of Menard and Mason Counties
By T.G. Onstott
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CHAPTER XLII Page 384 The following is taken from the Manito Express in 1892 and is taken from the gifted pen of Miss Gertie White, who now lives at Murphysboro, Tenn.
It was one of the hot, sweltering days of July, about the twentieth as near as I can remember, in the year of 1829 that a baby boy came to live in a little cabin in Sugar Grove in Menard county. It was not a stately mansion that first sheltered that babe, nor a '76 rocker that sung him to sleep. It was an old fashioned cradle of a planed box with a home made rocker at each end that snugly held the sleeping child and the roof over head was covered with clapboards and great hewn logs formed the walls. At that time the red man's shrieks and yells disturbed the peace within the cabin and the bleak winds swept from the north. It was indeed a wild and wooley west but the pioneer parents knew no fear for their hands were willing and their hearts were light and many were the happy hours spent in the humble dwelling. The babe, nursed by a mother's protecting care, grew both in statue and knowledge and like all children, in due time received a name, which has since been shortened to T.G. When T.G. was old enough to appreciate the beauties of life his father took him to a new home in Salem, two miles above where Petersburg now stands. His father was engaged in the cooper trade and also kept the village hotel, a two story log house. At this place the well known Abraham Lincoln, who boarded with T.G.'s father, trotted the little tad on his knee. For the most part of two years the noble Lincoln made his home with Mr. Onstot. In 1840 T.G. removed with his father to Petersburg. During this time occurred the campaign of Tippecanoe. Here T.G. imbibed the true spirit of patriotism, one that has always remained, and the good old patriotic songs whose echoes will resound from hills ancient as the sun, in centuries to come, were sung clear and with enthusiasm from the lips of the lad. While here T.G. spent his time in school and helping his father and doing with his might what his hands found to do. In 1846 he came to Mason county, near Havana, and engaged in farming. In the twenty-second year of his life occurred the happy event of his life. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful scene. The sun never shone brighter, the birds never warbled such a chorus, the flowers were never so fragrant as on that day. That day a cupid dart pierced his heart and he became a victim to the fair and beautiful Sarah L. Ellsworth, and bestowing upon her the love outweighing all the jewels in the universe, the love of a true and noble heart. He became her husband. They purchased a neat home in Pleasant Plains and for many years enjoyed the life of a farmer to the utmost extent. All their efforts were crowned with success. Their love was mutual and never grew less and with happy hearts did they sing "We'll love each other better dear, when we are old and gray." In their prosperity they never forgot that there was an all wise infinite one, who ruled the universe. Mrs. Onstot was a faithful christian at the time of her marriage and by her loving influence soon brought her companion to the foot of the cross and who all these years has proven a faithful follower of Christ. Their happy home was blest with several sweet children, five laughing girls and two noisy boys. But "there never was a day so sunny but a cloud appears and never a life so happy but has its time of tears." Mr. Onstot, like all mankind, was called to pass through deep waters of affliction. Death visited his home and took away little Charlie, Nellie and Sarah, the sweet patient Ellen and his faithful and devoted wife. Their bodies were laid away in the beautiful cemetery on the farm then owned by Mr. Onstot. Naught of them remains but the names that fadeth not away. Three children remain, Mrs. Mary Bruning of Havana, a loved an esteemed lady, Mrs. Lulu Jackson of Forest City, who directs her little ones in the path of duty and virtue, and Miss Susie, a refined young lady, making home pleasant for her father. Since in 1866 Mr. Onstot has resided in Forest City. He has a beautiful home surrounded by all the pleasures and luxuries of life. He is one of Forest City's political, religious and commercial leaders and is engaged in the lumber, grain and mercantile business. He has been tax collector and justice of the peace for many years. He is a leading member of the M.E. church. His Christian influence and example has always been for the good and right and for directing wayward souls in the way of righteousness. He is a Methodist by name, yet liberal enough to think that other coats, "if true to their colors," will pass through the pearly gates. Mr. Onstot is a jolly man, always in a good humor and has a hearty shake of the hand for all. Is strictly prohibition, never using tobacco in any form or profane language. Although deprived of the advantages now enjoyed by young Americans of the day, Mr. Onstot may truthfully be called a talented gentleman. With an abundance of good judgment together with the scant education he received under great disadvantages, he is equal to all emergencies. And though his hair is now sprinkled with the frost of time, may he yet live to see many bidden hopes bloom into reality and may many years still be in store for him.
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