Ohio Grove Township (part 3 of 3)

Samuel, son of Samuel and Mary Knisley, was born in Highland county, Ohio, February 9, 1827. Plis father's family removed fi'om Ohio to Fountain county, Indiana, when Samuel was nine years old. He was married in 1852 to Minerva, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Seeders. They came to Mercer county, Illinois, soon after their marriage and settled in Abington township. They have had bom to them nine children, live of whom are living: Hemy, Emma M., Lee Roy, Elmer E., and Charles AY. Mr. Knisley was one of the most successful farmers in his neighborhood, and was a good and well-esteemed citizen ; but for several years he has been aftiicted with hallucinations, which unfit him for business. AVhile this misfortune is a sore affliction to the family, Mrs. Knisley and her two sons, Lee Roy and Elmer E., are keeping their beautiful home of 194 acres in excellent shape. Lee Roy received a common school education and attended the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Davenport, Iowa, one term. He had thought of engaging in mercantile business, but circumstances have led him to adopt agriculture as his chief work.

Among the early settlers of Abington township was the family of Frederick Frick. They came from Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1838. Mr. Frick was elected a justice of the peace the year following his settlement in Abington township, and he was elected five times to the same position, being on his fifth term when he died. Mr. Frick was the first postmaster in Abington township, the office being located at the farm-house of Mr. Frick at the Blufi', five miles east of where Keithsburg is now situated. Mr. and Mrs. Frick had eight children : Sarah E. (Mrs. W. A. Willits), George A., Mary C. (Mrs. John E. Willits), Harriet W. (Mrs. James Noble), Rebecca X. (Mrs. Joshua Cabeen), Lucy J. (Mrs. Harvey N. Smith), William W., and Charles P. Mr. Frick died in 1866. George A., the second child, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1826. He came with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, and assisted his father in the work of farming, and has made agriculture his chief business. He was married, March 29, 1848, to Frances, daughter of William and Anna Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Frick have five children livino;, and one (Harry Norvell) deceased. The living are: Frederick W., Albert A., Warren T., Alice, and Homer W. Mr. Frick is a member of the I.O.O.F. He is a democrat politically, and an independent on questions of religion. Mr. Frick has served his township as supervisor three terms, held the office of township collector ten years, and that of town clerk two years. The handsome home of Mr. Frick is near

Andrew J. Douglass was born in Bath county, Yii-ginia, May 18, 1825. He is the son of Andrew J. and Nancy A. (Fox) Douglass. "Wlien our subject was about ten years old his parents removed to Highland county, Ohio, where young Douglass grew to young manhood. He then turned his face westward and made his first halt in Edgar county, Illinois, where he remained one year, and then moved onward toward the setting sun. This move brought him to Mercer county where he has since resided, a period of nearly forty years. It may not be amiss here to mention that the lady who has been Mrs. Douglass for thirty-four years, came with her parents to Mercer county a year previous to Mr. Douglass' turning his steps westward ; and when we call to mind the fact that an acquaintance had existed between the two parties in the stafe of Ohio, it is not difficult to divine the guiding star that directed the feet of Mr. Douglass to the vast, unbroken prairies of the "Far West." Mr. Douglass came west without any capital, save his willing hands and unimpeachable character, and for a number of years he occupied only rented land. He then ])urchased the place on which he now lives and improved it ; and he now has a grand farm of 500 acres under a good state of cultivation, well supplied with good buildings of every sort demanded on a farm, and well stocked with cattle, horses, etc. Mr. Douglass has a passion for fine horses, and he can boast of some fine specimens in this line. Mr. Douglas was married April 6, 1848, to Mary J. Mclntire, daughter of John and Elizabeth Mclntire. ' Mr. and Mrs. Douglass have been blessed with eight children : Frances E., Mary E., "William E., George E., Isaiah H., Charles I., Miua I., and Andrew J. Frances E., the eldest, was married to George W. Braucht, March 21, 1867, and died July 21, 1869, leaving an infant son, Frederick E. ; Mary E. is married to James M. Greer. ; William R., to Mary E. Walker, and Isaiah IL, to Ida M. Jones. Mr. Douglass is a greenbacker, politically. He and Mrs. Douglass are Sabbatarians, or Seventh Day Adventists.

William Riley Main was born in Crawford county, Indiana, September 3, 1835. He is the son of Riley and Martha Main. He received a fair common school education in the schools of Indiana and Illinois. He came with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1852. He was married October 15, 1857, to Sarah M. Fleming. Eleven children have been born to them : Floyd, Olive E., Cora M., John T., Walker B., Alta L, George S., Maud E., Lulu J., Oscar R., and Orin W. Mr. Main is a farmer and stock-raiser, and owns one of the many beautiful farms that "blossom as the rose" in western lUi- nois. llis farm consists of 500 acres under a good state of cultivation. He lias good buildings on his place. He pavs a good deal of attention to heavy stock business. Mr. and Mrs. Main are members of the United Brethren church, Politicallj Mr. Main is a republican. Mr. Main and his family are blessed with an abundance of the world's comforts ; or, in other words, are in excellent circumstances.

