Pawnee Township

Pawnee Township

The village of Pawnee originally comprised, according to the plat, the south part of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section seven, township thirteen, range four west, and is pleasantly situated, and surrounded by a good country. Being several miles from any market, and the country being well settled, Samuel Fullinwider commenced here the sale of merchandise, in 1854, the store being under charge of J. R. Mengel, Mr. Fullinwider residing at Chatham. The neighborhood, at this time, was known as the Horse creek precinct, and its school house as the Horse creek school house. The next thing after starting a store here, was to have a post office. The post office depailmtnt was accordingly pelilioncd for tbe esiablifehment here of an office, to be known as the Horse creek post office. For some cause, the department objected to the name, and wrote to James W. Keyes, tben postmaster at Springfield, asking his opinion as to the advisability of establishing an office here, and asking him to suggest a name. He suggested Pawnee, and thus it Mas named. Isaac Mengel was made postmaster, and held the office until the spring of 1866, when he was succeeded by J. W. Blakey, who continued to serve until October, 1869, when he w^as succeeded by J. F. Smith, who served until 1876, when James A. Abel was appointed, Mr. Abel was succeeded, December 1, 1877, by W. E. Purcell, who discharged the duties of the office to September 1, 1878, when Dr. Charles Kerr was appointed, and served till in February, 1881, and was succeeded by John W. McClure. The office was made a money order office in August, 1881, and Gilbert C. Drennan secured the first order, in favor of the Journal Printing Company, Springfield.

A log school house was built here at an early day, and succeeded in a few years by a frame building. The school here was known as the Horse creek school. The house was used by the various religious denominations who desired to hold services therein. The district was organized in 1853, since which time free public schools have been held. The present school house was built at a later day, and the school was graded upon opening in the new house, into two grades.

The religious element of the place is represented by the Methodist Episcopal Church, a sketch of which is given in connection with the township, as part of Pawnee circuit.

Post Office

The post office was established here sbortly after Mr. Fullinwider started his store, and Isaac R. Mengel was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by J. W. Blakey, who served from the spring of 1866 to October, 1869. J. F. Smith was then appointed, and served until 1876, and was succeeded by James A. Able, who performed the duties of the office until the appointment of W. E. Purcell, December 1, 1877. Mr. Purcell retained the office until September 1, 1878, when Dr. Charles Kerr, the incumbent.

Henry C\ Barnes, post office, Virden, iNIacoupin county, was born in Devonshire, England, March 18, 1835; his father, Arthur Barnes, was also a native cf Devonshire, England, and was born in 1792; he served under Wellington in the battle of Waterloo, as a commissioned officer; his mother, Mary (Clark) Barnes, was born in 1608, in the same place; she belonged to the same family of Adams as did John and John Quincy Adams; they were married in England, in 1822, and had six children, as follows: William C, John C, Mary J., James, Henry C. and Emily. Henry C. came to this country in 1846; landed at Quebec; came to Chicago, and from there to Grafton, Jersey county; thence to Jacksonville, where he engaged in the marble business, attending school a part of the time; then went to Shurtleff College, where he took a classical course, and afterwards taught school at Alton, and elsewhere, April 11,1861. Remarried Miss E. J. Dobbs, daughter of John W. and Martha Dobbs, and their six children were: John L., born February 16, 1862; Annie E., March 5, 1865; Arthur E., August 24, 1866; Mary Jane, July 4, 1868; George W., September 21, 1870, and Bertha R., February 14, 1873. Mrs. Barnes died June 5, 1878, and February 2, 1879, Mr. Barnes married Elizabeth Dayton, nee Brockman, daughter of Zurrath and Isaac Brockman; they have one child, Emily H., born March 8, 1880, Mr. B. owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, and is engaged in general farming and feeding cattle and hogs for market,

John W. Blakey, post office, Pawnee, was born December 30, 1S41; his parents were John M, and Frances Blakey, natives of Culpepper county, Virginia; they were married and moved to Missouri about 1839; they had seven children, four sons and three daughters, all living, one of whom was a physician, two merchants, and one farmer. John W, was the sixth child, and was born in Howard county, Missouri; he remained there until July, 1864, then went to St. Louis to attend Commercial College; he graduated in October, 1864, having previously attended Central College, and was within six months of graduating when the war broke up the college. In 1865, he came to this county and settled at Pawnee, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits; this he has continued to the present time. May 7, 1867, he married Amanda E., daughter of Philip W, and Amanda E. Weber, who was born in this county March 3, 1846, and was educated at

Pawnee. They have had three children, Annie May, born April 22, 1808, and died September 5, 1868; Edgar L., born April 16, 1871, and Charles L., born May 4, 1875. Mr. B. was elected town clerk in 1870, and at each succeeding election since.

