Onarga Township (part 1 of 2)

Onarga Township

After 1850 the settlement was quite rapid, and when it was known that a railroad was to be constructed in the western part of the county an impetus was given to immigration. The first survey of the Illinois Central railroad was about a mile west of Crescent, and afterward on its present location. On December 2, 1853, trains from Chicago ran as far as Del Rey, and the first business house was opened early that year by Frank Walker, to accommodate the railroad men, and he moved farther south on the line as the work advanced. Walker's store was a few rods from B. F. Lindsey's barn. James M. Smith put a small stock of goods on sale at Del Rey, as also did T. B. Gardner and D. B. Peck. The latter, Gardner & Peck's, was the first general store.

Onarga was laid out in the fall of 1854, by David A. Keal, vicepresident of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. He was a resident of Salem, Massachusetts. Since then there have been ten additions laid out, and the plat on Sec. 19, T. 26, R. 11 E., and the east part of Sec. 24, T. 26, R. 10 E., comprises about 300 acres. The village is on a comparatively high ridge, nearly one hundred feet above the lake at Chicago, twenty-three feet above Gilman, three and a half miles north, and over forty feet above the creek bed the same distance south.

Loved Evans in 1841 improved land and made a claim, within the limits of the village, and in 1851 sold 40 acres of his claim to Addison Lockwood, who purchased the log school-house near the basin, and in the fall of 1853 moved it to his claim. This was the first building in the village, and stood in the street west of M. H.Messer's house. It was occupied by W. P. Pierson a part of the winter of 1854-5. About this time James M. Watts built a shanty to live in, which, with about four acres of land, he sold to Nelson Skeels, in December, 1854. Skeels built a frame house on this lot in 1855. It is now a part of T. W. Ludwick's residence. Watts was the first blacksmith here, and his shop was a few rods south of W. H. Spurgeon's house. In December, 1853, the railroad company built its boarding-house in the street about one hundred and fifty feet north of the hotel. Henry W. Clark moved into it in January, 1854, and kept boarders, principally railroad men, who were building the depot buildings and loading sand on the cars to take to other points. At times there were as many as sixty lodgers of a night. About July 12, at supper, there were fifty-seven; the next morning Clark and his wife were alone at breakfast. That night Patrick Murry and Thomas Quirk were taken with the cholera. Murry died before morning, but Quirk recovered. All the boarders were frightened and left.

Early in the spring of 1854 W. P. Pierson commenced the first business in the place. His stock was less than a car-load of lumber. He and his wife boarded at Judge Pangborn's, over a mile from the depot, till they moved into Lockwood's cabin. The next spring he had completed his dwelling, office and business house combined, a structure 12x16 feet. Right here and in this room was commenced one of the early institutions of the town. Mrs. Mary Pierson commenced a Sabbath-school, with four or five scholars, as soon as they moved into their home. As families were constantly moving in, this school increased rapidly in numbers and efficiency until, in the period of about two years, it numbered some eighty scholars. It overflowed from the residence of Mr. Pierson to his warerooms, and from thence to the new school-house on the hill. All this time it was eminently a union school, and embraced all the children of the village. As the different churches were organized from time to time each drew from this school its scholars, until it was superseded by the different denominational Sabbath-schools of the place. It continued in its original form some six years, and in its day did a good work in forming a nucleus of good influences among the children. It is common to hear persons who are now men and women refer to this school with a smile of pleasure on their faces. They are proud to say, "I was one of Mrs. Pierson's Sabbath-school scholars." Early in the same spring that Pierson commenced business William C. Moore and James Miles erected the very first business house in the place, a structure 18 X 28 feet, now standing opposite the hotel. They opened a general line of goods, and did a good business. Miles sold to Dr. A. N. Crawford early in 1856. In 185T Crawford sold to Moore, and started a drug store. Moore continued the business for some years at the old stand, when it finally fell into the hands of Richard A. Hungerford. Onarga never had a more precise, accurate and thorough business man than William C. Moore. A little while after Moore & Miles built their store D. B. Peck built the second store building, a few rods farther south and nearly opposite the depot. His small stock of goods was brought from Del Rey, and business began in a small shanty before his store was completed, and before Moore & Miles opened out. On July 4 of the same year Oliver L. Clark plastered his house, built where A. K. Doe lives. Soon after this James D. Kelly built a house near the residence of Mrs. C. Venmens, and sold it to T. A. JSTorvell, and built a second on the northwest corner of the seminary lot, and sold that in the early part of 1855 to Townsend B. Gardner. Norvell kept a hotel in 1855. About the time D. B. Peck opened his store, Henry Peck opened a saloon just south of it. Dr. A. N". Crawford settled here in 1854, boarded at Judge Pangborn's, and in 1855 built an office where Durham's bank now is. This office of the doctor is the east room of Isaac Amermaii's residence. Crawford was a well read man, and one of the best physicians ever in the county. He sold out to Dr. John L. Parmalee, who came from Ohio with his family in January, 1856. The same month John C. Culver built his dwelling and moved here from Del Rey. The fall before, he, in partnership with Dr. Lemuel Boyd, opened a lumber yard. In about a year Boyd sold his interest to William H. Skeels. M. H. Messer opened a surveyor's office and general land agency in their lumber office. In October, 1855, John W., James and Abram Owen came from Jacksonville, this state, and while building the house now occupied by J. "W. Owen lived in a cabin of Joshua Evans', over a mile from town. A blacksmith shop was opened, and the next year David Weaver, who for them, and afterward for himself, carried on the business several years, was employed. He built the house where Winslow Woods resides. At this time whisky was sold in at least two places. March, 1856, Culver erected the building now his residence, and Chancellor L. Richardson and Isaac McCourtie opened a dry-goods store below, and the three secret societies had the upper room for their hall. In about a year McCourtie sold his interest to Richardson and soon built a warehouse, and in 1859 Lewis Russ was his partner in the grain, lumber and agricultural implement business, and finally they opened a hardware and furniture store, which they prosecuted to a success, both parties making a fortune. Russ bought McCourtie out, January, 1872, took his son, Lewis D. Russ, as a partner, built the north warehouse the same year, and held the grain business till January 1, 1880, when B. H. Durham bought them out. Russ & Son sold their hardware and furniture store to Elkanah Doolittle in 1875, who ran the business about two years, when it fell into the hands of his son, Milton Doolittle.

P. T. Rhodes and Isaac Amerman commenced a banking business in June, 1867. It was the first house of the kind in town and was much needed, and was a great accommodation to the business men. It suspended operations in January, 1870. They were succeeded by

Warren H. Doolittle, who sold out to Benjaman H. Durham, April, 1871, and who still continues thejbusiness. Thomas Ward came in 1857, and worked at tailoring for Knight & Thomas. He soon commenced business for himself, and his success has grown into a large dry-goods and grocery trade, employing three clerks. Eliphalet R. Knight and Joseph Thomas rented the store built by D. B. Peck, in 1856, and opened the largest and best stock of goods in the county at that time. Their trade was very large, and extended into every kind of merchandise the new settlers called for. Thomas died March 24, 1858. This event threw the whole responsibility on Knight, who made a strong effort to carry the business alone. In settling the estate of Mr. Thomas his capital was withdrawn, greatly crippling the business. For relief a partner was found in Seely Hetfield, a man of energy and considerable means. For a time the business was prosperous, and a large room was rented of W. P. Pierson. The excessive hard times immediately following, with a large amount of outstanding debts, and bills becoming due, determined Hetfield to withdraw, leaving Knight in possession of the business. In a short time the firm took the form of Knight & Rice, and finally closed up in about 1860 or 1861, with Rice as receiver. Knight raised a company and entered the army, and at the close of the war remained in the south, till his death in 1879. He was a man of untiring energy, extravagant in his habit and plans, rich to-day and poor to-morrow, but never giving up. For a short time after the war he was a member of the educational board of the state of Arkansas. Joseph Thomas, his first partner in business in Onarga, had lived in the county for many years. He was a member of the legislature in 1854. He was a part owner of tlie town of Gilman, and had much influence in procuring individual contribution for the east and west railroad through the county. His energy made him a desirable partner for Mr. Knight ; had he lived, misfortune would not have come to the business he had helped to organize so soon.

After Dr. A. N. Crawford died, in December, 1862, his widow continued the drug business, and in 1864 her brother, James B. Baldromed, became a partner, and finally, sole owner, when in 1868 M. D. Firman bought a half interest in the business, and held it till 1876, when he sold to Baldwin, who with his son,!Louis, now keeps the store. Dr. Samuel Hueston put in a small stock of drugs before the war, which business he continued for several years. He sold out to William M. Barrett in 1872.

ness, and followed it for many years. II. J. Freeman commenced with F. Watts and W. A. Thayer, in harness and boot and shoe business in 1864, and for the last twelve years, at least, has been in business alone. George B. Winter commenced the manufacture ot boots, shoes and harness in the spring of 1866, with W. A. Thayer as partner. They continued the business seven years, when Winter bought Thayer's interest in the concern and formed a partnership with his son. They have carried one of the largest stocks of their line of merchandise in the county. R. A. Hungerford, successor to W. C. Moore, left the old stand and built a store out of the business center, but found it was a partial failure and bought of A. D. Gardner the building he had erected and occupied for a store and dwelling for a few years, now occupied by T. Ward, and opened a large stock of goods. Here he did business for several years. J. C. Culver, after abandoning the lumber trade in about 1858, was out of business till about 1864, when he went into a grocery house with Addison Lockwood. Culver has continued in the same kind of business to this time, and has of late years carried the largest stock of groceries in town.

