Deerfield Township

Deerfield Township

Deerfield township (the field of deer) was in an early day the favorite resort of thousands of deer, especially on Reeves' Prairie, on sections 1, 2 and 3: hence the name. In the y^sar LS23 Robert Reeves purchased the northwest quarter of section 2 and in the following year left civilization and settled here in the then wilds of Deerfield, where the nights were hideous by the ceaseless howling of the blood-thirsty wolves. Among his nearest neighbors were Henry Waughtel, sr., Wm. Totten and Simon Camron, of Cass township, at a distance of about ten miles. Among the earlier settlers of Deerfield were John S. and Samuel Edmonson, Zebulon and Milton Foster, John S. Dyer, John H. Martin, Isaac Weaver and and Hezekiah Cattron, all of whom settled in the vicinity of Reeves' Prairie. The original Reeves farm was ])urchased in 1835 of the widow and heirs of Robert Reeves by the late William Weaver of this county, and whose son, Joshua Weaver, is living upon the prairie at ])resent. John Martin was the first Justice of the Peace, and was elected in 1H37. Schools were taught in the township as early as 1840. John H. Martin Avas the first Supervisor. John T. Vittum is the present incumbent.

Deerfield stands among the first townships of the county in })oint of religious organizations. There are six of these in the township and four church edifices. The Sunday-schools established semiannual conventions in the township under the title of the Deerfield Sabbath-school Association, in 1875. Joshua Weaver is President and M. D. Dickinson Secretary.

Wiley Union Church. - The Methodists and Lutherans l)uilt a house in 1879 upon the land donated by Mr. E. Wiley, in 1839, for school and ('liuicli i)urj)Oses. Mr. Wiley did not deed the land, but his successor, John Scott, transferred it to the Trustees for the above named purposes. Services are held every two weeks l)y liev. J. E. Rutledge, M. E. preacher, and every alternate Sunday by Rev. Martin, Lutheran Pastor.

Franklin Christian Church, commonly known as the New-Light Christian Church, was organized April 10, 1809, by Elder John K. Jones, with ten members. This Ciiurch sprang mostly from the old Pleasant Valley congregation, whic^h was organized at the house of John Laswell, July 21, 1838, by Dr. John Scott, who now resides in Prairie City, 111. This little band grew and prospered until it numbered at one time over 70 members. But some of the members having died, some dismissed by letter and others uniting in another bodv as the ^U. Pleasent Church, the history of whieh is given in coniieetion with Cass township, the Pleasant Valley Church disbanded. Present membership of the Franklin Church is (K). Elder E. W. Irons is Pastor.

Sharon Cinnherlnnd Prcfihutcrian ( htirch was organized in the autumn of IH'Mi by Kev. -John Berry, at the house of John Edmon-* son. The records were burned in the house of Mr. Holmes, and in 1850 the Church was re-organized and services were held in the new school-house just across the line in Young Hickory townshi]). There are about 15 members, but employ no regular ])astor, as the Presbyterians, Methodists and l^utherans have united their forces and employed a minister to j)reach for all.

Lutheran Zion Church was organized July 23, 1849, with a meiiibership of 14, in the Wiley school-house, by Rev. Mr. Scharer. This organization built a church edifice in 18G6, and in 1872 the growing desire upon the part of some for English preaching was so great that the Church divided, and now consists of two organizations, each one employing a pastor and worshiping in the same house. One of them is termed the German Lutheran and the other the English Jjutheran congregation, yet we give both as the history of one Church, for both claim to be the Lutheran Church, and each holds that the other is the faction ; but the German congregation holds the old records. The ])eople are all Germans, but the word " English " is used to designate one from the other.

iJcvrJield Temperance Union. - Rev. Mr. Evans, of Fairview, assisted by Dr. Beer, of P^llisville, delivered a series of lectures at the Lutheran Church and Wiley school-house in the spring of 1870, and on the 10th of June the above-named society was organized with J. C. Tompkins President and M. 1). Dickinson Secretary. Their motto is ''Total Abstinence ;" badge, blue ribbon ; membership, about 50.

