Gardner Township

Gardner Township

The township of Gardner comprises township sixteen north, range six west, and is bounded on the east by Springfield, on the west by Cartwright, north by Salisbury, and south by Curran townsliip, and was so named in honor of John Gardner, who was for many years, and until his death, one of the principal citizens of the township, and one of the three commissioners appointed by the Board of Justices to divide the county into townships. The surface of the country is mostly rolling prairie, though there is much timber in the southern part. The township is watered by Spring creek and other smaller streams. The soil is extremely well adapted to the raising of all cereals, especially

Early Settlement

In 1819, the first settlement was made by Samuel Newhouse, A. Inyard, B. Davis, David McCoy, George Knox Hamilton, and Abraham Duff. Among other settlers were Edmond Taylor, Edward Robinson, Mrs. Elizabeth McMurray, David McCoy, Joshua Short, James Short, Edward Williams, Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, John Gardner, Hiram Gardner, William and Thomas Kirkpatrick, John Kendall, William Sims.

George Knox Hamilton was born August 17, 1798, in Davidson county, Tennessee. He came, in company with his father, four brothers and two sisters, to Sangamon county, arriving in the fall of 1819, and settled near what is now Bradford Station. He was married March 5, 1823, to Jane Coleman. They had three children.

Abraham Duff was born May 15, 1777, in South Carolina. Virlinda Combs was born in South Carolina also, August 6, 1781. Their parents moved on pack horses to the vicinity of Bowling Green, Kentucky. A. Duff and Ver linda Combs were married and moved to St. Clair county, Illinois, and from there moved, in

Edmond Taylor was born October 22, 1785, in Christian county, Kentucky ; married there lo Mary Pugh. She died, and he married Constant Blakey, who was born June 22, 1791, in Georgia, They moved to what became Sangamon county, arriving in the fall of 1819, on Sugar creek, and in 1822 or '23 moved to the south side of Spring creek, four and a half miles west of Springfield.

Edward Williams was born June 3, 1789, in Hardin county, Kentucky. Margaret Neal was born April, 1788, in Nelson county, Kentucky. The places of their birth were only about six miles apart, and the parents of both moved, when they were children, to Ohio county, where they were married about 1806. They moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving December, 1826, in what is now Gardner township. He died in 1871.

Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, whose maiden name was Foster, was born in Bedford county, Virginia, and married there to John Hall, and moved to Adair county, Kentucky, and Mr. Hall died there. His widow and children moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in the fall of 1830, north of Spring creek, and six miles west of Springfield. Mrs. Hall was married there to Samuel Willis, and in 1844 or '45, moved to DeWitt county, where Mr. Willis died. She now lives with her son.

John Gardner was born June 21, 1805, in that part of Gallatin that is now Trimble county, Kentucky. Mary C. Duncan was born March 27, 1810, in the same county. They were married there June 13, 1830, moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving April 17, 1833, two miles west of Springfield, and early in 1834

Village Of Sangamo

The village of Sangamo at one time was a very flourishing little place, and narrowly escaped being the county seat when the commissioners were appointed to permanently locate it, in 1825. It is said the commissioners, if not a majority of the people, were favorably disposed toward the place, but there being no road leading to it, at least that was known to the commissioners, they employed Andrew Elliott to pilot them to the place. Mr. Elliott, being interested in Springfield, took them by a round about way, through swamps, and so made the commissioners believe the place was too difficult to be reached, and they, therefore, decided in favor of Springfield. The location of the village was on the northwest quarter section two, township sixteen, range six, in the present township of Gardner. Moses Broadwell was the proprietor. A steam mill was erected in the village by Mr. Broadwell, one or two stores were opened, a blacksmith shop was placed in operation, and the foundation of a flourishing village was laid. But "the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft aglee." To-day there is no evidence that such a village ever existed, a fine farm taking its place.

Religious

There are, in 1881, three church edifices in the township, in which assemble for worship representatives of three denominations. The Presbyterians have a house of worship on section seventeen, in the southwest corner, near the village of Farmingdale. The Baptists worship in their own house, on section thirty-two, while the United Brethren meet on section thirty-four.

