History of Tazewell county, Illinois ; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons and biographies of representative citizens. History of Illinois ... Digest of state laws online

Johii Ackerman, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 26 ; P. O., Grove-
land. This gentleman, who has been living in this county for thirty-
four years, was born in Germany, May 24, 1819, and is the son of
Jacob and Catherine (Redeger) Ackerman. He attended the com-
mon schools of the Fatherland and gleaned a good education, which,
with his practical knowledge, fits him for an active business life.
He was married July 13, 1845, to Magdalena Birke, who died, and
he again was joined in marriage, Feb. 9, 1871, with Elizabeth
Sutter. He is the parent of ten children, all of whom are living
save one.

Lutie Burhans. Miss Burhans was born in Chicago, 111., Sept. 27,
1856. Her father, Henry J. Burhans, was born in New York State,
April 17, 1818. Her mother, Abigail Tarbell, was born in Vermont,
Nov. 9, 1817. They were married July 13, 1839, at Peoria, 111.



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 479

They had born to them six children, five of whom are now living.
Mr. Burhans died in Chicago, Sept. 12, 1859. His widow came to
Groveland in 1859, and with her youngest daughter, Lutie, reside
at their own beautiful home. Miss Lutie is engaged in s-chool
teaching. She only received a common scool education, and now
teaches in the same school where she was educated. She has taught
here for a year and a half to the entire satisfaction of all. She has
taught fourteen months elsewhere. Post-ofhce, Groveland.

G. D. Dissman, farmer and coal miner, was born in Prussia,
March 15, 1828, and came to this county in 1849. His parents
were William and Elizabeth Dissman, Prussians. He served as
surgeon in Louisiana volunteers in the war between L^nited States
and Mexico. He was at Vera Cruz and the surrounding country
conducting supply trains from place to place. The company in
which he served, composed of sixty men, and twenty-four teamsters,
put to rout 5,000 Mexican lancers, while conducting twelve wagons
load of money to the head of the army, at the city of ^Mexico.
The Captain, a German, formed his men into a circle around the
wagons. They waited until the enemy advanced to within fifty
yards of them, when they all fired at once and the Mexicans dis-
persed. He was married to Christiana Harmon in 1847. They
have only five children living, out of the eleven that have been
born to them. On his farm, section 19, he has a coal shaft 86 feet
deep, and gets a good article of soft coal. The first vein of coal is
16 feet from the surface and over 4 feet thick, but very irregular in
thickness, so they go to the second vein. He works four or five
men. Post-office, Pekin.

Fredrick Hamm, shoemaker, sec. 17; was born in Bavaria, Ger.,
Aug. 18, 1815. His parents were Jacob and M. E. (Brown) Hamm,
natives of the same country. Mr. H. was educated in the common
schools of Bavaria, and came to the United States in 1836, and to
this county in 1848. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimo-
ny with Miss S. Kamige, April 2, 1842. Their children number
six, five living, one dead. He made a confession of his faith in the
Savior of the world, in 1837, and is connected with the Evangelical
Association. Post-office, Peoria.

Benjamin H. Harris, physician, Groveland, is a son of Lemuel
and Mary (Kearmy) Harris, of West Chester county, N. Y., where
he was born. He prepared himself and entered the medical depart-
ment of St. Louis Univ^ersity and graduated. On the 23rd of July,
1846, he was married to Ann Hutchison. They have had born to
them three children all of whom are living. Dr. Harris united
with the Baptist Church in 1843. Politically he is a Republican.

John A. Hodge was born in Pekin, this county, Oct. 16, 1850;
received his education in the common schools of Groveland and en-
tered upon the occupation of farming. Mrs. Kezer Hancock, foster-
mother of Mr. Hodge, who took him while an infant and with
whom he has since lived, came to this countv in 1831. The hard-



480 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

ships of that snowy winter will never be forgotten by ber. She
was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Hodge advocates the principles
promulgated by the Republican party. Residence, sec. 21 ; P. O.,
Groveland.