I'Ehsonal Sketches

BarthjjB. Blouf, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 18; P. ()., Babyi(»n. Mr. B. was born June 2, 1830, in Franklin Co., (). He came to Fulton Co. with his parents, Allen and Elitha (Boyd) Blout, as early as 1837, and consequently knows much of ])ioneer life. His father used to go 40 miles to mill, and he says he has seen their neighbor, Abram Teatswortii, ])low with a forked stick. He killed a deer on the opposite bank of the river one time, and sw^am over to get him. He took out its entrails with a nail, sunk it in the water and tied it there with a grape vine to keep the wolves from

H04 History Of Fulton County

Levi Brown, carpenter; P. ()., P^llisville ; was l)()rn in Stark Co., O., Oct. 10, 1836 ; removed with his parents to Indiana in 1845, and came to this county in 1855; worked for Mr. Cope about a year. He has been Collector two terms, Justice of the Peace 13 years, and also Pathmaster and School Director ; was married to Sarah C. Zimmerman Aug. 30, 1860. She has borne 7 children, 5 of whom are living, - Mary A., David A., Chas. H,, Clarence E., and Artie L.

David Z. Buchen is engaged in blacksmithing on sec. 25 with his brother John. He is the son of John and Rachel (Smith) Buchen, and was born in Carroll Co., Ind., March 22, 1842. He came from that State to this county in 1872. He began to learn his trade when 18 vears old and has worked at it since. He worked for the Government at Washington, D. C, for 8 months. In 1864 he was married in ^lanchester, Md., to Hanna Jane Wilhelm, who was born in Baltimore Co., Md., in Nov., 1842.

John Bachen, blacksmith, sec. 25; P. O., Fiatt ; was born in Carroll county, Md., Jan. 11, 1844. His father, John Buchen, of Carroll county, died in 1852 ; his mother, Rachel, nee Smith, is living in Canton, at the age of about 70 years. Mr. B. worked for the Government 3 years in the city of Washington. He learned his trade on the old homestead in Maryland and has followed it ever since with moderate success. In 1869 he was married to Mary Snider, who was born Feb. 15, 1846. Tliey had a family of 8 children born to them, - 6 boys and 2 girls.

Jacob M. Dickson. - There was born to Uriah W. and Ruth A. (Foster) Dickson, of Canton, 111., on Dec. 12, 1857, a son, the subject of this sketch. In this, his native county, he has been reared and educated ; was l)rakeman on the C, B. ^ Q. R. R. for a short time; went to Colorado in '77. He was married !March 12, 1879, to Lydia Shleich, daughter of the late Jacob Shleich, of Fairview township. Mrs. D, is a meml)er of the Dutch Reformed Church. Mr. D. is engaged in agricultural i)ursuits. P. O., Fairview.

Matfhi(ts D. Dickinson, teacher, son of C. II. and Susan Dickinson, of Deerfield township, was born in Morris county, N. J., Nov. 8, 1852, and came with his parents to Fulton county in '62 ; received a common-school education in this county, and by industry and economy has borne his nwn exjienses through Hedding College, Abingdon, 111. He is a memi)er of the M. E. Church; was reared on a farm, but is turning his attention to teaching. P. ()., Ellisville.

Martin V. Dunavan, farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Fiatt; was born Aug. 4, 1837, in Fulton county, and is the son of Lewis and Mary (Baughman) Dunavan. His father died in 1878, and his mother in 1857. Mr. D. enlisted in the Second California Cav., in 1862, and engaged in fighting the Indians, principally. In 1866 he was joined in marriage with Isabel Hartford and has a family of children.

Chas. B. Edmonson, farmer and blacksmith, sec. 10; P.O., Ellisvillc ; was born in Jackson county, Nov. 29, 1827. He was brought to this coniity, in 18."}(), by liis ])arents, M'ho first settled upon Totten's Prairie. Thev now resitie in McDonough county. ]\Ir. E. enlisted Aug. 12, 18(52, in Co. D, 103d 111. Inf., to help"defend our dear old Hag and nuiintain a united country. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps ; was sick for a year. He has had the misfortune to have both legs broken, - one October 12, 18(j5, by a saw-log, the other Nov. 10, 187(), by being kicked by a cow. He was married June o, 1870, to Rebecca Dyckman, native of Deerfield. Two girls and one bov have blessed the union.

