Warren County, Illinois - The whole text, 1886 (part 6 of 25)

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Frantz, in the fall of 1870, he purchased 159 acres of land on section 25, Monmouth Township, where he is at present residing, and subsequently, by purchase, has increased his landed interests in that township to 289 acres. His home farm presents that appearance which is indicative of the push and energy possessed by its proprietor. Mr. Frantz has been a more than ordinarily successful man in his vocation of farming and stock-raising. In the latter department of his vocation, he has indeed traded to a very large extent, having shipped more than $200,000 of stock and an average of about $12,000 annually.

Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Frantz are members of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. F. votes with the Republican party, and has held the minor offices within the gift of the people of his township.

on. Daniel D. Parry, dealer in real estate and insurance agent at Monmouth, was born at Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio, May 28, 1839, and was the fifth child of Walter and Ann (Dean) Parry, natives of South Wales and of Bath Co., Ky., respectively. The parents were married in Greene Co., Ohio, where their two sons and six daughters were born. The family came to Warren County in 1862, and here the mother and father spent the remainder of their lives, the old lady dying in 1876, aged 71 years, and Mr. Parry four years later, at the age of 76 years. Walter Parry, the father of our subject, came with his widowed mother to America when he was about 14 years of age and lived in Ohio up to 1862. The Deans came to Ohio r8i3, and occupied a large tract of land in Greene

The Xenia, Ohio, schools afforded the subject of our sketch such opportunities for an education as was practicable before he was 17 years of age, and after clerking in a grocery house, at that place, he developed at once into a coal oil prospector. April 19, 1861, at Hamilton, Ohio, he enrolled as a private soldier in Co. F, 3d Ohio Vol. Inf. (three-months men), and June 3, following, was mustered into the three-years service in the same company and regiment. His final discharge was dated at Camp Der.nison, March r, 1863, While in the service he spent his first six months in West Virginia, went South with the Army of the Ohio, and returned with Buell. At Perry ville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, a minie ball penetrated his left knee, which led to the amputation of the limb 25 hours later. He landed at Monmouth March 23, 1863, and the next day was given a position as Deputy County Clerk. He held this place about three years, and in November, 1867, was elected County Treasurer, an office he held four terms in succession. In 1870 he was selected as a member of the State Board of Equalization, and for four years discharged the duties of the two offices, and in" 1880 represented Warren County in the Illinois Legislature. His last political venture was his candidacy for the nomination for State Treasurer in 1882, which, however, he failed to get.

Mr. Parry has always been a Republican of the most pronounced type, and his official life has always reflected credit upon that party. He is an active business man ; a man of unswerving integrity ; pure in his private life, unblemished in his public career and fitted intellectually to fill any position to which the people of his district may assign him.

March 24, 1864, he was married at Monmouth, to Miss Mary A. Reed, daughter of Samuel Reed of Huntingdon Co., Pa. Their three children are named Nettie A., Walter D. and Jessie M.

ohn A. Nesbit, an energetic and prosperous \ resident of Lenox Township, residing on section n, where he is engaged quite extensively in agricultural pursuits, is a son of Fisher and Jeniza (Adams) Nesbit, natives of Pennsylvania, where, in Perry County, they married and settled. About the year 1836, they removed to Franklin County, their native State, but finally returned to Perry County, there residing until death called them to their eternal home. Their family consisted of six children, three of whom are now living.

John A., whose name is prominent in the affairs of his township, was the eldest of his parents' family and was born in Perry County, the Keystone State, May 1 6, 1825. His school privileges were quite limited and he was engaged in farming in the State of his nativity until the year 1869, when, in October of that year, he determined to travel Westward, thinking the facilities were much greater for acquiring a competency there than in his native State. He soon found a desirable location in Lenox Township. His success WAS remarkable in his last move and he has since made this his permanent abode. After laboring quite a while in the State of Pennsylvania, he had accumulated something of this world's goods before his emigration West, which enabled him to purchase a tract of 120 acres of good land. Of course this was unimproved, except having been fenced and broken, but Mr. Nesbit entered actively and energetically upon its improvement; and the results of his efforts have been rewarded, for his farm is now under an advanced state of cultivation, a fine residence has been erected thereon, as well as all other suitable outbuildings.

Mr. N. formed a matrimonial alliance on -the i8th of September, 1848, in Cumberland Co., Pa., with Miss Hetty A. Hemp, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Bowlar) Hemp, both natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Nesbit was the eldest of a family of four children, and \vas born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Dec. 14, 1825. Their home circle has been blessed by the birth of one child, - Addison H., who married Harriet G. Weakley and resides in Lenox Township, this county.

Mr. Nesbit has held the position of School Director, besides other minor offices within the gift of the people of his township, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. N. casts his vote with the Republican party.

where he was born Oct. 23, 1857, is a son of Asa and Mary A. (Brooks) Capps. (See sketch of T. L. Capps elsewhere in this volume.) Orville remained at home, attending the district schools and assisting in the home duties, until he became the owner of 160 acres of land, which he then engaged in cultivating and improving, and which, as the result of his hard labor and energy, now presents the appearance of thrift and success. It is all good, tillable land and under an advanced state of cultivation. Besides this, he owns six acres of timber land.

Mr. Orville Capps and Miss Minerva ]. Ray were married Jan. n, i88r, in Roseville Township, she being a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Landis) Ray. Of their eight children, Mrs. Capps was the eldest, and was born in Berwick Township, Sept. i, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Capps had one child, Roy, who died when six weeks old.

I. Wickersham, engaged as a general merchant at Roseville, was born in Henderson Co., III., in 1845. His parents, Sellers and Adelia (Brown) Wickersham, were natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana respectively. They were married in 1844, in Illinois, and the subject of this sketch was their only child. He remained at home with his parents until of age, in the meantime receiving a fair English education. After leaving home he engaged to clerk for his uncle, John Edwards, at Oquawka, Henderson County, this State, and remained in his store for about a year and a half. He then formed a partnership, which existed two years, when he bought out the interest of his uncle. He conducted the business himself for a year, when William Stockton was taken in as a partner and the firm name became Wickersham & Stockton. This continued for only a year, when Mr. Wickersham, being desirous of making a change, sold out to his partner and went to Galesburg. At the latter place he engaged in the occupation of a clerk in the firm of Willard, Kurd & Butler. He remained a year with this firm, and in 1871 came to Roseville and connected himself with a Mr. Janes, under the firm name of Janes & Wickersham, in the merchant-tailoring business, located on the corner where now stands the Roseville Bank. They continued in partnership for two years, when Mr. Wickersham bought out his partner's interest and ran the business one year himself. He then took Benjamin Morford as a partner, and the firm name became Wickersham & Morford. These relations continued for only two years, when Mr. Wickersham again sold out to his partner, removing to Villisca, Iowa, and engaged in the store of C. C. Lundy, as clerk, remaining there for the short space of six months. He again returned to Roseville, and clerked for E. F. Emans for a year. His first purchase was the lot on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Market Street, where he erected a store building and engaged in business, where he has since remained.

Mr. Wickersham was married in October, 1873, to Miss Louisa Pratt, daughter of Abijah and Mary Pratt, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Illinois at an early day and settled in Roseville, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Wickersham have had their home circle blessed and brightened by the birth of five children, - Ellis B., Mary L., Cora A., Clarence E. and Ella.

tenry Staat, one of Warren County's most successful farmers and large land-owners, residing on section 30, Berwick Township, was born in this county, Aug. 7, 1842. He is a son of Francis Staat, a native of Alsace, Germany, where he was born May 17, 1813. The father emigrated to America, landing at New York in May, 1832, and there worked at his trade for some years. In 1837 he left the metropolis and journeyed westward. Finding a desirable location in this county, he made a settlement here, and was consequently one of the earliest pioneers of the county. He was an edge-tool maker, and made the first scouring plows used in the county. He settled on Crooked Creek, where he followed his trade of blacksmithing and edge-tool making for one year, when he came a few miles east and located near Greenbush, where he remained until 1849. During the great gold excitement of that period he was one of the thousands who left their homes to seek their fortunes in the far western mountains. He left this county in 1850, reached California after the usual tedious journey common to that day, but remained there only ten months, when he realized that the fleeting goddess of fortune was no nearer than when the merry song of toil and labor rang out from the anvil in his rude cabin shop in Warren County. County. Besides, being a man of domestic habits and having strong family ties, the glittering nuggets were too few and too small to compensate for being deprived of the pleasures of the home circle. He accordingly returned to this county, and we shortly afterwards find him engaged in land speculation. In 1856 he moved to the place where his son Henry now lives, which at the time was somewhat improved.

Here he made his home until the spring of 1870, when he retired from the active labors of life and moved to Monmouth, where he was pleasantly located and lived in the enjoyment of the fruits of an active and well spent life, until robbed of his companion by the hand of death, Nov. 19, 1880. He then returned to the old farm homestead, and lived with his son until August i of the following year, when he was called to join the companion of his earthly life. He was married (March 19, 1855) to Miss Margaret Ehrhardt, who was born in Germany in 1810. Their children were seven in number, namely : Frederick, Francis, Sallie, Elizabeth, Henry, George and Emma. Four died in infancy. Elizabeth was the wife of Samuel Huston: she died Aug. 19, 1869, leaving no children. Emma is the wife of John Wesley Malcolm. She and Henry are the only survivors of this large family of children.

