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- No history of Vermilion county would be complete without the record of Spencer Cline, who for many years assisted materially in the improivement and upbuilding of the county as a representative of its agricultural interests. He was born in Kentucky, August 13, 1812, and was of German and Scotch extraction. His parents, John D. C. and Catherine (Shumate) Cline, came to this county in 1829, when the work of progress and improvement had scarcely been begun and often would attend the Indian meetings here. The father was a potter by trade and frequently made trips as far north as Wisconsin in order to dispose of his wares. He also traveled along the Sangamon river, selling his goods. Spencer Cline acquired his education in the schools of his native state and when a young man of seventeen accompanied his parents to Vermilion county, where he lived until called to his final rest. He assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm and the hardships and trials incident to life on the frontier became familiar to him through actual experience. He was married in 1840 and then began farming and stock-raising on his own account, living on section [25], Blount township - the old homestead on which his parents had lived and died. The house which still stands here is now about seventy-two years old and in it the widow of our subject is yet living and expects to spend her remaining life here. After coming to Illinois Spencer Cline knew no other home. On the 8th of October, 1840, he wedded Rachel Shephard, who was of Scotch lineage and a daughter of Louis and Celia (McCreary) Shephard, both natives of Burke county, North Carolina. Mrs. Cline was born in the same state, December 24, 1819, and attended school there. Subsequently her parents removed to Terre Haute, Indiana, where she continued her education, remaining there until she reached womanhood. She was eighty three years of age in December, 1902, and is one of the honored pioneer ladies, whose memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
Spencer Cline assisted in clearing the old home farm. The land here was entered by his father from the government and not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place. All of the pioneer conditions of Vermilion county were familiar to Mr. and Mrs. Cline.
Danville contained but two stores and a Baptist church when Mrs. Cline came to Vermilion county. The milling was done at Covington, Indiana, and the country was all covered with timber or stretched away as an unbroken prairie for miles. The meals were largely cooked in great iron pots or kettles which were hung from the crane that extended over the fire place. Bread and pies were baked in a skillet which, was covered over and then coals placed upon it The johnny cake, a frequent article of food at that time, was baked upon a board placed before the fire. Mrs. Cline still has in her possession an old timepiece called a spring clock, which is more than seventy years old.
Unto our subject and his wife were born ten children, seven of whom reached mature years, while three are now living: David C.; Lewis, who married Eliza Demoss and had five children, their home being in Blount township; and Margaret, the wife of John P. Stuckey, by whom she had nine children, seven of whom are yet living.
Mr. Cline was called to his final rest March 27, 1893, at the age of seventy-nine years and five months. He was long a consistent member of the Christian church and Mrs. Cline has been a member of the church for about forty years. She is still living in the old log-cabin home and has twenty acres of ground around her place. This is largely planted to blackberries, pears, peaches and apples and the sale of her fruit brings her a good income. In the early days she spun and wove her own clothing, spinning wheels being used extensively in the time of her girlhood, but as the years passed and cities grew and brought with them the ready made materials from the factories and looms of the east. Her husband, Mr. Cline, was at one time a member of a party that walked to Chicago to help dig the cellar for the first brick house erected in that city. He frequently made trips to Chicago with ox teams and returned with salt and provisions.
David C. Cline, who still lives upon the old homestead, where he was born September 12, 1854, in the log house in which his grandparents and his father lived and died, pursued his education in the district schools and from an early age he assisted in the work of the home farm. He continued to attend the schools in the winter months until eighteen years of age, after which he was allowed the privilege of attending throughout the year until he attained his majority. Since that time he has given his attention exclusively to agricultural and horticultural pursuits and is now engaged in the raising of all kinds of fruit and vegetables for the city markets. In this lie has been quite successful, establishing a large trade, and his business has brought to him a comfortable income. In politics he is independent, voting not for party but for men and measures, and for nine years he has served his district as school director.
Text from: The Past and Present of Vermilion County, Illinois, 1903. Pages 1117-1118.
