Elmira Township (part 3 of 3)

Roxburghshire, Scotland, November 23, 1806. His parents, Robert and Ellen (Brydon) Turnbull, were also natives of Scotland, the former (a soldier under General Elliott) participated in the siege of Gibraltar, and, after his honorable discharge from tlie British army, married and engaged in farming in Scotland until his death in 1S09, Uncle John, in his bojdiood (aged 8-| years), served eight years as cowherd for Thomas Stavart, subsequently had charge of a flock of sheep, and in 1826 removed to Lochcanon, Rosshire, where he was sliepherd for Adam Scott on the Tullich farm, serving for eleven years. During this time, on February 22, 1834, he married Margaret, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Fife) Oliver. On June 14, 1837, he and wife sailed from Greenwich for America, landed at Chicago, September 1st, moved in a few days to Joliet, and thence, in February, 1838, to Osceola Grove. Here he purchased a squatter's claim of 160 acres for twenty-five dollars (on section twenty-one) the same year; subsequently purchased it from the United States, and lias made this his home ever since. He added 120 acres to his original purchase, and has followed farming and sheep-raising here since 1838. He takes pride in the fact that his first vote was cast for Henrv Clay. "I lost it," says he, "but he was a grand old man." ~ Uncle John has been justice of the peace for over thirty years, was supervisor for three terms, and school director for a number of years. He was one of the original members of the United Presbyterian church here, and one of its most earnest supporters since organization. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull never had children, but by adoption reared a number of nephews and nieces, namely, Thomas Rule, married, living on the frontier; Will Rule, married, a resident of Iowa; Jane Rule, deceased, and Anna Rule, married, residing in Iowa. The two orphans, Mary and Matthew Phelan, were raised and educated by "Uncle John" and his wife; also, they reared II. H. Ohver and William B. Turnbull, giving parental care in each instance. Mr. T. is one of the most honored members of the Old Settlers' association, the annual meetings of which he attends. In political matters he is republican, versed in all public subjects, and now, in his eiffhtv-first vear. a svnonvm for health and vitror.

John G. TurnljuU was born in Dumphrieshire, Scotland, December 20, 1828. His parents, Robert and Margaret (Graham) Turnbull, resided in Roxburghshire so early as 1799, for there the eldest son, Thomas, now deceased, was born. Of their six children, all l)orn in Scotland, John G., of this township, and Sophia, married, residing in Bureau county, survive. The family settled in Canada in 1837, moved to Joliet, 111., in 1838, where Margaret Turnbull's mother and two brothers were attacked and carried off by some disease, and were buried there. During the following winter the survivors of this partv moved to Elmira townshi]), the father ])urchasing a farm on section twent3^-two. Here there were five more children born to them, among Avhom are Robert, married, in Page count}^ la. ; James, married, a citizen of Missouri ; Adam, married, of Fremont county, la. ; George, deceased. In politics Robert Turnbull, Sr., was democratic, in religion an Old School Presbyterian. He died in 1874, and later his wife, who for years shared all his disajipointments and successes, followed him to the grave. John G., when of age, purchased 160 acres in Bureau county. In 1859 he married Miss Helen, daughter of Matthew and Catherine (Temple) Scott, natives of England and Scotland, respectively. Mrs. Scott was a daughter of Eobert and Eliza (Elliot) Temple, "natives of England, her father being a physician, who on graduating moved to JNewcastleton, Scotland, where they died. Matthew Scott, her father, was a shoemaker of Roxburghshire, and resided there until his death. Mrs. J. G. Turnbull came to the United States with a cousin in 1858, and, as stated, was married in 1859. She is the mother of ten children, seven of whom are living, viz.: Thomas R., widower, residing here ; Margaret J., married, residing in this township; Anna, Henry, Charhe, Cora, and Irvine, all residing at liouie. In 1860 Mr. Turnbull owned 240 acres in Bureau county, and from that year until 1873 made his home there. He purchased 702 acres additional in Elmira township, where the family took up their residence in 1873. He began life's battle as a farm laborer, now owns 942 acres of fertile lands, and one of the most elegant homes in the county. While his wife and some members of his family are members of the Presbyterian church, he is not a member of any society ; but his moral and financial support is given freely to all Christian organizations. ( Yide history of townsJilp.)

