BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
iam Phoenix. He has been a consistent member of the M. E.
Church since boyhood. As stated in the history of the Central
Agricultural Society, in the histories of the townships and in
that of Wyoming, he has been identified with the social, agricultural
and commercial progress of the county for over twenty years.
B. F. Edwards, who died in January, 1881, at Peoria,
came from Virginia to Toulon about 1840, and for many years was
a resident of this county. His son, I. C. Edwards, is a Peoria
lawyer.
John G. Emery, born September 24, 1839, in West Jersey
township, where his parents, Frederick and Hannah (Gaffney) Emery
settled, removed to Henry county in 1860, and to Knox county
in 1866. He married Miss Ruth A. Friend in 1872.
Joseph Essex, who came in 1831 (a brother of Isaac
B. Essex), and in 1841 established the first blacksmith shop
at Toulon, was stricken with paralysis in 1876, and died that
year.
Capt. Artemus Ewers, who served in the war and was
wounded, died from the result of bullet wounds inflicted by himself,
October 4, 1879. He wrote a letter to William Holgate on September
25, and also left some instructions with his wife, but the coroner's
jury returned a verdict of accidental shooting.
Spencer Falconer, born at Culpepper, Va., seventy-seven
years ago, died at Thomas Falconer's house, north of Wyoming,
May 22, 1886.
Davis Fast died in Barton county, Mo., January 25.
1S82, at the age of ninety years. For fifty years he was a member
of the Masonic society. Mrs. Elizabeth Fast, Sr., died in July,
1881, in her 92d year.
John Finley died February 28, 1883, aged eighty-one
years. He was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 1802; removed to
Richland, O., in 1811; married Rebecca Gaffney in 1828; settled
in Illinois in 1834, and in Stark county in 1838. In 1856 his
first wife died. In 1861 he married Mrs. Sarah Adams.
Rev. J. J. Fleharty, born at Jacksonville, Ill., February
5, 1835, died at Tampa, Fla., May 2, 1884. From 1858 to the time
of his death he was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church,
serving in this county a portion of the time.
Benjamin C. Follett, son of Benjamin and Emily (Culbertson)
Follett, was born in Ohio, March 18, 1844. This family is one
of the oldest in Ohio, and in every generation has contributed
to Ohio one or more useful and distinguished citizens. His father
died in 1862, leaving young Follett the possessor of a solid
common-school education. At this time he entered mercantile life
at Chillicothe; was book-keeper there, and for seven years supported
his mother and sister. Toward the close of the war he enlisted
in Company A., One-hundred-and-forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
and after the cessation of hostilities came to Toulon, where
his uncle, John Culbertson, was the leading merchant. He entered
business with him as a partner, and for eighteen years was one
of the most prominent merchants in the county. Subsequently he
purchased the large hotel on Washington street, which he now
owns and conducts. He married Miss Helen M. Rhodes, a daughter
of one of the county's pioneers and prominent citizens. They
are the parents of three children, namely: Miss Emma, Miss Plessie
and John; each one filling a place in the economy of home, and
the ladies of the
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OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.
family prominent in woman's work of the town. Mr. Follett
has served in the council, as corresponding secretary of the
County Agricultural Society, and is a member of the Masonic and
Odd Fellow lodges of Toulon. The family name, sometimes written
Ffolliott, Folliette and Folliott, is of French origin, dating
back to the earlier years of our history.
Mrs. Pleasant (Bateman-Culbertson) Follett was born
near Chillicothe, O., June 22, 1803; moved to Richmond, O., with
her husband in 1822; in 1841 came to Stark county, where her
husband opened a small general store, on the southwest corner
of the northwest quarter of section 24 in Goshen township, just
west of Indian creek, on the north side of the public road from
Toulon to Lafayette. A little later this business was moved to
Toulon and carried on where is now the Methodist parsonage. She
married her second husband, Lodowick Follett, April 16, 1872.
He died in 1879, aged sixty-seven years. Mrs. Follett, herself,
died November 12, 1886, leaving all her property to Dr. James
Culbertson, the only legal heir. The will provided a farm for
Mrs. B. C. Follett, her adopted daughter; but this valuable tract
was sold prior to her death, thus, it is said, invalidating this
section of the document. Miles A. Fuller and Samuel Burge were
named as trustees of the estate.
Sarah E. (Moler) Foglesong, born in Maryland in 1834,
married Henry Foglesong in 1851, came to Stark county two years
before her death.
William Fuller, born in Luzerne county, Pa., in 1819,
settled where Modena now is in 1836, was married first in 1849,
secondly in 1858, died in September, 1879.
Judge Miles Avery Fuller, son of Orange and Hepseh
(Monroe Fuller, was born in Luzerne Co. Penn. April 25, 1822.
His father was a native of Stockbridge, Mass., his mother, of
New York; but both old settlers of Pennsylvania. In 1836 Orange
Fuller and family of six sons came from their old home in the
east and settled in Penn township where they engaged in farming
and saw mill building. One daughter, Mrs. Lemuel S. Dorrance,
married in Pennsylvania, came to this county in 1834. Miles A.
Fuller engaged in agriculture and milling until his 31st year,
he and a brother building the Modena Mills. In 1853 he was elected
County Clerk on the Whig ticket by twenty-two votes over his
Democratic friend, Milton Warren, and reelected in 1857, 1861
and 1865 without opposition on the Republican ticket. During
his official terms he read law, was admitted to practice in 1862,
and since 1869 has continuously practiced here. In 1875 he was
commissioned Notary Public, which position he has since filled.
