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

building, but at that date that was burned, being set on fire by an
incendiary. The school-house was then used till their new struc-
ture was ready to occupy. The original members were, Mrs. G.
Webb, Mrs. W. W. Campbell, John S. Lilly, John Lilly, Ellen J.
Lilly, Horace Clark and wife, Wm. C. Bartlett, Daniel Bartlett,
Martin Messingcr and wife, Francis Messinger, H. M. Crosby and
wife, and Willard Gray.

Aj)odolical Christian Church is located in the village. The
building is a good frame, erected in 1869, and an addition put up in
1876. It is in size 58 by 60, and cost $3,500. The congregation
was organized in 1853 by Benedict Weynet. The present member-
ship is 150. This Church has no salaried ministers. Geo. Welk
serves as elder.

Before closing the sketch of this township, we wish to give some
personal history, believing such sketches will prove interesting, be-



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 537

sides they contain much of the early history. For this purpose we
mention the following :

John W. Brown is among the oldest native born residents of
Tazewell Co. He was born in Morton township July 31, 1833.
His parents, Rev. William and Permelia (C'ullom) Brown, were
natives of Kentucky and came to this township three years before
the birth of their son John. Rev. Wm. was the pioneer preacher of
this part of the State. He died May 14, 1845, on the form he first
settled upon, (the southeast quarter of section 13,) in October, 1830.
Isreal Slireeves and Moses Norris were the only residents of this
township when Mr. Brown came. Mr. Norris lived on the north-
east quarter of section 23. He remained there only a few years,
when he moved to Iowa; whether living now or not we can not find
out. Mrs. Brown, a sister of the late Major R. N. Cullom, came
to Morton at the time her brother went to Deer Creek. She is still
living. John W. Brown received his education in the old log
school-house, the first one built in the township. He has quit
farming and gone into the village and deals in grain and stock. He
was married April 5, 18o5, to Sarah McBride, who was born Aug.
18, 1833, in Ohio. Their children are Samuel, born Nov. 14, 18o(j,
and Mary P., born Aug. 18, 1859. Residence, Morton.

Robert Barnard. In Essex county Eng., on the 14th day of
Aug., 1030, was born unto Robert and Martha (Chaifee) Barnard,
natives of the same county, their son Robert. From England, in
1851, Robert came to Geneva, N. Y., and the following year to this
county, where he has since resided. He is engaged in forming on
section 12, and, considering the size of the family he has reared, he
has been pretty successful in life. He has held the offices of Road
Commissioner and School Trustee. Aug. 10, 1853, Mr. B. was
united in marriage to Rachael Chaffee. She was born in New York
Feb. 5, 1836. They are the parents often children, eight of whom
are living. Their names and dates of births are as follows : ]5yron
E., born April 20, 'oo; Martha, Oct. 5, 1850; Sarah, Dec. 7, '57;
Susan, Sept. 14, '59; A. Lincoln, Nov., '61; Robert H., Feb. 10,
'63; Marv, Feb. 11, '65; Frederick, Julv 27, '67; Elvina, Feb.
14, '69; Elzina, Feb. 24, '71. Sarah and "Susan died while young.
Mr. B. made a profession of religion in 1860, and both he and his
wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. The latter joined
in Jan. 1879. Post-office, Washington.

Charles R. Crandall, farmer, who lives on sec. 9 ; came to Taze-
well Co. in 1830. He was born of New England parentage, John
Crandall, his father, being from Massachusetts, while his mother,
Mary (Croell) Crandall, was born in Connecticut. Charles was born
Dec. 11, 1812, at Sheldon, Genesee Co., New York. Like most
pioneer formers, Mr. C. began life without money or lands, and to
day he is one of the wealthiest formers, owning a half section of
land under a high state of cultivation and stocked with abundance
of fine stock. All this is the result of industry and integrity of



538 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

character, always indicative of a well rounded Christian life. He
united his fortunes, Jan. 9, 1845, with Elizabeth Norris, of London,
England. Their only son, John H., was born Jan. 9, 1846. Mr.
Crandall embraced the Christian religion in 1850, when he joined the
Baptist Church.

