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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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CHARLES WATTS, who was
born Mar. 25, 1835, in Vermont, died at Monticello Feb. 4, 1875.
He came to Monticello about 1855, and became one of the most
successful of Piatt County's lawyers. In 1858 he was married
to Lodosky Spencer, and their four children who lived
to maturity were as follows: Willie E., Charles P., Lena M.
and Harry S.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page |
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EDWIN B. WEBB,
early lawyer and politician, was born about 1802, came to the
vicinity of Carmi, White County, Ill., about 1828 to 1830, and,
still later, studied law at Transylvania University. He held
the office of Prosecuting Attorney of White County, and, in 1834,
was elected to the lower branch of the General Assembly, serving, by
successive re-elections, until 1842, and, in the Senate, from 1842
to '46. During his service in the House he was a colleague and
political and personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. He opposed
the internal improvement scheme of 1837, predicting many of the
disasters which were actually realized a few years later. He
was a candidate for Presidential Elector on the Whig ticket, in 1844
and '48, and, in 1852, received the nomination for Governor as the
opponent of Joel A. Matteson, two years later, being an
unsuccessful candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court in
opposition to Judge W. B. Scates. While practicing law
at Carmi, he was also a partner of his brother in the mercantile
business. Died, Oct. 14, 1858, in the 56th year of his age.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 581 |
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HENRY
LIVINGSTON WEBB, soldier and pioneer (an elder brother of
James Watson Webb, a noted New York journalist), was born at
Claverack, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1795; served as a soldier in the War of
1812, came to Southern Illinois in 1817, and became one of the
founders of the town of America near the mouth of the Ohio; was
Representative in the Fourth and Eleventh General Assemblies, a
Major in the Black Hawk War and Captain of volunteers and,
afterwards, Colonel of regulars, in the Mexican War. In 1860
he went to Texas and served, for a time in a semi-military capacity
under the Confederate Government; returned to Illinois in 1859, and
died, at Makanda, Oct. 5, 1876.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 581 |
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RICHARD WEBB, was
born in Kentucky in 1799 and came to Piatt County in 1833, a portion
of the farm he entered being over the county line. During his
letter years be resided at Farmer City. In 1828 he was married
to Hettie E. Watson, and they had a large family. After
the death of his first wife, Mr. Webb was married (second) to
Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson, and they had four children.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 813 |
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I. M., WELLS, M. D., one of the
earlier physicians of Blue Ridge Township, was engaged in an active
practice at Mansfield for a number of years. He was born in
Pennsylvania in 1814 and came to Piatt County in 1872. In 1841
he was married to Elizabeth Penrose, who died, leaving one
daughter, Mrs. Hugh McDonald. Doctor Wells was married
(second) to Susan Miller, was married (second) to Susan
Miller and they had three children, namely: Edwina, Eudora
and Berletta. During the Civil War Doctor Wells
served in the Union Ary as a soldier. HE was a justice of the
peace for a number of years.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 814 |
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JOHN WEST, came to
Piatt County in 1835, and acquired about 1,200 acres of land,
principally in Willow Branch Township. At his death he left
each of his children 300 acres of land. He was married five
times. In religious faith he was a Universalist.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 814 |
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ISAIAH WHEELER, whose place of
residence is at Cerro Gordo, although his duties as traveling
colonizer for the Union Pacific Railroad Company take his away from
home a portion of the time, is well known in Piatt Couny. He
was born in Oakley Township, Macon County, Ill., in Nov., 1866, a
son of John K. and Nancy (_udgen) Wheeler, natives of
Louisville, Ky. They came to Macon County, Ill., when young
and were there married.
Following the death of his mother, Isaiah Wheeler
lived with a sister, Mrs. John E. Huff, of Oakley, Ill.,
remaining on the farm until twenty-three years of age. When he
was eighteen years old he began farming, but soon thereafter took a
trip to Walla Walla, Wash., and spent a year at that point.
Upon his return he resumed farming in Oakley Township and so
continued until 1886, when he came to Cerro Gordo, and was in a meat
market business with his brother, J. K., for three years.
Later he sold his interest and worked for his brother for a year.
For the following five yeas he was on a farm he owned in Oakley
Township, which he left to once more come to Cerro Gordo. He
took up his residence in the old home of his wife's parents, at the
same time conducting a livery business and having and selling horses
for a few years. From this business he branched out into
selling imported horses, and became a traveling representative for
Mr. Crouch of LaFayette, Ind. Still later he
became traveling colonization agent for the Union Pacific Railroad,,
leaving this company six years later to assume the same duties with
the Great Northern Railroad Company, with which he remained for two
years, and then returned to the Union Pacific Railroad. His
headquarters are now at Omaha, Neb.
On Jan. 1, 1891, Mr. Wheeler married Emma
Blickenstaff, born in Oakley Township, Macon County, Ill., a
daughter of John and Catherine (Kuns) Blickenstaff. Mr. and
Mrs. Wheeler have had no children of their own, but reared three
children belonging to others, namely: Lillie Wheeler, a
daughter of Robert Wesley and Nancy Elizabeth (McMahon) Wheeler,
of Oakley Township, the former being a brother of Mr. Wheeler;
Etta Wheeler, a sister of Lillie, who married William
F. Haynes, born in Long Creek Township, Macon County, Ill.;
and Andrew Blickenstaff, born in Clinton County,
Ind., June 27, 1876, a son of Solomon and Nancy (Metzger)
Blickenstaff. Mr. Blickenstaff is a minister of the
Dunkard Church, and since 1905 has been located at McFarland, Kern
County, Call. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler also adopted Guy
Crook when six years of age, who is sill with them, and in the
spring of 1916 adopted a baby girl, Naoma Ruth, when three
weeks old. Such evidence of true Christianity is worthy of
mention. Mr. Wheeler belongs to the Church of the
Brethren. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs.
