Edgar County IL Archives Biographies.....Hunter Township, Biographies ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 19, 2006, 3:33 pm Author: The History of Edgar Co IL 1879 pages 692-697 HUNTER TOWNSHIP. A. E. BOLAND, farmer; P. O. Paris; son of Augustin E. and Ruth W. (Tickner) Boland, who were among the first settlers of Edgar Co., locating upon the farm where A. E., Jr., now resides in 1818; he was a soldier of the war of 1812, and has resided in this and the vicinity of where Vincennes and Terre Haute now stand, from the time of his discharge to his death, which was in 1873, at the age of 82, and his wife in 1876, at the age of 73. The subject of this sketch was born in the house where he now resides; he owns seventy-two acres of the old homestead. He served for a time in the army of the late war. He married Miss Charity Galeener; they have four children — Charles D., Henlie N., Orrie M. and Luella T. J. H. BLANFORD, farmer and blacksmith; P. O. Paris; is a native of Kentucky; was born June 26, 1847, where he was raised; his father before him was a blacksmith, and during his early life was put at the trade and has followed it principally thus far through life; is a good workman, through which he has been quite successful; he came to Illinois in 1867, locating in Effingham, and removed to Edgar Co. in 1869, locating where he now resides, since which time he has acquired a good property. He married Miss Laura A. Bruce, of this county, June 4, 1872; they have two children — James E. and Gertrude. He is now Township Commissioner and a respected citizen. JIRA I. BLACKMAN (deceased); was the son of Remember Blackman, who was one of the three first white settlers in Edgar Co.; he was born Oct. 13, 1820; received his education and spent his early life in the county. In July, 1846, he enlisted for the Mexican war; he was mustered in at Springfield, and elected Third Sergeant; he shared the fortunes of tbe army through their long marches in Mexico, proving himself a good officer and worthy soldier, and, at the end of his term of enlistment, he received his discharge from the proper authorities. In 1850, he went to California, where he remained six years, engaging in farming, of which he made a success. On June 21, 1863, he married Miss Mary E. Hopkins, of Putnam Co., Ind., who still survives him; they had a family of six children — Edwin, Chanty A., Nancy L., Wallace J., Jack and William. He was a man who had earned a good name and reputation by honesty and integrity; was also a very energetic business man, leaving, at the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 26, 1878, a fine property of nearly four thousand acres of fine land. He was a man well known in the county, and at his death was mourned not only by his family, but by a large circle of friends. CHARLES H. BLANFORD, farmer; P. O. Paris; son of W. H. Blanford, a prominent pioneer; was born in Nelson Co., Ky., April 30, 1834, and came to this county with parents in 1837; during his early life, the advantages for a school education were few and far between, but, by experience and the little schooling, he obtained a good common education. On April 27, 1862, he married Miss Bettie Halsted, of Erie Co., N. Y.; and on July 10, 1862, he enlisted with 71st Ind. V. I., after eighteen months, the regiment was reorganized and made a cavalry regiment, and was in a number of battles, among which were Richmond, Ky., Muldoze Hill, Ky., siege of Knoxville and Nashville, and was mustered out after the service of three years; then returned, since which time he has given agricultural pursuits his entire attention. He owns 100 acres of fine land, and is a well-to-do and a much-respected citizen. W. H. BLANFORD, farmer; P. O. Paris; was born in Prince George Co., Md., June 20, 1805; he was taken by his parents to Nelson Co., Ky., where he lived until coming to Edgar Co., Ill. He married Miss Nancy Wraghtmire, on June 19, 1826; she was born in Nelson Co., Ky., July 31, 1807; they emigrated to this county in 1837, at which time this was a wild and desolate-looking country; but being possessed with a firm will and willing hands, they set to work to make a home, and for a long time it seemed uphill business; but after a few years of hard toil and many privations, the dawn of success began to be visible, and by industry, economy and integrity, have risen to be one among the better class of the county; he has assisted his children to a good property, and has retained for himself 210 acres of fine land; Mr. B. is a public-spirited man of good business ability; a kind parent and an affectionate husband; they have raised a family of twenty-three, twelve of whom are their own; they are as follows: Elizabeth J. (now Mrs. J, Marrs), Amanda L. (now Mrs. J. Thralls), Sarah A. (now Mrs. H. J. Stewart), Martha J. (now Mrs. W. Dusthamer), Charles H., George W., Mary L. (deceased), Rose A. (now Mrs. Robt. Anderson), William C., Benjamin F. (deceased), Joseph A., James A. VIRGIL COLLINS, farmer and