Bear Creek Township

Bear Creek Township

Township 4 - 7 received its name from a crooked and ugly stream which meanders through it, heading in the township above and passing into Walker, enters Adams county, emptying into the Mississippi above Quinc^'. This, like St. Alban's, is about half prairie and half timbered lands. The C, B. & Q. railroad passes about centrally through it from north to sonth. It contains its one village, Basco, lying on said road, near the center of the township, laid out Feb., 1871, by Wm. S. Woods. It occupies the same, or nearly the same, site as Somerset, a town laid out in 1853 by Abraham Baldwin, and since vacated.

Among the names of the earliest settlers in Bear Creek township, we recall those of James S. Kimball and his sons, Sidney A. Knowlton, Richard Wilton, Thomas Graham, Samnel Russell, Thomas Morgan, Nicliolas Wren, Elijah Pike, John Pike, Moses Van Winkle, Robert Wilhite, Elder Addis, Jesse Carnes, John Carnes, Jesse Gordon, Thompson Frakes, Riley Young, Thomas and Edward Daw, James Tweed, W. A. Patterson, Andrew and Wm. S. Moore, James and G. W. Wedding, Mahlon Fell, Wra. Meredith, Vernon Doty, Peter and John Fry, James Boyles, Cornelius Elson, Lafibrd Totten, W. W. Mason, Hiram Simmons, Felix G. Monrning, Samuel AJeGee, Guilford Fuller, Henry Kent, David Cole. William George, James M. Charles, Dr. Alvin Thompsoi', William Wallace, John Pavy, Wm. B. Skinner, John Hutf, David Bedford, Benjamin G. Wright, David Crow.

Of the above we note specially James S. Kimball and Sidney A. Knowlton, the former from New Hampshire and the latter from Ohio, who emigrated together in 1S35. The Kimballs were Methodists, the Knowlton's were " Campbellites," but both subsequently joined the Mormons and removed to Salt Lake with them, leaving this county in 1847. Mr. Kimball died in Salt Lake ten years thereafter, and Mr. Knowlton at a later period, each near about the ao:e of 70. Their widows were still living as late as 1875.

Richard Wilton will be remembered as having been elected School Commissioner of Hancock county in 1841, the first year of contest between the old citizens and Mormons. Mr. Wilton left the county a few years afterward. Subsequently h'is farm came into possession of Benjamin ^i. Wright, Esq., a native of Belmont county, Ohio. Mr. Wright was a remarkable man; had been educated in the common schools onh'; was possessed of a strong mind; a deep thinker; radical in his opinions, which he embraced without inquiry as to their popularity or ortliodoxy. He did not remain long in the county. Desiring to settle his family whei-e land was (608) cheaper, he removed to Henry county in this State, where he procured a large body of land and settled his sons each on a farm around him. There he was residing when the Rebellion broke out. He had long ago eml)raced the doctrines of the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions, and hence when these troubles arose he was strongly in favor of allowing " the wayward sisters to go in peace." His opposition to the war and the war measures of President Lincoln became so violent as to render him extremely unpopular in his county. In 1872 he was put on the extreme Democratic bolters' ticket fiir Governor - of course, with no hope of an election. He received but 25 votes in this coiinty. Mr. W. was still living Jan., ISSO, at an advanced age of about SO years.

Religious Peogress

We have but a meager report of religious matters for Bear Creek township. The town of Basco contains its solitaiT church edifice, built by the L^uited Presbyterians, now owned and occupied by the Methodist Episcopal, who have for their pastor Bev. Mr. Madison, who has been preaching several years in that and the adjacent townships. On the east line, near the noi'theast corner, stands another church belonging to the Baptist denomination, which has been in existence somewhere near thirty years. We know of no other Church organizations in the township.

Personal Sketches

William H. Allen, carpenter, was born in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1833; remained at home until his marriage to Eleanora McGinnis 1854; she was a native of West Virginia; aliout six months afterward Mr. Allen moved to Portage City, Columbia county. Wis., where he remained one year; he then lived in Clarke county. Mo., two years, then in Fulton county. 111., one year, then in Bushnell a few years, which place he helped to found; after moving around elsewhere he finally located at Carthage, 111., where he has helped to build many of the fine residences and publicbuildings to be seen there. In 1878 he moved to Basco, where he now resides and works at his chosen profession. His children are, Lorilla R., William D., Elmer M. (dec), Frank W., Charles G. and Louisa M. (dec). Mr. Allen served in the army during the war, being engaged in many hard-fought battles to save his country, as Pittsburg Landing, Vicksburg. Fort Donelson, etc. He enlisted at Fountain Green, this

