JOSEPH REINHARDT.
Mr. Reinhardt is an adopted American citizen, born in Hesse Cassell,
Germany, in 1828, and coming to this country in 1852 and locating on the
place where he has since resided. He visited his native country in 1859,
returning the following year, more than ever satisfied with his choice of a
home. In 1852 he married Bertha Brenneman, a countrywoman of his, and to
them have been born five children, viz., Adolph in 1853, Emma in 1855, Mary
in 1857, Helen in 1859, and Lena in 1861. Mr. Reinhardt represented his
district in the 27th General Assembly, and proved himself a safe, sagacious
and popular legislator. Mr. Reinhardt is a large farmer, owning 770 acres of
land under excellent cultivation, and is a man of unusual intelligence and
refinement. He is a representative man of a large class of German citizens
in this county.
LUTHER D. GUNN.
Mr. Gunn was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on July 28, 1814, and came
to Putnam county in June. 1836. He is a carpenter by trade, and the first
year worked in Hennepin, after which he went into the country, and located
at Granville in 1839. In 1840 he married Miss E. Collins, one of the early
settlers of the county, whose recollections of the deprivations and
discomforts of the pioneers are full of interest. Her native town was
Granville, New York. They have eleven children living and three deceased
Joel G., Amos D., Fannie, Lucy, Eva C., Sarah, Mary A., Ellen L.. Henry D.,
Nellie L., and Clara C. Are members of the Congregationalist church of
Granville. Mr. Gunn owns 200 acres of land, and the finest residences in the
county.
ROBERT W. MOORE.
Mr. Moore is one of the first settlers in the county. He was born in Brown
county, Ohio, October 3, 1803, moved with his parents to Bond county, Ill.,
in 1819, and in 1829 located in Putnam (then Tazewell) county, where he has
since followed farming. His residence is on Sec8, Postoffice,
Granville. March 28, 1830, he married Miss Fannie Leeper, daughter of Judge
Leeper, of Jacksonville, Ill. She died March 10, 1842, leaving six children,
Elizabeth. John A., James H., Martha, Mary A. and Sarah. John died in 1860,
and Sarah in 1868. In 1846 he married Miss Nancy McClung. The only child by
this marriage, Francis E., was born in April, 1848, and died June 4. 1850.
They are members of the Granville Presbyterian church, of which Mr. M. has
been an elder fifty-one years, being one of the twenty-two original members.
In 1824 the synod of the Presbyterian church for the States of Indiana,
Illinois and Missouri met at Shoal Creek, traveling on horseback, and the
attendance was so great and the country so sparsely settled that adequate
accommodations could not be provided . Mr. Moore owns 453 acres of land.
HIRAM COLBY.
Mr. Colby is a farmer residing in Granville. He was born in Gennessee
county, New York, in 1825, came West in 1855, located in this township and
followed his trade of carpenter until 1870, since which time he has devoted
himself exclusively to farming. In 1851 he married Miss Sophia E. Clark, a
native of the same place as himself. She died in 1876, leaving four
children, Newton H., Emma J., Archie L., and L. Isabel. In 1878 Mr. Colby
married Mrs. G. A. Goldsmith (Wykoff), a native of Knox county, Ill. They
are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Colby served his community as
supervisor two years, and has been a member of the board of school directors
some fourteen years. He owns 430 acres of land, all under cultivation, with
good improvements.
WILLIAM W. SHEPHERD.
Mr. Shepherd lives on Sec8 in Granville township, and was born in Brown
county, Ohio, in 1832. He emigrated to Winnebago county, in this State, in
1856, and settled in Putnam county in 1859. He married Mary A. Moore in
1860, born and reared in this county. They have had four children born to
them, Etta M. L. Verner, Harry L. and Sarah. Are members of the
Congregationalist church in Granville. Mr. Shepherd owns eighty acres of
well cultivated land, which he farms in person.
THOMAS WARE.
A farmer, residing in Granville. He was born in Franklin county, Mass., in
1806, came West in 1833, and with his brother Ralph located in this township
and commenced farming, which avocation he has successfully followed to the
present time. In 1833 he married in Worcester, Mass., Miss Nancy L.
Shepherd, also a native of that state. She died in 1846, leaving five
children, two of whom have since died, Thomas S., Nancy L. (Mrs, Farwell),
and Charles K. are still living. May 6, 1847, Mr. Ware married Miss Mary A.