In 1869 he was chosen delegate to the Constitutional Convention,
with Henry W. Wells over Henry Grove and Martin Shallenberger,
the Democratic candidates. In 1870 he was elected representative
in the State Legislature over James M. Rogers, and filled local
offices of trust as related in the history of Toulon. He was
a very active and useful supporter of the Union during the war,
and was commissioner from Stark at Springfield, to inquire into
the Military credits and debits of this county in connection
with the county's quotas of men. Mr. Fuller married Miss
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Anna, daughter of Zebulon and Mary (Smith) Avery, pioneers
of this county, to whom was born Delia, now Mrs. Cross, of Rich
Hill. Bates county, Mo. Mrs. Fuller died in 1848. In later years
he married Miss Elizabeth Walker. They were the parents of three
sons and two daughters, viz., Frank Fuller, a merchant; Victor,
attorney at law, Toulon; Ada, now Mrs. Henry C. Fuller, of Peoria,
and Miss Lizzie and Ernest, deceased. Mrs Fuller is a member
of the Baptist society, but ever ready to extend aid to other
denominations. A reference to the chapters of the general and
local history will point out minutely the various enterprises
in which he has been engaged, and his recent election as county
judge.
Ernest C. Fuller, while en route to Peoria, July 24,
1881, fell from the freight train under the wheels and was so
mangled that death ended his sufferings on the 26th. He was the
son of Miles A. Fuller, born at Toulon, June 9, 1859. No event
in the history of the town cast a deeper shadow of sorrow, than
did the death of this young merchant.
Andrew Galbraith, son of Hugh and Ann (Wilson) Galbraith,
natives of Ireland, whose family history is given in the sketch
of Goshen township, was born at Philadelphia, Pa., August 18,
1838, and there received his education. In 1859 he accompanied
his parents to this county, and resided with them until August,
1862, when he enlisted in the New York Marine Artillery, served
six months, when he was discharged at Newbern, N. C., on account
of irregularity in form of enlistment. He at once reenlisted
at Newbern, N. C., in the United States Navy; served on the gunboat
Delaware until discharged at Baltimore, February, 1864. During
the following twelve months he was engaged at home. In February,
1865, he enlisted in Company I, One-hundred-and-fifty-first Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, was elected second lieutenant, and in July
following was promoted first lieutenant, and served with this
rank until February, 1866, when the command was mustered out.
On returning, he established a meat-market at Toulon and dealt
in live stock, and until 1875 was extensively engaged in this
business. In 1875, he was elected constable and appointed deputy-sheriff,
which position he held until 1882, when he was nominated by the
Republicans and elected sheriff of Stark county, filling the
office with rare ability until December, 1886, when, under the
new state law relating to tenure of office, he was succeeded
by James Montooth. A reference to the sketches of the Odd Fellows
society, Grand Army Post, and other organizations of the town
and county will point out his social relations here. In religious
matters, he supports the Congregational church, of which two
of his children are members, Cora B. and Harry A. In 1866, Mr.
Galbraith married Miss Hannah R., daughter of the late Owen W.
Thomas, whose family history appears in this chapter. Their children
are Cora B., born March, 1867, a school-teacher here; Harry A.,
born in 1868, clerk in Messrs. Starrett's store at Toulon; Andrew,
born July 3, 1874, attending school, and Clyta, born in April,
1886. Whether we search in the records of any of the three branches
of the United States army in which he served during the war,
we learn of an excellent soldier, and in home records of an energetic
and useful citizen.
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OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.
Charles Geesey, son of Charles and Lydia (Murray) Geesey,
was born in Steuben county, N. Y. His father died in Fulton county
in 1863, leaving six sons and four daughters. Of these, the subject
of this sketch learned the trade of wagon-maker in Ohio, of which
state his parents were then residents. He subsequently learned
the carpenter's trade, and in 1874 moved to Illinois, taking
up his residence at Wyoming. Mr. Geesey was married in Ohio to
Miss Mary, daughter of Jacob Gyman, a native of Alsace, but herself
of Germany. Since coming to Wyoming in 1874, he has devoted his
attention to builders' and contractors' work, and his name is
identified with many business and residence buildings, which
mark the progress of Wyoming.
Amos P. Gill, born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., came,
with his father, Elder Elisha Gill, to Illinois in 1843. In 1849,
he and family settled at Toulon. Up to 1851, he was the only
Odd Fellow in Toulon, and organized Stark lodge, October 17,
1851. He died February 11, 1870.
Hugh Y. Godfrey, whose name occurs as the first nominator
of Lincoln for the presidency, was born in New Jersey, February
22, 1829; moved to a point opposite Philadelphia in 1846-47;
sailed to Mexico about this time, and on returning came with
parents to Toulon, November 5, 1848 ; learned the carriage- and
wagon-builder's trade here ; served eleven months with the Thirty-third
Illinois Infantry, and in 1865 resumed his trade at Toulon. In
December, 1850, he married Miss Frances A. McCance.
Joel D. Goodale died here August 21, 1885, in the ninety-fifth
year of his age.
W. H. Gray, born in Knox county, Ill., January 16,
1843, is the son of William and Betsey (Jordan) Gray. His father,
was a native of New York state and mother of Ohio, who came to
Illinois in 1835 or 1836, and prominently connected with the
early manufacturing interest of Knox county for many years. He
died in Bates county, Mo., in 1879. His mother, Betsey Gray,
preceded her husband to the grave in 1877. They had three sons
and three daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood.
