George W. Bandle, of Waterford Township, is a native born citizen of Illinois and a veteran of the Civil War. The work that he has accomplished toward developing the interest of his home township gives him a place among the true hearted, hardworking pioneers who laid the foundation of the present prosperity of this part of the state, and his service in the Union Army places him among those who won honor as soldiers in defending the country and the old flag.

He was born in Orland Township, Cook County, July 4, 1836, and was in the prime of early manhood when the war broke out. He had watched the course of events that led up to the great struggle, with the keenest interest, and when it became evident that the south sought to destroy the Union in order to perpetuate slavery, he volunteered in defense of the stars and stripes and went to the front to help fight the battles of his country.

He is a representative of the second generation of old settlers in Illinois is of Eastern and German born ancestors, and grew to maturity in Cook and Kankakee Counties. His parents were pioneers of Cook County, settling on 160 acres of land near Chicago, in 1833. The town was not incorporated until 1837.

In speaking of the great metropolis of the state, Mr. Bandle said, "I have often heard Father say that what is now the most wonderful city on the globe did not contain, when he came, over 20 houses, with a population of about 150. The first brick house was built in the town the year my father located in Cook County and the first vessel entered the harbor in 1834. Rapid as is the development and growth of things in the United States, the growth of Chicago stands without a parallel. She is passing all her rivals and will soon be the biggest city in the world. She is the wonder of today, and surrounded as she is by all the great stores of natural wealth in mines and forests and herds, she in the coming city."

The subject of our sketch is the son of William and Lydia Bandle and was partly reared on the farm on which he was born and helped to clear it. He drove oxen when ox teams were used, has broken prairie, and done other pioneer labor.

"The Indians had not all left the country," observed Mr. Bandle, "When my parents landed in Cook County, and soldiers were still stationed at Fort Dearborn. My father was ambitious to better his condition and came to Illinois to find what life held for him here. Deer, lynxes, wolves and some elks still roamed over the north part of the state and pens of heavy logs were built to protect the pigs and calves from the ravages of wild animals. Father made the overland trip from Westfield, N. Y., with teams and was many weeks on the road. My grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and participated in the Battle of Trenton, N. J. He served under Washington. My father was in the War of 1812 and was in the naval fight on Lake Erie under Commodore Perry. He was a stone mason, shoemaker and farmer. The 160 acres of land on which he located in Cook County was 20 miles from Chicago and 10 miles from the present town of Joliet. My mother died in 1840 and is buried on the old Cook County homestead. I received what education I have in the primitive log school houses of pioneer times. I have made trips to the mill with an ox team and a cart loaded with corn. The old water mill stood where the city of Joliet now stands.

I was early set to work on the farm and being large and strong for my years had to put my shoulder to the wheel and help push things along. I was obliged to chop, burn and clear timber and early became an adept at using the ax. I remained with Father until I was 18 or 19 years of age. I thought of leaving the home fireside some time before I did, and the idea grew upon me to come to Fulton County and make a home of my own.

I omitted to state that when I was 10 years old Father bought me a shot gun and he and I hunted and killed deer and turkeys and ducks and geese all around Chicago. We lived in a crude log house and lived at first on what little 'truck' we raised and wild game we killed.

I went to school some in Hadley, Will County. My sister, Mary (now Mrs. Warner), was my first teacher and she used to whip me unmercifully, but I guess she never hit me a lick amiss. The school was an old frame building with brick between the studding.

Father sold the old Cook County farm in 1863 and moved to Kankakee County, when the last years of his life were spent and where he died some years later. He did his trading with the pioneer merchants of Chicago, was familiar with its early history and could relate many interesting incidents of the early settling of the grand old Prairie State. Indians still came to Chicago to sell their wares when he first settled in Cook County. The land on which the great city now stands was a marsh and was on a level with the lake, but has been raised some 14 or 15 feet.

When I came to Fulton County, the Elmwood branch of the C. B. & Q. Railroad was being built. John Breckenridge, father of J. D. Breckenridge, of Lewistown, came about two weeks after I did. When I reached Rockford, on my way to this county, the Republicans were having a big rally and were cheering for Fremont. I put my head out of the car window and bellowed "Hurrah for Buchanan". A big burly fellow came running up to me and wanted to know where I was from, I jerked my head back, and the train pulled out. That was the only Democrat for whom I ever cheered. I am a Republican, and my father was an old line Whig and a Republican before me.

John Breckenridge settled in Waterford Township, married, and reared his family here. He was for many years my neighbor.

After I reached Waterford Township, I worked in Samuel Warner's steam saw mill for four years, but not continuously.

I went to Kansas in 1857, and know something about the trouble there, although I remained on six months. I have shaken hands with old John Brown and Jim Lane, and saw eight free state men taken out and shot. This made me an abolitionist, the border warfare was on and I returned to Illinois. I located on 160 acres of land out there, but left it, and never again returned to the state.

I was married the latter part of 1857 to Miss M. A. Ashby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Ashby, of Waterford Township, Squire Hezlep officiation. Eight children came to bless our home, only five of whom are living namely: William E. Bandle, on a farm in Waterford Township; Mrs. C. A. Warner, residing in Butler, Bates County, Mo.; John A. Bandle, living near Fiatt, in Joshua Township; George E. Bandle, a resident of Waterford Township; Bert Bandle in Omaha, Neb.

During my absence in the army my wife and older children were left at home and she very ably managed affairs while I fought the enemies of my country.

My second marriage, to Mrs. Sarah Beckett, was solemnized Aug. 11, 1887. The Rev. A. J. Ashby officiating. I have no children by my second wife.

I was living in Cook County in 1862. On July 12, 1862, I responded to my country's call and enlisted in Company F, 100th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Captain Richard McLeary and Colonel Frank Bartleson being my commanding officers. They were both residents of Joliet. Colonel Bartleson was killed in the charge at Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864. Our colonel was a fighter and our regiment participated in many of the most sanguinary battles of the war, including Stone River, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Dallas, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta (on July 22, 1864, the day General McPherson was killed), Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Springhill, Franklin and Nashville. The last two battles were fought Dec. 15 and 16, 1864. The old Hundredth was a fighting regiment, from the day it was mustered into the service up to the close of the war. It was gathered from farms and shops' offices, and school houses of Cook County-as fine fiber of blood muscle and brains as ever was laid upon the altar of any country. The career of the regiment was among the bloodiest and in all that makes 'glory' it reaped a rich harvest. Its blood watered the soil of many states, but its fame has never been properly recorded. In looking back through the years that have intervened since the stirring events of 1861 to 1865, I often wonder why it was that we never got our name inscribed on the monuments. Perhaps it is because we had no one to blow our trumpet. We never received our share of praise, but we did some might hard fighting just the same. It is only common justice to claim that our regiment in the deep woods and among the rugged hills and mountains of Tennessee and Georgia, performed deeds of magnificent valor that entitled it to conspicuous mention. If those whose spurs we helped win and whose stars we helped fix have failed to mention us, we can blow our own horn.

