Perryton Township (part 2 of 4)

Capt. Daniel M. Candor was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, and came with his parents, Thomas and Margaret (Muntgomery) Candor, to Mercer county when he was one year old. His early education was such as he could get in the pioneer schools ( )f his neighborhood, with a two vears' course in the academv at Macomb, Illinois. He remained on the farm with his parents till of age. He went to Pike's Peak in 185I>, stayed two years, returned in 1860, and enlisted in 1861, in company A, 30th 111, Vol., and served a few days over four years. He lirst enlisted for three years, or during the war, and afterward veteranized at Yicksburg. He was in the following engagements: Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, the skirmishes around Shiloli, Brittin's Lane, Port Gibson, Eayniond, Jackson, Mississippi, Champion Hills, siege of Yicksburg, Kennesaw Mountain, sieges of Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Raleigh, Bentonville. and Goldsborough, and then went to AVashington by way of Itichmond. He was commissioned captain of his company October 27, ls«U, which commission he held till the com])any was mustered out of the service. Following the siege of Yicksburg he was promoted to the otKce of orderly sergeant from the office of commissary sergeant. At the battle of Atlanta he received a wound in the head. His parents located in Ohio Grove township when they came to Mercer county, and continued to reside there till 1850. His mother died in 1871, at the age of seventy-five years. His father, Thomas Candor, was married a second time, to Mary L. Boardman, and died in 187-1, aged seventy-five years. Capt. Candor's parents, Margaret and Thomas, were both natives of Pennsylvania. Capt. Candor was married in 1868 to Emma J. Girton, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 18-12, and daughter of Baltis and Anna E. Girton, both of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. They came to Blinois in 1872, and now live in Hamlet. Mr. and Mrs. Candor have three children: Graham L., born in 1868, Thomas G., 1870, and Edna, in 1879. He has a well improved farm of 175 acres, adjoining Hamlet. He keeps a good grade of all kinds of stock. He and his brother Josiah were partners in the mercantile business in Hamlet from 1867 to 1881. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Hamlet.

Of those who look to Mercer county as their birth place and home is the subject of this sketch, W. C. Yandalsem. He was born in 1850. His parents were John and Hannah M. Vandalsem, both of Ohio, and came to Mercer county with the early settlers with their parents. They were married here. His mother's family located as early as 1832 in Warren county, and afterward came to Mercer county and settled near Pope creek. AV. C.'s parents emigrated to Kansas in 1879, where they yet remain. His father is now fifty-nine years old, his mother fifty-seven years. They are both members of the Presbyterian church. His father served in the army in company B, 83d 111. Vol., and was out three years, lacking one month. He was in the second battle fought at Fort Donelson. after which his com])anf was detailed to fight bushwhackers and guerillas. AV. C. was educated in the common school and reared on the farm. He was married in 1876 to Deborah Dunn, native of Illinois, born in 1852, and daughter of John G. and Lydia (AVinans) Dunn, the former of Ohio, the latter of Kentucky. Her father died in 1857, at the age of thirty-five, her mother in 1S64. aged about forty-four years, a devoted christian and member of the Methodist Episcopal church. AV. C. has by this marriage three children : Glenn, Charley, and Bessie. His wife's people came to Mercer

George Gray is a native of Switzerland county, Indiana, born in 1851, and is a son of Eobeit and Mary Gray, both of Indiana. His father came to Illinois in 1867, then went to Iowa, and now resides in Barton county, Missouri. His mother died in Indiana. George came first to Eock Island county, Illinois, and lived with his uncle for some time. His educational training was such as he could get in the common school. He began life for himself with nature's capital, energy and muscle. He now has a fann of 120 acres, located two miles southeast of Hamlet, in Perryton township. He keeps a good m-ade of stock. In 1879 he came to Mercer county and located. The same year he was married to Arabella Yandalsem, daughter of John and Hannah M. Yandalsem. They have one child, Grace.

Of those whom we may term old resident settlers of Perryton township is Mr. J. M. Dunn. He located here as early as 1851. He was born in the state of Kentucky in 1824. His parents were James and Sai-ah Dunn, both of whom were natives of the '"corn cracker state." His father died in his native state in 1823, his mother emigrated with her family in 1831, to Clermont county, Ohio, where she died in 1852, at the age of sixty-two years. She was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. J. M. received only a meager education, such as the pioneer schools could give. He was reared a farmer, which business he has always followed. He returned to Ohio in 1855, where he was married to Elizabeth Huntington, born in 1826, and daughter of Abner and Pebecca Huntington, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The former died in 1877 at the good old age of seventyseven years, the latter in 1876, aged seventy-one ; both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Dunn has by this marriage seven children: James A., John IL, Benjamin F., George W., Emma C, Thomas IL, Sarah (deceased), and Rebecca (deceased). He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a farm of 200 acres located ene mile southeast of Hamlet, fairly improved.

"VV. W. Bradford, the subject of this life sketch is a native of Switzerland county, Indiana, born in 1830. His parents were Eli and Mary A. Bradford ; the former of Canada, died March, 1876, at the age of seventy years ; the latter of Pennsylvania, died in 1872, at the age of sixty-two years and ten months. They were i)ioneer settlers of Indiana, having located in Switzerland county while the Indians were yet ])lenty. They were people of high moral integrity and members of the Baptist church. W. W. came to Mercer county in 1855, and located east of Ilamlc't, where A. Kindall now resides. He returned t«j Indiana the following year and was married, and again came to Illinois where he lived till ISOO, when he went to Henry county, and there remained till 1S77, when he came to Mercer where he yet resides. Ilis wife was Miss Maria P. Stephens, a native of Indiana and daughter of Reuben and Mary Stephens, both of whom are nati\es of Xew Yoi-k. They were early settlers of Switzerland county, Indiana. Her m<jther flied in 1881 at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Her father still lives in Switzerland county, and is now ninety-three years old. Thej' were both members of the Methodist Ei)iscopal church and well respected by all with whom they dealt. By occupation they were farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Bradford have by this marriage eight children : Bruce, Perry (deceased), Eddy (deceased), Elijah (deceased), Ida, Guy S., and "William F. He and wife are members of the Free Methodist church. He has a well improved stock farm of 320 acres.

Alfred II. Smith is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1828, son of Charles and Margarette A. (Sungrain) Smith. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and served in Capt. Brady's United States volunteers in the war of 1812. He died in 1828. His mother was a native of Philadelphia, born in 1S04, and died in Mercer county in 1874. Her parents were, one from Switzerland, the other from Holland, She came to Mercer county in 1849. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. Alfred II. came to Mercer county with his mother. He was reared on the farm in w^hich business he has continued. He was married in 1855 to Margaret Catchcart, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Mary (Brown) Catchcart, who came to Rock Island in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have ten children : Emma, Charles, Arthur, Adella, Dora, Retta, Harvey, Frederick, Charles, and Uliner. He has a well improved farm of 240 acres and good grades of stock. He and wife are members of the Baptist church. His wife's father is a native of Pennsylvania, her mother of Donegal county, Ireland.

Among the early settlers of Perryton township who have passed from this seething and ever-changing world of mingled bliss and j<jy to that more quiet home above is James Gorman. He located in Perryton townshi}) in 1842, where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1877 in the seventy-seventh year of his age. He was born in Ireland in 1800 and came to America in 1837, locating in Pennsylvania, where he remained till 1842, when he emigrateil to Blinois. By trade he was a linen weaver but farmed in America. He was married in Ireland to Sarah McAdam, daughter of Sanuiel and Sarah McAdam, James Gorman had by this marriage eight children : John (deceased), William, and James were born in Ireland; Andrew, Sarah, and Sanuiel

(deceased), were born in the "Quaker state;" Elizabetli and Xancv -svere born in Perryton townshi]). James and William enlisted in the army, the former in company C, the latter in company G, 102d 111, Vol. ; both went out in 1862 and returned at the close of the war in 1868. James Gorman was a member of the Presbyterian church from early life till his death. His widow is a member of the same church. She now lives on the old homestead in the south half of Perryton township where they located in 1812. Sarah and Andrew remain At home to comfort her in her old age. She is now seventy-seven years old.

Levi Cooper was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1810. His parents were Thomas and Ann (Hashley) Cooper, both of England. His father was born in Staffordshire, September 3, 1771:, and died at Hamlet, October 10, 1857. His mother was born October 1, 1787, and died October 20, 1838. Tliey were married in their native country and emigrated to America in 1832, and located in Canada, where they remained five years, when they moved to Lewis county, New York. In 1810 they emigrated to Michigan, and came to Illinois in 1846 and located in Perryton township, Mercer county, where they spent their declining years. Thomas Cooper was a tailor by trade. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, both in England and America. Levi Cooper came to America with his father, and made the same removals. He was by trade a brick and tile maker, which business he followed in England, and in America one year, after which he engaged in the business of well-digging, till he located on the farm. This last business he pursued till he retired from active life. He now owns a farm of 320 acres second to none in location and quality in Perryton township. He was married in 1839 to Lucy Sproston, of England, who was born in 1807, and was the daughter of John and Sarah Sproston. They came to America in 1832, located in Canada, and emigrated to Perryton township, Mercer county, in 1866. Her father died at Hamlet, April 21, 1864, aged eighty-five years, her mother in England, about 1808. By this marriage Mr. Cooper has four children: David H., Sarah, Betsy E., and Hiram L. His wife, Lucy Sproston, died in 1876. He is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church ; his wife was a member of the same. Since the death of his wife he has left his farm and now lives with his son-in-law, C. Taylor. Llis two sons live on his farm. Mr. Cooper is a man who is well respected by all who know him.