Farmington Presbytebian Church

The Fai'mington Presbyterian Church was organized at Old Sangamon, on the second Sabbath of January, 1834, with the following persons as constituent members: Azel Lyman, and Mary P., his wife; Azel S. Lyman, Roxana Lyman; Alvin Lyman and Lucy, his wife; Ezra Lyman and Mercy, his wife; Ezra C. Lyman; Mary L. Lyman; Azabel Stone and Laura, his wife; William Robb and Mary, his wife; Phebe Robb, Elizabeth W. Robb, Jay Slater, Stephen Childs and Hannah, his wife; Luther N. Ransom and Zerviah, his wife; Heraldus Esterbrook and Abigal, his wife; Abel Esterbrook, Amanda Ransom, Oliver Bates and Charity, his wiie; Chancy D. Colton, Francis L. Stone and Laura A. Stone. Almott all of these persons were members of a colony that came a short time previous, from Northern New York. Henry P, Lyman and Mercy, his wife, united soon afterwards, members also of the colony.

The first officers in the church were, Azel Lyman, Heraldus Esterbrook and Luther N. Ransom. Since then the following persons have been officers in the church, Joel Buckman, Jay Slater, Henry P. Lyman, William B. Brown, Samuel H. Jameson, James E. Hopper, Aaron VanPatton, Ezra C. Lyman, David Brainard Pond, James A. Stone, Henry C. Miner.

The first minister in the church, and the man who organized it was Rev. J. G. Bergen, who was succeeded by the following persons, in their order: Revs. Whitney, Gault, Porter^ Plummer, Barton, Blood, Watson, Wood, Kerr, McFarland, Peck and Leard.

The church has always kept up an active Sabbath school. The total membership since the organization, has been about three hundred and twenty-five. The present house of worship was built in 1859. There is now a very fine parsonage, and ten acres of land added to the church property, principally through the munificent bequest of Dr. Lyman, who, during his life, was one of the church's sti'ongest pillars. The church has enjoyed many seasons of revival, and is to-day, as it has been since its organization, a great power for good in the community.

Educational

The earliest settlers united with those of Curran in school privileges, which, of course, were none of the best. Gardner township, to-day, is one of the best in the county in this respect. There are now ten good frame school-houses, valued at $6, "700, school being held on an average of eight months in the year in each.

Noted Men

In 1850, James H. Slater moved from this county and township to Oregon. He was then comparatively unknown, audit was not supposed that be would ever become eminent. His father was poor, and he only obtained the educational advantages of the common school. He now represents the State of Oregon in the United States Senate.

Railroad Post Offices

Cross Plains post office was established in 1871, with J. M. Slater as postmaster. Richland post office was established at an early day, on the west line of the township, with Constantine Foster as postmaster. On the completion of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, it was removed over the line into Cartwright township, at Richland station. In 1876, an office was established at Bradfordton, with George Shaw as postmaster. The present postmaster is Lewis Tomlinson. The office is at Bradfordton station, on the Ohio -<fc Mississippi Railroad. In addition to these, Farmingdale has an office.

Organic

George Gregory, post office, Bradfordton; son of Benjamin and Catharine Gregory, who were both natives of England, where they both died. They had eight children, viz: Hannah, born 1806; George, born 1808; Bessie, born 1810; Joseph born 1812; May, Catharine and Emma, d te unknown. The subject ot this sketch was the second child, and was born January 8, 1808, and was apprenticed to the machinist trade. After becoming free, he came to America in 1836, and followed his trade in the city of Springfield, having purchased a shop, and carried on the business until 1840, when he began to run on the Northern Cross Railroad from the Illinois river to Springfield; continued that business until it was sold to Dunlap and Lamb and became the Great Western. He spent two winters in Louisiana, making sugar. He purchased land where he now lives, and in 1830, married Miss Sarah Nohls, daughter of John and Sarah Nobis. She was born in England in 1810. They have ten children, viz: George I., born February 2, 1832; Isaac, November 6, 1834; Samuel, September 30, 1836; Jacob, September 23, 1838; Benjamin, January 12, 1842; Elizabeth, January 25, 1844; Mary, April 24, 1848; Emma, April 13, 1852; Eliza, January 6, 1854; George J., December 28, 1856. George was killed by a horse running away with him, January 1, 1842; Samuel was killed by being thrown from a horse January 11, 1868; Benjamin died in his fifth year. The subject of this memoir owns three hundred acres of land, worth $100 an acre. Mr.

