Blue Mound Township (part 1 of 2)

Blue Mound Township

Soon after the construction of the Decatur and East St. Louis Raih'oad, in 1S6S, this town sprun;^ into existence, and has continued to increase in popuhition and a ct)mniercial point of view from that time since. It has some residences and store-houses tliat would be a credit to a much hu-ger place, and its streets often present a scene of activity and business astonishing to one not acquainted with the thiiving, go-ahead character of its merchants and business men. There is more business transacted in some of our railroad towns in one J.ay than there is in a week in towns of double their size in some of our eastern states; and ]-)lue Mound is a fair illustration of the truthfulness of this remark. The town was laid out through the influence of Doctor (ioltra, ^vho ow^ned at the time of the location of the railroad, the land upon which the town plat was laid out.

This town has its churches and school - all of which are in successful operation. It derived its name from two large mounds, situated not far distant. These mounds ha\e been objects of speculation antl curiositv to our citizens from the time of the first visit of wdiite men to this \icinity. Whether thev are of natural or artificial origin, will, in all probability, remain matters of conjecture? and upon w hich the writer, in this connection, does not deem it proper to add suggestions.

Source changes here: from History of Macon County, Illinois : with Illustrations Descriptive of Its Scenery, and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, published 1880; 16,526 words in this source stream.

Blue Mound Township

bg/v *jjlS this township is among the oldest settled in the county, inuch of genuine historic importance and interest clusters aroun(l it- As organized, this township contains about thirty-one square miles, lying just south of the Sangamon river, in the extreme western part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Harristown, on the east by South Wheatland, on the south by Pleasant View and on the west by Christian county. The surface is generally an undulating prairie, growing more broken on approaching the river. The soil is rich and productive. Formerly, nearly one-third of the territory was covered with timber. The lands are well drained by the Sangamon river and its tributaries in the northern part, and Mosquito creek, with numerous affluents in the central and southern portions.

The first settlements of this township began in the northern part, along, or near where the Decatur and Springfield road now passes, as early as 1824. A few years later, several families settled near the southern line of the township along the banks of the Mosquito creek. To the North Carolinians belong the honor of making the first settlements in the above-named localities, and the neighborhoods were for a number of years almost entirely composed jof natives of that State. As early as the year 1824 William Warnick, the first sheriff of the county, further mention of whom is made in the pioneer chapter, removed from the State of Tennessee, to which state .lie had removed from North Carolina, the land of his birth. He brought with him quite a large family and located in the northern portion of the township, where he erected a cabin, cleared a tract of land, and began farming. This was the first building of any kind, and the first attempt at farming made in the township. Three years later, in 1827, Benjamin Wilson, was born at Guilford Court-house, North Carolina, and removed from that State to Rutherford county, Tennessee, from whence he emigrated to this county and settled in the north-western portion of Blue Mound. He had a family of ordinary size, some of whom are still living near where their father located. Mr. Wilson afterward became quite a prominent man in the organization of the county and various other positions of a public nature. He married a sister of Col. Warnick, above mentioned.

The first settler in the Mosquito settlement was Dempsey Pope, who was born in North Carolina, and from there removed to Tennessee, and afterwards, in 1827 emigrated to this state and located on Mosquito creek. Mr. Pope had quite a large family of wellgrown children when he came to this county. Garland Hall, a native of Kentucky, in 1830 emigrated to, and settled on section 29 of this township about two miles north of the present town of

Blue Mound, where he erected a cabin, broke some land, fenced it and began farming. He brought with him a small-sized family. Wyett Cherry who was an early settler in this locality, is still residin'! a short distance north-west of the town of Blue Mound. William Pope was another early settler. Prominent among some of the old settlers now living in Blue Mound township, are James Y. Taylor, residing on section 4, who came in 1836 ; W. F. Muirhead, a Virginian living on section 33, located in the county in 1830; Hon. William T. Moffett, at present representing the county in the state senate, is a native of Sangamon county, 111., and located in this county in 1841, and is now living on section 32 of this township. John M. Moffett settled here in 1843, and now resides on section 34 ; Vincin Morris, an Ohioan, now residing on section 8, settled in 1847 ; Henry T. Brown, also a native of Ohio, came in 1859, and lives ou section 3 ; G. F. Cattle, an Englishman, living on section 6, came to the county in 1857. Fred. Bailey, a native of Germany, settled in the county in 1853, and now resides in section 16 ; E. W. Crow came in 1857 ; Henry Josser in the same year ; W. H. Weatherford, a Virginian, and E. F. Delbridge, Jr. a Prussian, in 1858.

The first land entered in the township was by James Edwards, March 16th, 1833, 40 acres in section No. 20 ; Garland Hall entered December 18th, 1833, 77.40 acres in section 19 ; and Dempsey Pope entered on the same day 80 acres, same section - all in township No. 15 N., R. 1 E. of the 3d P. M. Benjamin Wilson entered Nov. 13th, 1827, 160 acres in section 34 ; also 80 acres in section 35; and on the same day Francis G. Hill enters 80 acres in section 36. The last three entries are in township No. 16 N., R. 1 E of the 3d P. M.

For facts pertaining to the first schools and teachers, see article on Common Schools. The first church erected in this township was the one known as the " Mosquito Church," near the Mosquito creek, in the neighborhood of section 20. Rev. Mr. Paisley was the first preacher to locate here. Willis Zachariah Pope, son of Dempsey and Sarah (Edwards) Pope, in the year 1828, was the first child born in this township. The first death was that of Nancy Wilson, the daughter of Benjamin Wilson ; this occurred in 1828, being the next year after the Wilson family settled here. Benjamin R. Austin, a native of Virginia, who came to this county in 1825, was the first justice of the peace; he was elected in 1822, and held this position for a number of years. He was a surveyor, and subsequently became quite prominent in Macon county. To him is due the honor of having laid out the original town plat of the city of Decatur. Austin township, in the extreme north-western part of the county, was named in his honor. Mr. Austin and his wife, Margaret (Warnick) Austin, who was a daughter of William Warnick, a colonel in the Black Hawk war, were the first couple married in this township. This occurred about the year 1825. William A. Austin, who married Eleanor Warnick, also a daughter of

Col. William Warnick, settled here in 1828. Not until as late a date as 1854 was there a mill of any kind erected in this township, when Marshal Randle built a horse-power saw-mill on section 19- Greenbury Call established the first blacksmith shop in 1840, on section 35, where he did a general blacksmithing business for a number of years. The first post-office in the township was established at the town of Boody in 1870, with Frederick Nientker as post-master.

Town Of Boody

This place is located on the line of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway, in the eastern portion of the township, on each side of the line dividing sections 11 and 12, about six miles southwest from Decatur. The town was named in compliment of the Hon. William Boody, the first president of the Decatur and East St. Louis Railroad. The town was originally laid out by Messrs. Neintker and Smith on sections eleven and twelve, in the year 1870. Frank Reafly erected the first dwelling-house in the same year the town was laid out; and Frederick Nientker, one of the original proprietors of the town, erected and opened the first store with a general stock of goods for sale. This was also in the same year, 1870. In 1872, Charles Mush established the first blacksmithing business The first elevator was built by a gentleman named Binkley, about 1871 ; its capacity was about five thousand bushels. The post-office - Boody - was created in 1870, and Frederick Neintker was appointed the first post-master. Dr. A. C. Douglass was the first physician to locate here. In 1874, four years after the founding of the town, the first school-house was erected, and Byron Lewis became the first teacher. T D. Weems was another early teacher in the Boody school. Among the present business houses of the town will be found : General Stores - Sauter & Hauck, Hill &

Blankenship, Martin Loewer. Elevators - Hill & Blankenship, with a capacity of six thousand bushels, run by steam ; Sauter & Hauck, with a capacity of five thousand or six thousand bushels, steam power.

Although Boody is but a small place, with perhaps not more than one hundred inhabitants, it rivals many others much larger in point of business and shipping. It is in the heart of some of the best improved and richest farms in the state, and large quantities of grain are annually handled by the two elevators above mentioned.