H. W. FisK, the subject of this sketch, a native of Orange county, New York, was born in 1833, and is the son of Jonathan and Susan (AVilliams) Fisk, both of Massachusetts. His father was a mechanic and died in ISo^ tit the age of sixty-three; his mother died in 1841 at the age of tifty-oiie; both were iiiumbers of the Presbyterian church'. His father vtA'S one of the ruling elders in the society of which he was a nieinl>er. The Fisk family is of Saxon descent. They came to America -soon after the MayHower brought the jnlgrims to the rockV coast of Massachusetts. II. W. Fisk graduated at Waveland, Indiai\a.; in the class of 1859. He then took up the profession of teacUilig,' which he followed till 18(54, when he was licensed to preachy h}f the"- Vincennes presbytery. In 1866 he was ordained a mini^t^i* of the" gospel by the same presbytery. lie was appointed home iili^si^ary, « in which position he labored till 1870, when he was called to the Eiicflah charge in Rock Island county where he remained two years. In 1872 he was called to the Hamlet charge, where he has since labored, j)reaching both at Hamlet and at the Perryton church four miles soutti. lie was married in 1862 to Miss Marv Stevenson, a native of Pennsvlvania, who was born in 1834, and is a daughter of John and Susan (J. (Myres) Stevenson. Iler father was a native of Ireland and her" mother of Pennsylvania. Her mother died in 1857 at the agofvf torty-- seven. Her father is now liviiiii: and is in his seventv-second year- Both were devoted members of the Presbyterian church. Pev. Fisk has by this marriage three children : Charles E., Susan, and Emma.

Michael Damp, deceased, and subject of this sketch, was bom in 1814, in New York, and was a son of Philip and Susan Damp, both of Germany. He came to Illinois about 1852, and first located at ]\rilan, where he engaged in the milling business. In 1854 he went to Moline, where he run a mill, and paid the farmers of Pock Island county the first cash for wheat received in that section. Previous to his locating there they received their pay in goods. In 1858 he sold his mill at Moline and moved to Pope creek, where he again engaged in running a mill for about four years, when he quit the milling business and came to Perryton township and engaged in farming. This he followed till his death, which occurred in 1865. He was married to Eliza Kemp, of New York, who was born in 1818, and was a daughter of Michael and Sarah Kemp. Her parents were reared, educated, married, raised a family and died without emigi-ating from their native state. The Kemp family came to America from (irermany, and located in New York in the early settlement of the state. By this marriage he had eight children : Edward C, Emily, Amos (deceased), Julia (deceased), Melonia (deceased), Charlotta (deceased), and Cicero R. Of the three living cliildren two are at home. Emily, now Islrs. (iaunt, lives in the east part of Perryton township. Edward C. was married in 1875 to Eliza Johnson, who died in 1879, leaving three children: Arthur, Elmer, and Isaac F. Cicero R. was born in 1860, and was married in December, 1881, to Julia A. Howard, of Illinois, born in 1858, and daughter -of John and Mary Howard. Mr. Damp left his family in good circumstances. His widow now resides about two miles south of Hamlet. Few, if any farms in Perryton are better improved.

jAiiEs GiNGLES, dcccascd, is justly entitled to the honor of being one of the pioneers of Perryton townshiji. He came at the same time as did the McHards, in 1838, and settled south of Camp creek. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the year 1801, in Columbia county, where he was reared and educated to the business of farming. He remained in his native state till 1838, the time of his emigration to Perryton township. He resided here till his death, which occurred when he was in his seventy-second year. He was married in 1822 to Elizabeth Lackard, of Pennsylvania, born in 1805, and daughter of Pobert and Jane Lackard, both of Pennsylvania. James Gingles, by this marriage, raised a family of eight children : Martha, Jane, Elizabeth, AVashington, Margaret, Harriet (deceased), John, and Clinda, all of whom are married except Washington, and he remains at home with his mother, caring for her in her old age. She still resides on the old homestead, where they located when they lii"st came to Perryton township. To use the language of a friend of the family: "Mr. Gingles was energetic and industrious. His character for sobriety, honesty, and integrity, was above reproach. Coming to this country when it was in its infancy, he endured every privation and hardship incident to a new country in its early settlement ; these he bore with manly fortitude and Christian resignation. His well matured opinions and advice were sought for and readily given to the more recent settler. In times when money was scarce he often lent a helping hand to those who were in need or distress, thus fuMlling the Christian maxim of doing good while we have time. His door was ever open to the wayfarer and traveler. N^o one in need was turned away without being recipients of his hospitality. During the last hours of his earthly existence he -had the sweetest solace and consolation of human existence by being surrounded by the children of his love, whom he had nurtured in the way of religion and truth, thus depriving death of more than half its terror, and illustrating the truth of that beautiful stanza :

His preference in religion was that of the Presbyterian teaching. He and his wife so impressed their earnestness and faith in Christianity u]>()n tlieir children, that they are all following in the footsteps of their parents.

Of the citizen soldiers now residents of Mercer county, whom the county chiinis as her own by birth and education, is J. B. Felton. He was born in Millersburg township, in 1842, and is a son of David and Lucinda Felton. He has lived in Mercer county all his life except ten years. He received most of his education in the schools of Mercer county. In 1866 he was married to Charlotte A. Howe, daughter of L. B. Howe. She was born in 1847 in Mercer county. They have two children : Jenney F. and Clara E. He enlisted in the army in 1862, in Company g"^ 102d 111. Yol., and served till June, 1865. He was in the battle at Resacca, where he was wounded. He was in the hospital at Nashville from May, 1863, till November, 1864. During the remainder of his term of service he was in numerous skirmishes. He has not yet recovered from his wound and draws a pension. He has a nicely improved farm of eighty acres.

Robert Dool, a native of Ohio, was born in 1850, and is the son of Henry and Mary Dool, Ireland, who came to Ohio, where they remained for some time, when they came to Mercer county and located in Perryton township in 1853, where they resided till 1881, when they moved to Aledo to live a retired life and enjoy their declining years. Both are members of the Presbyterian church. Robert was reared on the farm and educated in the district school. He was married in 1873 to Therssa Hayes, daughter of Henderson and Olive Hayes, both of Pennsylvania, but afterward of Ohio, settling in that state in 1848. His mother died in 1852. His father is now living and a resident of Belmont county, Ohio. Mr. Dool has two children : Gertrude B. and Henry C. H. His wife's parents were members ot the Presbyterian church, as are he and wife, and hold their membershi}) at Millersburg. He has a fine farm of 234 acres, well improved, and keeps a good class of farm stock, and feeds cattle for the market. George Walter, the subject of this sketch, was a native of Pennsylvania and was born in 1812. He was a son of Henry and Elizabeth Walter, both of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where they died. George was married in his native state in 1836, where he remained till he emigi'ated to Illinois and located in Perryton township in 1859, where he died in 1872 on his farm, at the age of sixty-one. His widow now resides on the old place. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. They had ten children: Charles C, Henry J., David M., George D., Sarah E. (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), Martha R., ^Villiani A., Hannah J., and Samuel W. (deceased). The homestead farm consists of a quarter section, which is undivided between the heirs. Henry J. was born in Montour county, Pennsylvania, in 1841, and came to Illinois with liis parents and now lives with his mother on the old homestead. lie enlisted in the army in 1801 and served till November, 1862, when he was wounded at Brittin's Lane, and discharged from the service. He belonged to company C, 30th 111. Vol. Inf. He was in the battles of Belmont (Missoiu-i), Fort Henrv, and Fort Donelson, the siege of Corinth and . Brittin's Lane. William A. was born in 1852 and resides on the old homestead with his mother. David M. enlisted in 1862 in company II, 84th 111. Yol. Inf , and was transferred to the marine brigade, served three years, and now lives in Ringgold county, Iowa. George D. enlisted in company H, 84tli 111. Yol. Inf, and was transferred to the 21st 111. Yol. Inf. He now lives in Burlington, Iowa.

Warner Corns, a native of Ohio, born 1821, is the son of Henry and Mary Corns, the former of Pennsylvania, the latter of Yirginia. They emigrated to Ohio where they were married, and afterward came to Illinois in 1842, located in Rock Island county, where they remained one year. They came to Mercer county in 1843, and located where their son Warner now resides. The ftither died in 1880, aged eightythree. The mother lives on the old homestead with her son Warner, and is now in her eighty-seventh year. Warner came to Illinois with his parents with whom he has always lived. He and his father together laid a claim on the ftirm where he now resides, and both improved the same. He enlisted in 1862 in company D, 33d 111. Yol. Inf., and served three years. He was iu the second battle of Fort Donelson and at Resacca. The remainder of his term of service the company was detailed to fight bush-whackers and guerillas. He was married in 1854 to Amelia Gingles, daughter of Robert and Catharine (xingles. They came to Mercer county in 1839 and located in Perryton township. The former died in 1875, at the age of seventy-six years; the latter in 1880, aged seventy-nine years. Mr. Corns has four children : Mary C. (now the widow of James Huffman), Ellen M. and Thirza C. (twins). ' Ellen married Charles Fencedemancher and Thirza married Charles Snow, and Amanda is at home with her parents. Mr. C. has a farm of 120 acres and keeps a good grade of stock.

