RESEARCH OF BURIALS IN
WALTER CEMETERY
By Todd Walter
Photographs
by J. Crandell - 2004
with permission of the owner
Additional photos by Todd Walter - 2007
This cemetery has been known variously as "Old Maquon",
"Housh-Sumner-Walter", and "Briggs", three obituaries and one death
certificate have been found that confirm it was named "Walter Cemetery" as late
as 1914.
The first known burial was in 1839 with the last being in 1914. It
is located one and a half miles west of Maquon on County Highway 20 and down a lane
one-half mile South on the Southern edge of the North East Quarter of Section 5 in Maquon
Township. The land was patented September 23, 1838 by Peter Jones and John W. Walter. It
measures 125 feet by 100 feet on a point, overlooking a wooded ravine on three sides,
where three small streams come together with a field being on the North side. No mention
is made of it in any deeds. It is currently owned by Harlan and Jean England.
According to a history of Maquon Cemetery written about 1900, in
1839 James Van Winkle, a hired hand of Benoni Simkins Sr., died and Mr. Simkins approached
John W. Walter about burying the man here. He was told that the cemetery was considered a
family burial plot. He also approached Mr. Barbero, who owned what is now known as
Ouderkirk Cemetery in Section 4 of Maquon Township, and was also refused. Mr. Simkins
decided to start his own cemetery on his farm on Section 34 in Haw Creek Township. This
was the beginning of the Maquon Cemetery.
I began working on this cemetery on October 31, 1998. At
that time only four stones were visible among the trees, weeds and brush, most had fallen
over and were buried in the ground. I used a metal rod to probe the ground to locate them.
After removing countless trees and mountains of brush, I repaired and reset all of the
stones and keep it regularly maintained after decades of neglect. Amazingly, it is
probably this neglect, and the fact that it was virtually inaccessable, that I was able to
restore it to the condition it is in today. There had been no vandalism and all but two of
the graves have their footstones. There are only 3 headstones that I'm not sure are where
they belong, but they are probably close.
Shrubs and flowers have been planted and I've purchased flag
holder markers for the veterans. Being a work in progress, there is much more to do, not
only on the cemetery itself, but also on the research that follows.
Some dates and names are from a Walter Family Bible, Will
and Probate Records, Biographies, Deeds, and Census. Following the research is the actual
transcription of the stones in this cemetery.
December, 2001
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WALTER CEMETERY TRANSCRIPTION
FACING EAST
ROW 1
MARY ELLEN - Dau. of T.? & S. J. WALTER - Died ?? 12, 187? Aged ?? Years, ? Ms., 2 Days
ROW 2 Left to right
Large White Bronze Monument
*****
JAMES H. SUMNER, Born Nov. 28, 1814, Died Sept. 1, 1894.
RACHEL SUMNER, Born June 14, 1825 Died Jan. 7, 1893.
DAVIS SUMNER, Born Apr. 16, 1853, Died Oct. 4, 1861.
WILLIAM M. SUMNER, Born Jan. 19, 1851, Died Aug. 22, 1855
MARY SUMNER, Born Mar. 5, 1869, Died Mar. 8, 1870
INFANT Son, Born June 28, 1860, Died July 9, 1860.
THOMAS R. SUMNER, Born Dec. 6, 1848.
CARY SUMNER, Born May 6, 1855.
Erected 1893
North Side:
MARTHA J. SUMNER, Born Sept. 12, 1857.
Gone But Still Remembered
*****
BOWATER SUMNER - Died Nov. 4, 1851 Aged 63Yrs. 4Ms. 2Ds.
Top Of Stone Gone - Died Apr. 28, 1852 Aged 60Yrs. 9Ms. 26Ds.
Has footstone with initials L. S. (Lettice Sumner)
ELIZABETH - Wife of James WALTER - Died Oct. 13, 1845 Aged 79 Y's (photo by Todd Walter)
JAMES WALTER - Died Feb. 8, 1839 Aged 75y's. 9m's. & 18d's. (photo by Todd Walter)
SARAH - Daughter of James & E. WALTER - Died Aug. 8, 1839 Aged 40y's. 7m's. 7d's. (photo by Todd Walter)
INFANT Died Jan., 1858 - T. R. & S. J. WALTER
INFANT Died Sept., 1853 - T. R. & S. J. WALTER
SARAH J. - Dau. of E. G. & H. MOORE - Died June 15, 1855 Aged 6yrs. 9mos. 16ds.