Among the early business men were also Charles Rumley, Ed. Rumley, Charles A. Newton, Henry T. Skeels, Curtis L. Knight, Horace Wright, D. S. Gray and George Flogg ; later were Y. W. Doshill, James Nelson, Mrs. E. J. Graves, successors to each other in the notion and book trade.

William P. Pierson soon added to his lumber a general line ot hardware, farming tools, coal and flour; he also purchased grain, and as his business increased erected buildings for himself and to rent to others. At one time there was scarcely an enterprise but that he was in some way connected with it. In March, 1867, Pierson and James A. Cultro were partners in the hardware trade ; Pierson and Henry Frisbie in the lumber and coal and farm implement business. S. K. Marston, after four years, bought Frisbie' s interest, and was Pierson's partner a year or two. T. W. Ludwick bought Pierson' s interest in the store in 1874, and was a partner of J. A. Cultro till January 1, 1880, when Cultro sold to W. D. Motter. Pierson covered his buildings with signs, and for years had two columns in each of the papers. In the fall of 1862 Peter Risser came to Onarga from Ohio. Pierson at once took him in as a partner in the dry-goods, clothing and grocery business. In February, 1868, Risser bought Pierson's interest and formed a partnership with his son, Gilman R. Risser, and later with Lewis and Charles Risser. In the summer of 1870 they put up a brick store building 40x90, two stories high, with basement. It is the largest store-room in the county. Their sales have reached as high as $60,000 in a year, exclusive of the sale of flour, etc., at the mill, and of the grain trade.

Sandford K. Marston has been in the grain trade for the past eleven years, and now has the south warehouse, built by McCourtie in 1873. Besides the brick store of Kisser & Sons there is one single brick business house and a block of six stores, two stories, with basement. The four to the north were built in 1868, and the other in 1869. Each room is 20x80 feet.

The Decatur Bagging Company

Moses Jerome and John Dement commenced buying flax-straw in September, 1870, and immediately purchased land and erected a tow-mill. They worked up about 800 tons of straw each year till 1875, when they sold out to the present company, Jerome being one of that firm. Since the establishment changed hands about 1,700 tons of straw have been used yearly. In 1878 they purchased of the farmers in the neighborhood 2,800 tons. The yield of tow is about one ton to four of straw. Some years this company at this mill has raised over 300 acres of hemp ; always raising from one to two hundred acres of flax, and occupying over that number of acres all the time. The buildings, machinery, teams and implements necessary to the business cost nearly $10,000. There are about twenty-five men employed most of the year, receiving good wages for their labor. Mr. Ralp McKenney has always superintended the business of the company at this place.

Mr. Pond, the first photographer, came in 1856. Mr. Hawly followed him, then George Phillips and Dr. Phinney. Finally, William Lawhead commenced in 1865, and holds the field by doing firstclass work.

Thomas R. Barnes opened a saloon as early as 1856, and in a short time erected a large building, in which he had a stock of liquors and a billiard table, which he continued to run for several years. On August 26, J1862, twenty-five ladies, led by Mrs. Sarah Clark, entered his place of business and totally destroyed all his liquors, both in bottles and barrels. In defending his castle he used a hay fork, striking Mrs. Clark on the arm and wounding it slightly with the tines'. The other two saloons agreed to close business, and were not molested. This action of the ladies was the basis of a suit with Thomas R. Barnes, plaintiff, and forty-eight of the best citizens of Onarga, defendants. A change of venue was taken to Kankakee county, and 011 April 24, 1863, the court rendered a judgment for Barnes of $300. It was finally settled by a compromise. In the summer of 1857 George Saddlers, a notoriously disorderly man, undertook to open a saloon, and on the night of July 11, his building, a small structure, was razed to the ground. The saloon was never opened. The last institution of this kind, a saloon and billiard table, was kept by Willard S. Fuller, and by the action of the town board was closed May 19, 1866.

February 9, 1863, the citizens voted to become incorporated under the statutes. On the 16th, Charles H. Wood, G. G. Webb, Winslow Woods, Cyrus Austin and Richard A. Hungerford were elected trustees. Hungerford was president of the board, and Wood, clerk. March 11, 1867, it was organized under a special charter. March 30, 1876, it was organized by a vote of 80 for, to 3 against, under the general village charter. The present village officers are : George B. Winter, Jr., Ezra D. Durham, Milton Doolittle, Elmore Munson, Edward B. Jones and Frank Kilpatrick, trustees ; Frank Hungerford, clerk ; Lewis J. Risser and Clarence C. Sedgwick, library directors ; W. M. Barrett, treasurer ; and William C. Morris, magistrate.

April 20, 1861, the citizens held a war meeting, and raised a fine liberty pole. There were speeches and great exhibitions of patriotism. July 30, James Fletcher, of Watseka, Paddock, of Kankakee, and other speakers, attended a similar meeting. It was a large gathering, and a company of sixty-five volunteers started for St. Louis. Late in the fall of 1861, E. R. Knight raised a company of cavalry, and in August, 1862, Capt. Robert B. Lucas, with others, raised a company of infantry and entered the army.

Many of the citizens of the village feeling the need of better facilities for procuring reading matter, organized themselves into a library association, and December 4, 1858, elected Horace Pinney, president ; Dr. J. L. Parmlee, vice-president ; and Fordice Sylvester, Moses H. Messer, Charles Rumley, Henry M. Lovel and Arthur Carney, directors. There were then 150 volumes donated by1 the members. Shares were fixed at $5 each, and persons could become members by paying that amount in money or books. In 1861 there were 500 volumes, and the value was seventy shares at $10 each. In the fall of October, 1862, an excursion was arranged to Chicago. Four coaches were chartered, and after paying all expenses, there was in the treasury $255. A lot was purchased, and a building, 14x20 and twelve feet high, was erected, at a cost of $164.44. The library was well sustained and kept in good condition by a tax on the shares till 1870, when it was closed for two years. In 1873 the shareholders voted to donate all their library property to the village, on condition the village should assume the debt of $171, and annually levy a two-mill tax for library purposes, and keep it a public library, as provided by the state law. March 24, 1873, the village trustees accepted the donation and the conditions above stated. At that time there were 1,000 volumes, which, with the real estate, was worth at least $1,000. March 2, 1874, the first board of library directors were elected by the citizens : Henry M. Lovel, William T. Duke, for one year ; Isaac Amerman, Sandford K. Marston, for two years ; Joseph D. Long, M. Everett Dwight, for three years. From the time the donation was made to the present the corporation authorities have appropriated, each year, for library purposes, $250. In 1878 a complete catalogue was published, prepared by A. C. Cowen. This is one of the most valuable institutions of the town. The present directors are : Henry M. Lovel, S. K. Marston, J. D. Long, M. H. Messer, C. C. Sedgwick and Lewis Kisser.

At an election held at the house of T. A. Norvell, June 4, 1855, 50 votes were polled : John D. Caton received 28 for supreme judge ; S. W. Randall received 24 for circuit judge, the others not voting for any one for those offices. The question of prohibition was before the people, and 25 were for it, and 24 against. All but six of the Caton ballots are against prohibition. The writer has the poll-book and ballots in his possession. William P. Pierson, Samuel H. Harper and Cyrus S. Pangborn were the judges of election.

At the election in Onarga precinct, held at the house of T. A. Norvell, November 6, 1855, there were 63 persons voted. The question of township organization was before the people for the first time. There were 19 for, and 41 against it. There were 49 votes against, and 1 for, swine and sheep running at large. Samuel H. Harper, William P. Pierson and Nelson Skeels were judges of election ; R. W. Andrews and Silas Lockwood, clerks.

April I, 1856, was held the first township election ; Dr. Samuel Hueston, moderator, and E. F. Rose, clerk. The Doctor was keeping the hotel at the time, and his office was used to hold the election in. There were 88 votes polled ; Ray W. Andrews was elected supervisor ; Dr. A. 1ST. Crawford, town clerk ; Dr. Lemuel Boyd, assessor ; Nelson Skeels, collector, and Thomas A. Norvell, Jacob Riner and Daniel Wright, commissioners of highways. Dr. Samuel Hueston and William Buckles were elected justices of the peace ; Buckles did not qualify. George W. Hoel and L. Harris were elected constables.

