Vermilion county Illinois, JAMES S. SCONCE ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Joy Fisher ==================================================================== p. 191-195 JAMES S. SCONCE. It is a fitting testimonial to the worth and character of this citizen to present his portrait and biography on these, the opening pages of the Album of Vermilion County. Of the many citizens of Carroll Township none were better known or more highly esteemed than this gentleman, who was born near Brook's Point, Vermilion County, Nov. 14, 1831, and died Sept. 21, 1888, at the age of fifty-seven years. In childhood he attended the public schools, as well as those more advanced, at Danville, receiving a liberal education. His father and mother were Samuel and Nancy (Waters) Sconce, both natives of Bourbon County, Ky., the birth of the former occurring in 1802, while the mother was born six years later. The elder Mr. and Mrs. Sconce removed to Illinois in 1828, and settled in Vermilion County in 1829. They had three children, who grew to maturity, namely: James S., America J., and Thomas J. America J., is the widow of Oliver Calvert, and now makes her home at the residence of her brother, lately deceased. Thomas J. died in this county, Jan. 1, 1888, while the father passed away in January. 1874. The mother is still living, with the widow of her son, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. The Sconces were prominent in the early history of America, and more especially in Kentucky, of which State they were early settlers. The great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch was one of the earliest settlers of Bourbon County, where he lived in a log house, built especially to resist the depredations of the Indians. There were eight brothers, and they were among the brave settlers who reclaimed that beautiful country from the savages, and in so doing are entitled to the thanks of a grateful nation. Nearly all of these brothers emigrated South and West. There is a large family of this name in Texas. James S. Sconce's father, Samuel, was born in Bourbon County, Ky. He lived in the county of his birth until 1828, when he removed to this State, and in the following year located in Vermilion County. His wife came with her parents to the vicinity of Brook's Point, in 1829, her marriage occurring at that place the following year. Samuel Sconce engaged in farming, and from start to finish was successful. In 1852 he engaged in the mercantile business in Indianola, under the firm name of Bailey & Sconce. This firm continued to do business until the big fire, which destroyed their stock. Mr. Sconce then retired from active life, and died Jan. 9, 1874, leaving behind him a reputation of which any man might be proud. In 1849 he took a drove of 200 fat cattle to Philadelphia, where he sold half of them and drove the rest to New York, returning the entire distance on foot. He also hauled produce to Chicago in the early days. On November 14, 1831, James S. Sconce was born, in this county, and was one of its first children born. He was early taught industry, and being reared upon a farm was consequently used to hard work. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age, when he engaged as a cleric in the store of Bailey & Sconce, drawing a salary of $300 a year for four years. In 1859 he went to Kansas, where he pre-empted 160 acres in Lyon County, and at the end of three months he traded this piece of land for a similar tract in Illinois. Here commenced his career as a stockman and drover. During this time he made the acquaintance of his estimable wife, Miss Emma Sandusky, or as her father wrote it “Sodowsky." She was the only daughter of the well-known Short-horn breeder of Carroll Township. After marriage Mr. Sconce lived one year with his father-in- law, when he located on the present homestead, remaining there until the day of his death. He worked systematically, and to this may be attributed his success. At any rate he became wealthy, and when he died was the owner of 2,100 acres of the most desirable land in the county. Upon this he built an elegant home, said to be the finest country house to be seen in the State. It is a large structure, built of brick, beautifully located on a slight elevation, while the surroundings are all that an admirer of the beautiful could picture. Giant trees shade the grounds, and what nature has omitted art has supplied. The lawns and gardens are laid out artistically, adding to the beauty and picturesqueness of the landscape, and making it a "thing of beauty" not excelled in this great State of Illinois. The place is called “Fairview," at the suggestion of Mrs. Sconce. The house is heated by the Rutan system, and every room is supplied with hot and cold water, while the spacious parlors and corridors are illuminated by gas. When Mr. Sconce died he left a fortune variously estimated at from $200,000 to $300,000, every cent of which was accumulated by judicious farming and stock- raising. It will be many years before the recollection of this good man will fade from the memories of the people. His life was simple and his methods straightforward, his manner gentle, kind hearted to the poor, indulgent to the weak, charitable to the erring, and his memory like a sweet fragrance ascends on high. Generous friend, kind husband, noble citizen, and sincere Christian, the world is better for thy living, and the flowers of a sweet memory will ever blossom upon thy grave. Like his illustrious ancestors Mr. Sconce was a fine looking, active man. He had keen blue eyes, a personal characteristic so marked in his family, and was of a sanguine temperament. A