Biographical Sketches Hon. William T. Moffett

In Mr. Moffett we have represented one of the old pioneer families of the state. His father, John B. Moffett, whose portrait is shown on another page, was a native of Bath county, Ky. Moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1821, and located seven miles south-west of Springfield. He was married the same year to Miss Patsey C. Morgan, of Southern Indiana, and just prior to his removal to Illinois. This lady died in 1826, leaving a family of three children ; two daughters, Rebecca and Elizabeth, and Wm. T. who was born February 19th, 1826. After the loss of his wife, Mr. John B. Moffett continued to work hard at his trade, that of a wheelwright, in order to supply the wants of his orphaned children and to get a start, in our then, new and growing state. He was a natural mechanic, and could turn his hand to almost anything in the way of the use of tools, and was considered the handy man of his community. We next hear of him as a cabinet-maker in Springfield, and afterwards as a builder ; and to his architectual skill the county was indebted for its court-house. Next he turned his skill to the trade of millwright, and in the spring of 1831 he began the erection of a steam saw and flouring mill, at Rushville, Schuyler county, Illinois, which was probably the first steam flouring mill erected in the military district, that part of the state lying between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, and set off for the benefit of the soldiers of the war of 1812. He located in that town the same year with his family, having been married in the meantime to Miss Polly A. Taylor, the daughter of Judge Taylor of Springfield. He remained in Rushville, employed in the milling business ten years, besides giving some attention to the improvement of his farm in Blue Mound township, an investment made while a citizen of Springfield. He moved to this farm in 1842, and spent the subsequent part of his life as a husbandman, dying here in the fall of 1862. His second wife died in 1849, and he was married again. His third wife was Mrs. Nancy McDowell, relict of Rev. Abner McDowell, of Rushville, and sister of Henry Grider, a well-known ' Kentucky politician who represented the Bowling Green District in Congress some thirty years. Altogether he raised a family of ten children, five only of whom are still living, and was a kind husband and dutiful father.

He was a man of powerful physical build, of great force of character, much 'above the average in intellectual abilities, and possessed a fine discriminating judgment. For many years he was an elder of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and did much in his day towards the work of evangelization. He was publicspirited, and never let an opportunity pass without encouraging all measures having in contemplation the social, religious and educational welfare of his community. He was the builder of the second school-house of this township, and the first of his settlement after locating here in 1842. He died amidst his friends and family, loved by all as a man who loved God and his fellow-men, and who had lived without reproach, and whose enthusiasm inspired men to do and dare in the cause of right and public good.

Mr. Moffett, our subject, being the eldest son, became the confidant and companion of his father in business from the time he arrived at the proper age to exercise the requisite judgment and discretion. He received his first schooling in Rushville, which consisted of an ordinary course as then taught in the commonschools, if we except mathematics for which he had a penchant, and in which he made considerable advancement. He inherited a fine constitution, and at the age of twenty-one considered himself equal to almost any requirement in which bodily vigor was concerned, and he determined to make a trip to the Pacific slope. He accordingly joined a company of overland emigrants in 1849, and arrived the same year in California, where he remained only eighteen months. While there he was employed principally in trading, at which he made some money, though he had only properly matured business plans when by the failing health of his father, he was unexpectedly called home. He aided in placing his father's estate in the desired condition, and then turned his attention to his own immediate private interests.

He had already bought a quarter section in Blue Mound township, the nucleus of his present fine homestead, and on this tract he began the work of improvement, which has given Macon county one of its most substantial estates.

He was united in wedlock with Miss Helen L. Barrows, of Bridport, Vt., in 1856, with whom he has lived happily ever since, and by whom he has a family of six - an equal division in sex - and all bright, perfect and dutiful children. Mrs. Moffett is the daughter of Josiah Barrows, by his wife, formerly Miss Susan Walker, and is a lady well qualified to preside over their elegant and hospitable home, and by that delicacy peculiar to the gentler sex, to give those with whom Providence has blessed them, correct impressions and motives ; those earlier sentiments that remain fixed throughout all after life.

Mr. Moffett never designed becoming a politician, and such an idea would have provoked a smile when he first began work here years ago as a plain farmer. His promotion is to be accounted for only by those peculiar influences which act externally on human destiny. He first became supervisor, which office he held for several terms- This led to the state legislature in 1870, and again in 1872. He was elected to the State Board of Equalization in 1876. Served two years and then resigned to take his seat in the State Senate, an incumbency not yet expired. His actions as a legislator have been carefully guarded and well prepared, and to him the people are jmrtly indebted for some timely and appreciated enactments. He was an active supporter of the present temperance law, and to the passage of that measure gave the best endeavors of his mind and heart. The present division of the state into congressional districts is in a large degree in conformity with the slate which he prepared for the occasion.

In his second term he served as chairman of the committee on Agriculture, where his practical knowledge of general husbandry enabled him to suggest such measures as were required at the hands of the committee, and appropriate for action, so far as the lawmaking power can aid in forwarding this great industry of Illinois and the west.

He was chairman of the sub-committee on railroads, and was instrumental in preparing the present statute regulating freight and passenger traffic on the various lines of roads traversing the state in every direction. Throughout his official life Mr. Moffett has not aimed at brilliancy, but straightforward honesty in our law-making halls, and in no instance has he swerved from his convictions of right, either by the lobby influences of capital or the heat of partizan debate. Though a republican, he is so, because he thinks this party is most able and best qualified to control the destinies of the different states and nation, and looks to it as the great media of right and good policies to the people.

From the best recollections the Moffett family line runs back to Scotland, or what is now understood as Scotch-Irish. Two brothers came over from the north of Ireland and settled in Virginia. One of these was the Senator's grandfather, William. He became a pioneer of Kentucky, and took part in the various troubles and conflicts with the red men, which for years made the commonwealth a battle-field between the two contending races. He died in that state venerated as a gentleman of sterling ability and untainted honor ; leaving the legacy of a good name and a patriotic example.

Jno. H. Sleeter

Was born in this county, January 14th, 1850. He was married March 27th, 1872, to Miss Annie H. Harmel, daughter of Louis and Matilda Harmel, natives of Germany, formerly of this county but now of St. Clair county, in this state. This marriage occurred in St. Joseph, Missouri, and the young couple immediately located on their present homestead in this township. They have three children, viz. : Reynolds, Clara M., and Olga.

It was the intention of Mr. Sleeter's parents to have him enter some of the popular professions, he being of a naturally delicate constitution, and to this end a course was early begun. He spent seven months at Mt. Zion Academy, in this county ; seven months at the Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, and then seven months at the Wesleyan College, Warren town, Warren county, Missouri. The death of his father about this time rendered it necessary for him to return home and aid in the support of the family, a circumstance that directed his course to agriculture as a business, in which he has not only been successful, but which h a conferred on him a sound and healthy constitution. Thus does Providence direct men aright in the affairs of this life.

Mr. Sleeter has shown great taste and judgment in the arrangement and improvement of his property, in which he has brought to his aid all the scientific help accessible, and he has as a result one of the most presentable, refined and cultivated homes of his township. He has been perfectly temperate in his habits all his life, and is an advocate of the temperance cause, and hopes to see the time come when the curse of intoxicating beverages will be banished by the force of appropriate legislation from the entire nation. He is a republican in politics and a Methodist by religious profession, his lady being with him a member of the same communion, in which they are known as active workers. He is also a musician, and has taught a number of terms in training the young in the use of the vocal organs in the divine gift, and has otherwise proved himself a valuable aid in building up the social interests of his neighborhood and community.

His father William was a native of Prussia. He migrated to this country when a young man, and was married to MLss Amelia Varnhorst, daughter of John Varnhorst, a native of Prussia, and also an old settler of this county. He became a well-to-do farmer, and was well known in business circles as a gentleman of enlarged views and public spirit. He hoped to see his children not only well settled in life but graduated in the best schools, but death put an end to his mortal career in 1866. He left behind him a wife and five children, all still living. John, William, and Mrs. Lottie Hauck are residents of this township, and the mother (now Mrs. Philip Pinger) and the other heirs are in Buchanan county, Missouri.

George F. Cottle

England is a grand country, has a proud military history, can boast of her magnificent navy, and can point with pride to her benevolent and literary institutions ; but while she has much to swell the emotions of national pride, she has also much to cause her fair name to be justly reproached. Her poor are oppressed, her real estate is owned only by a titled few, and the curse of caste is a blight on her society. While the nobility revel in the profusion of voluptuous wealth, the toiling masses can hardly eke out a subsistence by the hardest manual labor and the closest economy. We have a fair illustration of the privations and hardships of the poor of that country in the early life of Mr. Cottle, one of Albion's native sons, and whose later history as an honored citizen of the United States exhibits the effects of our own beneficent institutions as compared with those of the "mother country." When he first went out to serve, as all the sons of the poor have to do there, he received less than five cents a week - " three ha'-penny." His pay was afterwards raised to " nine pence," maximum wages for the ordinary workman. No wonder then that the poor look with longing eyes across the "briny deep" to a country where labor is not only remunerated but dignified, and where all have an equal chance in the battle of life.

Mr. Cottle was born November 11th, 1834, in Somersetshire, and is the son of Charles Cottle and Martha Weeks, average livers among the yeomanry. When about fourteen years of age, a family council resulted in a decision to emigrate to the United States. All the available means barely sufficient to pay his passage to America. He arrived in the state of New York in 1848, and at once set about the work of raising means for the transit of his family, which safely arrived at the port of New York, July 4th the following year. A location was made in Onondago county, where the usual work began to earn a support in the New World.