Among the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Perryton township is G. D. Miller. He was born in 1824 and is a native of Kentucky, and son of William and Elizabeth Miller, of Kentucky. His father died in his native state in 1832, at the ao-e of thirtv-two years. In 1833 his mother emigrated to Crawford county, Ohio (now Wyandot county), where G. D. was reared on the farm, receiving such educational instruction as the ])ioneer schools could furnish. His mother died in 1870, at the age of sixty-five, on tlie old homestead in Ohio. II is great-grandparents on his father's side came to America from across the sea : one from Germany, the other from Ireland. Mr. Miller came and located in Perry ton township in 1852 where he now resides. Previous to his locating here he herded and fed cattle in the neighborhood of DeWitt c<^inity, this state, for several years. In 1852 he returned to Oliio where he was mari-ied to Sophia Brady, born in 1827, and daughter of Samuel and Sarah Brady, the foi-mer of whom died in Ohio in 1842, at the age of fifty-six years, and the latter in 1870, at the age of seventy years. Mr. Miller has ten children : Helen S., Minor D., Dow (deceased), Olive L., Calista, Sue, Emma, Iva M. (deceased). Clay, and Lonie. He has a fine stock farm of 700 acres located in the southeast quarter of Perryton township. lie feeds and ships cattle and hogs. He raises shorthorns, draft horses, and the best grades of hogs and sheep. He is a member of the masonic lodge at Aledo.

Among the early settlers of Perryton township was Austin A\"ot)d, the father of our subject (W. A. Wood) and his family. He located in Perryton township as early as 1837, ha\ing come to Peoria county in 1836. AV. A. Wood was born in 1820, in the state of New York. His parents, Austin and Louisa Wood, were natives of Connecticut. His father died in 18(34, at the age of seventy-seven yeai's; his mother in 1874, aged seventy-three years. They were both members of the IMethodist Episcopal church, and highly respected by those who knew them. W. A. was reared on the farm. His earlv education was received at the common school. He has pursued the business of his father all his life. He owns a fine stock farm of 290 acres, fairly improved and well stocked. He was married in 1843 to Harriet S. Smith, of Xew York, daughter of Jesse Smith, who came to Mercer county in 1840. Mr. Wood has eight children: Saphrona, AValter, Louis, Burdick, Emerson, Charles, Bell, and Lena. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He lives in the south half of Perryton township, four and a half miles southeast of Hamlet.

The veteran pioneer, Wilijam Doak, of Mercer county, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1816, and was brought up on a farm. His education was received in the pioneer log cabin schoolhouse, with its slab seats and desks. In the fall of 1837 he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, first settting in Greene township, where he remained till the fall of 1839, when he removed to Perryton, where he permanently located on section 27, and actively engaged in farming and stock-raising, following the business successfully till the spring of 1882, when he gave up active labor and removed to Aledo, with a view of spending his declining years in quiet rest. He was married May 19, 1S46, to Sarali P., daughter of Dr. M. Farwelh She is a native of !Xew Hampshire, and came with her parents to Mercer county in 1S42 and settled in Pre-emption township. They are the parents of three childi'en : Kancy J., now Mrs. William McHard, "William E., now a resident of Keithsburg township, and Alvah J., who now lives on the old homestead farm in Perrji;on township. For many of the incidents related of the earlv settlement of Perrvton township reference may be had to the Perrvton township history. He and wife are pioneer members of the Presbyterian church as well as pioneer settlers. His son, Alvah A., was born in Perrvton township in 1S54. He was reared on the farm. His educational training was that of the district school and a few tenns in the academy at Aledo. He was married in ISSO to Agnes Wallace, a native of Ohio, born in 1857, and a daughter of Joseph and Mary Wallace, both of Ohio, and came to Mercer county about 1860. A. J. Doak carries on the business of his father's farm. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

T. GuFFY is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1829. He is the son of Alexander and Catharine Gufty, both of Pennsylvania. His father went to California in 1848. where he died in 1857, at the ao-e of fiftv-six years. His mother now lives in Pennsylvania and is in her seventy-ninth year. Both were members of the Lutheran church, but his mother is at the present a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Guffv was reared a mechanic, and came to Mercer county in 1855, where he engaged in farming, in which pursuit he is still occupied. He was married in 1857 to Margaret Gingles, daughter of James and Elizabeth Gingles. Mr. Guffy has by this marriaace one child. Harriet C, who was married in 1881 to John C. Lanon, a native of Pennsylvania, and son of Daniel and Sarah Lanon. He came to Mercer county from Michigan. !Mr. Guffy has a well-improved farm of sixty acres. His son-in-law lives with him and carries on the farm. He and vdfe are members of the Presbyterian church.

The McHard family located in Perrvton township in 1839. At that time there were but few settlers in this part of the country. "\iMiere AVilliam McIIard located at the above-named date is now the finest part of Perrvton township. In 1839 the surrounding country was a wild wilderness, over whicli the deer and wolves gamboled ; the coo of the prairie chicken and the quack of the vnM duck made the music in the balmy spring morning air. Among the names of the pioneers of Perrvton. townshi]> belongs the name of William McH.\JiD. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1810, son of Joseph and

Sarah (Adams) McIIard, the former of Ireland, the latter of Scotland, botli of whom died in Pennsylvania. William was brought up a wagonmaker. lie was mariied in his native state in 1S32, and came to Illinois seven years later, and located in Perry ton toAvnship, where he engaged in farming, which pursuit he followed till his death, which occurred in 1870, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife died in 1867, at the age of fifty-six years. They were both persons of high moral integrity and members of the Presbyterian church. Ilis son, "William McIIard, Jr., was born in 1842, and reared on the farm, receiving such educational instruction as the schools of his neighborhood could give. He was married in 1873 to Miss Xancy J. Doak, a native of Perryton township, born in 1845, and a daughter of William and Sarah P. Doak. By this marriage he has two children : Mary E., and Sarah. He has a fine stock farm of 330 acres, located in the south half of the township, a part of which belonged to the old homestead of his father. He keeps a good grade of stock, and makes a specialty of feeding cattle. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Samuel McIIard, son of William McIIard, was born in 1833, is a natiye of Pennsylvania, and came to Perryton township with his father when six vears old. He was reared on the farm and inured to all the privations of pioneer life. In 1862 he enlisted in the army, in company G, 102d 111. Vol., served two years and nine months, one year of which time he held the office of corporal. He was in the following engagements : Pesacca, Burnt Hickory, Marietta, Peach Tree creek, Atlanta, Savannah, and Raleigh, and numerous skirmishes. He was married in 1866 to Mary Eiclunond, native of Ohio, and daughter of Joseph and Susan Pichmond. They came to Mercer county in 1853, and were members of the Methodist Episc()])al church. Samuel McIIard has by this marriage six children: Franklin P., Susan L., Gertrude and Grace (twins). May, and William S. He and wife are members of the Perryton Presbyterian church. He has a farm of 200 acres, well imjjroved and well stocked. He resides on the old homestead where his father settled in 1839.

Education

The subject of education is so interwoven with the growth and progress of all enlightened comiinmities that a full history of any people at the present day would be incomplete which omitted some mention of their public schools and other institutions of learning. It is a matter of regret that many of the records of the earlier schools of Mercer county have been lost by the carelessness or recklessness of a former county superintendent, as we are tlius compelled to depend upon tradition, or the memories of the older settlers, for material from which to comjiile a sketch of our first school teachers and schoolhouses.

The original settlers of Mercer county were men of sterling worth, intelligent and enterprising, and when planting their homes on these wild prairies more than fifty years ago were not unmindful of the needs of their children ; and we find that as soon as three or four cabins were erected in any given locality, some provision w^as at once made to furnish the young people with some sort of school privileges. Sometimes it was a small log cabin which furnished teacher and scholar shelter, and sometimes a small room or addition to one of the prairie cabins was all the room obtainable for school purposes.

It is no disparagement to the peoj^le of those early days to say that in some instances the teachers were of an order quite in keeping with the school-room, cheap and unsatisfactory. There were no professional teachers among the early pioneers ; but now and then a young settler, or the older son in some famil}^, would undertake for small pay to ''keep" school during the winter, while some pioneer's daughter would fill the same otfice for the summer to half a dozen or half a score of })upils. We have in mind the case of one young lady, a settler's daughter, who taught one summer for fifty cents per week and boarded around among the patrons. There wei-e but four families in the district, and but eight pupils enrolled. The education of the young lady spoken of was not at all complete, but then the requirements of that school were limited as to qualifications and advancement.