The elder Staat was not only one of the early pioneers of Warren County, but one of its . most active and enterprising citizens. He was an energetic, stirring fellow, and was a leading spirit in the affairs of his community. We are pleased to be able to present his portrait in this ALBUM of the portraits of ^ so many of the leading men of the county. As a fitting companion picture to his we present that of the lady who was so long his companion in life. The hardships of pioneer life, the labor and struggles of their early years, were alike shared by her. Few of the present day realize what are the hardships of those who push ahead into a new and unsettled country, subdue and prepare it for a home for their children and posterity. There were, of course, pleasures, pure, simple, but genuine, which softened the hard experiences and were a shield from the thorny and rocky paths over which they traveled.

Henry Staat formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Cordelia C. Bond, Aug. 12, 1869, at Burlington, Iowa. She was born June 2, 1850, in this county, and was the daughter of John C. Bond, a native of Tennessee, where he was born in 1779. Her father came to this county in 1832, and died May 20, 1882. For a further biography, we refer the reader to his sketch in another part of his volume. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Staat, eight children were born, seven of whom are living, namely: Ora A., born Oct. 30, 1870; John F., Nov. 24, 1872; Nellie M., Sept. 30, 1874; Lena, , 1876; George, Sept. 21, 1877 ; Eddie J., Sept,

Mr. Staat is the proprietor of 2,027 acres of land in this county, and on his home farm he has a fine residence, together with a good barn and other necessary outbuildings. His land lies in Berwick, Roseville and Swan Townships. He is probably the largest stock-raiser in Warren County, and ships large quantities direct to the great markets. He is also engaged in raising fine horses and mules, and at the present writing has over 100 head. He is a gentleman noted for his business judgment, strict integrity, and fair and honest dealing with his fellow men, and his success in life is attributable to the energy and good judgment which he always brings to bear in business transactions. In politics, he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party.

lohn Caldwell, an influential citizen and successful farmer of Hale Township, residing on section 1 1, where he owns 200 acres of good farm land, is a native of Cadiz, Ohio, having been born there Dec. 31, 1813. When Mr. Caldwell was eight years of age his father died, and he went to live with an uncle, with whom he remained until he attained his majority. At that time he engaged to learn '.he carpenter's trade, which he mastered and followed until he was about 35 years of age. He came to this State in 1853, and settled in Sumner Township, this county, where he resided for about one year, when he made a transfer to Hale Township. In the latter township, upon his excellent farm, he has erected fine buildings, and by incessant labor has placed his land under an advanced state of cultivation, until his farm to day present? an attractive appearance to the passer-by.

The marriage of Mr. Caldwell to Mary A. (Mc- Mehan) Nichol took place in Greene Co., Ohio, Nov. 5, 1840. She was bom in Belmont County, that State, March 26, 1822, and has borne her husband ten children, - Nancy J., Jackson N , Joseph M., John M., Francis M., James R., Donna M. E., Lelia A., Eva J. and William E. Nancy J. is the wife of Thomas Goudy, of Kansas; Jackson, Joseph and John also reside in Kansas and are all ^married;

Francis M. is a professor of music at Monmouth, and is also married; James lives at home; Donna married Henry Runyan, a resident of Iowa; Lelia is the wife of John Shaffer, a farmer in Hale Township; Eva married James T. Nash, who also resides in Hale Township; William E. is likewise a resident of the township last named.

Mr. Caldwell has been Supervisor and Justice of the Peace and held other minor offices within the gift of the people of his township. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and, in politics, Mr. Caldwell votes with the Republican party.

bsalom Vandeveer. Prominent among the leading agriculturists of Warren County is Absalom Vandeveer, who resides on seotion 15, Swan Township. He has long been regarded as one of the enterprising and successful farmers of the county. He was born Sept. 22, 1822, in Jackson Co., Ind., and is a son of Charles Vandeveer, a native of North Carolina. The father spent the early part of his life prior to his marriage in Kentucky, and was among the early pioneers of Illinois, coming here as early as 1830. He then located in Sangamon County, where he remained until 1836, when he removed to this county and here resided until his death, in 1854, at the age of 66 years. He was born in 1788, and had occupied the pulpit for over 30 years, preaching the doctrine of the old-school Baptist. His marriage to Polly Gilbraith took place in 1810. She was born in 1788 and was of Irish parentage, her father having emigrated to this country in time to take part in the Revolutionary War. She died in March, 1856, in Warren County, after having borne her husband eight children, - Eveline, John, William, Elizabeth, Aaron, Cynthia, Absalom and Polly, only four of whom are yet living, viz. : John, William, Cynthia and Absalom.

Absalom Vandeveer, of whom we write, formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Delila Lieurance, Dec. 14, 1845. She was born Aug. 23, 1827, in Clinton Co., Ohio, and came to Illinois with her parents in 1835. Her father still lives in this county, at the advanced age of 84 years, having been born in 1 80 r in Tennessee. He married Miss Anna Wright in 1822. She was born in 1803, and died in 1838, leaving to the care of her husband six children, - Mary, Delila, Aylett R., Rebecca, Jehu and Amos, the latter two of whom have deceased.

Mr. Vandeveer and his wife have become the parents of nine children. The record is as follows: Silas B., born Dec. 8, 1846; Amelia J., Feb. 16, 1848; Abbie, Dec. 16, 1851; Lovell P., Oct. 12, 1852; Mary E., Match 10, 1854; George M., Dec. 15. 1855 ; William A., Jan. 8, 1858; Donezell, Nov. 19,1859; and Flo N., Oct. 27, 1861. Mr. Vandeveer has 12 grandchildren. Of his own children mentioned above, George was killed in the memorable tornado, May *2, 1873. He was in the cellar under the house when the tornado took the building from its foundation, and a field roller was blown into the cellar, which was probably the cause of his death, the roller striking him, while in motion, on the back [part of his head. His life was thus cut short in the 1 7th year of his age.

Mr. Vandeveer is an earnest worker in the Baptist Church, of which he is Deacon. He has 280 acres of land in Swan Township, with a fine two-story residence, 30 x 36 feet in dimensions, and a barn 24 x 50 with 2o-foot posts. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is also devoting a portion of his time to the breeding of thoroughbred Shorthorns, of which he has seven head. In the tornado of 1873 he lost everything save his land, but he had many kind neighbors who contributed to the wants of himself and family until assistance was no longer necessary, and now that he has recovered his losses, and is in a fair way to secure a certain competency, he does not forget the acts of kindness bestowed upon him and his in the hour of need. All of Mr. and Mrs. Vande veer's children, except Amelia, are living in this county. She became the wife of James M. Crabb, and is now living with him in Macpherson Co., Kan. They have seven children, whose names are Leon, Minnie; Rena, Edward, Paul, Marlin and Flo Crabb. Mary E. is the wife of Samuel Larkin, a farmer of this county, and they have three children, - D. Alvin, Walter and an infant. Lovell married Ida Lawrence and resides on the home farm : Floss Rose is the name of their only child. Donnie married Robert Beekner, a farmer of Swan

Township, and is the mother of two children, - Lova and Zelma. The entire family are members of the Baptist Church, and in politics Mr. V. is identified with the Democratic party.

IK illiam Patch, who is one of the leading agriculturists and stock-raisers of Ellison Township, was born on the old homestead V of his parents, on section 31 of this township, July ii, 1858. His home farm is now on section 30. His father, Mayhew Patch, in early years was engaged at the carpenter's trade, but turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, 'at which he devoted the remainder of his life. He was born in New Hampshire, of New England ancestry, and was married in Eaton, his native State, to Mi§s Susan Snow, a native of that place, where she was also reared. As early as 1855, they came West, and located upon a tract of raw land in Ellison Townsnip. Here he erected a house, made excellent improvements and with the exception of three years spent in the cily of Monmouth, he passed the remainder of his life here. He died at his home July 24, 1880, at the age of 57 years. He was highly esteemed for his many excellent virtues, and was regarded as one of the leading citizens in Ellison Township. His widow yet resides on the old homestead. She is the mother of five children, four of whom are living and all married.

William Patch was the youngest but one of the family mentioned above. He was born, reared, educated and embarked in business for himself in this township. He lived with his mother after the death of his father, working on the home farm until his marriage. This important event of his life occurred June 10, 1885, at the residence of the bride's father in Prairie City, 111. The lady who joined him at this time was Miss Hattie Jones, daughter of Robert Jonee. She is a native of New England, and was only five years of age when her parents came to Prairie City. Here she was reared and educated and lived at home until her marriage For five years previous to this event, however, she had been engaged in teaching school. Her mother died in 1881.

The parents of Mr. Patch were active and zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which our subject with his wife is also connected, and he has taken an active part in the labors of the Church. His father was a Democrat in politics, but William is inclined to be more independent in his political views. He has held the minor offices of his township, and is regarded as one of the enterprising young farmers of Warren County.