William H. spent his boyhood in Ohio; learned his business from
his father, and in 1863 came to Stark county, where he carried
on farming until 1869, when he established himself at Princeville,
Peoria county; and after one year came here and founded his brick
manufacturing industry, he was married in Stark county to Miss
Eliza Jane, daughter of Alexander and Martha (Jordan) Traphagan.
They are the parents of six sons and three daughters. Mr. Gray's
brick works at Wyoming are among the leading industries of the
county. In religious matters, the family attend the Congregational
church, while in society matters he is a member of the Odd Fellows
Lodge here and of the Encampment.
Mrs. Ruby (French) Greenfield, born in 1821, married
Elisha Greenfield in 1846 near Princeville, Peoria county ; later
moved north of Wyoming, thence to Henry county, and finally to
Toulon. This lady was drowned in a cistern here April 24, 1884.
The coroner's jury brought in a verdict of suicide.
Frederick Rudolph Greenwood, son of Asa and Lucy (Moser)
Green-
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
wood, was born at Dublin, Cheshire county, N. H., December
18, 1826. His grandfather, Joshua, who married Hannah Twitchell,
was a carpenter and mechanic, also his greatgrandfather, William,
who worked there as early as 1762. The family dates back to Thomas
Greenwood, who came to our shores in 1667, whose grandchildren
were found in the ranks of the Revolution, and whose children
protested prior to 1776 against British ignorance and tyranny.
In 1853 Frederick R. and his father came to Knox county, and
located land near Yates City; the father moving a few years later
to Toulon and thence to his old home in New Hampshire, where
he died July 16, 1876, leaving three sons--John, Frederick R.
and William H. The first resides at Denver, Col., the second
in Toulon township, and the last named lost his life while chief
engineer on the Palmer & Sullivan R. R. survey, August 19, 1879,
being shot from his horse. A son, named Herman, a master mechanic
in railroad shops, died at Galesburg, Ill.; Maria married Whitney
Tenney, of Orange, Mass., and Mary Ann died in youth. Frederick
H. grew to manhood in Marlboro' county, N. Y.; there learned
the builders' trade, but on coming here turned his attention
to agriculture and fine stock growing, and in 1864 purchased
his present farm of eighty acres. In 1854 he married here Miss
Elizabeth, daughter of Herbert and Sarah (Kennedy) Blakely, who
came from Marshall county, Ind. Of their two children, Onetta
M. is the wife of James A. Jones, of Burlington Junction, Mo.,
who are the parents of three children; the other, Ora Blakely
Greenwood, is a farmer. Mr. Greenwood, Sr., is a supporter of
all churches, he has been a member of the district school board,
and like most men who earned all they possess, is practical and
broad-minded in everything.
Colonel W. H. Greenwood, born in Dublin, N. H., 1832,
the engineer in charge of the Toulon division of the American
Central R. R., and well known here, was murdered in Mexico, August
19, 1880. On May 28, 1882, Mrs. Mary, widow of Asa Greenwood
died at Toulon. She was born at Dublin, N. H., in 1814, and in
1853 married, both coming to Stark county about 1854.
James Griffin, of Modena, died in August, 1865. He
was an old settler.
Elder A. Gross preached in Toulon, in the court house,
to the Baptist creed, in the years of 1855 and 1856, and assisted
in building the Baptist church, and sent his four oldest children
to the academy there, it being the only school where children
could be taught the higher common school branches, nearer than
Galesburg. One of the children is now Judge W. L. Gross, of Springfield.
The Elder and his wife board with their daughter at Cathem ten
miles from Springfield.
Robert Grieve, a prominent farmer of this township
for almost forty years, was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland,
September 27, 1826, emigrated in 1848, and settled on a tract
of 145 acres. Section 5, Toulon township, which he purchased
in 1849. As related in the marriage record, he married Miss Ellen
Scott in 1856. This lady was born in the same shire May 27, 1830,
and came to America in 1845. Since his marriage he increased
his acreage to 429, together with about five acres of timber
land, all beautifully situate on Jack Creek, which runs
348
OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.
through 150 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Grieve were the parents of
eight children, five of whom are living. Janet, Ellen, Thomas
A., and Christina reside at home, and William is married -- a
resident of this township. The mother of this family died March
30, 1885, and was buried in Elmira cemetery. Mr. Grieve has served
since its first organization as president of the Farmers' Mutual
Insurance Co. Almost since the day of his settlement here he
has been an earnest member of the United Presbyterian church,
and clerk of the board of trustees of that body. To matters relating
to education and all else bearing on the interests of the townships
of Toulon and Elmira, and, indeed, of the county in general,
he gives close attention. In political life the Republican party
claims him as a member.
Thomas Hall, M. D., was born at Mansel Park, Derbyshire,
England, May 12, 1805; married Miss Matilda Manifold, of Findern
in that shire, May 14, 1829, and with his family of four children
came to the United States in 1837, settled in Elmira township
for a few years, moved to Toulon village in 1841, and resided
there until his death, in 1876. Mrs. Shallenberger, his eldest
child, speaks of him in her work, "Stark County and Her
Pioneers," and from her history of the family the following
is taken "Indeed, while he was yet quite young, it was decided
to give him a thorough educational and professional training
in the direction of medicine and surgery. So he was kept steadily
at school after he had reached his eighth year, first at the
village school of Hulland, where he acquired the rudiments of
an education; from there at the age of ten, he was transferred
to a sort of grammar school at West-Under-Wood; from there to
Brailsford for the study of French and Latin; at fourteen he
went for two years to a finishing school at Quarndon, and at
sixteen was entered as an apprentice" (this being the law
of the land) to Dr. Coleman of Wolverhampton for five years.
