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ILLINOIS GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A part of Genealogy Express
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Welcome to
Piatt County,
Illinois
History & Genealogy
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Biographies
Source:
Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois
from the
Discovery of the Upper
Mississippi to the Present Time
by Emma C. Piatt
With Map and Illustrations.
1883
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Monticello -
MR. CHRISTOPHER R. WARD was born Aug.
6, 1809, in Abington, Washington county, Virginia, of Scotch-Irish
parentage. While yet quite young he removed to Tazewell,
Claiborne county, East Tennessee, where he lived until he arrived at
the years of manhood. while yet almost a boy he made a trip
into the then newly discovered gold country of Northern Georgia and
Alabama, and spent some months in searching for gold. The
territory in which gold was found then belonged to the Cherokee
Indians. For a time the excitement in regard to the discovery
rivaled that which, after many years, occurred on teh discovery of
gold in California. Notwithstanding the treaty with the
Indians and the proclamation of the President, the gold-bearing
territory was overrun with fortune-hunters, until at length, by
authority of the government, they were forcibly removed by United
States troops sent there for that purpose. The subject of our
sketch studied medicine at Knoxville, in East Tennessee, and finally
removed to Edgar county, Illinois, in 1832, where he was married to
Miss Elizabeth Hobbs, by whom he had one son, T. G. Ward,
who now resides in Missouri. After her death he was married to
Miss Nancy Somerville, then residing in Edgar county, who
adopted his father's profession and was quite successful as a
physician, practicing at Lovington, Illinois, until his death, which
occurred in 1875; Sarepta, who married C. W. Noyes and
now resides in St. Joseph, Missouri; Mary who married
James Holmes, now of Chicago, and Martha, who married
H. E. Huston and still resides in Monticello, Illinois.
Soon after his second marriage he concluded to remove to Piatt
county and try practicing his profession. Up to that time he
had tried farming and school teaching and a little young family in
the year 1845, and before he had had time to unload his few
household goods he was called upon to visit professionally one of
the citizens who was dangerously ill, and from that time until he
was finally compelled, in 1870, to relinquish his practice, by the
premonitions of heart disease, he never knew what it was to rest
from his labors. Through sunshine and storm, daylight and
darkness, summer and winter, he was always ready to go in answer to
the cry of distress. At the time of his location in Monticello
the county and town was but sparsely inhabited, and he was the only
practicing physician in the county. His practice for years
afterward extended from Sadorus Grove on the east of Friends Creek
on the west, from Mackville in the south to Mahomet in the north; or
in other words, about fifteen miles in all directions from
Monticello. Such was the urgency and frequency of his
calls, that repeatedly he was compelled to get what little slumber
he could while riding horseback over the the then trackless
prairies from one lone cabin to another. The greater part that
he would probably have to take his pay in produce, and as likely get
nothing for his services, make him hesitate when the call for
assistance came. Nevertheless he had his reward in the
universal esteem in which he was and is held by this community.
He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Relinquishing his practice in 1870, he immediately set about putting
his affairs in order to receive the summons which he felt would
sooner or later call him from his earthly labors. But few
persons have left their financial matters in better shape.
Finally, after facing the destroyer manfully for years, he gently
and peacefully passed over the river on April 22, 1881. His
remains were buried in the cemetery north of Monticello.*
-----
* We are indebted to H. F. Huston for the above sketch.
Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the
Present Time by Emma C.
Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 329 |
Monticello -
G. R. WARRICK, farmer, Monticello, is a native of Pike
county, and moved to Piatt county in 1878. He was married in
1873, to Lucy E. Burch, a native of Pike county. They
own a farm of eighty acres, which is all under cultivation.
There is a good house on the place, some five hundred trees have
been planted out, and a new barn is being built.Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the
Present Time by Emma C.
Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 334 |
Monticello -
MR. CHARLES WATTS (deceased) was born Mar. 25,
1835, in Caledonian county, Vermont. He came to Monticello
about 1855, taught school the first year, and began practicing law
the next year, and became a most successful lawyer of the county.
He was school and county treasurer for a number of years in the
county. He went back to Vermont, and married Lodoskey A.
Spencer, Nov. 22, 1858. Four of their children are living,
Willie E., Charles P., Lena M. and Harry S.