William K. Campbell, post office. Pawnee, is a son of Charles M. and Agnes (Shank) Campbell, natives of Princeton, New Jersey. The father was born in September, 1796. The date of the mother's birth is unknown. Their children were John, born in New Jersey about 1820; James, 1822; William K., 1824; Charles M., 1828, and Cornelia, 1833, The subject of this sketch was the third child, and came to Jersey county, Illinois, about 1840; remained there until about 1853, w^hen he came to this county, bought land, and made a farm. Mr. Campbell has been three times married. His first wife was Miss Abbie Minier, who died May 5, 1847, leaving one child, Agnes, born April 15, 1847. The second wife was Mary E. Noble, who died July 12, 1859, leaving five children, viz.: Julia P. Agnes K., Charles A., William H., and John S. Mr. C. married Miss Clara E. Gale, July 12, 1860. She was the daughter of Gardner and Sophronia Gale, natives of Vermont. The father was born in 1804, and the mother in 1806. The children of Mr. Campbell's third marriage are: Archibald A., born February 9, 1861; Mary S., August 3, 1863; Gardner G., April 1, 1865; Gardner W., March 21, 1867; Walter E., January 31, 1869; Philip W., March 21, 1871; Clara Lorena, December 13, 1873. Agnes died April 6, 1849; Mary S., January 19, 1866; Gardner G., January 29, 1866; Gardner W., August 25, 1872, and Julia, September 1, 1874. Mr. Campbell is of Scotch and German origin, and Mrs. C. of English. She had good educational advantages, having attended the Bordentown academy. His son, Archie, attends mostly to the farm. Mr. C. was supervisor of Pawnee township for two years, and is at present filling his third term as assessor.

Randolph M. Calliss, post office, Virden, is a son of Randolph W. and Hester Calliss, the former born in Virginia, March 16, 1817, and the latter in Pennsylvania, September 4, 1820; they were married in Ohio in 1838, and had seven children, as follows: Randolph M., born August 30, 1839; Joseph J., born June 30, 1841, and died April 8, 1868; Elizabeth E., born April 18, 1844, died July 4, 1874; Margaret M., born August 30, 1846, died April 26, 1874; Robert S.,born March 20, 1849; John V., born June 13, 1851; James W., born October 2, 1853. They came to Jersey county, Illinois, in 1846. The father died Januaiy 25, 1855, and the mother October 9, 187o. Ran dolph M., was the first child and came with his mother to this county November 15, 1858, where he married Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Honor Orr, February 6, 1868, the former born in Virginia May 29, 1814, and the latter in Tennessee, May 7, 1815. They had five children, viz: Cora*^H., born March 4, 1869; Honor E., born October 13, 1871, died June 7, 1880; Freddie, born March 26, 1874, died April 12, 1874; Edwin J., born August 26, 1875, died May 13, 1880, and Maggie A., born January 23, 1878, died April 24, 1880. Mr. Calliss is of English and Scotch origin, and Mrs. Calliss of Welch and German. He owns eighty acres of land, valued at |50 an acre. Mr. C. was in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the war.

James Clark, post office, Virden, was the only child of John and Janet (Garrow) Clark, natives of Scotland; the mother was bora about 1783. He came to America with his mother, in 1853, and landed at New York; went to New Jersey for three years; came to Jersey county, this State, in 1856, and in 1857, came to this county, where he has since resided. June 20, 1843, he married Miss Jane Whyte, in Scotland, daughter of David and Jane Whyte. They have had f our children, namely: James W., born July 26, 1844; Jane, March 7, 1847; Mary A., August 8, 1851; Lizzie, July 31, 1859, died, August 24, 1866. Mr. Clark was naturalized in 1860, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He owns two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land; buildings large and commodious; makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle for market; also deals in stock on speculation; both himself and wife had good educational advantages.