William Hodgson, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 32 ; P. O., Pekin.
This gentleman came into the county at an early day, and at the
time was sixteen years old. Soon thereafter he entered upon the
duties of active life, and has proven himself equal to mould his own
destiny, very largely. He has accumulated considerable property —
enough to give each of seven children a small farm, and still have a
farm left. He has been a member of the Christian Church since
about 1866. In his habits he is temperate, never having bought a
drink of liquor in his life. He is the son of Amos and Mary (Bar-
nett) Hodgson, North Carolinians, and was born in Clinton Co., O.,
Aug. 15, 1816. He was married Dec. 18, 1836, to Phoebe Bennett.
They have had eight children born to them, seven living. He has
filled several local official positions.

Lewis Kepcha, farmer, was born in Germany, Sept. 25, 1825. His
parents were also Germans. They were Lewis and Margaret (Bruk)
Kepcha. He came to this county from Pennsylvania in 1851 ; had
only opportunities of attending the common schools. He took
unto himself a wife on the 27th of Feb., 1848, in the person of
Mary Ankeney. Mr. K. is a member of the German Lutheran
Church, having made the good confession about 1845. He identi-
fies himself with the Republican party. P. O., Pekin.

George Landes, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 35, is a native of
Elm Grove township, this county, having been born there Jan. 26,
1831. His parents, Joseph and Jane (Mitchell) Landes, were early
settlers of this county. He received a limited common school edu-
cation. June 22, 1859, he was married to Barbara Smith. Three
children have been born to them, one of whom, only, is now living.
In politics he is " Republican to the core." P. O., Groveland.

Joseph Landes. Mr. Landes is one of the pioneers of Tazewell
county, having emigrated here Oct. 17, 1830. One year and a half
later he entered the Black Hawk war, serving in Capt. Adams' Co.
He was in the command of ]\Iajor Stillman, and took part in the
famous battle of Stillman's Run, and was one of the number that
made good their escape. He is one of four or five Black-Hawk war
soldiers now living in the county. He was born in Hampshire Co.,
Ya., Sept. 16, 1803. His parents, Rudolph and Nancy (Plum)
Landes, were Virginians, He received his education in the log
school-house of Pickaway county, O. He has been twice married:
the first time to Jane Mitchell, April 8, 1830. His second marriage
occurred April 15, 1858, and was with Elizabeth Hathaway. He is
the father of eight children, three boys and five girls, four of whom
are living. He is a Republican in politics, and "proud of it."
Post-office, Groveland.

George Lux was born in Elsass, France, June 4, 1811. He came



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 481

from France, in 1830, to Wayne county, X. Y., married and lived
there until 1844, when he came to Chicago. In 1847 he bought a
farm on sec. 7, this township, and finally settled on sec. 16, where
he now lives and is engaged in fanning and stock raising. He at
first was engaged in the carpenter's trade. Mr. L. was the first of a
large nuuiber who came from Wayne county, and led the way for
the others, among whom are many of the most substantial citizens
and farmers of this township. His parents, George F. and ]\[ary E.
(Velden) Lux, were natives of France. He has held the office of
Justice of the Peace for two terms, and other offices. March 18,
1833, he was married to Magdalena Rtunige, who has borne him
twelve children, nine of whom are now living. He united witii the
Baptist Church, at Peoria, in ISGG. Politically he is a Republican.
He was the first German-French Whig in Xew York State, and led
many others to follow him as such. Post-office, Pckin.