William H. TurnhuU was born on the line of Roxburghshire and Northumberland, bordering on England, February, 1809; was married to Miss Mary Hume, of Roxburghshire, in 1837. He came to the United States in 1852, stop])ing in Oswego county, New York ; in 1853 came to Henry county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In October, 1859, death claimed his beloved companion, from which time he made his home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr, and Mrs. Thomas Oliver. On September 14, 1886, while the family were all quietly resting in sleep, little dreaming of the destructive element consuming their dwelling, t lie}^ were suddenly aroused by the crackling flames. Onlv bv the ereatest efl'orts of Mr. Oliver was his body rescued from the flames, but so badly burned that death resulted m twenty-four hours later. He was the father of seven children, two of whom died in early childhood - one in Oswego county, New York, and the other at Elmira. Four sons and one daughter survive him. Two sons are Presbyterian ministers, one now pasxor of a thriving church in Detroit, Mich., and the other of one in Nova Scotia, Canada. One son lives in Pawnee City, Neb., and the other is in Chicago.

Archihald Vandyke, son of Jacob and Alice (Craven) Vandyke, was born in Bucks County, Pa, .'January 10,1806. His brother Charles was also born m that county, April 12, 1814. The father, Jacob, was born in Pennsylvania, October 6, 1764, the mother was born in Pennsylvania, May 17, 1773, of Avhich state her parents, William and Alice Craven, were residents, but natives of Holland, Jacob Vandyke was a stone-mason ; Archibiald, his son, learned the tailor's trade, and with his brother Charles, are the only representatives of a family of nine children, Archibald was married in March, 1835, to Martha, a daughter of

Abram and Martha Slifer, both natives of Pennsylvania, but of German and Welsh descent. That year, with his brother, he engaged in mercantde business in Bucks County, Pa., but in 1836, he moved to Osceola Grove, located 160 acres, and farmed and worked at his trade here until the lands were placed on the market, when he entered his claim. Archibald and wife have no children of their own, but raised four, namely : Anne Sweet, deceased ; Orsinus Sw^eet, Carlos Newman, deceased ; and Emma Leonard, married and living in Minnesota. In 1874 he sold his lands at the Grove, moved to Kewanee, established a private boarding house, but on the deatli of his wife in 1877, sold his Kewanee interests, returned to Elmira, and resides wdth his brother. In 2X)litics he is Democratic, and for over fifty-four vears has been an earnest member of the Baptist church. Cliarles Vandyke married Eleanor, his brother's wife's sister in April, 1836, and the same month came to Illinois with his brotlier. After a stay of a few months at the Grove he returned to Pennsylvania, where he left his newly-wedded wife in April, engaged in agriculture there until 1811, when he revisited Elmira, purchased eighty acres, to which, within a few years, he added 240, and cultivated this tract until 1875, Avhen he sold the farm, and purchased sixty acres a point south, to wliich he has added 126 acres of choice land. Of their eight children five are living, namely: Abram, of Osceola Township; Theodore, single ; Charles H., single ; Alice, married, residing at Osceola, and James H., residing here. Charles Yand3'ke has always been a farmer. In politics he is liepublican like his sons. Adeline Condelle has been with the faniilv over forty-five years. Since 1845, Charles has been prominent in the public afi^airs of the township, and like his brother has alwavs been a leading member of the old Baptist church. Socially, the family hold a high place, and are noted for their hospitality. They have in their possession a Welsh dictionary, a China bowl, center table and clothes chest, brought to America in 1738.

Charles and Ellen {Sliper) Vcmdyike settled at Spoon river in 1836, the same year of their marriage, when they erected their cabin, laid the puncheon fiooi', put in an old-fashioned fire-p)lace, swung the crane, hung on the kettle and opened up in grand style, with one table, four chairs, one bake-kettle, one mush-pot, one bed, a rolling-pm, a hickory broom, two stout hearts and as many full grown appetites. The Tandj^kes' golden wedding took place April 21, 1886.

Ilewes W/iite, one of the pioneers, was the father of Wells White, born at Mansfield, Pa., June 7, 1836, came with his parents, Hewes and Anna (Williamson) White to Illinois in 1837 and settled at Osceola in 1838-9. Ilewes White carried on blacksmithing there until 1847, when the family moved to Toulon. Here the fatlier died in 1863 and the mother in 1876. leaving three sons and five daughtei's. Wells White carried on the wagon, carriage and blacksmith business Avhich his father established at Toulon. He married a Miss Hill, of Michigan, to whom a son and a daughter have been born. This son, Frank, is also the head of a family, his wife being Miss Mary, daughter of John Johnson, of Toulon.