Moses A. Davis, post office Pawnee, son of Luther and Annie M. Davis, the former born in Vermont, the latter in New York. Moses A. was the fifth child, and born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, from there came to Indiana, thence to Tazewell county, thence to Jersey county, finally locating in Sangamon county, in 1854, in Pawnee township. He was married in February, 1861, to Miss Emma Lough of Jersey county; they are of English extraction. Their children are, Frederick, born October 20, 1862; Charles, born September 25, 1864; Addie E., born November 26, 1869; Fannie, born December 26, 1871; Mary, born May 5^6, 1876. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, worth '1i>50 an acre. The advantages of education of himself and wife were limited.

Henry R. Davis, post office, Pawnee, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, October 14, 1832. His parents were Luther and Anna M. Davis; the father born in Chittenden county, Vellnoiit, and the mother in Herkimer county, New York. They were married in St. Lawrence county. New York, and had eight children, six sons and two daughters. They came to Tazewell county, this State, in 1841, remained there three years, then moved to Jersey county, residing there ten years, and in 1854 came to this county, where they entered land and made the farm adjoining where the son now resides. November 10, 1859, Henry R. married Miss Susan Williamson, who was born in Ohio, February 1, 1837. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Catharine S. Williamson, natives of Pennsylvania. Children, Luther K., born January 8, 1863; Olive J., November 19, 1865; Florence N., February 9, 1868; Ida Mary, July 14, 1871; Benjamin F., February 1, 1875;^ and Edna, January 26, 1880; Benjamin F. died March 21, 1877. Mr. Davis is supervisor of his township, and has been for several terms. He owns six hundred and fifty acres of land, valued at $40 an acre. Mrs. Davis, and infant son, died August 18, 1881, and are buried in Horse Creek Cemetery.

Samuel Davidson, post office, Pawnee, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Hall) Davidson, the father born in South Carolina in 1778; date of mother's birth unknown. They bad nine children, Lunnie, Samuel, Letitia, Elizabeth, William, Martha, John, Rachel and Elisha. Samuel was the second child, and born in Tennessee, October 19, 1821. He moved with his parents to Macon county in 1826, where his father rented land and commenced farming; remained there a short time, then moved to Macoupin county. In 1850, Samuel married Amanda Nuckolls, daughter of John and Ann Nuckolls, who came from Virginia to this State and settled in this county. Mr. and Mrs. D. have had nine children, as follows: Ann E., born April 25, 1851; John D., January 25, 1853; George W., March 12, 1855; Emma A., March 25, 1858, married to Samuel J. Stout August 31, 1881 ; Samuel M., September 5, 1861 ; Thomas J., March 4, 1864; Amanda, May 26, 1869; Miriam M., October 5, 1868; Charles C, June 5, 1872; John Douglas, died November 26, 1869. Mr. D. owns two hundred and forty acres of land, valued at. §50 an acre. Himself and wife have had very good educational advantages.

parents were John L. and Nancy J. (Dodds) Drennan, who were natives of Caldwell county, Kentucky, and of Irish descent; father was born February 18, 1808; mother was born January 30, 1819; they were married in this county, December 15, 1842 and had six children, all sons, viz: George L., Benjamin F., Gilbert C, Charles, David A., and Alfred L. David A. was the fifth child, and was brought up on a farm. September 6, 1876, he married AJiss Fannie White, daughter of John and Elizabeth White, of Christian county, who was born February 21, 1853. They have one child, Arthur Ray, born March 27, 1881. Mr. Drennan attended the district schools until he was seventeen years of age, then Lincoln University until the end of his sophomore year; he commenced reading medicine at Pawnee; studied one and a half years, and then attended Rush Medical College, at Chicago, Illinois, during the winters of 18 72, '73, '74 and '75, where he graduated, February 16, 1875; since which time he has practiced at Pawnee. His system of practice is known as the " regular," or alopathic, and he is meeting with good success as a practitioner.

Joseph Gattan, post office. Pawnee, son of John A. and Annie E. Gattan, born in Kentucky, married about 1821. The fruits of this marriage was eight children three sons and five daughters, two deceased. The subject of this sketch was the third child and born in Sangamon county, June 12, 1829, and was raised on a farm. He married Miss Mary E. Harper, daughter of James Harper, born in Sangamon county, Illinois. The fruits of this marriage was five children, two sons and three daughters, all living, Martha J., Ann E., Sylvester O., John H., Etha A. Occupation, farmer. First wife died, and he was again married to Miss Rebecca McNeally, now deceased.