Men must bleed and die, widows and orphans weep, and mothers mourn, to save nations. Many of my dead comrades lie in unnamed graves, but I hope to meet them some day where men never engage in deadly conflict and the roar of cannon and the rattle of musketry are never heard.

At the battle of Mission Ridge I pulled a pair of cavalry boots from the feet of a mortally wounded Confederate general. I was barefooted and could not wait for him to die, if I had, some other soldier would have gotten those boots. Captain Lyon, of Company D, who is still living in Plainfield, in this state, took his overcoat and $350 in greenbacks. In the charge at Mission Ridge, General Wagoner told us to take everything that came our way-'Shot, shell, hell, and everything else.'

On the day before the charge John Barley, and English lad belonging to our company, said to our commander: 'Captain McLeary, I cannot go up there, I'll be killed.' 'Get in line there, d--m you!' was the reply. The next day, Barley was killed in the charge. In this battle our men were knocked down like tenpins and the cannonading was terrific. It was in the fight that my hearing was partially destroyed. Captain McLeary had the sole of his shoe shot away, and the sting of the ball was so great that it made him jump up and down and dance with pain. 'By -----!' said old Fred Clay, 'Cap'n shot again!'

After the Battle of Mission Ridge a call was made for volunteers to go to Knoxville to relieve Burnside, whom General Longstreet had shut up in that city. I told Captain McLeary that I would go if I had a coat. 'Here is my coat,' said the Captain. 'And you have on your feet a brave Confederate general's boots. Don't disgrace either.' We were footsore, weary and hungry, but under Sherman we marched to the relief of Burnside's army, 100 miles away. Here is a wallet taken off one of General Morgan's men, and this is an old harper's musket and a rebel bayonet.

After the war I returned to Waterford Township and resumed the arts of peace, hampered in my efforts by the loss of my hearing but still full of determination and grit. I am one of a family of 10 children, only four of whom are living: James H. Bandle, in Michigan; Mrs. David Warner, of Waterford Township; Mrs. E. R. Beardsley, of Waldron, Kankakee County, and myself. "I will tell you about the early day in Waterford Township when you call again. Talk to my wife while I do the chores."

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A RAMBLER'S NOTES
JAMES A. CAMRON
Canton Weekly Register, January 19, 1907
transcribed by Claire Crandell

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A RAMBLER'S NOTES
L. H. CHURCHILL INTERVIEW
Canton newspaper, unknown date, reprint on Aug. 4, 1971
courtesy of Nicki Fox and transcribed by Judy Churchill

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A RAMBLER'S NOTES
Louisa E. CHURCHILL INTERVIEW
Canton newspaper, unknown date, reprint unknown
courtesy of Nicki Fox and transcribed by Judy Churchill

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A RAMBLER'S NOTES
JAMES ARTHUR DAILY INTERVIEW
Canton Daily Ledger, July 5, 1909
submitted by Debi Hoffman

     Continuing his recollections of the old days in Fulton county, continuing the story of his life, James Daily (1832-1910) said: "Old things have passed away, and behold; all things have become new. Methods have changed, the old ways are no more and the beautiful and simple-hearted customs of pioneers have gone never to return. How I like to talk about the days of long ago and How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood, When fond recollection presents them to view; The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled wild wood, and each loved spot that my infancy knew."
     "How often have I scampered up and down the hills around old Babylon and played under the great trees along Spoon River when I was a boy. I feel a degree of filial reverence for the old town and the hills around it. I have been looking for several years for some spot where the old-time manners are still kept up, but I can not find it. How I would like to give the red hot coals one more stir in the old-fashioned fireplace and loll back in an old-time chair and cast one more complacent look about the little home where I was reared to manhood. We children used to sit of an evening around the old fireplace and listen to the old pioneers of the Babylon country dealing forth churchyard tales and legendary anecdotes of the troublesome times of colonial days.
     Ah, I would like to find my way back again to the old chimney corner. My school attendance was mainly during the winter months and the summers were devoted to work on the farm in which I, as the oldest of the family, bore a prominent part.
     I had barely reached my majority when I was married and began life for myself. It was on July 3, 1853 that I was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Melinda Francis, daughter of Joseph and Martha Francis, both early settlers of Deerfield township. Squire Smith of Ellisville officiated at our marriage. Eleven children were born to us, seven of whom still survive. The names of those living are James Daily, who is a resident of Custer county, Neb, William S. Daily lives in Ogden, Utah and is an engineer on the Union Pacific railroad. Francis resides in Greenwood County, Kan. Anna M. Speeks is on a farm in Elk county, Kan Mrs. Minnie M. Keller is also a resident of Greenwood county, Kan and Rosa Marvel is on a farm in Canadian county, Okla. Mrs. Lillie Ellis lives in Washata, Okla.
     "After my marriage, I lived on the old Francis farm for 10 years or until 1862. When I enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Third Ill. Vol. Infantry, where I served out my full term of enlistment -- three years. Captain Carpenter of Ellisville township commanded Company B. when we first entered the service, but Captain Andrew Smith of Ellisville was our company commander when we were mustered out on August, 1865
     I was in the Fifteenth Army corps and served under Logan, who was one of the great generals of the civil war, a born soldier of the highest ability, he always lead his men in battle, always did more than was expected of him and rose to the level of every opportunity. He was as daring as Stonewall Jackson and would have been fully as successful had he been given an independent command. We were all soon educated by actual service and trial in the great school of war, and disciplined into a mighty army.
     Ah, comrade, it was a hard and bloody struggle and I want to tell you that it requires a high degree of courage to go into battle as we did at Missionary Ridge, to go into battle and charge batteries and forts, to face shot and shell for 8, 10, or 12 hours and sometimes for days together. I am always glad to meet an old comrade and talk over old war incidents. In traveling over the country I am often reminded that the old boys are not forgotten, that the deeds and acts that they performed while in the mighty struggle to save the country, its flag and it government are still remembered and cherished, and God bless the loyal women of the north. They worked and prayed for the soldiers during the great contest. Their aid societies cared for the families of those who were at the front and their busy fingers made the bandages that bound our wounds and furnished the clean clothing and supplies for our hospitals. The Crimean war produced a Florence Nightingale. The war of the rebellion produced thousands. They were angels of mercy and were found even on the field of battle bending low over a dying form to whisper words of comfort and cheer. We should never forget this part taken in the stupendous struggle by the loyal women of our country.
     The union army it is claimed, fought the unprecedented number of 2,261 battles and scirmishes. Since the closing of the Napoleonic wars in 1815, all the great countries of Europe, Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Russia, Italy, Spain, Japan, Portugal, Holland and the Scandinavian countries, with their millions of armed men and their frequent wars have not altogether fought as many and as bloody battles, killed as many men, subjected their armies to such strains as did the Union army from '61 to '65. Of those who enlisted in the service 34,713 or more than a great European army, were actually killed. Over 232,000 were wounded and over 200,000 died of disease, making in all a loss of over 500,000 men. Only think of it! My figures are approximately correct for I got them from the war records. Think of what an appalling amount of danger, death, and unutterable misery these figures atest. Think of the wild wreckage of the noble manhood of the nation. It was the wildest carnival of death ever held in any land or any age.
     "We were with Sherman on the march to the sea, were at the grand review at Washington and I never missed but seven days duty during my entire enlistment. I went in as a private and came out as a sergeant. I moved from Fulton county to Bates county, MO in 1868 and after residence there of about two years moved to Kansas and later to Benton county, Ark and finally to Oklahoma. We returned to Fall River, Kan. where my wife died and I went back to Oklahoma where I still reside.
     "I am 77 years of age and if I have an enemy in the world I do not know it and I am here to tell you that I never had a lawsuit in my life. Here is a pin from a paper sent to me by my wife in 1863, 46 years ago. The climate of Oklahoma is fine and the soil is generally fertile and wheat, oats and corn and other productions are raised in immense quantities. Fruit of all kinds flourish well and on account of its rapid increase in population and the general extensions of the improvements of civilization, as well as the intelligence, industry and thrift of its inhabitants the state will soon be inferior to no other of equal extent. Here is a 20-dollar bill. Confederate money, which I have carried since 1864. I am a member of Curtis Springs, Ark. and get a pension of $24.00 a month
     "At Altoona Pass I asked an old Georgian woman why the rebels ran so often and she replied "Why you'uns critter companies swing around and shoot endways at we'uns and we'uns have to run to keep from being captured or killed". Here are some of the old Springfield rifle balls and a knife that I carried through the war, and here is a button cut from the coat of a dead rebel general near Ezra church, Ga. July 28, 1864. About all of the old pioneers and most of the old comrades have passed away. The silence of death has settled over many of the battlefields of the civil war, interrupted only by the casual chirping of birds which build their nests in the trees which still bear the scars of battle. The old boys who still survive are scattered about the world. Some are in distant lands, some are tossing upon distant seas, some are mingling in the busy intrigues of courts and cabinets, but all of us are growing old and all will soon end in oblivious dust and endless darkness.

