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Piatt County, Illinois
History & Genealogy

The following Biographies have been extracted from the following source:
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois
and
History of Piatt County
Vol. II
1917

Transcribed by Sharon Wick

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  MADISON A. ADAMS, now living retired at Cerro Gordo, is one of the stable men of Piatt County, who in former days held a high position among the leading agriculturists.  He was born in Madison County, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1843, a son of Jacob and Sydney (Eaches) Adams, natives of Kentucky and Ohio.  The father was a carpenter and farmer, and upon coming to Piatt County in 1846, he entered eighty acres of land on the county line between Piatt and Macon counties.  This land was all in a raw state, but he erected a log cabin and developed it into a valuable property.  His death occurred when he was forty-four years old, and he left a widow and seven children.  The mother died three years later, and the children were divided among the neighbors and cared for.
     Madison A. Adams had very few educational advantages, but he attended school when he could during the winter months and made the most of his scant opportunities.  For one year after the death of his mother he worked without receiving any pay, but earning some money for his next year's labors, he took five of the children back to Ohio so they could be among relatives.  Returning to Piatt County, he resumed work for farmers and so continued to be engaged until June, 1862, he enlisted for service during the Civil War in Company E, Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Chicago, being assigned to the army under direct command of General Grant.  He was in the Vicksburg campaign, and that of Nashville, participated in the battle of Franklin and that of Mobile, Ala., and was mustered out in August, 1865, at Vicksburg, and was honorably discharged at Chicago, after which he returned to Piatt County.  Mr. Adams then bought an eighty acre farm, of swamp land, and Willow Branch Township, which he improved, and in 1867 moved on it, adding another eighty acres.  This 160 acre farm is now one of the best in the county.  In addition to this, he secured 740 acres of land in Cross County, Ark., which is partially improved, having a house, windmill and other improvements, but principally in timber.  Mr. Adams rents it profitably.  He also owns a fine residence in Cerro Gordo, in which he has lived sine 1903.
     On Feb. 14, 1876, Mr. Adams was married to Mary Zellers, of Piatt County, a daughter of John and Mary Zellers, natives of Germany.  Mr. and Mrs. Adams became the parents of the following children:  Otto, who died at the age of twenty-three years; Calvin W., who lives at Cerro Gordo, is in business with his father conducting an automobile and garage business, handling the Ford, Maxwell, Overland, Dodge and Jeffery cars, with main office at Cerro Gordo, and branches at Bement and Monticello; Olive E., who is Mrs. E. H. Roling of Welsh, La.; Mary S., who is Mrs. Sanford L. Grove, of Willow Branch Township; and Ruth, who is at home.  Mr. Adams is a member if the Methodist Church, and has served as a trustee since 1903.  He is a Progressive Republican politically.  For two years he was assessor of Cerro Gordo Township, and for nine years was a school trustee.  His membership in Cerro Gordo Post No. 210, B. A. R. is a source of interest to him, and he enjoys meeting his old comrades.  In the war and peace Mr. Adams has proven his true worth, and no man stands any higher in public esteem than does he.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  CHARLES ADKINSOne of the leading agriculturists of Piatt County, Charles Adkins has also, at various times, been called to positions of Public preferment, and for three terms served as a member of the Illinois State Legislature.  He was born in Pickaway County, O., Feb. 7, 1863, and is a son of Sampson and Eliza A. (Mintum) Adkins.
     Sampson Adkins
was born in 1839, in Pickaway County, O., was there reared and educated, and during the Civil War fought as a soldier in Company A, Ninetieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He died in 1882.  In Dec., 1885, his widow and her children moved to Monticello Township, Piatt County, Ill., and rented a farm of 240 acres, upon which members of the family resided for twenty years.  Mrs. Adkins then moved to Monticello, where she died in 1910, aged sixty-seven years, her birth having occurred in 1839 in Athens County, O.  The following children comprised the family:  Charles; B. F., who is deceased; Elizabeth, deceased, who was Mrs. Charles Reeves; Reuben, of Bement, Ill.; Ida M., who died as the wife of Elza Anderson; Harry H., deceased; Amanda, who is Mrs. Charles Jones, of Monticello; Nancy A., who is the wife of Elsworth Anderson, of Champaign County, Ill.; Willialm M. and Clara A., of Monticello; Joyce, who is the wife of Samuel Armsworth, of Monticello; and Sampson, of Chicago, Ill.
     Charles Adkins was reared in Ohio, where he received his education in the district schools, and taught school in teh district schools there.  Following his marriage, in 1888, he rented a farm in Willow Branch Township, Piatt County, on which he resided until January, 1893, at which time he moved to the farm upon which he now resides, a fine 560 acre farm owned by W. F. Stevenson, of Monticello, and he was carried on general farming and stockraising as a tenant farmer.  His thorough knowledge of agricultural and live stock conditions make his services much in demand as a lecturer and instructor at Farmer's Institutes and other agricultural organizations, and he is president of the Illinois Live Stock Breeders' Association.  Fraternally he is connected with the Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Shrine of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Tribe of Ben Hur.  During a period of twenty years he has been a member of the Bement Board of Education, and in this time has done much for the schools of this community.  In politics he is a Republican.  After serving four years as supervisor of Bement Township.  Mr. Adkins was elected a member of the Forty-fifty General Assembly, and his services as a member of that distinguished body were of such an able and helpful character that he was sent as representative to the Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh sessions, and in the latter was made speaker of the House.
     In 1888 Mr. Adkins was married to Miss Dora E. Farrow, who was born in Piatt County, Ill., daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Lorish) Farrow, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Pennsylvania.  Ten children have been born to this union, as follows:  Ella, who is the wife of Romia Campbell, a farmer of Monticello Township; Charles Otis, of Willow Branch Township; and Benjamin F., Reuben, Roy, Ruth, Grace, Howard, Martha Washington and Mary Elizabeth, residing at home.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  JAMES ALLMAN, was born in Ireland in 1839, and in 1854 he came to Piatt County to join two brothers who had already come this this locality.  In time he became a heavy landowner.  In 1877 he was married to Anna McSheffry and they had three children, namely:  Mary, Agnes and Margaret.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  JOHN SMITH ATER.  After many years' operations along agricultural lines the late John Smith Ater proved his business ability by the successful conduct of a large lumber concern, and finally retired to Cerro Gordo, where he spent the last years of his life.  He was born in Ohio, March 7, 1840, a son of James and Sabina (Thomas) Ater, natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively, who came to Willow Branch Township, Piatt County, Ill., at an early day, and here bought a tract of land.