Frank F. Foiif.^ was born 'March 3, 1850, in Ellisville, 111. His father, George Fonts, is a native of Pennsylvania, and settled in this county in 1852. The subject of this sketch is one of 14 children, 8 of whom are living. His parents were married in the Keystone State, Nov. 14, 1850. His father started for Pike's Peak during the excitement of '59; met men homeward bound very much dissatisfied, and returned; went to Montana and Idaho in '(54, returned via Pike's Peak; stopped in Utah and worked for the Government, receiving $140 a month. Frank is engaged in farming and stock-raising with his father. I*. ()., Ellisville.

Jacob A. (juodcll, farmer; P. O., Ellisville ; was born in Rockingham Co., Mass., June 23, 1818. He came to this county in 1840, but has resided in Ijicking and Crawford counties, O. His father, Samuel Goodell, served in the war of 1812, and came to this State in 1838. Mr. G. has served as Constable, Deputy Sheriff, Pathmaster, and School Director; was married to Henrietta Kaler, Nov. 1, '42, by whom he iiad 11 children ; is a member of the Christian (New-Light) Cliurch. He amassed considerable wealth at two different times, but lost all, first, by security debts, second, by fire and trust deed. His grandfather Wooster lived 78 years with one wife, and died at the age of 111 years, 3 months and 10 days. Is a cooper and carpenter by trade, but now follows farming.

Xclson S. Johnson, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O., Fiatt ; is a son of the late B. C. Johnson ; was born in Joshua township, this county, June 9, '49. Mis father came to Joshua township in 18.'>2, and hence was one of the first settlers there ; was about the first man who ran for Sheriff of Fulton Co. on the Whig ticket; and was tendered 1<)() acres of land within 2?. miles of Canton at one time, for a horse. He was also a self-made teacher, teaching several years in Joshua township. When a little boy he went to Chicago to mill. He began active life witii 40 acres of land and a horse, and died wealthy at the age of 58 years, leaving his son N. S., the snbject of this sketch, a large farm. Mr. J. is inventor and sole ])roprietor of Johnson's Pidverizing Harrow and Clod Smasher, which the farmers of Deerfield and adjoining townships so highly prize. He has traveled through the West, and attended the C'entennial. He was united in marriage Dec. 27, '71 with Dollie Hester, by whom he

WUIidin II. I\cfch(nn, farmer and carj)enter, sec. 12; P. ()., Babylon. On the 14th of May, 1825, there was born to Hiram and Nancy M. (Austin) Ketcham, of New York, a son, whom they christened William H. He came first to Peoria Co. with his parents, thence to Mason Co., and finally to Fulton. He has been twice married, - the first time to Miss .lulia Ann Waixner Nov. 14, 18(51. His present wife, Mrs. Catharine (Shafi'er) Ackley, he married Mar. 15, 1874. He had 2 children, Maria K. and John Henry, by his first w^ife, and one by his present wife. She is a member of the Christian (New-Light) Church. Mr. K. helped build Babvlon Mills in 1850-1.

Job B. Knott, farmer and stock-raiser, sec 10; was born near Table Grove, 111., June 25, 1832. His parents came to Ind. in 1828 and to Fulton Co. in 1832. His father, John Knott, is deceased ; his mother is 84 years old. Job was married to Civillia Runk March 23, '5(). Nine children have been born to them, - 8 boys, one girl, - 8 of whom are living. Mr. K. was drafted twice during the Rebellion, but never entered the service. He began life ]ioor, and although he has lost considerable money by security and suffered other misfortunes, yet he now has 175 acres of good land unincumbered. He has hauled wheat to Chicago with an ox team and sold it for 30 cts. P. O., Ellisville.

Joseph A. Knott is a son of John and Nancy (Miller) Knott, and brother of Job B. Knott, of this county ; was born in Clark Co., ()., Aug, 2, 182(5. His i)arents removed with him to Table Grove, 111., in 1828 and to Deerfield tj). in '32; was educated in Fulton Co. in l)oth select and common schools. He served in the l^el)ellion in Co. I), 55th 111. Inf ; was wounded in the biittle at Shiloh by an ex- ])loding shell. Mr. K. was united in marriage March 25, '45, with vSarah White, by whom he had 5 children; was married again June 22, to Abigail (Ketcham) Daily, by whom he also had 5 children. Is a member of the Christian Church. Fjived in Iowa 3 years. Traveled in Kansas, Mo., Iowa, and Neb. ; removed to Mo., but returned without unh)adint2;; didn't like the country. He is now a farmerr formerly a cooper. P. O., Ellisville.