Wheeler was educated in the public schools of her native place.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 814 |
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JOSEPH WILSON
(deceased), was one of the old and substantial men of Piatt County
during its most progressive period. He was born in Washington
County, Md., July 16, 1833. His father died in Maryland when
Joseph was three years of age. Later
his mother removed to Dayton, Ohio, where Joseph
resided until he attained his majority, at which time he went to
Tazewell county, Ill., and worked for three years on the farm of
John Glotfelter, but about 1856 engaged in farming
in the same county on his own account. After some years he
moved to Normal, Ill., and then went to Logan County, Ill. In
1877 he came to Piatt County, buying 303 acres of land in Goose
Creek Township that was partly improved. After taking
possession of this farm, he began at once to improve it, and
developed it into a very valuable property. During the years
that followed Mr. Wilson became an extensive farmer
and stockraiser, so continuing until death, Feb. 14, 1905.
On Oct. 16, 1856, Mr. Wilson was married to
Lucinda Judy, who was born in Tazewell County,, Ill., a
daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Musick) Judy.
Mrs. Judy was born in Kentucky and was brought by
her parents to Logan County, Ill., in 1819, they being
Robert and Sarah Musick, natives of Virginia.
Mr. Judy was born in Greene Co., Ohio, a son of
Jacob and Mary Judy. After the death of Mrs.
Judy Mr. Judy remarried. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson
became the parents of the following children - Amanda Jennie,
who married Edward Hersbarger, is now deceased;
Rosa Ellen, who married William Galesthorp,
is now a widow, living at Lincoln, Ill.; Sarah Ann,
who is
Mrs.
D. P. Swisher, lives in Goose Creek Township;
Bell, who is Mrs. Lincoln Borton, lives in
Goose Creek Township; and Jacob G., who died
November 13, 1913, aged forty-eight years. Jacob G.
was a prominent farmer and a justice of the peace. He
resided with his mother and managed the farm, until his removal to
Lincoln, Ill. They reared a boy, taking him when seven years
old, but lost him by death at the age of fifteen years.
After the death of Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Wilson went to
live with her son at Lincoln, Ill., but in June, 1915, returned to
DeLand and now resides there in a modern cottage where she is very
comfortable. In addition to her residence Mrs.
Wilson owns the homestead of 303 acres adjoining
DeLand, which she rents to other parties. She is a member of
the Christian Church. Both as a member and deacon of the
Christian Church. Mr. Wilson did his full
duty. A Republican, he held a number of township offices.
Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 815 |
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WILLIAM
JAMES WILSON, now deceased, for many years was one of the
prominent men of Piatt County, and a more than ordinarily prosperous
farmer of Moultrie County. He was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Apr.
29, 1843, a son of Samuel T. and Mary (McGille) Wilson,
the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania. The mother died
in Ohio sometime during the forties, and following her death the
family continued to reside in Ross Co., until 1868, when the father
came to Macon County, Ill., and spent some years upon a farm, but
later retired and died in Macon Co. Responding to the first
all for volunteers at the outbreak of the Civil War, as a member of
an Ohio regiment, he re-enlisted in the Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer
Infantry and served until the close of the war.
After attending the common schools of his native county,
William James Wilson learned to be a farmer, and assisted
his father, until 1871, when he went on a rented farm in Macon
County. In 1883 he bought 160 acres of land in Moultrie Co.,
where he lived until his retirement in 1807, at which time he rented
his farm to his son and moved to La Place, where his widow still
resides. There he died Oct. 24, 1913, and in his death his
community lost a judicious and useful citizen, and his family and
friends a kind and sympathetic person who had their needs and
happiness at heart.
In December, 1871,
Mr. Wilson was married to Mary J. Bales,
born in Eastern Tennessee, Nov. 30, 1850, a daughter of Joseph
M. and Margaret (Bible) Bales, natives of Tennessee.
In 1854 the family came to Coles Co., Ill., but later went to Macon
County, where the father, who was born in 1829, died Jan. 4, 1912.
The mother, who was born Aug. 28, 1828, survives and lives on the
homestead near Decatur, Ill. They were married in 1848.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of the
following children: Addie J., who is
Mrs. E. E. Saylor of Decatur, Ill.; Etta,
who is the widow of Charles Duncan of La Place,
Ill.; Margaret, who is Mrs. Madison Adams
of Anderson, Mo.; Ellen, who is Mrs. Frank
Adams of Liberal, Mo.; and David Emerson,
who is on the home farm. Mrs. Wilson was
educated in the common schools of Macon County. Early in life
Mr. Wilson belonged to the Christian Church, but
later became a Methodist, and Mrs. Wilson is still
identified with that faith. A Republican he served as a
justice of the peace of La Place for some years. The local G.
A. R. had in him a loyal member.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 815 |
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EPHRAIM
WITHERS, came to Unity Township in 1866, and died on his farm
in 1881. He was married to Sarah Berry and
they had the following children: Seborn S., Newton, David,
and Mrs. Welch who survived their father.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page |
NOTES:
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