Ellisville Township

Ellisville Township

The life of Levi D. Ellis, the founder of the village of Ellisville, is so completely interwoven with the history of this township that we deem a short personal sketch of him important in this connection. He was born in South Carolina in the year 1789, and a half-orphan, his father having died before his birth. At the age of thirteen he went to Tennessee, leaving his friends behind, who however joined him two years thereafter. From there he moved to Illinois, stopping near Belleville ; from there to where Springfield now stands, which was at that time a wilderness. Mr. Ellis here cut the first tree for the first cabin ever erected in the capital city. He came to Fulton county in 1838, and located in Joshua township, his being the second family in the township. Here he built a mill. In 1828 he moved to this township and erected the first house in the township on the site of the present town of Ellisville. In 1829 he erected the first mill on Spoon river.

Mr. Ellis had a family of eight sons and one daughter. During the Winnebago Indian war he built a fort near Canton, where he kept his family and neighbors in garrison for six weeks. He died after a useful career in March, 1855.

The village of Ellisville was founded in 1830. It was at one time a great center for business. The people for forty miles around came here to have their grain ground and do their trading. But this prosperity was banished on the construction of the C, B. & Q. Railroad.

The remains of an Indian village, just across Spoon river from Ellisville and upon section 32, was to be seen for several years after the first settlers came in.

There have been two Churches organized in the township, - the Methodist Episcopal and United Presbyterian. The dates of organization are not positively known, as the records could not be obtained, and both organizations are almost extinct. There is a union Sunday-school, and services every Sunday; but neither congregation employs a minister. The church edifice was erected in 1850, by the United Presbyterians, and was subsequently sold to the Methodists by James Shear, who ,had a mechanic's lien upon it. The Pleasant Hill United Brethren Church, more commonly known as the Vinegar Hill Church, was organized in Feb., 1875, by T. T. Parvin, with 14 members. Services are held here every two weeks in "Vinegar Hill School-house." The present membership number 40. I

The Ellisville mill, which was known far and wide, was re-built in 1869 by Sheckler Bros. & Co., who have also added a saw-mill to it. The capacity of the mill at present is 75 l)arrel.s in 24 hours. The first school-house in the township was built in 1S40, and Chas. O. Nickerson was the first teacher. There are are now three school buildings in the township.

Tlie Ellisville iron bridge, erected by the King Bridge Company, of C^leveland, O., over Spoon river in 1876, consists of one span 240 feet long. It is the longest single-span wagon-bridge in the State, and is said to be the best.

Biographical Sketches

J. 31. Bell, son of Geo. and Mary (Stewart) Bell, of Virginia, was born Jan. 14, 1828, in Morgan Co., Ohio. He is a prominent teacher in this county, and was educated at Sharon, O. He entered upon his chosen profession in 1850, which he has successfully followed until the present, resting but one year in the entire 29 years; removed to Iowa in 1853, where he engaged in teaching, and where in 1854 he very successfully taught one of his pupils the science of matrimony, in the person of Nancy A. Ham. They returned to Ohio in 1857, and in 1859 he taught the school in which he received his education; returned to Iowa in 1860, and in 1863 removed to this county. Has been farming in the summer season for the past 4 years. They have had 7 children. Angus F. was killed by lightning on the evening of Oct. 8, 1878, then 19 years old. George M., the eldest son, received part of his education in Lewistown, 111., and has been teaching very successfully for 2 years. He is also Fourth Sergeant in Co. K, 4th regiment 111. National Guards. Another son, Pressley, is also a member of the same.

Simon B. Beer, physician and surgeon, Ellisville, is a son of the late AVilliam Beer, of Joshua township, and was born in that township Sept. 29, 1837. His mother, Rachel Beer, nee Burns, is a native of New York, and is 84 years old. The subject of this sketch was educated at Prairie City Academy and Abingdon Collcije, and is a graduate of the Eclectic Medical College, of Cincinnati, O. He served as First Lieutenant in CV). B, 103d 111. Inf., in the Rebellion ; resigned his commission in 1864; was drafted the same year; he em])loyed a substitute at a cost of ^800, and the officers accepted the sui)stitute but also kept Mr. B., and he and substitute were compelled to serve until 1865. He entered the teachers' field at the age of 18 years, and remained in that profession 12 years. In 1867, after receiving his medical education, began the practice of medicine, in which profession he is still engaged. As a ])hysician he has been very successful, and is noted for his reasonable charges during these hard times ; was Supervisor of Young Hickory township 3 years. He was married August 21, 1871, to Ellen Smith of Fairview

