  Township.  Here  they  died  when 
be  was  about  si.\  years  old,  and  be  then  was 
reared  to  manhood  by  James  R.  Rrown  of  Unity 
Township,  making  agriculture  his  chief  business. 
On  May  21,  1S,82,  Mr.  .Mitchell  was  married  to 
Delitha  R.  Ponder,  who  was  horn  in  North 
Carolina  Novenjber  13,  1S50,  Her  parents 
liroifght  her  to  Unity  Township,  Piatt  County, 
when  she  was  a  child,  and  here  she  grew  up, 
attending  the  common  schools  of  her  district, 
later  finishing  her  education  in  Tuscola,  III.  To 
them  have  been  born,  namely :  Bertha  E..  James 
H.  and  J.  Marcus. 

After  his  marriage  Jacob  R.  Mitchell  bought 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Unit.v  Townshi]).  and 
farmed  and  imjiroved  it.  In  1.S8S  be  moved  to 
Ilanuuond.  In  1.S04  be  moved  northeast  of 
town,  residing  on  this  proi>erty  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  January  24,  lOOii.  At  that  time 
be  owned  4S0  acres  of  land  in  Unity  Township, 
and  flft.v  acres  of  land  in  Moultrie  Count.v.  all 
of  which  was  uufler  cuUivation. 

MITCHELL,  Walter,  a  prosperous  general  grain 
farmer  and  stock  raiser,  owus  200  acres  of  fine 
I'iatt  County  land  iu  Sangamon  Township.  He 
is  a  native  son  of  the  county,  having  been  born 
.  at  Farmer  City,  111..  June  2."i.  IH^'i.  a  son  of 
S.  R.  and  Elizabeth  (Horner)  Mitchell,  natives 
of  Columbus.  Ohio  and  Pittsburgh,  Pa.  They 
were  married  at  Pittsburgli.  and  came  soon 
thereafter  tr>  DeWitt  County.  111.,  where  he 
remained  until  l.ss.").  when  tliey  came  to  Sanga- 
mon Township,  Piatt  County,  there  buying  .340 
acres  of  land.  The  father  improved  this  land 
and  lived  very  comfortably  upon  it  until  his 
death  in  10(17.  The  mother  survives  .and  lives 
at  .Monticello  with   her  son.  Renjanun. 

Walter  Mitchell  attended  the  common  schools 
of  Piatt  County,  and  grew  uji  like  any  normal 
farmer  boy.  being  tauglit  farming  from  child- 
bood.  After  bis  father's  death  he  worked  the 
homestead  for  his  mother  for  two  years,  and 
then  received  200  acres  as  his  share  of  the 
estate,  has  since  been  occupied  with  cultivating 
his  farm,  doing  a  general  grain  raising  busines.s. 
He  also  raises  cattle  and  hogs.  Mr.  Mitchell 
is  not  married.  For  a  nuujber  of  years  he  has 
attended  religious  service  with  the  Methodists. 
In  ]iolitics  he  is  a  Democrat.  Fraternally  he 
belongs  to  the  White  Heath  Ixiilge,  I.  O.  O.  F. 
.VIert.  enterprising  and  well  trained  for  his 
work.  Mr.  Mitchell  is  jiroperly  numbered  along 
with  the  leading  young  agriculturists  of  the 
count.v. 

MOMA,  John  H.,  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1797. 
and  in  IS.")!)  moved  to  Sangamon  Township. 
Int  later  bought  lOd  acres  iu  Bement  Town- 
ship, all  of  which  be'  had  under  cultivation. 
He  was  married  to  Mai-y  Render  and  they  had 
the  following  children :  Jlrs.  Noble  Crawford, 
-Vustiu.  Sarah.  Milton.  Mrs.  A.  T.  Pi|ihei'.  Mrs. 
William  Woods.  Mrs.  Abraham  Hays.  William 
D..  John  E.,  Fannie.  Rert,  Stella  L.  and  William 
.Milton. 


780 


TlISTOnV  OF  PIATT  COCXTV 


MONROE,  Jesse,  a  promiiu'iit  fuinier  of  I  iiity 
'J'owiislii|i,  was  bdiii  in  Maryland,  and  oaiiie 
to  rialt  County  in  as.'iC,  liis  laud  entry  in  Inity 
Townsliii>  beiuf;  tlu>  Hist  in  that  st'otiou.  He 
died  many  years  ago,  leaving  a  largo  family, 
among  whom  were  the  following:  William, 
.Mrs.  William  ('rain,  Harvey,  Mr.s.  Samuel  Ham- 
,  ilton,  .Mrs.  Juiues  Itterliaek,  Mrs.  .Samuel  Mos- 
harger,  .Mrs.  .Jose|)h  Taylor,  Airs.  Ezra  Fay, 
.Mrs.  John  Cook,  liiehard.  .Mrs.  Gamalial  Gre- 
gory, .Tes.se  and  Harrison  H. 

MOORE,  Allen  Francis.  The  history  of  some 
loumiunities  is  re.illy  the  reeord  of  the  men 
who  have  heen  assoeiatetl  with  its  i)rogress,  and 
this  is  true  of  Moutieello.  One  of  its  valued 
and  representative  men  is  .Mien  Francis  Jloore, 
who  has  not  only  been  sueeessful  in  business, 
hut  has  taken  an  active  l)art  in  eivic  atiairs. 
He  was  born  at  St.  Charles.  111.,  September  30, 
18(>!l,  a  son  of  Henry  Van  Kensallaer  and  Alzina 
W.  (Freeman)  Moore,  he  having  been  born  ;it 
Fairvli'w.  I'Miiton  County.  111.,  ithe  tirst  white 
elijld  born  in  that  eounty.  while  she  was  born 
at  SI.  I'liarles,  111.  The  grandparents,  Dr.  Henry 
Livingston  and  .Mary  (Hand)  .Mooro,  he  of 
.\uburn,  N.  Y.,  and  I':il.iali  and  Martha  Freeman. 
were  repre.sentntive  peoi)le.  Dr.  .Moore  went  to 
Fulton  County  at  a  very  early  day,  being  one  of 
the  pioneer  |ibysi(ians  of  lh:it  Ideality.  The 
liaients  of  .\llen  Fr.iiKis  .Moore  were  married 
at  St.  Charles.  III.,  but  located  in  Champaign, 
III.,  where  the  father  was  a  grocer,  and  later 
hceaine  a  banker  at  Moutieello  mider  the  tirm 
name  of  Houston,  .Moore  and  Dighton.  Mr. 
Moore  contiiuied  to  oiierate  this  bank  until  his 
death,  iu  October,  V.KKi.  .since  wbich  time  his 
son.  .\.  F.  Moore,  has  been  its  vice  iiresident, 
the  coniern  being  now  known  as  the  Moore  State 
Hank. 

.Mien  F.  .Moore  was  graduated  from  the  Mou- 
tieello High  school  In  bSsc.  and  l.ombaril  Fni- 
versity,  (ialesburg.  111.,  in  issi).  and  then  took  a 
cour.se  at  P.ryant  it  Stratton's  Business  College. 
In  the  fall  of  1,S.S!>  he  became  bookkeeper  for 
Oeo.  H.  Foster  &  Co..  Chicago,  so  continuin:;  un- 
til the  fall  of  IS!)-},  when  he  came  to  .Monti- 
cello  and  took  charge  of  a  harness  business,  con- 
ducting it  for  four  years.  In  ISiifi  be  bought 
the  <(>ntrolling  interest  in  the  l'ei)sin  Syruji 
Comp,in.v,  and  has  since  been  its  president  and 
treasurer,  the  vice  jiresident  being  .lohu  F.  llott, 
and  the  secretary,  K.  F.  Thompson.  This  com- 
pany was  established  in  IS!l2.  and  since  ]Sf»S 
Hie  output  has  been  built  uj)  from  .$27,(1(10  ])er 
year  to  nearly  .$l.(KHi.(MMl.  lOmiiloynient  is  given 
locally  to  eighty-seven  peojile.  and  twentvtwo 
more  are  emiiloyed  in  the  held.  This  couipany 
siiends  amiually  .Sl'OO.dim  in  ailvertisin4.'.  The 
company  is  capitalized  at  .f2,."i(i(l.(KXl,  and  in 
101-4  enlarged  the  olhce  and  erected  a  lireproof 
factory,  their  Held  of  operation  being  every  state 
in  the  Union. 

Mr.  .Moore  was  married  .March  20.  1S!).",  to 
M.-idora  Bradford,  born  at  .Macomb,  111.,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Kdwin  F.  and  Kmily  (Prince)  Bradford 
of    .Massachusetts.      They    have    two    children. 


namely  :  Bradford  V..  who  is  attending  Brown 
I'niversity;  and  -Vllen  F.,  Jr.,  who  is  at  home. 
•Mr.  Moore  is  a  strong  Keiiublican  and  served 
.Moutieello  as  mayor  one  term,  for  two  terms 
was  an  alderman,  and  from  IIMK)  to  ]!)15  was  a 
trustee  of  the  L'niversity  of  Illinois.  Fraternally 
he  is  a  Jlason.  having  taken  all  its  degrees, 
is  a  Knight  of  Pythias,  and  belongs  to  Decatur 
Lodge  \o.    101,  B.  P.  O.  E. 

MOORE,  Dwight  M.,  president  of  the  .Moore. 
State  Bank  of  -Moutieello,  and  one  of  the 
younger  Hnanciers  of  Piatt  ('ounty,  has  fairly 
earned  his  reiuitation  for  sagacity  and  sound 
.juilgmei:t.  and  is  Htted  by  nature  and  training 
for  bis  iiresent  responsible  position.  He  is  a 
native  son  of  Moutieello,  having  been  born  iu 
this  city  May  28,  IsT-'i,  a  son  of  11.  V.  and  Alzina 
(Freeman)  -Moore,  natives  of  Fulton  County, 
111.,  and  Kane  County.  111.  They  were  married 
at  St.  ("barles.  III.  For  some  time  the  father 
was  a  clerk  in  a  grocery  at  ('bampaigii.  111.,  but 
in  1.S70  came  to  .Moutieello  and  in  i)artnership 
with  P.  C.  Houston  .ind  .V.  J.  Dighton.  foundfil 
the  private  banking  house  of  Houston,  Moore 
and  Dighton.  maintaining  this  connection  until 
bis  death,  October  4,  liiOS.  This  is  the  oldest 
baid;  in  the  comity,  and  one  of  the  most  reliable. 
.Vfter  the  death  of  -Mr.  Moore,  the  bank  was 
I'eorganized  as  a  state  bank  with  a  caiiital  stock 
of  .Sl(io,oiio,  ;ind  ,-1  surplus  of  ,f2o.O(iO,  the  officials 
iieiim  Dwight  .M.  -Moore,  president:  .\llen  F. 
-Alocjre,  vice  president;  and  K.  P..  Weddle, 
ea  shier. 

Dwight  M.  Moore  attended  the  grade  and 
high  schools  of  Moutieello.  Bryant  &  Stratton's 
Business  College  of  Chicago,  and  the  .\rmour  In- 
stitute of  Chicago,  and  in  l,S9,s  entered  the  bank 
with  which  be  has  since  remained.  In  addition 
to  bis  banking  interests,  .Mr.  -Mom-o  owns  SOO 
acres  of  tine  farm  land  adjacent  to  Montieello, 
,ind  holds  stock  .-iiid  is  a  director  of  the  Peoples 
State  Bank  of  .MansHeld,  111.  In  iiolitics  Mr. 
.Moore  is  a  Republican,  but  conHnes  his  activi- 
ties to  exerting  bis  influence  as  a  i)rivate  citizen. 
He  has  not  married. 

MOORE,  Henry  Van  Rensselaer,  .\iuoiig  the  men 
who  b.ave  resided  in  Piatt  County  .-iiid  have  left 
the  impress  of  their  lives  upon  their  coimuuni- 
ties,  particular  mention  should  be  made  of  the 
late  Henry  Van  Uensselaer  Moofe.  whose  de- 
scendants  have  risen  to  places  of  jiroiiiinence  in 
business  and  public  life  at  Moutieello.  While 
be  died  October  -I,  lOO:',.  he  is  still  well  remem- 
bered because  of  his  many  sterling  qualities,  his 
strong  personality,  his  adherence  to  the  iirin- 
ciples  of  hoiH>sty  and  integrity,  and  the  public 
s]iirit  wbich  was  made  manifest  in  many  of  liis 
aitions. 

Mr.  .Moore  was  an  lllinoisan  by  nativity,  edu- 
cation and  training.  He  was  born  at  Fairview, 
Fulton  County,  December  1,  LS."??.  a  son  of  Henry 
and  -Mary  (Hand)  -Moore,  natives  re.siiectively 
of  -New  York  and  New  Jersey.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood there,  arose  to  a  position  of  substantiality 
.iiiiong  his  fellow-men.  and  gained  and  held  their 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


781 


confidence  and  respect.  In  1SC6.  Mr.  Moore 
was  first  married  to  Miss  Alziiui  W.  Freeman. 
daugliter  of  Elijah  and  Martlia  Freeman,  of 
St.  Charles,  111.,  and  the.v  liecame  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Mary  II.,  Allen  F., 
Arthnr  L.,  Dwight  M.  and  George  E.  Mrs. 
Moore  died  Apiil  4,  1S84,  and  Mr.  Moore  was 
again  marrieil  In  Ma.v,  ISOO.  to  Miss  Belle 
Hamilton,  who  survives  him  and  resides  in  the 
handsome  Moore  home  at  Monticello.  Mrs. 
Moore,  who  was  educated  in  the  grammar  and 
liigh  schools,  and  took  a  course  at  the  Normal 
college,  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca 
(Pritchard)  Hamilton,  natives  of  Harrison 
County,  O.  They  came  to  McLean  County,  111.. 
about  the  year  1850,  and  there  passed  the 
remaining  years  of  their  lives,  Mr.  Hamilton 
being  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

MURPHY,  James  H.,  was  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina. November  s.  1S17.  and  came  to  Monticello 
in  1N72.  engaging  thereafter  in  a  general  con- 
tracting business.  In  September.  184(5,  he  was 
married  to  Elizabeth  Scott,  and  they  had  five 
children.  Mr.  Murpliy  held  a  number  of  offices 
of  public  trust. 

MURPHY,  John  S.,  owner,  publisher  and  editor 
of  the  De  Land  Tribune,  is  one  of  the  live, 
progressive  men  of  Piatt  County  who  are  en- 
gaged in  molding  public  opinion  and  placing 
before  Its  iieople  the  news  of  the  day  in  a  reli- 
able manner.  He  was  born  at  Canton.  III.,  June 
24,  isr)2,  a  son  of  James  H.  and  Elizabeth 
(Scott)  Murphy,  natives  of  South  Carolina  and 
Ohio.  The  father  came  to  Fulton  County.  111., 
during  the  winter  of  1832-;:!.  The  mother  was 
a  daughter  of  Dr.  John  Scott,  a  close  relative  of 
Gen.  Winfield  Scott.  After  their  marriage,  the 
parents  located  at  Canton.  111.,  where  the  father 
conducted  a  lumber  business  under  the  firm 
name  of  JInriihy  &  .\llen  for  over  a  (]uarter 
of  a  century.  In  1S72  they  moved  to  Monti- 
cello, wliere  the  niother  died  In  September.  1892, 
and  the  father  March  4.  1807.  After  going  to 
Monticello  he  continued  his  lumber  ojierations 
iHitil  1SS1,  when  he  retired. 

John  S.  Murphy  attendtil  the  common  and 
\\i\ih  schools  of  Canton.  111.,  and  until  1870  was 
with  his  father  in  the  lumber  business.  After 
1S70,  he  taught  two  terms  of  school  and  then 
began  learning  the  printer's  trade  at  Monticello, 
following  it  there  until  1S84.  in  which  year  he 
went  to  T.-iylorville.  111.,  to  become  fiu-eman  of 
the  Tayliu-ville  Keiiublican.  and  so  continued  fin- 
ten  years.  In  1808  he  came  to  I)e  Land  and  in 
1005  bought  the  De  Land  Tribune  which  he  has 
since  conducted,  inaugurating  a  number  of  inno- 
vations and  improvements,  making  it  one  of  the 
leading  weeklies  of  this  .section.  A  sound  Re- 
publican, Mr.  Murphy  gives  his  own  support 
and  that  of  his  iiaiier  to  party  candidates  and 
measures,  and  is  a  forceful  factor  in  politics. 

In  June.  1880.  Mi'.  Murphy  was  married  to 
Margaret  Shackel.  liorn  at  Rochester,  111.,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Susan  Shackel.  natives  of 
Ohio.     Mr.   and   Mrs.   Murphy  ha\  e   the  follow- 


ing children :  Raymond,  who  is  managing  the 
ottice  <if  the  De  Land  Tribune ;  Leota,  who  is  at 
home;  Haidee,  who  is  Mrs.  Jesse  T.  Gray,  of 
Champaign.  111.  ;  and  Marian,  who  is  at  home. 
In  religious  faith  Mr.  Murphy  is  a  Methodist. 
Ills  fraternal  connections  are  with  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
.V  fearless  writer,  Mr.  Murphy  has  always  es- 
poused tlie  cause  of  the  people,  and  his  organ 
may  be  i:-ounted  upon  to  support  those  measures 
looking;  toward  moral  uiilift  and  betterment  of 
existing  conditions. 

MUSSULMAN,  David,  now  living  retired  at  La 
Place,  was  for  a  numljer  of  years  one  of  the 
leading  farmers  of  this  section,  and  Is  still  a 
heavy  landowner  of  Piatt  County.  He  was 
born  in  Tippecanoe  County.  Ind..  January  1.5, 
1S40.  a  son  of  (ieorge  Washington  and  Esther 
(Waggoner)  Mussulman,  natives  of  Shenan- 
doah County.  Va..  and  the  vicinity  of  Dayton. 
Ohio.  The  parents  were  married  in  Ohio,  liut 
lived  in  Indiana  until  18."iO  when  they  crossed 
the  plains  with  teams  to  California,  where  the 
father  died  nine  months  after  their  arrival. 
Mrs.  Mussulman  lived  in  Indiana  until  18G7, 
when  she  moved  to  St.  Clair  County,  Mo.,  and 
there  was  married  (second)  to  Aaron  Ulrey,  a 
farmer. 

While  living  in  Indiana  David  Mu.ssulman 
attended  a  back  woods  school  where  he  was 
grounded  in  the  rudiments  of  learning.  He  Is 
the  only  survivor  of  four  children  born  to  his 
liarents.  When  his  mother  moved  to  St.  Clan- 
County.  Mo.,  he  accompanied  her,  and  resided 
there  until  1874,  when  he  came  to  Piatt  County, 
and  bought  eighty  acres  in  Cerro  Gordo  Town- 
ship. This  he  operated  for  fourteen  .vears.  and 
then  sold  this  farm  and  bought  IfX)  acres  of 
land  four  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Mil- 
mine,  that  was  partly  improved,  and  had  a 
shanty  standing  upon  it.  There  was  also  an 
iircliard.  and  other  imi>rovements.  but  Mr. 
Mussuhnan  has  erected  all  the  present  build- 
ings, fenced  the  fields,  init  in  tiling,  and  made 
the  iilace  thoroughly  modern  in  every  resjiect. 
Here  he  lived  until  November  10.  101.'!,  when 
he  rented  his  farm,  and  retired  to  La  Place. 
Here  he  owns  his  handsome  residence  and  seven 
city  lots,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  enjoying  a 
well  earned  leisure. 

While  living  in  St.  Clair  County,  Mo..  Mr. 
Mussijlman  was  married.  March  17,  1870,  to 
Susan  Cripe,  born  in  Carroll  County.  Ind.,  De- 
cember .31,  18.''il.  a  daughter  of  Chri.stian  and 
Catherine  (Rei^logle)  Cripe.  born  near  Dayton, 
Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mussulman  became  the 
jiarents  of  the  following  children:  Dora,  who 
is  Mrs.  John  L.  Shively  of  La  Place,  111. ;  LuLher, 
who  lives  at  Eagle  Grove,  la.;  Ernest  C,  who 
.-ilso  lives  at  Eagle  Grove,  la.:  Anna,  who  Is 
Mrs.  Samuel  Shively  of  Cerro  Gordo  Town- 
shi|i :  Grace,  who  is  Jlrs.  George  Benjamin  Ar- 
nold of  Cerro  Gordo  Township:  and  Chester  W., 
who  is  running  his  father's  farm. 

The  Church  of  the  Brethren  holds  Mr.  Mussul- 
man's membership,  and  he  has  been  one  of  its 


782 


HISTORY  OF  I'lATT  COrNTY. 


(Ipiifuiis  for  iiiiui.v  years.  In  iiolitics  he  is  ii 
Denuiciiit,  iiiul  wliilc  liviiij;  in  Cerro  (Jordo 
Township  lie  served  on  tlie  seliool  board,  was 
road  eoniniissioner  and  held  otlier  township 
offices,  liis  neif:libors  idacin^'  trust  in  him  and 
his  ability  to  disehar^e  the  duties  of  public 
odice  as  shown  by  his  repeated  return  to  them. 

NEAL,  Samuel,  born  in  Marylaiul.  came  to  Piatt 
t'ounly  in  IM(i  and  lived  at  .Montieello  until 
bis  death,  in  1N."il.  lie  was  married  to  Margaret 
I'ainter.  and  they  had  twelve  children,  three 
of  whom  located  in  I'iatt  County,  namely:  John, 
Mattie,  and  Samuel.  Mrs.  Neal  survived  her 
husband   until    1*<7(I.   when  she  too  passed  iiway. 

NOE,  Joseph  Reese,  a  liifrlily  respected  citizen 
;ind  very  sncccssfnl  j.'ener:d  farmer  of  Willow 
r.rancb  Townslii|i,  was  born  at  Knoxville,  Tenn., 
.rune  L'.").  IST.'i.  and  is  a  son  of  William  Sterling 
and  Kliza  .7.  (Dike)  Noe.  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  May  1i>.  is:!.s.  at  Morristown,  Tenn., 
and  the  lattei'  in  the  same  stale  in  January. 
1.S4(l. 

William  .'^lerlin;;  Noe.  who  is  an  honored  resi- 
dent of  .\Mbui-n.  111.,  has  jiassed  safely  through 
many  e.Nperienres  in  his  useful  life  of  .seventy- 
ei!.'bl  years,  survivini.'  Ihe  hardships  of  war  and 
military  imprisonment  and  for  years  afterward 
lieiui:  an  e.\|Kinent  of  relifrious  precei)ts.  When 
a  .schoolboy  of  idneteen  .vears  he  was  drafted 
into  the  Confederate  army,  in  the  Civil  War, 
in  which  he  served  about  one  year  and  was 
ma<le  a  pi'isoner  of  war.  tie  utilized  his  time 
during  bis  prison  days  by  applyin;;  himself  to 
the  study  of  medicine.  .•in<l  after  bis  release  se- 
cured a  position  with  a  doctor  of  medicine  and 
thus  was  able  to  still  further  study,  subse- 
(pu'iitly  eng.-iging  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in 
Tennessee  for  two  years.  Mr.  Xoe  then  entered 
the  ministry  of  the  Duidcard  church,  a  religious 
body  th.-it  at  that  time  re(piired  no  spei'ial  course 
of  study,  .•nid  fiu-  si.xtoen  .vears  Mr.  Xoe  ]ireached 
Christian  doctrine  according  to  the  I)uid<ai>l 
faith  in  T<'miessee.  and  bis  nniustry  was  every- 
where welcomed.  lie  then  moved  to  Dayton. 
Ohio,  where  he  jireached  for  two  .ve.irs.  enming 
then  to  I'iatt  County.  Here  be  eng.-iged  in 
farming  in  Cerro  Goiilo  Township  in  connec- 
tion with  iireaching  in  the  churcli  near  Cerro 
(Jordo.  and  often  he  held  services  additlonall.v 
in  the  schonlhouses.  lie  remained  in  Piatt 
County  for  about  fourteen  years  ;uid  then  began 
to  feel  the  weiglit  of  age  and  retired,  purchas- 
ing a  liome  property  at  Auburn.  111.,  where  tie 
lives  In  comfort.  In  l.'^Cid  he  was  married  to 
ICliza  J.  niUe.  who  was  born  in  his  own  state 
and  still  survives  and  they  became  the  i)ar- 
eiits  of  the  following  children :  Mack,  born  in 
1ST;!,  lives  on  Ji  farm  in  duty  Township,  Piatt 
County:  Jo.sepb  Reese  and  .\nna  twins,  the 
Latter  of  whom  dieil  in  I.S!)!);  Tennie.  born  in 
1'<T7.  died  in  lilos;  Sarah,  born  in  1S7!i.  resides 
at  St.  I.ouis.  Mo.:  .Mary,  born  in  IS7!l.  lives 
with  her  father;  and  Samuel,  born  in  IS.S.I,  is 
an   instriu-tor  in  the  Chicago  T'niversity. 

Josejili  liecse  \oe  attenderl   the  ]iublii'  schools 


in  Piatt  Coutity  nidil  si.vteeu  years  old  and 
then  worked  on  a  farm  for  his  father  until  he 
was  twenty-one.  .Vfter  marriage  be  began  farm- 
ing for  himself,  renting  eighty  acres  for  three 
years,  following  which  he  moveil  to  a  farm  of 
120  acre.s,  in  duty  Townshiii.  on  which  he  re- 
mained one  year  and  then  settled  on  bis  |)i'es- 
ent  place,  ;i  farm  of  2'-'M  acres  in  Willow  Branch 
Township,  belonging  to  Herman  P>.  Haumau  of 
Milmine.  Mr.  Xoe  in  his  farming  oiierations 
follows  modern  methods  and  does  not  seem  to 
regret  assuming  the  responsibility  of  cultivat- 
ing .so  large  a  pro|ierty,  a  love  of  the  work  and 
exiierienced  .judginent  making  his  undertakings 
usually  very   successful. 

In  1S!)S  Mr  X(«^  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Faniue  H.  Myers,  born  at  Bement.  III.,  in  De- 
cember. 1.S77.  a  daughter  of  (Jeorge  W.  and 
Su.san  (l/Ux)  Myers,  the  latter  of  whom  was 
born  in  Piatt  County.  The  father  of  Mr.s.  Noe 
was  horn  in  Ohio  and  came  to  Piatt  County 
when  twenty  years  old,  locating  first  on  a  fanu 
in  Willow  Branch  Town.ship  and  later  in  Be- 
ment TownsIn|i.  where  he  <lied  in  l!)in.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Xoe  are  ai-tive  memberj;  of  the  (Hiris- 
tian  Church  at  Milmim>,  he  being  su|)erintendent 
of  the  large  Sunday  school  and  a  member  of  the 
church  finance  <-onuuittee.  Politicall.v  he  is  a 
ReFiublican  and  fraternally  a  Jfason  and  Odd 
Fellow,  being  a  menilier  of  the  aiixiliar.v  orders, 
the  Kastern  Star  at  Bement  and  the  Rebekah 
at  Milmine. 

NOECKER,  William,  M.  D.,  not  only  was  one 
of  the  early  physicians  of  Montieello.  but  inaug- 
urated and  carried  on  .several  very  successful 
business  cMter]irises.  and  always  lent  bis  assist- 
ance in  fiu-warding  the  pros|)erit.y  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  be  made  his  home  for  so  many 
years  of  bis  usi-ful  life.  He  was  born  in  Bucks 
County,  I'a..  in  April,  l.S2o,  a  son  of  John 
Xoecker,  ,ilso  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  When 
he  was  a  young  man.  he  went  to  Ohio  and  there 
be  not  only  attended  school,  but  taught  in  one 
to  gain  funds  to  jiursue  further  the  medical 
studies  be  had  started  by  himself.  .Vfter  at- 
tending medical  lectures,  be  entered  the  Colum- 
bus fObio)  Medical  College,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  .ahiiut  ^SX',.  That  same  year  he  came 
to  Montieello.  111.,  niion  the  invitation  of  Dr.  P. 
K.  Hull,  one  of  the  first  ))ractitioners  of  Piatt 
County,  and  here  Dr.  Xoecker  established  him- 
self in  a  general  jn^actice.  in  which  be  continued 
for  many  .years.  ' 

While  carrying  on  bis  ]iractice.  which  was  a 
large  one.  and  spread  over  a  wide  territory.  Dr. 
Xoecker  ojiened  a  drug  store  and  carried  it  on 
for  a  loll'-'  iierioil.  H(>  also  started  a  private 
banking  institution,  of  whicli  Otis  Moore  was 
his  first  cashier,  being  later  succeeded  by  John 
Dighton.  This  bank  was  later  organized  as  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Montieello.  of  which 
Dr.  Xo(>ckcr  was  ]iresident  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  M.ay  t.  ISOT.  Mrs.  Noeeker  re- 
tains an  interest  in  this  bank.  Believiui:  firmly 
in  the  future  of  Piatt  County.  Dr.  Xoecker 
jiroved   bis  f.aith  bv   imesting  in  farm  lands  in 


DANIKL   qriCK 


«U3** 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


783 


this  section,  and  owned  some  very  valuable 
rural  i)ropertit's.  Me  also  owned  land  in  Shelby 
l,'ouuty.  111.,  and  in  Kansas. 

In  December,  IWJl,  Dr.  Noecker  was  married 
to  Jliss  EUa  Britton,  born  in  Koss  County, 
Obio,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  (Graham) 
Britton,  of  Koss  County.  Obio.  About  1S40  the 
family  moved  to  Monticello,  111.,  locating  on 
land  Mr.  Britton  had  imrchased  several  years 
before.  This  proiierty  comprised  200  acres  ad- 
joining Monticello  on  the  south,  on  which  there 
was  a  double  log  cabin,  and  other  improvements 
which  were  reg.-irded  as  quite  luxurious  at  that 
date.  Hero  the  family  resided,  the  father  being 
engaged  in  farming  until  his  death  August  80, 
1S56.  The  mother  died  in  1SS3.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Noecker  bad  tme  son,  Willie,  who  was  born  In 
October,  lS(i3,  and  died  in  October,  18G7.  Mrs. 
Noecker  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
j)al  Church.  In  politics  Dr.  Noecker  was  a 
Democrat,  while  fraternally  he  was  a  Mason, 
In  1856  Dr.  Noecker  erected  a  fine  brick  house 
which  has  since  been  remodeled  so  that  it  is 
modern  in  every  resiioct  and  in  it  Mrs.  Noecker 
is  now  residing.  The  records  of  Piatt  Couat, 
show  no  finer  citizen  than  was  Dr.  Noecker.ian 
the  influence  of  his  blameless  life  and  reB3em-_ 
brance  of  many  deeds  of  public  spirit  and  >iEd?>j 
liness  live  after  him,  and  keep  his  memory  gi-een 
in  the  hearts  of  those  who  knew  and  adtnired,^ 
his  sterling  character.  ■■■•'■■% 

OLSON,  Charles  Alva,  a  farmer  and  stockraiser 
of  Sangamon  Township,  now  living  on  the 
homestead  of  his  family,  was  born  in  Willow 
Branch  Township,  Piatt  County,  111.,  July  2, 
1880,  a  son  of  Ole  and  Anna  (Regnold)  Olson, 
he  born  in  Sweden,  and  she  in  Fulton  County, 
111.  In  1871  the  father  came  to  Menard  Coimty, 
111.,  where  lie  worked  on  a  farm  until  he  went 
to  DeWitt  County,  111.,  and  spent  some  years 
there  in  the  agricultural  regions.  After  his 
marriage,  he  located  in  Willow  Branch  Town- 
ship, Piatt  County,  where  he  liought  120  acres 
of  land,  but  sold  it  in  1894,  and  bought  320 
acres  of  land  In  Sangamon  Township.  On  this 
property  he  erected  all  the  buildings,  aud  made 
other  improvements  which  materially  increased 
the  value  of  the  farm.  Here  he  lived  until 
September,  1013.  when  he  retired  and  moved 
to  Monticello,  where  he  died  October  31,  1013. 
The  mother  survives  and  makes  her  home  at 
Monticello.  These  parents  had  the  following 
children :  Grant,  who  lives  at  Windsor,  111. : 
Xels,  who  lives  at  White  Heath,  111. ;  Edith,  wIkj 
is  Mrs.  Chester  Rankin  of  Piatt  County;  Charles 
.\.  :  Sylvia,  who  is  Mrs.  Ralph  Ridgely  of  Sey- 
mour, 111. :  Milton,  who  lives  at  Evanston.  111. ; 
and  Noble  and  ¥re<\.  who  are  at  home. 

Charles  A.  Olson  was  married  September  3. 
1013,  to  Grace  Blank,  born  at  Bondville,  111.,  a 
daughter  of  Christ  and  Elizabeth  (Reuner) 
Blank,  natives  of  Champaign  County.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Olson  have  one  son.  Paul  B.,  who  was 
born  March  11,  101.5.  After  his  marriage,  Mr. 
Olson  with  his  brother  Xels.  took  charge  of  the 
home  farm,  and  they  are  equal  partners  in  oper- 


ating it.  They  raise  cattle,  hogs  and  horses, 
and  carry  on  grain  farming,  being  \ery  success- 
ful in  their  work.  .Mrs.  Olson  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Church.  In  political  faith  Mr. 
Olson  is  a  Republican.  His  duties  on  the  farm 
have  as  yet  precluded  his  entering  public  life, 
but  as  he  is  a  live,  intelligent  young  man  with 
an  interest  in  current  events,  be  may  be  called 
upon  some  time  in  the  future  to  represent  his 
comnmnity  in  some  office. 

ORR,  Baltis,  was  born  in  (Ihio  in  is:'>5  and  came 
to  Monticello  Township  in  1860,  continuing  a 
resident  of  this  county  until  his  death  that  oc- 
curred at  Hammond,  August  1,  1001.  He  was 
married  to  Hannah  L.  Boring  and  they  had 
one  daughter,  Mrs.  H.  W.  Leavitt,  now  de- 
ceased. • 

PARR,  Andrew  E.  Piatt  County,  like  other 
sections  of  Illinois,  has  its  honored  veterans  of 
tlie  Civil  War,  to  whom  it  renders  a  gratitude 
honorably  earned.  Among  these  must  be  num- 
bered Andrew  E.  Parr  of  Monticello.  He  was 
born  in  Licking  County.  Ohio.  January  10,  1842, 
a^Mon  of  Hiram  and  Sarah  (Greenwood)  Parr. 
'3f[i(V'fatber  was  born  in  the  first  log  caljin  built 
/fttt  the  jiresent  site  of  Newark,  Ohio,  wliile  the 
in"bther,  was  born  in  Massachusetts.  They  mar- 
j^ed  and  settled  in  Licking  County,  Ohio. 

■-.VrRh-e^v  E.  Parr  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  bts  district,  and  there  lived  until  1850,  when 
"he  'went  to  Friend's  Creek,  Macon  County,  III., 
where  he  spent  a  short  time,  then  moving  to 
Willow  Branch  Township,  Piatt  County.  There 
be  bought  eighty  acres  of  unimproved  prairie 
land,  and  immediately  set  to  work  to  idace  it 
under  cultivation.  From  time  to  time  be  added 
to  his  original  holdings  until  he  owned  800 
acres  of  land  in  Willow  Branch  Township  and 
Shelliy  Cbunty.  For  over  forty  years  he  was 
there  engaged  in  farming,  although  he  sold  his 
first  farm,  buying  a  homestead  of  320  acres,  two 
nnles  to  the  south,  and  on  it  he  lived  until 
1000.  being  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-rais- 
ing. In  that  year  he  gave  160  acres  to  each  of 
his  children,  and  retiring,  located  at  Monti- 
cello. where  he  bought  an  excellent  residence, 
and  is  now  enjoying  the  comforts  his  indu.stry 
provided. 

In  April,  1861,  .Mr.  Parr  responded  to  the 
call  of  his  country,  enlisting  for  service  dur- 
ing the  Civil  War,  and  in  July,  1862,  re-enlisted 
in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  tmder  Gen- 
eral Sherman,  jiartieipating  in  the  Siege  of 
A'icksburg,  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  and 
the  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  in- 
cluding the  storming  of  Fort  Mc.Mister,  his  mil- 
itary service  ending  with  his  participation  in 
the  Grand  Review  at  Washington,  and  he  re- 
ceived his  honoralde  discharge  June  7,  1865. 

On  September  0,  1866,  Mr.  Parr  was  married 
to  Caroline  McCartney  who  was  born  in  Coshoc- 
ton County.  Ohio.  March  11,  1840,  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Angeline  (Head)  McCartney, 
natives    of   Virginia    and    New    Hampshire,    re- 


784 


IIISTOKV  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


spfctivi'ly.  Tlu'y  were  iiiarrieil  iu  Ohio,  where 
the  lather  died,  tlie  mother  hiter  coiiiiu;;  tQ 
I'iatt  Coiiiit.v.  where  she  resided  from  l!S<i.j  uutil 
lier  death.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  I'arr  hecauies  the 
jiareiits  of  the  followiii;;  children:  I'harles  T. 
wlio  is  ou  tlie  home  fann;  Samuel  D.  who  is 
a  resident  of  Shelli.v  Connt.v,  111.;  I'hester,  who 
is  also  a  resident  of  .Shelh.v  County:  I'erley, 
who  is  a  resident  of  Macon  County,  HI.:  and 
Maude  .who  is  .Mrs.  Daniel  Clow  of  Cerro 
•  Jordo  Township.  While  residing  in  Willow 
liranch  Township.  Mr.  I'arr  served  as  road  com- 
missioner, heins  elected  on  the  Itepublican  ticket. 
The  (J.  .\.  It.  I'ost  holds  his  meniliership  and  he 
enjoys  as,sociation  with  his  old  conn-ados.  A 
uiiui  of  e.xcellent  habits,  he  has  worked  hard 
and  invested  his  savings  to  good  purpose  and 
deserves  the  prosperity  that  has  come  to  him. 

PECK,  Allison,  who  is  one  of  the  best  infornicil 
men  of  rial  I  County  upon  general  subjects,  al- 
though liis  knowledge  is  mainly  self  gained,  as 
his  educational  advantages  were  very  limited, 
is  now  living  in  honoralde  retirement  at  Cerro 
Gordo,  after  years  of  usefulness  as  a  general 
grain  fanner.  .Mr.  I'eck  was  born  in  Koss 
County.  Ohio,  .\ugiist  11,  18-1!).  a  son  of  Amos 
and  Nancy  (Hathaway)  Peck  of  Itoss  County, 
Ohio.  In  ],S.51  they  c-ame  to  I'iatt  County,  111.. 
where  the  father  alternated  farming  and  butcher- 
ing, conducting  a  butchering  shoj)  at  Cerro  Gordo 
after  the  town  was  foiuided.  He  was  a  soldier 
during  the  Civil  War,  being  a  member  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  .'seventh  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  died  while  home  on  a  furlough. 
in  February,  l.S(;r>,  Tlie  mother  died  in  .Vugust, 
lOi:!.  aged  ninety-two  years.  Their  cliildren 
were  as  follows :  Rebecca,  Kllen  and  Jerome, 
who  are  deceased :  George  and  .VUison,  who  re- 
side at  Cerro  (iordo;  and  Bonton,  Sina,  Serena. 
Kzra  and  Kdgar,  all  of  whom  are  deceased. 

.\fter  the  death  of  his  father,  .Vllison  I'eck 
lived  with  his  mother  until  ISTO,  but  in  that  year 
began  fanning  in  Oakley  Townsbiii.  Macon 
County,  but  after  one  season  came  to  Cerro 
(iordo  Township  and  began  farming  here,  so 
continuing  until  IKSS,  when  he  went  to  Moul- 
trie County.  111.  There  he  spent  eleven  years 
and  was  engaged  in  fanning.  Uetnrniug  to 
I'iatt  County  he  bought  HOO  acres  of  land  in 
Cerro  Gordo  Township,  and  for  five  years  car- 
ried on  general  grain  farming,  but  in  the  spring 
of  1!HJ4  be  rented  his  land,  and  retired  to  Cerro 
Gordo,  where  he  bought  a  reside'ice,  and  has 
since  then   lived   in  comfortable  leisure. 

