McDonough County, Illinois - Biographical sketches (3 of 3 so headed), 1878 (part 2 of 2)

The family were the possessors of two good horses and several head of cattle, but had not provided food for them for the winter, although arrangements had previously been made with a party living some seven miles north, for a supply of corn for food for themselves and stock. As soon &s the snow ceased falling, Mr. AVilson and Charles hitched their team to the wagon and started after corn. The snow being some ten or twelve inches above the hubs of the wagon prevented it from running, and therefore it was dragged along. They soon discovered it would be impossible to get through with the wagon, or even should do so they never could return with grain, therefore, they determined to abandon it and proceed on horseback. They had only with them one sack in which to carry grain, but supposed there would be no trouble in borrowing from some one in the settlement where they were going. One of the two taking the lead, the other followed, and after several hours effort, arrived at their destination, but were disappointed in not being able to obtain another sack, and were compelled to return with but their own full of grain. On returninsr, thev found their tracks almost obliterated, but arrived at home in due time. The corn secured had to be divided between their stock, and on the next day the father and son were again compelled to return. These journeys were continued in this way during the entire winter, their wagon remaining imbedded in the snow until the following spring. In order to obtain other food for the family, Charles, who was quite handy at all kinds of work, proposed to a neighbor, who was a great hunter, to repair some bottomless chairs for him if he would furnish them with fresh meat. The proposition was gladl}'- accepted on the part of the neighbor, and the Wilson family were fully provided with venison, turkeys and other wild game at all times. For bread they made meal from their corn, which they pounded in a mortar. Flour they had none. ^

Notwithstanding the hardships of their first winter, the family were not discouraged; and when the spring came they built and moved into their new house, and began to lay the foundation for a competency secured in after years. But it must not be expected that prosperity dawned upon them at once. Far from it. Other toils, other privations, and other hardships had to be endured. Some two or three years after their settlement here, the elder Wilson was pressed somewhat on account of debt, and that it might be paid, Charles started on foot for the lead mines of Galena, where he toiled some months for the accomplishment of that end. It must be borne in mind that at that date money was a scarce article, there being no market for anything raised. Galena was then considered the Eldorado of the land. '^

In 1832 Mr. AVilson enlisted in the Black Hawk war, as a private in Captain Ball's company, from Fulton count}', and in the campaign following he bore an honorable part. The battalion of which his company formed a part was attached to the command ot General Stillman.

On the twentieth of March, 1834, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Miss Susan Harris, daughter of John Harris, one of the pioneers of Fulton county. *Mr. Harris is yet living at the ripe old age of one hundred, though now a helpless invalid, patiently awaiting the summons to join those who have passed on before. The result of the wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been thirteen children, eleven of whom yet live, and all of whom are married and gone from the parental roof, but all residing near their place of birth, save one who resides in Iowa. Of the thirteen children, five were sons and eight daughters, two of the latter dying when quite young. A short time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wilson moved into Harris township, Fulton county, some six miles from the present flourishing young city of Bushnell, and settled upon section 5, 6 north, 1 east, which place they made their home until the spring of 1868, when they moved into Bushnell where they now reside.

Charles Wilson is a self made man in every respect. AVith a very limited education obtained from the common schools, but with a determined will and strong heart and hands, he has pressed forw^ard, overcoming every obstacle that arose in his way. However great the difficulties with which he might be surrounded, he knows no such word as fail, and his example is worthy of emulation by the young men of to-day. AVithout a cent of capital, but through his own individual exertions, he has amassed a suflicient amount of this w^orld's goods to enable him to live at ease until called away to join the loved ones that have gone before. lie has always been a hard working, industrious man, having excellent physical powers and being capable of great endurance. Until the last two or three years, or in\t'i\ his retirement from the more active duties of life, there seemed to be no limit to his powers of endurance. The first mill stones used in Fulton county were obtained by him from the quarries of Cass township in that county.

Farming has ever been the occupation of Mr. AVilson, and in this work he has been eminently successful. Through hard work and careful management, he has from time to time added to his possessions, until he now owns in the neighborhood of fifteen hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in Fulton and Mc- Donough counties. For many years he has devoted considerable attention to raising stock for the markets, and in this has met with the same good success as in other operations of the farm. But not only in farm labor has success crowned his efforts, but in the mercantile trade as well. In company with S. A. Ilendee, now of Bushnell, he w^as for several years engaged in business in Marietta, Fulton county.