Mrs. Charlotte Griggs was born in New Jersey, April 22, 1821; daughter of John C. and Dorotha Hamilton; the former born at New Jersey, July 17, 1788, and the mother of the same place, in 1795. They had ten children, namely, Alexander, Martin V., John, James, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Jane, Ann, Mary, and Phoebe; James died at the age of nine months, Jane and Ann after arriving at maturity; Alexander died in 1865, and John, about 1850. Charlotte was married in Madison county, Illinois, March 4, 1846, to Mr. Samuel Griggs, son of Samuel and Sarah Griggs, who were born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and they have had six children. John, born in Jersey county, Illinois, January 2, 1848; George A., September 4, 1850; Edward D., February 22, 1853; Samuel

H., September 28, ISr.O; Nellie A., in 1862 and died in August, 1864; and Jerome T. born in this county, December 20, 1865. Samuel Griggs, Sr., died March 17, 1867. Mrs. Griggs was of Scotch and French ancestry. They settled in this county in March, 1865, having purchased the farm where they now live. She owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, and is connected with the Baptist Church.

Jacob Henkle is the eleventh born and fifth son of Justus Henkle and Elizabeth (Judy) Henkle, who were natives of Virginia, from whence they removed to Belleville, Illinois, in the fall of 1817, and in the middle of the following March, moved to Sangamon county, locating on the west side of the court house, in what is now Pawnee township. Here Mr. Henkle made improvements and when the land came into market, entered a tract and opened up a farm. Jacob Henkle was born in Randolph county, Virginia, July 25, 1812, and was therefore but six years of age when his father landed in the then uninhabited wilds of Sangamon county. At the age of nineteen young Jacob enlisted in the Black Hawk war, serving three months, from March 1831 . Something over five years later, November 20, 1836, he was united in marriage to Nancy Hatchett. They have had ten children, all born in Sangamon county, whose names, in the order of their birth, are as follows: Dicey E., John Y., Diana F., Martin V., Sarah J., Elvira, Harrison H., Mary A., Amanda and Laura A. Mr. Henkle is the oldest resident of Sangamon county, having lived here for over sixty-three years, and is classed with the county's most successful and wealthy farmers. He is the rightful owner of five hundred and five broad acres, well improved, and spread out over as fine an agricultural belt as can be found in the great grain producing State of Illinois. Mr. Henkle's first tchool days were spent at a school held in the loft of his father's house. Soon after this a school house was erected, the material of which was obtained by each parent contributing logs in proportion to the number of children in the family, of school age.

Andrevi J Hiner, postoflice, Pawnee, was born in Virginia, May 23, 1816, and is a son of Anthony and Mary M. Hiner, natives of Pennsylvania; the former was born in 1781; the grandparents moved from Pennsylvania, about 1788; their children were, Elizabeth, Mary, Joel, Andrew J., Samuel, Rebecca, Catharine, Lucinda, and Betsy; Mary, Betsy and Samuel are deceased. Anthony Hiner moved to Indiana in 1831, and died there in 1837. Andrew J. came to Scott county, Illinois, and worked as a farm hand; died the same year. In 1843, hemarried Miss Margaret, daughter of William and Elizabeth Jackson, who came from Tennessee in 1828 or '29; they were of German and Irish extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Hiner had one child, James, who was born March 28, 1845, and died November 2, 1876, aged thirty-one years. Mr. Hine>r owns four hundred acres of land, the accumulation of his own and his wife's industry and economy; he came to this county in 1845, purchased land, and entered more on the prairie; he is of German extraction.

Daniel T. Soppin, post ofiice. White Oak, Montgomery county, w^as born in Lebanon, Madison county, New York, in 1819; his father, Curtis Iloppin, was born in Guilford, Connecticut, July 12, 1785; his mother, Mary P. Hoppin, was born in Lanesborough, Massachusetts, February 11, 1787; they were married about 1807, and had 10 children, namely: Chandler C, Elizabeth A., Siley M., Franklin B., CharUs T., Daniel T., Ann M., Louisa M., Mary. P., Ebenezer B. Daniel was the sixth child. In 1844 he collected three hundred and sixty-five head of sheep in New York, and drove them to this county in ninety days, with a loss of only three head. In March, 1848, he married Miss Cordelia Bradley. Her parents came from New York to this county; they are of English extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Hoppin have had three children: Ann E., born February 13, 1852; George B., born March 29, 1862; and Chester B., born April 17, 1867; Ann E., died January 19, 1874. Is a farmer; makes a specialty of sheep raising; his two brothers were with him and they were among the largest sheep raisers in the Slate.