Stewart, a native of Bond county, Ill., his present wife. The children by
this marriage are William S., Mary A., Sarah E., Henry M., James W., Joseph
E., Lucy E., and Justin P. They are members of the Congregational church,
and consistent and energetic workers in the cause of temperance. Two
sons-in-law of Mr. Ware and his son Charles K., served in the army during
the war of the rebellion, two of them being wounded. As one of the first
settlers of the township Mr. Ware was prominently identified with the
establishment of schools and churches, and was an active and cheerful worker
in providing suitable accommodations for these indispensable adjuncts of
civilization. He owns 375 acres of land, all under cultivation save the
timber, and his improvements are pleasant and substantial.
BAZDALE ISH.
The father of Mr. Ish was a soldier in the war of 1812, and at its close he
settled in Wayne county, Indiana, where the subject of this sketch was born
in 1820. Two years later he removed to the vicinity of Peoria, and in 1829
came to what is now Putnam county, and selecting as a homestead the place
his son occupies to-day. Here he grew to manhood, and his remembrances of
those pioneer days are well worth commemorating. In 1848 he married Miss
Lucia Servis, born in Meigs county, Ohio, who has brought him six children,
with names as follows: George, Francis, Alice, Herman, Lyman, and Irene. Mr.
Ish has served the people in various public capacities, and his industry and
enterprise has been rewarded with a comfortable independence. He owns 214
acres of valuable land, has a comfortable house and pleasant surroundings,
and is a genial, hospitable gentleman.
J. F. SHEPHERD.
Mr. Shepherd is an old resident of Granville, coming here in 1834. He was
born in Norton, Mass., in 1824, coming here with his father, who purchased
from government the present site of Granville, at $1.25 per acre. When
sixteen years of age Mr. Shepherd began farming, and September 16th, 1849,
consummated the most important event of his life by marrying Miss Juliette
Richardson, in Peoria - a native of Muskingum county, Ohio. They have four
children living, Levi L., Eliza (Mrs. Penfield), Daniel, Franklin L. and
Eva; and two deceased, Lucy and Juliette. Are members of the Baptist Church,
of which Mr. S. is trustee, Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd are always found on the
right side in any movement whose object is to benefit mankind. They take a
deep interest in Sabbath school and temperance work, and are outspoken in
the condemnation of wrong. They have achieved a comfortable independence,
and in their pleasant home, surrounded by books and papers, enjoying the
companionship of friends and children, their days go happily by, and their
lives are "Free from woes that vex the poor, And griefs that haunt the rich
man's door."
ANDREW C. MOORE.
Mr. Moore is a native of this county, and born on the place he now occupies
something that can be said of very few Americans. His father came from Brown
county, Ohio, where he was born in 1798, moved to Illinois in 1819, and to
this county in 1832. He died here January 24, 1880. Mr. Moore was married in
1865 to Mary C. Hawkins, who was born in Washington county, New York, and
they have three children Elma C., Olive and John A. Are members of the
Presbyterian church of Union Grove.
J. D. HULLINGER.
Mr. Hullinger is a farmer, born in Champaign county, Ohio, who emigrated
with his parents to La Salle county in 1833 and came to Putnam in 1840. He
married Sarah B. Church, a native of Stamford, N. Y., in 1846. She died in
1874 leaving seven children, Caleb B., Frank W., Mary F., Charles S., Henry
H., Phebe G, and John D. Mr. H. takes a deep interest in education, giving
his children all the benefits to be derived therefrom, and serving as school
director sixteen years. He owns 200 acres of well improved land, takes pride
in fine cattle and fat hogs and has filled various minor offices. His father
died in 1836 and his mother two years later.
FRED T. BEERS.
Granville, Putnam County, Illinois,
DAVID FESSLER.
Mr. Fessler is a native of the Keystone state (Pa.) where he was born in
Lebanon county in 1833, and ten years later moved to Indiana. He came to
Putnam county in 1867. Three years previous he married Carrie Bear, of
Lancaster county, Pa. They have six children, William, Clara, Mattie,
Theodore, Harris and Harvey. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and owns
seventy acres of well improved land.
W. B. NEWPORT.
Mr. Newport was born in Boone county, Kentucky, in 1828 and came to Putnam
county, with his parents in 1836, returning the same fall for the purpose of
completing his education. He remained there until 1840. In 1859, he married
Sarah Pipes who died in 1876, leaving three surviving children; Virginia,
Laura and Henrietta. Mr. N. is well informed on all topics of the day, is
well read up politically, and asks no man what he shall believe or how he
shall vote. He owns 160 acres of land under good cultivation and is a model
American farmer.
S. H. MUMMA.
Mr. Mumma w< born of German parentage in Dauphin county, Pa., in 1838 and
came to Granville in 1863. Three years before he married Anna A.