Dnnicl M. Lairson, farmer; P. O., Ellisville; Mr. L. is a son of Jain(>s and Elizabeth (Sleighder) Lawson and was born Feb. 16, 1848, in Franklin Co., Pa.; removed to Fairfield Co., ()., in '64, and to Fulton Co. in '70: was educated in the common schools of Penn. While riding on the cars near Ijancaster, O., the cars ran off the track, a rail breaking and forcing its way through the car in which he was riding; l)ut all escaj>ed uninjured. He was married Aug. 18, 1875, to ^lary Vj. Weaver, daughter of Joshua Weaver, of whom we speak elsewhere in this work. They have two children, Grace G. and Nora E. Mrs. L. is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Lewis J/a/'f/n was born in Germany Sept. 13, '36, and was ])r()ught to this country by his parents, both of whom are now dead, in 1<S40. He came into Fulton Co. in 1845. He enlisted Aug. 14, '62, in Co. B, 103d 111. Inf., and served till June 21, 1865. He took part in the battles of Mission Ridge, Savannah and other important engagements. He was married in Canton in Aug., 1866, to Katharine Mahr. They have been blessed with 4 children, - 3 boys, one girl. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. M. is engaged in farming on sec. 16. P. O., Ellisville.

Nelson (r. 3IiUs, farmer, sec. 13; P. O., Babylon. Mr. Mills is a native of this county and was born April 8, 1844. His parents, Gideon and Emeline (Bishoj)) ^lills, are deceased. Mr. M. served in Co. B, TOth 111. Inf., during the Rebellion, and is now a member of Co. H, 4th I. N. G. Nov. 16, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Jones in Stark Co. She is the daughter of Isaac and Ruth Jones. Isaac N., Henry O. and Ruth E. are their children.

Joseph Mitchell, son of Matthew and Jane (Corbit) Mitchell, was born in Indiana July 24, 1826; moved with his parents to Montgomery county, 111., in 1827, thence to this county in 1838; has been Constable 8 years, School Director 18 years, and also Road Commissioner; married Janctte Pigsley (3ct. 15, 1848, by whom he had 11 children, all living, the oldest 30 and the youngest 3 years of age ; four are in Iowa ; Jennie was married to Luther Shaffer Sept. 27, 1877. Mrs. M. is a member of the Frec-Will Baptist Church. Mr. M. is engaged in farming and stock-raising. P. O., Fiatt.

Matthew Mitchell, former; P. O., Fiatt; is a son of Ebenezer Mitchell, and was born in Franklin Co., O., Aug. 28, 1832; came to this county with his parents in the year 1850. Mr. M. enjoyed no other educational advantages than those which are afforded in the common schools; served in the Rebellion in Co. A, 55th 111. Inf, for four years; was in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg and Atlanta; was married in 1871 to wi(h)W Kaler, by whom he has 3 children, - John W., Minnie J. and Mary M. Mrs. M. had 2 children by her first husband, Joseph S. (deceased), and James H. Both Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

Matthew H. Mitchell, farmer and stock-raiser, is the son of Matthew and Mary (Freeman) Mitchell, and was born in Montgomery Co., 111., March 17, 1830. His parents came to the State in 1828, and to this county in 1835. Both parents are deceased. Mr. M. has certainly seen the rough side of pioneer life. The first cabin his father built in this county was 12 feet srpiare. They slept on a rail-pen bedstead ; cooked and ate out of doors; their nearest neighbor was 10 miles away, and indeed they suffered all the privations of a new countrv. He was married to Calj^hurnia Wheeler Feb. 11, 1852. She is a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y. They have had 10 children - 6 boys and 4 girls. Both he and his wife are con- nectcd with the Christian (New-Light) Church. Mr. M. lives on see. 3; P. O., Ellisville. Politically he is a Greenbacker, and is the candidate for County Treasurer upon that ticket.