At the age of sixteen Mr. Cottle bought his time of his father, and turned the first proceeds of his labor towards purchasing a home for his parents, which required all his earnings for the next two years. When about eighteen he resolved to come further west After stopping a short time in Indianapolis he came to Illinois, and assisted in the management of the Sloan farm, now the property of Mr. Brown. After remaining there three years he found employment for a similar length of time with J. Y. Taylor, another old and well-known settler. Next he started for Pike's Peak, but turned back after reaching St. Joseph, Mo., and bought an eighty-acre tract of John B. Moffett, Sr., which he improved, and afterward exchanged with Hon. W. T. Moffett for his present homestead, giving his notes for $5,300 as an equivalent. Here he has since resided, employed in the usual duties of farming. By hard work he has managed well, and now has his obligations as good as liquidated, and owns 133 acres of as good soil as is to be fouud in the county. The improvements are good, and the land is in an excellent state of tillage.

In a large measure he attributes his success to the co-labor and encouragement of his estimable wife, formerly Miss Susan E. Browning, daughter of William N. and Frances (Johnston) Browning, formerly of Clark county, Kentucky, but now residents of this state and county and on Mr. Cottle's premises, where their welfare is looked after and their wants provided for. They have four surviving children - James E., Annie M., Susan, and Raymond A.

Mr. and Mrs. Cottle are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which they joined in 1866, and of which he has been a deacon since 1867. In political belief and action he is identified with the republican party, which he deems the safest party to entrust with the destinies of the Republic, in which he ever feels the liveliest interest.

Mr. Cottle has learned the great lessons of life in the strict and practical school of experience, and his history takes in the social habits and conditions of two nations, with their diverse forms of government, and he feels now that he is not only a freeholder but a freeman in a free country. He is temperate, industrious, and frugal, but not in any sense parsimonious, giving liberally to the church, to the poor, and to all enterprises having in contemplation the social, moral, and material welfare of his neighborhood, county or country. He has a pleasant, refined home, a happy family, and a good neighborhood. Mr. Cottle has the warmest feelings for his friends, and the people of the couuty at large, and acknowledges with gratitude the goodness and providence of the Creator in directing his way to this country, state, and county.

John Moffett

The subject of this sketch, the son of John B. Moffett and Polly A. Taylor, was born December 14th, 1836, in the town of Rushville, Schuyler county. He was five years old when his father located on his farm in this township, and was here raised up to the calling of a farmer. He received a fair common school education in his younger days, and at least sufficient to qualify him well for the ordinary business transactions of life. June 26th, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth J. McDonnald, daughter of James and Chrysteyaun McDonnald, natives of Indiana county, Pennsylvania. After his marriage he settled down on a raw tract of land near his father's homestead, and at once began the work of improvement. He has reduced his lands to a fine state of cultivation, and had about reached a state of independence, when in an unlucky hour he endorsed largely, and became a heavy loser. He is again on the high road to prosperity, and has about made up all his past losses, after meeting all liabilities.

Mr. Moffett is one of the useful men of his community, and commands the respect of all who know him. He and his lady have both been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for the last twenty years, where he has served as an elder some twelve years. He has been liberal with his means not only in support of the cause of religion, but in temperance and benevolence. He is also a friend of education, and has done much to keep good schools within his district, in which he has served as a director a number of times. With respect to Mrs. Moffett's ancestry, the following is gathered. Her grandfather, McDonnald, was a native of Maryland. He married Catharine Carnathan, and settled in Indiana county, Pa., where the family was raised. Her father, James, served through the late civil war, and died in 1865 from the effects of wounds and camp exposures. Her grandfather, William Parker, was from Ireland. He married Jane McCaffern, and settled in Indiana county* where Mrs. Moffett's mother was born.

Francis A. Brown

Mr. Brown represents one of the oldest families of the United States. There were three brothers of the name, who were among the first colonists of Maryland. Two remained there and one went south. One of the two who remained in Maryland was the progenitor of James Brown's great-grandfather, who was born in 1686, and who died in his 84th year. One of his sons, also named James, the grandfather of Mr. Brown, was born in Dorchester county of the same state, in 1710. He married the daughter of Judge Thos. White, and also lived and died in his native state, at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Brown's father, White Brown, was a native of the same county', and born in 1849. He married a Miss Lucretia Clarkston, by whom he raised a family of twelve children, three of whojn are still surviving, viz., Mr. Brown and Mary Davis of this, and Sarah Rush of Pike county. He served as a lieutenant in the Revolutionary army, though how long is not known. He made a tour through the north-western territory in 1799, and returned and settled in Ross county, Ohio, in 1802, where he died in 1842. He joined the Methodist Order, under the administration of Francis Asbury, before the societies were organized into the form of a church. He lived to the advanced age of ninetythree years to a day. Mr. Brown was born in Ross county, February 4th, 1805. He was united in wedlock with Miss Chatham McClintock, who died in 1831, leaving one heir, Richard, now of Champaign county, in this state. He was again married to Miss Sydney Barr, daughter of Judge Thomas Barr, of Pickaway couuty, his present wife, and who is the mother of five children, four sur. viving. On coming to this country, Mr. Brown purchased what was then known as the Sloan farm, an estate of eight hundred and forty acres, which he still owns, and which is without question one of the most desirable locations in the county, all things considered.

He had some previous knowledge of Illinois before settling in it having travelled through a number of the best sections in 1842, while buying up young cattle to drive back to Ohio. He had ample opportunities, therefore, to make a satisfactory selection, and chose this one, both on account of its healthy and beautiful surroundings, and the fertility of its soil. Here he has since lived with his family, one of our honored and well-known citizens, who has done much toward the development, culture and business interest of his town and county, both in material and social departments. In politics he is a republican, and by religious profession a Methodist, though in no sense an extremist. He believes all men should be valued according to their moral and social merits, and that parties are only useful to reach certain ends in government, and that the proper work of churches and religious societies is to make men Christians. His sons are well-known business gentlemen, and all live near the old homestead, of whom the following record is made Nelson F., was born in Ross county, Ohio, in January, 1839- He was married January 4th, 1870, the object of his choice being Miss Mildred Pasley, daughter of Robert Pasley, an old and well-known settler of Blue Mound township, who died here in 1874. He was the son of Henrv A. and Nancy Pasley, natives of Virginia, and early settlers of Hardin county, Kentucky. Her mother was formerly Miss Edna Stith, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Stith, Virginians, but old settlers of Breckenridge county, Kentucky, and who died citizens of Macon county, Illinois.

Henry T. was horn also in Ross county, Ohio, July 4th, 1851. He came to Illinois with the other members of the family, and was married March 5th, 1878. His wife was formerly Miss Sarah E. Jordan, the daughter of James and Eraeline F. Jordan of this county, but formerly of Morgan county, where she was born. He was the son of William Jordan, a native of St. Clair county, where the family settled when Illinois was yet a territory. They were also among the first settlers of Morgan county, and are still remembered as old pioneers of the west. Thomas, the other surviving son is at home with his parents, having lost his wife, and is employed in the work of attending their large farm. The only daughter of Mrs. Sydney Livingston is also a resident of the homestead. Another son, Wesley M., was offered on the common altar of our country. He served three years in the late civil war ; while there he contracted, from the exposures of camp-life, a disease, which afterwards proved fatal. He was a brave soldier, a beloved son, and died with the dew of youth still on his brow. He participated in the following engagements, viz. : siege of Vicksburg, and about the battles consequent on Sherman's victorious march to the sea, and was a member of 116th Ills. Vol. Infantry. - Col. Tapper.

Frederick Bailey

Is well known as one of the prominent farmers and stock-men of Blue Mound township, and as such we subjoin a brief sketch of his life, from the time he left his native land a poor wandering youth to the time he became known as one of the opulent farmers of Macon county. He was born in the province of Waldeck, Germany, Nov. 16th, 1832. He is the son of John and Nettie Bailey, (Ger. Behle,) average livers, according to European status. He is the second son of a family of five children, and remained on his father's farm till the age of nineteen was attained, when he determined to put into execution the previously formed resolution of seeking a home and fortune in the United States. Accordingly, in company with some other young male friends, he left the shores of his fatherland, and arrived in New Orleans in the spring of 1852. There he met an agent of the Ills. Cent. R. R , was employed by him, and brought to this state to the town of Decatur. Here he met a rough reception indeed. As soon as it was known that a number of young German boys were employed to work on the road, they were assailed by a mob of Irish R. R. Paddies, and would likely have been killed by them had not the good people of Decatur interfered in their protection. This mob had no other object in view than to monopolize work, and was possibly instigated to some extent by a national hatred found among the low-born and ignorant. Not deeming it safe to continue longer on the road, Mr. Bailey cancelled his engagement with the company, and hired out as a farm-hand about three years. He then rented land and farmed for himself about the same length of time, after which he bought one hundred acres in this township, the nucleus of his present fine farm, comprising some 700 acres of Macon's richest soil. In 1858, he was united in wedlock to Miss Heuriette, daughter of Annie Delbridge and John Fahrenhorst, of Prussia - a lady of fine domestic accomplishments and personal qualities, and the mother of their five bright boys and three promising daughters.

barn, in which was stored all his machinery and agricultural implements. He lias, though, kept steadily at work, and business has prospered in his hands, and now he ranks among the wealthiest farmers of the county, and every dollar of his property has been made, and that, too, in accordance with the strictest construction of the principles of business integrity, since he arrived here a poor, destitute German youth, among a strange though a sympathizing people. In no sense of the term can parsimoniousness be charged to his account. He has been liberal with his means in all true demands of charity, and to the interests of the public weal. He aided largely in the building of the German Methodist Church of his community, of which he and his lady are members, and has taken an active interest in the good cause of education. He is conferring on his children, as they grow up, all the advantages which his wealth commands, and lives and acts on the principle that property is a means rather than an end. He has a pleasant home, and a pleasant neighborhood, with many friends, and it can be said of him that the "lines have fallen in pleasant places."