- saac Van Tasell, who is passing the sunset of his life in ease and comfort, having retired from active labors of the farm and who is at present residing at Monmouth, is a son of Green and Deborah Van Tasell. The parents of Mr. Van Tasell died in Lyons, |Dutchess Co., N. Y., when Isaac was but two years fof age. Isaac was born in Dutchess Co., York State, July 3, 1822, and continued to reside there [until 1851, when, hoping to better his financial condition in life, he came to Kendall County, this State. In the latter county he resided for ten years, following agricultural pursuits, and in the fall of 1859 came to this county and located in Lenox Township and followed the same occupation there until 1883, when he removed to Monmouth.

'Mr. Van Tasell was united in marriage in his native county and State, Sept. 12, 1850, Miss Phebe D. Cargill becoming his wife. She was a native of York State and- has borne her husband five children, - Mary E., Julia A., Jam-is W., Ella L. and Carrie M. Mary E. became the wife of George Brown, a farmer of Kendall County, this State; Julia A. married Jacob Ball, and resides in Nebraska; James W. follows farming in Lenox Township (see sketch) ; Ella L. resides at home; Carrie M. was united in marriage with Ira Sprout, a resident of Kirkwood.

Mr. Van Tasell is the proprietor of 134^ acres of land, r2oof which is under an advanced state of cultivation. He resides in Monmouth Township, where he is passing the sunset of his life, enjoying the accumulations which toil and economy have ranklin Booth, located on section [8, j- Swan Township, where he resides and is ~ actively engaged in its cultivation and improvement, which has been the vocation of his life, was born in Cabell Co., Va,, Nov. 7, 1829, and is a son of Ferguson Booth, deceased, who was" born in Virginia, Oct. 10, 1799. The father came to this State in March, 1836, and located in Knox County ; remained there for a time, then moved to this county, where he died, Feb. 14, 1876. He was married to Miss Lucinda Perdue in 1819. She was born in 1804 in Virginia, and still survives, residing in this county. Of the parents' union, these children were born : Sarah J., Burwell, Franklin, Russell, Morris, James W., Leander and Mary A. Marinda was drowned when four years of age while wading across a stream in Virginia. She became bewildered, and falling was unable to recover herself, and was thus drowned. Sarah J., wife of Stephen Spordock, died leaving eight children ; William Lewis, the eldest child, died in his infancy.

Franklin Booth, the subject of this biographical notice, was married to Miss Martha Sargent, March 23, 1854, at Monmouth, 111. She wds born April 3, 1836, in Jacksonville, Morgan County, this Slate, and is a daughter of John Sargent, born in Ohio, Dec. 15, 1801. Her father came, to this State in 1822, and participated in the Black Hawk War. His wife, Mary (Johnson) Sargent, to whom he was married in 1827, was born in 1809, and died in 1838, her husband surviving her until Sept. 24, 1884. Of their union nine children were born, - Elizabeth, Mary A., Sarah, Martha J., Lorinda, Eveline, Thomas B., Tobitha and Mary L.

the above named are deceased, James and Nellie, the former dying May 17, 1858, and the latter June 3, 1864. Ira S. married Ada Cooper, and resides in Swan Township. All are at home except Ira S. and Henry T. The latter is fanning in Swan Township. Mr. Booth and family are pleasantly situated on their magnificent farm of 375 acres, located on section 18, Swan Township. He owns his land and has the same under an advanced state of cultivation, and since coming to the county, in 1852, he has de- 1 voted his time and attention to its cultivation. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is to no ' small extent interesting himself in the breeding of : Short-horn cattle, and fattens stock for the purpose of shipping.

Mr. and Mrs. Booth are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Booth is, and has been all his life, a Republican.

ohn H. Lippy, engaged in merchandising at Swan Creek, is a native of Hamilton Co., Ohio, where he was born July 31, 1841. He came to this State in 1844, landing in Fulton County July 4, of that year. The father of Mr. Lippy, John Lippy, Sr., was born in Maryland, in 1804, and married Miss Sarah Zepp in 1832. She was born May i, 1806, and they became the parents of 14 children, nine daughters and five sons, - Mary E., Rebecca, Sarah C, J. H., George W., David E., Susan L., Marinda J., Jane, Edna M., William, and three unnamed who died in infancy.

Mr. Lippy of this notice was married April 12, 1866, to Miss Hulda Luper, who was born Aug. 29, 1846, and has borne her husband four children, - Ida May, S. J., P. H. and Louisa I. Mr. Lippy has a .fine stock of goods in Swan Creek, his store room being 22 x 50 feet in dimensions, and is meeting with financial success in his business. He carries a stock of about $3,500. In July, 1877, he was appointed Postmaster, and still holds that office. In politics, he is an active, working Republican. In 1862 he entered the service of the Union, and June 6 of that year was mustered in at Knoxville, 111., joining Co. D, io2d 111. Vol. Inf., Col. McMurtry commanding. He first did service in Kentucky, " after Bragg," and was in several general engagements and 24 skirmishes. He was wounded twice in the left leg while in Mississippi, but is receiving no pension from the Government. Jan. 6, 1865, almost at the close of the war, Mr. Lippy received his discharge at Vicksburg, Miss., and returned home.

In addition to his general mercantile business, Mr. Lippy is engaged in buying and shipping grain and stock. He started his business at Swan Creek March 13, 1876, and by his fair and honest dealings with his patrons has established a good trade. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R. He has nine lots and four buildings in Swan Creek.

ohn Wonderly, one of the best known of the many well-to-do farmers of Lenox Township, is the owner of an excellent farm located on section 15, where he is residing. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Wolf) Wonderly, natives of Pennsylvania, in which State they also died. John was the third in order of birth of a family of six children. He was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Nov. 20, 1822, and received his education in the common schools. His years, prior to his emigration to this county, were passed in farming in his native State, with the exception of about ten months, which were spent in Indiana. He came here in 1855, and after being a short time in Monmouth, located in Lenox Township, where he has since resided. He is the owner of 1 60 acres, the major portion of which is tillable, and with his family resides on the farm on section 13, Lenox Township; besides, he owns a tract of timber land in Floyd Township on section 8. He has a commodious and well furnished farm residence, which with its pleasant surroundings are illustrated in the view on page 245.

The marriage of Mr. Wonderly to the lady whom he wooed and won, Miss Margaret Zug, occurred in Cumberland Co., Pa., Nov. 28, 1844. She was a native of the county in which she was married and has borne her husband nine children. The living are Mary E., Emma C., Daniel Z., John W. Martha J. and Charles A. Those deceased are George W., Ann M. and Clara A. Mary E. became the wife of J. L. Young, a farmer of Lenox Township ; Emma C. was united in marriage with Wm. Jewell, who resides in Nebraska ; Daniel Z. is a resident of Henderson County; John lives in Nebraska; the husband of Martha, Henry Norcross, with his wife resides in Nebraska ; Charles A. lives at home.

In politics, Mr. Wonderly casts his vote with the Democratic party. He has held the offices of Road Commissioner and School Director, and is one of the energetic and highly respected farmers of Lenox Township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.

:! ayton A. Vaughn, farrner, residing on section 20, Greenbush Township, was born in Dinwiddie Co., Va., March 31, 1810, and is the son of John E. Vaughn, a native of that State. The father married Miss Susan Cotton in 1808. She was a native of England, and bore her husband five children, - Payton, Nancy, George C., Jane and Emily.

Payton A. Vaughn married Miss Mary A. Darneille, July 18, 1834, Rev. Kirkpatrick, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating. She was born Feb. 13, 1820, in Kentucky, and came to this State in 1833 with her mother, and located near Quincy, Adams County. Of their union seven children were born, the following being their names: Elizabeth, Dec. 5, 1835 ; Martha A., June 27, 1838, died March 13, 1843; Barthenia, Jan. 6, 1841 ; James T., May 21, 1843; Mary Z., Nov. 2, 1848; George E., July 10, 1852, and Douglas B., Feb. 14, 1860.

Mr. Vaughn, of this sketch, owns 370 acres of good farm land, located on section 20, Greenbush Township, and is there engaged in farming and raising graded stock. He has some very fine Norman horses, and also a fine half-blooded Clydesdale fouryear-old, and in both branches of his vocation is meeting with financial success. He has served as Road Commissioner and School Trustee. In politics, he is a believer in and supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party. Mr. Vaughn and and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

trs. Rebecca Morford, residing at Roseville, is the widow of Benjamin Morford, who was born in Mercer Co., Pa., March 18, 1813. The parents of Mr. Morford were Joseph and Elizabeth (Fell) Morford, natives of New Jersey. The family of the parents consisted of ten children, seven of whom grew to the age of manhood and womanhood.