James Norris, farmer and miller, sec. 13; P. ()., Babylon. Mr. N. is the son of Benjamin and Lutetia (Griffith) Norris, and was born in Franklin Co., O., Dec. 23, 1833. He came to this county in 1854, and in January, 1857, married Mary E. Gardner. This union has resulted in the l)irth of 8 children, - 5 boys and 3 girls, - all of whom are living Avith their parents. Mr. N. served a short time in the Rebellion and has held local offices.

A. W. Po?nf/w/, Justice of .the Peace; P. O., Fiatt. Mr. P. is a son of Asa and Theodosia (Henry) Pomeroy, and was born Nov. 24, 1821, in Massachusetts. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and died in 1829; his mother was born in Utica, N. Y., and is still living there at the age of 95 years. When 10 years old his mother took him to Utica, where he received his education ; removed to Albany, N. Y., in 1846, and came to Fulton Co. in 1854; married Elizabeth A. Saulpaugh June 20, 1848, by whom he had 9 children, 5 of whom are living, - Rufus H., Charlotte L., wife of Millard Johnson, Kate L., Jennie S., and Chas. A. Kate began teaching at the age of 17, and has taught 3 years with good success. Mr. and Mrs, P. are members of the F. W. Baptist Church. They lost their house and furniture in the great Albany fire of 1848. Mr. P. passed through the fire uninjured by wrapping blankets around him. Went to California in 1850, and returned in 1852. Mr. P. has filled about all of the township offices.

./. W. Schrodf is a native of Germany, where he was born Feb. 3, 1820. He came with his parents to this county, stopping in Maryland, in 1831 ; came to Ohio in 1837 and to this Co. in 1847. Both his parents are deceased. He was formerly engaged at shoe-making, but now turns his attention to farming and stock-raising upon sec. 7. Durino; the vear 1847 he was married to Marv K. Mahr, who bore him 10 children, - 7 boys and 3 girls, - 9' of whom are living. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Postoffice address, Ellisville.

Andrew J. Sheplei/ was born Jan. 19, 1833, in Groton, Mass. His father, Oliver Shepley, brought him to McLean Co., 111., thence to Fulton Co. in 1840. He was a Jacksonian Democrat. Served in the Legislature in '41, and died in Canton in '64. His mother, Lydia (Lawrence) Shepley, died in this county in '78. Mr. S. was educated in Canton. He was married to Jane A\'. Yanarsdale Mar. 9, 1864, by whom he has three children, - Alice A., Adelle and Andrew C. Mr. S. follows agricultural pursuits. P.O., Fairview,

John Srhnur, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O., Fairview; was born in Germany May 16, 1848, and is the son of John W. Schnur, who brought his family from Germany to Hlinois in 1854. Mr. S. came to Fulton county in '68. He received his education in the common schools of Illiuoi.'5. He was united in marriage Sept. 16, '71, with

Eva Eheresraan. Their children are Nina E. and William A. Mr. and Mrs. Schnur are members of the Lutheran Church. His life has not been very eventful, yet in '69 he came near meeting with terrible death during a railroad accident, by a broken rail which was lying on the track between his body and the car wheel.

George Sn-inger, son of George and Barbara (Dreher) Swinger, was born in Germany Dec. 22, 1836. He came with his parents to the U. S in 1853, and to Fulton Co. in 1861. He has filled several responsible local official positions, but does not seek popularity. Oti Dec. 24, 1867, he was united in marriage with Cynthia Kunk, who has borne him 6 children, - 2 boys and 4 girls, - all of whom are living. Mr. S. is engaged in agricultural pursuits on sec. 16. P. O., Ellisville.

Philip Tliarp, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O., Fairview ; is a son of David and Eleanor (Tracy) Tharp, and was born in Perry Co., O., Sept. 8, 1822 ; removed with his parents to Licking Co., O., in '31, thence to Knox Co., O., in '44, next to Logan Co., ()., in '47, and to Fulton Co., TIL, the same year; lived temporarily in Prairie City 6 years to educate his children ; received most of his education at home after marriage; was married in Licking Co., O., Sept. 15, '42, to Hannah Bevard, by whom he had six children, four of whom, John X., Enos, Laura O. and Eliza arc living. Both are members of the Free-Will J^aptist Church. ISIrs. Tharp has been in ill health for several years, for the improvement of which they have been traveling in Oregon, California, Washington Ter., and nearly all the Northern and Western States, and also in Canada.