mechanic; P. O. Paris; is the son of Horatio G. and Maria (Satterlee) Collins; they were natives of New York; in 1818, they came West and located in Vermilion Co., Ind., where they remained until 1827, then removed to Edgar Co. He, during his life, was an honored and respected citizen, his death occurred in August, 1877. The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 28, 1825, in Vermilion Co., Ind., and he came, with his parents, to this county; here he has become a well-respected citizen and prosperous business man. He married Miss Amanda E. Wheeler in March, 1846; she passed away in June, 1849, leaving two children — Jenette (now Mrs. J. I. Partridge), and Horace (deceased); on March 20, 1850, he married Miss Fanny Miller; they have raised four children - Homer, Webster, Oscar and Rollin. Mr. Collins has taken quite an interest in public and political affairs, and had the confidence and esteem of his friends. He has served as Collector three years, held the office of Justice of the Peace four years, and been School Treasurer for ten years. He has a nice little farm of seventy-five acres. MIAL M. CRUM, farmer; P. O. Paris; is a native of Kentucky, Floyd Co.; was born April 8, 1839; lived at his native place until the age of 13, he going to Missouri with his parents, where they remained about two years, then came to Edgar Co., where Mr. Crum has since lived. During his early life, he had but little chance of gaining an education. He was married Oct. 4, 1866, to Miss Melissa Bodine, a resident of Edgar Co.; they have a family of four children — two boys and two girls. He began doing for himself at the age of 19; now, by hard work and good management, he has ninety acres of good land, well improved; Mr. Crum is still a young man, but of good standing in the community, and known as one of the straightforward, honest men of Hunter Tp. JAMES CARNEY, farmer and pioneer; P. O. Paris; is a native of Virginia; was born in Norfolk Co., Oct. 3, 1811; he was taken by his parents to Madison Co., Ky., where he was raised and educated; during his early life, he took up cabinet-making; being of a mechanical turn of mind, soon became a good workman; he came to Illinois in 1830, and in 1834, he located where he now resides, with his sister and brother-in-law, and began to prepare a home, at which time there were but few settlers in this vicinity. He has always interested himself in all public matters for the good of the community, and is extensively known (largely on account of the peculiarity of his living) as his place of meditation and retirement faces south upon the dividing line of Illinois and Indiana, and his place of supplying the wants of the inner man being in Illinois; then, on retiring, he sleeps within the jurisdiction of the Governor of Indiana. He has indulged in this "luxury" for upward of forty years, and remains a bachelor of fine social qualities, and a much-respected citizen. M. S. GALEENER, farmer; P.O. Paris; is a native of Warren Co., Ohio; was born March 6, 1814, where he was raised and schooled, and, on Dec. 3, 1837, he married Miss Mary A. Scofield; she was born Jan. 24, 1819. During his early life, his father died, and he was raised by Levi Boyer, a farmer, and has always been a faithful and hard worker, the result of which is a good property. They came to Illinois, locating where they now reside in 1864; they have raised a family of seven - Eliza J. (now Mrs. A. Hendricks), David J. (deceased; was killed in the army, at the battle of Atlanta), Emma (deceased), Charity (now Mrs. A. E. Boland), Joseph P., Moses C., William H. and Albert. Mr. and Mrs. Galeener are members of the M. E. Church, and highly respected by all who know them. JOSEPH D. HUNTER, farmer and stockdealer; P. O. Paris; son of S. K. Hunter; was born in this county July 14, 1849, where he has since lived; he has obtained a good business education, and, for a young man, is fast becoming one of the most successful and popular farmers of this township. He married Miss M. Ella Grove, of Vermilion Co., Ind., Oct. 1, 1874; they have two promising children — Collett S., born Oct. 28, 1875, and Maude, born Nov. 17, 1877. They have a fine farm of 250 acres, and one of the finest farm residences of the county. They are young people of fine social qualities, and it is fair to predict a brilliant future. JOHN HUNTER, farmer; P. O. Paris; son of John and Susan (Kelham) Hunter; was born in Granger Co., Tenn., Nov. 7, 1803, where he was raised and schooled; he came with his parent's family to Greencastle, Ind., in 1828, where he was deputized U. S. Marshal to take the census of Putnam Co. in 1830, and in 1831 was appointed Deputy County Sheriff, and served two years under William Mcintosh, during which time his father and family removed to Edgar Co., Ill., and, in February of 1833, he joined his people in their new homes, his father having died on May 12, 1832, at the age of 69; his mother lived until May 31, 1857, and passed away at the ripe age of 83; her people were of Scotch descent, and