The first school taught in Mercer county was held in a small log cabin erected on the claim of Erastus Dennison, about two miles east of the town of ISTew Boston, near the present home of Mr. C. E.ader. The teacher was Abram Miller, and the time the summer of 1833. Mrs. Ephraim Gilmore, now of Aledo, was one of the pupils in this pioneer school for a few weeks. Mr. Miller was a prominent character in the early settlement of the county, having been one of the principal actors in the organization of the county and the first county clerk. Abe, as he was familiarly called, had a strong dislike for the restraints of close-fitting garments, and it was no unct)mmon thing to see him marcliing to and from school in M'arm. weather barefoot, with loose shirt and flowing pantaloons. This first school was attended by an average of about ten scholars, the total enrollment for the season reaching only about a dozen. The next year (1834), as near as we can learn, the first regular school-house was erected in New Boston township, near the blufi', about three miles east of the present A-illage of

Kew Boston, on tlie farm of William Willits. Abram Miller or Joshua Willits tauulit here in the winter of 188-1-5. About the year 1835-6 George W. Julian, since a distinguished politician and member of congress from Indiana, wielded the birch in this, Mercer county's first regular school-house.

The territory now constituting the county (^f Mercer was stricken oft" from Warren and organized into a separate county in 1835, and soon after the organization was eft'ected we tind that John Long was appointed, April 13, 1835, by the county commissioners' court to the oftice of school commissioner. AVhile the county thus early in its history proyided herself with tlie [)roper ofticial machinery for the organization of a more perfect school system, yet we find but very indift'erent progress in the character of teachers or the modes of instruction for a number of years.

It appears that the school commissioner was also agent of the school lands, and the most of the reports from several of the earlier school commissioners pertained to the care and dis})Osal of the school lands, and little or nothing relating to teachers or schools.

For nearly iifteen years after the a])pointment of Mr. Long, the school commissioner did not assume the duties of examiner of teachers. During these years the school board, consisting of the school trustees of the various precincts, were the board of examiners. These school trustees were not always elected on account of their educational cjualifi cations, but rather for their sturdy business qualities, and for the further ])urpose of having them properly distributed over the precinct.

As a matter of course the examination day, under such circumstances, was an event in the career of the board which exhibited its digniiied and ludicrous character, according to the particular cjualiiications of the members of the given board.

An incident connected with one of these examinations is related by a gentleman now living in the eastern portion of the county. Some thirty-fiye years ago, this gentleman, then a young man, just home from a medical college, was requested to be i)resent on a certain day to hear the examination of a small class of teachers, and to assist in the exercises. He attended punctually at the time and ])lace appointed, and found three candidates for certificates, one young lady and two young gentlemen. The three trustees, the regular school board, were also present, but not in a well organized condition for the duties before them.

After some preliminary conversations of a general character with the candidates, the board retired to organize for the ccmtest, and after a short caucus among themselves, they deputised erne of their numbei- to request the young doctor to join the caucus, which he readily consented to do. The young gentleman found the board to be composed of three sturdy and intelligent farmers, good, honest, capable men for all ordinary transactions, but honestly confessing their inability to perform the duties required of them as examiners. They could "read, write, and cipher," but then the law required the teacher to pass examination in geography and grammar, and these last branches of study were as Choctaw to them. At the request of the board the young doctor consented to conduct the examination, the board to hear the class and decide upon their qualifications. Hastily arranging a set of questions he began the examination, which was oral, except a few examples in written arithmetic. The board listened carefully to all the exercises, and when it was finished they again retired for consultation. After a short secret session the young doctor was again summoned in counsel, when one of the board acting as spokesman, said : "See here, we want you to go right straight through with this here thing. They all show a nice hand writin', and spell well enough and read and cipher fustrate, but then that gography and grammar is all Injun to us. You see we dont't pretend to know anything about it, so you jist give us your honest opinion about the whole thing, and if you say they pass muster, why we will give them all their papers and let them bang away."

To return to the main narrative, John Long ser\ed as school commissioner until December 5, 1835, when William I. Xevius was appointed as his successor. Mr. Nevius was reappointed in 1837, and again in 1838 and 1839, serving until June 6, 1840, when Ephraim Gilmore received the appointment. In 1841 the office became elective, and Ephraim Gilmore, was again selected to fill the position at an election held in August, 1841, and was re-elected annually for five years, his last election occurring on August 3, 1845. The next to till the office was Thomas Candor, who was chosen at the annual election on August 3, 1846. Mr. Candor served but one year when Benjamin D. Ellett was chosen his successor, August 5, 1847. From 1847 to 1865 the election for school commissioner was held bi-ennially, thereby giving the office a more permanent character. Mr. Ellett was succeeded by Tyler McAVliorter, who was elected November 6, 1849, and again on jSTovember 4, 1851. Mr. McAVhorter was the first school commissioner who undertook the examination of teachers in this county, and to his administration, extending over a period of four years, is due the first real advancement in the character of teachers, as regards qualifications and modes of instruction. lie was careful and l)ains-taking in all his official acts and was especially watchful and thorough in his inquiries as to the fitness of candidates for certificates.

The scarcity of well-qualitied teachers at that time forced him to grant certificates, in some instances, where the candidate got the benefit of a "reasonable doubt" as to their entire fitness for the high office of teacher, but many able educators were placed in charge of schools during his term of office. Among these we will mention the names of Simeon Smith, David Felton, liesin Kile and Harvey S. Senter,

After Mr. McWhorter comes Jolin Ramsey, who was elected IS^ovember 8, 1853, followed by Xorman P. Bro\\Ti, who w^as elected on Xovember 6, 1855. Mr. Brown was a practical and competent teacher, but so far as we can learn, neitlier he nor Mr. Ramsey succeeded in advancing the character of the schools of the county beyond the point attained by Mr. McAVhorter at the time of his retirement from the office in 1853. The successor of N. P. Brown was J. E. Ilarroun, who was elected Novembcn* 6, 1857. The law had now clothed the commissioner with the full powers of superintendent and given liini authority to visit schools. The personal visitation of schools gave to the new superintendent great advantages over his predecessors, as it enabled him to witness the everyday work of the teacher in the schoolroom. It is not unfi'equently the case that a candidate for teacher will pass with a high grade after a most thorough examination, and yet prove unable to impart instruction, or unfit to govern in the schoolroom. These faults or failures the visiting su])erintendent could detect and remedy, provided the visitations were made in the right spirit and conducted with })roper care for the good of the people. The truth of history constrains us to say that the greatest good possible under the new order of things was not attained during the administration of several of the successors of Mr. Harroun. Too little practical instruction was imparted by the superintendent in these visitations, too much time was spent in the exhibitions of the proficiency of certain advanced classes, and in the making of fine speeches by the visiting official. The ^^sitations, instead of securing the good to teachers and people as designed by the law nuikers, degenerated in some instances into the veriest routine, measured, we fear, more by the per diem allowed than bv the benefits which should have accrued.

]\[r. Harroun filled the office for two years, and, by constant visitations and courteous treatment of the teachers of the county, inspired them, not only with the desire to excel in their calling, but with that esprit de corps which should ever prevail among jirofessional educators in our common scliools.

It was during ]\[r. Harroun's administration tliat teacher's institutes were organized, and the central or county institute was first attempted. He was also the first to attempt the introduction of any form of school apparatus in the common schools of our county, and although not always successful in convincing the patrons of their utility, he was enabled to scatter here and there a goodly number of these helps to stud}', giving an impulse to their use by explaining to teacher and pupil, in the school-room, the manner in which they sliould be employed.

Mr. Harroun was succeeded by Eev. James S. Poage, a prominent and deservedly poj^ular Presbyterian minister, who was elected November 8, 1S59, and who served for two years. Mr. Poage was a highly educated gentleman, a fluent speaker and a most exemplary gentleman, but he was not a practical teacher, and while he made a creditable superintendent he did not succeed in advancing the character of the schools to that extent for which his learning and high character gave promise at the time he was elected.

Amos T, Waterman was elected November 5, 1861, as the successor of Mr. Poage, and served for two years. Mr. Waterman had formerly been engaged in teaching, but was at the time of his service a young practicing attorney of more than ordinary brilliancy. His administration of the office was creditable to himself and serviceable to the educational interests of the people. Ills examinations were conducted with more than ordinary care, thus securing a better grade of teachers, and giving a new impetus toward a higher excellence in teaching.