Capt. Hiram Rosengrants

The Captain was born in the state of New York, October 28th, 1837. In 1851 his family moved to Illinois, and located in Sangamon county, near the present town of Pawnee. After the lapse of two years they changed their home to Christian county, locating eleven miles west of Taylorsville, where Mr. Rosengrants attained his legal majority. At the breaking out of the late civil war he responded to his country's call for troops, and entered the Union service in the fall of 1861 - 33d Illinois volunteer infantry company D. He remained in the army four years and three months, and was honorably discharged December 6th, 1865. He 'participated in some of the heaviest engagements of the war, among which were Frederick Town, Missouri, Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, Fort Esperanza, Texas, Spanish Fort, Alabama, and Yazoo City. Twice he was wounded, first in the leg by a musket ball, in the rear of Vicksburg, and second in a railroad disaster on the line of the Opelousas R. R., Louisiana, where he received injuries deemed at the time fatal, and from the effects of which he is not likely to recover during the remainder of his life.

Captain Rosengrants entered the army as a private and rose to the rank of captaincy during the last thirteen months of his military experience, a promotion due entirely to gallantry displayed on the field of action and the exercise of cool judgment amid the clash of arms. He was popular among the officers and loved by his command, and was the same genial companion in the army that has characterized his walks in civil life, and which has made him deservedly one of the most popular gentlemen of his section of the county.

After the close of the war he returned home, and was. in the spring of 1867, united in marriage with Miss Sarah Mason, the accomplished daughter of John Mason, formerly of Sangamon, but then a resident of Christian county, and by whom he has a family of bright, interesting children. He located on his farm in Blue Mound township, this county, in the fall of the same year, and has since been one of its most active and energetic citizens, known well as both a farmer and trader. Twice he has served his township in the capacity of collector, and as many times as supervisor, a position of which he is still an incumbent. In politics he is a republican, and has been a supporter of the regular nominees of his party from the time that he was old enough to cast a ballot.

an early settler of Pennsylvania, where Abiel L., the captain's father, was born, in Herkimer county. He married Miss Almira Skinner, by whom he raised seven children. On leaving his native state he located in St. Lawrence county, New York, and is now residing in Kansas with one of his sons. His wife died in Paua, in 1868.

boating on the Mississippi river. He afterwards located a mile and a half south-east of Springfield, and was one of the first settlers of Sangamon county. He married Miss Isabella Flemmings, and lived on his farm near Springfield till he had eleven children. He then moved to Christian county, where he was well known as a large real estate owner and prominent business man, and where he died in 1878, eighty-two years and a week old. His wife is still surviving, a lady both venerable in age and in matronly and lady-like qualities.

on the north by De Witt county, on the east by Piatt county, south by Whitmore and east by Maroa townships. The surface is a beautiful undulating prairie, well drained by Friend's creek, which enters it in section 4 of T. 18 N., R. 4 E., and meanders in a sou tli- westerly direction through the territory, until it reaches the north-eastern corner of section 25 in T. 18 N., R. 3 E., where it changes its course to a south-eastern direction, passing out of the township on the south of section 31, T. 18 N., R. 4 E The main tributaries are East and West Forks, Kickapoo Branch, and several small affluents. There is a fine belt of timber along the banks of Friend's creek, and there are scattering patches along all the minor streams.

The township took its name from Friend's creek, which stream was named in honor of George W- Friend, a native of Ohio, who emigrated to Illinois in 1822, and settled near this stream in section 22, T. 18 N., R. 3 E , which was the first settlement within the present borders of this township. He brought with him his family, which was quite large, and a good supply of stock. Immediately upon his arrival he erected a log-house, which was the first one built here, and at the present time some of the logs may be seen. In 1824 Charles Nelson, a Kentuckian by birth, settled on section 12, T. 18, R. 3 E., and in the same year Nathan Burrill, who was also a native of the " Buck-eye State," emigrated to and settled on section 19 of this township. Josiah Abrams, another Ohioan, removed to Sangamon county in 1822, and in 1828 came to this township and began farming on section 24. Two years following this Win. Dickey, a native of Kentucky, emigrated from that state and settled on section 19, near Mr. Abrams. John Dickey came in 1829, and located near William Dickey on section 19. The Wilson family was also one of the early settlers in Friend's creek, some of them having arrived as early as 1830, and others of them a few years later. In 1830 Nathaniel Brown came from Tennessee, with a family of thirteen persons, bringing with him considerable stock and provisions; and after making the trip from that state to this township he had 150 lbs. of pork, 20 lbs. of tallowq and several bushels of corn. They arrived in 1830, just after the fall of the "deep snow." The family moved into a house purchased by Mr. Brown. The snowr was then four or five feet deep, and the man from whom he had purchased the place told him that it was enclosed by a seven-rail fence, although none could be seen ; but in the spring, when the snow melted off, the fence was found there as represented.

Many inconveniences and hardships were experienced during that winter. Although many of the settlers . had the means to purchase food, yet there could scarcely any be obtained, and consequently many of them and their stock suffered much for the want of necessary food to sustain life. Corn was as high as $1 per bushel. Many of the settlers lost several horses and cattle during the winter. The nearest mill in those days was thirty miles distant, in what is now Logan county, on Kickapoo creek. This trip generally took three or four days ; each person, as wTas the custom, being required to wait his turn. This mill was owned by John Hublet. For many years the settlers w'ere compelled to haul their grain to Chicago or St. Louis in order to find a market, and then would only receive thirty cents per bushel for wheat. Threshing wheat was done by clearing a space of ground, throwing the bundles of wheat on the same, and trampling it with horses. The falls and winters in those days were spent principally in hunting and trapping. The game consisted chiefly in deer, turkey, prairie chickens, mink, coon, otter, musk-rat, etc.

The first marriage in Friend's creek took place in 1829, at the residence of Thomas Pettyjohn. The parties in this wedding were Levi Abrams and Susan Pettyjohn. This couple also deserve the honor of having had born to them the first child in this township; the child was named Eli Abrams, and was born in 1829.

In 1835 a log school-house was built on section 25. It was very primitive in style, and was used for the combined purposes of schoolhouse, church, and camp-meetings. The following year John Heath taught the first school in the township. The first sermon was delivered by Rev. William Owens. Among other preachers in early times were Revs. Chase, Taylor, and Haines. The first mill in this township was a water-power saw mill, located on section 31, T. 18 N., R. 4 E-, propelled by the water of Friend's creek. It is now converted into a steam saw-mill.

have held it longer had he not met with a strange death. In early times, as before mentioned, it was sometimes necessary to haul wheat and other grain to St. Louis and Chicago to market. Mr. Dickey started for Chicago with a load of wheat, but subsequent events showed that he never reached that point. Several days after he had left his body was found in the road with the skull crushed, apparently by the wagon ; but the real cause of his death is a mystery to this day. Andrew Dickey was elected to fill the office made vacant by the death of Mr. John Dickey. David Troxel was another of the early justices. In 1831, soon after his settlement in this township, Nathaniel Brown opened a blacksmith-shop on section 23. The Tile Works of Reecer Bros., located on section 25, T. 18, R. 3, were built in 1877 by Messrs. Reecer & Nymon. They have a capacity of 175,000 feet per annum.

Prominent among the older settlers now living in this township may be mentioned James Querry, a native of Virginia, who settled in this county as early as 1831, and his wife, Elizabeth S. Williams, also a Virginian, who came in 1825. Israel Fout, of Virginia nativity, located in the county in 1839, and his wife in 1849. John G. Jimison, a Scotchman, settled in the county in 1834, and now resides in section 4 of T. 18, R. 3. Sarah A. Brennan, the widow of William Dickey, a Canadian by birth, came to the county in 1849, and now lives on section 34. Alexander Greenfield settled here in 1843. George S. Young, a native of Ireland, came in 1848, and his wife in 1835.