In the next four years the settlement was very rapid ; the government land was all taken up, and the railroad company had sold large quantities of their land. Most of the new-comers were from the eastern states ; men with small means, who came west to make new homes as farmers, and others to become farmers. They nearly all commenced on the prairie, distant from the timber, and soon learned it was cheaper to fence their stock than to fence their crops, and as early as 1861 an eifort was made to restrain it from running at large. The conflict was between those who had their farms already fenced and those who had not yet fenced, and werenot able to. The latter thought a township well settled, with a family on each quarter section, would do more to build up society,, schools and churches, make roads and wholesome laws, than a dozen or twenty farmers with vast herds running at large. The result culminated, finally, in a state law restraining all stock from being free commoners. It was a severe contest, and ran through more than ten years. The following is a list of the township officers of Onarga since the county adopted township organization :

Collector

In giving a history of the mills and the arrival of the railroad at Del Rey a few items relative to the business of that place were mentioned. We are credibly informed, could the railroad company have made proper arrangement for land at the creek, machine shops would have been erected there instead of at Champaign. There would have been the town, and Onarga would never have existed. But it was otherwise, and the little hamlet struggled along for years. Henry Bacon, one of the civil engineers of the road, bought the mill in

1854, and in May, 1856, he had twenty town lots laid out. The company did nothing favoring the place, but were forced to build a tank and put in pumping machinery for its own use. An addition was laid out about 1870. In 1879 the passenger house was built. F. P. Beach has a store, a brickyard and drain-tile factory. Stewart Lindsey has the other store, which he has kept for many years. Mr. Lindsey was one of the engineering party in the first survey of the road as early as 1852. Since this place has been relieved of its rough element, which always clusters around where liquor is sold, it has put on new energy, and is now doing a good business. The cholera broke out in this place in July, 1854. James M. Smith died with that disease at French Lick Springs, Orange county, Indiana, on the 15th inst. Before burial in the Lehigh graveyard the coffin was opened by Joseph Morris and R. H. Webber. From this exposure both were taken with cholera ; Webber died on the 18th, Morris recovered. In a few days Benjamin Rockhold and his sons, Noah and Charles, were in their graves. There were eight cases, four proving fatal.

The post-office at Del Hey was established August 23, 1854. The postmasters were Dr. Lemuel Boyd, Tom Lindsey and Stewart Lindsey. The income to the government the first year was $1.57. Nebraska post-office, at Jefferson's point, with Hamilton Jefferson as postmaster, was established in 1855, and continued six months ; the income was forty-two cents. Onarga post-office was established in

1855, with Townsend B. Gardner as postmaster. The income the first year was $16.99. Charles Burnley was postmaster in April and May, 1858, when Dr. Peyton D. Beecher was appointed. Kumley was again appointed in the summer of 1860. Dr. John L. Parmalee succeeded him, and held it till October 18, 1866, when Franklin Graves was appointed. His widow, Eliza J. Graves, was appointed October 6, 1867, and held the office till July 10, 1875, when Erneline Amerman was commissioned, and held the office till January 7, 1880, when John B. Lowe took possession of it. April 20, 1880, James Owen was appointed postmaster at Onarga. The history of this office, and all the various changes and causes for such changes, cannot be given here. To do so would take more space than can be devoted to the subject in this work. It is, however, one of much interest, and ought to be written up.

The Onarga "Mercury," the first newspaper in town, was commenced August 13, 1859, by R. McKee Davis and Bockus. It was sustained about a year and a half. Ed. Rumley issued the first number of the Onarga "Advertiser" in August, 1865. It was merged into the Onarga "Review" in February, 1866. The "Review" office was moved to Moline December, 1869, and in the winter of 1870 L. M. Babcock started the Onarga "Times." This office was moved to Watseka in April, 1871, and became the Watseka "Times." In the spring of 1870 Jacob Keizer issued the first number of the Onarga "Courier," which continued till that fall, when Keizer moved it to Winamac, Indiana. While both the above papers were in existence, John B. Low opened a small job office, and on their retiring from town he, in the winter of 1872, commenced the issuing of the Onarga "Review," the present paper.

In the fall of 1862 the war department, after some conference with some of the leading citizens, sent fifty-eight colored persons to Onarga from Cairo. They were transported in stock cars, and were in very destitute condition. They were well cared for by the people, among whom they found homes. At a school election, April 4, 1870, they appeared at the polls, to vote and were challenged. The fifteenth amendment to the constitution had become a part of the organic law of the land, making them citizens with equal rights of white citizens. After some discussion fourteen of them were allowed to vote, the same members of the school board voting in their favor who voted to allow their children in the public schools a couple of years before.

October 14, 15 and 16, 1857, the first agricultural fair of Onarga was held in a large tent located about a quarter of a mile south of T. M. Pangborn's present residence. William C. Moore, Dr. A. N". Crawford and Ray W. Andrews were the movers in this enterprise. A second similar fair was held in town the next fall. Eight years elapsed before another was held, and October 11, 12 and 13, 1866, a similar tent was pitched on the present grounds and the fair held in it. H. P. H. Bromwell and Gen. Charles Black held a joint political discussion in the same place a day or two before the fair. They were candidates for congress. The success at this time led to the perfecting of a joint stock company in the interest of agriculture, known as the Iroquois County xlgricultural Society. It was chartered by the state, with a capital stock of $25,000. At the annual meeting, December 9, 1868, there were $175.40 in the treasury. May 29, 1869, the society procured a deed for 23 acres of land for $75" per acre, from Allen Pinkerton. It is the N. | of S. i of S. W.

fractional J of Sec. 18, T. 26, R. 11 E. This land is admirably adapted for the purpose f*r which it was selected ; is inclosed by a tight board fence eight feet high ; the floral hall is 24 x 100 feet. There is a large number of complete stables for all kinds of stock, a never failing supply of artesian water, and a fine amphitheater which will comfortably seat 500 persons. The track is a half mile in length, and is the best in this part of the state. The present officers are D. C. Brown, president ; H. Pinney, vice-president ; James E. Owen, secretary ; D. Ward, treasurer.

The settlers who came to this neighborhood after the railroad was completed felt the need of the organization of a small fruit and horticultural society, in which could be discussed the various kinds of pursuits in which they were engaged. About the time of the war a farmers' club was organized, composed of the leading farmers in the township, and meetings were held as often as circumstances would permit. During the war these meetings were abandoned ; other things took the attention of the people who had a country to save and had sent sons to save it. After the war the meetings were resumed by such men as E. G. Babcock, F. P. Beach, H. Pinney, R. ' B. Pangborn, S. H. Harper, J. B. Clark, I. W. Wilson and many others. In February, 1866, the name was changed to Farmers' Club and Fruit Growers' Association, and in May, 1867, again changed to Onarga Horticultural Society. In December John B. Clark was elected president ; H. Pinney, vice-president ; E. C. Hall, secretary and librarian ; and Dr. L. Pike, treasurer. In the spring of 1868 the State Horticultural Convention held a session here. M. L. Dunlap, of Champaign, Dr. Warder, of Ohio, and other celebrated horticulturists lectured from time to time before this society. It was for many years considered one of the leading organizations of the kind in the state. Regular meetings were held till 1878, and occasionally since then. The soil in the neighborhood is well adapted to small fruit, and this industry has been one of considerable magnitude. It was commenced by E. Gould, who first made a success in strawberries, soon followed by many others, till for several years there were nearly 100 acres in strawberries, and a number of acres set to raspberries and other small fruits. Some years more than a hundred tons of grapes are raised in the corporation. One year the sales of small fruit amounted to over $30,000, and the culture employed a large number of laborers. In the last few years, on account of the low price of fruit, many have abandoned the business.

J. D. Bennett, C. H. Wood and M. H. Messer, a committee to cooperate with the superintendent in the work. December 19, 21 and 23, D. C. Wilber was employed to lecture on the coal formation in the state. May 1, 1865, the work was commenced by boring at a point a quarter of a mile south of the depot. John Farias, in May and June, sunk a shaft 8x12, 75 feet deep, but was compelled to abandon it on account of artesian water. It was located one mile and a quarter north of town. In the fall of 1866 boring was again commenced, and on April 11, 1867", a depth of 222 feet had been reached. The citizens raised for Mr. McCulloch, who was prosecuting the work, $350, and he went on till the depth of 527 feet was reached, but October 29 the project was abandoned.

About 1860 Lewis Russ and Isaac McCourtie bought of Erastus Martin, of Woodstock, Champaign county, Ohio, "Rollin," a fine mahogany bay stallion, which Martin had imported from France. It was the first of that celebrated stock, " Percheron Norman," in this part of the state. In the spring of 1870 the same men, with Timothy Slattery, formed a company, and Slattery went to France and personally selected five horses, and safely landed them in Onarga in the following June. In 1872 the same parties imported eight more, selected by the same party, and delivered in June. The same year Horace Babcock and Lee C. Brown imported five, Brown going to Europe to select them. They were landed in Onarga in the summer of 1872. Russ and McCourtre purchased "Old Tom" from parties in Ohio who imported him. In 1874 about thirty farmers associated themselves together, denominating themselves the Onarga Live Stock Importing Company, and sent William B. Lyman to the old country to select their stock ; the result of this effort was the delivery of ten stallions, on the fair ground in Onarga, May 25, 1874. In September, 1874, Russ & Slattery brought over two black stallions, Slattery accompanying them across the ocean. The Onarga Live Stock Importing Company, being successful in profitably disposing of their first venture, sent Luther T. Clark and Lee C. Brown for a second lot. Nine were purchased, and delivered in Onarga in May, 1875. Mr. T. Slattery is now in France selecting a lot of three or four, which he expects to deliver in Onarga early in June, 1880. Of all the above lot of horses only four are now owned in town ; the others were sold from time to time and taken into nearly all the western states beyond the Mississippi river. No stock has ever brought the farmers so much money as this ; there has always been a ready sale of all half and quarter breeds of this valuable stock.