Minerva A. Greer was born in Wajne county, Indiana, December 29, 1829. She is the daughter of Reuben and Mary (Harris) Willits. Her parents both died in the spring of 183-1, of milk sickness ; the mother dying in the evening and the father the following morning. Mrs. Greer came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1836, with her uncle, Thomas Moore, who settled in New Boston township. The subject of our sketch was married April 15, 1847, to Thomas Greer, a farmer. There were fourteen children born to them: Reuben H., James M., Mary J., Thomas F., Alice A., John E., Samuel I., Arthur, Lewis W., Albert C, Ella F., Dora E., Robert F., and a daughter who died when an infant and before she was named. Three of the other children are dead: Arthur, Dora E., and Lewis. Thomas Greer, the husband of our immediate subject, was born June 10, 1818, in the state of Ohio. He removed to Mercer county, Illinois, as early as 1836, and settled in Abington township, where he resided until his death. He devoted his time to farming and stock raising, and by industry and economy accumulated a large amount of property. Since the death of the husband and father, the property has been divided among the heirs, Mrs. Greer retaining the homestead, which consists of 200 acres of land under a good state of cultivation with good buildings and all the necessary improvements to a complete country home. Seven of the children are married and all living within a radius of two and a half miles of the old homestead. Mrs. Greer is a Seventh Day Adventist.

Samuel Pollock was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, April 26, 1823. He is the son of Samuel and Margaret (Caldwell) Pollock. Our subject removed to Peoria county, Illinois, in 1852, and removed to Abington township, Mercer county, Illinois, October, 1854, and settled on the farm on which he now resides. He has a farm of 600 acres all improved, with good buildings and other modern improvements. Mr. Pollock is an extensive dealer in stock, especially in cattle. INIr. Pollock's success in life is an index to what industry, economy and genuine pluck will do. He started out in life a poor boy, and now stands in the front rank as a business man and an honorable gentleman. Mr. Pollock was married February 23, 1863, to Mary A. Kinney. They have three children: John K., Maggie A., and Mary I. Mr. Pollock is a member of the old school Presbyterian church. Politically he is a rej^ublican.

John "W. Landers was born in Fountain county, Indiana, January 3, 1830. He is the son of liobert H. and Hannah (Stewart) Landers. Mr. Landers learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner and worked at the business for seven years. At the end of that i)ei-iod he engaged in farming and has made it the main business of his life. He was married March 2-1, 1853, to Miss Mary, daughter of Emanuel and Frances Humbert. They removed from Indiana to Mercer county, Illinois, in October, 1S5T, and settled in Abington townshi]). In 1874 they removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where they remained for three years, they then returned to Mercer county, and again became citizens of Abington township. Tliey have had seven chikh'en, four of whom are living. They are: James II., William H., (Charlie B., and Mary E. Mr. Landers was formerly a democrat, but of late years he has been an active, aggressive greenbacker. He has held some minor offices, and at present is a justice of the peace. Religiously he is a liberal. Tlie family have recently sustained a severe loss by the burning of their residence, which was a substantial brick.

James Kellogg, son of David and Ruth (Miller) Kellogg, was bom in Granville, Hampden county, Massachusetts, August 12, 1819. His father's family removed from Massachusetts to Portage county, Ohio, when the subject of this sketch was ten years old. After a residence of nine years in Ohio the family removed to Crawford county. Pennsylvania. Mr. Kelh^gg was married in 181:6 to Martha A., daughter of James and Orpha (Alexander) Lafferty. Mr. Kellogg removed with his family to Mercer county, Illinois, in the fall of 1852, and settled on section 27, in Ohio Grove township, where they remained until 1867, when they removed to Abington township and settled on the farm on which they now reside. Mr. Kellogg owns an excellent farm of 160 acres, well supplied with living water, and it is in every way a well arranged home, being supplied with good out-buildings, groves and shrubbery ; and their residence is one of the very best. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg have had five children, three of them now living: James A., Mary M., and AVilliam E. Mr. Kellogg was formerly a whig, and when that party died he became a democrat ; but of late years he has been an enthusiastic greenbacker. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg are both Presbyterians. William E., the youngest son, has a good farm of eighty acres, but being yet in the enjoyment of single blessedness, makes his home under the paternal roof. He received a common school education only, but enjoys some reputation as a newspaj)er wi-iter, confining himself in this direction mostly to the local press. He is an Odd-Fellow, and a greenbacker.

Henrj, was born August 23, 1845, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. He came to Mei'cer county, Illinois, with bis father's family when he was six years of age, and has been a resident of Abington most of the time since he came to Elinois, He makes farming his business, and has no other tliought than to earn his bread by honest toih He was married, September 11, 1873, to Lucetta, daughter of William and Margaret Stephenson. They have four children: William A., Margaret C, George S., and Orvnlle S. Mr. Henry is a democrat, and says it was born and bred in him.