ELLEN - Dau. of E.G. & H. MOORE - Died May 14, 1855 Aged 2yrs.5ms.16ds.
ROW 3 Left to right
ROBERT - Son of J. & C. BEACHAM - Died Feb. 10, 1850 Aged 14y's. 3m. 8d's.
In Memory of HANNAH
WALTER Who deceased on the 22nd day of September A.D. 1844
Aged 51years, 4 months, and 13 days
To My Departed
Tis past - the fond - the fleeting dream
Of love and hope is o'er,
And darkly steals life's troubled stream
Unto the silver shore.
But still this broken heart of mine
Shall be thy memory's mournful shrine
Till it is laid at rest with thine,
Where grief is felt no more.
My sorrow seeks a lonely spot
In some fair deserved place
To me each scene where thou are not
Is not but joyless waste.
Where all the land is bright and fair
But dim what thou can'st not share
And I sigh to be at rest.
JOHN W. WALTER - Died Aug. 6, 1863 Aged 73y's. 7m's. & 24d's.
JOHN G. - Son of J. W. & H. WALTER - Died Sept. 6, 1845 Aged 17y's. 11m's. & 28d's.
In Memory of JAMES WALTER - Born Nov. ??, A.D. 1821 Died Sept. ??, A.D. 1845 (photo by Todd Walter)
In Memory of GEORGE
K. STEVENSON who deceased on the 23rd day of June, A.D. 1842
Aged 7 months and 16 days
In Memory of BETSY
STEVENSON who deceased on the 23rd day of ??, A.D. 18??
Aged 28 years ?? months and 14 days
I. STEVENSON - Died Dec. 3, 1849 Aged 31y. 6m. 1d.
In memory of a daughter of Peter and Nancy GODFREY who died in infancy.
INFANT Dau. of Peter and Nancy GODFREY - Born Feb. 18, 1841
WILLIAM M. son of Jas. H. & R. SUMNER - Died Aug. 22, 1855 Aged 4yrs. 7ms. 3ds.
INFANT Son of Jas. H. & R. SUMNER - Died July 9, 1860 A.E. 12 Days
Happy infant early blest, Rest in peaceful slumber rest.
DAVIS son of Jas. H. & R. SUMNER - Died Oct. 4, 1861 A.E. 8yrs. 5mos. & 18d's.
MARY dau. of J.H. & R. SUMNER - Died Apr. 8, 1870 Aged 1yr. 3days.
Short pain, Short grief, Dear babe were thine, Now joy eternal and divine.
ROW 4 Left to right
INFANT ?? of ?? KINSER - Sept. ??, 18??
Sleep on sweet babe, and take thy rest, God called thee home, He thought it best.
INFANT Dau. of W.J. & M.O. KINSER - Died Dec. 10, 1874 Aged 10 days.
Sleep on sweet babe, and take thy rest, God called thee home, He thought it best.
ABIGAIL STEVENSON - Dau. of Thomas and Hannah SUMNER
(photo by Todd Walter)
Born in N. Caro. Oct. 15, 1804 Died Feb. 12, 1894
PHEBE GREGG - Dau. of Thomas and Hannah SUMNER
(photo by Todd Walter)
Born in N. Caro. Mar. 1, 1781 Died Mar. 13, 1858
MOSES H. GREGG (photo by Todd Walter)
Born in N. Caro. Apr. 1, 1777 Died Nov. 19, 1846
SARAH
HOUSH - Died Jan. 24, 1844 Aged 60 Yrs.
Farewell
ADAM
HOUSH - Died Sept. 27, 1861 Aged 77 Yrs.
ROW 5 Left to right
ELIZA - Wife of John IVIS - Died Jan 17, 1875 Aged 54yrs. 2mos. 16days.
Rest Mother, Rest in quiet sleep, While friends in sorrow for thee weep,
And here their heart-felt offerings bring, And near thy grave thy requiem sings.
THOMAS R. - Son of W.J. & C. WALTER - Died Sept. 27, 1869 Aged 24yrs. 7ms. 2ds.
ROW 6 Left to right
In Memory of WILLIAM BROWN Deceased 8th Month, 1st, 1839 Aged 40years, 4months, and 13days.
CLARY M. - Dau. of P. & M. BROWN - Died Sept 11, 1865 Aged 1y'r. 3m's. 16d's.
On Same Gray Marble Stone -
PETER BROWN - Born Jan. 1, 1831
His Wife
MARTHA A. - Born Feb. 14, 1835 Died May 20, 1904
Sleep on sweet babe, and take thy rest, God called thee home, He thought it best.