buried. The first is called the Lehigh graveyard. It is on a high point, putting out from the south into the big bog southwest of Del Key ; it is in the S.E. cor. of the W. i of lot 4= of KW. J of Sec. 1, T. 25, R. 10 E. There are, as near as can be determined, 190 graves in the inclosure. ISTo better place could have been selected in the neighborhood for that purpose, and it is in a reasonably good condition. The second, as to age, is known as the Frame graveyard. It is on the east bank of Spring Creek, near the N.W. cor. of S.W. i of Sec. 15, T. 26, R. 14 W ; the bluff is near twenty feet high at this place, rendering the locality always dry. There are thirtythree graves in all. In one inclosure twelve of the Frame and Rounsavell families are buried. There are two or three other inclosures, but the fences are all going to decay rapidly ; no fence incloses this spot. The third is known as the Pangborn burying-ground. It is in the edge of the timber on a high bluff east of the creek, near the KE. cor. of S.E. ± of Sec. 19, T. 26, R. 14 W. At this place have been buried about sixty-four persons ; about twelve have been removed to the cemetery at Onarga. This place is inclosed by a good fence. The fourth is known as the Jefferson burial-place, located near the creek, on the S.W. J of S.W. J of Sec. 12, T. 26, R. 14. The first grave was that of Henry Jefferson, and it marks one corner of the spot where Hamilton Jefferson, his father, located his first cabin in 1837. There are twenty-three graves at this place. It is in a pasture, and but few of the graves are inclosed. Onarga Cemetery Association was organized under the laws of the state in March, 1858. Thirty-six persons were present out of the fortysix, who had at a previous meeting subscribed $5 each toward a cemetery fund. Enoch C. Hall was elected president ; William II. Skeels, secretary ; Elisha G. Babcock, John C. Culver and Lewis Russ, directors. At this meeting the officers were directed to purchase ten acres of land, the present cemetery lot. In the summer of 1858 a tract of land was purchased and laid into blocks, lots, walks and driveways, and on the 7th of August the stockholders met and bid for choice. R. B. McCready bid the highest, and secured the lot where he was afterward buried. The net proceeds of the choice bids amounted to $48. In the spring of 1867 the grounds were ornamented by shade trees ; a reception vault was constructed at an expense of $350, and a fine substantial gateway with iron gates was put up, at a cost of near $175. In October, 1877, five acres were purchased on the south at an expense of $550. It is a most desirable addition for future use. This resting place for the dead is a beautiful knoll, rising gently from all sides to the summit near the center.

University Of 'Illinois

The soil is sand, and naturally well drained. There is now a fine growth of elms along the main driveways and a variety of evergreens along the walks. Such grounds are a credit and an ornament to Onarga. The respect paid to the dead is a just measure of our appreciation of the living.

The Murder Of Martin Meara, Jr

Martin Meara, Jr., a boy eleven years old, was burned and whipped by his father till he was dead. June 13, 1871, the lad was knocked down twice, and most unmercifully flogged until he could not stand. Two or three times the father said he would whip the life out of him, the boy pleading, "Father, don't whip me any more." The next morning his swollen face gave evidence of the ordeal through which he had passed ; and feeling bad he returned to his bed, saying to his sister he did not know why his father whipped him so. After he had been in bed a short time Meara made him get up and feed the stock, and on his return to the house whipped him again, and sent him to the field, ^N"ot long after this he brought him in, and commenced whipping him with the stock of a large black-snake whip about a yard long ; then laid him on the hot stove (the daughter was baking biscuit at the time), the boy pleading all the while, "Father, don't burn me, don't burn me." He screamed very loud. The skin from his feet and back stuck to the stove, making the room very offensive. Meara would not allow a door or window to be opened. He knocked the boy down with the butt end of the whip stock several times. He then took him to his mother's room, and the children never saw him again. This is the testimony of Sarah Meara, fourteen years of age. Maggie Meara, a bright little girl, seven years old, said to the coroner's jury : " Father whipped brother with a whip ; he put brother on the hot stove ; he laid him down ; he cried when he was put on the stove; there was afire in the stove; he laid him on his back on the hot stove ; brother tried to get away ; his clothes were all off; father made him take them off himself; father hit brother on the head ; he hit him lots of times ; he then threw him in the shed ; he then walked back and stood up by the side of the wall ; he whipped him, and then took him into mother's room ; I never saw him more ; father told me not to say anything about it, or he would whip me ; I loved my brother; father whipped me sometimes with a whip." Afterward the boy was taken to his mother's room, where she lay sick with an infant one day old. Meara in her presence used the whip on him for a number of minutes, the child (lodging around the room to avoid the blows, pleading, "Don't whip me, father, please don't ; I will work. ' ' At last he stopped and told him to put on his shirt. The boy made an effort and failed, saying, "I cannot see it, I cannot see it ; no, father, I cannot see you," and fell to the floor dying. Meara said, "Have I killed him? " The sick wife, the only human witness to the awful scene, replied, "Yes, you have; you have finished him." Meara then bathed him with whisky, tried to have him drink some, threw some over him, and labored to revive him. Failing in this, he cried, " Have I killed him ? " After rubbing him for a half hour the boy lifted his hand, moved his lips and was dead. He then pushed the body under the mother's bed, whe*re it remained till near midnight, when Meara laid him on a sheet, with his clothes on, drew his cap over his face, pinned the sheet closely around him, and taking him in his arms, carried the remains of his murdered son to the previously prepared grave, about four rods south of the house, and buried him five and a half feet deep. So complete had this work been done that the soil was replaced in its natural position. This severity of the father to the sonvwas because he said the boy would tell lies, and would not work. The other members of the family said he was a good boy, and only told falsehoods when his father made him own to things he had not done, to avoid greater punishment. After Mrs. Meara was able to go out she made an effort to find the grave of her son, but failed. She told him so, and he replied, "I don't think you could." The day after the murder Meara posted notices in Gilman, written by himself, stating his son had run away, and offered a reward for his return. The neighbors suspecting something wrong at Meara' s, June 29 so stated to George B. Winter and Isaac McCourtie, of Onarga, who the next day unearthed this atrocious affair. A sufficient statement was by them obtained from the eldest daughter, who was interviewed at school, to satisfy them of the truth of the rumor. The girl was brought to town, the father at once arrested, and search made for the body. Meara was allowed to go home that night, being secretly watched by a number of men all night. The -next day a large number of citizens from Gilman and Onarga searched the premises. Many gave up and went home before noon, and others came, and the search went on. Meara was taken back to Onarga during the forenoon. At no time did he make any effort to escape ; he feared being lynched, and asked the officers to protect him. He went unmanacled about the village with the officer. Mrs. Meara denied all knowledge of the affair till she knew he was in the custody of the law. She said, "I knew Martin was a passionate man, and our lives were in danger." A partial examination was had before Justice Amerman, hoping the daughter would tell the court the same she had Winter and McCourtie ; but the moment she entered the courtroom and the eyes of her father were upon her she was dumb ; not a word could be got from her. Late in the afternoon the men began to go home ; nothing had been accomplished, either in the courtroom or on the farm. At last a small piece of clay, smoothly cut on one side, was picked up. This belonged several feet below the surface, and led to a thorough investigation at that place. By forcing sharp sticks into the ground till the grave was found the body was soon exhumed. When this news reached town the perpetrator of this foul deed was talking to some men about the suspicions that he had made way with his boy. While thus engaged McCourtre told him the body was found. He appealed to McCourtre to have mercy upon him. The reply came, " Why do you ask me for mercy, when you had none for your boy when you killed him ? " Meara said, "I whipped him to death." Irons were then put on him, and lie was put under close guard. While in charge of the officer he said, if he had it to do again, he would fix it so no one would find the grave. There were strong indications that he would be lynched that night, but better counsel prevailed and the people dispersed, and under the cover of an approaching thunderstorm he was removed, by special constable Thomas Robinson and his assistants, to a wagon a half a mile away, and delivered to the sheriff at Watseka early the next day. The excitement increased day by day until, on the fifth day, the death of Martin Meara occurred as has already been related on page 40 of this work.

In 1878 Goodrich Marshall, in making a ditch about fifty rods northeast of the Lehigh graveyard, discovered the skeletons of two human beings. The ditch was along the margin of a "bottomless bog." The bones were about one and a half feet- below the surface, and extending as much farther down. The smaller of the two, supposed to be that of a woman, was farther in the bog, and in a partly sitting position. The other was about six feet from it, and on its side. Nearly all the smaller bones were decayed, and readily crumbled on exposure to the air. The large bones and skulls of each were in a good state of preservation. Immediately beneath where the stomach of each must have lain was a quantity of watermelon seeds (recognized as such by visitors). The larger must have been a man above medium size, and the smaller a boy, or if of the opposite sex, a medium-sized woman. There is no tradition of any event of the kind ever occurring in the neighborhood, and no clue has been found to the mystery. No marks of violence were discoverable ; no fragments of clothing, not a button or a knife was found. It is possible they were travelers through the country at a very early time ; were murdered and thrust beneath the surface of this quagmire. It is possible they were made away with during the building of the railroad in 1853-4, when there was a rough set of men employed, some of whom would dare to commit any kind of crime. The mystery will probably never be solved. The skull of the smaller person and some bones are in possession of the writer.

