Webster, Illinois

The village of Fountain Green was laid out in 1835, by Jabez A. Beebe and Stephen G. Ferris, two of its early and enterprising settlers. The township also contains the town of Webster. This was originally a Mormon town, laid out in 1840 by Wm. Wightman, and called Ramus, or Macedonia. After they left, its name was changed to Webster. Its population in 1815 had reached about 600, mostly Mormons. The villages are only about a mile apart; the first is much better built than the latter, and seems to be in a more flourishing condition.

Passage source: History of Hancock County, Illinois, Together with an Outline History of the State, and a Digest of State Laws, published 1880.

John M. J. Cox was born in Breckenridge county, Ky., in 1820. He was the 3d in a family of 6 children; Benjamin and Elizabeth, the father and mother. ' The father was born in Westminster county. Pa., in 1774. The mother, whose maiden name was Midcap, was a Virginian by birth. Mr. Cox was a farmer in early life, receiving the merest benefits of the subscription schools, traveling four miles to procure what he did. He has one sister in this tp., the wife of George McElvain. After spending a fewyears on the farm with liis father, he hegan teaching, and followed that business during the winter terms for eight or ten years. He was married to Miss Elizabeth E. Welch, tlie daughter of James "Welch, an early settler of this county. They have no children. In 1872 Mr. Cox purchased an interest in the store run by Riley & "Wright in 1873, but sold out to Smith ifc Booze. In the spring of 1876 he engaged in business with John B. "Welch, who went "VYest in 1878. Hethen moved the goods to where he now holds forth in the village of "Webster, doing a general merchandising business. He was appointed Postmaster in 1876, which position he now holds. Mr. C. has held the office of Justice of the Peace 20 years. He is a sound Republican and a genial friend; this, with the pleasant address of his lady (which is a characteristic of the Welch family), cause all to feel comfortable in their presence.

Passage source: History of Hancock County, Illinois, Together with an Outline History of the State, and a Digest of State Laws, published 1880.

Joel Howd was born in Oneida county, N. Y., 1821, the second son of Isaac and Anna (Johnson) Howd, both of Connecticut. The mother died in Oneida county, N. Y., in February, 1833, 34 years of age. The father came to this State and died at Pontoosuc, this county, March, 1856, 56 years of age. Joel in earlj^ life attended the farm with his father, during which time a white swelling caused one of his lower limbs to become shorter than the other. The family emigrated to Pilot Grove tp., and were the first to turn the sod on sec. 16. The sad misfortune which befel Joel caused him to look for an occupation better suited to his physical condition ; he therefore went to Warsaw in 1841 and remained three j'ears, learning the tailor's trade. He began business in that line at Webster, about the time the Mormons made their exit, 1846, which he continued till 1855; he then began a general merchandising business in the same place which he has since continued, and is now doing a successful business. Mr. H. during this time held the postoffice twenty-four years, resigning in 1875; was also J. P. for a number of years. March 26, 1849, he was married to Hester Mc- Elvain, whose parents had emigratedifrom Ohio; have 4 children living; Inez, the wife of Geurge Evans, a merchant of Burnside; Sarah J. wifeof B.Wright, of Fountain Green; Hattie E. and Nellie

Passage source: History of Hancock County, Illinois, Together with an Outline History of the State, and a Digest of State Laws, published 1880.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Fountain Green Township - it names this place 3 more 3 times.