Daniel Humphrey, son of John and Mary Humphrey; father born in Kentucky, October 2, 1809; mother same State, October 2, 1806. They were married March 8, 1832, in Sangamon county and had two children. Miranda, born August 1, 1833, died December 6, 1835; David, born December 4, 1834; father died July 28, 1835. The subject of this sketch was the only son, and was raised on a farm. June 9, 1857, married Miss Mary H. Chapman, daughter of Joseph and Mary Chapman, and was born in Devonshire, England, and came with her parents to this country and settled in Sangamon county, where her mother died September 22, 1856. Her father died June, 1881, aged ninetyone years. They have three children, John J., born May 5, 1858; Mary A., November 21, 1860; Minnie E.. September 13, 1862; owns a fine residence in Farmingdale, where he resides, and is the postmaster and the principal business man of the place, doing general merchandising and grain commission business.

Samuel H. Jameson, son of Samuel and Mar garet Jameson; father born in county Derry, Ireland, about 1765; when about eighteen years of age, came to Ohio county, Virginia; was a farmer, and died in 1818. Mother was born in New Jersey, 1772. She was a lineal descendant of Sir William Wallace, of Scottish fame. They were married about 1800, and had seven children.

The subject of this sketch was married May 5, 1839, to Miss Laura A. Wells, of Licking county, Ohio. She was the daughter of Chester and Laura A. Wells, and was born in 1818. They had three children.

Samuel H. Jameson came to this county from Virginia in 1850, and settled on the farm he now owns, of four hundred and fifty acres, valued at SSi) per acre. Mr. Jameson was one of six who built the first Presbyterian Church in Gardner township.

Henry P. Lyman, post office, Farmingdale, son of John and Martha Lyman. Father born in New Hampshire, April 2, 1780 ; mother born in same place, in August, 1780 ; father studied medicine with Dr. Nathaniel Smith, of Dartmouth. In 1832, in company with his brother, Azael, visited the western country, returning in 1833, raised a colony of fifty persons, and the same year came west in wagons, being eight weeks on the way, holding divine service each Sunday on the route. The organization of the colony was kept up after coming to Sanga- mon county, and a house of worship was soon after built. The subject of this sketch was born August 10, 1805, and in August, 1833, married Mary Saunders, of Rutland, Veinaont, born December 4, 1806. They had six children, viz : Celesta, born July 4, 1834, was married March 6, 1862, to Ralph A. Curtis, of "Wa^erly, Morgan county ; Martha S., born October 29, 1836, died September 13, 1838; John S., born July 31, 1841, married Carrie M. Hapjer, September 13, 1870 ; Sarah A., born Jaruaiy 16, 1844, married Eev. J. D. Kerr, August 15,1865, now resides in Erie, Pennsylvania ; Laura A., born February 8, 1848, died December 2*7, 1848 ; George H., born October 4, 1850. Mr. Ljman has been a successful business man, but now retired. He still takes an active interest in the moral and religious improvement of the community in which he live^. His son, George H., graduated at the Champaign university in the class of 1872, of the civil engineering department, and is now located at Cairo, Illinois.

Hexiheoi 3IcDa')mald, post office, Springfield, son of John and Elizabeth McDannald. Father born November 9, 1795, mother born December 15, 1802; mother's maiden name Elizabeth lies. Married October 8, 1822, and had five children.

The subject of this sketch came to Illinois with his mother at an early day, and married Miss Ann E. Dillon, October 20, 1853. Shewas born October 7, 1833. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Dillon, and came with her parents to Sangamon county about 1833. They have nine children, to-wit: John Ellis, Partbena L., Maiy A., James, Robert, Thomas J., Emma J., Fannie and Edward R. James died November 4, 1861; Robert died June 22, 1862; Fannie died August 17, 1871. His advantages of early education were such as the subscription schools afforded in his day, and his wife had about the same. Owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, valued at $60 per acre.