James A. Anderson., tanner, was born in Bottetonrt county, Ya., in ISiO, and was the son of Matthew and Mary A. (McClure) Anderson; at 19 he went to Colorado, where he lived four years; returning, he located on the farm where he now lives. In 1875 he married Mary E. Mourning, a native of Kentucky. About this time he began business in Basco, a member of the firm of Gordon & Anderson. In three years Mr. A. sold his interest in the store to his brother, "W. P., for his interest in the homestead, where he has ever since resided. Besides farming and dealing in stock he now devotes a good deal of his time to fruit-growing, having an orchard of 700 apple-trees. He owns 150 acres of well-improved land equal in productions to any farm in the township. Mr. A., has been Assessor and Supervisor; the latter position he now holds. In 1863 he was made a Master Mason of Basco Lodge No. 618, and served three years; he is also a member of Carthage Chapter, No. 33, ofRoyal-Arch Masons, lliscliildren are Mattie M., born Nov. 11, 1876, and Clyde, March 7, 1878.

Charles W. Baldwin, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 10; P.O., Basco; was born in the State of New York in 1827; educational advantages limited; his father, Abraham Baldwin, a native of New Jersey was a hatter by trade, but also followed farming; his mother, nee Bridget VanWaggoner, was also a native of New Jersey. - He remained at liome until 21 years of age, when he began business for himself in this county, having only $20 in money with which to make the first payment on his land; after awhile he sold so as to clear $1,000; purchased again and soon made another §1,000 by selling; and thus he continued until he accumulated a handsome fortune. He now owns a farm of 400 acres, valued at $1,600, which is one of the best improved farms in the township. He also ships stock extensively every week to Chicago or the East. In 1852 he married Mrs. Mary A. McPherson, nee Wiley, and they have had 6 children, all of whom are married except the son and the youngest daughter. Mr. 13. has been Supervisor, Road Commissioner, School Trustee, and Postmaster at Basco. ,

Charles Bettisworth, son of Ivin and Drusilla (Bean) Bettisworth, was born in Virginia in 1816; when 25 years of age he left home, and in 1843 he married Mary E. Wilhite, of Illinois, and moved on a farm near where he now lives; after a few years he purchased 40 acres of his present farm of 125 acres, made his own rails and fenced the same; paid $12 a ton for prairie hay; and after years of industrious toil he has made a comfortable home. By his first wife he had but one child, Clarkson, born in 1850. For his second wife he married, in 1857, Agnes R. Byres, of this county, and their 3 children are Andrew J., Charles D. and Amanda.

Louis Brault, grape- grower, was born in Southwestern France, in 1827; parents were born in 1795 and 1793, and died at the age of 73 and 69. At 17 became to A.merica and located at Concordia,

La., where lie remained two and a halt' years; he then followed gardening two years in New Orleans; tlien was in Arkansas one year making staves for European markets; in 1862 he came to this county, locating on the farm where he has ever since lived. In 18G6 he married Harriet Gavillet, of this county, and their 2 children are Augusta E. E. and Harriet C. F. He owns 80 acres of land, on which is his line vineyard. He is one of the firm of Brault Brothers, who own in common a 50-acre vineyard, 16 acres of which is controlled by Louis. This vineyard was set out in 1864; there arc 900 vines to the acre, in rows eight feet apart, and six feet apart in the row; kept at the height of three feet, only one wire being used; they are ail of the Concord variety. In 187i this vineyard of 16 acres produced 173 barrels of wine. In this industry the Brault Brothers are second to none in the West.

C. Cadieux, farmer, was born in France in 1836; father was born in 1792, and liis mother, Catharine (Girard) Cacheux, was a native of France. He came to America in 1853, stoppingone year at New Springfield, 111., then located near Cincinnati; learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked most of the time until 1868, when he came to this county, where he first engaged in general merchandising, at Warsaw, and then moved to Basco, where he remained eight years. He owns a beautiful farm of 200 acres, where he exhibits much pride in the home surroundings. He has a small vineyard of 600 plants. His wife, Catharine, nee Clerc, is a native of France. Two of the 3 children are living, - Frank, born in 18.57, and George in 1865.

Harmon Crea, farmer, sec. 25, was born in Prussia in 1812, the son of Jasper and Margarette L. S. (^Wilborn) Crea, natives of Prussia; his father was born in 1779. At 26 he married Margarette L. Charlotte, a native also of Prussia. In 1852 he came to America, locating near Quincy, 111., where he remained three years, then purchased a farm of 100 acres, near Basco, where he now lives. Having had the advantage of a good early education himself, he has given his children like advantages. In 1842 he married, as his second wife, ilary Tasen, of Prussia, and they liave had 9 children. Mr. C. is one of the best histoi'ians in the county.