     John Smith Ater was reared as any farmer's son of his day, and received his educational training in the schools in his district.  When his country had need of him during the Civil War, he enlisted in Company K, One hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Nashville and Franklin, and was in the Atlanta campaign.  At the close of his military service, he returned to his father's home, and resided there until the fall in 1867, when he moved to his own farm of 160 acres in Willow Branch Township.  He erected a house upon it and made other improvements, and added eighty acres to his farm.  Later he moved to Monticello from whence he conducted his own and his mother's farm.  After some years, he returned to his farm for a period, and then went to Cerro Gordo, where he went into a lumber business and conducted it for a time.  Subsequently he sold this business and lived retired until his death, November 12, 1903, in the handsome residence he had bought in Cerro Gordo.  Here his widow has sine resided.
     On March 7, 1867, Mr. Ater was married to Mary A. Towl, born at Cleveland, Ohio, April 2, 1839, a daughter of Efferson and Mary (Plummer) Towl natives of Maine.  Mr. and Mrs. Ater had no children.  Mr. Ater was a Democrat, was assessor in 1870 and collector in 1871, and held other township offices in Willow Branch Township.  A man of Consequence, he exerted a strong influence among his associates, and is remembered with kindly consideration.  He was a member of the G. A. R., and was deeply interested in all matters pertaining thereto.  He was a prominent Mason for many years, and was buried according to that order.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  THOMAS J. ATER, one of the pioneers of Willow Branch Township, came to the county in 1838, and was there married to Nancy Fisher by whom he had two children, namely: Thomas Jefferson and John.  Later he was married (second) to Miss Elizabeth Williams.  In 1851 Mr. Ater died, owning at that time 313 acres of land.  He had held a number of township offices and was a man of importance.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  GEORGE W. BAKER, one of the farmers of Blue Ridge Township who is now deceased, was born in Ohio and came to Piatt County when he was twenty-two years old.  With his savings he bought 160 acres of land on which he lived until his death in 1897.  He was married in 1880 to Miss Mary Leach, and they had one daughter, Millie Jane, who was married to Wallace Walk.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  JACOB H. BARNES, who was born in Virginia, came to Bement in 1866, and for years was coroner of Piatt County, and a school trustee at Bement.  In 1844 he was married to Elizabeth Kimmel, and they had the following children:  Mrs. Robert Haseltine, Marcelous, Irene and Kimmel.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  JOHN BARNES, who was born in Ohio, July 1823, came to Piatt County in 1833.  He was married in 1846 to Martha M. Phillipps, and they had eight children, namely:  Hannah R., Mary E., Ellen, George A., Joseph L., John G., Etta, and one deceased.  His home was in the vicinity of Centerville, and there he died February 4, 1871.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  WILLIAM BARNES, was born in 1792, and in 1813 he was united in marriage with Sarah Marquiss, who was born in 1794.  In 1833 they came to Piatt County and located in Monticello Township.  They had three children, but only two grew to Maturity, namely:  Henry and William Harrison.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  WILLIAM E. BARNETT, came to Piatt County in 1850 and for years was a resident of Goose Creek Township, moving there in 1868.  He was married in 1844 to Mrs. Julia A. Milburn, a widow with three children.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  HARRISON BARTLEY, who was born in Ohio in 1808, became one of the successful farmers of Monticello Township, where he came in 1868.  He was married in 1835 to Elizabeth Newhouse, and they had nine children:  Edward, Sarah, Catherine, Louis, Nelson, Lemuel, Ella, William and Benjamin.    Harrison Bartley's father served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  GEORGE T. BELL, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Bement during the early sixties, and there died in 1880.  He was married to Sarah Sample, who survived him, and their children were as follows:  Mrs. Jacob Mothespaw, and John D.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  HARVEY BENSON, came to Piatt County in 1856 and became a prosperous farmer of Sangamon Township.  In December, 1877, he was married to Mrs. Mary Piatt.  His death occurred some years ago.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  THOMAS C. BODY, born in England, came to Piatt County in 1858, and in 1867 left his farm and located at Bement, where he died in 1876.  He was married in 1856 to Hannah D. Turnbolt and their children were as follows:  Fannie, Charles L., Darlington, Edward, William and Harry.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  D. S. BOND, who was born in Virginia, came to Piatt County in 1852, and became one of the successful farmers of the county, owning at one time 160 acres of land.  In 1859 he was married to Mary Gates and they had eight children who grew to maturity, namely:  Edwin, Albert, Ernest, Lillie, Florence, Charlie, Irving and Nellie.  A man of substance and reliability, he was called upon several times to hold office.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  L. J. BOND, who was born in West Virginia, lived in Indiana for some years prior to coming to Piatt County in 1854, at which time he located in Monticello Township and developed a fine farm of forty-four acres just outside of the city limits Monticello.  In 1849 he was married to Margaret V. Bond and they had eleven children, six of whom grew to maturity, namely:  Lona, Oswick, Bert, Ada, Lena and Louis.  For a number of years Mr. Bond served his township as supervisor, and was circuit clerk, and a member of the State Assembly.  A  Mason in high standing, he was connected with the Commandery at Decatur.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  THOMAS K. BONDURANT.  The records of Piatt County show no more finished life in way of public achievement and development of private character than is shown in the life history of the late Thomas E. Bondurant who, for years, was one of the dominating figures in the life of DeLand and the county at large.  There he not only was connected with the leading financial institution of the village, but he also took and active and forceful part in all public movements, and at the same time developed and maintained a choice social circle in which he was held in the highest esteem.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  JAMES BOWLS, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Unity Township in 1856 and there died.  He was married and had nine children, namely:  Mrs. William Thompson, Mrs. Frank True, John J., George W., William W., Rachael, James A. and one who died in infancy.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
 