Vanderslice, a towns woman of himself. In 1875 he embarked in the mercantile
business and is the leading tradesman of the place, carrying a very complete
assortment of well selected goods. He is the father of ten sons and
daughters, viz.: James V., Harry L., Willie D., Gracie E., Warren S.,
Herbert A., Mary E., Charlie L., Richard and Fannie. Are members of the
Congregational church, of Granville He is township collector and member of
the council, has held other minor offices, and stands well in the community.
CHRISTIAN BRUDER.
Mr. Bruder is a blacksmith living in Granville. He was born in Germany in
1828, came to the United States in 1852 and located in Granville. He has
followed his trade continuously since coming here. In 1872 he married
Barbara Mea, also a native of Germany. By this marriage Mr. Bruder has three
children, Leonard, Lena and Fritz, and two by a former marriage, Mary and
Theodore. Himself and wife are members of the Lutheran church. He owns 240
acres of land in Livingston county and his residence, shop and one block in
Granville.
E. C. SMITH.
Mr. Smith is a teamster residing in Granville. He was born in Frederick,
Md., in 1820, removed to Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1852, but remained there
only a short time, coming to Hennepin the same year. In 1848 he married
Sarah J, Davis, a native of Ohio. They have three children living, William
F., Amos P. and Oscar. Mr. Smith has filled the position of street
commissioner, and has been three years a constable, an office he still
holds. He owns a house and three lots in Granville In 1862 he enlisted in
company E. 4th Ill. Cavalry, and served to the close of the war. He was
captured by the rebel General Forbes in 1862 and paroled on the field. He
participated in all the actions in which his regiment was engaged during the
war.
ALANSON WHITAKER.
Mr. Whitaker is a retired farmer living in Granville, and is one of the
pioneers of Putnam county. He was born in Cumberland county, N. J., March
24th, 1810, and in 1835 started "overland" for the far distant west,
arriving at Hennepin after a journey of four weeks. May 28, 1839, he married
Maria J. Taggart, a native of Pennsylvania. She died in 1845, leaving two
children, Emma, born January 17, 1840, and Otis N., born July 31, 1844, the
latter of whom died July 28, 1845. June 19, 1851, Mr. Whitaker married
Hannah Boxandale, his present wife, a native of Lancastershire, England.
They have two children, Mary H., born September 15, 1852, and Sarah C., born
March 2, 1857. Mr. Whitaker and wife are members of the Baptist church, of
which he has been 30 years a deacon. He has also been treasurer of the
school fund fifteen years. He owns valuable property in the village.
JOEL W. EAMES.
Mr. Eames is a farmer residing on Sec35, postoffice, Granville. He was
born in Whitingham, Windham county, Vermont, September 6, 1814, and came
west with his mother and sisters in 1839, locating in Granville. In 1873 he
married Mrs. Elizabeth Hoffenickle (nee Vanderslice), a native of
Pennsylvania. He has four children by a former marriage, Charlie H., George
B., Mary E. and Judson T. Mr. Eames and wife are members of the
Congregational church. He owns 340 acres of land, all under cultivation,
with good improvements.
WILLIAM DUNN.
This gentleman is a resident of Granville, and is engaged in the manufacture
of carriages. He was born in Greenwich, Washington county N Y., in 1828. In
1854 he came to Putnam county, remained one year and returned to New York.
In 1863 he located here permanently, since which time he has been engaged in
his present business. In 1868 he married Sarah M. McFarland, a native of
Salem, N. Y. Mrs. Dunn is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Dunn
belongs to the Masonic order. He has been a member of the town council for
several years, during the last two years occupying the position of president
of that body. He owns a comfortable residence and shop. In 1864 he enlisted
in the 139th Ill. Volunteer Infantry and served until the expiration of his
term of enlistment. Was also deputy sheriff in Washington county, N. Y.,
before coming to this county.
ROBERT McSMITH.
Mr. McSmith is a blacksmith by trade, born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1834
and came with his parents to Putnam county the same year. He married Isalbah
Ring in 1868, who was born in Louisiana and brought up in New York. They
have two children, Charles G. and Mamie Belle. They are members of the
Presbyterian church and Mr. McSmith is a member of the town council. Is also
a member of the A. F. and A. M. Mr. McS. entered the three months service in
1861, served four months and re-enlisted in the 104th Ill. Volunteers in
1863 as regimental blacksmith, but was taken sick and upon recovery detailed
for hospital duty. At the trial of Bowles Milligan and others for treason he
served as messenger and private detective and performed valuable service. On
one of his adventures the train on which he embarked was run into and all
but himself and attendant killed. He was mustered out of service in 1865.