John H. Crea, farmer, sec. 22; P. O., Basco; was born in Prussia in 1812; in 1869, at Basco, he married Mary A. Eads, a native of Iowa, soon after which, he moved to his present farm near Basco, where he has remained ever since. Mr. and Mrs. C.'s children are, - Mary A., Charles H., John F., Jacob W. (dec), Wilmette. Both are members of tlie Lutheran Church. Mr. 0. takes great interest in his occupation and also in educational matters.

David Crow was born in St. Charles county. Mo., in 1803; his father. Wm. Crow, was a Pennsylvania farmer; at 21 he commenced life's battles alone. Capt. Crow commanded with great success a company of men in the Black Hawk war. He has been Magistrate, Postmaster and Notary Public for several years. He lived in Adams county until 1S16, when he came to this county. His first wife was Mary Bean, by whom he had 9 children; namely, Esther A., born in 1S2.5; William N., dec, in 1827; John M., 1830; James L., dec, born in 1S32; Lemuel F., born in 1834; Nancy J., dec, born in 1837; Fielding M.,dec., born in 1839; Mary A., born in 1841; and Susan A., in 1843. James and Fielding were members of the 12th 111. Cav. in the late war. In 1847 Capt. Crow married Catharine Stiles, and their children are - David G., born in 1848; Thomas L., in 1850; Catharine E., 1852; Abigail L., (dec), in 1854; and Hannah J., born in 1858. He is a Republican.

John Daw, farmer, sees. 7 and 8; P. O., Basco; was a son of Edward Daw, who was a native of England, born there in 1809, and came to America in 1840, locating in Hancock county, where he has since lived; in 1842 he married Eliza Wilson, a native of Delaware; they had 5 children, of whom our subject was the youngest, was born in this county in 1845, where he has since lived; in 1870 he married Miss E. A. Anderson, a native of Virginia, and their 2 living children are Arthur, born Oct. 4, 1875, and Clinton, Oct. 29, 1878. He owns 145 acres of good land and handles some stock. He has been Assessor for two years,

Lyman Doty, merchant, was born in this tp. in 1844; lived with his father, Vernon Doty, until 20 years of age, then farmed on his own land of 40 acres on sec. 15. He came to Basco in 1871, engaged in business for himself until next year, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Gordon, composing the firm of Doty & Gordon, who continued in business five years; then Mr. Doty moved to Bentley, where he was in partnership with Mr. Peak two years; but now Mr. D. is a member of the firm of Doty & Gordon at Basco, who are doing a good business in general merchandise. In 1865 he married Miss Jane Jessup, daughter of Samuel and Frances Jessup, of this county, and their only child is Emma, who was born in February, 1866. Mr. D. is a Freemason and a Republican.

JE. S. Freeman, son of Wm. and Margaret (Shaw) Freeman, was born in Lebanon, Ohio, in 1801. At 14 he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he has always followed; at 21 he moved to Indiana, and in 1826 came to Illinois, locating at Quincv in 1828, when there was neither brick nor frame house in town; in 1834 he came to Carthage, and that year he heard the first sermon ever preached in that place; he became a member of the class organized b}' the celebrated Peter Cartwright, and is the only member of that class now living. He has lived in Basco since 1853. He was first married in 1823 to Miss Sarah Gruell. His second wife, Mary A., nee Rose, was a native of Quincy, and died in 1872, having lieen a member of the M. E. Church 44 years. They had 5 sons and 3 daughters. Col. Freeman has been very industrious at his trade, at which he worked until after he was 70 years old.

natives of Aslifield, Mass. In 1834 be married Abby Ackley: tbey lived ill Marietta six years, tben in Warren count}-, tliis State, four years, tben came to Basco, wbere tliey now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller bad 10 cliildren - Asa, Rufus W., Mary J., Nabby, Eusebius, Andrew, Matilda, Hulda, Fanny and Lana. Euseliins enlisted in the 5tb 111. Cav. in 1S62, and was in the siege at Yieksburg. Mr. Fuller was married the second time in 1863 to Mrs. William Homez, and their 2 children are Rosa B., born Nov., 1865, and Augustina (dec), born March 9, 1864. Mr. Fuller's father died at the age of 84, and his mother at 80.

George W. Oarard, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Pennsylvania August 12, 1825, and was a son of Justus Garard, also a native of Pennsylvania. Fie was thrown upon his own resources at the age of 11 years; worked at the distillery business for several years, then became proprietor of a hotel at Brownsville, Penn.; in two years he returned to his former home and again engaged in the distiller}' business. The next year he emigrated with his family to Woodford county, this State, and remained there 13 years, doing much toward developing the agricultural and educational interests of tliat county, and in 1867 he moved to Hancock county, where he purchased the farm on which ho now lives. He has in this farm 500 acres of well-improved land, which is tilled and managed by his sons, while he himself is engaged in the stock commission business in Peoria, 111., under the firm name of Wilcox, Sherman & Garard. In 1849 he married Frances J. Minor, of Pennsylvania, and they have had 12 children, 7 of whom are living; viz.. Minor C, William B., John H., Lewis C. Justus F., Mary E. and Ciiarles A. Mr. and Mrs. G. have been members of the Christian Ciiurch for many years.