A son of Eev. Mr. McDermott, of the Knox Presbyterian church, Elmira, was accidentally shot by another boy, Walter Stevenson, in April, 1885. There Avas no coroner's jury, as Dr. Boardman, the examining physician, did not deem the case as one requiring official examination. The matter was subsequently brought before the grand jury, that body discharged the case, crediting the death of young McDairmid to boyish recklessness rather than to intent. In a statement made before Judge Wright August 12. 1885, bv Mrs. Marv McDairmid, the following exphination of this sad affair is given: 'When John McAVilliams fir^t saw Nelson (McDairmid) and Walt er Stevenson) they were shooting in the pond, then they lay down on the grass, Walter having Nelson's gun; he gave it to John McWilliams, saying, -'There are three balls in it." John saw the balls himself, lie shot once at the fence, when Walter took the gun and pointed it at Nelson, when Nelson said, '* Don't 3^ou point that gun at me; I don't want any one to point a gun at me like that." Walter sna]:)ped, the chamber was empty. Walter continued pointing the gun at Nelson, when the latter moved back, bent his liead nearly to the ground, held up his arm over his head. Walter followed, pointing, snapped the second time, the gun was discharged, the ball entering Nelson's head. John McWilliams went for water. l)rouglit some in a hat and bathed Nelson's head, when Nelson said, "'That is nice." Bringing water a second time, he asked Walter if he should go and tell that Nelson was shot. Walter said, " Yes." Johnny said that one of the Armstrongs stated it was a play the boys were playing out of a book; but as he saw no book, he did not believe it was any play." As stated in the history of the township, the general belief was that the affair was accidental.

Source changes here: from History of Stark County, Illinois, and Its People : a Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement .., by Hall, J. Knox, published 1916; 2,177 words in this source stream.

Elmira Township

W. R. Sandham, of Wyoming, who has given considerable attention to the origin of Stark County names, says: "Elmira is the name given to a postoffice which was first established about tlie j-ear 1837, where the jiresent Village of Osceola is now located. It Avas named by Oliver ^Vhitaker, its first postmaster, after his former home, Elmira, New York. About the year 1845 the postoffice was mo\ed to its present location on the Avest side of Spoon River and the name moved with it."

However, the Village of Elmira had its beginning some two years before the removal of the postoffice as mentioned by ]Mr. Sandham. In 1843 Ambrose Fuller entered the quarter section of land upon wliicli the village stands and ojjened a store. Fuller's store soon became a sort of rallying point for the people of the neighborhood, the MetluKhsts anil Presbyterians located' churches there, several families purchased lots and built dwellings, thus starting a town. No otiicial plat of Elmira was ever filed with the county recorder, though part of the town is known as "Parsons' subdivision." In 1!>15 Elmira had two churches, two general stores, some small business concerns, a public school and a few residences. Rand & McXally give the po])ulation in I'JIO as 7tJ. The postoHice has been discontinued and mail is now delivered by rural carrier from Toulon.

On June 15, 1870, Edwin Butler, then county surveyor, surveyed the Town of Lombardville for Julia A. Lombard and Dr. Alfred H. Castle, and the plat was filed on the 8th of July following. Lombardville is located on the Buda & Rushville division of the Chicago, Burlington <Sc Quincy Railroail, on the line dividing sections 2 and 11, Osceola Township. The original i)lat shows 104 lots, with State, Frajiklin, Lombard and Duncan streets running north and south, and Howard, JNIain and Washington rim east and west. The hotel and elevator were completed in the fall of 1870, the I^ombardville Mining Comj)any began operations about the same time, and for some time the village showed signs of becoming a town of some importance, lint the coal deposits were worked out, much of the trade was diverted to Bradford and other towns and Lombardville never came up to the expectations of its foimders. A public school, a general store and grain elevators are the jirincipal institutions. INIail is delivered by rural carrier from the postoflRce at Bradford.

Says Mrs. Shallenberger: "Massillon was situated seven miles nearly due south of the present Town of Toulon, not far from the southern boundary of the county. Its projector and pro])rictor was Stephen Trickle. Date of survej', April, 18.'}7."