On Same Gray Marble Stone -
JOHN G. THURMAN - Died Jun. 25, 1862 - Aged 67y's. 5m's. 25d's.
A loving husband and father dear, A faithful friend lies buried here.
DOROTHY THURMAN - Died Jan. 25, 1887 Aged 89y's. 9m's. 19d's.
A place is vacant in our home, a voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our hearts, that never can be filled.
White Marble Stone -
JOHN G. THURMAN - Died Jun. 25, 1862 Aged 67y's. 5m's. 25d's.
A loving husband and father dear, A faithful friend lies buried here.
Stone Base and Blank Footstone
ROW 8
MARY A.- Dau. of R. W. & M. McWILLIAMS - Died Oct. 10, 1851 Aged 2yrs. 6ms. 24ds.
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UNMARKED BURIALS
There are 46 marked graves, not including 4 duplicate stones. The 3 children of James H. and Rachel Sumner that are buried here have separate marble stones and are also on the family monument, and John G. Thurman has one for him and is also on one with his wife. There are at least fifteen depressions in the ground that are very visible and are probably graves, judging by their locations in the rows. A couple of the depressions are marked with simple rocks in the ground. I have been told by a former resident of the nearby farmhouse that there were a few tombstones in the creek in the late 1950's, but I have been unable to locate any.
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There is one stone base with no monument on top of it in the section among the Thurmans. I believe that this stone was for Elizabeth (Waddle) Jan 30, 1830-Nov 2, 1869, the wife of Joseph P. Thurman, who was a son of John G. and Dorothy (Strange) Thurman. Their monument is in Maquon Cemetery with no base. The placement of the footstone (to the left) would seem to indicate it was the wife of someone. Next to this there is a depression that was possibly Joseph and Elizabeth's daughter, Samantha, who died September 11, 1865, and whose name is on the stone with her parents in Maquon. The monument could have been moved when Joseph died in 1892.
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Another probable burial is Joshua Barrett Needles, parents unknown, who died October 18, 1845. He was married to Lettice Walter, a daughter of John W. and Hannah (Sumner) Walter. There is no stone found for him in any area cemetery. Lettice later married William Darnell and moved to Nebraska.
**********************
According to the obituary of Thomas Richardson Walter, son of John W. Walter and Hannah Sumner, from May, 1897, he was buried in "Walters Cemetery" but the family has a large monument in Maquon Cemetery. His wife, Sarah (Stevenson), died in 1904. His body was possibly moved at this time. The above Mary Ellen Walter, Thomas and Sarah's daughter, also has a stone with the family in Maquon.
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There is a footstone with the initials N. M. H. found near the headstone of Granville Houser. Possibly a sibling.
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James H. Sumner had a brother, Thomas W. who lived near him in Orange Township. He was married to Sarah G. Ashby and they had several children, four of whom died young:
Ashby Sep 27, 1852 - Nov 11, 1857
Wilshire Jan 27, 1855 - Nov 22, 1857
Infant Dau Aug 27, 1862 - Aug 27, 1862
Bowater Apr 8, 1864 - Oct 2, 1869
Their names are all listed on their parent's stone in Gilson, Haw Creek Township, however, Gilson Cemetery was not used until 1878. It's very possible that the four children were buried here.
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William Jackson Walter and Catherine Housh had three children that died, besides Thomas R. who has a stone here, and it is likely that they are also buried here though unmarked:
Wesley Born about 1841
Abraham Jun 10, 1851 - Jun 14, 1851
Eliza Vianna Jun 5, 1866 - Jun 30, 1866
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MARRIAGES
*****
Moses H. Gregg and Phoebe Sumner were married November 28, 1798, in Surrey County,
North Carolina.
*****
Adam Housh and Sarah Ann Bowlin were maried June 23, 1807, in Harrison County,
Kentucky.
*****
John W. Walter and Hannah Sumner were married April 16, 1812, in Highland County, Ohio.
*****
Bowater Sumner and Lettice Walter were married May 27, 1813, in Highland County, Ohio.
*****
John G. Thurman and Dorothy Strange were married 1818 in Highland County, Ohio.
*****
Cynthia Montgomery and John Beauchamp were married January 23, 1834, in Pike County,
Ohio.
*****
Isaiah Stevenson and Betsey Walter Smithson were married October 10, 1840, in Knox
County, Illinois.