Patrick Howard, post office. Pawnee, was born about 1824; his parents were natives of Ireland; mother was the daughter of Martin and Mary Long; they had six children: Margaret, Patrick, Michael, John, Alice and Jeremiah; John and Jeremiah died in Ireland; Alice died in Ohio; Patrick came to America, landing at New Orleans October 28, 1851; came to Ohio, and lived about four years; then to this county, working as a farm hand for Robert North. In 1863, he purchased land in Pawnee township, and commenced farming for himself. In 1 858, he married Miss Mary McCue, daughter of John and Catharine McCue, natives of Ireland. They had five children, viz: John, born November 18, 1858, died July 6, 1859; Jeremiah, born November 24, 1860, died September 24, 1861; Patrick, born November 9, 1862; Mary, March 6, 1864; Michael, October 13, 1867. Mr. Howard was naturalized about 1856. He owns eight hundred and ninety-four acres of land, known as Beaver Dam - Joe Ledlie's old farm, the result of his own industry; feeds cattle and hogs for market; is quite extensively engaged in raising sheep for wool and mutton. Mr. Howard has been engaged in business for twenty-three years, and during all this time has never had a law-suit in any court in the United States.

W-illicun C. Johnson, M. Z>., post office, Pawnee, was born in Callaway county, Missouri, December 30, 1838; his father, Thornton Johnsun, was born in Fairfax county, Virginia. February 16, 1801, and was of English descent; his mother, Mildred H. (Lanham) Johnson, was of English descent; they were married in Fairfax county, Virginia, September 20, 1821. They had thirteen children, namely: Emily P., born August 12, 1822; Charles E., September 22, 1826; Edward L., December 14, 1828; Thomas G., August 25, 1830; John H., March 15, 1833; Emeline F., May 15, 1836; William C, December 30, 1838; Benjamin F., July 17, 1841; Sarah E., November 24, 1843; Joseph L., June 22, 1846; Mildred H., September 11, 1849; Samuel F., born August 28, 1850; Edward and Samuel are deceased. William C, came to this county in the winter of 1858-59; worked on the farm for John C. Whitcraft, at $16 a month; commenced studying medicine with William H. Veatch, M. D., and in 1860-61 attended Rush Medical College, Chicago, then returned to Auburn, where he married Miss Mary J. Ham, February 13, 1861, daughter of Roland and Dina Ham, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. They have had three children: Alice B., born May 15, 1862, in Montgomery county, Illinois; Minnie H., born September 22, 1865, and died August 2, 1866; Carrie G., born April 11, 1872. Dr. Johnson commenced the practice of medicine in Montgomery county, and removed to Pawnee in August, 1862; he graduated February 3, 1869. The Doctor has had good success as a practitioner and is devoted to his profession. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 620.

Willimn H. Jones, post office Pawnee, was born November 24, 1824. His father, Samuel Jones, was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey; and his mother, Charlotte (Hendricks) Jones, was a native of the same State. They had twelve children: Susan, Hannah, William H., Agnes C, John, Sarah Ann, Louisa, Austin, Samuel, Caroline, George H , Benjamin F.; Samuel died in 1863. They came to this county in 1856; the father was a tailor. In 1854, William H. married Mrs. Julietta (Noble) Turner, daughter of James and Sarah Turner, who was born July 28, 1833. They had five children, namely: Elwood S., born November 1, 1855; Lewis T., October 11, 1857; Charles H., January 28, 1859; William D., December 24, 1860; and Sarah J., March 21,1863, and died July 28, 1865. Mrs. Jones died January 13, 1865. The family are of Scotch and French descent. Mr. Jones owns one hundred and fifty-two acres of land, acquired by the exertions of himself and family. His land originally cost seventy-five cents an acre; it now has first-class improvements. He has held several township offices.