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     Jacob Emery, of Canton, is one of those German American citizens of whom we have reason to be proud on account of the example they present of industry, morality and good citizenship. The country is greatly indebted for its present wealth and high standing to the sturdy enterprising, intelligent Germans who, having heard of the grand opportunities for the poor and oppressed in the new world, collected their worldly goods together, embarked on sailing vessels and crossed the ocean to America.
     Our subject’s early life was passed amid the pleasant scenes of his little German home across the sea. He opened his eyes on the living world around him on April 5, 1822, in Baden, Germany.
     “I was reared to manhood,” he said, ”in the fatherland, but by coming in contact with the world, in contact with hard, stubborn facts, I soon dropped childhood’s simple creeds and loving superstitions, and empty handed commenced life’s great struggle in earnest.”
     “I am a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Emery, both natives of Germany. My parents never left the old country, but lived and died there.”
     “The villages of Germany are supplied with good schools where I attended from six until 14 years old, in accordance with the law of the land. I also became acquainted with farm labor, remaining with my father on the farm until I was 22 years old, when, believing that better opportunities awaited me in America, I decided to come hither. The farms in Germany are small, the largest of them containing not more than 25 acres. On the cornerstone of every farm is the owner’s name and the number of acres the farm contains. The poorer people do all the farming, all the work, in Germany. On the farm is raised oats, barley, rye, a little corn, but no wheat. The German peasants live on bread made from rye and barley flour, mixed about half and half; potatoes and milk or beer. A big mug of beer costs half a cent and a glass of pure old whisky or wine costs only one cent. They have a pure food and a pure drink law in the old country, and the government has charge of the liquor traffic. If you buy a pound of coffee, sugar or tea and the grocer gives you short weight, you report the matter to a government officer and the dealer is arrested and fined heavily. Wages for day labor are from 10 to 12 cents and I worked one whole year, before I came to America, for $30. The farms, which are cut up into small patches are highly fertilized, everything being used to enrich the soil. Poor people sometimes have meat on the table once or twice a year. The farms all lie out and no stock is permitted to run at large. The little stone houses of the peasants are fenced with stone, and the stone fence is the only fence seen in Germany. The women sometimes drink coffee, but the men and children drink nothing but milk, beer or water. Oil manufactured from English walnuts was burned for making light when I left the country. Clothing there is good and cheap and a pair of calfskin shoes that cost you a dollar will last a year. There are no shoddy goods sold in Germany. The government will not permit it. The poor people raise flax and hemp and manufacture their own clothing.”
     “In the spring of 1844 I came down the river Rhine to Havre, France, and sailed from that port on an American ship on the fifteenth day of April. I was 22 years old at that time. I reached New York on the ninth of May, after a somewhat exciting passage of 24 days. A storm arose one night and I thought we would all go down in the gale. During a storm, sharks and other monsters of the deep swarm around a vessel. Three German emigrants died at sea on the voyage and their remains were prepared for burial, a sack of sand tied to them, and they were slid off a slanting board into the water.”
     “I remained in New York three days, when I went to Stark County Ohio and worked on a farm for a man named Huffman, for six or seven months. My wages were $13 a month. Huffman lived near Canton, McKinley’s old home. He did not want to pay me in full and I had to sue him to get my money.”
     “While living in Stark County I was married to Miss Elizabeth Spaugy, who was born in Ohio but whose father and mother both came from Germany. During the winter after my marriage I chopped and made rails for a man named John Shroel. This was in the winter of 1844-45.”
     “In the spring of 1845 my wife’s parents moved to Fulton County Ind. And we went with them to the then new county. Here I bought 80 acres of timberland for which I paid$100. On it, I built a log cabin and log stable and fenced and cleared about 40 acres. The country was new and both myself, and my wife endured many hardships and deprivations while preparing a home in the woods. We worked faithfully, however, and in time had a home of our own. We lived on this place five years or more, and then sold it to Jacob Perry, for $1100, and moved to Wabash and bought a house and two lots in town.”
     “During the war corn was $1 a bushel and hay $29 a ton, but I received $5 a day for teaming and made some money.”
     “I lived in Wabash until the spring of 1865, when I sold out and with over $1600 in my pocket moved to Coffee county Kan., staying there nine years, losing all of my money. The drouth and grasshoppers swamped me.”
     “In 1874 I started back to Indiana with a light wagon and a span of ponies, but when I reached Middle Grove my money gave out. I had $1.05, and I was compelled to stop and go to work. I chopped, made rails and cleared land for Thomas Leverton and A. J. McCombs in the north part of Fairview Township for five years. A. J. McCombs was one of the early settlers of north Fulton County, and his wife was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Smith, pioneers of Fairview Township. Both the Leverton and Smith families are good, whole-souled people, intelligent and moral. I lived on the Hall place in Fairview Township for a short time and then rented the Broadfield place, in Young Hickory Township, now owned by G. W. Williams, where I lived for 10 years.”
     “In 1892 I bought from Jonathan Smith, of Fairview Township, the 80 acres lying one mile east of Ellisville Station, in Young Hickory Township, paying $1075 for it. I cleared it up and raised wheat enough on it in three years to pay for it. The first year I raised 475 bushels; the second year, 350, and the third, 275 making a total of 1100 bushels, for which I received $1 a bushel.”
“My son-in-law, Charles Thompson, who lives here in Canton with me, cut all the grain with the cradle and I raked and bound it myself, although I was past 70 years of age.”
     “While I am not what you would really call a pioneer of Fulton County, I am an early settler of both Indiana and Kansas.”
     “My deceased wife and myself were desperately poor when we began life in Indiana, and also when we first reach Fulton County, and many were the sacrifices we had to make and the deprivations we endured. We both worked hard, however, and a second time accumulated considerable property.”
     “About three years ago I sold the old home place in Young Hickory Township to C.F. Frederick of Ellisville for $2700 cash, and came to Canton, where I own three good residence properties. I am enjoying the peaceful comforts of my home here, in retirement from the hard labors of the early years of my life.”
     “My wife died a short time before my removal to Canton, and her remains rest in Coal Creek Lutheran Cemetery, in Young Hickory Township. She was a member of the German Lutheran church and I also belong to the same organization.”
     “I am the father of 10 children, six of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Margaret Phillips, a resident of Coffee County Kansas; Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, of Canton; Phillip Emery, on the Randolph farm, in Joshua Township; Elsie Emery on a farm half a mile west of Middle Grove; Riley Emery, who lives in Oklahoma; and Mrs. Lulu H. Thompson, West Walnut Street, Canton.”
     “My wife was 77 years of age at the time of her death, and if I live until the fifth of April will be 85 and I guess my weary pilgrimage will soon be brought to a close.”
     “I lived in Indiana amid pioneer scenes, in a cabin in the wild primeval forest, which was infested with wild animals, and where game was abundant. And, oh! Many were the hardships and deprivations we endured before we subdued the soil and brought it to anything like a state of cultivation.”
     “In Kansas I built a sod house to shelter my wife and children and entered upon the hard task before me bravely, but to no purpose. The drouths, grasshoppers and other obstacles in that state broke me up, and I came to Illinois almost penniless, bought another farm, cleared it up and paid for it.”
     “In my struggles with the rude forces of nature in Indiana, Kansas and Illinois, I have done many, many hard days’ work, but being large and a strong German athlete, I have come through it all and am a hale and hearty man now, considering my advanced age.”
     “I have not worked much for the past six years, but am spending the declining years of my life in the enjoyment of the competency I have secured by my industry, by economy and good management. To live, a man must work, but he must save and manage also.”
     “After I had been in America for eight years I went back to the old country after my sister and consequently have crossed the ocean three times. My sister still lives in Wabash, Ind. Is a widow, and has grown rich by working and saving and remaining in one place all the time.”
     “There were not many railroads in Germany when I left there. The banks of the Rhine, however, were lined with forts when I was back there the last time. Germany has one of the best drilled and best equipped armies in the world in fact, I might say that the empire is a nation of soldiers.”
     “I do not chew, but smoke occasionally, and drink no whisky, but take an occasional glass of beer. The whiskey and beer in this country are adulterated are not pure.”
     “I came from a family noted for longevity.”
     “I guess I have been self-supporting ever since I was 10 years old. The boys and girls in Germany are compelled both to work and go to school.”
     “I have been handicapped by the loss of an eye ever since I lived in Fulton County, Ind.”
     “I set out when a young man with the sturdy determination to conquer all obstacles found in my way, but this I have not been able to do. I have won out in the end, however, and am satisfied.”
     “I could tell you a great deal more about the old country, the habits and customs of the German people, but perhaps it would not interest your readers.”
     During his long life Mr. Emery has not been engaged in a wide range of occupations, but has spent most of the time on a farm. Despite his age, he displays remarkable degree of vigor and arises early every morning and takes a walk. He wields an ax almost as handily as a youth, and there is never a lack of kindling wood beside the kitchen stove. In the afternoon he sits down for a rest and a smoke in the cozy armchair near the stove and discusses the current topics of the day with his daughter, Mrs. Thompson, and this generally leads to a reminiscent chat between the couple. He has no special advise to give with regard to the problem of good health and attaining old age. He believes in the simple life and out-of-doors work plenty of rest and sleep, and plain substantial food. He has always been quite a smoker but has given most other forms of stimulants a wide berth. For over 50 years the wife of his early manhood, the mother of his children, walked by his side, but some three years ago death crossed the threshold of his home and she was removed from him and the family. His life has been characterized by great energy and industry and intelligent, well-directed effort in the line of his chosen work, farming. In his political views he is a conservative Democrat, but has never sought office. He is well known and the incorruptible integrity of his character and his many fine qualities of head and heart have placed him high in the regard of his fellow citizens.