George C. Gordon, merchant, was born in this tp. in 1842, and was a son of J. J. Gordon, a native of Ohio, and of German parentage. His fatlier died in 1S7S, aged 67; his mother still lives and is 64 years old. George C. taught school several terms in this and Adams county with good success. In 1872 he married Miss Mary E. George, daughter of William George, of this tp., and their children are Ethel, born in 1874, and Pearly, born January, 1876. Mr. G. has lived in Basco eight years engaged in general merchandising under the firm name of Gordon & Anderson.

Henry II. Groom, son of William and Nancy (Haney) Gi'oom, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, was born in Park county, Ky., in 1822. He was left at the early age of 15 to earn his own support and also assist in the support of his widowed mother and her children. In August, 1844, he married Martha Simmons, a native of Kentucky; 3 of their 7 children are living, - William R., Lucinda and Robert H. Mr. G. remained in Scott county two years; came to this county in 1846, locating in St. Alban's, and in 1864 settled in Basco, where he now lives with his father-in-law, Hiram Simmons. Mr. Groom served in the late war nine months in the 118th 111. Inf., under Gapt. James Logan.

W. L. Harris, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Hendricks conntj, Ind., in 1S34. His ftither was Riley Harris, born in 1807, and his mother was Matilda (Bramblet) Harris. He worked on a farm at home until 30 years of age, and in 1861 he married Mary Dennis, a native of Ohio. He went to Missouii in 1859, working on his own farm of 900 acres, thence to Adams county. 111., where he remained 9 A'ears and then came to this county in 1873, locating on his present farm of 320 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are the parents of 5 children now living, 3 boys and 2 girls. Mr. H. was in the Missouri militia during 1861-"2 and in 1864 he went out in the Slst 111. and remained until the close of the war. He was engaged in several battles, among which were Springfield, Columbus, Franklin, jSFashville and Pulaski.

Jesse E. Huff, farmer; P. O., Basco; is a son of John and Susan (Mathers) Huff, natives of North Carolina, and was born in Schuyler count}', 111., 1837. When he had attained his majority he mai"- ried Miss Rebecca Bryant at Carthage, and settled on his farm near the same city. In two years he sold out and purchased a farm near Basco and lived there si^ years engaged in stock trading. He again sold out and moved upon the Quincy & Carthage road, live miles from Basco, where he farmed two years, and in 1871 he moved on to the farm where he now lives, which is valued at $3,000; he also owns property in Basco. Mr. and Mrs. Huff have 3 children: viz., Lvman B., born Nov. 29, 1861; Charles F., born December 28, 1862 and William L., August 26, 1863. Mrs. Hoff has been a member of the M. E. Church 12 years. Mr. H. is an Odd Fellow.

John Kirkpatrick, fiirmer, was a son of John Kirkpatrick, a native of Tennessee and born in 1802, and Eliza (Cocks) Kirkpatrick, born in 1808. He commenced working for himself at the age of 21 years, locating at first near Elvaston, farming there ab6ut 11 years and then purchased his present farm of 90 acres. In 1871 he married Victoria Rohrbough, a native of Virginia, and the\' have one child, Cecil B., born August 1, 1874. Both are members of the M. E. Church of Elvaston.

William C. Logan, retired farmer, was born in Kentucky, in 1805. His father, Joseph Logan, was a native of New Jerse}' and died at tlie age of 60; his mother, Sarah Logan, also a native of New Jersey, died at the advanced age of 85. In 1822 he married Margaret Thomas, of Ohio, and they at once emigrated to Jefferson county, Ind., where they remained 36 years, following farming; in 1859 they came to this county where they have lived ever since. Mr. L. has not farmed any since 1870; he is 79 years of age; is a very temperate man, never used tobacco, tea or coffee, has not tasted drink, except for medicinal purposes for 50 years; has not tasted even cider for 20 years, and has been a professor of religion for 60 years. Six of tlieir 9 children are living, - Eliza A., Rebecca

W. W. Mason, hotel proprietor, Basco, 111., was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1812. His father was a lawyer and jiracticed in St. Louis. He was raised by John Clark, of Morgan county, 111., with whom he remained until he was 17 years of age; he then went to Quincy and worked on a farm; thence to Morgan count}' and worked in a briok yard; was at Winchester two years, then at Exeter, Scott county, in a mill, then at Wincliester again, learning the cabinet business, then in Adair county. Wis., four years. In this county, in 183S, he married Polly, daughter of Thomas Allen of the same county. He next removed to Quincy and worked for John Wood, afterward Governor of the State. He then moved near Baseo, where he purchased a farm and lived live years; he finally located in Basco in 1870, where he has been in the hotel business ever since. By his first wife he had 3 sons and 2 daughters, and has had one child by his second wife. For five years Mr. M. was Deacon of the Missionary Baptist Church at Warsaw.