This is the only written account of ISIassillon that the writer has been able to find. It is known that one of the precincts of the county war; named "^Massillon," from which it may be inferred that the town Avas once a j)lace of some consequence, though it is now nothing more than a memorv.

Modena

Tlie \"illage of JNIodena is located in the southeast quarter of section 1, ill the northeastern part of Toulon Township and on the west bank of Spoon River. It was surveyed on IMarch 24, 1853, for JNIiles A. and Williston K. Fuller. The plat was filed in July and shows thirty-one lots, with Main and Second streets running- nortli and south and Locust and Chestnut, east and west. The Hour mill and the coal mines in the iiiiniediate vicinity were the principal industries of early days. A. Y. Fuller, who was one of the early purchasers of lots, opened a general store, and B. .A. Newton also conducted a store here for some time. Mr. Saiidhaiu says the name was suggested by ^lodeiia in Italy. A Baptist Church Avas erected here about 1850. In 191,5 a general store and the public school were the principal features of the village, which reported a population of 3.5 in 1910. It is on one of the rural mail routes from the postoffice at ^Vyoming.

Morse

This is one of the new towns of the county and owes its existence to the building of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad through the county in 1901-02. It is located in the extreme northeast corner of the Township of Osceola and is only a short distance east of Lombardville. No official plat of the village Avas ever filed in the office of the county recorder, but an atlas of the county, published in 1907, shows fourteen lots - six north and eight south of the railroad station. Rand & McNally give the population in 1910 as 50. jNIail is delivered by rual carrier from Bradford.

The extinct town of IMoulton was located near the northern border of Essex Townshiji, about three miles west of Wyoming, in the Indian Creek Valley. It was surveyed in August, 183G, l»y Roliert Schuyler, Russell H. Nevins. William Couch, David Lee and Abijah Fisher. George and AVilliam Sanimis had a store. on the site at the time the town was laid out. At one time INIoulton had aspirations to become the county seat of Stark County, but Toulon won that honor and the close proximity of Wyoming also contributed to INIoulton's downfall. A frame house was erected there by Eugenius Frum a year or two after the town was platted, but tliis l)uilding was afterAvard pur-

The village of Osceola is situated in the southeast quarter of section 11, Elmira Township, a small portion of the place extending southward into section 1-i. The first settlers in this part of the county came late in the year 18.'j.5. Among them were Giles C. Dana, Isaac Spencer, James Buswell, Thomas Watts and the Pratts, one of whom was a physician. Mrs. Shallenherger saj's: "They came out under the auspices of ^laj. Robert ^Sloore, who encouraged emigration hither, with a view to building up a town, which he had surveyed and called Osceola."

If such a tuwi) \\as e\er surveyed it failed to become a reality, though the first settler named the grove in which they built their cabins "Osceola Grove," after the celebrated Seminole Indian leader in the Florida war. When the postof!ice was established there in 18.'37 it was named Elmira, as already stated, and a settlement grew up around the postofRce. After the removal of the postoffice to the present village of Klmira, the village where it was first established took the name of Osceola. Being some distance from a railroad, the village has never grown to any considerable proportions, but it forms a trading point and meeting place for the people in the northeastern part of Elmira Township. The population in 1910 was only 55. It has a general store, a Baptist Church, a iNlethodist Chiu'ch and parsonage, a public school and a few dwellings, and is on one of the rural mail routes fi'om Neponset, in Bureau County.

Pleasant Gijeen

An old map of Stark County shows the settlement of Pleasant Green near the center of section 3.3, Osceola Townshi]i. It was never formally laid (jut as a town, but a rural p(Jstotlice was maintained here for some time in early days and some coal was mined in the vicinity. The district school known as the "Pleasant Green" school is all that is left to tell the story.

This is another settlement that "just growed." It is located in section 7, Penn Township, a little south of the site of the old village of ^Valden, and consists of six lots along the south side of the higliwav. Just how the settlement obtained its name is uncertain.

Slack Avater

Just east of the Spoon river, in section 33, Essex Township, is the old viUage of Shickwater, which at one time was a trading point and neighhorliood center of some importance. The building of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and the foundhig of the town of Duncan, only a mile and half east on the railroad, robbed Slackwater of its prestige and it sank into insignificance.