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     George M. GILBERT [1833-1908] of Putnam Township was born in Westminster, Carroll County Maryland. Aug.1, 1833 and is the son of Isaac and Keziah GILBERT both natives of Maryland. The GILBERT family said the subject of our sketch "come of good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock and settled in Pennsylvania at a very early period in our country's history. Later some of them drifted over to Maryland. I have not lived in Fulton County over 30 years; but my wife, whose maiden name was JOHNSON has spent most of her life in Fulton County and was reared to womanhood near St. David and Canton. I was reared to manhood on the old homestead in Maryland. I passed my life in the usual manner of farmers lads in my native state. I like your pioneer sketches and ramblers notes for through them I become acquainted with people and conditions in other parts of the country and with conditions that existed here in pioneer times. The general good of the country demands a mutual acquaintance between the citizens of all parts of it. If we are not in touch with each other, if ignorant of each other’s conditions, we cannot feel that high and just regard for each other which is essential to the existence of a strong spirit of brotherhood. All I know about the hardy pioneers of this country and the dangers with which they were surrounded for many years I have gained by reading your sketches and I like that general exchange of ideas on farming, the conditions of the crops, politics, etc. found in your RAMBLERS NOTES.
     While in Maryland in my boyhood days was not a new country, the opportunities for securing an education were not good and my book learning is limited, although I am good in mathematics and have managed to pick up a pretty fair general fund of information. As I stated before, I am good in figures and have found but few problems I could not solve. The first permanent settlement was made in Maryland in the year 1631 and of course the land was under good tillage and was well stocked with good horses and mules, neat cattle, sheep and swine when I was a boy, along in the 30's and 40's. The forest trees of the middle states abound in all the counties of Maryland and the best fuel are oaks, hickory, beech and dogwood. The hemlock has its southern boundary, in the west parts of the state; coal abounds principally in Allegany County and is mostly of the bituminous kind. Many companies are working the coal and iron mines of the state. I know very little about the early history of the GILBERT family or my folks. We moved from Maryland to Ohio in 1854. There were 11 children in my parents’ family, nine boys and two girls. I had one brother in the Army. He was killed in the fighting around Chattanooga in 1863. He was a member of the Ninety-third Ohio infantry. One was drowned, one was kicked to death by a horse and one was poisoned by handling poison ivy and died from the effects. Of the other members of the family I know but little. Going back I will say that the climate in Maryland cannot be excelled and it is a fine wheat and fruit country. I grew to mans estate on the farm and was 21 years old when we immigrated to Ohio. I remained at home until I was 28 years of age, when I went out into the world to fight life's battle alone. I have tried fully to realize that life is real; and have worked hard and during my leisure moments have endeavored to store my mind with useful knowledge so that I might leave behind me footprints on the sands of time. While in Ohio I lived most of the time in Montgomery and Preble Counties, which were principally settled by Marylanders and people from Pennsylvania and Virginia. I was married in 1861 the year the war broke out to Miss Cynthia Ann BROWN, who also was a native of Maryland. Seven children were born to us. The names of those who survive are: Elmer GILBERT, in Texas, Mrs. Rilla FORD, Canton; Mrs. Jennie WINGLER, Canton; and Miss Kitty GILBERT in Indiana. I ran a sawmill for three years after my first marriage. My first wife died in Preble County in 1876 and her remains are buried there. She was a member of the Lutheran Church as were all her people. I landed in Fulton County, March 2,1880 and located near Canton and have lived in Canton, Buckheart and Putnam Townships ever since. I was married a second time to Mrs. Ellen Frances (JOHNSON) WHEELER of Buckheart Township. This marriage took place April 6, 1884. I have two children by my second wife, namely: Mrs. Nona WELLS, who makes her home here with us and George M. GILBERT Jr. who works in Harry Lane place in Putnam Township. I am a conservative Democrat but my father and brothers were Republicans. My mother's father was in the war of 1812 and was killed in a fight with a man in Maryland. In both Maryland and Ohio when I was a boy and young man almost every farmer had a barrel of whiskey in his cellar and it was in general use in the harvest fields, but there was little or no drunkedness. All liquors were made pure then and blended or adulterated spirits were unknown. I have been an invalid for the past 16 years but did some work up to about seven years ago. I am 75 years of age and will not be here much longer. I cast my first vote for LINCOLN in 1860 and have voted the Democratic ticket since that time." We old fellows who have long passed the Osler limit will soon be gathered to our eternal homes."
     I was born said, Mrs. Ellen Frances GILBERT [1855-1920] in Washington County, Penn. April 5, 1855 and am the daughter of Uriah and Isabel JOHNSON, who were natives of the old Keystone state and who came to Illinois in 1858, when I was only three years old. There were 14 children in the family; five of whom are still living. Mrs. Charles WHEELER, resides at St. David, Isaac JOHNSON who lives on his farm six miles from LaHarpe, in Hancock county; Mrs. Susan SMITH, another sister who lives in Michigan; Uriah JOHNSON is a resident of Oklahoma and I am here in Putnam Township. We came by river from Pittsburg Penn. To Liverpool and located at St. David or where St. David now stands. We moved from St. David to the old Farwell farm near Maples Mill, thence to Liverpool-which was at that time a live thriving village and quite a shipping point. Father died in Liverpool and his remains are buried in the POLLITT Cemetary east of Maples Mill. He was a blacksmith and worked his trade in Liverpool. He was a member of the Christian Church as was also my mother and was an ardent member of the Republican Party and took great pride in supporting its principals. After my father's death my mother and myself went back to Pennsylvania where we lived for 18 months and then returned to Fulton County, settling in Bryant. I was married Feb.2, 1871 to James WHEELER of Missouri or rather a native of Missouri. Of the five children that were born to us three are living. Their names are: Charles WHEELER, who makes his home with the family of Frank FOUTS, in Buckheart township, Uriah WHEELER, who lives in Hancock county, and Hattie May WHEELER, who makes her home at Caleb Johnson's in Buckheart township. Being an orphan and living at a time when schools were few and not so through as they are now I received only a limited education. We settled in St. David in 1858 and I have through the passing years continued to make Buckheart, Liverpool, Canton and Putnam townships my home. I passed much of my life in and near St. David. I cannot now recall the date of my mother's death but her remains are interred in Greenwood Cemetary, Canton. She made all of our clothing and could braid straw and make straw hats. When I was eight years old I pulled potato vines for a neighbor for two weeks, for which I received 50 cents, with which I bought my first calico dress. I remember well when David Williams operated St. David first coal mine. Game at that time was found in the more thinly settled sections of the county and many people still lived in cabins and hewed log houses. I have lived to see wonderful changes that have taken place, have grown up with the country and can never forget the crude life we used to live. As soon as large enough I was set to work and I have been working ever since. Canton, which today contains such handsome business houses and private residences, was a prosperous little city but was not so large as it is now. For years there were only two rows of miners' cottages in St. David, but now that place is assuming the proportions of a city and with its interurban road actually puts on city airs. I am of Irish decent as my grandparents on both sides of the house came from Ireland. I can recall the time when all produce was hauled to Liverpool and Copperas Creek Landing. The distance from Canton to Liverpool by the old plank road is about 13 miles. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad or the St. Louis division of it was built in1860 as the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad. The Toledo, Peoria and Warsaw railway was built along between 1868 and 1871. Even when a child I took up my share of the labor in which my father and mother were engaged and have done my share of the work, which has resulted in making of this section one of the garden spots of the state. At harvest time many girls and married women, too used to assist in the scenes of that season. There were many picturesque spots here when we first came to the county and wild game was abundant and wolves plentiful but the country settled up rapidly and the larger animals disappeared, leaving nothing but raccoons, foxes, squirrels and rabbits. My father was a radical abolitionist until the emancipation proclamation was issued and during the last years of his life staunchly supported the Republican party. But those good old days have gone and never more to return and I begin to realize that I too am growing old and the mists will soon roll away for me as well as my husband. "We shall know as we are known, Never more to walk alone In the dawning of the morning Of that bright and happy day We shall know each other better, When the mists have rolled away" Both Mr. and Mrs. GILBERT are good citizens of pleasant social qualities and sterling habits. They possess intelligent views on all subjects of general interest and held in the highest esteem by their neighbors and friends.

