Shirland Township

Shirland Township

Among the early settlers of Shirland may be mentioned Geo. Seaton and Lemuel Fisk, who came in 1837. When the Western Union railroad came through, a little town sprang up about the station, which now has a few houses, and three or four stores, and shops.

The M. E. Church society was organized in 1847, but their house of worship was not erected until 1869. It cost r$2,200. The present membership is about 150. Pastor, Rev. J. M. Conley. Sunday-school attendance, 105 ; Superintendent, W. A. Phelps.

A cheese factory was established here in 1869, by Messrs. Winslow & McNabb. They make about 500 pounds per day, during their season, from February to December.

ArSTlX IIEXRY S. Farmer; Sec. 18; P. O. Sliirhmd; born in 0.\tbrd Co., Maine, May 1, 1813; moved to liocktou, iu this Co., in 1838; lived tliere three years; thence to this town, in 1841; this town has since been liis home; he was elected Commissioner of Highways at the organization of the township, consequently he was the tirst Commissioner of Highways elected in this township; at the expiration of this office lie was elected Assessor four consecutive terms, at the end of which he was elected Tp. Sujiervisor ten years in succession; two years after he was again elected Supervisor one term; he has held various other offices; married Eliza Packard, in O.xford Co., Maine, Nov. 10, 1835 ; she was born in Oxford Co., Jan. 23, 1817; have seven childi'en: Arendon, born May 15, 1837; Henry S., Jr., Nov. 1, 1838; William W., April 29, 1841; Silas A., Aug. 23, 1843; Mary (now Mrs. L. Evans), Dec. 10, 1845 ; Lizzie M. (now Mrs. Lefflugwell), Oct. 17, 1849; Charles Edgar, Feb. 23, 1856.

BEJHEX"T JOHN, Farmer; Sec. 4; P. O. Shirland; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., March 1, 1803 ; came to this Co. in 1852 ; has been Town Clerk three years ; married Miss Roxie Williams, in N. Y., in 18G8; she was born in N. Y., in March, 1830; have nine children living; Mr. Bement owns 140 acres land, which is well improved.

BO^iWELL THOMAS H. Merchant; Shirland; was born in Pottsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Sept. 26, 1835 ; came from there to Chicago, in 1857; lived there two years; thence to this Co., in 1859; he has held various township offices; has been P. M. here last nine years; has also been express agent here a number of years; married Sarah D. Coon, in Pottsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., March 22, 1859 ; she was born in Westfield, Vermont; have four children: Lydia P., born March 8, 1862; Charles T., Sept

KK4»\V:X KE:\.IA:VIIN F. Famur; Sec. 20; P. O. Shirland; liorn in Monroe Co., N. Y., Oct. 11, 1829; came to this State in 1852; to this Co. in 1805; enlisted in the 4th ^Visc-onsin Hiittery, in September, 1801 ; was promoted Lieut, in 1804; was honorably di.scharged July 4, 1805; was in every battle that the regiment was; owns 00 acres land; married Catherine Kelly, in Monroe Co., N. Y.. Feb. 22, 1849; she was born in Devonsliire, Eng., Aug. 0,1833; have three children : Emma Jane, born April 3, 1850; James Henry, Sept. 13, 1852; Lillie, March 3, 1850; Mr. Brown has been Town Collector two years.

CARD G. N. Farmer; Sec. 11; P. O. Shirland; born in Nova Scotia, in 1817; owns 130 acres land ; was one of the first settlers in this Tp., coming to this Co. in 1837; married Miss Nora Seaton, of this town ; her father also came here in 1837.

CoLtOX MRS. AKKiiAllA (Muid en name McKinstry;) Sec. 12; P. O. Shirland; l)orn in Conn., Nov. 29, 1805; first husband was Geo. Seaton; they weie married in April, 1830; he was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1803; died July 4. 1857; they came to this Co. in 1838; were one of the first families that .settled in this Tp.; second iiusband was Oliver C. Collon, of N. H.; he died in Jan., 1873; Mrs. Colton owns 125 acres land.

HENRY ^V. Farmer; Sec. 32; P. O. Kockton ; born in Wayne Co., Penn., June 24, 1827; came to this Co. in 1839; the country was at that time comparatively unsettled ; owns 170 acres land; held the office of Town Collector two years ; also various other Tp. offices ; married Alvalina Grover, in Juda, Wis., Nov.

FICKES SEBAJSTIAK", Farmer; Sec. 2; P.O.Shirland; born m York Co., Peun., Dec. 25, 1818; moved with his parents to Ohio in 1833; thence to this Co. m 1846; owns 215 acres laud; first wife was Caroline E. Seeley; they were married in Ohio, April 5, 1845 ; she was born in N. Y. ; died in 186;'; present wife was Sarah Case; they were married in Mich., in 1870; she was born in Vt.