On  August  14.  lS7:i,  .Mr.  Peck  was  married  to 
Luey  Flemming.  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  their 
children  are  as  follows:  Ollie,  who  is  Mrs. 
(Jeiirge  Six,  of  Moultrie  County,  111.:  Otto,  who 
lives  at  Chicago:  Kldo,  who  is  also  a  resident 
of  Chicago;  and  Myrtle,  who  is  .Mrs.  lUlward 
.Miller,  is  a  resident  of  Chicago.  In  politics  Mr. 
Peck  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  Cerro 
(iordo  Lodge  No.  .'Ufi,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  the  Kn- 
cainpment  of  the  same  order  at  Decatnr.  No.  :i~, 
A  man   of  high  ju'lnciples  and  earnest  purpose 


he  has  fairly  earned   his  succe> 
who  is  universally  respe<,'ted. 


and  is  a  man 


PECK,  AMOS,  was  born  in  18:^0  in  Pickaway 
County.  ( iliio,  and  came  to  Cerro  Gordo  Towii- 
sliip  in  lN,"i7.  He  died  of  smallpox  at  Cerro 
(Jordo.  ,January  U'."),  ]8ti.").  In  1840  he  was  mar- 
ried to  .\aiicy  Hathaway  and  they  had  the 
following  children:  Mrs.  Isaac  C.  Carpenter. 
.Mrs.  Isaac  Wilson,  Jerome,  George,  Allison, 
Renton,  Cyrene.  and  .\inos  Ezra.  During  the 
Civil  War  Amos  I'eck  and  his  two  sons,  Jerome 
•  uid  George,  served  as  soldiers. 

PECK,  James  K.,  one  of  the  liighly  esteemed 
ri'lircil  farmers  of  Cerro  (Jonlo,  now  relaxing 
from  his  long  years  of  faithful  endeavor,  is  an 
excellent  example  of  tJie  best  class  of  Piatt 
County  agriculturalists.  He  was  born  in 
Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  March  S,  1844,  a  son 
of  Daniel  and  Hettie  (Rock)  Peek,  natives  of 
Virginia,  and  Ohio,  the  date  of  birth  of  the 
mother  being  1.821.  In  IS.jl  the  parents  came 
to  Illinois,  farming  ou  land  in  Macon  County, 
liut  later  moved  to  Piatt  County  on  a  farm  they 
had  purcliM.sed.  The  father  died  in  February. 
1870,  and  the  mother  died  in  IStil.  Their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows:  Mary  and  Isabelle  who 
are  deceased :  Hanson,  who  lived  at  Cerro  Gordo 
died  in  March,  lljl.'i:  John,  who  died  in  1,863 
while  home  (m  a  furlough  during  the  Civil  War ; 
.Martha,  who  is  deceased:  Jacob,  who  is  a  Civil 
War  veteran;  James  K, ;  Deliah,  who  is  de- 
ceased: Jane,  who  is  -Mrs.  David  Ater,  lives 
near  Payne,  (Ihio ;  Catherine,  who  is  deceased; 
(Jeorge,  who  lives  at  Long  Beach,  Cal. ;  and 
Isaac,  who  is  deceased.  After  the  death  of  his 
lir.^it  wife,  the  father  married  (second)  Susan 
r^slie  of  Indiana,  and  they  had  two  children, 
namely:  Kli.  who  lives  .at  Decatur,  111.;  and 
Oscar,  who  is  deceased. 

James  K.  Peck  attended  the  schools  in  his 
(listri<-t.  and  resided  .it  home  until  he  enlisted 
on  January  .",  18i;4,  for  service  during  the  Civil 
War.  in  Coinp.-iny  .\.  One  Hundred  and  Six- 
teenth Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  as- 
signed to  I.arkinsville,  .Ma.,  under  General 
Sherman.  He  particii)ated  in  the  battle  of 
Resaca.  and  was  ou  the  historic  March  to  the 
Sea.  in  the  battle  of  BenloMville.  the  last  engage- 
ment of  the  war.  and  at  the  Grand  Review  at 
W.ishinglon.  On  .Vugust  L'.'i.  ISC',  Mr,  I'eck 
rcceiviNl  bis  honorable  discharge,  and  returned 
to  his  old  home  where  he  lived  until  bis  father's 
death.  Following  this,  he  ;ind  liis  brother.  Han- 
son, bought  the  homestead  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  and  conducted  it  together  for  some 
years.  Later  tliey  divided  the  farm,  and  Mr. 
Peck  continued  to  o|ierate  it.  although  he  moved 
to  Cerro  (Jcu-do  about  18<ili.  In  addition  to  con- 
ducting his  farm.  .Mr.  Peck  boui.'ht.  fed  and 
shipped  cattle  from  187(!  until  liii:!,  but  iu  that 
year  rented  his  farms,  and  has  since  liveil  re- 
tired. His  fanning  ja-operties  in  I'iatt  and 
Macon  comities  aggregate  1.010  acres  and  all 
of  this  land  is  very  valuable. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


785 


lu  1S71  Mr.  Peck  was  married  to  .*iarali  Do.vle. 
born  in  Illinois.  She  died  in  3S72,  and  his 
two  sisters  kept  house  for  him  and  his  brother 
until  187S.'when  Mr.  Peck  was  married  (second) 
lo  Margaret  Cliambers,  born  in  Macon  Count.v, 
111.,  a  (l.ui-htei-  iif  Thomas  and  .Mary  (Gates) 
Chambers  o  f  Kentucky.  The  second  Mrs. 
Peck  died  in  1SS5.  In  1898  Mr.  Peck  was  mar- 
ried (third)  to  Catherine  Nickey,  born  in  Ma- 
con County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Catherine  Nickey.  Mr.  I'eck  has  one  living 
child,  Margie  who  is  Mrs.  Charles  (iroves  of 
Cerro  (Jordo,  111.  He  had  two  sons,  Arthur  and 
Kussell,  botli  of  whom  are  deceased.  Tliere  is 
no  issue  from  his  third  marriage.  A  consistent 
member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  he  has 
long  been  on  its  board  of  trustees.  He  is  a 
I{eiiul)lican  in  politics  and  was  elected  road  com- 
missioner on  the  ticket  of  his  party.  Cerro 
Gordo  Post  No.  210.  G.  A.  R.,  holds  his  member- 
ship and  keeps  his  interest.  A  man  of  sterling 
character  and  high  principles,  he  lives  up  to 
his  convictions,  and  no  man  stands  any  higher 
in  the  community  than  he. 

PERKINS,  Alexander,  one  of  the  native  sons  of 
Piatt  County,  and  now  postmaster  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  is  one  of  the  representative  business  men 
of  this  locality,  where  he  is  held  in  highest 
esteem.  He  was  born  in  Goose  Creek  Town- 
ship, April  16,  ISoS,  a  son  of  Alexander  and 
Elizabeth  (P.lacker)  Perkins,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia and  West  Virginia,  respectively.  After 
their  marriage,  the  parents  went  to  Circleville, 
Ohio,  and  in  IS.jG  moved  to  Piatt  County.  111.. 
buying  land  in  Goose  Creek  Townsbij).  The 
father  died  before  the  birth  of  Alexander  Per- 
kins, the  youngest  of  nine  children,  and  the 
widowed  mother  struggled  bravely  to  bring  up 
her  children,  and  give  them  such  advantages 
as  lay  in  her  power,  although  their  school  priv- 
ileges were  confined  to  the  district  schools  of 
Piatt  Count.v. 

The  birth  of  Alexander  Perkins  took  place 
in  a  log  caliin  that  continued  his  home  until 
he  was  fourteen  years  old,  when  a  better  resi- 
dence was  put  up.  T'ntil  he  attained  his  ma- 
.iority,  Alexander  Perkins  continued  to  reside 
with  his  mother,  and  then  liegan  farming  near 
DeLand.  Later  he  was  engaged  in  farming 
near  Cisco,  and  in  ISin  came  to  Cerro  Gordo 
Township  where  for  six  years  he  continued 
farming  on  rented  land.  lie  then  Imught  sev- 
enty acres  one  mile  east  of  Cerro  (Jordo.  adding 
to  his  .acreage  until  be  now  owns  200  acres  of 
land,  which  he  has  rented  since  October,  1913, 
in  that  ye,ir  moving  to  Cerro  Gordo  to  assume  the 
duties  of  iiostmaster  to  which  he  was  appointed 
by  President  Wilson.  Ilis  sons  conduct  the 
homestead. 

On  Sejitember  18.  1880.  Mr.  Perkins  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarah  .Tane  Stuckey,  born  near  Lan- 
caster. Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Peter  L,  and  .Julia 
(Burgett)  Stuckey  of  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Per- 
kins became  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Jeanette.  who  died  in  infancy ;  Pearl. 
who  was  a  public  school  tea  cjicr.  died  iii  lOTJ,  at 


the  age  of  twenty-seven  years:  Ethel,  who  is 
Mrs.  William  Dobson,  of  Cerro  Gordo  Town- 
ship: Irwin,  who  with  Lewis,  conducts  the  home 
farm;  May,  who  is  her  father's  assistant  in  the 
postotlice :  and  Florence,  who  is  Mrs.  William 
Gro\es.  of  Willow  Branch  Township.  Mr. 
Perkins  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  been  active  in 
bis  party.  Since  ISSti  he  has  Ijeeu  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  has 
served  the  church  as  trustee,  steward  and  held 
other  church  ottiees.  He  has  served  as  assessor 
of  Cerro  (iordo  Towusbiji.  and  for  sixteen  years 
was  on  tile  school  l)oard.  A  man  of  intelligence 
and  wide  knowledge,  lie  has  brought  to  liear 
upon  the  duties  of  his  several  othces,  the  ex- 
perience life  has  given  him,  and  has  proven  him- 
self efficient  and  capable. 

PERKINS,  James  D.,  a  general  farmer  and  stock 
raiser  of  Sangamon  Township,  and  a  man  widely 
and  favorably  known  in  Piatt  County,  was  born 
in  Goose  Creek  Township,  July  21,  1SG4,  a  son 
of  William  and  Elizalieth  (Dubson)  Perkins, 
natives  of  Ohio  and  Reading,  Pa.  They  came 
to  Piatt  C'ounty,  111.,  in  childhood,  and  were 
married  in  Goose  Creek  Township.  There  the 
father  bought  eighty  acres  of  land,  and  culti- 
vated it  for  many  years,  or  until  his  retirement 
in  1910  to  De  Land,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
The  mother  died  September  20,  101.5.  Their 
children  were  as  follows :  James  D. ;  John, 
who  lives  in  Monticello  Township ;  Amy,  who  is 
Mrs.  Heath  Prime,  of  Goose  Creek  Township; 
I'^va.  who  is  Mrs.  George  Hammond,  of  Cerro 
(rordo  Township :  Elizaljeth,  who  is  Mrs.  Bow- 
man Rudisel,  of  Goose  Creek  Township ;  Wil- 
liam, who  lives  in  Goose  Creek  Township ;  Sadie, 
who  is  Mrs.  Lewis  Ezra,  of  De  Land  111. ;  Roy, 
who  lives  in  Monticello  Township;  and  Ada, 
who  is  Mrs.  Newton  Howland,  of  Bement  Town- 
ship. 

.lames  D.  Perkins  attended  the  district  schools 
of  Goose  Creek  Township,  and  until  he  was 
twent.v-two  .years  old  be  remained  with  his 
liarents.  At  that  time  he  began  farming  for 
himself  in  his  native  township,  conducting  the 
homestead  for  many  years.  In  June,  1899,  he 
liougbt  forty  acres  in  Sangamon  Township,  to 
which  he  moved,  and  later  added  fifty  acres, 
which  he  has  sold.  Subsequently  he  bought  a 
farm  of  102  acres  where  he  now  lives  In  the 
same  township,  and  he  also  owns  IGO  acres 
.just  west  in  Goose  Creek  Townsliii).  He  has 
always  carried  on  general  farming  and  raises  a 
good  grade  of  horses,  cattle  and  hogs. 

On  February  1,  1887,  Mr.  Perkins  was  married 
to  .Margaret  Duvall.  born  in  Goose  Creek  Town- 
shiii,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Nancy  (Rol)i- 
son)  Duvall.  natives  of  Ohio,  and  early  settlers 
of  <;oose  Creek  Township.  They  came  here  at 
a  time  when  the  prairie  grass  was  higher  than 
a  man's  head,  so  that  be  could  ride  through  it  on 
hor.seback.  un.seen.  For  his  property  the  father 
paid  .$2.."iO  per  acre,  and  on  this  iiroperty  hunted 
deer  and  many  wild  animals.  Mr.  .and  Mrs. 
Perkins  liecame  the  parents  of  the  following 
cliildreii  :    Bertha,  who  is  Mrs.  D.  Campbell,  of 


786 


HISTOHV  <>!•'  PIATT  COrNTY. 


(ioose  Creek  Towiishii) ;  Allen,  who  lives  in 
Goose  Creelv  Township,  niiirried  Anna  Aldricb  ; 
Lorin.  wlio  lives  in  Goose  Creek  To\vusliii>,  mar- 
ried Artdie  Heeves;  and  Ilarley.  Ernest.  Lola 
and  Koy,  all  of  wlioni  are  at  home.  Mr.  I'erkins 
is  a  member  of  the  Church  of  God.  .V  Democrat, 
he  served  many  .voars  as  a  school  director. 
Fraternally  he"  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
I'ythias  of  De  Land.  A  man  of  high  principles, 
he  has  lived  up  to  his  ideals,  and  at  the  same 
time  achieved  material  pro.sperity. 

PHALEN,  John,  one  of  the  substantial  men  and 
extensive  tarniors  of  Piatt  County,  now  living 
at  -Monticello,  was  born  in  Yates  County,  X.  Y., 
.Vpril  l;J,  18<!0,  a  son  of  William  and  Anna 
(Skully)  I'lialen.  natives  of  Ireland.  They  were 
married  there,  coming  afterwards  to  Yates 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  the  father  engaged  in 
farming  until  September  27,  ISOT,  when  removal 
was  made  to  I'iatt  County,  111.  The  family  lo- 
cated in  Sangamon  Townshij).  renting  land 
until  187."),  when  a  farm  was  bought  in  that 
same  township,  and  there  the  father  died  in 
.Tanuary,  1S'.)7.  and  the  mother  in  Jlay,  1902. 
Their  children  were  as  follows :  Ellen,  who  is 
Mrs.  Lucas  I'beny.  of  Champaign  County.  111.; 
.lames,  wlio  lives  in  Monticello  Townshi]):  Wil- 
liam, who  died  at  Klooniington.  111.:  .Johu: 
Frank,  who  lives  in  Sangamon  Township:  .\nna, 
who  is  Mrs.  Micliael  Slierlock :  and  Michael,  who 
lives  in  Vermilion  County,  111. 

When  lie  was  sixteen  years  old.  .John  Phalen 
began  working  on  a  farm  owne*l  by  a  man 
named  Calep  in  Sangamon  T^ownshiji.  As  he 
could,  he  attended  the  scliools  of  the  district, 
and  in  the  winters  did  teaming  for  Ti.  .7.  Digh- 
ton.  in  Champaign  County,  ill.  Subse<]ueutly 
he  was  employed  in  farm  labor  b.v  ('apt,  Frank 
Cripri|)  for  two  year.s.  and  then  went  to  San 
.\ntonio,  Tex.,  where  for'eiglit  montlis  he  was 
a  cow  boy.  lietundng  to  Piatt  County  he  then 
worked  for  II.  L.  Timmons  on  bis  farm  for  ten 
months,  and  then  went  on  the  several  thousand- 
acre  farm  of  S,  I„  .Vllerton.  as  a  farm  liand.  lie 
continued  with  Mr.  .Vllerton  for  five  .vear.s,  and 
then  rented  one  of  the  .Mlerton  farms  of  G40 
acres,  and  after  six  years  on  it  went  to  another 
of  the  farms  of  1.000  acres,  in  Willow  Branch 
Township.  Still  later  he  took  charge  of  the 
eiilire  Allcrton  estate  of  12.000  acres.  In  the 
meantime  he  bought  and  traded  in  farm  land 
himself,  and  now  owns  .''lOO  acres  of  land  in 
P.ement  Ti>wnship  that  he  rents.  He  is  manager 
of  from  thirty-five  to  forty  men  in  all.  lie 
bought  a  modern  residence  at  Monticello.  where 
he  now  lesides. 

In  .Tanuary.  1S.SS.  Mr.  Phalen  was  married 
and   has  three  children. 

PHEANIS,  Abraham  Arthur,  wliose  knowledge 
of  tlie  lunilier  interests  of  this  .'•ection  of  the 
state  make  him  the  litting  manager  of  the 
affairs  of  the  Midland  Lumber  Comjiany  at 
Monticello.  was  born  in  Union  County.  Ind., 
.Tuly  IR.  187.").  a  son  of  Joseph  JI.  and  Itachel 
ishephard)    Pheanis.   natives   of   Franklin   and 


Cidon  counties,  Ind.,  and  both  parents  were 
born  in  1,S.")0.  The  father  is  an  exten.sive  farmer 
of  Union  County,  Ind.  Their  children  are  as 
follows :  Pearl  M.,  who  is  at  home ;  Abraham  A. ; 
John  Clifford,  who  is  .it  home;  James  Hilbert, 
who  is  at  Pbiinlield.  Ind.;  and  William  Henry, 
who  lives  in  Union  County,  Ind. 

.\braham  Artlnir  Pbeaius  attended  the  com- 
nioii  and  high  schools  of  Union  County.  Ind.. 
aM<l  remained  at  home  until  1895,  at  which  time 
he  went  on  a  rented  farm  in  his  native  county, 
oiierating  it  for  eight  year.s.  He  then  bought 
100  acres  of  land,  conducting  it  for  six  years, 
in  addition  tii  1  10  acres  which  he  rented.  In 
1912  be  came  to  Monticello  to  engage  with  the 
Monticello  Lumber  Comjiany  of  which  he  is  a 
stockholder,  a  branch  of  the  Midland  Lumber 
Company  of  FreeiKirt,  111.  This  concern  oper- 
ates nineteen  yards  in  Illinois  and  one  in  Iowa, 
and  controls  inuneuse  interests. 

On  December  18.  1895,  Mr.  Pheanis  was  mar- 
ried to  Jessie  Alpha  Ilitehner.  born  in  Franklin 
County,  Ind.,  a  daughter  of  Mathias  F.  and 
-Nancy  -Vnn  (Ponrne)  Ilitehner.  Jlr.  and  Mrs. 
Pheanis  have  one  son,  Knssell  Ilitehner.  Polit- 
ically, Mr.  Pheanis  is  a  Itepublican.  His  frater- 
nal connections  are  with  the  Blue  Lodge  and 
Chapter.  A.  F.  &  A.  .M.  of  Monticello,  and  the 
Odd  Fellows  and  Encamjiment  of  this  ortler. 

PHILLIPS,  J.  Madison.  One  of  the  representa- 
tive citizens  and  prosperous  farmers  of  Wil- 
low Branch  Township  is  J.  M.  Phillips  who  is 
well  known  in  Piatt  and  in  other  sections  of 
the  state  through  former  business  activities. 
Mr.  Phillips  was  born  in  Piatt  Coimty,  111., 
March  t!,  1S71,  and  is  a  sou  of  M.  C.  and  Louisa 
J.  (Watson)  I'hillips.  neither  of  whom  are  na- 
tives of  Illinois,  but  have  spent  a  large  portion 
of  their  lives  here. 

M.  C.  Phillips,  who  is  now  a  highly  respected 
retired  resident  of  Bement.  111.,  was  born  in 
.Mississii)pi.  in  1844.  By  the  time  he  was  seven- 
teen years  of  age  his  school  days  were  termi- 
nated on  accoimt  of  his  being  drafted  for  serv- 
ice in  the  Cunfederate  army,  during  the  Civil 
War.  It  so  happened  that  his  sympathies  were 
in  favor  of  the  Union  and  as  soon  as  opportunity 
olTered  he  deserted  and  escaped  to  the  Union 
lines,  came  to  Illinois,  and  enlisted  in  an  in- 
fantry regiment  in  this  state.  lie  remained  a. 
member  ot  this  regiment  until  the  close  of  the 
war  and  received  an  honorable  discharge. 
Shortly  afterward  Mr.  Philliiis  was  united  in 
m.ii-riage  with  I>ouisa  J.  Watson,  who  was  born 
in  Ohio,  in  1,S4(!.  and  was  but  a  child  when  her 
parents  brought  lier  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Piatt  Count.v. 

.Vfter  marriage  M.  C.  Phillips  and  bis  wife 
became  f.-irming  people  on  a  tract  of  eighty 
acres,  situated  in  Willow  Branch  Township, 
renting  the  land  for  the  first  few  years  and  then 
buying  it.  Mr.  Phillips  made  farming  his  life 
work  and  continued  on  the  same  farm,  gradu- 
ally imi)roving  it  and  adding  to  its  value,  until 
liMlS.  when  he  retired  to  Bement.  jiurohasing 
a  comfortable  residence  there. 


JOHN  J.   SHIVELY 


nivaf:        — 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


787 


J.  Madison  Thillips  attendee!  the  imlilic 
schools  in  Piatt  County  somewhat  lon.ser  than 
many  country  boys,  keeping  at  his  l)Ooks  until 
he  was  nineteen  years  old,  after  which  lie  as- 
sisted his  father  on  the  home  farm  for  a  year 
and  then,  in  partnership  with  his  brother.  Frank 
Phillips,  built  an  elevator  at  Parnell.  in  De- 
Witt  County,  111.  The  young  men  ran  that 
elevator  for  three  years  and  then  sold  and 
bought  an  elevator,  from  J.  C.  McCord,  at  Mil- 
mine,  in  Piatt  County.  They  operated  this  ele- 
vator in  partnership  for  five  years  when  .T.  M. 
sold  bis  interest  to  his  brother  and  went  to 
farming.  He  rented  160  acres  of  land  in  Wil- 
low Branch  Township  that  belonged  to  Mrs. 
Laura  McClure  and  cultivated  it  for  two  years, 
when  he  was  compelled  to  rest  on  account  of 
111  health,  and  spent  the  next  year  at  Decatur. 
III.  Restored  health  brought  with  it  the  desire 
for  an  active  out-door  life  asain  and  ho  went 
to  Montgomery  County  and  there  rented  a  farm 
of  120  acres  for  three  years  and  then  returned 
to  tlie  homestead  of  eighty  acres ;  taking  ,cliarge 
of  the  same  when  bis  father  retired.  riVaddi': 
tion  to  operating  this  land,  he  conducts-  qui 
eighty-acre  farm  Iielongiug  to  John  McClure. 
devoting  his  entire  acreage  to  grain.  Mr. 
Phillips  has  had  much  ex])erience  b'otlj  .■iii,.,rrrfs-' 
ing  and  handling  grain  and  it  would  seein'. fon- 
sidering  the  certain  increased  demand  in  the 
near  future  for  cereals  of  all  kinds,  that  he  Is 
pursuing  a  course  founded  on  sound  .iudgment. 

On  February  23,  1S9S.  J.  M.  Phillips  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  Fairbanks,  who  was  born 
at  P.urnside.  in  Orange  County,  X.  T.,  October 
20,  1872.  She  is  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Mary  .\.  (Paxton)  Fairbanks.  The  name  of 
Fairbanks  is  one  of  considerable  distinction  in 
the  United  States,  but  the  father  of  Mrs. 
Phillips  was  born  in  the  city  of  Derby  England, 
January  2.5.  1844.  and  the  mother  in  London, 
about  .July  0.  184:!.  After  tlieir  marriage.  .Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fairlianks  came  to  the  I'nited  States 
and  made  their  home  in  New  York  until  1890. 
when  they  moved  to  Illinois  and  located  .at 
Bement  in  I'iatt  County.  Mr.  Fairbanks  con- 
ducts a  draying  business. 

The  following  children  have  been  lioni  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phillips:  Charles,  who  was  born 
September  ?,.  1800  and  Lottie,  who  was  born 
October  15,  1900.  are  both  students  in  the  Be- 
ment High  School;  Hazel,  who  was  born  Janu- 
ary 4,  1904:  Troy,  who  was  born  June  10.  1907: 
Lela,  who  was  horn  November  3,  1909:  and 
Thelma,  who  was  born  December  is.  1912.  With 
the  exception  of  the  .youngest  all  the  childien 
attend  school.  Mr.  Phillips  is  in  favor  of  a 
thorough  public  school  system  and  does  his  part 
to  secure  good  teachers  as  lie  is  serving  as  a 
school  director.  In  his  political  afllliation  he  is 
a  Reimliliean  and  he  enjoys  social  relaxation 
as  a  member  of  Milmine  Lodge  No.  lf'48.  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  America.  With  his  famll.\-  he 
belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Churcii  at 
Bement. 


PHILLIPS,  Simon,  a  prosperous  farmer  and  rep- 
resentative citizen  of  Bement  Township,  was 
liorn  in  Clay  County,  Ind.,  October  6,  1SG9,  a  son 
of  Andrew  and  Anna  (Bowman)  Phillips.  The 
father  was  Itorn  in  Ohio,  March  30,  1840,  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
state.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  moved 
to  Indiana  with  his  parents,  and  in  lS(J(j  was 
married  in  that  state.  His  wife  was  born  in 
Carroll  County,  Ind..  March  23,  184.5.  In  1876 
the  family  came  to  Illiuols.  and  rented  a  farm 
in  Cerro  (iordo  Township.  I'iatt  County,  .and 
conducted  it  until  they  retired  a  few  years  ago, 
when  they  went  to  Cerro  Gordo,  \\hich  continues 
to  be  their  home. 

Simon  Phillips  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Piatt  County,  and -was  taught  farming  in  every 
branch.  When  be  was  seventeen  years  old  he 
left  school  and  began  to  be  self  supporting, 
working  for  the  neighboring  farmers  by  the 
month,  so  continuing  for  fifteen  .vears.  At  the 
expiration  of  this  period  he  began  farming  for 
himself  on  a  farm  near  Lintner,  111.,  leaving  it 
in  four  years  to  return  to  Cerro  Gordo  where 
he  lived  for  three  years.  For  some  time  follow- 
ing that  bo  was  engaged  in  farming,  and  then 
bleated  on  his  present  farm  in  Bement  Township 
where  be  has  lived  for  the  past  nine  .vears. 
,  In  19lX)  Mr.  I'hilliiis  was  married  to  Maude 
Crlss.  born  in  Crawford  County.  111.,  February 
0.  1882,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Criss  of  Craw- 
ford Count.v.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phillips  have  one 
child.  Merl.  who  was  born  Jul.v  15.  1902,  and  is 
a  student  in  the  country  schools.  In  politics 
.Mr.  I'hilliiis  is  a  Denioc-at.  All  his  life  he  has 
been  a  diligent  worker  and  his  efforts  have 
been  amjily  rewarded. 

PIATT,  Charles  William,  ono  of  the  most  repre- 
sentative iiieii  of  I'iatt  County,  where  his  family 
has  long  been  distinguished,  was  born  within  its 
confines,  in  (joose  Creek  Township,  on  section 
35,  August  7,  1847,  a  son  of  William  Hart  and 
Cl.irinda  iMarquiss)  Piatt,  the  former  of  whom 
was  liorn  at  Broiikville,  Ind..  in  1810.  while  the 
bitter  was  born  hi  Ohio.  The  paternal  grand- 
father. James  A.  I'iatt.  was  liorn  .\pril  21.  1780, 
in  Virginia,  .and  he  married  Jeinina  Ford,  born 
in  JIaryland.  January  10.  1792.  The  maternal 
grandparents  were  Alirani  and  Elizabeth 
(Barnes)  Marqulss.  the  former  born  in  Vir- 
ginia. .Taiinary  5.  1780.  and  the  latter  in  the 
same  state,  Juue  19.  1.S19.  The  maternal  great- 
grandfather was  William  Marquiss.  who  was 
born  in  X'irginia.  August  9,  1766.  and  he  married 
Sarah  Peters,  who  was  born  in  Virginia.  De- 
(•ciiil  er  25.   1765. 

J.imes  A.  Piatt,  for  whom  Piatt  County  was 
named,  moved  from  Brookville.  Ind..  to  what  is 
now  Piatt  County,  but  was  then  included  in 
Macon  and  DeWitt  counties,  in  1829.  making 
the  trip  across  country  with  teams.  His  first 
location  was  on  the  present  site  of  Monticello 
where  he  entered  land  after  buying  the  Hay- 
worth  cbiim.  paying  .$50.  of  which  .$18  was  in 
cash  and   the  remainder  in   tinware  as  he  had 


788 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COLN'TY. 


liccn  n  tiniiiT  in  his  olU  lioiiic.  In  :ill  lie  oli- 
tiiincd  .•liiiiiit  dim  acres  of  land  in  and  about 
Miinlicclld.  and  died  in  1S;',S,  His  liist  wile 
(licil  May  I-.  l^-'l.  and  on  Deccinlior  11.'.  \<i~. 
lie  inan'icd  i  sciond )  Maliala  Oxley,  wlio  died 
Noveinlier  1(1.   l.S."i(). 

On  A|iiil  10.  ls:!.S.  William  II.  Pialt  and 
Claiinda  Maniuiss  were  married  in  I'iatt 
Coindv.  r..v  ociMipation  he  was  a  farmer  and 
stock  traih^r.  and  his  minie  ,i|i|iears  on  the 
comity  records  as  ownini;  more  land  than  any 
otlier"  man  in  I'iatt  t'onnty  durinj;  its  early 
days,  ho  hein;;  a  leader  in  tlie  settlement  and 
develo|iment  of  this  .section.  Ilis  death  occurred 
October  2."..  liMiii.  A  very  touchini:  tribute  has 
been  paid  the  memory  of  his  wife,  the  motlier  of 
Cliarles  William  I'i.iil.  who  had  .i  bronze  tal)Iet 
iiisertwl  in  tlie  mantel  of  the  fireplace  of  his 
beautiful  home,  inscribed  as  follows:  "In  mem- 
ory of  my  mother.  Cl.-irinda  Mar(|niss  I'iatt  who. 
in  ls;ifi.  made  a  liazardous  tri]i  to  tile  claim  on 
the  S.  Mi  of  S.  !•;.  V|  sec-.  •S<-V.>-7,,  which  is  located 
near  this  spot.  Ilavin;;  heard  that  a  man  was 
on  tlie  road  to  the  land  office  to  enter  the  land 
she  ha<l  in  view,  she.  on  i:Uh  of  March,  .started 
to  Danville.  (;."i  miles  distant,  rode  on  horseback 
all  iii;,'lit.  swlmmins;  the  Vermilion  Uiver.  tiled 
tlie  cl.-iim  and  went  o\it  of  one  door  of  the  land 
r)Hice  as  the  in,-in  she  wislicvl  to  forestall  entered 
the  other.  .Mar.  Ki.  1!il.">.  Chas.  W.  I'iatt." 
Tliis  e.xcellent  mother  and  brave  woman  died 
.Inne  .">,  ISti:!.  while  on  a  visit  at  La  Grange.  III. 
She  and  her  hnsbaud  had  children  as  follows: 
A.  .1..  who  is  deceased:  .\.  .M..  who  is  also  de- 
cea.sed  :  Fr.uices  .\..  who  marrii>d  W.  E.  Lodge, 
is  also  deceiised:  Henry,  who  is  deceased: 
(liarles  W. :  Klizabeth  .!..  who  married  W.  K. 
Smith.  lives  at  Moiiticello:  lOmma  ('..  who  is 
Mrs.  ,Ioseph  Llewellyn,  of  La  Orange,  111.  Mrs. 
Llewellyn  is  the  author  of  one  of  the  first  his- 
tories of  Piatt  County,  to  which  frequent  refer- 
ence is  made  in  another  portion  of  tills  work. 

Charles  AV.  I'iatt  spent  his  bi>yhood  with  his 
parents,  having;  received  his  educational  train- 
ini;  in  the  district  schools  of  l'i:itt  (V>unty.  the 
Moutii-ello  scliools.  and  a  school  at  Charlottes- 
ville. .\.  Y..  which  be  attended  during;  the  winter 
of  lJ>(!4-."i.  When  his  mother's  est.-ite  was  set- 
tled, he  bciie.;  her  e(mservator,  the  father  deeded 
each  child  Itiii  acres  of  land,  or  its  equivalent. 
.SS.dtUI.  and  they  also  received  property  from 
their  mother  who  had  inheriteil  land  from  her 
f.itber's  estate.  When  only  fifteen  years  old 
Charles  W.  I'iatt  took  cbar^'e  of  the  liomeste.Kl 
of  1.1(10  acres,  liis  father  beiui:  eiiL.'.ii.'ed  with 
other  duties,  and  he  continued  to  operate  it 
until  he  was  thirty  years  old.  at  which  time  the 
lather  turned  over  the  manaiiemeut  of  all  of  his 
property  to  bis  son.  The  4(K)  acres  of  land  he 
alr<'.idy  owned  were  located  in  (loose  Creek  and 
Sair-'amon  townships,  and  be  added  to  these 
boldinijs  until  he  has  now  about  s;00  acres  in 
these  townships.  In  bsss  he  bouirlit  his  present 
farm  cm  wbiih  he  erected  in  the  summer  of 
11H."  an  n|i-to-date  buii'.;alow.  .\11  his  life  he 
li.is  h.indled  and  raisiil  lattle  for  exiiortiiifr  and 
carrieil  on  L'oneral  farinin;:.  but  in  irK>4  he  ju'ac- 


tically     retired,     althoimli     be     still     supervises 
matters. 

On  .lanuary  12.  l.STo,  Mr.  I'iatt  was  married 
to  .Mary  Kate  Sparks,  liorn  at  Ilillsboro,  Ohio, 
October  1.  ls."i4.  a  daughter  of  ,lolin  Oliver  and 
Anna  Harhara  ( Ur.'idford)  Sparks,  he  born  in 
Ohio  ill  1S-'().  and  in  .lanuary.  IS'il,  they  were 
married  in  .\d.inis  County.  Ohio,  and  in  l.S.")6 
moved  to  Illinois.  They  siient  two  years  at  De- 
catur, and  then  c:ime  to  Hemeiit.  III.,  where  Mr. 
Sp.irks  was  a  gr:iiii  buyer  and  iiierchaut.  Mrs. 
I'iatt  died  .November  (1.  I'.MH;.  having  had  no 
children.  Appreciatimi  was  shown  Mr.  I'iatt  as 
to  his  expert  knowledge  of  stock,  by  the  late 
(joveriior  .Vltgeld.  who  apjiointed  him  a  menil^r 
of  the  State  Livestock  Commission,  and  he  held 
that  office  for  four  years.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat. 

PIATT,  William  M.,  who  belongs  to  one  of  the 
oki  lamilies  of  I'i.att  County,  is  now  living  at 
.Moiiticello.  wliere  lie  is  held  in  the  highest 
respect.  He  was  born  in  a  log  cabin  in  what  is 
now  the  city  of  Moiiticello,  Xovember  2G,  1S4!), 
a  son  of  .John  and  Klizabeth  (Lowry)  I'iatt, 
born  near  Indianapolis,  lud.  The  granilpa rents, 
.lames  .V.  .mihI  .lemiiiia  ( I'ord )  I'iatt.  were  born 
in  \'irginia.  while  I'.aron  Trenck  and  Jane 
l.owry.  the  mnlenial  gnindparents  were  born 
ill   Kentucky. 

The  I'iatt  family  in  1S2.S  drove  overland  to 
I'iatt  ('(Minty.  and  traded  tinware  for  laud, 
as  James  .\.  Piatt  was  ,i  tinner,  and  after  living 
for  a  time  in  the  new  country,  he  became  famous 
for  his  capture  of  some  of  the  numerous  horse 
thieves  which  infested  the  region.  The  Lowrys 
w(>re  early  settlers  ot  I>eWitt  County.  .Vfler 
the  mari-iaL'o  of  John  I'iatt  .ind  Elizabeth  Lowry. 
the  Lowrys  moved  to  Moiiticello.  where  John 
I'iatt  conducted  a  store  unlil  his  death.  M  tlie 
same  time  he  became  a  taniier  buying  laud  east 
of  .Moiiticello.  where  he  li\cil  until  l.S.Sd,  when 
be  moved  to  Moiiticelln,  .\l  one  time  he  owiieil 
three  thousand  acres  of  l.ind  in  Moiiticello  Town- 
ship. Ills  death  occurred  in  1!HI4  when  he  was 
eighty-six  years  old.  Ilis  wife  died  in  1014. 
aged  eigbt.N -seven  years.  Tlieir  (hiblieii  were  as 
follows:  Eleanor,  who  is  the  widow  of  Jaiii(-'S 
Moflett.  lives  al  Los  Angeles.  Cal.:  William  M. 
and  bis  twin  brother,  liobert.  the  latter  of  whom 
died  ill  inf.-incy.  who  were  the  second  and  third 
children:  1!.  T..  who  lives  at  Moiiticello:  .Vniia 
P.ell.  who  is  .Mrs.  W.  H.  Carnaban.  of  Cham- 
paign. HI.:  .Vmerica.  who  died  in  (-hildhood : 
Jennie,  who  died  at  the  .-lire  of  forty-Mve  years: 
.111(1   John,   who   is  at   Jai-ksonville.   111. 

Wllli.-im  M.  I'iatt  resided  with  hi-  ]iareiits 
until  be  was  twenty-five  years  old.  and  during 
bis  boyhood  attemled  the  .schools  of  his  district. 
Ill  IS.Ml  he  took  U])  his  residence  on  "Cfi  acres 
of  land  on  the  county  line  betw-een  Piatt  and 
Cli.-im|iaigii  counties.  ICd  acre's  being  in  Cham- 
paign County,  and  the  reinaindi-r  in  I'iatt 
('ounty.  Here  be  carriiMl  on  general  farming, 
raising  iiiiic-b  grain,  and  made  a  number  of  suh- 
staiilial  iniprovemeiits.  until  1!)11.  w-heii  he 
rented  the  f;iriii  to  bis  son  ;iiid  bought  a  modern 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


789 


residence  at  Montieello.  where  he  has  since  lived 
retired. 

On  Septomlier  L'2.  1S.S0,  Mr.  Piatt  was  mar- 
rietl  to  I'l'nelope  .Miuear,  Ijorn  in  Koss  t'ounty, 
Oliio,  a  daughter  uf  Samuel  and  Mary  E.  Minear, 
who  came  to  I'iatt  (  ounty  ahout  ISU.'i.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  I'iatt  hecanie  the  i>arents  of  the  following 
children:  Samuel  M.,  who  is  on  the  home  farm: 
Anna  Bell,  who  is  Mrs.  .Vrthur  Fosnaugh,  of 
Sangamon  Township:  and  Mary  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Alva  Koyce,  of  Montieello  Township. 
Mr.  Piatt  served  as  a  school  director  for  many 
years,  and  also  as  a  school  trustee. 

PICKERILL,  Rev.  Lovell  Barton,  who  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  gave  his  best  efforts  to  the  work 
of  spreading  the  gospel,  has  not  relinquished 
his  labors  in  behalf  of  moral  uplift  and  civic 
betterment,  although  not  now  definitely  con- 
nected with  any  pulpit.  He  was  born  in  Wood- 
ford County.  III.,  September  2C.  IS.j.",  a  son  of 
Chester  B.  and  Kachel  (Draper)  Pickerill,  na- 
tives of  Brown  and  Allen  Counties,  Ohio.  The 
father  was  a  farmer  and  stuckraiser,  who  came 
to  Woodford  lounty.  111.,  in  1851.  His  death 
occurred  at  Eureka.  111.,  in  the  spring  of  1897. 
The  mother  died  in  March.  1901. 

