OLID SETTLERS OF FULTOlsT OOUTsTTY.—ConsrTlnsr-criBD.
Henry W. Baughman, the subject of this sketch, was born on the 10th day of October, 1832, in Oass township, Fulton county; Illinois. His father, Abraham Baughman, was born at Brock Gap, Rockingham county, Virginia, on the 10th day of December, 1787. He emigrated to Fulton county, Illinois, in the fall of 1831, and settled in Cass township, on section twenty-seven, where he resided until his death, which occurred in December, 1805. Hu was married to Miss Hannah Murphy, a native of Pennsylvania. When he came to this county it was thinly settled, and he was one of the first settlers of Cass towuship. Henry’s father’s family consisted of four sons, three-of whom are now liviug in this county. His mother is still living and enjoying good health.
, Henry followed farming until the spring of^OOO, and then engaged in the boot and shoe business until he was elected, by the democratic party, to the office of circuit clerk for four years. He was married to Miss Martha M. Cameron, a daughter of Thomas Cameron, being a native oftliis county. They have had three children—one son and two daughters—all living.
John W. Ingersoll was born in 1811, in Tully, New York. His father moved to Ithaca, Tompkins county, New York, in 1818. Was educated at the Ithaca Academy in civil engineering. Was employed by the New York and Erie railroad company under Charles Elliott, who distinguished himself during the late war as the constructor of rams, and built the first one ever built.
Mr. Ingersoll emigrated to Illinois in 1837, under an engagement of the state on public improvements. Was sent to La Salle to conduct the exploration of the Illinois Central south from that point. Was soon after assigned to duty on the Peoria & Warsaw railway, with headquarters at Canton. Remained in charge of that work until the fall of 1830, when he resigned the position. - In the same fail be began the dry goods business with his brother, H. F., and continued up to 1804, since which time he has been in business for himself, doing the most thriving business in the county. Mr. I. has always taken an active part in the politics of his county as a whig and republican, never aspiring to political favors, but has served his neighbors and, friends in the various local offices of his town and city. Is at'present president of the board of education; also, president of the trustees of Canton cemetery.
Charles D. Trickey, the subject of this sketch, was born on the 5th day of September, 1810, in New York, was raised in Canada, and emigrated to Barnadotte township, Fulton county, Illinois, in May, 1838. Settled in the town of Barnadotte. Was married to Miss Margaret A. Gusline on the 31st day of August, 1845. They have had born to them eleven children, six sons and five (laughters, seven of whom arc living — all in this county. Worked at the cabinet trade for several years, then went into the milling bnsimss at Barnadotte. Sold out bis interest there and then came to Lewistown, where lie now resides. In 1800 he bought a mill in Ipavin, which he now owns. Mr. Trickey has been a successful business man.
Major Newton Walker.— Major Newton Walker was born in Madison county, Virginia, in the year 1808, and continued to live there imtil 1835, when he moved, with his mother, to Illinois, and settled on section 22 in Lewistown township, Fulton county, where he still resides. It is supposed to be the first farm that was ever improved in Fulton county. Mr. Walker’s father died in Virginia in tlie year 1811, and in 1884 Newton married Miss E. A. Simms, daughter of Col. Simms, at an early age. Mr. Walker was appointed major under the old military laws of Virginia, and has been recognized ns Major Walker ever since. Major Walker has always been a farmer and stock grower. For several years he was engaged in merchandising in Lewistown, but getting tired of selling goods, for the last twenty-five years he has given his entire attention to farming and raising stock, and has been very successful in bis pursuits.
In 1837 MaJ. Walker was commissioner of Fulton county, and was the superintendent in building the court House in Lewistown. In 1888 he was elected representative of the county, and was in the sessions of 1888-89. He has frequently been elected to offices of trust, in his township. Never was a candidate for any office but what he was elected. He lias always been a man of Industrious and energetic habits, and has always borne an active part, in improving the town and country. He has always stood very high in the estimation of all who knew him, and Maj. Walker's word has always been considered as good as his written obligation. He has never been known to push or distress a poor man, but always ready to extend the hand of charity, and give aid and sympathy to those worthy of receiving the same.
Maj. Walker is the father of four children, three daughters and one son. His oldest daughter is the wife of Mr. Ed. Harris, who is one of ‘the popular and enterprising merchants of Lewistown. His son Robert is married, and is one of the heavy farmers and stock growers of Isa bel township. His two youngest daughters are single, and live with their father and mother Maj. Walker is somewhat in the decline of health, and when it will be his to leave this earthly career, it will be truly said that Fulton county has lost one of her best and most worthy men and citizens.