As previously remarked, in 1868 Mr. Wilson removed to the city of Bnshuell, in this county, where he has since continued to reside. Some two years after, he was quite active in the organization of what is now known as the Farmers' National Bank, of which institution he was by its stockholders unanimously elected President, continuing as such to the present time. In the discharire of his duties as President of the concern, he has shown good executive abilities and admirable business management. Herein lies his chief success, the executive abilities displayed and a keen discernment of human nature. Although making no pretensions to refinement, he makes himself pleasant and agreeable with every one.

Mr. Wilson is six feet three inches in height; his hair, which was once dark, is now quite gray ; blue eyes, which are yet full of the fire of youtii ; a good head, showing strong will and determination, veneration and benevolence prominent. For more than thirty years he has been a consistent member of the M. E. Church, holding the offices of Steward and Trustee a great part of the time. In the work of the church he manifests considerable interest, giving of his time and means tu advance the Lord's cause. From boyhood he has been an earnest advocate of temperance ; the few months' experience in the lead mines having" much to do in firmly implanting former convictions upon his mind. As a citizen, friend and neighbor, no man stands liigher in the communit}'^ in which he lives.

Hon. C. F. Wheat

Crosby F. Wheat was born in Cayuga county, New York, April 11, 1835. His parents are Luther Wheat and Elmira (Marion) Wheat. His earlier education was acquired in the common schools and academies of his native count}'. He removed to Quincy, Illinois, in 1858, where he read law with Messrs. Warren & Wheat. In 1860 he was admitted to the bar, and moved to Macomb, McDonough county, Illinois, in 1861, where, in 1862, he opened a law office, and has since resided. In 1865 he married Mary A. Chandler, daughter of Thompson Chandler, of Macomb. He was attorney for the city of Macomb for several years, was elected State's Attorney in 1872, and re-elected in 1876. As an attorney he stands at the head of the bar in the county, and was the choice of a large number of his associates in the district for the position of Circuit Judge, on the reorganization of districts during the past year.

Many of the noble pioneers of MoDonough county have quit the scenes of their labor and gone to their rest. Among the number none were more highly esteemed or beloved tban Major Stephen Yocum, who was born in Montgomer}^ county, Kentucky', on the seventeenth day of February, 1800. His parents were George and Eebecca (Powell) Yocum, natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky before the beginning of the present century, where they engaged in farming, and also, for a number of years, in the milling business. Their family consisted of eleven children, four boys and seven girls. As might be inferred, Mr. Yocum was raised on a farm, and in the occupation of tilling the soil he labored until called to his rest.

When but a mere boy he was put to work in his father's mill and in that business and assisting upon the farm, varied by a few month's attendance in the common school, his early life was passed. Xo other educational advantages did he ever enjoy than in those of the select schools of his native state in which only the common branches of an English education were taught. But these, together with rare common sense and good judgment with which he was endowed, enabled him to live an active and successful life.

Mr. Yocum remained with his parents until after he reached his majority, when he went forth into the wide world, with nothing but a brave heart and willing hands, to labor for himself. For two years he remained in Kentucky, making his home with a married sister, when, thinking to better his condition in life, he turned his steps toward the newly-opened Prairie State, and settled in Marion county; where, on the twenty-ninth of September, 1829, he w^as married to Miss Mary Dorris, daughter of John Dorris, who emigrated from Smith county, Tennessee, to Marion county, Illinois, in 1827. About four years after their marriage, the worthy couple came to make their home in McDonough county, arriving here in the spring of 1833, and settling in New Salem township, on the north side of Camp creek; where, in the edge of the timber, he erected his cabin and commenced to improve the land he had entered. They were the lirst couple to settle upon the north side of the creek and to encroach upon the broad, fertile prairie Avhich is now dotted over with tine farmhouses and barns, being, without doubt, the wealthiest portion of the county. Mr. Yocum settled upon section nineteen, and there lived and labored the rest of his life, rearing a large and respected family, and improving one of the best farms in the county. As a farmer he was eminently successful, for, besides accumulating considerable wealth, he gave much to various enterprises, benevolent and otherwise. It was well known by all acquainted with the man that Major Yocum never turned away a person in need. He gave liberally to build churches of all denominations. lie had a heart easily touched and hands that gave liberally. lie gave to them whom he had never seen, requiring only to know that they were in need and worthy. Several years before his death, he received a letter from an aged couple, distant relatives, who he had never seen, and Avho lived nearly a thousand miles away, asking assistance. The letter told of their poverty and suffering, and as he read, the tears flowed freely, and, handing it to his wife, he said : "How much shall we send?" During the remainder of his life he continued to provide for them, and now that he is gone, they are not forgotten by his loved companion.