she was the last of a family of six, whose combined ages were upward of 600 years. His father was of English descent. Mr. H. received a good common education during his early life, and taught school winter months, for five years, and practiced economy and industry, and success followed. He was elected Sheriff of this county in 1846, serving two years, and in 1851-52 served as Deputy; then, in 1855, was appointed by the Court Commissioner of the Gen. Sanford estate. He was chairman of the first Board of Supervisors of the county, and has served as Justice of the Peace twelve years. His many official duties have been not only with credit to himself, but those he represented. His entire life has been one of activity and prominence, and, as a family, they are highly respected. His wife was Miss Nancy Dyer, a native of Ky.; they were married Dec. 5, 1830; they are parents of six — Eliza A. (deceased; she was married to Mr. I. Hurst, and left a family of five), Hon. Andrew J., George W., Benjamin F. (deceased), Jennie (now Mrs. S. J. Burns), and Newton (deceased). OSCAR HUFFMAN, farmer; P.O. Paris; son of David Huffman, who is a pioneer of this county, and a native of Virginia, and was born in Hampshire Co. March 22, 1809, and was the son of Adam and Mary Huffman (now deceased); at their deaths their combined ages equaled 160 years; they had a family of eleven, five now living; early in life, Mr. David H. chose the trade of a blacksmith and served a regular apprenticeship, which business he has followed at intervals only. He married Miss Catharine Stover (a native of Virginia), April 4, 1833, and they emigrated to Illinois, settling where he now resides in 1837; she passed away March 16, 1874, leaving three children - Oscar, Zachary T. and David A. Mr. Huffman has witnessed the entire growth and development of this county, and by industry, integrity and economy has accumulated a large property, and now can look back over his past life with satisfaction, as he has lived an enterprising and useful life, and now lives to see the usefulness and prosperity of his family. Oscar, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county May 23, 1846, and received a good business education; during the late war he enlisted with the 70th I. V. I. (three-months service), and afterward enlisted with the 66th regiment, known as the Western Sharpshooters, and was through the Georgia campaign, and was wounded at the battle of Atlanta, which disabled him for some eight months; he still carries the ball (which is an ounce ball) in his person, and while he lives his memory will be fresh upon the subject of the late war. After the service, he returned and engaged in mercantile business; he was Postmaster and merchant at Huffmansville for a number of years; also in the mercantile business at Vermilion some two years; he has served as School Treasurer for five years, and is well-to-do and a respected citizen. He married Miss Elzora Dyer Dec. 3, 1868; they are the parents of three children — Harrie, Sivola (deceased) and Bernard M. He owns 140 acres of fine land. DAVID HUFFMAN, JR., farmer; P. O. Paris; was born in this county May 25, 1851, and upon the farm where he now resides, which is the old homestead where his father settled in 1837, of which he owns 102 acres; he has had the advantage of a good education, and is a young man of good physical as well as mental powers, and upon the full tide of success. He has served as Town Collector two years. He married Miss Jane, daughter of J. F. Myers, of this county, March 4, 1875; they have two children - Lola E. and Park M. Z. T. HUFFMAN, farmer; P. O. Paris; Son of David Huffman, a prominent pioneer of this county; was born in this county March 8, 1849; during his early life, he obtained a good education, attending the Paris Seminary, and the academy at Ladoga, Ind. He married Miss Mary McCown, of this county, Jan. 29, 1874; she was born July 27, 1853; they are the parents of two children — Edgar C. (deceased) and James F., born Nov. 25, 1877. Mr. H. owns 100 acres of well- improved land. He has served as Township Clerk two years, and is a young man of good physical as well as mental powers, and 'tis fair to predict for him a brilliant future. M. KEYS, farmer, P. O. Paris; son of Isaac Keys, who settled in Vigo Co., Ind., in an early day, his death occurring when M. was 3 years old. He was born Nov. 22, 1828; his father dying when he was so young, he had but little chance of attending schools, though by his own efforts, he became a fair scholar; he came to this county as early as 1832, though he did not locate permanently until 1843; at this date he engaged with Col. Baldwin as clerk which position he filled for thirteen years; he bought and located where he now resides in 1855; he has a fine property of 350 acres of good land, 240 of which he has improved. He was married Sept. 2, 1852, to Miss Eliza Moss, of Kentucky; they have a family of six children — Henry A., Erasmus, Abraham L., Lucy F., Thomas and Mary. Mr. Keys