Uriah H. Crosby, one of the early settlers, was born at Bristol,
Ontario Co., N. Y., March 9, 1811. He came here from Ohio, as
far back as 1834, when those only with strong determination and
nerves of steel cared to come. A thousand miles on foot, with rifle
and knapsack, with sore feet and scanty rations, were not pleasant
things to look forward to, but Mr. Crosby was one of those men,
who, in danger, with a destiny to fulfill, never falter; to prove
which his whole life might be called as a witness. His parents were
natives of New Eno;land and Avere humble noble characters. Mr.
Crosby, at the age of 28, on the 18th day of April, 1839, married
Miss Margaret Murray, and from the union sprang nine children,
four of whom — Horatis X., John E., Mary Oliver and Lucinda,
are living. Mr. C. cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson, for Presi-
dent, which fact healudes to with pardonable pride. A strong
Democrat in Jackson's time, he has been a firm Republican since
the day Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. He lives
on sec. 9 ; P. O., Morton.

William H. Conibear, M. D., jNIorton, was born in 1844, and is
the son of Thomas and Ann (Kingdom) Conibear, natives of Eng-
land, and who emigrated to America in 1850. He settled in Peoria
where he resided until 1857, when he came to this county, and
settled in Deer Creek, and after two years moved to Bureau county,
where he died in 1875. The subject of this sketch enlisted, in 1862,
in 112th 111. luf , Co. B, and served until the close of the war. He
participated in the battles of Knoxville, Resecca, Buzzard's Roost,
Kenesaw Mountains, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Bkiir's Cross-
roads, Dallas and Centerville. Dr. C. commenced the study of
medicine at Sheffield, Bureau Co., in 1866, after which he attended
a course of lectures at Rush INIedical College, Chicago. He com-
menced practice in this viHage in 1869, returning to Chicago in
1875, and was graduated from that institution. He was married to
Miss Jane A. Sterling, a native of Greenfield, Conn., where she was
born in 1845. Cornelia A., Charles E., John C. and Eri B. are
their living children. Dr. C. is President of the Board of Trustees,
School Trustee and controls a large practice in his profession.

Joseph Dodds, farmer; was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., Dec. 28,
1822, and came from that State to this county in September, 1851.
His parents, Joseph and Betsy (Chapman) Dodds, were natives of
England. He served his township as Collector and School Director.
An important event of Mr. Dodds life occurred April 28, 1850.
That is the date of his marriage with Louisa Gove. Mrs. Dodds
was born in Alburgh, Yt., Nov. 26, 1827. They are the parents of
four children, one of whom, however, dwells on the other side of the



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 539

Jordan of death. The names and births of chihlrcn are as follows:
Mary A., born April 28, '51 ; Sarah Frances, born Feb. 13, '56,
and died Oct. 26, '70; George, born Feb. 5, 58; Henry, born July
29, '64. Mary was married" to Lester B. Roberts, Feb. 22, '72.
Post-office, jNlorton.

Lorenzo Durham was born in the village of Baldwinsville, Onon-
daga Co., N. Y. His father, Lorenzo D. Durham, was a native of
Baltimore, Md., and his mother, Matilda Minard, was a native of
New York City. The subject of this sketch was left an orphan at
a very early age, his father died in 1849, and his mother one year
later. Lorenzo was left upon his own resources until 1852, when his
aunt, Mrs. Col. Hugh Gilston, of Baltimore, offered him a home,
which was accepted. He finished his education in 1854, when he
entered the wholesale drug-house of Clotworthy & Flint, Baltimore,
and remained there until 1856, when he went to Washington, 111.
After learning the carpenter's trade, at ^yhich he served as aj^prentice
three years, he went to Groveland, 111., and engaged to work on a
farm, where he remained till 1861, when, Nov. 16th of that year, he
enlisted in the 4th 111. Cav., and was wounded at Pittsburg Land-
ing, which disabled him for cavalry service, but after\yards assisted
in raising the 2d West Tennessee Col. Inf, and was commissioned
second lieutenant of Co. C, and in 1865 was promoted to first
lieutenant, which he resigned in 1866, when he returned home and
engaged in farming. On 17th October, 1867, was married to Mi-
nerva B. Gay, of Morton township, Taze\yell Co., 111. He moved
to the town of Morton in 1875. In April, 1877, he was elected J.
P., and has held that position to the present time.