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A RAMBLER'S NOTES
THOMAS W. STEVENSON
Canton Weekly Register, November 10, 1904
transcribed by Claire Crandell

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     Many of the early settlers of Fulton County and of Illinois came from Ohio and not a few of them were natives of that state.
     Silas [Coleman] STRODE [1838-1922], whose sketch now claims attention, was born in the Buckeye state, as also were his father and mother. He is a veteran of the civil war and is classed among the capable and intelligent farmers of Putman Township.
     “The harvests in the old days in Fulton County were often bountiful and I recall the fact that the corn one year was large enough to grate six weeks from the time of planting. The soil was stronger than what it is now and corn generally matured in seven or eight weeks.”
     “But, let me go back to my birth, I was born in Adams County, Ohio on April 10, 1838, and am the son of William and Mahala (Pollard) STRODE. They were both born and reared to maturity and married in Ohio, but moved to Kentucky when I was but a small boy. I know but little of their life histories. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and father was a Henry Clay Whig. Grandfather POLLARD fought the Indians under Jackson and was also a soldier of the War of 1812.
     Both my parents died in Kentucky and their remains are buried there. “We lived in a log house in Kentucky and I followed the plow and hauled with oxen before I was 10 years of age. Wild animals and game were abundant and I remember seeing deer, turkeys, bears, wolves, catamounts and foxes. We lived near Clarksburg and were pioneers of that section, which contained but few inhabitants, all of who lived in small log huts in the timber near a spring.
     “I was reared in the woods before land grabbers and timber thieves got in their deadly work, and I can never forget the grand forests of old Kentucky. The immortal Lincoln was born in a cabin in one of these great forests.
     “I passed all my early life in the deep forests of Kentucky, in a wilderness you might say, and picked up what education or learning I could in the log school houses and subscription schools of the day.
     “In the prime of my early manhood I came through from Kentucky to Illinois with Morgan B. STRODE and family. We made the trip with teams and wagons in the fall of 1856. I at first stopped with that early settler of Putman Township, that grand old man, Samuel BISHOP, and worked by the day for him a while and later secured employment hauling coal from the old Tampico Mine to Liverpool for steamboats.
     “In the spring of 1857 I went to Mason Co. and worked on a farm one year for a man named SIMMONS. Returning to Fulton County I rented the Samuel PAUL place in Putman Township and on Oct.28, 1858, I was married to Sarah M. PAUL [1841-1929] and stayed with my wife’s parents the first year after our marriage, then lived one year in a house on the place. From Samuel PAUL’S place we moved to the Joseph PAUL farm, thence into a house in what was called ‘Jenkins Hollow’ in Waterford Township. We lived there one year and then purchased 40 acres of land from Phillip PELL. The land cost me $400 and is now worth $4,000. When I sold this 40 acre tract I moved back to Putman Township and lived a short time on the old Samuel PAUL homestead, then moved to what was called in pioneer times Shawnee town in Lewistown Township. I was living at this place when the war broke out, when I enlisted in Company B Eighty-Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
     The Eighty-Fifth was organized at Peoria in August of 1862 by Colonel Robert S. MOORE and mustered into the service August 27,1862. It was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky on September 6, 1862 and assigned to the Thirty-sixth brigade eleventh division third army corps. Colonel Dan Mc Cook commanded the brigade, General Sheridan commanded the division and General Gilbert was the corps commander. We marched in pursuit of the enemy under General Bragg, Oct. 1, 1862 and were engaged in the battle of Perryville and also in the battle of Stone River in 1863. The Regiment was in many other engagements but on account of injury to my eyes, received in the battle of Stone River, I was discharged from the service the latter part of 1863. My first company commander was Captain Griffith but later Captain Pierce took command of the company. Samuel P. Cummings was major of the regiment from August 27,1862 to April 6,1863.
     After leaving the army I returned to Fulton County and resumed the calling that I had abandoned when I took up arms in defense of the Union. After practically six days of fighting at Stone River my eyes were so badly injured by the thick brush though which we had to pass in the darkness that I have gradually lost my sight until I am totally blind in one eye and can see but little with the other. I get a pension of $24 a month. I was discharged from the general hospital at Nashville, Tenn.
     I have always been a Republican, always voted the Republican ticket and always expect to. I will if living and able to get to the polls this fall, vote the Republican ticket from Taft down to the coroner.
     I bought 80 acres of land south of J. M. BERRY’S which after living on it some 12 or 14 years, I sold to Ira PORTER and moved to Cuba. I bought the tract for $1,350 and sold it for $2,000.
     I made my home in the little city of Cuba for 12 years and still own 2 residence properties there. I moved on this place last spring and I will spend the remainder of my days in the country.
     There were ten of us in the family but only four survive, namely: Mrs. Francis LYONS, Cuba: William STRODE who resides near Marietta; Elisha STRODE in Ohio and myself.
     To my wife and myself 11 boys have been born, eight of whom are living. Their names are: James W. STRODE, near Table Grove, Elisha L. STRODE, Cuba; George W. STRODE living on the old Eph MORGAN place on Slug Run, Putman township; Lewis STRODE on the old Samuel BISHOP farm also in Putman township; Joseph A. STRODE, a resident of Cuba; Frank STRODE, also on a Putman township farm; Silas E. STRODE, on the old Russell place and Clarence STRODE, at home.
     Eleven children, all boys is something a little remarkable and nine straight Republican voters in one family cannot be beaten in Fulton County. I think President Roosevelt ought to send me a medal for raising the biggest family of Republicans in the county.
     My wife and I are both members of the United Brethren Church and have been since 1858. We joined the church when the Rev. Mr. TIMMONS and “Uncle Tommy” JENKINS used to preach in the log cabin home of William BISHOP and wife and we have tried to live consistent Christian lives ever since.
     We had but few schools in Kentucky when I was a boy and many children grew to manhood and womanhood without being able to read and write.