HARIiEY YTM. Farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Shirland ; born in N. Y. city, Nov. 9, 1835 ; went witli his parents to S. C, when two years old; lived there eight years; came from there to tliisCo. in 1847; owns 136 acres land ; has been Town Clerk nine years; Supervisor two years; married Fidelia Miller, in Beloit, Wis.; she was born in Vt., Feb. 28, 1838; have had four children : Henry Willis, born in Rockton, Feb. 21, 1860; Edwin, in Shirlaiul, Aug. 23, 1862, died Aug. 23, 1863; Freddie, in Shirland, Oct. 10, 1864, died May 17, lb65; Mary Ella, in Shirland, Sept. 28, 1866.

HAWI.EY «EO. Farmer; Sec. 3; P. O. Shirland; born in Bradfordshire, England, March 16, 1825; came to this Co. in 1854; owns 120 acres land; married Alice Rotle, in Rockford, June 27, 1857; she was born in England, July 30, 1834; have two children: Mary Aun, born Dec. 8, ; Emma Elizabeth, Feb. 20, 1861.

HODGKIXI!$ JOHlf H. Apiarist; P. O. Shirland; born in Jefierson Co., N. Y., May 29, 1826; went from there to Ind. in 1841; thence to this Co. in 1842; ran saw mill and flour mill in town of Harrison, this Co., a number of years; established the first lumberyard in Shirland; owns 20 acres land; has held various town offices; first wife was Julia A. Hoyt; ihey were married in byron, this State, in 1850; she was born in Niagara Co., N. Y. ; died in 1861 ; present wife was Mary A. Pope ; were married in Newark, Wis., in 1864; she was born in N. Y., April 27,1837; had one child by first wife, Franklin, born in 1852, died Aug. 10, 1854.

HULL W. W. Farmer; Sec. 28; P.O. Shirlaud; born in N. Y., April 19, 1835; came to this Co. in 1855; owns 94 acres laud ; is Town Supervisor at present writing; has been xlssessor two years, Constable four years; enlisted in 47th I. V.I., Co. B, in Sept., 1864; was honorably discharged in June, 1865; was in battles of Columbia, Spriug Hill, Franklm, Nashville and in several skirmishes; married Elizabeth Ann Still well, in Beloit, AVis., Dec. 8, 1855 ; she was born in N. Y., Nov. 21, 1838; have five children living.

KEEXEY JIJJLIUS, Farmer; Sec. 19; P. O. Shirland; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1808; came to this Co. in 1838; owns 200 acres land; was elected Road Commissioner at the organization of the Co.; married Miss Esther Aun Seaton, in this town, Jan. 7, 1841; she

L.EFFIN«^VELL ALDE3V, Farmer; Sec. 7; P. O. Beloit, Wis.; born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Feb. 10, 1825; came to this Co. with parents, in 1842; owns 120 acres land in Wis., 1G5 acres in this Co.; lirst wife was Adehne Keckhow; they were married in Wis.; she was born in Mich., and died in 18G5; present wife, Gertrude Lee; they were married in Beloit, in 1870; she was born in N. Y., in 1840.

MILLER ALEXA^IIER. i'armer; Sec. 34; 1*. (). Shirland; horn in Caledonia Co., Vt., March 18, 18()M; came to this Co. in 1844; owns 80 acres land; married Mary Mackie, in Newburv, Vt., March 7, 1H33; she was born in Scotland, March 5, 1810; have ten children living.

0. Shirlanil ; born in New Bradford, Mass., Dec. 30 1823; came to this Co. in 1854; owns 111 acres land. Sees. 1, 12, and 18; has held the oftice of Town Clerk 3 years, Collectors years; enlisted in 74th Regt.

J«HI, Grain and Lumber Dealer; P.O. Shirland; born in Oxford Co., Maine, April 26, 1818; came from there here in sjiring of 1838; owns 200 acres land ; has been Collector 5 years. Assessor 1 year; has held various other offices; was one of the organizers of Congregational Church in this town, of which himself and family are members; also organized school house in District 46; Mr. P. commenced business here in 1874, his previous occupation being tliat of farmer; married Miss iladassah Austin, in Rockton, Nov. 10, 1840; she wab born in Oxtbrd Co., Maine, Dec. 10, 1819; have had six children, five of whom are livmg.