Albert Lorenzo Kuhisch, post office. Auburn, is a son of John and Agnes Kubisch ; the former, born in Poland Province, at Posen, Village of Neutasch, Kries Czarmikan, Kingdom of Prussia, May 7, 1787 The mother, a native of the same place, born October 6, 1790. They were married in their native place, and had eight children, viz : George, born April 24, 1812; Jacob, born January 7, 1814; Kristine, born March 12, 1819 ; Valentin, born February 11, 1822; Thomas, born January 24, 1823 Justin, born July 23, 1825 ; Peter, born April 11, 1828 ; Albert L, born July 30, 1831. All now dead, except Justin and Albert L. Father, John Kubisch, died November 19, 1843 ; mother, Hedivig Kubisch, died March 21, 1851 ; Jacob, March 1, 1817; Valentin, March 3, 1822; Thomas, July 22, 1842 ; Peter, March 20, 1851 ; Kristine, April 5, 1869 ; George, July l^, 1871. The subject of this biography was the eighth child, and left Poland in September, 1855 ; landed at New York ; from there came to Chicago, thence to Wisconsin, where he remained two years. In 1857, went to St. Louis ; started for New Orleans, and was detained at Grand Gulf, on account of yellow fever ; while there, was taken sick and sent to the hospital ; after being dismissed, traveled about a year through the Southern States, then came to this county, in the fall of 1860, and worked for Reuben Brown a year, then went to Humphrey, and stayed until March, 1862, when he enlisted in the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, and was taken prisoner, with part of his regiment, at Harper's Ferry ; was paroled, and sent, first to Annapolis, Maryland, and then to Camp Douglas, Chicago, where he was discharged. He returned to this county, bought one hundred acres of land, where he now lives a bachelor's life. The farm is well improved. Mr. K. is intelligent, and especially well informed in ancient history; reads in the Polish, German and English languages, and is very liberal in his views of religion. Before he was a soldier, had traveled extensively in Russia. After living in this country twenty-one years, he returned to his native land, and visited the scenes of his childhood, but found so great a change that he felt like a stranger. Mr.K. is a member of the Masonic lodge, and belongs to Blue Lodge, No. 354, Auburn township, and also belongs to Royal Lodge, No. 92.

James M. Lewis^ son of Edden and Winnefred Lewis, both natives of Caldwell county, Kentucky. They were married in Kentucky ; mother's maiden name Winnefred Easley, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Easley. They had eight children: William R., died in 1849, James M., John W., died in 1860, Margaret E., Sarah, Martha A., Samuel, Mary, died in 1865; parents moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1829; bought a small farm, and entered other lands; mother died in 1835; father in 1850.

The subject of this sketch was married four times, first, to Miss BarrillaM.Lockridge, March 6, 1851, by whom he had two children: Cyrus E., born November, 1852; James W., 1857; ^ife died, May 4, 1857. Married Mrs. Emily C. Ricks, [nee Simpson,) August 30, 1860; had two children: Belle, born 1861; son died in infancy; wife died, April 24, 1864. Married Miss Mary A. Clayton in 1860; had two children:' Julia, born January 5, 1866; Manfred S., born 1868, died in March, 1877; wife died, June 20, 1868;

He married for his present wife, Miss Malissa Jane Burris, and by this marriage four children have been born: Alice, born February 10, 1878. John R., June 30, 1873; Samuel B., March 15, 1875; Adella M, February 25, 1877, died March 24, 1880. Mr. L. owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land.

Mrx. Jennette McTaggart, post office. Pawnee, is a daughter of Thomas and Jane Carsevell, natives of Scotland. They were married in 18 29, and had seven children- - one son and six daughters, all living. Two are married and living in Scotland. Alexander McTaggart was born in Scotland, about 1834; came to this country with his parents. He married the subject of this sketch in September, 1859, and they have had six children: N. L., born November 26, 1861; Jane, October 16, 1863; Margaret R., December 19, 1868; Amanda, October 11, 1870; John Thomas, July 10, 1873. Margaret died September 22, 1S67; Jane, October 1, same yaar. Mr. McTaggart died April 15, 1874, of typhoid pneumonia. Mrs. McT. owns three hundred acres of land, valued at ^60 an acre. Ttiere are good improvements. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Taggart are well educated.

J^noch Megredy, father of James Megredy, was born in 1794, in Cecil county, Maryland; of English and Scotch ancestry; and was married August 20, 1816, to Mary S. Jones, who was born April 7, 1798, in Cecil county, Maryland; of English parentage. He engaged in merchandising, and about the year 1823, moved into an adjoining county in Pennsylvania and continued the mercantile business until 1832, when he returned to his farm in Cecil county, Maryland, (located on the original Nottingham survey), with the intention of removing to Illinois at an early date, but through the influence of his father, was induced to postpone the trip for a time. His father died in 1836, and on April 15, 1837, started for Illinois, and landed in Sangamon county June 16, 1837, where part of the family have resided to this time (1881), on land purchased of Z. Peter, who was one of the commissioners appointed to locate the present Capital of the State. The farm is on section four, township fourteen, range five, at the confluence of Lick and Sugar creeks.

