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ILLINOIS GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A part of Genealogy Express
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Welcome to
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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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
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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 |
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CHARLES ADKINS.
One 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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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