Washington L. Campbell, the successor of Mr. Waterman, was elected November 6, 1 863, and served for one term of two years, and was followed by Sylvenus B. Atwater, who was chosen at the election held November 7, 1865, being one of the first of a long line of county officials who have claimed the suffrages of the people of Mercer on account of their services in the late war. Mr. Atwater was a practical teacher of fair reputation before he entered the military service, and returning a few months before the election from his three years^ service in the 2Tth reg. 111. Vol. Inf , after participating in all the battles, marches and victories in which that gallant regiment was engaged, he was promptly elected as county superintendent of schools for the term of four years, the term of the office having just been extended from two to four years. To Mr. Atwater the people of Mercer county owe a debt of gratitude for his heroic, but then most unpopular treatment of all school matters. He introduced a strict and searching sj'Stem of examination of teachers, and insisted so strongly that his standard of fitness should be met that a large number of lialf-qualified teachers were either driven from the schools, or induced to re-enter school as students themselves inv the purjiose of improving their education, and their places were filled by a higher and better grade of teachers. He was the first to attempt the task of expurging from the school-room tlie antiquated text-books of the grandfathers, and introducing in their stead a uniform system of books so graded as to meet the wants of the several pupils, thus enabling the teacher to separate his pu])ils into classes by grades of proficiency ; in fact, establishing grades in many district schools, going so far in this direction that in several instances where the patrons refused to buy or order the purchase of new books, he furnished them out of his own private funds. Altliough partially successful in his eff(jrts to secure a uniformity of text-books, there remained much to be done in this direction after his four years' struorgcle was ended by the expiration of his ofiice. Ho labored assiduously to secure a black-board in every school-house, going so far as to carry his brush and slating into the remoter districts and painting the desired board with his own hands where the directors could not, or would not, get it done themselves. While Mr. Atwater won the hearty ill will of some would-be teachers and their friends by refusing certificates to persons who had tauglit under other superintendents, and refusing like favors to new candidates who ftiiled to pass his examination, and while much discontent was engendered among the people in some localities on account of the increased expenses caused by his unceasing efforts to secure new books and apparatus, and advancement of wages consequent upon the weeding out of poor and cheap teachers, yet impartial history will compel the admission that Mr. Atwater did more to advance the educational interest, and to place the common schools upon a higher plane of excellence than any person who had ]ireceded him in that office.

The successor of Mr. Atwater was Frederick Livingston, a graduate of Lombard college, of Galesburg, Illinois, and a teacher of some years' experience, who was elected November 2, 1869, and served for four years. His acknowledged learning, with a fair experience as a teacher, and courteous address, gave promise that in Ids election the schools of the county would be greatly benefited ; but his four years' service was a great disappointment to Ids friends and a nusfortune to himself Lacking in administrative ability, he soon lost his hold upon the affections of the older teachers of the county, and the freedom with which he granted certificates to any and all api)licants soon flooded the county with a new croj) of teachers, many of whom were in no wise qualified for tlie duties of the school-room, thereby greatly imi»aring the standard of the schools generally throughout the county. During his administration many of the books and vouchers belonging to the office were lost or destroyed, including all the records of the school lands, and nearly all books and papers pertaining to county school funds. His bondsmen made good such loss of the public funds as was proven to have been lost or misused while in his charge. Mr. Livingston was the first and only defaulter in this ofiice in the history of the county. Mr. LiHngston was the possessor of many qualities and graces calculated to win the confidence of the people and endear him to his friends, and we do not jjen this sketch without a regret that one so liberally educated, so courteous and kind, and withal so well quali- ' fied for a useful life, should exhibit that lack of balance which caused the unfortunate miscarriage in his official acts.

[The following sketch of Miss Frazier's career as a teacher and county superintendent, is furnished us by a gentleman who is interested in education, and who has been long familar with her work. - Ed.]

During the administration of Mr. Livingston, our legislature enacted a law making women eligible for all school offices, and at the first election held after the passage of this law, to-wit, in November, 1873, Miss Amanda E. Frazier, of Mercer county, was one of the eleven ladies who were elected to the position of county superintendent of schools in Illinois. Miss Frazier was re-elected in November, 1877, and at the expiration of her second term of office, was unanimously appointed by the board of supervisors in December, 1881, to fill the vacancy then existing by reason of the recent amendment to the statutes changing the time of election for this and certain other county offices, from 1881 to 1882, and quadrenially thereafter. She is there- . fore filling the ninth year of her incumbency of tliat office, a fact which speaks in no uncertain terms of the confidence and trust which the people of the county continue to repose in her capacity and official intem-itv.

Miss Frazier has long been identified with the schools and school work of Mercer county, and deserves no small measure of praise for the earnest and well directed eftbrts she has expended to elevate the standard of public instruction in the county. Entering upon her career as a teacher, in 1862, after completing the academic course in Monmouth college, and while yet a mere girl, she developed a remarkable capacity for the government of pupils and for imparting instruction, and so complete* was her success as teacher thus early in life, that during all the after years she gave to teaching she never was under the necessity of applying for a })Osition, inasmuch as applications for her services came to her unsought. After teaching a few terms Miss Frazier concluded to more fully (juality herself for the profession which she had determined to follow, and with this view spent two years at the State Normal University at Bloomington, Illinois, and another year at Lombard University, Galesburg, Illinois, when she resumed her professional career as teacher in the capacity of assistant to the principal of the graded schools of Aledo, where she remained four years, and was tendered the position ibr another year, but an unsolicited call from a lai-ger constituency constrained her to decline the position of teacher for that of county superintendent, to which she was chosen, as before stated, in November, 1873.

Miss Frazier entered upon her new work with a determination to labor for the interest and advancement of the schools thus placed under her charge, and her first steps in this direction consisted in the ado]> tion of a rigid svstem of examination of her teachers. It at once became ai)parent that to obtain a certificate to teach it was necessary for the candidate to be well qualified in all the branches which the law requires to be taught. Iso half-way work would fill the standard she had fixed upon, and as a consequence many incompetent teachers were droj)ped off the roll. To show something of her work in this department, the records show that in a single year out of 388 applicants examined for certificates, 219 were rejected, and but 151: accepted. To assist such as were willing to work for the position of teacher, she re-organized the Teachers' Institute of the county, whose sessions were held during the school year at various points in the county, and earlv in her official career organized a normal drill, holding the sessions annually during the summer vacation and continuing four weeks. Securing two or three prominent educators from abroad to co-operate with her in these normal schools, the large classes annually in attendance were submitted to a thorough drill in all the branches required to be taught, and the best modes of teaching and government, with pronounced advantages to both the teachers and the schools. These teachers' meetings and drills have been marked features in her administration, and of their utility there can be no question.

Miss Frazier is a woman possessed of many qualities which are peculiarly fitting for one in the position she occupied. Thoroughly qualified for her duties by a liberal education and experience in teaching, earnest, conscientious, and careful in her work, courteous and patient in her intercourse with the young and inexperienced candidates for teachers, though firm and unyielding when occasion required, and withal possessed with a strong personal magnetism which attracts while it does not repel, she has succeeded in impressing upon the schools of the county during these eight and a half years of her official life, much of her strong indi\iduality of character, and secured many changes in the manner of examining and employing teachers, in the methods of teaching and governing schools, and, in genei'al, a marked

The school lands of Mercer county came through two general acts of congress ; the first setting aside section 16 for school purposes in each congi'essional township in all the states and territories containing ])ublic lands, and the second turning oyer certain low, wet, and partially submerged lands for a like purpose. By the original act there were tifteen sections, being one section in each of the fifteen townships, in all about 10,600 acres of very good lands available for school purposes. Some of these lands were among the best in the county for agricultural purposes, and the entire body of them were equal in native richness and availability for all agricultural and grazing purposes with the average lands in the county ; and if it had been kept out of the market and held a few years longer, until the ' ' congress lands "" were disposed of, when the price of all wild lands advanced from $5 to $10 an acre, the several townships in the county might have realized sufficient from the sales of their several school sections to have assured them each a large and remunerative permanent fund. This, however, was not done, and the consequence is that these township funds are a mere skeleton of what they should and might have been, had a more farseeing 23olicy been adopted by the people and those having charge of these trusts. In those days the people were poor ; there was then no adequate state fund as now ; railroads, with their vitalizing influence, had not yet approached our borders ; new settlers were dropping in but slowly, thus leaving the country but thinly populated, and making it a difficult matter, with the low price of all farm j^roducts, for those scattered neighbors to raise the means (as they were then compelled to do mainly from their own pockets) to defray the expense of a threemonths' school in winter and two or three months in summer. To lighten their school expenses, and to secure for themselves some of the benefits from the lands donated by congress, the settlers of thirty years ago determined to dispose of these lands, and, in order to succeed, they were compelled to fix the schedule of prices at, or below, the price of congress land, and in some instances the price was very much below that of the government land. At these give-away prices, about twelve sections of this magnificent donation were disposed of during Mr. McAVhorter's administration of the office of school commissioner from 1849 to 1851. To us of the present day the policy then pursued regarding the scIdoI lands aj)pears short-sighted and wasteful, and while no school officer is justly chargeable with blame for the part he took in disposing of these lands at such low prices, it is a matter of sincere regret that the public sentiment of that day compelled the sacrilice of siicli a magnificent ])uljlic' trust, in order to secure for themselves tlie small proceeds obtained for that immediate present, when we realize that the paltrv sums were obtained at the expense of a magnificent fund for their descendants in all time to come, had they but waited in patience a few years longer.

The swam]) lands belonging to ]\rercer county are situated in the immediate vicinity of the Mississippi river, and embrace several thousand acres. This land is loaded with great abundance in all the elements of plant food, but being subject to overfiow, is valuable mainly for grazing and meadows, and in seasons of very high waters much of it is not even valuable for these purposes. We have been unable to ascertain, even approximately, the acreage of these lands, as the reports of surveys were not in the proper oflice when we were there, but we find the people were in some hurry to get rid of these lands also, and that as early as 1S5T the swamp land commissioner reported sales to the amount of $8,194.75, and that up to 1865 the sum total of $9,098.65 had been realized from the sales of these lands, and properly distributed to the several townships of the county, since which time there have been no further sales. There i-emain of these swamp lands 480 acres, situated in Eliza township, M-hich have not been sold, and which are not situated for enough above low-water mark to make a promising investment.