Jas. W. Simms was born in Albemarle county, Virginin. July »lst, 1815, emigrated to Ohio in 1834, returned to Virginia in 1880, and the same year came west to Lewistown, Fulton county, Illinois. Settled on section 10, Lewistown township, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Simms was married August, 1837, to Luiza J. Simms, daughter of R. C. Simms, a native of Madison county, Virginia. Mrs. Simms was born December, 1820. They have had born to them ten children, eight daughters and two sons, all living, eight of whom reside at home, one in Mason county, Illinois, and one in Nebraska. Mr. Simms opened up one of the best farms in Lewistown township, consisting of five hundred acres, his residence, a view of which can be seen in the map elsewhere.
Isaac Simms, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Orange county, Virginia, 1787, died May, 1886. His mother, Nancy Caterton, who was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, 1798, died 1856.
Mr. Simms is an open, frank, generous, warm-hearted citizen. His home is a home for'all Ills friends, where often they congregate to have a good, old-fashioned time. Mr. Simms is an ardent, devoted old-style democrat, and don’t believe in any variance from the old
William T. Davidson was born in Petersburg, Illinois, February 8th, 1837. On January 24.Ui, 1860, he was married to Lucinda M. Miner. In July, 1858, he purchased the Fulton County Democrat, and-has been sole editor and proprietor since. Mr. Davidson came to Fulton county in November, 1888, since which time he has been a worthy and enterprising citizen. As an editor, he is outspoken and fearless, thinking that the press should be the medium through which the people can rely upon getting the events of the day as it is, even should it [ expose the wrongs of a friend, a citizen, or, in some cases, show the wrongs of bis own pnrty.
While Mr. Davidson may be blamed and censured by some for his I course at times, yet all will say “ Bill Davidson ” is sincere in his I course, and what he does is for the public good, and to make his pa- I per a live, reliable, and interesting newspaper, surpassed by none, equaled by few. As a citizen, “ Bill ” is one of the most enterprising, energetic, and liberal; as a friend, warm-hearted, kind, and sociable.]
William Proctor, the subject of this sketch, was born October 13th, 1705, at Danstablc, Massachusetts, being the fourth and youngest son of his father, and the only one now living. Mr. Proctor’s father, Gcrsliani Proctor, was bom 1761, at Danstable, Massachusetts. His mother's maiden name was Nancy Haygett, also a native of Massachusetts. She was bom 1760.
Mr. Proctor, at the age of sixteen, applied himself to the tanners’ trade, emigrated to the west in 1818, and settled in Sangamon county, Illinois, near Springfield, where be remained until June, 1828. He then came to Lewistown, which was at that time a village of some twenty log cabins- He settled in the town, and in the spring of 1831 began the mercantile business, which he continued till 1850. Since than time he has given his attention to forming. Mr. P. was married June, 1824, to Laura Warren, a native of Palmyra, New York. They have had hut two children — John W., who is now-a member of the firm of Worley & Proctor, woolen mill, and Maria, the wife of R. B. Stevenson, of Lewistown.
Mr. Proctor is a prominent and useful member of the Presbyterian church, giving liberally of his ample means to the cause he has most at heart.
Joseph Cone, the subject .of this sketch, was bom in Haddiim, Connecticut, on the 29th' day of January, 1779. His parents then moved to Farmington, Connecticut. He was engaged in the southern trade, where he made his first start. He was married in 1808 to Elizabeth Cander, daughter of David Gander, of Harwington, Conn. She was born in 1788 and died in l£66. They had six sons, and raised them all, and they are still liying.. The oldest three reside in Fulton county, Illinois. Henry, who is now 62 years of age, has a very large form — indeed, one of the finest iit Fulton county — on section 1. His fam-ily consists of fdur girls and two boys. Joseph, the second son, is now 58 years old. He resides in' the town of Farmington. Spencer, the third son, is 55 years of age, and has a family consisting of four hoys and one girl. -David and. George now reside at Galva, Illinois. Charles, the youngest son, now lives in Iowa.
Mr. Cone emigrated to Farmington township in 1838, and settled on . the south-west quarter of section 1. He came in the spring, and lived in a log cabin that was on the farm at the time of his purchase. In 1836 he built the house which now stands on the ground where the old cabin was first built. His son Henry now resides at'the old homestead. He was a man who was beloved by all who knew him, and never aspired to any position but to be a model farmer. The old homestead consisted of three quarter sections. Mr. Cone was always „ strict temperance man, and would never sell a lot to any person who •proposed, in any way, shape, or manner to engage in the sale of intoxicating drink. He was always very liberal in giving his money and time for the promotion of education and for the advancement of
moral and religions objects in the town and community. Mr. and Mrs. Cone were botli members of the church, being among the first to organize a church in Farmington, which was done in 1836, they being Congrcgationalists. When Mr. Cone came to Chicago, in 1888, he conld have purchased the land where Chicago how stands for a good horse. When they settled upon the old homestead the red men were often at their cabin and on t he best of terms. Wild animals were numerous, such as (leer, fox, and wolves.