ELI V. RALEY.
Mr. Raley is a farmer and stock dealer, living on Sec9 of Granville
township. He was born in Washington county. Pa., in 1823, and came to
Illinois in 1840. When the discovery of gold in California was heralded over
the land, he joined a party of explorers, and with suitable outfit journeyed
across the plains. They endured severe hardships, lost much of their stock,
but finally made Southern California, and remained several years in the
country meeting with varied success. His love of adventure satisfied, he
returned to the States, content to become a tiller of the soil, and settled
in Putnam county. In 1855 he married Miss Frances A. Murphy, born in
Jefferson county Ohio, who became the mother of five children - Charles R.,
Arvilla K., Harry E., Howard B. and Franklin Hyatt. Mr. Raley is a Democrat
in sentiment, and has represented his district in the General Assembly,
where be proved himself a clear-headed, intelligent Representative, opposed
to class legislation and monopolies, and ready to lend his influence and
vote for whatever was promotive of the public good. He has served his
township as supervisor, and in other capacities is a promoter of peace, and
stands high in the community. His farm and surroundings are among the
pleasantest in the county and indicates both wealth and culture. He owns 220
acres in Granville, and considerable land in Kansas, attends personally to
the details of business, and buys and sells large quantities of cattle, hogs
etc.
THEODORE HOLLY.
Mr. Holly is a farmer and drain tile manufacturer, whose residence is in
Granville township, and his postoffice Peru. He was born in Butler county,
Ohio, in 1845, came to this county in 1849 with his parents, and married
Miss Bertha Brenneman in 1869. They have five children, Julius D., Willie,
Eliza EL, Laura H. and Clara M. Seeing the great advantage of thorough
draining, and finding by experiment his farm was underlaid with clay of
remarkable tenacity and adaptability he embarked in the business of
manufacturing, and turns oat a large amount yearly, acknowledged to be
without an equal in the vicinity. He manufactures and keeps on hand in large
quantities the following sizes at these prices: 2-1/2-inch per M $11.00; 3
inch per M $14.00; 3-1/2-inch per M $18.00; 4-inch per M $21.00; 5-inch per
M $30.00; and 6 inch per M $45.00.
SILAS HURIN.
Mr. Hurin was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1822, and died in 1877. He was
married in 1850 and came to Putnam county in 1863. His wife's maiden name
was Mary Lane, her native place is Brown county, Ohio, where she was born in
1827. They had eight children born to them, Albert, Martha B., Charles I.,
Jeremiah P., William W., Purdy M., Jennie N. and Ida L. Are members of the
M. E. church, Mr. N. held various minor offices and was well thought of in
the community. Mr. H. owns 130 acres under good cultivation.
JAMES A. HARPER.
Mr. Harper is yet a young man but a large farmer and extensive grower of
fine stock. He was born in Granville township in 1852 and in 1879 married
Mary Darley, likewise born in Hennepin township. He owns 320 acres of fine
tillable land, and is a son of James and Nancy Harper, who came here in 1832
and began improving the place where they afterward lived. His father died
when his son was but a few months old and his mother in 1852. He is one of
the most prosperous young men in Putnam county.
MOSES A. ELLIOTT.
Mr. Elliott was born in Hubbardton county, Mass., in 1811, moved with his
parents to New Hampshire, and thence to Vermont where he lived until 1834
when he came to Lorrain county, Ohio. He lived there thirty-three years,
rearing a large family. He was married Sept 17, 1853 to Louisa Holton, who
became the mother of five children - Joseph B., Alonzo B., Hannah A., Fred
G. and John E. In 1867 Mr. Elliott came to Putnam county where he has since
resided. He owns a very pleasant farm of 240 acres.
ADAM KUNKEL.
Mr. Kunkel is a farmer on Sec33, and his postoffice address is
Granville. He was born in Germany in 1812 and came to America in 1856. He
married Anna Mary Stouss in 1838 and to them have been given five children,
John, Mary, Peter, Tracy and Henry. They are members of the Catholic church.
Mr. Kunkel is a large farmer and owns 300 acres of tillable, pasture and
timber land. His home is very pleasant and finely situated.
JULIUS BRENNEMAN.
Mr. Brenneman represents a well known family, often met in the annals of
Putnam county. He was born in Germany but came here with his parents when
three years old and was reared and educated in this county. In 1875 he
married Emma Reinhardt, born in this county, and to them has been born one
child, Myra, in 1877. He is a farmer by profession and is enterprising and
industrious.