The township funds vary in amount in the different towTishi})s, the maximum being §2,910.90 in Keithsburg, and the minimum $1,186.26 in Green.- The total permanent township funds for the fifteen townships is $29,918.70. The interest of these funds only is to be used for the annual expenditure for schools in the t()wnshi})S where thefunds belong. The permanent county fund is $2,168, which can never be diminished, the interest being annually distributed to the township treasurers together with the state fimd.

From the one small pioneer log cabin of 1833, with its ten or twelve pupils and barefooted teacher, the school system of Mercer county has grown until the last log cabin has been abandoned, and four brick and 115 frame buildings, many of them stately and imposing structures, are required to accommodate the wants of our schools. During the last year 2,795 males and 2,587 females, in all 5,382' pu])ils, were enrolled, while 71 males and 161 females, a total of 232, were employed as teachers. Of the 119 school-houses nine are graded schools, wdtli a total r)f thirty-five teachers.

When all the schools of the county are in session the least number of teachers recpiired to carry on the work is 145 ; but the system, still too much in vogue in the country, of employing one teacher for the winter and another for the summer, increases the number of teachers from 145 actually required to 232 actually employed. Dm-ing the past fiscal year there was collected fi-om all sources for school puq30ses in the county, $53,698.43, and during the same period there was expended in payment of teachers $34,219.11. Three new school-houses were erected during the past year, at a total cost for buildings and grounds of $5,179.04.

In point of excellence the schools of Mercer county will compare favorably with those of the most favored counties in the state. In a large number of the ungraded schools all the branches required for a first grade certificate are taught with such a degree of thoroughness as to enable many of our young men and women to step at once from the condition of pupil to the position of teacher. Our graded schools are in a prosperous condition, and are gradually, but surely, improving in all that pertains to a thorough instruction in the common school branches, while a few of these schools give instruction in some of the higher branches belonging to an academical course. At the graded schools of Aledo and Yiola, a well-chosen cCurse of study has been adopted, and upon the completion of this course a certificate or diploma is conferred upon such pupils as pass examination with sufiiciently high grade in all the studies prescribed. At the recent close of these schools, Aledo and Yiola each conferred diplomas upon eight graduates.

In addition to our public schools the people of Mercer county have not been unmindful of a higher order of educational advantages, and hence from time to time during the earlier portion of our history attempts were made, most unsuccessful, to establish within our boi'ders a collegiate institute. We find that as early as the year 1839 a charter was procured from the legislature for the "Millersburg Seminary of Learning." Millersburg was at that time the county seat, and we presume that the attempt to secure a college at that point was intended to be a means of retaining the seat of justice at that place. Adequate means for so large an undertaking were not within the reach of the

' projectors of this enterprize at so early a day, and the undertaking was a failure.. Later, in 1857, coincident with the establishment of Aledo as the county seat, two colleges were projected, and a charter for the

"Aledo Collegiate Institute" was procured February 16, 1857. One of these colleges never rose above the foundation of the proposed building. Tlie other, acting under its charter, erected a rather imposing building which, though enclosed, was never finished throughout. Rev. Mr. AVilliams opened the fii'st high school in the old court-house building in 1802, and after rooms were finished in the new college he trans- ferred his classes to tliat buildin<;- in the fall of 1863. After a struggle for existence against many dithculties he was succeeded by Prof. McKee in 1868. Prof. Mclvee after continuing the school for a couple of years abandoned tlie undertaking, as the building was at that time considered unsafe, and the Aledo collegiate building was torn down and the building material sold.

After Prof McKee left. Prof Henderson took up the work for some years, occupying the second story of the building known as Richey's store, and in this building Prof. Henderson was succeeded, in 1873, by Prof. J. R. Wylie, assisted by his brother, J. M. Wylie. After teaching one year in this building the Wylie brothers determined to procure better accommodations, and by the sale of scholarshijDS they were enabled to purchase block 132 on Maple street, where they erected a twostory academy building, 22x44 feet, exclusive of hall and staii*way. This beautiful site and neat little building with the two young energetic teachers, attracted 102 students the first year. In 1879, J. R. Wylie became sole proprietor, J. M. Wylie having gone into the ministry of the R. G. church. At the present time, June, 1882, the academy under J. R. Wylie is quite prosperous. It contains a valuable cabinet of geological and mineralogical specimens, many of which would do honor to any college, besides a good library and an abundance of school apparatus. The course of study in this academy embraces all the mathematics, including arithmetic, through plain and spherical trigonometry ; an English course of one and a half years ; drawing, book-keeping, physical geography. United States and ancient history, physiology ; two terms in zoology, natural philosophy and astronomy ; two years in latin or two years in German, elective. The above course requires three years for its completion. Over 500 students, mostly from Mercer county, have received more or less instruction in this institution. Some seventy teachers have been sent out, and twenty diplomas have been granted since 1877.

In closing this sketch it seems aj^projjriate to make mention of a lew of the old and tried teachers of the county, and such others as have, after teaching for a time, been elevated to positions of honor, profit or trust. Geo. W. Julian, who taught here in 1835-6, has since served long and faithfully as a member of congress. Harvey S. Senter, who was a teacher as far back as 1843, was afterward successively clerk of the circuit court, member of the state board of equalization and state senator. WaiTen Shed was a colonel commanding the 30th reg. Geo. P. Graham was a member of the legislature after serving successfully as teacher. Prof. Joseph McChesncy, a teacher thirty-five years ago, was for some time assistant state geologist, and was twice appointed, under Abraham Lincoln, as consul to Glasgow, Scotland, and was afterward chosen professor of national sciences in the Chicago university. B. F. Brock, subsequently district attorney, is now one of the leading lawyers of the county. J. K. Herbert, a teacher over twenty-five years ago, is a prominent lawyer in Washington, District of Columbia. N. P. Brown, J. E. Ilarroun, S. B, Atwater, and F. W. Livingston, were each chosen to the office of county superintendent of schools. C. S. Richey was for many years, and is at present, county surveyor. Rev. Mr, Jamieson, long a teacher, was afterward missionary to Lidia. T. C. Swaford, a teacher of great success, was afterward elected city superintendent of the schools of Monmouth. A. U. Barler, E. H. Jamieson, J. A. Goding, J. T. Johnston, and Alex. Stevens were old and successful principals of graded schools. Besides these, Simeon Smith, David Felton, Resin Kile, Cyrus A. Ballard, William IST. Graham, G. L. F. Robinson, William Miller, and Warren Biggart may be mentioned as old and successful teachers of a long and continued service in the county.

From the long list of lady teachers who have served in tlie county, it is a task of no small difficulty to select names for honorable mention without making the list too long for the purpose of this history. There are, however, a few who are pre-eminent, by reason of their long service, excellent methods of instruction, and unquestioned fitness and success.

Among those we will name Miss Hattie and Miss Emma Huntington, Miss Libbie Perkins, Miss Parney Harroun, Miss Mollie Walker, Miss Emma Stevens, Mrs. A. M. B. Young, Mrs. Melissa Flemming, Miss M. Jennie Marquis, Miss M. M. Burbank, Miss Maggie Clarke, Miss Tillie S. Frazier, Miss Mantie Henry, Miss Mary E. Wolfe, Miss Jo. H. Willits, Miss Abbie M. Burr, Miss Mattie M. Sloan, Miss Jennie Henderson, and Mrs. Irene Willits. Besides these there are a host of lady teachers of shorter experience, but abitndantly qualified for their work and deserving the warmest commendation were this chapter not already extended beyond the limits at first designed by the author.

Simeon P. Smith. - Politically Mr. Smith was identified with the old whig party, but was a radical abolitionist in sentiment. When Fremont and Buchanan were the opposing candidates he was asked on election day "to go and vote for Fremont electors," but declined, saying, "No; I think I shall not vote to-day, but if I do it will be for Buchanan, " giving as a reason that he was ' ' opposed to any compromise with slavery," a thing the republican party seemed at that time

Mr. S. was exceedingly diffident in public, and never knowingly placed liimself where there was the remotest chance of his being called upon for a speech. Happening in Chicago one time when there was a meeting of the leading teachers of the state, he attended, but knowing no one there he took a seat as far back as possible, "to see and not be seen." Some one, however, seemed not only to know him, but to know he was there, for upon the election of officers he was chosen as one of the vice-presidents, all of whom were requested to "come forward and take, a seat on the rostrum. " Mr. S. did not respond, and it was found that he had quietly slipped out of the hall. The honors were too much for him. AVhile none present were more interested in the cause of education he could not bear the unsought honors thrust upon him, and in self-defense was forced to retire.

Eighty-Fourth Regiment Illinois Infantry

This S})lendid regiment was raised in the summer of 1862. Louis H. Waters, of Macomb, formei'ly lieutenant colonel of the 28th Illinois, was asked by Gov. Yates to enlist one of four regiments required of Illinois under the president's call for 50,000 for a reserve force, and he promptly responded, addressing public meetings in Mercer, Henderson, Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Schuyler, Brown and Adams counties, and enrolling volunteers. Beginning about the middle of June recruits were first sent to Camp Butler, Springfield, but in the latter part of July the rendezvous was transferred to Quincy.