Su-icin Matthews, deceased, was born in North Carolina, Sept. 15, 1^03. She was the wife of John Hufi', who was born in North Carolina in 1799. They were married in 1S25 and had 12 children. Mrs. Hnft''s father died when she was only five years old, leaving a widow and 10 children with but little means of support, which fact necessitated the older children to be bound out; Mrs. M. was bound out to a farmer when only nine years old, and at this age she was made to carry water for the family suflicient to last all day, help do all the morning work and then walk three miles to school; after returning home at night she had to help do the chores after night, and card wool and^cotton until late, and if seen nodding would get punished; in the spring she was made to plow; having no shoes the briars would cut her feet and make the blood run from them; she had to go half a mile to strain milk, go alone on horseback to mill, pound flax, and dojmany other things fit to be done only by old slaves. She remained at this home until she was 16 years old, when she was bound out to a neighbor, where she remained two years treated in the same way; bat ever afterward she had a happier and brighter time; she had a kind husband and loving children; everj' circumstance of her later life was surrounded with pleasant recollections. For 57 years she was a true and. devoted Christian, being a member ot the Baptist Church part of the time and of the M. E. Church the rest of the time. She died Jan. 30, ISSO.

James M. McCall, farmer, was born in Tennessee in 1840, in which State also his parents were born, Joseph S. and Melinda A. (Craddick) McCall. He first came to this county in 1851, and worked as a common laborer for three years on a farm near Carthage; during the next five years he lived in Oregon, teaching school and dealing in cattle; in 1869 he returned to this county, settling upon the home farm. In 1869 he married Mary E. Sur- ber, a native of Oregon, and their children are: Mary M., born in July, 1870; Melinda A., JuW, 1S72: Fanny, J., March, ls7i; Leah, August. 1876, and George A. in Dec, 1878. Mr. McCali owns 145 acres of well-improved land, valued at $5,00U. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church at Sylvandale. Mr. McCall has some valuable specimens of rock from the mines of the West.

Dorrance McGinnis, Basco. The ancestors of this gentleman were natives of Eastern Pennsylvania, living near the Delaware river, a short distance from Philadelphia, in the same county; his father was of Scotch descent, and mother of German. She was the eldest daughter of Robert Burke. Soon after the Declaration of Independence Mr. Burke joined the Federal army under Washington, and continued in the service, except at intervals, till the war closed. Mr. McGinnis' parents were married May 10, 1789, in which year they moved West, crossed the mountains, reached the Ohio river, and settled about 50 miles below Pittsburg, in West Virginia, on the Ohio river bottom, a short distance back from the river. It was a rough wilderness country, but the land productive. The family succeeded in improving a large tarm, which produced well, especially small grain. There was plentj- of wild game, deer in abundance, some bears, and a great variety of other animals.

The children in this family were, in order, James, George, Dorrance, Louis, Amanda, who died in infancy, and Louis, who died in his fourth year.

At an early day most of the surplus produce raised in the Ohio valley found a ready market in New Orleans. It was shipped there on flat-boats. It took from two to three months to make the trip. In the fall of 1814 Mr. McG. loaded a flat-boat with produce for that market, and started, Sept. 2, with two hired hands for assistants, both strangers, but who appeared to be river men. He reached the falls of the Ohio and crossed. Between the falls and the mouth of the Ohio river he met with an acquaintance, a river man. At that time Mr. McG. was in good health and spirits, but never afterward was he or his cargo ever heard from ! There were many conjectures regarding his fate. Ever}' exertion was made to obtain information as to his fate, but all in vain. About a year previous to that, James McG., above mentioned, joined the Northern army under General Scott. He served five years, was discharged and returned home, to find the old homestead in the occupancy of strangers. Some years after the death of Mr. McG. his widow married an old farmer, a widower, a resident of Belmont county, Ohio, by the name of Farnsworth. By that marriage she had 2 children, a boy and a girl. George McGinnis had gone to live with an uncle in Ohio. Part of the time during boyhood Dorrance lived with his mother, and part of the time was hired out, till he reached the years of manhood. He made the acquaintance of a young lady, about 17 years of age. Her father was a farmer and had come from Germany. Her mother was Pennsylvania

Grennan. Tliey lived a short distance tVoin AVheeliiio', W. Ya. lie was joined in marriage to Elizaljotli Cotts, Nov. IS, 1828. His birthday was August 25, 1809; hers, Jan. S, IS12. Their iirst child, Elizabeth M., was born Dec. 1, ls31), and died June 22, 1832; George Washington, the second child, was born Oct. 16, IsSO, and died in infancy; Rosanna Antoinette was born June 10, 1832; John Randolph, June 10, 1831; Eleanor Virginia, Aug. 12, 1836; Caroline Melissa, jSTov. 17, 1838; Mary Louisa, May 22, 1841; Elizabeth Clarissa, July 12, 181:1:. Mary Louisa was married to James Hughes, by whom she had 3 children, who are living. She died August 7, 1867.

