Banner Township

Banner Township

This township is one of the five townships of this county that border on the Illinois river, and of these it is the one farthest north. In an early day there was al)iindance of game in this township, and indeed it has always been noted as being a good hunting and fishing ground for sportsmen. Among the wild animals found here were the deer, wild turkeys, wolves, an occasional bear, wild-cats, lynx, and all the smaller native animals. In the lakes along the river and u])on that stream are found abundance of wild ducks, geese and other game. A large number of hoop-snakes and rattlesnakes formerly abounded here; also the black, garter, copj)erhead, blue racers and other snakes, and salamanders, commonly called lizards. The swam])s abound in frogs and musquitocs.

The first settler to locate in the township was Joseph Anderson. He moved to Canton townshij) in 182.3. The first marriage was William Powell to ]Miss Margaret McOan. They were united by Richard Tompkins. To this couple the first child was born. The first mill and distillery were run by Brooks & Cogswell in 1835. The first tavern was kept by Alex. Wilson and was known as the Half-way House, being half-way betMcen Canton and the landing on the Illinois river. The first warehouse was built by Ira Mills, who came here from tin; East as a missionary " to enlighten the heathen." He expended the money given him in building his warehouse on the Illinois river at the mouth of Copperas creek.

Moiifrrci/, which is located in the northern [)art of this township, was first settled in 1848. The first store building was built by David Martin. Samuel Null kept the first tavern, and Eli Lyons the first tannery. Burnett ct Lyons started the first boot and shoe shop. Dorrance <S: Perkins opened the first <b'v-goods store. This place, Troy and othe:- })laces did good business in an early day, before the adv nt of railroads, but since then they have not })rogressed as other [/laces ; indeed they have gone down. There is but one store at Monterey now. This is kept by Zachariah Weaver. There is one wagon shop, run by Lewis Ketchum. W. A. Webb keeps a boot and shoe shop. The school-house was erected in 1859. A. Swartz is Justice of the Peace.

Centennial Chapel 31. E. Church. - The church building of this congregation, which is located at Monterey, was erected in 1876. Among those who gave most liberally toward its erection were John W. Johnson, J. Addis, Simon Addis^ Jacob Weaver, Wm. Turner.

Will. n. Babeook, J. McKiiiley, T, Y(>nn<!: and S. Kotolinm ; in Aict the liberality of tiie jK'ople was maiiitested in this enterprise. The widows gave their mites and every one did the most he coidd. Ellis Hitehens was the first })reacher, and he built the society nj) very rapidly. It now numliers about 100 mendicrs.

Joxcph S. Addis, farmer, see. 5, Banner tj). ; V. O., Canton. His father, Aaron I). Addis, was a native of Xew Jersey and died Jan. 23, 1873, in Fulton Co.; his mother, Jane E., also a native of New Jersey, is still living and resides at the old homestead ; they emigrated with a moving wagon to Illinois in 1(S37, first located at Fairview, then in Buckheart tp., and finally in Banner tp. Joseph S. was born in Banner tp. Oct. 11, 1848, educated in the common schools, and Eeb. '27, 1873, married Emma C. Weller, Avho was born in New Jersey June 13, 1852. Their chikb-enare Aaron D., Luella IVIay and Lottie. Mr. Addis has served as Town Collector and School Trustee: has 100 acres of good land. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife are both members of the Methodist Protestant Church.

John W. Ashh'ij, farmer, sec. 29. Mr. A. was born in New Jersey in 1836, and is the son of William and Jemima (Cooper) Ashley. The elder Ashley came to Illinois in 1841 or '42, and John W. came to Fulton county in 185() from his native State. In 1859 he was married. He is a niend)er of the Methodist Church and a Republican in politics. He has a fine farm of 200 acres.

Wm. H. Bahcock, farmer, Monterey ; P. O., Canton ; was born Jan. 18, 1835, in Yates Co., N. Y. ; married Miss Lucy Swartz, of Buflalo, N. Y. ; their children are FAhi V., Emma J., Willie, Lucy Anna and Charhvs Abrani.