Having now attained his majority, "he went to walk the hospital
at Guys," and during the next two years in London, enjoyed
the instruction of many eminent men, whose names have since become
historical, especially in the archives of medical science. A
few of these we may record as possessing a modicum of interest
for the professional reader, should any such honor these pages
with a perusal. "On Materia Medica and Therapeutics"
the lecturer was Thomas Addison, M. D., on "The Principles
and Practice of Physic," John Armstrong. On the diploma
granted to Thomas Hall, by "The Royal College of Surgeons"
in 1828 are the signatures of Sir Astley Cooper and plain "John
Abernethy." In 1850, Rush Medical College conferred on Thomas
Hall, in view of the high testimonials he had brought with him
from his native laud, and his long experience in western practice,
an "honorary degree" constituting him "Doctor
of Medicine," "done at Chicago, Illinois, February
7th, 1850." Thus, it may be seen the doctor holds in his
hands the best credentials of both lands; but perhaps no man
ever lived who valued such honors less, or cared less for distinction
of any kind. When he came to Illinois in 1837, he brought with
him not only a thorough acquaintance with his profession, but
the prestige of nearly ten years successful practice at home;
to these advantages may be added an abounding vitality, giving
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
powers of endurance far beyond the average of men. Then he
brought with him a library of choice medical works and surgical
instruments of the most approved pattern then known, to meet
every emergency. Coming thus equipped, to a new and growing state,
what opportunities for professional distinction and ultimate
wealth loomed up before him, had he been gifted with even ordinary
ambition. But this he had not. He built him a cabin and settled
down in the obscurity of Osceola Grove; and although the finest
lands could still be held by pre-emption, and afterwards came
into market and were sold at $1.25 per acre, yet he never bought
one, although from the date of his settlement he had a large
practice, soon kept four or five horses and rode almost constantly.
In 1840, when sickness here assumed a very fatal type, dysentery
and typhoid fevers prevailing to a frightful extent, he rode
on horseback for nine successive weeks, eighty miles one day
and fifty-six the other, alternately. In 1846, he and his partner,
Dr. Chamberlain, treated fifteen hundred cases of fever and ague
or kindred diseases, using in their practice that season eighty
ounces of quinine or its equivalent, in the shape of the extract
of Peruvian bark. When advised by his family or friends in those
days to collect his dues and invest them in something for future
resource, he would turn away with a smile saying, "Don't
bother me about such trifles, I am laying up treasures in heaven!"
But while thus indifferent to pecuniary rewards, he was by
no means insensible to the approval, or gratitude of his patients.
No man ever more highly appreciated the beaming smile or moistened
eye, that must sometimes reveal, especially to a physician, emotion
too deep for utterance, or treasured in a warmer heart the memory
of grateful words and generous deeds! * * * * Rather than disappoint
the sick whom he knew would be watching anxiously for his coming
he encountered all sorts of personal perils and discomforts--braved
all dangers, buffetting with the fierce storm at midnight on
the snow-covered pathless prairie, swimming swollen rivers, sometimes
with the thermometer so low that he was encased in an inflexible
armor of ice, five minutes after he had emerged from the flood.
For some of the most desperate of these exploits he rather seems
to enjoy saying, "I never received a cent." Of late
years, when to our view death seemed hovering very near him,
he would refer to a little incident that occurred long ago, in
his native land, but which has no doubt colored more or less
his whole life. When, as he relates, having won his diploma,
he was about leaving home to begin life and practice for himself,
his mother followed him to the gate, and laying her hand lovingly
on his shoulder said, "Tom, do your duty by all, but especially
remember the poor;" and he would add, "I am not afraid
to meet my mother, for she knows I have done as she told me."
But we must not particularize, or this sketch, which was intended
should be brief, will grow into a volume. Dr. Hall was married
May 14th, 1829, to Miss Matilda Manifold, of Findern, Derbyshire,
England. This lady was our mother, and we have lost her all too
lately to discuss with any appearance of impartiality (if that
was desirable) her life and character. Her memory is enshrined
in the
350
OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.
hearts of her friends; we leave it with them alone, knowing
this would be her desire could she be consulted; for few ever
shrank more instinctively from public gaze than she. Her inner
life was a sealed casket, not many had the privilege of unlocking.
Let a reverential silence veil its treasures still! Her children
can never estimate their indebtedness to her, not only for the
mere fact of existence, which sometimes in this uncertain world
is rather a questionable boon, or for the mother's love she gave
them all; but for that "well of English undefiled,"
which her conversation always supplied, and for even a tithe
of the mental acuteness and physical vigor she possessed. She
left us August 8,1874, in the seventy-second year of her age,
yet, as another truly said, "she died as the young die,"
with all her faculties in full play, as if with her, it was yet
life's morning! The children of this marriage are in the order
of their ages. 1st, Eliza, the writer of this little volume;
2nd, Harriet M., wife of P. M. Blair, Esq.; 3d, Mary S., who
rests beside her mother; 4th, Henry M. Hall, present editor and
proprietor of the Red Oak New Era; 5th, Dr. Walter Thomas
Hall, successor to his father's home and honors; 6th, Louisa,
wife of Mr. John C. Emery, now of Ottumwa, Iowa; 7th, James Knox
Hall, at present following his trade, that of a printer at Cambridge,
Ill.
We may remark in passing, that of these children, the first
four were born in England, prior to the emigration, the three
remaining ones being native Illinoisans. Mrs. Emery was the first
child ever born in the town of Toulon, to which place the family
removed soon after the site was surveyed, and have resided within
its limits since July 6, 1842.