*****
James R. Walter and Catherine Lawrence were married November 16, 1843, in Knox County,
Illinois.
*****
Isaiah Stevenson and Abigail Sumner were married November 23, 1843, in Knox County,
Illinois.
*****
James H. Sumner and Rachel Epperson were married May 12, 1847, in Knox County,
Illinois.
*****
Thomas R. Walter and Sarah Jane Stevenson were married August 8, 1854, in Knox County,
Illinois.
*****
Peter Brown and Martha Ann Thurman were married 1855 in Iowa (According to his pension
file).
*****
Eliza Housh and John Ivis were married September 2, 1857, in Knox County, Illinois.
*****
Cary Sumner and Arvillia Cox were married November 7, 1880, in Stark County, Illinois.
*****
Martha J. (Mattie) Sumner and Lewis F. McCoy were married November 15, 1883, in Knox
County, Illinois
*****
John W. Walter was married a second time to Fanny (Marchant) Thurman, January 23, 1848.
She was first married to Mark Thurman who died in 1845. They had arrived in Knox County in
1829, and settled in Maquon Township. Fanny died January 31, 1870. John and Fanny had a
daughter, Hannah Jane, born September 24, 1849. Fanny and Mark are buried in
Uniontown Cemetery, Salem Township.
**********************
Know all men by these presents that we Adam Housch, Jefse Duncan are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency Christopher Greenup esqr Governor of Kentucky and his Succefsors in the sum of fifty pounds current money & for payment well and truely to be made & done to our sd Governor his succefsors we bind ourselves _ _ _ _ _ of our heirs _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and Date this 22 day of June 1807.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas a marriage is shortly intended to be solemnized between the above named Adam House & Sally Bolen of the County of Harrison now should there be no lawfull cause to obstruct said marriage then the above obligation to be now else to remain in force.
Test Adam Hous {Seal}
Andrew Moore HC Jesy Dunken {Seal}
Marriage Bond 472
Adam House to Sally Bolen
**********************
Highland County, Ohio Record Book:
Also on the 16th day of April, 1812 the rites of matrimony were solomnized between John
Walter and Hannah Sumner.
by me Moses H. Gregg J.P.
28th
Apr, 1812
*****
Hinshaw Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy
Fall Creek, Highland Co., OH Monthly Meeting
**********************
Sumner Family History and Genealogy
Vol. 1, 1983
George W. Moore
**********************
VETERANS
Peter Brown enlisted as a Private in Co. G, 83rd Infantry of Knox County, IL, on August 11, 1862, and was discharged on December 22, 1862, due to disability during the Civil War.
There is a James Walter listed in the Revolutionary War Militia Muster Roll of Captain Jonathon Isham's Company of Montgomery County, Virginia, dated April 28, 1778. I have not yet been able to prove this is the same buried here, and probably never will since the records were destroyed, but it appears there was only one Walter Family in Montgomery, now Carroll County at the time. James would have been 15 years old, which at that time was not too young.
**********************
WILL or PROBATE
James Walter P
Elizabeth (Betsey) Walter W&P
John W. Walter W&P
William Brown P
James R. Walter P
Joshua B. Needles P
Moses H. Gregg W&P
Isaiah Stevenson P
Adam Housh P
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WILL OF ELIZABETH/BETSEY WALTER - 1845
I, Betsey Walter of the County of Fulton and State of Illinois, being of sound mind, memory, and judgement do ordain and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following; that is to say First , my will is that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid in due time by my Executor to be named hereafter. Secondly, my will is that my daughter Mary Walter have forty dollars, which I give to her and her heirs forever. Thirdly, my will is that the remaining part of my estate be divided equally between my four daughters, namely, Lettice Sumner, Rebecca Capps, Martha Davis, and Mary Walter, which I give unto them and their heirs forever. And lastly, I hereby appoint James H. Sumner Executor of this, my last Will and Testament.
Betsey Walter
her X mark
Signed, sealed, procured, and declared to be the last will and testament of Betsey Walter, in the presents of us, this twenty first day of August, 1845, whom she bequeathed to attest the same as witnesses thereunto signed as witnesses as aforesaid.
By: Moses H. Gregg
John Epperson
T.W. Sumner
**********************
I, Moses H. Gregg of the County of Knox in the State of Illinois being in a sound state of
mind, do ordain and make this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all others
heretofore made by me, which present will is in the following words, to wit: And first my
will is that all my just debts, (which are very few) be fully paid in due time by my
Executors herein after to be named.