C. C. PENNIMAN.
Mr. Penniman was born in Bellows Falls, Vermont, in 1832, and was among the
first to offer his services to his country in the dark days of 1861,
enlisting in the Ninth Vermont Volunteers, Company K. He saw service in the
Shenandoah Valley, and was captured by the rebels at the disgraceful
surrender of Harper's Ferry by Colonel Miles, where 11,500 brave men laid
down their arms. He was first sent to Annapolis, Md., and then to Chicago,
where he remained until exchanged. May 6th, 1863, he moved with his command
to Little Rock, Arkansas. His regiment was the first to enter Richmond at
the capture of that city. At the close of the war he settled in Putnam
county, where he pays special attention to the breeding of fine horses.
MONS. OLSON.
Mr. Olson was born in Denmark, in 1840, and came to this country in 1857,
locating in LaSalle county, where he still lives, and is engaged in farming.
His residence is on Sec6, Eden township, LaSalle county, but his
postoffice is Granville. In 1876 he married Mary Leech, a native of Putnam
county, by whom he has two children, Jennie Zu and Harry L. They are members
of the Baptist church. Mr. Olson enlisted in Co. D, 104th Illinois Inf. in
1862, and served until the close of the war. He was captured at Hartsville,
Tenn., in 1862, and paroled on the field; was wounded at Petrie Greek. Ga.,
in 1864, and at Bentonville, N. C., in 1865. He owns eighty-three acres of
land all under cultivation, with good improvements.
SAMUEL BROWN. ,
Mr. Brown is a retired farmer, living in Granville, who was born in
Lexington, Ky., in 1799. He removed to this county in 1835, and engaged in
farming. In 1821 he married Lavina Akers, of Shelbyville, Ky., who died in
1845, leaving eleven children, viz., Martha, William M., Sarah, Mary, Anna,
Nancy. Lavina, Prudence J., Louisa, Achsa, and Albert. Albert died in the
army from wounds received in the battle of Franklin; William M. from disease
contracted in the service, and his son Marion was killed in action. Besides
his two sons, three grandsons lost their lives in defense of their country.
Who can show such a record? All of the remaining children but one are
married.
JAMES DUNN.
Mr. Dunn is a mechanic, and was born in Washington county, New York, in
1825. He came to Illinois in 1855, working in Granville at the carpenter and
joiner business two years, and then embarked in the manufacture and sale of
carriages, continuing it until 1870. He married Lydia L. Whiting, in 1858,
and to them one child, Charles H. was born in 1866. All are members of the
temperance organization, and active workers and promoters of the cause. He
owns two fine farms of 160 acres each, under cultivation, also his residence
in town and other property.
FRANK WHITING, Attorney at Law.
Mr. Whiting is a farmer and lawyer, born in Lockport, New York, in 1836,
removed with his parents to Michigan in 1838, and to Putnam county in 1853.
He married Caroline Packingham in 1856, born in Granville. In 1861 he was a
soldier in the rebellion, enlisting in the 20th Illinois Volunteers, and was
elected Lieutenant. He served until discharged through disability,
occasioned by disease contracted on duty. He his five children, Fred. H.,
Mary L., Lincoln E., Lucy A. and Cornelia J. He has filled various offices,
has a lucrative practice, and is regarded as a safe advisor and a rising
man.
ENOCH F. HINMAN.
Mr. Hinman is a native of Massachusetts, where he was born in 1813, and came
to Illinois in 1849. In 1844 he married Paulina Ingersoll, born in New York.
The fruits of this union were Geo. E., Albert F., Marshall, Ella and
Lansing. Mr. H. had one son by a former marriage, who was killed in battle
at the siege of Vicksburg the night preceding the surrender. Albert F.
married Maggie Batten in 1877, born in Canada. They have one child - Harry.
Mr. and Mrs. Hinman are members of the Congregational church, and have long
resided in the neighborhood.
JAMES HANNING.
A native of Ireland, born in County Antrim in 1826. In 1845 he immigrated
with his parents and other members of the family to this country, locating
first in Chester county, Pa., whence he came to Putnam county in 1849,
returned to Pennsylvania, and located here permanently in 1855. He is a
farmer, residing on Sec22, and owns 300 acres of land all under
cultivation, with good improvements, beside an additional tract of forty
acres, which be recently purchased. He is one of the most enterprising
farmers in the county.
JEREMIAH CLEMENS.