Is a flourishing little village on the line of the Champaign, Havana and Western railroad, about fourteen miles north-east from Decatur, and is the only railway station in this township. There are three villages in Friend's creek township, and a striking peculiarity is that they are all within a very short distance of each other. This place is the newest, but not the least important in point of business. It was laid out by R. B. Rodgers immediately after the completion of the C. H. and W. R. R. The first store was erected by Garver A Co F. F. McMullin established the first wagon-shop, and B. S. Schall did the first blacksmithing. Dr. Denisson was the first physician. The school-house was built in 1874. The town has a very heavy shipping business in cattle, hogs, and grain. The present business of the town is contained in the following list : General Store, Garver & Co. ; Boots and Shoes, John Keck ; Drugstore , S. C Ham ; Wagon-shop, F. F. McMullin ; Blacksmith-shop, B. 8. Schall ; Physicians, Drs. Denisson and S. C- Ham ; Grain Dealers, Denisson & Co.

This village is located in the north-east corner of section 36, T. 18, R. 3, and 31 of T. 18, R. 4, and is just one mile due east from Argenta. It was laid out in 1854 by William Dickey, who was one of' the earliest settlers in the township. In 1856 a store with a general stock of merchandize was opened by William Dowling. The first wagon-shop opened was that of Philip Carver's, in either 1858 or 1859. Dr. R. F. Carr, who is still engaged in the practice of medicine in Newburg, and is one of the most prominent physicians in this part of the county, was the first physician to locate here. The first school-house was built in 1854 ; it was a frame structure. The present business is represented in the following list : General Store, J. Benford ; Drugstore, Dr. R. F. Carr; Blacksmithshop, Thomas Strickler.

West Danville

Is located on section 31, T. 18, R. 4, and for a number of years during the early period of its existence it was known by the notorious name "Hell's Half Acre." Calvin Whitcombe built a distillery here in 1857, and operated it for a number of years, but it is not at present running ; he also built a steam saw-mill, which is still in operation. Messrs. V. D. & R. J. Ross erected a steam grist-mill, which is still running, and does a good business.

James Querrey

Is one of the pioneers and early settlers of Macon county. He was born in what is now known as Western Virginia, October 18th, 1810. The Querrey family are of French descent. Their ancestors came to America prior to the revolutionary war. Elisha Querrey, the father of James, was a soldier of the revolution, and served his country for seven years and six months in that memorable struggle. He afterwards settled in Pennsylvania, and then moved to Virginia, and died in that state. He married Sarah Stediek, a native of Pennsylvania. By this marriage there were nine children - six sons and three daughters. James is among the younger children ; he remained at home until he was fourteen years of age, when he started out to learn the blacksmith trade. When in his eighteenth year, being young and ambitious and desirous of seeing the west, of which he had heard much, he joined a family who were coming to Illinois. He, in company with them, landed in Clinton county, Illinois, April 1st, 1828. Mr. Querrey remained there until January 2d, 1831, when he came to Macon county, landing here on the fifth of the same month. He stopped in Decatur and worked at the carpenter trade. He afterwards purchased a farm near the town and rented it out, and continued at his trade. He remained there until 1858, when he sold out and purchased two hundred and seventy acres of land in section 24, T. 18, R. 3, which he improved, and here he has continued to reside up to the present, time. On the 8th January, 1833, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth S. Williams. Her parents, Philip D. and Jane Williams, were among the earliest settlers of Macon county ; he was born in Connecticut, and his wife in Virginia. Before her marriage she was a Bryant. Mr. Williams removed from Pittsylvania county, Va., to Illinois in the fall of 1825, and settled on Stevens' Creek, two miles north of Decatur. There were then but nine families on the north side of the Sangamon river, in what is now Macon county. Mr. Williams had the honor of building the first house in Decatur. There have been born to James and Elizabeth S. Querrey thirteen children, six of whom are living. Two of his sous were soldiers in the late war. Bartlett D. enlisted for three years in Co. " L " Tenth Cavalry ; and Eri S. was for three years a private in the 116th Regiment Illinois Vols. The names of the other children are : Miriam K., wife of W. J. Myers ; Levina Belle, Charles B., and Warner C. Querrey ; Sarah J., wife of E. A. Piper. Olive Frances, Ira, and Miriam and Aquilla E. are dead. Three others died in infancy. Mrs Querrey has been a consistent member of the Christian Church for over thirty years. Politically Mr. Querrey is a republican. His first vote was cast for Andrew Jackson in 1828 : he afterwards joined the whig party, and in 1860 voted for Abraham Lincoln, and since that time has been a republican. He is now among the older settlers living in the county, having been a resident for nearly fifty years.

Wtlliam Van Leer

The Van Leer family on the paternal side, came from Holland. The name was originally Von Lohr. Bernhardus Von Lohr came to America in 1697. He settled in Philadelphia three years after William Penn had found the colony. The descendants from Bernhardus are not numerous. On the maternal side the greatgrandmother was of the Wayne family of Chester county, Pennsylvania, of which General Anthony Wayne of revolutionary fame was a member. Isaac Wayne Van Leer, the father of the subject of this sketch, is a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania. He married Phoebe Ann Speakman, of Chester county. She is a descendant of a long line of Quaker preachers, running back into the Wayne family. There were seven children born to Isaac W. and Phoebe A. Van Leer, three sons and four daughters. William A. is the fourth in the family. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, April 21st, 1834.

He received a good education in the common schools of Chester county, and also spent four years in the academies at Fremont and New London Cross-roads in Chester county. After he attained his majority in the spring of 1855, he came west, and settled in Macon county, Illinois. In August 1862 he enlisted in Co. " D." 116th Reg. Ills. Vols. He remained in the service until 1863, when he was discharged on account of ill-health and physical disability. On the 16th of March, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Josephine L. Colladay, a native of Philadelphia, but a resident of Macon county at the time of her marriage. Five children living have blessed this union, all of whom are yet beneath the parental roof.

Politically, Mr. Van Leer has always voted the republican ticket. At present he is supervisor of his township. He is one of the representative and leading agriculturists of the county, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.

David M. Adams

Among the prominent farmers of Friend's Creek township stands the name of the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Center county, November 8th, 1822. The family are of English ancestry, and are closely related to the Adams family of Massachusetts, two members of w'hich were Presidents of the United States. Alexander, the grandfather of the present sketch, was born in Massachusetts, and was a cousin of John Quincy Adams. He emigrated to Pennsylvania a short time before the revolutionary war, and was a soldier in that memorable struggle for independence. He was captured at Chadd's Ford, in one of the battles in Pennsylvania. John his son, and father of D. M. Adams, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania ; he remained there until his death, which occurred about the year 1868. During his life he was largely engaged in the iron business, but met with reverses by endorsing and trusting too much to the honesty of would-be friends. John Adams married Nancy Miller ; she was also a native of Pennsylvania, and died in 1843. There were ten children by this marriage - five sons and five daughters. Seven of the children have survived the parents. The subject of this sketch is the second son, and fifth in the family. His advantages for an education in his youth were limited, as it was before the era of free schools in Pennsylvania. He, however, received, the rudiments of an education, to which he has added a valuable store of information by extensive reading and close observation. During his schooldays he was the companion and fellow-pupil of Andrew G. Curtin, afterwards the Governor of Pennsylvania, and yet a distinguished citizen of that state. Mr. Adams remained at home until his twenty seventh year, when he started out in life for himself. He first went to Kentucky, but soon after removed to Clinton county, Ohio, where he remained ten years. While there, he engaged in farming and trading in stock, which has been the principal business of his life since that time. In the month of November, 1862, he came west to Illinois, and settled in section 28, 18-3, Macon county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and improved it; remaining there until 1875, when he sold out and purchased land in section 26, 18-3, to which he removed, and where at present he still resides. In February, 1860, while yet a resident of Ohio, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hankins, a native of the same state. By this union there have been six children, five of whom are living. Their names are: Ada B., William E., Mary E., Helen L., Charlotte M. Frederick, the youngest, died in the third year of his age. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Christian Church. Politically, he was originally an old-line whig, and cast his first vote for Henry Clay in 1844. He continued a whig until the formation of the republican party, when he joined its ranks. In late years, however, he has been to a certain extent independent, and a believer in the principles and theories of the greenback party. In local and state elections he votes for the best men, regardless of politics ; but in all national elections he has always voted the old-line whig or republican ticket- Upon the subject of temperance he is an advocate of its principles, and is a temperate man, but he is not a x-adical prohibitionist.

His business through life has been that of a farmer and stock-raiser, except the younger part of his life, when he was an assistant of his father in the same business ; but since his residence in the west he has been identified with the agricultural interests of the county.

He started in life unaided, except that he had strong hands and an abundance of enei'gy, and, with the assistance of his excellent wife, he has succeeded in gaining a comfortable competency.