Joshua Tompkins, son of J. C Tomjikins, whose biography appears in this work, was born in Fulton, Schoharie Co., N. Y., May 22, 1840. He came from New York to this county in 1871 ; was educated in the public schools in his native State. Mr. Tompkins enlisted in the 44th N. Y. Inf. in Oct., 1861, and served nearly 3 years, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability. His father and all his i)rothers who were old enough for duty - 3 in number, making 5 in all - were in the late civil war. One brother. Jay, about 17 years old, was killed very suddenly by the bursting of a bombshell at Petersburg. Mr. T. was married to TiOtiisa Sheldon in Oct., 1868. xV farmer, lives in Decrfield, votes the Republican ticket. P. O., Ellisville, 111.

J. C. Tompkins was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1813; removed to Schoharie Co. in 1836, and to this county in 1867; has been Assessor, School Director and Pathmaster; Avas married in Sept., 1834, to Miss Elizabeth Mpshier. Ten children were the result of this union, 7 of whom are living. Mr. T. served in Co. K, 2d N. Y. Heavy Artillery, in the late Rebellion ; was in the battle of the Wilderness, and was present when Lee surrendered. Four of his sons, Joshua, Henry, George and J. also fought for the stars and stripes. Joshua was discharged for disability ; Henry was taken prisoner at the second battle of Bull Run and exchanged ; and J., while fighting nobly for his country by his father's side, was instantly killed by an exploding shell. Mr. T.'s family Bible was owned by his grandfather, Tompkins, and is over 100 years old. He is a farmer and stock-raiser. P. ()., P^llisville.

Thomas (t. Turner, farmer ; P. O., EUisville ; is a son of Horace and Ann Jane(Higgins) Turner; was born in Rensellaer Co., X. Y., Oct. 7, 1831; came to this county with his parents in 1838; has held the offices of Road Commissioner, School Director and School Trustee. The old log house is still on the old home place near Canton in which his father and family lived in 1838; was married Feb. 18, 1854, to Harriet McKinzie, by whom he has 9 children, - Ida, M'ho is teaching in Iowa, Geo. E., Lillie (teaching in Fulton Co.), Anna, Richard, Josephine, Leonidas and Lenore ; the last two being twins. His father at one time was Representative for Fulton Co. His mother is living in Joshua toAvnship.

Samuel R. Twining, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O., Fiatt ; son of Hiram and Lovey (Peas) Twining, was born Jan. 30, 1831, in Licking Co., O. ; removed to Burlington, Iowa, thence back to Lancaster, O., thence to Zanesville, thence to New Philadelphia, O., and in 1870 to Fulton Co., 111. ; had no other educational advantages than those furnished by the common schools of Ohio. Was called out with the militia durinii: Morgan's raid in Ohio ; was married Sept. 13, 18o-"J, to Sarah E. Overstreet, by whom he has two boys, - Clarence W. and Edwin H. ^L'. and Mrs. T. are members of the M. E. Church. He has traveled through the West and South, and at one time was on a steamer that sank 25 miles below St. Louis, and remained on the ]>art that was above water (for the water was shallow) until the next day.

John W. Ilsinfjer was born in Fulton county Dec. 26, 1852. His father, Daniel Utsinger, was born in Germany and settled in Fulton county at an early day. The subject of this sketch is a farmer and stock-raiser ; also does his own blacksmithing ; has been Constable, and is the present Collector; has never been out of Illinois. In 1875 he came near losing his life in a well containing what is commonly known as damps, while rescuing some men who had made the attemjit to rescue a boy who went down after his hat which had fallen in. One man, Joseph Crowl, died in the well. Is one of the building committee of the Wilev church, erected this year (1879). P. O., EUisville.