     I have retired from the hard labors of my early years because I cannot see to work anymore. I ought to be allowed a pension of at least $40 a month. Don’t you think so? But, as the old song goes, “It matters little now Lorena, of life there is no small part; Down here ‘tis dust to dust, Lorena, But, Oh up there is heart to heart.”
     Mrs. Silas STRODE is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county and is the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth PAUL, who first settled in Buckheart Township but later located in the Bishop neighborhood in Putman Township. Samuel PAUL was a brother of Ebon PAUL of Waterford Township and both of these have long since passed away, were very early settlers of the county. Mrs. Strode is a native of the county and her own pioneer labors entitle her to a place among the earliest settlers of the county.
     “I was born,” she said, in what was called “Richwoods”, Buckheart Township, November 19, 1841, have lived right here in the county ever since I was born, and am therefore familiar with almost every phase of pioneer life and with the marvelous changes that nearly 70 years have wrought in this section of the country.
     “I received none of the higher education given under our free school system to rich and poor alike, but being reared on a farm, when educational facilities were poor, I secured only a fair knowledge of the rudiments of the three “R’s”.
     “My mother used to do the weaving for this whole section of the country and I guess I could do a little spinning and knitting yet if I had to.
     “We attended school at the old Bishop school house and Jobie HEAR was my first teacher.
     “The Revs, Evans HUFFMAN and Oscar SMITH were among the old time United Brethren Ministers who used to preach for us. The protracted meetings or revivals as they are now called were held in the pioneer home of grandfather, William BISHOP and Oh! What excellent meetings we did have. We were all members of one church, all poor, and strife and pride were unknown among us.
     “I have preformed almost all kinds of outdoor work and I think I have enjoyed better health and lived the longer for it.
     “My parents lived and died at the old Paul homestead about a mile east of the United Brethren church near Slug Run, in Putman Township and their remains are buried in the Conner or Bishop cemetery. They were both almost lifelong members of the United Brethren church and father was an old time Whig.
     “Our family consisted of 12 children but only 5 are living. Cyrus lives at Urbana, Champaign county William PAUL is a resident of Cuba, Mrs. Elizabeth SWEARENGEN is one of my near neighbors; Samuel PAUL makes his home in Cuba; and I live here on Slug Run.
     “My oldest brother Peter PAUL and my cousin Jacob PAUL, who was the son of Ebon PAUL of Waterford Township, met with a horrible death in the Illinois river bottom one cold night in December 1858. The circumstances of their deaths were about these: They went to Havana in a skiff, down Spoon River and then across the Illinois to the town. After they had transacted their business they started home by the route they came. After crossing the Illinois and going up Spoon River some two miles they came in contact with ice gorged in the river and could not proceed no farther. So they turned out into the bottom. It being all overflowed and frozen over, they attempted to break the ice and get to shore. They broke it for some distance, when they left their boat and got on the ice, but they did not go far when it broke in with them. When they discovered it was to thin to bear their weight it seems they broke it some distance with their hands, but finally becoming chilled and exhausted they perished in water where it was only about two feet deep within about ten feet of solid ice. Brother Peter was found on his knees and it seemed that his last moments had been spent in prayer.
     We lived in a cabin for years after I was born on the old homestead which father had purchased with the accumulation of years of labor and which we all helped to improve and put in a good state of cultivation. In a comfortable home and in the enjoyment of the companionship of his family and of his faithful wife father’s last days were spent.
     By years of hard toll we accomplished the pioneer task of cultivating a good and highly productive farm from the wilderness. The rude log cabin was replaced by a hewed log house and later by a frame in which we lived for years.
     “Mr. STRODE has given you the names of our children and I will give you the names of our grandchildren (34 in number) and also the names of our eight great grandchildren. The former are Will, Sallie, Lincoln, Harrison, Clara, Ray, Oral, and Francis STRODE, the children of our son, James STRODE. Alvin, Carrie, Melvin, Morris, Marie and Merle STRODE the family of Elisha STRODE and wife. The children of George STRODE are Jessie, Wesley, Jennie, Frank, and Georgie. Lewis STRODE and wife have four children, whose names are Delma, Roy, John and Sara. Andrew STRODE’S five children are Earl, Edith, Bertha, Elmer and Samuel. The next three are Frank STRODE’S children, Emery, Doral, and Silas. Edward STRODE’S children are Verna, Edna, and Lena. The names of three great grandchildren are Guy HULVEY, Bernice HULVEY and Baby HULVEY, the children of Mr. And Mrs. George HULVEY. Our grandson William STRODE’S children are Lee, Everett and Baby Harrison STRODE. Our other grandson has one child, named Ruth and Fern CAMERON is the daughter of our granddaughter, Mrs. Ross CAMERON.
     Lafayette MILLER of Marietta told in his sketch recently published in the Register about the number of Democratic voters (21 I think) in the MILLER family. Why there are more than that many Republican voters now in the STRODE family, with 20 or 25 more to follow. Taft, Sherman and the grand old Republican will get a big boost from the STRODE family at the election in November. We are all about Republicans down here on Slug Run and believe that the principles laid down in the Republican platform are best to adapted to the needs of the nation. We vote straight. We have ever been loyal to the old flag, loyal to the government it represents and try to be good law abiding citizens.”
     Mr. and Mrs. Silas STRODE are upright, warm hearted, hospitable old people and their high standing among their neighbors and friends is satisfactory proof of their worth as citizens.
     “We try to be on the right side of every moral and social and political question, have tried to do our duty,” were the parting words of Mr. STRODE.
     Please note the Joseph A. STRODE that Mr. STRODE mentions and Andrew STRODE that Mrs. STRODE mentioned are the same person. Joseph Andrew “Doc” STRODE 1873-1947 married in 1895 to Sarah Ellen (Gray) 1872-1958. She was the daughter of John D. and Elizabeth (Riggens) GRAY. Transcribed by Tina Reed great-great granddaughter of Silas Coleman and Sarah Maria (Paul) STRODE.

