JUDGE JOHN W. LAUGHLIN.
A Justice of the Peace at Mount Palatine. He was horn in Bond county. III.,
in 1820, moved t<> this county with his parents when only ten years of age,
and in 1845 married Miss Jane W. Reid, who moved with her parents to Brown
county, Ill., when a child. With the exception of about three years
residence in Versailles they have lived in this county since their marriage
and in Mount Palatine twenty-four year. They have four children living,
Henry R., Fannie C., Mary E. and Ebert H. They are members of the
Congregational church. Mr. L. has been justice of the peace about twelve
years. He has 220 acres of land in his home farm, and also a farm of 160
acres in La Salle county.
GEORGE GALL.
Mr. Gall is a farmer, living on Sec6. Magnolia township. He was born in
Highland county. Ohio, in 1622, and located in Putnam county in 1867. In
1847 he married Mary Ward, who was born in the same state. They have six
children. Thomas R., Anna B., William McLelland, Mary M., Andrew, and
Jessie. Mr. G. and wife are members of the M. E. church. He owns
seventy-nine acres of land, mostly under good cultivation.
T. F. LASH.
Mr. Lash is a merchant, living in Magnolia. . He was born in Belmont county,
Ohio, in 1846, and located in Magnolia in 1865. He has been in the
mercantile business since 1876. He was married to Miss Sarah G. Wabel in
1873. Mr. L. is a member of the Masonic order, and is also a member of the
Retail Jewelers Association of Illinois. He enlisted in the 170th Ohio
Volunteers in May, 1864, and was discharged in the fall of the same year. He
came to Magnolia with lesn than $10.00, and has now a general stock of goods
worth about *2 000, besides 160 acres of land in Nebraska and 480 acres in
Missouri, also his store. He owns a residence, and another house and lot in
Magnolia, and has been a member of the Town Board for two j ears.
ELZY DOWNEY.
Mr. Downey is a farmer, living in Magnolia township. He was born in
Greenbrier county, VH., in 1810, and moved to Belmont county, Ohio, in 1814,
thence to LaSalle county, near Ottawa, in 1892, locating in Putnam county in
1838 He married Mrs. Nancy Johnson in 1838, who WHS born in ROPS county,
Ohio, in 1814. Mr. D. has one child by a former marriage, Robert; and Mrs.
Downey one by a former marriage, Sarah J. (Bowman). They are members of the
Methodist church. Mr. D. is a man of diversified ability; in engaged in
butchering part of the time, and has also run a cider mill for several years
past; and was constable for two terms.
J. H. TAGGART. .
Mr. Taggart is a farmer, living in Marshall county, near Magnolia. He was
born in Belmont county. Ohio, in 1840, and located in Marshall county in
1863. He married Miss Josephine Murdough the same year, who is a native of
Mount Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, and is a lady of refinement and good
education. They have four children, Lewella B , Maud R.. Harry M., and Fred
8. Mr. Taggart is extensively engaged in stock raising, is an energetic
business man, a deep reader, and well posted on the general topics of the
day.
MRS. ELIZABETH HILTABRAND.
This lady, widow of George Hiltabrand one of the pioneers of Putnam county,
was born in Caswell county, N. C., in 1804. She was married in 1824 and in
1829 moved with her husband to the then almost unbroken prairie of this
section. They located a claim on Sec20, upon which Mrs. H. still
resides Mr. Hiltabrand died October 20, 1870, leaving ten children, viz.:
Jerusha Simeon C., Henry H., Edward C., Josephus. George W., Emily E.,
Benjamin F., Ella J. and Melissa A. Mrs. H. has been a member of the old
school Baptist church since she was fourteen years of age. Her homestead
farm comprises 340 acres of land. Her post office address in Caledonia.
WILLIAM HAWES.
Mr. Hawes has the honor of being the earliest living resident of the two
counties. He was born Sept. 23. 1800, in Orange county, Va., and with his
parents moved to Warren county, Ohio in 1805, two years later to Clinton
county and thence to Sangamon, Ill., where he followed driving team until
1826, when he visited the lead mines at Galena, passing on horseback through
Putnam Co., and selecting the place he afterward made his home. The next
year he returned, built a cabin and broke a piece of land and put in a crop
of corn. James D. Willis was the next man to locate in the neighborhood and
Lewis Bailey the third. When the Indians discovered Hawes' presence they
warned him to leave, making dire threats of what the consequences would be
in case he did not, but he refused to desert his property and was not
molested. In 1823 be married Lucinda Southwick, a native of New York, who
came to Sangamon county, in 1816. She died July 4th, 1867. In 1868 he
married Mrs. Louisa Moffitt and to them were born, viz.: Andrew, Lillian,
Mary. Clifford and Joel. When the Black Hawk war broke out he was chosen
captain of a company of rangers who did scout duty but saw no real fighting.
He has led a long and active life and at the age of eighty is smart and
active like a man of forty. In his younger years he was a great traveler,
having dug lead in Galena, gold in California, and silver in Mexico. He owns
nearly two thousand acres of land in Putnam and Marshall counties and a half
Secin Minnesota, most of it under cultivation. The father of Mrs. H.
came to Putnam county in 1848. She married Mr. Moffit in 1861 and he died
the following year from wounds received in the army.