Farmer; Sec. 26; P. O. Shirland; horn in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Dec. 18, 1812; moved from N. Y. to Detroit, Mich., in 1838; went from there back to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; thence t(j this Co. in 1850; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1854; held this office until spring of 1877, when

PHELPS B. W. Farmer; Sec. 10; P. O. Shirland; born in N. Y., July 21,1849; moved to this Co. with his parents when 3 months old ; owns 233 acres land ; married Miss Emma McMakiii, in this town, March 22, 1871 ; she was born in Greenville, S. C, March 20, 1849; have one child, Cora, born in Rockton, this Co., March 23, 1872.

POLLOCK W. H. Farmer; Sec. 2; P. O. Shirland ; born in St. Lawrence Co., X. Y., Sept. 25, 1844; came to this Co. in 1866; owns ^4 Sec. land; maiden name of wife was Pho?be Lippit ; they Avere married in Shirland, Dec. 7, 1870; she was born in Shirland, Feb. 28, 1844; Mrs. Pollock's father. Dr. J. W. Lippit, came to this Co. in 1838, and was the lirst physician In this town.

POMEROY X. H. Farmer; Sec. 23; P. O. Shirland; born in Somerset Co., Me., May 6, 1806; moved from there to Beloit, Wis., in 1848; lived there until 1851, when he came to this Co., which has since been his home; owns 130 acresland; has been married twice; present |wife was Miss Pomeroy.

Farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Shirland; born in Susquehanna Co., Penn. ; moved to this Co. with his parents in 1838; owns 160 acres laud ; has been Justice of the Peace 8 years, Town Clerk 2 years; has also represented this Tp. in Co. Board 2 years; married Miss Margaret Miller in Beloit, Wis., Dec. 24, 1857 ; she Avas born in Vt., Oct. 4, 1840; have had four children: Frank, born March 9, 1859, died when 6 mouths old; Mary, Dec. 1, I860; William, Feb. 28, 1864; Lewis Miller, Feb. 22, 1868.

SEATO^f GEORGE G. Farmer; Sec. 11; P. O. Shirland; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Sept. 5, 1827 ; moved to this Co. with his parents in 1838 ; owns 200 acres land; has held various Tp. otBces ; married Miss Sarah Sharf)e, in Rockton, this Co., Oct. 18, 1854; she was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., June6, 1832; have two children: Mary Alice, born Aug. 17, 1857; Arthur David, April 8, 1866 ; Arlow Seaton, father of G. 6. Seaton, erected the first cabin in what is now known as Shirland Tp. in this Co.

SIinOl^D!!^ RICHARD, Farmer; Sec. 26; P.O.Shirland; born in Devonshire, England, Oct. 25, 1825; came from there to Ohio, in 1837 ; thence to this Co., in 1866; owns 140 acres land; has been Road Commissioner two terms; School Director nine years; married Harriet M. Cormony, in Ohio, Feb. 25, 1847; she was born in Maryland, Aug. 8, 1828: have had eight cliddren, six of whom are living.

STILWELL SAMUEL, Farmer; Sec. 7; P.O. Shirland; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Nov. 18,1808; came to this Co. in 1846; owns 180 acres land; has been Justice of the Peace four years. Road Commissioner three years ; has held

S\%^EET R. C. Farmer; Sec. 35 ; P. O. Shirland; born in Erie Co., N.Y., Nov. 26. 1831 ; came from there to Greene Co., Wis., in April, 1855; thence, in the autumn of 1855, to the town of Rockton ; resided there ten j-ears; thence to Shirland, where he purchased 80 acres land, which is well improved; was elected Supervisor in 1875; married Miss Lucinda M. Southworth, in Rockton, Oct. 29. 1857 ; she was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Feb. 1, 1832; have one daughter, Mary L., born in Rockton, Sept. 14, 1859.

WAGER SA1»IUEL Farmer; Sec. 3 ; P. O. Shirland ; born in Canada, Dec. 9, 1834; came to this Co. in 1848; owns 180 acres land; married Emma Eliza, daughter of Lemuel and Martha S. Fiske, in this town (Shirland), Jan. 1, 1862; she was boin in this town (Shirland), Nov. 21, 1842; have two children: Herbert Lee, born Sept. 1:3, 1863; Mabel Augusta, Mav 27, 1865; Lemuel Fiske, father of Mrs. A. G. and S. C. Wager, was born in Ma.ss., July 28, 1812; came to this Co. in 1837 ; was one of the first settlers in this township; he and his family being zealous members of the Congregational Church, he took an active part in the organization of the first Congreg:itional Church in this place; he also held various town and church offices from the time of his settlement until the time of his death, which occurred April 26, 1877; wife was Martha S. Maxom; they were married in Indiana, July 26, 18:^6; she was born in Conn., Nov. 17, 1809, and died Oct. 26, 1870.