A farmer residing on Sec16. Postoffice, Florid. He was born in Lebanon
county, Pa,, in 1819, located in Rockingham county, Va,, in 1835, where he
married Elizabeth Brock, a native of that county, in 1843; in 1854 moved to
Madison county, Ind., and thence to this county in 1865. They have eleven
children living - George W., B. Franklin, John E., Samuel P., Sarah E.,
Jacob P., Mary A., William H., Charles A., Rebecca A. and Jeremiah, and one
dead. Mrs. Clemens is a member of the German Baptist church. He has been a
school director several terms. Owns 214 acres of improved land, and 464
acres of land in Roy county, Missouri.
PETER DAHL.
Mr. Dahl is a Dane by birth; having been born in Denmark in 1838. He left
his native country in 1861 and located in Granville in that year. His wife
was formerly Mary Blake, born in Granville. They have three children -
Nettie T., Mary L., Percy E., and are members of the Baptist church, of
which he is one of the trustees, likewise a member of the town council three
years. During the war he enlisted in the 104th Ill. Volunteers and was
discharged through disability in 1863. J. P. Dahl, a brother of the above,
was born in 1822, came to the United States in 1866 and to Granville in
1879. He married Abigail H. Davis in 1868. They have one child, Adda J. He
was formerly a shipwright and sailed in a Danish ship to Australia, where he
followed mining several years and then made several voyages between Boston
and China in an American vessel. Was shipwrecked on his last voyage and went
to Vermont where he bought a saw mill, sold it in 1879 and with his brother
went to keeping bees in Granville. They deal in Italian bees, hives and pure
honey, at wholesale and retail.
JOHN FOLEY.
A farmer, residing on Sec20. Postoffice, Granville. He was born in
Alleghaney county, Pa., in 1819, in 1845 married Rachel Burnside, a native
of the same county, and in 1851 immigrated to this county. They have eight
children living - Mary D., James B., Henry M., William C., Mattie H., Annie
M., Elmer E. and Edward F. They are all members of the Presbyterian church,
in which Mr. Foley has been an elder for the last 21 years. He has also been
school director some fifteen years, and road commissioner six years. He owns
267 acres of land.
JOHN F. KUHNE.
Farmer, Granville, Putnam County, Ill.
JOHN I. PETERSON.
A farmer, living on Sec28. Postoffice, Hennepin. He was born in Putnam
county in 1839, being a son of the late Isaac Peterson, one of the pioneers
of the county, who died in 1875. In 1864 Mr. Peterson married Jane Elizabeth
Waugh, a native of Pennsylvania. They have four children - Nellie A.,
William A., Armelia L. and Frank I. He has occupied the position of road
commissioner for the last three years. Owns in partnership with his brother
360 acres of improved land and 190 acres of pasture and timber land.
WILLIAM B. SILL.
Mr. Sill is a farmer living on Sec17. Postoffice, Granville. He was
born in Monroe county, Ohio, in 1838, came to Illinois in 1852, locating in
La Salle county and thence moved to Granville in I860. In 1864 he went to
Montana, engaged in mining four years, followed stock raising about eight
years and in 1876 returned to Granville. In 1874 he married Mattie A.
Harper, a native of this county. They have one child, Minnie Montana. Mrs.
Sill died in 1879. Mr. Sill is a member of the I. O. O. F. He owns a finely
cultivated farm with first-class improvements.
B. H. SMITH.
Farmer, born in New London, Conn., in 1803, he resided in his native state
and in Herkimer and Orleans counties, New York, until 1847, when he came
west and located in Magnolia township. In 1829 he married Philena Morton,
who was born in South Deerfield, Mass., in 1811. They have had eight
children, of whom there are now living Julia (Laughlin), Charles E., Edward,
Sarah A. (Warlaw), Chester M. and Augusta. They celebrated their golden
wedding in 1879 and have twenty-five grand children living. Mr. Smith was
for several years commissioner of highways and a member of the board of
school directors. He also served as commissioner of highways while a
resident of New York. He has been a member of the Masonic order for fifty
years. Owns 360 acres of land.
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.
Florid, Illinois.
GEORGE PACKINHAM.
Granville, Illinois.
CHRISTIAN OPPER.
Mr. Opper comes from the province of Hesse Cassell in Germany when he was
born in 1838. He emigrated to this country in 1855, locating in Granville
began his present business which he has followed for twenty-five years. In
1858 he married Elizabeth Schneider, a country woman of his, and together
they have five children living, Helen E., Emma A., Henry W., Mary A. and
Bertha. Are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Opper is a hard worker
and a good mechanic.
HENRY AND JASON L. HAWKINS.
These individuals are farmers on Sec9, and their postoffice address is
Granville. They were born in Vermont and settled in Whiteside county,
Illinois, in 1855 and in this county in 1862. J. L. Hawkins married Lydia
Harkness in 1867, born in New York. They have one child. Himself and father
are in the creamery business and agents for Cooley's creamery. They make a
very superior article of butter and are demonstrating that our rich prairies
are just the places for dairying.