As we write that date, memory reproduces with wonderful fidelity,
the picture of that summer morning, so long ago. We had been
up since dawn, marking with charcoal the logs in our big cabin,
preparatory to taking them out of their places, and loading them
on the wagons, which would soon be waiting for them. By six o'clock
the family had breakfasted, the teams were arriving, and the
bustle of moving began in earnest. Think of it reader, not only
the contents of the house and all the appurtenances of a large
family to be packed and loaded, but the house itself to be taken
down and prepared for a journey to Toulon! We can see the teams,
many of them consisting of four horses, as they drew up around
the scene of our labors. They had come from Spoon river, from
Wethersfield, from Lafayette and Walnut creek, "to help
the doctor move." We could give you the names of the drivers
- true pioneers every one of them, not a laggard among them all;
but our readers would not know them, for they have nearly all
taken a longer journey since that time, from which they never
returned. But finally the last load started, even Peter Miner's
laugh was lost in the lengthening distance, and silence settled
upon the hill, where for five years there had been a busy happy
home, ringing with the voices of children, and the patter of
little feet. But we looked our farewells to the spot, and not
without tears set our faces in another direction. We were soon
on the open prairie, and towards evening reached our destination,
the house of Mr. Benjamin Turner,
351
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
who in those days kept a sort of hotel for the accommodation
of the public. The cabin had undergone a second 'raising,' the
roof was partly on and we could say we had already a home in
Toulon."
J. Knox Hall, son of Dr. Thomas and Matilda (Mannifold)
Hall, was born at Toulon, April 20, 1848. Here he received a
practical common school education, and in 1863 entered mercantile
life, in which he continued four years. Next entering the office
of the New Era with his brother, Henry M. Hall, he acquired
a thorough knowledge of typography, and held a position "at
the case," on the News for three years, and was connected
with the newspaper press up to April, 1886, when he received
the first postmaster's commission issued to Illinois by the present
executive. On April 30, 1881, when the firm of T. H. Blair and
W. E. Nixon, publishers of the Stark County Sentinel, dissolved,
he purchased T. H. Blair's interest, and with Mr. Nixon took
hold of this journal. To him in greatest measure is due the prompt
success which waited on the Sentinel, of which paper he became
sole proprietor in 1882. On January 1, 1884, Gus Hulsizer purchased
a half interest, and the firm of Hall & Hulsizer conducted the
Sentinel until February 13, 1885, when the present owner and
editor, Mr. Hulsizer, purchased Mr. Hall's interest therein.
He was married to Miss Eva Ardell, daughter of the late B. F.
Young; they are the parents of one daughter, Eva Mannifold Hall.
He has been in public life almost continuously since 1869, and
though an aggressive politician and outspoken Democrat, has received
many acts of public kindness from men of every political faith.
Mr. Hall is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge and
its Worshipful Master at the present time. (Vide sketch of
Dr Thomas Hall; also History of Elmira township).
Mrs. Mary M. Hammett, who resided at Wyoming from 1873
to '75, died at Peoria, November 29, 1879.
John and Mary Hanes came from Warrenton, Ohio, to Wyoming
in 1867.
Richard Hardin, aged sixty-three, died at his home,
Princeville, July 27, 1886. He had been a resident near Princeville
since 1840.
Mrs. Harty, mother of Andrew and Dominic Harty, died
March, 1886.
Sarah M. (Cassky) Hazzard married William Hazzard,
of West Jersey in 1866, died at Winona, Minn., in 1885.
Augustus G. Hammond, son of Gideon and Nancy (Chandler)
Hammond, was born at Westport, Essex County, N. Y., January 27,
1834. The family dates back to the beginning of Welsh immigration.
Gideon Hammond, referred to above, was a farmer and lumber dealer
in New York State, and a member of the legislature of that State
for over fifteen years. The fact of his service during the war
of 1812, particularly at the battle of Plattsburg, his honesty,
integrity and unswerving fidelity to principle, contributed much
toward his popularity, but his unselfish, wise course in the
legislature won repeatedly for him his legislative honors. A.
G. Hammond moved to Wisconsin in 1848, making his first western
home at Waukesha, in that State. Shortly after he moved to Farmington,
Ill., and thence, in 1850, to
352
OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.
Stark County. Since his settlement here he has filled a large
place in the economic and social little republic of Stark County.
A reference to the school history of Essex Township, and of Wyoming
village, points out at once his connection with our schools.