James J. Megredy, son of Enoch Megredy, was born in Cecil county, Maryland, February 2, 1819. Came to Illinois with his father, and was married December 30, 1841, in Sangamon county, Illinois, to Anna R. Hall, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, October 7, 1822. They had ten children. Moved from the present Woodside to Brush creek, (Oak Ridge), and settled on the present location, section two, township thirteen, range five, in 1851. This part of Sangamon county being at that time very sparsely settled, and some of the land unentered, a quarter section was entered and improved, and an eighty acre tract added, upon which the house was built in 1867, where the family now reside, surrounded by an intelligent and prosperous community. In 1856 and '57, J. J. Megredy was elected, with S. M. Cullom, present Governor, representative of Sangamon county to the State Legislature; and subsequently, to the board of supervisors; and has been continuously connected with the educational interests of the township since 1857. Post office, Pawnee, Sangamon county.

Christian liichert, post office, W^hite Oak, Montgomery county, is the son of Christopher F. and Magdalene Richert, natives of Germany, the former born in 1791 and died in 1861, and the later born in 1793 and died in 1833. Their five children were: Christopher S., born December 21, 1821, Gottlieb R., in 1823; Christian, the subject of this sketch, January 6, 1825; Frederick in 1827; Benjamin, in 1829. Gottlieb and

Frederick died in 1849. Christian came to this country in 1854, and after a year spent at Auburn, New York, came to Jersey county, this State and thence to this county, working first as a farm hand, and subsequently renting land until he bought where he now lives. February 2, 1853, he married Miss Catharine Mower, at Jerseyville, also a native of Germany. They had seven children, viz: John, born March 10, 1859; Wilhelmina P., born December 22, 1860, and died the 12th of April, of the same year; Carl Wilhelm, born November 17, 1862; Louisa M., July 24, 1864; Pauline S., June 8, 1867; Edward H., May 9, 1872; Emma, June 22, 1874'. Mrs. K was born October 3, 1832 and died January 10, 1878. Mr. R. was naturalized about 1861. His early educational advantages were good. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, the accumulation of himself and family. He takes great interest in the improvement of his live stock.

Daniel H. Starkweather, post office. Auburn, is a son of Asa and Louisa (Harvey) Starkweather, natives of Vermont, the former born Jahiiafy 7, 1807, and mother, August 7, 1812. They were married September 4, 1834, and came to Morgan county, Illinois, in wagons. After four years' residence they removed to Jersey county, where they resided until their death; the former in September, 1845, and the latter in 1856. They had five children, two sons and three daughters: Daniel H., born November 13, 1888; Mary L., May 9, 1841; Emily, July 2, 1843; Asa and Louisa, May 26, 1846; Louisa died the same year. The father entered land in Morgan county and improved a farm, Daniel H. was brought up on a farm. August 21, 1862, he married Lucinda Kirkpatrick, by whom he had two children: Emily W., born May 28, 1863, and Amanda C, December 22, 1864, and died April 23, 1865. Mrs. S. died April 3, 1865, February 25, 1866, Mr. S. married Sarah A. Utt, who was born in (ireene county, Illinois. Their children were: Walter U., born February 28, 1867, and died November 12, 1868; Asa E., March 9, 1869; Charles, November 24, 1871, and died December 3, following; Harry, February 18, 1873, and died the 24th of that month; James, born December 30, 1876; Bessie, December 5, 1880. Mr. S. owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, worth $50 an acre. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

Erminia M. Valentine, postottice. Pawnee, is a daughter of John and Mary Maddy,the former born in Virginia, in 1812, and the latter in Ohio; in the latter State, in 1835, they were married, and they had two children: Erminii, the subject of this notice, born in Gallia county, Ohio, in 1836; and Hudson, born in the same State, in 1838, September 20, 1855, Erminia married Alfred Leonard, whose parents were born in Virginia; they immediately came to this county, purchased school land and improved the land where she now lives. They had eight children: Mary E., born July 30, 1856; Charles W., born October 15, 1857, and died August 31, 1858; George A,, born November 26, 1858, and died September 1, 1860; Sarah F., born August 28, 1861; James E., born July 8, 1863; Efiie L,, and Emma J., born September 6, 1865; and Olive B., August 25, 1872. Mr, Leonard died March 21, 1873, aged 53 years, and Olive B. Leonard died October 7, 1881, aged nine years, one month and twelve days. In March, 1880, Mrs. L, married Isaac Valentine, who was born in Ohio, in 1827, She owns twohundred and forty acres, valued at $50 an acre, well improved, and everything denotes prosperity,