IIVAGER A. G. Farmer; Sec. ;i5; P. O. Shirland; born in Wis., Oct. 5,1849; came to this Co. with his parents in 1850; owns 180 acres land; mai'ried Amelia, daughter of Lemuel and Martha S. Fiske, in this Tp., March 6, 1872 ; she was b )rn at her present place of residence, April 24, 1840;

WOOD EI.1.ERY, Farmer; Sec. 10; P. O. Shirland; born in this town, March 28, 1852; married Miss Hattie Rlood, in Reloit, Wis., Oct. 12, 1874; she was horn in Penn.,in 1850; have one child, Winnie, born in Rockford, March 28, 1876.

WOOOWARO JA4JOB II. Farmer; Sec. 6; P.O. Beloit, Wis.; born in Vt., Jan. 22, 1820; went from there to Mass. in 18;i7; thence to N. Y. in 1839; tlience to Penn. in 1841 ; from there he came to Boone Co., this State, in 1845; moved to this Co. in 1846, and it has since been his home ; owns 106 acres lantl ; has held various offices; married Mary A. Gould, in

Too Lates

Purchased Cherry Valley Mill in 1850, and has resided in Cherry Valley from that time to the present. Mr. Chamber! in has served the people faithfully in various official capacities, as Assessor, Collector and Justice of the Peace, having held one or more of these responsible positions constantly since his residence in the town. His hair is whitened by the frosts of 70 winters, and at this time the venerable subject of this notice is hale and hearty, with faculties keenly alive to passing events. Never has been under the care of a physician. Always voted Whig and Republican tickets. Loyal to the; government of the United States, and generous toward his fellow men.

He was married Sept. 25, 1834, at Byron, New York, to Miss Nancy Elizabeth Munger, who was born in Spriugtield, Mass., Sept. 30, 1808. They have had six children : Marion T. Charaberlin, born at Byron, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1836; Hazen Chamber! in, born at Grand Detour, 111., Jan. 13, 1830, died April 15, 1840; Emma S. Chamberlin, born at Grand Detour, 111., Nov. 13, 1842; Tliyrza F. Chamberlin, born at Aurora, 111., Oct. 27, 1847; Dwight A. Chamberlin, born at Rockford, 111., June 2, 1849; Cliarles Sumner Chamberlin, born at Cherry Valley, I!!., Sept. 24, 1855, died Sept. 15, 1860. Marion T. Chamberlin graduated at the Rockford Seminary in July, 1858, and was married to John L. Loop, Esq., of Belvidere, 111., the following October. Emma S. Chamberlin - E. B. Day - Oct. 9, I860; she was married again, Nov. 15, 1870, to Capt. Geo. M. We!!s, of Laketon, Midi. Thyrza F. Chamberlin, married, Aug. 5, 1873, Geo. W. Bridgeraau, a young attorney of ability and worth, whose home is in Michigan. D. A. Chamberlin, witli whom his father and mother now reside, married Lillia E. Thomas, June 29, 1870, at St. Joseph, Mich.

BeGRAFF ABRAM F. Carpenter and Joiner; P. O. Cherry Valley; born in Glenville, Schenectady Co., N. Y., Nov. 2,1828; served an ajiprenticeship at his trade in the city of Brooklyn; attended Plymouth Church regularly, enjoying tlie convincing eloquence and matchless oratory of one of America's greatest speakers. Dr. H. W. Beeclier, for ifour years; came to Winnebaixo Co. in 1854; married, Aug. 13, 1863, Miss Sarah A. Potter, whose birthplace was Hadley, Lapier Co., Mich.,

April 8, 1838 ; have three children ; Lou' isa T., born Oct. 13, 1864; Anna G., Aug' 26, 1866; Mary F., April 1, 1872; Mr. De Graff has in his possession at the present time an old Dutch Bible, published in Rotterdam, Holland, in 1710, bound with brass plates and hinges, owned by his ancestors ; also some old accounts kept by his great-grandfather, on English paper bearing the royal stamp which suggested the idea of the famous " Stamp Act," the news of which swept over America like a thunder-cloud, causing the just indignation and wrath of a grief-stricken people; his grandfather passed through the terrible ordeal of the Revolution ; his greatgreat-grandfather and a son were captured by the Indians, in 1746, and carried to Canada, where the old man died, at Quebec, in June, 1748; the son having escaped returned through the dense forests, on foot, to N, Y. ; the house from which they were taken remains to this day, in Schenectady Co. ; he has a distinct history of the genealogy of his forefathers back to the first colonies sent out under the Dutch East India Company, which furnished Sir Henry Hudson the vessel in which he sailed up the noble river which bears the name of Hudson, on whose delightful banks there are so many beautiful homes to-day.