In 1862 he was commissioned Justice of the Peace. In 1874 he
was elected representative on the Republican ticket by 591 majority
over Davis Lowman, the A. M. R. candidate, and since that time
has received repeated tokens of public confidence. From 1850
to 1865 he was engaged in farming or school teaching. In the
latter year he entered mercantile life at Wyoming, and in less
than twenty years built up one of the largest mercantile interests
in the county. In October, 1853, he married Miss Cecilia B. Wynkoop,
of Chemung County, N. Y. They are the parents of Harry A., a
graduate of Winona, Minnesota, High School, and the Davenport
Business College, and for the last ten years cashier in Scott
& Wrigley’s bank, Wyoming, Ill.; Will W., a graduate
of Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., who is now practicing law at
Peoria, Ill., where in the space of ten years he has reached
a lucrative practice, and Mary Louisa, now at home. In the history
of Wyoming, the part taken by Mr. Hammond and family in social
matters and otherwise is set forth concisely. (Vide Political
history)
Charles Hartley, born in Yorkshire, England, February
7, 1822, is the son of George and Elizabeth Hartley, who came
to America some years later and settled in Virginia. Charles
remained ta the old home in Yorkshire, where he grew to manhood,
and learned agriculture. In 1853 he came to the United States
with his wife and four children, and located here on section
28, where he purchased eighty acres which have been handsomely
improved. His wife was Ann Hamshaw, daughter of Joseph and Mary
Hamshaw, of the same shire. Their children are Elizabeth, wife
of W. P. Caverly; George, a farmer here; Mary, wife of Monroe
Guyre, and Moses, a farmer of Harvard, Clay county, Neb. Their
children born here are Joseph, a farmer in Inland, Clay county,
Neb; Jennie, deceased; Thomas, a farmer here; and Delphine and
William, residing at home. They have twelve grandchildren. He
supports all denominations, avoids public life, but has served
on the school board of his district. Mr. Hartley has 480 acres
joining his old farm and 160 acres in Adams county, Neb. He is
a member of the Stark county Agricultural Society. His herd of
Holsteins is considerd [sic] one of the best in the military
tract.
George Hartley, born in Yorkshire, England, August
21, 1846, is the son of Charles and Ann (Hamshaw) Hartley, came
with his parents to Illinois and grew to manhood in this county.
He was married here in 1873 to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of James
and Elizabeth (Smith) Fraser. James Fraser was a native of Blythe,
Northumberland county, near Newcastle onthe Tyne, England, and
a son of James Fraser and Mary Ann Robinson, the former a native
of Scotland, and the latter, of England. Elizabeth (Smith) Fraser,
was a native of Pennsylvania, and there Mrs. Hartley was born
in De Vosburg. Her father, James Fraser, came to Stark county
in 1857, accompanied by Thomas Tunsall, who died in 1865, and
leasing coal land on section fourteen, opened a mine there. In
1858 they worked on section twenty-three and took out
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
1000 tons of coal, or one-fourth the total product of the
year. In 1859 he went to Colorado, whither the family moved in
1860. They subsequently returned to Stark county, but in 1874
removed to Colorado, where they have lived since. Mr. and Mrs.
Hartley are the parents of three sons and one daughter, Lenora,
James C., Marion A. and Lee R. He supports the Christian church,
of which Mrs. Hartley is a member. He is a member of the Stark
county Agricultural Society, and is largely interested in stock-growing
and agriculture.
James P. Headley, born in this township, March 10,
1842, is a son of James and Sarah (Finley) Headley, who moved
from Ohio to this county in 1839 and settled south of Toulon.
They were married in 1819, seven years after the settlement of
the Finley family in Ohio, of which family she was the last member.
She was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 1800, and died at Toulon,
June 11, 1886, thirty-five years after her husband's death. This
family consisted of six sons and four daughters, namely: Wilson
and Matilda, deceased; Craig, who died in Toulon township, leaving
a widow, now Mrs. John Reed, and a family of one son, Walter
Headley, of Lafayette; John, a carpenter, of Toulon, the head
of a family; Elizabeth, wife of Matthew Rounds, of Toulon; William
M., of Pawnee City, Neb.; Alex. B. died here, leaving a family
of one son and one daughter; Mary, wife of David Crum; James
P. and Milton, a brick manufacturer, who has a family of six
children; the four latter served in the war of the Rebellion,
as shown in the military chapter. James P. Headley spent his
boyhood on the farm and grew to manhood there. He carried on
farming until 1862, when he enlisted in Company F., One-hundred-and-twelfth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years, until
honorably discharged, in 1865. Returning to his home, he resumed
agricultural life and was engaged in farming until 1875, when
he purchased the Toulon brickyards, and has carried on this business,
always keeping pace with his increasing trade. He employs, during
the season of brick-making, eleven men, giving support to eleven
families. The material produced is all pressed brick, made exclusively
for building purposes; has built large sheds and introduced many
improvements for mixing, moulding and drying, among them being
the "Martin machine." The yards occupy four acres,
and produce about 500,000 brick per season. Mr. Headley married
Miss Catherine Kendall, of Ashland, O., and to them one son was
born, James Anson (now train dispatcher of Keokuk, Ia.), who
married Miss Minnie Madison, of Ottumwa, Ia., a native of that
town. James P. Headley is a member of W. W. Wright post, G. A.
R. He has always taken an active part in the affairs of the agricultural
society, of the township and of the town, and is now serving
his second term, as a member of the council of Toulon.
George Harvey, born in 1803, settled in Ohio in 1834,
and in Stark county, Illinois, in 1850. His death took place
August 14, 1884.
John Hawkes, son of John and Margaret (Robinson) Hawkes,
was born near Valley Forge, Chester county, Pennsylvania, February
27, 1834. His father was a farmer of that county, and was born
in the same house where Capt. Hawkes first saw light. His grandfather,
John Hawkes, who is credited with Revolutionary service, was
de-
354
OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.
scended from Adam Hawkes, who settled in Massachusetts in
1640, where many of the family still reside, and the old homestead
still remains in their possession. This branch of the Hawkes
family made a settlement in York State prior to moving into Pennsylvania.
The Robinsons were among the early Irish or Scotch-Irish settlers
of the Quaker faith in the Susquehanna country. Capt. Hawkes
moved with his parents to Philadelphia about 1839. There his
father died, leaving his son to hew out his course through life.
After working on a farm for some time he learned the carpenters
trade. In 1854 he came to Wyoming, and in 1857 married Miss Augusta
E., daughter of Edward and Huldah (Hammond) Colburn. In 1861
he enlisted in Company K, 47th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was
advanced gradually from private to Second-lieutenant, and received
honorable discharge on account of disability in April, 1864.