Biographical

Mrs. Lydia Maria Boyd, Del Rey. is one of the oldest settlers in this part of the county. She was born in Chautauqua county, New York, March 18, 1810. Her parents were Samuel and Lydia Ayers. Her twin-brother, John Carey, graduated in the same class with Daniel Webster. Mrs. Boyd herself is an old lady of remarkable presence, and has possessed strong mental qualities. When she was twelve years old her parents removed to Mason county, West Virginia. Here her father died. Mrs. Boyd was married to her first husband (Ira Lindsey) January 13, 1832. They lived in Mason county about .two years, when they removed to Iroquois county in 1834, and took up and settled upon the land now occupied by the family. This land Mr. Lindsey entered as soon as it came into market. Their children were: Virginia T., James S., Benjamin F. and Adaline A. James died soon after graduating with honor from Lombard University. The eldest daughter married Francis Walker, of Champaign. Benjamin F. now lives on the same farm with his mother. Mr. Lindsey died April 3, 1844. His widow married Dr. Boyd in October, 1845. He died in March, 1865. B. F. Lindsey married Miss Frances Wiswell in March, 1865. They have five children. Ira Lindsey was the first justice of the peace west of Spring creek.

Hamilton Jefferson (deceased), was born in Alexandria, Virginia, May 1, 1798. His father, George Jeiferson, was born in Scotland, and emigrated to America when he was fifteen years old. His mother (Anna) was a daughter of Sir Harry Glenlyn ; she was married in England, and arrived in this country in 1796. Two sons were born to this couple. Thomas, the younger, died early. When Hamilton was eleven years old his father and mother both died, leaving him alone in the world. Though the relationship between the subject of this sketch and Thomas Jefferson was remote, nevertheless both descended from the same stock. Hamilton lived with an uncle in Alexandria until the commencement of the war with Great Britain, when he ran away and enlisted. He served throughout the war, was in several actions, and at its close went to Philadelphia. There he worked for two years in a cigar manufactory. He next went to Cincinnati, and in 1820 was married to Mrs. Sarah Sayres, whose maiden name was Jones. They lived in Virginia till 1836, when they moved to Illinois, and settled first near Georgetown, in Vermilion county. In 1837 they came to this county, and fixed their home on the banks of Spring creek, in Onarga township, on Sec. 24, T. 26, R. 14. They brought eight children - four sons and four daughters. Of these only two are living : Thomas, residing in Deadwood, Dakota ; and Hannah, who married Moses Oppy, and now lives in Kansas. His wife died in Virginia in 1858, while there on a visit. He celebrated his second marriage with Nancy (Darby) Eoff, relict of Garrett Eoff, January 9, 1859. They had one daughter (Cincinnati M.), who was born March 8, 1860. In 1873 he moved from his farm to Onarga, where he had previously resided between 1865 and 1868. In an early day he held the office of postmaster, and served one term as county commissioner. He was reared "after the straitest sect " of Scotch Presbyterians, whose rigid discipline caused him to conceive a strong dislike of that denomination, and when he was twenty-three years old he united with the M. E. church. Toward the close of his life his sentiments were largely tinged with Universalism. He was a Royal Arch Mason for many years. He died, much esteemed, September 29, 1876.

Aunt Diana Harper, Onarga, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, October 11, 1816, and is a daughter of Reuben and Sallie (Reed) Skeels. September 29, 1836, she was married to Mr. Alexander Harper, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, born October 16, 1808. In the fall of 1837, with her husband, she came tolroquois county, Illinois, and settled in what is now Onarga. He immediately entered land and permanently located where he lived engaged in farming and stock-raising up to the time of his death. She is still living on the old homestead. Her husband died February 15, 1845. She is one of the pioneers of this county, and is in possession of a remarkable memory, and from her much of the early history of this county has been obtained. She is one of the pioneer log cabin school teachers of this county. She became disabled in one of her limbs, supposed by physicians to have been caused by spinal affection, and from which for many years she suffered greatly, not knowing what it was to have one night's sleep for thirteen years, and not being able to walk for twentynine years; she is now just able to walk. She has been a member of the M. E. church for nearly fifty-two years, and her faith in Christ has supported and been her shield through all her suffering and trials, and has brought her out more than conqueror. Her account of pioneer life in fighting wolves from poultry and young pigs, is certainly interesting, as these ravenous animals and deer were the principal inhabitants of the prairie.

Tom Lindsey, farmer and stock-raiser, Del Rey, is a son of Roland Lindsey, and was born November 28, 1823, in West Virginia. At about the age of fifteen years, with his parents, he came to Illinois, and settled in Knox county ; he, however, soon after came to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he made his home with his uncle, Mr. Ira Lindsey, which brings him here in the fall of 1839, though his uncle had been here a few years previous. The county was, at the time Tom came here, very new, occupied mostly by deer and wolves, which he hunted with great success; the latter paid, especially as their scalps were valuable for paying taxes, the sheriff carrying them to Springfield on horseback, where he went yearly to pay the state tax. In 1845 he went to Washington, Tazewell county, Illinois, and engaged in the business of blacksmithing. From there he went to Wisconsin, but in 1848 returned to this county, and in company with Mr. Seneca Amsbary, bought and put up the first saw-mill on Spring creek, and began the manufacture of timber, with which the pioneers could build houses to take the place of their first cabins. He also engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1849 he married Miss Caroline Grice, who died about sixteen months after, leaving an infant child, which has since died. June 28, 1860, he married his second wife, Miss Bettie Hall, who was born in Mason county, West Virginia, September 18, 1844, and came to this county in 1853. Mr. Lindsey now owns 145 acres of excellent land, on which is a powerful flowing artesian well. He is now living in a fine residence on Sec. 2, T. 25, R. 10 E. He has three children living : William A., Lizzie P. and Tom. He is now, and has been for about two years, suffering with a disease of the eyes which almost blinds him.

Robert R. Skeels, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, is a son of Mr. Henry Skeels, one of the pioneers of this county, and was born January 30, 1842, in what is now Onarga township. He was born and raised a pioneer child. His school was the pioneer log cabin, with seats made from split logs with the flat sides turned up. He was brought up to farming and stock-raising, as well as deer and wolf hunting, as these were the principal occupations engaged in by the early settlers of those days. November 17, 1861, he married Miss Susannah Riner, who was born in Warren county, Indiana, September 15, 1842. At the age of seven years, with her father, Mr. Daniel Riner, she came to Iroquois county, and hence is entitled to the name of " old settler." After his marriage Mr. Skeels engaged in farming for himself, and lias followed the business since that time, about two years of the time being spent in Kansas, where he bought and improved a farm. Not liking Kansas, he returned and settled near the old home in Onarga. He now owns 127 acres of land in Sees. 29 and 30, T. 26, R. 14, and has built for himself and family a very comfortable and pleasant residence. He is one of the men who have witnessed this county grow to its present greatness. He has for the last few years been engaged in buying and shipping fat stock to market, in addition to his permanent business of farming and stock-raising. He has two children : Mary A. and Daniel H. He is a member of the M. E. church ; a republican in politics and a man of strictly temperate habits.

Irvin Reuben Skeels, farmer, fruit-raiser and dairyman, Onarga, is a son of Reuben arid Hannah (Kirk) Skeels, and was born in Onarga township, Iroquois county, Illinois, October 12, 1846. His early youth was spent engaged in farming, stock-raising and going to school. He attended one term at Grand Prairie Seminary in Onarga, in 1865, but left in March, 1865, and enlisted in Co. H, 58th 111. Yol. Inf., and served one year. After returning home he engaged in farming. March 23, 1868, he married Miss Laura A., daughter of Dr. Samuel Turner, one of the first physicians of this county. She was born in this county, August 16, 184*9. In January, 1875, he moved on his present farm, about one mile south of Onarga village, where he now lives. He has two children : Leroy C., born December 24, 1868, and Louis G., born March 16, 1874.

John R. London, farmer, Onarga, was one of the earliest settlers on Spring creek. He is the son of George and Mary London, and was born August 22, 1814, in South Carolina. The family name is an old and distinguished one, being prominent in the annals of the American Revolution. One of the larger counties in Virginia is named " Loudon." When Mr. Loudon was very young his parents removed to Washington county, Indiana, where they lived and died. The father was killed at a house-raising by falling timber. After his father's death he was bound out until sixteen years of age to a farmer. Having served out his apprenticeship, he worked by the month until he became twentytwo years of age. Mr. Loudon was married, August 18, 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Henry, by whom he had ten children, five of whom are living: Mary A., Nancy J., Margaret E., William W. and De Witt C. Mrs. Loudon died March 14, 1869. December 31, 1872, Mr. Loudon married Mrs. Julia A. Beebe, whose maiden name was Bostwick. She was born in Kent, Litchh'eld county, Connecticut, and is the daughter of Charles Whittlesey Bostwick. Mrs. Loudon has two daughters by her first husband : Amelia J. and Lucy J. Mr. London's father, and Mrs. Loudon's grandfather, Lee, served through the war of 1812. Mr. Loudon came to Iroquois county in the spring of 1842, and settled on the N.W. J of Sec. 6, T. 25, R. 14 "W., where he has since remained, engaged in farming. The house in which they now reside was built in the summer of 1854. Mr. and Mrs. London are members of the Presbyterian church, in Onarga, of which he is an elder.