Lovell  B.  I'ickerill  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  district,  and  the  high  school  of 
Low  Point.  111.,  following  which  he  took  a  course 
at  Eureka  College,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated with  a  degree  of  A.  M.  in  187G.  Followiug 
this  he  taught  school  and  did  local  preaching 
for  a  few  years,  and  then  in  order  to  further 
fit  himself  for  ministerial  work,  he  took  a  course 
at  the  Kentucky  University,  now  known  as  the 
Transylvania  University,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  .Tune.  1SS7.  From  September  of 
that  year  until  September.  1S9L',  Mr.  I'ickerill 
was  stationed  at  Buffalo.  111.,  and  then  he  had 
charge  of  the  first  church  at  Clinton.  111.,  from 
September,  18!)1.  to  Seiitemlier.  1897,  as  pastor 
there  five  .rears  but  lived  there  six  years.  He 
also  preached  at  Fairbury.  Camargo.  Findlay, 
Henton.  Oreana  and  Argenta.  two  years  at  each 
one  of  these  towns,  but  lived  at  De  Land  during 
all  this  time.  On  account  of  failing  health  of 
his  wife  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  definite 
ministerial  lalior.  lie  owns  a  farm  in  Goose 
Creek  Township,  and  now  occupies  himself  In 
looking  after  its  operation  and  also,  since  his 
first  wife's  death,  has  been  a  local  preacher. 

Ou  August  .31,  1870.  Mr.  Pickerill  was  married 
(first)  to  Enuna  Hodgson,  born  in  LaSalle 
County.  111.,  a  daughter  of  Eli  and  Phoebe 
(Kinkade)  Hodgson,  natives  of  Clinton  County, 
Ohio.  There  were  no  children  by  this  marriage. 
Mrs.  Pickerill  died  May  2(;.  1904.  In  December, 
1905.  Mr.  Pickerill  married  (second)  at  Eureka, 
111.,  Mary  Evelyn  Bailey,  born  in  Fulton  County. 
Ind.,  a  daughter  of  I).  W.  and  Mary  (Smith) 
Bailey,  natives  of  Indiana.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pick- 
erill have  one  daughter,  Rachel  Evelyn,  born 
November  8,  1912. 

For  many  .vears  Mr.  Pickerill  was  an  inde- 
jiendent  voter  in  political  campaigns,  but  lately 


has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  Prohibition 
movement,  and  was  chosen  by  that  party  to  rep- 
resent the  Twenty-fourth  Senatorial  District  in 
the  State  Assenil)ly  for  two  .successive  terms. 
He  has  always  been  earnest  aud  active  in  .secur- 
ing public  improvements  aud  to  further  educa- 
tional advantages.  A  modest,  unassuming  man, 
his  work  speaks  for  itself,  and  his  good  deeds 
will  live  after  him  and  his  example  serve  to 
jioiut  out  the  way  for  others  to  follow,  not  only 
those  of  his  own  denomination,  but  all  who  wish 
to  be  Christians. 

PLUNK,  William  Arthur,  for  years  one  of  the 
substantial  fanners  of  Piatt  County,  but  now 
deceased,  was  born  in  Sangamon  Townshiii, 
.\pril  24.  1SG9.  a  son  of  Thomas  A.  aud  Sarah 
(Cliue)  Plunk,  natives  of  Ohio  and  White  Heath, 
111.  The  father  came  to  Piatt  County,  111.,  in 
1850.  and  became  the  owner  of  over  an  entire 
section  of  fine  farming  laud  in  Montieello 
Township.  Their  children  were  as  follows:  Wil- 
-UOK  ut  sa.\ti  oii-tt  •j.iaciiv  sbuiotix  :.uit]j.iV  nnn[ 
tieello  Township  :  Robert  Lewis,  who  resides  iu 
Sangamon  Township :  Charles,  who  resides  in 
Michigan:  Harriet,  who  is  Mrs.  Dr.  T.  A.  Es- 
tock,  of  Portland.  Ore. :  Estella.  who  died  at 
the  age  of  fifteen  years ;  Frank,  who  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Ohio;  and  John,  who  is  decea.sed. 

William  Arthur  Pluuk  attended  the  common 
and  high  schools  of  Mcmticello.  and  the  Cov- 
ington (Ind.)  College.  He  remained  with  his 
parents  until  1891,  and  then  rented  a  farm  in 
MiDiticello  Township  for  two  years.  In  1893 
he  moved  ou  a  300  acre  farm,  which  he  rented 
fron)  his  uncle,  in  Sangamon  Township,  wbere 
he  died.  Jlay  :;.  1903.  On  .Tanuiiry  8.  1891.  he 
was  married  to  Emma  Xorris.  born  iu  Sanga- 
mon Township,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mar.v 
.V.  (Hubbart)  Xorris.  of  Madison  County.  Ohio, 
who  came  to  Piatt  County,  111.,  when  children, 
an<l  lived  on  farms  iu  Sangamon  Township. 
Tlie  mother  diwl  March  8.  1911.  and  the  father 
died  .Tune  1.  1915.  Their  children  were  as  fol- 
lows: .Tames,  who  lives  at  Montieello,  II!.:  Ed- 
ward and  Frank,  twins,  who  are  deceased;  Ella, 
who  was  Mrs.  William  Miller,  is  deceased:  Ida, 
who  is  Mrs.  .Tames  McCann.  lives  at  Kearney, 
\eb. :  and  Charles,  who  died  in  infancy. 

After  the  death  of  .Mr.  I'lunk.  Mrs.  Plunk 
bought  forty  acres  of  land  .iust  south  of  White 
Heath,  which  she  farmed  until  within  the  past 
few  years,  when  she  rented  her  property.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Plunk  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing ciiihirpii  :  Harrison  Reed,  who  lives  at 
Chanjiiaign,  HI.,  married  Elsie  ililler;  Hildred, 
who  is  Mrs.  Olin  Carrick.  has  one  daughter, 
Ma.xine.  and  lives  at  Decatur.  HI.  ;  and  Mary 
Hazel.  Jlr.  Plunk  was  a  Methoilist  in  religious 
faith.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican,  and 
served  as  tax  enllector  of  Sangamon  Township 
for  three  years,  and  iu  1902  was  supervisor  of 
this  township.  Fraternally  he  belonged  to 
\\niite  Heath  Camp.  M.  W.  .V..  and  Montieello 
I^idge.  K.  P..  and  was  popular  in  both  orders. 
His  untimely  death  lirought   a   loss  to  his  com- 


790 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COl'NTY. 


iMuniry,  Mild  liis  meuiury  is  lielil  in  icspoctful 
;;riititu<li-  by  the  peoplf  whom  he  served  faith- 
I'lilly  MS  :i  puhlic  otHfiiil. 

PLUNK,  William  Henry,  The  lute  Williaui 
lleiiiy  I'liinU.  vclciMii  dl'  the  Civil  War,  patriotic 
citizen  wlu'lher  in  times  of  war  or  peace,  suc- 
cessful Muriculluralist  ami  lioiioriHl  baiikinir  ofli- 
cial.  was  one  wlio  left  tlie  im|)ress  of  his  per- 
sonality iipou  business  and  civil  life  at  Mon- 
licello."  lie  was  born  in  Uoss  County,  Oliio, 
December  18,  18.37,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Knglel  Plunk,  natives  of  Ohio,  who  came  to 
Illinois  in  18."i(;  and  passe<l  the  last  years  of 
their  lives  on  .-i  farm  in   S.-uiijaraon  Township. 

William  Henry  Plunk  received  a  district 
schiHil  education  and  was  nineteen  years  of  age 
when  he  accompanied  liis  parents  to  Illinois. 
He  was  married  December  (i,  1800,  to  Miss 
Matilda  .Vndersoii.  of  I'iekaway  County.  Ohio, 
dauirhter  of  John  and  Susan  (  Shepard)  .\nder- 
son.  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter 
i>f  Viru'inia.  One  week  after  his  marriaiie.  Mr. 
Plunk's  father  died.  In  .Vngust.  lst;2.  .Mr.  I'lunk 
enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Seventh  Ueiri- 
ment.  Illinois  \'oliniteer  Infantry.  Although 
he  participated  in  many  of  the  bloody  battles  of 
the  Civil  W:ir  and  was  always  known  as  a 
brave  and  valiant  soldier  in  the  thickest  of  the 
ti:^ht.  lie  escaped  wounds  or  capture  and  re- 
turned safely   to   his   home. 

.\fter  his  return  from  the  war  Mr.  I'lunk 
pui'chased  the  home  farm.  In  1SG8  .Mr.  Plunk 
was  elected  sherilt'  of  Piatt  County  and  moved 
to  Monticello.  Two  years  later  he  was  chosen 
by  the  voters  as  circuit  clerk,  an  olliee  in  whi'-h 
he  servetl  honorably  and  eflicientl.v  for  twelve 
.years,  and  during  that  period  became  a  partner 
wilh  Mr.  Van  Kensellaer  Moore,  in  Moore's 
Hank.  He  conlinued  ;is  the  <-ashier  of  this  insti- 
tutiim  mitil  his  death,  .Vpril  L*i).  1910.  He  was 
.■I  nrin  who  merited  in  full  the  high  esteem  in 
whicb  he  w.-is  held  in  liaid<ing  circles,  his  integ- 
rity being  ever  uni]uestioned.  As  an  accuura- 
lator  of  farming  ju'oijert.v  he  secured  l.HOO  acres 
of  land,  .">0<l  of  which  is  still  owned  by  his 
widow,  who  makes  her  home  in  the  handsome 
fanuly  resldeni-e  at  Monticello.  Mr.  Plunk  was 
a  sturdy  Iti'pnMir.in  in  politics,  and  clearly  rep- 
resented the  best  interests  of  that  iKirty.  lie  was 
for  many  years  one  of  the  valued  comrades  of 
the  Crand  .Vrmy  of  the  Itepublic,  was  a  faith- 
ful member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  affil- 
iated with  the  Masonic  ,ind  Odd  Fellow  fra- 
ternal  oriiers. 

Mr.  and  >Irs.  Plunk  h.id  no  children  of  their 
own.  but  re;ireil  two  of  the  children  of  Mrs. 
Plunk's  sisters:  Mattie.  Mrs.  Frank  Williams, 
of  Enid.  Okla..  who  has  three  children.  Fern. 
Everett  and  Walter:  and  Kathryn,  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam   Atlkins.  of   Monticello.   111. 

PONDER,  Walter,  now  operating  the  home  farm 
of  his  (virents  in  I'lnty  Township,  is  one  of  the 
substantial  men  of  PintI  Comdy,  and  one  whose 
standing  is  unusually  high.  He  was  born  at 
Ilanunond,   III.,   May  11,   18,87,  a   son  of  James 


:ind  Lucretia  (Hryson)  Ponder,  natives  of  North 
Carolina  and  Piatt  County,  respectively.  The 
grandparents.  Joseph  and  .Matilda  Ponder  came 
to  Piatt  County,  111.  during  the  Civil  War.  After 
their  marriage,  the  parents  located  on  an  eighty- 
acre  farm  of  imimproved  land,  which  the  father 
develoiMMl  and  added  to  until  there  are  now  COG 
acres  in  I'nity  Township  and  .'!t;0  acres  in 
Douglas  County,  111.,  which  latter  iiroperty  he 
rents.  He  farms  100  acres  in  Unity  Township, 
his  son.  Walter,  operating  the  remainder  of  the 
Unity  Township  holdings.  Since  100.8,  however, 
he  has  resided  at  Tuscola.  HI.  The  children  of 
the  parents  are  as  follows:  Ethel  who  is  Mrs. 
Hugh  Crosman  of  Tu.scola,  111.:  Walter;  Leslie 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years;  Eva; 
and  John  who  is  at  home. 

Walter  Ponder  attended  the  schools  of  his 
district.  Brown's  Business  Colleger  of  Decatur, 
111.,  and  the  Illinois  State  Normal  School  at 
Xormal.  III.  On  February  24.  1910  he  was  mar- 
ried to  lOlhel  Smith,  born  in  Dcmglas  County, 
III.,  a  daughter  of  L.  I.  and  Amy  (Coleman) 
Snutli.  iiiitive.-i  of  Ohio.  .Vfler  his  marriage.  Mr. 
Ponder  took  charge  of  the  home  farm  of  400 
acres  of  land  on  which  he  does  general  grain 
farming  and  has  one  of  the  best  agricultural 
properties  in  the  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ponder 
have  two  children,  namely:  Ruth  R.  who  was 
born  Jaiuiary  14,  1912;  and  Ellen  Jenette  who 
was  born  .\ugust  4.  1914.  Mr.  Ponder  is  a 
Methodist.  His  iioliti<al  o|)inions  make  him  sup- 
port the  principles  and  <andidates  of  the  Keiwb- 
lican  [larty.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Odd 
Fellows  of  Hanuiiond,  111.  A  man  of  importance, 
he  is  steadfast  in  bis  adherence  to  what  he  be- 
lieves is  right,  and  is  a  valu.-ible  addition  to  his 
community. 

POSTLEWAIT,  Thomas,  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vani.i.  and  cajne  to  IJement  in  18.')8.  and  there 
died  in  ls(i!l.  He  was  a  carpenter  and  was 
fannliarly  known  as  "Uncle  Tommy."  In  1848 
he  was  married  to  Mary  Cross  and  their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows :  James  C,  Mrs.  John 
Davis,  Mrs.  Charles  McOaffey.  and  Sue.  For 
years  Mr.  Po.stlewait  was  a  school  director,  and 
he  was  one  of  thosi'  who  built  the  Methodist 
Church  at   Benient. 

PRIESTLEY,  George  Thomas.  One  of  the 
nuMiicMuienls  whicb  is  gener.illy  recognized  the 
world  over  as  being  a  remedy  possessing  unusual 
healing  qualities  and  reliability  is  the  Syrup  of 
Pepsin,  manufactured  at  Monticello  by  the  Pep- 
sin Syrup  Company,  of  which  George  Thomas 
Priestle.v  is  superintendent.  Mr.  Priestley  was 
born  in  England.  February  22.  1802,  a  son  of 
John  and  Eliza  (Whitwood)  Priestley.  The 
mother  died  when  Ceorge  T.  I'riestlcy  was  an 
infant,  ami  the  father  later  married  Rebecca 
Clark.  Both  be  and  his  second  wife  died  In 
England. 

The  education  of  Mr.  Priestley  was  secured  in 
the  public  and  |U'ivate  schools  of  his  native 
land,  and  he  studied  pharmacy  prior  to  connng 
to  the  T'nited  States  in  1.8S2,  with  his  brother, 


samup:l  smock  and  fajiily 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


791 


J.  H.  Priestley.  He  located  at  Mouticello,  antl 
during  his  first  nine  months  in  this  city,  was  iu 
the  employ  of  William  Reese,  a  druggist.  He 
then  went  to  Beiiieut,  111.,  and  for  three  years 
was  iu  the  drug  business,  and  for  three  years 
more  was  associated  with  Dr.  Ruby.  Mr.  Priest- 
ley then  came  back  to  Mouticello  to  connect  him- 
self with  P.  B.  Keys,  leaving  him  to  go  with 
John  Bohn,  and  then  became  associated  with 
W.  B.  Caldwell,  the  founder  of  the  Pepsin  Syrup 
Company. 

On  September  10,  1888,  Mr.  Priestley  was 
married  to  Emma  B.  Thorpe,  born  in  Piatt 
County,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  M.  and  Sarah  H. 
Thori)e,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Virginia.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Pi-iestley  have  had  three  children,  namely : 
Edward  Lynue,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  years;  J.  Thorpe  and  Sarah  Kathrync. 
who  are  at  home.  In  politics  Mr.  Priestley  is  a 
Republican.  His  religious  affiliations  are  with 
the  I'resbyterian  Church.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

QUICK,  Daniel,  one  of  the  substantial  men  of 
Monticellij,  who  lias  been  connected  with  vari- 
ous interests  of  Piatt  County,  was  born  iu  tills 
county,  in  Unity  Township,  January  4,  18.j2,'a- 
sou  of  Ben,janiin  F.  and  lOlizabeth  (  Utterhiicli/-' 
Quick,  he  born  in  Westchester  County.  X.  Y., 
and  she  liorn  in  Hardin  County.  Ky.  Thejf 
moved  to  Indiana  and  lived  there  for  a  yqM', 
but  in  IS.SS  they  came  to  Unity  Townshi]),  Piatt 
County,  and  entered  forty  acres  of  land  from 
the  gnverninent,  that  was  all  covered  with  tim- 
ber. The  father  cleared  off  his  land,  and  in  time 
added  lliO  acres  to  his  original  purchase,  that 
was  Iocate<l  further  out  in  the  prairie,  and  this 
he  broke  and  improveil.  Buying  more  lan'l 
from  tunc  to  time,  he  finally  had  .5.50  acres, 
owning  this  when  he  died,  on  his  farm,  in  3S75. 
Tlie  mother  died  a  few  years  later.  There  were 
thirteen  chiklren  in  the  family,  eleven  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity,  and  six  are  now  living:  .John 
T.,  who  lives  at  .Vtwood.  111. ;  Elizabeth,  who 
is  Mrs.  Thomas  Ritchey.  of  .Vtwood.  111. :  Wil- 
liam, who  lives  at  .Vtwood:  Ben,iamin  Franklin, 
■who  lives  in  Unit.v  Township:  and  Daniel,  who 
was  next  to  the  youngest  in  the  family. 

Daniel  Quick  made  his  home  with  his  mother 
after  his  father's  death,  conducting  120  acres 
of  the  home  farm,  with  eighty  acres  of  his  own. 
Selling  his  eighty  acres,  he  bought  other  land 
in  T'nity  Township  and  carried  on  general  fann- 
ing until  1.S0.5.  when  he  moved  to  Mouticello  and 
bought  jiroperty.  and  in  the  fall  of  IflOO  was  ap- 
pointwl  a  guard  at  the  Pontiac  State  Reforma- 
tory, where  lie  served  for  a  year.  He  then  had 
charge  of  the  lawn  both  on  the  outside  and 
Inside  of  the  prison  walls,  and  remained  at  Pon- 
tiac over  three  years,  when  he  returned  to  Mou- 
ticello where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  For 
two  years  he  was  marshal  of  Mouticello  and. 
being  an  active  man.  in  order  to  give  himself 
something  to  do  is  now  acting  as  jauitor  of  the 
Farmers  State  Bank.  While  living  in  Unity 
Township  he  served  as  constable,  and  is  a  Re- 
publican   in    his    political    views.      During    his 


boyliood  he  attended   the  first   log  schools,  and 
later  went  to  the   district  schools. 

In  ],y.)8  Mr.  Quick  was  married  to  Rebecca 
.Vter,  who  was  born  in  Indiana.  Her  father 
died  when  she  w-as  a  child.  There  were  no 
children  of  this  marriage. 

QUICK,  Smith,  was  born  in  New  York  in  181G, 
was  one  of  the  very  first  settlers  of  Bemeut 
T(jwnship.  For  some  years  he  was  engaged 
in  farming  iu  Bemeut  Township,  but  uixm  his 
retirement  he  located  at  Bemeut.  In  1S3S  he 
was  married  to  Mahala  Tryon  and  their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows :  Isaiah  B.,  Elsbary, 
Charlotte,  Mrs.  George  Pool,  Mrs.  John  EUars, 
.Mrs.  Xoble  Huftiues,  Jasper  N.,  Viola  F.  and 
Cora  O. 

RAY,  James  P.,  was  born  in  Marion  County, 
111.,  May  1,  1S48,  and  came  to  Unity  Township 
iu  yoimg  manhood,  here  engaging  in  farming, 
beconiing  the  owner  of  320  acres  of  land.  On 
iMarch  ly,  1874,  Mr.  Ray  was  married  to  Electa 
B.  Woofers,  and  they  lived  upon  their  farm 
for  a  number  of  years,  finally  retiring  to  Be- 
meut Township,  where  he  died  March  31,  1890. 
Fraternally  he  was  a  Mason. 

REID,  Nelson.  Both  as  a  successful  agricultur- 
alist and  as  an  otlicial  of  Piatt  County,  the  late 
Nelson  Reid  was  well  and  honorably  known  to 
the  people  of  his  section,  and  is  remembered 
with  i-espect.  He  was  born  iu  Ohio,  November 
16,  1838,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Hannah  Reid. 
His  father  died  before  his  birth,  and  he  was 
rearcil  entirely  by  his  mother,  being  .sent  to  the 
<-ouunou  schools  in  his  native  state.  In  the  fall 
of  l.si;4.  he  came  to  Piatt  County,  and  located 
in  (Joose  Creek  Townshi]).  From  there  he  en- 
listed for  service  in  the  Civil  War  in  an  Illinois 
regiment.  After  his  honorable  discharge  at  the 
cluse  of  the  conflict,  he  returned  to  Ohio  and 
spent  a  few  years.  In  1869,  however,  he  re- 
turned to  Piatt  County  and  bought  eighty  acres 
of  land,  to  which  farm  he  kept  on  adding  until 
he  owned  200  acres,  where  he  died  and  where 
his  widow  now  lives.  Here  he  put  up  all  the 
buildings  and  made  other  valuable  improve- 
ments, and  liere  carried  on  general  farming. 
He  found  time  to  ethciently  serve  in  a  number 
of  offices,  being  treasurer  of  the  county  for  two 
years,  during  which  period  he  rented  his  farm 
and  lived  at  Mouticello;  tow-nship  collector, 
township  as.sessor,  school  treasurer  and  justice 
cif  the  peace,  all  in  Sangamon  Town.ship,  giv- 
ing entire  satisfaction  in  all  these  positions. 

On  .Vugust  10,  ls(i.5.  Mr.  Reid  was  married  to 
Caroline  Weaver,  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  a 
daughter  of  Jlichael  and  Mary  (Markle)  Weaver 
of  Ross  County,  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reid  be- 
came the  parents  of  two  sons,  namely:  Robert 
M.,  who  lives  at  Lake  City,  Iowa  :  and  James 
N.,  who  lives  with  his  widowed  mother,  and  is 
engage<I  in  conducting  the  homestead.  The 
elder  .son  is  postmaster  of  Lake  City,  and  both 
are  most  estimable  and  succes.sful  men.  On 
.May  22,   191.5,  Mr.   Reid  died,  having  been  for 


7i)2 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY 


yciirs  a  riiivcrsiilist  in  reli^imis  belief,  and 
ever  a  man  of  !u^;li  priiiciiiles  ami  uiiri;;lit  life. 
In  ii(iliti<s  he  was  a  Democrat  anil  a  leader  in 
Ills  part.v.  ICssentially  a  home  man.  he  found 
reii-eation  in  his  famil.v.  and  \va.s  not  allillated 
with  any  social  orders. 

REMMERS,  Peter  (deceased),  was  for  many 
years  laie  of  tlie  suii-essliil  airricnlturalists  of 
I'iatt  County,  and  a  nuui  wliose  example  of  iip- 
riL'lit  livin;;  and  honorable  dealing'  places  him 
hi:;h  in  the  memory  of  those  who  were  asso- 
ciated with  him.  He  was  liorii  in  Germany. 
September  s.  l.S4ii,  a  son  of  Jerico  and  Masde- 
line  Itenuners.  who  c.ime  to  I.ouan  County.  111., 
from  Cermany.  .and  there  lived  for  some  years 
lirior  to  moving  to  I'iatt  County,  and  during 
their  life  in  the  Tnited  States  they  were  farm- 
ins  I'eoi'l*''     Hoth  are  now  deceased. 

I'eter  Itemmers  .-it tended  the  couunon  .schools 
of  (iermany.  and  b>arned  farming'  there  and  In 
tile  Initcil  States.  .\fter  att.iinin^  to  man'.s 
estate,  he  eiifianed  in  farmiui;  in  l^osan  County, 
III.,  until  1S.SS  when  he  came  to  I'iatt  County, 
buyiiii;  ll'O  acres  in  Goose  Creek  Township.  To 
his  orij;inal  purchase  ho  added  tnitil  he  owned 
4(K)  acres.  :;."«!  acres  beinj;  in  Goose  Creek  Town- 
ship, and  the  bal.-incc  in  Willow  HrancU  Town- 
ship. In  I'.iiil)  .Mr.  IJemmers  retired,  moved  to 
De  Land,  rentiii!.'  his  farm  to  his  sons,  and  liere 
he  ri'sided  in  the  handsome  residence  he  had 
bou^'ht.  tnitil  his  death  which  occurred  (3ctoher 

1.  i9i;!. 

On  .July  14.  lS7(i.  Peter  Kcmmers  was  married 
to  Anna  Hruhu.  born  in  Germany  October  22. 
lS."i4.  a  daujihtor  of  I'eter  and  Fannie  (England) 
Rruhn.  who  came  to  I.ogan  County.  111.,  in  1,ST2. 
Mr.  and  .Airs.  Kemmers  became  the  parents  of 
the  following  <hildren :  .Terico.  who  lives  in 
I.ogan  County.  111.:  Marie,  who  is  Mrs.  Bert 
Husinger  of  (Joose  Creek  Township;  Yandalinc, 
who  is  Mrs.  I.ibbert  Lubbers,  of  Iowa ;  Peter, 
who  lives  in  Willow  Branch  Township;  Anna, 
who  is  Mrs.  Ike  Lubbers,  of  Moutieello,  111. ; 
Kate,  who  is  Mrs.  Otto  Lubbers,  of  DeWitt 
County.  111.;  .Tohn.  who  is  on  the  home  farm; 
and  .lennie  and  Henry,  who  live  with  their 
widowed  mother  at  He  Land.  The  fanuly  were 
f(U-merly  Baptists,  but  now  attend  the  Methodist 
Church.  In  iiolitics  Mr.  Itenuners  was  a  Demo- 
crat. He  was  a  man  of  industrious  and  thrifty 
habits  and  worki'd  hard  and  steadily,  and  lived 
to  see  his  efforts  produce  comfort  for  his  family 
and  respect  for  himself. 

RHOADES,  Daniel,  came  to  I'iatt  County  in 
]s44.  locating  on  a  farm  in  .Moutieello  Town- 
ship, where  he  died  in  1s."i3.  His  widow  sur- 
vived him  .and  made  her  homo  at  Moutieello 
until  her  death,  which  occurred  in  187M.  Their 
children  were  as  follows:  Kmauuel.  .leremiah. 
Kljy.abeth.   Mary,  and   N.ilban   V,. 

RINEHART,  Isaac  L.,  who.  after  years  of  suc- 
cessful einhavor.  is  now  living  in  comfortable  re- 
tirement iit  De  Land,  is  one  of  the  representative 
men   of   Piatt   County.     He   was   horn   In   Ross 


Counly.  Ohio,  in  .lanuary,  18."],  a  son  of  .lames 
and  Catlierine  (Welsh)  Uinehart,  natives  of 
Virginia.  In  PS.")!  the  parents  came  to  Piatt 
C(mnty,  111.,  where  the  father  became  a  farmer, 
although  he  had  been  a  gun  and  blacksmitli  for 
the  six  years  he  lived  in  Ohio  prior  to  makiiig 
the  change.  The  homestead  in  Piatt  Coutny  was 
on  the  county  line  between  it  and  Macon  County. 
.Vfter  eonilileting  his  studies  in  the  public 
schools  at  Champaign,  III.,  I.saac  L.  Rinehart 
went  to  college  one  year,  and  then,  at  the  age 
of  nineteen  years,  he  became  telegraph  operati)r 
and  also  taught  school,  not  disipialitied  for 
the  former  work  although  through  an  intirmity 
resulting  from  an  operation  in  his  infancy  he 
was  deprived  of  the  use  of  his  left  arm.  In 
fSTtt  Mr.  Rinehart  embarked  in  a  hardware  and 
grocery  business  at  De  Land,  his  being  the  lirst 
general  store  of  the  place.  In  the  meanwhile  he 
had  aciiuired  a  partner.  Henry  W.  Gantz.  In 
l.S'.Ci  they  ilissolved  their  connection,  Mr.  Rine- 
hart taking  llie  hardware  branch,  which  he  con- 
ducted until  P.tUl,  when  he  sold  and  since  then 
ha.s  lived  retired.  During  his  many  years  in 
business  he  won  and  retained  the  coutidenco  of 
those  with  whom  he  did  business,  and  he  stands 
for  an  excellent  type  of  the  sound  men  Piatt 
County  has  jiroduced. 

In  isT'.i  Mr.  Uinehart  was  married  to  .\senath 
.1.  .McCance.  iKirn  in  Fultim  County,  111.,  a  daugh- 
ter of  .I.-imcs  and  Mary  McCauce.  born  in  Ohio. 
The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Itinehart  are  as 
lollows  :  ,Iames  B..  who  lives  at  De  Land  ;  (irace, 
who  is  Mrs.  C.  L.  .Maxwell,  of  Champaign.  111.; 
and  lOverett  R..  who  is  at  home.  lu  politics  Mr. 
Rinehart  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  town 
clerk  of  De  Land.  Ilis  fraternal  atliliation  is 
with  the  Modern   Woodmen  of  .^merica. 

RINEHART,  James  Bruce,  cashier  of  the  Kirst 
N.itioiial  Lank,  of  De  Land,  and  a  man  whose 
conservative  policies  and  llnaneial  knowledge  are 
employed  in  rendering  the  jieople  of  De  Land 
and  Ills  bank  ellicient  service,  was  horn  at  De 
Land.  .Inly  27.  1S.S],  a  son  of  Lsaac  Luther  and 
.^senatb  .1.  I  McCance)  Rinehart.  natives  of 
Ohio  and  Pulton  County.  111.  The  paternal 
grandfather.  .Tames  Rinehart.  was  a  gunsmith  in 
01iic>,  but  alter  coming  to  Piatt  County.  III.,  he 
became  a  farmer.  Isaac  Luther  Rinehart  was 
reared  on  a  farm  but  later  became  a  mercb.-int, 
and  since  10(11  has  been  retired. 

.Tames  Bruce  Itinehart  attended  the  conunon 
.ind  high  scliools  of  De  Land  and  Normal,  III., 
and  tlion  took  a  foiu'  months'  course  at  the  Gem 
City  Business  College,  (.luincy.  111.  Following 
this  be  clorkeil  in  .i  hai'<lware  store  in  liis  native 
place  until  be  became  assistant  cashier  of  the 
State  P.ank  of  De  Land,  on  .lanuary  7.  1!K11. 
This  position  was  hold  by  him  with  such  effi- 
ciency that  on  September  24.  1911.  ho  was  made 
cashier  of  the  Croninger  .state  Bank  of  Cisco,  and 
.lanuary  1,  1!)1(>.  he  was  made  cashier  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Do  Land,  which  impor- 
tant position  he  is  still  holdinir.  the  bank  g.ain- 
ing  added  stability  through  his  connection 
with  it. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


793 


On  Xdveiiilier  .'jO,  100"),  Mr.  Riiieluirt  was  inar- 
rieil  to  Harriet  Wise,  born  at  Milford,  III.,  a 
daughter  of  John  W.  and  Salina  .1.  Wise,  the 
former  of  whom  is  a  native  of  Virginia.  >Ir.  and 
Mrs.  Rinehart  became  the  parents  of  one  daugh- 
ter, Helen  Louise.  Mrs.  Rinehart  died  January 
28,  1915.  In  religious  faith  Mr.  Rinehart  is  a 
Methodist.  In  iiolitics  he  is  a  Republican  and 
has  served  as  village  trustee  and  township  clerk. 
.V  Mason  in  high  standing,  lie  has  risen  to  be  a 
Knight  Templar  and  Shriner.  There  are  few 
men  of  his  age  and  neighliorhood  who  stand  as 
high  in  public  opinion  as  he,  and  his  success  is 
the  result  of  his  own  efforts,  and  his  intelligence 
applied  along  legitimate  and  congenial  lines. 

ROBISON,  Chester  A.,  a  general  farmer  and 
(lair.vinan  who  is  iiutting  into  (iractice  many  mod- 
ern ideas  with  reference  to  agricultural  work,  is 
justly  counted  among  the  substantial  young  men 
of  Sangamon  Township.  He  was  born  in  (joose 
Creek  Township,  this  county.  December  22,  1890, 
a  son  of  Clement  Vallandigham  and  Alice  (Gar- 
ver)  Robison.  natives  of  Ohio  and  Macon  County, 
111.,  respectively.  The  paternal  grandfather.  Wil- 
liam Robison.  when  his  son  Clement  was  thir- 
teen years  old.  in  IsSO,  came  to  Piatt  County, 
and  located  in  (loose  Creek  Township.  In  1890 
the  father  moved  to  Monticello.  111.,  where  he 
has  since  resided. 

Chester  A.  Robison  attended  the  district 
schools  of  (ioose  Creek  Township,  and  when 
eighteen  years  old  began  working  in  a  grocery 
store  at  Monticello.  A  year  later  he  went  to 
Champaign  County.  111.,  and  was  engaged  for 
another  year  in  a  piano  factory.  Returning  to 
his  native  township  he  worked  on  his  father's 
farm  of  204  acres  until  1912.  .uid  then  acijuiring 
a  portion  of  this  farm.  lived  on  it  until  Febru- 
ary 29.  I'.Hii,  when  he  moved  to  eighty  acres  of 
land  that  his  father  owned  in  Sangamon  Town- 
ship. Here  he  carries  on  general  farming  and 
has  a  tine  dairy.  Mr.  Robison  has  a  l>rother, 
Willi.-im  Robison,  who  lives  at  Garrett,  HI.;  and 
a  sister.  Mamie,  who  is  Mrs.  \\'allace  Pi.-itt.  of 
Monticello,  111.,  be  lieing  the  second  child  of  the 
three  born  to  liis  parents. 

f)u  A[ar<-h  Ml.  1911.  .Mr.  Robison  was  married  to 
Joyce  Royd,  born  in  Missouri.  ,i  daugliter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Ellen  (Turner)  Royd.  Jlr.  and  Mis. 
Robison  have  one  son,  Clement  I5o.\d.  who  was 
born  April  7,  1912.  The  De  Land  Methodist 
Church  holds  his  memliershiii.  In  politics  he  is 
a  Democrat.  For  some  years  Mr.  Robison  has 
lieen  a  member  of  .Monticello  Caniii.  M.  W.  A. 
A  live,  enthusiastic  young  farmer.  Mr.  Robison 
is  a  valuable  addition  to  any  community,  and 
Is  destined  to  attain  higher  things  than  have  yet 
come  to  him. 

ROBISON,  William,  a  farmer  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary experience  and  capability,  who  is  making 
practical  use  of  his  knowledge,  is  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial men  of  Bement  Township.  He  was  born 
in  I'iatt  County,  in  1802.  a  son  of  William  Robi- 
son. born  in  PicU.iway  County.  Ohio,  in  18,33.  who 


m.irri(Ml  .Viiianda  Crawford,  born  in  tlie  same 
county,  in  INI.").  They  came  to  Illinois  in  18C1, 
but  after  a  year  returned  to  Ohio,  .\fter  a  short 
stay,  however,  they  came  back  to  Illinois,  and 
rented  land  in  Bement  Township  until  1879, 
when  the  father  bought  202  acres  in  Goose  Creek 
Township.  This  farm  he  operated  for  some  time, 
anil  then  retired  and  went  to  live  at  Monticello. 

William  Robison  .-ittended  tlie  common  schools 
of  I'iatt  County  until  he  was  nineteen  years  old, 
at  which  time  he  began  working  for  his  father 
on  the  farm,  so  continuing  until  1888,  when  he 
began  farming  for  liimself  on  the  homestead. 
Five  years  later  he  bought  KJO  acres  of  land  in 
\'ermilion  County,  111.,  but  later  sold  this  farm 
and  s]ient  a  short  period  at  Monticello.  He  then 
bought  ninety  and  one-half  acres  of  land  in  Be- 
ment Township,  which  he  is  still  operating.  In 
.•iddition  to  this  farm,  he  owns  si.Kteen  city  lots 
at  Monticello. 

In  18SS  Mr.  Robison  was  married  to  Fannie 
.Miner,  a  daughter  of  Ira  ami  Mary  (Bnffert) 
Miner.  She  was  born  at  Monticello  in  18(>9,  and 
died  in  October,  1915.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robison 
had  two  children,  namel.v :  Nellie,  who  married 
Logan  Hampton,  lives  with  her  father  on  the 
farm  :  and  Lynn,  who  is  a  student  in  the  Monti- 
cello High  schtMil.  Mr.  Robison  is  a  Democrat. 
As  his  interest  has  been  centered  upon  his  work 
and  family,  he  has  never  taken  an  interest  in 
outside  matters  and  so  does  not  belong  to  any 
societies  or  fraternities. 

RODMAN,  Julius  N.,  vice  president  of  tlie  State 
Bank  of  De  Land,  a  man  whose  influence  is 
wide  spread  and  wholesome,  sets  an  example  for 
others  to  follow  in  his  agricultural  activities. 
He  was  born  at  Zanesville.  Ohio,  a  son  of 
Scainon  and  Eliza  (Wolf)  Rodman,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.  Tlie  family  is 
traced  back  to  .John  Rodman,  who  was  born  in 
Ireland  of  Scotcli-Irish  descent.  In  1655,  on  ac- 
<-ouut  of  bis  having  keiit  on  his  hat  in  the  high 
court  of  New  Ross,  he  was  committed  to  .iail 
by  Judge  Louder,  and  was  imprisonei!  for  three 
iiioiitbs  and  then  banished.  New  Ross  being  a 
seaport  and  parli.-imentary  borough  of  Ireland  in 
Kilkenny  and  Wexford  counties,  eighty-four 
miles  south-southwest  of  Dublin.  After  his  ban- 
ishment. John  Ro<lman  went  to  the  Barbadoes, 
where  one  of  the  wealthy  and  intluential 
planters  became  interested  in  him,  and  he  in 
time  became  one  of  this  class  him.self.  The 
.same  determination  to  resist  unfair  disci-iniina- 
tion  has  been  handed  down  from  generation  to 
generation,  and  is  found  in  Julius  N.  Rodman 
today. 

John  Rodman  |irovided  in  his  will  for  a  i)lan- 
tation  which  is  described  in  that  document  as 
follows  : 

"In  the  parish  of  Christ  Church,  situ.-ited  in 
the  Irish  Quarter  so  called."  The  Barbadoes 
were  among  the  first  of  the  English  colonies, 
some  authorities  fixing  the  date  of  the  first  set- 
tlement as  early  as  l(il2.  These  islands  were 
granted  to  the  Earl  of  Carlisle  in  K)2.5.     The  ex- 


794 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


twisivf  susiii'  pliuitatioiis  u iiirh  were  lic^'uu  in 
the  period  lietwceii  l(;4(t  ami  ^<^A(>.  are  tlie  tliief 
source  of  income  to  ilie  planters,  and  this  region 
had  attained  to  a  fair  measure  of  prosperity  as 
early  as  1G5(I.  Land  was  tlien  worth  about 
.$!.">()  per  acre,  and  those  eii;;aged  in  <lovclo|iini: 
Its  resources  hecanie  wealthy.  The  advanlasos 
here  offered,  tempted  geulleuien  of  fiood  families 
and  small  uieans  to  emiirrato,  and  some  of  these 
came  from  the  oldest  and  most  honorable  fam- 
ilies in  Enitlaud.  The  life  of  a  jilanter  in  the 
Harliadoes  is  described  by  a  historian  writing;  in 
1708,  as  follows:  "The  inhabitants  are  ranked 
in  three  orders:  masters  who  are  either  Eui;lish, 
Scots  or  Irish,  wath  some  few  Dutch,  I'^reucb, 
with  a  few  Jews  of  Dutch,  French  or  Portuguese 
birth;  white  servants  of  lionsehoUl,  and  those  of 
the  lields.  'I'beir  tallies  are  spread  every  day 
with  a  variety  of  nice  dishes  aud  attendants  are 
more  numerous  tlian  tliose  of  the  uobility  in 
l'"ngland.  Their  (Mpiipages  are  rich,  their  liveries 
fine,  aud  their  coaclies  and  horses  considerable, 
their  chairs,  chaises  ami  all  the  conveniences  for 
their  travelim;  magnificent." 