STEPHEN HARRISON.
Mr. Harrison is a native of Dauphin county Pa., which seems to have
furnished a liberal proportion of the citizens of Putnam county. He was born
in 1824, came to the state in 1837, locating in Putnam county which has
since been his home. In 1850 he married Mary E. Dunleavy, a man well known
in the early history of the county. They have ten children-Ellen F., Mary
C., Charles D., Clara E., Jas. D., Olive N., Richard H., Hattie V., Gracie
F. and Stephen R. Are members of the Congregational church in Granville in
which Mr. Harrison has served as deacon for many years. He owns 368 acres in
his home farm under thorough cultivation and 124 at Union Grove. Mr.
Harrison's fine residence is very pleasantly located and the country
surrounding is singularly beautiful.
JOHN HOLLY.
Mr. Holly lives on Sec33, in Granville township. He was born in Germany
in 1822 and emigrated along with his parents to this country in 1832, living
in Butler county, Ohio, until 1840, when he came to Putnam county. In 1855
he married Eliza Noffzinger, a countrywoman of his who bore him seven
children, Emma, Helen, Albert, Theodore, Ida, Charles and William. He has
served several years as school director, and owns a finely cultivated farm
of 110 acres. He is an intelligent and enterprising German American.
JOHN MOORE.
Mr. Moore was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1809, came to Bond county,
Ill., in 1819 and to Putnam county in 1830. He was one of the first settlers
in the county and lives upon the farm he located fifty years ago. He owns
240 acres of land under good cultivation. Alexander Moore, a brother of the
above, likewise was born in Ohio in 1815 and came to Illinois in 1831. He
married Mary Bowman in 1879, born in Washington county, Pa. They are members
of the Presbyterian church. He owns 180 acres of land. Andrew Moore, father
of the above, was born in Pennsylvania, moved to Putnam county in 1832 and
died in 1845, leaving nine children.
MICHAEL SKOWENA.
The subject of this sketch lives on Sec35, and was born in Germany in
1844 and came to the United States 1868. He first located in La Salle county
and remained there eight years after which he settled in Putnam. In 1867 he
married Effie Novolk, born in Poland. They have four children, John, Joseph,
Martin and Frank. Are members of the Catholic church in La Salle. He owns
one hundred acres under cultivation and in timber, and has very good
improvements upon it.
C. W. DYSART.
Mr. Dysart was born on the place he now occupies in 1847, his father being
one of earliest settlers of Putnam county. His wife was formerly Mary E.
Haywood, a native of Massachusetts. To them were born four children, Hannah
J., Archibald H., Lucy M. and Joseph W. They are communicants of the
Presbyterian church, of which Mr. D. is an influential member, being trustee
and elder. He owns two hundred acres of land under good cultivation.
HENRY SCHNEIDER.
Mr. Schneider is a Prussian by birth, from whence he emigrated in 1857, when
thirty-one years old. His wife was a fellow countrywomen with himself, to
whom he was married in 1859. They have two children, John and Katie, and are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Schneider is a teacher in the
Sabbath school, and takes a deep interest in church and educational matters.
He owns a good farm of 80 acres, and is an unusually intelligent and well
read German American farmer.
DAVID L. PACKINGHAM.
The father of Mr. Packingham came to Putnam county in 1834, and shared in
all the hardships attendant upon settling a new country. The subject of the
present sketch was born in 1850, and in 1879 married Myrtie Fuller, born in
Sansfield, Massachusetts, in 1861. He owns a well cultivated farm of 120
acres.
JAMES C. PACKINGHAM.
Mr. Packingham lives on Sec16, and was born in Granville township. His
wife was formerly Miss Gracie Penniman, and her native place Vermont. They
were married in 1872, and two children bless the union, Frank F. and Lucy
May. He owns 120 acres of finely cultivated land, and is thrifty, energetic
and successful.
TALLMAN SELLEY.
The subject of this sketch is a farmer, born in Oneida county, New York, in
1844. When the war broke out he was living in this state, and was one of the
first to offer his services, going out in the 13th Ill. Vol., and
participating in all the hard fought battles in which it was engaged. When
his term of service expired he went into the Board of Trade Battery,
Chicago, and served until the close of the war. Receiving his discharge, he
returned to Illinois, and settled in Granville, where he married Cornelia
Ham and turned farmer. They are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. S.
cultivates 140 acres of land, and proves that good soldiers make good
neighbors and generally succeed in their undertakings.
JOHN PIERCE BLAKE.