REUBEN BOWMAN, was born in Pennsylvania, July 4, 1806, and was married in 1832 to Sarah Bradley, and their children were as follows:  Samantha, Julia, Harriet, Mary, George, John, Milton, James K. P., and Harrison.  For many years Mr. Bowman lived in Monticello where he was held in high esteem.  During the Mexican War he served his country and received a pension from the government on account of injuries received during that conflict.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page

  ALEXANDER GEORGE BOYER, was born in Ohio, August 5, 1825, and came to Piatt County at an early day, and came to Piatt County at an early day, being engaged in farming and school teaching.  His death occurred April 11, 1868.  In 1840 he was married in Piatt County to Hannah Duckett and they had eight children, namely:  Lenora, Olive, Frank, James Dolly, Martha, Douglas and Berta.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  JOHN BRITTENHAM, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, located in Monticello in 1851, and engaged in a real estate business, although prior to that he had been a Methodist circuit rider.  In 1846 he was married to Martha Harshbarger, and they had two children that grew to maturity, namely:  Charles K. and William R.  In 1858 Mr. Brittenham was married (second) to Sarah J. Funk and they had four children, namely:  John Richard, Thomas L., Allen O., and Sarah J.  During his last years Mr. Brittenham was engaged in merchandising, and had just returned from this line when he died May 28, 1872.  Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  JOHN BRITTON, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Piatt County in 1846, locating near Monticello, where he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1845.  In 1836 he was married to Jane Graham, and had two children, who survived him, namely:  William J. and Ella.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  JAMES BROWN, came from Virginia to Piatt County in 1857, and became one of the substantial farmers of Goose Creek Township, there residing until his death, which occurred October 22, 1878.  In 1844 he was married to Margaret A. Hull, and their children were:  Belle, Bettie, Emma, Mollie, J. Hull, Lucy, Ada E., Floyd F., Clara M., and Olive F.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
 