Joshua Culver, fiirmer and stock-raiser, sec. 7; P. O., St. Augustine; was born in Essex Co., N. Y., Sept. 11, 1824, and is the son of John and Nancy (Mills) Culver; the former is a descendant of much oppressed by the British that he escaped by swimming 5 miles and stealing: his wav on an American vessel, and was thus landed on the shores of freedom. Our subject was married Oct. 8, 1859, to Emily Fisher, daughter of Thomas Fisher, who served in the Black Hawk war. Mrs. Culver's grandmother, Peterson, made bullets all night one time at the beginning of the war in 1832. Mr. C. served in the Rebellion in Co. H, 32d 111. Inf He enlisted Oct. 15, 1864, discharged Sept. 16, 1865. Grandmother Fisher lives with her daughter. Thev have but one child, John T., born Aug. 24, 1867.

FoKfer A. Fisk is a son of Levi and Mary A. (Bacon) Fisk and was born in Martinsburg, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1821, and received a commonschool education in that State ; moved to Constantia, N. Y., in '36 ; and in '44 came to Fulton county. Mr. F. was united in marriage July 3, '46, with Harriet El. Bliss, who bore him 9 children, 8 boys and 1 girl. Emma is married to John Mott, and living near Fort Scott, Kan. Delbert C. is also married, and is a druggist in Leroy, 111. Mr. F. served in the late Rebellion, in the Carpenters' Corps; was Road Commissioner 8 years; also served as School Director, and School Trustee about the same length of time. He, in company with some neighbors, opened a mound near Ellisville a few years ago in which they found two stone hatchets and a copper campkettle. He carries on farming, but works at the chair and cabinet business himself at Ellisville.

Jolni Fonts, farmer and wagon-maker, Ellisville, was born in Huntingdon county. Pa., Feb. 18, 1826, and is the son of Michael and Elizabeth (Kuhn) Fonts ; the former is living in Iowa, and the latter is dead. He is twin brother to the father of Frank F. Fonts, of Deerfield, whose biogra])hy api)ears in this work. His uncle William Andyke, in about the year 1823 walked from IMiiladelpiiia, Pa., to Pittsburg, where he procured a canoe and rowed down the Ohio river to its mouth, thence up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, which was then just a French trading post. From St. I^ouis he rowed on and entered the mouth of the Illinois river, and up this stream to its head, and there abandoned his can<je and walked across to Chicago, which was, as St. Louis, a French trading post. From Chicago he traveled on foot across the wilderness to Philadelphia, He stopped and explored caves on the journey, and also drew a maj) of the country, and some very fine landscape views (for he was an artist). He was a native of Germany. Mr. F. came to this county in '51, by river, crossing the Alleghany mountains in a boat, pulled bv mountain R. R. engines. Has been School Director, Collector and Constable; married Sarah McCracken, Dec. 11, '56, by whom he had 12 children, 9 of whom are living and all at home; Ijoth are members of the Christian Church.

Francis B. Frcy. - The subject of this sketch was born in Union county, Pa., July 30, 1840, and is the son of Charles and Sarah (Ritter) Frey, of that State. He moved to Nebraska in '66, where he resided 3 years, and in '69 came to Illinois, and '70 removed to Kansas and remained there 6 years when he returned to this county and resides in Ellisville. He enlisted Sept. 7, '61, in Co. E, 51st Pa. Inf , and re-enlisted Jan. 1, '64, and remained until the close of the war. He was married Jan. 9, '72, in Marysville, Kan., to Adda M. Stout. He has no children, but Mrs. F. has one little girl by her first husband. He is a Lutheran and she is Catholic. Mr. F. was a miller for Sheckler Brothers & Co. in '69, and was employed by them on his return from Kansas, which situation he still holds.

AJpheus \V. (roodridge. - He of whom we now speak was born Feb. 2, 1832, in Windsor county, Vt., and is the son of Jason and Caroline (Willard) Goodridge, who removed with their son to York State in '36, and in '55 came to Fulton county and settled in Ellisville tp., where they still live. His father was born in Westminster, X. Y., June 26, 1801 ; practiced medicine 30 years in Vermont. The powder-horn and gun that his great-grandfather took from a dead British soldier at the battle of Bennington, are still in the Goodridge family. Mr. G. has been Road Commissioner 12 years. Town Clerk and is Secretary of the I. O. O. F. of Ellisville. He was married Dec. 31, '56, to Sophia Torrey, by whom he had 4 children. He was left a widower, and he was again married, March 9, '71, to Margaret Freer, daughter of Abraham Freer, who is living with his son-in-law, at the age of 77 years. Mr. G. has 3 children bv his second wife. He was formerlv a distiller, but is now engaged in farming. Is a member of the Ellisville Cornet Baud. P. O., Ellisville.