[6]
- A surprise to Spencer Cline
On the 13th of August, Mr. Spencer Cline, who lives in Blount township, on the Newtown road, reached his 75th year. He was sent by his good wife, Rachael, to the store for some soda, which she didn't need, but made an excuse to get him away. Then the neighbors came in with baskets laden with good things and spread a table with food fit for a king. They also brought a lot of nice presents. So when Mr. Cline returned home he was astonished, surprised, laughed until the tears run from his eyes, and shook hands all round. Thirty took dinner, had a joyful time and went away wishing Mr. Cline many more birthdays. The News extends congratulations also to both Spencer and Rachael.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
[7]
- 1850 US census, enumerated 19 December 1950
Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Spencer Cline, age 62, farmer
Rachel, age 50
Sarah, age 9
Harriet, age 4
Margaret, age 2
value of real estate - $600
Neighbors are the households of his father, John B. Cline, and his brother, Nathaniel Cline.
[3]
- 1860 US census, enumerated 9 July 1960
Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Spencer Cline, age 46, farmer
Rachel, age 40
Harriet, age 14, attended school
Margaret, age 12, attended school
David age, 6, attended school
Lewis, age 4
Nathaniel, age 2
Mary, age 6 months
Catharine, age 70 [Spencer's widowed mother]
S. C., age 18 [Sarah Catherine Cline, daughter of Andrew Jackson Cline and Eliza Millinder Cline]
value of real estate - $1200
value of personal estate - $300
Neighbors to Abel Newbrough and family.
[3]
- 1870 US census, enumerated 11 August 1870
Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Spencer Cline, age 56, farmer
Rachel age, 52
David age, 17, attended school
Lewis, age 15, attended school
Nathaniel, age 13, attended school
Mary, age 11, attended school
value of real estate, $2800
value of personal estate, $400
[3]
- 1880 US census, enumerated 15 June 1880
Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Spencer Cline age 67, farmer
Rachel, age 60, keeping house
David, age 27, farm laborer
Nathaniel, age 23, farm laborer
[3]
- 1850 US selected federal census non-population schedule - agriculture
District 21 [Blount Township], Vermilion County, Illinois
Line 20
Spencer Cline
60 acres improved land
60 acres unimproved land
cash value of farm = $600
value of farm implements = $75
3 horses
68 swine
value of livestock = $250
wheat, bushels of = 30
Indian corn, bushels of = 400
Irish potatoes, bushels of = 6
value of animals slaughtered = $40
[3]
- 1860 US agricultural census, enumerated 21 August 1860
Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Spencer Cline
40 improved acres
40 unimproved acres
Cash value of farm = $1000
value of farming implements = $50
2 horses
20 swine
value of livestock = $200
Indian corn, bushels of = 600
Irish potatoes, bushels of = 10
buckwheat, bushels of = 15
value of produce market garden = $15
butter, pounds of = 150
hay, tons of 30
value of animals, slaughtered $100
[3]
- Vermilion County, Illinois. Will Book F, 1882-1896, page 430.
Last Will and Testament of Spence Cline.
Know all men by these present that I Spencer Cline of the County of Vermilion and the State of Ills. Being of mature age, and sound mind, do hereby make my last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit: -
First: It is my Will that my funeral expenses and all my just debt be paid in full.
Second: After the payment of such funeral expenses and debts, I Will, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Rachel Cline, all my personal property, consisting of horses, cattle, hogs, poultry, wagon, harness and farm implements of all kinds, household and kitchen furniture and furnishings, moneys, and credits by me owned, also all of my land being the N.W. quarter of the S.W. quarter of Section No.25, of T20, R.12 West Vermilion County, Ills. Together with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging.
Third: And lastly I hereby appoint my son David Cline executor of this my last Will and Testament and further Will that my said son shall not be required by the Court to give security for his faithful execution of this Will. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this the seventh day of March A.D. 1893. Hereby revoking all former wills by me made and confirming this and no other as and for my last Will and Testament. Spencer [his X mark] Cline.
Signed sealed published and declared by the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in our presence who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have here unto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
N.L. Bowman
Nelson Champlin
State of Illinois
Vermilion County
[8]
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