has been quite a prominent man; has served the people in the capacity of School Director, Trustee and Road Commissioner; he is well known as one of the straightforward, reliable men of Hunter Township. J. Y. McCULLOCH, farmer; P. O. Paris; is the son of Otis and Ann McCulloch; they locating on the farm where where J. Y. now resides, in 1820; Mrs. McCulloch dying in 1830 and his father in 1860. Mr. McCulloch was an energetic man of good ability; during his life he accumulated a fine property, which he left to his only son. J. Y. was born upon the old farm, where he now lives, Jan. 12, 1826; he was here during the early settlement of the county, and can well remember many of the hardships endured by the pioneers; during his early life, he, by home study, became a fair scholar. He married Miss Olive Plumb, of Vermont, June 20, 1855; they have a family of seven children — Mary, Otis (deceased), Sarah, James, George, Esther, John and Julia. He has been an active worker in all public affairs pertaining to the good of the community; through his energy and industry, he now owns 800 acres of fine land, well improved; as early as 1828, before the county was supplied with churches as it is now, the people of the neighborhood used to convert his barn into a church for the time being, and thus carry on their religious services. Mr. M. is a man well known in the community as one of the leading and prominent men of Hunter Tp. JAMES A. McCOWN, farmer; P. O. Paris; son of James and Ann (Wood) McCown, who were natives of Kentucky; they came to Edgar Co. in 1830 and located in Hunter Tp., where he passed away Oct. 2, 1834, she dying Sept. 23, 1845; they raised a family of seven children, only three of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was born Oct. 26, 1811, and came to this county with his parents; during his early life, he learned the trade of a silversmith; he served a regular apprenticeship at Lebanon, Ky.; when he came to Illinois, he followed his trade at Danville until 1838, then came to Edgar Co. and located on his present farm. On Dec. 30, 1840, he married Miss Emily J., daughter of Wm. Murphy, a prominent pioneer of the county; they have raised a family of six — Wm. W., Matilda J. (now Mrs. J. T. Allen), Isabella A. (now Mrs. W. R. Bodine), Rebecca E. (now Mrs. L. W. Watson), Joseph M., Mary H. (now Mrs. Z. T. Huffman). Mr. M. has a fine property, they now owning 240 acres of well- improved land. He has always given liberally to any enterprise that he deemed for the public good, and has held the office of Assessor for sixteen years, and is well known as one of the straightforward, substantial citizens of Hunter Tp. J. R. MOREHOUSE, farmer; P. O. Paris; this gentleman is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Buckman) Morehouse, who emigrated from New Jersey to Vigo Co., Ind., in 1833; here he followed his trade of weaving; they raised a family of four children, only two of whom are now living — Sarah (now Mrs. Jno. Kizer) and the subject of this sketch; he died in 1843; his wife surviving him thirty- five years. J. R. received a good common-school education and early in life began business for himself; this was in Terre Haute, which at that time was only a small village. He has been married twice, first to Miss Elizabeth Story, of Greene Co., Ind., April 26, 1847; she died Aug. 28, 1870, leaving three children — Martha J. (now Mrs. T. Hepple), Sarah and Elizabeth; his second marriage was on Dec. 29, 1870; his wife's name previous to marriage being Mrs. Catharine E. Squire, of Terre Haute, Ind.; she was born Dec. 9, 1839; they had two children — Lucy J. (deceased) and Jonathan R. Mr. M. settled upon his present farm in 1849; he has 211 acres, which, under his supervision has been made a splendid farm, finely cultivated and improved with fine buildings. He has served as Township Commissioner and School Director for several years; he has taken an active part in the building of churches and schools and always helped to forward any enterprise tending to the public good. He has also been an active worker in what is known as the North Arm M. E. Church. DR. C. S. McCLAIN, physician, Paris; is a native of Ohio; was born in Clermont Co., Sept. 8, 1843, where he was raised and received his early education. In 1862, he enlisted with the 89th Ohio V. I. and was in a number of battles, among which were Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Peach-Tree Creek and with Sherman to Atlanta; and at the battle of Chickamauga was wounded, which disabled him for a time; he served two and one half years, after which he returned and took up the study of medicine with Dr. P. N. Woods, of Fairfield, Iowa, and graduated at Keokuk in 1870, and began the practice of his chosen profession with his preceptor at Fairfield, Iowa; he came to where he now resides in 1874, and through his skill, energy and perseverance, has built up a good practice; he is considered a man of good ability. He married Miss Ara Scott, of Vermilion Co., Ind., Nov. 