1882 Biographies - Okaw Precinct
Jacob BARTH, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Heilsburg. Among the prominent farmers and self-made men of this portion of the county is Jacob BARTH, who was born October 9, 1826, in Hesse-Darmstadt, son of George and Barvell (MANN) BARTH. Jacob, when a lad, learned the glazier’s trade in the old country, and at the age of nineteen bid good-bye to the land of his nativity, and cast his fortunes with America’s free soil. He left home with nothing, his father’s only endowment was a whipping, which he gave Jacob before leaving. Jacob came first to St. Louis, and sought employment at his trade, which was at the time unprofitable here; he then learned the wagon-maker’s trade and worked journey work of several years, and traveled over several States. In the fall of 1850, he came to Bond County and made a purchase, in the locality where he now resides, and engaged in farming, and has since lived here, and became one of the leading farmers in his township. He has nearly 600 acres of land, which he farms very successfully. In 1850, he married Elizabeth GERTNER, a native Wurtemberg, who has borne him six children – Edward, Theresa E., Matilda E., Henry G., Jacob and George. The daughters are married to two brothers, James and John GUNN, and reside in this township.
Alexander MYATT, deceased, Prominent among the early settlers of this precinct is the MYATT family, of whom the above was the head and father. He was born February 9, 1802, in Tennessee, son of Wiley MYATT, and came to Bond County in the year 1831, locating first in Beaver Creek Township, and removed to this township, locating on the west half of Section 33, in the year 1836, and remained here until his death, September 4, 1865. For many years he was a member of the Methodist Church, his house being used in early time as a place for holding meetings, and the pioneer minister ever found under his roof a hospitable welcome. He was a man of quiet and unpretentious habits; yet, withal he was a man of substantial worth and merit. He was twice married; first to Mary CHISENHALL, of Tennessee, who bore him six children, viz., Emily, Martha, Pernecia, Wiley, Wesley and Mary. His second and last wife was Mrs. Murphy WILMERTH, whose maiden name was SUGG, by whom he had six children as follows: William C., Josiah, Alexander B., Nancy E., Sarah S. and Murphy L., all of whom were born in this county. Of this number William C. and Alexander B. reside on farms adjoining. Alexander Barnes’ sons reside upon and own the homestead farm here; he was born April 17, 1837, and was married June 30, 1858, to Caroline POWELL, who was born February 18, 1836, in Montgomery County, Tenn., daughter of Benjamin and Nellie (COSSIE) POWELL; he was a son of Eaton POWELL; she was born in Kentucky, daughter of Robert COSSIE. Mrs. MYATT was the second of a family of six children, but two of the number living, herself and Catharine, who reside in California, wife of Alfred LOUIS. The POWELL family came to Illinois in 1844, and wer Methodists. To Mr. and Mrs. MYATT have been born four children, but two living, Fannie E. and Roxcillana. The entire family being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. MYATT has 265 acres, and with the exception of about four years spent in Greenville educating his daughters, he has remained a constant resident of the farm.
Extracted by Norma Hass from the History of Bond and
Montgomery Counties