While living in the southern part of the State, Mr. Yocum was elected Lieutenant of the State Militia, and afterwards promoted to the Captaincy. When the war against the celebrated Indian chief. Black Hawk, broke out, he was by the Governor, commissioned as Major, and as such served faithfully during the war. By the title bestowed upon him he was ever afterward known.

Mr. Yocum was always kind to his children and liberally provided for each. There were in all, eleven children, nine girls and two boys, one of the latter dying in infancy, the other reaching his majority, and enlistingin the service of his country as a member of Company C, 84th regiment Illinois volunteers. He was made regimental color bearer, and at the battle of Stone River, December 81, 18G2, he laid down his life in defense of his country. Unfortunately that part of the field was taken by the enemy soon after he fell, and whether they buried him or his body was interred by others, was never known, as his body was never recovered. This was a sad loss to his loving parents who doted on him as an only son and would have sacrificed anything to give him Christian burial. A beautiful monument has been erected to his memory in the cemetery at Pennington's Point. Of the girls, seven are now living, all occupying the position of wives of loving husbands.

ing straugera. To illustrate : - One evening, u little before dark, two men rode up to his cabin and asked the privilege of remaining over night. The Major told them he could accommodate them, provided they could live on the same article of diet that his family did - slippery elm bark, at the same time showing them a number of large trees that had lately been stripped of the bark. The strangers hardly knew what to do, as they disliked to impose upon a farail}"^ reduced to such a stress, but after consulting together, and learning the distance was great to another place where they likely would be received, they concluded to remain during the night, even if compelled to eat slippery elm bark, -ludge of thei? surprise when called to supper. They sat down to as good a meal as they ever enjoyed in their lives. Another time, the Major drove over to the town of Vermont, arriving there about time for supper. Driving in front of the hotel he called out to the landlord, who at once responded to the call. -' Landlord," said he, "can yon accommodate a man with a night's lodgings who is without money, and who is compelled to leave home to obtain something for wife and children, who for weeks have had nothing to eat but slippery elm bark ? '' " Yes," replied the landlord, " drive, around to the barn, feed your horses, and then come to the house." After a good night's rest and a warm breakfast, the Major went out to the barn, and getting his team, again drove around to the front of the hotel and called out the landlord. " Landlord," said he, " I am ever so much obliged to you for the tavor you have shown me, and it only wife and children could have enjoyed your hospitalit}', I should be happy. To think of them being compelled to eat slippery elm bark while I was here living on the fat of the land is terrible to think of. l>ut, landlord, I will always remember you, and now I want to know what you will charge me for what I have had. I may have money some day, and would like to pay." The landlord assured him ho would take nothing; he was welcome to what he had ; thathe would gladly do something for his wife and children. "But, landlord, I want to know, because I may be able to pay you sometime." The landlord then named a small sum. Pulling a large wallet from an inside pocket, and exhibiting a roll of bills, the Major said : "Well, landlord, I guess I might as well pay now, and thou I will have it otl: my mind." The landlord was afterwards heard enquiring of Joab Mershon, who that crazy man was that talked of living on slippery elm bark and had a pocket full of money.

Major Yocum was a man of medium lioight, well built, in his younger days being rather thin, but becoming portly with age ;- possessed a quick and active mind, strong will, and tender heart. He never made a profession of religion, but always lived a good moral life, complying with the golden rule in doing unto others as he would others should do unto him. As a husband and father he was kind and affectionate; as a neiglibor, obliging; as a citizen, enterprising and liberal. lie departed this life on the twenty-second day of October, 1874.

His funeral was preached by the Kev. W. S. Campbell, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, and his remains were consigned to the tomb at Pennington's Point, this county. His loss was deeply felt by a large circle of friends all over the county, as well as elsewhere. Ilis s-ood wife still survives him. Xoue can tell how much he is missed by her who for nearly fifty years traveled with him the journey of life. Mrs. Yocum is now in her seventieth year, and enjoys moderately good health. She has been a faithful wife and a loving mother, and enjoys the love of all who are so fortunate as to know her. For fifty-five years she has been a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, uniting at the age of fourteen with the Dry Fork church, in Sumner county, Tennessee. For a number of years her membership, in this county, was with the Walnut Grove C. P. church, but at present she is connected with the church at Bardolph. Mrs. Yocum makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. William Harlan, who resides upon the old homestead, and is gently passing down life's river, fearing naught, but ready when the summons come to join the loved ones on the other side of the River of Death.