A/sirorfli Hokcr was in the war of 1812. He served in the Black Hawk war, and when Black Hawk was taken he was sent to convey the news to Gen. Scott near Galena. He started out horseback, and while camping on th(> ]>rairie ov(>r night his horse was scared by a deer and ran otf. He was then left to trudge along on foot, which he manfully did, swimming the Fever river, and arrived safely before the General and delivered the dispatch.

George .S. Bdts, fu'iner, sec. 21, Banner tp. ; P. O., Canton. His parents, Lewis and Elizabeth (Ray) were natives of Pennsylvania. He was bopi March 2, 1841, in that State, emigrated to Wisconsin,

William L. Beefs, farmer, sec. 19, Banner township, was born in Highland county, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1851. His parent-^ are Elihu and Sarah (Daugherty) Beets, the former a native of A'irginia and the latter of Ohio. William had the advantages of only the common schools of this county at which to gain an education. He has been moderately successful in his chosen calling.

James S. Bool: was born in Pennsvlvania 28 vears ago, the son of George and Jane (Jackson) Book; spent his early life burning lime for public works; came to Fulton Co. in 1877, and is now a farmer. Green backer.

L. D. Boi/er is a native son of Fulton Co. His father, Caleb ]5oyer, was a native of Ohio, and his mother, Olive Boyer, iiec Waklron, was born in New York State. They were among the early settlers of this county. They located near Lewistown in 1832. L. D. attended the common schools of the county when a boy and gathered a fair education. For some time his occupation was running a saw-mill. He is engaged in farming at present in company with his two younger brothers. They have a fine farm and own it jointly.

Difazoii BiirlKDis, farmer, sec. 18; P. O., Canton. His father, Peter I., was a native of New York State and died in 1863; his mother, Sabr'^na (Seeley), was born in Connecticut, and died in 1855. Dilazon was born in Kingston, Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1822; married Miss Jane M. Turck at Saiigerties, N. Y., April 29, 1843, who was of the same age and nativity, and they have had 6 children, as follows: ]S[elissa, born in 1844 and died April 25, 1846; Eugene, born in 1846 and died Oct. 13, 1866; Charles H., born Jan. 25, 1850, and died June 7, 1852; John Harvey, born July 16, 1853; Adrian, born Nov. 13,1859; and Wesley, born Oct. 22, 1861. Mr. B. was formerly a carpenter and worked as a contractor. He now owns 225 acres of land. He and his wife joined the M, E. Church 37 years ago, but are now mend)ers of the M. P. Church. Democrat. Emigration, first to Brooklyn, N. Y., thence in 1860 to this county, where they have ever since resided, except 5 years back in N, Y. and Penn. Mr. B. says that his forefathers have been natives of this country as far back as 1646, when two brothers came from Holland, one of which settled in New York, the other in Kingston on the Hudson river. One of the brothers was the first 'Squire of New York and also of Ulster county, N. Y. The families have increased, and there are some of them living in various parts of the East and West. Mr. D. Burhans' grandparents lived at Kingston when it was burnt up by the British.

Thomas Bi/hrr was born in Fnlton Co. Aj)ril 15, 1853, and is the son of Ju(l<^o and jNIarv flano (liinengcr) ]Jybc'o. His grandfather was among the earliest settlers in the State. Thomas reecived his education in the common schools of this county, and by occupation is a farmer. He has been successful, and at present owns 3'20 acres of land. He was married in 1875 and has two children, - James and Mary Jane.

WilHrnn Gihson was born in lieaver Co., Pa., Aug. 7, 1833. He resides at present upon section 8, Banner townshi]>, where he is engaged in farming. The ])arents of our subject are Wm. and Hopey (^liller) Gibson, natives of the Keystone State. Mr. G. came to Fulton county in 1855 and ten years later was married to Agnes Beck. They have a family of 0 children, - 4 boys and 2 girls, all of whom are living. He belongs to the ]M. E. Church and is a Republican in politics.