Benjamin Morford, husband of the subject of this sketch, assisted his father on the farm and attended the common schools, developing into manhood. Four years after he attained his majority, when 25 years of age, his father gave him a farm, on which he located and at once engaged in the vocation in which he had received instruction at home up to that time, - farming; and on this place- he remained and continued to cultivate the same for 14 years. He then sold his farm and came to this State, in 1851, and settled at Roseville, purchasing 80 acres of land on the east and one acre on the west side of Main Street. On this land he erected a residence and there made his home until the date of his death, which occurred Jan. 14, 1875. He platted a part of his farm, and since his death the remainder, with the exception of a few acres, has been incorporated within the present limits of the village of Roseville.

Mr. Morford was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Stem in 1838. She was a native of Pennsylvania, her parents being Frederick and Sarah (Harris) Stem, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. Her father came with his family to this State in 1861, and settled one and a half miles east of Roseville, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and by his economy and perseverance increased his landed interests in the county to 400 acres. He and his wife continued to reside on the old homestead until their deaths, that of the former occurring June 9, 1875, and the latter Jan. 14, 1867.

children, six of whom are still living, - Sarah E. Patch, Zilpah A. Lewis, Nelson A., Ross C., Cora D. and George E. Mrs. Morford still continues to reside on the old homestead, with her daughter Cora and son George. She is a member of the Baptist Church, to which denomination he also belonged. Mr. Morford was the first Postmaster in Roseville, and held the office for some 10 or 12 years. He also held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Road Commissioner, and was one of the respected and honored pioneers of the village of Roseville.

Chester Brooks, a prosperous and energetic farmer and stock-raiser, on section 1 6, Ellison Township, was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., on the 27 th of December, 1817. His father, Noah Brooks, a farmer and mechanic by occupation, was a native of Connecticut, of New England parentage and Welsh descent. He formed a matrimonial alliance in Ulster Co., N. Y., with Miss Maria Russell, also a native of Connecticut, and of similar ancestry and descent. Before the war of 1812, the parents settled in Genesee Co., York State, where they remained for some years. Mr. Noah Brooks, during the War of 1812, held the position of a militia soldier, and after his return moved to Orleans Co., the same State. When our subject, Chester Brooks, was but a small child of about 12 years of age, and while living near his birthplace, Noah Brooks, his father, died. The mother afterward lived with her daughter in Wisconsin and Ohio, dying at the former place at an advanced age. Chester, after the death of his father, went to live with a Mr. William Jackson, of Orleans Co., Empire State. Here he remained, making that his home until he reached the age of 26 .years, having attended the high schools of Orleans and Niagara Counties in the meantime. In the fall of 1844 he came to Illinois, and began teaching in the common schools and also teaching music in Cass County, and later worked at his trade, that of carpenter and joiner, which he had learned in his native State. While in Cass County he was united in marriage, in 1847, to Miss Elizabeth V. Beard, daughter of Alex, and Lucy (Yates) Beard, the latter a cousin to Governor Yates. Mrs. Brooks was born in Cass County, this State, Nov. 26, 1830, and her parents were successful farmers and natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. After Mr. Beard's first marriage, he came to Illinois, but returned to Kentucky after the demise of his wife, and married the second time. He again returned to this State and here both he and his wife died. Mrs. Brooks was well educated in the public schools and lived at home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have became the parents of five children, of whom the following is a brief record : William married Jennie Reynolds and they reside on a farm in Hardin Co., Iowa; Edwin C. is the husband of Sarah, nee Baldwin, and is engaged in stock-raising at Centralia, Nemaha Co., Kan.; Lucy A., wife of B. F. Graham, lives on a farm in Grundy Co., Iowa; George A. resides at home, as likewise does Emma E. After marriage Mr. Brooks resided in Cass County, this State, for 10 years, where he was engaged in in farming. In October, 1864, he came to this' county and purchased 137 acres of land, all of which was improved, with good buildings, etc. Since that time he has added 40 acres to his purchase and now has 177 acres of good farm land. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk and also School Trustee, which latter office he has. held for 15 years and is the present incumbent. He has been a Republican ever since the organization of that party, and is an active and e.iergetic worker in support of its principles.

j> ceeded to its ownership a small frame house was on the place, which, with the other appurtenances of the site, was in a dilapidated condition. He has erected a good set of buildings and put the place under improvements second to none in the county. The residence and its surroundings are beautiful, the former being of much more than ordinary style for a farm house, and the well planned and beautified grounds adding greatly to its attractive appearance. The ornamental trees include Scotch pine, European larch and others of equal rarity and beauty. It is but justice to state that the estate is one of the most attractive and valuable in Warren County. The location is on a southern slope, and from the buildings, which are placed on the height of the land, the spires of Monmouth are plainly visible.

Mr. Reynolds has been a Democrat until later issues engaged his attention, and now adopts the views of the Prohibitionists. He was born in the township of Hale in Warren County, Feb. 18, 1838.

Thomas Reynolds, his father, was a pioneer of the county, of 1836. He was born Oct. 15, 1782, in North Carolina, and was of Scotch-Irish origin. He passed all the earlier years of his life in his native State, where he was married to Eleanor McClanahan. She was born in North Carolina, March 10, 1803. In addition to the business of farmer the senior Reynolds was a practical miller, and he followed the combined relations of his two callings in his native State until 1834. L. About that time the spirit of progress seemed to take possession of the people in a manner then uncommon, and Mr. Reynolds yielded to it and to the belief that he could secure for himself and his increasing family the advantages of a broader field of. operation. Accordingly, in the year named, he set out with his household for Indiana. The country between North Carolina and the point of destination in the Hoosier State was traversed with a team and a covered wagon ; and the same conveyance carried the goods of the household ; and the cooking and domestic arrangements generally were conducted on the way much after the same pattern as in the deserted home in the South. They stayed their steps in White Co., Ind., and resided there two years. In 1836 they took up their line of march to the westward and came in the same manner in which they had made their former journey, to Illinois. The father made a location at Sugar Grove, in Hale Township, in this county. He rented land for a time to give himself an opportunity to look about and determine on the best plan to pursue and where was the best place to make a permanent settlement. He decided to go to Henderson County. He bought a tract of land in the timber in the vicinity of Hollingsworth/s mill, and proceeded to arrange his affairs on the accepted plan of the pioneers. He erected a log cabin for a temporary home and cleared 40 acres of land. There he remained about 14 years. On selling out, he bought a prairie farm two miles from Biggsville and was its owner and occupant until 1866. That was the year in which he made his final removal to Sumner Township. He settled on the farm which his son had bought in that township and his life continued only a few years after. He died June 12, 1869. The wife and mother lived until Aug 15, 1881. Of their seven children only two survive. Mr. Reynolds has a younger sister - Martha E., the wife of R. W. Wiley, of Sumner Township.

Mr. Reynolds was ten years of age when his parents removed to Henderson County. He was brought up to the calling of his forefathers and was a pupil in the public school. Later he attended the High School at Oquawka, and finally finished his education with three years' attendance at Monmouth College.

Feb. 1 8, 1868, he was married to Araminta C. McCrery, and they have two children. Mabel is pursuing a course of study at Monmouth College. < Bertha A. is the younger, Mrs. Reynolds was born in Monmouth, June 25, 1849.

illiam K. Stewart attorney at law, Monmouth, was born in McDonough County, this State, Dec. 3, 1845. He spent his youth largely at school, and graduated from Monmouth College in the class of 1867. He began the study of law at once under his father and was admitted to the Bar in April, 1868, and began practice at Oquawka the following fall. (For parentage, etc., see biography of Hon. J. H. Stewart, this volume.) In 1873 he came to Monmouth from -Oquawka and became the junior of the firm of Stewart, Phelps & Stewart, probably the strongest law firm in the city. At the end of two years the firm dissolved, and Mr. Stewart repaired to Burlington, Iowa, and was there two years. Returning tq

Monmouth in 1877, he was at once appointed City Attorney, and in 1878 was elected Police Magistrate, which he resigned at the end of three years to become a member of the firm of Stewart & Grier. Since 1883, this firm has been Stewart & Stewart, and is composed of Hon. J. H. Stewart and the subject of this sketch. At the spring election of 1885, Mr. Stewart was elected City Attorney, and is the present incumbent of that office.

acob Byers, a sturdy tiller of the soil, which vocation he has followed the major portion of his life, resides on section 18, Hale Township. He is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Lawyer) Byers, natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in Darke Co., Ohio, Aug. 12, 1862, aged 80, and the mother in Franklin Co., Pa., Aug. 4, 1842, aged 63. The parents of the elder Byers were of German and Irish ancestry respectively. The record of the elder Jacob Byers' family of seven children is as follows: David, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Joseph, Solomon, Rosana and Jacob. David married Miss Eve Stake, of Franklin Co., Pa., and they had one son : the father and son are deceased. Rebecca married George Ensmenger, of Cumberland Co., Pa., and a large family blessed this union : the mother is deceased. Elizabeth married Isaac Basehore, of Franklin Co., Pa., and became the mother of two children, one of whom, with the mother, is deceased. Joseph married Rebecca Rafesnyder, of the same county, and had a family of two boys and three girls. Solomon married Sarah A. Bitner and had 15 children, five of whom are deceased : the father died in 1884. Rosanna married Samuel Railing, of Cumberland Co., Pa., and had a family of seven children, four of whom are deceased.