B. J. Montgomery, farmer, sec. 31 ; P. O., Pckin, This gentleman
is well advanced in years, having been born Feb. 8, 1799. He is
quite spry for a m:in past fourscore. He is the son of Elisha and
Margaret Montgomery, natives of Kentucky, and he was born in
Washington Co. of that State. He came to this county in October,
1835, and has since won the love and esteem of thousands. Before
coming here, in 1820, he traveled from Charleston, S. C, to Council
Bluffs, Iowa, by land, and in 1823 went from the Gulf of Mexico
to the same city. He is a self-educated man, and his first wife
taught him the rudiments. He has lived a long, peaceable, quiet
life, and now in the evening of his earthly journey he can say,
I never sued a man in my life, and the law was never required
to collect a debt from m-j. But few can say that even at a much
earlier age. He enlisted in the Black Hawk war, but was dis-
charged without service. He has held many local offices. In 1829,
Sept. 22, he was mirricd to Elizabeth Walker. In 183G, May 7,
he was married again, this time to Eliza Drace. He has five child-
ren living and seven dead.

John Mooberry, Sr. A review of the life of a gentleman such as
we have here is interesting in the extreme. He was born in York
Co., Pa., Feb. 2, 1801, and is the son of AVilliam and Eliz;il)eth
(Ramsey) Mooberry, natives of the same State, He went to Colum-
bus when a young man and came to this township in Oct., 1832,
and settled on sec. 14, where he has resided ever since. He visited
the county in 1830, and again in the spring of 1832, and satisfied
himself that no better location could be found than Tazewell Co.
He bought his farm in June, and returned to Ohio after his family.
There were but few settlers here when he came. The country was
almost one vast wilderness, the red-man its owner. Rev. Neele
Johnson was preaching in Pleasant Grove when he came in 1832.
In the winter of 1831-32 the intensest cold weather prevailed.
For forty days the snow did not thaw enough to run from the eaves.
This was called the cold winter, the previous one the snowy winter.



482 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

When Mr. M. and family were nearing their Western journey they
met a family returning to " Indianar." On being asked why they
were leaving such a good country as this was said to be, the woman
replied, " well, this may be a very good country for men, but its the
devil on woman and oxen." Mrs. M. tells us that she had to light
a candle to enable the family to see to eat breakfast, dinner, and
supper during the first winter. When summer came they sawed
out a log to let in the light of heaven and made oiled-paper "glass"
to prevent the rain from pouring in.

Mr. M. attended the common schools of Ohio, where they had
the alphabet pasted on a board and a sch(jol-house with greased
paper windows. He has been successful in life and has been enabled
to give a good "setting out" to each of thirteen children. Jan.
25, 1825, he was married to Lydia Merion, who bore him fourteen
children, eleven of whom are now living. John York, a grandson
of Mr. M., was born Sept. 6, 1862. His mother, Lydia E. (Moo-
berry) York, died when her son was an infant of eleven days old.
His grandparents took him at the age of one year and have cared
for him since. He is a lover of history, and his grandfather has
willed that he shall have his copy of the History of Tazewell
County.

John S. Mooberry, farmer, see. 14, was born in Franklin Co., O.,
Nov. 5, 1826. He is the son of Daniel and Margaret (Stunbaugh)
Mooberry, natives of Pennsylvania. At the early age of six John
was brought to this township by his parents, and ever since has
been identified with the interests of Groveland. Few men live so
long in one locality as has Mr. ]\I. He owns good farm property to
the amount of 340 acres, well improved. He has held local offices
such as J. P., Collector, Road Com., School Trustee and Director.
On the 7th of Jan., 1851, he was married to Jane Cunningham.
She was the mother of seven children, six of whom are noAV living.
She died April 10, 1877. He advocates the principles of the Re-
publican party. Post-office, Groveland.