Mr. Watts died Feb. 4, 1875, and Monticello thus lost one of her
most honored and respected citizens. Mrs. Watts'
sister, Phebe Spencer, now Mrs. Henry Bodwell,
came to Monticello in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Bodwell
have two children, Bertie and Agatha.
Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the
Present Time by Emma C.
Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 331 |
Monticello -
MR. L. B. WEAVER, farmer, Monticello, is a
native of Virginia, from which state he moved to Ohio, and then came
to Monticello in 1843. He lived in the old Piatt cabin for a
time, and has lived in the vicinity of Monticello ever since.
He owns 80 acres of land, where he now lives, and has improved the
place for himself. He was married Aug. 17, 1837, to Sarah
A. Neal, and has had fifteen children, twelve of whom are
living, and all are within a radius of eight or ten miles. Not
many families so large remain so near each other. Mary J.
married J. E. B. Fowler, and has three children, Berry,
Charles and Louis, and lives in Monticello.
George, who was in the late war, married Kate Connor, and
has three children, Maud, Edna and Nellie. Margaret
was the wife of Daniel Bush, who died, leaving five children,
George, Mary, Frank, Alice and Bertie D. Mrs. Bush
next married Mr. William Barnhart, who had several children.
Martha A. Weaver married Daniel Russell. Elizabeth
is the wife of Henry Martin, and has four children, Harry,
Irving, Sadie and Elsie. James Weaver
married Mary Johnson, and has three children, Linnie,
Claud and Ollie Eliza Weaver became the wife
of Franklin Sellers, and has one son, Leonard B.
Charles Weaver married Minnie Jones. Kate Weaver
married John Dresback, and has three children.
Winfield married Ella Lowe. Nannie and John E.
Weaver are still at home.
Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the
Present Time by Emma C.
Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 331 |
Monticello -
MR. SAMUEL B. WEBSTER, Mr. Webster's father, was a
native of Kentucky, his mother of Virginia, while Ohio bears the
honor of his nativity. He was one of a family of four,
two of which are now living in this county. Mr. Webster
moved to Champaign county in 1856, and in 1858 settled in Piatt
county. He located in Monticello as a saddler, which
occupation he continued until he was appointed postmaster, Dec. 20,
1866. He was first appointed by postmaster General William
Denison, during the administration of Andrew Johnson, and
through the recommendation of the retiring postmaster, Wilson Cox,
to the postmaster-general. He was reappointed under U. S.
Grant, and again under R. B. Hayes. Mr. Webster was
married in 1861, to Ann M. Dyer. Four children have
blessed their union, three of whom, C. Kate, Isaac W. and
Lena B., are living. The people in and about Monticello
will long remember the genial face of the present postmaster, as he
greets and distributes mail to the eager inquiring throng that fills
the office so frequently.
Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the
Present Time by Emma C.
Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 334 |
Monticello -
MR. WILLIAM C. WEBSTER, formerly a harness
dealer in Monticello, was born in Ohio. He moved from his
native state to Piatt county in 1857 and located at Monticello, and
that has been his home ever since. He remained in the saddlery
business until 1879. The winter of 1881-2 he made a trip to
California with anticipation of locating in that state. He is
lavish of praise for the Golden State, but did not move to it as he
anticipated. He is now living just outside the corporation
line of Monticello. He was married in December, 1854, to
Mary Dyer, who died in August, 1870, leaving five children, four
of whom are now living. Charles, her eldest son, died
of consumption when but fifteen years old. James
married Miss Hattie Burgess in 1880, and is running a book
and stationery store in Monticello. Miss Lillie, after
her mother's death, did ample credit to herself as her father's
housekeeper. She and her brother and sister, Eddie and
Katie are still at home. On June 25, 1872, Mr.
Webster married Louisa Rue, a native of New Jersey.
She has had four children, three of whom, Lulu May, Pauline
and Myrtie Belle, are living. Mr. Webster has
not escaped the office of school-director, and was once elected
coroner.
Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the
Present Time by Emma C.
Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 329 |
Monticello -
MR. C. B. WENGENROTH, furniture dealer, Monticello, is a
native of Germany. He came to America in 1853, and in 1856
located in Monticello, where he opened the first furniture store in
the place. He now owns two business houses, three residences
and seven lots in Monticello. He belongs to the Odd-Fellows
lodge of the town. Mr. Wegenroth was married in 1858,
to Catherine Minick. Only one, Lillie, of their
five children is living.
Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the
Present Time by Emma C.
Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 333
Sharon Wick's NOTE: Lillie Wegenroth can be found at
www.findagrave.com under the
name of Mrs. W. W. Royer aka Mrs. Lillie Wengenwroth Royer. -
Memorial# 68600583
Also: 1860 Census of Monticello City, Piatt Co., IL on
July 17th, 1860 lists the following: Dwelling 584 Family 584:
C. Wengenwroth, 28, Cabinet Maker, b. Germany; Catharine Wengenwroth,
30 b. VA; John Wengenwroth, 2 b. Illinois; Charles Wengenwroth, 6/12
b. Illinois; and C. Miller, 23 M., cabinet maker, b. Germany.
Also: 1870 Census of Town of Monticello, Piatt Co., IL
on June 2nd, 1870 lists the following: Dwelling 114, Family
114: Chris Wengenroth, 40 b. Wertemburg - furniture dealer;
Catherine, 41 b. Virginia; John, 11 b. Illinois; Lillie, 6 b.
Illinois; and William 8/12 b. Illinois.
Also: 1880 Census of Monticello, Piatt Co., IL on June
17, 1880 lists the following: C. Wengenwroth, 48, furniture
dealer, b. Ger. Fath. b. Ger. Moth. b. Ger.; Catherine, 48, b.
VA Fath. b. VA Moth. b. Penna; Willie, 16 b. IL;
Also: 1910 Census of Monticello City, Piatt Co., IL,
310 West Washington Street, Dwelling 444, Family 444 lists the
following: Christian Wengenroth, Head, MW 23 M1 53 yrs., b.
Germany; Catherine, wife, FW 85 yrs., M1 53 yrs., b. VA. 5
children 0 children living. |
Monticello -
MR. A. H. WILDMAN, photographer, Monticello, is a native of
Trumbull county, Ohio, from which state he moved to Piatt county,
Unity Township, in 1850. A part of the time since, he made his
home in Douglass county, but in January, 1871, he moved to
Monticello, where he has since resided. At present he is the
only photographer in the place. He owns the property where his
business office is, and also owns his residence property. He
was married to Hannah J. Hodge, and has two children, Maud
A. and William T. In 1861 he went to the army in Co. G of
the 13th Ill. Cav. He was discharged later on account of
disability, but re-enlisted in November, 1862, in Battery I, of the
2d Ill. Lt. Art., and was discharged June 14, 1865. He was in
nearly all the battles from Chattanooga to the sea, and to
Goldsborough, North Carolina. While in the army he lost his
hearing by a premature explosion, and was otherwise injured, so that
he deservedly draws a pension at the present time. Mr.
Wildman's father, Mr. Thomas Wildman, settled in Unity
township in 1850. His wife died after the family had started
to move from Ohio to Illinois. Mr. Thomas Wildman was a
constant sufferer for nineteen years before his death in 1870, and
for thirty-two months previous to his decease he never spoke a word
aloud. He left six children, five of whom are living in Piatt
county. Thomas P. Wildman married Elizabeth
Shonkwiler, and lives in Unity townships. Eunice
Arvilla became the wife of Aaron Harshbarger, but died,
leaving six children. Henry Wildman married Sarah E.
Quick, has six children, and lives on the old home place.
Electa is the wife of Napoleon B. Shonkwiler, has a
large family of children, and lives in Unity township.
Emerzilla is the wife of Samuel Harshbarger, of Unity
township, and has six children.
Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the
Present Time by Emma C.
Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 332 |
Monticello -
SQUIRE WILEY - Addison J. Wiley was born Nov. 1, 1810,
and was named for Joseph Addison, of literary renown.
His father, Moses Wiley, was born in Virginia, on the
Rappahannock river, was of Welch and German descent, and was in the
revolutionary war at the age of fourteen. He married Miss
Rachel Lehew, who was of French descent. They had ten
children, seven of whom were boys. Mr. Wiley and his
family moved to Indiana while it was yet a territory. Mr.
A. J. Wiley remembers that while his folks were in Indiana,
in 1814, Mr. James A. Piatt, when assistant provision
contractor for Gen. Harrison, fed pack-horses on his father's
farm. A. J. Wiley was married married in [ndiana
in 1834, to Sarah Tenbrooke. They had nine children,
three of whom were born in Indiana. Charles Wiley died
in 1864, leaving a wife (now Mrs. Johnson) and four children.