Xdfhaniel C. Vaiu/hn was born Jan. 2, 1822, in Madison county, O. His parents removed with him to Knox county, Pa., in '28, where in '29 all that was near and dear to him, his parents and all his brothers and sisters, were brutally murdered by the treacherous Seliqua Indians; while he, with some other children were taken from the fort and carried into captivity. After seven years of Indian life, where he was well educated in archery, he was rescued by a Mr. Welch, a trapper, who got permission to keep the boy one moon, and again two moons at another time, iintjl he finally stole him away, riding in the night for three niglits in succession, and lying concealed in day-time. He stayed with Mr. Granwood that winter and removed to Ohio with Silas Underwood in '42, and in '50 went to Indiana, thence to Kansas in '58, from there to Fort Kearney, Neb., and returned to Kansas in '59. He enlisted, June 3, 1861, in Co. F, 1st Kansas Inf , and served 3 years in the Rebellion ; was in the battles of Wilson ('reek, Mulligan's Defeat, Stone River and Shiloli ; was married in April, '66, to Barbara Wilson, by whom he has two little boys. He is now farming on the farm of J. C. Tompkins. Although he is a strong Republican he is a member of the M. E. Church, South. As a result of his early Indian training, he is the best marksman in Deerfield township, and we doubt if there be another as good in Fulton county. P. O., EUisville.

John T. Vitfum, son of D. W. Vittum, jr., and Ellen (Tarlton) Vittum, of Canton, was born near Canton Oct., 6, '54 ; was educated in Canton. He is the present (1879) Supervisor for Deerfield township ; was married May 30, '77, to Murcey Craig, of Joshua township. Mr. Vittum's great-grandmother lives in Mass., and is 99 years old. The subject of this sketch is a farmer, and deals largely in stock. Politically he is a Democrat. Like most young married boys, he goes quite often to see father and mother, and consequently passes Fiatt and Cuba and gets his mail in Canton.

Joshua Weaver is a son of the late AVilliam Weaver, of Fulton county, and was born Dec. 31, 1820, in Greene county. Pa. ; came to this county with his parents in April, 1835. His father on arriving here purciiased the land entered by Robert Reeves, who was the first settler in Deerfield township, on the tract of land known as Reeves' Prairie. Mr. W. has been Pathmaster, Assessor and Supervisor; also School Director 20 years; was married April 14, '42, to Mary A. Dykeman, by whom he had 3 children. He was again married Oct. 21, '51, this time to Eliza A. Martin, by whom he has 4 children, 3 of whom are married and living in this county, viz: Mary E., Harmon and James A. Both Mr. and Mrs. W. ai'e members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. W. has been Elder 23 years, and has been sent twice to the General Assembly: first to Memphis, Tenn., in 1857, next to Huntsville, Ala., in '73; has l)cen crippled with rheumatism for 20 years and has traveled in 15 States for the benefit of his health. His father was born in Lancaster, Pa., and died in this county, April 11, '79, at the age of 88 years. The father of Mrs. Weaver, John H. Martin, was Clerk and Judge of the first election for county officers in Fulton county, and the pen with which he wrote was made from a (|uill which Mrs. Totten took from a goose on the morning of tiie elec^- tion, and the poll-book was a fly-leaf frdni Mrs. Totten's Bible. Mr. W. is a farmer and stock-raiser. P. O., EUisville.

county, N. Y., in 1824, where he spent the most of his early life, and where he married Polly A. Hoselton, Feb. 10, '33, who is also a native of N. Y. Eight children are the result of this union, 5 of whom are living, - CaJphurnia, Sally, Myron, Reuben A. and Emeline. Mr. and Mrs. \V. are working members of the Christian (New-Light) Church ; is a carpenter and joiner by trade, but is farming at present. Has worked at ship-building. Mr. W. had nothing to commence with, but went to work with a will, and when he arrived at Canton, 111., in 1850, had but 85 dollars; now he owns a large farm. Is mail contractor from Fiatt to Cuba. P. O., Fiatt. Nathaniel White, farmer, sec. 4 ; P. O., Ellisville ; was born in Licking Co., O., March 1, 1833. He came to this county with his parents, Willis and Elizabeth (Berry) White, when five years of age. In 1850, during the great gold excitement, he went overland to California. He mined for three months and for some time was engaged in the provision business. He returned by ship to New York, thence home. Mr. W. was united in marriage with ^liss Sarah Prichard, daughter of an early pioneer, and a native of Fulton Co., May 16, 1858. The union has been blessed with 6 children, - 3 girls and 3 boys. While in Cal. he in a company of about 500 started across San Francisco Bay for the Gold Bluffs, but when far out in the Bay the vessel sprang a leak, and their lives were saved onlv bv casting all their mules and other carg-o overboard, and by all hands bailing out water with their gold buckets.