Jacob Byers was the youngest of a family of seven children born to his parents, all growing to attain the age of their majority. He was born June 16, 1821, and during his early boyhood attended the common schools, receiving a fair education. At the age of 15 years he went forth in the cold, unfriendly world to d ) for himself. His first occupation after leaving the parental roof was that of an agriculturist, which he followed for two years, receiving remuneration for his services, at the expiration of which time, when he was 17 years of age, he apprenticed himself to learn the blacksmith's trade. This he mastered and continued to follow as a means of livelihood for several years, and even after coming to this county he was thus engaged in connection with his farm duties for about seven years. He came to Warren County in 1853, and for about three and a half years lived in Monmouth, where he followed his trade. He moved to Hale Township in 1857, and settled on section 18, where he became the owner of 88 acres of good tillable land, and on which he has lived and labored until the present time. By his energy and economy he has succeeded in making additions to his original purchase until he is at present the pro- - prietor of 208 acres of land in Hale Township and a farm of 69 acres in Henderson County.

Mr. Byers was wedded to Harriet E. Bitner, in « Franklin Co., Pa., June 20, 1845. She was the daughter of Michael and Jane (Goodman) Bitner, the former of whom died in Franklin Co., Pa., and . the latter in Monmouth. Mr. and Mrs. Byers have become the parents of eight children, whom they have named Priscilla J., Catherine E., John F., William E., Jacob M., Lydia B., David I. and Grace

E. Priscilla is the wife of Henry Cooper and resides in Henderson County; Catherine E. married Ralph Ostrander, a resident of St. Louis, Mo. ; John

F. lives in Georgetown, Col. ; William E. is engaged in teaching in Iowa; Jacob lives at home; Lydia B. married Nicholas Resener, who is a resident of Griswold, Iowa; David I. lives in St. Louis, Mo.; and Grace E. is deceased.

Mrs. Byers died in Hale Township, March 28 1879, and Mr. Byers was the second time married, in that township. The date of this marriage was Dec. 21, 1882, at which time Miss Hannah Stevenson became his wife. They lived together as man and wife but three short months, when, March 4, 1883, she passed to the land of the hereafter. Mr. Byers has held the offices of Road Commissioner and School Director in his township, and his political views coincide with the principles ao>ocate4 by thq

Republican party. He has attained no little prominence as a man of energy and honor in the community, and his accompanying portrait gives additional interest to this volume.

ichard Henry Shultz, deceased, was born at Maysville, Mason Co., Ky., June 7, 1829, and died at Monmouth, May 21, 1883. His parents were Christian and Charlotte (Lee) Shultz. The former was a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent, while the latter was a. native of Kentucky and of English extraction. The Shultz family was of the sturdy old Pennsylvania Dutch stock, which was noted for habits of economy and industry, combined with a strict regard for the rights of others, and formed the elements of a superior citizenship, while the Lees combined with all these elements the blue blood of the patrician, which infused itself with no stock but to better it, assimilating with none to the exclusion of its inherent potency, and displaying itself ever and anon in the very highest order of manhood. Men, eminent in State craft and in war; distinguished in belles-lettres and in song; men who have adorned the Bench and the Bar; men whose eloquence have swayed the assemblage from the pulpit, the rostrum and forum, - aye, these are the men whose names will ever be found in the biography of the Lees. The mother of Richard H. Sluiltz was a cousin of Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. " Stonewall " Jackson. Thus in our own great Republic alone can the combinations of these elements be found possible; and when in the fullness of time the best people of all the races of the earth shall have brought each his own peculiar superiority, whatever that virtue may consist in, and the whole shall have intermingled to form one race - the American - then, indeed, will the human family have attained that high eminence to which it is by the Creator destined. The partial effect of this combination of race may be noticed daily by the student of human nature. Short biographical sketches of men who have been identified with the growth, progress and welfare of a single county, often discloses the important fact, though insignificant as it may appear, that the great design of nature was in these good men being partially carried out.

Read the biographical sketches in the Warren County ALBUM, note there the history of the lives of the best people that live and have lived within its province, and by tracing their ancestry the true secret of the route to greatness, can be seen, though not in wealth. Wealth is not greatness; in fact it is seldom an integral part of it. So with Mr. Shultz: his greatness consisted in a superior citizenship, and its essential qualities are largely traceable to his ancestry.

Mr. Shultz was educated in Kentucky, and embarked in business while yet a young man. June 7, 1853, he was married, at Maysville, to Miss Lizzie Mcllvain, daughter of William Mcllvain, who was 30 years a banker in that city. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Shultz removed to Cincinnati, where he was for about three years engaged in a commission business. From there he emigrated to Missouri, where he was engaged in farming up to the time of his coming to Warren County, in 1861. Here he purchased a farm in Lenox Township and occupied it two or three years, when he removed to Monmouth. Here he purchased an interest in the drug firm of Brewer & McGrew, and later on bought the interest of Mr. McGrew and changed the firm to Brewer & Shultz, which continued for a few years. He then purchased Mr. Brewer's interest and established his two sons in the store, under the firm name of W. M. Shultz & Co.. Subsequently one of the sons, C. Shultz, became the owner. He was one of the projectors of the Monmouth Opera House, pressed the enterprise to completion and subsequentlj became its sole owner. It is a magnificent structure, and a fitting monument to his publicspiritedness and enterprise while a citizen of the county. In all his undertakings he was successful and died the possessor of a handsome competency.

Of Mr. and Mrs. Shultz 's four children, William M. is a r/romising young physician at Buena Vista, Col.; Crit is the sole successor to the drug business of W. M. Shultz & Co., and manager and one-fourth owner of the Opera House ; Lottie and Lewis are the names of the younger members of the household.

Mr. Shultz was an ardent Democrat and a member of the Masonic Order, and, though identified with no particular Church^ was a liberal giver to all.

The day succeeding his death, a local paper contained the following handsome tribute to his memory : " Mr. Shultz was an open, generous, enterprising and public-spirited man, always ready with his purse and influence to further ^very enterprise for the growth and advancement of Monmouth. As a neighbor and friend he was possessed of that genuine Kentucky hospitality and frankness that made his home one of the most pleasant and attractive in the city, and none were more earnest in entertaining friends and company than he. To those with whom he was intimate, he was a fast and abiding friend, tried and true, and with them was most deservedly popular. The death of no citizen could be more universally regretted."

', ames Kelsay, formerly a resident of Swan Township, was born in Kentucky in 1805. He came to Illinois when he was a young man and located in the southern portion of Sangamon County which, by a later division, was set off to Christian County. He occupied his time in farming, and, in 1834, was married to Elizabeth Vandervere, who was born in Indiana in 1 8 [5. They continued to reside in the county in which they were married until the fall of the year succeeding In that season they removed to Warren County. They passed the first year in Hoyd Township and then fixed their residence in Swan Township. They bought land there and the husband erected a log house. He lost no time in making the improvements customary in a prairie country and the work was far advanced at the time of his death. That event occurred in August, 1844. His widow was his survivor 28 years, her demise occurring Aug. 28, 1872. Their children numbered six and there are five still living. Mary J. is the wife of Israel Jared and they are living in Point Pleasant Township. Margaret A. is married to James Jared and they live in Swan Township. John A. is a citizen of the township. William resides in the State of Missouri. Samuel B. lives in the township where his father and mother resided.

They had three children. Cynthia is married to Benjamin Kidder and they also reside in Swan Township. Absalom V. is a citizen of Shenandoah, Iowa. Bailey R. lives in Nebraska. The parents were both members of the Baptist Church.

illiam Spencer Almond, now deceased, was formerly a resident in the township of Point Pleasant. He was born Oct. n, i8n,in Louisa Co., Va. His parents removed in his youth to Kentucky and were pioneers of Warren County, that State. Wyatt Almond, his father, was a man of superior abilities and education and was a soldier in the service of the United States in the War of 1812. He followed the profession of teacher in Kentucky and was a resident of that State after his removal there until the time of his death. The name of the lady who became his wife was Susannah Ware -previous to her marriage to him. After his death she came to Illinois and married Thomas Gunter, and finally died in Swan Township, this county. Five of her children are her survivors. A daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins, resides in Shenandoah, Iowa. Thomas lives in Point Pleasant Township. William S. was the next in order of birth. Mrs. Emma Wade lives in this county. Mrs. Susan Collier resides in Arkansas. Z;icliariah D. is a citizen of Union Mills, Mahaska Co., Iowa.

Mr. Almond, of this sketch, was brought up in the county in which he was born. He was married in Kentucky, to Miss Nancy Sprudling, who was a native of that State, and died there in 1852. She left six children : William Allen lives in Union Mills, Iowa. Martha J. is the wife of Joseph Johnson, of Point Pleasant Township. Thomas J. is a farmer in the same. James W. was a soldier in the 83d 111. Vol. Inf., and was killed at Fort Donelson. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Almond was married to Sarah A. Hawkins. Mrs. Hawkins was born in Warren Co., Ky., March 3, 1818. She was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Meyers) Hawkins. Mr. H. was an Englishman by birth and his wife was a native of Virginia. They both died in Edmonson Co., Ky. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.