Royal B. Joydin was born in Rutland Co., Vt., Nov. 26, 1820.
His parents, Calvin and Eunice (Barlow) Joyslin, were from the
Green Mountain State. He came to jNIorton township from Ver-
mont in 1847, and is engaged in farming on section 27. All the
education he ever obtained was at the common schools of his native
State, and by his own personal exertions. Oct. 5, 1848, he was
married to Miss Minerva Brown, daughter of Nathaniel and Sally
(Deusmore) Brown, of New York and New Hampshire, respectively.
Their children number, five four of whom are living. Fredrick C,
born Aug. 30, '51 ; Charles F., born July 5, '57 ; Lulu J., born
Nov. 10, '61; Julia L., born June 3, '66, and died Sept. 7, '73;
Clara B., born March 26, '73. Previous to the Emancipation of
the negro slaves, Mr. Joyslin was a radical Abolitionist and I^iberty
Party man in his political views. Since then he has been identified
with the Republican party. Post-office, Morton.

Alexander Mooherry. The subject of this sketch, a man of fifty-
four, has spent forty-seven years of his life in this county and is
therefore what we term an '^old settler." He was born in Franklin
Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1825. His parents, John and Lyda (Merion)
Mooberry, were natives of Penn. and Mass., respectively. Mr. M.
received his schooling at the log school-house with greased-paper



540 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

windows and dirt floor in Ohio, and at the same kind of structure
in Illinois. He came to this county in October, 18o2, and is engaged
in farming and stock raising on sec. 26, He converted his place
from the raw prairie. He has held the offices of Assessor, Road
Com., and that of School Director for fifteen years. He has been
married twice. The first time to Martha J. Mooberry, Dec. 9,
1851. His second marriage occurred Dec. 13, 1864, and was with
Mary C. Lott. He is the parent of twelve children, and what is
remarkable, all are living. Post-office, ]\Iorton.

Christian May, Postmaster and Notary Public, Morton; was born
in Dutchy of Nassau, Germany, in 1834, and emigrated to America
Oct. 4, 1855, landing in New Orleans Jan. 5, 1856, in a shipwrecked
condition, being 88 days on the ocean. The ship w^as struck by an
English vessel and disabled, and ran into Plymouth for repairs.
In March of that year he came to this village and worked on a farm
until 1862, when he enlisted in the 82nd I. V. Inf , Co. E ; was
wounded May 3rd, 1863, at Chancellorville, Va., in the left arm,
and sent to Finley Hospital, Washington, D. C, where his arm was
amputated May 31st, and where he was confined and discharged
Sept. 8, 1863; returning, attended school four months at Groveland
and ten months at Tremont, when he engaged with a marble house
at Peoria and traveled until 1869, when he was married to Miss
Mary A. Hay, a native of N. Y. State. Was appointed P. M. in
1870, and in the spring of the same year elected Justice of the
Peace, which he filled for seven years; has also been Assessor and
Collector for many years. Has been School Treasurer since 1872,
and is one of the village Trustees, and always been identified with
the interests of the town and county. Dora A. and Charles H. are
their living children.

Hon. William A. Moore, who resides on sec. 25, Morton township,
is a native of the Blue Grass State, having been born in Todd Co.,
Ky., Nov. 1, 1839. He came to Illinois when but seven years old. -
His parents, David G. and Ann (Ellison) Moore, settled in Wood-
ford Co., where William spent his ycjuth and obtained his education.
He married Miss Sarah E. Stumbaugh, Feb. 20, '62, and one year
later came to this county. Mr. M. acts with the Democratic party,
and has many times been called to fill important offices in the county,
and, in 1877, was elected to a seat in the General Assembly from the
27th district, which postion he filled with marked ability, and de-
clined a re-election two years later.