While the Peoria & Nelson branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was under construction, James A. Speer, who owned a farm on the line of the railroad in section 36, Valley Township, conceived the idea of founding a town. Accordingly, on December 5, 1901, Henry H. Oliver, county surveyor, platted the town of Speer, in the northwest quarter of the above named section. The original ])lat showed twenty-four lots west of the railroad. Iiut on April 1.5, 1003, 31r. Oliver made a revised plat of the original town and Speer's first addition thereto. Front Street runs north and south next to the railroad and farther west is jMcKinley Avenue. The streets running east and west are IMain and South, and one not named on the plat. Speer soon came into prominence as a trading and shipj^ing })oint for the southeastern part of the county. It reported a population of 1.50 in 1910: has general and hardware stores, a bank, livery barn, planing mill, postofRce, lumber yard, grain elevators, and is one of the flourishing little towns of Stark County.

Stark

Five miles east of \Vyoming, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, is the little village of Stark, which grcAv up soon after the railroad was completed, but was never officially platted. A postoffice was established in the early '70s; Simpson ds: Smith and Charles N. Hull opened general stores; Joseph Anderson began dealing in grain and drain tile, and a few other business enterprises were established. In 1910 the population was 7-5. It has a large grain elevator, general stores, a Congregational Church, etc., and does a good business in shipping grain and livestock. It derives its name from the county.

History Of Stark Colnty

eastern boundary. A JNIethodist Church was organized here at an early date and is still in existence, l)ut the coiniiicrcial activity of Starwaiio has departed.

In the atlas of Stark County, pul)lished in 1907, is shown a thickly settled neighhorhood in the sonthwcstcrn part of Essex Township (sections 30 and 31 ) which has long been known as "Stringtown." Its location is almost identical with that of the old Town of ^Nlassillon previously mentioned. A church and public school are the only institutions worthy of note.

This little town with the oriental name was platted on June 2, 1873, by Edwin Rutler, then surveyor of Stark County, for "Sirs. Anna K. Chase. It is located on the Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, in section 31. Valley Township, only about one mile east of the ^"illage of Stark. Front Street runs parallel to the railroad and a square farther east is Chase Street. The north and south streets are ]Main and Hamilton. The original plat shows fifty-five lots. Wady Petra is a typical little railroad station, with the usual local business enterprises. In 1910 the population was given as forty-five. INlail is delivered by rural carrier from the postofl^ce at Stark.

Avai,Den

The old Town of Walden was situated in the nortii side of section 7, Penn Township, just across the Spoon River from Modena. It is said to have taken its name from Dexter Wall, and was sometimes M-ritten "Wallden." JMr. Wall built a steam mill there at an early date and a general store was opened, but the name of the pioneer niei'cliant has apparently been i'orgotten. "Wall's Schoolhouse," which stood not far from the mill, was a favorite place for holding religious services by ministers of different denonn'nations. In time ^Ir. Wall removed his mill to Wyoming and the Town of Walden disajjpeared from the map.

almost in the exact geographical center of West Jersey Township, which town was named West Jersey. Seminary and Jersey streets and Plum Alley are shown on the original plat as the thoroughfares. The plat was filed for record on February 19, 1850, and ten years later only twenty-four lots had been sold. Dm-ing the next twenty years the growth was "slow but sure," and in 188G about seventy lots had been sold. Among the early industries and business houses of West Jersey may be mentioned Snediker's mill, John Catton's coal mines, Giwitts & Son's planing mill. ^V. II. IJttle's harness shop, \Villiam Atkinson's blacksmith shop and W. II. Jolinsons store. The ^Methodist Church was built about 1860. A postoffice was established here before the Civil war, but it has been discontinued and mail is now addressed to Toulon and delivered by rural carrier. \Vest Jersey has a public school building, a church, general stores, some smaller business concerns, a hall for pul)lic entertainments, and in 11)10 reported a population of seventy.

With the introduction of the free rural delivery system, several of the postoffices of Stark County were discontinued. The United States Postal Guide for July, 191.5, gives the following offices in the county, the figiu'cs in parentheses following the name indicating the number of rural mail routes: Bradford (.5) ; Castleton, Dimcan, Lafayette (2) ; Speer (1) ; Stark (1) ; Toulon (.5) ; Wyoming (4). Everj' office in the county is authorized to issue money orders. Those at Bradford, Toulon and Wyoming issue international money orders and are postal savings depositories.