Almond took place about the year 1854. She, by a former marriage, to Mitchell Spradliag, had four children : Mary F.,wife of George Evving, a resident of Mills Co., Iowa. James K. lives in Kansas. Rebecca, wife of L. W. Simmons, and lives in California. Angeline, wife of Weldon Worrell, and a resident of Mills Co., Iowa.

The family removed to Illinois in 1852. They traveled with ox-teams and brought with them all their household belongings, and they lived in the gipsey fashion while on the road. Mr. Almond made a location in the township of Swan, whete he bought 50 acres of land on section 34, on which he lived four years. At the end of that time he sold 'the property there and removed to Point Pleasant Township, where he bought 160 acres of wild land, on section 34. This was the homestead until the death of the father, which occurred May 12, 1884. 'All the property was under improvement, and the proprietor had increased his acreage until he was the owner of 320 acres in that township and another considerable tract in Iowa. Mr. Almond had built farm structures of a character suited to the farm. He was a quiet man "and good neighbor, a member of the Methodist Church, and in political sentiment a Democrat.

Of the second marriage which lias been mentioned there were three children, of whom two are living. They are named Andrew S. and Jesse E. The latter was born April 30, 1859. He received his education in the public schools, and was married to Lydia J. Larkins, June r3, 1880. Mrs. Almond was born in Warren County, Jan. 22, 1860, and is the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Smith) Larkins. Wernie C. is the only surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. Almond. Their first child was named Ora Dell, and she died whin less than nine months old. Mr. Isaac N. Almond, the youngest son Joy the former marriage, was in his second year when his mother died, and he was brought to Illinois by his father. He was trained and educated in the manner common to the sons of farmers, and the first important event of his life was his marriage to Mary E. Waters, which took place April 23, 1876. She was born in Ohio, Aug. 5, 1855. Her death occurred March 16, 1881. In September, 1882, Mr. Almond was again married to Etta C. Prather. She is a native of Abingdon, Knox Co., 111. Two children were born of. the first marriage. Their names are f arnes Smith, an agriculturist prosecuting £- his vocation on section 16, Berwick Township, was born in Greene Co., Ohio, near Xenia, Sept. 15, 1841, and is a son of James Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania and died about 1850, in Ohio, and whose father, Joseph Smith, died at Jeffersonville, Ind., about 1841, the year in which the subject of this sketch first saw the light of day.

James Smith, at the date of his father's death, was but nine years of age, and accompanied his grandfather on his mother's side, by the name of Broadstone, to this State. His grandfather came from Wales to this country, and to this State in 1850, and . located in Crawford County and there died. Some three years later, in the spring of 1856, James, the subject, came here and located near Monmouth.

He enlisted in the war for the Union, joining Co. ' C, 83d Regt. 111. Vol. Inf., under Capt. L. B. Cutler, of Monmouth, and was mustered into the service in that city. His regiment was ordered to Fort Henry, Ky., where it remained for some 25 days, and was then ordered to Fort Donelson, some 12 miles distant. He participated in the fight of Fort Donelson, Feb. 3, 1863, and after that battle he was stationed at the fort until June, 1865, when he was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., receiving his final discharge and pay at Chicago, July 5, 1865, whereupon he immediately started upon the train for his home in Monmouth Township, Warren County.

Mr. Smith, of this notice, was united in marriage with Abbie S. Pike, March 25, 1879. She was born June 5, 1850, in Stoughton, Mass. Her father Augustus H. Pike, was a native of Maine, and died while in the Union army, in i86r, some six months after he had enlisted. He married Miss Mary T. Southworth, of the literary family of Southworths, who was born in Boston, Mass., in 1823, and died in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1855. Mrs. Smith was a resident of Galesburg, Knox Co., 111., at the time of her marriage, where her western relatives live. To Mr. and Mrs. Pike three children were born, - Abbie S.,

View Of Buildings Front North

Jan. 5, 1850; Mary A., Feb. 10, 1852; and Ozro, who died when two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Smith of this notice are the parents of three children, - Wallace R., born Dec. 31, 1880; Winihrop G., Dec. 29, 1882; and Glen D., March 12, 1885. Mr. Smith moved on the place where he now resides in March, 1884. This place he had purchased the year previous. He is there actively engaged in the vocation of an agriculturist, meeting with success. In 'politics, he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party.

|:Chuyler Palmer, a resident on section 15 of Spring Grove Township, is a pioneer of Warren County of 1845. He is one of the leading farmers of the township and has reached prominence through the extensive business relations he has established in the county. He was born Nov. 24, 1831, in the province of Ontario, Canada, and is the son of Wilkinson and Nancy (Hurd) Palmer. His parents were born in the same portion of the country as himself. The father was born of parents of New York origin and those of the mother were originally from the State of Vermont. The ancestors of the latter were originally from Connecticut and later from New Jersey, and later still from New York. The father of Mr. Palmer removed with his wife and children to Whiteside Co., 111., in 1842. Here they made their home in the vicinity of Prophetstown until the year named as that in which their removal to Warren County was effected. On coming to this county they located in Hale Township, where the father rented land until 1851, when a tract of 80 acres of land was purchased. It was wholly unbroken and the first move made was to build a house for the accommodation of the family. It was made of logs and was occupied for the purpose for which it was constructed three or four years. The family then took possession of a new frame house which the father built on the homestead. Prosperity attended him in his business relations, and he was soon enabled to make other purchases until he became the owner of 200 acres of land, a portion of which was located in Henderson County. His death occurred in July,

1878, and that of his wife some years previous. Eight of their n children are now living. Sarah is the wife of Jeremiah Young. They are residents of Ida Co., Iowa. Ira A. lives in Ringgold Co., Iowa Minard resides in the same State, in the county of Harrison. George W. is a farmer in Hale Township. Manada A. is married to B. C. Darrah, of Henderson Co., Iowa. Eliza lives in Pottawatomie County, in that State. William is a resident of Otoe Co., Neb.

Until he became himself the head of a family by marriage, Mr. Palmer was a member of the household of his father and mother. His marriage to Lucy A. Mills took place Dec. 25, 1856. She was born in Henderson County and is the daughter of William H. and Lucretia (Morris) Mills, who were early settlers in the county where their daughter was born. William H. Mills, the father of Mrs. Palmer, was a native of New Jersey, but when five years of age his parents removed to Dearborn Co., Ind., locating near Lawrenceburg, where he became a farmer, ' William H. there grew to manhood, and, in 1836, married Lucretia Morris. Three years later he moved to Henderson Co., 111., and settled upon a farm in ~ Greenville Township, where they now reside. Here I Mrs. Palmer was reared, and received her education in the neighboring district school. She was born in a ^ log cabin two miles west of where her parents now reside. Her mother was a native of Eastern Pennsylvania, and is of Scotch parentage. Her mother's parents were Amos and Johanna Morris. William H. Mills' parents, the paternal grandparents of Mrs. Palmer, were Cyrus and Nancy Mills.

About the time of his marriage Mr. Palmer bought the northeast quarter of section i of Spring Grove Township, which is now the site of that part of Alexis that is in Warren County. It had never been cultivated in any sense, being still in its original condition of wild prairie land. He built a house on the north line of the county and made the first improvement on the place in the spring of 1856. This was previous to his marriage. He bought the farm in the fall preceding. He made the usual improvements, and that place was his home and field of operation until his removal to the farm on which he has lived since the spring of 1867. At that lime he sold the place of which he was the first owner and has since occupied the property on sections 10 and 15. There was already a good house on the southwest of the section first named and this was the family abode until the fall of the same year in which they took possession of it, when it was destroyed by fire. They moved to another house which had been erected on the farm, which they occupied until 1871, when Mr. Palmer built the frame house in which they now live and which is situated on section 15. He has also increased the value and appearance of his estate by building other suitable and excellent farm structures, which are without doubt the most substantial in Spring Grove Township, and among the finest in Warren County. We are pleased to be able to present a view of these on page 258. He is the owner of 400 acres of land, and, in addition to the common business of farming, is engaged in raising Durham cattle of extra grade.

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have 1 1 children. Mary E. is the oldest. Alice J. is the wife of Charles Gallaugher, who is a resident of Ringgold Co., Iowa. Lillian married Fred L. Gilmore, who lives on section 9, Spring Grove Township. A sketch of the parents of Mr. Gilmore may be found on another page of this work. Effie A. is married to Robert Armstrong, of Spring Grove Township. The younger and unmarried children are named Henry W., Myron G., Mattie, Lura, Eva, Kate and George W.

Mr. Palmer is a Democrat in his political views, and has held the office of Road Commissioner for 17 years. Mrs. Palmer became a member of the Baptist Church at the age of 13 years, and in 1869 Mr. Palmer also became a member of the same Church. Three of their eldest daughters are connected with the Baptist Church, while the next three younger are members of the Church of God.