The Evey family, on both sides, are of German ancestry. Michael Evey, his father, was a native of Maryland. He was a distiller in early life, but subsequently abandoned the business and engaged in farming:. He removed to Pennsylvania and remained there until 1854, when he came west to Illinois and settled in Woodford county. He remained there until 1859, after which he made his home with his son, the subject of this sketch. He died on the 23d of April, 1875, while on a visit to his children in Woodford county. He married Lydia Myers. She was also a native of Maryland. She at present resides with her son Michael. There were ten children born to Michael and Lydia Evey, seven of whom are still living - three sons and four daughters. The subject of this sketch, is the fourth in the family. He was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1831. He spent his boyhood days in the common schools and at work hpon his father's farm. At the age of nineteen years he was indentured as an apprentice to the trade of millwright under James F. Callahan. He served two and a half years, or until he attained his majority. He then worked as a journeyman and continued at his trade in Pennsylvania until he came West in the spring of 1855. He first visited his parents in Woodford county; then went to Springfield, and spent four months working at his trade ; then went to Decatur, and there made his home until after his marriage. In 1856 he purchased land in Hickory Point township and improved it. He remained there until the spring of 1864, when he moved to Decatur township, where he had purchased a saw mill, and operated it until 1867, when he returned to Sec. 32, T. 18, R. 2 E , where he had purchased land some years before. He stayed there until 1870, when he removed to Salt Creek, and one year later removed to Forsythe and from there to Maroa township, then came to Friend's Creek township to Sec. 8, T. 18, R. 4 E., where he still continues to reside. Farming has not been his sole business since his residence in the West. He worked at his trade until 1865, and since that time at different intervals. On the 27th of April, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Peddecord. She is a native of Ohio. Her parents came to Illinois in 1854, and settled in Clinton, in De Witt county. Mrs. Evey was a resident of the latter place at the time of her marriage. By this union there have been twelve childien, nine sons and three daughters; nine of the children are still living. The names of the children are - Lydia Frances, wife of Theodore Ivans ; Roxauna, Douglass, Frank P., McClelland, Ella, Charles, Samuel and Ernst Evey. All are yet beneath the parental roof, except Lydia F. Mrs. Evey is a member of the M. E church.

Politically Mr. Evey is a member of the democratic party. He has never swerved from his allegiance to that political organization since 1852, when he cast his first presidential vote for the nominee of his party, Franklin Pierce. He has been one of the successful men of Macon county. He started poor, but bv industry, economy and prudent investments, has succeeded in placing himself and family in comfortable circumstances. He is in his home the most hospitable of meu, as the writer of this sketch can and does most heartily testify. Of a pleasant and agreeable address, possessed of a good fund of practical information, he is a man who improves upon long acquaintance, and who bears about him the impress of sincerity, modesty and honesty.

Alexander Greenfield

ALEXANDER GREENFIELD Was born in Ross county, Ohio, December loth, 1830. His father, James Greenfield, was a native of Maryland. He was taken with his father's family to Ohio while yet in his infancy. He there grew to manhood and remained until 1843, when he moved to Illinois. He made the journey with a four-horse team, carrying his family and household goods. Alexander was then a youth of thirteen years of age. He walked the entire distance and drove the cattle. Mr. Greenfield settled in Macon county, at a point known as Mt. Zion. He there entered forty acres of land, and afterwards purchased forty more. There he remained until his death in 1 862. He was a miller by trade, but followed the cultivation of the soil after he came to Illinois. He married Sarah Crawford. She was born in Ohio. Her parents were among the early settlers of that state. She died in August, 1861. By this marriage there were eight children, four of whom are still living. The subject of this sketch is the youngest son, and sixth in the family. He remained at home till his twenty-fifth year, when he married. He then bought eighty acres of land in Mt. Zion township and commenced its improvement. In October. 1855, he moved to section seven in Friend's Creek township, where he purchased eighty-four acres of partially improved land, and there he has remained till the present time On the first of January, 1862, he' enlisted for three years as a private in Co. "L," 10th Illinois cavalry, Col. Wickersham commanding. He was mustered out and honorably discharged in 1865, when the time of his enlistment had expired. The regiment to which he belonged was attached to Blount's division under Gen. Fremont, and afterward was a part of Gen. Curtis' command Mr Greenfield went through the war without any serious mishaps or wounds, except at the battle of Yellville, in Arkansas, where in the charge he had two ribs broken by being thrown from his horse. At the ch S3 of his army life he returned home and re-engaged in farming. On the fourteenth of February, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Butz, youngest daughter of Jacob and Mary Butz. She was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Her father died while she was in her infancy. Her mother removed her family to Ohio in 1846, and in 1849 came to Illinois and settled in Mt. Zion township, Macon county. She died in 1852. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield eight children, six of whom are living. Their names are James, Jesse, Orphia, Charles, Martha, Mary, and Bertha Greenfield. Politically Mr. Greenfield is a democrat. His first vote was cast for Franklin Pierce, in 1852. From that time to the present he has not wavered nor departed from th j principles as enunciated in the platforms of his party. He may be regarded as one of the old settlers of the state. He has been a resident of the county for nearly forty years, and has seen the state grow from a comparative wilderness to the position of the third in the Union. Mr. Greenfield is a man who, like the larger portion of the old settlers of the state, is very sociable and hospitable. He bears a most excellent reputation among his neighbors and -friends

Samuel Swinehart

The Swinehart family is of German ancestry. Jacob Swinehart, father of Samuel, was born in Pennsylvania, but removed with his father's family to Ohio, at an early age, and was among the first settlers of that state. He is still living in Licking county. He was in his youth and manhood a man of great physical strength and powTers of endurance; and surpassed most men in feats of strength. His principal business in life was leasing timber land and clearing it up. That occupation called for vigorous health, activity, and great industry. It eventually broke him down, and shattered his powerful constitution. He married Lucinda Vulgamott. She vTas born in Ohio, wdiere she still lives. Her parents were of German descent, and were natives of Pennsylvania There were ten children in the family, nine of whom are still living ; four boys and five girls. The subject of this sketch is the eldest in the family ; and was born on the ninth of March, 1833. He remained at home assisting his father until he was in his twenty-fourth year. His chances for obtaining an education were limited, as his father demanded all his time. On the twelfth of February, 1856, he came west and stopped in Sangamon county, Illinois, five miles west of Springfield, and worked on a farm ; remaining there until November 18, 1858, when he started for California. It had been the dream of his youth to go to the " golden state," and there make his fortune. The time had now come to put this resolve into execution. He went to New York and embarked on board a vessel, and went to Cuba, from there to the Isthmus and then to California. From San Francisco he went to Sacramento, and up the valley to t Yreka, where he went into the mines, and stayed three years. From there he went to the Salmon river mines; six months later he went to Boise city in Idaho territory, and remained five years, engaged principally in mining. On the twenty-seventh of June, 1866, he left the western country, and returned home, coming by the way of Des Moines, Iowa. He went to Philadelphia and got his gold-dust coined; then returned to Iowa, got his team and went to Toulon, Illinois; then he returned home to Ohio. After spending the winter at home he came to Illinois in April, the following year, and after looking the country over with a view of locating permanently, he came to Macon county, and purchased one hundred and sixteen acres of land in section- 36, T. 18, R. 3 E., where he has remained till the present time. On the first of March, 1868, he was united into marriage to Miss Minerva Kelsey, daughter of Henry and Sophia Kelsey. She was born in Boone county, Illinois. By this marriage there have been seven children, five of whom are at present living, four sons and one daughter. Their names are Jacob, Arminda, Samuel, Rufus, and Edward Swinehart, Mr. Swinehart is a member of the democratic party. He cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. He has seen no occasion to change his political sentiments since that time. In life, Mr. Swinehart has been more than ordinarily successful.

Richard H. Park

Is the eldest son of David and Esther A. (Rogers) Park. He was born in Madison county, Kentucky, November 11th, 1833. His father aud grandfather, Richard Park, were also natives of the same state. The family is of English ancestry, and came to America prior to the revolutionary war, and took part in that memorable struggle. David Park moved from Kentucky to Johnson county, Indiana, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1849. He was a farmer by occupation, and was also skilful in all ordinary mechanism.

He married Esther A. Rogers, a native also of Madison county, Kentucky. She is still living on the old homestead in Johnson county, Indiana, where the family settled in 1835.

There were seven children in the family - four sons and three daughters - five of whom are still living. The subject of this sketch in youth attended the schools of Indiana, and received a fair education. This has been improved by extensive reading and a close observation of men and things, and he is to-day as well posted in general literature and knowledge of events as those who often make far larger pretensions.

He remained at home until his twenty-second year, when he commenced farming for himself, and continued thus engaged until the spring of 1861, when he removed to Illinois, and settled in Maroa township, Macon county, where he still engaged in farming. After the war broke out, he purchased grain and live-stock, in addition to carrying on his work upon the farm.

In 1870 he purchased land in section twenty-one, Friend's Creek township, and moved on to it, and since that time it has been his permanent home.

On the 16th of October, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Mildred Gillaspy, who was born in Indiana Three children have been the fruits of this union, one of whom is living - Gilbert, now in his twenty-first year.