John B. Weber, post oflSce, pawnee, son of John B. and Elizabeth Weber; father was born at or near Nuremburg, Germany, in 1778, and his mother born in Shepherd stown, Jefferson county, Virginia, December 30, 1790; father came to the United States about 1800, settling in Virginia; in 1805, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Shutt, and by that marriage there were six children, all sons, who grew to maturity, viz: William, born in 1807; George E., John B., April 7, 1810; Philip W,, Jacob J. and Peter S.; the two latter are deceased.

The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, and came to this county in April 16, 1836, locating in Springfield; September 23, 1832, in Shepherdstown, Virginia, he married Sarah Ann Waltz, and of his ten children, seven lived to years of maturity, viz: George William, Sarah Elizabeth, Virginia, Andrew J., George P., James W., Amanda M., Cornelia E., Benjamin R. and Charles E.; the two first mentioned died in Virginia in their second year, and Virginia died in Springfield, also in her second year; Andrew J. was killed at Vicksburg, June 30, 1863, he was Colonel of the Eleventh Missouri Infantry; James W. was a member of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, was honorably discharged, and on his way home was assassinated. John B., the father, learned cabinet making in Maryland; followed the business two years in New York City, six years at Shepherdstown, Virginia, and five years in Sangamon county, Illinois, where he was disabled by the loss of a hand by a buzz saw, after which he was elected copyist of the land records of the State; after following this business six years he went to California, in 1849; returning in the fall of 1851, he purchased a farm in Pawnee township, where he has since continued to reside, and where he has one of the best farms in the county; has been sheriff and collector - 1854-6; was Quartermaster and Commissary during the Mormon War, under Governor Ford, in the fall of 1846. His first wife died August 5, 1866, and November 28, 1867, he married Mrs. Nancy J. Drennan, nee Dodds.

George P. Weber, post office, Pawnee, is a son of John B. and Sarah A, Weber, and was born in this country, December 2, 1842; his parents settled in Pawnee township, where he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in the First United States Rifle Regiment, afterwards called Eleventh Missouri Infantry. On returning home, he married Miss Vienna Meader, daughter of Timothy E., and Miriam H. Meader; she was born in this county April 21, 1842. They have had five children: Mary A., born October 5, 1864, Sarah A., January 31, 1866; Timothy, June 16, 1869; Eli, April 26, 1871; and Eva, November 25, 1880. Mr. W. is one of the number of successful farmers of south Sangamon. He has the only herd of Holstein cattle in the county; he also raises Cotswold sheep and Berkshire swine.

county in 1837. He married Miss Amanda M. Shepherd, who also was born in the same county as he, November 8, 1811. Their five children are all living, viz: John P., born March 19, 1840; Mary E., January 8, 1842; William S., March 11, 1844; Amanda E., March 3, 1846; Sarah C, February 19, 1848; Emma S., November 26, 1851, Mr. Weber was at first a carpenter and millwright; was in California in 1849-50. In 1851, he purchased his present farm, and he now owns two hundred and fifty-seven acres, valued at |50 per acre. Raises stock for market. His son, William S., served in the late war. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the M. E. Church, also all their children.

John Wetizler was born December 25, 1840, the son of Joseph and Monicha Wenzler, natives of Germany, the father born January 5, 1805, and the mother in 1811; they were married about 1830, and had eight children, Christian, Polly, Catharine, Lewis, John, Bertie, Lena and Mary; Polly and Lewis are deceased. John emigrated to this county in 1854, and worked as a farm hand. March 7, 1871 he married Elizabeth Clouse, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Clouse, father a native of Germany, and mother from Ireland. They have had three children, John Franklin, born July 10, 1878; two died in infancy. Mr. W. owns two hundred acres of valuable land, acquired by his own industry and economy. He received a good education in Germany, and two terms of country school in this county, and is a member of the Masonic lodge at Pawnee.