5, 1876; they have one child; since living here, has accumulated a good property, and is genial and social, and upon full tide of success. F. M. MANN, farmer; P. O. Paris; he is the son of Jacob and Abigail (Campbell) Mann; he was born July 19, 1845, in Butler Co., Ohio; he was raised a farmer, which business he has since followed. He married Lizzie Scott Feb. 15, 1865; they have a family of three children — Marion E., M. Winn and Jacob W. Mr. M. has a fine property of 180 acres of good land, well improved, which he is cultivating witg credit to himself and his family. THOMAS McFALL, general merchant, Paris; is a native of Virginia; was born Oct. 16, 1848. He was in the service of the late war of the rebellion. He came to where he now resides, and began in a small way, and built up a good trade by industry and square dealing, and, through his willingness to accommodate, has many patrons and friends; he has a good place of business and a fine residence, and the citizens in this vicinity will do well to call and examine his goods and prices before purchasing elsewhere. He married Miss Mary J. Scott, of Frederick Co., Md., Oct. 16, 1871; they have three children — William R., Anna M. and Ellen V. BENJAMIN PROPST, mechanic and farmer; P. O. Paris; son of Michael and Mary Propst, who were natives of Virginia, and settled in this county in 1837, and, in 1839, removed to Vermilion Co., Ind.,where they lived the remainder of their days; he died in 1846, at the age of 65 years, and she died in 1865, at the age of 72. The subject of this sketch was born in Page Co., Va., June 8, 1814, and when a young man, being of a mechanical turn of mind, took up the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which business he has made his principal occupation. On Aug. 20, 1837, he married Miss Eve Louderback, of his native county; she died Oct. 18, 1876, leaving three children — Martha J. (now Mrs. J. Griffin), Mary (now Mrs. Job Irish) and James M.; and on Aug. 20, 1877, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Propst (late Widow of R. Propst; she was the daughter of George Stultz; she has, by first husband, eight children living — Harriet E., Josiah, Rosetta, Lorenzo D., James F., Benjamin L., Martin M. and Emma L.; her first husband (R. Propst) died March 6, 1875; left a good property. J. Y. SUDDUTH, farmer; P. O. Paris; is a native of Fauquier Co., Va.; March 14, 1803, his parents moved to Lincoln Co., Ky.; while there, he learned the trade of wagon-making, serving a regular apprenticeship; this he made his business in different locations for about forty years. He was married Nov. 4, 1830, to Miss Sarah Crow, and began doing business for himself at Danville, Ky., of the manufacture of wagons, where he trained two years; then removed to Danville, Ind., where he opened a shop and did business at carpentering and the manufacture of wagons, for about four years, then removed to Greencastle, Ind., where he operated also about four years; then in 1840, came to Edgar Co., and bought land, but still followed his trade; he now owns 160 acres of good land where he lives, which is well improved; this is the result of his own energy and good management. They had a family of twelve children — eight of whom are still living — George W., Matilda, Benjamin M., Henry G., William C., Otis M., Strother A. and Margaret J. H. W. WRIGHT, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Paris; son of Caleb and Eliza A. Wright, who settled in Hunter Tp. in 1856, where he passed away in October, 1870, leaving five children, and a good property. H. W. was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, May 9, 1840; being the oldest of his father's family, was foremost in the farm duties while at home. He married Matilda, daughter of Amos Meeks, of Randolph Co., Ind., Aug. 31, 1865; they have a family of six — Caleb W., Ida M., Joseph M., Louise B. and Henry W. Mr. Wright is one among the largest stock dealers of this county, and is considered a well-to-do and a shrewd business man; he owns a fine farm of 185 acres; he is well known, and much respected. ISAAC WILSON, farmer; P. O. Paris; is the son of John W. and Margaret (Newcomb) Wilson, who were among the early settlers of Edgar Co. The subject of this sketch is a native of the county, Hunter being his native township; he was born May 26, 1825; he served a regular apprenticeship at cabinet-making, and followed the business of cabinet-maker and manufacturer of furniture for twelve years. He was married Jan. 18, 1869, to Miss Lizzie Aulsup, of DeWitt Co., Ill.; they have a family of four children — Ella G., William R., Ida B. and Hattie M. He has accumulated by his industry and good management 127 acres of good land, which is well improved, making a nice home. Additional Comments: The History of Edgar County, Illinois. Chicago: Wm. Le Baron, Jr. & Co., 186 Dearborn St., 1879 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/edgar/bios/hunterto555nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 25.5 Kb