Bernadotte Township

Bernadotte Township

This township is bounded upon the north by Cass, upon the cast by LewistoNvn, south by Pleasant and upon the west by Farmer's. It is a timbered township and contains a greater number of miles of Spoon river than any other townshij) in the county. There is, however, much good land in the township and many fine forms. William Walters came into the township about 182(3, being its first settler. In a short time he sold out to Isaac Stewart and moved over into Farmer's township, where he passed the remainder of his days. Soon came in Daniel Walters, who settled upon section lo. Then came Solomon Sherwood, who built the first mill in the township. This was a horse-mill and did grinding for the settlers for many miles around, until Joseph Coleman built his water-mill on Spoon river, at the site of the present town of Bernadotte. John Camron built a grist and saw-mill upon the same river in LS31. These improvements brought settlers from adjoining counties, and many are the incidents connected with their tri])s to these mills, related by the pioneers. They would come for many miles, and often upon their arrival would find many ahead of them, and they would have to wait sf>metimes for days before their turn came. Sometimes they would find the mill out of repair, the dam washed away or something to detain them. They would then go to work and help rebuild the dam or do whatever the miller would direct. Men have told us that they have gone t(» the Bernadotte mill with a load of grist and have worked at hard labor for almost a week before they could get their grain ground. They would work late and early as though they were regularly employed and j)aid hands.

Thus was this point on Spoon river visited by many people, until Mr. Coleman's enterprise suggested to him the feasiliility of laying off a town. Accordingly in 1835, upon section 19, he plaited a town and called it by the name of Fulton. The name was soon changed to Bernadotte. It grew rajiidly and at one time ranked among the leading towns of the county. It failed to secure a railroad, and when one was constructed within a few miles of it the inevitable result cpiiekly followed, and Bernadotte surrendered her prosperty to other places. There are now several .stores here that do a fair business, a good mill, etc. Other settlers who came during an early day were Charles Howard, William Crosby, John Harris, who afterwards moved to Harris township, John Littlejohn, William Wilson, Anderson Beadles, Mr. Toler and others. The first

We find personal sketches of those who have made the history of the town and township and are to-day thus engaged, to be quite interesting and fully as good history as we can give. We will therefore speak briefly of sonic of the old settlers and prominent persons of the township :

John J. Baldwin, farmer, sec. 33, P. O., Ipava ; the son of Jackson and Margaret (Hawkins) Baldwin, was born in Tazewell Co., 111., Oct. 28, 1848 ; moved to this county in 187() ; married Feb, 12, 1877, Mary J. Duncan, of Fulton Co. This union has been blessed with one child, Gertrude. Mr. Baldwin is one of the leading farmers of the township, having 160 acres of land.

John W, Barnes, farmer, sec. 28; P. O., Ipava; was born in Adams Co., ()., Jan. 16, 1828 ; is the son of Luther Barnes, who was born in Va., where he mtirried Nancy Wear. Both of the latter are dead. John W. came to this Co. with his parents in 183"), in a threehorse Penn. wagon, was educated at Lewistown, and has held the offices of Supervisor and Assessor. Was married to Elvira Zoleman, March 24, 186(5, which union was blessed with two children, - Lida B. and John R. Mrs. B. died, and Mr. B. in Sci)t., 1878, married Miss xVlice Mercer, of Ohio, both of whom are now members of the M. E. Church. Owns 300 acres of land. Democrat.

Willidiii Bcchett, farmer, sec. 11, Bernadotte township; P. O., Lewistown; the son of Wm. and Delilah (May) Beckett, was born in Lewis Co., Ky., March 12, 1837; father dead; mother still livint; in Kv. ; Wm. came to this countv in 1860 and has made this township his home for the ])ast six years. Was nuirried to Miss Sarah E. Kent Jan lo, 1862. They have seven children, all of whom arc livinfj:, - Mary, Marzetti, Jcdediah, William, Ella, Minta and Cora. I'arents are members of the U. B. Church. Democrat.