TOWNSEND G. FYFFE.
This gentleman, formerly a resident of this county, now deceased, was born
in Mason county, Kentucky, in 1800. He located in Putnam county in 1829. He
filled the positions of county commissioner and supervisor several terms and
was also elected to other important local offices. In 1832 he married Zella
Boyle, also a native of Kentucky. They had nine children, seven of whom are
living. J. D., Ara, Mary B., Franklin, Martha, Emma and Helen. Mrs. Fyffe is
still living. J. D. is a member of the Masonic order.
JOEL HAWES.
Joel Hawes is a farmer residing on Sec22, and one of the early settlers
of Putnam county. He was born in Madison county, Va., August 15, 1796, moved
with his parents to Clinton county. Ill., in 1805, and thence to Putnam
county in 1838. In 1824 he married Elizabeth Gibson, a native of Kentucky.
Their children are Mary A., Thomas, Elizabeth (deceased), William, John,
Sarah, Eunice, George and Asa. Mrs. Hawes died in January, 1874. He owns 193
acres of land part of which he entered in 1835. A portion of this is located
in Roberts Tp., Marshall county, in Sec3, range 1 west of the third
principal meridian. In 1864 he married Mrs. Maud Gustav Otto, by whom he has
five children, James, Helen, William, Maud and Grace.
HENRY C. MORRIS.
Mr. Morris is a farmer living on Sec6, Magnolia township. He was born
in Union Town, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and came to Putnam in
1845. In 1849 he married Elizabeth McLaughlin, born in West Newton,
Westmoreland county. Pa., and to them have been given two children, Henry R.
and Fannie L.; are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He is a
firm friend to education, and has served as director for thirty years; was
also supervisor of his township, road director, etc. He has a well
cultivated farm of 167 acres, and 36 acres of timber, good dwelling and
pleasant surroundings.
S. C. MORRELL.
Mr. Morrell, merchant, was born in Caledonia county, Vt., in 1828, and
located in Hennepin in the fall of 1837; came to Magnolia in 1840, and
engaged in the mercantile business in 1857. He married Mary Baker in 1854,
who was born in Vermont. They have three children living, Ella L., Mary F.
and Josephine. Mr. Morrill is a member of the M. E. church. He was township
collector in 1864-5. He carries a full stock of goods suitable to his trade.
GEORGE S. PARK.
Mr. Park is a farmer, whose homestead is on Sec25 and 26, and was born
in Windham county, Vermont, October 28, 1811. He came west in 1832 on a tour
of investigation. He visited Missouri and Illinois and selected for his
future home the neighborhood in which he now resides. He taught school in
Sangamon county for a while and returned to Vermont in the fall of the same
year. His father soon after came west and located near Pekin, while the son
preferred his first selected location, in what is now Magnolia township. He
purchased a claim of 160 acres from Cornelius Hunt for $300 which is part of
his present homestead. He and his father then entered 800 acres more in the
same neighborhood. He attended the Illinois College at Jacksonville two
years, where he was a class mate of the late governor of Illinois Richard
Yates. Being obliged to leave college in consequence of poor health, he went
to Texas in 1835, and while there the war for independence began, so young
Park volunteered in the army of General Houston. By treachery on the part of
the Mexicans his division of 250 men were obliged to capitulate to the army
of Santa Anna, and were disarmed. The prisoners were to have been embarked
on a ship for Galveston, but while on the march to the vessel they
discovered preparations for their slaughter by their captors. Young Park
suggested an attack on their guards, but before he could get any concerted
action of his men, the guard drew up and fired on the disarmed prisoners. He
saw their movements, and fell upon his face, the murderous volley passing
over him. The next instant he was on his feet and flying for the river. It
was a race for life; the treacherous guards loaded and fired again and
again, the bullets flying thick and fast, but fortunately never hit him.
When he thought himself safe and on the verge of freedom, he found himself
confronted by a line of sentries along the river bank, but did not stop, and
when within a few feet of the river two Mexicans crossed muskets in front of
him. He then turned to one side and made for a single sentry, whose gun he
turned aside and jumped into the river, bullets flying round him. He floated
down some distance until he got under the bank, when he rested and recovered
breath. He then ran along the shore under the protection of the friendly
bank until he got out of range, when he again took to the river and swam to
the other side. He saw three of his comrades running for life the same
course he had come, closely pursued by the Mexicans. He started across the
prairie in the direction of Gen. Houston's army, which was about seventy
miles distant. He was soon intercepted by mounted scouts sent out to capture
such as might have escaped, but being on the alert he saw them and hid
himself in a hole concealed by long buffalo grasses so the horsemen could
not ride over him. They came close to him several times but gave up the hunt
at night, when he started for his headquarters, which he reached safely.