The subject of this sketch was born in Warwick, Franklin county, Mass., July
2, 1803. He attended the ordinary schools of the place, and after two years
of preparation at the academy in Mendon, N. H., he entered Amherst College,
but severe attention to studies ruined his health and compelled him to leave
after three years study. He chose surveying as a profession and removed west
at an early day, and was appointed trustee of school lands by the circuit
court of Putnam county in 1833. He was also elected trustee of Granville
township school funds, which position he held until 1877. Was commissioned
judge of probate court in 1833, was appointed deputy surveyor in 1836, and
served either as official or deputy surveyor up to 1867, and was actively
engaged in the business 31 years, until obliged by increasing infirmities to
discontinue his labors. Has been twice married, his first wife being Zilpah
Atwood, whom he wedded June 11, 1833. She was born in Warwick, Mass. They
had eight children. John A., Asaon A., (killed in the Confederate army in
East Tennessee), Mary A., (Mrs. Dahl) Edward E., Theodore D., Ellen C.,
Amelia and Jeannette. Mrs. Blake died March 8, 1845. In 1847 he married Mary
Smith, his present wife, born in Lancaster county, Pa., 1823. They have five
children, Karsey S., a graduate of Oberlin College, and now a teacher in a
school for boys in New York; Martha D., a graduate of the Woman's Medical
College of Philadelphia; Orella, a graduate of Wheaton College; Ellen C. and
Theda Pierce. Mr. Blake has been a prominent member of society in church and
school for many years, has been actively connected with Sabbath schools all
his life, and having performed his full duty is ready to lay aside the
harness when his Master calls. He gave his children the benefits of a
thorough education and provided for them in other ways. Few men can show a
more honorable record than he.
BEECHER W. NEWPORT.
A farmer, born in this township, in 1825, on the farm he now occupies, in
Sec32. Postoffice, Hennepin. In 1875 he married Nettie Gunn, also a
native of the township. They have two children - Mary Irene and Leander
Collins. Mrs. Newport is a member of the Congregational church. He owns 200
acres of land, all under cultivation. His father was one of the first
settlers in this county.
PRICE PURVIANCE.
This gentleman was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, January 5, 1830, and when
fifteen years of age came with his parents to this county. They located on
Sec33, Granville township, and the claim and dwelling are still
occupied by the subject of this sketch. His parents were James and Margaret
Purviance, the former of whom was born at Red Stone, Pa., and died in 1877.
Mrs. Purviance, who is still living with her son on the old homestead, is a
native of Maryland. Mr. Purviance is a member of the school board and clerk
of that body. His postoffice address is Hennepin.
R. S. ROBINSON.
Mr. Robinson was born in Bond county, Illinois, in 1830 and came here with
his parents in 1831. The county was a desert then and roaming bands of
Indians peopled the river bottoms. In 1862, Mr. Robinson having arrived at
man's estate, married Sarah Weeks, born in Caldwell county, Ky., They have
ten children, Henry, Lee, Frances W., Robertus S,. Mary A., Helen M., John
W., Charles M., Joseph E., Silas M. and William L. Mr. Robinson is a large
farmer, owning 280 acres of land under cultivation.
THOMAS C. THORN.
Mr. Thorn is a tinsmith by trade and carries on the business in connection
with the sale of groceries at his store in Granville. He was born in
Trenton. N. J., in 1835 and came west in 1855. In 1857 he married Mary E.
Zenor, of Hennepin, and to them eight children have been born, John, George,
Laura, Elizabeth, Willie, Absalom, Flora and Harley. Mr. Thorn has long
filled the office of town clerk, has served as justice of the peace, member
of the town council and director of schools. He is a good citizen, well
informed upon matters of public importance and comfortably supplied with
this world's goods.
D. L. CHILD.
Mr. Child (deceased) was born in Windsor, Vt., in 1818. He came to Putnam
Co. in 1836, and purchased the place where he afterward lived in 1841. Two
years previous he married Margaret L. Dysart, born in York county. Pa., in
1813, and there was born to them six children, Susan E., Clarinda, Lucinda,
A. P., Kate L. and David W., the latter no longer living. A. P. married Miss
Henshaw, a native of Athens county, Ohio, in 1872, and has three children,
William L., A. B. and Edwin H. Mr. Child was a leading man in the community,
served as justice of the peace many years, and held five offices at the time
of his death. He presided at the Ramsay inquest when the latter was hung by
a mob, as detailed elsewhere. He served several terms as supervisor, and was
a very popular auctioneer, in which capacity his son promises to excel him.
Extracted from Records of the Olden Time.
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