0. J. Pettyjohn is a native of Tazewell Co., having been born in
Tremont township Jan. 25, 1851. His parents, James and Mary
(Quinn) Pettyjohn, were natives of Ohio. He attended the com-
mon country schools for some years and then entered Jacksonville
College, Jacksonville, 111. He is engaged in farming and resides
on section 29. He is a Director of his school district and Clerk of
the Board. February 23 of the present year (1879) he was united
in marriage with Nannie Todd. Miss Todd was born in Springfield,



HISTOEY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 541

Ohio, Feb. 8, 1855. Her parents, James and Anna (Espy) Todd
were natives of Pennsylvania. Post-office, Morton.

Lewis Tai'bdl, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Lamb) Tarbell,
the former of Vermont and the latter a native of New Hampshire,
was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 1828. Ten years later he
came to this county and has since resided here. He is engaged in
ao-ricultural pursuits on section 33. His educational advantages
were limited to the common schools of New York and Illinois.
The 17th day of Nov., 1853, is a day memorable in the history of
ISIr. Tarbell's life. Upon that day he was united with IMary Akens
in marriage. The union has resulted in the birth of seven children,
four bovs and three girls. All of them are living save one of the
girls. Post-office address, Morton.

Erastus Roberts, hardware and agricultural implement dealer.
Mr. R. was born in Morton township, in 1842; is son of Darius
and Augusta (Hathaway) Roberts, natives of New York State, who
came to the West in 1831 and settled in this township, where he
entered laud and lived until his death, Dec. 16, 1868. The subject
of this sketch lived at home until 1875, when he came to the village
and formed a partnership with Mr. ]\Ioschel, where he has since
carried on a large trade. Was married, in 1862, to Miss Harriet
Loomis, a native of Peoria, and four children surround the fireside
of their home — Carrie, Edith, Nellie and Fannie. Mr. R. is Town
Trustee, and well known throughout the county.

John M. Roberts. The subject of our sketch, was among the first
to settle in this county. He is the son of Daniel and Polly (Phelps)
Roberts, natives of Connecticut. John was born in Delaware Co.,
N. Y., on the 9th of Dec, 1807, and after receiving a good educa-
tion in the schools of his State, came to Tazewell Co., at the age of
24, in the year 1831, setting on sec. 18, Morton township, where he
now lives, himself and wife residing with their son, Lester, Mr.
Roberts is the oldest settler in the township, living, and the history
of the county is also the history of himself, he having been so
closely identified with its development. He was first married to
Mary Burhans, May 14, 1831, and Sept. 6, 1834, was again united
in wedlock to Ann Natirs, five children having been born to him.
He has held many important offices in the county, all of M'hich he
has filled with honor and ability. In 1838 he joined the Congre-
gational Church.

Joseph Rich was born in France, Jan. 1, 1822. His parents,
Jacob and Catherine (Zimmerman) Rich, were also French people.
His father was a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte, and participated
in the famous siege of Moscow. He was born in 1789, came to this
country and died at the residence of his son, Joseph, in Morton
township, in August, 1876. Joseph Rich came to America in 1840,
and landed in New York. He worked for an Italian, near Brook-
lyn, for two years. He then went to New Jersey, then toTj*hiladel-
phia, Pittsburg, and brought up in Ohio. Here he remained for



542 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

five years, clearinD; land and maulins: rails. He finally came to this
county, arriving in 1848, and resides on sec. 1, of this township.
He is engaged extensively in farming, and owns 1,050 acres of land,
He is a School Director. He has been married twice. His first
marriage occurred in 1849, and was with Catherine Rich. In 1860,
April 5th, he was married to Catherine Zimmerman. Their chil-
dren number seven, all living. Tlieir names and ages are as follows :
David, born Feb. 5, '50; Jacob, March 15, '53; Mary, Sept. 10,
'54; Lydia, May 1, '56; Daniel, Oct. 25, '57; Joseph, July 9, '61;
Christian, March 8, '65. Post-office, Washington,