In politics, Mr. Park is a democrat, having cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan in 1856. In 1860, and through the war, he belonged to the Douglas wing of the democratic party. In 1873 he espoused the farmers' movement, and acted with the independents, and in 1876 voted for Peter Cooper for president. As will be seen, he does not yield blind obedience to any party, but advocates and votes for men and measures, such as will, in his judgment, administer the laws most faithfully, and provide measures that will be for the benefit of the largest number

He is now a democrat, and takes an active part and is an energetic worker in that political organization. In 1873 his services and zeal in his party received suitable recognition, and he was elected to the honorable position of county treasurer, an office he filled acceptably, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He represented also his township, for several terms, in the board of supervisors, and while a member, was active in looking after the best interests of the county.

Upon the subject of temperance he is not radical, although temperate in his habits. He prefers to educate the masses to favor temperance, rather than attempt to legislate intemperance out of the land.

Was born in Orange county, Indiana, January 6th, 1821. His father, Alexander McKinney, was a native of Virginia, and was born in 1792. He removed with his father, whose name was also Alexander, to Kentucky when he was yet in his boyhood. The family remained in Kentucky until about 1814, when they removed to Indiana, and settled in Washington county. They afterwards moved to Orange county, and in 1831 moved back to Washington county.

In 1853 Alexander McKinney came to Illinois, and settled in Cerro Gordo, Piatt county, where he died in 1874. He married Mary Orchard, who, born in 1793, was raised near Paris, Kentucky. She died at the residence of her son, the subject of this sketch, in December, 1879. There were nine children born to them, four of whom have survived their parents. William A. is the third in the family. He received a limited education in the common schools, going there for a few months in the winter seasons. He remained at home until his marriage, then commenced farming for himself.

In October, 1851, he came to Illinois, and had entered 80 acres of land in 1849 in Sec. 28, T. 18, 4 E. He rented land for two years, and in 1854 moved to his land, and commenced its improvement. Upon this original eighty acres he has lived up to the present time.

riage to Miss Caroline M. Child, who was born and raised in Washington county, Indiana. By this marriage there have been twelve children born, seven of whom are living, three sons and four daughters. Their names are Elizabeth, Henry, Minerva (wife of Albert Glenn, now of Decatur, Illinois), Annie B., Elmer Ellsworth, Ida D., John E. McKinney. Samuel died at the age of fifteen, Newton at sixteen, Luella F. at twenty-one, Willie at seven, and Lyman in his infancy.

Botli Mr. McKinney and his jvife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. McKinney was formerly a member of the Presbyterian church, but lately, owing to there being no church organization of that denomination near, he and his family became members of the M. E. church.

Politically, he was originally a member of the old-line whig party, and was opposed to slavery as it then existed in this country. When the whig party suffered defeat, and was disbanded, he joined the republican party, and from that time to the present has been regarded as one of its firmest and staunchest supporters.

Upon the temperance question he has always, since attaining manhood, been an advocate of the principles of total abstinence. He regards intemperance as a vice that can only be driven out of the country by the act of prohibition.

Dr. Robert F. Carr

Is the eldest in a family of six children. He was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, May 13th, 1832. The Carr family are of English ancestry on the paternal side, and Irish on the maternal. David Carr, the father, was also a native of the same state, and lived and died upon the place where he was born and raised. He was a farmer by occupation. He died in 1865. He married Elizabeth Ferrier. She was born in Orange county, New York. She died in 1879. By a former marriage, Mr. Carr had two children. There were bora to Daniel and Elizabeth Carr six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom have survived the parents.

The subject of this sketch, while yet in his youth, met with an accident which had the effect of rendering him a cripple for life. Not being able to perform physical labor, owing to his crippled condition, he was forced to adopt some profession. He chose that of medicine. While at school he received sufficient education to fit him for teaching, and with money earned in this way, he managed to enter the academy at Goshen, New York, and there improved his education. While there he also read the standard text books on medicine, and in 1853, he entered the Albany Medical College, at Albany, New York, and took three courses, and graduated from that institution in 1855, with the degree of M. D. In the spring of 1856, he came West to Illinois, and commenced the practice of his profession in Friend's Creek township, Macon county, and continued here with great success until 1866, when he removed to Decatur, the county seat. He remained there in the practice for three years, when he returned to Friend's Creek, where he has continued to the present. After his return here the second time, he added a stock of drugs, and a general line of goods. Dr. Carr belongs to the regular school of medicine, and is progressive, and keeps fully abreast with the times and new discoveries in the healing art.

parents were originally from Kentucky. Seven children have been the fruits of this union - four boys and three girls - all of them yet beneath the parental roof. Politically the Doctor is a member of the democratic party. His first presidential vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas, in 1860. He has been an ardent supporter of the party ever since. He is not a member of any church organization, nor does he subscribe to any of its formulated creeds, but believes in doing to others as he would have others do unto him, and believes that in that is contained the genuineness of true religion. The life of the subject of this sketch presents another evidence of the value of pluck and will-power. He started in life under adverse circumstances, with no money or influential friends to help him up and over the rugged places in the race of life; handicapped with physical infirmities, and distressed with financial troubles, owing money for his medical tuition. Under these circumstances he came West, and started in the business of his lifp. He has been successful, not in the accumulation of great riches, but in obtaining sufficient of this world's goods to render him comfortable in his declining years. His success is due to his industry, economy, and indomitable will-power. Among his neighbors and friends who have known him for a quarter of a century, all accord him the reputation of a good physician and an upright citizen.

George S. Young

W as born in County Down, Ireland, November 14th, 1820. The Young family, are natives of Ireland and of Scotch ancestry. Robert Young, the father of George S. was a merchant and manufacturer of boots and shoes, and carried on an extensive business. He emigrated with a part of his family to America in 1832, and settled in New York ; went from there to Ohio, where he died in 1837. He married Elizabeth Martin ; she died in Ireland in 1826. There were eleven children in the family, seven sons and four daughters. Two of the children have survived the parents, viz. : Elizabeth, and the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest son He, while in Ohio followed ditching, building mill-dams and clearj ing land. In 1848 he came west, and stopped in the southern par^ of Illinois, in Marion county, where he bought out a claim. In the fall of 1848 he came to Piatt county, and took a job of digging a mill-race. He afterwards ditched in De Witt county. In 1852 he traded his land in Marion county for land in Champaign county, and afterwards entered land in the same county. He traded that land for two hundred acres in section 18, T. 18, R. 4 E. This was in the years 1852-3. He then took charge of his father-in-law's farm, and remained so employed until 1854, when he commenced improving his own land in section 18. It was law land, and all the improvements have been placed there by him. He has remained to the present time, and has a fine farm under good cultivation. A view of the farm and improvements can be seen by reference to another page in this work. On the first of June, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss Otillia Long, daughter of Joseph D. Long, who was among the early settlers of Macon county. Mrs. Young was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and came west with her parents when she was seven years of age. By this union there have been seven children, five of whom are living. Their names are Clara, wife of Newton Bricker ; Ada, Joseph L., John Oscar, and Nellie G. Young. Winfield 8. died at the age of nine years, and Margaret J. at six years. Mr. Young is an honored member of the order of Free Masonry. He joined the Monticello Lodge, and became a mason in 1849. He is now a member of Maroa Lodge No. 454, and Monticello Chapter, R. A. M., No. 48. Politically he was originally an old-line Whig, and cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay in 1844. In 1856 he joined the republican party, and has continued a member of that political organization to the present time. Mr. Young is a warm-hearted, generous man, like the most of his countrymen. In his neighborhood he is respected by all who know him, and is regarded as an honorable and honest man, and upright citizen.

William J. Myers

Was born in Marion county, Illinois, June 24th, 1843. His father, Emanuel Myers, was a native of Kentucky, and came to Illinois while he was yet a boy. He was born in 1818, and married Martha D. Watson, a native also of Kentucky, and died in De Witt county, Illinois, in 1863. He moved to Macon county in 1851, find in the spring of 1853 moved to DeWitt county, where he remained until his death at the date above stated.

The mother of William J. is still living in this township. The subject of this sketch remained at home until the breaking out of the late war, when, in July of 1861, he enlisted in Co. "F," 2d 111. cavalry. The company was organized at Monticello. He enlisted for three years, and was honorably discharged and mustered out, January 4th, 1864, at New Iberia, Louisiana. He then re-enlisted or was veteranized. His second enlistment dates January 5th, 1864. He was mustered out and finally discharged at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., August 24th, 1865. The 2d 111. cavalry was attached for the greater portion of the time to the army of the Tennessee and in the department of the Gulf. After the close of his army life, he returned home, and remained there, until the spring of 1874, when he came to section 7, in town 18, range 4 east, where he engaged in farming, and where he has since resided.

On the fourteenth day of August, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Miriam, daughter of James and Elizabeth Querrey, whose parents are among the pioneers of Macon county. Mrs. Myers was ' born in Macon county. This union has been blessed with three children, whose names are Mary Florence, Olive Belle, and James Emanuel Myers.