Secondly, My Will is, that my beloved wife inherit all my Estate of every description, to
her sole direction and use in any manner she may choose during her natural lifetime and
sell any overplus she may wish not to retain and at her decease to will one third part
thereof to any person or persons she may think proper or desires, and that the
remaining two thirds I desire to be disposed of in the following manner that is to
say, The residue I give and bequeath unto my two surviving Brothers Jacob Gregg and Joseph
V. Gregg, equally which I give to them and their heirs forever. And if my wife should die
intestate I desire that that also be added to my Brothers legacies in equal proportion to
them.
And lastly I appoint my beloved wife Phebe Gregg sole executor of this my last will and
testament and at her choice to take to her aid any person she may think necifsary who
shall be considered joint executor with her, and as fully competant as if I had hereby
appointed him as such.
Signed and sealed pronounced and declared }
to be the last will and testament of } (signed)
Moses H. Gregg this 15th day of October, 1846 } {Seal}
in the presents of us whom he desired to sign } Moses H. Gregg
the same as witnesses thereunto
}
Attest
B. Sumner
Peter Godfrey
Thomas R. Walter
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I, John W. Walter, of the County of Knox, and the state of Illinois, being weak of body, but of sound mind and memory, thanks be to God for his mercies, do publish this, my last will and testament, in manner and form as follows; First it is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate. Second (2nd) I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Fanny Walter, all the property that now remains in our possession that she had at the time of our marriage, also one gold watch and gold chain and gold key my said wife is to have as long as she remains my widow and when she ceases to be my widow the said gold watch and chain and key before mentioned is to belong to my beloved daughter, Hannah Jane Walter, and thirdly (3rdly) I give to my beloved wife the following real estate during her natural life. To wit: Lot six (6) of the section sixteen (16) in township nine north (9N) of range three east except half of the timberland on said lot (No. 6) and also beginning at the S.E. corner of lot (No. 6) before said running east ten (10) rod thence north to _ _ _ _ _ line with the orchard, thence east (E) to the center of the orchard, thence north (N) to the north side of the orchard, thence west to the line that divides lot 6 of section 16 before said.
All of said land my said wife is to have the use, benefit, and control of during her natural life, and fourthly (4thly) I give and bequeath unto my son, Richeson Cary Walter, the balance of lot (No.7) seven that I have not bequeathed to my wife and also the half of the timber on lot six (6) during the natural life of my said widow and the said Richeson Cary Walter is to till the farmland before said _ _ _ _ _ and deliver the one third of all the grain raised on said lot No. seven (7) each and every year to my said widow during her natural life. The grain to be delivered on lot 6 before said. It is understood that I only own the two thirds of lots no. six (6) and seven (7) before said, and then at the death of my said widow all the _ _ _ _ title claim of contract (?) that I have in and to said lot no. six (6) and seven (7) in section 16 (sixteen), township nine north (9N) of range three east (3E) of the fourth principal meridian shall _ _ _ to and belong to my son Richeson Cary Walter and my daughter Hannah Jane Walter equally forever. It is also my wish and will that if my widow should out live my son Richeson Cary Walter the interest that I bequeathed to him in lot six and seven before said shall be equally divided between all of my children or their heirs. Fifthly, I wish my executor to furnish my widow with money enough to buy a good cooking stove and to build a good cistern, and I wish my executor to sell the residue of my personal property as soon as convenient and after paying all just demands against estate to divide the remainder equal amongst my heirs. And lastly I do hereby appoint my son Thomas R. Walter executor of this, my last will and testament. Witness my hand and seal this 30th day of July, A.D. 1863.
John
W. Walter seal
His
"X" Mark
Attest:
Jas. H. Sumner
**********************
JAMES WALTER PROBATE
Cash on hand after paying expenses $1732.96.
Heirs: Elizabeth Walter (wife), John W. Walter (son), Bowater Sumner (son in law), Joshua Davis (son in law), Thomas R. Walter (grandson), Mary Walter (daughter), Thomas Walter (son), Elijah Capps (son in law), Gaudin Walter (son), Richeson Carey Walter (son), Sara Maria Walter (daughter)
Elizabeth received $517.51, the rest received $115.51 each. R.C. Walter received the amount for Sarah M. as her guardian.
**********************
Adam left an estate valued at $6251.09 that was divided among his children:
Thomas Housh, Nancy Moore (wife of Thomas), Phebe Kinser (wife of Jesse), Catherine Walter (wife of William J.), Eliza Ivis (wife of John), and Sarah Dickerson (wife of William W.)