In  tliis  connection  it  is  interesting  to  note 
some  of  the  iirovisions  of  the  will  of  .Tohn  Rod- 
m.-in.  who  rose  from  a  lowly  jRisition  to  one  of 
commanding  imi'ortaucc. 

"In  tbe  name  of  (Jod.  Amen.  I,  John  Rodman 
of  the  I'arisb  of  Christ  Cliurch  in  aforesaid 
island,  planter,  jieiug  at  this  present  time  weak 
of  body  but  of  soiuid  miiid  and  perfect  memory. 
praise  he  to  (;o<l  for  it.  do  constitute  and  make 
this  my  last  will  and  testament  revoking  all 
former  wills  by  me  made  oi'  caused  to  be  made 
in  manner  .-itkI  fdrni  .-is  follows:  I  commit  my 
soul  to  tlic  Ii.-mtls  of  (iod  trusting  through  tlie 
jiriM-idus  mci'it  of  Jesus  Christ  m.v  alone  Saviour 
and  i;e(leeiii(>r  to  obt.-iiu  rennssion  of  all  my  sins 
and  fills  miserable  and  transitory  life  is  ended 
to  en.joy  full  r(>surrection  and  fruition  to  Eternal 
liappiness  in  the  world  to  come:  I  bef|ueat!i  my 
body  to  the  eartli  from  which  it  came,  decently 
to  be  buried  in  old  clnu'cb  yard  as  near  to  uiy 
wife  as  may  be  deceased,  with  Christian  buri.-il 
which  I  leave  to  tlu^  discretion  of  my  beloved 
wife.  I  give  unto  my  beloved  wife  Elizabeth 
Rodman  my  wliole  estate,  real  and  personal,  that 
is  my  pl.mtation  that  now  we  live  on  and  my 
jilantation  that  is  rented  out  in  aforesaid  parish, 
she  iiaying  my  debts  and  what  I  may  be  indebted 
and  my  funeral  cb;irges  and  that  my  said  wife 
Eliz.-ibeth  Itodman  ilo  en.loy  my  estate,  real  .'Uid 
personal,  with  all  household  stuff  during  her 
lifetime,  to  the  intent  no  sale  made  conveyance 
be  made  of  laiul.  negroes  or  household  stuff,  and 
after  her  decease  to  return  to  my  childreti  as 
shall  be  hereafter  mentioned  and  that  my  said 
wife  to  he  my  whole  and  sole  e.xecutrix." 

William  Rodman,  fifth  in  line  from  John  Rod- 
man, served  as  a  justice  of  the  iieace  in  Rucks 
County,  Pa.,  and  was  electwi  to  Congress.  No- 
vember 4,  hSlO,  and  served  in  that  body  until 
March  ",  181."!.  refusing  u  re-election. 

Scamon  Rodman,  father  of  Julius  N.  Rodman, 
was  born  .\ugust  L>7.  ISIO,  and  died  October  .'{l. 


isp.'i.  lie  was  a  son  of  Joseph  aud  Mary  Rod- 
iiian.  who  died  January  28,  1880.  The  marriage 
of  .Scamon  Rodman  and  Eliza  Wolf  took  place 
in  is:i::.  she  was  born  May  21,  1811,  a  daughter 
of  Peter  and  Illiy.abeth  Wolf.  Their  children 
were  as  follows:  William,  who  lived  at  Perry- 
ville,  t)hio,  now  deceased;  Jo.seph  Homer,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years;  Francis  A., 
who  lives  at  Holder,  McLean  County,  III. ;  James 
.Milton  and  Samuel  Augustus,  who  are  deceased; 
Elizabeth  A.,  who  is  Mrs.  W.  II.  Porter;  Scamon. 
who  lives  at  De  Land ;  Julius  N.,  also  of  De 
Land ;  Winfleld  Scott  and  Oscar  Orlando  who 
live  at   Itloomington.  III. 

Julius  Rodman  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  place,  and  the  Wesleyau 
Fnlversity  at  P.loomington,  111.  WTaen  he  was 
twenty-one  years  old  he  began  working  for  his 
father  on  a  farm  near  Pleasant  Grove  Church, 
111.,  and  there  he  remained  uutU  1878,  after 
which  he  removed  to  one  of  his  father's  farms, 
also  in  McLean  County.  111.,  and  there  continued 
luitil  1880,  at  which  time  he  moved  to  a  farm 
near  De  Land,  in  Piatt  County,  and  here  he 
rented  land  until  the  spring  of  ISS;^.  At  that 
time  he  moved  to  the  Scott  farm  of  50O  acres, 
one  aud  one-half  miles  east  of  De  Land,  on  whicli 
be  lived  for  twenty  years.  Mr.  Rodman  became 
very  prosperous  and  bought  two  farms  in  Piatt 
and  McLean  counties  which  he  later  rented.  In 
li)(i2  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Assendily  of 
Illinois  and  w;is  re-elected  in  1904.  In  January, 
lt)0:j,  he  mo\ed  to  L)e  Land  where  he  still  main- 
tains his  residence.  In  11X11  he  was  made  vice 
]U-esident  of  the  State  Bank  of  De  Laud,  and 
has  continued  in  tliat  otBee  ever  since.  He  has 
continued  his  farming  operations,  managing 
.'{.(KH)  acres  of  land  for  private  partie.s,  in  addi- 
tion to  his  own  projierty  of  over  500  acres  in  Illi- 
nois and  Indiana.  He  has  always  specialized  in 
farming  .■ind  takes  a  deep  interest  in  imiiroving 
the  land  under  bis  charge,  developing  it  accoixl- 
ing  to  scientitic  methods,  so  that  under  his  fos- 
tering adnunistration  it  has  greatly  increased  in 
value,  as   well  as  being  markedl.y  productive. 

On  October  1.'!.  IsTS,  Mr.  Rodman  was  married 
to  Clara  E.  Colvin,  born  at  Z.anesville,  Ohio,  a 
daughter  of  James  and  Eliza  (Mauley)  Colvin, 
natives  of  Ohio.  Tliere  are  no  children  of  this 
marriage.  Mr.  Rodman  belongs  to  Twentieth 
Century  Lo^lge  Xo.  <)0:i,  K.  of  P.,  and  has  twice 
been  nominated  to  the  grand  lodge;  and  he  also 
belongs  to  De  Land  Chapter  No.  812,  R.  A.  M.  A 
staunch  Reimblican.  he  is  a  leader  in  his  party. 
The  Methodist  Pr()t(>stant  Church  of  Plea.sant 
(Jrove  has  bis  mciiibershi]i.  aud  he  has  held  all 
the  lay  olhces  in  that  cbnri'h,  and  he  is  a  liberal 
sufiporter  of  the  De  Land  Methodist  Church.  In 
every  respect  Mr.  Rodman  is  thoroughly  repre- 
sentative of  the  best  interests  of  his  county  and 
callin.g.  and  has  done  nuich  to  advance  the  busi- 
ness of  agriculture  in  this  section. 

ROOS,  John,  now  living  in  honorable  retirement 
at  De  Land,  is  <jne  of  the  former  successful  agri- 
culturalists of  I'iatt  County  who  bore  his  part  in 


SIMOX    SPRINKLE 


^^m^^-^ 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


795 


tlio  (leveloiiiiiont  of  this  section  of  tlie  st;ite.  IIo 
was  l)oru  near  Mt.  Pulaski,  Logan  County,  111., 
June  17,  LSijO,  a  son  of  Christian  and  Magdalina 
(Meyer)  Koos,  horn  at  Wui-tennnberi;,  (Jermany. 
The  maternal  grandfather,  Jaeoh  Meyer,  located 
in  Logan  County.  111.,  upon  coming  to  the  United 
States,  to  which  section  Christian  Koos  came  in 
IHm,  and  a  little  later  married  Magdaliua 
Meyer.  They  located  on  land  in  Logan  County, 
which  they  owned,  and  there  the  lather  died 
October  24,  ll»14,  tlie  mother  having  died  in 
ISIi.S. 

John  Roos  attended  the  district  schools  of 
l/ogan  County,  and  lived  with  his  father  until 
18SG,  when  he  came  to  Piatt  County,  and  rented 
a  farm  until  1890  when  he  bought  eighty  acres 
in  Goose  Creek  Township.  This  farm  was  partly 
improved,  and  he  increased  its  value  liy  adding 
to  the  Improvements,  and  operated  it  for  ten 
years,  when  lie  sold  it  and  bought  100  acres 
northwest  of  De  Land  in  the  same  township. 
After  thoroughly  improving  the  place,  in  the 
fall  of  101-t  he  hought  100  acres  In  Willow 
Branch  Township,  and  rents  his  properties.  In 
1008  Mr.  Koos  built  a  modern  bungalow  at,  De- 
Land  where  he  has  since  lived  retired.         '"•    ' 

On  December  23.  1880,  Mr.  Roos  was  Wiat- 
ried  to  Dena  T.  laibbers,  born  May  11,  1857,  ih' 
Germany,  ,i  daughter  of  Reemt  E.  ami  Gerliijjrd 
CBoekhoff)  Lubbers  who  came  to  IllinoLs  in 
1870,  and  bought  a  farm  on  the  county  line  of 
Tazewell  and  Morgan  counties.  The  father  died 
July  13,  1870,  and  the  mother  November  8, 
1874.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roos  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children :  Anna,  who  is  Mrs. 
John  Amman,  of  Monticello  Township;  and 
Chris  R.,  who  is  on  the  home  farm,  married 
Pearl  McQuire.  Mrs.  Amman  has  a  daughter, 
Irene;  and  Chris  has  a  daughter,  Marjoi-ie, 
and  these  are  the  grandchildren  in  the  family. 
Mr.  Koos  has  served  as  a  school  director  and  in 
other  local  offices,  and  in  politics  is  a  Repub- 
lican. Fraternallv  he  belongs  to  De  Laud  Lodge 
No.  740,  I.  O.  0."f. 

ROYSE,  Hiram,  was  boin  in  Indiana  in  1840, 
and  came  to  Goose  Creek  Township  in  1S71, 
where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  raw  land  that 
he  improved,  adding  to  his  original  farm  unrll 
he  ovi-ned  360  acres.  In  1895  he  moved  to  Mon- 
ticello, where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  May  14,  190O.  On  October  23,  1801, 
he  was  married  to  Helen  Long  and  they  had 
the  following  children  :  Jlrs.  A.  M.  Doss,  Mrs. 
Fred  Swam.  Albert  E..  Mrs.  John  Stilahower, 
Ella  O.,  Mrs.  William  O.  Daffer,  Josie,  John  A., 
and  Harvey  E. 

SCHUH,  Benjamin,  one  of  the  sidtstaiitial  busi- 
ness men  of  Benient,  is  a  man  widely  known 
throughout  Piatt  County.  He  was  born  in  Ger- 
nian.v.  Septemlier  20,  1S4.''>,  a  son  of  E.  Schuli 
and  P.arliara  (Bower)  Schuh.  The  father  was 
born  in  C.ermany,  but  in  1844  came  to  the 
United  States,  and  engaged  in  farming  in  Mis- 
souri, where  he  died  in  188.3,  the  mother  having 
passed  away  in  the  same  state  in  1867. 


Benjamin  Scliuh  was  educated  in  Missouri, 
attending  school  held  in  a  log  house  during 
three  of  the  winter  months.  When  only  fifteen 
years  old,  he  joined  the  army,  enlisting  for 
service  in  the  Ci\il  War,  in  Compau.v  B,  Mis- 
souri A'olunteer  Infantry,  and  remained  eighteen 
months.  After  leaving  the  service,  he  became 
an  apprentice  to  the  blacksmithing  trade,  and 
after  completing  it  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
where  he  worked  as  a  journeyman  for  about 
fifteen  years.  In  1801  lie  came  to  Benient  and 
bought  the  blacksmith  shop  then  operated  by 
S.  B.  I'riestley,  but  a  year  later  began  handling 
farm  implements  and  now  represents  the  Inter- 
national Harvester  Company,  and  Mogel  & 
Titan  Kerosene  Farm  Tractor,  the  Janesrille 
Comi)any  P.  &  O.  plows,  the  Oliver  implements, 
the  J.  C.  Case  and  Mitehel  &  Weber  wagons, 
the  Union  City  buggies,  and  the  Lily  Cream 
separators.  After  founding  his  implement  busi- 
ness, he  took  his  son,  A.  M.  Scliuh,  into  part- 
nership with  him,  and  they  have  since  been 
associated  together.  In  addition  to  this  busi- 
ness Sir.  Schuh  owns  a  livery  barn  at  Benient, 
his  residence,  and  321%  acres  of  land  in  St. 
Clair  County,  Mich. 

In  1871  Mr.  Schuh  was  married  to  Pauline 
Klott  and  after  her  death  was  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Matilda  Giesselman.  a  daughter  of 
Henry  Giesselman.  Mr.  Schuh  has  had  the  fol- 
lowing children :  W.  W.,  Benjamin,  Arthur, 
Franklin.  Ida  M.,  all  of  whom  are  deceased ; 
Robert,  who  married  Bessie  Polly,  lives  at 
Terre  Haute,  Ind. ;  A.  M.,  who  is  in  pa  rtner- 
ship  with  his  father;  and  H.  B..  who  married 
Cora  Holdman,  is  also  working  with  his  father. 
The  Catholic  Church  of  Bement  holds  Mr. 
Schuh's  member.ship.  In  politics  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Be- 
ment by  President  Cleveland.  Fraternally  he 
belongs  to  the  order  of  Ben  Hur,  of  Benient. 

SELVA,  Rev.  Louis,  priest  in  charge  of  St. 
Michael's  Church,  of  Bement.  and  one  of  the  be- 
loved clergymen  of  the  Catholic  Cliurch,  is 
known  all  over  Piatt  County  as  a  man  of  broad 
sympathies,  profound  learning  and  kindly  char- 
ity. He  was  born  in  Italy,  in  1852,  anil  came 
to  the  TTiiited  States  in  the  fall  of  1878,  Ijeing 
stationed  at  Gale.sburg,  111.,  for  fourteen  years, 
from  there  removing  to  Odell.  111.,  where  he 
was  for  six  years.  For  the  subsequent  five 
years  he  was  at  the  Catholic  Church  in  Coal 
City,  111.,  and  then  came  to  Bement  to  take 
charge  of  St.  Michael's  Cliurch.  where  he  has 
remained  for  the  last  twelve  years. 

The  first  Catholic  settlers  came  to  Piatt 
County  in  1850,  and  for  a  number  of  years  their 
spiritual  needs  were  ministered  to  by  Father 
Toner,  of  Champaign  County,  111.  The  parish 
of  St.  Michael  was  founded  in  1891  and  its  first 
resident  priest  was  Rev.  P.  G.  I^utz,  who  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  Ilawley.  Rev.  Louis  Selva 
assumed  charge  of  the  parish  in  1904,  and  imme- 
diately began  to  agitate  a  movement  to  secure 
the  erection  of  a  church  at  Bement.  His  efforts 
were   crowned   with  success   in   1915  when   the 


7!t6 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


|)rcscm  rdiliii'  u;is  ciiiiiiilcliil  at  a  foM  of  .$10,- 
IKMI.  Some  idea  iil'  I'alln'i-  Sclva's  business  nlitl- 
It.v  ina.v  lie  siaiiiril  fnnu  tlio  fact  that  all  of  this 
aiiuiiiiit  has  hccii  |iai<l.  IIi"  also  has  charup  of 
tin-  parish  of  .MoiiliccHo.  and  was  instnunontal 
In  si'cnrlns;  llu"  ("rcctlun  of  the  Catliolic  Church 
at  that   point  in   llXHi. 

SHAFFER,  Henry,  now  doceased.  was  for  many 
yi'ais  a  successful  airriculturalist  of  I'iatt 
Couijly.  and  later  liecame  a  well  known  fiirurc 
at  Montiiclld  where  he  died,  lie  was  horn  in 
Indiana  .\pril  :!.  1S.|2.  a  son  of  .Jacob  and  Eliza- 
beth (KelK-rl  SlialTer.  natives  of  Indiana  and 
Pennsylvania,  respectively.  The  parents  were 
niarrierl  in  Ohio  ami  afterwards  moved  to  Bow- 
lini;  Crcen.  Ind..  where  the  father  en^'ased  in 
fariidn'.:  initil  his  death,  which  occurred  when 
Henry  ShalTer  was  a  small  boy.  The  widowed 
mother  with  her  two  sons  and  two  dauditers 
then   c.ime   to  Monticello. 

Henry  ShatTer  attended  the  schools  of  .Monti- 
cello  .and  had  not  attained  to  his  ma.iority  when 
he  enlisted  on  .\umist  11,  \sr:2.  in  Company  C. 
One  llnndre<l  and  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  Civil 
War.  when  lie  was  honorably  dischariicd,  and 
relurned  to  .MoiiliceDo.  Tiiere  he  be.iian  farm- 
Injl.  In  the  meanwhile  his  mother  had  tnarried 
(seeondl  .Tohn  Mosirrove.  who  was  a  saw-mill 
owner  and  owiu'r  of  lar;:e  tracts  of  land  in 
Piatt  County,  which  he  later  sold  and  went  to 
Missouri,   where  he  dic><l. 

On  .Tnly  ID.  ISTl.  Mr.  Shaffer  was  married  to 
Mary  K.  I.oveall.  born  at  Terre  Haute.  Ind., 
Peeember  4,  l.'*."l,  a  damxhter  of  Henry  and 
.Judith  .Villi  (Hayes)  I.oveall.  natives  of  Ken- 
tueUy  and  Henry  County.  Ind..  respectively. 
.\fler  his  marriaire  Mr.  .'^hafrer  lived  on  a  farm 
at  Slabtowii.  S.iiij;amoii  Township,  and  farmed 
there  uidil  liHKl.  when  he  sold  his  farm  and 
liou^jbt  pni|ierty  in  Moiiti<'ellii.  on  which  he  livi'il 
retired  until  his  .leatli  October  2fi,  1011.  Since 
his  death.  .Mrs.  Slmfl'cr  has  cniitinued  to  reside 
at  the  homestead.  Tlieir  children  were  as 
follows:  .Jacob,  who  lives  at  (Jilmore  City. 
Iowa  ;  Klizaheth.  who  is  Mrs.  Peter  I'.aush  of 
fillmore  City.  Jowa  :  .\iina.  who  is  Mrs,  C,  C. 
Welch  of  Montlcelh)  Town.ship;  .Jemima,  who 
died  in  1IMIT.  ai;ed  twenty-eiiiht  years;  Mahala. 
who  died  in  I'.iOil.  avied  twenty-four  years; 
Nellie,  who  is  Mrs.  .John  J'rady  of  Monticello; 
Edward,  twin  brother  of  Nellie,  who  lives  at 
KUendale.  Minn.;  Eranl;.  who  lives  at  Tiritt. 
Iowa;  and  Kva  Hazel  and  Estella.  who  liv(>  with 
their  mother.  J'rank  i;.  was  in  the  Cnited 
States  army  in  the  Philippines,  and  in  .\rizoii.i. 
where  he  w.is  dischaix'i'd.  .Jemim.i  left  a  daugh- 
ter. I!uth  We.irliime,  who  li.is  lived  witli  Mrs. 
Shaffer  since  her  birth,  on  .June  IC.  l.S'.K).  Mrs. 
SlinlTer  was  educated  in  Vi'.'o  County.  Ind.  .\1- 
thoiish  her  life  has  been  :i  hard  one.  she  has  en- 
joyed worldiii;  f(U'  her  loved  ones  and  niaUins 
a  happy  home  for  her  family.  In  addition  to 
carin;:  for  them  she  has  nursed  many  sicl;  in 
her  nei'.;hborh(«Ml.  and  has  a  record  of  havin;: 
put  the  lirst   i;arments  im   (ifty-tive  babies,  three 


sets  of  whom  were  twin.s.  She  is  a  member  of 
•he  Church  of  (iod.  She  also  belonirs  to  the  W 
It.  C.  of  the  (J.  .-V.  It.,  her  husband  having  been 
a  member  of  the  lattei'.  In  politics  he  w'as  a 
Democr.at.  .Mrs.  Shaffer  is  applying  for  a  lUO- 
a<-rc  homestead  in  one  or  other  of  the  western 
slates,  .Mr.  Sh;iffcr  was  a  man  of  fine  character, 
;iiid  is  remcuilicrcd  with  rcs|)ect  by  tlio.se  who 
had  the  honor  of  liis  aiiiuaint.aiice. 

SHAW,  Homer  E.,  who  is  a  representative  of  the 
baiiUiu:,'  interests  of  Piatt  County,  has  achieved, 
during  his  twenty  years  of  residence  at  Bement, 
an  excellent  reputation  in  financial  circles.  He 
is  jji-esideiit  of  the  State  Bank  of  Bemeut,  and 
ill  directing  the  iiolicies  of  this  institution  has 
ever  displayeil  fon>sight.  integrity  and  acumen, 
winning  and  holding  the  contidence  of  his  asso- 
ciates and  the  general  iiublic.  Mr.  Shaw  W'as 
born  in  Hocking  County.  Ohio,  .Vugust  29,  1865, 
a  son  of  Charles  F.  jiiid  Klizabeth  (Cox)  Shaw. 

Cliarles  F.  Shaw  was  horn  in  Hoclcing  Count.v, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  until 
bstJT.  ill  that  year  moving  with  his  family  to 
Cliaiiipaign.  111.,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  city  he 
cdiitinucil  to  carry  on  agricultural  pursuits.  In 
isso  he  canii'  to  Piatt  County,  where  he  farmed 
near  Miuiticello  for  ten  years,  and  in  1S9U  went 
to  Harrison  County,  Mo.,  where  lie  still  resides. 
.Mrs.  Shaw,  also  a  native  of  Hocking  County, 
Ohio,  died  in  .July,  1!I1."), 

Homer  I-:.  Shaw  was  two  years  of  age  when 
brought  to  Illinois,  and  here  received  a  .good  edu- 
cation in  the  grammar  and  high  schools.  He 
look  all  .idvaiiced  course  at  Lebanon.  Ohio,  and 
then  returned  to  Piatt  County.  111.,  where  for 
three  years  he  engaged  in  teaching  in  the  coun- 
try schools.  With  his  earnings  he  founded  a 
stationery  business  at  Monticello,  which  he  con- 
ducted for  seven  years,  then  disposing  of  his  in- 
terests in  order  to  found,  at  l?emeut.  the  H.  L. 
'I'iiiimons  &  Coinpaiiy  P.aiik.  in  company  with 
11.  1..  Timmons  and  .John  N.  Dighton.  This  con- 
liiiued  as  a  jirivate  institution  for  eight  years, 
but  ill  1!Ki4  was  incoriiorated  as  the  State  P.ank 
of  P.cnient.  with  .Mr.  Shaw  as  president.  .\.  J-. 
Wilkinson  as  vice  president,  ami  U.  M.  I'leniing 
as  cashier.  These  gentlemen,  with  .J.  F.  Sprague 
and  W.  B.  Fleming,  compose  tlie  hoard  of  di- 
rectors of  an  institution  which  is  rated  as  .-imong 
the  strongest  in  Piatt  Couiitv.  Its  capital  Is 
$."ili,n()(»,  and  it  has  dejiosit.s  of  .$22.1,00O,  Mr. 
Shaw  is  known  as  a  man  who  keeps  his  finger 
constantly  on  the  pulse  of  finance  and  wlio  can 
be  dc|iended  upon  lo  conserve  the  interests  of  his 
depositors,  whose  full  faith  he  has  and  merits. 
.V  Hemocrat  in  politics,  he  was  elected  on  that 
jiartys  tii-ket  to  the  F(uty-si,\th  General  Assem- 
bly, and  gave  his  constituents  goiid  service.  For 
nine  years  he  has  been  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  Bement.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Shriner 
.Ma.son  and  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

In  .June.  lOd.'i.  Mr.  Shaw  married  Iva  L.  Mon- 
soii.  horn  in  Clinton.  HI.,  daughter  of  William 
and  Harriet  (llutchin)  Monson.  They  have  two 
children:    Homer  Iv  and  Harriet  E. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


797 


SHEPHERD,  Robert  M.,  whose  former  activities 
entitle  liini  to  tlie  lioiiorable  retirement  he  is  now 
en.jd.viiii:.  is  one  of  tlie  stilistantial  men  of  Piatt 
County,  living  at  Milmine.  He  was  born  in  Rush 
County,  Ind.,  October  22,  1S50,  a  son  of  Robert 
and  Sarah  (Powers)  Shepherd,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky. The  parents  were  reared  in  Kentucky, 
where  they  were  married,  later  coming  to  Illi- 
nois, from  whence  they  went  to  Rush  County. 
Ind.  .Vfter  a  residence  there  of  live  years,  tliey 
went  to  Wabash  County,  Ind.,  when  Robert  M. 
was  nine  months  old.  In  the  spring  of  187.j 
tliey  came  to  Jlilmine,  becoming  the  owners  of 
280  acres  of  land.  The  father  died  in  ISSa,  and 
the  mother  in  1S97.  Their  children  were  as  fol- 
lows: Klizabeth,  who  died  in  the  fall  of  1S70; 
Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  E.  P.  James,  of  Piatt  County ; 
John  W.,  who  lives  in  Kansas :  Robert  M. ;  and 
Mattie,  who  married  Dr.  W.  C.  Bowers,  died  at 
Decatur,  111.,  March  1,  lOlG. 

In  187?>  Robert  M.  Shepherd  came  to  Piatt 
Count.v  and  for  three  years  farmed  forty  acres 
of  laud  he  owned  in  Blue  Ridge  Townsbi]i.  He 
then  went  to  Milmine  and  operated  his  fath'er's 
Iiroperty  that  now  belongs  to  him,  owning  291 
acres  In  Piatt  County,  and  .305  acres  in  Marion 
County,  111.  Until  18"J1  Mr.  Shepherd  continued 
farming,  but  in  that  year  began  merchandising 
at  Milmine  in  partnership  with  Charles  Taylor, 
the  association  continuing  until  1S90,  when  Mr. 
Shepherd  sold  to  his  partner  and  has  since  lived 
retired. 

On  December  8,  1870.  Mr.  Shepherd  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Sarah  Mower,  born  in  Wabash 
County,  Ind.,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Rosanua 
((■'rasker)  Mower  of  Indiana.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Shepherd  became  the  parents  of  a  daughter, 
JIary.  who  is  Mrs.  .\.  G.  Barber,  and  she  and 
her  husband  live  on  Mr.  Shepherd's  Piatt  County 
farm.  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barber  have  a  daughter. 
Sarah.  Mrs.  Shepherd  is  a  consistent  niemlier 
of  the  Christian  Church.  The  parents  of  Jlr. 
Shepherd  were  members  of  the  New  Light  Chris- 
tian Church.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Shep- 
herd served  his  district  as  a  member  of  the 
school  board,  and  takes  deep  interest  in  the  de- 
velopment of  the  country  .schools,  for  it  was  in 
them  that  he  secured  liis  own  education.  In 
Iiolitics  he  is  a  Democrat.  His  large  interests  in 
Piatt  County  make  Mr.  Shepherd  one  of  the  im- 
portant men  of  his  community,  and  as  he  is 
broad-minded  and  progressive,  he  is  always 
counted  upon  with  confidence  to  give  his  supi)ort 
to  those  measures  which  in  bis"  judgment  will 
work  out  for  the  betterment  of  the  county. 

SHIVELY,  Isaac,  president  of  the  La  Place 
State  Bank,  and  one  of  the  leading  men  of 
Piatt  County,  was  born  in  Montgomery  County, 
Ohio,  February  8.  1837,  a  son  of  Christian  and 
Barbara  (Ulrey)  Shively,  natives  of  Ohio.  In 
is.jl  they  moved  to  Wabash  County,  Ind.,  where 
the  mother  died  October  13,  1880,  being  nearl.v 
seventy-four  years  old.  as  she  was  born  August 
8.  ISOfi.  The  father  was  born  February  20. 
18(10.  and  died  January  24,  1898.     At  one  time 


while  in  middle  life  he  owned  2,000  acres  of 
land  in  Wabash  County,  Ind.  After  the  death 
of  his  first  wife,  he  married  (second)  Mrs. 
Hannah  ("ripe  of  Illinois. 

Isaac  Shively  lived  with  his  parents  in  Indi- 
ana until  1803.  when  he  went  on  a  farm  iu 
Waba.sh  County,  Ind.,  and  remained  there  unti! 
in  February,  1871,  at  which  time  he  came  to 
Piatt  County,  and  began  farming  320  acres  of 
laud  he  had  previously  bought.  This  land  was 
only  iiartially  liroken,  and  on  it  was  a  small 
shanty.  .Mr.  Shively  began  imijroving  the  place, 
adding  to  it  until  he  owned  800  acres  in  one 
tract.  From  this  he  has  taken  land  to  give  his 
children  until  he  now  has  only  420  acres  of  tfis 
original  home.stead.  but  he  also  owns  IGO  acres 
near  Dexter,  N.  M.  In  October,  1915,  Mr. 
Shively  retired,  moving  to  La  Place,  where  he 
had  purchased  a  modern  residence.  Since  the 
organization  of  the  La  Place  State  Bank  in 
1907,  Mr.  Shively  has  been  its  president,  and  he 
is  interested  along  other  lines  in  the  county. 

On  October  1,  18G3,  Mr.  Shively  was  married 
to  Margaret  Blickenstaff,  born  in  Miami  County, 
Ohio,  on  October  12.  1.845,  a  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Mary  (Gump)  Blickenstaff.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Shively  became  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Mary  Lizzie,  who  was  born  June  15, 
18(i5,  is  Mrs.  Frank  Etno.ver  of  Cerro  Gordo 
Township:  Julia,  who  is  Mrs.  Jacob  Wine,  died 
in  January.  1909.  aged  fort.v-one  years:  Daniel, 
who  lives  in  Cerro  (iordo  Township:  John,  who 
lives  at  La  Place;  Nora,  who  died  in  1879,  aged 
five  years;  Samuel,  who  lives  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Township;  Joseph,  who  lives  at  Lintner,  111.; 
Romie,  who  lives  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township;  and 
Festus,  who  lives  on  the  home  place.  .\  memljer 
of  the  Brethren  Church.  Mr.  Shively  has  served 
it  as  a  deacon  since  1875.  For  many  years, 
while  living  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township^  Mr. 
Shively  served  on  the  school  hoard,  taking  an 
interest  in  improving  educational  conditions^  for 
he  attended  the  common  schools  in  his  boyhood. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in  every 
respect  he  is  one  of  the  most  representative  men 
this  county  possesses. 

SHIVELY,  John  J.  Although  his  active  life 
was  spent  in  Macon  County,  the  late  John  J. 
Shively,  after  his  retirement  from  agricultural 
laboi-s,  moved  to  Cerro  Gordo,  where  he  spent 
his  last  years,  so  he  properly  belongs  to  the 
list  of  substantial  men  of  Piatt  County.  He 
was  born  in  Clinton  County.  Ind..  May  21,  1853, 
a  son  of  Stephen  and  Catherine  '(Metzger) 
Shively.  born  near  Dayton.  Ohio.  They  were 
married  in  Indiana,  and  located  on  a  farm,  later 
becoming  early  settlers  of  Macon  County,  111. 
Subserpiently  they  moved  to  Piatt  Count.v.  and 
sjient  their  declining  .vears  at  Cerro  Gordo, 
where  they  died. 

Tlie  etlucational  training  of  .John  J.  Shively 
was  obtained  in  the  common  schools.  He  was 
taught  farnnng  in  all  its  branches,  and  for 
many  years  was  a  iirosperous  farmer  of  Oakley 
Township,  Macon  Count.v.  operating  a  farm  of 
100  acres  still  owned  by  his  widow."  In  1908  he 


7!)8 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


ri'tired,  inovln<;  to  Cerro  Gordo,  where  he  bought 
a  hamlsomc  residence,  and  in  it  he  died  Marcli 

II.    11MI.S. 

On  May  10.  1S74,  Mr.  Shivoly  was  married  to 
Leah  I{licl;ensta(T,  Imrn  in  Clinton  County.  Ind., 
.Vufiiist  1."..  is.")i,  a  ilaiij;litor  of  Leonard  and 
Catlierine  (I'lery)  IJiiclvenstall',  born  in  Ohio, 
who  came  to  Maeon  County,  III..  In  IS'm.  Mrs. 
Bli<  kenslatT  ilicd  in  18(l(i.  while  .Mr.  I51icUenstalT 
died  n  few  year.s  later.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shivoly 
became  the  parents  of  the  lollowinn  cliildren : 
Cora,  who  lives  with  her  mollicr:  and  Levi,  who 
resides  at  Chieaijo,  married  (iertrude  Whisler, 
and  they  have  one  son.  Willard.  Levi  Shively 
has  taken  an  advanced  course  in  matliematiis 
at  the  I'niversity  of  Chicafio.  from  which  he  will 
be  firadnated  in  ]!)I7.  He  intends  to  make 
teacliiiij:  his  life  work. 

In  relisions  faith  Mr.  Shively  lielonged  to 
the  Church  of  the  lirethren.  in  which  the  entire 
family  hold  membersliij*.  llis  political  views 
made  him  a  Uepul)licaii.  and  he  nave  an  earnest 
and  conscious  support  to  the  yu'inciples  and  can- 
didates of  tliat  party.  Hard  working,  intelli- 
gent and  tluifty.  Mr.  Shivel.v  was  successful 
and  made  his  mark  upon  his  connnunity. 

SHIVELY,  John  t.,  cashier  of  the  La  Place 
State  Hank,  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  reli- 
able men  ol'  IMatt  County,  and  a  forceful  fisiire 
in  the  financial  circles  of  La  Place.  He  was 
born  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township.  .Tidv  20,  1872, 
a  son  of  Isaac  and  Mari;ar(>t  (Rlickenstaff) 
Shlvply,  who  were  born  near  Dayton.  Ohio. 
Tliey  were  married  in  Indiana,  and  came  to 
Cerro  Gordo  Township.  Piatt  County,  in  T;71. 
Here  the  I'allier  bounbt  ."'.20  acres  of  land  wliich 
was  )>artly  improved,  and  he  added  to  these 
imiirovements.  and  increaseil  liis  acreasxe  nnlil 
he  is  now  a  heavy  landowner.  Itoth  l\e  and  the 
mother  live  at  La  Place. 

T'ntil  he  was  nineteen  years  of  a^c.  .Tohu  L. 
Shively  attended  the  schools  of  Cerro  Gordo 
Township,  and  assisted  his  father  with  the  farm 
worl;.  coMtinulM^  witli  his  father  until  he  at- 
tained his  ma.jority.  .Vt  that  time  h(>  bciinn 
farmiiii;  on  los  own  account  with  rented  laud, 
.so  eoiitinuinu'  for  eiu'bt  years,  when  he  boiisht 
160  acres  of  land  that  was  iiniu'oved.  in  Cerro 
Gordo  Township,  and  conducted  it  for  fourteen 
years.  Movim;  then  to  the  Pecos  Valley.  N.  M.. 
where  his  father  owns  land,  lie  s]ieut  two  win- 
ters and  on(>  summer,  on  laud  be  bad  bought. 
In  .\pril.  1010,  he  returned  to  Piatt  County,  and 
bought  fifteen  acres  of  land  just  out  of  I/i 
Place,  which  lie  Is  oi>ei'atin'.r  in  con.junctlon  with 
his  farm.  In  1001  a  bank  was  organized  b.v 
.Tohn  Kirby  and  .Tohu  Dighton.  and  this  was 
re-organlzed  in  1007  as  the  La  Place  State  Bank, 
with  Isaac  Shively  as  president.  George  E.  Dob- 
son  as  vice-president,  and  Uobert  Perger  as 
cashier.  Mr.  Shively  is  still  the  president,  but 
the  vice-president  is  now  Samuel  Shively.  and 
Mr.  .Tobn  L.  Shively  is  cashier,  with  C.  H.  .\dams 
as  nssistant  cashier.  .John  L.  Shively  has  been 
cashier  since   Xovoinber   1.    1915.     The  capital 


stock  of  the  bank  is  $25,000.  the  surplus  $6,000, 
and  tlie  deposits  about  .$0<1,00(). 

In  February,  1,S!h;.  .lolm  L.  .Sliivel.v  was  mar- 
ried to  Dora  10.  Musserlniau.  born  in  Missouri, 
a  d.nngbter  of  David  and  .Susan  tCripe)  Mus- 
serlniau. n.alives  of  Missouri.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Shivel.v  have  the  following  children:  Lela,  who 
is  .Mrs.  Eldo  Hendricks  of  La  Place,  111.;  and 
Glenn.  (Jraee  and  Minnie,  who  are  at  home. 
.Mr.  Shively  belongs  to  the  Krethren  Church. 
For  three  yeais  he  served  as  conimlssiouer  of 
bighwa.vs.  for  two  terms  was  a  school  director, 
and  in  both  ollices  has  .shown  executive  ability 
and  conscientious  lidellty  in  the  performance  of 
his  duties.     In  politics  he  is  a  l!e|)ublican. 

SHONKWILER,  Francis  M.  One  of  the  mem- 
bers of  tlie  Piatt  County  bar.  is  e.\-judge  of 
the  County  court.  Francis  M.  Shonkwiler  of 
Montlcello.  He  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and 
was  born  on  section  2,  tliiity  Townshii).  June 
21.  bSCil,  his  parents  being  Simon  and  .Vuna 
(Schee)    Slionkwiler. 

.Simon  Shciiikwiler  was  born  in  Scioto  County, 
Ohio,  and  when  a  young  man  emigrated  to  Indi- 
ana, wbei-e  he  resided  for  several  years,  and 
where  he  was  lii'st  married.  He  came  to  what 
is  now  Piatt  County  in  the  fall  of  1830,  and 
purchased  l.aniis  iu  .sections  1  and  2-10-6  in 
I'liity  Township,  llis  first  wife,  by  whom  he 
had  five  children,  died  about  the  year  1847, 
and  in  184'.l  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
.Vnua  (Schee)  Webster,  a  widow  with  three 
children.  Mr.  .-iiid  .Mrs.  Shonkwiler  resided  on 
the  farm  in  I'liity  Township  and  fhere  both 
passed  away.  Mr.  Shonkwiler  on  Jlay  10.  1SS9, 
and  his  wife  on  .luly  1.  1885.  Four  children 
were  born  of  this  m.irriage:  .Tennie.  now  Mrs. 
S.  .1.  Wellley.  of  Decatur:  O.  .M.  Slionkwiler.  of 
Hartley.  Iowa;  .Marlh.i.  now  Mrs.  C.  B.  Moore, 
of  .vtvv'oiid:  and  Francis  M. 