John W. Ditto, farmer and stock raiser, is the son of Andrew and Margaret (Wyland) Ditto, and was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, June 25, 1815. His lather removed with his family to Slielby county, Ohio, when John was a babe, where he was reared to the age of near twenty years, when he came to Mercer county, Illinois, making the entire trip alone on horseback. He rode a thoroughbred horse and led a fine mare. He rode many miles without seeing a living soul, and the great prairies stretched out all around him like a great plain unknown except to the savage and beasts of prey. AVhen Mr. Ditto reached Mercer county he settled in Xew Boston township, on government land. He settled in Abington township,. in the spring of 1838, on the farm where he now lives in section 13. Mr. Ditto carried the mail two winters from Monmouth to New Boston and Bock Island. He can relate some incidents of the early settlement of the country that are both painful and amusing. Mr. Ditto has the oldest deed in Mercer county. He was married, November IT, 1842, in Knox county, Illinois, to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and MargareJ^ Redman. They had ten children: Mary D., James W., Henry B., John W., Ellen A., Andrew M., Benjamin F., Samuel D., Margaret E., and Mack. Mary D., the first born, was burned to death when she was three months old. The mother tied the child in a high chair, and while she was busy outside the room, the child slipped out of the chair into the fii'e and was burned to death. James D., the second child, was killed in the battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 23, 1863. Ellen A., the fifth child, was married to John H. Farber, and died July 11, 1878, in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, leaving two children: John W. and Arthur. Mrs. Ditto died March 9, 1873, and Mr. Ditto was again married, November 11, 1873, to Mrs. Olive Crook, widow of Galen Crook. Mr. Ditto has a farm of 479 acres in Abington township, and he also owns 847 acres of cheaper pasture lands in Henderson county. He pays a great deal of attention to sheep husbandry, and has at present almost a thousand head of sheep. Mr. Ditto belongs to the Advent or Sabbatarian church. He formerly

WiLLiA>[ M. WiLLrrs, farmer, son of John and Sarah (Campbell) Willits, was born December 4, 1835, in New Boston township, Mercer county, Illinois. "When he was two years old his father's family settled in Abington township, where the subject of our sketch has since resided. Mr, Willits has a good farm of eighty acres in a good state of cultivation. He served as a union soldier in the 30th Keg. 111. Inf., as a coi-j^oral. Indorsed on his discharge is the following splendid record as a soldier : " Said soldier was engaged in the following battles : Fort Donelson, Tennessee, February 15, 1S62 ; Britton's Lane, Tennessee, September 1, 18132 ; Raymond, Mississippi, May 12, 1863 ; Champion Hill, Mississippi, May 16, 1863 ; took an active part in the siege of Vicksburg ; was in the battle of Ivenesaw mountain, June 27, 1864 ; battle near Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864, and took an active part in the Georgia campaigns, resulting in the ca])ture of Savannah, and has done duty up to the present time ; and he is highly esteemed in his company and regiment as a gentleman and soldier. John P. Davis, capt. commanding 30th 111. Inf." Mr. Willits was married February 12, 1872, to Frances J. daughter of James and Martha (McEachron) Gilchrist. They have three children : Mary E., John E., and Lena M. Mr. Willits was formerly a democrat, but of late years has acted with the greenback part3^

Milton M. Jones is the son of Franklin and Elizabeth (Farwell) Jones. He was born in Preemption township, Mercer county, Illinois, September 27, 1844. When he was ten years of age his father's family removed to Abington township. Milton spent his boyhood days on the farm and in the country school-house. In the winter of 1868-9 he graduated at the Western Business College, of Galesburg, Illinois. Soon after his college course he was engaged as a salesman in a large retail grocery store, but at the end of a year he went to farming and stock-raising. He has a good farm of 120 acres, and has paid special attention to the breeding of high-class hogs, in which business he has been very successful. He was married September 22, 1870, to Miss Sarah E. daughter of John and Sarah (Campbell) Willits. They have one child, Milton Willits. Mr. Jones has held the office of town clerk two terms. He is a member of the Christian (Campbellite) church. Politically he is a republican. He served six months as a soldier, in the 140tli reg. 111. Vol. He received three wounds in engagements ; one severe one in the shoulder, for which he gets a small pension.

He is the son of John and Isabel (McDonaki) Seaton. He received a common school education, and came to the United States of America in 1843. He sailed on the sliip Lnconia, and on reaching America settled in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, wliere he remained about two years. From there he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and remained three years, when he took a trip to California by overland with an ox-team. After an absence of about two years he returned to Illinois, and settled in Abington township, Mercer county, where he now resides on a beautiful farm of 230 acres. Mr. Seaton was married in 1860 to Miss Martha E., daughter of Sanniel and Eebecca (Bogle) Criswell. They have had twelve children, live of whom are deceased. The living are : Mary, David, Margaret E., Ann, Martha L., Harry, and Angus. Mr. Seaton is a member of the old school Presbyterian church. He is a greenbacker politically.