In Mercer county John C. Pepper and Luther T. Ball, of Keithsburg, began late in July to raise a company. They employed a band, and in a short while had the men ready. On August 13th a mass meeting was held at Sugar Grove and company H was organized, Pepper being elected captain and Ball first lieutenant. The following day the company, ha-^ang 105 men enrolled, assembled at Keithsburg, where it embarked on a steamer for Quincy. When the organization was completed Henry E. Abercrombie was chosen second lieutenant. The company was mustered into the service with ninety-three enlisted men.

Frederick Garternicht, of Oquawka, a German martinet, formerly lieutenant in the 28th Illinois, raised company G for this regiment. He began recruiting about the middle of June and was cordially assisted by his townsmen generally and by the following persons particularly : AVilliam II. Fuller and liussell W. Caswell, of Oquawka, the Rev. Dr. David McDill, of Biggsville, and Edward Ray, of Young

America (Kirk wood). As soon as enough were em-olled sqiiad drilling was commenced at Oquawka. On Monday evening, July 28, the company was mustered in the court-house yard and briefly addressed by the Kevs. Hanson, Eutledge, and McDill, the latter, after his remarks, presenting each volunteer a copy of the New Testament. Capt. Garternicht shortly after, having about fifty men, marched them to Sagetown, and there taking the Cliicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad went to Quincy, where he went into camp, and continued recruiting until he brought the number of his company up to ninety. As long as the command was at that city Capt. Garternicht was regimental drillmaster. He was commissioned captain of his company, and his associate officers were W. H. Fuller, first lieutenant, and R. AY. Caswell, second lieutenant. Lieut. Fuller was early detailed into the signal corps, and honorably discharged in May, 186-i. Lieut. Caswell was promoted to adjutant. AYlien the first lieutenancy became vacant by the retirement of Fuller, in 1864. Charles Kaiser, who had been promoted after the organization of the company to corporal and then sergeant, was commissioned to take that place.

Company K was raised at Biggsville with unusual despatch, only a few days in the first part of August being required to secure over one hundred men. J. B. McGaw left his harvest in the field un stacked, and addressed himself with vigor to the work of raising the company, when the urgent necessities of the government were made known by the second call within little more than a month for 300,000 volunteers. His example of personal sacrifice and instant aid was followed in numerous cases. He was assisted at Biggsville by Dr. Alexander P. Nelson and Joseph Brown, and at Stringtown by Myron ]Mills, who brought from that place a squad of about twenty. On Tuesday, August 12, he started to Quincy with 104 men. The first three nights after their arrival they slept under a tree in their summer clothing. At this place the men balloted for officers, and elected McGaw captain, Nelson, first lieutenant, and Mills, second lieutenant. The company was mustered in with ninety enlisted soldiers.

About the middle of August the organization of the regiment was completed. Thomas Ilamer was appointed lieutenant colonel, and Charles II. Morton, major. It was mustered into the L^nited States service on the first of September, and at this rendezvous was uniformed and armed with Enfield rifled muskets. One month's pay was advanced and one-fourth of the §100 bounty paid. On September 23d the regiment was put aboard the cars for Louisville, Kentuck}-, where it arrived the 26th, and was assigned to the tentli brigade, fourth division, the former commanded by Col. William Grose, and the lattei- by Gen. Nelson. The other regiments composing tlie brigade were "old regiments," 36tli Indiana, 23d Kentucky, 6th and 24th Ohio. Starting with the rest of the army in pursuit of Bragg, on October 1st, it did vigorous service and suffered bitter hardships on that disheartening campaign. It lay in hearing of the battle of Perrysville and chafed under a criminal restraint while struggling comrades were being slain in that unequal contest. Company G was detached at the time and took part in the engagement. The regiment went to Danville aud Ci'ab Orchard, and marched and counter-marched in that section, enduring what were great trials to fresh soldiers, for lack of food and I'est and protection fi'om snow and frosty and stormy weather. All the time they were near the enemy (Buell), doing him the favor to follow close enough to oblige his army to keep up in compact order while retiring leisurely from the state with the immense stores he had gathered. The 84th went to Mount Vernon and from there to Somerset. The marching was again hard and privation and suffering were great ; cold rains and heavy snows occurred ; men almost barefoot left bloody footprints; and scores went to the hospital. From Somerset the march was continued to Columbia, thence to Glasgow, and crossing into Tennessee moved to Gallatin and Silver Sp]"ings, and halted, at last, for rest and recuperation, at the close of the month, three miles southeast of Nashville. This campaign wrecked many a strong soldier. The historian of the regiment, in depicting its severities, says: "It deprived us of more men than any battle in which we were engaged, it swept many into an early grave, it ruined the health of hundreds, but those who did endure its hardships w^ere inured to the rough life of a soldier, and were seldom afterward sick or sore from hard marching. " The regiment now had 400 in line out of 951 sworn in at Quincy three months before.

Gen. Rosecrans had relieved Buell of the command of the army, and at once undertook the reorganization of the shattered forces. The bi-igade with which the 84th was connected became the third brigade, second division, twenty-first corps. The division was commanded by Sooy Smith (who was relieved about the first of December by Gen. John M. Palmer), and the corps by Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden. On the 26th of December tlie army was put in motion, and soon struck the enemy, who was gradually pushed back on Murfreesboro. Having reached Stewart's creek on the 29th the command advanced in order of battle with light skirmishing, and at night had borne down within two miles of tlie town. The left of the 84th was on the pike. In front was a cotton-field, at the southeast corner of which was the Cowan "Burnt house." Next day there was nothing but skirmishing, and the front line was occupied by other troops. Being relieved on Wednesday morning, 31st, the brigade went a short distance to the rear. During the night the rebels had outflanked the right of the army, and at daylight they commenced a furious attack and drove the union troops in great disorder down upon the center. About nine o'clock the fugitives began straggling back to the turnpike with alarming stories of the disaster to the right wing. The third brigade was promptly formed, facing west, and one hundred yards in fi-ont of the pike. The 6th and 24tli Ohio were disposed on the first line in the thick cedar woods. The roar of the nearing conflict grew louder. Stragglers, panicstricken, rushed back till their numbers swelled into a tide of retreat that defied all efibrts to stop it. Nearer comes the sound, and all know that the victorious foe is pushing his advantage with all his strength. The storm is imminent ; then it bursts upon the first line, and its fury is withstood briefly ; the men break in confusion, and the entreaties and im^^recations of officers are unavailing to check the retreat. Over the second line they pour and are formed again about forty rods in the rear. Now comes the test of the S4th, the 23d Kentuck}^, and the 36th Indiana. A ledge of rock behind which they lie gives them partial protection. Parson's and CockerelFs batteries are thundering behind them, throwing shell and grape shot over the men directly into the cedars in front, which are swarming with the exidtant enemy. Soon the rebels come out of the cedars in full view and in point blank range, and instantly the line springs up with a wild shout and pours a deadly volley into them. For an hour each side faces a shower of bullets, and the air throbs with the detonations of the union artillery. The rebels, repulsed, finally take cover in the woods. During the time a regiment came up the pike from the south and directed a cross-fire upon the federal troops. Being temporarily relieved from pressure the brigade changed front forward by a left half wheel, and opened on some rebels lying in the cotton-field, probably those who had been cross-firing, and on a heavy force approaching at this time from the right. The regiments on the right of the 84th receive the enemy's enfilading fire with surprising fortitude, but at length, unable longer to endure it, fall back and leave this regiment exposed to the raking volleys from the rebels in the woods, who promptly envelop its flank. A desperate resistance was kept up in this place for an hour, and the foe had crept up within sixty yards. The right was now retired so as to face him squarely, but his steady advance in a semicircle beginning soon to timi the left, the regiment had to be withdrawn to the ledge. Here the 84th maintained its ground ^vith the utmost gallantry another hour, after all the other troops had retired beyond the pike. At last the order was given and the left fell back ; the right, not having hoard the command, remained, and some confusion was the result. While in this last position, and during the time it was falling back across the railroad, the regiment suffered heavy loss, twenty-live being shot dead, besides a proportionately large number wounded. The rebels advanced, but were met by the troops holding the line of the railroad, and their movement was checked. The S4th then formed in front of the track, but were exposed in this place to a rebel battery, and so the men were marched fi'om the tield into the woods a mile away, and there stacked arms to give rest to tliis bleeding battalion, after six long hours of heroic fighting and sacrifice. New Year witnessed a comparative cessation of hostilities. On the 2d, Van Cleve's division was thrown across the river, and the third brigade went over as a support. A slight breastwork of logs was nuide. A^an Cleve received a sudden and vehement attack from Breckenridge, and his division was driven back pell-mell. The rebels followed in splendid style, confident of easy victory ; but the 84th and the 6tli Ohio, together w4th other troops, held their tii-c till they were within three hundred yards, then rising with a deafening yell, poured into them a destructive volley, after which each soldier loaded and fired at will, kee})ing up a murderous fire which tliiimed their crowded columns. The designs of the enemy had been antici})ated, and Oen. Rosecrans had massed fifty-eight guns on the opposite side of the river, and when the rebels reached the i-ight place these opened with a salvo as if the universe had s])lit, shaking the troubled hills and devouring the enemy with sickening destruction. The rebels faltered, and before they could break into full retreat the S4th and the Oth Ohio were over their works, charging with a slogan upon the reeling assailants. The rest of the brigade. Van Cleve's division, and some other troops which had been hurrying over, now came up in the same gallant fashion, retaking all the artillery that liad been lost and one gun of the famous Washington battery belonging to the enemy. Kosecrans reported: "The firing was terrific and the havoc terrible." Bickham wrote: " The commander-in-chief hurled his batteries and his battalions together at the monstrous machines of Breckenridge, and destroyed them in forty minutes. Two thousand men or more, who had marched upon that field in haughty defiance, at tliree o'clock and forty minutes, were dead f>r manoled at four o'clock and thirtv minutes." This engagement was decisive of the protracted contest and gave the union army Murfreesboro. Nothing could excel the patient fortitude and heroic conduct of the 84th throughout this memoi-able struggle, and it won merited encomiums from oliicers of high rank who were witnesses of -its splendid courage. Its whole loss was as follows : Killed, 33 ; severely wounded, 114 ; prisoners, 8. Thirtv-one of the wounded died. Many not counted were slightly wounded. The regiment suffered thus terribly on that dreadful "Wednesday. The loss of the whole army of 43,400 was 12,378.