Amelia is the wife of Albert Miner. George
Wiley died in the army in Nashville, Tennessee. Rachel
married Wesley Goodwin. James Wiley makes his home in
Monticello. Allen Wiley married Fannie Wood.
On the 13th of August, 1860, Mr. A. J. Wiley and Mrs.
Campbell were married. The second Mrs. Wilely died
Oct. 5, 1876, leaving three children, Belle Campbell and
Frank and Lena Wiley. In 1837 Mr. Wiley came
to Illinois to look up a place for a new home. He bought land,
40 acres of which was timber and 40 acres prairie land, of Mr.
Abraham Marquiss and Mr. William Barnes in what is now
Piatt county. He then returned to Indiana and remained until
1839, when he moved out to his new home. His wife had come out
a few months previous with Mr. Tenbrooke's family. They
lived on their farm until 1840, when they moved into the cabin in
which four of James A. Piatt's sons were then living.
After boarding for a time with these persons Mr. Wiley moved into
the town of Monticello, in which there were about three houses
in 1840. In 1840 Mr. Wiley was made constable, which
office he held two years, when he became justice of the peace, and
he still has the position, having been out of the office only about
four and a half years during forty years' time. We noticed in
an old county paper not long since that of the several hundred
decisions Mr. Wiley had made in his position as squire only
to have been reversed. Mr. Wiley relates the following
incident of Abraham Lincoln. When Lincoln &
McDougal were practicing law here, they entertained each other
in various ways, and at one time tried to see which could threw an
old meat-axe the farthest. The two were standing in the street
a little west of the southwest corner of the public square.
After each had thrown the axe a time or two Mr. Lincoln took
it and, after swinging it around his head, slung it westward and
into the Lizard run. Upon seeing where the axe lit,
McDougal exclaimed: "Why didn't you do that before?
Here I've been almost throwing my arms off trying to beat you!"
Lincoln enjoyed the joke very much.
Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois
from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the Present Time
by Emma C. Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 330 |
Monticello -
MR. R. B. WINCHESTER, harness maker, Monticello, is a native
of Madison county, Ohio. His father was from New York, his
mother from Tennessee, and of English descent. They had ten
children, two of whom lived in Piatt county. Mr. Winchester
was married in 1852, to Frances A. Tinder, in Madison county,
Ohio. They moved to Piatt county in 1853, settled in
Monticello, where he has been in the harness business ever since.
They have had four children, the eldest dying when eighteen months
old. Lewis E. married Annie E. Maddy, of Muncie,
Indiana, in October, 1876. They have one child, Eva.
Mr. Winchester is a druggist, in Muncie, Indiana. Lucy
Winchester died July 3, 1876. Eva is at home; she
is a graduate of the Monticello high school, in which school she is
a successful teacher. Mr. Winchester went to the army
of 1861, in Co. C of the 73d Ill. Inf. He held the position of
2d lieut., and was out about five months, coming home on account of
sickness. The battle of Perrysville is the principal one in
which he participated. Mrs. Winchester has been a
mantuamaker and milliner in Monticello for the past twenty years.
She has always been one of the principal milliners, and oftimes the
only one, but she is never too busy to make use of her rare faculty
of good nursing at the bed-side of the sick in her community.
Clara, Mr. R. B. Winchester's sister, married James Hall,
and lives in Indiana. She came here in 1856 or 1857, met
Mr. Hall, who went to Indiana, married her, then came here and
lived for several years.
Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois
from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the Present Time
by Emma C. Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 333 |
Monticello -
MR. JOHN WOOLINGTON is a farmer, and lives about three miles
northwest of Monticello. He is a native of Ohio, from which
state he moved to Illinois about 1843 or 1844. He married
Isabella Kyle, who died in 1848, leaving four children, two of
whom are now living. Sarah married James Davis,
and now lives in Monticello. They have one daughter, Ida
Isabelle, who graduated in the Monticello High School in 1881.
Henry N. married Charity Parker. They, with
their three children, Otho, Adelbert and May, have
quite recently moved to Iowa. Mr. John Woolington
married Mrs. Susan Devore, in 1849. They are living
quietly and contentedly in a neat frame house on the farm that
Mr. William Barnes lived on for so many years.
Source: History of Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois
from the Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the Present Time
by Emma C. Piatt With Map and Illustrations. 1883 - Page 332 |
NOTES:
* Picture
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