Teacher; P. O. Cherry Valley; daughter of Alfred E. and Harriet Hale ; born Dec. 5, 1854. Mr. Hale, the father of the subject of this sketch, came from Conn, to Winnebago Co., Oct., 1839; during his life was known as an active and influential man in the political affairs of his country; was loyal to the government, and no less remarkable for his admirable social qualities than for his intellectual abilities. As a companion, he was the delight of his friends, to whom he was faithful, and none ever had better or truer - they loved him from the beginning to the last. He served the people faithfully in various official capacities, and in 1860 was elected to the Legislature of the State, serving his constituency ably and honestly two years; during this time the war of the rebellion brokeout, and Mr. Hale was always ready to render material aid to the administration, comforting and cheering the Union Army at the same lime; was appointed Assistant U. S. Marshal, the responsible duties of which he discharged faithfully and well. After the return of peace to our land, he lived in the retirement of his home, with his interesting family until Nov. 3, 1870, when he died "suddenly of heart disease. He did not know that the silver cord was loosened, and that the golden bowl was breakini; at the fountain, but he was resigned, feeling that He who gave has the right to take awaj- in t:is own good time and manner. Miss Josephene Hale was educated under the eye of her intelligent moiiier, and is now a teacher in the Cherry Valley (Traded School, a position which she has tilled with abilitjr for five years.

HUSSEY DAVID G. Physician and Burgeon, Elgin st., Cherrv Valley; born in Noble Co., Ohio, Dec. C, 1842; came to Cherry Valley in the spring of 1866; graduate of Chicago Medical College, class of 1867; married Mary E. Mackey, in August, lS(i5; she was 'born in Washington Co., Ohio; tlay have one child, Dexter Selvayn, born June 8, 1868; the Dr. served in the Union army as First Lieutenant.

KEITH LEWIS, Whose portrait appears in this work, was born May 2, 1826, in Morgan Co., Ohio. His great-grandfather came from Holland ^o America about fifteen years before the Revolution, and settled in New Lancashire, Pa. Here he engagett in the smithing business for mauj'3'ears,when he moved to Huntingdon Co., where he died in 1810. He had served as blacksmith in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Keith's grandfather, Petei', was a blacksmith and farmer, and moved to Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1814, and had a family of twelve children. He came to Rockford, Winnebago Co., 111., in 1836, at that time containing only two or three houses, and located on the east side of tlie river, just below the present site of tiie water piiwer. He died, aged 81 years, 4 months. His father was born in 1801, in Huntington Co., Pa. Came to Morgan Co., Ohio, with father, in 1814. July 6, 1842, came to Laporte, Ind., and built a cabin on the same lot on which his residence now stands.

His family consists of nine sons and five daughters, all of whom are married and stillliving. He married first, Mary Spencer, l)y whom he had four sons, the youngest of whom IS the subject of this sketch, being only twelve days old at the time of his mother's death. His second wife was Nancy O'Hara, and by her he had ten sons and daughters. His third was Mrs. Nancy H. Jessup. His children are as follows: Joseph married Jane Bunker; p]lisha married Amanda Thoinberg; Peler married Sarah J. Thornton; Lewis married Catherine Brown; Bolsar married Catherine Banks; ;MHry married Henry Crane; Julia A. married Lewis Parker; Maria married Edward Cox; E. Wesley married Sarah Prian; Dennis T. married Catherine Earnest; Francis 31. married Martha .McLane; 3largaret married Geo. Huckens; W. Riley married Sarah Crane; Ariadna married Amos Taylor. On the first day of

March, 18:$7, i\Ir. K. landed in Winnebago Co., after a fourteen days' journey from Lajiorte, Hid., a distance of 150 miles, during whicli time snow fell to liie depth of one foot. He was at that time ten years of age, and came with friends tolive with his grandfalher, who died the following year, since wiiich time he has been emphatically the architecl of his own fortune. With no one to depend upon, he has 1)3' the native energy of his character, wrought out a luunlsome fortune, owning 1,400 acres of land in this vicinity, and 1,000 in Iowa, with the necessary adtlitional means for managing such a prop, erty. He also conducts a mercantile business in Cherry Valley. His first wife was Catherine Brown, from Ohio; she died in 1862, leaving three children: Lewis W., Luther L. and Roswell C. i\Iarried Miss Louisa M. Farley, from Ohio, in 1864; have two children; Julia Florence, born July 14, 1869; Estella, March 31, 1871.