Henrij II. Ilerr, farmer, sec. 7; P. O., Canton. Parents, Abraham and Fanny (Donor) Herr, were Pennsylvanians, and are now deceased. The subject of our sketch was also born in Pa. ; educated in Litiz AcachMny ; member of Co. A, 3()th Vet. Reg., in the war, mustered out July, 18G5; nuirried Susan Kinzic Xov. 5, 1850, who was a native of Montgouu-ry Co., Pa. Although Mr. H. commenced with nothing in this township, he has made himself a fine home, with 240 acres of land. Jiaptist. Republican.

John ir. Johnson, fanner, Monterey; P. ()., Canton, 111. His parents, Abraham and Martha (Crawford) Johnson, were natives of Pennsylvania ; she died in Jan., 1840, and he in Aug., 1871. John W., born in W. Va., came to Buckheart townshij) in March, 1857, then to the place where he now resides. He has been Commissioner of Highways and is now Su})ervisor. In 18(50 he married Miss E. J. Johnson, of l^uckheart township, who was born in 1840 in Washington Co., Penn. Their children are Patience Emma, born in 1862 ; Albert Wilber, born in 1864 and died in 1869 ; and Anthony Edgar, born in Fcl)., 18()S. Methodist Protestant. Republican. Owns 112 acres of land.

Maffhias Linfjcnfrltcr was i)orn in liedford county. Pa., Feb. 21, 1833, and is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Clear) Lingenfelter, natives of the Keystone State. Our sid)j(H't received his education in the common schools of his native State, and canu^ to this county in 1848, and located in Buckheart township. His father died in 1876 and his mother is still living. By occupation Mr. L. is a farmer and has run a threshing-machine for 20 years. He began work at the blacksmithing trade when 10 years old and continued at it until he was 27, and still works at it. He is the owner of 560 acres of land in this county. He was married July 12, 1855, to Rebecca Evans. This union has resulted in th(> birth of 14 children, - 0 bovs and 5 twirls. Four of the sons are dead. Mr. L. is a member of the German Baptist Church. He resides upon sec. 30 ; P. C, Canton.

Wakh'on Van 3[id(Uesworfh, farmer, sec. 8; P. O., Canton. His parents, Cornelius W. and Jane (Addis) Van M., were natives of N. J.; father died in l.S()7, and mother still living, in Canton, and about 70 years old. Waldron was born July 12, 1838, in Newark, N. J., married Liuira Counterman May 19, 1861, in this tp. ; she was born Sept. 13, 1840, in this State. Their children are Willie G., born April 19, 18G2, and Janie, March 5, 1809. Mr. Van M. has a brother, Addis James, and a sister, Mary Neumire, married and living in Stark Co. He has been a manufacturer of sorghnm molasses for nearly 14 years. Has been Town Collector. Methodist Protestant. Democrat.

J. M. Feters, farmer, sec. 16, Banner tp. ; P. O., Canton ; was born in this township in 1851 ; June 5, 1879, married Patience Prior, who is a member of the Church. He is a Democrat.

John A. Polliit is a native of this county and a son of one of the pioneers of the county. He was born ]\Iarch 14, 18oo,and his parents were Alexander and Mary E. ( Estes ) I'ullitt, natives of Kentucky. In 1875 John was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ball. Clara Mav is the name of their child. Mr. P. is enoafjed in farming upon sec. 28 ; P. O., Bryant.

Andrew Rock, farmer, sec. 31, was born in Franklin Co., Pa., Aug. 20, 1816, and is the son of Thomas and p:iizal)eth (Dull) Rock. The former was of Scottish descent, and the latter of German descent and a native of Pennsylvania. Andrew came to Canton, this county, in 1851 and engaged in car])entering, at which trade he was worked for many years. He then moved uj)on his farm and has improved it all himself. He was married to Susanna ^lonu in 1839, who bore him 12 children, - I boys and 8 girls, - 11 of whom are living.