Ja>ies Vance, farmer, son of William and Rachel Vance, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1825. He removed with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1833, and settled in Keithsburg township, where the village of Keithsburg now stands. After remaining here one year the family removed to Rock Island county, Illinois, and at the end of a twelve-month returned to Keithsburg township, where they made farming their business. In 1847 the subject of this sketch was married to Sarah, daughter of Mark L. and Mary (Steward) Pearson. Mr. Vance removed with his wife soon after their marriage to Davis count}^, Iowa, where they remained six years. They then removed to New Boston township, Mercer county, Illinois, where they resided three years. From there they went to Abington township, where Mr. Vance bought the farm on which they now live. The farm contains 170 acres of excellent land, and Mr. Vance and his family of boys have devoted most of their time to tilling the soil. Mr. and Mrs. Vance have had born to them twelve children : William R., Robert L., Josiah W., Elijah A., Nerva A., John W., Marion E., Gershan H., James B., Forbes N., Mary V., and Martha E. ; the latter deceased. Politically Mr. Vance is a greenbacker, and religiously he is a moralist. Of late years he has had rather poor health, and took a trip last summer to California, ( )regon and some of the western territories, from which he received much benefit. Mr. Vance can relate many incidents in the early settlement of the country of much interest. He saw the distinguished Indian chief, Black Hawk, and six hundred of his dusky warriors.

John J. Seaton was bom in Perthshire, Scotland, February 6, 1831. He is the son of John and Christian Seaton. He came to the United States of America in 1843, going by steamship from Glasgow to Liverpool, and sailed from the latter ])lace to New Yoi-k in the shij) Luconia. lie settled in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and remained there mitil 1845, when he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and has lived here most of the time since. He received a common school education in Scotland and America. In 1854 he located in .V])ingt(jn township, where he now owns 350 acres of excellent agricultural land under a good state of cultivation, with good buildings and all necessary appurtenances to a com})lete rural home. He was married November, 1855, to Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and May (Douglass) Seaton. They have had nine children, live of whom are dead. The living are : Margery, John H., George D., and Lizzie. Their daughter, Christie Ann, who is among the deceased, was married to Mr. George Sponsler, and died at the age of about twenty-three years, leaving one child. Mr. Seaton is a republican, and a member of the old school Presbyterian church.

John Henry, fai-mer, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, May 3, 1840. He is the son of Henry A. and Catherine A. (Shurtz) Henry. His father^s family refnoved from Hunterdon county to Warren county. New Jersey, when John was a small boy, and in 1851 the family came to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in Ohio Grove township where they i-emained four years, and then removed to Abington townshi]). In October, 1870, John was married to Martha E., daughter of John B. and Mary (May) Jameson. They have six children: Mina, Charles, Frank B., Bessie, Lois, and Byrtel Eugene. Mr. Henry has a well cultivated farm of ninety acres, and confines himself almost exclusively to grain raising. He has just entered on his fourth term as road commissioner, and has held other township offices. Mr. Henry enlisted in the union ai-my as a private soldier, August, 1862, and served in company G, 102d 111. Vol., until the following January, when he was discharo;ed because of disabilitv. ^Fr. Henry is a democrat.

Hon. IloHERT J. Cabeen, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wright) Cabeen, was born in IMuskingum county, Ohio, April 25, 1822. He removed with his father's family from Ohio to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1836. The family settled in Ohio Grove township, and in 1850 Robert went to California, where he remained two years and then returned to Mercer county. He was married A})ril 22, 185!>, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Joseph and Violet (Scott) Pinkerton. After his nuirriage, Mr. Cabeen settled in Abington townshi}), where he now resides. He has a farm of 575 acres of magnificent land in one body and ninetyfive acres in another piece. His home place is under a high state of cultivation and his residence is one of the largest and most costly in the county, which is fornished in a complete style, making a country home of a most charming character. Mr. Cabeen is an extensive stock raiser, and ships a great many cattle to Chicago. He held the office of township supervisor for ten years and served as a member of the State Board of eqalization one term. Mr. and Mrs. Cabeen have had eight children. Samuel (deceased), Joseph, McClellan, Mary, Violet, Hattie E., Eobert J. (centennial son), and Edith May. Politically Mr. Cabeen was formerly a democrat, but for a good many years he has been an active member of the greenback party. Eeligiously he is a liberal or freethinker.

"W. A. Winchester, farmer, was born in Genesee county, New York, January 2, 1S2-1:. His father's family removed to Geauga county, Ohio, when the subject of our sketch was seven years old. In 18^9, Mr. Winchester settled in Adams county, Illinois, where he followed teaching school and farming for fourteen years, when he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in Abington township, on the farm where he now resides, which embraces 300 acres of excellent land. Mr. Winchester has fine buildings on his farm, and raises a great deal of stock. He is a model farmer, and while he is very retiring in his nature, his popularity among his neighbors has forced him to serve them in the capacity of supervisor for four terms in succession. May 29, 1866, he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Eliza Musser, of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. They have no children. Religiously Mr. Winchester is a freethinker. Politically he is a greenbacker.