! ohn Wingate, a well-known and highly respected farmer of Greenbush Township, who is actively engaged in the cultivation of his excellent farm, was born Feb. i, 1815, in Maine, and is the son of Edmund Wingate, a native of that State. His father was united in marriage with Rebecca Whitney, also a native of Maine, and they had four children, - Hannah, Daniel, John and Lydia. John Wingate, subject of this biographical notice, came to this State in the fall of 1838. He was married to Miss Annis Dibble,

March 5, 1844. She was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., March i, 1820. Her father, John Dibble, was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1819 he married Martha Brown, who was born in New York in 1801. Of her parents' union five children, - Annis, Elizabeth, Erastus P., Laura A. and Thomas, were born. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wingate of this notice, five children have been born, namely: John J. (deceased), Ann Eliza (deceased), Arthur L.* Ella and Eva.

Mr. Wingate, with his wife and children, are pleasantly situated on their fine farm of 250 acres, all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. He has held the office-, of Justice of the Peace, Township Cerk, Assessor and Treasurer of the School Board for 39 years. In politics he votes with the Democratic party. What he has of this world's goods, he lias accumulated with his own strong hands and the active co-operation of his good helpmeet, and is passing the sunset of his life in peace and quiet at his pleasant home on section 20.

illiam T. Boyd, a farmer on section 1 1, in the township of Point Pleasant, is a na- , live of the State of Indiana. He was born 9 in Jefferson Township in Greene County, Oct. 7, 1845. Thomas H. Boyd, his father^ was born in Kentucky. The place of the birth of the latter was Bath County and the occurrence was dated June 4, 1812. He was the eldest son of Drury B. and Elizabeth (Hurd) Boyd, of whom a sketch is presented elsewhere in this work. His parents removed to Greene Co., Ind., when he was 13, and there be passed the years that intervened between that period and his removal to Warren Co., 111. His father was a carpenter by trade and he worked with him both at that business and as an assistant in the clearing of the farm. April 3, 1838, he was married to Margaret Jones. She was born in New Berry District, in the State of South Carolina, Jan. 17, 1818, and was the daughter of Benson and Priscilla (O'Neil) Jones. The families of her parents were both of the same State in which the daughter was born. In 1819 they removed to Indiana and were early settlers in Greene County. Their home was there until 1847, when they made another transfer of their interests to Illinois. They came to Warren County to seek a place for a permanent home and at the time their family included three children. They came from their abode in the Hoosier State with oxen and horse teams and three wagons. They were in fair circumstances and they' brought with them their household belongings. After a journey of three weeks duration they halted in Henderson County, where they remained three months. At the expiration of that time they removed to Ellison, where they rented land and resided until the year which has been mentioned as that in which they removed to the township in which their son resides. The senior Boyd bought a tract of unimproved prairie land on what was then " town 8,'' and now bears its present " Pleasant " name. The father erected a small frame house in which the family could find shelter until he should be able to build such a structure as their necessities demanded. He

' at once proceeded to the work of improving the place and put it in excellent condition. He added to and rebuilt the house and erected a frame barn. The

- His demise occurred on his farm, March i, 1877. His widow is still his survivor and is the occupant of the homestead. Drury B., John J., William T. and Gary are the names of their sons. Priscilla, the only daughter, is the wife of Andrew Woodward and they are residing on the homestead with their mother. When his parents came to Illinois, Mr. Boyd, of this sketch, was an infant of 18 months. Consequently, he is to all purposes a native citizen of the township of which he is now a resident and in which he has been a continuous inhabitant ever since. He was trained in the profession of a farmer and was a pupil in the common schools during the early years in which he was busy in obtaining his education. Later, he was a student at Cherry Grove Seminary at Abingdon, where he attended three terms. At the age of 19 he engaged in teaching and filled his first term of school in District No. 6, in the same township where he was brought up. He also taught one term in addition and that was the extent of his operations as a pedagogue. He has passed the remainder i of his life of activity in the pursuit of a farmer. Oct. i, 1868, he was joined in marriage to Susan

F. Dean. She was born in Lewistown, Fulton Co., 111., Sept. i, 1849, and is the daughter of Michael and Susan (Cummings) Dean. Her father was born in Kentucky and her mother was a native of Scotland. They were pioneers of Fulton County and are now living in Warren County.

Mr. Boyd located on the farm on which he is now residing at the time of his marriage. It is situated on the northeast quarter of the section which has been mentioned. One child - Jennie May, has been born to the household. Mrs. Boyd is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He was Supervisor for three terms.

. ehu Bailey came to Illinois in 1855. In the same year he located in Warren County, and has therefore lived within the same municipality 30 years. He was born in York Co., Pa., Feb. 14, 1823. Charles Bailey, his father, was also a native citizen of the Keystone State. The family name of the mother of Mr. Bailey was Davis. He was deprived of her care when he was about four years of age and from that time was the charge of an older sister. She was the manager of the domestic affairs of the household until she was married, which event transpired about four years after the removal of their mother by death He lived with his sister until he was 14, when he undertook the solution of the problem of self-maintenance. He learned the trades of cooper and plasterer, which he followed winters and summers alternately in Cumberland Co., Pa., for some years. He was there married to Frances Swiler, Dec. 25, 1846. She was born in the same county Feb. 22, 1827. They lived there until 1850, when they removed to Ohio and were residents in Hancock County until the year in which they came to Illinois. While there, Mr. Bailey was engaged in the business of plasterer and he also operated as a farmer. In the fall of 1855 he set out with his family for an overland trip to the West, journeying in the common manner. They passed 2 1 days on the road between Ohio and Warren County. Soon after his arrival, Mr. Bailey bought 160 acres of land on section n in the same township in which he is now a property holder. It had been previously occupied, and there was a log house for the accommodation of the family and 20 acres of the land had been broken. Mr. Bailey continued the purchase of land until he was at one time the owner of more than 400 acres. The buildings and stock on the place are of excellent type.

In political faith Mr. Bailey is a Republican. In former days he was a Whig, and passed through the phases of the changes between that party and the one to which he at present belongs. He has been Assessor and Collector of Spring Grove Township. He and his wife are members of the Church of God. and he is an Elder in the local organization.

The record of the children of the family is as follows: Ira, the oldest son, is a farmer in Nemaha Co., Kan. Agnes is the wife of William Postlewait, of Spring Grove Township. Jacob and Lincoln reside in the same township and are married. Harry lives at home with his parents.

j ruman Eldridg, one of the pioneer settlers of Warren County, and a gentleman possessing more than ordinary ability as a business man, with a large amount of practical knowledge obtained by actual experience, who at present resides at Roseville, is a native of Massachusetts, having been born in Hancock, Berkshire Co., that State, April 24, 1808. The parents of Mr. Eldridg, Thomas and Rachel (Hall) Eldridg, were natives of Massachusetts. Thomas Eldridg, Sr., together with his wife, the grandparents, moved from Rhode Island to Massachusetts at an early day. They made their way thither on horseback by means of blazed trees which were marked to indicate the road. Thomas, Sr., followed the vocation of a farmer, and, with his wife, continued to reside there until their death. Thomas Eldridg, Jr., the son of Thomas, Sr., and wife, lived in Berkshire Co., Mass., until about 1845, when they moved and located in Rensselaer County, he following the occupation of a farmer in that county until his death. His wife also died in that county. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, all of whom grew t<? attain the age of manhood and womanhood. Their names were Heman, James H., Thomas B., Truman, Norman A., Nathaniel A., Thyerressa G., Elvira S. and Mary. Three of them, Truman, Norman and Nathaniel are yet living.

The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice was the fourth in order of birth of his father's family. He remained at home until 21 years old, alternating his labors on the farm with attendance at the common schools. After leaving the parental roof-tree he worked out, laying stone walls and taking such jobs as he could procure to obtain a livelihood. At 20 years of age, before leaving the old homstead, he commenced teaching school during winters, and was occupied in that vocation for five seasons. He then engaged in partnership with a gentleman in a country store, his partner being Erastus Brown, at North Stephentown, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., which partnership existed for three years, when Mr. Eldridg sold his interest and, in 1836, came to this State and county. On arrival here he '' took up " 240 acres of land near Hat Grove, on which he remained for about three months. He then returned to South Williamstown, Berkshire Co., Mass., and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed for about two years, until the first of September, 1838. He then returned to this county determined to make it his permanent abiding place, and during the winter of 1838 stopped at Swan Creek. He went into the woods, cut down his timber and hewed and framed the same, preparatory to the erection of a residence. He then hauled it four miles to his prairie farm and the 2d day of April, 1839, raised the then palace residence of Warren County. It was 24x24 feet in dimensions and one and a half stories in height, and was at that time considered a most magnificent residence for the then undeveloped portion of Warren County. Mr. Eldridg at once engaged actively and energetically upon the task of improving his farm, determined to make it his permanent abiding place for all time to come, and improve and beautify it until it became one of the most pleasant homes, as it has, in this part of the county. When Mr. Eldridg came here in 1839 the country was new and undeveloped, at one point of the compass his nearest neighbor being three miles and the other 12 miles. He nevertheless had great faith in the future development of the country and resolved to " stick it out," which he did, and by so doing succeeded in accumulating a competency,

In this, the sunset of his life, while his hair is streaked with silver threads of years past and gone, he looks back to those pioneer days with no small degree of pleasure.