Texas gained her independence, the Houston troops soon disbanded, and young
Park returned north, or rather to Missouri, where he located land. He
married Miss Mary L. Holmes, July 12, 1855. She was born and educated in New
York city. They have one child, a very accomplished young lady, Miss Etla,
who was born in Missouri 1857. Mr. Park located about ten miles above Kansas
City, in Missouri, and was the founder of Parkville, Platte county, Mo. He
has donated a large tract of land and a suitable building, worth S35,000,
for the purpose of a college, in which young people of both sexes can
receive a practical education boys in the art of husbandry, and girls in the
duties of perfect housekeepers, in addition to other necessary branches of
education. Mr. Park has always been a consistent Republican, though not an
Abolitionist. He maintained, while editor and proprietor of his paper, that
the people of Kansas had the right to say whether they would have a free or
slave state: and for boldly and fearlessly advocating those principles, he
was mobbed, his press thrown in the river and his life threatened. In fact,
he had to barricade himself in his house, determined to defend himself to
the last against any odds rather than be driven from his home, having been
guilty of no crime. He provided himself with firearms and laid in a good
store of ammunition, with a keg of powder ready to blow up the building bad
the mob of border ruffians succeeded in breaking in. determined to die in
the ruins rather than abandon his home. When they could not persuade him by
threats or otherwise to leave, they told his young wife that as they had
passed resolutions in their ''Blue Lodges" that he must leave on account of
his Republican principles, they would be ruined if they did not carry out
the resolution, and if he would promise to leave in two, three or six weeks,
all would be satisfactory: but if not, that blood would surely be shed, as
there were several hundred men waiting only for the signal to attack him.
The reply of his brave young wife was that Mr. Park and she were going to
Texas in the winter, but she was not in the habit of letting strangers and
enemies set the day she should go: that she would go with Mr. Park, and that
he would go when he was ready. This was the end. He afterwards sued the
ringleaders of the mob who destroyed his press and type, and they settled
with him satisfactorily. He held his ground, showing the grit of a Napaleon,
and was afterwards elected to the Senate. He moved to Magnolia in 1873,
where he has the finest residence in the county, with 480 acres in his home
farm; also 2,000 acres in LaSalle and other counties in this State, and
large tracts in Missouri, Kansas and Texas.
LEWIS I. BECK.
Mr. Beck is a farmer on Sec15 his post-office being Clear Creek. He was
born in Muskingum county Ohio, in 1818, and located in this county in April,
1831. Nov. 18, 1841, he married Cynthia A. Winters who was born in Miami
county, Ohio. They have seven children living, Harrison W., Lewis M., Stella
A., Mary I., Lenora, Harry E. and William E. Harrison W. served three years
during the war of the rebellion in the 124th Ill. Volunteers and afterwards
located in Butler county, Kansas, serving one term in the legislature from
that county. Mr. Beck owns 140 acres of land in his homestead farm.
J. A. ELLIS.
Mr. Ellis is a farmer, residing in Magnolia township. He first gazed upon
the wonders of this world in Green county, Ohio, in 1842. He located in this
county in 1854. He married Miss Ura Hardesty in 1848. She is a native of
Brown county, Ohio. They have eight children living, Nancy, Cornelia, Elma,
Newton, Robert, Hattie, Sadie and Irene. They have three children dead. Mr.
and Mrs. E. are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOHN VAN HORN.
Mr. Van Horn is a farmer, residing on sections 35 and 36. He was born in
Butler county, Ohio, in 1808, and located in Putnam county in the fall of
1841. He married Mary Hibbs in 1832. She was born in Pennsylvania. They have
eight children living. Isaac, Sarah J., Samantha, Samuel. Joseph, Mary A.,
Julia and Cynthia. He was school trustee several terms, and was an able and
efficient officer. He owns two hundred and fifty acres of land all improved
except eighty acres of timber. He is a thrifty farmer and has a very
beautiful residence, immediately adjoining the village of Magnolia, and is
considered a first class farmer.
EPHRAIM SMITH.
Mr. Smith is a farmer living on Sec33. Magnolia township. He was born
in North Carolina in 1805. His parents came to Sangamon county in 1815. He
came to this county in 1830, and located on his present farm in 1831. He
married Harriet Thurman in 1840, who was born in New York State. She died
July 19, 1858, leaving six children, Irvin O , Ellen A., Franklin, Laura M.,
Harriet M. and James C. In March, 1859, he married Mrs. Jemima Kays (Reed),
by whom he has two children, Katie R. and Eva M. He has been school director
several times owns 320 acres of land in Putnam county, and also 320 in Clark
county, Iowa.
ANDREW B. GURNEA.
Mr. Gurnea was born in Mayfield, Montgomery county. New York, March 15th
1815, and moved to Michigan where in 1841 he married Cornelia Wallace, who
was born in Orange county, N. Y. They have four children, Margaret A., (Mrs.
8tainbrook) Nancy J., James C. and Harriet E. Mr. Gurnea comes from Quaker
ancestors, and is perhaps indebted to them for a certain sturdy honesty,
born of a desire to observe so far as man can the golden rule of doing unto
others as we would they should do unto us. At a time when abolitionists were
looked upon as little better than horse thieves he voted for Janus G. Birney
for president, and rightly regards it an the noblest act of his life. The
confidence reposed in him by the community is shown in the official trusts
confided to his care. In 1859 he was elected justice of the peace and has
held it ever since. He has been a notary public 16 years, township clerk 10
years and assistant postmaster 18 years. He has been agent of the Hartford
fire insurance company 13 years and in all these positions acquitted himself
to the entire satisfaction of all parties including his own conscience.