Thomas Whitehall was born in North Carolina, July 31, 1828. He is the son of A. X. and Elizabeth Whitehall. His father removed with his family to Fountain county, Indiana, in 1832. In 1850 Mr. AYhitehall was married to Nancy, daughter of William and Sarah Stephens. He removed to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1856, and settled in Abington township. In 1865 he removed with his family to Fountain county, Indiana, and remained there until 1871, when they returned to Illinois and located in Mercer county again. Their home is now in Abington township and consists Of .a pretty farm of 1H(I acres, with most all the ap])urtances necessary to a desirable country home. Mr. and Mrs. Whitehall have had nine children, all living but Alice ()., their youngest, who departed this life when quite young. Their living are : Alva A., Pliebe E., William L., Mary E. and Sarah E. (twins), James M., Newton, Fruzy IT,, and Martha A. Mr. A\^liitehall is a greenbacher politically, and is what might be termed an independent thinker t)n almost every subject. He has his own peculiar notions on the subjects of medicine, religion, science, etc.

Lewis F. Ogle is the son of James C. and Elizabeth (Smith) Oi>-le. He was born in Fountain eoimtv, Indiana, in 1849. His father's family removed from Indiana to Illinois about 1853. They settled in Mercer county, and i^-ave their attention to farming. When Lewis F., or "Frank," as he is familiarly called, grew to manhood, he continued to make agricultural pursuits his chief business, and he now owns a good farm of 182 acres within four miles of Keithsburg, He was married November 2, 1879, to Miss Izziedora, daughter of Levi and Mary J. (James) Hall. They have had but one child, Eddie, whom they had the misfortune to lose by death while he was yet a babe. Mr. Ogle is rejDublican, politically, and is independent in his religious views.

Lewis Waldo Brewer, is the son of Gilbert and Elizabeth (Mills) Brewer. He was born August 28, 1834, in Wayne county, Indiana. When our subject was two years old his father moved with his family to Mercer county, Illinois. He received a common school education, and then learned the milling business, and has been engaged in the work for twenty-eight years. He owns a half interest in Pope mill, situated on Pope creek, live miles northeast of Keithsburg, where he resides and conducts the business of custom milling almost exclusively. Mr. Brewer was married in 1857 to Miss Mary Huff. One child was born to them. Mrs. Brewer died in 1860. The child is also deceased. Mr. Brewer was again married May 23, 1866, to liosetta, daughter of Homer and Lucia Beenier. They have had seven children, three of whom are deceased. The living are : Amanda, Fred and Ida (twins), and Walter. Mr. Brewer belongs to the masonic order, and he and his wife both belong to the Eastern Star chaptef. Politically Mr. Brewer is a republican. His views on religious matters are of the liberal type. It would make no difference what views he might entertain ; all who know him would be quick to admit the fact that "Wall " Brewer is strictly conscientious, both in his religion and his ])()litic8.

Mrs. Sarah G. Willits, generally known as "Aunt Sally AVillits," was born in Pennsylvania, in September, 1810. She is the daughter of John and Polly (Blue) Campbell. Her parents died when she was quite young, and she went with a sister to Wayne county, Indiana, from Lebanon, Ohio, about 1825, having gone to the latter place when six years of age. She was married in 1830 to John AVillits, and they removed to Mercer county, Illinois, about 1834, and settled in Abington towhsliip. Mrs. Willits received but a limited education, and when she went to school the i)rincipal text-books were the s})elling-book and the New Testament. Her husband was quite an extensive landowner and stock-breeder and dealer. He died in 18r»4. Thev had nine cliildren : Josiah G., Eliza E,, James W., and Martha G., are deceased. The living are : Marj J., William N., Linnaeus H., Thomas W. and Sarah E. Thomas W., who occupies the mother's part of the estate, and with whom she makes her home a majority of the time, was born in Abington township, April 7, 1847, where he still resides. His youth was spent on the farm with his parents, and he could only avail himself of a common school education. Like the sons and daughters of most pioneers, he learned more of hard, physical toil than of science and art ; he was more familiar with the Held and the wild j)rairies than with school-houses and art galleries. Mr. AYillits was united in marriage February 13, 1873, to Miss Alice Main. They had one child, Carrie E. Mr. W. is a greenbacker, politically.

Jasper Ogle was born in Adams county, Ohio, January 12, 1834. He is a son of James C. and Elizabeth Ogle. The family removed from Ohio to Fountain county, Indiana, when Jasper was six months old. In 1853 the family removed to Mercer county, Illinois. Our subject was married February 22, 1855, to Miss Angeline, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Allison. Tliey had seven children, all of whom are living. They are : Lena L. , James E. , Yan, Mary E. , Allie, Emma E. and Clarence E. Mr. Ogle removed to California in 1860, and remained there until 1870. While in the "golden state" he followed farming. He returned to Illinois only to continue his chosen occupation. He owns nearly 500 acres of land and has a very tine rural home. Mr. Ogle had the misfortune to lose his wife January 31, 1879. Politically Mr. Ogle is a republican, and religiously he is an Adventist or Sabbatarian. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. He has traveled over the entire length of the great Union Pacific railroad live times.