William E. Haines, physician and surgeon, Ellisville. Dr. H. is a son of \\ m. E. and Ellen M. (Cheyney) Haines, of Pennsylvania, and was born in Chester Co., Pa., July 2, 1839; received most of his education in the New London Academy, and graduated in the medical department of the University of Pa. in '67; came to Illinois on a visit in '61, and while here, enlisted in Co. G, 11th 111. Cavalr>', and served during the rebellion ; was in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg and other important engagements; was taken prisoner at Corinth, and was released in six weeks; went with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. The Doctor was married March 19, 1867, to Mary Anna Starr, in Philadelphia, Pa., by whom he has two girls, - Mary E. and Jennie S. Mrs. H. is a member of the Quaker (Friends) Church. The Dr. first practiced his profession six months in the Philadelphia Hospital, at the end of which time he came to Ellisville, and began practice here, and has merited and received a

Madison Head, son of John and Rhoda (Baker) Head, natives of New York, was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Jan. 13, 1829. He was educated in the Mecklenburg high school ; removed to Steuben county, N. Y., in '53, and to Fulton county in '65 ; removed to Avon in '60, where he engaged in the practice of law until '77, when he returned to his farm in Ellisville township, sec. 6. His career in the legal profession has been one of continued success for 20 years, but weak lungs drove him to abandon his chosen profession, although he still attends to a few cases for old friends. His grandfather Head was a native of Conn. He was married Jan. 15, '51, to Sarah Soule, who died in August, '64. He married again Aug. 21, '65, to Mary E. Wright, daughter of Daniel N. Wright. They had a girl and boy ; Myra, born Dec. 7,' 73, and an infant. P. O., Avon.

David Hogseft was born Dec. 8, 1823, in Rockingham Co., Va., and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Munse) Hogsett, who were both natives of Virginia. His parents removed with him to Highland Co., Ohio, in 1829, and to Fulton county in 1837. He received his education at home, never having attended a public or select school. He was a soldier in the Mormon war and saw Smith about three hours before his death ; went overland to California in 1850, and returned in '55, and in '56 married Miss M. Hosselkuf : Wm. N., born Oct. 9, '58, is their only child. He is a graduate of the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, 111. Mr. H. again crossed the plains to California in '63 and engaged in mining, and collected several thousands of dollars together and returned in '68, settling in the quiet village of Ellisville. He did not cross the plains without privations and snifering ; at one time he traveled on an allowance of 3 biscuits a day, and a stranger came along in a suffering condition and Mr. H. divided his only , biscuit with him. Mr. H. owns a farm near Ellisville.

George Lemon, farmer, sec. 19; P.O., Ellisville; was born in Alleghany Co., Pa., March 14, 1840, and is the son of David and Elizabeth (Ramaley) Lemon ; the former was also a native of Pa. Received a common-school education in the Keystone State, and enlisted Aug. 11, '62, in Co. F, 139th Pa. Inf., served during the Rebellion, and was discharged June 21,1865. On the 13th of June, 1867, he took unto himself a wife in the person of Margaret Speer, daughter of Thomas Speer, who came to this county in '56, and still lives in this townsliip. They have four children, and their names are Perry D., Mary R., Nancy E. and Amanda J. Mr. and Mrs. L. are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. L. lived in Grasshop]>erdom (Kansas), from 1871 to '74.

James N. Moore, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 31 ; P. O., Ellisville. The subject of this sketch was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 10, 1817. His parents, John and Mary H. (Lyon) Moore, died in New York. He was educated in part in the common schools of X. Y., and attended the first school in Galesburg, which was styled an Academy, with Xehemiah Losey, princij)al. He attended one session of court in the old log court-house in Knox county. Has been School Director, School Trustee, Road Overseer, Road Comr., and Supervisor. He was married Oct, 2, '43, to Catharine Hand, by whom he had 5 children ; she died in '51, and he married Lvdia Carrier, Sept. 22, '53. His son Henry L. is married and livintr in EUisville. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Swedenborgian Church.

Charles B. Reed. The subject of this personal sketch was born to James and Elizabeth (Beer) Reed in Wayne Co., O., Oct. 30, '23. His parents removed with their family to Beaver Co., Pa., in 1826, and to Fulton Co. in '39 ; was educated in the common schools of the Keystone State and of this county. He experienced much sickness for 3 years after first settling here. He was married May 20, 1848, to Martha Terrell, in Fairview. Two boys and 9 girls are the result of this union, seven of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. R. are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is farming at present, but is a carpenter by trade. P. O., EUisville.