Christian Hinith was born in Woodford Co., 111., Jan. 8, 1846, but
is of French parentage; his parents. Christian and ]\Iagdalaine
(Schrock) Smith, were natives of France. He came to this county
in 1853, and is engaged in farming in company with his brother-in-
law, Peter Sweitzer, on sec. 2. They are conducting the farm of
John Sweitzer. He served in the late war, in Co. G, 108th 111.
infantry. He united with the (Omish) Minnonite Church in 1867.
Feb. 13, 1873, he was married to Rena Sweitzer, daughter of John
E. and Mary Sweitzer, and who was born June 12, 1847. They have
two little boys, William Arthur, born Nov. 22, '73, and Frederic
Albert, born Feb. 21, '79. Post-office, Cooper.

Christopher Shaefer, farmer, sec. 28, is the son of Christopher and
Mary (Fisher) Shaefer, of Virginia, and was born in Green Briar
Co. in that State, April 29, 1813. He found his way to Ohio and
in 1841 came from Franklin county to Tazewell. He received a
limited education, having the advantages only of subscription
schools, but in life has been reasonably successful. On the 29th of
Dec, 1836, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Cox, who
bore him eight children, four boys and four girls. One of the boys
and one of the girls sleep in their graves. He confessed his faith
in Christ in 1840, and is connected with the Baptist Church. Post-
office, Morton.

Louis Stcdtcr, merchant, Morton ; was born on the river Rhine,
Germany, in 1841, and emigrated to America with his mother in
1853, and settled in Washington township, where he engaged in
farniing until 1863, when he moved to Livingston Co. where he
resided until 1874, at which time he settled in this village and
opened his present place of business, where he has since been suc-
cessfully engaged in keeping a general stock of goods. Was mar-
ried in 1861, to Miss Annie Schrock, a native of this county.
She died in 1874. He has five children by this marriage — Joseph,
Peter, Lewis, Laury, and Annie. His present wife, Phoebe
Rediger, was born on river Rhine in 1846. Mr. S. has been Jus-
tice of the Peace three years, and has been otherwise identified with
the interests of the town and county,

John Sweitzer, son of John and Veronica Sweitzer, of France, was
born in that country Sept. 15, 1807. He had heard much of Amer-
ica and longed to press its free soil. Accordingly, in 1832, he sailed



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 543

for the United States. He spent some time in Pennsylvania, and
in 1833 came to Illinois and located in Woodford county, which, at
that time, was included in Tazewell county. He remained there
until 1851, when he came to sec. 2, of this township, where he now
resides. He has retired from active labor himself and rents his
farms, whicii ineludge 720 actes. On the day he was twenty-one
years of age he was married to Mary Engel, who was born in France
Dec. 1, 1807. Her parents were Christian and Barbara (Brunner)
Engel, of France. They are the parents of twelve children, seven
of whom are living : Christian, born July 24, '29 ; Barbara, Jan.
10, '31 ; Neronica, Aug. 26, '32; John, Oct. 2(j, '34; Joseph, Nov.
30, '39 ; Mary, Dec. 7, '41 ; Bena, June 12, '47 ; Peter, Sept. 7, '49 ;
Catharina, Jan. 4, '52. Three of the children died young and have
no record. Christian, a sea captain and pilot, of Oregon, was
drowned in the Pacific ocean, near San Francisco, Nov., 1858, while
in a gale. Joseph, a mate, fell from a steamboat on the Columbia
river, Oregon, in 1864, and was drowned. Peter Sweitzer resides
in Washington, is engaged in the manufacture of drain tile and is
doing a j)n»sperous business. Mr. S. is a member of the Omish
Mennonite Church. Post-office, Washington.