Joseph D. Ogle, farmer, is the son of James C. and Elizabeth Ogle, and was born in Fountain county, Indiana, November 28, 1850. When Joseph was but three years old the family came to Mercer county, Illinois. He was married December 23, 1875, to Miss Kate C, daughter of Jacob and Catharine Elrick. They have two children: Yan L. and Lela Fay. Mr. Ogle devotes his time wholly to agriculture. He owns a beautiful farm of 216 acres, on which are good buildings. Politically he is a pronounced republican, and thinks some remarkable change will have to come over the spirit of his dream if he is ever anything else in the way of politics.

Warren B. McClure was born in Meigs county, Ohio, November 5, 1848. He is the son of James and Jane (Ogle) McClure. He received a common school education, and on March 27, 1864, enlisted as a private soldier in the 13th Ohio cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He was in several engagements and came out of tliem all unscathed. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Ohio where he remained until 1S68, when he went to Clarke county, Missouri. He came from Missouri to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1871, and settled in Abington township, where he now lives, in 1876. He was married Sej)tember 29, 1875, to Miss Leanna, daughter of Solomon and Evaline (Marlatt) Wolfe. Mr. and Mrs. McClure have three children : Clyde, Lula B., and Rose. Mr. McClure was formerly a re])ublican, but has been for a number of years an aggressive greenbacker. He is at present townshi]) assessor, being on his second term, and has served one tei*m as township collector. He has an excellent farm and gives most of his attention to agriculture, just mixing enough in politics to give farm life a respectable seasoning.

The life of John V. Bullock reminds us that people are prone to look upon stately mansions as the abodes of happiness because such homes indicate wealth and luxury. But alas ! how often is contention, discontent and unhappiness found within those stately walls. On the other hand happiness supreme often reigns* in the cabin and in the cottage. A snug cottage, nestled among evergreens, maples and beautiful flowers is an inviting rural retreat, where the happy birds make melody sweet, and the new-made hay perfumes the air like an incense ; where the green corn rustles in the breeze like the whisper of fairies, and the crystal dewdrops glisten in the sun like costly pearls, is a home to be envied by the tired, over-tiisked millionaire. Such an inviting place as this is the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Y. Bullock. Mr. Bullock was born in Crawford county, Indiana, November 17, 1840, and came to Mercer county, Illinois, as early as 1852, with his father's family. He was married December 29, 18H8. Mr. and Mrs. Bullock have three children. Their names are: William C, Guy B., and Earl K. This makes a complete picture in the mind of every one who, in the great race of life believes in the pursuit of legitimate happiness. A lovely country home, a devoted wife, and three promising children ! What more could be desired.

Dr. Jacob Russell Baker, of Keithsburg, to whom we are indebted for notes on Abington township, and other valuable information, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, March 19, 18-10, and is the son of Henry D. and Eve(Switzer) Baker. He removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana, in 1857, and studied medicine with Dr. T. Davenport, of AVarsaw, Indiana. He practiced ten years, but, disliking the profession, and the exposure necessary in its practice disagreeing with his health, he abandoned it. He was born and reared a Methodist and for several years was a member of that denomination and was a class- leader of the society. He contemplated entering the ministry of that denomination ; but some of the tenets of orthodoxy seeming imreasonable, after careful thought and study on the question, he became a Universalist and entered the ministry of that denomination. He preached one year at Kirks ville, Missouri, and two years in Clarinda, Iowa. The more he investigated the subject the more skeptical he became, and, at the end of his three years as a Universalist preacher, became a pronounced freethinker and left the pulpit forever. He believes all religions man-made, and that of humanity the only true religion. Since leaving the pulpit he has often lectured on the freethought platform. He was married March 26, 1865, to Barbara JS^olin, of Leesburg, Indiana. His wife died September 24, 1872. He had no children by his first wife. He was married again January, 1874, to Ella L. Lawton, of South Whitley, Indiana. They have three children : Bessie S., Estelle R., and Kalph Ingersoll. He is an enthusiastic apiarist, and devotes much of his time to agriculture. He writes regularly for several papers and magazines on d liferent rural topics, especially on bees and fine poultry, and pet stock fancy ; also on religious topics. He is a political stump speaker; in politics a greenbacker, and takes active part on the ''stump" in every political campaign. Dr. Baker has gained considerable reputation as an orator in this county where he has resided for the past six years. From an oration delivered at Keithsburg on the death of General Garfield, we have room for but a few extracts. He s&id : " The humblest individual in our country has the same indisputable right to call to account a public servant, or a candidate for the post of duty and hon(n', or to apply a critical test to questions of right and wrong, as has the most favored and exalted citizen of our republic. The American people well understand that a liberty less great than this would be an infringement upon a fundamental principle of popular government. Our motto is : Let truth and falsehood grapple ; let error and right contend, for we do injustice to right and truth if we doubt their ability to cope with their enemies." In closing lie said: "To say that Gen. Garfield possessed no faults, that he committed no errors, would be to say that he was more than human. But whatever his faults may have been in life, we will bury them with his body in death. Whatever errors he may have committed in his busy life, as a citizen, a soldier and a statesman, we freel}^ tbrgive and forget ; and with bowed head and aching hearts, consign his mortal remains to their narrow house in the city of the dead. And whiU^ all that is mortal of the distinguished soldier and statesman will crumble back to dust, his noble deeds as a son, a husband, a father, a teacher, a warrior and a statesman will live forever.