H. C. MILLS.
Mr. Mills was born in Magnolia township March 21st, 1849, and received his
education at the State Normal school and Lincoln University. His father,
Capt. Ely R. Mills, was a well known steamboat captain who along with Capt.
Price, owned the boats he run and died many years ago. Mr. Mills chose
farming for a profession and in 1877 married Hester Badgley, of Auglaize
county, Ohio. He owns a very nice farm of 220 acres under cultivation and is
a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
CAMPBELL SHIELDS.
Mr. Shields was born in Morgan county, Indiana, and came to this county with
his parents in 1833, was raised and educated on a farm, and through his own
exertions has made himself wealthy and the owner of one of the best farms in
Putnam county. In 1852 he married Jane Harris, born in Schuyler county, who
became the mother of eight children, Laura E., Franklin P., Clara A.,
Jennette E., Bernard M., Sarah E., James W. and Araminta B. Mrs. S. died
April 16, 1876. In 1878 he married Rebbeca P. Smith to whom one child has
been given, Harry C. Mr. Shields is a member of the Masonic order and among
his friends liberal, hospitable and social. He has served his township as
supervisor. assessor etc., besides filling several minor offices. He owns a
finely cultivated farm of 386 acres.
EDWARD PHILLIPS.
A farmer residing in Sec34, his post-office being Magnolia. He was born
in Chester county, Pa., in 1834, and located in this county in 1842 with his
Uncle George. October 8, 1857 he married Mary Jane Smith, who was born in
Schuyler county, Ill., in 1838. They have eight children, John H., Elizabeth
J., Clara A., Mary E., Charles E., Martha A., George T., and Maud. Mr.
Phillips owns and operates a water-power saw and grist mill, with ample
facilities tor doing the custom work of the surrounding country, and can
manufacture any description of lumber required for ordinary purposes. He
owns 240 acres of improved land.
JOHN H. PHILLIPS.
Residence, Sec34. Postoffice, Magnolia.
WILLIAM A. SMITH.
Mr. Smith is a farmer born in Grant county, Indiana, in 1829, and settled on
Oxbow prairie in 1851. His wife who died in 1872, was Margaret Trone whom he
wedded in 1860 and who bore him three children, Alvah H., Willie D. and
Maggie P. In 1876 he was married to Mrs. Annie Williams, by whom he has one
child, Bertha E. He owns 50 acres of land and cultivates 136 acres besides.
CALVIN SHIELDS.
Mr. Calvin Shields is a farmer living on Sec26, of Magnolia township.
He is a native of Indiana, having been born in Morgan county in 1829, but
removed herewith his parents in 1833. In 1844 he married Rachel German, born
in Ohio. They have eight children living named as follows; Ann, Ellen, John,
Douglas, Marshal, Rachel, Henry and Robert. He has been supervisor two terms
and held other minor offices. His homestead embraces 425 acres and he owns
1000 acres elsewhere in this state. He is energetic, pushing and clear
headed.
MRS. RAHEL KAYS.
Mrs. Kays is the widow of Henry Kays who died in February, 1877. She was
born in Kentucky, in 1820, and came to Indiana with her parents when four
years old. Mr. Kayes was one of the most successful farmers in the county
and owned at the time of his death 887 acres of land. They had six children
living. Jane (Mrs. Bobbit) Marcus V., Columbus, John A., Emery, Clara E.,
and three are dead. Mr. Kays was supervisor of his township two terms and
was a man of more than usual ability. Before his death he gave each of his
children 80 acres of land. His family are members of the M. E. church.
AMOS WILSON.
The subject of this sketch lives on Sec23, and was born in Chester
county, Pa., in 1794,and is now eighty-six years old. In 1824 he settled in
New Castle, Delaware, and in the fall of 1826 moved to Belmont county, Ohio,
where he lived until the spring of 1851, when he located in Putnam county,
Illinois. He was married to Hannah Brown, born in Chester county. Pa., in
1818, by whom he had five children, Joshua R. Margaret, David, Thomas and
Hannah. Mrs.W. died in 1826. In 1828 he wedded Anna Morris, of Columbiana
county, Ohio, who brought him nine children, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Morris A.,
Mary, Amos B., Olive, and three who have gone to another world. Himself and
family are members of the Society of Friends. His home farm embraces 440
acres, and besides he owns 320 acres in LaSalle county, and the same in
Saline county, Kansas. With a single exception he is the oldest citizen in
the two counties. Mr. Wilson is a self made man, and owes his success to his
own exertions, through the aid of the Great Master above.
OLIVER SMITH.
Mr. Smith is a farmer, living on Sec15, who was born in Washington
county, Pa., in 1841 and came West with his parents the succeeding year. In
1878 he married Huldah R. Mills, a native of this county. They have one
child, William Eddy. Mrs. S. is a member of the Society of Friends. Mr.
Smith owns fifty-nine acres of improved land in this county, in addition to
which he cultivates a rented farm. He also owns 160 acres of land in Kansas.
MRS. LYDIA GRIFFITH.