Soon after Dorrance's marriage he titted up a store-room in South Wheeling, near the bridge. The room was of good size, but only one storj' high. The dwelling was a large two-story frame building joining store on the west. For several years they had a good trade and made money. In the winter of 1832 there were heavy falls of snow. In the valley of the Alleghany it was from ten to twelve feet in depth. In February a warm spell occurred and snow melted so rapidly that water was from hill to hill. From Pittsburg down the Ohio most of the farm buildings were swept awa}' by the flood. In Wheeling, on Main street, below the hill, a large steamer floated along. Lumber yards were all swept away. From South Wheeling there were 38 buildings swept away. Mr. McGinnis' store-house and goods, and liis large dwelling house were among the number. JSTothing was saved. As soon as the waters receded lie procured a dwelling in Middle Wheeling. At that time the Asiatic cholera was raging and carried ofl' scores. In tlie fall of 1832 it made its appearance in Wheeling. A few contracted the disease, some of whom died. Mr. McGinnis was stricken down with it, bad as any one could have it to recover. He removed to a high, beautiful location on what was called Chapman's Hill. In the spring of 1833 the cholera appeared again. The deaths each day increased from a few till they numbered 28 per day. then decreased in the same ratio. Something over 300 had been interred in the cemetery before the disease disappeared.

Mr. McG. then purchased a large store-house on the east side of Market Square at $5,000; he put in a large stock of goods to suit the country ti-ade. There were from 100 to 300 wagons backed up to that market house twice a week, unless bad weather or roads prevented their coming. Mr. McG. had charge of that market for a number of years, for which service he was paid $300 per annum. He was also acting City Marshal, for which he was paid a liberal compensation. He kept good faithful clerks in the store, which did a profitable business. He continued in business there about IS years before selling out.

Jan. 9, 1816, Mrs. McGinnis died, the mother of 6 children. For several years after her death the bereaved husband continued in the mercantile business. He fitted up a large fine building on Market near Mocroe street, in which he lived several years; he then rented the property and moved to the island. He sold out his store-house and all real estate except his large residence on Market street.

In 1855 he moved to the West, and landed at Alexandria, Mo., opposite Wai'saw, where he purchased i'20 acres of laud on the Des Moines bottom. A few years later he sold the land, and purchased a residence in Warsaw, to which he moved and planted a vineyard. Having an offer in 1856 of $5,000 from the Odd Fellows in Wheeling for his residence there, he returned to transact the sale; but they declining certain terms, he sold to another part}'. After residing in Warsaw a few years and the vineyard had commenced bearing, Mr. McGinnis had a good offer for the property, sold out and moved to Basco, where he now resides. He purchased several farms and tracts of land in Bear Creek tp., one lying north of and joining the old village of Summersett. He had part of the land surveyed in streets, alleys and town lots. It is called McGinnis' Addition to Summersett. Some of the best residences in the village are built on it.

Dec. 11, 186i. Mr. McGinnis married Matilda C. Downs, nee Huff. From that marriage 3 children were born; Eugene, May 19, 1866, who died in infancy; C. C. Franklin, boru Aug. 4, 1870; Caroline Isabel, born Oct. 20, 1874.

In political matters Mr. McGinnis is a Democrat; he has acted as Justice of the Peace for many years, has been Supervisor of this tp. several years; is a Knight Templar, has served as Master of the Lodge several years; and, having been left an orphan when young, lie is a self-made man, a man of the highest integrity, and we count him as one of the most substantial and worthy citizens of Hancock county. We give his portrait in this volume.