Cyrus S. Pangborn, farmer, Onarga, was the youngest child of John and Miranda (Miller) Pangborn, and was born near Columbus, Ohio, February 5, 1822. He was reared a cultivator of the soil, and has always followed that calling. May 22, 1845, he was married to Mary Jane Gilmore. She died on the 9th of August following. In the same year he emigrated to Iroquois county and settled in Onarga township, where he now lives, on Sec. 17, T. 26, R. 14. July 5, 1849, he was married to Mary Taylor, daughter of Alonzo Taylor. She died May 7, 1850. His third marriage occurred August 19, 1852, with Rosanna Ryner. Seven children have been the issue of this marriage, six of whom are living: Frank E., Josephine H., Licetta V., Jesse (dead), Melvin, Mary M. and Quincy J. Mr. Pangborn was converted when fourteen years of age, and has been a member of the M. E. church since that time. In politics he is a supporter of republican principles. He owns 205 acres of well-improved land, valued at $7,000.

Jesse Drake, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, was born in Pike county, Ohio, January 29, 1824, and when about fourteen years old, with his parents, he removed to Yermilion county, Indiana, and engaged in farming. His educational advantages were very poor, the country at that time being thinly settled, and school kept only on the old subscription principle. January 24, 1 847, he married Miss Hannah Riner, who is a native of Yirginia, and was born December 16, 1828. Her father, Mr. Daniel Riner, was born also in old Yirginia, October 19, 1796. He came to this county in 1850, and is still living on the farm he then entered. Mr. Drake came to this county in April, 1850. The county at that time was new and sparsely settled. His nearest market then was Chicago, from where he hauled the lumber to finish building his first house in Onarga township. The land that was then inhabited only by deer and other wild animals is now covered with fields of golden grain ; railroads pass through the county in every direction, and towns have grown up along their lines. He then worked out by the day to pay for his first 40 acres of land. He now owns 210 acres of well improved land in Sees. 33 and 34, T. 26, R. 14. He has six children living: Martha E., Daniel J., Mary L., Sarah E., Frank M. and Emma E. He is strictly temperate and a strong republican.

John, son of John Ricketts, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, April 11, 1824. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Vermilion count}', in that state, where his early youth was spent with them, engaged in farming, stock-raising and attending, to a limited extent, the old subscription schools of those days. March 5, 1848, he married Miss Anna Drake, who was born in Pike county, Ohio, May 15, 1828. He there engaged in farming as a day laborer, till 1850, when he came to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he rented land till 1854, and then moved into his first house which he built on land he had previously bought. He permanently located on Sec. 4, T. 25, R. 14, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. Although he is not one of the pioneers of this county he is one of those who went on the wild prairie and made a home. He judiciously selected for his farm, on which to make his future home, the highest point of observation in all that part of the county, and there drove the wolves from his door and swayed the scepter of his authority over his prairie home, and, after patient waiting for thirty years, now has the satisfaction of seeing this county one of the finest in the state. He has eight children, all living: Mahala, Mary, Melvina, Francis A., Malina, Icabina, Alvin J. and Jesse. He now owns 215 acres of land as the result of his own industry, hard labor and close application to business. He is one of that class of honorable men whose word is as good as his bond.

James E. Owen, grocer and brick and tile manufacturer, Onarga, was born in Birmingham, England, December 25, 1843. His mother's maiden name was Ann Elliman. He emigrated to America with his father, James Owen, in 1849. September 24, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 57th 111. Vol. He participated in the capture of Fort Donelson, and in the battle of Shiloh, at which latter place he was seriously wounded in the left leg. He fought at Corinth, Mississippi, October 4 and 5, 1862, and served throughout the Atlanta campaign, being in action at Resaca. His military service was terminated by the march to the sea, and he was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, December 30, 1864. He came home and engaged in farming till 1868. He celebrated his nuptials December 20, 1867, with Miss Nancy H. Coblantz. One daughter was the fruit of this marriage. His wife died October 5, 1868, and he was married again, August 27, 1873, to Martha Harper. He has held the office of village trustee of Onarga the past three years. He is at present engaged in the manufacture of brick and drain tile at Del Rey, in company with F. P. Beach ; name of firm, Beach & Owen. He is also a member of the firm of Owen Brothers, doing a grocer}7 and provision business in Onarga.

Samuel Brown, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, came to Onarga township, Iroquois county, Illinois, in 1851, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elias Brown, from Indiana, where lie was born April 28, 1840. In his early youth his education was much neglected, but by an industrious application to study he has acquired a fair education. August 7, 1862, he volunteered his services to his country, and enlisted in Co. D, 113th 111. Vol. Inf., and immediately went south to participate in the great struggle then going on between freedom and slavery, and at the battle of Guntown, Mississippi, was shot through the leg by the rebels, and by them taken prisoner and put in hospital one month for treatment. From- there he was taken to Cahawba, Alabama, and there remained one year, and in his lame and crippled condition suffered the hardships of rebel prison life. Though sixteen years have nearly passed away since he was wounded he still feels its effects. In the summer of 1865 he was honorably discharged, and returned home and engaged in farming. October 25, 1866, he married Miss Clara, daughter of William Coyner, an early settler of this county. They have three children : Frederick L., Frank G. and Nellie E. He is now actively engaged in stock-raising and farming, and owns 177 acres of land, the most of it earned by his own industry and close attention to business. His residence and its surroundings are evidences of his thrift.

Two English brothers, Abraham and John Doolittle (the latter dying childless) settled in Massachusetts in 1634. The first shortly after moved to the New Haven colony, where he became a prominent man, being chosen sheriff of the county, one of the committee to superintend the affairs of the settlement of Wallingford, and a member of the vigilance committee in the time of king Philip's war, besides holding other honorable positions. The fifth in the line of descent, named Elkanah, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a graduate of Yale College, and tutor of Greek, and in company with a classmate, Hitchcock, started an academy at Sunbury, Georgia, prior to 1790. Elkanah, son of Milton and Mary J. (Jones) Doolittle, was born in New York city, July 16, 1829. He attended a grammar school at Newark, New Jersey, till seventeen years of age. He completed his studies in surveying and engineering in a private school in New York city. Immediately he was employed in railroad surveying, and also in constructing the sewerage of the city of Newark, New Jersey. In the spring of 1851 he came west and assisted in surveys of the Illinois Central railroad, and finally located near Onarga. In 1854 he celebrated his marriage with Triphenia Pangborn, daughter of Judge Thomas M. Pangborn. Four sons were the issue of this union. The eldest died when a little more than a year old. The survivors are: Milton, Thomas E., and Warren E. His wife dying in 1872, he married in the following year, Miranda, another daughter of Judge Pangborn. In 1858 he was elected county surveyor of Iroquois county, and held the office one term. Residing temporarily in Connecticut, his former home, in 1862 he recruited company A, 20th Conn. Vol., under authority dated July 11, and was enrolled on August 15, as second lieutenant, and mustered in September 8, at New Haven, Shortly after the battle of Chancellorsville, where he fought, he was promoted to first lieutenant of company D, and commissioned June 26r 1863. He fought at Gettysburg, and in January, 1864, owing to hiswife's "rapidly failing health, resigned his commission. After the war he began farming at his old home near Onarga, and has since continued it. From 1873 to 1877 he was merchandising in that town. Captain Doolittle is genial, but retiring, and a stranger to display. In his keeping are many curious and pleasing heirlooms of his Puritan ancestry.

John C. Culver, grocer, Onarga, was the youngest son of Asa and Lydia (Conger) Culver, and was born in Cayuga county, New York, December 10, 1820. When four years old he was taken and reared by Silas Conger. He worked at farming and clearing land until the age of thirty. In 1832 he went with Conger to Huron (now Erie) county, Ohio, and thence to Richland county ; in 1846 he settled in Calhoun county, Michigan, and two years later in the lumber region, establishing himself in Huron county, where he operated a saw-mill. In 1849 he removed to Porter county, Indiana, and in 1851 to Iroqnois county, Illinois, and engaged in milling at Del Key. In the fall of 1855 he came to Onarga and opened a lumber yard, but at the end of three years quit this for the grocery business, taking Addison Lockwood in company. A few years afterward he sold his interest to his partner. In 1869 he associated C. L. Knight with himself in the same trade. This firm was dissolved after two or three years, and Mr. Culver carried on a similar business with James Hawk about the same length of time, when he bought out his partner, and has since continued merchandising alone. He was married November 4, 1846, to Clarissa Shaker, who died March 19, 1860. His second marriage he celebrated with Harriet M. Messer, January 1, 1861. The offspring of this union are two sons and two daughters. He has been assessor of Onarga township once, and in 1866 he was assistant assessor of internal revenue. He is an Odd-Fellow and a Knight Templar. From an old line democrat he has become independent in politics.

Ohio, June 4, 1844. When very young his parents removed to Illinois, and settled at Middleport, in this county. His father was a physician, and practiced there a few years, but his health failing, he settled on a farm near Plato, in the hope of relinquishing his profession. In a little while he died, when the subject of this sketch was but four years old. Young Lawhead received such an education as was furnished by the district schools of the day ; he added to this two terms at the high school in Kankakee, besides a full commercial course, which he completed in the spring of 1862. He immediately devoted himself to learning photography, and at length became an accomplished artist. This business has since engrossed his whole attention. He has been in communion with the M. E. church the past ten years. In political sentiment and practice he is an independent.