Mdi-ji M. 7\'or/f/-.s' was born in Indiana in 1828; her father was Wm. Guilliams, of Tennessee, who died in 1849, and her mother, Edith Williams, of the same State, is still living, aged about 84. Mrs. R. first emigrated to Rock Island, thence to Missouri, and thence to Fulton Co. 22 years ago. June 16, 1849, in Missouri, she married Joseph Rogers, who had served in the Mexican war and subsequently in Co. A, 31st Reg. 111. Vet., in the late war: he enlisted Oct. 4, 1864, and was mustered out July 19, 1865. He died in January, 1874, at the age of 49. Their children are: James Wesley, John Farmer, ]Mary Jane, Josej)h Franklin, Wm. Douglas and Clara Amanda. Mrs. R. has 96 acres of land on sec. 9, Jianner tp., and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her husband was a Democrat.

Will. F. N/z/jy^NO//, brick-layer and })]asterer, Monterey; P. O., Canton. His father, Wm. J., was a native of Kentucky, who emigrated to Indiana and thence to Illinois in 1849, and died Sept., 1853; his mother's maiden name was Mary Logan : she was born in Kentucky and died June 1, 1862, in Illinois. Wm. F. was born June 11, 1826, in Ky., educated in the country schools, enlisted in Co. I, 86th 111. Inf., promoted to Sergeant, and since has held the offices of School Director and Constable. Nov. 22, 1853, he married Ophelia Spencer, who was born June 6, 1833, in Cole Co., III. They have had 8 children, namelv : T. A., born in 1857 ; Marv J., 1858; E. L., 1859; Tavlor, 1861*, died Jan., 1863; Ida S., 1863; Minnie, 1866 ; Dilard, "l870 ; and Jessie, 1876. Methodist Protestant. Republican.

Henry Siiiith was born in Canada, of Dutch ancestry, and came to Fulton Co. in 184U. In Canada his wages as a farm hand was always very small, but by industry and economy he is now able to own the east half of sec. 17, Banner tp. June 18, 1846 he married Elizabeth Hutchison. They have had no children of their own but have brought uj> two, - Josephine and Willard Maloon. The girl is in Iowa, married; the boy still at home. German Baptists. Republican.

William H. Smith, farmer. Banner tp. ; P. O., Canton. His father, Henry, a native of Prussia, 1777, emigrated to this country in 1799, and married Marv Frv, a native of the Ignited States, who died in Fulton Co., Feb. 14, 1829 ; he died Dec. 4, 1865. Wm. H. was born Feb. 4, 1819, in Jefferson Co., Va. ; married May 24, 1839, Mary Bybee, who died Oct. 3, same year; Nov. 19, 1840, Elizabeth Wilcoxen, who died April 4, 1863 ; lastly, Abby Mason May 6, 1866. Children: Henry, J(»hn, Mary V., Frances, Lavina, Louisa J., Elizabeth A., Marshall, Charlotte, James D., Wm. Henry, Elizabeth C, Charley, Hattie and Marcus. Mary V. married G. R. Cobleigh ; Frances, C. N. Coykmtlall ; Louisa J., James R. Ellis; Elizabeth, (i. C. Glassford, and Marshall was married to Rettie Spencer. Wm. H. is a Democrat, and has been Supervisor, Town Clerk, Trustee, Justice of the Peace, etc. His father fought against Great Britain in the war of 1812, and was a prominent man in Fulton Co. during his life.

Miss Jane Reid, a native of Winchester, Va., in 1838, in Lewistown, 111.; they have had 10 children, 8 of whom are living, - Margaret C. (deceased), Edgar C, Stuart M., Lycurgus S., Richard B. (deceased), Martha J., Adaline L., Thomas N., Ellen M. and Susan F. The family came from New York to Fulton Co. in 1837 and settled in Canton; followed farming; in 1855 bought the farm they now occupy on sec. 1, - 87 acres.