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OBITUARIES the following have been found:
Knox County Republican
Wednesday, September 5, 1894
LOST HIS LIFE
Mr. James Sumner of Orange township, and for many years a resident of the county, lost his life last Saturday morning, at the fairgrounds crossing. He was a member of the Knox County Agricultural Board, and had been at the grounds attending to some of the work of the fair, and while crossing the track was struck by the morning passenger train and instantly killed, his neck being broken and his skull crushed.
A jury was empanneled by Coroner Aldrich. After viewing the remains, an adjournment was had until Monday morning, when the following verdict was rendered:
We, the undersigned jurors, sworn to inquire into the death of James Sumner, deceased, do say that the said James Sumner came to his death by being struck by Peoria passenger train No. 2, of the C.B.&Q. R.R. Co., on the morning of Sept. 1st, 1894, in such a manner, by us unknown, as to cause instant death.
Dr. W.R. McLaren, Foreman,
E. Sherman,
A.C. Dempsey,
William Tate,
S.M. Turner,
Harvey J. Butts.
James H. Sumner was born in Highland County, Ohio, Nov. 28th, 1814, Emmigrated to Illinois in the fall of 1837, and settled in Canton, Fulton County. In the spring of 1838 he moved to Knox County, near where Gilson now is, and has ever since resided in that vicinity, until death. May 12th, 1847 he was united in marriage to Rachel Epperson, and departed this life Sept. 1st, 1894, aged 79years, 9 months, and 3 days, and leaves to mourn his sudden and cruel death, one brother, Thomas W. Sumner, two sisters, Mrs. Peter Godfrey and Mrs. Richard Maxey, two sons, Thomas and Carry Sumner, and one daughter, Mrs. Lewis McCoy, besides hosts of friends and neighbors to mourn his death, as he was a friend to the needy, a helper to those who were in want, a faithful, loving husband, a kind father, and respected by all who knew him. The funeral was held at his late residence, conducted by Rev. N. G. Clark, and attended by a large concourse of people, and his body laid to rest beside his wife near Maquon.
*****
Thursday June 3, 1897
T.R. Walter, who has been in declining health for the last year, died at his home south of town Friday, May 28, at the age of 79 years. The funeral services were held in the Methodist church Sunday morning, conducted by Rev. N. G. Clark. The remains were interred in the Walters cemetery. The deceased was one of our oldest citizens and was highly respected by all who knew him.
*****
London Times
London Mills, IL
Uncle Tom Walters of Maquon township, Knox County, died on Friday of last week, in the 80th year of his age. He was a prominent and wealthy man. and one of the oldest settlers of the county. His funeral was preached by Rev. N. G. Clark at Maquon. Sunday. He was buried in the Walters cemetery.
*****
Galesburg Daily Republican Register
Thursday April 2, 1914
Peter Brown is quite bad off at this writing, with the chances against him. He is 88 years old, and a veteran of Civil War.
*****
Galesburg Daily Republican Register
Wednesday April 8, 1914
Peter Brown
Rapatee, Ill., April 8. - The telephone informed us on Saturday morning that Uncle Peter Brown had died on Friday night at his home northeast of Rapatee. This removes one who has lived in Maquon township for over four score years, he was brought here an infant and was in his 84th year. He married Martha Thurman who died nine years since. There remains living four children, Elias of Nebraska, Gilvey of Peoria, Mrs. Sylva Bridgewater, of Rapatee, and Irven of Middlegrove, grandchildren and great grand-children. Peter was a veteran of the Civil War. The funeral was held at the home on Monday morning and the interment in the Walter cemetery west of Maquon.
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BIOGRAPHIES the following mention people buried here:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Illinois and Knox County 1886.
Chapman Brothers
THOMAS R. WALTER is a successful farmer and stock raiser, residing on his productive farm on section 16, Maquon Township. He has been closely identified with the agricultural development of the county since his arrival here in the fall of 1837. He emmigrated to this county from Highland County, Ohio, with his parents, and resided on the home farm in Maquon Township, west of Maquon, remaining there until his final settlement on his farm on section 16.