Adison Harper, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, was born May 16, 1807. The early part of his life, up to the age of twenty-eight years, was spent in the hill country of old Virginia, farming and attending school. He then came to Clinton county, Indiana, and there remained about twenty years, engaged in farming. While there, December 6, 1838, he married Miss Mary Sherrard, a native of Butler county, Ohio, born March 19, 1817. In 1852 he came to Iroquois county, Illinois; entered land in Sec. 13, T. 26, R. 14, in what is now Onarga township, and permanently located and actively engaged in farming and stock-raising. At the time he settled where he now lives he was far separated from markets and mills, no railroads being then built in this part of the state ; neither were there then any 'wagon roads, but winding trails over the highest ridges, fording rivers at the safest places. He has lived here to see this county grow up to its present greatness. He owns 255 acres of good land, watered by flowing artesian wells, all earned by his own industry and close attention to business. He has seven children : Martha J., Amanda, Ginevra A., William A. and Mary C., living ; Andrew, who died in the service of his country at Holly Springs ; and Samuel, who died at St. Louis, Missouri. Samuel's remains were brought home and interred in Onarga cemetery. They were both members of Co. D, 113th 111. Vol. Inf.

William P. Pierson, retired, Onarga, whose portrait appears in this work, and the first man to commence business in Onarga, was born in Leroy, Genesee county, New York, in 1811. The roots of his ancestral tree strike down deep and near the primitive rock of the republic. His two ancestors, Daniel Buell and Rev. Abraham Pierson, emigrated to this country from England, the former in 1630, and the latter in 1640. Rev. Abraham Pierson was a graduate from Cambridge University, England, at South Compton, Long Island, and at Brandford,

Connecticut. Having labored successfully in these fields for twentyfive years, he organized a large company with the view of founding a colony in the then wilds of New Jersey. This colony, in its form, was an organized church, of which Rev. Pierson was pastor. They purchased the land now occupied by Newark, and in 1667 laid the foundations of that now beautiful city. Rev. Abraham Pierson, Jr., acted as co-pastor with and successor to his father for twenty years, when he resigned and went to Connecticut, where he became pastor of the church at Killingworth. In 1701 he was elected first president of Yale College. He died in 1707, and a statue has recently been erected to his memory in New Haven. Mr. Pierson, of Onarga, is one of the numerous descendants of the seventh generation from the original emigrants, Buell and Pierson. Mr. Pierson's ancestors shared largely in the dangers and trials incident to the early Indian wars in New England, to the revolutionary war, and to the war of 1812. Mr. Pierson left his native town in 1831 ; graduated at the University of Vermont in 1839; studied and practiced law several years in Kentucky, and then, in consequence of failing health, in 1849 purchased and located on a considerable tract of land in Jefferson county, Iowa. Finding that waiting for land to rise in value, with corn at six cents per bushel and pork at $1.50 per 100 pounds constituted a rather slow business for a native New Yorker, he closed out his interests in Iowa in 1853. In the same year he married Miss Mary T. Condit, daughter of Rev. R. W. Condit, D.D., of Oswego, New York, and went to Chicago to engage in business. The Illinois Central railroad was then in process of construction, and high expectations were justly entertained of its ultimate effects upon the destiny of Chicago, and indeed of the whole state of Illinois. Among the numerous stations soon to spring up along the line of this great road, Champaign was regarded as the most promising. In the spring of 1854 the terminus of the Chicago branch was at Spring creek, and freight could not reach Champaign by rail until fall. Hearing favorable reports from the employes of the road in regard to Onarga, and the high character of the old settlers in that region, Mr. Pierson concluded to locate there until fall, and then move on to Champaign. One short train a day, made up of freight and passenger cars, was sufficient to do all the business of the road at that time. Mr. Pierson chartered three cars, and loading them with such goods as he deemed suitable for a new station, he, with his good wife, June 22, 1854, started for what was to him and his a new world. He found the town of Onarga to consist of three or four shanties. Mechanics were just putting the finishing touches to the depot buildings. The postoffice had just been opened in a little cigar and candy shop on the east side of the railroad, by D. B. Peck. Moore and Miles were then erecting the building on the corner on the east side, and now occupied as a meat market, for a dry-goods store. The first sale made by Mr. Pierson in the town was for material to complete this building. When the railroad finally reached Champaign, Mr. Pierson found that many business men had their eyes already on that point, and he moreover thought he saw clear indications that Onarga would prove one of the most inviting fields for business enterprise on the line of the road. He therefore, though doing but little at that time, concluded to remain. By way of showing how well founded these expectations were, Mr. Pierson states that while his sales during his first year at Onarga were less than $3,000, they exceeded $40,000 the third year. At this time all the business was done on the east side of the railroad. In the fall of 1854 Mr. Pierson built an office in the tall prairie grass on the west side, on the corner now occupied by the Pierson Block ; hence the point in the following story that he tells of his wife : He one day observed her scattering ashes in the prairie grass around the office, and on his inquiring what was up, she replied - " I am trying to kill the grass to make the surroundings look more like business." In the summer of 1857 Mr. Pierson built and occupied the house on the corner north of the Pierson Block, and now occupied by Isaac Amermand. In the fall of 1858 he erected the store building now constituting "No. 1" in the aforesaid block. In the meantime, the great financial crash of 1857 came and laid the whole country prostrate. During the three following years the value of property constantly declined, so that no trade could be carried on with profit or even with safety. Every dealer in building material on the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central railroad, with one or two exceptions, and nearly all dealers in this department of trade in Chicago, failed. The main source of weakness in Mr. Pierson's case at this critical time was in the fact of his having an unusually large stock on hand when the panic came. All that he needed was time to reduce stock, and to collect outstanding claims, which were not large. These objects were successfully accomplished by three years of hard work without profit. He could not, however, have done this had he not had first-class credit at a few solid houses in Chicago, who told him to go ahead. This credit arose from the reputation Mr. Pierson had of keeping his business well in hand, and of living within his means. On this subject Mr. Pierson says : " I have had creditors, who were themselves daily expecting to be pushed to the wall, come on with the intention of securing what they could. As they looked at my little house, noting how I lived, they said : ' Well, Pierson, you can make more out of this stock than we can ; we shall have to let vou alone ; you will come out all right.' That little house and the careful management of my good wife were what saved me from bankruptcy. Without the confidence inspired by these means I should certainly have failed, although I was at the time worth very much more than I owed. A blessing on the shanties that are paid for, and on the good wives who know how to make in them cheerful and happy homes, until something better can be honestly provided for." When business finally revived, in 1860, Mr. Pierson found himself in good shape, both as regards credit and capital, to largely extend his trade. His business, almost unsought, branched out in so many directions that it was impossible for one person to look after it all, especially during the war. He consequently divided his business, and became a silent partner in two or three firms in his own town. He also, at different times, had branch houses at Watseka, Ludlow and Chatsworth. These different branches were in the main successful in the accomplishment of their object, i.e. in working oft' surplus and unavailable stock, and were generally paying institutions, contrary to ordinary experience in such cases. In 1868 and 1869 Mr. Pierson shared his business lots on the west side with other parties, and the building known as the Pierson Block was erected. His health rapidly failing, Mr. Pierson, during the fall and winter of 1870-71, traveled in Europe, visiting England, Scotland, Gibraltar, Italy, the beautiful cities of Sicily, encountered without serious detriment the terrors of old Scylla and Charybdis, and returned to Onarga the following spring. Soon after his return he retired from all business connections. Considering that the most suitable place to pass a contented old age is among the people where the active and vigorous years of his life have been spent, Mr. Pierson proceeded to erect for himself and wife a home in a forest of evergreens that he had planted many years before, and christened it " Evergreen Home." Here Mr. and Mrs. Pierson are passing the later years of their active and useful lives. It is to be presumed that Mr. Pierson had an eye to the interior as well as the exterior home when he christened it " Evergreen Home." Regarded in either light, the name is exceedingly appropriate.

John C. Ramsey, farmer and breeder of thoroughbred short-horns, Onarga, is a native of Preble county, Ohio, and was born September 23, 1824. At the early age of twelve years he was left an orphan, and at the age of seventeen began to learn the blacksmith trade, and followed that business till 1853, at which date he came to Iroquois county, Illinois, and bought a farm in Sec. 15, T. 26, R. 14, in Onarga township. August 7, 1862, he enlisted as first sergeant in Co. D, 113th 111. Vol. Inf. He was captured by the rebels on board the Blue Wing, on the Mississippi river, near the mouth of the Arkansas, but was soon after paroled and exchanged. He immediately rejoined his regiment, but was again taken prisoner near Ripley, Mississippi, in May, 1864, and suffered for three months the horrors of prison life in Andersonville, from which he made his escape ; but was recaptured by rebel hounds, placed in jail for some time, and finally taken to Lawton Prison, Georgia, where he remained till paroled and mustered out of the United States service as a prisoner of war. He then returned to his home, which, during his three years' absence, had been managed and carried on by his wife and hired hand, - the latter receiving more money per month on his farm than he received from Uncle Sam for soldiering. In 1866 he turned his attention to breeding graded shorthorns, but in 1869 he engaged in breeding thoroughbred short-horns, and is now the owner of a very fine herd, comprising forty-one head of thoroughbreds, and is also buying and feeding yearly a number of grades and common stock. December 9, 1847, he married Miss Keturah Majors, who died August 5. 1854. He again married, this time, Miss Eliza A. Ramsey, August 13, 1856. She was "born February 3, 1828, in Preble county, Ohio. He has two children living: Lucy A. and Gracie M. He now owns, besides his stock, 400 acres of land, a large part of which is the result of his own industry and close attention to business. He is truly one of our self-made men.