Politically, Mr. Myers is a republican. He was elected justice of the peace in May, 1873, served four years, and was re-elected in 1878, and is at present serving in that official position.

William Dickey, the grandfather of the present Dickey family, was a native of Alabama, and came to Macon county and settled on Friend's Creek as early as 1828. The family were among the first settlers in this section of the country. William Dickey remained here until his death, which occurred June 28, 1832. His son, John Dickey, was also born in Alabama, and came with his father to Kentucky, then to Illinois, at the date above mentioned. He died while on a trip to Chicago, with produce. He was found dead in the road, his team standing close by. The exact cause of his death was never known. The date of his death was October 22, 1846. William Dickey, his son and father of the present family, was born in Kentucky, October 11, 1814, and died January 17, 1875, in the sixty-first year of his age. On the 19th of October, 1852, William Dickey was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ann Brennan. Bernard Brennan, her father, was a native of Ireland and his wife a native of Vermont. They were married in New York and afterwards moved to Canada, and in 1849 came to Illinois and settled on Friend's Creek, where Mr. Brennan remained until his death, which occurred January 18th, 1857. His wife and mother of Mrs. Dickey is still living, a strong, hearty woman, although in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Mrs. Sarah Ann Dickey was born in Canada August 25, 1828. She, by a former marriage to Hiram H. Warner, had one child, a son, named Hiram H. Warner, now a resident of Kansas. Mr. Dickey, also by a former marriage, had six children, three of whom are living. John B., the eldest sou, was a member of the 116th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers during the late war, and was taken prisoner and died at Andersonville. David A., another son by this marriage, was "a member of the same regiment, and was killed on the 23d of July, 1864, in one of the battles before Atlanta. By the marriage of

William and Sarah A. Dickey, there were nine children born to them. The names of those living are: Claretta J., wife of H- C. Griffin ; Sarah I. ; Henry E. ; Charles A. ; Margaret C. ; Mary B., and James H. Dickey. Mr. Dickey in his life was a consistent and active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and was for nearly forty years an elder in that religious organization. In his locality he was a man of considerable influence, which he always wielded for the good of the community. He was a kindhearted man, and suffered considerably in a financial way by going security for others, and then being compelled to meet their obligations. To his family he was a kind husband and an affectionate father, and his death was a great loss to them and to the entire community.

Like most of the towns along the line of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railway, Blue Mound was laid out, soon after the completion of the road, in the year 1870. The road was then known as the Decatur and East St. Louis R. R.

The first house in the town was a dwelling-house, built by William Cummings in 1861, before the location of the town. It afterward became the property of James Seiberling. In 1870, a store was moved here from about one mile north of the town, by O. Ulrich and Bros., which was the first one established. During the same vear the post-office was established, and William Clemens was appointed the first post-master. A school-house was erected in

1871, and Isaac Black was the first person to occupy it as a teacher. The first hotel was opened by A. H. Eicholtz in 1870. Albert Xicholls, was the first to establish a blacksmith shop.

The Present Business Houses

Of the town may be seen in the following list: The mill and elevator now owned and operated by J. Barrick, was built by Henry Kain and Edward Eicholtz, in the year 1870. In August, 1875, Mr. Barrick purchased an interest in the business, and in October, 1877, he became full proprietor. The elevator is constructed for handling all kinds of grain, and has a capacity of

The tile factory of E. E. Lemen, was built in 1878 by Scott and Lemen ; has a capacity of 175,000 feet of drain tileing per annum. C. E. Bosworth's tile factory was built in 1877, by Williard and Bosworth, and has a capacity of 150,000 feet of drain tileing per annum.

There are two hotels in the place ; Blue Mound Hotel, kept by H. Scott, and the Ward House, by R. D. Ward. The leading physicians are Robert Toby and G. F. Waldron. Dr. W. J. Sane, Dentist. Dry Goods and Groceries. - Dunbar & Nicholls, S. McKnight & Co. Groceries . - William Stringer, D. Seiberling &

Bro., Geo. Elliott. Drugs. - Spooner & Sprague, D. E. Henshie. Clothier. - Joseph Miller. Boots and Shoes. - Raup & Chew, Jewelry. - Adam Becker. Barbers - Marris & Bro. Millinery. - Mrs. R. J- Guthrie, Mrs. Schoolcraft, Mrs. J. Johnson, Mrs. Dickinson, and C. A. Shirley. Hardware and Furniture. - Xiles & Bradley. Hardware and Lumber. - W. B. Cross. Agricultural

The list of business houses above speaks well for a town that has only been in existence ten years. For its business men, Blue Mound has had gentlemen of energy and enterprise, who have used their efforts to build up the town, to the flourishing and prosperous condition it can now boast of. The place has very creditable church buildings, and a good school-house. The town was laid out, principally through the influence of Doctor Goltra, who at that time owned the land upon which the town now stands. Her history is not yet made ; the first ten years of her existence was laying the foundation, from which history may hereafter be gathered.

Mr. Barrick was born in Frederick county, Maryland, September 8th, 1833. His parents, Cornelius Barrick and Mary Snook, were natives of the same county, where he followed the calling of carpenter. Mr. Barrick was brought up in the same trade, and laid the foundation of his fortune by the use of the saw and plane. When about seventeen, in company with his oldest brother, William, he directed his course to Illinois, in order to find a larger field of operation, and to have an opportunity to grow up with the country. He made a location in the old village of Middletown, Logan county, and there completed an apprenticeship under the superintendence of his brother, who was a finished and experienced workman. He followed the business two years in Lincoln, after which he directed his steps to Christian county. There, in 1855, he purchased his first farm, a tract of 133 acres, which he reduced to cultivation. He afterwards sold and bought till he owned three farms in that county. He has also owned as many in this county at different dates, and has been known for several years as one of the active business men of this county. About three years ago he located in Blue Mound, and bought the homestead of John Armstrong. His object in coming to this town was to look after the interests of an elevator, in which he had purchased an interest in 1875. In 1877, he bought out the other partners, and has since conducted the business alone. He has added needed improvements suitable to a large and increasing trade, and now does a business equal in magnitude to any of the kind in the county, handling this season 200,000 bushels of grain.

Mr. Barrick has proven a valuable acquisition to the trade and commerce of his town and community, and has gained for himself a reputation in business capability and commercial honor second to none. His private life is also without reproach, and he stands before the people without a blemish on the family escutcheon.

He was married while in Logan county, to Miss Barbara A., the daughter of Samuel Gaver, formerly also of Frederick county, Maryland. This lady died in the spring of 1863, leaving four children, three daughters still surviving, two of whom are married, viz : Melinda, the consort of Charles Wilcox, a resident of Christian county, and Carrie, the wife of Win. Henshie, of this county. His second and present wife was formerly Mrs. Jane R. Leister, relict of Jno. Leister, formerly of Bureau county, and native of the Chesapeake States. Five heirs constitute the fruits of this union, a son and four daughters.

Mr. Barriek in the multiplicity of business has not neglected the greater concerns of the Christian religion, but for a number of years has tried in a humble manner to serve the " King of Kings." He has maintained a consistent and creditable standing in the Methodist church for a quarter of a century, where his family have also found a spiritual home.

He is a republican in his political creed, and therefore a Union man in the full sense of the term. He was not in the late war himself, but his family furnished to the LTnion columns six brothers and one brother-in-law, who fought through the war, which eventuated in the integrity of the Republic.

Mr. Barriek is a firm believer in the great future of the American nation, is an advocate of the equal rights of all before the bar of civil law, and that in social standing men should be taken breast high - that is, valued for their moral and religious worth alone, independent of monetary considerations.

He came to this state poor and with only a limited education, but by industry and good judgment he has amassed at least an independence in property, and by a long course of general reading and business calculations he has supplied what he failed to acquire in his early school days. He has treated all with fairness in trade, has never taken the advantage in cases when others have been dependent on him, and to his perpetual credit it can be said that in no instance has he oppressed the poor, and that in all business transactions, however needy second parties were, he has always treated them as if no disparagement in circumstances existed.

John D. Seiberling

Though still a young man, Mr. Seiberling deserves a passing notice, both on account of the services he has rendered his country and the business relations he sustains to his town, as well as to preserve a record of a well-known family.

His grandfather, Jno. D. Seiberling was a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, where he served as post-master fifty-four years, and was the oldest P. M. of the Keystone state. He married a Miss Bear, and lived to the age of ninety-two years, and died while on a visit to Ohio. James Seiberling, now a well-known citizen of this township, father of our subject, is also a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, was raised there and also there married to Miss Sarah Moser. He afterwards settled in Summit County, Ohio, where he lived till he moved here in 1864. He has had a family of fourteen children, all now dead, save six, viz. : Catharine App, J. D., O. R., P. M., Sarah Wise and Miss Mary - all of the town of Blue Mound.