He resided in Knox county the succeeding two years, moved to
Galva, where he lived until 1869, when he returned to Wyoming
and established his hardware and agricultural implement store.
This he carried on alone until 1875, then he took ni [sic] as
partner W. H. Barrett, and did business under the firm name of
Hawkes & Barrett until 1883, since which time he has devoted
his attention to settling up the business of the firm. His children
are Lillian, wife of Alfred N. Walters, residing near Kearney,
Neb.; Kate Estelle, a graduate of Carroll College, Waukesha,
Wis., and John De W., a student of the same college, now of Beloit
College, Wis. Mr. H. was one of the original members of the Congregational
church of Wyoming, of De Wolf Post, and Post Chaplain, also a
member of the Oddfellow's Lodge, and a member of the Encampment.
He has always given ready support to all agricultural measures,
and is classed among the most active members of the Republican
party. A reference to the history of Wyoming and Toulon townships
will point out the part he has taken in social and political
matters. His recent nomination to succeed Orlando Brace as County
Treasurer is an enviable testimonial. His election followed as
a consequence, and in December, 1886, he moved to the County
Seat. The name is associated with many of the modern buildings
of Wyoming, and of the county, as architect, the school, Congregational
church and fair buildings there being built after his plans.
William H Henderson was born in Garrard county, Ky.,
November 16, 1793, of which state his parents were among the
pioneers. In 1812 he enlisted in Col. Johnson's "Kentucky
Mounted Riflemen," and with this command was present at
the battle of the Thames, in Canada, October 5, 1813, where he
aided in crushing Proctor's entire English army and Indian auxiliaries.
After this campaign, he moved to Dover, Tenn, where he married
Miss Lucinda Wimberly in January, 1816. He was elected sheriff
there, and filled others positions until 1823, when he moved
to what is now Haywood county, Tenn., of which he was first recorder.
Here his wife died, at Brownsville, and here also his parents
died. In 1835, he was senator in the State Legislature, which
position he resigned in 1836, and on July 2d of that year settled
on the Leek claim south of Toulon. In spirit he was an Illinois
man prior to that year, for in 1831 he selected lands near
355
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Ottawa, on Indian creek, and in 1832 sent on his father, mother,
his son, John W., his wife's two brothers, and Robert Norris,
a hired man, to improve this claim, intending to move there himself
the next year, but the Black Hawk war, the murder of Robert Norris,
and the dispersion of the family dissuaded him from settling
there. No sooner was he settled here than the pioneers realized
his value, and looked up to him for political guidance. His house
was a hospitable refuge for judges, lawyers, preachers, and all
classes of travelers, and, until the court-house at Toulon was
completed, might be called the "County Court-house of Stark."
In 1845, he took the census of Stark county, and with the sum
realized from this labor purchased a horse to complete a team
for the transfer of his family to Johnson county, Ia., where
he settled in November of that year. Like many patriots of the
revolution and of 1812, he was too unselfish to amass riches:
in business, enterprise carried him too far; but in social honor
he was always right, and with a name for honor he died January
27, 1864. Mrs. Sarah Murphy (Howard) Henderson, to whom he was
married November 6, 1823, was born in Sampson county, N. C.,
September 15, 1804. To his first wife three children were born;
Mary A., who died in 1834. John D. and William P. were intimately
connected with the early progress of Illinois. To his second
wife, one daughter and five sons were born; the former died in
infancy, while the sons-- Thomas J., Henry C., Stephen H., Daniel
W., and James A.-- lived to become leading citizens of this county
and district.
John W. Henderson came to Stark county with his father
in 1836, and was here married by Jonathan Miner to Miss Mary
Perry, October 25. 1840. This lady died some years later. He
subsequently married Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. Butler, of
Wyoming, and settled at Cedar Rapids, Ia., of which state his
brother, William P., is also a resident.
Henry C. Henderson, who married Miss Ianthe Fuller,
of Elmira, in 1850, was clerk in the United States Treasury department
from 1849 to 1852. The year after, he moved to Rock Island, and
in 1856, to Marshalltown, Ia., of which state he was senator
in 1863, and a Republican presidential elector in 1864. He has
the reputation of being as able a lawyer as he is a politician.
Stephen H. Henderson, now a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal church, was a member of the Illinois bar. In 1862,
he entered Company A, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, and was promoted
colonel of the Forty-fourth Iowa Infantry. After the war he resumed
his ministerial work. Daniel W., his brother, served as lieutenant
in the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry; was wounded at Port Gibson.
James A. Henderson, whose name occurs in almost every
chapter of the General History, was also a soldier, serving in
Company K, Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry. His first wife was
Miss Burdell Turner, of Hennepin, a grand-daughter of Capt. Butler,
of Wyoming. In later years he married Miss Frank Dewey, of Toulon,
who survives him.
Mrs. Ann Heywood, the second child of Edmund and Alice
(Howarth) Wrigley, was born October 26, 1819 and remained at
her father's
356
OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.
home in England until twenty-six years of age. Her early life
was spent as a mill operative, when she was married to Thomas
Heywood, the son of John and Jane Heywood. He was born at Heywood,
England, in the year 1820, where his father was a manufacturer
of cotton. The family was one much interested in religious affairs,
John Heywood establishing the first Sunday school in the town,
and when he died had been a member of the Methodist church for
fifty years. He was eighty-four at the time of his death. His
wife also died at an advanced age. (Vide history of Wrigley
family.)