'J. a Finckardv^AA born in Alton, 111., Feb. 18, 1820. His
parents, William G., and Eliza (Warren) Pinckard, were natives of
Virginia. Mr. P. came to this county in 1839, resides on sec. 26.
He received his education in common schools and McKindry Col-
lege. For nineteen years he was a traveling minister in the M. E.
Church, and for twenty years has been living on a farm, and grown
considerable fruit. He has held the office of Assessor, Collector
and Road Commissioner. March 1, 1843, he was united in mar-
riage with M. C. Gibson. They have ten children, six of whom,^
however, live on the shores of eternity. He made a profession of
religion when in his tenth year of age, and united with the M. E.
Church. He regards that as the most im])()rtant event in his life to
be commemorated. Mr. P. was a junior preacher with the celebrated
Zadock Hall, of pioneer fame. Republican in politics. Post-office,
Groveland,



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 483

George Ramige, preacher, was born in Germany, Oct. 22, 1811.
His parents were Henry and Sally (Koontz) Ramige, of Germany.
Mr. R. came to Wayne, N. Y., in 1829, and to Groveland in 1848.
He was educated in the common schools of his native country. He
first entered upon the ministry of the Gospel, then changed to farm-
ing, but has returned to proclaiming the "glad tidings" again. He
resides on section 7. He was a traveling preacher in the State of
New York for nine years, but his health failed him, and since has
been a local preacher. Feb. 22, 1834, he was married to Barbara
Eyers. They are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are
living. He made a profession of religion in 1836; is now connect-
ed with Zion Church of Evangelical Association of North America.
In politics he is a Republican. Post-office, Pekin.

Benjamin Roe, farmer, is the son of John and Sarah (McCune)
Roe, Virginians, and was born in Posey county, Ind., Nov. 15,
1811. He came to this from Fulton county, 111., in 1846. He
attended the common schools for only eighty-eight days, yet has
held six commissions to important position from the Governors and
President. He has been Justice of the Peace for two terms, Enroll-
ing Officer, Provost Marshall, Notary Public, and United States
Assessor. Nov. 7, 1833, he was married to Susan Whaley, and to
his second wife, Helen Davison, July 24, 1838. He is the parent
of four sons and seven daughters. Religiously he has been a
life-long Swedcnborgian. Before the freedom of the slaves he was
a radical Abolitionist, now an independent voter. Post-office,
Groveland.

John Shannon was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, Aug.
16, 1789, and is therefore over ninety years old. His parents were
Robert and Jane (McElhany) Shannon. Mr. Shannon came to this
county from Ohio in 1834, and located on sec. 15, Groveland town-
ship, where he has since continued to reside. All who know Mr. S.,
and they are many, know him to be an upright, kind and benevo-
lent man, always ready to extend a helping hand to the needy.
Many a person will bless the day they first saw Mr. S. and accepted
the free and kindly offers from his generous and bountiful hands.
Mr. S. remembers when there stood a pioneer horse-mill at Pleasant
Grove, Elm Grove township. It did a good business, and was a
great help and convenience to the early settlers. The pioneers
found it an exceedingly difficult matter to do their marketing at
some seasons of the year. Peoria was the point where most of the
people in the northern part of the county went to do their trading.
Often Mr. S. has seen the river banks full to overflowing, and the
current sometimes more than a mile wide. When no further than a
half dozen miles from Peoria, the hindrances were often so great
that pioneers who started in the morning did not get home till mid-
night. No bridge then, nor steam ferry, only a flatboat or skiif in
which to make the transit. Mr. S. was in the war of 1812 and
served in Ohio. He was a member of Gen. Foos' battalion, to keep



484 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

back the Indians after Gen. Hull's surrender, March 9, 1826, he
was married to Mary Stambaugh, who was born Feb. 11, 1799.
They had six children, only two of whom are living: Mrs. Eliza-
beth Cleveland and Mrs. Margaret Hancock. Mr. S. made a pro-
fession of religion in 1835, and united with the Presbyterian Church.
He is now connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
He has always lived a quiet and peaceable life with all men, and ex-
pects soon to pass over and join the Church Triumphant. He is
"Kepublican in sentiment, always." Mr. S. was formerly a large
stock raiser and farmer, but has retired from active business, and is
spending his declining days with his son-in-law, Horace Hancock.
Post-office, Groveland,

Isaac Smith, farmer and small fruit grower, resides upon section
7. His parents, Samuel B. and James (Smalley) Smith, (the former
a native of Kentucky the latter of Ohio,) came to Tazewell county
and were living in Mackinaw township when their son Isaac was
born, which was May 25, 1853. His father was a Methodist minis-
ter, and Isaac attended the common schools wherever his father
chanced to reside, and the graded school at Morton. February 16,
1874, he was married to Abbie Welcher. Politically he is "for the
honest, loyal man wherever he may be." Post-office, Hilton.