AZOR BUNYAN, was born in England and died at Bement in 1871, although for some years piror to that he had been a farmer of Unity Township, having come there in 1864.  He was married to Catherine Carpenter and their children were as follows:  Mrs. HEnry Keller, Albert, Mrs. Wallace, Davy, Silvester, George, John, Mrs. John Brown, Mrs. Thomas Dtrickler and William.  During the Civil War Mr. Bunyan was a sanitary agent of the government.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 722

  HENRY B. BURGESS, owned and improved 360 acres of land in Bement Township, but lived during his later years at Bement, where he died in 1876.  He was married to Mary Miller who survived him.  Their children were as follows:  Mrs. B. B. Bacon, Clark M., Mrs. James Webster, and Grow.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  JOHN H. BURNS, was born in Maryland January 19, 1848, and came to Piatt County about 1874, at which time he bought 212 acres of land in Blue Ridge Township.  On December 21, 1870 he was married to Rebecca A. Petry, and they had the following children: Mrs. David P. Smith, William, Corda, Irene, Amy R., Ida Blanche, Catherine R. and Charles L.  Mr. Burns died April 25, 1887, on his farm.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  O. P. BUSH, who for years was engaged in carpentering at Monticello, was born in Ohio in 1829, and came to the county seat in 1853, there acquiring city property.  In 1851 he was married to Barbara J. Clark and they had four children, three of whom grew to maturity, namely:  William J., Maria J., and Charles W.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page
  JESSE BUSHEE, now deceased, but for many years an honored resident of Piatt County, and a man who proved his worth as a soldier and citizen, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Sept. 11, 1840, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Bushee, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania.  The mother died in Ohio, and the father after her death, came to Piatt County, Ill., arriving here in 1856.  Jesse Bushee assisted his father in his farming during his boyhood, and then hired out to neighboring farmers by the month, so continuing until he enlisted for service during the Civil War, for three months.  After his discharge, he re-enlisted on June 13, 1862, in the Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and received his second discharge June 321, 1865, with the rank of corporal.  During all his service he was never wounded or taken prisoner, but endured many severe hardships and privations.
     After his return home, he began farming on his own account, in Sangamon Township, this county, living with a sister until his marriage. which took place Sept. 2, 1866, when he was united with Matilda Jane Teats, born in Ross County, Ohio, Mar. 27, 1849, a daughter of Mathias and Mary (Puffinbarger) Teats, born in Ross County, Ohio, who came to Piatt County in1856.  Mr. and Mrs. Bushee became the parents of the following children:  Mary Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Carrie, who is Mrs. John Cox of De Land, Ill.; Estella, who lives with her widowed mother; and Ralph W., who is a dentist of Monticello.  Mr. Bushee belonged to the United Brethren Church, of which he was a trustee, and his widow is a member of the same congregation.  In politics he was a Republican.  After a long and useful life, Mr. Bushee died Sept. 20, 1915.  Hard working and thrifty, he accumulated a fair competency, and also gained and retained the confidence and respect of all who knew him.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 723
  RALPH W. BUSHEE., D. D. S., one of the able and skilled representative of the dental profession of Monticello has been rewarded by the acquisition of a fine practice and the confidence and esteem of his community.  He was born at White Heath, Ill., Apr. 21, 1887, a son of Jesse and Jane (Teats) Bushee, the former born at Circleville, Ohio, and the latter at Delphos, Ohio.  The paternal grandparents, Jacob and Mary (Gettings) Bushee were early settlers of Piatt County, to which they came about 1857.  The parents married and located on a farm at White Health, Ill.  During the Civil War, the father enlisted for service in defense of his country, and after the expiration of his three months' enlistment, re-enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and continued in it until the close of the war.  Returning to White Heath, he continued to farm until 1894, when he retired to Monticello, there living until his death, Sept. 20, 1915.  The mother survives.
     Dr. Bushee attended the Urbana High school and Normal school and then for two yeas he taught school.  Following this he attended the Northwestern University at Chicago, and was graduated from its dental department in June, 1911.  Immediately thereafter he established himself at Monticello, and has become one of the leading practitioners at the county seat.  On June 24, 1914, Dr. Bushee was married to Bessie E. Fitswater, born in Goose Creek Township, Piatt County, a daughter of James H. and Elenor (Barnes) Fitswater.  Dr. Bushee belongs to the United Brethren Church.  In politics he is a Republican.  Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the Monticello Chapter of that order; the White Heath Lodge of Odd Fellows; and the White Heath Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America.  Thoroughly trained, and competent in his line, Dr. Bushee commands a large and constantly increasing practice, and deserves the success which has attended his efforts.
Source:  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 723

NOTES:


 

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