The parents of Mr. Walter are John W. and Hannah (Sumner) Walter. The father was born in Virginia and was a soldier in the War of 1812. The mother was a native of South (sic, North) Carolina. Mr. Walter is the third in order of birth in a family of ten children, namely: Betsey (deceased), William J., our subject, Jincy, Lettice (deceased), James (deceased), Bowater, John G. (deceased), Cynthia (deceased), and Richeson C. William J. married Catherine Housh and they live in Nebraska; Betsey was the wife of Edward Smithson, deceased; subsequentially she married Isaiah Stevenson; Jincy became the wife of Milo Preston, deceased, and she lives in Iowa; James married Catherine Lawrence; Lettice became the wife of Joshua Needles, now deceased; she was a second time married to William Darnell; Cynthia became the wife of Joel Darnell; and Richeson C. became the husband of Polly Hall; the latter resides in Nebraska.
Mr. Walter's first purchase of land was 160 acres, on which he erected a set of comfortable and substantial buildings and made other convenient improvements, subsequently adding to his first purchase until he is now the proprietor of 1,481 acres of well improved and cultivated land in Knox County. He is also the owner of property in the village of Maquon.
Thomas Walter was born in Highland County, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1817. He had attained the age of 19 years upon his arrival in this county, and has always followed the honorable calling of an agriculturalist. It is needless to say that he is one of the largest land-owners and most substantial farmers within the county of Knox.
The date of the marriage of our subject, in Maquon Township, was Aug. 8, 1854. The lady of his choice was Sarah J. Stevenson, daughter of Edward and Mary (Keys) Stevenson. The father was a native of Maryland and the mother of Delaware. In June, 1840, the date of the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. S. in Knox County, they settled in Haw Creek Township, subsequently removing to the township of Maquon, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their family consisted of six children, and bear the names of Sarah J., William, John, James K., Lewis N., and Edward O. Sarah J., the wife of our subject was born in Franklin County, Ohio, Sept 24, 1835.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter, of whom we write, have become the parents of ten children, as follows: Vianna, Mary E.., Ethzelda, two who died in infancy, Lyman, Elnora, Thomas Ulysses, Laura B., and Albertie. Vianna is the wife of B.F. Adams and resides in Peoria; Ethzelda married Frank D. Pickrel; this lady died in Haw Creek Township June 2, 1881. Mary E. is deceased, and the remaining children reside at home.
Mr. Walter has held the position of Road Commissioner and also that of School Director. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. The publishers take pleasure in presenting a view of Mr. Walter's fine homestead in connection with this sketch.
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Portrait and Biographical Album of Illinois and Knox County
Chapman Brothers, 1886
Mr. Sumner was born in Highland County, Ohio, Feb 22, 1820. He is the son of Bowater and Lettice (Walter) Sumner and the third child in a family of four children, all of whom are living. His father was a native of North Carolina, and of the Quaker faith, and his mother of Virginia; both are now deceased. In the fall of 1837 they removed from Ohio to Canton, Fulton Co., Ill., where they passed the winter, and in the spring of 1838 removed to Knox County; here both father and mother departed this life, while Mr. Sumner of this writing has remained here up to the present time, pursuing his chosen vocation.
He is interested in the breeding and raising of English thorough-bred race-horses, of which he has at this writing 20 head. He is the owner of three horses who carried off the blue ribbon at the Knox County Fair in 1885. Several others have taken premiums at fairs in adjacent counties, and Mr. Sumner may well feel that no one in the county is his superior in this respect.
The subject of our sketch was married to Sarah Ashby, Feb. 22, 1849, who is the daughter of David and Ruthanna (Gaddis) Ashby, who were old settlers in this county, where they both died. She was born Dec. 2, 1829, in Clinton County, Ohio, and is the mother of ten children, the names and dates of whose births are as follows: James, born Nov 17, 1849; Ashby, Sept 27, 1852, died Nov 11, 1857, at the early age of five years; Wilshire, Jan 17, 1855, died Nov 22, 1857; Lettice, Jan 12, 1858, is the wife of Loren Brown, and resides in Seward County, Neb.; Anna, Apr 5, 1860; Bowater, Apr 9, 1864, and deceased Oct 3, 1867; Nancy, March 28, 1867; Robert, June 21, 1870; David, Nov 14, 1872, and one who died in infancy, Aug 27, 1862.
Mr. Sumner is an extensive owner of landed estates, his farms including 610 acres, all fenced, cultivated and improved; 80 acres of this is timber. His home buildings consist of a neat and substantial frame house, besides barns, sheds, cribs and out buildings of all kinds, all in good repair. He is a liberal minded man, believing in the principal rather than party, and is one of the most respected citizens of that section. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Sumner is a member of the United Brethren Church.