William Voelpel, blacksmith, Morton; born in 1840 and emi-
grated with parents to America in 1848 and settled in St. Louis,
where he lived until his father's death in 1874. In 1861, enlisted
in the 5th Mo. V., Co. B, serving three months and twenty days;
returned and enlisted in the 2d Mo. V., Co. F, serving one year,
when the regiment was disbanded. Participated in the battle of
Corinth. The following year came to this village and became en-
gaged at his trade, where he was drafted in the 44th I. V. I., Co.
F., and served nine months, participating in the battles of Franklin
and Nashville. Returning formed a partnership with Henry Miller
and in the fall of the same year purchased his interest, wdiere he
has since carried on a successful and remunerative business. Was
married in 1867 to Miss Barbara Metz, a native of Germany. They
have eight children — William, John, Lucy, Edward, Annie, George,
Ida, and Mary. Are members of the Christian Church.

Those serving the township in the various official capacities of
Supervisor, Clerk, Assessor and Collector, are given below, together
with the year or years of serving :

SUPERVISORS.

Horace Clark 1850 Wm. A. Moore 1874-75

Joel W. Clark 1851-59 Samuel C. Smith 187(j

Andrew Gilhim 1860-61 John H. Cran.lall 1877

Charles K. Crandall 1863-66 Samuel C. Smith 1878

Wm. Munroe 1867-71 William Smith 1S79

Thomas Cooper 1872-73

TOWN-CLERKS.

Eri Gray 1854-59 Frank Greisser 1870

J. M. Roberts 1860-69 John M. Roberts 1871-79

33



544



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.



Enoch G. Emerson

All)ert Parker resig

John M. Roberts

George F. Crandall.

Charles R. Crandall

Hiram L. Phillips

Enoch G. Emerson

Martin L. Smith

Alex. Mooberry

Charles Waters



ASSESSORS.

1854 J. L. Hayward 1864

ned. J. W. Brown 1805

1S55 W.B.Roberts 18()G

185*) J. L. Hayward 18()7

1857 Edward Munroe 1868

1858 Christian May 1869-71

1859 Alex. Mooberry 1872-73

18G0 Christian May 1874-75

1861 Samuel C. Smith 1870

1863 Christian May 1877-79

COLLECTORS.



John W. Ely 1854

Charles R. Crandall 1855

William Gray 1856

Geo. F. Crandall 1857

Enoch G. Emerson. 1858

Amos Brown 1859

W. B. Roberts 1860

Thomas J. Brown.. 1861-63

J. H. Loapman 1864

D. G. Bracken 1865

Christian May, jr 1866-68



James M. Phillips 1869

E. N. Phillips 1870

Alex. Mool)erry 1871

Christian May 1872

Samuel C.Smith 1873-74

Wilson S. Smith 1875

Simon Denniel 1876

William Moschel 1877

Samuel R. Plum 1878

W. B. Renard 1879



MACKINAW TOWNSHIP.



The land in the northern part of the township is somewhat rough
and broken. It is covered with a splendid growth of timber. The
southern portion is fine rolling prairie, and contains some of the
best farming land in the county. The first improvement was made
by Abner Smith, on sec. 28. Among the early settlers were Morde-
cai Mobley, Elijah Sergeant, Samuel Judy, Michael Hittle and Jonas
Hittle. Michael Hittle is the only one of the first settlers now
living here. We can say with the poet ;

"Of the pioneer who came,
Battling for a home and name,
All are dead."

The first birth was that of Wm. Hittle, in 1833. The first death
was Abner Smith, in 1828. The first marriage occurred in 1830,
when Conway Rhodes was united with Miss Harmon. The first
sermon was preached by Mr. Mitchell, a Methodist, in 1829. The
first Justice of the Peace was Jonas Hittle. The first school was
taught by Silas B. Curtis. The first round-log cabin was built by
Mordecai Mobley, a pioneer, who, in an early day, officiated in the
several positions of what are now County Judge, County and Cir-
cuit Clerks, Recorder, and Postmaster. But of so little importance



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 545

were these offices in those days, that fees from all of them were
scarcely sufficient to support his family.

The early history of the villags of Mackinaw is very fully de-
tailed in the second chapter of this History, we therefore deem it
unnecessary to record it here. The present population of the town