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     Mrs. Ellen Thompson, widow of Charles Thompson, now living in Canton, is one of the early settlers, one of the pioneers, of Fulton County.
     When she was only 13 years of age her parents, Azwell and Susan Shoemaker, emigrated from Indiana to Vermillion County Illinois, and after residing there for about one year came to Fulton County, settling about one mile west of Fairview near the old Markley homestead.
     Isaac Lamb, deceased, was an uncle of our subject, and was also a near neighbor.
     Mrs. Thompson was born in a humble pioneer home in Lawrence County Ind., and what little education she has was received in a primitive log schoolhouse of the early times.
      She was born and has passed the greater part of her life in a cabin.
     Her father was a pioneer teamster and hunter of Fairview, Ellisville and Young Hickory townships.
     Large quantities of pork were packed in Ellisville and Fairview, hauled to Liverpool and Copperas Creek landing, and shipped south. Most of the pioneer towns of the county enjoyed a season of prosperity about this time, which in some cases lasted for several years. Fairview and Ellisville were often crowded with teams, sometimes extending for a distance of half a mile, a solid mass of wagons.
     As the westward flow of emigration increased many were attracted to the pleasantly situated town of Fairview and the fertile country around it, and the former grew quite rapidly, and before many years rolled around the latter was all occupied.
     When the Shoemaker family first settled in south Young Hickory there were only two log houses and a water mill at London Mills, and the county around was very thinly inhabited, the settlers all living in log houses. A cabin was built in the woods on what is now a part of the Ellen Reid farm. A man named Wishard at that time owned this tract of land but, it was later bought by William Jackson and then by William Reid.
     Game was abundant and both the big gray wolf and prairie wolves were numerous.
     Mr. Shoemaker, the father of the subject of our sketch, spent much of his time in the native forests and upon the broad wild prairies hunting. He was an excellent marksman and the report of his rifle generally meant the death of a wolf, catamount, wildcat, deer or wild turkey.
     “I was only 13 years old” said Mrs. Thompson, ”when I accompanied my parents from Indiana to their new home in Illinois. We made the journey in a two-horse wagon, camping out at night, and I well remember seeing wolves run across the road ahead of us and hearing them howl in the dense forests through which we passed.”
     “After living a short time in Vermillion County we came on to Isaac Lamb’s west of Fairview, where we stopped temporarily, then moved into a cabin on section 31, Fairview Township. Elizabeth Markley, the widow of Jonathan Markley, lived in a log house near us. We spent our first winter here in this cabin. Isaac Lamb, who was my uncle, came to this county in 1841 and the Markley family came in the early 30’s.”
     It was in 1845 or 1846 that we settled in the Markley neighborhood, west of Fairview. Our tables in those good old days were always bounteously supplied with ‘samp’ corn bread, wild honey, venison, wild turkey, prairie chicken, quail and fish. We had little or no wheat bread, coffee or tea, but we cared nothing for them. Plenty of wild fruit was found in the prairie and in the woods, we made our own clothing and lacked for nothing. It is true, we did not have knick-knacks, that the people now have, and did not dress as they do now, but high living and fine clothes do not make good men and women. We all stood on equality and dressed in our homespun garments, believed there was room enough in this world for all of us. We did not expect to accomplish everything in our day, but we wanted to do what good we could for ourselves and our neighbors. We carried the torch of progress into the wilderness and have handed it to our children, but there are some things about out modern civilization that I do not like. In the deep forests or on the wild bleak prairie, in our little cabins, daubed with mud, with the little paths that led down to the spring where the clear pure water bubbled out day and night, we were the happiest people in the world. We all joined hands, we were one grand family. We freely gave to others the right that we claimed for ourselves and were ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who needed assistance. Pride and wealth have destroyed the sociability and have almost destroyed the Christianity of the country. The poor man standing erect by his little cabin home if he is honest and honorable should be respected just the same as though he were worth a million. Money doesn’t make the man, or the woman either.”
     “The people of today are slaves and how they crouch and cringe before wealth, before a man who is rich! The poor, honest, laboring men and women are the only kings and queens here in pioneer times. The early settlers of Illinois were all poor but poverty is sometimes an advantage. Most of the great men and great women of America were reared in log houses, in the cottages of the poor.”
     “Cooking is one of the fine arts some say! We old pioneer mothers know something about cooking before a fire in a fireplace. We cooked the old-fashioned way, made corn bread the old way- and how nutritious and sweet it was, and how it filled our veins with pure, rich blood, which gave up pluck, courage, and endurance. Ah, we are degenerating in some things.”
     “When we first came to the country a man was rated at his real worth. Now, a person is rated by his money, is gauged by his wealth. The farmers of the country have more conveniences, and live better, than we did here in pioneer times, but they do not enjoy life as well as we did then- are not so strong, healthy and happy as we were then. What we need now is more manliness and less pride, more self-respect and less fashion, dignity and self-conceit. We can be happy without wealth, but I am not so sure that we can be happy with it.”
     “I was born in Lawrence County Ind., Feb. 28, 1832, and am the daughter of Azwell and Susan Shoemaker, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Indiana. There were 12 children of us in the family, but brother John, who lives west of Canton, and myself, are the only survivors.”