lifetime of usefulness and business activity had developed in him good judgment, and as he became older his attention was directed closely toward the things revealed in Holy Writ. He was a consistent and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he was a Democrat from conviction and from principle. In 1882 lie consented to run for the State Senate, making a brilliant canvass and running ahead of his ticket. He served as Township Supervisor, and always evinced a deep interest in public affairs, and especially in the welfare of his township, his county and his State. His library was filled with choice and valuable works, especially those treating upon the tariff, a question which was studied by him with deep interest, he believing with other leading Democrats, in a tariff for revenue only. In matters pertaining to schools he took a great interest. For several years prior to his death he was a Regent of the Wesleyan University of Bloomington, Ill., which was financially favored by his generosity. As a husband and father he was most loving and devoted. As a result of his wedlock two children were born: Anna, who was a student of Morgan Park two years, and of Wesleyan University one year; and Harvey J., a bright lad of fourteen years. He was greatly attached to his children, and in them was centered his great love. The poor young farmer and business man, who is almost discouraged in life, will miss in Mr. Sconce a friend, for it was one of his salient characteristics to help those who would help themselves, and as an illustration of this, it may be stated that his will provided that those who owed him on loans, should be allowed to pay his estate in small yearly installments, that they might not be distressed. He was buried with Masonic honors at the Woodlawn Cemetery. The funeral was attended by an immense throng, and the procession was headed by 200 Masons in mourning, and was over three miles in length, the largest funeral line ever seen in Vermilion County. It was remarked by one who knew Mr. Sconce well that "a secret society which commanded the fealty of a man like James Sconce must have something in it." If he loved Masonry it was equally true that the Masons loved him. To his faithful wife the death of her husband was sad beyond expression. "Sorrows come not single." A less noble woman would have given up to despairing sorrow at the loss of her husband, her father, and her mother within the space of one short year. Of true Christian grace and motherly heart she bore up bravely in her bereavement, fully determined henceforth to give up her life to her Master, and to the welfare of her children. As before stated she is the only living child of Harvey Sandusky and Susan Baum. Coming from illustrious ancestors, an effort will be made to herewith present a few facts in regard to each of her parents. In the year of 1721 there came to America an exile from Poland, of noble birth and proud spirit, and lofty patriotism. He headed a rebellion against the despotism of Russia and her allies in the disgraceful oppression of the defeated but not subdued Poles. For this brave act he was exiled and came to Richmond, Va. That noble man was James Sodowsky, who afterward married the sister of Gov. Inslip, of the Colony of Virginia, and from them descended Harvey Sandusky, the father of Mrs. Sconce. Men of courage and force of character, the family has been represented in every forward movement of civilization in this great country for more than a centuiy: with the gallant pioneers in beating back the savages of the wilderness; with the brave Continentals, battling for freedom in the heroic days of '76; at the front in the War of 1812; with Daniel Boone in the wild Kentucky, where the grandfather of Harvey settled just after the close of the Revolutionary War. His father. Abraham Sandusky, was born there, and married Miss Jane McDowell, who bore him eight children, Harvey being the eldest. In 1831 he removed from Kentucky to Illinois, and settled with his family on the Little Vermilion River, where he continued to reside until his death. His oldest son, Harvey, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., May 17, 1817, and came to Illinois with his father, literally growing up with the country. In his twenty-fourth year he was married to Susan, daughter of Charles and Susan Baum, who had emigrated from Ohio and settled on the Little Vermilion River. After marriage Mr. Sandnsky located on the estate which has since become so famous as "Wood-awn Stock Farm." Here, by intelligent and industrious use of their opportunities, he and his faithful wife built up a princely home, and surrounded it with an abundance that enabled them to dispense the largest charity and most unbounded hospitality. Mrs. Sandusky was converted to Christianity in her girlhood, and rejoiced in the hope of an immortal life. In the old family Bible is found this record: "Harvey Sodowsky this day found peace with God, March 15, 1858." For forty years their's was a house of prayer. To them were born three children: The oldest died in infancy; the second is Emma, the wife of the subject of this sketch; Gilbert, the third child and only son, died at the early age of twenty-three years. Harvey Sandusky died on Saturday, Dec. 18, 1886, and the following Tuesday was buried by the side of his son in the beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery, which he had selected and donated to the public. "Uncle Harvey," as he was familiarly called, was in many respects a noble man. There is always good in a heart that is always tender, and his was a veiy tender heart. To feed the hungry, to clothe and help the needy, afforded