Logan Mc][htrray, post office, Farmingdale, son of Robert and Elizabeth MoMurray. Father born in Virginia; mother born in Virginia; Irish and Scotch extraction. They moved from Virginia to Kentucky about 1801, and from Kentucky to St. Clair county, Illinois, in 1811. There the father died, and the family returned to Kentucky, remaining there seven years, and then came to Sangamon county, and settled in what is now Curran township. They had seven children, viz: William, Samuel, James, Lewis, Hester, Arthur D. and Logan. All are dead excp'pt the subject of this sketch, who was born in Kentucky, March 22, 1810. He was married

December 22, 1831, to Miss Melissa Eobinson, daughter of Edward and Jane (Henly) Robinson, Shewas born November 11, 1813, in Caldwell county, Kentucky. Her parents came to Sangamon county in 1821. They came from Kentucky with horse teams. The fruits of this marriage were ten children, to-wit: Edward S., born November 13, 1832; John L., Mary E. and Martha J., twins; Angeline, Elihu J., George F., Sarah A., Emily F., Rczella. Join L. and Angeline died. He owns two hundred and fiftyfive acres of land, valued at $75 per acre. Advantages of early education of both were not very good. His son Elihu was in Company B, Tenth Illinois Cavalry.

JifatMas MiUtr was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the Rhine river, April 11, 1819, where he remained, working on the farm and at the stone-mason's trade, until twenty-one years of age, when he came to the United States. He landed at New Orleans, and came to St. Lcuis, Missouri, and to Springfield, in 1842. In 1844^ went to the pineries of Wisconsin, where he and one other man made twenty-four thousand shingles. He then returned to Springfield, and e>n May 17, 1846, married Miss Martha (Ross) Miller. She was born in Kentucky, and was a daughter of Wm. Ross, who was a farmer, and diecl in 1864; and his wife, Maria (Morrison) Ross was born in Kentucky.

Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Miller are both members of the church. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he a member of the Catholic Church. They have had ten children, four living: Mrs. Sarah E. Gards, Mrs. Florence Campbell, Alfred F. and Virginia Miller. The father of Mathias Miller, Peter Miller, was born in Germany. He Avas a farmer, an el died in Germany in 1845 or 1846; and his wife, Margaret Derzapf, was born in Germany. She died at Lincoln, Illinois, in 1868, and was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, at Springfield. She came to the United States with her son, Peter Miller, in 1848. The subject of this sketch has a farm of four hundred and fifty acres in Gardner township, where he resides. He also owns a house and two lots in Monticello, Illinois. In politics, he has been a Democrat, but in future will vote for the best man. He cast his first vote for Jfmes K. Polk for President of the United States.

Michael Pffer, post office. Cross Plains, eon of John and Christina Pfifer; father born in Germany in 1791; mother born in Germany in 1795. They were married about 1814, and had nine children. Father died in 1861; mother died in 1869. Michael Pfifer was born in 1825. He was the sixth child, and came to America in 1841; landed at New York; came to Springfield, then to California, returning in 1857. He was married November 28, 1857, to Miss Anna Ranslear, daughter of David and Anna M. Ranslear. There were sixteen children in her father's family. The fruits of this marriage was eight children, to-wit: Mary, born September 15, 1859; John, born March 19, 1861; Rosina, born September 8, 1862; Julia, born June 14, 1864; George, born August 12, 1866; Barnhardt, born May 25, 1869; Michael, born March 10, 1873. George was drowned in the Sangamon river in 1877. Mr. Pfifer owns two hundred and five acres of land, valued at $50 per acre. Advantages of education, such as the common schools of Germany afforded.

Henry W. Mickard, post office box 699, Springfield; son of Peter and Elizabeth Rickard; father born in Loudon county, Virginia, 1787; mother born in Hardin county, Virginia; mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Everhart. They had ten children, viz: Lewis, born October 13, 1806; Elizabeth, April 1, 1809; Catharine, July 24, 1811; Susan, August 26, 1813; Noah M., March 20, 1817; John G., October 16, 1819; Simon P., October 16, 1821; Sarah A., March 2, 1824; Mary L., March 16, 1827; Henry W., January 1, 1830; all born in Virginia; Elizabeth and Noah, deceased.

The subject of this sketch was the tenth child and April 4, 1852, married Miss Sarah A. Simms, daughter of John and Lucinda Simms; born November 15, 1830, They have six children, viz: Elizabeth L., Minnie A., Lewis F., Washington M,, Robert L, George E.; wife died December 21, 1864; married again June 7, 1866 to Miss Henrietta Earnest, daughter of Thomas and Aletro Earnest, and born January 10, 1831. They have two children - Catharine Jane, born August 26, 1870; Thomas E., born October 13, 1872; are of German extraction; owns three hundred acres of land, valued at $80 per acre. The advantages of early education of both were Buch as the schools of the country afforded.

James A. Stone, post office, Bradfordton, son of Ossi^n L. and Abigal C. Stone. Father born in Madrid, St. Lawrence county, New York, May 24, 1804. Came to Sangamon county with his parents in November, 1831. Mother born in Senaca county. New York, May 16, 1811. (See biography of James Stewart, in Williams township.) They were married October 29, 1885, in Sangamon county. They had six children, towit: Frances M., born November 13, 1836, died

The subject of this sketch was the fourth child, and was raised on the farm where he now resides. September 26, 1866, he married, in Morgan county, Miss Eliza Allen, daughter of Henry and Emily Allen. She was born July 7, 1844, Miss Allen was a lineal descendant of Colonel Ethan Allen, the first in commard at the battle of Crown Point, and James A. Stone is a descendant of Colonel Philip Stone, second in command at the same battle. They had three children, to-wit: Jessie, born August 16, 1868, died April 5, 1879; Percy A., born June 22, 1871; James Roy, born September 26, 1875, died April 3, 1879. He owns one hundred and sixtyfive acres of land, valued at $75 per acre. At present he is town treasurer. Was in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment Volunteer Infantry. Educational advantages of himself and wife were both good, having availed themselves of high schools and seminaries. His wife took drawing lessons as a specialty.

Tliomas Talbot, post office, Springfield. Father born in Baltimore county, Maryland; mother born in Baltimore county, Maryland. They were married in Kentucky, and had twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch "was the sixth child, and born in Kentucky, February 21, 1816, and came with his parents to Sangamon county, in 1835. Father purchased land and commenced farming where this son now resides. March 13, 1877, married Miss Elizabeth A. Parkinson, in West Virginia. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Parkinson, and was born June 13, 1845; her father was born in Pennsylvania, and mother in West Virginia. Both her parents are living, ard if they live until November 6, 1881, will celebrate their golden wedding. Owns eighty-five acres of land, valued at $65 per acre. Early advantages of education notgood, from scarcity of books and inferiority of teachers; wife's advantages were good, having graduated at the Waynesburg College in the class of 1865, and taught about eight years afterward.

David Talbot, son of David and Harriet Talbot; father born in Maryland in 17S6, mother in same State in 1788. She was the daughter of Nathan and Rebecca Harding, who were married in Maryland, and had twelve children. They moved to Kentucky about 1796, where all their

Tlie subject of this sketch was the fourth child, and born July 22, 1813. October 22, 1850, married Susan T. Richard, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot have had one child, Ella Bell, born July 5, 1855, and died August 20, 1875. Father died October, 1867, mother died December, 1867. Mr. T., owns one hundred and thirty acres of land, valued at |65 per acre. His advantages of early education were such as the schools of the county afforded in his day; was supervisor of the township in 1875. The brothers and sisters were: Lucinda, Fletcher, Elizabeth, David, Oreenith, Thomas, Harriet, Luther, Mary R., Emily, Caroline, Sarah.

Peter Zhnmer^ post office. Cross Plains, son of Daniel and Margaret Zimmer, father born in Germany, in 17G3; mother also born in Germany. They had seven children, to-wit: Catharine, Susan, Mary, Barbara, Margaret, Michael, and

Peter. All dead except Margaret and Peter. The subject of this sketch was born in Germany, April 9, 1825, and came to America in 1847, landing at New York, and from there to Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained seven years, working at the tailoring business; came to Sangamon county in 1855, married Miss Christina Hartman, by whom he had two children, viz.: Jacob, born October 11, 1851, died August 2, 1872; Amelia, born April 28, 1853. Wife died August 28, 1853. Again married Miss Rosena B. Pfifer, December 19, 1854, had eight children, Christina, born September 19, 1855; Peter, born October 6, 1856; Rosena, born March 13, 1857; Elizabeth, born January 4, 1861; Anna C, born July 9, 1864; John, born January 20, 1860; Charles and George, born September 28, 1869; Peter died October 5, 1873; John and George were drowned in Sangamon river, in 1877, in an effort to save the life of George Pfifer. Was naturalized in Springfield, 1854. Owns two hundred acres of land, valued at $50 per acre.