The  youngest  child  of  his  parents,  Francis  M. 
Shonkwiler.  attendwl  the  district  school  and 
later  entered  Valparaiso  (Ind.)  University, 
where  he  giMduatcd  in  law  with  the  class  of 
188:>.  He  began  jiractice  in  O'Brien  Comity, 
Iowa,  and  in  1S8(;  returiunl  to  Illinois,  and 
opened  an  ollice  at  Ilement.  In  1801  Mr.  Shonk- 
wiler was  elected  .fudge  of  the  County  Ciuirt  of 
Piatt  County,  and  took  up  his  residence  at 
Montlcello.  where  he  has  since  re.sided.  He 
was  three  times  elected  to  the  office  of  county 
.iudg(>.  and  served  for  twelve  years.  He  held 
the  oflice  of  county  .iudge  longer  than  any  one 
else  in  the  history  of  tlie  county.  Judge  Shonk- 
wiler was  not  a  <-aiidldate  for  a  fourth  term, 
and  retired  from  the  ollice  on  Decemlier  .'i.  1000. 
He  li.as  since  practiced  law  in   Montlcello. 

Judge  Shonkwiler  was  married  June  0,  1888, 
to  .Mice  Thompson,  daughter  of  E.  P.  and  Su.san 
J.  f  P.urrinstoiO  Thompson,  who  were  natives 
of  Massachusetts,  and  came  to  Bement.  in  1876. 
By  this  iiKirrlage  six  children  were  born,  two 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  four  living  chll- 
ilren  are:  Horace  .\..  Francis  1...  Robert  P.,  and 
-Mice   Shonkwiler.      Mrs.    Shonkwiler   died   Feb- 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


799 


ruary  1!),  11JU4,  and  tliu  Judge  was  again  mar- 
ried, ou  April  8,  1911,  to  Mrs.  Blancbe  Snyder, 
who  «as  burn  in  Clay  L'ount.v,  111.  By  her  for- 
mer marriage  Mrs.  Slionkwiler  has  one  daugh- 
ter, Maude. 

SIEVERS,  Silas  Lee,  president  of  the  Sie''ers  & 
Cline  Bank,  of  White  Heath,  and  one  of  the 
leading  financiers  of  this  part  of  I'iatt  County, 
is  a  man  of  sound  judgment  and  conservative 
ideas,  whose  connection  with  the  institution  he 
assisted  in  founding  gives  it  stability  and  in- 
spires public  confidence.  He  was  born  on  what 
was  the  battlefield  of  Mills  Springs,  near  Somer- 
set, Ky.,  November  G,  1865,  a  son  of  Fi'ederiek 
and  Elizabeth  (Minks)  Sievers,  natives  of  Prus- 
sia, Germany,  and  Lee  County,  W.  Va.  Fred- 
erick Sievers  was  brought  by  his  mother  when 
fourteen  years  old,  to  Somer.set,  Ky.,  to  join  the 
father,  who  had  preceded  them.  There  Frederick 
Sievers  grew  to  manhood  and  after  his  marriage, 
located  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  that  of  his 
parents,  and  there  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  dying  in  April,  1878.  The  mother  died  there, 
in  June,  1888. 

Owing  to  the  death  of  his  father  when  he  was 
still  a  lad.  responsibilities  fell  early  upon  the 
shoulders  of  Silas  Lee  Sievers,  and  he  secured^ 
but  little  educational  training.  When  he  was 
nineteen  years  old  he  made  a  trip  to  Oregon, 
working  at  anything  he  could  find  to  do  until 
October  of  the  same  yejir,  when  he  came  Ijack 
east  as  far  as  Illinois,  and  located  in  Piatt 
County.  For  the  next  four  years  he  worked  by 
the  month  for  John  Weddle,  and  then  rented  a 
farm  in  Sangamon  and  Goose  Creek  townships 
for  a  year.  He  then  rented  a  farm  entirely  in 
Goose  Creek  Townshi])  for  another  year,  when 
he  returned  to  his  former  farm  and  conducted 
it  for  a  year.  For  the  next  two  years  he  con- 
ducted a  farm  in  Willow  Branch  Township,  and 
then,  in  jiartnership  with  J.  H.  Weddle,  bought 
a  farm  of  348  acres  in  Sangamon  Township,  ten 
months  later  becoming  the  sole  owner  of  the 
property.  Suli.'^eiiuently  he  added  200  acres  that 
adjoined  his  farm,  and  on  it  carries  on  general 
farming.  Since  1901  he  has  specialized  in  heavy 
feeding  of  cattle  and  hogs,  finding  this  branch 
of  agriculture  very  profitable.  Nof  content  with 
his  success  as  a  farmer,  on  October  1,  1013,  in 
conjunction  with  Ona  F.  Cline,  he  organized  the 
Sievers  &  Cline  Bank  of  Wlilte  Heath,  of  which 
he  has  been  president  from  the  beginning.  This 
is  one  of  the  most  reliable  financial  institutions 
of  the  county,  and  a  large  banking  business  in  all 
its  branches  is  carried  on. 

On  February  21,  1801,  Mr.  Sievers  was  mar- 
ried to  Ella  E.  Stanley,  born  in  Willow  Branch 
Township.  Piatt  County,  a  daughter  of  Joshua 
and  Sarah  (Huff)  Stanley,  born  in  Indiana. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sievers  have  had  the  following 
children:  Ray  M.,  Roy,  Earl.  Glenn,  Florence, 
Floyd,  Bertha  and  Frederick  Stanlev.  all  of 
whom  are  at  home.  .Mr.  Sievers  is  a  Democrat 
in  political  matters.  Fraternally  he  lielongs  to 
Jtfonticello  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  He  is  a  man  of 
wide  and  varied  interests,  notwithstanding  earlv 

12 


disadvantages,  and  he  possesses  the  knowledge 
that  enables  him  to  direct  them  wisely  and  prof- 
itably, and  his  success  not  only  redounds  to  his 
credit,  but  increases  the  Importanc  of  his  neigh- 
borhood. 

SMITH,  Jacob,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania 
in  1S17.  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1857.  He  was 
married  in  that  state  to  Nancy  Shenk,  and  they 
had  five  children,  namely :  Henry  Augustus, 
Catherine,  J.  G.  W.,  James  Monroe,  Mary  Eliza!- 
beth  and  William  Penn.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Bement  Town- 
ship, and  later  on  in  life  moved  to  Mouticello. 

SMITH,  John,  formerly  a  cabinetmaker  and 
undertaker  of  Cerro  Gordo  came  to  Piatt 
County  about  1855.  In  1845  he  was  married 
to  Sarah  Cole  and  their  children  were  as  fol- 
lows :  Mrs.  E.  Stewart,  Llewellyn.  Mrs.  Albert 
McClintock,  Alma,  Ezra  and  Elmer.  John 
Smith  died  at  Cerro  Gordo  in  18TS. 

SMITH,  William  E.,  one  of  the  leading  dry  goods 
merchants  of  Piatt  County,  has  long  been  recog- 
nized as  a  prominent  business  man  and  de.sir- 
able  resident  of  Mouticello.  He  was  born  at  Mt. 
Sterling,  Madison  County,  Ohio,  July  IS,  1844,  a 
son  of  WUliam  W.  and  Alazanna  (Webster) 
Smith,  natives  of  Vermont,  and  Washington 
Court  House.  Ohio,  respectively.  They  located 
at  Mt.  Sterling  after  marriage,  and  there  the 
father  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine. 
Later  he  moved  to  Ansonia,  Ohio,  where  he  died 
in  1S4S. 

Following  his  father's  death,  William  E.  Smith 
resided  at  Washington  Court  House  with  a  Mr. 
Burnett,  for  a  period  of  three  years,  during 
which  time  he  acquired  practically  all  his  school- 
ing. When  he  was  only  fifteen  years  old  he  went 
to  L'nion  City,  Ind..  and  went  to  work  in  a  print- 
ing office  and  also  worked  in  a  similar  establish 
nient  at  Greenville.  Ohio.  He  was  there  when, 
on  July  24,  1862,  he  enlisted  for  service  during 
the  Civil  War.  in  Company  F,  Ninety-fourth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  assigned  to 
the  First  Di^-ision.  First  Bri,gade,  Fourteenth 
•\rmy  Corps,  and  was  under  General  Sherman  at 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  where  he  received  a 
gunshot  wound  in  his  right  hand.  He  rejoined 
his  command  November  28.  1863,  but  was  taken 
prisoner  at  Lexington.  Ky..  and  paroled  the 
same  day.  In  all  he  was  in  twenty-two  impor- 
tant battles  and  many  skirmLshes.  On  June  5, 
1865.  he  received  his  honorable  discharge,  having 
been  at  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington.  Go- 
ing back  to  Greenville,  he  remained  there  until 
June  24,  1866,  when  he  came  to  Mouticello,  111., 
and  became  a  clerk  in  the  firm  of  J.  Piatt  &  Co., 
general  merchants,  remaining  with  it  luitil  1878, 
when  he  embarked  in  a  grocery  business,  later 
adding  the  handling  of  dry  goods.  About  1900  he 
sold  his  grocery  interests,  concentrating  upon 
dry  goods,  and  now  has  one  of  the  finest  stores 
in  this  part  of  the  state. 

On  June  3,  1873,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  Jemima  Piatt,  born  in  Piatt  County, 


800 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


Jn  February.  1851,  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and 
Cliiriiula  (Marqiiiss)  Piatt,  and  granddaujibter 
of  Jaiiios  A.  riatt  for  wlioiii  Piatt  C'ount.v  was 
iiaiiiwl.  Mr.  ami  Mr.s.  Smith  liecanio  tho  i>ar- 
eiit.<  of  the  following  children:  William  I'ijitt, 
couiit.v  treasurer  of  Piatt  County,  who  lives  at 
Monticello;  and  Clarence  Kirliy.  who  is  in  busi- 
ness with  his  father.  .Mr.  Smith  has  always 
tjiken  a  iirominent  part  in  politics  as  a  Republi- 
cjin  and  served  for  two  terms  in  the  city  council 
of  Monticello,  and  was  on  tlie  school  hoard  for 
two  terms.  He  belongs  to  the  Odd  I'ellows  and 
Kncampment,  and  Franklin  I'ost  No.  LTiU,  G.  .\. 
R.  No  man  is  merely  highly  esteemed  than  he 
or  deserves  more  fully  the  confidence  I'eposed 
in  him. 

SMITH,  William  Piatt,  present  county  treas- 
urer of  Piatt  Comity,  and  one  of  the  progressive 
m<'n  of  this  seition  of  the  state,  is  now  a  resi- 
dent or  Monticello,  although  he  also  has  impor- 
tant interests  elsewhere  in  the  county. 

He  was  born  at  Monticello.  May  10,  1S74.  a  son 
of  W.  K.  and  Mina  .T.  (Piatt)  Smith,  natives  of 
Ohio,  and  Goose  Creek  Township,  this  county. 
The  f:itber  came  to  Monticello  just  after  the 
close  of  the  Civil  W.Tr. 

William  Piatt  Smith  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon and  high  schools  of  Monticello.  and  Brown's 
Pusiness  College.  Decatur,  111.,  and  after  secur- 
ing a  practical  knowledge  of  connner<ial  meth- 
ods, was  clerk  and  partner  with  his  father  for 
twelve  years,  later  conducting  a  Imtcher  shop 
for  two  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  his 
father  for  several  years  more.  He  then  operated 
l:!(i  aires  of  the  homestesid  in  Goo.so  Creek 
Township,  and  continues  to  supervise  this  farm, 
altbcmgh  his  iilace  of  residence  has  always  been 
at  Monticello.  In  November.  1!tl4.  Mr.  Smith 
was  elect(Hl  county  treasurer  of  Piatt  County, 
entering  xiyiou  his  four-year  term  on  December  7 
of  that  year. 

On  .Time  20.  ISO."..  Mr.  Smith  was  marrioil  to 
Gertrude  K.  Kee.  born  at  Monticello,  a  daughter 
of  Nathan  10.  and  Enniia  (Hill)  Kee,  born  in 
Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  one  son. 
Gordon  Kee.  Mr.  Smith  lielongs  to  the  ICnights 
of  I'ytbins  and  the  Sons  of  Veterans.  He  is  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  aliility.  of  upright- 
ness of  puri)ose.  and  is  discharging  the  duties 
of  his  responsible  office  with  ellicient  capability. 

SMOCK,  John  H.,  whose  progressive  spirit  is 
shown  in  his  improvement  of  his  agricultural 
projierty  and  his  modern  methods  of  carrying 
on  his  work,  was  born  in  I'iatt  County.  III..N0- 
viMulier  1.",  I.Stil.  on  the  farm  in  Monticello 
Towrisliip  owned  by  his  father.  Samuel   Smoek. 

.Tohn  II.  Smock  was  reared  in  Monticello 
Township  and  sent  to  the  schools  in  bis  dis- 
trict. In  l.SO.'i  he  was  married  to  Emma  Ilnh- 
bart.  Iiorn  In  Sangamon  Township,  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Frances  (.Vnderson)  Hulibart. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smock  have  no  children.  They 
located  on  their  present  farm  which  thev  have 
owned  since  I'KiT.  On  it  Mr.  Smock  has  erected 
the  barns  and  other  oiubiiil.linu's.  .-md  has  thor- 


oughly imjiroved  it  according  to  modem  ideas. 
In  jiolitics  be  is  a  Democrat,  and  for  three  years 
was  a  school  dire<-tor.  His  fraternal  a.ssocia- 
tions  are  with  White  Heath  Camp  No.  2119,  M. 
W.  A. 

SMOCK,  Samuel,  a  pioneer,  was  for  many 
years  one  of  the  imimrtant  figures  in  the  agri- 
cultural life  of  I'iatt  County,  owning  consider- 
able land  in  Monticello  Townshij),  and  playing 
his  p.irt  in  the  growth  of  liis  section.  He  was 
born  in  Ohio.  November  14.  1834.  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Jane  (Heath)  Smock,  of  Ohio,  who 
came  to  Piatt  County  in  18.39,  locating  near 
Monticello  where  they  entered  a  large  tract  of 
land,  on  wliicli  Sanniel  Smock  was  reared.  Here 
he  attended  the  local  schools  held  in  the  primi- 
tive log  cabins  of  the  period,  and  made  the  best 
of   his   oi)i>ort unities. 

On  March  7.  l.Stil.  Samuel  Smock  was  mar- 
ried to  .Marietta  Hart,  born  along  Camp  Creek, 
Monticello  Townshi]!.  December  18.  1S:!0,  a 
daughter  of  .lames  and  Hebeeca  (Bradford) 
Hart,  natives  of  Nortli  Carolina  and  South  Car- 
olina, resiipctively.  who  were  married  in  1830 
in  Indiana,  but  later  moved  to  Greene  County, 
111.  In  is;i."i  the  Hart  family  came  to  Monti- 
cello Township,  entering  forty  acres  of  land 
along  Camp  Creek,  to  which  tliey  added  until 
tli(\v  owneil  over  400  acres  of  land,  on  whirb  Jfr. 
Hart  died  in  ISSI.  Mrs.  Hart  resided  with  Mr. 
aiul  Mrs.  Smock  until  her  death  in  1S8G.  Mr. 
and  Jlrs.  Hart  had  the  following  children: 
Sarah.  .Tohn  Henry  and  Clarinda.  who  all  died 
in  childhood  :  Kliza,  who  married  William  Har- 
ris, is  now  deceased  ;  Mrs.  Smock  :  and  Martha, 
who  marrltNl  Charles  Plaster,  and  lives  at  Mont- 
I'ose.  Col.  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Smock  becanie  the 
parents  of  the  fiillowincr  children:  .Tnbn  Henry, 
who  lives  in  Monticello  Townshiii:  .\da  Augusta 
.■ind  Charles,  who  live  with  their  mother;  and 
Kdwin.  who  dieil  in  1804.  aged  fourteen  years. 

.\tter  marriage.  Mr.  and  ilrs.  Smock  moved 
to  an  eighty-acre  farm  two  miles  east  of  Mon- 
ticello which  his  father  ga\e  them.  On.  this 
there  was  a  log  house.  Imt  Samuel  Smock  soon 
reiilaced  it  by  ;i  better  residence  aiui  improved 
the  farm  very  materiall.v.  TIic  place  now  con- 
t-iins  280  acres  in  one  body,  and  Mr.  Smock 
continued  to  farm  this  until  bis  death.  March 
24,  100(!.  He  also  farmed  another  farm  of  200 
acres,  also  in  Monticello  Town.ship.  which  was 
Mrs.  Smock's  father's  old  home  farm.  In  poli- 
tics be  was  a  Democrat  and  he  served  as  a 
school  director.  Mrs.  Smock  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  .\lthough  he  has  passed 
awa.v.  Mr.  Smock  is  kindly  remembered  and 
his  former  worth  as  a  man  and  a  citizen  rec- 
ognized and  appreciated. 

SNYDER,  William  Galford,  f.u-  a  long  time 
was  one  of  the  most  resjiected  and  useful  of 
Piatt  Count.v's  men.  and  his  memory  is  cher- 
islied  by  tliose  who  had  the  (.rivilege  of  bis  close 
.■iC(piaintance.  He  was  born  in  Scioto  County, 
Ohio,  .lamiary  1!).  18.32.  a  son  of  Mark  V.  and 
Elizabeth  (Galford)  Snyder,  natives  of  Virginia, 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


801 


hut  of  Genuaii  descent.  At  an  earl.v  day  in  the 
liistory  of  the  country,  seven  brothers  heariuf; 
the  name  of  Snyder  located  in  Virginia,  but 
later  seiwrated.  The  parents  of  William  Gal- 
ford  Snyder  went  to  Ohio,  where  the  father  be- 
came a  tanner  and  shoemaker,  and  also  carried 
on  farmiufj;.  His  death  occurred  in  Ohio.  He 
and  his  wife  had  the  following  children  :  An- 
drew. Henry,  .Tames,  all  of  whom  are  deceased; 
Mark  \..  who  lives  in  Kansas;  George;  Abigail; 
Jane,  who  married  William  Smith,  all  three  of 
whom  are  deceased;  Thomas,  who  I'esides  in 
Scioto  County,  Ohio ;  John,  who  lives  in  Kansas ; 
and  William  Galford,  who  was  the  third  in 
order  of  birth, 

William  Galford  Sn.yder  resided  with  his  par- 
ents until  he  was  twenty-eight  years  old,  and  he 
was  engaged  in  conducting  a  saw-mill.  In  18U7 
he  went  to  Macoupin  County,  111.,  and  there,  in 
October  of  that  same  year,  he  was  married  to 
Mary  E.  Weaver,  a  native  of  the  same  Ohio 
county  as  he.  She  died  March  10,  ISGS,  in  Doug- 
las County,  111.,  to  which  they  had  moved  .after 
marriage.  lu  the  fall  of  ISOS  Mr.  Snyder  eame 
to  Piatt  County,  and  located  in  Unity  Township. 
Here,  on  .Tanuary  14,  1S72,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Isabelle  Miller,  widow  of  Timothy  P.. 
Miller.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  had  one  son,  Hugh, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years.  Mrs.  Snyder 
is  a  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Janet  (Martin)  Rose. 
Mr.  Rose  was  born  in  New  York  state  while  his 
parents  were  traveling  from  Scotland  to  Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.  Mrs.  Ro.se  was  born  in  Scotland,  and 
came  to  Pittsburgh.  Pa.,  with  her  brotlier  when 
nineteen  years  old.  This  lirother.  Dr.  Alexan- 
der Martin,  became  president  of  DePauw  Uni- 
versity. He  had  three  brothers,  namely  :  James 
Martin,  who  lived  at  I'ittsburgh,  Pa, ;  William 
Martin,  a  farmer  of  Ohio;  John  K..  who  became 
a  successful  farmer  of  Kansas;  and  Margaret. 
who  became  Mrs.  Noble,  was  also  a  resident  of 
Kansas,  «-here  she  died  about  1898. 

After  his  sec-ond  marriage,  Mr.  Snyder  lived 
on  his  200  acre  farm  in  Unity  Towiiship,  but 
later  disposed  of  some  of  this  property,  so  that 
now  the  farm  contains  110  acres.  This  he 
farmed  until  18.87,  when  he  retired  and  moved 
to  Penient,  where  he  bought  property  and  tliere 
lived  until  his  death.  February  S.  1008.  In  the 
spring  of  1S81I  he  was  elected  police  magistrate, 
and  held  that  otHce  for  .some  time.  For  four 
years  he  was  supervisor,  and  was  also  highway 
commissicmer  and  school  director  in  T'nity  Town- 
ship. During  the  Civil  War.  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  Coini)any  (J.  Fifty-sixth  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  was  tirst  made  corporal,  .and  Liter 
sergeant.  In  1802  he  was  commissioned  a  sec- 
ond lieutenant,  and  in  ]S(!8  became  cajitain  of 
his  company.  Still  later  he  Iieeame  ma.lor  of 
the  regiment.  During  his  period  or  service,  he 
was  in  eleven  .serious  engagements  including 
those  of  Fort  Donalson  and  Shiloh.  being  under 
General  Grant's  command,  and  Port  Gibson. 
Champion's  Hill,  Black  River  Bridge,  siege  of 
Vlcksburg,    Jackson,     Sabine    Crossroads,     and 


Carrion  Crow  Bayeau,  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged in  November,  1S65. 

The  children  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snyder 
were  as  follows :  Ross  Lee,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  three  years ;  twin  sons  who  died  in  infancy ; 
Rose  Loleta,  who  was  educated  in  the  common 
and  high  schools  of  Bement,  and  Ewlng  College. 
She  was  married  October  ;-!l.  190<).  to  Luther  E. 
Conway,  who  was  a  druggist  at  Hull,  111.  After 
his  death  on  May  20,  1008,  she  continued  the 
drug  business  for  two  years,  when  she  sold  It, 
On  February  7,  1916,  at  the  home  of  her  aunt, 
Mrs.  Ella  Kawins,  Mrs.  Conway  was  married  to 
James  William  B.  Stewart,  the  ceremony  being 
performed  by  Rev,  Dr.  Caward  of  the  Normal 
I'ark  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  Stewart  is  as- 
sistant cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Bement.  Mrs.  Stewart  is  very  talented.  She 
was  the  architect  of  the  Bement  postoflice.  and 
furnished  it  on  the  interior  according  to  govern- 
ment specifications,  under  the  supervision  of  a 
government  inspector.  She  is  ver.y  prominent  in 
Bement.  belonging  to  the  Woman's  Club,  of  which 
she  is  vice  president,  and  she  is  always  appointed 
on  important  committees.  Since  1912  she  has 
been  secretary  of  the  local  Eastern  Star,  and  is 
a  lady  of  social  prominence  and  more  than  ordin- 
ary ability. 

Mr.  Snyder  attended  the  old  log  house  schools 
in  (Jhio,  and  in  early  life  was  himself  a  teacher. 
Mrs.  Snyder  attended  the  pulillc  schools  of  her 
native  count.v.  In  religious  faith  Mr.  Snyder 
was  a  Presbyterian.  Politically  he  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  fraternally  he  was  a  Mason,  having 
taken  the  Chapter  degree.  He  was  also  an  hon- 
ored member  of  the  Camp  post.  G.  A.  R..  at 
Bement.  Mr.  Snyder's  life  was  an  eventful 
one.  He  was  a  man  who  made  many  friends 
and  he  held  the  confidence  and  commanded  the 
respect  of  all  who  knew  him. 

SPARKS,  J.  0.,  Avas  born  in  Ohio  in  1820.  and 
came  to  Bement  in  1858  and  became  a  mer- 
chant of  that  iilace.  In  18.51  he  was  married  to 
Barbara  Bradford  and  they  had  two  children, 
namely:  Mr.s.  J.  Fred  Kna|)p.  and  Mrs.  C.  W. 
Piatt.  Mr.  Sparks  is  a  very  prominent  Mason, 
rising  to  be  a  Knight  Temiilar. 

SPEAR,  Judge  G.  L.,  was  born  in  New  York  in 
1N2:;  and  came  to  I'iatt  County  in  1800,  and 
there  he  was  made  postmaster  of  Bement,  and 
was  elected  a  police  magistrate.  He  was  a 
.iustice  of  the  peace  for  eighteen  years,  and 
later  was  elected  county  .iudge.  Judge  Spear 
was  also  a  farmer  and  school  teacher.  In 
1M4  he  was  married  to  Laura  C.  Segar,  and 
she  bore  him  two  children,  Emory  and  Laura. 
In  18.58  Judge  Spear  was  married  (second)  to 
Clarissa  Abbey  and  they  had  two  children, 
namely:   Mrs.  J.  A.  Hardenbrook  and  Elmer  E. 

SPRAGUE,  John  Francis,  who  for  sixteen  year.s 
has  been  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of 
P.ement.  111.,  in  the  line  of  grain,  coal,  salt  and 
milling,  has  established  a  reputation  as  a  good 


802 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


ami  lieliiful  citiziMi  and  a  business  man  whose 
trans;u-tlons  have  always  been  carried  on  in  an 
honorable  manner.  Me  was  born  in  Kirkwood. 
Mo„  September  1,  1S74.  and  Is  a  son  of  K.  H.  and 
Fidelia  K.  (Bryant)   Si>ra.i;no. 

K.  H.  Sprague  was  born  at  Ket>ne.  Ohio,  and 
was  a  yoiin;;  man  wlien  lie  Oiuue  to  Illinois,  beinj; 
en;;af:ed  in  business  at  Bement  with  his  father- 
in-law.  l'ran<is  E.  Bryant,  the  first  merchant  of 
this  city,  and  the  first  master  of  the  Masonic 
lodfie  here.  Mr.  Bryant  was  the  owner  of  the 
profKTty  now  occupi(>(l  by  his  irrandson.  ,Tohn  F. 
Sprairue.  It  is  a  historic  place,  because  in  what 
is  now  the  front  yard,  arransrements  were  made 
foi  the  debate  between  .Vbraham  Lincoln  and 
Stephen  A.  Doufilas.  the  latter  of  whom  was  a 
close  [lersonal  friend  of  Mr.  Bryant.  In  1866, 
E.  B.  .Sprajrue  went  to  St.  Louis  and  there  was 
interested  in  a  wholesale  commission  business 
until  lS7(i.  in  which  year  he  returned  to  Benieut. 
Here  he  establislie<I  himself  as  the  proprietor  of 
a  irnx'ery  est.-iblishnEcnt.  whicli  he  conducted 
until  IS.S'^.  and  then  went  to  Kiverside.  Cal., 
where  he  llve<l  in  retirement  until  isixi,  and 
where  Mrs.  Sprai-'ue  died  December  1.  \S'M.  Mr. 
Sprai:ue  passed  away  .Tune  1,  1006.  There  were 
two  children  in  the  family:  .John  Francis:  and 
Edwin  r...  who  is  a  fruit-grower  of  Porterville, 
I'al..  m.irricd  .Maude  E.  Wells,  and  has  two 
children.  Melon  and  Everett. 

.lohn  Francis  Sprague  attended  the  iniblic 
schools  of  Heuient.  and  entered  upon  his  busi- 
ness career  :is  a  clerk  in  a  grocery  store  at  Kiver- 
side. Cal..  where  he  remained  for  eight  years. 
WHien  be  returned  to  Bement,  111.,  he  secured 
emiiloyment  in  the  bank  of  II.  L.  Timmons.  hut 
after  two  years  returned  to  mercantile  lines  and 
became  <lerU.  and  later  manager,  for  the  lirni 
of  Stockhouse  &  l'.\nkes.  at  Milmine,  III.  Thus 
eipiippeil.  (in  .Mily  1.  IsOii.  Mr.  S|irauue  embarked 
in  business  on  his  own  account  at  Bement.  start- 
ing in  nulling,  grain,  coal  and  salt.  etc.  His 
business  has  grown  steadily  under  his  capable 
management  and  has  now  assumed  the  propor- 
tions of  a  necessary  conunercial  adjunct.  Jlr. 
Sprague  has  interested  himself  in  other  enter- 
lirises.  and  is  at  this  time  a  director  and  stock- 
holder in  the  State  K.ink  of  Bemenl.  In  iiolitics 
he  is  a  Iiemocrat.  He  has  ever  shown  an  eager- 
ness to  be  of  use  to  his  lonuuunity  and  he  served 
Bement  three  terms  or  si.K  years  as  mayor.  Fra- 
ternally, he  is  alliliated  with  the  Masons  and 
tlu'  Knights  of  I'ythias.  His  religious  faith  is 
that  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  since  IflOO 
he  has  served  as  a  memlier  of  the  board  of 
trustees. 

Mr.  Sprague  was  married  in  October.  1!Kin.  to 
Miss  I.ily  M.  Peek,  who  was  born  in  Willow 
Braneh  Township,  Pialt  County.  III.,  daughter 
of  .lames  and  Emily  (Campbell)  Peck.  To  this 
union  has  been  born  one  son  :  Brvant  P..  born 
December  '.p.  1!i1  1. 


SPRINKLE,    Simon,    a    pr(>ft])erous 
Sjuiraiiion    Township,    who    lias   dom 


farmer    of 
ilone   much    to 
raise   the  st.andard   of  agricultural   interests  in 
this  section,  was  born  in   Howard  County.  Md.. 


on  .Vpril  1(1.  IS.'i.j,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Sarah 
(Derr)  Sprinkle,  who  were  born,  reared  and 
died  in  Maryland.  After  attending  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  state,  Simon  .sprinkle  en- 
gaged in  farming,  so  continuing  until  1S77.  and 
in  that  year  lie  came  to  Piatt  County,  111.  For 
the  succeeding  two  years  he  was  engaged  in 
working  for  farmers,  and  then  he  rented  laud 
Miilil  ISM.  .\t  that  time  he  bought  130  acres  of 
his  I 'resent  farm  in  Sangamon  Township,  of 
which  Kki  acres  was  in  the  timber.  With  char- 
.■icteristic  energy  he  began  at  once  to  clear  oft 
his  land  and  made  necessary  improvements,  and 
now  lias  it  .all  under  cultivation.  His  success  is 
all  the  more  remarkable  in  that  he  had  only 
fifty  cents  in  money  when  he  reached  this 
<ounty,  and  was  without  a  friend  in  his  new 
locality.  However,  he  has  de\floped  a  very 
valuable  property  through  his  own  efforts,  and 
he  was  forced  to  work  hard  to  accomiilish  this 
for  the  growth  lui  his  land  was  heavy,  and  he 
clc.'ircd  it  oil'  all  himself.  He  has  always  car- 
ried on  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and 
is  a  large  raiser  of  hogs,  and  also  feeds,  to  a 
considerable  extent,  the  .same  stock  for  the 
Mijirket. 

In  .lanuary.  1S7S,  Mr.  Sjirinkle  was  married 
to  Sarah  .I.ine  Derr.  born  in  Carroll  County. 
Md.,  !i  daughter  of  (ieorge  W.  and  Sarah  Ann 
(Sharer)  Derr.  natives  of  JIaryland.  who.  in 
t8()l.  c.'ime  to  Sangamon  Township.  In  ISSf! 
they  went  to  Xebraska,  where  the  father  died. 
The  mother,  who  was  horn  in  1830.  resides  at 
Woodward,  Okla.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sprinkle  be- 
came the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Ida 
May.  who  is  .Mrs.  Fred  .Swisher  of  Seymour. 
III.:  Katie,  who  is  Mrs.  John  Wilson  of  Sanga- 
mon Township:  Carrie,  who  is  Mrs.  Frank  Wil- 
son of  Sangaiiioii  Township:  Theodore  II.,  who 
also  lix'cs  in  SMnganion  To\viisbi|i :  Nora,  who  is 
Mrs.  William  Hickman  of  White  Heath,  111.: 
Bessie  A'iola  and  Samuel  Edwin,  who  are  both 
.It  home.  Mrs.  S]irinkle  was  educated  in  the 
imblic  schools  of  Illinois.  In  politics  Mr.  Sprin- 
kle is  a  Democrat.  .V  man  of  standing  in  his 
community,  his  word  lias  weight  with  his  neigh- 
bors, and  he  is  ai;  excellent  representative  of 
the  successlul  farmers  of  Piatt  County. 

STEVENSON,  Wilbur  Fisk,  wlu.sc  ,,|),'iatiuns  as 
a  farmer  .and  business  man  entitle  him  to  a 
jilace  among  the  successful  men  of  Piatt  County, 
is  one  of  the  honored  residents  of  Monticello. 
He  was  born  in  Scott  Count.v,  Ky..  Xovember  12. 
18.42.  a  son  of  Rev.  ]-yvau  and  f.ydia  (Boggs) 
Stevenson,  natives  of  Scott  County.  Ky..  and 
Pickaway  County.  Ohio.  They  were  married 
ill  the  latter  county  and  settled  on  one  of  its 
farms.  In  addition  to  conducting  his  farm,  the 
father  was  editor  of  a  publication  issued  by  the 
Methodist  (Miurch.  and  a  preacher  of  its  faith. 
In  lN."i(i  he  moved  to  Benton  Count.v.  Ind..  there 
alternated  farming  with  lu-eaching.  his  clerical 
duties  taking  him  as  far  as  P.irkerslmrg.  W.  Va. 
His  death  occurred  in  Benton  County  in  1870. 
the  mother  having  died  the  year  before. 

AVilbur  Fisk   Stevenson  attended  tlie  common 


M 
O 

s* 


o 


2 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


803 


schools  In  Kentucky  and  Indiana,  and  in  186S 
came  to  I'iatt  County.  III.,  to  work  on  the  farm 
owned  by  hi.s  uncle,  John  Boggs,  which  coni- 
I>rised  I, TOO  acres,  all  of  which  he  superintended. 
In  1S,S4  Jlr.  Stevenson  inherited  this  estate,  and 
continued  to  live  upon  it  until  November  5.  1891, 
when  he  moved  to  Monticello.  In  1S02  Mr. 
Stevenson  sold  his  farm  to  S.  W.  Allison,  and 
bought  'MO  acres  of  land  near  Benient,  which 
he  continues  to  superintend,  and  he  also  con- 
ducts a  farm  of  245  acres  of  land  owned  by  his 
wife  in  'Willow  Branch  Townshij).  In  addition 
he  owns  two  sections  of  timber  land  in  Missis- 
sipi)i.  and  some  valuable  Monticello  property  in- 
cluding his  residence,  and  block  17.  Mr.  Steven- 
son is  a  director  in  the  Farmers  State  Bank. 

In  April,  1871.  Mr.  Stevenson  was  married  to 
Alice  Tallman,  bom  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
a  daughter  of  Douglas  and  Susan  (Morgan) 
Tallman  of  Pickaway  County,  Ohio.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Stevenson  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Evan,  who  lives  in  California  ; 
Ida,  who  is  Mrs.  W.  H.  Dilatush.  of  Memphis, 
Tenn. ;  Lydia,  who  is  Mrs.  C.  B.  Caldwell,  of 
Lincoln,  111. ;  Laura,  who  is  Mrs.  J.  W.  Ayre, 
of  Monticello;  and  Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  E.  J.  Haw- 
baker  of  Jlontieello.  Mrs.  Stevenson  is  a  meui- 
ber  of  the  Methodist  Church.  Mr.  Stevenson 
is  a  Democrat  and  served  Monticello  as  mayor 
for  one  term,  was  supervisor  of  the  township  of 
"Willow  Branch  for  one  term,  and  held  the  samfe 
ntlice  in  .Monticello  Township.  For  years  he  has 
been  a  member  of  Franklin  Post.  G.  A.  R.  No.  256, 
he  being  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He  enlisted 
on  September  IS.  1S61.  for  service  in  defense 
of  his  country  in  Company  D,  Tenth  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Lafayette,  Ind.,  and  par- 
ticijiated  in  the  engagements  at  Mill  Spring, 
Perryville  and  Chickamauga.  and  was  honorably 
discharged  in  September,  1864.  He  was  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19, 
1863,  which  was  his  last  engagement. 

STICKLE,  Daniel,  who  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania in  Isic,  and  was  for  many  years  an 
honored  resident  of  Monticello.  In  1851  Mr. 
Stickle  came  to  Monticello  and  established  the 
first  general  merchandise  store  at  the  county 
seat  and  conducted  it  for  a  time,  then  engaged 
in  farming  on  830  acres  of  land  in  Piatt  County. 
In  1805  be  returned  to  Monticello  and  lived 
there  in  retirement.  He  was  married  to  Anna- 
bel Piatt  in  1842.  and  their  children  were  as 
follows:  Charles.  Susie.  Richard.  Mina.  Anna, 
Nellie,  and  Kate.  Mr.  Stickle  was  postmaster 
of  Monticello  under  President  Buchanan,  and 
represented  his  township  on  the  county  board, 
was  the  first  mayor  of  Monticello,  and  in  1858 
represented  his  district  in  the  State  Assembly. 

TABOR,  Thomas  Milton,  jnoprietor  of  a  livery 
stable,  and  an  e.xpert  trainer  of  horses,  is  one  of 
the  alert  young  business  men  of  Bement.  He 
was  born  in  Hardin  County,  Ky.,  October  2. 
1S77,  a  son  of  Hiram  and  Kniily  (Neafus)  Tabor, 
natives  of  Kentucky.  Tliomas  M.  Tabor  at- 
tended the  public  schools  until  he  was  twenty 


years  old  and  then  began  to  put  into  practical 
u.se  his  love  for  and  knowledge  of  horses.  This 
e.vpertness  in  handling  horses  assisted  to  de- 
velop him  into  a  thorough  trainer  of  saddle  and 
harness  horses,  and  on  September  5,  1005,  he 
came  to  Bement  to  train  horses  for  the  noted 
horseman,  A.  S.  Burr,  remaining  with  him  until 
li)10,  when  Mr.  Tabor  bought  a  livery  stable  and 
branched  out  into'  a  dealer  and  trader  in  horse 
tlesli.  His  business  is  a  very  large  one,  and 
many  rely  upon  his  judgment  in  securing  fine 
horses. 

In  December,  1891,  Mr.  Tabor  was  married  in 
Kentucky  to  Lllen  Allison,  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  they  had  one  sou,  James  Burton.  Mrs.  Tabor 
died  July  2,  1903.  On  June  14,  1910,  Mr.  Tabor 
was  married  (second)  to  Ethel  Ditty,  who  was 
born  in  I'iatt  County,  a  daughter  of  Adam  and 
Lucinda  Ditt.v,  natives  of  Piatt  County,  111. 
Two  children  have  been  born  of  this  marriage, 
namely:  ^ilenu  and  Forrest.  Mr.  Tabor  is  a 
Democrat  and  served  one  term  as  collector  of 
the  township.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Kuiaaits  of  Pythias,  Odd  Fellows,  Mystic  Work- 
ers, and  Royal  Order  of  Moose,  and  is  very 
popular  in  all.  A  man  of  unusual  talents,  he 
has  turned  them  into  a  congenial  business  chan- 
nel, and  has  prospered  accordingly. 

