Robert W. ILIFF, whose fine farm lies on section 14, Richland township,
Marshall county, is a native of the county, the family of which he is a member
being numbered among the earliest settlers of this locality. The ILIFFs are of
English descent, and the first of the family in America was James ILIFF, who was
a son of Richard ILIFF. He was a member of the William Penn colony in
Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather of our subject was John ILIFF, a native of
the keystone state. His son, Robert ILIFF, married Jane WILLIAMS, and their son,
John M. ILIFF, who was born in 1827, in Perry county, Ohio, is the father of our
subject. This family contributed fifty-two of its number to the union army from
1861 to 1865.
The first of the family to effect a settlement in Marshall
county was Robert ILIFF, the grandfather of our subject. He was a native of
Pennsylvania, born in 1801, and came with his family to Illinois in 1831, first
locating near Washburn, and in the spring of 1832 moving to the farm which is
now the home of Robert W. ILIFF. The land was divided between timber and prairie
and in its native state. At that time there were not over half a dozen families
in the township and few improvements had been made. He at once commenced the
development of the place and in due time had a most productive farm. On this
farm his wife died in 1862, and nine years later he retired from active life and
made his home with his son, John M. ILIFF, until called away by death.
Robert and Jane ILIFF were the parents of five children, only one of whom,
however, grew to maturity. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and took an active interest in the work of the church, both dying as
they had lived, earnest, devoted Christians. He was a man of quiet disposition,
taking little part in public affairs, and caring little for the honors of this
world. During almost his entire life he was noted as being a very early riser,
literally following the maxim of Benjamin Franklin, “Early to bed and early to
rise.” He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war.
John M. ILIFF, the father
of our subject, was but four years of age when he came with the family to
Illinois. Here he grew to manhood and received a good common school education.
The life of a farmer he adopted as his calling, and as soon as able commenced
assisting in the cultivation of the home farm.
He was united in marriage
with Caroline E. HENTHORN, a native of Ohio, born June 30, 1828, and a daughter
of Samuel and Penelope (BROWN) HENTHORN. Her parents were among the pioneers of
the county, first locating in Lacon township, but soon after removing to
Richland township, taking up the southwest quarter of section 1, which was their
home until late in life, when they moved to Lacon and there died. They were the
parents of nine children, four of whom are now living: Reason A., who resides in
Nebraska; James P., Eliza A., and Frances STREET, living in Lacon.
After
their marriage, John M. ILIFF and wife located on the northeast quarter of
section 1, Richland township, where he improved a fine farm. To them were born
seven children, six of whom grew to maturity: Robert W., our subject; Samuel H.,
who lives in Mankato, Kansas; Clarissa J., living in Bloomington, Illinois;
William T., of Peoria; Ella C., now the wife of Horace RAMP, of Richland
township, and Mary, widow of Professor J. R. GRAY, now residing in Bloomington,
and a fine musician, having charge of the musical department of the Wesleyan
university. The mother of these children died in 1864. She was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, a woman of lovely disposition, one who followed
closely in the footsteps of the blessed Master.
Luella C ILIFF RAMP
Horace Greeley RAMP
husband of
Lu"Ella"
Samuel RAMP
father of Horace
[Photos submitted 08 Sep 2012 by Roberta Hofmann]
John M. ILIFF was thrice married, this third wife being Miss Amelia
SPRINGER, who now resides in Galesburg, Illinois. After living a life of
great usefulness for fifty-four years, he was called to rest, his death
occurring in 1881. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an
active worker in the same, serving the church in an official capacity for
many years.
Robert W. ILIFF, our subject, was born upon the old home
farm on section 1, Richland township, March 22, 1851. After receiving his
primary education in the public schools of his township, he entered Wesleyan
university, taking a two years’ course, but not graduating. He grew to
manhood on the farm and remained at home, assisting in the work until his
marriage in April 30, 1873, with Miss Alice A. BEQUEAITH, a native of
Tazewell county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth BEQUEAITH,
the former, now deceased, and the latter living in Pekin, Illinois. By this
union seven children have been born: John E., who married Mary A. WILLIAMS,
and now resides in Belle Plain township, and Flora C., Frank B., Herbert A.,
George W., Anna B., and Harry L., all at home.
Soon after their
marriage the young couple removed to the farm, which is yet their home, and
which has been in the family for over sixty years. It comprises eighty acres
of finely improved land, everything about it evincing the thrift of its
owner. In all his work he is thorough and systematic, believing in the
doctrine “what is worth doing is worth doing well.” For several years he has
made a specialty of raising thoroughbred Poland China hogs and has been
fairly successful, though losing heavily in 1895 from hog cholera.
In
1877, Mr. ILIFF was sun-struck, the effects of which have continued with him
to this day, at times causing him great suffering, but he bears his
affliction patiently. Like his father, he is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, of which body his wife and eldest daughter are also
members. For years he has served the church as trustee and steward, and has
also been superintendent of the Sunday school. He believes thoroughly in the
Christian religion and in the work the Lord has left to his disciples in the
conversion of the world. Politically, he is a republican, by birth and
inclination. Born at a time when the slavery question was the all-important
topic of discussion, and when the slave power, grown arrogant by success,
was determined to still farther encroach upon the free territory of the
country, almost his first recollection was of hearing the discussion of the
rights of the black man and the influence of slavery upon the country. As
soon as old enough to express his views, he took sides with the republican
party, with which organization he has continued to act. In the discharge of
his duties as a citizen he has served in several local offices, and has
discharged the duty of township assessor for many years.
Mr. and Mrs.
ILIFF reside in a very pleasant home and no family in Marshall county is
more highly esteemed. Mrs. ILIFF is a woman of excellent judgment and good
business ability, and has ever been truly a helpmeet to her husband, who at
all times consults with and seeks her advice on business matters.
Extracted March 2011 by Norma Hass from The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.
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