(Thomas W. Sumner was a brother of James H. Sumner)
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Portrait and Biographical Album of Illinois and Knox County 1886
Chapman Brothers
Partial biography of Alexander Thurman:
He of whom we write, was born in Highland County, Ohio, Dec. 1, 1821. His parents were John G. and Dorothy (Strange) Thurman. They were natives of Ohio (sic, Virginia) and Virginia, respectively. The father was born in 1795, and died in 1859 (sic, 1862). The mother was born in 1799, and is now living with her son's wife at the advanced age of 87 years.
He came to Knox County in June, 1841, and six years later, on the 26th day of November, was married. After marriage he settled in Maquon Township, where he was actively engaged in following the avocation of an agriculturalist, and there met with extraordinary success until his decease, as above stated.
The maiden name of the wife of our subject was Eliza A., daughter of Mark and Fannie (Marchant) Thurman. Her parents were pioneers of Knox County, coming there as early as 1829. There they resided until their demise. Mark Thurman, the father of Mrs. Thurman, was the first Justice of the Peace in Knox County. His demise occurred Oct. 26, 1845. The parental family consisted of ten children, of whom Mrs. T. was the third in order of birth.........
(Alexander Thurman was a brother of Martha Ann (Thurman) Brown, Fanny (Marchant)Thurman was John W. Walter's second wife)
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MISC. RECORDS
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Elizabeth Walter's bill from Dr. James R. Walter of Canton was $24.06 from Sep 15 to October 12, 1845. P. L. Snyder of Canton built her coffin for $10.00. Her burial shroud materials totaled $6.59. The items were purchased from J. Maple and D. W. Vittum, both of Canton. Her 4 daughters received $25 each in Illinois Canal Script as part of their payment from the estate.
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James R. Walter's bill from Dr. Richeson Walter was $9.25 from September 15th to the 20th, 1845 and his coffin was built by Jacob Conser for $6.50.
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Joshua Barrett Needles doctor bill from Richeson Walter was $10.12, including one ounce of "Arsenick", and his coffin was built by William Conser for $6.00.
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Moses H. Gregg's doctor bill from Richeson Walter was $33.75 from September 3rd to November 17, 1846. His coffin was built by James McCully for $15.00.
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Isaiah Stevenson's doctor bill from Richeson Walter was . In his probate there is a bill for "...making one cauphfin for Isaiah Stevenson, Deceased. December 5, 1848, Seven Dollars,Wm. Conser". There is also a bill of $3.00 from John W. Walter for "setting tombstones" in September, 1848. These must have been the stones for his wife and child.
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Adam Housh's probate includes a contract/receipt from J.A. Judson for two sets of white marble Grave Stones, four feet long, eighteen inches wide and Foot Stones about one-third the width and height of Head Stones inscribed as follows: "Adam Housh died Sept. 27, 1861 AE. 77 yrs. Sarah Housh died Jany 24, 1844 AE. 60yrs". There is a description of the engraving to be done, with the finished stones to be delivered to "any Housh" 2 1/2 miles west of Maquon in spring or summer of 1862 for a total cost of $60.00.
His coffin was built by James L. Burkhalter for $18.00, who also built the Maquon Methodist Church and Wolf Covered Bridge.
His burial shroud was made of the following materials:
1 pair Best Hose
.38
1 yard Mull
.50
4 yards Bleached Muslin .80
1 Spool Thread
.05
$4.43
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John W. Walter's bill from Dr. J. R. Cunningham was $6.50, including a pint of whiskey. His coffin was purchased from F. C. Warden for $25.00, his stones were purchased from Geo. Carley and A. W. Anderson for $25.00, and his "articles for burial" were from George Stetson for $1.25. E. E. Blakesly also furnished medication (what appears to be "Frost's Pills") for $1.50.
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Peter Brown's death certificate indicates he died of "Urenia" with complications from "Senile Debility" at 11:45 pm Apr 3, 1914, and was buried April 6, at 10:00 A.M. in "Maquon". Their stone has no date of death for him. His was the last burial.
Martha (Thurman) Brown's death certificate states she died of "Lagrippe" May 19, 1904, at 12:00 P.M. and was buried May 22 in "Walters Cemetery". These are the only two burials here with death certificates.
Any contributions, corrections, or suggestions would
be deeply appreciated!
Copyright © Janine
Crandell
All rights reserved
November 2, 2003