Thomas Heywood learned the carpenter's trade and at
the age of twenty-six, was married to Miss Ann Wrigley. For some
eleven years after, they remained in England and then emigrating
to America, settled at Wyoming in 1856, where Mr. Heywood continued
his trade. Here his home was made, keeping his business improved
with the times until 1863, when they removed to a farm in Penn
township, where, after but five days of illness, he died in 1868,
in his forty-ninth year. He had been a prominent member of the
Methodist church from boyhood and an ardent worker in the temperance
cause, having been a member of the Reccabite society, a temperance
organization in England. At the time of his decease, he had just
been admitted to a membership in the masonic fraternity. For
thirteen years after her husband's death, Mrs. H. remained upon
the farm. In 1881 she returned to Wyoming, where she has since
resided. The family consisted of seven children, Jennie, Mrs.
B. F. Rockhold, of Bradford; Edward, died from the effects of
a fall while engaged in sport, breaking his back in two places.
He was twenty-two years of age. Emma, who married W. M. Pilgrim,
of Bradford, is deceasedd; Thomas, a farmer of Penn township;
Alice, Mrs. G. E. Scott, of Penn township; Annie M. and Mary
E., both teachers in the Wyoming schools. Mrs. Wood and all her
children are members of the Congregational church and a family
that stand high in the esteem of all.
Richard Hight, son of George and Anna (Malloy) Hight,
was born at Lick Ridges, Huntingdon county, Pa., June 26, 1837.
At the age of seventeen years, Mr. Hight visited Springfield,
Ill., returned to Pennsylvania, walking from Pittsburg to his
home--forty-one miles--in one day; but in 1854 resolved to make
the west his home, and settled in Stark county. From 1854 to
1857 he worked here by the month. In 1858 he ventured farming
for himself, but this first venture was unsuccessful on account
of the June and September frosts. He sold his corn crop on the
field for $48, moved to Mossville, engaged in hauling wood and
boarding choppers, earned enough that winter to make a second
venture, and returned to Stark in 1839. In 1864 he purchased
eighty acres of the Beckwith farm in Penn township, from Scott
& Wrigley, in 1867 added another eighty acre tract and in 1883
purchased 160 acres from Ansil Sims. This last purchase he sold
in 1884 to the Parker brothers; bought his present town house
in 1884, and in 1886 purchased five acres in Wyoming. On coming
here in 1857 he married Miss Ann, a daughter of Daniel and Mary
Bunnell, pioneers of Penn township, who came here from the Wyoming
Valley in 1846. This lady was born in Wyoming county, Pa., in
1840, and
357
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
accompanied her parents to Stark county, Ill. They are the
parents of one son and four daughters Irene, wife of Charles
Ingram, of Wyoming; Minnie, wife of James Hess; Eva, wife of
Daniel Dockendorf, of Iowa; Clarence, a farmer on the homestead,
married Miss Lizzie Stansbury, of Brimfield, and Ella, residing
at home. In 1875 the family moved to Wyoming where Mr. Hight
purchased the brick cottage or Dana cottage, opposite the Truax
House. He has served as township collector in Penn and for sixteen
years was school director of district No. 9 there. For each of
his children he provided a good education, and has always been
a strong supporter of the common school system. He relates with
manly pride that on coming here he expended his last twenty-five
cents for breakfast at Henry.
William Holgate, son of the late James Holgate, was
born on the "Holgate homestead" April 15, 1844. He
received a practical education in the school of the district,
and at the age of eighteen years, August, 1862, enlisted in Company
E, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, followed
the fortunes of that command for three years, and received an
honorable discharge in July, 1865. Returning to his home he followed
agricultural life until 1876, when he purchased the interests
of W. M. Miner & Co., and engaged in the banking business at
Wyoming, conducting the Farmer's Bank there until 1882, when
he organized the First National Bank of Wyoming, and was its
president until it ceased business under that name. On January
8, 1885, he was married to Miss Charlotte A., daughter of Alexander
Kissinger, a worthy old settler of Penn Township, and among the
Swiss pioneers of the county, the lady herself being a native
of that township. They are the parents of three children--Carrie,
Cora M. and Katie C. Mr. Holgate is a member of DeWoIf Post,
G. A. R., of the blue lodge at Wyoming since the war, and of
the chapter. He was a member of the Stark County Agricultural
Society, and one of the original stockholders in the Central
Agricultural Society. The task before him of filling his father's
place in the economy of the county is a difficult one, but not
beyond the ability of the son to accomplish (vide history
of Holgate family and settlement in chapter on Penn Township.)
George E. Holmes was born in Philadelphia, Pa., January
8, 1840. His father, Robert, was born in Antrim County, Ireland,
September 13, 1813, and his grandfather George was also a native
of that county, and married Rose Pearson there. The mother of
George E., was born in Tyrone County, in May, 1810. Grandfather
Holmes and family came to Philadelphia about 1836, and worked
at the tailor's trade there. Of his seven children, John, born
in 1808, died December 20, 1879; Eliza, who married Lazarus Holmes,
died at Kewanee; Rose Ann is the wife of Robert Patterson, and
Robert Holmes came to this county in March of 1855. During this
year he purchased 160 acres of land on Section 9, this township,
and was engaged in agriculture there until the spring of 1878,
when he sold his interest in the land and moved to Toulon village.
Of his six children, three died at Philadelphia, and three came
to this county, namely: George E., Mary, now Mrs. John H. Brown,
and Robert, a farmer of Buena Vista County, Iowa. George E.,
re-
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