John Cannon, farmer, sec. 4 ; P. O., Smithfield ; one of the old ])i()neers of this county, was l)orn in Sangamon Co. March 31, 1824, and with his parents came to Fulton county when only six weeks old, whi(!h place he has ever since made his honu\ July 4, 1846, he joined the 4th 111. Vols., Co. K, and was engaged in the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and most of the other imjxirtant battles of the Mexican war, being wounded at the last luimed place. He well remembers Gen. Stonewall Jackson and Jeff. Davis. He helped fire the first gun at Vera Cruz. Was mustered out at New Orleans June, 1847. Married Miss Jane Sherwood Dec. 15, 1847; three of the five children l)orn to this union are now living, viz: Telitha, Amanda and Charles. Has been Constable and is now Justice of the Peace. Has fought his way to a good farm and comfortable home. When a boy he knew no other playmates than the

William B. Cannon, sec. 14; Bernadotte tp. ; P.O., Ijcwistowii ; was born in Cass tp., March 12, 1834; removed to Cok)rad() in 1858; in 18G4 he came back, bnt returned to Colorado and after one year's stay found his way to Fulton county. Has held office of School Trustee in this township. Was married at Bernadotte Aug. 12, 1863, to Miss Lucretia Steward. This union has been blessed with two cliildren (twins), Edwin and Oscar. Mrs. C. is a member of the M. E. Church. But few men of the township have seen as much of the world as Mr. C, and but few of his age can be found here that were born in this county. Democrat.

Jo.sJnia Crater, farmer, sec. 17; P. O., Bernadotte ; the son of Piiilip and Elizabeth Crater (both of whom died in this county), was born in Chester county, Penn., May 6, 1818, from which ]ilace he removed to Mason Co., 111. ; from there to this county in 1851 ; was educated in Penn. and married Catherine Knerr, of that State in 1840; nine children have been born to this union, eigiit of whom are livins:. jSIr. C. and wnfe are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a blacksmith by trade, but of late has turned his attention very successfully to farming. Republican.

Joseph De Ford, farmer, sec. 14; P. O., Lewistown ; was born in Ohio July 19, 1827 ; his father (Thomas) was a native of Maryland; came with his parents to this county in 1838. His father still lives in Bushnell. Has held the office of Road Commissioner in this township. Was married to ]\riss Eliza Rouse A]iril 9, 1849. This union has been blessed with three children, all of whom are living; their names are Milton J., Louisa A. and Anna L. Mr. De Ford and lady are members of the M. E. Church. Democrat.

George W. Dieh, son of Jacob Dick, of Bernadotte township, was born June 22, 1859, in this Co. Our subject is prei>aring to enter the ])rofession of teaching; with his intellect and aptness, we predict for him a brilliant future. His parents are natives of Ohio, who came to this county about the year 1850, and belong to the best society of the community in which they live. ]Mr. Jacob Dick has been a local ])reacher in the M. E. Church for about 20 years. P. ()., SmithHeld.

Henry Donelmn, deceased, was born near Londonderry, Ireland, in 1812, son of Moses and Susan D., also natives of Ireland ; learned the tailor's trade; landed in Philad(4)ihia June 12, 1830; married Ann E. Atkinson in 1842, in l*liiladeli)hia; had 8 children, 7 of whom are living, Anna A. having died Jan., 1848, Presbyterian. Ivepul)lican. Mr. D. died in this county at the age of 71 years, leaving to his family an estate of 225 acres of land, (^i sec. 30, this tj)., where the widow and four children make their home. This family deserve special notice for their industrious habits by which they have made for themselves a comfortable home. P. O., Bernadotte.

Louis Dorseif, farmer, sec. 31 ; P. O., Ipava ; was born June 18th, 1799, in Baltimore, McL, was the son of Nicholas Dorsey ; removed to Brooke Co., W. Va., in 1829; in 1854 he came to this tp., where he still resides; was married in Washington Co., Penn., to Abbarilla Lindsey in 1834, who was born in Baltimore, Jan. 18, 1813. Siven children were the fruits of this marriage, the youngest of whom, Emma v., lives witii her parents at the old homestead. Mr. D. has been a member of the M. E. Church and is a Democrat.