And now, tliat life's flitting dream is gone forever from onr honored president, we will write his name in golden characters, as indelible as the fixed stars in the blue canop}^ above us, bv the side of that of the immortal Washington, the great Jefferson, the hero Jackson, the martyr Lincoln, the patriot Douglass, the j^hilanthropist Greeley, and the noble, scholarly Sumner. And when the people of the American republic shall so far forget the principles of justice and republican government as to cease to love and reverence these illustrious dead, let the sun hide his burning face; the pale moon cease to kiss the earth with her soft, golden beams ; the stars fall from their places, and all the elements clash to cme common center."

Source changes here: from Past and Present of Mercer County, Illinois, by Bassett, Isaac Newton, published 1914; 1,683 words in this source stream.

Ohio Grove Township

Ohio Grove Township is one of the richest in the county from an agricultural standpoint. It is well drained and at the same time is not too rolling, and an abundance of fresh, pure water is reached at a comparatively shallow depth. The township originally was mostly prairie, and hence the groves were given names as Ohio Grove, Hickory Grove, etc. The soil is a rich black loam with an average depth of one foot. Coal and stone are found in small quantities. The first settlers located near Pope Creek in the northern part of the township. They came from Ohio and hence the grove there was named Ohio Grove and later the township took the same name. The first cabin built by white people was erected prior to 183^ and stood on the northwest corner of section 3. Its builder is unknown. This was used by the first few families who came to the township. In it was kept the first small store about 1835 by William Mackey. In September, 1835, George McPherren's family consisted of nine or ten children. Benjamin Decker, who married one of the McPherren girls, and John Walker, who married another McPherren girl, left Ohio, but on the way here they were detained, whereupon John Long and Mathew Finley, who had joined them, went on in advance, reached Little York, where the Indians a short time before had killed Hugh Martin, and later, accompanied by McPherren, Walker, Decker and Daniel McPherren, came on to Mercer County, where McPherren built a log cabin on the northeast quarter of section 4. The building was about 16 by 18 feet, one story and one room. The few boards used in its construction were hauled from CreswelTs sawmill on Eliza Creek, fifteen miles distant. They were used for the floor and probably the door. The roof was of clapboards. During the winter of 1835-6 this cabin was occupied by eight persons. This building stood a quarter of a mile from the north township line. About a mile east stood the log cabin which had previously been erected. It was occupied in order to hold a claim in that district. In the same year, probably, George Smith, Richard Rice, James Moore and William Moore arrived and took up claims. Late in the same year John Morehead settled in the

McPherren neighborhood on section 2. In 1836 among others who arrived were Ashford Hardy, who located on section 1 ; James McBride, on section 4. At first he occupied a small log cabin which had been thrown together by some squatters. The family came by ox teams. Samuel Cabeen, with his wife and six children, arrived here in 1836, coming overland in a 4-horse wagon. He located on section 6 and erected a cabin 18 by 22 feet. Often this cabin gave shelter to fifteen or twenty people. It had a low loft where the boys slept. The sons, Josh W. and Samuel P., improved large farms in this township. William Dilley arrived here in 1836 and brought along a carding machine. The next summer he erected a cabin in Greene Township and there he followed wool carding until 1848, when he returned to Ohio Grove. John Wall occupied a cabin on Pope Creek at an early date. John H. Brown came the same year. He lived the first year near New Boston, but in 1838 secured a tract of land in this township. He had nothing when he came here, but at the time of his death owned about one thousand acres and was rich. In 1837 many settlers arrived. Thomas Candor and his son, Robert, came that year. They changed location at a later date, but Thomas Candor erected a log cabin 18 by 18 feet in the northwest part of the township. William I. Nevius came to Warren County, Illinois, in 1832. In 1835 he moved to New Boston and was there at the time Mercer County was organized. In 1837 he located in Ohio Grove Township and improved a large farm. He purchased a tract where Sunbeam now stands. He became one of the prominent men of the township and was loyal and active during the Civil war. He was handy at all the trades, carpentering, blacksmithing, shoemaking and harnessmaking. It is said that he hauled the first apple trees to this county from Hennepin, Bureau County, Illinois. This stock he divided with the Cabeens and McPherrens and very likely a few of the older trees may yet be in existence. They were planted in 1837. He built the first house on the prairie, the others being constructed along the streams where there was timber. In 1 838 William C. Brownlee located on North Henderson Creek. The Burnetts arrived about the same time and located in the southern part of the township. John Stevens purchased the Vernon interest in the mill and also secured a large tract of land. William T. Patterson arrived in 1840. He farmed for four or five years where Norwood now 6tands. In 1847 ne located permanently on section 24. In 1842 Joseph Robinson arrived, and in 1843 Hammond Webster came. In 1843 James Calhoun arrived and also James Emery came about the same time. Nathaniel Partridge, a carpenter, and Levi Butterfield reached the township about the same time. James Graham came in 1845 and located on section 35. In 1848 John Seaton secured a claim on section 19. This farm afterward passed to George Seaton. In 1849 William Pepper and Samuel Lafferty came to the township. The latter had arrived in the county in 1 842. In 1 850 Thomas Francis and John McClellan made their arrival in the township. Jesse Mounts and John Smith arrived about the same time. In 1849-50 several of the first settlers joined the forty-niners and went to California. In 185 1 James Robb, Jacob and Barnett Unganst came to the township and settled on section 13. William R. McCreight came about 1 85 1. William M. Hays settled about this time in the township.