Matthew Merriman, deceased, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1813, the 9tli of 12 children boru to Eichard and Mary (Pitts) Merriman, natives of England. Matthew followed farming in the old country until 1S55, when he came with his wife and children to the United States, first settling in Pike county, 111., where he remained for 11 years; he then came to this county, where he lived until his death in 1871. By honest labor Mr. M. became enabled to leave to his wife and 5 children a farm of 285 acres, valued at $15,000. Since his death the management of the farm has been in the hands of his son Joseph, by whose energy and business skill has been erected within the last few years a large three-story house finished according to the latest patterns. He has also put up a new and large barn which will hold 100 tons of hay, besides giving room for small grains and stock. He also deals largely' in cattle. His marriage to Mary Saunders, of England, was in 1843. The children are, Mary A., Jane, Elizabeth, dec, Joseph and Elizabeth. Mrs. M. is a member of the Baptist Church. P. O., Basco.

moved to the United States in 1853, and now reside in St. Louis, wliere Mr. N. follows his trade of lithograpli_y. When about seven j'ears old Albert was taken b}- bis parents in emigration to this county, and after mature years returned with them to Kentucky; in 1S68 he returned to this county, where he followed farming until one year ago, when he came to Basco and studied telegrajshy for awhile, and then purchased a half interest in the drug store now known as Naegelin & Mourning's, on Main Street, near the center of the village. The postoffice is in the same building. This firm has a full stock of goods in their line, and they are one of the leading liusiness firms in the count}'. In 1875 Mr. M. married Eliza >T. Tanner, daughter of Doctor Tanner, of Basco.

Adam Kohrhough, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 15; P. O., Basco; was born in Virginia August 6, 1827, the son of George Rohrbough, who was born in Hardin county, Va., in 1792, and died in this county in 1874, leaving 11 children, 61 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren, in all 101. At IS years of age Adam left his home and married Miss Susan Curtis, of Lewis county, Va.; after remaining on the home farm for about seven years they moved to this county, having $300 in money, one span of horses and a wagon; but Mr. R. has been industrious and now owns 567 acres of land, valued at $18,000; his farm is near the county-seat and is one of the best improved in Western Illinois. Mr. R. takes a great interest in education and lias given a college course to some of his children, and some are away from home now attending schooL Their names are: Benia E., Marion, who was graduated at Carthage College in 1878, and is now professor in Mt. Morris College in this State; Lee J., who has taken a commercial course at Quincy, 111., and has the honor of being the second best who has ever graduated at the Quincy Business College; George A., now a student at Carthage College; and Mary A. Mr. R. has also raised an orphan boy named Henry Carpenter, who was in llSth 111. Vol. Inft.,in the late war, liaving enlisted in 1862 under Capt. Mourning; he died at Vicksburg. Mr. R. is a strong temperance man and has been a member of the M. E. Church 35 years. He does not remember of being guilty of profane swearing in his life.

Samuel Rose was born in Lexington, Ky.. in 1S09, and is the seventh of nine childi-en of James and Phrebe (Coulter) jRose, the former a native of New York and the latter of New Jersey. Mr. James Rose was a Lieutenant in the expedition sent out by Washington to subdue the Whisky Rebellion. Both he and his wife died at Lexington in 1813, when young Samuel was taken to an uncle, with wliom he lived until he was fifteen years of age; he then went to Frankfort and learned the confectionery business, completing the trade at Lexington in 1S29; he then came to Illinois and was in Quincy in 1830-'l; thence he went to Jacksonville and worked at carpentry until 1849; was then several years in California, meeting with good success; in 1857 he returned and settled on his farm in this county near Carthage, since which date he has spent most of his time Ininting and trapping, having made as much as $20 in one day, Ivilling deer, trapping mink and other animals; he is best known, however, as a wolf hunter, as he has killed since his residence here about 250 wolves in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, more than 60 of these in this county. Although he does not now follow farming, he owns an excellent tract of land of 170 acres near Basco, and has personal property worth about $2,000. Although he is now 71 years of age he can walk farther in a day tiian most young men of these times, and lias a good memory. He has been a member of the Christian Church for many years. He was never married.

Samuel Russell, farmer, sec. 25; P. O., Denver; is a native of Ireland, and ever since he was nine years of age he has been battling with the cold world, and by untiring energy and strictest integrity, he has accumulated a liandsome fortune; he now owns 400 acres of improved land, valued at $12,000. In 1831 he landed at Quebec having but three cents, English monej'; about three years afterward he went to Delaware and learned carpentry*; he then emigrated West and settled near Alton. 111., wiiere he worked at his trade, although he owned some farming land there; he sold out at the end of 12 years, and after sto]3ping one year in Adams county, he came to this county and settled on the farm where he now resides; has lived here since 1S57. Mr. R. is a very careful and painstaking agriculturist. In 1842 he married Jemima A. Hickman, who was born in New Jersey in 1823, and of their 10 children only these 4 are living: James H., Nancy, Mary J. and Joseph S.