Joseph Strickfaden came from Wayne county, N. Y., to Tazewell
county, in 1848. He resides upon section 20, and is engaged in
farming, owning 1,000 acres of land, which is the best indications
of a successful life one can oifer. Mr. Strickfaden was born in
Baden, Germany, Feb. 22, 1814. His parents, Andrew and Eliza-
beth (Yost) Strickfaden, were also Germans. He was educated in
the common schools of his native land. He has held the office of
Road Commissioner for nine years, and that of School Director for
sixteen years. February 4, 1838, he was married to Mary E.
Ramige. They have had borne to them eleven children, ten of
whom are yet living. He made a profession of religion in 1838,
and is connected Avith the Evangelical Association of North Amer-
ica. He is a "Black Abolitionist" in politics. Post-office, Pekin.

William Strickfaden, farmer and stock raiser, section 17, was born
in Wayne county, N. Y., Jan, 6, 1840. His father, Joseph Strick-
faden, was a native of Baden, Germany, Mhile his mother, Mary E.
Pamige, was born in France. ]Mr. S. came to this county when a
lad of eight years of age. He had a very limited common school
education. He entered the U. S. service during the trying days of
the Rebellion, and served as corporal in Co. B, 108th 111. Infantry.
Took part in the siege of Vi('ksl)urg, and many other noted engage-
ments. He was united in mai'riage witli Elizabeth Preacher, Nov.
6, 1865, who has borne him three sons and two daughters, three of
whom are now living. Made a confession of his faith in our Savior
in 1859, and is c(innectcd with the Zions Church, Evangelical Asso-
ciation, Groveland. Politically he is "a Republican that stands up
for his own rights." Post-office, Pekin.



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 485

George W. Tou-ne was born on sec. 18 of this township, March 15,
1844. He attcMidotl the common schools here and received a good
education, wliic-h, coujiU'd with his practical knowledge, fits him for
an active and successful life. He has lu'ld many of the local official
positions. March 11, 1809, he was united in marriage to Angeline
]Meyer, but was not permitted to enjoy her society long after the
happv union. While ridiug in a sleigh on the 18th of Jan., 1871,
in company with his wife, infant son, and his wife's sister. Miss M.
Meyer, the horses took fright, turned u[)on the approach from the
bridge, was thrown over, and his beloved wife received a fatal injury.
Her skull was fractured by her striking the fence, and she expired
witiiin half an hour. She left one son, Earnest ()., born January 2,
1870, and an affectionate husband to mourn her sudden death.

Lewis S. White, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Sangamon
countv. 111., March 23, 1842. His parents were Robert White, a
native of Ohio, and Mary Short, a Kentuckian. They were married
in Springfield, 111. When a lad of six years of age Lewis was
brought to this county. He resides on sec. 9. He served in Co.
D., ilth Illinois Cavalry. He has been married twice : the first
time, Jan. 2(3, 1865, to Miranda Stout, and Nov. 3, 1872, to Cather-
ine L. Swan. His children number four living, two dead. Robert
B., born Oct. 26, 1862; Drusilla B., April 17, 1873; Flavel L.,
born March 3, 1877; Lewis B., born Feb. 8, 1879; James Henry,
born Dec. 26, 1874, died by being scalded May 17, 1876; Thomas,
born Aug. 17, 1864, died April 17, 1865. Politically he is a Dem-
ocrat. Post-office, Hilton, Tazewell county.

The following are the officers who have served the township :

SUPERVISOUS.