This lady, widow of the late George Griffith was born in Adams county. Pa.,
in 1816. In 1842 she came with her parents, Samuel and Susannah Comley, to
this county, and the succeeding year was married to Mr. Griffith, who died
in 1867, leaving three children, Hiram, Frank and Isabel, and three by a
former marriage, Isaac, Martha J. and Sarah. Mr. G. located in this county
in 1836. Mrs. Griffith owns one hundred acres of excellent land, with very
fine improvements. Herself and family are members of the Society of Friends.
ABNER BOYLE.
Mr. Boyle is a farmer living on Sec22. His Post Office is at Clear
Creek; was born in Bedford county, Va., in 1808. He moved to Madison county,
Kentucky, with his parents in 1810, and to Todd county in 1815. He moved to
Putnam county, Ill., in 1829, and located in Magnolia. He married Matilda
Wilson in 1831 who was born in Kentucky. They have five children, William A.
Caroline (Griffith), Edward H., A. T. and Virginia. He was the first
postmaster in Putnam county, which was located at Magnolia. He has served as
assessor and supervisor. He owns his home farm 190 acres of improved land,
60 acres of timber, and 600 acres in La Salle county,
THOMAS FLOWERS.
Mr. Flowers is a farmer in Magnolia township, whose post office is at Clear
Creek. He was born in Washington county. Pa., and came to Putnam county in
1844, disembarking at Hall's Landing. He married Phebe Hartley in 1842. also
a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had three children, Elizabeth (Mrs.
Price), Martha, Emma (Price). Mrs. Flowers died in 1850, and he was married
the second time, in 1852, to Phebe Conly, who was born in Adams county, Pa.,
in 1815. Both are members of the Society of Friends. Previous to settling
here Mr. Flowers lived fifteen years in LaSalle county, where he was school
director and held other offices.
WALTER TRONE.
Mr. Trone lives on Oxbow Prairie, where he settled in 1854. He was born in
York county. Pa., July 19, 1831, and in 1861 married Malvina Huber, a native
of Trumbull county, Ohio. They have five children, and two adopted. The
names of the five are Charles W., John L., Sarah A., Grant O., and William
H.; their adopted children are Mary J. Quinn, and Mary E. Moore. All are
members of the M. E. church. Mr. Trone owns 240 acres of well improved land,
and deserves the blessings the Father of All has given him.
CARVER TOMLINSON.
Mr. Tomlinson is an old citizen of Putnam county, coming here in 1852. He
was born in Philadelphia in 1816, and when three years old accompanied his
parents to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he obtained his education and in
turn became a teacher. In 1844 he moved to Washington county, Pa., where he
married Mary A. John, a native of that county. To them six children have
been given now living, viz., Josephine, Mary, Josiah, Isaac, Alice E. and
Willis. He has served as school treasurer twelve years, was a teacher many
years, and always took a deep interest in educational matters. He is well
informed in the political and religious literature of the day, does his own
thinking, and stands high in the estimation of the community. Ho owns 228
acres of land in Magnolia township.
ELIZA W. SMITH.
This lady, widow of Mr. Jesse Smith, resides on her farm in Sec13, her
postoffice being Clear Creek. She was born in Adams county. Pa. . in 1809,
came west with her mother and brother in 1837, locating in Putnam county,
and in 1H45 was married to Mr. Smith. In 1869 her husband died, leaving two
children by a former marriage, 1 1 fnr> H . and Oliver, and three deceased.
Mrs. Smith is a member of the Society of Friends, is a pleasant, matronly
old lady, young looking and active for one of her age She owns one hundred
acres of well improved land.
WILLIAM WHEELER HOLMES.
Mr. Holmes was born in Herkimer county. New York, in 1805, but spent the
most of his life in New York city. While here he was engaged in mercantile
enterprises that took him over all parts of the Union, and enabled him to
make the acquaintance of most of the leading men. He has a vast store of
information, and is an entertaining and instructive talker. In 1858 he came
to Magnolia, and his pleasant residence, one mile west of town, has since
been his home. In 1829 he wedded Julia P. Vivoort, who died in 1848, leaving
him eight children, viz., Mary L., William B., PerceliaV., Vernon, Julia R.,
Lawson C., Geo. N. and Grace. In 1857 Mr. Holmes wedded Mrs. Mary Murphy by
which marriage he has four children, Charlotte, Margaret, Emma and Oliver.
Mrs. Holmes had one son, John Murphy, by a former marriage. One of Mr.
Holmes' sons learned the printing business with the late William Trench, and
all of his children have shown marked ability in their various avocations.
JOSHUA POLING.
A farmer residing on Sec34. His postoffice address is Magnolia. Mr.
Poling was born in Fairfield county. Ohio, in 1828, and located in this
county in 1854. In the year 1856 he was married to Miss Sarah Hunt, a native
of Putnam county, who was born in 1831. They have five children. John W.,
Phillip, Clara Bell, Mary E. and Willis. Mr. Poling's homestead consists of
seventy acres of land, all improved. George Hollenback. Mrs. Poling's uncle,
lived in Kendall county at the beginning of the Black Hawk war, and with
others was warned off by Shabbona, but did not leave until the enemy
appeared. He hid his money in the ground outside his cabin when he left, but
after going a short distance returned for it, when the Indians discovered
and pursued him. He escaped by taking to the swamp, spent one night in a
tree top, and finally secured safety and shelter under the roof of a friend.
He soon returned and found his house in ashes but his money was all right
where he had hidden it.