Other settlers before i860 were Samuel Dihel, who had two sons, John and Frank; William Henderson, Thomas Robb, Alexander Gourley and his brothers, Robert and James; David R. Harris, John C. Ward, William Garrett, Robert Woods, Charles Litzenberger, George W. Werts, Andrew Welliver, Leander D. Thomason, Cornelius S. Richey, William S. McCormick, Henry Kimmel, Elijah Forsythe, Jonathan Duncan, who had sons, William and Thomas, and a daughter Sarah; James Feather, the Hamilton family, of which there were Robert and James S.; Robert Speer, Peter Edwards and William Stephens, Samuel and Robert Miller, Thomas Abercrombie, who had a son, Joseph, afterwards a resident of Aledo; Samuel M. Creighton, the Kellogg and Torbet families. Other early settlers here were Findleys, Gilmores, Mclntires, McCutcheons, Sprowls, Garretts, Chandlers, Shoemakers, Dittos, Nolands, Gustins, Cross, the Browns, Milligans and a few others.

The people of this township went to mill at Creswells & Jack's, and sometimes hauled their grain as far as Moline. George Mc- Pherren and James McBride went twenty-eight miles above Moline to Cox's grist mill. Occasionally the farmers hauled their wheat as far as Chicago. In the fall and winter of 1836 James McBride and Joseph Vernon built a sawmill on Pope Creek. This served the neighbors for many years. Later Vernon sold out to John Stevens, who later sold to Van Scook. The land there passed to Henry Kimmel and he erected a good flour mill. A school was taught in the township as early as 1839. The first election was held at the house of John McPherren in 1836. The first township officers elected in 1854 were elected under the new township law. James Burnett became supervisor; T. S. Robb, clerk; John W. Dihel, assessor; and Horace Williams, collector. Among the early justices of the peace were T. S. Robb, Levi Butterfield, John W. Dihel, Andrew Carnes, C. S. Richey and others. In 1870 the township voted $7,000 in aid of the American

The first religious services in the township were held in the cabin of George McPherren by Rev. John Wallace. There are three cemeteries in the township and all date back to early times. The McClure cemetery was formerly called McPherren's. Another is named for the Candor family because the ground was set apart by Thomas Candor. The other cemetery is owned by the United Presbyterians and was named for William Miller, who donated the ground.

Early in the '40s the best land in the township was worth about $200 per quarter section; by 1855 it had gone up to $1,600 per quarter section. It is now worth about $32,000 per quarter section. In 1855 from the Mississippi bluffs eastward for twenty miles there was almost a continuous line of fence on the south side of Pope Creek. The road there extended from Keithsburg to Henderson. In 1863 Mr. Kimmel still conducted the Ohio Grove Mill.

As before stated, William Mackey kept the first store in 1836. John Stevens was a merchant in 1839. Later storekeepers were C. S. Richey, James Feather, McCreight & Company and others. The first postmaster at Sunbeam was Samuel M. Dihel. Mary J. Williams kept the office for many years. Moses Mclntire was the postmaster at the office on Duck Creek at an early day. James S. Hamilton succeeded Mr. Williams as postmaster at Sunbeam in 1863. Moses M. Warren, an attorney, lived in this township, two miles east of Kimmel's Mill, and there practiced his profession after the war. Gourley Brothers & Paxton conducted a large store there for several years. At Sunbeam in 1871 Henry White shot and killed Samuel Ford in the store of Gourley Brothers & Paxton. There had been trouble between the two men for some time and this was the result. In 1874 the Sunbeam Musical Association was an interesting organization. They gave many musical concerts at the churches and had a large membership. The Village of Sunbeam has led a quiet existence. There have usually been there a few shops and stores, two churches, town hall, good school and an enterprising community.