After the battle the 84th lay in the \icinity of Murfreesboro, changing place occasionally, and doing the ordinary duty of scouting, foraging, guarding pro\asion trains, and working on fortifications.

Early in February elections were held in the regiment to fill vacancies caused by casualties and resignations. Lieuts. Ball and Abercrombie, of company H, had been slain in the forefront of the battle, December 31, and now Private Peter McLain was voted first lieutenant, and Corporal J. iST. "White, second lieutenant.

May 12 the brigade moved to Cripple creek and lay there till June 24, when the forward movement was taken up for the possession of Tullahoma. ' ' Upon the morning of the advance the rain commenced, and continued as if the very windows of heaven had been opened. For seventeen consecutive days the rain fell in remarkable quantity. No such stormy period had visited that countrv for twentv-six vears past." So said the annalist of the army of the Cumberland. Crittenden " had seventeen miles to march, over a road that had no bottom, and it took him four days to get over it. The infantry waded through mud for miles, that was from one to three feet in depth. They had to dismount their pieces and take their batteries forward from higliland to highland." So said Eosecrans recently (1882). The rebel army having retreated to Chattanooga, on July 8 this command went into regular camp near Manchester. Fatiguing work, toilsome marching, a scalding sun, and short rations were other features of this brief, but brilliant campaign, which might have been more complete in its results but for unfavorable weather and roads.

The advance on Chattanooga began on the IGtli, and Crittenden's corps took the route across the mountains direct for that place. On the 2.5tli the brigade (Grose's) reached the Sequatchie valley and camped near Dunlap, beneath the tall cliffs which look down from the west, and remained there till September 1. The march was then resumed down the valley, and during the evening and night of the 3d the division effected the passage of the Tennessee, and encamped at Shellmound. On the 6th it had entered Lookout valley. On tlie 9th, Gen. Wood having made a reconnoisance in force in the direction of Chattanooga and reported the enemy giving up the gateway between the river and Point Lookout, Grose's brigade climbed the mountain, drove oft' the rebel outposts, moved forward to Summerville, thence down the moiiritain on the other side, rejoining the division below, whicli had now passed around the point, and moved out across Chattanooga vallev toward Rossville, under orders to follow the enemy closely and watch his movements.

Let us return to trace those maneuvers which secured the entrance through this gateway and led to the battle in Chickamauga valley. Having reached the foot of the Cumberland mountains, various causes induced Gen. Rosecrans to delay a few days ; but when ready to continue the advance by a ruse cle guerre he caused Bragg to suppose that he intended to make the passage of the Tennessee above Chattanooga, and suddenly on the 29th began crossing the bulk of his army at Bridgeport, Caperton's ferry ten miles below, and Shellmound eight miles above. Thomas, w'ith his corps, marched across the mountainous country, entering Lookout (^or Wills") valley, and proceeded up to Cooper's and Stevens' gaps, occupied them on the 8th and 9th, and passed over Lookout mountain. McCook's corps moved on a parallel route to the right, going over Sand mountain, through Valleys"' Head, and ascending Lookout at Winston's gap. All the cavalry, except what was employed in the feint above Chattanooga, was sent to the liead of the valley, with instructions to cross over to Alpine and make a show of strong force in that neighborhood. McCook was to follow it to the summit, display his troops to the best advantage, send a brigade or division down the mountain to back up the cavalry while threatening Rome, so as to give the appearance of a large force. Crittenden had been reserved to cross the base of Lookout immediately under the Point and next the river, as already described. The demonsti-ation on Bragg's rear forced him into the open field to fight the decisive battle which Rosecrans and his lieutenants knew would inevitably take place for the possession of Chattanooga. Discovering the flank movement the rebel general hastily evacuated the city on the 9th, and retreated to Lafayette, twenty-two miles south, covering his base, and holding a position near enough to his antagonist to take any sudden advantage. On the 11th Crittenden was ordered to Ringgold to feel forward for the enemy as far as Gordon's Mills. His report, as well as other information, left no doubt of the concentration of the rebel armv at Lafavette to await re-inforcements, and Rosecrans learned with deep concern of Bragg's present attitude ; especially now that he himself must despair of help from Burnside, who had been sent on a cooperative expedition from Kentucky into East Tennessee wdth instructicms to join him, Init who at this crises "was hunting with 22,000 men at his back for Gen. Sam Jones who. with less than 6,000, was toling him ofl' up into western Virginia." Rosecrans' main army was dispersed from Einggold to Alpine, a distance of fifty-eight miles by practicable wagon route, and sixty-five by that subsequently taken by McCook (certainly a precarious situation), and the supreme endeavor should be to concentrate and cover Chattanooga. The isolation of each corps was so perfect that the movement must necessarily be from the south, keeping in view the hold on the city. Ci'ittenden could not move up the valley to Thomas ^vith()ut exposing Chattanooga and jeo])ardizing the army ; the latter could not march to the assistance of McCook without leaving Crittenden at the mercy of Bragg ; therefore all hope lay in the celerity of McCook, and the tardiness of Bragg. Recently (1882), Gen. Bosecrans said ''this was the most anxious period of the whole campaign. " He had indeed risked a staggering responsibility. Crittenden was immediately ordered to march without delay to Gordon's Mills and to communicate with Gen. Thomas. His troops were there the next day. Bressing orders were dispatched to McCook to come by the road along the top of the mountain with all possible haste and join Thomas; but acting on what he believed was reliable informati<m that this route was impracticable, he disregarded that part of his orders, and starting at midnight retraced his way tlirough Winston's gap. On the IJ-tli Gen. Crittenden was withdrawn to the southern extremity of Missionary ridge to avoid being cut off, and to communicate with Gen. Thomas, whose troops began to arrive the follo^ving day. Xegley's division confronted two rebel divisions at Dry gap in Bigeon mountain, but declined battle after a brisk skirmish. Col. AYilder had encountered a large body at Binggold. The enemy's activity and boldness portended early fighting. Would McCook come before tlie blow would fall ( He was still far away, toiling over rugged hills, rough roads, and through narrow passes, but making all the while prodigious exertions and good progress. From Winstoi/s gap he moved down to Stevens' gap, and then followed the road taken by Thomas. Four and a half days were spent in this circuitous march of forty-six miles. The sunnnit route of seventeen miles would have consumed but a dav and a half. This unfortunate but natiu'al mistake cost the commanding general the choice of the battle field ; and no doubt the loss of his justly high military reputation, though not of his position, for that was already fated by his unfortunate misunderstandings with the war department, inflamed by his own rash correspondence, invited by the weakness of Halleck, and welcomed by the vindictiveness of Stanton.

On the ITth the rebels attempted to cross the Chickamauga at Gordon's mills, but were ]>revented by Ci'ittenden, who had returned the same day from the foot of the ridge, McCook having just arrived on tlie right. At evening on the 18th mutterings of conflict on the left foretokl battle on the morrow. The rebel general was detected in massing overwhelming numbers on that flank to turn or crush it, and then to interpose his armv between Rosecrans and Chattanooga. To check this maneuver the union general advanced his line t(j tlie left during the night by moving Thomas' corps from the center, leaving its place to be filled by McCook's. The alignment from left to right by divisions was covered by Brannan, Baird, and Reynolds, of Thomas' corps ; Palmer, Van Cleve, and Wood, of Crittenden's corps ; and Davis and Sheridan, of McCook's corps, not yet established in position when the battle began on Saturday morning, the 19th. Xegley's division, belonging to Thomas's corps, formed a defensive crochet at Owen's ford, farther to the right, and the cavalry was thrown forward on this flank to defend ^lissionarj' ridge. Johnson's division of McCook's corps was in reserve in rear of Thomas, and Crittenden's right held Gordon's mills. The reserve corps under Gordon Granger was lying at Bossville, four miles to the left and rear. Bosecrans' front was parallel to Chickamauga creek, extending from northeast to southwast, and lying diagonally across the Lafayette road leading to Chattanooga, with the left reaching nearly to the Binggold road.