Milton Doolittle, hardware and furniture dealer, Onarga, was the second son of Elkanah and Triphenia (Pangborn) Doolittle, and was born December 26, 1855, in Onarga township. He received his education at the Episcopal Academy of Cheshire, Connecticut, and at Grand Prairie Seminary, Onarga. On October 18, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet F. Marston, the accomplished daughter of Sanford K. Marston. Their child (Mary Triphenia) was born July 27, 1878. Mr. Doolittle is an independent voter.

Edward L. Marquis, lumber dealer, Onarga, was born in Mount Yernon, Knox county, Ohio, August 20, 1826. His father's Christian name was Edward, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Newell. He finished his schooling at the Mount Yernon Academy, and on attaining his majority commenced for himself by traveling for a marble establishment. He has led an active business life; and his employments have been various, and generally profitable. Railroading, photographing, real-estate and patent-right transactions have been some of his occupations. He has traveled extensively in the United States, especially in the west, and has made his home at different times in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. He has been twice married, and has two sons and two daughters. His maternal progenitors were

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John B. Clark, fruit-grower, Onarga, was born in Newport, Rhode Island, July 8, 1806, and is the oldest son of George and Desire (Blevin) Clark. In 1817 his father settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and two years later John went to Lawrenceburg, Dearborn county, Indiana, where he worked as a shop-boy three years. At the end of this time he apprenticed himself for four years to learn the tobacco manufacturer's trade. Leaving Lawrenceburg he went to Cincinnati and lived there three years; he then moved to Manchester and engaged in merchandising, and was in business in that place most of the time for twenty-five years. He was justice of the peace five years, and postmaster altogether twenty years. In 1840, and again in 1850, he was chosen by the whigs to represent Dearborn county in the legislature. In the summi'i1 of 1855 his family removed to a farm in Ash Grove, in this county, and some months afterward Mr. Clark, having closed up his business in Manchester, brought a stock of goods to " Pitch-in," the first that were ever sold there. This was before that place was dignified with the euphonious name which it bears. He continued in trade eight years. He was postmaster, town clerk and also justice of the peace several years. In 1864 he left Ash Grove and settled in Onarga, and since that time has given his attention to raising fruit. His first marriage took place with Sophia Albright, April 24, 1827. Four sons and eight daughters were the product of this union. These grew to manhood and womanhood, and all but three are still living. Two of the sons were in the army in the late war. James M. was a member of Co. F, 25th 111. Vol?, and died at Corinth, Mississippi, of typhoid pneumonia, June 23, 1862. Calvin R. served the term of three years in the 76th 111. Vol. He was engaged at Jackson, Mississippi, May 13, 1863; he bore a part in the sieges of Vicksburg and Mobile, terminating his active service in the last battle of the war - the brilliant charge on Fort Blakeley. He was promoted for gallant conduct in the last engagement. Mr. Clark's wife having died, December 11, 1866, he was married again, October 6, 1870, to Mrs. Frances M. Torrey, widow of Levi F. Torrey. He has been a member of the M. E. church fifty-seven years, and has held official connection therein much of the time. He was an ardent whig, and is now a firm supporter of the republican party.

David Bullington, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, came to this county in 1855, from Warren county, Indiana, where he was born, September 8, 1833. January 31, 1858, he married Miss Margaret A., daughter of Henry Skeels. She was born in this county, in Onarga township, April 9, 1840, and is one of those who know what pioneer life is, being one of the early pupils taught in log cabins. Mr. Bullington, after his marriage, engaged in fanning in this county till 1867, when he went to Green county, Missouri, and settled near Springfield, where he lived about ten years, engaged in farming, but, longing for the society of old friends and surroundings, he returned to Onarga, where he now lives, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has eight children : Sarah A., Ida L., Mary E., Emma J., Margaret A.. Elmyra, Susanah E. and Minnie E. He, his wife and the three oldest children are members of the M. E. church, and politically he is a republican. His parents, Mr. James and Sarah M. (Garrish) Bullington, were married May 5,, 1829; the former was born in Virginia, February 26, 1808, and the latter in New Jersey, December 22, 1808, and came to Iroquois county in 1856. The old gentleman is still living and has been a member of the M. E. church for the last fifty-four years. During his youth he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed many years. His wife, with whom he lived many years, died, June 13, 1875, from a cancer in her face. He is now spending his declining years with one of his sons on his old home.

James Owen, fruit-grower, Onarga, was born in Birmingham, England, November 13, 1815. His father, George Owen, was a blacksmith, and he learned the trade under him. In 1849 he emigrated to America, and stopping first in Brooklyn, New York, he worked there nine months at his trade. He then removed to Mason county, Illinois, and engaged in farming five years. In 1855 he settled in this county on a farm of 120 acres east of Onarga. At the same time, in company with his brother John, he put up a blacksmith shop in Onarga, the first in the place. A little later the younger brothers, Abram and William, came and took an interest in the business, which embraced, in addition, the sale of hardware and the manufacture of the celebrated Owen stove. At the end of two years he withdrew from the firm, since which time he has been employed either in farming or in horticulture. In 1867 he removed to Onarga, where he now resides. He was married, July 28, 1839, to Ann Elliman. They have reared four sons and two daughters. Two of the former, William F. and James, were soldiers in the late war. The first of these was in the 9th 111. Cav., and died February 18, 1866, from injuries received by being crowded with his horse from a high bridge.

George H. Owen, grocer, Onarga, was born in Birmingham, England, April 26, 1-846. His parents, James and Ann (Elliman) Owen, emigrated to this country in 1849. After a residence in Mason county, Illinois, they moved to this county and settled on a farm near Onarga. Here the subject of this sketch remained till 1866. He has been em- ployed in farming, brick-making, butchering, and is at present, and has been the past three years, keeping a grocery store in Onarga, in company with his brother James. Owen Brothers is the style of the firm. April 23, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Peter, who was born January 5, 1845, in Tippecanoe county, Indiana. They have one child, Flora Annie, born October 2, 1876. Mr. Owen is an Odd- Fellow and republican, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Horatio Talbert, farmer, Onarga, was born in Onarga township, February 29, 1856, on the same farm where he now lives. January 7, 1879, he married Miss Anna, daughter of William B. Lyman, an old settler of this county, and she was born in Beaver township, in this county, September 17, 1857. They have one child, Lyman Leo. The father of the subject of this sketch, Mr. George W. Talbert, was born at Fort Littleton, Bedford county, Pennsylvania. He was married, February 25, 1852, to Miss Catharine Deyo, of Pickaway county, Ohio, and came to this county in 1853. She died June 18, 1860, and Mr. Talbert died in the service of his country in March, 1862, on Black river. He left to his two children, the subject of this sketch and Albert, his farm, which contains 280 acres in Onarga, all earned by his own hard labor, industry and good management.

Enoch C. Hall, police magistrate and insurance and collection agent, Onarga, was born September 19, 1815, at Middletown, Connecticut. He was the youngest son of Jonathan and Catherine (Savage) Hall. His father was a farmer, and his youth was passed in the honorable pursuits of husbandry. He first attended the common schools, and then ended his studies in a private high school. From sixteen to eighteen he was learning the silversmith's trade, but his employer failed before his apprenticeship expired and he returned to the farm, working on that summers, and teaching school winters, till he was twenty-five. In 1836 he was appointed school examining committee, and held that responsible position twelve years. In 1840 he was appointed justice of the peace ; at the same time he set up in the grocery and provision trade. In 1851 he removed his business to Springfield, Massachusetts; in 1856 he came west and settled near Onarga on an eighty-acre farm of wild land. In 1863 he began merchandising in the village in company with G. G. Webb. He continued in trade thirteen years, changing, in the meantime, his connections and the character of his business more than once. The past three years he has done a general real-estate, loaning, insurance and collection business, and until recently in company with Hon. A. S. Palmer. He has held numerous township, corporation, school and other offices; has been justice of the peace sixteen years ; in 1866 was supervisor, and a member of the building committee who superintended the erection of the court-house at Watseka ; was secretary of the sanitary society for the relief of soldiers and their families during the war, and has been an officer of the Iroquois Agricultural Society since its formation fourteen years ago. He was married, October 20, 1839, to Louisa Plum. Four sons were the fruit of this marriage: Wallace, Edward, Dwight and Robert. All these were in the military service in the late rebellion. Wallace died in the blockading squadron off Mobile; Edward was in Co. D, 113th 111. Vols., and died in front of Yicksbnrg; Dwight was in the same company three years, and Robert served in the 150th 111. the last year of the war. Mr. Hall's wife died October 5, 1859. His second matrimonial alliance was consummated with Kate Flagg, September 19, 1860. They have two sons and a daughter.