Mr. Cone was a man of strict integrity, honorable in his dealings always generous and courteous, and universally esteemed by his acquaintances and neighbors. He was one of the gentlemen who laid out and gave the name to the town of Farmington.
E. H. Phelps was horn at Hnddam, Middlesex county, Connecticut. January 4th, 1840. He was reared a farmer, and was educated at the Connecticut State. Normal School, New Britain. He removed to Hlinois April 14th, I860. Married Miss Mary A. Reed, of French Grove, Peoria county,'Illinois, April 13th, 1862. He was superintendent of schools at Chillicothe, Illinois. Was principal of fourth ward ^schools in Peoria, Hlinois; superintendent of Cnnton city schools, besides others of less note, all of which showed, by his success, his peculiar fitness and ability for that important position. But, health foiling, he was compelled to undertake other businesses, and in 1869 became managing editor of the Lewistown Union, the firm being Bryant & Phelps. Mr. Bryant's health becoming very poor, and dying June 22d, 1871, the firm became Phelps «& Hyde, Mr. Phelps doing the editorial work. Mr. P.’s parents are still living in Middlesex county, Connecticut, his father being blind. He has three brothers and three, sisters living, and two brothera buried. Very few young men have the future before them brighter than the gentleman of whom we are writing. Educated, trained, and experienced, he is pushing his way to fame and fortune with an energy, will, and determination that knows no such things ns foil, flinch, or despair.
William Caldwell, the subject of this sketch, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania^ October 8lh, 1806. His follier, Samuel Caldwell, was a native of Ireland. His mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Donaldson, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Caldwell remained with his parents on a larm until lie was eighteen years of age; then applied himself to the cabinet trade in Mercer, Pennsylvania, with Nesbit Ramsey. From there he went to .Pittsburg; worked journey work for some time. Was married on the 14th day of February, 1830, to Sarah Lindsey, the daughter of Wm. Lindsey, and niece of Bishop Roberts, of the M. E. Church. Mrs. Caldwell was born on the 24th day of December, 1811. She died on the 29th day of September, 1849, in Knox county, Hlinois.
Mr. Caldwell came to this slate in 1836. Landed at Chicago, and in 1842 went with his fomily to Knox county, Illinois. In 1848 was elected justice of the pence in Knox county, and in 1848 re-elected, besides filling all of the various town offlets. Was married to his path. Mr. Simms can truthfully be classed wiili the'old school of southern gentlemen.
Capt. Wm. Phelps, the subject of this sketch, was born in Palmyra, Ontario county, New York, November 1st, 1808. Emigrated with his father, Stephen Phelps, to Sangamon county, Illinois, in the foil of 1821, traveling all the way by land. Drove a team from Palmyra to Springfield, Illinois. They settled on what was known as “ Fancy Creek," situated eight miles north of Springfield. Then, in the fell of 1824, came with his father to Lewistown, Fulton county, Illinois.
The captain worked during the spring and summer months upon a farm, and in the winter months his father would put him on the Illinois river trading with the Pottawattamie Indians, and continued until the spring of 1830. Capt. Phelps married Caroline Kelsey, the daughter of S. Kelsey, a native of New York state, on the 2d day of March, 1880. The marriage ceremony was performed by Daniel McNeil, one the first justices of the peace of Lewistown.
Captain then went west of the Mississippi river, to what was then termed as the "Indian Country,” established a trading post on the Des Moines river, where what is now known as Van Buren county, Iowa. His family accompanied him, and stayed all the time with him. Capt. Phelps was one of the best posted men of the country, at that time, with the Indians. He spent from 1888 to 1848, a term of ten years, in the American fur company, on the-Des Moines river, buying Airs. He then went south of the Missouri river on what is now known as the Kansas river, continuing in the fur trade up to 1846; then sold out his interest to tiic company, and returned to Lewistown in the foil of 1846. The captain was interested in a line of boats plying between St. Louis, Mo., and St. Paul, duriug the season from 1885 to 1841. The captain is one of the old settlers of Fulton county, and today is city marshal of Lewistown, a man respected for his mony good qualities. The captain lost his wife on the 21st day of October, 1861, They had born to them five children. His son Charles resides at Ipavia, in this county. Emma, the wife of Gan. C. J. Dill worth,, resides In Lincoln, Nebraska. Julia Ett is married to J. Q. Mnsgrove, and resides near Lewistown.