John G. Seag&r was born in New York city in 1807, the son of John and Eunice (AUston) Seager, natives of New York, who lived to a good old age. John was a prominent minister of the Baptist Church, being connected with the First Baptist Church of New York city, and afterward 19 years Pastor of the Church at Haightstown. Pa. ; he then returned to New York and took charge of the Baptist congregation on Long Island. John G. remained at home until about 16 years old, receiving a good education, having attended the lirst academy in the city of New York; and because of superior qualitications he was solicited to attend college at Hamilton, N. Y. He learned the cabinet trade, but has spent most of his long and useful life in preaching the gospel. He came West in 1839, locating at Mendon, Adams county. 111., and after laboring in that vicinity for about seven years, he came to this county and constituted the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, and in a few years more the Basco IJaptist Church. He now serves these two Churches; he has also established many other Churches in this section, among which are Mount Vernon, Starr and Jubilee. For his first wife he married Rebecca Chamberlain, of Haightstown, N. J.; she died in 1844, having had in her life-time 6 children; namely, Charles A., dec.-; Caroline, now widow of ]VIr. Doty, of Carthage; Lydia A., now of

Quincy, Hickory county, Mo. ; Euoch C, a member of the 118th 111. Vol. Inf., who died at Camp Butler, aged 21; Catherine E., dec, who was the wife of Slieriff Dammeron; and John E., living in Basco, For a second wife Mr. Seager married Mary Pendergast in 1854, a native of Pennsylvania, and tliey have had i sons and 2 daughters. Mr. S. owns property in Basco and seems to be happy in his old age. His power of vision is nearly as good as ever. He has been Town Clerk and School Treasurer ten years each, and Collector five years: and was recently elected Town Clerk.

Hiram Simmons, farmer; P. O., Basco. Mr. S. is one of the early settlers of Bear Creek tp., and has done much to make it and the county what they are. He was born in Kentucky in 1803. a son of Eobert and Flora (Chenworth) Simmons, the former born in Maryland in 177H, and the latter in Virginia in 1787. At the age of ly Mr. S. married Nancy Caulkins, of JSTew York, and located in Hardin county, Ky., where he remained four years; then he came to Scott county, 111., where he lived 20 years; then he came to this tp., locating 7iear Basco, where lie has ever since resided. Childi-en --Martha, born July 4, 1822; William B., deceased, born June 2, 1824; Mary E., born June 5, 1827; Robert H., Feb. 22, 1829; Hiram S.. deceased, born Dec. 19, 1831; Franklin, deceased, born Oct. 20, 1834; Lucinda, deceased, born July 12, 1837; Isaac C, deceased, born June 12,1840; Nancy J., deceased, born May 19, 1842. Mr. S. now owns a comfortable home and a small farm joining Basco on the southeast. His son Isaac was a member of the llStli 111. Vol. Inf , under James Logan, for about a year.

Samuel Staples, farmer, was born in 1818 in Indiana. His parents were natives of Virginia, and his mother's maiden name was Rebecca Coons. In 1840 the subject of this sketch was united in marriage witli Mar}' A. James, also a native of Indiana; after remaining in Jeiferson county, Ind., for two years, thej' came to this count}' and settled near Augusta. As a specimen of pioneer discouragements we may relate that at one time he went to a horsemill to get some grinding done, and in the commencement of tlie grinding an accident occurred to his horse, which was at work in the mil] ; he at once went home, saying he would '' eat parched corn and potatoes." He then lived in Adams county four years, then he settled upon his own farm of 80 acres in this county, which is a part of his present farm of 190 acres. Of his 3 children only John W. is living. Mr. S. has been School Trustee, Justice of the Peace and Road Commissioner, which latter oflSce he now holds. He is a member of the Methodist Church.

S. A. Thompson, physician, was born in Tennessee in 1812, son of William Thompson, who was a Revolutionary soldier five years, and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. At the age of 20 our subject l)egan business for himself; in 1832 he went to Alabama, where he remained one year and returned to middle Tennessee. Here he was an eye witness of the great star-fall of 1833. He removed to Crawfordsville, Ind., and afterward *settled in this countv in 1847. He has 40 acres of sood land. He has 37 " practiced medicine here 18 years, on eclectic principles. For his first wife he married Isabel Ogle, in 1839, and they had 12 children. For his second wife he married Mary A. Satertield in 1872, a native of Missouri. The Doctor has the honor of being the first Supervisor of this tp. He used to be a Democrat, but is now a staunch Greenbacker.

Luater S. Wyckoff, a fanner, was born in Schuyler county. 111., in 1840, tlie son of Gerritt and Nancy (McKee) Wyckoff, who were araono- the earliest pioneers of the great West, there being only three white families west of the Illinois river when tliey came here. In 1S60 L. S. married Nancy C. Irvin, of Schuyler county, who was born in 18-15. Of their 6 children only 2 are living; namelv, Maggie J., born in June, 1862, and Elizabeth A., in Nov., 1864. ' The' first ten years after his marriage Mr. W. lived in Schuyler county. 111., then lived in Missouri awhile, and in 1879 located at his present home at Basco.

The following is a list of the ofiicers that have served this township since its organization, as far as could be obtained from the records: