Harris Township

Harris Township

This township, which borders upon the w^estcrn boundary line of the county, was named in honor of John Harris, its first settler. Mr. Harris moved from B(>rnadotte township and located ujwn section 18 of this township as early as 1827. He erected a log cabin and for several years followed the occupation of hunting, finding abundance of game in the native forests and upon the broad, beautiful and uncultivated prairies. Mr. Harris came into the county first in 182"). He came from Ohio and returned, making the round trip on foot. Robert Harris was the first person to die in the township, and ISIary Bumford was the first person born. The first marriage was that of Mr. A. Day and Miss Katy Harris. The first sermon preached in the township was by Rev. James Haney at tlie cabin of Isaac Sennett in 1834, to an audience of four persons. William Haney was the first Justice of the Peace. He was elected in 1840. The first church edifice erected was built in Marietta in 1841, and the first school-house was built on section 16 in 18;>9. Tlie town of Marietta is situated upon the east half of section 16. This little village was founded in 18.'37 by Lorenzo Bevans, F)enjamin Hoyt and others. At one time it was of considerable importance in the history of the county. At present it contains about 150 inhabitants.

Seville is a point in this township where the T., P. & W. railroad crosses Spoon river. A depot, blacksmith shop and 3 or 4 houses are there.

WilliamH' Clans M. E. CAf/rcA. - This congregation was organized in November, 1847, by John Williams and Amos Morey. It worsiiips every alternate Sunday in the Williams scliool-house, and consists of 20 communicants. Rev. J. E. Rutledge, Pastor. Sunday-school each Sunday.

Point Pleasant United Brethren Oiurch, section 20, Harris township, was organized about the year 1855 by J. J. Wyatt. The exact date is not certainly known, but the first conference of this society was held in the Salem circuit, in Marietta, Dec. 26, 1857. This class numbered about 60 communicants at one time, but through the instrumentalities of death and removals, it has been re- duced, until it now numbers about 30, Services are held every alternate Sunday by Rev. David Martin, Pastor. Tliev worslii])ed fur many years in school-houses, until October, 1873, when the present Church structure was erected.

Fuller's Mi//. - This mill was built by Collins & Van Epps in 1841, and Jonathan Jennings was foreman. At first it was operated with one set of burrs. Soon afterwards it passed into the hands of Van Epps, Trickey & Sperry, who in 1848 took out the old machinery and replaced it with new, under the supervision of D. N. Wright, millwright, of Avon, 111. Its capacity at that time was 100 barrels in 24 hours. It was purchased by A. S. Fuller in the year 1853, for the sum of ^7,000. Mr, Fuller remo^leled the entire structure in 1866, and put in another set of burrs, and its present capacity is 125 barrels in 24 hours. This mill is situated on Spoon river on the N. W. i of section 25, Harris township, and has done more custom work than any mill in this section of country, and still has its share of that class of work. Mr. Fuller is an enterprising man, and knows how to suit his numerous customers in making the very best of flour.

In 1835 there was a saw-mill erected upon the opposite side of the river from Fuller's Mill. This mill was put up by Joel S. Reese and Jonathan Jennings.

Personal Sketches

Samue/ L. Brick, M. D. The father of Dr. B. was born in Salem, N. J., and died Dec. 4, 1875. His mother, Kachel (Freshours) Brick was born in Tennessee in 1814. He received a common-school education, taught school and read medicine from 1868 to '72, when lie went to Texas and began the practice of medicine. After praticing for a short time he entered the Keokuk ^NFedical College, at which he graduated, and in 187(> began a i)ractice at Marietta, where he is still engaged in his profession, enjoying a large practice.

Major Bnley, farmer, miner, etc., was born July 1(1, ISIS, in Green Co., Ky ; came to Fulton Co. in 1844, where he has followed farming in summer and quarrving and coal-minin<r in the fall and Avinter. Aug. 11, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F, lO.'.d 111. Vol. Inf, for the war; participated in the siege of Vicksburg, and in the battles of Mission Ridge, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, etc. ; and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. ^Nlarch .'51, 1842, he married Flora A. Reynolds, and they have had 9 children; 5 are living. He married a second time, Charlotte Cooper, May 14, 1873, His father. Win. Buley, was born near Richmond, Va., about 1789; settled in Indiana in 1824; and died in 1849, Major B. is liberal in politics, voting for the man and not the party.

George Caley, son of Chambers Caley, was born in Yorkshire, Eng., Feb. 20, 1833; crossed the ocean with his parents in 1839 and located in Knox Co., O. ; came to this county in 1855, and is engaged in ftirming and stock-raising; was married Oct. 7, 1858, to Nancy, daughter of Stephen Bliss, who was one of the early settlers of Bernadotte tp., and now deceased. This union was blessed with 5 children, of whom 4 are living. Mrs. C. died Sept. 27, 1866, and Mr. C. married a second time. This wedding occurred Nov. 27, 1872, when he was married to Helen 15evans, daughter of Milton Bevans, deceased, who was one of the pioneers of Harris. He settled in Marietta and lived there till his death, which occurred Nov. 8, 1875. Mr. C.'s eldest daughter, who is a subscriber for this book, is now teaching in district No. 9, Harris tp., where she had previously taught 2 terms. In her profession she has been quite successful.

Henri/ Coon.s, harness-maker, was born in Indiana, May 25, 1832. His father, David Coons, came with his family to Bernadotte tp., this county, in 1852, and after establishing a comfortable home for his family, he died in Sept., 1876, a member of the United Brethren Church. ' Henry enlisted in Co. I, lU3d Keg. 111. Vol. Inf., Aiig. 24, 1862, and lost his left leg in the war, after two years' service. In 1869, he established himself in Marietta as a harness-maker; Jan. 7, 1872, he married Lucy Dodge, daughter of Geo. W. Dodge, who died when she was a child. Emma, born Dec. 26, 1875, is the only child of Mr. Coons. ^Irs. Coons' mother, aged 78, lives with them. Mr. C. is a Democrat.

Jeremiah 31. Cramblef, farmer and stock-raiser, son of next mentioned, was born Nov. 17, 1834, in Jefferson Co., O. ; family emigrated t(» this tp. in 1840; in Aug., 1862, he enlisted in Co. 1, 72d reg. 1st Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; was discharged Aug. 7, 1865, at Vicksburg, Miss., after having nobly fought in the battles of A^icksburg, Chami)ion Hills, Big Black river, Spring Hill, Franklin and others ; in the last battle he was wounded. March 22, 186(), he married Nancy J. German, who was born in Cass tp., and is a sister of James G. German, mentioned elsewhere. They have had 5 children, 4 now living, viz: Eli/a E., Fannie M., Eugene and Charles T. Staunch Republican. P. ()., Marietta.

ThoimiN C'ramljlef was born in Maryland, moved to Ohio in an early day, in 1840 came to Fulton Co., and is the father of 7 children, one of whom is Jeremiah M., above mentioned. Mr. C. has already seen many of the hardships of pioneer life, and now he goes to Colorado.

John W. Bhmnltf is a native of Jefferson county, Va., and was born on Christmas, 1802, near the place where John Brown was hung. His parents moved to Kentucky in 1818, and in 1839 he moved to Indiana. Mr. D. lived there until 1850, when he started for Iowa, but stopped in Fulton county and has lived here ever since. He raised a company of men for the Mexican war, but it was not needed. He has served as Justice of the Peace and Postmaster, and in

1847-8 he was a niemhor of the Indiana Legislature. He was married to Rachel Grinard, a native of Mason county, Ky., where she was horn Aug. 1"), 1<S()7, on the 2"2d of Sept., 1825. They have had a family of 10 children, of whom Eleanor, James P., Wm. V., Betsey A. and Pratt are living. Both Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the Baptist Church. He was bai)tized Feb. 22, 1828, and his wife in March of the same year. They lived in Bushnell, 111., for over 4 years, but now, free from all the cares of an active business life they are passing the decline of life on a farm in Harris township.

Pratt Dimmift, son of John Dimmitt, whose personal sketch also appears in this work, is engaged in agriculture. He was born in Montgomery county, Ind., Oct. 20, 184G. His parents moved to Peoria county. 111., in 1850, and soon to this county, and now live with Pratt. Mr. D. has held many of the local offices of his township. He was united in marriage with ^liss Margaret J. Wheeler March 30, 1871. Mrs. D. was born in Young Hickory township, Fulton county. They have a family of 4 children : Warder D., Burton J., Eldana and an infiint. Mrs. D. belongs to the Baptist Church. P. O., Marietta.

Stephen Foster, sec. 28 ; P. O., Marietta ; was born in Ohio in 1824. His educational advantages were very poor; he came to this county in 1857 ; by hard work and industry he has made a good, well improved farm, which was all brush when he took possession of it. He is engaged in general farming. His father, Samuel Foster, was a soldier in the Revolution under Washington, and won many laurels by his bravery and valuable services. Our subject was married April 22, 1836, to Lucina St. Clair, by whom he had 8 children ; of these 7 are living; all married but two, Frank and Almira. Mrs. Foster was born in Mercer county. Pa., Aug. 12, 1828. Her flither, J5radberry St. Clair, was one of the honored soldiers of the Revolution.

Amos S. Fuller, miller, son of Ezra and Phoebe (Williams) Fuller, was born Feb. 5), 1827, at Fabius, N. Y. His father is dead, but his mother is living at the ripe old age of 85 years, and is residing with her son in this township, where he owns and successfully conducts the mill on Spoon river that bears his name. Mr. F.'s father moved to Lorain county, O., in 1831, where our subject lived till 1852, when he came to Fairvicw. The following year he purchased the flouring mill near Seville which he has owned and operated ever since. He was married in February, 1848, to Caroline B. Sherman, and they have a family of 3 children : Caroline L., Julia E. and Bradford E. Mr. F. bought a mill in Cuba in 1855; livi'd there G years and sold it to his son in 1879.

James G. German was born in Cass township, Fulton Co., Feb., 22, 1853, and is the son of James and Mahala (Cannon) German, the former a native of Kentucky, and died Jan. 17, 18G2; the latter is living in McDonough Co., 111. The elder German was one of the first settlers of Totten's Prairie in Cass tp. Our subject received a good education at Lewistown, and is engaged in farming with Mr. Eli W. Smith in Harris tp. ; P. O., New Philadelphia.

George W. Green, mercJiant and postmaster at Marietta, was born Dec. 26, 1824, in "NV. Virginia. He was taken by his fatlier, Hugh Green, to Jefferson Co., O., in 1825, where he lived for 15 years, when he returned to his old home, and 5 years later went back to the Buckeye State, and in 1849 came to this county where he has since resided. Mr. G.'s mother, who is 76 years old, resides with him. He was educated in Ohio and has held the offices of Su])ervisor. Town Clerk, Assessor, Collector, Justice of the Peace and Constable. He was married, April 24, 1853, to Maria Wilson, daughter of Charles Wilson, of Bushnell. She was born in Harris tp. Abigail H. is the name of their daughter.

Willlaia Hdsfi/, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Darke Co., Ind., Sept. 8, 1832; in 1836 the family emigrated to Dayton, O., where the mother died in 1838; Wm. was bound out, but when 9 years of age a Mr. McCoy stole him, hid him under a sheep-skin and hauled him 50 miles, - to a place near Chillicothe, O. ; for 7 years he trained and rode fast horses, among which were those of Jack Bryant, that made the best time on record in America. Mr. H. rode Hoosier Bill in several States, - a horse that was never rivaled in all his races. Mr. H.'s father left Dayton soon after the death of Mrs. PI., and hearing that his son was killed by the cars, expected never to see him again ; but in 1848 Wra. succeeded in finding his father. A young man on board a Wabash steamer told him about his sister marrying a man named Hastv, and this wave him a clue to his father's whereabouts. Wm. was then a herder for two years, and next a traveler all over the United States. Served in the late war, in Co. B, 84th 111. Vol. Inf, was wounded at the battle of Perryville, Ky., and was discharged. Sept. 3, 1855, he married Martha Howard, and they have had 9 children, 8 of whom are living. He settled in Harris tp. in 1855. He also runs a thresher. P. O., Seville.

John A. Hensley, farmer, born in Kentucky, settled on sec. 15, this tp., in 1853; Feb. 28, 1837, married Minerva, daughter of Jacob Yocum, who died of cholera July 10, 1833, in Kentucky. They had 9 children, of whom 5 are living. She died Sej)t. 12, 1864, and March 22, 1866, he married Mary E. Walker, a native of Missouri, who died April 6, 1875. His daughter Eva now keeps house for him. Mr. H.'s fither. Fielding Hensley, was born in Virginia in 1792, and in 1812 was taken by his parents in emigration to Kentucky. John A. Hensley is a Democrat. P. O., Marietta.

George W. Hohhs, son of John Hobbs, sr., was born near Baltimore, Md., Sept. 13, 1813; was taken by his parents to JelVerson Co., O., in 1817, and came to Fulton Co., in 1835, and was one of the pioneers of Harris tp. He planted the first orchard in the township, and took the ]>reminm on fruit from this orchard at the first county fair held in Fulton Co. In 1876 he sold $30 worth of pears from one tree in the orchard. He was married, April 20, 1837, to Eliza Humphrey. The following are the names of their children: George, deceased, John B., Addison R., \\'il]iam, Jane; E.., wife of James Wallace, merchant, Lewistown, Martha, wife of A. J. Franklin, merchant in Nevada. Mr. H. is a blacksmith by trade and still has in his possession an anvil which was brought across the mountains before the National pike was built. He is engaged in farming; P. O., Marietta. He gave his children a liberal education and liberally provided for them as they left the parental roof. Mr. H. is the only pioneer in the township who still resides on the old homestead. His land is a part of sec. 16, and was the first land ])urchased in the township.

Robert Hood, proprietor of coal mines, was born June 12, 1832, in Petenweams parish, Fifeshire, Scotland, and crossed the ocean to Maryland in 1854; Sept. 18, 1857, he married Theresa Mary Ann A'^ivian, a native of Loudon, Eng., and they have had 8 children, 7 of whom are living. Mr. Hood opened the first coal mine in Colchester, McDonough Co., and became salesman for the company in Quincy. He settled in Harris township, Fulton Co., in 1858, and opened the first coal mine in this township. One miner, Simon Roser, has worked fi)r Mr. Hood fi)r 2.") years. Mr. H. still retains the mine he first opened here, although he has much competition. Republican. P. O., Bushnell.

Charles Hoirard, of Marietta, was born in Morgan Co., O., June 26, 1822. His father, Samuel Howard, was a native of the Old Dominion; he brought his family to Illinois in 1831, in a wagon drawn by 3 yoke of oxen. When they reached the Kickapoo river they found the floor of the bridge had been swept away and the river high. Thinking it dangerous to fi)rd, Mr. H. directed his wife and the elder children (among whom was Charles) to walk over the remaining stringer of the bridge, while he took the 2 smaller children and the team and attempted to ford the river. When he reached the center of the stream the curr(>nt was so swift that it turned the Avagon over. Mr. H. caught his children and made his way to shore. It was only through the greatest exertion that he succeeded in saving his oxen. Charles Howard, although but 9 years old when he came to the county, has experienced the hardships of frontier lifi". He has ground corn in a hominy block, ])aid taxes with co(jn-skins, and has been compelled to do many things which would seem (piite novel to the young j)eople of to-day. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for 16 years; has been Collector for Harris and represented Harris and Cass in the Board of Supervisors for 8 terms. He was elected Treasurer of Fulton Co. in 1864, and re-elected in 1866. He was married in Feb., 1844, to Susan Clem, who has borne him 2 children : Nancy and Samuel B.

Sept. IG, 1S50, and is the son of Charles Howard, of whom we speak further above. Mr. Howard was educated in Lewistown, after whicJi he took a Western tour, returning in 1872, and Jan. 1, 1873, married Ruth Hollister, daughter of Munson Hollister, of Harris township. This union has been blessed with 4 children. Mr. H. has been engaged in farming since 1873 with good success. He has served the people as Town Clerk for two years, leaving a good record in that capacity.

Samuel. M. lakes. The subject of this sketch is the son of Jonas and Mary (Duncan) Ickes, and was born in Perry Co., Pa., March 12, 183G.' His father, who is still living, was born in Montgomery Co., Pa., Feb. 3, 1793. He tells us the name Ickes was formerly Ecke, a Saxon word, meaning a corner. Mr I. erected Bloomtield Academy, Perry Co., and his son Samuel was educated in this institution. Our'subject moved to Warren Co., 111., in 1856, went to Knox Co. in 1864, and came to this county in 1872. He was married Jan. 13, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth J. McCartney, who was born in Perry Co., Pa., not over 10 miles from where he was, yet they never knew one another until they met in Warren Co., 111. This union has been blessed with 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl. William and Robert are running the farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. I. are members of the M. E. Church. The great-great-grandfather of Mr. I. came to Pennsylvania under Wm. Penn, and built a stone house in Montgomery county in 1717 on the 1,000-acre farm which he settled upon. This old building stands to-day in good condition. Mr. I. farms during the summer and teaches during the winter. He taught 7 years at Gilson, Knox Co. P. ()., Smithficld.

Sainnel Lnfz, school-teacher and potter, was born March 11, 1817, in Cumberland Co., Penn.; his parents emigrated with him to Augusta Co., Va., in 1821 ; Dec. 23, 1847, he married Elizabeth N. Conner, a native of Augusta Co., Va. ; have had 9 children, 5 of whom are living; came to this county in 1857, and settled in Marietta. He still resides in the township, and his P. O. Marietta. Has taught school in the winter for 40 years, - 4 to 5 years in the same district, - evidence of popularity. His fither, Samuel, was a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer, and died in 1871.

Joseph L. Mackey, wagon-maker and blacksmith, Seville, is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Eoresman) Mackey, and was born in Mc- Donough Co., 111., Oct. 19, 1847. His parents were natives of the Keystone State ; his father is a prominent farmer in McDonough Co., and his mother is deceased; she died July 17, 1868. He came to this county in 1871, and located in the village of Seville, where he has since successfully followed his trades. He was mairied Dec. 16, 1869, to Mary M.Shamblen, a native of Ohio. They had a family of 4 children born to them, viz: Chas. L., George W., James W., ^nd an infant, deceased.

1834. They had born to them a family of 8 children, of whom 5 are now living-. Mrs. McElroy died April 2G, ]87(j. The subject of this sketch moved to Iowa in 184.'3, and returned to Ohio, and in 1845 came to this county and settled on sec. 16, Harris tp., where he now resides. Nine years of his life in this county he passed as a resident of Marietta. AVhen a boy Mr. McE. ran a flatboat on the rivers from Wheeling to New Orleans. He saw the first steam-boat that ever plied the waters of the Ohio river, which he says was in 1812.

Thomas J. McElroy, farmer and stock- raiser, sec. 16; P. O., Marietta. Mr. McElroy was born in Marietta, Fulton Co., Aug. 23, 1847. Of his father, Thomas H. McElroy, a sketch is given just above. The subject of this sketch was married Nov. 28, 1872, to Miss M. J. McKeever, who was born in Harrison Co., O., on the 16th of Sept., 1853. A family of 3 children have been born to them, 2 of whom, George H. and Ada, are living. Mr. Mc- Elroy is a member of the M. E. Church.

Nathan Mclnfyre, a resident of Harris tp., is engaged in farming; was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Oct. 13, 1813; his father, in honor of whom he was named, was a native of the Empire State and of vScottish descent. Mr. Mclntyre moved to Ontario Co. in 1835, and to Illinois in 1838. He is living with his second wife. He was first united in marriage to Miss Orthy I^. Clark, July 4, 1839. She was a native of New York, and died in 1852. By her he had 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls, 3 of whom are living and also married. He was united in marriage with Lovina McBerth Sept. 13, 1863, who is a member of the Christian Church. His son, "Waterman, enlisted in Co. G, 103d Til. Inf., and died in Washington Park Hospital, Cincinnati, O., March 27, 1865, and buried in Sj)ring Grove Cemetery. Of his daughters Mary lives in Iowa, Corlista in Smithfield, and Celinda in Irocpiois Co., 111.

Dr. A. H. Medus was born on the 22d of Feb., 1821, at Derby, Ct. In 1833 he moved with his parents to New York, and from there he moved to Missouri in 1852, where he followed his ])rofession. In 1877 he came to Harris tp. He was educated at Amherst, Mass., and is a graduate of Pittsfield (Mass.) Medical College. He was married Dec. 3, 1856. While a resident of Missouri he was an intimate friend of Judg(> R. E. Hill and Dr. Lehew. In 1878 the Doctor opened a coal-bank ui)on the farm where he lives. He also has one of the finest sand-banks in Fulton Co., both of which are easy of access. Dr. M. is also quite extensively engaged in gardening. P. O., Bushnell.

Win. H. Mil/cr, farmer, was l)orn in Cass tp., this Co., Sept. 16, 1841, and is the son of M. D. Miller, of SmithHeld. His mother's maiden name was Susan Wanghtel, sister of Henry Waughtel, Cass tp. The family have experienced the privations characteristic of pioneer life in this country. Nov. 27, 1864, he married Martha J.

Joseph C. Morgan was born in Fulton Co., Nov. 21, 1847, and is the son of Dr. Darius T. Morgan, a native of New York, and who has been a practicing physician for '27 years. He is now located at Bushnell, 111. Mr. M.'s mother, ^Martha Morgan, 7iee Harris, is a native of Ohio. He received a common-school education in Fulton Co.; was married Aug. 20, 1867, To Julia E. Fuller, daughter of Amos S. Fuller, whose biography ap])ears in this work. 8he was born Oct. 19, 1850, in Lorain Co., ()., and is a member of the M.

of Robert O. and Margaret (Nicol) Orr, who lived near the })lace where Robert Burns was born, when the subject of this sketch was born. He was married to Jane Oliver April 22, 1860. She is also a native of Scotland and was born in the town of Kilmarnock, 10 miles from the birthplace of Burns. They have had born to them 6 children, 3 of whom are living. Mr. O. came to this country in 1857 and to Illinois in 1861, and in 1867 moved upon the farm upon which he now resides. In 1876 he moved to Iowa but returned to Harris tp. the following year. He expended a large sum of money prospecting for coal in McDonough and Warren counties. While mining for coal in Kewanee June 27, 1862, the bank caved in upon him and crippled him for life. In 1866 he opened a coal bank on his farm and has operated it since. The stratum of coal he works is about 28 inches thick of an excellent quality, and he sells large quantities, it being easy of access. P. O., Bushnell,

(t. L. I'dtferson is a native of the Prairie State and was l)orn in Coles Co., June 26, 1833, and at the age of 3 years he was brought to this county by his parents, where he has since made his home, yet his life has been largely spent in traveling and laboring in different States for the suj)port of his widowed mother and her family. He has traveled through and worked in 15 different States; served one year in the late war. From 1857 to 1861 he was in the employ of the U. S. Government, swinging the ox-whip over his slow team in crossing the Western plains. He was married, Oct. 10, 18(51, to Nancy Kidd, who has borne him 6 boys and one girl, all of whom are living at home. P. O., Marietta.

James Martin. Seamans, farmer, was born Sept. 27, 1828, in Butler Co., O., and is the son of James and Hannah Seamans, the former a native of the Buckeye State and the latter of I)arl)y Plains, N. Y. ; she was born April 2, 1807. They live in Sheridan Co., Mo. Our subject moved to Gibson Co., Ind., in 1845, to McDonough Co., 111., in 1850 and to Harris tp. in 1867. He has been School Director and Constable here and was Deputy Sheriff in McDonough Co. for 12 years. He was married, Feb. 15, 1857, to Miss Sarah Hay hurst. They have had 8 children, 4 of whom are living. The other 4 died of typhoid fever. The names of those living are Hannah, Marcrarot, Ellen and Maria : the two latter are married. Mr. S. owns a good farm of 'iOO acres; never had a law- !-uit in his life. P. O., Bushnell.

Roxie A. (Cramblet) Smith, wife of Eli W. Smith, was born in Marietta, Fulton Co. Mr. Smith came to this county with his parents in 1852. He is a native of Belmont Co., O., and is engaged in farminj; and stock-raisin<r. Thev have one son, Jerrv E. P. O. address, New Phihulelphia. "

Charles E. Spear. The subject of this sketch was born in Alton, 111., April 12, 1851, and is the son of Lewis and Lurene (Stow) Spear, the former a native of Highland county, Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. They are now living at Normal, 111., where Mr. S. was educated. He began teaching in Randolph, McLean county, 111., in 1873, where he remained 3 terms, taught one year in Tazewell county, and in 1876 came to Fulton county, where, in the town of Marietta he has very successfully taught school for two years. Is now preparing to enter the legal held.

Chrnelius Timerman, farmer, was born in Preston county, Va., Nov. 10, 1825. His father, John T., of German descent, moved with his family to Ohio in 1820, then a wilderness, and died there. The tiimilv then mio^rated to Tuscarawas countv, O., no less a wilderness, infested with wolves and panthers. Jan. 25, 1849, Cornelius married Mary E. Ferguson, by whom he had 9 children ; 7 of them are living ; married a second time, Nov, 15, 1873, to Annie E. Coleman, daughter of Isaac Coleman, now living in Arkansas, and has had 3 more children. Republican "to the back bone." Residence, sec. 20 ; P. O., Marietta.

John G. Wat.^on, blacksmith; P. O., Seville; was born in Scotland in June, 1832; came to this country in 1852 and settled in Columbus, O. ; from thence moved to Belmont county in 1854, and to Wheeling, \V. Va., the same year. In 1857 returned to Ohio, and the same year moved to Warren county, 111., to Avon in 1863, to Knox county in 1867 and back to Avon in 1869. He then moved to Harris tp. He was married March 31, 1854, to Elizabeth Early of Belmont county, O. She was born March 25, 1835, in Ireland. There has been 13 children bom to them, only 5 of whom are living. Both Mr. and Mrs, W. are connected with the M. E. Church at Avon. Mr. W. was in the employ of the famous veterinary surgeon. Dr. Gray, of Scotland, for several years, and it may thus be known that he is a good shoer.

JJolphin Weaver, farmer, emigrated from Kentucky to Peoria Co., Ill,, in 1845, and in 1848 settled in Marietta, where he resided 5 years, 4 of which he was Justice of the Peace, In 1853 he moved to his farm in Harris township, where he has since resided. Sept. 13, 1827, he married Sally Smith, by whom he had 9 boys and 2 girls: of these but two are living. Jan. 26, 1858, he married Maria Sexton, by whom he has had 11 ciiildren. His son Henry Harrison lost his life as a scddier in the last war. Mr. W. is a member of theU. B. Church, luul u (jreenbacker. P. O., Seville. His parents emigrated from Virginia to the very spot in Kentucky where Daniel Boone was captured, now called Big Blue Licks. His father, however, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in 1850 in Kentucky, of cholera.

Jacob B. Welch, farmer and minister, was born in Clay county, Ind., June 27, 1835, and came to this State in 1852. His father, James Welch, was a native of Kentucky, and died there the same voar that Jacol) R. was born, his last illness having been contracted while there with a drove of horses from Indiana. Shortly afterward the mother took Jacob R., her only child, on horseback to Kentucky, to attend to some business affairs. On attaining manhood, Jacob R. married Almeda, daughter of Gabriel Baughman, of Cass tp., Oct. K), 18G2, since which time they have had a family of 5 boys and 3 girls: 3 boys are living, girls all dead. Sarah Melinda, their only daughter at the time, was burned to death while watching the house of a neighbor, to give the latter opportunity to nurse the little brother of the former, sick with cerebro-s])inal meningitis. She was an intelligent, obedient and affectionate little girl. 3*lr. and Mrs. W. are members of the Christian Church. He operates a coal mine on his farm, in connection with his other business.

George Wefzel, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O., New Philadelphia ; was born in Cumberland Co., ()., Nov. 12, 1808. His })arents, George and Catharine (Wunderlich) AVetzel, were of German descent. His father moved with his family to Augusta Co., Va., in 1812, where he spent the remainder of his days and where the subject of this sketch remained till 1845, when he came to Fulton Co. and settled upon sec. 30, Harris tj). This land was unimproved and a portion of it covered with brush which has since grown to timber. When Mr. W. arrived in Harris tp. all of his earthly j)ossessions consisted of a wife, 7 children, a team and wagon and household furniture. Under such circumstances his chances for remaining ])oor were very flattering. ]5ut he has been blessed with very industrious sons, who aided him to improve their now beautiful farm. He received a limited education in the subscription schools of Virginia; was Ca])tain of a volunteer rifle coni]iany in Ohio and afterwards Captain of a comj)any of artillery. He was married April 21, 1828, to Sallie Xebergall, who is of German descent and was born in Virginia, April 11, 1810. They are the parents of 7 boys and 3 girls: John X., Christoj^her, Geo. W., Wm. H., Ahaz B., Mary C, Daniel W., Sarah M., Granville and Kliza J., all of whom are married and live near their old home excej)t A\ ilHam, who lives iu Kansas. Christopher, Ahaz, and Daniel were in the late war.

Joseph JI. Wheeler, farmer, P. O. ; Marietta ; is a son of James Wheeler, a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Fulton Co. Sept. 11, 1843. He has lived in the county all of his life with the exception of 3 years spent in the late war and 2 years in Iowa. He enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, in Co. B, 103d 111. Inf., and participated in the following- battles : Vieksburg, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Missionarv Ridu-e, BentoMville and others; was discharged July 7, 1865. He married Elizabeth Fjaiinev, April 5, 1866, who has borne him 3 children. Jennie May is the onlv one livinir.

Francis M. WiU'muis, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O., Bushnell ; is a son of John Williams and was born in xVdams Co., O., Dec. 1, 1833. He came to Hlinois in 1835 and settled near Rockford, which at that time was but one house. From there he moved to McLean county, and then to this county and lived here 3 months before he saw a white person except his own company. The family pounded corn in an iron kettle, and ground buckwheat in a cott'ee-mill. The The tirst time John Williams went to mill after coming here he went 80 miles and was gone 3 weeks. When a boy Mr. W. often played ^vith the Indian boys. Mrs. Williams' grandfather was stolen by the Indians when only 7 years old and taken to Ohio and kept for 20 years. F. M. Williams ^vas married to Sarah Foster Oct. 8, 1862. She is a native of Fairview township. They have a family of 7 children, 3 boys and 4 girls. Mr. W. has held various local official positions and at present represents Harris tp. in the Board of Supervisors.

F. H. Yonnn, farmer, was born in Clay Co., Ind., Feb. 29, 1852 ; brought to Illinois by his parents in 1854; resides on sec. 17, Harris tp. ; married Maria Snook Aug. 31, 1871; they have had 5 children, of whom 3, Solomon W., Henry S. and Effie L. are living. Democrat. P. ()., New Philadelphia, McDonough county. Mr. Yocum's father (Solomon) ^vasborn in Kentucky, settled in Indiana, and now resides in Sheridan county. Mo.

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