TAXMAN,  Caleb  A.,  one  of  the  leading  busi- 
ness men  of  Monticello.  was  born  near  Somer.set, 
Perry  County,  Ohio,  January  7.  1837.  a  son  of 
Ohediah  and  Jane  (Thompson)  Tatnian,  natives 
of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  who  moved  to 
Perry  County,  Ohio,  after  their  marriage,  and 
thence  to  Pickaway  County,  that  state,  coming 
to  Monticello,  111.,  in  1848,  arriving  in  this  city 
in  November  of  that  year.  They  located  on  one 
of  the  farms  owned  by  W.  11.  Piatt,  and  there 
the  father  died  in  October,  1854,  the  mother 
surviving  until  1850.  Their  children  were  as 
follows :  Jo.seph,  Anna,  Lornhamah,  Caleb  A., 
Joshua.  Riley  and  Martha,  frho  is  Mrs.  Henry 
Fortney  of  New  Sharon,  Iowa,  all  of  whom  are 
deceased  except  Caleb  A.  and  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Fortney.  • 

After  the  death  of  his  father,  Caleb  A.  Tatman 
continued  to  operate  the  farm  for  a  year,  and 
then  in  the  autunni  of  18.55,  went  to  Iowa  and 
bought  120  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  took  his 
mother,  brother  and  sister.  He  also  has  two 
quarter  sections  in  Oklahoma  which  he  rents, 
and  at  one  time  he  had  a  full  section  there  and 
also  in  Iowa,  but  these  latter  he  has  disposed  of. 
In  the  spring  of  1856,  however,  he  returned  to 
Piatt  County,  leaving  his  relatives  behind  him, 
and  entered  into  business  with  William  Ray. 
with  whom  be  remained  for  a  year.  Once  more 
he  engaged  in  farming,  operating  on  Friend's 
Creek.  William  Ray  furnishing  him  with  the 
necessary  equipment,  and  in  a  year  sold  it  to 
Mr.  Tatman.  who  then  bought  eighty  acres  of 
land  from  Mr.  Ray,  that  was  located  near  Be- 
ment, 111.,  and  continued  farming.  Mr.  Bod- 
man  held  a  mortgage  on  this  land  and  when  Mr. 
Ray    died    suddenly,    his    executors    foreclosed 


804 


HISTORY  OF  PLXTT  COUNTY. 


iH>on  llii-  iiropi'ity.  thus  wiping  out  all  Mr.  Tat- 
uian  liaU  gained. 

Feeling  llie  need  of  a  lietter  education,  Mr. 
Tatmaa  then  began  attending  scliool  at  Bemeut, 
under  James  Patrick,  and  alter  eighteen 
niontlis,  in  ISGS,  came  to  .Monticello  and  hav- 
ing secured  a  third  grade  cerliticate,  taught  a 
sunnuer  school  in  the  .Stringtown  .school.  .\l'ter 
teaching  for  four  and  one-half  .vear.s,  he  se- 
cured a  lirst  grade  ei'rtilicate,  .•iiid  liegan  leach- 
ing in  the  Monticello  intermedia  I  e  deiiartnieut, 
thus  contitniing  for  two  terms.  lie  then  was 
lilaced  in  the  liigh  school,  and  so  continued  until 
he  was  elected  count.v  superintendent  of  schools 
for  Piatt  Count.v,  serving  from  ISli!)  to  1S73. 
Although  nianj-  would  have  felt  that  they  had 
reached  their  goal,  this  was  not  the  case  with 
Mr.  Tatnian,  who  api)lied  himself  during  spare 
moments  to  the  stud.v  of  law,  and  was  adniitte<l 
to  the  bar  in  ISTo,  Following  this  he  opened 
an  olHce  with  ,Tudge  McIJejnolds  as  his  silent 
l>artuer,  and  at  the  same  time  he  eraharUcd 
in  a  real-estate  and  loan  business,  .\fter  the 
death  of  .Judge  Mclleynnlds,  Mr.  Tatman  became 
the  partner  of  A.  T.  l'i])her.  and  while  contimi- 
ing  this  connection,  Mr.  Tatman  preparwl  a  -set 
of  abstract  books  for  I'i,itt  County.  At  tlie  ex- 
Iiiration  of  this  partnersliip  with  Mr.  Pipher, 
Mr.  Tatman  formed  another  with  his  brother 
Rile.v,  nnder  the  name  of  Tatman  &  Tatman. 
wliich  continued  from  1871)  until  the  death  or 
the  latter  in  .Tul.v,  1010. 

In  the  meanwhile  a  Mr.  Ilennion  of  Iloboken. 
N.  Y.,  came  to  Piatt  County  to  look  after  some 
money  affairs,  and  while  at  Monticello  visited 
Dr.  Coffin  who  recommended  Mr.  Tatman  as  a 
suitable  iH?rson  to  take  charge  of  .Mr.  Ilennion's 
affairs  at  this  place.  .\  desirable  arrangement 
was  made,  and  throngli  this  coiniection  Mr. 
Tat.m;iii  became  acquainted  with  the  fjreenage 
bankers  of  New  York  City  who  secured  Mr. 
Tatman  as  their  local  agent.  This  association 
was  maintained  for  many  years.  Mr.  Tatman 
then  invested  in  Illinois  farm  land  to  the 
extent  of  l.."00  acres  of  desirable  i)roperty,  and 
he  Is  owner  of  stock  in  several  Piatt  County 
banks.  In  1S,S4  he  organize*!  the  Piatt  County 
liOan  .\ssociation.  whieli  has  been  developed 
from  a  very  small  beginning  to  its  present  condi- 
tion with  a  capit;il  stock  of  .fL'OO.OOO,  it  lieing 
one  of  the  best  man,iged  institutions  in  the 
state,  anil  ncvi>r  has  foreclosed  nor  resold 
any  land.  Mr.  Tatnian  has  been  a  director. 
chairman  of  the  finance  committee  and  attorney 
of  this  association  from  the  beuiiniins.  The 
electric  light  company  of  Monticello  depreciated 
to  such  iin  extent  that  Mr.  Tatman  was  solicited 
by  the  stockholders  to  give  it  the  benefit  of  his 
exiierience  and  business  acumen,  and  in  IOCS 
he  took  charge  of  affairs  and  reorganized  it  as 
a  .1olnt  stock  company  with  new  oflicers.  Mr. 
Tatman  bein:;  made  secretary  and  manager  and 
served  for  five  .vears,  or  tintil  he  had  everything 
in  sond  working  condition,  .\fter  it  was  recog- 
nized as  the  best  for  Its  size  in  the  state,  a  sale 
was  made  to  the  Illinois  Traction  Svstem  for 
$2r,.nno.   which   placed   the  stock   at   par.     Fol- 


lowing this  flue  stroke  of  business  ixilicy,  Mr. 
Tatman  retired  and  now  occupies  his  time  do- 
ing a  little  truck  farming  in  which  he  takes  a 
deep  interest  as  he  is  one  of  the  best  farmers 
in  the  state. 

While  residing  in  school  township  No.  IS, 
.Mr.  Tatman  served  ;is  school  treasurer  for  eight 
consecutive  terms.  He  was  connected  with  the 
Piatt  County  Agricultural  Society  from  its  be- 
ginning. He  was  appointed  privilege  man  by 
Kzra  Marquiss.  Sr.,  and  was  later  elected  sec- 
rctar.v  and  served  continuously  as  such  for 
tweiit.v-two  years.  For  six  years  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  State  ISoard  of  .Agriculture,  and  is 
one  of  the  best  informed  men  along  agricultural 
lines  to  he  found  in  this  part  of  the  countr.y. 

On  February  10,  1809,  Mr.  Tatman  was  mar- 
ried to  Caroline  Godfrey  Houselman  of  Monti- 
cello, a  daughter  of  Godfrey  and  Anna  (Tin- 
brook)  Houselman,  natives  of  Germany  and 
Pennsylvania,  respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tatman  have  two  children,  namely:  Nellie  and 
Fva,  both  of  whom  are  at  home.  Mr.  Tatman 
is  ainiiated  with  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
lias  taken  all  the  degrees  in  Masonry,  and  be- 
longs to  the  Fasteni  Star  and  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Uepublican. 

TATMAN,  Miles,  one  of  the  very  successful  far- 
mers of  .Snngamou  Township,  whose  judgment 
with  i-egard  to  agricultural  matters  is  unques- 
tioned, was  born  in  Ohio.  .March  0.  1S55,  a  son 
of  .\mos  and  .Xjuicy  (  Hardisty)  Tatnian.  both 
natives  of  Ohio.  In  the  fall  of  ISi;.")  the  family 
came  to  Piatt  County,  111.,  and  for  some  time 
lived  in  various  townships  in  the  county,  but 
eventually  bought  land  in  Sangamon  Township. 

Miles  Tatman  was  only  ten  years  old  when 
he  was  brought  to  Piatt  County,  since  which 
time  lie  li:is  been  a  resident  of  this  .section. 
His  educational  training  was  obtained  in  the 
imlilic  schools  of  the  county,  and  he  was  taught 
farming  by  his  father.  Ciitil  he  was  twenty 
years  old.  Mr.  Tatman  lived  with  his  parents, 
but  then  beg.-m  working  by  the  day  and  month 
for  fanners.  In  I.S.SO.  he  b(>gan  farnilng  on  his 
own  .account  on  the  Caldwell  hand  in  Sangamon 
Township,  and  since  l.SOt!  has  handled  from  IGO 
to  200  acres  of  land  annually,  growing  small 
grains  and  corn.  For  .some  years,  until  lOl.'i, 
he  was  a  lie.-ivy  feeder  of  cattle,  but  since  then 
has  contined  his  stock  o]ierations  to  raising  and 
feeding  hogs,  in  which  he  docs  a  large  business. 

In  .Inne,  1877.  Mr.  Tatnian  was  married  to 
Margaret  Kennedy,  In  Wilson  County.  Kas.  She 
was  born  in  Piatt  County.  111.,  March  2:1,  lsti2, 
;i  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  .Tane  (Argo) 
Kennedy.  Mr.  Kennedy  was  born  near  Dum- 
fries. Scotland,  while  Mrs.  Kennedy  was  boi'n 
in  Oliio.  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tatman  li.-ive  had  the 
following  children:  F;niiiie.  who  is  Mrs.  (Jeorire 
Hall  of  Monticello,  111.  ;  Nicholas  William,  who 
married  Grace  Caldwell  of  .Sangamon  Town- 
ship; and  Charles.  George  Thomas  and  .Tohn 
Amos,  who  are  all  at  home.  In  religious  faith 
Mr.  Tatman  is  a  .Methodist.  .V  Democrat,  he 
has  been  elected  a  school  director  by  his  party 


/fJ'^J^A^^  /,^i^/^^^. 


PUBLIC  LlBRAl^ V  | 


HISTOKY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


805 


each  year  since  i:)]4.  A  man  of  sincerity,  lie 
imi)resses  favoralily  those  with  whom  he  is 
lirought  Into  contact  and  stands  reniarliably 
liigh  with  his  neighbors. 

TAYLOR,  Charles,  a  successful  business  man  and 
merchant  at  Mihuiue,  stands  very  high  in  Piatt 
County  where  he  is  well  and  favorably  known. 
He  was  born  in  Willow  Branch  Township,  this 
county,  in  1863,  and  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Bement,  111.  As  his  life  has  been  spent  in 
this  county,  he  is  naturally  a  booster  for  its 
advancement  in  every  way,  and  his  efforts  have 
been  directed  toward  securing  for  his  locality 
all  the  advantages  possible.  When  he  was  only 
nineteen  years  old,  Mr.  Taylor  began  teaching 
school,  for  one  year  being  at  the  Center  school. 
For  the  subsequent  three  years  he  was  the 
teacher  of  tlie  Guilford  school.  In  the  mean- 
while he  had  taken  a  .year's  course  at  the  Dan- 
ville Center  College,  and  is  a  well  informed, 
carefully  educated  man.  Business  however 
rather  than  i>rofessional  life  attracted  him,  and 
he  left  the  schoolroom  to  establish  himself  in  a 
store  at  Bement  in  partnership  with  A.  C. 
Evans,  but  after  a  year  he  came  to  Milmine,  and 
in  1S90  formetl  a  partnership  with  R.  M.  Shep- 
herd, and  this  association  continued  until  1894, 
when  he  bought  his  partner's  interest  and  con- 
tinued alone  for  some  time.  He  then  bought  an 
interest  in  a  grain  business  owned  by  F.  J. 
Phillips,  liut  after  two  years,  sold  to  return  to 
merchandising  in  conjunction  with  his  brother, 
.\rb  Taylor.  .\  year  later,  Mr.  Taylor  bought 
out  his  brother,  and  has  since  kept  the  business 
in  his  own  famil.v,  admitting  his  son,  A.  C. 
Taylor,  into  jiartnorship  in  April,  1914. 

Charles  Taylor  is  a  son  of  Elijah  and  Kath- 
erine  (Peck)  Taylor,  the  former  born  in  Pick- 
away County,  Ohio,  in  1S.S.5.  came  to  Willow 
Branch  Township,  this  county,  in  1S57,  was 
married  in  ISOl.  and  here  bought  120  acres  of 
land  on  which  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1887. 
Tlie  mother  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1840,  and  was 
brought  to  Willow  Branch  Township  by  her 
parents  when  she  was  a  child.  She  survives, 
still  living  on  her  farm. 

In  .January,  1SS9,  Charles  Taylor  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Brandenburg,  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  .\ddie  (Haggard)  Brandenburg,  and 
their  children  have  been  as  follows:  Tlieo  A., 
who  is  at  home:  \-  C.  who  is  in  business  with 
his  father,  is  married ;  and  Ulla,  who  married 
Homer  Rusk,  lives  with  her  father.  In  politics 
Mr.  Taylor  is  a  Democrat  and  under  President 
Cleveland  served  Milmine  as  postmaster  for 
five  years,  and  for  the  past  two  years  has  held 
the  same  office  under  President  Wilson.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Milmine  Odd  Fellows,  and  also 
belongs  to  the  .Milmine  Camp  No.  G24S.  M.  W. 
A.,  wliile  he  is  a  Mason  in  high  standing,  being 
connected  with  the  Cerro  Gordo  Lodge,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.,  Bement  Chapter.  R.  X.  M..  Monticello 
Council.  Beaumanoir  Commandery  of  Decatur, 
111.,  and  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  .Springfield.  111. 
The  family  residence  is  owned  by  Mr.  Taylor 
as  well  as  are  nine  acres  in  Milmine,  and  200 


acres  of  farm  land  in  Wayne  County.  111.  He  is 
one  of  the  most  jirogressive  men  of  his  sec- 
tion, and  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  the  utmost 
integrity  and  uprightness. 

TERRILL,  J.  N.,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  in 
IfSls.  came  to  Piatt  Count.v  in  ISoli.  and  dnring 
the  Civil  War  he  served  his  country  as  a  sol- 
dier. He  was  married  in  Indiana  to  Saiah  A. 
Sampson,  and  their  children  were  as  follows.: 
Mrs.  James  Hunt.  James.  Mrs.  John  Matthews, 
John,  Mrs.  Albert  Grove,  and  Charles. 

THOMSON,  Robert  M.,  who  both  in  business  and 
jirivate  life  has  proved  himself  an  excellent  cit- 
izen and  trustworthy  man,  is  engaged  in  a  gen- 
eral blacksmithing  business  at  Monticello.  He 
was  born  in  South  Wigdenshire,  Scotland,  No- 
vember 5,  1S71,  a  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth 
(Dr.vsdale)  Thomson,  both  of  whom  died  in 
Scotland.  In  boyhood,  Robert  M.  Thomson  at- 
tended the  common  schools  in  his  native  land, 
and  then  learned  blacksmithing.  His  parents 
wisely  taught  him  habits  of  thrift  and  industry 
which  he  has  never  forgotten. 

In  August,  1888,  Robert  M.  Thomson  came 
to  the  United  States,  and  for  a  time  worked  at 
his  trade  at  Keota.  Iowa.  He  was  similarly 
engaged  at  various  places  until  1893,  when  he 
came  to  Monticello  and  for  five  years  was  with 
Harrington  Bros.  In  1808  he  went  into  Iiusiness 
for  liimself,  and  now  carries  on  a  general  black- 
smithing and  horse-.shoeing  business.  In  1905 
he  built  his  present  modern  brick  shop  with 
dimensions  of  60x35  feet. 

In  1901  Mr.  Thomson  was  married  to  Ollie 
Ellis,  who  was  born  at  Monticello.  They  have 
one  son.  James.  Mr.  Thomson  was  reared  in 
the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  poli- 
tics he  Is  a  Democrat.  His  fraternal  affiliation 
is  with  the  Jlodern  Woodmen  of  America,  and 
he  is  popular  in  tuat  order,  and  is  a  man  highly 
esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 

THOMPSON,  Samuel  K.,  came  to  Piatt  County 
from  Macon  County,  111.,  at  an  early  day,  and 
acquired  400  acres  of  land  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Township,  on  which  he  was  living  at  the  time 
of  his  death  in  1808.  He  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Smith  Stuart.  A  man  of  progressive  ideas,  he 
inaugurated  on  his  farm  a  system  of  drainage 
that  proved  very  successful. 

TINDER,  Asher  W.,  was  born  in  Virginia,  and 
came  to  Piatt  County  in  1853.  He  was  married 
to  Delilah  C.  Lewis  and  they  had  eight  children, 
seven  of  whom  came  to  Piatt  County  with  them, 
the  eldest  going  to  California.  For  a  number 
of  .vears  Mr.  Tinder  was  a  hotel  man  of  Monti- 
cello and  died  in  the  brick  hotel  owned  by  J.  C. 
Johnson,  in  1860. 

TIPPETT,  J.  C,  editor,  secretary  and  manager 
of  the  Piatt  County  Reinibliean,  is  one  of  the 
men  who  are  molding  public  opinion  in  this 
section,  and  proving  every  day  the  power  of  the 
Fourth  Estate.     In  the  city  of  Monticello  where 


SOG 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


liis  ni'wspapor  is  imliHshed,  ho  is  a  stronjr  fac- 
tor in  civic  raattors,  and  his  advice  is  sought 
and  liis  jud^'inent  relied  upon  by  many  who 
recognl/e  his  aliilitv  and  Unowledfie.  He  was 
l)orn  near  White  Heath.  HI..  .January  :'..  1ST:J.  a 
son  ol"  IJev.  C'uinlierhind  and  Helen  C.  (Heath) 
Tippett.  natives  of  Ohio,  and  early  settlers  on 
White  Heath's  site.  They  located  on  land  se- 
cured from  the  Kovernment,  and  the  father 
oi)erated  it  and  attended  to  the  duties  connected 
with  the  Methodist  ministry,  as  lie  was  a 
preaclier  in  that  religious  body.  In  October, 
1S7.-I,  the  father  fell  from  an  apple  tree,  and 
death  resulted  from  a  broken  neck.  The  mother 
died  March  10,  1908.  Their  two  children  were: 
Klorciice.  who  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Herbert  Truax, 
of  .\tlanta,  Ca..  and  together  they  are  conducting 
a  sanitarium  at  that  place;  and  J.  C,  of  Mon- 
ficello. 

After  attending  the  common  and  high  schools 
of  Montieello,  J.  r.  Tippett  matriculated  at  the 
University  of  Illinois,  and  there  completed 
his  studies.  In  ItKX)  he  was  elected  circuit  clerk 
and  recorder  of  Piatt  County,  and  was  reelected 
in  VMU.  serving  until  1908.  He  served  as  mayor 
of  Montieello  during  1907,  1008  and  1900,  and 
again  in  1911  and  lOlo,  and  during  his  incum- 
bency in  office  some  of  the  most  important  im- 
provements in  the  city  were  either  inaugurated. 
or  carried  to  completion.  During  all  this  time 
he  was  in  a  fire  insurance  business,  and  was 
traveling  auditor  of  books  for  ollicials  In  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  countr)-.  Among  other  things 
he  was  voucher  clerk  of  construction  of  the 
Western  Railways  &  Light  Co..  in  northern  Illi- 
nois during  1911  and  1912.  He  owns  besides 
city  property  a  farm  of  eighty-three  acies  in 
SanganioM  Township.  .\t  one  time  be  also  rep- 
resented the  house  of  H.  I).  I'eters.  dealers  in 
books,  stationery,  pipes,  tobaccos,  and  sinular 
articles,  having  a  wide  and  varied  experience 
that  lias  stood  him  in  good  stead  since  October 
1,  191-1,  when  he  became  secretary,  manager 
and  editor  of  the  I'iatt  County  Republican,  of 
which  C.  A.  Tatinan  is  president  and  treasurer, 
and  .Vllen  V.  Moore,  vice  president. 

On  flctober  5.  1S9S.  Mr.  Tippett  was  mar- 
ried to  Mattie  I.  .lamison,  born  at  Montieello. 
a  daughter  of  Mrs.  Inez  J.  Render  of  Decatur, 
III.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tipjiett  liave  the  following 
children:  Darrell  and  Herrick.  niey  attend 
tlie  Methodist  Cliurch.  Fraternally  Mr.  Tippett 
Is  a  Cliapter  M.ison,  Knight  of  I'yihias  and 
nieinber  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  .\merica. 
.\  live,  alert,  exi)erienced  man.  Mr.  Tii)pett  is 
fully  <|ualified  for  his  work,  and  his  future  lies 
bright  before  liim. 

TOTTEN,  A.  M.,  a  substantial  fanner  of  Remint 
Township,  and  ;i  man  widely  ami  favorably 
known  throughout  I'iatt  County  both  on  account 
of  his  successful  openitions  along  an  agricul- 
tural line,  and  his  integrity  ;is  a  man.  was  born 
In'Morris  County.  X.  .T..  March  17.  1S47,  on  the 
pres-ent  site  of  Iroiiia.  His  father.  .TereiiUiib 
T<itten.  was  born  in  Kssex  County,  N.  J.,  July 
29,   179ri,   and   by   occupation   was   a    teamster. 


His  death  occui-red  in  bis  native  state  in  1872. 
Tile  motbei'.  who  liore  the  maiden  name  of  Han- 
nah I 'rice,  was  born  in  Kssex  County,  N.  J.,  in 
isol.  and  she  died  in  the  same  state  in  R^Sl. 

.\.  .M.  Totten  came  to  I'iatt  County  in  1870, 
locating  in  Rement  Townshlii.  and  rented  land 
until  1.S7(;.  but  in  that  year  he  bought  eighty 
acres  in  this  same  township,  which  he  still 
owns,  and  in  ISSl  bought  eighty  acres  in  Story 
County.  Iowa.  .Mr.  Totten  has  conducted  his 
I'eiiKMit  Townslii|j  farm  and  very  successfully. 

In  1N71  Mr.  Totten  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Flora  .1.  Swayiie,  a  daughter  of  Evan  11. 
and  Mary  (Sears)  Swayne,  natives  of  Bureau 
County.  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Totten  became  the 
liarents  of  the  following  children:  Frank,  who 
married  Ellen  Nighswander.  resides  at  Ames, 
Iowa  ;  (Jeorge  E..  who  married  Augusta  Ewald, 
resides  .-it  Pittsburgh,  Pa.;  and  Earl,  wlio  mar- 
ried Mabel  Dyaniian,  has  one  son.  Guy.  Mr. 
Totten  belongs  to  the  Methodist^  Church  of  Re- 
ment. and  is  i>resident  of  its  board  of  trustees. 
For  thirty  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  the  cemetery  association  of 
his  township.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 
His  fraternal  relations  are  with  Bemeut  Chap- 
ter Xo.  ."(;."),  Itoyal  .\rch  Masons.  Thorouglily 
trustworthy  and  reliable,  Mr.  Totten  stands 
very  high  in  the  community  he  has  served  so 
long  and   f;iillifully. 

TOTTEN,  Earl  Evan,  a  jirosperous  young 
farmer  of  P.enient  Township,  belongs  to  one  of 
the  old  and  substantial  families  of  Piatt  County. 
He  was  born  in  Rement  To\i-nship  in  1888,  a 
son  of  A.  M.  and  Flora  (Swayne)  Totten,  na- 
tives of  Xew  .Tersey  and  Piatt  Count.v,  111.,  re- 
spectively. When  he  was  eighteen  years  old 
i::irl  K.  Totten  left  school  which  he  had  lieen 
atlendiiig  up  to  lliat  time,  and  liegan  assisting 
his  father  on  the  Rement  Township  homestead 
wliieli  he  is  now  operating.  Since  taking  charge 
of  the  homcste.id  he  has  made  many  improve- 
ments, and  does  liis  work  according  to  modern 
iiictliods.  His  ei|uipinent  is  one  of  the  best  in 
the  county,  .-iiid  lie  ranks  among  the  most  pro- 
gressive aL'i-iiulluralists  of  this  section,  .\niong 
otlier  modern  agi-iciillur;il  niMchiner.v.  he  owns 
a  fine  farm  tractor. 

On  .\pril  2li.  1910.  Mr.  Totten  was  married  to 
Mabel  Dyarman.  a  daughter  of  1!.  E.  and  Lea 
iSpragnet  Dyarman  of  Rement.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Totten  became  the  parents  of  two  cliildren. 
namely:  Allen  M..  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Cuy 
V...  who  is  at  home.  He  behuigs  to  the  Methodist 
Cliurch  of  Rement.  and  is  secretary  of  the  of- 
licial  board  of  that  church.  In  jiolitics  he  is  a 
liemoirat.  Fraternally  be  is  a  Ma.son.  belong- 
ing to  I'.ement  ChaiMer  Xo.  3(r>  R.  A.  M.,  and 
Rement  Camp  Xo.  19-t.  M.  W.  .\.  Live,  jirogres- 
sive.  .anxious  to  utili'/.e  every  advantage  mod- 
ern scieni-e  offers,  he  had  advanced  far  already, 
and  the  future  holds  bright  prospects  for  him. 

TRAXLER,  Samuel  Jacob,  one  of  the  large  stock 
rai.sers  of  Ceno  (icu'do  Townshif),  and  a  man 
widely   known   and   liighly   respected,   was  born 


JESSE   W.    WARNER 


c 


T'n 


pllBLiC  Ub'f^Ai. 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  ("OrXTY. 


807 


in  this  same  township.  August  11,  1879,  ;i  son 
of  David  and  Auna  (Aldorfer)  Traxler,  the 
formei-  of  whom  was  born  in  Oliio.  After  their 
marriage,  which  took  place  in  eitlior  Ohio  or 
Indiana,  the  parents  came  to  Piatt  County,  malt- 
ing the  trip  with  wagons,  and  located  at  Mil- 
mine,  in  Cerro  (iordo  Township.  They  were  on 
their  way  to  Kansas  but  were  forced  to  stop 
because  of  the  illness  of  one  of  the  children. 
.Vfter  his  health  had  improved,  they  abandoned 
the  proposed  trip,  and  moved  on  the  David  Kuns 
farm,  near  .Milmine,  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township. 
I'ntil  able  to  buy  land,  the  father  rented,  then  in- 
vested in  eighty  acres  for  which  he  paid  seven- 
teen dollars  per  acre,  it  being  raw  lu-airie  land. 
This  he  broke  and  improved,  and  in  order  to 
properly  drain  it,  after  his  day's  work  was 
done,  he  dug  the  necessary  ditches  to  carry  off 
the  surplus  water.  From  time  to  time  he  added 
to  his  acreage  until  he  owned  400  acres  of  land 
in  Cerro  Gordo  Township,  and  twenty  acres 
just  outside  of  the  town  of  Jlessar,  Ariz.,  and 
four  acres  in  the  town  itself.  The  fatlier  died 
at  Messar.  in  April,  1908.  After  the  death  of 
the  mother  in  1883,  he  was  marrie(l  (second) 
to  Emma  C.  Mitchell,  who  died  October  30,  1932. 
By  his  first  marriage  the  father  had  the  follow- 
ing children :  Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  Clark  Criss 
of  Kokomo,  Ind. ;  p'rank.  who  resides  at  Ham- 
mond, 111. :  Fred,  w-ho  lives  at  Plymouth,  Wis. ; 
Eliza,  who  died  in  infancy ;  George,  who  lives 
at  Hammond,  111.;  .Toseph.  who  is  deceased: 
Elizabeth,  who  is  Mrs.  'William  Varner  of 
Stroud,  Okla, ;  David,  who  lives  in  Ctrro  Goiilo 
Township;  Lydia,  who  is  Mrs.  David  Frantz  of 
Oakland,  Cal. ;  .'^aniuel  J. :  and  Delia,  who  died 
in  infancy.  By  his  second  marriage  the  father 
had  two  children,  namely:  Charles,  who' lives 
in  Cerro  Gordo  Township,  and  Ben.iamin  H., 
who  is  deceased. 

Samuel  .T.  Traxler  attende<l  the  common 
schools  of  Cerro  Gordo  Township,  and  remained 
with  his  parents  until  1901.  when  he  rented 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Cerro  Gordo  Townshij) 
from  his  father  and  lived  on  it  for  four  years, 
at  which  time  he  bought  the  eighty  acres  on 
which  he  made  many  improvements.  In  1913 
he  sold  this  for  one  hundred  dollars  per  acre, 
more  than  he  paid  for  it.  and  renteil  his  father's 
homestead  for  one  year,  at  the  expiration  of 
which  time  he  bought  it  from  his  lirother  Fred, 
paying  nearly  .'«2."0  per  acre  for  it.  In  addition 
to  the  homestead  be  rents  additional  land  so 
that  he  operates  4S0  acres,  raising  draft  horses 
and  hogs  in  large  numbers,  in  addition  to  doing 
a  general  farming  liusiness  and  buying  and  sell- 
ing milch  cows  upon  a  heavy  scale.  His  farm 
is  known  as  the  I.one  Star  Stock  Farm. 

On  March  4,  1901.  Mr.  Traxler  was  married 
at  Monticello  to  Sarah  E.  Philliiis,  born  Oct. 
2,  1S.S0.  in  I'nity  Township,  this  county,  a 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Anna  fP.owman) 
Phillips,  natives  of  Indiana.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Traxler  became  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  .Vnna  Mary,  born  .Tanuary  9,  1902; 
David  Andrew,  born  April  23,  1903;  Nathan 
Earl,  born  May  11,  190.5;  Floyd  Svlvestor,  born 


.November  27,  1907 :  Xelpho  Orville,  born  No- 
vember 6,  1911 ;  Woodrow  Wilson,  born  June 
24,  1913;  and  an  infant,  boru  July  27,  1916, 
who  died  when  eleven  days  old.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Deaiocrat,  and  has  served  as  a  school 
director.  Mr,  Traxler  and  family  belong  to  the 
Church  of  the  Brethren. 

TRENCHARD,  G.  R.,  banker  and  farmer,  was 
born  at  De  Land,  February  14,  1807,  a  son  of 
W.  O.  and  Xancy  (Lyons)  Treuchard,  natives 
of  PittsHeld,  N.  Y.,  and  County  Clare,  Ireland. 
They  were  married  at  Jacksonville,  111,,  and 
were  on  a  farm  in  that  neighborhood  until  the 
fall  of  IbO.j,  when  they  came  to  Goose  Creek 
Township,  and  the  father  bought  land  here.  In 
1S99  he  moved  to  Champaign,  111.,  where  he  died 
in  1900,  the  mother  having  died  in  1904. 

G.  K,  Trenchard  attended  the  schools  in  his 
district  until  he  was  of  age,  and  then  began 
working  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  continued 
for  four  years.  At  that  time  he  bought  a  farm 
in  Goose  Creek  Township,  and  liecame  one  of 
the  successful  farmers  of  the  county,  and  had 
other  interests  as  well.  In  1901  he  was  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
De  Land,  which  started  with  a  cajiital  stock  of 
.'f2.">,000,  that  has  been  increased  until  it  is  now 
.fy'i.OCO,  and  there  is  a  surplus  of  .'t;20.000.  For 
five  years  after  the  organization  of  this  bank, 
Mr.  Trenchard  was  its  cashier,  although  he  con- 
tinued his  farming  operations  during  that 
lieriod.  Upon  resigning  his  official  connection 
with  the  bank,  he  embarked  in  the  real  estate 
liusiness,  and  carries  on  an  extensive  trade  in 
land.  Once  more  the  stockholders  of  the  bank 
called  upon  him,  and  in  1909  he  was  made  its 
president,  which  office  he  still  holds. 

On  December  28,  1808,  Mr.  Trenchard  was 
married  to  Lucy  T.  Thornton,  born  at  Des 
Moines,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Fannie 
Thornton.  Mr.  and  Mrs,  Trenchard  have  two 
children  :  Wendell  B.  and  Mary  L.  Not  only 
is  Mr.  Trenchard  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  but  he  is  also  one  of  its  trustees. 
.Vfter  completing  a  terra  as  supervisor  of  Goose 
Creek  Township,  to  which  he  was  appointed  in 
]91."i,  he  was  elected  to  the  same  office.  Fra- 
ternally he  belongs  to  the  Masons.  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  ilodern  Woodmen  of  America,  all 
of  De  Land.  A  man  of  sagacity  and  broad  ideas, 
he  has  not  only  succeeded  himself,  but  carried 
others  with  him  and  brought  about  added  pros- 
perity to  bis  community  through  his  operations. 

TRIGG,  George  W.,  furniture  dealer  and  under- 
taker at  De  Land,  is  one  of  the  reliable  busi- 
ness men  of  Piatt  County,  He  was  born  in 
Pike  County,  111.,  in  January,  18.58,  a  son  of 
Charles  and  Su.san  (Folkes)  Trigg,  natives  of 
Lincolnshire,  England,  who  came  to  the  United 
States  in  18.")3.  Tliey  stopped  for  a  time  at 
(Jriggsville.  Kke  County,  111.,  where  the  father 
was  engaged  in  farming,  but  he  later  trans- 
ferred his  operations  In  this  line  to  fjreene 
County,  and  still  later  to  Logan  Couut.v.  both 
ill  Illinois,  and  owned  land  in  the  latter  county. 


808 


IIISTOKV  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


whore    lu>    died    in    1002.     The   mother   passed 
iiwaj-  six  nioiilhs  l)ofore  the  f.ither. 

Diiriiig  the  winter  mouths  of  his  lioybood  and 
yoiitli,  tleor^'e  AV.  Trig),'  attended  tlie  common 
schools  in  liis  iici^'hhorhood,  and  remained  with 
his  father  until  lie  was  twenty-ei!;lit  years  old, 
when  he  hetran  faruiins:  in  Lofran  County,  upon 
rented  land.  A  little  later  he  embarked  iu  a 
mercantile  business  at  Hea.son,  111.,  and  three 
years  later  left  there  and  bouiiht  100  acres  of 
land  in  Goose  Creek  Ti>wnshi|),  Piatt  County. 
For  the  sulise(iuent  seven  years  the  conduct  of 
his  farm  engros.-^ed  his  attention,  but  ho  then 
rented  his  farm  and  moved  to  Do  Land  where 
he  bought  a  furniture  store.  As  the  demand 
increased,  he  added  other  furnishings,  and  now 
outfits  houses  comjiletely.  He  also  carries  on 
an  undertaking  business  and  his  services  are 
in  demand  for  he  renders  expert  embalming  and 
is  tborouglily  iireiiared  to  attend  to  the  neces- 
sary riles  that  death  compels. 

In  'is'.y2  Mr.  Trigg  W'as  marrie<l  to  Addie 
(JambrcU,  who  was  born  in  DeWitt  County,  111., 
and  died  in  February.  1900.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
'I'rigg  became  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: Eva.  who  is  Mrs.  Ray  Matthews,  lives 
on  her  father's  farm:  Charles,  who  is  in  part- 
nership with  his  father:  William,  who  is  at 
lionic :  .-ind  Lora,  who  dicil  in  infancy.  In  .June, 
T.MI2.  Mr.  Trigg  was  married  i  second)  to  Ida 
Troxell,  born  in  Maryland,  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  .Mary  ( .Stollemyer)  Troxell.  There  are 
two  children  by  tins  marriage,  namely:  Ivan 
;ind  Irene,  twins.  Mr.  Trigg  is  a  Methodist  in 
religious  faith,  and  Jfrs.  Trigg  is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church.  .V  Uepublican  in  ])i>\[- 
tics.  he  li.as  served  on  t!ie  school  board  for  three 
years  since  coming  to  I)e  Land.  Fraternally 
.Mr.  Trigg  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  I'ylliias  No. 
(K«  of  De  Land,  and  Lodge  Xo.  S12,  A.  F.  & 
.V.  SI.  of  the  same  place. 

TRIMBY,  Charles  J.,  a  substantial  general 
farmer  and  stockraiser  of  Goose  Creek  Town- 
ship, is  one  of  the  leading  agriculturalists  of 
I'latt  County.  He  was  born  in  this  same  town- 
•sliip,  March  1,S,  1877,  a  son  of  .lames  W.  and 
Kliza  \.  (Morainl  Trimby,  natives  of  Fngland 
and  Goose  Creek  Township.  I'iatt  County,  IU., 
respec-tively.  The  grandparents.  Henry  Trimby, 
a  native  of  England,  and  Jonathan  M.  and 
Nancy  (Coon)  Montin.  natives  of  Ohio,  were 
very  early  settlers  of  section  28,  (Joose  Creek 
Township.  The  maternal  gi-andparents  entered 
eighty  acres  of  bind,  and  added  to  it  until  they 
owned  C>V\  acres. 

James  W.  Trimby  and  a  sister,  in  ISfS, 
joined  relatives  in  Hement  Township,  and  bis 
l>arents  followed  a  little  later.  .Vfter  his  mar- 
riage, he  and  his  wife  located  on  twenty  acres 
of  land  iti  (Joose  Creek  Townshii>,  section  27, 
whlcli  belonged  to  Mrs.  Trimby,  and  to  it  Mr. 
Trimliy  ke|it  adding  until  be  owned  Ol,"!  acres  of 
land  all  in  one  i)iece.  His  death  occurred  JIarch 
3,  ItKi.-,,  and  following  his  death,  his  widow 
nioveil  to  Monticello.  where  she  died  in  Febru- 
ary,   1910.      Their    children    were    as    follows: 


Jeiuiie,  who  is  Mrs.  Charles  Beckett,  of  Goose 
Cre<>k  Township;  Charles  J.;  Ella,  who  Is  Mrs. 
Winfonl  Kenser,  of  Minnesota  ;  Bertha,  who  is 
.Mrs.  Albert  Aldrich,  of  Willow  Branch  Town- 
ship; Elizabeth,  who  lives  at  Monticello; 
Myrtle,  who  is  Mrs.  John  Wooliver,  lives  on  the 
homestead  ;  and  Olive,  who  lives  at  Monticello. 

Charles  J.  Trimby  attended  the  Mora  in  dis- 
trict school,  and  was  taught  farming  in  his  boy- 
hood. In  1902  he  began  operating  a  threshing 
machine  outlit  and  so  eontiimed  for  six  years, 
when  lie  took  3(Hj  acres  of  the  home  farui,  and 
conducted  it  until  the  spring  of  19i:i.  At  that 
time  he  went  to  Monticello  and  formed  a  part- 
nership with  E.  A.  Johnson  for  tlie  purpose  of 
conducting  an  implement  business.  After  a 
year,  C.  Doss  bought  .Mr.  Johnson's  interest,  and 
Mr.  Trimby  and  Mr.  Doss  remained  together  a 
year,  when  the  latter  bought  out  his  ixirtner, 
and  .Mr.  Trimby  returned  to  his  farm,  where  he 
has  since  been  engaged  in  agricultural  labors. 

On  January  29,  l<>b2,  Mr.  Trimby  was  married 
to  Laura  Floyd,  born  August  9,  1870.  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
threi!  children,  namely :  i>ernice,  born  Febru- 
ary 10,  100.'!;  James,  born  October  29.  190-t;  and 
Edith,  born  .Vi)ril  24.  liK)7.  Mrs.  Trimby  and 
the  children  belong  to  the  Methodist  Church. 
A  Uepublican,  .Mr.  Trimby  served  one  term  as  a 
school  director.  P'raternally  he  belongs  to  the 
De  Land  canj])  of  Modern  Woodmen  of  Amer- 
ica, and  the  Monticello  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  is  pojiular  in  both. 

TRYON,  Elijah,  came  from  Indiana  to  Piatt 
County  in  I  lie  early  sixties  and  was  a  farmer 
of  Inity  Township  until  his  death  in  1S74. 
He  was  m:irried  to  Agnes  Smith  and  they  had 
two  children,  namely  :  Mrs.  Samuel  Welcii  and 
one  who  died  early.  Mr.  Tryon  was  married 
(second)  to  Kebecca  Sampson  and  thev  had 
one  child.  Mr.s.  Clarinda  Hester.  In  1S{":9  Mr. 
Tryon  was  married  (third)  to  Nancy  Shaw  and 
they   had   two   daughters,   Dora   and   Lola   May. 