The marriage of Mr. Eldridg to Miss Alma Jones, occurred Jan. 12, 1839. She was a native of Rensselaer Co., N. Y., having been born in that State, April 2, 1808, the same year as her husband ; and be it said to her credit that during the trials of the past and the privations incident to the early settlement of a new country, she bore her part with that womanly fortitude of which she is characteristic. Of their union one child was born, - Irene E., who became the wife of Edwin R. Smith, of Monmouth. He died in 1867, leaving one daughter, - Edna B. Mr. and Mrs. Eldridg adopted Flora A. Jones, who became the wife of Dr. H. E. Aylsworth, and by him she had three children, - Murray, Mabel and Iran. Dr. Aylsworth died in 1865.

Mr. and Mrs. Eldridg are members of the Baptist Church, as are likewise both of their daughters. Mr. Eldridg was the the first Postmaster in the village of Roseville, which was originally called Hat Grove. In politics he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has held offices within the gift of the citizens of his township. He has been the owner since he came to this county of three quarter-sections of land, a portion of which he has sold, and a portion has been incorporated within the limits of the village of Roseville.

i illiam P. Sykes, deceased, formerly a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 9, Monmouth Township, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. n, 1805. Mr. Sykes was the son of Henry Sykes, a \^ native of England, who emigrated to the United States in company with two brothers some years previous to his marriage. He was accidentally killed by falling from the top of a house in Philadelphia, which accident occurred when William P. was but a small child. The mother of the subject of this notice died in Philadelphia, Aug. 29, 1835. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, was the youngest in order of birth of his parents' five children. After the death of his father, which, as stated, occurred when he was quite young, William P. lived with his mother, attending the common schools and assisting in her maintenance, until his marriage. In his early years he had learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, at which he worked, obtaining remuneration sufficient to enable him to procure the necessities of life and support his mother, and amass a property worth $3,000. At his death he had property valued at $40,0.00

He was married in Lancaster Co., Pa., to Jane Ramble, daughter of a respected and wealthy miller of Lancaster County. Some 15 months after his marriage and after one child had been born to them, Mrs. Sykes died, the date thereof being 1828, her child having preceded her to the land of the hereafter.

Mr. Sykes had learned his trade with a Mr. Eagle in Lancaster Co., Pa., and about 1825 engaged in the business of undertaker, which he followed for some years, meeting with success. Eight years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Sykes was again married in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., Pa., the.< date in which he formed a union with Miss Anna C. Linville being Dec. 29, 1836. She was a daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth (Haines) Linville, who re-, sided in Lancaster County the major portion of their lives, and where her father was engaged in the vocation of farming. Her father was appointed Justice of the Peace for Lancaster County by Gov. Rittner. He died in this county Nov. 29, 1857, aged 65 years; his wife dying in Logan Co., Ohio, Sept. |n, 1846, aged 50 years. Mrs. Sykes' brother, Jacob H. Linville, of Philadelphia, is one of the celebrated civil engineers of the present day, having assisted to construct the St. Louis and Brooklyn bridges. He is now President of the Keystone Bridge Company.

Mrs. Sykes, wife of the subject of this notice, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Aug. 25, 1819. She received a good education in the common schools, and was brought up under the influence of the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, to which denomination her parents belong. Mrs. S. was the eldest child but one in order of birth of a family of n children. About one year after the birth of their first child, William A., who was born Oct. 16, 1837, and died in Warren County in 1853, at the age of 16 years, they came West, settling upon a farni of 160 acres, had formerly belonged to General Harding. On this place, Mr. Sykes at once went to work with a view to making it an abiding place for himself and family for all time to come. He added to his landed possessions but disposed subsequently of his additional purchases and at the time of his death was the owner of 160 acres of good farm land. Mrs. Sykes, since the death of her husband, has increased her acreage in the county by purchasing 87 acres on section 17, the same township, which is also under a high state of cultivation, and she is also the owner of 240 acres of well improved land in Nebraska. The homestead farm on which she resides is under an advanced state of cultivation and has a good residence, together with substantial outbuildings upon it.

Mr. S., while living, was honored with all the minor offices within the gift of the people of his township, and politically, was a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party. He was a wellrespected and honored citizen of Warren County, 'and like his wife, who then as she is still, was an active member in support of the Presbyterian -Church. His death occurred Dec. 13, 1875. A >second child was born of their union - Charles L., the date of his birth being Jan. 17, 1855. His demise occurred Dec. 16, 1871.

of Bengtson, deceased, of the township of Spring Grove, was a native of Sweden, and was born in Christianstadt, Dec. 5, 1823. He was reared a farmer and was well educated "|(j in the common schools of the province where lie was born. The town was several miles distant from the farm on which he was born and brought up, and when he was 17 he succeeded to the entire charge of the homestead estate. Soon after entering upon the duties of the position, he opened a store and supplied the adjoining community with groceries. He continued this line of traffic as long as he remained in the land of his birth.

voyage of seven weeks he landed at the port of New York. He made no tarry there but came directly to Illinois. He made a stay of a few months in Knox County and came thence to Monmouth. He continued in that place until 1856, when he bought i 60 acres of land on section 1 1 in Spring Grove Township. It was in a wholly unimproved condition, and he at on« e built a shanty for a shelter and proceeded to the work of putting the land in a satisfactory condition. He was at the time a single man, and as long as he remained such he discharged the duties of his domestic establishment after a pattern of his own. He was married May 3, 1857, to Anna Rem, daughter of Nils and Caroline Rem. She is a native of the eastern part of Sweden, where she was born in 183.7. She came to this country in 1855. Immediately after their union in marriage they commenced their house-keeping in the board house which had been the home of the husband during the days of his bachelorhood, and which they occupied eight years. Meanwhile Mr. Bengtson had bought the northwest quarter of section 14 in the same township, and at the expiration of the time named he moved his family there. He improved all the land he had at first purchased and fenced it. He erected a good frame house on the land he bought secondarily, and that was his home until his death, which transpired July 18, 1885. He was one of the most successful farmers in the township and accumulated territory until he was the owner of 515 acres of land, which was all situated in the same township where he at first became a land-holder. He was from first to last engaged in mixed farming. Politically, he was a radical Republican, ai.d after becoming a citizen of this State he was fearless in the advocacy of his principles and always acted consistently with his convictions.

To him and his' surviving wife six children were born, four of whom lived to realize the condition of the fatherless. Minnie is married to Nels A. Holmer. Her husband is a native of Christianstadt, Sweden, and was born March 13, 1862. He continued to reside in his native country until he had reached manhood, and in 1880 he came to America, He set out from home Marcli 10, and celebrated his birthday on the North Sea. After landing at New York he came immediately to Warren County. He was married Aug. 22, 1884. Their children are Anna and Alma. They reside with the widowed mother on the Bengtson homestead. Edward, Carrie and Harry are the names of the remaining children who are the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Holmer.

: srael Jared, of Point Pleasant Township, is one of the leading agriculturists of Warren County. He is the owner of a considerable tract of land in the township in which he is a resident, and also of a considerable acreage in Swan Township. His residence is on section 23.

Mr. Jared was born in Bedford Co., Va., Aug. 5, 1829. His father, John Jared, was born in the same county, in 1795. The latter grew to the age and ambitions of manhood in the county where he was born, and where he was married, to Elizabeth Bandy. She was born in the same county, in 1800, and was therefore but 14 when she became a wife in 1814. They remained in the "old Dominion" until 1830, when they emigrated to Kentucky. They resided in Breckenridge County, in that State, until 1835, when they came to Morgan Co., 111. They passed a year there and at the end of a twelvemonth they came to Warren County, landing May 6, 1836. They settled on a tract of land in Swan Township, which was designated " patent " land. It was situated on section 5, and they also purchased a piece of timber on section 8. On the former a log house was built, which had clapboards for a roof and a puncheon floor. The chimney was built outside and was constructed of earth and sticks of wood. The death of John Jared occurred in the pioneer home, in May, 1844. His widow was the occupant of the place until her death, April i, 1879. Of their family of 13 children nine are still living. Ruth is married to John Simmons and they are located in Nodaway Co., Mo.; Joseph resides in Hamilton, same State; John lives in Allen Co., Kan. ; Thomas is located in Roseville, 111.; Mr. Jared, of this sketch, is next in order of birth; Benjamin F., who was Second Lieutenant in the late war, lives in Wayne Co., Iowa; James is a farmer in Swan Township; Elizabeth married A. L. Bair, of Allen Co., Kan.; and Miriam L. is the wife of Caleb Bair, of Roseville, 111. The children of John Jared who are deceased, were: William, who died in 1873, in his 6gth year, leaving four children; George, who died in his i2th year; Polly Ann, wife of James C. Emerick, who died in 1868, in her 4oth year, leaving six children ; and Agnes, wife of Thomas Bair, who died Aug. 8, 1871, in her 341!) year, leaving four children.