DR. LARNED DAVIS.
This gentleman, postmaster at Palatine and a merchant, was born in Franklin
county, Mass., in 1811, and located in this county in 1841. Sept. 5th, 1833,
he married Mary Parmenter, who was also born in Massachusetts, in 1814. She
died July 29th, 1848, leaving five children, one of whom has since died. The
living are John, Dwight, Otis and Mary. April 5th, 1859, Mr. Davis married
Keziah Loughlin a native of Brown county, Ohio. He has been in the
mercantile business and occupied the position of postmaster since 1859. He
owns 80 acres of land adjoining Palatine, beside his residence and business
property. Mrs. D. is a member of the Congregational church.
JOHN HAWES.
Mr. Hawes is a farmer, born in Clinton county, Ohio, who, along with his
parents, came to Putnam county in 1838 and located in this township. His
wife was formerly Ella Z. Kellar, born in Fayette county, Penn., whom he
married in 1862. They have three children, John E., Mary L. and Lizzie H.
Mrs. Hawes died March 18th, 1879. She was a very estimable woman and a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Although a comparatively young
man Mr. Hawes has been fortunate beyond the majority of persons, owning 300
acres of fine farming land in this county and Marshall, and a beautiful
residence near Magnolia.
JOSHUA S. MILLS.
Mr. Mills is one of the wealthiest real estate owners in Putnam county, and
a very successful farmer. He was born in Washington county. Pa., in 1821 and
came to Putnam county in 1842. In 1850 he married Hannah S. Hoyle, born in
Ohio, and to them have been given Mary L., S. F., Edith Ann and Ruth E. 1
hey belong to the Society of Friends. Mr. Mills owns 910 acres under
cultivation and 110 acres of timber. His home is one of the pleasantest in a
township noted for its fine residences, and his farm shows what intelligent
management can effect in a country like Illinois.
MOSES DUGAN.
The subject of this sketch is a farmer, located on Sec5, Magnolia
township, though his postoffice address is Hennepin. Mr. Dugan was born in
Chester county, Pa., in 1820. With his parents he located when a child in
Harrison county, Ohio, where he resided until 1836, when he took up his
residence in this county. He owns 290 acres of land in Putnam, and 80 acres
in La Salle county, and his farm is one of the neatest in the county.
DENNIS SPRINGER.
A farmer located in Sec4, his postoffice address being Cottage Hill.
Mr. Springer was born in Fayette county. Pa., in 1852, settled in Putnam
county in 1875, and the same year married Miss Sarah A. Dininger, who is
also a native of Pennsylvania. They have two children, Drusilla H. and
Carrie May. Mr. S. owns 95 acres of land in a good state of cultivation.
WILLIAM P. HOYLE.
Residence in Sec4. Postoffice, Mount Palatine. Mr. Hoyle was born in
this township July 4th, 1849. In 1874 he married Miss Alvira Hoyle, a native
of Ohio, born July 15, 1851. They have three children, Elizabeth J., Sarah
W. and J. Warren. Mrs. Hoyle is a member of the Society of Friends. Mr.
William Hoyle, father of the subject of this sketch, came to Putnam county
in 1832, and was one of the organizers of the Friends' church at Clear
Creek. He died in 1875. Mr. Hoyle owns 600 acres of improved land, and is
one of the school directors of his district.
ABEL MILLS.
Mr. Mills is a farmer, born in Pennsylvania in 1829 and came to Illinois
when eleven years old. He was married to Elizabeth Bosley in 1850. She died
in 1865 leaving seven children, two of whom have since followed her to the
grave. The living are Martha, Milton, Huldah H., Oliver P. and William L. In
1866 Mr. M. was married again to Elizabeth, daughter of Amos Wilson, born in
Belmont county, Ohio, in 1835. They have five children, Charles, W,
Clarence, Albert L,, Amos P., and Le Roy A. They are members of the Society
of Friends. Mr. Mills has held several minor offices and is president of the
Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres
with first-class improvements
MASON WILSON.
Mr. Wilson was born and has always lived in this township, his existence
dating back to 1844. His wife was formerly Laura E. Bell and her native
place was Belmont county, Ohio. They have two children, James F. and Blanche
E. His father, Bird Wilson, came to this county in 1831 and died in 1872. He
was a gold hunter in California in early times, having made the trip across
the plains in 1859. Mr. Wilson has a very pleasant home on a farm of 80
acres.
JOHN SWANEY.
Postmaster, Clear Creek, Magnolia township, Illinois.
WILLIAM S. SCHMID.
Mr. Schmid is a merchant, residing and doing business in Mount Palatine. He
was born in Switzerland, in 1838, came to the United States in 1855, and
located in Peru , Ill. In 1866 he married Mrs. Barbara Kleinsmitz, a native
of Bavaria. She has one child by a former marriage, Mary R. Kleinsmitz, born
September 24, 1860. Mr. S. is a Lutheran, while his wife and daughter belong
to the Catholic church. August 9, 1861, Mr. Schmid enlisted in Co. K, 11th
Ill., Vol. Inf., as a corporal, and served under General Grant until 17th
October, 1865. He carries a general stock of goods suitable to his trade.
HENRY DOSE.