Frank M. Di/ckes, farmer, sec. 29 ; P. O., Ipava ; was born in Lewistown, March 27, 1848, the son of Joseph and Luciuda Dyckes, who still reside in Lewistown. Mr. D., who has resided in Fulton county all his life, wrs educated at Lewistown and the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, 111. After leaving college he became Deputy Circuit Clerk of this county, which office he filled with honor for six years, at the expiration of which he turned his attention to farming-, on the fine farm of 480 acres owned by himself and his brother William, of Lewistown, one of the best of the county. Democrat.

Albert N. Dobbins, firmer, sec. 32 ; P. O., Ipava ; is the son of John C. and Harriette Dobbins, who came to this county over 40 years ago. The subject of this sketch was born in Vermont, Nov. 22, 184(3, where he remained till 1875, when he removed to thistp. ; was married in Ipava in 1871, to Julia Pickering, who was born in Ohio in 1847. This union has been blessed with 2 children, John and Sherman, both of whom are living. Mr. Dobbins is one of the first farmers and stock dealers in this county, owning a fine farm of 324 acres of rich prairie land. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Ciiurch. Reptd)lican.

Ira F. El rod, farmer, sec. 28; P. ()., Ipava; the son of INtichael Elrod, of Kentucky, and Ruth (Evans), both of whom died in Kentucky, was born Feb. 22, 1820; went to Adams Co., Ohio, in 1831, where he remained till July 4, 1^37, when he removed to this county, where he has remained ever since; was educated in Ohio and Kentucky ; has held the office of Supervisor for five terms consecutively ; was married to Elizabeth Vail, of Butler Co., Ohio, in Bernadotte tp. Mr. E. has raised several children for others, by which he has justly gained a re])utation for jihilanthropy. His grandfather was the first white child born west of the Alleghany Mountains. He is a pioneer, and by toil and patience he has converted 320 acres of wild land into a beautiful farm. There are now but two voters in his townsliij) who were voters when Mr. E. first located here. He is a Democrat.

John Green was born in Fulton county. 111., Aug. 27, 1840; was the son of Jacob and Mary (Chicken) Green; was educated in this county, and married Paulina Anderson, March 5, 1865; has three children, - Rachel, !Mary and Robert. Resides sec. 7. Republican. P. O., Bernadotte.

E. Scovil Jan. 1, 1851, after whose death he married Mrs. Emma J. Griffith April 1860, by which union four children have been born, all of whom are living, - Charles H., Sidney R., Eva C. and Lewis. Both Mr. and Mrs. Paul are members of the M. E. Church. Greenbaeker.

Henry Polhemus, farmer, sec. 30 j P. O,, Ipava ; was born in Fairview, Fulton Co., 111., in 1849. His father, Garrett Y., who married Jane BrokaM', of New Jersey, came to this county among the early pioneers. The subject of this sketch was raised at Fairview, from which place he removed to this tp. in 1876; was married to Miss Kate Stines June 29, 1875. Mrs. P. is a native of New Jersey, born in 1855. This union has been blessed with two children, Mnferd and Georgianna. Generally Republican.

Jesse R. Shipton, farmer, sec. 18; P. ()., Bernadotte ; was born in Pennsylvania Nov. 11, 1828; removed to Indiana, where he remained till 185G, then removing to Bernadotte tp., this county; married Elizabeth Rothrock Nov. 3,1856. Mr. S. has held the offices of Assessor, Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace; the latter office he still occupies. Although not among the old pioneers of this county, his official record shows that he is one of the prominent men of his township, one that has been tried and not found wanting in honesty, integrity and ability. Democrat.