"  TUCKER,  Mrs.  Mary  A.,  one  of  the  highly 
respected  residents  of  P.ement.  the  widow  o"f 
'I'homas  J.  Tucker,  is  held  in  high  esteem  by 
her  neighbors  foi-  her  many  excellent  iiu.ilitie.s. 
She  was  born  in  Warren  County.  Ind..  in  ISOl. 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Kelly)  Conway, 
natives  of  Ireland,  where  the  mother  was  born 
iu  182S.  She  died  in  I'.ement,  111.,  in  1n71, 
•Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conway  having  come  to  Piatt 
Cuunty   in  isi;:;. 

Mrs.  Tucker  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Benienl.  but  left  school  when  still  a 
girl  to  keep  house  for  her  wiilowed  father.  On 
October  1,  1S84.  she  w:\s  married  to  Thomas  J. 
Tucker,  a  son  of  David  M.  and  Naucv  E. 
(Lynum)  Tucker.  David  M.  Tucker  was 'born 
in  Kentucky,  and  died  in  Rement  in  1877.  His 
mother,  wiiose  maiden  name  was  Marguerite 
Forsythe.  was  born  in  Ireland,  but  died  in  In- 
diana. Thorn.is  J.  Tucker  w;is  bin-n  in  Johnson 
County.  Ind.,  September  "22.  1802.  and  came  to 
Illinois  witli  his  parents,  in  1.S(;8,  they  locating 


^ 


Own 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


809 


at  Beiiient.  Ilert'  Mr.  Tucker  was  educated, 
iitteiKliii,<.'  school  until  lie  attained  his  majority, 
when  he  het'an  farniiug  in  Bement  Townsliip. 
After  four  years  on  rented  land,  he  boui;ht  100 
acres  of  land  in  the  same  townshiii.  and  oper- 
ateil  it.  until  i'.il'-i.  in  the  spriu;,'  of  that  year, 
on  account  of  ill  health,  he  retired  to  Bement, 
and  there  he  died  .Sei>temher  1.  l!ll.").  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Tucker  liecanie  the  parents  of  the  foUow- 
ini;  children :  Anna,  who  married  Gilbert  Gor- 
don, raid  lives  in  Ohio ;  Catherine,  who  mar- 
ried Edward  Forau.  lives  in  Ivesdale,  111. ; 
Benjamin  .J.,  who  lives  on  the  homestead  :  Eliza- 
beth, who  lives  at  home ;  Eaymoud,  who  is 
deceased;  and  Asnes  and  Cecelia,  both  of  whom 
are  students  in  the  Bement  High  school.  Mrs. 
Tucker  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Cliureh  of 
Bement.  Mr.  Tucker  was  a  Republican.  His 
fraternal  alliliations  were  with  Bemeut  Camp 
No.  194,  M.  W.  A.,  and  Bement  Masonic  lodge. 
Mrs.  Thicker  owns  100  acres  of  laud  in  Bemeut 
Township ;  140  acres  of  land  in  Unity  Town- 
ship, and  her  residence  at  Bement,  and  is  man- 
aging her  property  wisely  and  ijrofltably.  prov- 
ing her  right  to  tie  accepted  as  an  excellent 
business  woman,  as  well  as  a  kindly.  Christian 
neighbor,  and  public-spirited  resident  of  the 
city  and  county. 

VANCE,  St.  Clair,  M.  D.,  who  stands  among  the 
leading  exponents  of  the  medical  profession  at 
Bement,  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  skilled  and 
al>le  yonng  practitioners  of  Piatt  County.  He 
was  born  at  Bement.  111.,  March  29,  1S82.  a  son 
of  Dr.  X.  X.  and  Frances  (Routh)  Vance,  na- 
tives of  Springfield,  Ky.,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
The  father  of  Dr.  Vance  was  also  a  physician 
and  he  was  born  at  Newport,  Ky.,  March  20, 
184.5,  and  was  graduated  from  the  Cincinnati 
Medical  Colleiie.  Coming  to  Piatt  County  after 
a  .year  spent  in  a  hospital  in  Indianapolis,  the 
elder  Dr.  Vance  established  himself  in  a  general 
jiractice  at  Cerro  Gordo,  but  later  moved  to 
Bement  where  he  formed  a  professional  jiartner- 
ship  with  Dr.  Leal,  which  continued  until  the 
death  of  the  latter  when  Dr.  Vance  continued 
alone  until  191".  In  that  year  he  was  stricken 
with  disease  and  died  May  10.  1916.  His  prac- 
tice was  a  very  large  one,  and  his  former  pa- 
tients held  him  in  the  highest  esteem  and 
affection.  The  marriage  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Vance 
took  place  December  24.  1872.  She  was  born 
.Tanuary  0.  l.S.")0.  and  was  a  daughter  of  .Tames 
W.  and  Margaret  (Ferguson)  Routh.  the  former 
born  in  Randolph  County.  N.  C.  August  9.  ISl.". 
and  the  latter  in  Bedford  County.  Va..  Sei^teni- 
ber  24,  1.819.  .Tames  W.  Routh  was  also  a  physi- 
cian and  he  and  his  wife  were  married  October 
1.  18."9.  before  he  had  taken  his  medical  course. 
For  years  he  was  establL-ihed  in  iiractice  at 
Terre  Haute.  Ind..  and  later  at  Springfield.  111., 
finally  locating  at  Decatur.  III.  During  the 
Civil  War  he  served  his  country  as  a  surgeon. 
The  children  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Routh  were  as 
follows :  Dr.  .Tames  W..  who  was  a  surgeon 
during  the  Civil  War.  is  now  deceased;  Dr. 
George  Edwanl.  who  is  a  iihysician  of  St.  Paul. 


.Minn. ;  Walter  Winbourne,  who  was  also  a 
l)hysieian.  is  now  deceased ;  Mrs.  Vance,  who 
was  the  youngest.  Dr.  N.  N.  Vance  and  his 
wife  h.id  the  following  children :  Walter  Noble, 
who  was  born  Fetiruary  22.  1874,  was  graduated 
from  the  Cniversity  of  Illinois  as  an  electrical 
engineer,  and  is  now  chief  engineer  and  vice 
president  of  the  Durand  Steel  Locker  Company 
of  Chicago  Heights,  111.,  but  during  the  Spanish- 
-Vmerican  War  served  as  chief  electrician  on  the 
tl.Mg  ship  Philadelphia  ;  William  Baker,  who  was 
born  in  August.  1875.  was  in  the  Third  Missls- 
sipiii  Volunteer  Infantry  as  corporal  during  the 
S|ianisli-.Viuericaa  War,  is  now  in  the  Postal 
service  in  Seattle ;  Harvey  Marshall,  M.  D.,  who 
was  born  March  3,  1878,  is  a  physician  of 
Pleasant  Grove,  Utah ;  Dr.  .Tames  St.  Clair, 
whose  name  heads  this  review ;  and  George 
Edward,  who  was  liorn  September  19,  1887, 
lives  at  Decatur,  111.,  and  is  a  railway  engineer. 
George  Vance  was  employed  as  a  railway  engi- 
neer by  the  Government,  at  Panama,  for  three 
years.  The  Vance  family  belong  to  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  The  elder  Dr.  Vance  was  a 
Mason  and  held  many  otlices  in  his  order.  He 
hold  to  the  jirinciples  of  the  Republican  party. 
Mrs.  Vance  is  a  member  of  the  Woman's  Club 
of  Bement,  and  the  Eastern  Star  of  the  same 
place. 

Dr.  St.  Clair  Vance  entered  the  Northwestern 
Jledical  College  of  Chicago,  after  completing  his 
courses  in  the  local  schools,  and  served  as  in- 
terne in  the  Evauston  Hospital  and  the  Amer- 
ican Hospital.  For  two  years  he  was  in  the 
employ  of  the  Government  as  ph.vsician  and 
surgeon  at  the  Ancon  Ho.spital  at  Panama. 
During  1913  and  1914  he  was  engaged  in  an 
active  practice  at  Chicago,  but  in  .inly,  191.5, 
came  back  to  Bement,  and  since  then  has  been 
carrying  on  a  large  practice. 

On  September  17.  1913.  Dr.  Vance  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  E.  (iummersou.  born  at  Sudbury, 
Mass..  a  daughter  of  W.  R.  and  Marian  Augusta 
(.Tones)  Gummerson.  natives  of  Massachusetts. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Vance  have  a  daughter,  Barbara, 
who  was  born  December  0,  1914.  In  religious 
f.iith  Dr.  Vance  is  a  Presbyterian. 

VANDONGEN,  Peter  T.,  dealer  in  Cerro  Gordo 
and  Decatur  city  realty,  and  Piatt  County  farm 
land,  and  a  buyer  and  shipper  of  livestock.  Is 
one  of  the  jirogressive  and  successful  business 
men  of  Cerro  Goi-do.  whose  experience  and  prac- 
tical knowledge  make  him  a  leading  factor  in 
the  commercial  life  of  the  city.  He  was  born 
at  Morris.  Grundy  County.  111..  March  2.  18."i7. 
a  son  of  .Toseph  and  Bridget  (Kane)  VanDongen, 
natives  of  Antwerii.  Belgium,  and  Ireland,  re- 
spectivel.v.  They  wore  married  at  Dunkirk, 
N.  Y..  and  came  to  Jlorris.  Ill,,  where  they  kept 
a  hotel  for  a  few  years,  and  then  moved  to  Dan- 
ville, 111.,  and  were  in  business  there  for  a 
time.  Following  that  they  went  to  Decatur. 
III.,  where  Uiey  continued  in  business,  going 
from  there  to  Taylorville.  111.,  where  after  a 
year  they  went  to  Macon  County.  111.,  and  con- 
ducted  a    grocery   and   had   other   interests  for 


810 


IIISTOKV  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


livo  years.  Still  later  tlio.v  wont  to  Decatur, 
where  the  fiitlier  worked  hy  the  day,  and  then 
went  to  I.on;;  C'reeU  Townslii|i,  Macon  County, 
where  the  father  died  in  February,  11)02.  Tlie 
mother  survives,  and  makes  lier  home  with  her 
son,  reter  T. 

IVter  T.  VanDonf-'en  attended  the  common 
.•mil  liish  schools  of  Decatur,  and  when  only 
twelve  years  old  lio^'an  workins;  for  K.  McClel- 
land, reniaiiiiiii;  for  ei;;ht  years,  durinu  which 
lierioil  he  was  also  employed  for  one  year  in 
the  olli.e  of  Mr.  McClelland  who  was  then  cir- 
i-uil  clerk  of  Macon  Cnunty.  lie  then  went  on 
a  larm  in  I-on-  Creek  Township,  hut  two  years 
later  returned  for  two  years  more  in  the  employ 
of  Mr.  McClelland.  Once  more  he  went  to  work 
for  his  father.  Mr.  VanDonj;en  then  ensaired  in 
general  farmins  for  ahout  fourteen  .vears.  when 
he  moved  on  a  farm  of  IDO  acres  five  miles 
southeast  of  Cerro  Cordo,  in  llie  township  of 
that  name.  Ther(>  he  continued  farming:  for 
nine  .years,  and  then  rontini;  his  farm  moved  to 
Cerro  (Jordo  where  he  went  into  a  iieneral  real 
estate  business  and  also  buys  and  shii>s  largo 
quantities  of  livestock,  including  horses,  cattle 
and  hogs. 

In  February.  ISSn,  Mr.  \'anDongen  was  mar- 
ried ti>  Hortha  Krout.  horn  in  Fnirliehl  County. 
Ohio,  a  d,-uightcr  u(  .Tohn  .ind  Hannah  I  Pcnnc- 
baker)  Krout,  natives  of  Fairfield  County.  Ohio. 
who  came  to  Macon  County,  III.,  in  1S74.  locat- 
ing on  :i  farm  of  2l!0  acres  where  the  mother  is 
now  residing.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  VanDongen  have 
had  the  following  children :  .Toseph.  who  was 
killed  liy  liglilMing  May  2.".  1004.  when  he  was 
nhout  nineteen  years  old,  having  been  born 
Deeemher  !>.  I.SS.'i;  Clara,  who  was  horn  Ai)ril 
20,  1SS7,  and  lives  on  her  father's  farnj ;  and 
Crea.  who  was  horn  May  i:!.  ISSO.  is  al.so  at 
home.  Mr.  VanDongen  is  a  Republican  and 
served  as  a  school  director  for  ten  years.  II(> 
belongs  to  Cerro  (iordo  Lodge  No.  000.  .\.  F.  & 
.\.  M. :  Cerro  Gordo  Ixxlgo  No.  347,  I.  O.  O.  F. ; 
and  Decatur  I,odge  of  M<ioso  No.  ftS-t.  Mr.s.  \'an- 
Dongen  was  educ.-ited  in  the  district  and  high 
schoiils.  In  religious  faith  she  is  a  Metliodist. 
.\  man  of  souikI  principles  and  good  business 
.ludgment,  Mr.  VanDongen  has  forged  ahead, 
an<I  his  success  is  well  merited. 

VAN  VICKLE,  Henry,  wlii>  not  only  is  one  of 
the  hi'sl  known  building  contractors  of  De  Land, 
hut  .also  the  oldest  engaged  in  this  line  of  busi- 
ness in  I'iatt  County,  was  horn  in  Ohio.  March 
:iO,  1S44.  .a  son  of  Daniel  and  Martha  (Clark) 
Van  Vickie,  who  were  born,  reared,  lived  ami 
liassed  .iwa.v  in  Ohio. 

During  a  boyhood  which  was  filled  with  hard 
work  and  very  little  schooling,  Henry  Van 
Vickie  was  taught  :\  love  for  his  co\inlry.  and 
these  lessons  in  patriotism  came  to  fruition  in 
l\is  enlistment  for  service  during  the  Civil  War 
in  .lanuary.  IMU.  in  Company  .\.  Ninetieth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  From  then  until 
December  1.".  1S(;4.  when  he  was  woimded  by  a 
gunshot  wound  in  the  left  leg.  at  the  battle  of 
Nashville,   Mr.    Van    Vickie   participated    in    the 


Georgia  campaign  under  General  .Sherman.  His 
honorable  disrliarge  is  dated  .July  12.  l.S(J5,  at 
Canii>  Denisou,  Ohio,  and  following  his  obtaining 
it,  he  returned  to  his  farm  lumie.  For  the 
sulisetiucnt  two  years  he  remaini'd  there,  but,  in 
February.  1807.  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  for  a 
.year  attended  .school  at  Monticello.  After  work- 
ing for  r.irmers  for  a  time,  ho  farmed  ou  his 
own  account  for  seven  years,  and  then  in  1884 
bcg.-in  learning  the  carjienter  trade  and  was 
with  .1.  .\.  Campbell  until  Uti:!,  when  he  left 
biin  to  engage  in  a  general  contracting  business 
of  his  own.  In  addition  to  taking  contracts  for 
building,  he  also  carries  on  a  painting  and 
paiierh.anging  business,  ami  has  executed  some 
very  important  contracts  in  tliis  line.  He  owns 
a  fine  liome  in  1  )e  Land  and  some  land  in 
Florida. 

Ou  February  l."i.  ISS.j,  Mr.  Van  Vickie  was 
married  to  Enuna  A.  Anderson,  horn  in  I'iatt 
County,  III.,  in  J8.">0.  a  daughter  of  William  and 
.lane  Anderson,  natives  of  Ross  County,  Ohio. 
Mr.  Anderson  died  in  1910,  and  Mrs.  Anderson 
lives  at  Monticello.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Vickie 
have  one  daughter.  Clarett,  who  is  Mrs.  Haixlin 
of  Monticello.  For  some  years  Mr.  Van  Vickie 
has  attended  the  Methodist  Church.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  served  as  tax  col- 
lector of  Goose  Creek  Township  for  three  years. 
Franklin  Post,  G.  A.  R.  of  Monticello,  holds  his 
membership  and  he  enjoys  meeting  his  old  com- 
rades at  the  reunions.  A  man  of  excellent  busi- 
jiess  ability,  Mr.  Van  Vickie  has  honestly  earned 
his  pi-esent  i)osition.  and  is  held  in  high  esteem 
b.v  these  who  know  him. 

VENT,  James  T.  The  Vent  family  is  one  of  the 
bonortnl  and  well  known  ones  of  I'iatt  County, 
all  of  its  represent.atives  lieing  desirable  addi- 
tions to  any  couununity  in  which  they  may  see 
fit  to  locate  One  of  the  members  of  this  fam- 
ily is  .Tames  T.  A'ent.  now  living  retired  at  Mon- 
ticello. hut  for  a  number  of  years  very  active 
in  agricultural  matters  in  Piatt  County.  He 
was  horn  in  Pickaway  County.  Ohio.  Ma.v  30. 
is:;s.  a  son  of  .lohn  White  and  Sarah  (Gray) 
Vent.  The  lather,  a  native  of  Delaware,  went 
to  Ohio  in  1.s;!i;.  where  he  engaged  in  farming. 
.Vfter  losing  the  mother  of  his  children,  by 
death,  he  moved  from  Pickaway  Count.v  to  Mad- 
ison County.  Ohio. 

.Tames  T.  A'ont  attended  liotli  subscription  and 
public  schools,  and  in  IS.'S.  with  his  brother. 
William  W.,  he  went  to  M.-iriou  County.  III., 
and  in  IS."!),  (■■■ime  to  Monticello.  Piatt  County. 
Mi'vo  be  did  farm  work  by  the  month  for  five 
years,  and  at  the  same  time  was  in  iiartnor- 
sliip  with  bis  brother  in  a  farming  venture, 
^tarrying  in  isc'i.  .Tames  T.  A'ent  rented  land 
for  two  years  afterward,  and  then  built  a  resi- 
dence on  an  eighty  acre  farm  his  wife  obtained 
from  her  father,  in  Willow  Branch  Township. 
To  this  iiroperty.  Mr.  Vent  kept  on  adding  luitil 
there  is  now  240  acres  in  the  homestead.  On  it 
he  carried  on  a  stock  buisnoss.  raising,  buying 
and  feeding  hogs  and  cattle.  On  November  12. 
1s:i4.    he    i-ented    out    bis    farm,    .-md    nmved    to 


.^ 


^ 


t  '■-''  --- 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


811 


Montleelld  where  he  lives  retired,  although  he 
supervises  tlie  iuii)ro\  eiueuts  he  iiml;es  from 
time  to  time  on  his  property.  Mr.  \'ent  luis  also 
bouslit  and  sold  land  in  the  Northwest  and  Mis- 
.sissippi,  alth(ni,;,'li  hi^  homestead  is  all  the  farm 
land  he  retains.  In  VMS  he  Imilt  a  modern  resi- 
dence in  Jlonticello,  and  in  it  is  enjo.ving  well 
earned  rest. 

In  Feliruary,  1805.  Mr.  A'ent  was  married  to 
Klizaheth  Ater,  horn  in  Ross  County.  Ohio,  a 
dani;hter  of  .Tames  and  8aliina  (Thomas)  Ater, 
natives  of  \ir?;inia,  who  came  from  Ohio  to 
I'iatt  County  in  1N.51.  Mrs.  Vent  was  educated 
in  the  I'iatt  County  district  schools.  The  chil- 
dren born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vent  are  as  fol- 
lows: John  W..  who  lives  at  Cerro  Gordo,  111.; 
Viola,  who  is  .Mrs.  .John  K.  Warehimo.  of  Wil- 
low Hranch  Township:  Charity  P...  who  lives  at 
JaclJsonville,  111. :  James  A.,  wlio  lives  at  Ham- 
mond, III.;  Lizzie,  who  is  Mrs,  C.  K.  Smith  of 
Monticello.  111.  ;  and  Sahina  J.,  who  is  at  home. 
In  relL^ious  faith  the  f.amily  are  MethiHlists. 

Mr.  \'ent  served  as  commissioner  of  hish- 
ways.  and  was  on  the  school  hoard  for  twenty- 
five  years.  From  18D4  to  l.SKS  lie  was  deput.v 
sheriff.  In  politics  he  supi>orts  the  principles 
of  the  Kepulilican  jiart.v.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
Chapter  Mason,  anii  lielons-s  to  the  Eastern  Star, 
of  which  Mrs.  Vent  is  also  a  member.  He  has 
served  as  master  of  the  count.v  Grange,  and  done 
nuicli  to  advance  the  cause  of  aL:riculture.  His 
financial  interests  are  lari.'e.  and  he  is  a  direc- 
tor of  the  Hammond  liank.  and  a  stockholder 
of  the  Mo(n-e  State  I'.ank.  With  such  a  record 
of  achievement  behind  him.  Mr.  Vent  can  well 
afford  to  rest  u])on  his  laurels,  but  he  does  not 
relax  his  interest  in  civic  afl'airs.  and  iiives  a 
hearty  ami  effective  support  to  tliose  measures 
that  come  up  to  which  he  can  conscientiously 
Sive  his  .'ipi  ro\al. 

VENT,  John  W.,  casliicr  of  the  State  fiank  of 
Cerro  (Jordo.  and  a  man  of  unblemished  inte?;- 
rity  and  strong  personalit.v.  is  one  in  wluim 
implicit  trust  is  reposed,  not  onl.v  by  his  asso- 
ciates in  the  bankinsr  business,  but  the  coni- 
mnnity  at  large.  Mr.  Vent  was  liorn  in  Willow 
Branch  Township,  February  11,  ISCO,  a  son  of 
James  T,  and  Elizabeth  (.Vter)  Vent,  natives 
of  Ross  County  and  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
They  were  married  in  Illinois,  to  which  he  had 
come  upon  attaining  his  majority,  while  she  h.ad 
been  brought  to  this  state  b.v  her  parents.  James 
and  Sabina  (Thomas)  .\ter.  After  their  mar- 
riage James  T.  Vent  and  his  wife  located  on  a 
farm  in  Willow  Bmneh  Townshiii.  but  since 
1800  they  have  been  residiifg  at  jionticello,  he 
having  retired  from  agricultural  labors.  For 
four  years  he  served  as  deputv  sheriff  under 
Sheriff  C.  E.  Shivel.v. 

John  W.  Vent  attended  the  local  schools  of 
his  township,  and  during  the  winter  of  1889- 
00,  he  took  a  commercial  course  in  the  Spring- 
field (111.)  Business  College,  .\fter  returning 
from  Springfield,  he  went  to  Monticello,  leav- 
ing the  farm  work  in  which  he  had  hitherto 
lieen  engaged,  and  was  a  bookkeejier  and  sales- 


man for  I.  X.  Darr.  From  1804  to  18!ti;  Mr. 
Vent  was  in  an  inijilenient  business  with  his 
brother.  James  A.,  but  .sold,  and  in  October, 
IS'JT,  he  came  to  Cerro  Gordo  to  become  book- 
keeper for  the  State  Bank  of  this  place.  His 
abilit.v  had  received  recognition  b.v  his  promo- 
tion, in  I'.tOl,  to  the  position  of  assistant  cashier, 
although  he  continued  to  keep  the  books  under 
his  personal  supervision,  and  in  1913  he  was 
niiade  cashier,  which  i)osition  he  still  holds.  The 
State  Bank  of  Cerro  Gordo  was  organized  in 
1894  with  John  N,  Dighton  as  president,  Frank 
Dilatush  as  vice  president,  and  Melvin  Welty  as 
cashier,  with  a  capital  stock  of  ,t;25,0(K).  In 
190:',  the  capital  stock  was  increased  to  if.jO,000, 
.ind  the  surplus  is  .$:»,000. 

On  December  30,  1891,  Mr.  Vent  was  married 
to  Emma  F.  Campbell,  a  daughter  of  James  E. 
and  Nancy  J.  (Gibson)  Campbell.  Mrs.  Vent 
died  November  11,  1901.  On  February  8,  1905, 
Mr.  Vent  was  married  (second)  to  Christine  K. 
Wehling.  born  in  Indianai)olls,  Ind.  Mr.  Vent 
has  no  cliildren.  For  twelve  years  he  served  as 
a  trustee  of  Cerro  Gordo,  and  for  four  years 
of  that  time  was  president  of  the  board.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally  he  be- 
longs to  Cerro  (Jordo  Lodge  No.  (iOO,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M..  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
.Monticello  Camii  No,  34G.  Conservative  and 
careful,  Mr.  Vent  is  well  fitted  for  the  respon- 
sibilities of  his  position,  and  is  proring  himself 
a   man  of  large  affairs, 

WACK,  Casper,  was  born  in  1S12  and  lame  to 
I'iatt  County  in  18(58,  buying  160  acres  of  land 
in  Sangamon  Township,  which  he  improved  to 
a  considerable  extent,  and  there  he  died  in 
1881.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Jane  Lina- 
bery,  and  their  children  were  as  follows :  Wil- 
liam G.,  Sarah  Ann,  Letitia,  Jacob,  Caroline, 
Abigail,  George  L.,  Casper,  Francis,  and  after 
the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Casper  Wack,  Sr,, 
was  married  (second)  to  I>.  Ann  Wyckoff  who 
survived  liim. 

WALSH,  James  B.,  who  was  for  \  cry  many 
years  .-i  forceful  figure  in  the  history  of  Piatt 
County,  and  at  Monticello,  as  el.sewhere  in  this 
.section,  lie  is  remeniliered  as  a  man  of  sterling 
characteristics,  and  an  upright  manner  of  deal- 
ing. He  was  born  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio, 
December  l(i,  1827,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Eliza- 
beth (Bolinger)  Walsh.  Tlie  father  was  born 
in  England.  When  he  was  seventeen  years  old 
he  came  to  '\'irginia  with  his  parents.  Ho  was 
married  in  Maryland,  where  the  mother  was 
born,  and  soon  thereafter  went  to  Ohio  where 
the  father  develo]ied  valuable  farming  prop- 
erties. 

James  B.  Walsh  was  reared  in  Ohio,  and  on 
May  23,  1,847,  he  was  married  at  Mt.  Vernon, 
Knox  County.  Ohio,  to  Catherine  Long,  who 
was  born  in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  May  2.'j,  1S27, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (Keplar)  Long, 
born  near  Morrison's  Cove,  Pa.,  in  Bedford 
Count.v.  Mr.  Long  was  of  English  descent, 
while    Mrs.    Long   came   of   Swedish    ancestors. 


812 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


After  marriagi'  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walsh  remained 
in  Knox  County  until  ]S.14  when  they  fame  to 
Illinois  and  spent  fifteen  years  in  Fulton  County. 
They  then  went  to  Ci'awford  County.  III.,  but 
in  Oitoher,  1S77.  came  to  .Monticello,  where  Mr. 
Walsh  heeame  a  general  contractor  and  builder. 
lie  |iut  up  some  of  the  principal  building  in  this 
vicinity. 

In  December,  18G3.  Mr.  Walsh  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Civil  War,  in  the  T^velfth  Cav- 
alry. ,it  Kirkwood,  AVarren  County.  111.,  and 
was  linnorably  discharged  at  Galveston,  Tex., 
in  the  summer  of  I.SOfi.  His  son.  .Tames  C,  was 
also  a  soldier  in  the  same  regiment.  The  family 
has  a  notable  war  record,  for  Mrs.  Walsh's 
grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Hevolutionary 
War  and  the  War  of  1.S12.  and  two  cousins  and 
two  brother-in-laws  of  hers  served  in  the  Mex- 
ican W;ir.  Herbert  Walsh,  a  grandson,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Spanish-.\merican  AA'ar.  and  an- 
other grandson  later  served  on  the  Mexican 
border.  Mrs.  Walsh  had  four  brothers  in  the 
Civil  War,  one  being  killed  at  the  battle  of 
.Tonesboro,  Tenn. 

Mr.  Walsh  died  October  2?,.  V.mx  For  some 
years  i)rlor  to  his  death  he  was  a  Illinois  >!tate 
veterinary  surgeon.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walsh  had 
the  following  children:  .Tames  C,  who  lives  at 
Dec.-itnr.  111.;  Sarah,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
thirty-eight  years,  was  Mrs.  George  Wilson,  of 
Decatur,  111.;  Mary  .Ann.  who  is  Mrs.  Benjamin 
Peters,  of  Greenup,  111. :  Leuuiel  D..  who  lives 
at  Millard.  Neb. ;  Emily  M.,  who  is  Mrs.  Edwin 
Curtis,  a  widow,  who  lives  at  Tuscola,  III.; 
.Ternsha.  who  was  Mrs.  George  Curtis,  is  de- 
ceased: T.ilas  B..  who  married  .Tohn  Schofield, 
is  now  deceased,  .Tobn  Schofiold  being  a  nephew 
of  General  Schofield.  a  Civil  War  hero:  I,ena, 
who  is  Mrs.  Cassius  Curtis,  of  Indianajmli.s, 
Ind. :  Charles  Clinton,  who  lives  at  San  Angelo, 
Tex.;  .\nnie  G.  Muzzy,  who  is  deceased;  Charles 
Fremont,  who  is  deceased  ;  Elmer  E..  who  lives 
in  .\ugusta.  Mich. :  .Tennie  .Vrabclle.  who  is  Mrs. 
Kennefly  McCool.  of  Decatur.  111. ;  and  Armenia 
Estell.   who   is   her   mother's   companion. 

In  inos  Mrs.  Walsh  built  a  miKlern  frame  res- 
idence at  Monticello  where  she  and  her  daugh- 
ter now  reside.  .Mr.  Walsh  attended  the 
common  schools  of  Ohio,  but  Mrs,  Walsh  was 
not  given  any  educational  advantages,  and  while 
her  husband  was  away  at  the  front  during  his 
army  service,  she  at  first  was  not  able  to  com- 
municate with  him  j)ersonally.  However  she 
was  very  ambitious,  and  taught  herself  to  read 
and  wrif(>  so  that  she  could  keep  in  touch  with 
her  soldier  husband  and  son.  a  most  commend- 
able undertaking.  During  her  long  life  she  has 
had  many  trials.  b\it  has  borne  them  with  Chris- 
tian fortitude,  and  belongs  to  the  old  Dinikard 
faith.  Mr.  Walsh  was  a  Bai>tist.  His  political 
convictions  made  him  a  Republican,  and  he  be- 
longed to  the  local  G.  A.  R. 

WALSH,  Michael  F.,  a  prosperous  general  farm- 
er and  stockraiser  of  Monticello  Township, 
is  one  of  the  best  examjiles  I'iatt  County  af- 
fords  of    the    modern    agriculturalist    who'   has 


developed  himself  by  steady  adherence  to  one 
line  of  endeavor.  He  was  born  in  Madison 
County.  111.,  in  Xoveraber.  1S6S,  a  son  of  Thomas 
and  Bridget  ((  arroU)  Walsh,  natives  of  County 
l/imerick.  Ireland,  and  New  York  state,  respec- 
tively, Thomas  AValsh  and  his  wife,  the  latter 
a  daughter  of  Michael  Carroll,  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, lived  for  sixteen  years  following  their 
marriage  on  a  farm  in  Madison  County,  111.,  but 
then  went  to  Mos'gau  Connt.v,  the  same  state, 
and  there  the  f,-ither  continued  farming  until 
l.S7!»,  then  moved  to  Champaign  County,  where 
he  farmed  until  his  death  in  March,  1906,  being 
eighty-six  years  of  age.  The  mother  survives 
and  lives  at  Ivesdale,   111. 

T'ntil  1807  Michael  F.  Walsh  lived  with  his 
parents,  diu'ing  which  time  he  attended  the 
district  schools,  and  learned  to  be  a  thorough 
farmer.  From  1.S07  to  1007  he  opera ttxl  his 
father's  farm  in  Champaign  County.  111.,  and 
then  bought  ICO  acres  of  land  in  Monticello 
Townshi)!.  Piatt  County.  For  two  years  he 
worked  improving  the  property,  selling  it  at  a 
profit,  and  then  investing  in  .380  acres  of  laud  on 
which  he  now  resides.  •  This  farm  is  in  a  high 
stiite  of  cultivation  and  well  improved,  and  Mr. 
Walsh  carries  on  his  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  according  tn  the  most  approved  methods. 

In  October,  1.S07.  Mr.  Wal.sh  was  married  to 
.\nna  Carey,  born  in  La  Salle  County,  Il!„  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  fCannon)  Carey, 
natives  of  Ireland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walsli  became 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Carroll, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years;  and  Edna 
-Marie,  Margaret  Beatrice  and  Thomas  Vincent, 
who  are  at  home.  For  some  years  Jlr.  Walsh 
has  been  a  consistent  member  of  .St,  Joseph's 
Catholic  Church  at  Ivesdale.  For  nine  years 
he  served  as  a  member  of  the  l^ike  Fork  Drain- 
age Conmiission.  has  been  a  school  director  and 
has  held  other  offices,  being  elected  on  the  Re- 
publican ticket,  as  he  is  an  earnest  supporter 
of  the  principles  of  that  party. 

WARD,  Christopher  R.,  M.  D.,  <me  of  the  early 

physicians  of  Monticello.  was  liorn  in  Virginia, 
.\ugust  0.  ISOO.  and  came  to  Monticello  in  ISl.'i. 
and  he  continued  in  an  active  jiractice  until 
ls70.  when  ill  health  compelled  his  retirement, 
and  he  died  April  22,  ISSl.  He  was  married  in 
18.32  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Hobbs  and  they  had  one 
son.  T.  G.  She  died  and  he  was  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Nancy  Somerville.  and  they  had  the 
following  children :  John.  Serepta,  Mary,  and 
Martha.  During  the  early  years  Doctor  Ward's 
practice  extended  from  Sadorus  Grove  to 
Friend's  Creek,  and  Mackville  to  Mahomet,  or 
for  fifteen  nules  from  Monticello  in  all  direc- 
tions. His  remains  were  interred  in  the  beau- 
tiful  Monticello  Cemeter.v. 

WARD,  William  B.,  who  for  a  number  of  years 
was  prominently  associated  with  various  inter- 
ests of  I'iatt  County,  hut  is  now  deceased,  was 
typical  of  the  best  citizenship  of  the  state.  He 
was  born  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  August  22, 
1847.   ,1    son   of   Rufus   and   Clementine    (Alex- 


SI 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY, 


813 


auder)  Ward,  natives  of  Kentucky.  In  addi- 
tion to  owning  and  operating  a  farm,  the  father 
was  a  physician  and  was  engaged  in  an  active 
practice  for  many  years. 

After  completing  Ills  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Ills  native  jilace,  William  B. 
Ward  engaged  in  farming,  and  was  so  engaged 
In  Huntington  and  Monroe  counties,  hoth  in 
Indiana.  In  1874  he  came  to  Illinois,  locating 
in  Bement  Townshii).  where  he  continued  farm- 
ing. He  was  also  connected  with  a  station 
of  the  Wal^ash  Railroad  for  fifteen  years,  and 
at  the  time  of  his  dendse  was  in  a  grocer.y  store 
with  liis  sons,  heing  a  business  man  of  ability. 
His  death  occurred  September  IS.  1010,  since 
■whicli  date  Mrs.  Ward  lias  resided  in  the  city 
of  Bement  in  a  beautiful  home  lun'  husband 
erected. 

On  December  24.  18(>:.  William  B.  Ward  was 
married  to  Sarah  A.  Morrow,  born  in  .Jefferson 
County.  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Ann 
(Taylor)  Morrow,  natives  of  Ireland  and  Vir- 
ginia. Mr.  Morrow  was  a  farmer  of  Ohio  and 
Indiana,  and  in  ISCS  moved  to  Bement,  111.  He 
died  in  1.87(;.  and  Mrs.  Morrow  survived  him 
until  February,  ISSl.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ward  be- 
came the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Charles  E.,  who  resides  at  Decatur.  111.,  mar- 
ried N'aomi  Deitz  and  they  have  two  sons, 
Joseph  Lynn,  and  William  Deitz ;  Ettie  May, 
who  died  at  the  a.ge  of  sixteen  years;  and  Aus- 
tin Seward,  who  conducts  a  general  sttu'e  at 
Bement,  married  Nettie  Ball,  they  had  one  son, 
Raymon<l  l.ynn.  and  she  died  November  22. 
191.">.  Mr.  Ward  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Cliurch.  liut  Mrs.  Ward  belongs  to  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  In  politics  Mr.  Ward  was  a 
Republican  and  took  a  deej)  interest  in  party 
matters.  Fraternally  he  belonged  to  the  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Order  of  Ben 
Hur.  A  man  of  sound  [irinciples  ;ind  tireless 
energy,  he  Uejit  him.self  occujiied  as  long  as  he 
lived,  and  always  upheld  what  he  believed  to 
be  right,  so  set  an  excellent  exanijile  to  those 
about  him. 

WARNER,  Jesse  W.,  one  of  the  substantial  re- 
tired f,-irmers  of  .Mmiticello.  who.se  agricultural 
operations  in  former  years  were  conducted  upon 
an  extensive  scale,  was  one  of  the  leading  men 
of  Piatt  County.  He  was  born  in  Ross  Countv, 
Ohio,  Decenilier  If'.,  1,S27.  and  died  at  his  home 
in  Monticello,  111..  October  IS.  1(11(1,  He  was 
a  son  of  (Jeorge  and  Delilah  fOlei'y)  Warner, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  When  he  was  nine- 
teen years  old.  the  father  went  to  Ross  County. 
Ohio,  where  he  was  married,  and  resided  there 
until  the  spring  of  18.12.  at  which  time  he  moved 
to  I'ickaway  County.  Ohio.  There  his  death 
oecurred  about  1844.  The  mother  lived  with  her 
sons  luitil   her  death  in   1.870. 

In  18i'i2  they  came  to  Monticello  and  .Tesse 
W.  W.-vrner  worked  for  farmers  during  the  sum- 
mer months.  Later  he  began  feeding  and  ship- 
ping cattle,  hogs  and  sheep,  so  continuing  un- 
til Decemlier   11.   18.jfi.   when   he  was  seriouslv 


in.jured.  He  was  in  the  calioose  of  a  train 
running  down  grade  near  Lockport.  N.  Y.,  while 
taking  care  of  a  shipment  of  hogs  from  Iowa 
to  New  York  City.  The  train  became  uncou- 
pled and  he  was  thrown  out  and  his  right  arm 
so  in.iured  as  to  necessitate  its  amputation  at 
tlu^  sboulder.  .\fter  his  recovery,  lie  returned 
home  and  conducted  a  ditching  machine  during 
the  sununer  seasons  for  three  years,  when,  in 
con.iunction  with  A.  Fisher,  he  began  feeding 
cattle.  This  ]iartnership  was  dissolved  in  1.8(14. 
an<l  Mr.  Warner  bought  a  farm  of  2071^.  acres 
in  Coose  Creek  Township,  and  l)egan  farming. 
From  time  to  time  lie  added  to  his  holdings 
until  he  owned  .''i07  acres  of  land  and  also  owned 
1(17  acres  more  which  he  .gave  to  his  daughter. 
In  lud'.i  he  retired  to  Monticello.  although  he  re- 
tained his  farming  property. 