     We moved from Fairview to the south part of Young Hickory township and squatted among the hills in cabins near Spoon River for several years. Much of the land we lived on in this section bordered on Spoon River and was thickly covered with timber and brush that a man could not see above his head. We built at first a cabin right in the brush and set industriously to work clearing off the bushes, making rails for fences, and breaking a small patch of ground for cultivation.”
      “Father and even we girls, took part in the log-rolling and other measures by which the country was cleared and developed, and we learned to do all manner of farm work.”
     “I remember the old government trading post that once stood upon the Conway place. Some of the logs were there until along in the 60’s.”
     “When Spoon River was up, and overflowed in the bottom land, great snakes were driven out by the high waters to the bluffs, and I have killed many big rattlesnakes right in our yard.”
     “Before we came to the country the Indians were numerous and troublesome and the settlers built a stockade at Taylor’s Springs for protection.”
     “Oh yes, I recall many of the incidents of the overland journey from Indiana to Illinois. Wild game was plentiful and my father killed many deer along the route and in the confines of this county. We made our way across the swamps, traversed the prairie, climbed the hills and finally reached Fulton County and I have been here ever since.”
     “We lived in a cabin near Lewistown one season, and one night when father was away, mother and we children were very much alarmed at the number of wolves which gathered around our home and made night hideous with their howls and growls. We had butchered a few days before, and as the roof of the cabin was open, or partly so, we thought the hungry ferocious animals were going to come in and devour us sure. They chased the dog under the house and snapped and snarled around the door until midnight, when they left. It was a night of horror, a night of fear and dread, and I will never forget it.”
     “My girlhood was spent in a cabin in the wood, in the wilderness, and we lived in Young Hickory when there were but a few settlers in all the township. We also lived in a log house in Ellisville when the country along Spoon River was in a very wild condition.”
     “There were no railroads in the county then and everything was hauled to and from Liverpool and Copperas Creek landings.”
     “We were all- both girls and boys in those days, reared in the habits of industry and were not afraid of work. Mother could weave and cut and make garments and we girls could knit and spin and we always kept the family comfortably clad.”
     “Although the wolves howled around the door at night and the country was full of snakes and wild animals, we looked forward with bright hopes to the future, and I have lived to see a great change in Fairview, Ellisville, Young Hickory and Lewistown townships.”
     “My father was an oldline Whig. Mother was a member of the Christian church. The former is buried in the Lewistown Cemetery and the latter in the Foster graveyard, east of Fairview.”
     “We lived on what was known as the Sheets place, near Lewistown.”
     “I lived at home until I reached womanhood, when I was married to Charles Thompson, a pioneer of Fulton County and a native of Michigan.”
     “The date of our marriage was Feb. 10, 1847. My husband was a Republican politically, and we were both members of the Christian church. He died some forty years ago on the old homestead in south Young Hickory, and his remains rest in the old Cline family burying ground, south of the Speedwell school house.”
     “Eight children were born to us- four boys and four girls. Seven are living namely: Mrs. Susan M. VanPelt, Peoria; Azwell Thompson, on a farm in Orion township; Mrs. Martha Conway, living on the Vittum place, west of Canton; William Thompson, a resident of Canton; Mrs. Eliza Pye, residing in Peoria; Charles Thompson and Mrs. Ettie Shoemaker both residents of Canton; Abram Thompson was four years old when he died. His remains rest beside those of his father in the Cline graveyard.”
     “G. W. Williams, ‘Uncle Dick’ and ‘Uncle Sammy’ White, Alexander Hines and William Jackson, the Cline family and later G.W. Conway and Nathaniel Aylesworth were some of our neighbors in Young Hickory township.”
     “Mush and milk used to be our regular diet for supper, but father used to kill deer and cure their hams just the same as they do the hams of hogs, and we had wild meat the year round.”
     “Canton was a small but business place when I first visited it.”
     “The Rev. E. W. Irons and other old ministers used to preach in the log school houses and I have gone to church in an ox wagon and dressed in linsey and barefooted.”
     “A true Christian clad in homespun garments is better than a proud hypocrite clothed in silks.”
     “Old Uncle Billy Cutherell, who came from England or Scotland in a very early day, is still a resident of Canton. He is over 80 years of age, is a carpenter by trade and helped to build the second frame house erected in this city. He is a cousin of mine by marriage and if his memory is good he ought to be able to tell you something about the early history of Canton and this part of the county.”
     “I used to be strong and healthy but I am a aged woman now and have spent all my life in hard labor, but I still like to visit the old home place, although I do not own it now- that spot hallowed by the memories of my earlier life, my earlier years.”
     “There were no stronger, manlier people than the early settlers of Fairview, Ellisville and Young Hickory townships”.
Mrs. Thompson suffers to some extent from the infirmities of old age but she is still quite hale and hearty and bids fair to live for many years yet. She has the pleasure of looking back upon a long course of life will spent and is held in the very highest esteem by all her acquaintances and friends. She earnestly endeavors to practice in daily life the grand principles of Christianity, in which she believes.

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