him the greatest pleasure. The foot-sore itinerant, whose horse had died, was taken to the stables and told to "select the best nag in the lot," without pay or promise. That preacher was sent on his way rejoicing, and thereby the Gospel was spread to those beyond. By him the homeless were sheltered, the friendless cheered, and the wretched soothed. He was a very successful man in business, was enterprising and public spirited. In the stalls and on the fields at Woodlawn are perhaps the finest specimens of Short-horn cattle in America, if not in the world. For fifty years he had been interested in raising and exhibiting fine stock. No man in America has been more successful than he, as the premium lists of principal fairs will show. Evidently he has added untold riches to the general community by his enterprise in this particular. But his work is done, and the toils of his busy life have ceased. The familiar figure has dropped out of the picture of this life, and let us hope that it has dropped into the life that lies beyond the other shore. His home is lonely without him, his family mourn him, his neighbors will miss him, his friends regret his absence, but “God doeth all things well."— (Extract from the Rev. G. A. Frasier.) His wife, Susan Saudusky, came from an equally illustrious family. She was the daughter of Charles and Sarah (Moyer) Baum. They were likewise Polish patriots, and by the Russian authorities banished from their native land. They for a few years lived in Germany, and then emigrated to the Colony of Virginia. This noble exile and progenitor of the Baums of Vermilion County, was Charles Baum, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Emma Sconce. He married Miss Barbara McDonald, a relative of the brave Gen. McDonald, of Marion's army. He entered the Colonial forces, and served on reserve duty in protecting the frontier. After the war he settled in Bucks County, and the year following Wayne's treaty with the Indians, sailed down the Ohio River with his family. They landed at the mouth of Bullskin Creek, and there, close to what is now the river town of Chile, established the first settlement in the Territory of Ohio. One of his sons was Charles Baum, Mrs. Sconce's grandfather, he married Susan, daughter of John Moyer, a Revolutionary soldier, who fought many years under the immediate command of Gen. Washington. John Moyer lived in Pennsylvania some time after the war, then removed to Ohio, of which State he also was an early pioneer. Charles Baum, the grandsire of Mrs. Sconce, came to Vermilion County in 1839. He lived to be ninety-six years old, had prospered well, and was a consistent Christian. From the Rev. G. A. Frasier we quote the following concerning Mrs. Susan Sandusky. “Our community is again called to mourn the loss of a most estimable lady, who fell asleep at her home near Indianola, March 21, 1888. She was a daughter of Charles and Susan Baum, born in Claremont County, Ohio, Sept. 25, 1818. She was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when quite young, and was married May 20, 1840. Her life was singularly pure and exemplary, and she adorned those stations in which true womanhood shines the brightest. As a wife, mother, friend and neighbor she was indeed a model woman. None doubted the genuineness of her Christian experience. Always consistent, always true, she was a power for good in the community. Her charities and uniform kindness for the poor had won for her the love of all who knew her. Her devotion to duty, and her unswerving fidelity had won the confidence and esteem of all. She was not only ready, but willing to die. In a conversation a few days before her death she expressed a desire to 'reach her Father's house.' She leaves but one child to mourn her absence from the old homestead. Mrs. James S. Sconce, the only remaining child was with her mother during her last illness, faithfully, lovingly attending to every want, and tearfully watching the slowly ebbing tide of life till all was still in death. In this great bereavement Mrs. Sconce has the sympathy of the entire community. The old homestead is left desolate. A family has passed from earth. We hope that on the other side of the river they are again united." Mrs. Emma Sconce was born in the old Harvey Sandusky homestead, better known under the name of “Woodlawn," a name suggested by her for her father's large farm, which was so famous in producing herds of prize-winning Short-horn cattle, Here she grew up under the influences of a Christian home, attending Georgetown Academy for some time. Her loyalty has marked her entire career from childhood to widowhood. As the wife of James S. Sconce she was ever a most worthy, affectionate, and loving companion; as mistress of the "Fairview" mansion she is modest, kind, generous and hospitable; while the taste with which the mansion is furnished reflects great credit upon its mistress. She possesses a great deal of knowledge, general and special, and is respected and esteemed by all who know her. She is a devout Christian, and rich and poor alike are graced by her favors. She deeply mourns the loss of her husband, for their marriage proved to be a most happy one. She is truly the type of noble American womanhood, and as a mother is fairly worshipped by her two children, and they in turn are held most affectionately dear. Her modesty prevents her giving further facts in regard to herself. Her attorney, however, has furnished the following figures concerning her estate: Personal property of James S. Sconce, deceased, $62,000; personal property of Harvey Sandusky, deceased, $20,000; total number of acres of land held by Mrs. Sconce, 3,600.