Mr. Dose is a farmer, living in Palatine. He was born in Alsace, France, in
1823, came to this country in 1847, and located in Putnam county in 1867. He
married Miss Catherine Errick, a native of Bavaria, Germany, their onion
being blessed with seven children, Christiana, Philip, Theodore, Lawrence,
Mary, Theresa, and Michael. They are members of the Catholic church. Mr.
Dose owns 157 acres of land, all improved.
JAMES G. LAUGHLIN.
Mr. Laughlin is a farmer, living at Mount Palatine, who was born in Bond
county, Ill., October 6, 1824, and with his parents came to Putnam county in
1830. He married Julia Smith, born in Herkimer county. New York, in 1850,
lived a while in Orange county, and came to Illinois in 1847. They have
eight children - Marion E., Charles Emmett, Antoinette, John R., James A.,
Jennie, Samuel F. and Chester H., and one (Mabel) deceased. They are members
of the Congregational church. He owns an improved farm of 160 acres, and
other land, and is one of the leading citizens of the place.
ADAM MATERN.
A farmer, living on Sec12, post office, Mount Palatine. Mr. Matern was
born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1826. He came to this country in 1844, and
located in this county, on Sec13, range 2. In 1854 he married Miss
Theresa Amrahn, also a native of Bavaria, by whom he has seven children,
Michael, Elizabeth. Joseph, Barnard, Theresa, William and Henry, and three
deceased. They are members of the Catholic church. Mr. M. has served the
community in the capacity of a school director for a number of years. He
owns 255 acres of improved land, with good buildings.
YOUNG A. GLENN.
Mr. Glenn is a farmer, born in McLean county, in this State, in 1828. His
father was an early settler here, coming in 1822. Mr. Glenn, Sr., was well
known, and stood high in the community. He raised several sons, who settled
in the vicinity, and made themselves comfortably independent. The subject of
this sketch was married in 1854 to Elizabeth German, born in Ohio in 1832.
They have four children living, viz., Isaac D., Cordelia B., Clara E., Ann
E., and Young Sherman. He takes a marked interest in schools and educational
matters, having been a school director since twenty-two years of age.
Although unable to perform manual labor, he is one of the most successful
farmers in the county, owning 365 acres of improved land in the very garden
of Illinois. He is extensively engaged in stock raising, owning a fine herd
of blooded cattle.
JACOB MAULFAIR.
The subject of this notice is a farmer living on Sec5, whose post
office address is Florid. He was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in
1834, came to Putnam county in 1856, and in 1869 married Mary A. Chance, a
native of Putnam. They have four children Seltzer, Early, Chauncy and Jacob
. He is a large land-holder and good farmer, owning 280 acres of improved
land in Putnam, and 120 acres elsewhere. He is a good farmer, industrious
and prosperous.
EDWIN GAYLORD, M. D.
Dr. Gaylord was born in Tioga county, Pa., February 5, 1834, and completed
his education at Judson College, Mount Palatine. Choosing the medical
profession, he qualified himself for practice by a severe course of study,
attending lectures at the Medical Department of the University of Michigan,
and at Rush College, Chicago, where he graduated at the age of twenty-one.
Three years he devoted to practice at Kewanee, and then entered the Medical
College of Tennessee, where he received a diploma. He was promoted a surgeon
in the army, and served until he resigned. He comes from an old family, and
traces his lineage in a direct line back to 1630. He is the youngest son of
the late Aaron Gaylord of Marshall county, and grandson of Lemuel Gaylord, a
soldier of the Revolution, whose honored remains rest in Cumberland
cemetery, on Sandy Creek, Marshall county. Here likewise rests his father,
who was born in 1792, and died in 1834. The doctor is wedded to his
profession, and well read up in the medical literature of the day. He is
both progressive and successful in business.
WILLIAM NEWBURN.
This gentleman is a farmer living in Sec4. Postoffice, Hennepin. Mr.
Newburn was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1824, and located in this county
when eighteen years of age. In 1852 he married Leah Harley, who was born in
Lancaster county Pa., in 1828. They have seven children, Samuel H., John W.,
Mary E., Amy, Martha A., Irene and William. Mr. N. has served in the
district in which he resides in the capacity of a school director for
several years. He owns 200 acres of improved land, with good residence and
other buildings.
JOHN McNABB.
Mr. McNabb, as his name indicates, is a Scotchman by birth, born in 1809,
and came to the United States in 1826. He first landed in the state of New
York where he enlisted in the regular service and served against the Indians
in Florida, under Gen. Scott, where he was disabled and discharged from the
service with a pension. He came to Putnam county in 1838 and married
Margaret Morrison in that year, a country woman of his, by whom he has had
six children, David, Robert, James, John, Orella and James. He owns 160
acres of land and attends the Congregational church.
WILLIAM HAWES, Jr.
Mr. Hawes was born Clinton county, Ohio, in 1833, and came to Putnam county
with his parents when five years old. In 1858 he married Ellen Klisbee, born
in Lacon, by whom he has one child, now Mrs. Roberts. Mrs. Hawes died in
1864. In 1865 he was married again to Mary J. Trone, of York county. Pa. Mr.
Hawes has served his township two terms as supervisor, has been a school
director seven years, and is now serving as a member of the town council and
President of the Board. He owns two farms, embracing 360 acres, with a fine
residence and grounds adjoining town.