George L. Parker 1850-51 Benjamin H. Harris 1867-71

Robert Bradshaw 1852-54 J. W. Mooberry 1872

Charles G. Hinnian 1855 Geo. Landes 1873-74

C. S. Worthington 1856-58 F. Shurtleff 1875

Robert Bradshaw 1859 Geo. Landes 1876

C S Worthinjzton 1860-61 Joel T. O'Brien 1877-78

John W. Caldwell 186:5-64 C. S. Worthington 1879

F. H. Hancock 1865-66

TOWN-CLERKS.

George B. Elliott 1854 Geo. H. Smith 1868-72

L. Stookwell 1855-63 N. A. H. Worthington 1873-75

F. H. Hancock 1864 George W. Franks 1876-78

E. C. McKibben 1865-66 E. C. McKibben. 1879

J. F. McGinnis 1867

ASSESSORS.

T.M. Wiles. 1854 F. Hamm 1864

Geo. F. Cleaveland 1855 L. Stockwell 1865

Dwight Clark 1856 A.Harding 1866-69

J. W.Moreland 1857 W. Anderson 1870-72

B.W.Parker 1858-59 SchnvU-r Scriver ; 1873

H. S. McKibben 1861 Washington Anderson 1874-79

C. R. Johnson 1863



486 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

COLLECTOES.

J. V. K. West 1854 William Ramige 1870

H. S. McKibben 1856-58 Daviil Sammons. 1871

George Hinman 1859 Charles Burhans 1872

J. G. Lyford 1861 James Bradsh aw 1873

John C. Pinckard 1863 Austin Harding 1874

Fred. Ramige 1864 F.Zimmerman 1875

J. W. Mooberry 1865 J. W. Craft 1876

J. Eller 1866 Wm. Strifkfaden 1877

Alex. Mooberry 1867 George W.Towns 1878

Washington Anderson 1868 E. T. Burns 1879

Edwin O'Brian 1869



HITTLE TOWNSHIP.



The first settlers of Hittle township were George Hittle, Jonas
Hittle, his son, and John W. Judy, his son-in-law, with their fami-
lies. They left Ohio in the fall of 1825 and stopped a short time
in Sangamon county, where they gathered corn on shares, thus
earning sufficient to carry them through the winter. After cold
weather set in these pioneers began looking for a permanent place of
abode. Starting northward they visited Pekin, (then called Town
Site, and consisting of three cabins,) and Fort Clark (Peoria).
Turning about they passed through Pleasant Grove, where they
found an abundance of hard maple timber. The opportunity to
make sugar at home in those days was no slight consideration, and
the party thought this was surely the place for them. Making a
claim, they continued southward, and were still more pleased with
the beautiful black walnut timber, where the Orendortf' s afterward
settled, in Hopedale. They therefore abandoned their first claim,
made a second one here, and once more started on their journey.
Stopping at the home of Robert Music, on Sugar creek, where Gov-
ernment surveyors had boarded, they were told that the finest piece
of timber in the whole country was about eighteen miles above.
Turning their horses in a northerly direction they soon reached the
place. The sight of such beautiful black walnut, hard maple and
oak filled them with delight, and straightway they made a third
and final claim. Having erected rude huts, they returned to Sanga-
mon for their families and goods, and quickly set out for their new
homes. John Judy was the only one who had a horse team, and he
reached the destination one day ahead of the others — namely, on
Feb. 20, 1826. But as George Hittle was the patriarch of this new
community, both the grove and township have taken his name.



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 487

Jacob H., (son of John W. Judy,) who was then a child of four
years of age, has lived in the township ever since, and he is, there-
fore, the oldest settler in the community. In the following year
William Burt and the Hainlines settled near by, and about the same
time two families by the names of Perry and Williamson. In 1828,
William Hieronymus settled on the east fork of Sugar creek,
where two of his sons still live. Other early settlers in Hittle
were: Jacob Albright, 1829; Joseph Richmond, 1830; Martin G.