In  187.J  Mr.  Warner  was  married  to  Katie 
Shultz.  born  in  Vir.ginia.  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Mary  Shultz.  and  they  liad  one  son,  Wil- 
liam, wlio  died  in  infancy.  Jlrs.  Warner  died 
in  September.  1870.  On  .January  6.  1S7S.  Mr. 
Warner  was  married  (second)  to  Louie  Con- 
nor, born  at  Soutli  Bloomfield.  Ohio,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Abner  and  Rachel  (Motherspaw)  Connor, 
natives  of  Virginia  and  Ohio,  resjieetivel.v.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Warner  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children :  Ollie.  who  is  Mrs.  .lames 
Miner,  of  Goose  Creek  Township ;  Edward,  who 
is  n  resident  of  Goose  Creek  Township:  lAiella, 
who  is  Mrs.  Ben.ianiin  Cole,  of  Goose  Creek 
Township;  and  J>ena.  who  is  at  home.  TJntil 
he  was  injured.  Mr.  Warner  had  had  no  edu- 
cational advanta.ges.  but  then  attended  the 
schools  of  Goose  Creek  Township  foi'  three  win- 
ters, and  made  the  best  of  his  opportunities. 
He  was  a  Democrat  and  satisfactorily  held  a 
number  of  township  offices.  Fraternally  he  he- 
longed  to  the  Odd  Fellows.  .\  man  of  unflinch- 
ing integrity,  and  tireless  energy,  he  persevered 
and  forged  his  way  to  the  front,  not  allowing 
his  accident  to  bamper  or  discourage  him  in  any 
way.  and  his  success  was  all  the  more  to  his 
cr(^dit  because  of  the  fact  that  for  many  years 
he  suffered  from  a  disability  that  might  have 
dcteri-cil  others  from  making  further  effort. 

WATTS,  Charles,  who  M-as  born  March  25.  1S35. 
in  Vermont,  died  at  Monticello  February  4, 
187.".  He  came  to  Monticello  about  1855.  and 
became  one  of  the  most  successful  of  Piatt 
County's  law.vers.  In  1858  he  was  married  to 
Lodosky  Spencer,  and  their  four  children  who 
lived  to  maturity  were  as  follows :  Willie  E., 
Charles  P..  Lena  M.  and  Harry  S. 

WEBB,  Richard,  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1799 
and  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1833,  a  portion 
of  the  farm  he  entered  being  over  the  county 
line.  During  his  later  years  he  resided  at 
Farmer  City.  In  1828  he  was  married  to  Het- 
tie  E.  Watson,  and  they  had  a  large  famil.v. 
-\fter  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Mr.  Webb  waa 
married  (second)  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  .\nderson, 
and  they  had  four  children. 


814 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


WELLS,  I.  M.,  M.  D.,  oiif  cil  tin-  iiirlicr  |ili>si- 
cians  of  Ithie  Kidge  Township,  was  engaged  in 
an  iuthx'  piactico  at  Manslk-ld  for  a  number 
of  years,  lie  was  horn  in  roniisylvania  in 
1814  and  came  to  Piatt  County  in  1S72.  In 
1841  he  was  niarrird  to  Klizalioth  Penrose,  who 
died,  leaving  one  daughter.  .Mrs.  Hugh  McDon- 
ald. Doctor  Wells  was  married  (second)  to 
ISu.san  .Miller,  and  they  had  three  children, 
namely:  Edwina.  Kudor.i  and  Berletta.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  War  Doctor  Wells  -served  in  the 
I'nion  Army  as  a  soldier.  He  was  a  justice  of 
the  peace  for  a  minilier  of  years. 

WEST,  John,  caiiic  to  Piatt  Comity  in  ls:i.").  and 
acijuircd  about  1.200  acres  of  land,  principally 
in  Willow  IU;in(h  Township.  .Vt  his  death  he 
left  each  of  his  children  iiOO  acres  of  land.  He 
was  married  live  times.  In  religious  faith  he 
was  a  I'niversalist. 

WHEELER,  Isaiah,  wlinsc  pbice  of  residence  is 
at  Cerro  (iordo.  although  his  duties  as  traveling 
colonizer  for  the  Cnion  Pacific  Hailroad  Com- 
pany take  him  away  from  liome  a  portion  of 
the  time,  is  well  known  in  Piatt  County.  He 
was  born  in  Oakley  Township.  Macon  Count.v, 
III.,  in  .November.  ISCO.  a  son  of  .lohn  K.  and 
Nancy  (uudgen)  Wheeler,  natives  of  Louis- 
ville, Ky.  They  came  to  Macon  Coimty,  111., 
when  young,  and  were  there  married. 

Following  the  death  of  his  mother.  Isaiah 
Wheeler  livc<l  with  a  sister.  Mrs.  .Tohn  E.  Huff, 
of  Oakley.  HI.,  remaining  on  the  farm  until 
twenty-three  years  of  age.  When  be  was  eight- 
een years  old  he  began  rariuing.  but  soon  there- 
after took  a  trip  to  Walla  Walla.  Wash.,  and 
spent  a  .year  at  that  point.  Ui)on  his  return 
he  resumed  farnung  in  Oakley  Townshii)  and 
so  contimied  until  1^8(1.  when  he  came  to  Cerro 
Gordo,  and  was  in  a  meat  market  business  with 
his  brother.  .T.  K..  for  three  years.  I,ater  he 
sold  bis  interest  and  worked  for  his  brother  for 
a  year.  For  the  following  live  years  he  was  on 
a  farm  he  owned  in  Oakley  Township,  which  he 
left  to  once  mor(>  come  to  Cerro  (iordo.  lie 
took  up  his  residence  in  the  old  home  of  his 
wife's  parents,  at  the  same  time  conducting  a 
livery  business  and  buying  and  selling  horses 
for  a  few  .vears.  From  this  business  he  iiranched 
out  into  selling  imported  luirses.  .and  became  a 
traveling  representative  for  Mr.  Crouch  of  La- 
Fayette.  Ind.  Still  later  he  became  traveling 
colonization  agent  for  the  I'nion  Pacilic  Kail- 
road,  leaving  this  company  si.\-  years  later  to 
assume  the  same  duties  with  the  Great  Northern 
Kailioad  Company,  with  which  he  remained  for 
two  years,  and  tlien  returned  to  the  Union 
Pacific  Uailroad.  His  headquarters  are  now  at 
Omaha.  Xeb. 

On  .ranuary  1.  1S01.  .Mr,  Wheeler  married 
Eunna  Hlickenstaff.  born  in  Oakley  Township. 
Macon  Comity.  111.,  a  daughter  of  .Tohn  and 
Catherine  (Kuns)  BlickenstalT.  .Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wheeler  have  had  no  chililren  of  their  own,  but 
reared  three  children  belon.ging  to  others, 
namely:    I.illi,.   Wheeler,   a   daughter  of  Uobert 


Wesley  and  Nancy  Elizabeth  t.McMahon) 
Wheeler,  of  Oakley  Township,  the  former  being 
a  brother  of  Mr.  'ivheeler ;  Etta  Wheeler,  a  sis- 
ter of  Lillie,  who  married  William  F.  Haynes, 
born  In  Long  Creek  Township,  Macon  County, 
III.;  and  Andrew  Blickenstaff.  born  in  Clinton 
County.  Ind..  .Tune  27,  1876,  a  son  of  Solomon 
and  Nancy  (Metzger)  Blickenstaff.  Mr.  Blick- 
enstaff is  a  minister  of  the  Dunkard  Church, 
and  since  V.X>'>  has  been  located  at  McFarland, 
Kern  Count.v,  Cal.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wheeler  also 
adopted  (Juy  Crook  when  si.x  years  of  age,  who 
is  still  with  them,  and  in  the  spring  of  1916 
adopted  a  baby  girl,  Naoma  Euth,  when  three 
weeks  old.  Such  evidence  of  true  Christianity 
is  worthy  of  mention.  Mr.  Wheeler  belongs  to 
the  Church  of  the  Brethren.  In  politics  he  is 
a  Republican.  Mrs.  Wheeler  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  her  native  place. 

WHITE,  Benjamin  Rennich,  now  living  in  honor- 
able retirement  at  ^^^lite  Heath  after  a  life  of 
usefulness,  was  horn  at  Cohnnbus.  Ohio,  .Tune 
21.  IS.'J],  a  son  of  .Tohn  McDowell  and  Kebecca 
Hendricks  (Williams)  W'hite.  the  former  born 
two  miles  southwest  of  Columbus.  Ohio,  and 
she  born  sixteen  miles  south  of  Columlius.  (Ibio. 
.T<ilin  White,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania,  while  .Tohn  and  Mary  (Dark) 
Williams,  the  maternal  grandparents,  were 
natives  of  Virginia,  who  traveled  on  iKU'sebacU 
and  with  wagons  to  Ohio,  when  Columbus  was 
still  entirely  in  the  future,  its  present  site  being 
marked  by  nothing  more  than  a  jiath  made  by 
cows. 

In  October.  18G4.  .Tohn  and  Rebecca  White 
came  by  raili-oad  to  Bement.  111.,  from  whence 
the.\-  drove  to  Sangamon  Township,  and  there 
bought  land.  Later  they  also  bought  the 
Demorest  farm  (Ui  which  White  Heath  was 
later  to  be  built.  Although  the  name  is  now 
White  Heath,  this  village  first  bore  the  name 
of  White  City  in  honor  of  .Tohn  White.  Ills 
acreage  aniotnited  to  Tt'.X)  acres,  and  he  operated 
bis  farm  and  iniiiroved  it  until  18SS.  when  he 
went  to  Miinticcllo.  and  there  died  May  27, 
1!I0().  when  over  ninety  years  of  age.  he  having 
Iieen  born  .Tanuary  27.  1817.  The  mother  died 
May  l.">.  Ufi:!.  when  nearly  ninety  .vears  of 
age.  Iiavimr  been  born  October  2.  182?,.  Their 
children  were  as  follows:  Ren.ianiin  R. :  Vin- 
cent, who  lives  in  Montana;  Sarah,  who  is  Mrs. 
llor.-icc  U.  Calef;  .Tohn  M..  who  lives  at  Sey- 
mour. 111.  :  and  Mary,  who  was  Mrs.  Ed.  I. 
Willi.-ims  of  Sangamon  Township.  The  parents 
of  these  children  were  married  in  1849.  The 
mother  was  the  second  wife  of  the  father, 
and  by  his  first  marriage  he  had  two  children, 
namely:  Frank,  who  is  deceased;  and  0[ihelia, 
who  was  Mrs.  Thomas  Moffett.  is  deceased,  as 
is  ber  husband. 

Ben.iamin  R.  White  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Columbus.  Ohin.  and  resided  with  his 
^  parents,  whom  be  accompanied  to  Piatt  County, 
iHitil  187il.  when  be  rented  land  in  Sangamon 
Township,  so  continuing  for  five  years.  .\t  that 
time   he   bought  eight.v  acres  on  which   he  had 


^^-f  hr%^-t)-^^ 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


815 


been  living,  and  continuerl  adding  to  liis  hold- 
ings until  he  had  320  acres  all  in  one  body. 
On  this  he  carried  on  general  farming  and 
raised  horses,  cattle  and  hogs,  feeding  them  for 
the  market.  Some  of  the  tiest  road  horses  raised 
in  this  region  were  bred  and  raised  by  Mr. 
White.  He  bought  Dictator,  a  brother  of  Jay 
Eye  See.  and  many  other  fine  horses,  of  which 
he  was  a  lover  and  excellent  .iudge.  In  190S 
he  retired  from  the  farm,  and  moved  to  White 
Heath,  where  he  had  built  a  comfortable  mod- 
ern home,  and  here  he  still  resides. 

On  December  29.  187."p.  Mr.  White  was  mar- 
ried (first)  to  Sarah  .J.  Seymour,  born  in  Ross 
County,  Ohio,  December  .3,  1853,  a  daughter  of 
F.  O.  and  Catherine  (Dill)  Seymour,  born  in 
Indiana,  whose  parents  came  from  Virginia, 
Mr,  and  Mrs,  Seymour  were  early  settlers  in 
the  vicinity  of  Seymour,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
White  became  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren:  Edwin  G..  who  lives  in  Sangamon  Town- 
ship :  Benjamin  R..  who  died  in  19(XI.  aged 
twenty-two  years ;  Bessie,  who  is  her  father's 
housekeeper:  Seymour  .7..  who  is  at  home;  Rich- 
ard v..  who  lives  in  Sangamon  Township ;  and 
Maggie,  who  is  Mrs.  .James  Perry  of  Sangamon 
Township.  Mrs.  White  died  April  11,  ISSO.  On 
Xovemlier  3,  189.5,  Mr.  White  was  married  (sec- 
ond) to  Lois  De  Land,  born  in  Union  City,  Ind., 
a  daughter  of  George  and  Ellen  A.  (Converse) 
De  Land.  The  second  Mrs.  White  died  October 
.5.  1908.  Mr.  White  is  a  llniversalist  in  religious 
belief,  and  has  served  his  church  as  trustee. 
Independent  in  politics  he  served  his  township 
for  one  term  as  assessor.  Fraternally  ho  be- 
louL's  to  Wliite  Heath  Camp,  M.  W.  A. 

WHITE,  Richard  Parker,  one  of  the  native  sons 
of  Piatt  County,  is  proving  his  worth  as  a  suc- 
cessful farmer  of  Sangamon  Township.  His 
birth  occurred  in  this  township,  March  1.5,  188.5, 
he  being  a  son  of  Benjamin  R.  and  Sarah  Jane 
(Seymour)  White,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Cham- 
paisrn  County,  111.  .\fter  marriage  they  located 
in  Sangamon  Township,  and  spent  a  hai>ii,v  mar- 
ried life  together  until  her  death  in  1S89.  Mr. 
White  now  lives  retired  at  White  Heath,  Iniilt 
on  the  site  of  his  grandfather's  farm. 

Richard  P.  Wliite  was  sent  to  the  neighbor- 
hood schools  and  early  taught  farming  and 
lessons  of  thrift  and  industry  he  has  never  for- 
gotten. When  he  attained  to  liis  majority,  he 
began  working  by  the  month,  but  a  year  later 
located  on  his  present  farm  of  i:iO  acres  in 
Piatt  County,  and  120  acres  in  Chamiiaign 
County.  Of  this  land.  Mr.  White  puts  in  eighty 
acres  in  corn,  forty  acres  in  clover,  forty  acres 
in  oats,  and  uses  the  balance  for  jiasture.  as  he 
raises  hogs,  cattle  and  horses. 

On  February  2."..  190".  Mr.  White  was  mar- 
ried to  Treva  Groves,  born  in  ( 'erro  (iordo 
Township,  a  daughter  of  Edward  an<l  Mollie 
(Hi<'kman)  Groves.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AVhite  have 
four  children,  namely:  Ruth,  R\iby,  Richard 
and  John  JIcDowell.  In  politics  Mr.  White  is 
a  Republican.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with 
White  Heath  Cainp.  No.  2119,  M,  W.  .\.  Coming 
13 


of  a  long  line  of  agriculturists,  Mr.  White  is  a 
farmer  by  inclination  and  inheritance,  and  has 
every  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  I'ecoiil  his  fam- 
ily has  made  in  developing  this  section  of  Illi- 
nois. 

WILSON,  Joseph  (deceased),  was  one  of  the 
old  and  substantial  men  of  Piatt  County  during 
its  most  progressive  period.  He  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Md.,  July  lij,  18.33.  His  father 
died  in  Maryland  when  Joseph  was  three  years 
of  age.  Later  his  mother  removed  to  Dayton, 
Ohio,  where  Joseph  resided  until  he  attained 
his  majority,  at  which  time  he  went  to  Taze- 
well County,  111.,  and  worked  for  three  years 
on  the  farm  of  John  Glotfelter,  but  about  1856 
engage<l  in  farmirjg  in  the  same  county  on  his 
own  account.  After  some  years  he  moved  to 
Xormal,  111.,  and  then  went  to  Logan  County, 
111.  In  1877  he  came  to  Piatt  County,  buying 
:!03  acres  of' land  in  (joose  Creek  Township  that 
was  partly  improved.  After  taking  possession 
of  this  farm,  he  began  at  once  to  improve  it, 
.■md  develojied  it  into  a  very  valualile  i)roperty. 
During  the  years  that  followed  Mr.  Wilson  be- 
came an  extensive  farmer  and  stockrai.ser,  so 
continuing  until  his  death,  Feliruary  14,  1905. 

On  October  10.  1850.  Mr.  Wilson  was  mar- 
ried to  Lucinda  Judy,  who  was  born  in  Taze- 
well County.  III.,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
-Vnn  (ilusick)  Judy.  Mrs.  Judy  was  born  in 
Kentucky  and  was  lirought  by  her  parents  to 
Logan  County.  III.,  in  1819.  they  being  Robert 
and  Sarah  Musick.  natives  of  Virginia.  Mr. 
Judy  was  born  in  Greene  County.  Ohio,  a  son 
of  .Jacob  and  Mary  Judy,  .\fter  the  death  of 
Mrs.  Judy  Mr.  Judy  remarried.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wilson  became  the  iia rents  of  the  following 
children  •  Amanda  .Jennie,  who  married  Edward 
Hersbarger.  is  now  deceased :  Rosa  Ellen,  who 
married  William  Gelesthorp.  is  now  a  widow, 
living  at  Lincoln.  III. :  Sarah  Ann.  who  is  Mrs. 
D.  P.  Swisher,  lives  in  Goose  Creek  Township: 
Bell,  who  is  Mrs.  Lincoln  Borton.  lives  in  Goose 
Creek  Township:  and  Jacob  G..  who  died  Novem- 
ber 13.  1913.  aged  forty-eight  years.  Jacob  G. 
was  a  prominent  farmer  and  a  justice  of  the 
]ieace.  He  resided  with  his  mother  and  man- 
a2:ed  the  farm,  until  his  removal  to  Lincoln, 
III.  They  reared  a  boy.  taking  him  when  seven 
years  old.  Init  lost  him  by  death  at  the  age  of 
fifteen    years. 

.Vfter  the  death  of  Mr.  Wilson.  Mrs.  Wilson 
went  to  live  with  her  son  at  Lincoln,  111.,  but  in 
June,  1915,  returned  to  DeLand  and  now  resides 
there  in  a  modern  cottage  where  she  is  very 
comfortable.  In  addition  to  her  residence  Mrs. 
AVilson  owns  the  homestead  of  .303  acres  ad- 
joining DeLand.  which  she  rents  to  other  parties. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Both 
as  member  and  deaion  (if  the  Christian  Church. 
Mr.  Wilson  did  his  full  duty.  .\  Reimblican,  he 
held  a  numlier  of  township  offices.  Fraternall.v 
he  was  an  Odd  Fellow. 

WILSON,  William  James,  now  deceased,  for 
many  years  was  one  of  the  prominent  men  of 


816 


HISTORY  OP  PIATT  COUNTY. 


I'iatt  Couuty,  and  a  more  than  ordinarily  pros- 
perous farmer  of  Mouitrie  County.  He  was  born 
ill  Ross  County,  Ohio,  April  20,  184;i,  a  son  of 
Samuel  T.  and  Mary  (MoGille)  Wilson,  the 
former  of  whom  was  horn  in  Pennsylvania.  The 
mother  died  in  Ohio  soniotinie  during  the  forties, 
and  following  her  death  the  family  continued  to 
reside  in  Koss  County,  until  IMW,  when  the 
father  came  to  Macon  County,  III.,  and  spent 
some  years  upon  a  farm,  hut  later  retired  and 
died  in  Macon  County.  Uesponding  to  the  lirst 
call  for  volunteers  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil 
War,  as  a  member  of  an  Ohio  regimeut.  he 
re-enlisted  in  the  Seventy-third  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

After  attending  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  county.  William  James  Wilson  learned 
to  be  a  farmer,  and  assisted  liis  father  until 
1871.  when  he  went  on  .-i  rented  farm  in  Macon 
County.  In  Inn;;  he  bought  HKJ  acres  of  land  in 
Moultrie  County,  where  he  lived  until  his  re- 
tirement in  1!XJ7.  at  which  time  he  rented  his 
farm  to  his  son  and  moved  to  La  Place,  where 
Ills  widow  still  resides.  There  he  died  October 
24,  l!)i:!,  and  in  his  death  his  community  lost 
a  judicious  anil  useful  citizen,  and  his  ftimily 
and  friends  a  kind  and  sympathetic  person  who 
had  their  needs  and  happiness  at  heart. 

In  IJecember,  1.S71.  .Mr.  Wilson  was  married 
to  Mary  J.  Bales,  born  In  eastern  Tennessee. 
November  .30,  18.50,  a  daughter  of  Jo.seph  M.  and 
Margaret  f Bible)  Bales,  natives  of  Tennessee. 
In  1S.>1  the  family  came  to  Coles  County.  111., 
but  later  went  to  Macon  Couuty.  where  the 
father,  who  was  born  in  IS2!),  died  .Tanuary  4, 
1012.  The  mother,  who  was  born  .Vugust  2.S, 
182N.  survives  and  lives  on  the  homestead  near 
Decatur,  III.  They  were  married  in  181S.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wilson  became  the  jiarents  of  the 
following  children  :  .\ddie  .7..  who  is  Mrs.  E.  E. 
Saylor  of  Decatur.  111. :  Etta,  who  is  the  widow 
of  Charles  Duncan  of  La  Place.  111.:  .Margaret, 
who  is  Mrs.  Madison  .\danis  of  .\nderson.  Mo. : 
Elleu,  who  is  .Mrs.  Frank  Adams  of  Liberal. 
Mo. ;  and  David  Emerson,  who  is  on  the  home 
farm.  Mrs.  Wilson  was  edurated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  .Macon  County.  Early  in  lilt; 
Mr.  Wilson  belonged  to  the  Christian  Clnir<'b. 
but  later  became  a  Methodist,  and  Mrs.  Wilson 
is  still  identiliwi  with  that  faith.  .\  Kepublican 
he  served  as  a  justice  of  the  ))eace  of  La  Place 
for  some  years.  The  local  <;.  .\.  U.  bad  in  liim 
a  loyal  member. 

WITHERS,  Ephraim,  rami-  to  liiitv  To«Mslii|i 
in  lNi;i;.  and  died  on  bis  farm  in  1NS1.  He  was 
married  to  Sarah  Berry  and  they  had  the 
following  chihlren:  Seborn  S..  Newton.  David, 
and  .Mrs.  Webb  who  survived  their  father. 

WOLFE,  Frank,  one  of  the  progressive  farmers 
of  Cerro  (Jordo  Township,  was  born  in  this 
township  .March  4.  ISNO.  a  sou  of  Eli  F.  and 
Catherine  ( Wolfe  i  Wolfe,  natives  of  Indiana. 
The  jiaternal  grandfather  died  when  the  father 
was  four  years  old.  and  he  went  to  Missouri  for 
two  years,  being  taken  there  by  his  eldest  sister. 


Later  he  came  to  Piatt  County  to  join  his  aunt, 
Hannah  Wolfe,  who  owned  a  farm  in  Cerro 
Gordo  Township.  Later  the  father  was  married 
on  this  .same  farm,  and  lived  there  for  a  time,  it 
being  located  one-half  mile  east,  and  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  south  of  La  Place,  where  he  died 
March  11.  1'.KI2.  the  mother  having  moved  to  Ltt 
Place,  where  she  died  July  S,  I'JIO.  Their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows:  Hannah,  who  marrietl 
C.  E.  Metzger,  is  now  deceased ;  Frank  ;  Laura, 
who  is  Mrs.  George  U.  Zollers  of  South  Bend, 
Ind.  There  are  one  hundred  and  forty-two  acres 
in  the  farm  of  Frank  Wolfe  and  it  has  been 
owned  by  a  Wolfe  since  the  grandmother  Wolfe 
bought  it.  Following  the  death  of  his  father, 
Frank  Wolfe  bought  this  farm  and  named  it 
The  Okaw  .Stock  Farm,  and  on  it  he  raises 
Hereford  cattle,  draft  horses,  Dorcas  Jersey 
hogs,  and  in  addition  to  the  homestead  he  has 
bought  land  so  that  he  now  owns  two  hundred 
and  twenty-two  acres  in  Cerro  Gordo  Township. 
Since  coming  into  possession  of  this  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-two-acre  property,  he  has  re- 
modeled the  house  and  barn,  built  a  new  milk 
plant,  garage,  and  put  n[^  all  present  feuces 
and  made  other  improvements  which  greatly 
enhance  the  value  and  add  to  the  comfort  of 
himself  and  his  family. 

On  December  2:!,  1!K)2,  Mr.  Wolfe  was  married 
to  Dollie  Bahney.  who  was  born  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Township  Jlay  31,  188.3.  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Mary  (Funk)  Bahney,  natives  of  Stark 
County,  Ohio,  and  Indiana,  respectively.  Mrs. 
Bahney  came  with  her  parents.  (Jeorge  and 
•Maria  Fuidc.  to  Piatt  County  in  childhood,  while 
Mr.  Bahney  located  in  Cerro  Gordo  after  attiin- 
ing  to  maturity.  His  death  occurred  in  the  fall 
of  18!).->.  but  Mrs.  Bahney  lived  until  the  fall  of 
1S9U.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolfe  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children :  Russell  Eli,  who 
was  born  iMarch  iS.  1904:  Emerson  Ray,  who 
was  born  Septemljer  IS.  190.5.  died  February  6, 
I'.tIO:  and  Kuby  Catherine,  who  was  born  April 
1.5.  Iftld.  P.otli  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolfe  attendeil 
the  public  schools  of  Cerro  Gordo  Township. 
In  politics  Mr.  Wolfe  is  a  Reiuiblican.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Church  of  the  Brethren  and  is 
treasurer  of  the  same.  He  was  born  and  lived 
on  the  homestead  ne;\r  La  Place  for  thirty-four 
years. 

WOOD,  John  W.  The  agricultural  importance 
of  Piatt  County  has  been  develojied  slowly  but 
surely  Ilinurgb  llie  efl'orts  of  the  men  who  have 
given  their  lives  to  farming,  and  some  of  them 
have  alre.-idy  passed  from  this  sphere  of  action, 
among  them  being  the  late  John  W.  Wood.  He 
was  born  in  Fau(iuier  County.  Va..  February  14, 
1823,  a  son  of  Lewis  and  Sarah  (Colbert) 
Wood,  natives  of  \'irginia.  They  moved  to 
Clark  County,  Ohio,  at  an  early  day,  and  there 
John  W.  Wood  .ittendeil  the  district  schools. 

When  still  a  l.ad,  he  came  to  Monticello.  III., 
and  worked  as  a  stock  buyer  and  seller  until 
1S.5<>.  when  he  moved  to  a  farm  east  of  Monti- 
cello  and  lived  there  until  he  enlisted  for  serv- 
ice during  the  Civil   War.  in  Company  E,  One 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


817 


Hundred  and  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, as  a  lieutenant  under  Capt.  John  C.  Lowry, 
and  on  May  1,  1863,  he  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  captain.  On  December  14,  1864,  he  was 
made  major  of  his  regiment.  On  September  30, 
1862,  the  regiment  left  Camp  Butler  for  Jeffer- 
sonville,  Ind.,  and  on  October  12  of  that  year 
was  ordered  to  Louisville,  Ky.  Leaving  Eliza- 
bethtowu,  there  was  a  slight  skirmish  with  Gen- 
eral Morgan.  In  December  a  move  was  made 
on  Munfordville,  Ky.,  and  in  March,  1S63,  the 
regiment  was  at  Glasgow,  where  it  wa.s  as- 
signed to  the  Twenty-third  Army  Corps.  On 
June  18,  1S63,  the  command  left  Thompkinsville, 
Ky.,  and  participated  in  many  small  engage- 
ments, in  the  vicinity  of  Atlanta,  (ia.  After 
ha\-ing  taken  part  in  many  of  the  important 
engagements  of  the  Civil  War.  Major  Wood  was 
discharged  June  21,  1865,  and  mustered  out  at 
Camp  Butler  July  2,  1865.  Returning  home  he 
moved  to  a  160-acre  farm  in  Willow  Branch 
Township,  near  the  farm  of  his  fatlierin-law, 
George  Peck.  He  conducted  it  until  November, 
1892,  when  he  moved  to  Cerro  Gordo,  buying  a 
residence  which  he  rebuilt,  in  which  he  lived 
retired  until  his  death.  November  6.  1.N99.  At 
the  .same  time  he  conducted  the  station  for  the 
stage  line  from  Danville  to  Springtield,  which 
later  became  the  beginnmg  of  the  village  of 
Cerro  Gordo,  that  was  located  three  and  one- 
luilf  miles  south  of  the  original  station. 

In  July.  18.j(;,  Mr.  Wood  was  married  to 
.\manda  I'eck.  born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio, 
a  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Denton) 
Peck,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Indiana.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wood  liecame  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Robert,  who  lives  at  Los 
-Vngeles.  Cal. ;  Jennie,  who  is  Mrs.  Creighton, 
resides  with  her  mother ;  George  L..  who  is  at 
home ;  Benjamin,  who  lives  at  Blue  Mound,  111. ; 
I>aura  Delia,  deceased;  Frank  C.  who  is  on  the 
home  farm  :  Harry,  who  lives  in  Cerro  Gordo 
Township:  Lynn  D..  who  lives  at  Cerro  Gordo; 
and  Dick  Milton,  who  is  now  deceased. 

Major  Wood  was  very  active  in  the  local  G. 
.v.  R.  Post  at  Jlonticello.  As  a  forceful  Repub- 
lican, he  took  a  deep  interest  in  politics,  and 
held  a  number  of  the  township  offices.  Mrs. 
Wood  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and 
the  Woman's  Itelief  Corps.  Although  a  number 
of  years  have  jiassed  since  XIajor  Wood  jiassed 
away,  the  influence  of  his  blameless  life  remains, 
and  Ills  example  has  been  an  inspiration  for  his 
chiblrcii. 

WORTHAM,  John  Rogers,  now  living  retired  at 
Hammond,  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  lead- 
ing business  men  of  this  place.  He  was  born  at 
Litilifield.  Grayson  County.  Ky..  October  23.  1834, 
a  son  of  William  C.  and  Eliza  C.  (Briscoe) 
Wortham,  the  former  born  in  Nelson  County, 
Ky..  December  2."i.  1799,  and  the  latter  born  in 
the  same  county.  September  1.  1800.  They  were 
married  in  Grayson  County.  Ky..  in  1819.  Wil- 
liam C.  Wortham  spent  his  boyhood  in  Nelson 
County,  Ky..  and  was  apprenticed  to  the  saddle- 
maker's  ti-ade.     When  he  was  fifteen  years  old 


his  parents,  Charles  and  Mary  (Hackley) 
Wortham.  natives  of  Virginia,  moved  to  Grayson 
County,  Ky.,  and  there  the  lad  was  engaged  in 
learning  his  trade  for  several  years.  Subse- 
quently he  bought  800  acres  of  land  near  Litch- 
field, in  Grayson  County,  and  moving  on  it,  was 
engaged  in  cultivating  it  for  twenty-one  years. 
He  died  in  (irayson  County  in  1855.  The  mother 
survived  him  many  years,  passing  away  in 
Grayson  County,  in  1887. 

John  Rogers  Wortham  attended  the  common 
schools  in  Grayson  County,  going  to  school  a  few- 
weeks  at  a  time  when  the  weather  was  too  bad 
for  him  to  work,  and  he  continuetl  to  get  what 
schooling  he  could  until  he  atUiined  his  majority. 
Remaining  with  his  father  on  the  homestead 
until  the  latter's  death,  he  then  with  the  help 
of  his  brothers,  conducted  it  for  about  two 
years.  In  the  fall  of  1861  he  came  to  Illinois, 
but  the  next  year  drove  back  to  Kentucky,  and 
lived  with  his  mother  until  18G5.  In  the  latter 
year  he  went  to  Livingston  County,  Ky..  and 
alternated  farming  with  teaching  school  until 
1868,  when  he  returned  to  Illinois.  For  a  year 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Fayette  County, 
and  then  bought  a  general  store  at  Laclede.  111., 
and  conducted  it  for  four  years.  In  1873  he 
came  to  Hammond,  when  the  town  was  being 
laid  out,  and  he  bought  the  first  lot,  on  which 
he  built  a  one-story  frame  store  building,  and 
opened  up  a  general  store,  and  in  1903  he  re- 
placed the  frame  structure  with  a  one-story 
brick  one  on  the  same  lot  and  continued  in 
active  business  until  1013,  a  period  of  forty 
years  at  Hammond.  He  then  sold  his  business 
to  W.  R.  Evans,  who  conducted  it  a  short  time, 
and  then  traded  it  to  a  party  who  moved  the 
stock  of  goods  to  another  place.  In  1915  R.  L. 
Wortham,  son  of  Mr.  Wortham.  bought  a  new 
stock  of  goods  and  reoi>ened  his  father's  old 
store  which  he  is  still  operating  with  marked 
success. 

On  February  14.  1861.  Mr.  Wortham  was  mar- 
ried (first)  to  Susan  J.  .Vbell.  born  in  Grayson 
Count.v,  Ky..  in  1841,  a  daughter  of  Jesse  and 
Emily  (Cunningham)  Abell,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky, who  came  to  Illinois  in  1859.  locating  on 
a  farm  near  Mattoon  in  Coles  County.  Mrs. 
Wortham  died  in  1872.  having  borne  her  hus- 
band four  children,  namely ;  William  L.,  who 
operates  a  truck  farm  and  orange  grove  in 
Alabama  ;  Jesse  L.,  who  operates  a  department 
store  in  Minnesota  ;  Horace  L..  who  operates  a 
"ready  to  wear"  store  at  Rockford.  111. ;  and 
Evan  L.,  who  is  in  a  real  estate  business  at 
St.  Paul.  Minn.  Mr.  Wortham  was  married 
(second)  on  March  21.  1876,  to  Mrs.  Sarah  E. 
(Kizer)  Butts,  who  was  born  in  Macon  County, 
111..  March  2.  1846,  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Liddie  (Davis)  Kizer.  Mrs.  Wortham  died 
Decemlier  23,  1910.  and  their  children  were: 
Edna  L..  who  is  deceased ;  Ro.v  L..  who  is  con- 
ducting the  store  at  Hammond,  111. ;  Nellie  L., 
who  married  Earl  Evans,  who  is  in  the  lumber 
business  at  Hammond  in  partnership  with  C.  A. 
Bunyan  ;  and  Fay  L..  who  married  Walter  W. 
Wolf,  who  is  ticket  agent  for  the  Wabash  Rail- 


818 


HISTORY  OF  PIATT  COUNTY. 


road  at  Mil  mine,  111.  Mr.  Wortliam  is  a  iiieiii- 
ber  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  iX)lltics  he  is 
non-partisan. 

WRIGHT,  Carlton  Jonathan,  a  veterinary  sur- 
jji'un  and  uno  of  the  most  capable  and  efficient 
men  in  his  profession  that  Piatt  County  pos- 
sesses, has  been  located  at  Cerro  Gordo  since 
ion.  He  was  horn  in  Bement  Township,  Piatt 
County.  111.,  July  2.  ISST,  a  son  of  Ovid  E.  and 
-Mice  (Burns)  Wright,  natives  of  Bement,  III., 
and  Scott  County,  111.  The  paternal  grandpar- 
ents. Carlton  and  Annette  (Dnoll)  Wright,  were 
natives  of  New  York  state,  while  the  maternal 
grandparents,  .Jonathan  and  Frances  (Burrows) 
Burns,  were  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Scott 
County,  III.,  respectivel.v.  and  all  became  early 
.settlers  of  Piatt  County.  Carlton  Wright  was 
a  cariienter.  while  .Tonathan  Burns  was  a 
farmer.  After  their  marriage,  the  i»arents 
iocateil  on  IL'O  acres  of  land  in  P.cment  Town- 
shij).  where  the  father  is  still  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. Their  children  were  as  follows:  Carlton 
J. :  Nina  A.,  who  is  Mr.s.  John  Morey,  of  Mor- 
risonville.  111.;  Robert,  who  lives  at  Bement; 
and  Ralph.  Kdna  and  Flora,  all  of  whom  are 
at  home. 

Dr.  Wright  attended  the  district  schools  and 
the  Bement  High  school,  and  when  he  was 
twent.v-one  years  old  entered  the  Chioigo  Veteri- 
nary College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
the  spring  of  1011.  Coming  to  Cerro  Gordo,  he 
bought  the  practice  of  Dr.  John  R.  Grove,  and 
has  built  up  a  fine  business,  owning  a  modern 
hospital  at  which  he  treats  the  diseases  of  vari- 
ous animal.s. 

On  December  22,  191.3,  Dr.  Wright  was  mar- 
ritMl  to  .Mary  Lamb,  who  was  born  in  Bement 
Township,  a  danglitor  of  William  and  Klniira 
(Hall)  I.amb.  natives  of  England.  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Wright  have  one  son.  Robert  Francis,  who 
was  born  July  24,  101."j.  In  politics  Dr.  Wright 
is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Church.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the 
Cerro  Gordo  Lodge  No.  fiOO.  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  Cerro 
Gordo  Lodge  No.  .34G,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Bement 
Camp.  M.  W.  A. 

WYNE,  Jacob,  now  living  in  retirement  in  La 
Place,  was  at  one  time  a  iirominent  figure  in 
Piatt    County.      He    was    born    in    Rockingham 


County,  Va.,  June  5,  1801,  a  son  of  John  and 
Elizabeth-  (Zigler)  Wyne,  natives  of  Virginia. 
In  18U7  the  family  come  to  Piatt  County,  and 
bought  land  in  Willow  Branch  Township,  where 
they  lived  until  1872.  Then  they  sold  and  moved 
fo  a  farm  one  mile  north  of  Milmiue.  In  1S72 
they  bought  a  raw  prairie  farm  but  the  father 
died  in  1874,  and  the  mother  with  the  help  of 
her  sous,  improved  this  property.  She  lived  to 
be  an  aged  woman,  passing  away  in  1904. 

Jacob  Wyne  attended  the  district  schools  of 
Piatt  County,  and  the  Decatur  public  schools, 
and  assisted  his  mother,  remaining  with  her 
until  18S7  when  he  moved  to  a  l(50-acre  farm  In 
Cerro  Gordo  Township,  although  he  owned  the 
eighty  acres  adjoining.  Here  he  lived  until 
in^K),  when  he  sold  his  homestead.  However, 
in  the  meanwhile  he  had  been  buying  farm  prop- 
erty and  now  owns  about  320  acres  in  Cerro 
Gordo  Township,  and  eighty  acres  in  Moultrie 
County.  In  190(5  Mr.  Wyne  went  to  New  Mex- 
ico, and  secured  some  wild  land  which  he  ita- 
proved.  erecting  buildings  and  making  the  place 
comfortable  in  every  way.  including  the  drilling 
of  an  artesian  well.  Losing  his  wife,  January 
19,  1910.  he  began  to  long  for  his  old  home,  and 
in  April.  1912.  he  sold  his  New  Mexico  holdings 
and  returned  to  Cerro  Gordo  Township.  During 
the  winter  of  1912-191.'}  he  traveled  in  Califor- 
nia, and  then  once  more  came  back  to  Cerro 
(4<a-do  Townshii>.  where  he  lired  until  1916, 
when  he  rented  his  land,  and  moved  to  the 
handsome  residence  he  had  erected  in  La  Place, 
and  here  he  is  now  living  retired. 

On  January  27.  1S87.  Mr.  Wyne  was  married 
to  Julia  A.  Shively,  born  near  North  Manches- 
ter, Ind.,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Margaret 
(Blickenstaff)  Shively.  Mrs.  Wyne  is  buried  in 
the  cemetery  at  La  Place.  She  and  Mr.  Wyne 
bad  the  following  children :  Inen  A.,  who"  is 
keeping  house  for  Mr.  Wyne:  Elting  C.  who  is 
on  one  of  the  farms  owned  by  bis  father:  and 
Esta  M.  and  Paul  S..  who  are  at  home.  In 
addition  to  their  own  children,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wyne  reared  an  orphan.  ■  Letta  Bahney.  who 
married  Ira  M.  Hoover  of  Plattsburg.  Mo.,  they 
have  one  child. — Wanda  N.  The  .son.  Elting  c". 
married  Mabel  O.  Miller.  In  politics  Mr.  Wyne 
is  an  indejiendent  Republican.  The  Church  of 
the  Brethren  holds  his  religious  membership,  in 
which  he  has  been  ordained  an  elder  and  he  is 
in  charge  of  the  local  congregation  at  La  Place.