S. T. ENGLAND.
Mr. England is a farmer, living on Sec2, in Mount Palatine. He was born
in Washington county. Pa., in 1835, and located in Putnam county in 1865. In
1860 he married Miss Therasa Larimer, who was born in Westmoreland county.
Pa. They have four children living - Laura, James, Emma and George. The
family attend services at the Friends church. Mr. E. is very pleasantly
situated, and his farm of one hundred acres is valuable.
DAVID SWANEY.
Mr. Swaney is a farmer, residing on Sec9, postoffice. Clear Creek. He
was born in Dauphin county, Pa., in 1827, and came to this county with his
uncle in 1840. In 1853 he married Mary A. Hoyle, a native of Belmont county,
Ohio, their children being three in number, Joseph H., Willis H. and
Clarence C. Mr. S owns 440 acres of land, all improved. He furnished a
substitute during the war. Mrs. Swaney is a member of the Society of
Friends.
L. STUDYVIN.
Mr. Studyvin lives on Sec8, and his postoffice is at Hennepin. He was
born in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1825, and came to Putnam county when a
child of seven in 1832. In 1856 he wedded Abbie Mullens, born in Preble
county, Ohio. They have seven children, Calvin Jr., Inez M., Samuel W.,
Clara A., William E., Isaac A, and Maggie A. He owns 177 acres of well
improved land, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
FRED WOLF.
Mr. Wolf is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born in 1841, and
came to the United States in 1848. He landed first in Putnam county, then
removed to LaSalle, and finally returned to Putnam in 1865, where he has
since resided. In 1863, he wedded Clara Mardin, born in Putnam county, by
whom he has seven children, George, Emma, Edward, Clara, Louis, Fred, and
Martin. They are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Wolf is a first class
farmer and a hard worker, owning 200 acres of well improved land in Putnam,
and 100 in La Salle county.
JAMES ANDERSON.
Mr. Anderson was born in Delaware county Pennsylvania in 1828, moved with
his parents to Ohio in 1829, and from thence to Putnam county. He married
Mary B. McCabe, of Trenton, New Jersey, in 1852, who was born in 1826. They
have two children living - Ann E. and Philip B. Mrs. Anderson is a member of
the M. E. church. He owns eighty acres of land under excellent cultivation,
with good improvements, and was one of the first to see and appreciate the
advantages of using drain tile.
MICHAEL WOLF.
The subject of this sketch came from the "Fatherland,” having been born in
Bavaria in 1832, and emigrated to this country in 1848, first locating in
LaSalle county, He married Eva M. Herrmine in 1854. She was born in Germany.
They have six children - four sons and two daughters, viz., Theodore F.,
Jacob, Theresa, Frank, Peter, and Lizzie, and belong to the Catholic faith.
Mr. Wolf is energetic and pushing, a good manager, hard working and
industrious. He owns a finely cultivated farm of 240 acres a good brick
dwelling house and first class improvements.
ISAAC S. HAM.
Mr. Ham is a farmer residing on Sec17. Postoffice, Ox Bow. He was born
in Kennebec, Maine, in 1807, moved with his parents to New York in 1811,
thence to Adams county, Ohio, in 1819, where Mr. H. remained until 1845,
when he moved to this county, located on his present homestead, and built a
water mill, which he has run up to the last year, cutting about two million
feet of lumber. In 1849 he married Miss Maria Cynthia, Murch, a native of
Courtland county, New York, born in 1828. They have three children living, -
Mary E., Harry C. and Wayne I. They attend the M. E. church, in the Sabbath
school of which Mrs. Ham has been a teacher many years. She is a lady of
refinement and intelligence, and a most pleasant neighbor. Mr. Ham is a
millwright, and has built several mills in other sections of this state and
in Kentucky. He owns 122 acres of improved land, and has a very pleasant
residence, romantically situated in the timber on Clear Creek, near
Caledonia.
EDWARD JAKES.
Mr. Jakes is a farmer, whose postoffice address is Ox Bow, although he
resides on Sec13, Hennepin township. He was born in Northamptonshire,
England, in 1817, came to this country in 1835, and after a brief sojourn in
New York state, enlisted in the Fourth Infantry, regular army, under Col.
Zach. Taylor, and served three years in the war against the Seminole, Creek
and Cherokee Indians in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. He was discharged at
Paducah, Ky., in 1838, and in 1843 married, in that state. Mrs. Margaret
Dunbar (Young). She was a native of Ohio, and had three children by a former
marriage, Clarissa, Elizabeth and Clarinda. Mr. Jakes owns 180 acres of land
in a good state of cultivation.
NEWTON J. MATHIS.
Mr. Mathis is a farmer living on Sec30. Postoffice, Ox Bow. He was born
in Champaign county, Ohio, November 22, 1837, located in Putnam county in
1842, and in 1858 married Miss Mary J. Seybold. She was born in Warren
county, Ill., October 14, 1839. They have three children living - William
Leslie, Edward A. and James N. They are members of the M.. E. church, and he
is a member of the board of school directors in his district. He has 225
acres of land, with good improvements.
Extracted from Records of the Olden Time.
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