Joseph Sinif/i, M. D., sec. 35, Bernadotte tp. ; P. O., Duncan's ^lills ; was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1831 ; in 1851 he settled in McDonough Co., and removed to this county where he has since resided; was educated at Cincinnati and Barnesville, Ohio; nuirried July 18th, 1852, to Miss Mary A. Brown, of Ohio: of their nine children six are living. Both the Doctor and his lady are members of the Christian Church. Republican.

WiUlnin Sinif/i, farmer, sec. 34; P. ()., Ipava; was born in Pennsylvania March (5, 1827, from which ])lace he moved to Ohio in 1829, where he remained till 1848, when he came to this State. Here his mother died and he returned to Ohio, but came back to this State soon after and settled in this county. He was married to Miss Hester E. Hopkins in 1860, in Astoria tp., and nine children have been born to this union, seven of whom are living. Has an 80-acre farm. Though belonging to no church ]Mr. S. is a professor of religion, while his wife is a member of the M. E. Church. Greenbaeker.

James A. Sjjerri/, farmer and fruit-grower, sec. 20; P. C, Bernadotte; born in IV'rnadotte tp. in 1844, son of S. A. Sperry, who with wife now resides in I])ava, 111. ; held the office of Postmaster at Bernadotte; was married at that place in Nov., 1870, to Miss Alice Wood ; this union has been blessed with 3 children, - Harry, Roy and Mabel, all of whom are living. Mr. Sperry has lived in this connty all his life, and by perseverance has establisiied himself as one of the tir-;t fruit-growers and farmers in this section, having 160 acres of land on which he has his nursery. J^epublican.

the public educators of the county. He was born in Fulton county Dec. 8, 1847. His flitlier, Thos. Strode, is among- the earliest settlers of the country. Mr. S. was educated at Abingdon and the Commercial College at Quincy, 111. ; enlisted in Co. G, 50th 111. Vol., Feb., 18G4; was mustered out July 3, 1865; was married Dec. 25, 1870, to Miss Amelia Steele, at Astoria, a native of Ohio, and they have had three children, viz: Minefred, Muriel and AValter. Mr. S. has taught school 12 years, one year and a half in Quincy, the rest of the time in this county. Also a good teacher of penmanship. Republican.

ThoK. If. Wdltcri^, farmer ; P. ()., Ipava ; son of the old pioneer, Daniel Walters; was born in Alabama Jan. 6, 1847; came with his parents to this county in 1849; has been elected Constable, but would not serve ; was therefore fined $5 for not obeying the commands of the people. Was married Aug., 1852, to Miss Phoebe Litchfield, of Ohio, and this union has been blessed with three children, two of whom are living,^^Henry and Genevra. Owns about 300 acres of fine land. Democrat.

Mi/ro)} Wheeler was born Aj)ril 18. 1841, in this county; married Maivh 13, 1872, Amanda Andrews, and they have had two children. He is a very successful farmer of 80 acres of land on sec. 7, Bernadotte tp. Republican.

Jamefi Camron, sec. 19. This man was an early settler here, and assisted in building the l)lock house on Tatten's prairie; a soldier in the Black Hawk war; engaged in many exciting hunts after wild hog-; ; helped saw the boards for the first tan-yard in Lewistown ; built the fourth house west of Lewistown, where Smithfield now stands, and on the same i sec. that Wm. Camron now owns. His father, Thomas Camron, was a native of Ireland ; came to Georgia when a small boy; then to Kentucky, White Co., 111., SangauH»n Co., 111., and this county. He died at the age of 80 vears. Mr. James Camron, the subject of this biography, was born in Henderson Co., Ky., Feb. 14, 1807; had no schooling, but by hard work has obtained a farm of 357 acres, besides some town property in Table Grove; has been twice married, and has 11 children, of whom 8 are living, namely, Thomas ()., Senreua B., Nancy E,, Caroline, Rebecca A., James, Elizabeth and John. His first marriage was in March, 1828, to Elizabeth Herell, a native of Kentucky ; his second was in 1874, to Matilda Ellis, a widow.

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