James Turner was born near Perryville, Mercer Co., Ky., Oct., 1813. His parents. Starling and Sophia (Carver) Turner, emigrated from Kentucky to Sugar Grove, Sangamon (now Menard) Co., 111., in the fall of 1831, and in the following spring to sec. 13, Buckheart tp., with 10 children; they had 13 altogether. Mr. T. died Feb. 22, 1871, aged 94 years. James Turner married Sara A.Carver, daughter of Pleasant M. Carver, of Ky., April 25, 1837; she was born June 19, 1813. They have a iiunily of 9 children, - Henry F., Mary A., Louisa M., Wm. P., Eliza J., Lydia A., Benj. F., Alice E. and James B., - all living and all married. They are all in Stark Co., 111., except Alice, Benj. and Wm., who are in this county. Starling Turner was an early Abolitionist and left Kentucky on account of slavery. He also took a deep interest in astronomy. Methodist.

Henri/ Wfir/cs, farmer, sec. 8; P. O., Canton. His father, Ephraim, was born in Maryland, and died in 1849; his mother, Nancy (Buckingham), was also born in Md.,and died in Sept., 1870. Henry was born in Muskingum Co., O., in 1829; came, with his parents, to Fulton Co. in 1832, to Monterey in 1835, and to his present neighborhood in 1841 ; married Mary J. Brinager in 1856, Nancy J. Higgins, a native of Clark Co., Ky., in 1861, and thirdlv Mrs. Marv Bvbee. Children - John Henrv, l)<)rn Nov. 25, 1867, 'and Clara K., born Dec. 25, 1870, and died" June 16, 1871. His second wife had 6 children by her first husband. Mr. W. owns 240 acres of land. Democrat.

Zachnrinh Weaver, merchant, ]\Ionterey ; P. O., Canton. His parents were Jatob and Jane (Patchell), the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylvania and died Nov. 2, 1840. They emigrated from Ohio to this State, arriving Nov. 8, 1841. Zachariah was born in Hamilton Co., O., Nov. 30, 1830, educated in the country schools, and March 8, 1854, married Rachel A. Rogers in I>iverpool tp. ; she was born in Saline Co., Mo., Sept. 18, 1830. Children: Benj. F., born 1858, died 1.S64; Maria, Feb. 21,1861, died in 1862; Emma Jane, April 18, 1862. Mr. W. was formerly a farmer, and has been School I)ir<>ctor and Pathmaster. Methodist Protestant. Democrat.

H. J. W/iifniore was born in Pennsylvania in 1827. His father, Joseph B., was a native of Maryland, married jNIiss Harclerood, of the same State, and had 6 childi'cn, - H. J., Mary Jane ( now Mrs. Corwin), Simon Peter, Ann A. (now Mrs. Griffin), David W., Lizzie (now Mrs. Hemenover, a widow) and James. The family came to Fulton Co. in 1844 and settled on see. 30, Orion tp., buying 19G acres, ^vhieh he still owns, but he resides now in Canton. His wife died July 16, 1863. Mr. H. J. W. married Annie Suydam, and they have had 4 children, 3 now living, - Xorali (now Mrs. Richey), Belle and Ciiarles E. Mrs. W. died, and Mr. W. subsequently married Tillie Griffin, a native of Pennsylvania. They have had G children, 5 now living, - Arthur, Dollie, Lillie (deceased), Daisy, Bertie and Russell. Mr. W. resides on his farm of 200 acres, sec. 6 of Banner tp., and also owns 100 acres in Buckheart tp. For 20 years he followed grain-threshing and was agent for the sale of threshers. At present he is engaged in buying and shipping stock in connection with farming. He is now Superintendent of the Fulton County Fair-Ground Association.

Below may be found a schedule of the township officials serving since the organization of the township, together with the years of serving :