Charles F. Robison, son of Marvin and Alniira (Vandercar) Robison of New York, was born Jan. 1, 1843, in Arcadia, X. Y. ; his father died in California in 1863, and his mother lives in that State at present. Mr. R. when but three years old was brought by his parents to Woodstock, (now Avon) Fulton Co. He is a graduate of Knox Colleire, and also arraduated in Brvant & Stratton's Commercial College, in the unprecedented short period of 8 weeks, which is the shortest time on record, of graduating in that or any other first-class Commercial College ; served in Co. D, 1st 111. Cav., during the Rebellion ; has taught school several years, and was principal of the EUisville schools a short time; went to California in '52. and returned in '58. He again crossed the plains to the Golden State in '63, and returned in '66 and took one of Illinois' fair ones to the far-off Pacific coast. While there he was bookkee])er and head salesman fi>r Vanwinkle c*^ Co., two years; wa< merchant and im])orter S years, and was Captain of Co, A, 1st Cal, National (iuards Cavalry; also traveled to Mexico, South America and the Sandwich Islands, He returned with fiimily to 111. in '71. Has been a member of the State Legislature for 4 years ; is an attornev at law and Notary Pul)lic, and is present Corporation Attorney fi)r EUisville. His wife, Mary L. (Howell) Robison of Union township, has borne him 2 children, Almira P, and Marvin T,

Thomas Ross, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 17; P, O,, EUisville; was born in Champaign Co., O., Oct. 12, 1818, and is the son of Mitchell and Mary (Stockton) Ross, of Delaware. His grandfather Ross was one of the famous Ross brothers, who at one time owned the fast horses of Delaware. The old gentleman contracted his last illness while lying by his horse to prevent some enemy from poisoning it, which was practiced very much in those days. His father was a teamster '\n the war of ISI'2, and on one occasion left the fort the morning previons to the killing of all in garrison by the enemy; has been School Director 17 years; was married March 1, 1838, to Mary C. Carson, by whom he had 0 children. He was left a widower in 1852, and on Feb. 23, '53 he was married to Eliza J. Vanwinkle, who bore him 5 children. Of all his children 8 are living, five married, and one, Stockton J., is a suceessfnl school-teacher. They are Predestinarian Baptists.

Daniel Shccklcr, brother of David Sheckler, of EllisvilTe, whose biography also appears in this work, was born in Union Co., Pa., March 27, 1825, and received a common-school education in that country; came to Ellisville in '54, near which he still lives. Has been Assessor four terms, and was Supervisor 10 years. He was married Mar. 24, '50, to Mary Henning, who has presented him with 11 children, 9 of whom are living. Winlield S. is in California. Mr. and Mrs. S. are Presbyterians. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade, but is farming at present,

David Sheckler, of the firm of Sheckler Bros. & Co., millers, Ellisville, is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Struble) Sheckler, and was born in Union Co., Pa., Aug. 5, 1836 ; was educated in the common schools of his native State; moved to Mercer Co., Pa., in 1852, and to Fulton Co. in 1862. Sept. 21, 1857, he was united in marriage with Lydia Struble in Mercer Co., Pa. The fruits of this union are 10 children, 8 of whom are living, and all at home. Mr. S. has been engaged in the milling business since 1869. He was formerly a carpenter.

D. B. Smith, grocer, Ellisville. D. B. Smith is a son of Anson and Mercey INI. Smith, and was born in Huron Co., ()., March 7, 1832. Although his parents bore the .same name before they were married, thev were not related. He came to this county with them in 1837, and received a common-school education here. His father died in 1865, but his mother is still living with him at the age of 70 years. He was united in marriage in October, 1857, with Hannah Wiard, in Avon, by whom he had 3 children, two of whom are living, - Anson and Lincoln. Mr. S., as the date infers, has been in Illinois over 47 years. He at one time knew every man in Fulton county; spent 3 years in Montana prospecting ; owns three lead claims there yet.

James A. H. Speer; post-office address, Ellisville. Mr. S. is a son of Thomas and Xancy (Lemon) Speer, of Ellisville township, and was born in Alleghany Co., Pa., Dec. 5, 1827: was educated in the Mercantile College at Pittsburg, Pa., and came to this county in 1856. His grandfather Speer was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He served in the Rebellion, enlisting in Aug., 1861, in Co. A, 47th 111. Inf., and was discharged Oct. 26, 1865; has filled the offices of School Director, Commissioner of Highways, and was Assessor 12 years; was married June 12, 1871, to Mary O. Welch, daughter of Joseph Welch, of Young Hickory township. They have had 5 children, 4 of whom are livintj, - Elva, ^loninia, Gail and an infant. He has traveled through the West, South and Southwest. He is a painter by profession but is now farming.

The following is a full and complete list of the Supervisors, Clerks, Assessors and Collectors serving in this township since its organization :